Another week and another three in three weekend coming up for the Dogs as they head to the Sunshine Coast Friday before making their way to the Lower Mainland Saturday morning.
Game 1 of the trip is Friday in Powell River as the Dogs make just their second trip of the season so far to take on the Kings. Game # 1 was way back on the second night of the season, September 8th; where the Kings blew open a 1-1 game with two goals in a span of 20 seconds in the last half of the third period on their way to adding an empty netter for a 4-1 win. The only meeting of the teams in Port Alberni was also back in September, where the Dogs led 2-0 after two only to see the Kings come out flying in the third period to score four goals for a 4-2 win.
The Kings enter this week sitting at 6th in the Coastal Conference with a record of 9-9-1 and 3. The Kings were last in action Saturday in Burnaby, where they dropped a tight 2-1 decision to the Express. After a scoreless first period, Jared Collen staked the Kings to a 1-0 lead 12:33 into the second. That lead didn?t last long, with Burnaby getting the equalizer just two and a half minutes later for a 1-1 tie into the final 20 minutes. The game winner came from Burnaby?s Carlo Finucci with 9:03 left in the third period for the 2-1 final. Shots favoured the Kings 30-26 with Evan Karambelas taking the loss in goal. The Kings were 0 for 6 on the power play while killing off all 7 Burnaby man-advantages.
Friday night?s pregame show from the Powell River Recreation Complex kicks off at 7:15pm with the puck drop at 7:30pm. 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
The Rec Complex is always a tough place to play. Just like any other game the Dogs must come out ready to go from the opening puck drop or it could be a long night.
Saturday sees the Dogs taking two ferries to get down the Coast to the Lower Mainland to face the Eagles at the South Surrey Arena for the second meeting of the season between the two clubs. Surrey leads the season series 1-0 after they won the first meeting 5-1 at the nest just a couple of Fridays ago. In that game the Eagles built up a 4-0 lead early in the third before the Dogs finally got on the board with a Lee Patzer power play marker. The remainder of the period was one to forget as the Dogs lost their cool and their discipline and two veteran leaders to suspension in the process. Hopefully they learned their lesson.
The Eagles enter this week with a record of 11-9-0 and 2, good for second in the Coastal Conference. The Eagles last played on Saturday night in Westside, where they defeated the Warriors 4-3. The Eagle goal scorers were: Scott Knowles, Ryan Adams, Cameron Sinclair and John Bokla- who scored the winner with 11:27 to play in the third period. The Eagles were 2 for 7 on the power play while killing off 4 of 6 Westside power play chances. Shots favoured Westside 33-22 with Andrew Hammond getting the win in goal.
Before seeing action against the Dogs this weekend the Eagles will first visit the Langley Chiefs on Wednesday night.
Saturday?s pregame show from the South Surrey Arena is on the air at 6:45pm with the play-by-play just after 7:00. 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
The ice surface in Surrey is always a factor, being that it is an international sized surface. While it is always a factor and maybe even a possible excuse when the Dogs first played on it a couple of weeks ago, it can?t be an excuse this time. The Dogs know what it?s like now, so they should be prepared for it. If they aren?t prepared- whether it?s for the ice surface or for the opposition- they will be in very tough as the Eagles are a hard working, fast and skilled team.
For the second straight 3 in 3 trek to the Mainland the Dogs will head to Langley to face the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon to finish their trip off. The Chiefs are 2 and 0 against the Dogs this season, winning the most recent meeting in Langley by a score of 4-2. After a 1-1 tie through 20 minutes the Chiefs took a 3-2 lead into the third after getting the go-ahead goal in the final minute of the second frame while on the power play. The Dogs would stay within one all the way until the final five minutes of the game when penalties would eventually catch up to them and the Chiefs put it out of reach with another power play goal as the insurance marker. Shots favoured Langley 41-20 with Harrison May and Kurt Jory being the goalies of record. The Chiefs were 2 for 10 on the power play while the Dogs were 0 for 5.
The Chiefs enter play this week with a record of 10-9-0 and 2, good for 22 points and a four way tie for third in the Coastal Conference. The Chiefs have won two straight since the win over the Dogs to now sit on a three game winning streak. The last Langley game going into this week was a 5-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers Saturday night at the George Preston Recreation Centre. After a scoreless first period the Clippers broke the ice just over 90 seconds into the second with a shorthanded marker. Just 23 seconds later Neeco Belanger found the net for a 1-1 tie. The Clippers again went ahead just past the midway mark of the period, this time on the power play, leading 2-1. Again Langley fought back quickly, with Milos Gordic knotting the game at 2-2 with 6:56 to play in the period. Just three minutes later the Chiefs had their first lead of the game with Taylor Stefishen scoring to make it 3-2. Again three minutes later, it was Chris Ickert scoring on the power play with just 21 seconds left in the period to put Langley up 4-2 after two. The only goal of the third came at the midway mark from Trevor Elias for the 5-2 final score. Shots were 31-31 with Kurt Jory earning the win in goal. The Chiefs were 1 for 5 on the power play; the Clippers were 1 for 6 while also scoring once shorthanded.
The Chiefs will be playing their fourth game of the week come Sunday, as they host Surrey Wednesday before having a home and home affair with the Merritt Centennials that starts in Merritt Friday before coming back to Langley Saturday. The Dogs certainly can?t let fatigue be a factor in the game, as Langley should be just as tired come Sunday as they are, if not more so. The Chiefs are without a doubt a Harvey Smyl coached team- hard working, physical, and intense and in your face. The Dogs have been IN both games they have played against the Chiefs. Here?s hoping they come out ready to do what they have to do to go from being IN the games to WINNING the games.
Sunday afternoon?s pregame show from the George Preston Recreation Centre is on the air at 1:45 with the puck drop at 2pm. Hear all 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
Audio: ?Last Two, Next Three?
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