Send off at the Summit FRIDAY, Bulldogs PACK THE PLEX promotion, Alberni Wrestlers at Provincials...

The SEND OFF AT THE SUMMIT is back again for 2012!!

This is a creation of 'Dog fan and Billet Mom Nancy Smeltzer, dating back to the 2005-2006 season, a truly unique Alberni Valley thing, and a great example of the great fans here. The guys from that team and any team that have been blessed to see this support have always been blown away and they still talk about it years later, so I hope you can get up there on Friday!!

It's time for the 2012 Sendoff on the Summit, as the Bulldogs head off to play our favourite rivals, the Nanaimo Clippers. We ask that as many people as possible gather on top of the hump, past the truck pull-over on Friday March 2nd before 4:00 p.m. Bring the kids, your neighbours and any body you see walking the streets so that we bring together a big group to cheer on the boys, and bring your signs and wear your gear. It is supposed to be a beautiful day so it's a great place to be!



For further information call Nancy 250-723-7990

Here's how the first one looked - mild language warning!



 
 

Pack the Plex!


Our Community….. Our Teams

A community celebration of Hockey in the Alberni Valley



PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – You are invited to join us for a fun and exciting evening of Hockey celebration as we close out this 10th anniversary year. What a great opportunity to show our appreciation for our future stars and also to recognise those volunteers who take time out of their busy lives to coach and be role models for our youth!



The last BCHL Friday night game at your Multi-Plex is on the 9th of March when your Alberni Valley Bulldogs host the Island rival Cowichan Valley Capitals! The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will be hosting special community guests including local Alberni Valley Minor Hockey coaches and players, S.D.#70 Elementary school ball hockey teams and students, just to name a few. The Bulldogs will also be offering all walk up ticket prices for Seniors, Adults, and Students for just $7.00!



“Come out and enjoy a night of great entertainment and great Jr. A Hockey action,” says director business operations Ron Paulson. “It has been a while since we have filled this barn and we have set our sights to “Pack the Plex” yet again to recreate that level of energy not seen since HockeyVille.”



“Our team has been playing with a renewed sense of energy and heart under the direction of Head Coach Kevin Willison,” says Director of Hockey Operations Rick Schievink. “The Bulldogs have given their competition all they can handle, especially the Cowichan Capitals, and this promises to be another exciting hockey game!” added Schievink.



Game tickets can be purchased in person at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs office located at 3737 Roger Street or by phone at 250-723-4412 Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.



Doors open at 6 pm and the entertainment starts immediately don’t miss the fun!!



For more information contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations Laurie Smillie at 250-723-4412, 250-735-3647 or lsmillie@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.
 
 
 
 

ADSS Three Time BC High School Wrestling Aggregate Champions






For the third year in a row the ADSS Armada boys and girls wrestling teams combined to win the prestigious BC Secondary Schools Wrestling Championships Aggregate title. This year it wasn’t even close as ADSS finished with 88 points well ahead of second place St. Thomas Moore of Vancouver at 62 pts.



The performance by the ADSS wrestling teams was one admired by many across the province at this year’s BC High School Championships in Penticton. Alberni’s rich tradition in wrestling added another proud chapter as it is one of the few schools in BC that can boast a well balance program with both the boys and the girls teams very strong.



Both the ADSS boys and the girls teams were in the top 5 teams of their respective divisions and both were again in the thick of the hunt for BC titles. On the Girls side ADSS was the runner up team finishing second to Carson Graham of North Vancouver. The ADSS Girls had 42 points while third place St. Thomas Moore were at 32 pts, North Kamloops at 30 pts and Guildford Partk at 21 pts to round out the top 5 schools.



In the boys competition ADSS finished with 46 points to take 4th place. Rick Hansen of Abbotsford repeated at BC Champions. Perennial power house Burnaby Central were second with 57 pts followed by John Oliver with 54 pts and Maple Ridge finished just behind ADSS with 43 pts for fifth place.



“We are extremely proud of the fact that our program gives equal opportunity for both boys and girls and has developed such strong teams in both genders,” said program director Tom McEvay, “ our coaches have done an amazing job with these young athletes starting with our kids programs and working all the way through the middle schools and then at ADSS. There are very few programs in any sport, anywhere in Canada that can rival what we have accomplished here in Alberni.”



Those accomplishments have now included four BC High School Wrestling Aggregate titles, five boys individual team titles and two girls individual team titles. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that the ADSS boys have been in the top five in BC in 22 of the past 30 years and the girls have been in the top five 13 of the past 17 years. Individually ADSS has had 72 BC High School Champions and 189 BC High School medalists in the past 33 years.



Adding to those impressive totals this year were BC gold medalists Jordie Bodnar and Daley Forbes on the girls side and Jesse Wagner for the boys. For Bodnar it was her incredible fourth BC title in a row as she won the 43 kg weight division. Bodnar won this year by defeating a tough Tiana Dykstra of 100 Mile House in the final. Coach Richelle McKenzie commented, “It was also very gratifying to see Jordie take her fourth BC title, she is a competitor who does not want to lose.” As a grade 11 student Bodnar will have the opportunity to win an unprecedented 5th BC title next year.



For Daley Forbes it was a great way to finish her high school wrestling career. The grade 12 ADSS student had moved away from the valley last year due to her father’s work commitments up north but she was excited to win her third BC title as once again an ADSS wrestler. Forbes dominated throughout the event and is expect to defend her national title in April in Fredriction.

The 51 kg Boys final was one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament as twin brothers Jesse and Jordan Wagner of ADSS both battled their way to the gold medal match. The final did not disappoint as the brothers are so evenly matched. Ultimately Jesse prevailed in a very close match to take gold and Jordan the silver.



“Jordan and Jesse often wrestle in different weight classes,” said ADSS head coach John McDonald, “but this year their weights were just so close that it wasn’t fair to have one of them go up a weight. For them both to make the final was unreal. We expected a close match and it was and we couldn’t be prouder of both of them as they are both elite competitors and only in grade 10.”



Joining Jordan Wagner with a silver medal was ADSS teammate Cullen Hines ADSS. The grade 12 Hines has had a great high school wrestling career and was was impressive on route to the final at 78 kg. In the gold medal match Hines met nemesis Jobanjit Phulka of Rick Hansen. Phullka had beaten Hines a few weeks ago in the final of the Alberni Invitational and Hines was out for pay back. Unfortunately in what was a very close match the Hansen wrestler once again came out on top.



The loan bronze medalists for the local high school squad was grade 11 Bailey Durning. Durning had an outstanding BC tournament at 64 kg. “Bailey really rose to the occasion, “said coach James Messenger, “she was tough in every match and followed our advice on how to wrestler to maximize her strengths. She turned some heads with her tough and gritty performances. She certainly deserved a medal at this year’s BC’s and will be a threat to win her weight class next year. “



The ADSS Boys team had two fifth place finishes in extremely tough weight classes. Grade 12 Connor McDonald finished 5th at 84 kg. Coach McDonald commented that, “84 kg was a difficult weight class to place in this year. Connor wrestled hard and in the end he can be proud of 5th at that weight. He wanted to finish higher in his final year but every match was a war. We were sure glad the knee injury that kept him out of action last year did not prevent him having a tremendous grade 12 year. “



The other 5th place finisher for ADSS was grade 9 wrestler Nolan Badovinac. Badovinac has been defying the odds all season that a grade 9 cannot do well in the tough 70 kg weight. If not for a very controversial set of circumstances in the semi final Badovinac would have been in the final Saturday afternoon. In that match twice the ADSS coaches had to officially protest referee calls and both times they won the protest after video review. Unfortunately current rules require the disputed round to be re wrestled and on the third such re-wrestle Badovinac lost.



“Tom McEvay is known for being a very calm and patient person but even he went ballistic after the officials made some terrible mistakes in first re-wrestled round, “said Messenger, “ Nolan won the match twice but in the end he lost. He showed great character to come back on Saturday and take 5th place. He will be a multiple BC champion before he is finished.”



Corrine Gough of Neill Middle School finished 6th at 43 kg while Samantha Anderson of ADSS took 6th at 90 kg. Gough is just in grade 8 and as such this was the first year she could qualify for the BC’s. After much discussion it was decided that Gough was ready to try the higher and older level of competition at the BC’s . She did well to finish top 6. Anderson meanwhile fought through a painful shoulder injury to place top 6 in her grade 12 year.



The Alberni coaches were also quick to comment on the performances of some other wrestlers who didn’t quite make the podium. Alberni Wrestling program director Tom McEvay singled out Russell David, Christian Anderson, Dean Leyland and Janelle Beckett for having excellent BC’s. “We are so blessed to have so many excellent athletes and excellent people in our program. These athletes all had tremendous performances as did many others some of whom are still quite young. Our results this year were exceptional but we know that this may only get better with the talent coming up. There were many young wrestlers, both boys and girls, who didn’t place this year but who showed they are ready for this level with their performances at this year’s championships. The program is definitely in good hands for the near future.”



That immediate future includes preparations for the National Cadet and Juvenile championships in Fredricton New Brunswick April 12-15. Local coaches James Messenger and Chris Bodnar expect to take 5-6 local athletes to this year’s nationals. Fundraising has started as it is not cheap to get this many athletes to far east of our country. If you want to help please contact Tom McEvay at Vast at 250-723-3744.




That's it for now, more later or tomorrow of course! Lots on the go right now!


Hammer

Dogs 4, Rivermen 3, in OT

What a comeback today as the Dogs just refused to lose in snapping a five game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win over the Langley Rivermen. Check out more details on today's game and the weekend that was with my "Weekly Recap" article from the Dogs website by CLICKING HERE

Way to go boys!

Hammer

Dogs @ Rivermen, Brian Kang Interview, Strand does colour!

The Bulldogs finish off their three games in two and a half days roadie this afternoon when they visit the Rivermen at the Langley Event Centre.

Catch the pregame show at 1:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 2:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey. I'm pleased to announced that injured Bulldogs Forward Tryg Strand will join me to provide Colour and Analysis on the broadcast!

Today's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs AP Brady Bjornson, while former Bulldog Brian Kang, now at Concordia College will join me in the 2nd Intermission show.

Hammer

Eagles 4 Dogs 3

A great effort by the Dogs tonight as they hung with the top team in the Conference with a short bench but still ended up on the wrong end of a 4-3 score.


It was 1-0 Eagles in the back half of the first as Brayden Jaw found a rebound in front. The Dogs would hang tight to keep it 1-0 with a full two-minute 5 on 3 penalty kill and then tie the game seconds later when Trent Dorais one-timed a Hunter Stewart feed home.


The Eagles went up 2-1 early in the second as Trevor Cameron drove the net and found a rebound after an initial save by Matt Larose on a partial breakaway for Tyler Morley after he made a slick move to slip a Bulldog defender. It was 3-1 less than a minute later when Sean McGovern potted an end-board bounce in tight but the Dogs battled back to make it 3-2 shortly afterwards when Yan Kalashnikov found a rebound off a Walker Hyland shot and set up Trent Dorais in the slot for his second of the game. Surrey then went up 4-2 later in the period on a pretty three-way passing play on the rush that was finished off by Brayden Jaw with a top corner snap shot, glove side on Larose. The Eagles looked to have taken a 5-2 lead later in the period on what would have been the third of the game for Jaw but a conference with the officials saw the goal waved off with the ruling that it was kicked in. That would be big late in the period when the Dogs made it a 4-3 game in the dying seconds when Josh Mitchell found Brandon Halls walking in from the point where he one-timed the feed just over the glove of Hunt.


There would be no scoring in the third, with the Dogs drawing a penalty with just under a minute to play after pulling their goalie for the extra attacker with 1:43 left. They would have several chances to tie it but the Eagles held the fort and made the lead stand.


Final shots favored the Eagles 42-28 with Andrew Hunt and Matt Larose being the goalies of record.


The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Eagles went 0 for 1


Hammer
Sent from my iPhone

Express 7 Dogs 4, Dogs visit Eagles tonight, Midget and Bantam Dogs host Island Finals TODAY!

 The Express domination of the Dogs continued tonight with a 7-4 win in Coquitlam for their sixth straight win in the head to head series this season. The loss was made even worse with the apparent loss of two more bodies as Tryg Strand left the game early after a check from behind and didn't return, and Yan Kalashnikov left the game late and also didn't return.


The game didn't start well for the Dogs as it was 1-0 Express less than a minute in when Alex Petan pounced on a rebound off a high shot from Malcolm McKinney that appeared to stun 15 year old Nathan Alalouf, who made his second BCHL start. The Dogs fought back to tie it just over five minutes in when Yan Kalashnikov drove the middle and went low far-side to beat Cole Huggins. It was 2-1 Dogs after one when Walker Hyland converted a cross-ice pass from Evan Tironese.


The second began the same way as the first, as the Express struck in the first minute to tie it up when Brady Shaw converted an end-board bounce to make it 2-2. Alex Petan's second of the game made it 3-2 just short of four minutes into the period when he went five-hole on a breakaway but the Dogs answered quickly to make it 3-3 when Evan Tironese drove the net and converted a Hunter Stewart pass.


An unfortunate bounce out the Express ahead 4-3 four minutes into the third as a dump-in by Jason Bird hit a seam in the glass and went on net and found its way home as Alalouf was scrambling to get back into the net. The Express would put the game away at the midway mark of the third with two goals in under 30 seconds, both scored by Alex Kerfoot on very similar plays as he one-timed passes from behind the net home from the top of the crease to blow the game open. The Dogs answered quickly to stop the run as it was 6-4 less than a minute later when Trent Dorais one-timed a Walker Hyland feed from the hash-marks high glove side on Huggins to make it 6-4. That's as close as the Dogs would come though as an Express power play goal with three minutes to play off a Malcolm McKinney wrap around made it a 7-4 final.


Shots favoured the Dogs 37-34 with Nathan Alalouf and Cole Huggins being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while Coquitlam went 1 for 5.

The Dogs are right back at it tonight with the Eagles in Surrey. Catch pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM. In the 1st Intermission catch a replay of the Ryan Lough and Tryg Strand chit-chat from THE PEAK Morning Show on Thursday, while Rivermen Broadcaster Brandon Astle joins me in the 2nd Intermission.

If you are missing hockey then I urge you to get down to the Multiplex to cheer on the Van Isle Ford Midget Dogs, as they host Powell River at 1:45 for the first game of a best-of-three Island Finals series with game two in Powell River tomorrow. THEN hang around as the West Coast Coring and Cutting Bantam Rep Bulldogs host Campbell River, also for Game 1 of a best-of-three Island Finals series with Game 2 Sunday in Campbell River.



Hammer


Sent from my iPhone

Line Up Card

Dogs hit road for three, Midget/Bantam Reps host Island Finals Saturday, THE PEAK live at Jowsey's Saturday, Guy Lafleur, win a Matt Larose pink jersey!

The Bulldogs hit the road for three games in two and a half days on the Lower Mainland, starting in Coquitlam tonight, with the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM kicking off at 6:45.

Check out my "Weekly Preview" article from the Bulldogs website for more details by CLICKING HERE

Former Bulldog Chris Moulson will be my 2nd Intermission guest tonight, now playing with Acadia. In the 1st Intermission catch a replay of the 93.3 The Peak FM Morning Show Interview from yesterday with Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldog players Tyler Wilhelm, Nathan Read, Cam McAdams and AVMHA President Al McCulloch.

93.3 The Peak's Jolie McMullan will be LIVE ON LOCATION at Jowsey's Furniture & Appliances on Johnston Road Saturday from 1 to 5pm.

Here's the details of what's going down from Jowsey's FACEBOOK PAGE

Are you thinking about a new mattress? We have a giant truckload mattress sale starting next week, with extremely low prices and a contest! The value of 10% of all beds we sell next week will be given to one lucky winner as a Jowsey's furniture gift card.

Example: We sell $10,000 worth of beds, someone gets a $1000 gift card.

We'll draw a name Saturday afternoon as we broadcast live with 93.3 The Peak. Jolie and I will be in our pj's in our side window.

No purchase necessary to enter the draw!

MVP Sports Collectibles, 93.3 The Peak and Boston Pizza Presents A Evening With Guy Lafleur:

Starting February 27th head to Boston Pizza to get entered to win 1 pair of tickets to spend a evening with Guy Lafleur on March 26 at the Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites. Includes meet and greet, autograph signing, banquet style dinner, live and silent auction and a live Q&A

1 entry , no purchase necessary, bonus entry with the purchase of a large pizza.

Must be present during the Bulldogs Post Game Show at Boston Pizza on March 11th to win.

To purchase tickets call MVP Sports Collectibles 250-380-1958. Tickets are just $75 each

Win a Pink signed Matt Larose jersey starting March 5! Be listening for your cue to call in to try to win answer the Bulldogs Trivia right and you qualify! On Friday March 10 we will draw two names
those two people will have a "Minute to Win It" Show Down at the Bulldogs Game on March 11th in the second period. The winner takes home the jersey!

That's it for now!

Hammer

Midget Rep Bulldogs recap

Huge congrats to the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs - a just plain WOW that over 500 fans came out to watch. Unreal! And big congrats to the West Coast Cutting and Coring Bantam Rep Bulldogs, also off to the Island Finals with a 5-3 win over Saanich!


MIDGET BULLDOGS WIN SEMI:


HOME ICE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs advanced to the Vancouver Island Championship with a 7-4 victory on Sunday in their semi-final game against Saanich Braves. Five hundred fans cheered as the team cranked it up to overtake the visitors in the final 10 minutes. Powell River downed the Grizzlies 5-2 at Bear Mountain in the other semi-final on Saturday.



Alberni Valley will now take on Powell River in the best of three championship series. The first game will be at 1:45 PM, Saturday February 25th at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. Then both teams will head to Powell River for Game 2. Game 3 if necessary will be back in Port Alberni on March 3rd.



In Sunday's game the host Bulldogs played cautiously to start and spent a lot of time in their own zone. They allowed Saanich a one goal lead at 12:13 of the first period. Chase Gaudreault evened that up at 4:29 with helpers from Logan Savard and blue liner Tyler Ibsen.



In the middle of the second period Saanich jammed the crease to go up 2-1. Colby Lim on power play led a pass to Cam MacAdams who worked it to the net and then dropped the puck in the slot for Beau Wilson to make it 2-2. But Saanich came right back to take the lead again at 5:26 and held on to the end of the period.



Although the Bulldogs ramped up their game in the third period, Saanich was just as determined and held the 3-2 lead until the middle of the frame. The turning point came near the middle of the period when goalie Gianni Crema stoned a Saanich breakaway attempt. Then at 10:58 Tyler Wilhelm hammered the puck through the 5 hole from right in front. Cory Beecroft assisted. It was the first of five unanswered goals. MacAdams from Savard and Ibsen made it 4-3 at 9:59. Beecroft and Lim set up Wilhelm's second goal with a man advantage at 6:54, then Lim scored unassisted off a rebound at 3:41. Finally Wilhelm and Lim supported Gaudreault's second goal with 1:38 left. Saanich still had some bite and took one back for the 7-4 final score. Coach Brent Demerais said of the team, "Their size and conditioning paid off in the end. The game turned when they started going hard to the net."



The players took a moment to salute their fans after the game. They are looking forward to the first championship game on Saturday and hope to see the same people and more come out. There will be two championship games that day as both the Midget A and Bantam Rep teams will be playing back to back.

Come out and see what our Alberni Valley boys will do!

Major Interview post!

Sorry this took longer than expected! It's always a lot of work to get these up here, but I always try to get it done when it is requested!

As always, all Audio is Courtesy and Copyright 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

Live from Florencia Bay...Midgets Tailgater on now, puck drop 3:15

Don't forget to get down to the Multiplex now for a dog and a drink before the 3:15 puck drop as the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs host Saanich in the Island Semis...

I won't be there, but I have a good excuse as you can see below, as we have taken the rare day off to "Staycation" it in Ukee at Terrace Beach Resort. We are out now beach digging with Griff, who is in heaven as you can see

Go Dogs!

Eagles 4, Dogs 1, Bantam Dogs top Sannich, Midget Dogs host Saanich tomorrow TAILGATE at 1pm

The Bulldogs dropped a 4-1 decision Saturday night at the Dog Pound to the Eagles, who built their Coastal Conference lead by sweeping the double header.

Check out the details from tonight and also from all three games over the week by reading my "Weekly Recap" article on the Dogs website by clicking HERE

Huge congrats to the West Coast Coring and Cutting Bantam Rep Bulldogs, who are off to the Island Finals after topping Saanich today at the Dog Pound by a 5-3 score!

Next up it's another Island Semi-Final match Sunday at 3:15 at the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs also host Saanich, with a Tailgate Party including 'dogs and drinks getting underway at 1pm! Get out and support the Midget Dogs! Good luck boys!


Hammer

Dogs vs Eagles rematch tonight, Bantam Rep Bulldogs Island Semis TODAY at 2:30 with 25 tickets to giveaway for tonight

The Bulldogs once again host the Surrey Eagles tonight at the 'Pound, for the first mid-season double header at the Dog Pound that I can remember in quite some time. Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00.

Our 1st Intermission guest is Dogs Captain Trent Dorais. Former Bulldog netminder Scott Lewan (2009-2010), now with Wisconsin River Falls University, joins us in the 2nd Intermission.

Before the game tonight the West Coast Coring and Cutting Bantam Rep Bulldogs host Sannich in an Island North vs South Semi Final Playoff game at 2:30! The Junior Bulldogs have given the Bantams 25 tickets to tonights game that they will be giving away today at the game so there is some more incentive to get out and cheer on the boys!

Also don't forget that the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs also host Sannich, also in a Island North vs South Semi Final Playoff game at 3:15 TOMORROW. Fans are invited down to rink at 1:00pm though as a TAILGATE PARTY with hot dogs and drinks kicks off


Good luck to all three Dogs teams, and the other ones I don't know about haha! Gotta love Port Alberni, Hockeyville as always!


Hammer

Eagles 5 Dogs 4, rematch tomorrow

Quite the game at the Dog Pound with plenty of momentum swings as another late comeback attempt by the Bulldogs came up short.


The Eagles controlled the play early, but it was the Dogs who found the net first as AP Mitch Crisanti scored his first BCHL goal, one-timing one home from the slot off some nice passing by the Kalashnikov brothers to make it 1-0 seven minutes in. The Dogs built the lead to 2-0 late in the first with the Kalashnikov's hooking up as Arty set up Yan for a quick one-timer through the legs of Hunt after Brandon Halls pinched to keep the puck deep.


The Eagles pushed the pace in the second period and were very dangerous on the transition generating plenty of good chances. Alex Hagen found the net to trim the gap to 2-1 just over six minutes into the period when he converted a Sean McGovern rebound in the paint. The Eagles would have two glorious chances on the rush to tie it shortly afterwards but Matt Larose came up big. However it was another odd-man rush that tied at 2-2 as Robert Lindores drove the net and one-timed a feed from Sean McGovern home. Lindores would have a good chance to give the Eagles the lead later in the period, but Larose came up with the save and was then bowled over by Lindores resulting in a Bulldog power play that they instead converted to lead 3-2 after two as Turner Popoff one-timed a Ryan Lough feed home from the point.


The Eagles tied the game up on a shorthanded 2 on 1 before the third period was five minutes old as Brandon Tanev roofed a cross-ice feed by Trevor Cameron. The score would stay 3-3 until the late stages of the game, with the Dogs coming up with a big 5 on 3 penalty kill after a bench minor for a late line change was followed up by another penalty. One more penalty was too many however, as Tyler Morley finished off a pretty passing play by converting a cross-crease feed to make it 4-3 with 2:33 to play. The Dogs pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, but the Eagles found insurance when Steve Koshey found a loose puck and hit the empty net from his own end to make it 5-3 with 1:08 to play. As has been their trademark, the Dogs didn't quit, making it a one goal game again with the goalie out just 17 seconds later as Ryan Lough drove the net and potted a rebound to make it 5-4 with 51 seconds to play as it was shades of Wednesday night all over again. The Dogs wouldn't be able to pull off a miracle comeback to force OT for the second game in a row this time though as the Eagles held on.


Final shots favoured the Eagles 34-32. The Dogs went 2 for 4 on the power play while the Eagles went 1 for 4, while also scoring once shorthanded.


Quite the game, here's hoping the rematch tomorrow is just as entertaining. With a different ending of course!


Hammer

Dogs host Eagles for two...Tironese and Michalchuk Interviews tonight

Apologies for the late posting again today, still working through major computer issues! You don't know how reliant you are on those things until they go down on ya!


It's the Dogs and Eagles meeting for two at the Dog Pound tonight and tomorrow, with tomorrow's game a make-up of the cancelled game in November.


Catch the pregame show both nights at 6:45 with Bruce and I on 93.3 The Peak FM.


Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Dogs 16 year old forward Evan Tironese, fresh off his two huge goals in the final minute to tie it on Wednesday to complete his first career hat trick.


 The 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Evan Michalchuk, now a Senior with the Manhattanville Valiants.



That's it for now as I attempt to try and get it together for tonight!


Hammer

Amazing comeback comes up short, Caps 5 Dogs 4 double OT

Wow, what a finish!


Unfortunately it didn't go the Dogs favour, but with two goals in the final minute to tie it up when all looked lost, they should be proud of their effort and the never-say-die attitude.


The Dogs opened the scoring just short of eight minutes in when Evan Tironese sped over the line down the right wing and blew a slap shot far-side past Derek Dun. The Dogs almost made it 2-0 just seconds later but Dun made a circus save as he came across and stacked the pads to keep it out. The Caps then caught fire late in the period, tying the game on the power play with Brett Knowles scoring on a high short-side shot off the right half wall past a screened Max Fenkell. Another power play goal four minutes later made it 2-1 Caps when Jacob Charles one-timed a faceoff win off the crossbar and in. One more goal with two minutes to go in the frame made it 3-1 Caps after one when Matt Grant walked into the high slot and beat Fenkell glove side.


The second period saw the Capitals have the better of the chances thoughout, but Fenkell was spectacular to keep the Dogs in the game until Brandon Halls made it 3-2 on a pretty three-way passing play on the power play just over nine minutes into the period. Fenkell was again fantastic late in the period to keep it 3-2 with several big stops as the Capitals generated several great chances.


The trend continued into the third as the Caps carried the play with Fenkell again coming up big to keep it 3-2. It looked like the Caps had put the game away with eight minutes to play when Logan Proulx converted a breakaway to make it 4-2, as the Dogs struggled to get anything going. Anyone that left the game early missed a finish for the ages though, as a late penalty to the Caps proved huge as the Dogs made it 4-3 on an Evan Tironese banker (that was initially waved off before it was then counted) with just 45 seconds to go in regulation. It would be Tironese again finding the net to complete his first hat trick of his career with just 17.2 seconds to play as he blew a slapper home from the top of the point to make it 4-4 and send the Dog Pound into a frenzy.


Overtime was exciting with both teams having great chances but the goalies coming up big to keep the game going into double OT. The Caps would break the Dogs hearts less than a minute to play in 3 on 3 double OT as Darrin Robak made a perfect pass on a 2 on 1 rush to Mikael Jung who one-timed it through the legs of Fenkell for the 5-4 final.


Shots favoured the Capitals 43-38. The Dogs went 2 for 5 on the power play while the Caps went 2 for 3.


Three Stars:
3rd) Matt Grant
2nd) Josh Mitchell
1st) Evan Tironese


The Dogs are next in action Friday at the Dog Pound as they begin a double header against the Surrey Eagles, who are also in town the next night to make up the game that was postponed in November.


Hammer 

Dogs host Caps tonight, back up and running major techie issues, thanks Alberni Communications!

The Dogs continue their four game home stand when they host the Capitals tonight on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play at 7:00 with Bruce and myself.

Tonight's 1st Intermission Interview guest is Arty Kalashnikov, a runner up this week for the BCHL's Player of the Week. Too bad that Arty didn't win it, but I'm certainly happy that if he didn't a Port Alberni kid DID - congrats to Gerry Fitzgerald - read more HERE

Former Bulldog Andrew Ella, now with the Nichols College Bisons is my 2nd Intermission guest. Ella scored one of the biggest, maybe THEE biggest goal in Bulldog history during the 05-06 season, check out the video below. Has their been a bigger goal? I'd love to hear your two bits on the subject.

More techie issues, I can't embed the video for some reason, but you can check it by clicking THIS LINK

Here's my "Weekly Preview" article from the Bulldogs website for this week - click to read it HERE

Last but certainly not least, please accept my apologies for the late posting today. I had a stage 6 disaster this A.M. when my laptop died. With it I lost all my Bulldog Hockey stuff, all my 93.3 The Peak FM Morning Show stuff, and much more. A HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to Alberni Communications and their employee Nick Vanderest, as they have done wonders in getting me back up and running and saving some important stuff! Gotta love great local businesses who can help you in a pinch! Please thank them with your business - check them out by visiting their website HERE

That's it for now - off to catch up on a bunch more work for tonight!

Hammer

Special Morning Show Surprise!

Life on Vanouver Island is rough...

...but someone has to live it! Amazing day in Port Alberni, couldn't resist the opportunity to get out to the Alberni Golf Club and take advantage of it!

Bruce was in the Pro Shop working on his prep for the Broadcast Wednesday night;)

Hammer

Dogs 10 Grizz 3, Alberni Wrestling Island Champs, Midget and Bantam Dogs win...

Quite the game, as the Grizzlies jumped out to a 3-0 lead just seven minutes into the game before the Dogs woke up and scored 10 unanswered for the win. Certainly felt for the short-staffed Grizzlies in this one, who didn't quit and battled hard.

Get more on tonight's game, and the entire week that was by reading my "Weekly Recap" article from the Bulldogs website HERE

With the win the Dogs now sit in 6th place in the Coast. Well done fellas, very fun to watch. The Dogs have three more games next week, all on home ice, with the Capitals in town on Wednesday and the Eagles in for a double header at the Dog Pound Friday and Saturday.

Huge congrats to Alberni Wrestling, as they captured both the Male AND Female team titles at the Island Championships this weekend!

Also congrats to the Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs, and the Best Western Barclay Hotel Bantam Bulldogs as they picked up big wins today. The Midgets clinched the North Island with a 4-3 win in Powell River, while the Bantams blanked Oceanside 9-0.

Hammer

Dogs vs Grizzlies

Happy Hockey Day in Canada!

The great Jim Robson was just interviewed moments ago.

Very cool to hear him talk about his first game working as a teenager in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. The game was the Port Alberni Flyers versus the Lake Cowichan Bruins on a Sunday morning at the Civic Arena in Nanaimo. Robson tape recorded it and then drove back to Port Alberni to air it later in the day

Hammer

Dogs host Grizz, Postgame Show at Boston Pizza tonight, Frank Riddle interview, Happy Hockey Day in Canada!

After quite the affair in Nanaimo last night (see below) the Dogs are right back at it tonight when they host the Grizzlies at the Dog Pound. All the shenanigans aside, the Dogs didn't play a full 60 minutes and it showed on the scoreboard. Take away the last 10 minutes of the second and it's anyone's game. However, when you are short on bodies you can't take a single shift off, better yet half a period, so here's hoping the Dogs can bounce back tonight with the same effort they brought Tuesday against Cowichan and in Vernon and Westside last weekend.

Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the puck drop to follow at 7:00 with Bruce MacDonald and myself. Don't miss the postgame show LIVE at Boston Pizza following the game, as I'll be joined there by Head Coach Kevin Willison while Adam Hayduk and Bruce MacDonald try to keep things going in the Broadcast Booth for those leaving the game as we try to get down there.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog (09-11) Frank Riddle, now with the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks.

Frank has a place in the Bulldog and BCHL record books, as he scored the game winning goal the night that the Dogs tied the record for consecutive road wins with 17 in Westside...let the video load and fast-forward to six minutes in, or better yet watch the whole thing for some great memories from 2009-2010!


2010 Bulldogs Playoffs Motivational Video - Part 2 from HammerHockey on Vimeo.


That's all for now! See you/talk to you tonight!

Hammer