Dogs host Eagles, Midget Bulldogs sweep North Island

A tale of two games last night as the Dogs were all over the Express in the first two periods while building up a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes. The Express didn't quit, and the Dogs appeared to think the game was in the bag as the team that came out for the third period barely resembled the team from the first two periods as the Express caught the Dogs with a 5 on 3 goal and a 5 on 4 goal on back to back penalties to make a 6-1 game a 6-3 contest. Just a minute and a half later it was 6-4. Credit to the Dogs for righting the ship at that point, but it was still a very challenging third period as they had to work hard to protect their lead.

Yesterday was just that though - yesterday. The Dogs need to build on the positives of yesterday, of which their were many, and prepare for the Surrey Eagles. A win today could clinch a playoff spot for the Dogs, as they are currently 5 points up on Cowichan, with the Capitals having just six points available to them with three games to go in the Regular Season.

The Eagles are coming off a 5-1 loss last night in Victoria, a night after a 6-4 win for the Eagles in Powell River to open up their three game swing.

The Eagles have won all three games between the teams this season by scores of 4-1, 4-3, and 4-2 in the most recent meeting January 22nd, the only game of the previous three to be played at the Dog Pound.

The Dogs will certainly not get away with only playing two periods against the Eagles. As it has to be on most nights for this club, only a consistent 60 minute effort will get the job done. The last time these teams met the Eagles ran roughshod over the Bulldogs in building up a 2-0 advantage early in the game. While the Dogs battled hard to get it back to even, they could never surge ahead.

And a final key to the game, piece of advice if you will - DO NOT take penalties against the Eagles, as they have the #1 road power play in the BCHL.

Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak and www.933thepeak.com at 2:15 this afternoon with the puck dropping at 2:30.

Today's 2nd Intermission feature guest is Perry Elderbroom - President, Founder and Director of Operations for Gold in the Net 

Bulldog 'keepers Frank Slubowski and Kiefer Giroux are also Gold in the Net products. Last but not least - if you don't mind "swinging the sticks", and supporting a good cause in the process - please consider taking part in the Gold in the Net Golf Classic to support the Aaron C. Cornwell Memorial Scholarship Fund. Click the image below to enlarge it for more information!

Huge congrats to the Midget Bulldogs, who picked up another win yesterday to sweep the North Island...here's some details...way to go Dogs!

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs defeated Campbell River Tyees on Saturday 5-3.  The win follows wins over Oceanside (2-1) and Powell River (5-1) putting Alberni in first place in their North Island Division and giving them home ice advantage for the semi-final next weekend against the second place South Island team.  The other teams have games to play on Sunday so the semi-final opposition and game time will not be known until after that.

Hammer