The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (7-6-1-0) host the Cranbrook Bucks (7-5-0-0) tonight at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm and tonight’s game is presented by Tseshaht First Nation.
The Bucks are officially on an adventure making their 1st ever trip to Vancouver Island. Scheduled to play the Nanaimo Clippers last night, ferry delays forced a delayed start time to 9:15 pm, only to have the power go out at Frank Crane Arena and force a postponement all together. Cranbrook enters action tonight having lost 3 straight contests after starting the season 7-3-0-0 in their 1st 10 games. Despite the recent troubles, the Bucks are formidable opponent each night. They play a stingy game having allowed just 35 goals against, the 2nd best mark in the Interior Conference.
The Bulldogs have won 3 straight overall and 5 straight at home after last night’s 6-4 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Bulldogs are hoping they have put their early season struggles in the rear view mirror, but even in last nights win over Trail there was some concerning inconsistencies to be dealt with. If you’re going to learn lessons, you might as well do some winning while learning.
Ludovik Tardif scored the first two goals of his BCHL career last night and played well. Ethan Bono has scored in 3 straight games and has 5 points in that stretch. Nicholas Beneteau who also scored last night has himself a 6 game point streak.
The Bucks and Bulldogs have met only once since Cranbrook joined the BCHL. The Bulldogs knocked off the Bucks 5-2 on Nov 12th of last year.
Watch for newly acquired goaltender Campbell Arnold to get his 1st start in the Bulldogs crease.
The Bulldogs will be wearing their specially designed jersey’s by local Tseshaht artist Gord Dick. The jerseys will be auctioned off after tonight’s game and the proceeds will go towards the creation of a memorial to honour the survivors of the the Alberni Indian Residential School.
The Box Office is open now, or you can purchase tickets online by CLICKING HERE
