The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (24-12-3-1) host the Powell River Kings (12-23-5-0) tonight at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. This contest is re-scheduled game that replaces the February 4th game that was originally scheduled to have the Prince George Spruce Kings here at the Multiplex. Fans can use those “FEB 4th vs Prince George” tickets for tonights game.
The Bulldogs are fresh off a pair of wins on Parents Weekend at the Multiplex. The Bulldogs knocked off Coquitlam 6-2 on Friday, and edged Cowichan 4-3 in OT a night later. Ethan Bono provided the heroics as he notched his 1st career hat trick in the win. Powell River meanwhile has suffered 3 straight losses, one of which came at the hands of the Bulldogs on Feb 5th. Powell River was sept at the Hap Parker Arena by the Nanaimo Clippers by scores of 6-4 and 7-3.
Powell River has proven to give the Bulldogs troubles this season. The Bulldogs are 4-2-0-0 against the Kings, but nothing has come easy. In the Bulldogs 4 wins, 3 have come by just 1 goal and just one game in the season series has been decided by more than a 1 goal game. The Bulldogs have outscored the Kings 23-20 over the six games.
One of the major keys to Kings ability to stay in games against the Bulldogs this season has been the play of goaltender Matthias Smith. The 20 year old from Courtney has played in 5 of the 6 head to head games and posted a .924 save percentage. In his last game against the Bulldogs on February 5th, Smith stopped 39 of 41 Bulldogs shots in the 2-1 loss.
While every game feels like a must win affair at this point of the year, tonight’s has some extra importance. Tonight’s game wraps up a stretch of 5-straight games that the Bulldogs will play against a team with a losing record. They’re currently 3-1-0-0 on that stretch and can ill-afford to give away points to Powell River tonight. The Bulldogs will run a bit of a gauntlet after tonight as they head to Victoria on Friday to take on the red-hot Grizzlies, before returning the Dawg Pound to face Chilliwack and Nanaimo on Saturday and Family Day Monday respectively.
Points are at a premium in the ultra competitive Coastal Conference right now. Langley continues to lead the pack, but a pair of loses to the Grizzlies brought them back to the pack a bit. The Chiefs, Clippers and Bulldogs are all neck-and-neck for 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Conference, while the Grizzlies and Surrey Eagles are making life tough on everyone, especially Victoria who have won 4 in a row. It’s become apparent that there is a huge advantage in finishing 1st or 2nd in the conference and earning a 1st Round playoff date with either the 7th or 8th seed.
Powell River finds themselves in a 3 team battle for the final 2 playoff spots. Currently in 7th, the Kings hold a couple of games in hand over the Cowichan Valley Capitals, but also must contend with Coquitlam. The Express have just 10 wins on the season, two behind both Powell River and Cowichan Valley.
The Bulldogs and the rest of the BCHL received huge news yesterday from Dr. Bonnie Henry when it was announced that facilities could return to 100% capacity in time for Saturday’s game against Chilliwack. While vaccination passports, and masks are still required, the ability to welcome more fans into the Dawg Pound could be huge for the Bulldogs who currently enjoy one of the top home ice records in all of the BCHL. At 13-3-2-0, only the Penticton Vees have fewer home ice losses.
The Bulldogs are currently the Coastal Conference’s stingiest team as well, allowing the fewest goals against at 112, while Chilliwack is right behind the Bulldogs at 115. If the old adage holds true, that defence wins championships, the Bulldogs are positioning themselves well for a long playoff run. The defence will get a boost with the return of Luke Rybinski to the line-up, while Manu Charbonneau continues to make progress on his lower-body injury.
