The Bulldogs return to action in earnest following the Christmas break with three games in three days on the Lower Mainland starting in Coquitlam Tuesday. Then it?s a neutral site game at Richmond?s Minoru Arena Wednesday for the first meeting of the season between the Bulldogs and the Surrey Eagles. The trip ends with the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the Dogs and Langley Chiefs at the Langley Event Centre Thursday night.
The Express enter play Tuesday night with a record of 14-15-1 and 8, good for 37 points and a tie with the Bulldogs for 6th place in the Coastal Conference ? although the Bulldogs have played two fewer games. The Bulldogs and Express have met twice so far this season, with the Express taking 3 of 4 points with a win and a tie. The most recent meeting between the teams was a 4-2 Coquitlam win at the Dog Pound on December 4th. The Express went into the Christmas break on fire, with two wins in a row and points in five straight games with three wins and two overtime losses. To say that Tuesday?s game is anything less than huge would be a gross understatement. All one needs to do is take a look at the standings. With both teams tied for 6th place, someone will finish the night a spot higher in the standings ? barring a tie, which these teams have already played to once this season.
Catch the pregame show Tuesday night from the Coquitlam Sports Centre at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM and our website at www.933thepeak.com
The Eagles enter play Wednesday night with a record of 22-12-1 and 2, good for 47 points and 3rd spot in the Coastal Conference. The Eagles are just a point behind the Langley Chiefs for second place, with the Chiefs playing four more games than the Eagles.
Incredibly enough this will be the first meeting of the season between the Eagles and the Bulldogs. While you never know how you match up with a team until you play them, the Dogs can expect an offensively gifted team ? only the Langley Chiefs score more goals per game. The Eagles are also strong defensively and/or in goal, with only the Bulldogs and Powell River Kings having better goals against averages.
Make note of the game location as it won?t be at the Eagles home ice the South Surrey Arena as they are out of their rink for a Midget Tournament. The game will instead be played at Richmond?s Minoru Arena. Game time is 7:00. Get it all on 93.3 The Peak FM, www.933thepeak.com or the BCHL website at www.bchl.ca with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45
The mid-week trip finishes off on Thursday night with the fourth and final meeting this season between the Dogs and Langley Chiefs. As mentioned above the Chiefs are currently holding down 2nd place in the Coastal Conference, with a record of 21-14-1 and 5, good for 48 points. The Chiefs have taken two of three so far in the season series ? including the last two after the Bulldogs won the first meeting. The most recent meeting was a 3-1 win at the Dog Pound for the Chiefs on December 2nd. All three of the games between the clubs have been tight affairs, with the Bulldogs winning game one 5-4 in overtime, and the Chiefs winning the subsequent games by scores of 4-2 and 3-1 with the Chiefs adding empty netters in the final 30 seconds of both games to seal the deal.
The Chiefs were sliding heading into the break, losing 4 of 5 games. That will mean little come Thursday though, the first game back for the Chiefs after the Holidays.
Catch the pregame show Thursday night from the Langley Event Centre at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow on 93.3 The Peak and www.bchl.ca at 7:00pm.
