The Alberni Valley Bulldogs host the Chilliwack Chiefs in Game 4 of the Coastal Conference Semi-finals presented by Van Isle Ford tonight at the Multiplex. Puck drop is set for 7pm.
As the old adage goes, the 4th win is always the toughest to get. The Coquitlam Express learned that the hard way when they failed on 2 attempts to eliminate the Bulldogs in the 1st Round. The Bulldogs will get their first of four chances to eliminate the Chiefs tonight in front of what is expected to be a ROCKING Alberni Valley Multiplex.
The Chiefs weren’t thought of and an offensive team by any means after finishing 11th of 17 teams in goals during the regular season, but even they have to be wondering what they have to do to get things rolling against the Bulldogs. Chilliwack has managed to beat Callum Tung 3 times in 3 games. Those 3 goals have come on 109 shots. It’s not been for a lack of attempts.
Vladimir Nikitin made his series debut and was at the centre of it all night. With the game tied 1-1 in the 2nd, the Bulldogs had the go-ahead goal waived off after it appeared that Nikitin lost his helmet. Up further review, it was obvious Nikitin intentionally threw his own mask off in an attempt to get the play stopped. In the 3rd period, fans became frustrated as Nikitin dislodged the goal on multiple occasions. Regardless of the antics, Nikitn has now allowed 10 goals in his past 2 trips to the Dawg Pound.
It would be hard to imagine the Chiefs not going back to Nikitin in a do or die Game 4, however Austin McNicholas played well, allowing just 5 goals in Game 1 & 2. McNicholas is 4-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .918 save % through 6 appearances in the BCHL Playoffs.
The Chiefs found a way to keep Hayden Stavroff from scoring last night, though it may have been more about the crossbar than Nikitin or the Chiefs. Stavroff did pick up an assist to extend his point streak to 7 games. The Bulldogs depth shone through last night as they got goals from 5 different sources, including Fischer O’Brien, Samuel Léonard and Caden Tremblay all getting their 1st of the playoffs.
After a crowd of 1579 last night, the Bulldogs are expecting a larger crowd for Game 4. There is no question going head to head with the Canucks played a factor in the smaller crowd. The box office is open at 10am, or you can skip the trip and purchase your tickets online by CLICKING HERE.
