The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (18-9-3-0) host the Nanaimo Clippers (18-11-0-0) in a battle of two clubs fighting to climb the Coastal Conference standings.
The Bulldogs hold a slight edge over the Clippers and sit in 3rd place, while the Clippers are 4th.
Home teams have owned the season series between the two teams this year. The Bulldogs lone win came at the Dawg Pound back on November 6th, while the Clippers have won all three games at Frank Crane Arena. The Bulldogs are one of the top teams in the entire BCHL on home ice with an overall record of 9-2-2-0. The Clippers are a solid 9-5-0-0 away from Frank Crane this year.
The Bulldogs have been on a roll of late and will look to continue the momentum. Winners of 3 straight overall and 7-3-0-0 in their past 10 has them feeling confident heading into this one.
Fans will get their 1st look at 20-year old Arlo Merritt tonight. Merritt was acquired in advance of the BCHL trade deadline and made his debut on January 11th vs. Cowichan. Merritt however was denied his Dawg Pound debut on Saturday for cautionary reason. With Merritt back in the fold, the Bulldogs have their first chance to ice their full line-up in awhile.
Look for Hobie Hedquist to get the start in goal tonight for the Bulldogs. The North Dakota commit is coming off a 34 save shutout on January 15th over the Caps. It was Hedquit’s league leading 4th shutout of the season and 1st since November 6th when he shutout the Nanaimo Clippers with a 35 save performance. Hedquist is one shoutout short of equalling the Bulldogs franchise record for shutouts in a season. The mark is currently held by Brian Stewart back in 2005-2006.
Josh Zary has led the Bulldogs offensively all season and games against the Clippers have been no exception. Zary has 3 goals and 2 assists in the 4 head-to-head games against the Clippers this season. Zary leads all Bulldogs in goals with 15 and points with 31. Sean Donaldson has evolved into one of the top snipers in the BCHL. 3 of Donaldson’s league-leading 25 goals have come against the Bulldogs this season. Donaldson currently sits 4th overall in the BCHL points race with 40 (25G – 15A). Salmon Arm’s Simon Tassy leads the BCHL with 49 points.
DID YOU KNOW:
- Brandon Buhr is currently on the longest hot streak of any BCHL player. Buhr has a 9 game point streak, dating all the way back to November 17th. Buhr has 6 goals and 6 assists during the 9 game heater. West Kelowna’s Tyler Cristall holds the leagues longest streak this year at 15 games.
- Buhr has a goal in 3 straight games which is solid, however Connor Eddy of the Grizzlies is on an absolute tear with 11 goals in his past 5 games. The streak includes back to back hat tricks.
- Special Teams- Tonight’s game features two evenly matched special teams. The Clippers have an advantage in the power play, however the clubs sit 6th & 7th respectively on the penalty kill.
