The Alberni Valley Bulldogs started the 2019-20 season last weekend with two games in Powell River. In the first game on Sept. 6, despite more power plays than the Kings, the Bulldogs lost 6-3. Two of the Bulldogs’ three goals came with the man advantage. On Sept. 7, the Bulldogs offensive firepower took off, but they lost 6-5 in regulation as a result of taking too many undisciplined penalties. Four days between games should have given the Bulldogs time to prepare for Sept. 13’s contest in Nanaimo. The Bulldogs need to improve their penalty kill and their play without the puck.
How it Played Out
In the first game, the Kings’ Levi Glasman opened the scoring at 6:59 of the first period. Eight seconds later Dawson McKay scored the Kings’ second goal. The Bulldogs would not score their first goal until the second period, a power play marker from Tommy Bannister at 4:12, cutting the Powell River lead to 2-1. The Kings continued their onslaught, interrupted only with an even strength goal from Tyler Kostelecky, and a power play goal from Mitch Deelstra for Alberni Valley.
In the second game, the Bulldogs opened the scoring at 4:13 with a power play goal from Deelstra. After an equalizing goal from the Kings’ Jack Long, the Bulldogs scored three unanswered goals for a 4-1 lead, but it wasn’t enough to last the rest of the game. The Kings came firing back with three more goals, including two on the power play, to tie the game at four after forty minutes. Kostelecky scored the first goal of the third period, however the Kings tied the game and then, with seven seconds left in regulation time, got a goal from McKay for the win. Luke Pearson let in six goals on 34 shots in the first game and six goals on 52 shots in the second game.
Preview of the Home and Home Against the Clippers
Don’t write off the Bulldogs’ season just yet, as they showed some signs of things to come in their first two games. Players are acclimatizing to Head Coach Joe Martin’s new system in this young season. The Bulldogs are in search of their first win in Nanaimo on Sept. 13 at 7 pm. The Bulldogs’ home opener is the next day against the same Clippers team. The Clippers are after their first win as well, having lost their first game on Sept. 6 against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Three Stars.
- Mitch Deelstra
Deelstra has a goal in the first game, and two goals in the second game, with two of his three goals on the power play.
- Tyler Kostelecky
The Arizona State Commit had a goal in each of his first two games. Both goals were scored in the third period
- Moe Acee
Acee, who is commited to St. Lawrence University, had an assist in the first game, and two assists in the second game.