The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (28-12-3-1) host the Powell River Kings (12-25-6-0) tonight at the Multiplex. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
Tonight’s game is the 8th and final in the season series between the two clubs with the Bulldogs holding a record of 5-2-0-0. It’s been well document that the Kings have proven tough on the Bulldogs all season and as the races at both the top and bottom of the conference heat up, tonight is expected to be no different.
Powell River currently occupies the 8th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference, however they’re tied in points with Coquitlam for 7th. This could very well be a first-round BCHL playoff match-up for the Bulldogs. Powell River is trending the wrong way at the wrong time however as they’ve lost 6 consecutive games entering action tonight.
The Bulldogs are obviously more focused on their pursuit of the Langley Rivermen for top spot in the Coastal Conference. The Bulldogs enter action tonight just 3 points behind the Rivermen with a huge road game upcoming tomorrow in Langley between the two. Overlooking tonight’s game would be costly and that will be the challenge of Joe Martin & Wacey Rabbit as they prepare the Bulldogs for tonight.
It’s been a good time to be a Bulldogs fan of late. The club is the hottest in the BCHL with the league’s longest current winning streak at 6 games. They’ve also won 7 straight at the Dawg Pound and enter tonight’s game with a Conference best record of 16-3-2-0 on home ice. Langley is 2nd at 16-4-0-1.
The Bulldogs roll has been made all the more impressive by some of the players missing from the line-up. The Bulldogs have been without defensemen Ryan Nause & Manu Charbonneau, while upfront the club was without Josh Zary & Booker Daniel. Take three twenty-year olds out of any lineup and there will but cause for concern, however the Bulldogs have played with a next man up mentality that has served them well. The line-up will be bolstered tonight with the addition of Zary, the club’s leading scorer and Booker Daniel.
Zary’s return is a welcome one. Not only is he the club’s leading scorer, but he’s been dominant against the Kings this year with 8 goals and 11 points in the season series. Zary has 20 goals and 23 assists on the year. Captain Stephen Castagna is hot on his heels with 17 goals and 43 points as well. Brandon Buhr has had a resurgence of late and now has 18 goals, 2nd on the club. Buhr was one of the key contributors with Zary out of the line-up as he has scored a goal in 3 straight games.
As far as streaks go, the Bulldogs have two of the hottest players in the game on home ice. Entering action tonight, both Castagna and Josh Van Unen have 9 game point streaks. Van Unen has 13 points in those 9 games, while Castagna has 11.
Look for Hobie Hedquist to earn his 5th straight start in goal tonight for the Bulldogs. Hedquist has made quite the impression in his rookie year as the recently turned 19 year old has been nothing short of fantastic for the club. Hedquist is 21-6-4 on the year with a 2.44 GAA and a .914 save percentage. He’s the 1st Bulldogs goalie to win 20 games in a season since Billy Christopoulos did so back in the 2014-2015 season.
The Bulldogs announced this week that they will have a “Happy Hour” tonight between 6-7pm where both Twin City & Dog Mountain Beer will be just $4. Come early, take in warm up, and let’s have a great night a the Dawg Pound!
