The Dogs have just two games on their schedule this week after having four games last week as they visit the Nanaimo Clippers Friday night and the Cowichan Valley Capitals Saturday night.
The Clippers enter play Friday night with a record of 26-19-2 and 6, good for 60 points and third in the Island Division 7 points back of the Cowichan Valley Capitals with a game in hand. The Clippers were last in action on Tuesday night when they dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Grizzlies in Victoria. The Grizzlies led 1-0 after one on a late-period power play goal, before they built their lead to 2-0 with another power play marker just short of the games halfway point. Michael Boivin got the Clippers on the board with a power play marker before the second period was out for a 2-1 Victoria lead after two periods. Power plays continued to light up the scoreboard in the third as Eric Filiou evened the score at 2-2 on a Clipper man advantage in the first minute of the final period. The first even strength goal of the game was the game winner for Victoria just over two minutes into overtime.
Final shots favoured Victoria 24-23 with Jonathan Jobin taking the loss in goal. The Clippers went 2 for 5 on the power play while the Grizzlies were 2 for 7.
With the loss, the Clippers now have just one win in their last four games. They are still picking up points though, with a tie and an overtime loss in those four games. The overtime loss was of course to the Bulldogs on January 25th as Kevin Ross scored on a penalty shot in double overtime to secure the victory. It was the second win of the season for the Dogs over the Clippers, with the other victory also coming at the Frank Crane Arena just before the Christmas break by a score of 3-2.
Friday?s pregame show from the Frank Crane Arena kicks off at 7:15 with the puck dropping at 7:30 on 93.3 The Peak FM and the BCHL Fanzone
Saturday night the ?Battle of the Valleys? heats up again as the Dogs head down to Duncan?s Island Savings Centre to face the Capitals. The Caps enter play Saturday night with a record of 31-18-4 and 4, good for 67 points and second spot in the Island Division, 9 points behind the first place Victoria Grizzlies. While first place is still a possibility for the Capitals, they will need to catch fire and they will also need the Grizzlies to hit a slump as Victoria not only has a nine point lead but they also have two games in hand. The Caps haven?t been on fire lately either, as they are winless in their last two games including a 5-1 loss to Victoria. They were last in action on Saturday night when they hosted the Nanaimo Clippers and the teams played to a 1-1 tie.
This will be the Caps first game in a week, and their only game of the weekend, so the Dogs should expect a well rested and ready team. The last time these teams met was January 24th at the Dog Pound, where the Caps broke the Dogs two game head-to-head winning streak over them with a resounding 7-3 win.
Saturday?s pregame show is on the air at 7:15 with the play-by-play following at 7:30pm on 93.3 The Peak FM and the BCHL Fanzone.
Game Day Audio ? ?Next Two? Click the links to listen
