Hello and thanks for checking the blog. Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I've been swamped with Bulldogs this week and the preview for the Dogs website (up now, check it out) and my prep work for this weekend, which sees the Dogs in search of their first victory as they are into Nanaimo on Friday and back home against Victoria Saturday. I believe that the first win of the season could come this weekend. The first two could come this weekend. The sky is the limit with this group if they continue to improve and work hard and buy in to what Alan Kerr and Bryant Perrier are selling. The overall 60 minute effort needs to improve. The work ethic needs to improve. The physical play needs to improve. The discipline needs to improve. The special teams need to get better, get that big goal and big kill when it's really needed. The goaltending needs to improve. The same could be said for EVERY team in the league throughout the season. The biggest positive I have seen from this group is the work they have put in to improve each day and each game. It will be a great season if they keep that up, and once that first victory comes they very well might turn the corner. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. The 05-06 Dogs team taught us all that, if we didn't know it already. The big key for the Dogs right now is finding a way to win at the START so they aren't too far behind to find themselves out of it at the finish- and out of the playoffs. Once you get in the dance, anything can happen, everyone knows that. The job right now is getting that first win and getting there.
The first win should've come last week. Up 2-0 after 40 against Powell River. If the Dogs came out a little more ready they might've won that game. If they stayed out of the box against Victoria Friday and if they would've gotten that big save when they needed it they might have won there too. As Bryant Perrier said on the post game show with me earlier this season "If if's and buts were Beers and Nuts then we'd have one awesome party" Or something close to that. Very true words. I guess as a fan and follower of the team you have to hope that the lessons being learned are sticking and the players are indeed learning from them.
Pregame from Nanaimo tomorrow is at 7:15. My second intermission feature guest is Burnaby Express play-by-play voice Eddie Gregory. Saturday at home the pregame puck drops at 6:45. Second intermission feature guest that night is Merritt Centennials voice Keegan Goodrich.
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What a story from the Hout family! (Kathy, Sam and Dena) I sat down yesterday and fired up the laptop to do some prep work for the 'booth Friday in Nanaimo. As I had that work completed I fired up the email and started to answer back all of the emails that were sent to me over the games last week. I always try to answer back those that took the time to drop me a line as I appreciate anyone who takes advantage of the email feature during the games. The Houts emailed during the game on Friday, so I emailed back and said thanks for emailing and thanks for listening...Kathy Hout emailed right back two minutes later as she was doing one last check of the email 5 minutes away from getting in the car (actually, Adam's car) before beginning an epic roadtrip from Ladera Ranch, California to the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. That's an approximate 1,400 miles one way. What a trip. They are coming up to bring Adam his car, to be here for his 18th birthday, and to catch 2 Bulldogs games in 48 hours. Sunday they fly out of Victoria back down to Cali. What a trip indeed! I really hope all goes well for them because it could be one of those "experiences of a lifetime" Now the Dogs just need to get a win or two and Adam needs a goal or two! Hey Houts- If you are reading this- Feel free to pick up a pack of those Marlobo's eh? I also know my friend Bulldog fan L.R.T would certainly consider a paying a sum for a pack of Miller Highlife beer. Both not available in Canada! All kidding aside- Good luck in getting to Nanaimo for gametime on Friday! The ferries are always an interesting scenairo when it comes to getting to the Island! If you don't get there in time and you have a radio tune in to our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo to hear Dan Marshall's great call of the game!
I know Bulldog fans will give the Houts' a great welcome so I don't need to even mention it!
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Dogs New Trainer
The Bulldogs announced on their website this week that they have found a new trainer. A big welcome to the valley and the team and congrats on the appointment to Jesse Moser!
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Clippers Go Pink
Thanks to my buddy Dan "thestatsman" Tisserand on this one.
From the Nanaimo Daily News
In support of the upcoming Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, the Clippers will wear pink laces during Friday's game against the Dogs.
Kudos Clips, Good on ya. Every team should do this!
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Wow, check out this story!
And our hero of the day award goes to Doug Sauter, the coach of Oklahoma City's minor-league hockey team who helped prevent a possible stampede of horses at the Oklahoma State Fair by biting one of the animals on its ear! Doug, coach of the Oklahoma City Blazers, was at the fair attending a horse show when he saw a Belgian horse break free from its reins. That caused a chain reaction that spooked other horses. A stampede seemed inevitable until Doug bit the ear of one of the spooked horses to stop it from stampeding. He told reporters, "That's how you stymie a horse. You bite as hard as you can, and it won't move." (The Oklahoman)
Who knew?
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URGENT-BBL-Winters-Suspended,
INDEX:Sports
Ump Mike Winters suspended for remainder of regular season over Bradley flap
Umpire Mike Winters has been suspended for the rest of the regular season following his confrontation with San Diego's Milton Bradley. The Padres claimed Winters baited the outfielder, who has a history of losing his temper. Bradley tore a knee ligament when his manager tried to keep him from going after Winters during Sunday's game with Colorado.
I'm very happy to hear of this news. It seems that all too often in all sports and at all levels that officials are given free reign to act however they want to the players/coaches/staff. I certainly won't name names or attack any certain leagues or sports with this. It's just how I've felt certainly more than a time or two in the past. Officials take HUGE amounts of abuse, don't get me wrong. If you don't get treated with respect of course you shouldn't give it back. It's the toughest job in the world, especially when it comes to reffing hockey. If you abuse your position of power and use it as a means to treat others with disrespect, you SHOULD be reprimanded, in my humble opinion. All too often it seems that leagues associations and unions PROTECT officials, no matter WHAT their actions. Again, I'm happy to hear that this ump has been suspended. By all accounts he baited the player, and to me, that's an example of abusing your power. The player getting injured was the manager's fault, but it was CAUSED by the umpire.
And that could be the very first and the very last time baseball will come up on the blog.
________________________________________________________________
I think I've written enough for today...I had a big "Ode to the BCHL Message Board" planned in light of the recent Caps vs Clips brawl....More on that later though!
Thanks as always for checking out the blog. Hopefully not too much reading for you today!
Hammer
The first win should've come last week. Up 2-0 after 40 against Powell River. If the Dogs came out a little more ready they might've won that game. If they stayed out of the box against Victoria Friday and if they would've gotten that big save when they needed it they might have won there too. As Bryant Perrier said on the post game show with me earlier this season "If if's and buts were Beers and Nuts then we'd have one awesome party" Or something close to that. Very true words. I guess as a fan and follower of the team you have to hope that the lessons being learned are sticking and the players are indeed learning from them.
Pregame from Nanaimo tomorrow is at 7:15. My second intermission feature guest is Burnaby Express play-by-play voice Eddie Gregory. Saturday at home the pregame puck drops at 6:45. Second intermission feature guest that night is Merritt Centennials voice Keegan Goodrich.
___________________________________________________________
What a story from the Hout family! (Kathy, Sam and Dena) I sat down yesterday and fired up the laptop to do some prep work for the 'booth Friday in Nanaimo. As I had that work completed I fired up the email and started to answer back all of the emails that were sent to me over the games last week. I always try to answer back those that took the time to drop me a line as I appreciate anyone who takes advantage of the email feature during the games. The Houts emailed during the game on Friday, so I emailed back and said thanks for emailing and thanks for listening...Kathy Hout emailed right back two minutes later as she was doing one last check of the email 5 minutes away from getting in the car (actually, Adam's car) before beginning an epic roadtrip from Ladera Ranch, California to the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. That's an approximate 1,400 miles one way. What a trip. They are coming up to bring Adam his car, to be here for his 18th birthday, and to catch 2 Bulldogs games in 48 hours. Sunday they fly out of Victoria back down to Cali. What a trip indeed! I really hope all goes well for them because it could be one of those "experiences of a lifetime" Now the Dogs just need to get a win or two and Adam needs a goal or two! Hey Houts- If you are reading this- Feel free to pick up a pack of those Marlobo's eh? I also know my friend Bulldog fan L.R.T would certainly consider a paying a sum for a pack of Miller Highlife beer. Both not available in Canada! All kidding aside- Good luck in getting to Nanaimo for gametime on Friday! The ferries are always an interesting scenairo when it comes to getting to the Island! If you don't get there in time and you have a radio tune in to our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo to hear Dan Marshall's great call of the game!
I know Bulldog fans will give the Houts' a great welcome so I don't need to even mention it!
_______________________________________________________________
Dogs New Trainer
The Bulldogs announced on their website this week that they have found a new trainer. A big welcome to the valley and the team and congrats on the appointment to Jesse Moser!
_______________________________________________________________
Clippers Go Pink
Thanks to my buddy Dan "thestatsman" Tisserand on this one.
From the Nanaimo Daily News
In support of the upcoming Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, the Clippers will wear pink laces during Friday's game against the Dogs.
Kudos Clips, Good on ya. Every team should do this!
_______________________________________________________________
Wow, check out this story!
And our hero of the day award goes to Doug Sauter, the coach of Oklahoma City's minor-league hockey team who helped prevent a possible stampede of horses at the Oklahoma State Fair by biting one of the animals on its ear! Doug, coach of the Oklahoma City Blazers, was at the fair attending a horse show when he saw a Belgian horse break free from its reins. That caused a chain reaction that spooked other horses. A stampede seemed inevitable until Doug bit the ear of one of the spooked horses to stop it from stampeding. He told reporters, "That's how you stymie a horse. You bite as hard as you can, and it won't move." (The Oklahoman)
Who knew?
_______________________________________________________________
URGENT-BBL-Winters-Suspended,
INDEX:Sports
Ump Mike Winters suspended for remainder of regular season over Bradley flap
Umpire Mike Winters has been suspended for the rest of the regular season following his confrontation with San Diego's Milton Bradley. The Padres claimed Winters baited the outfielder, who has a history of losing his temper. Bradley tore a knee ligament when his manager tried to keep him from going after Winters during Sunday's game with Colorado.
I'm very happy to hear of this news. It seems that all too often in all sports and at all levels that officials are given free reign to act however they want to the players/coaches/staff. I certainly won't name names or attack any certain leagues or sports with this. It's just how I've felt certainly more than a time or two in the past. Officials take HUGE amounts of abuse, don't get me wrong. If you don't get treated with respect of course you shouldn't give it back. It's the toughest job in the world, especially when it comes to reffing hockey. If you abuse your position of power and use it as a means to treat others with disrespect, you SHOULD be reprimanded, in my humble opinion. All too often it seems that leagues associations and unions PROTECT officials, no matter WHAT their actions. Again, I'm happy to hear that this ump has been suspended. By all accounts he baited the player, and to me, that's an example of abusing your power. The player getting injured was the manager's fault, but it was CAUSED by the umpire.
And that could be the very first and the very last time baseball will come up on the blog.
________________________________________________________________
I think I've written enough for today...I had a big "Ode to the BCHL Message Board" planned in light of the recent Caps vs Clips brawl....More on that later though!
Thanks as always for checking out the blog. Hopefully not too much reading for you today!
Hammer
1 comment:
Hammer, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your articles and Never miss listening to the "away" games. I have a great deal of enthusiasum for this year's team. Last year was such a huge disappointment only because of the lack of effort we saw at most of the games. When I listen to the new coaching team I know we must be heading in the right direction.
I listened to your broadcast last Monday and loved it (except for your phone problems of course). You have such a large fan base - don't let our lack of written support get you down, I read your blog faithfully and thank you for the time you put into it. I'll be tuned in tonight for sure. "GO DOGS" Linda
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