(Photo:Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (17-9-3-0) host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (8-21-0-1) in a make up game that was originally scheduled for January 7th, but was postponed when the Capitals were forced to pause due to COVID 19 protocols.
The Bulldogs enter the contest winners of two straight, ironically both over the Capitals, and are on a run of 7-3-0-0 in their past 10 games. The stretch has pulled the Bulldogs past the Nanaimo Clippers into 3rd spot in the Coastal Conference standings, trailing only the Chilliwack Chiefs and the Langley Rivermen.
Expect Hobie Hedquist to earn the start in goal for the Bulldogs tonight. Hedquist was named to the Central Scouting Watchlist earlier in the week as the 23rd ranked North American goalie for this year’s NHL draft in Montreal. Hedquist is 12-4-3-0 with a 2.59 and .910 save percentage. Hedquist is tied with Penticton’s Kaeden Lane with 3 shutouts to lead the BCHL.
Despite being 5-1-0-0 in the seasonal series, the lone Bulldogs loss came back on December 29th as they dropped 3-2 decision to the Caps at the Dog Pound. Macoy Bidewell was sensational in the game as he stopped 36 of 38 in a 1st star performance. Look for him to get the start in goal tonight for Cowichan as Evan May got the start on Tuesday. Bulldogs are 13-4-0-0 against Cowichan at the Multiplex in the past 5 years.
NOTES:
- Luke Rybinski has joined the WHL’s Victoria Royals on their current road trip. Rybinski earned an assist in his Bulldogs debut on Tuesday. He’s expected to re-join the Bulldogs next week.
- Watch for Emanuelson Charbonneau to re-join the line-up tonight after missing Tuesday’s game. Charbonneau celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday.
- Ethan Bono has a birthday today. Happy Birthday Ethan!
- The Bulldogs have five players who are all averaging at least a point per game vs. the Caps this year. Brandon Buhr leads the way with 10 points in 5 games. Josh Zary, the Bulldogs leading scorer is right behind him with 9 points.
