The Alberni Valley Bulldogs inched closer to securing home ice advantage in the Coastal Conference Quarter Finals with a dominant 6-2 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday night in Chilliwack.
The Bulldogs led 2-1 after 20 minutes of play, but it could have been much more lopsided after the Bulldogs rang the puck off several posts and crossbars.
The offence exploded for four 2nd period goals to blow the game open, and take a 6-1 lead to the locker room after 40 minutes.
The Chiefs would get the lone goal of a wild 3rd period that marred by a Sasha Teleguine match-penalty with 3:48 remaining in regulation. Teleguine ran an unsuspecting Hobie Hedquist to set off some late game fireworks between the two teams.
The Bulldogs got a pair of goals from Cam VanSickle, his 17th and 18th of the season, while Owen Desilets (2nd), Zeke Nicholson (6th), Ethan Bono (17th) and Manu Charbonneau (6th) scored singles in the victory.
The win improved the Bulldogs record to 30-19-3-1 on the season. It’s the first time since 2004-2005 – 2005-2006 that the Bulldogs have put together back to back seasons of at least 30 wins.
The Bulldogs two victories on the weekend puts them in a great position to clinch home ice for at least the first round of the playoffs. Chilliwack can no longer catch the Bulldogs, and Victoria’s loss leaves them 4 points behind the Bulldogs for 3rd in the Coastal Conference. The Coquitlam Express are currently 5th, 5 points behind the Bulldogs.
The Express take on the Nanaimo Clippers today at 3:00 pm, a Clippers win will clinch home-ice for the Bulldogs. Victoria meanwhile takes the Surrey Eagles at 4:00 pm looking to make up ground on the Bulldogs ahead of their massive head-to-head showdown on Friday night at the Dawg Pound.
If things hold the way they are, the Bulldogs would end up facing the Chilliwack Chiefs in the opening round.
The Bulldogs final game of the regular season goes Friday night against Victoria. Join us as we celebrate the junior careers of our 6 graduating 20-year olds. Tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE . Don’t forget that all local youth 18-and under are no-charge when accompanied by an adult thanks to the San Group.
