The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (22-16-3-1) host the Coastal Conference leading Nanaimo Clippers (31-9-1-0) at the Alberni Valley Multiplex on a special Family Day matinee affair. Today’s game is the final time the two heated rivals will meet this season and the game is presented by Tim Hortons. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
The Clippers earned the early season success between the two clubs, but the Bulldogs have rallied to take the last two games, both at the Frank Crane Arena by combined 7-3 scored. The Bulldogs are 2-2-1-1 versus the Clippers this year, good for 6 points, while the Clippers are 4-2-0-0 by virtue of their OT and shootout wins over the Bulldogs earlier in the season. The Clippers have outscored the Bulldogs 19-17 in the season series. To say things are tight between these two clubs would be an understatement.
The Clippers are coming off a 3-2 OT win over the Vernon Vipers, for Nanaimo the win snapped a 2 game losing streak. It was the 1st time this season that the Clippers had dropped back to back games.
These are the two hottest teams in the Coastal Conference. The Bulldogs have won 7 straight on home ice and are 8-1-1-0 in their past 10. Stretching it out a bit further and the Bulldogs are an incredible 13-1-1-0 since returning from the Christmas break, good for a .900 winning %. The Clippers are 7-3-0-0 in their past 10.
On Saturday Hobie Hedquist became the first Bulldogs goaltender since Frank Slubowski to earn back-to-back 20 wins seasons. Hedquist has stopped 69 of the 71 shots he’s seen this weekend, including the 3-1 win over Nanaimo on Friday night when he made 30 of those saves. Hedquist was named the 1st star in both games. Aidan Campbell has started all 6 games this season against the Bulldogs.
Attendance for the past two games have been the best two crowds all season at 1566 and 1424 respectively. Today’s game is expected to be no different. As of this morning there were already 1300 tickets out for the game and with it being a holiday, the Bulldogs are expecting a stronger than normal walkup. Fans are encouraged to visit the box office early to avoid long lines. The box office is open at 10:00 am, or you can buy tickets online by clicking HERE
