The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (22-12-3-1) host The Coquitlam Express (10-20-1-4) at the Alberni Valley Multiplex tonight at 7:00 pm.
The Bulldogs learned first hand on Wednesday night that no team can be taken lightly, and the Express are no different. Despite the 23 point advantage for the Bulldogs in the standings, the Express have been a challenge of late. The Express swept the Chilliwack Chiefs in a weekend set, just a couple of weekends ago.
The storylines are plentiful in this one. Mirko Buttazzoni makes his return to the Dawg Pound as well as former Bulldogs Associate Head Coach Brandon Shaw. Tonight’s game is the 1st for Arlo Merritt in a Bulldogs uniform against his old teammates as well.
In their lone match-up this season, the Bulldogs defeated the Express 7-4 on Teddy Bear Toss night back on December 11th. There have been ample changes to the Express line-up since.
After an off-night on Wednesday, the Bulldogs will look to Hobie Hedquist to regain his form against the Express. Hedquist has been stellar for the Bulldogs in his 1st season with the club. The North Dakota commit is 16-6-4 and with a 2.53 GAA and a .912 sv %. He’s also posted 4 shutouts, tied for the league lead with Penticton’s Kaeden Lane.
Josh Zary continues his fantastic 20-year old season for the Bulldogs as he notched his 20th of the season on Wednesday. Zary also leads the club in points with 39. Captain Stephen Castagna is right behind him with 36.
Speaking of Castagna, tonight’s game marks a milestone event for Castagna’s Bulldogs career. Tonight’s game is Castagna’s 176th as a Bulldog and moves him past Bert Watkins into 3rd all-time on the Bulldogs games played list. Castagna only trails Devin Timberlake (236) and Tyler Ruel (275).
The Bulldogs find themselves tied for 2nd place in the Coastal Conference standings with the Nanaimo Clippers. The Chilliwack Chiefs are hot on both clubs heels as well, just percentage points behind. The Bulldogs missed a key opportunity on Wednesday against the Caps to gain valuable points in the standings. They can ill-afford to do so against the Express tonight.
The good news for the Bulldogs is that home ice has been very kind to them, in fact the Bulldogs have the 2nd best home ice record in all of the BCHL at 11-3-2-0.
This weekend is also the Bulldogs “Parents Weekend.” The players families from all over North America are here to visit the community and cheer on their sons. We’re excited for a full house to give them a warm Port Alberni welcome.
