Tuesday, January 4, 2011

GAME PREVIEW: BULLDOGS at KINGS

                                         17-17-3-2 (6)                                    29-6-3-2 (1)
                         LAST 10: 3-5-1-1                            LAST 10: 9-1-0-0


Season Series: 3-1-0-0 Kings
  • The Kings have outscored the Bulldogs 10-5 in four games thus far, including an opening night shutout on September 10th. Powell River has won the last two encounters versus the 'Dawgs.
Last Meeting: November 27th 4-1 Kings
  • Sean Maguire stopped 28 of 29 shots for the win and first star honours for the Kings. Steven Schmidt, Andrew Pettitt, Jon Jutzi and Matt Garbowsky (EN) scored for Powell River. Tyler Berkholtz replied for the Bulldogs.

TEAM SCOPE

ALBERNI VALLEY: The Bulldogs will be looking for a fresh start in the new year. To end 2010 the Bulldogs went 3-6-1-1 in December and 2-3-0-0 in their final five games. The 'Dawgs were outscored 36-30 in the 11 games they played last month.

Alberni Valley is in the midst of a tough schedule as this will be their sixth straight road game dating back before the Christmas break. The Bulldogs last home game was on December 11th a 1-1 tie with Vernon. To compound the matter is the road hasn't been so kind to the Bulldogs. They are 2-3-0-0 on their five game road trip and 2-4-0-1 on the road in the month of December. Overall, their road record sits at 5-10-1-2, tied with Victoria and Nanaimo for the second most road losses behind Cowichan Valley.

POWELL RIVER: The Kings are in unfamiliar territory. If you include their loss to Malmo on New Year's Eve, the Kings have lost two straight. That is the first time all season the Kings have lost consecutive games. Powell River did have their nine game winning streak come to an end on Sunday in Langley. That game high lighted a uninspired effort from the Kings in the first and third periods, allowing the Chiefs to skate away with a 4-2 victory.

However it isn't all doom and gloom, the Kings still own the best home record at 17-3-0-1 and haven't lost at home in five games. The Kings have also won both games at home against the Bulldogs by a combined score of 5-1.

WHO'S HOT:  Chad Niddery has eight points (1-7-8) in his last five games. His line mates are finding the score sheet as well. Matt Garbowsky has six goals in is last five and Dan Schuler has six assists. Also the Kings are getting production from their back end. The Kings blue-line has collected 12 points in their past five games.

Casey Bailey and Josh Mitchell lead the way for the Bulldogs. Both have six points in their last five games, Bailey has three goals and three helpers, where as Josh Mitchell has scored once and added five asssists. Also Brandon Adam has two goals and two assists.

INJURY REPORT: The Kings in all likely hood will be without Justin DaSilva. The defenseman was assessed a hit to the head major penalty on Sunday. That carries a two game suspension under the Junior A Supplement. For the Bulldogs, Tanner Hicks will make his debut against the Kings this season. The defenseman was out long term with a lacerated spleen.

STAT PACK: The Kings have scored first in three of the four meetings this season. The only game the Bulldogs got on the board first, they won.

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