After a disheartening 0 and 3 road trip to the Lower Mainland the Bulldogs don?t have too much time to think about it as they are right back in action this week for their first Tuesday night game of the season as they host the Coastal Conference leading Nanaimo Clippers. The Dogs will then be idle Wednesday and Thursday before they renew acquaintances with the Cowichan Valley Capitals with a home-and-home set that starts in Duncan Friday night before heading back to Port Alberni Saturday.
As if facing the Clippers wasn?t scary enough, Tuesday?s game comes the day before Halloween. The Dogs are the only team to beat the Clippers twice, and they are the only team to beat them in regulation, so maybe the thought of heading up the ?Pound is a scary thought for the Clippers as well? The season series still favours the Clippers, 3 wins to 2. The most recent game between these teams came Thursday, October 18th at the Pound, a 5-4 double overtime victory for the Dogs as Josh Pineiro scored the penalty shot winner. The Clippers raced out to a 3-0 lead early in the second in that one, before the Dogs trimmed the gap to 3-2 with two quick goals in the late stages of the second. Isaac Smeltzer would then draw the Dogs even in the third, before Lee Patzer put the home side up 4-3. Seconds later, Nanaimo went to a seven minute power play. They would score once on that advantage, but the Dogs managed to kill the remaining six minutes to keep the score tied and force overtime.
The Clippers enter this week on a three game winning streak, with a record of 13-1-0 and 2. Their most recent action was Saturday in Powell River, where the Clippers raced out to a 3-0 first period lead after goals from Russell Goodman, Jason Beattie and Joe Perry. The Kings would get on the board with just 50 seconds left in the game to break the shut out, but it was the Clippers who had the last laugh with the 3-1 win. The box score indicates this was a tight game, as shots were quite low at just 22 for each side. The Clippers were 0 for 10 on the power play, while the Kings were 0 for 4 while also scoring their only goal shorthanded. Evan Smith got the win in goal for the Clippers.
It?s always a great game when these two rivals lock up, and last game was proof of that. What the Dogs hopefully learned and hopefully remember is that this game almost was a ?no contest? with the Clippers leading by three goals just 21 minutes in. I would expect that the Clippers learned their lesson from relinquishing that lead.
Tuesday night?s pregame show from the Dog Pound kicks off at 6:45pm with the puck drop at 7:00pm. Catch all the action on your radio in the Alberni Valley on 93.3 The Peak FM, and anywhere in the world on your computer through the BCHL?s Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Don?t forget that fans are encouraged to wear a costume to the game to get a treat from Bernie the Bulldog. The top three costumes will also be awarded prizes. Fans will be judged as they enter the arena.
Friday and Saturday see the Dogs and Caps meet again, for the first time since the second weekend of the season, a home and home set swept by the Capitals with back to back one goal victories: 3-2 in Duncan Friday, and then 4-3 in double OT in Port Alberni Saturday.
The Caps enter this week with an even .500 record with 9 wins and 9 losses. Their most recent game action was last Friday, where they finished off a four game home stand by dropping a 5-4 decision in a grudge match with the Nanaimo Clippers. What a game this was, and what a first period, as both teams combined for SIX goals in a see-saw opening frame. The Caps came out flying taking a 2-0 lead before the ten minute mark of the first with two quick power play goals from Scott Jacklin and then Mickey Spencer. The Clippers then scored twice in 30 seconds to even the game at 2-2, before the Caps retook the lead with their third power play goal of the first, coming from Clinton Pettapiece with 5:26 left. The Clippers again fired back quickly, tying it up just 44 seconds later with a power play goal of their own for a 3-3 tie after one. The second period saw the Clippers score twice at even strength to lead 5-3 into the final frame. The Caps didn?t go quietly, as Bryce Reddick scored on the power play with 1:06 to go in the game to get the Caps back within one at 5-4. That would be as close as they would get though as Nanaimo held on for the 5-4 win. Shots favoured Nanaimo 28-27 with Kiefer Smiley taking the loss in goal for the Caps. The Caps were 4 for 9 on the power play while the Clippers were 1 for 5.
It?s always fun hockey to watch and fun atmospheres to be in when it comes to the Big Stick and the Dog Pound and the ?Battle of the Valleys? when Alberni and Cowichan hook up, and I hope that remains the case this weekend. Both teams have made some changes to their rosters since they last met, so it will be interesting to see how they match up. Again, these are big four-point games.
Friday?s pregame show from the BIG STICK at the Cowichan Community Centre is on the air at 7:15pm with the play-by-play at 7:30. Catch the action on your radio on 93.3 The Peak FM in the Alberni Valley, or anywhere else in the world on your computer through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Saturday?s game from the DOG POUND is a 7:00pm start time, so the pre game show kicks off at 6:45. Again, it?s all on your radio on 93.3 The Peak FM or your computer through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Who really knows what to expect out of this Bulldog team? One week after hitting a huge high by winning two in a row for the first time (over the #1 and #2 teams in the league) they head out on the road and then drop three in a row. Right back to work two days later, it?s the #1 team in the Conference again coming to town. Two simple things are keys to victory in my opinion- A 60 minute effort, and DISCIPLINE. Simple to say but much harder to do, as this Bulldog team has shown, and as any team knows. At the very least, as always, it should be good entertainment.
A recap of the week?s action will be posted following the games.
The Dogs are right back on the road next week, with another ridiculous schedule coming up- Powell River Friday, SURREY Saturday, and Langley Sunday.
