The Blackfalds Bulldogs are scorching hot heading into the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) playoffs.
Winners of eight straight victories to cap off the regular season the Bulldogs are playing some of their best hockey at the right time. Since Christmas, they’ve posted a 21-3-0 record and have been one of the league’s best teams
After finishing second in the south division Blackfalds will play the Calgary Canucks in a seven-game series in the opening round of the postseason. The first two games will be played at the Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m.
Bulldogs sniper Tyler Wallace said they started off the regular season slow but since then have gelled together.
“In the second half of the year I’d say we were probably if not the best, one of the best teams in the AJHL,” he said.
“We really just bought into our systems. We trust each other and we really just held our own… It really helps build that chemistry between us and it really showed up offensively and defensively.”
The Bulldogs had a lot of success against the Canucks this season nearly sweeping the season series but lost 3-1 back in November. Overall Blackfalds took home five of their six matchups with Calgary.
“We’ve had some good battles with the Canucks all year,” Wallace added. “We can’t be taking it easy going into the playoffs. It’s going to be a hard-fought matchup but we’re hoping if we stay true to our systems we should be alright.
“[Having the home crowd advantage] is a huge luxury. We’re definitely going to take advantage of that.”
Individually, Wallace had a career season as the AJHL’s leading goal scorer notching 42 on the year, just one ahead of the league MVP Aiden Fink. He also finished top five with a total of 84 points, including an eight-game streak in which he compiled 18 points.
Wallace admitted it is a pretty cool accomplishment.
“I also had a lot of help from my teammates. My linemates in the second half of the year have been looking for me and I’ve just been able to capitalize,” he said. “It’s special to be the first Bulldogs to do it.”
Wallace was traded to the Bulldogs in the offseason after spending three seasons in the AJHL with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. His best season in Fort McMurray came in the 2021-22 season when he posted 58 points in 58 games and made the North All-Star team.
During the summer he focused on his shot. More specifically, worked on the quickness of his release in an effort to surprise goaltenders across the league.
And oh boy, did he ever.
“Mostly it was just in the basement of my house just shooting pucks constantly every day. Also just running a variety of drills… it really showed this season,” he added
He credited playing alongside Blackfalds captain Brett Meerman, who was second in the league in points, and Jason Siedem made his job easier.
“My coaches also have done a lot to help push myself and put myself in a better position to score goals,” he said.