The Alberni Valley Bulldogs return to the ice tonight for their first week of action this season where they will face teams that they have already played in this young BCHL season. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks will roll into town tonight, and the Nanaimo Clippers will visit the Pound on Saturday.
Of course the Dogs and Silverbacks just played Saturday night in Salmon Arm, a 3-1 win by the Silverbacks in a contest where neither team showed much in the way of ?jump? with each club mustering just 22 shots on goal. Cory Chakeen had the lone goal of the first converting on a breakaway as it was 1-0 ?Backs after one. Salmon Arm again had the only goal of the second, a Travis Statchuk power play goal. Early in the third the Silverbacks were up 3-0 as David Killip scored a weird one on a wrap around. The Dogs would battle back to get on the board with 5:14 to play on a great second effort from Mitch MacMillan finding Trent Dorais, but that would be as close as they would get.
The Silverbacks have won twice since that game stretching their win streak to five, including a 3-2 win last night over the Clippers at Frank Crane Arena raising their record to 8-3-1 and 1. The Silverbacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the 15:49 mark of the second period with David Killip, Mark Zengerle, and Travis Statchuk (on the power play) all finding the net. Nanaimo would chip away to make a game of it, making it 3-1 after two, and then a one goal game again with a power play goal with twelve minutes to go. They would get no closer as the Silverbacks preserved the lead to skate away with the win.
Final shots favoured the Clippers 36-28 with Tony Ierfino picking up the win in net. Salmon Arm went 1 for 6 on the power play while the Clippers were 1 for 7.
The Silverbacks are red hot, winners of five in a row. The Dogs on the other hand have lost two straight for the first time this season, so expect them to be prepared for the Silverbacks after bringing less than their best effort in Salmon Arm?s building. With the Dogs returning home for the first time after four straight games on the road, I expect them to come out flying. If they hope to pick up two points, it won?t just take a good start; it will take a full 60 minute effort.
The Broadcast begins with the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45, with the puck dropping at 7:00pm. Listen live on 93.3 The Peak or www.933thepeak.com and watch live through the Pay Per View Broadcast through BCHL Web TV
The Nanaimo Clippers make their second visit of the season to The Dog Pound Saturday night, looking for payback after the Dogs shut them out 3-0 on October 3rd.
The Clippers will be playing their third game of the week when they visit the Dogs on Saturday. After hosting Salmon Arm Wednesday they have Thursday off before the Trail Smoke Eaters pay them a visit on Friday night.
Having said that, expect the Dogs to come out hungry after a Friday off from game action in an effort to show the Clippers that their 3-0 win was no accident.
Saturday?s pregame show kicks off again at 6:45 with the puck dropping at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com
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