Yah, I'm baised, but no one is even close.
After several lean years in the wins column, coupled with other factors, the fan base had understandably eroded over the last couple of seasons.
While the excitement and support of those in the building never wavered, now the fans just quite simply have more to cheer about. And do they ever cheer...
While it was never really gone, it for sure was a shadow of it's former self. The "Loud and Proud" POUND is back.
And it's getting better every game. Why?Because more and more fans are coming to games. Which makes games at the Pound just that much more fun, for the Dogs, and for their visiting opponents.
Yes, the opponents enjoy it too. Make no mistake, these guys like playing in buildings with bums in the seats, with a great atmosphere of cheers and boos. And you get that in spades in Alberni.
The best part of all? When the game is over and the three stars are announced - Bulldog or otherwise - they players get a nice salute from the fans.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's really nice to see the players from the visitors come out for their applause when their name is announced.
It's nice to see the players get some nice recognition on the road of course, but what I think is even cooler is that the players themselves realize how good the crowd is, and they want to come back out for their star announcement. OR - the coaching staffs of the opposition realize it and make it a point to somehow mention to their guys -
"Make sure you go out for your star. You are really appreciated here"
Some coaches could care less, and I get that. What does it matter anyway? On the other hand some coaches make it a point to have their guys out. And that's pretty cool! So if you are one of the silent readers of this blog that's associated in some way, shape, or form with your local team - please pass the word along. I know the fans here appreciate it, and I know the players appreciate it too.
It's a short layoff for the Dogs as they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals tomorrow night at the Pound.
Much has changed since the Dogs and Caps met way back on September 19th. Most notably being the change on the bench where Dale Purinton has taken over from Scott Robinson.
The Caps sit last in the Coastal Conference with a record of 6-15-0 and 1, good for 13 points.
While they are currently in the basement, they are by no means out of it this early in the season.
And while they have lost six in a row, the last three have all been one goal games. So don't expect it to be easy tomorrow, as the Caps will certainly be desperate for a win. And that makes for a dangerous team.
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Please allow me to say THANKS to some of the Bulldogs and BCHL fans that have sent kind words my way regarding the work Rick and I do on Bulldogs Broadcasts.
I certainly don't do the job to be told "good job" but it never gets old when one hears that their efforts are appreciated.
Trent Dorais' mom sent in a really nice one on Saturday, as did a Surrey fan named "Barney" who not only had nice words about the Bulldogs, but the broadcast as well saying
"You guys have one of the best broadcast crews in the league. Not homers"
To hear that from the other side of the puck is pretty cool. Thanks Barney.
I certainly don't do the job to be told "good job" but it never gets old when one hears that their efforts are appreciated.
Trent Dorais' mom sent in a really nice one on Saturday, as did a Surrey fan named "Barney" who not only had nice words about the Bulldogs, but the broadcast as well saying
"You guys have one of the best broadcast crews in the league. Not homers"
To hear that from the other side of the puck is pretty cool. Thanks Barney.
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And here's the first of what will be many updates on the local wrestling scene from Tom McEvay. Thanks Tom as always.
College Wrestling Season Underway
The 2009-10 wrestling season is here. Up first were the local college wrestlers at North Island College. Three NIC wrestlers competed in their first tournament this past weekend at the Hargobind International in Surrey, BC. Joel Crneck earned a bronze medal at 70kg while Travis Carey and Cole Doskotch both finished fourth at 90kg and 78kg respectively.
Crneck is a first year college wrestler from Campbell River and chose NIC as the place to start his schooling and post secondary wrestling. Carey is from Duncan and is in his second year at NIC and looks to lead the up and coming college team this season. Doskotch is a local ADSS grad who decided to stay in Alberni to start college. Other NIC wrestlers will be competing in subsequent tournaments.
North Island College coach Travis Cross was pleased with his athletes’ performances in their first competition of 2009-10. “It was a good start to the year for them to get exposed to some very competitive matches and see where they stand amongst their competition, “ said Cross, “ it was a great learning curve and gave each of them a good perspective of what needs to be done in the coming months to continue to improve their game.”
Port Alberni also had two other alumni compete in this tournament, Michael Cappus and Ashlea McManus. Michael Cappus, a 2009 ADSS graduate, who is now going to school and wrestles for Simon Fraser University, won his second tournament in a row. Cappus won his first university tournament last week in Calgary. Alberni coach Travis Cross stated, “It is clear that Michael has what it takes to make the big step to the next level in his wrestling career. It is sometimes very difficult to transition from high school to university where the demands on an athlete increase enormously but you can see Michael has so far handled it very well.
McManus won three matches and lost one on her way to earning a silver in the 67kg women’s division. McManus is now wrestling for Scotland and recently returned from a tournament in England where she claimed the gold medal. McManus’s ultimate goal is to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
The college tournament wrapped up on Friday and on Saturday the international tournament was wrestled with teams from Canada, USA, India, Russia and South Korea.
North Island College Wrestling is in its 3rd year and the program continues to get stronger year as they prepare for the Canadian Junior National Championships in March.
The high school wrestling season gears up soon as wrestlers at ADSS and our local middle schools at Neill and Dunn have started practices. First competition for them will be the Island Novice tournament for the beginning and less experienced wrestlers in Victoria on November 28th. The more experienced senior wrestlers hit the mats on December 5th for the Roberts Rumble in Coquitlam.
The 2009-10 wrestling season is here. Up first were the local college wrestlers at North Island College. Three NIC wrestlers competed in their first tournament this past weekend at the Hargobind International in Surrey, BC. Joel Crneck earned a bronze medal at 70kg while Travis Carey and Cole Doskotch both finished fourth at 90kg and 78kg respectively.
Crneck is a first year college wrestler from Campbell River and chose NIC as the place to start his schooling and post secondary wrestling. Carey is from Duncan and is in his second year at NIC and looks to lead the up and coming college team this season. Doskotch is a local ADSS grad who decided to stay in Alberni to start college. Other NIC wrestlers will be competing in subsequent tournaments.
North Island College coach Travis Cross was pleased with his athletes’ performances in their first competition of 2009-10. “It was a good start to the year for them to get exposed to some very competitive matches and see where they stand amongst their competition, “ said Cross, “ it was a great learning curve and gave each of them a good perspective of what needs to be done in the coming months to continue to improve their game.”
Port Alberni also had two other alumni compete in this tournament, Michael Cappus and Ashlea McManus. Michael Cappus, a 2009 ADSS graduate, who is now going to school and wrestles for Simon Fraser University, won his second tournament in a row. Cappus won his first university tournament last week in Calgary. Alberni coach Travis Cross stated, “It is clear that Michael has what it takes to make the big step to the next level in his wrestling career. It is sometimes very difficult to transition from high school to university where the demands on an athlete increase enormously but you can see Michael has so far handled it very well.
McManus won three matches and lost one on her way to earning a silver in the 67kg women’s division. McManus is now wrestling for Scotland and recently returned from a tournament in England where she claimed the gold medal. McManus’s ultimate goal is to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
The college tournament wrapped up on Friday and on Saturday the international tournament was wrestled with teams from Canada, USA, India, Russia and South Korea.
North Island College Wrestling is in its 3rd year and the program continues to get stronger year as they prepare for the Canadian Junior National Championships in March.
The high school wrestling season gears up soon as wrestlers at ADSS and our local middle schools at Neill and Dunn have started practices. First competition for them will be the Island Novice tournament for the beginning and less experienced wrestlers in Victoria on November 28th. The more experienced senior wrestlers hit the mats on December 5th for the Roberts Rumble in Coquitlam.
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