BCHL Bulletin

BCHL Today: Blace and Merritt score first BCHL goals, and more

Brian Wiebe

 

Alberni Valley vs. Cowichan Valley first career BCHL goals

2003-born Alberni Valley Bulldogs defenseman Braden Blace scored his first BC Hockey League goal at 15:24 of the first period and it ended up being the winner in a 4-0 blanking of the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

The Crofton, BC product had three assists in 11 games with the Victoria Cougars of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League before their season was cancelled due to COVID-19. Saturday’s milestone marker came in Blace’s sixth career BCHL game.

2003-born Bulldogs forward Jaydon Merritt notched his first BCHL goal to make the score 2-0 for Alberni Valley 3:25 into the second period. It was his fourth career BCHL game.

The native of Prince George played with the Cariboo Cougars U18 AAA of the BC U18 League last season, scoring 10 goals and 22 points in 40 games. He originally committed to the Bulldogs for the 2021-22 season in February.

Sabres call up Fogarty on an emergency basis

Forward Steven Fogarty (33 goals, 48 assists in 60 games for Penticton in 2011-12) was recalled from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

He has a goal and three points in nine games with the Sabres this season.

Fogarty, who’s from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and in his fifth professional season, also has seven goals and 10 points in a dozen games as captain of the Americans this season.

Three Stars of the Night ⭐⭐⭐

First Star(s): Surrey forwards Tyson McLean and Jacob Slipec each had a hat trick as the Eagles clawed the Express 13-1.

Second Star: Victoria forward Andrew Amousse posted two goals and an assist in a 4-2 victory against Nanaimo.

Third Star: Penticton forward Luc Wilson scored a pair of goals in a 3-0 win over Trail.

Honourable Mentions: Alberni Valley goaltender Luke Pearson made 40 saves for the shutout. Eagles forward Christan Fitzgerald had two goals and an assist. Vernon netminder Roan Clarke stopped 33 shots. Clippers goaltender Jordan Naylor kicked out 42 shots.

Brian Wiebe

Brian's been involved in the BCHL in a variety of capacities for 17 years. From 2002 to 2012, he served in several roles around the Merritt Centennials organization, including as team president, board member, beat writer, colour commentator, webmaster, media and communications coordinator and marketing assistant. He's been writing about the BCHL since 2008 and served as colour commentator on the TSN 1040 broadcasts in 2012-13. BCHLNetwork is one of Brian's many passion projects that he balances around his full-time job as an instructor in the Radio Arts and Entertainment Program at BCIT in Burnaby.