Grizz top Dogs 5-1, see you in 2014!

It definately looked like a pre-Christmas game early, especially for the Bulldogs as they didn't look sharp, misfiring on passes in their own zone and through centre, allowing the Grizzlies to carry the better of the play and earn the first power play while building up a 7-2 advantage in shots. The Bulldogs would do a good job of killing it off, and shortly afterwards earned a power play of their own. They would connect on the power play with several good efforts initially to keep the puck in. Hunter Stewart would find Mak Barden at the right point where he threw a slap shot on net that was tipped home by Mitch Makin just over the goal line at 10:26 of the first on the power play to make it 1-0 Bulldogs. The Dogs had several chances to build the lead, but they couldn't connect. The Grizzlies would tie the game with less than four minutes to play the period when the Dogs got caught standing around watching in their own end as Tyger Howat made a good first save but kicked out a rebound that Shawn McBride roofed into the open side. Assists on the play went to Jesse Schwartz and Myles Fitzgerald at 15:35 of the first. Just seconds later, the Bulldogs would be sent to the penalty box. They would successfully kill it off, before a blown call turned the game in the Grizzlies favour when Hunter Stewart got taken down by Jacob Kearley, who appeared to first put a stick over the arms of Stewart, and then a stick into the feet of Stewart to take him down. The Referee would look on stunned, as Kearley picked the puck up and threw a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Jesse Schwartz who beat Howat with a wrist shot far-side to make it 2-1 at 17:54. If you would like to see it yourself, watch the below video

 It was 3-1 just 13 seconds later when Mark MacLellan was sent in alone on a breakaway with a nice stretch pass and the Dogs defence caught snoozing where he went top corner, glove side on Howat. Assists went to Storm Wahlrab and Rory McGuire at 18:07 of the first with Connor LaCouvee entering the Bulldog net off the bench, with the Grizzlies taking the lead into the room after one with a 14-5 lead in shots.

The second period was for the first half uneventful, like the first period, with neither team finding the net. The Grizzlies would get a power play at the midway point but they were unable to find the net with Connor LaCouvee making several good saves in tight. Action would pick up in the latter stages of the frame, with the Grizzlies being awarded a penalty shot when Cole Pickup was hooked by Kurt Gosselin on a breakaway. He would make good on the penalty shot chance with a quick release, low blocker on LaCouvee at 13:19 to make it 4-1. For the second time in the game, the Grizzlies would score twice in less than a minute as the Bulldogs failed on several instances to get the puck out of their zone, allowing mutliple chances that eventually ended up in the back of their net as Myles Fitzgerald scored on a banker from a sharp angle at the bottom of the left circle that appeared to go off LaCouvee, the post, and in. Assists on the goal went to Jesse Schwartz and Jay Mackie at 14:13 of the second with the Grizzlies leading 5-1 after one with a 27-14 lead in shots.

The third period was for the most part uneventful as both teams appeared to head out on the Christmas break early as the teams combined for 9 shots through 15:00 minutes, including two power plays aside. The game would turn heated late, but in large part no major skirmishes broke out. Neither team would find the net as the Grizzlies skated to the 5-1 win.

Final shots favoured Victoria 34-22 with Tyger Howat getting tagged with the loss giving up the first three goals before giving way to Connor LaCouvee, while Alec Dillon picked up 3rd star honours with the win in the Victoria net. The Dogs went 1 for 6 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 7.

A MUCH needed Christmas break for all, a disappointing way to head into it with the result in this one, but I'll end it on a positive note with the big win last night trimming the gap to just three points with the Dogs still holding a game in hand. It's been a trying first part of the season, and here's hoping the break will do everyone good.

Safe travels to all, and safe times at home. Enjoy the time with your families, and families enjoy your time with your boys who have been gone so long. Don't feed them too much turkey and Christmas treats!

Thanks to everyone that made the Bulldog and BCHL Christmas greetings happen, and thanks as well to everyone that have given me gifts over the last couple of games. Thanks as well to those parents and fans that made blog donations as Christmas presents - certainly unexpected, but I very much appreciate your generosity!

Hammer

Line ups Dogs @ Grizz

Dogs visit Grizzlies tonight before heading on Christmas break

With visions of sugar plums and hugs from friends and families dancing in their heads, the Bulldogs (10-20-2-4, 5th Island) will attempt to push it all aside for 60 more minutes (or more?) as they visit the Bear Mountain Arena and the Grizzlies (23-9-3-2, 1st Island) for the final game before the Christmas break for both teams.

The Dogs should have some good memories at the 'Bear. It's of course the site of the dramatic Island Championship OT win in the deciding game of the series last year. For the guys on this year's team that weren't a part of that, there should still be some positive thoughts as this season it was the site of the Dogs first point earned, a 2-2 tie way back on September 27th, the Grizzlies Home Opener.

The Dogs are coming off a dominating 2-0 win over the Clippers last night in Nanaimo, while the Grizzlies scored three times in the final 10 minutes at home last night to erase a 3-2 deficit to beat the Trail Smoke Eaters 5-3.

We'll be broadcasting live from "the aquarium" as I affectionately call it in Victoria, with Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starting with the pregame show at 6:45, followed by the puck drop and all the action at 7:00pm.  Bruce MacDonald with Colour and Analyis and Dan Tisserand with Team and Player Stats are game time decisions, while I will most certainly be there to provide the Play-by-Play in the...tank?

It's the last game before the Christmas break, so it's the night I conclude my giving of Christmas presents to you - in the 1st Intermission catch Part 2 of "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas" and in the 2nd Intermission don't miss "A Very Merry Bulldogs Christmas" as I compiled the wish lists of the Bulldogs as well as Coaches and Broadcasters from around the league. It's always a lot of fun, I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed tracking everyone down and putting it together! The guys with for everything from goals and Playoff spots to sound systems for the cars and new phones. One player even wishes another's girlfriend a Merry Christmas, as he noticed the player didn't do it himself...fun stuff! 

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Dogs top Clippers 2-0 with solid road effort

A great start to the game for the Bulldogs, as an early shift by the Strand-Georgeson-Clark line set the tone with a long containment shift in the Clippers end. The Dogs would carry the bulk of the play for the first half of the period, building up a 9-1 advantage in shots with Tanner Kovacs standing tall in the Clipper net. The Clippers would win the second half of the period, winning a series of draws in the Dogs zone and generating shots on net from the point and generating scrambles in the Dogs crease that LaCouvee kept out as it was a 0-0 game after one with the Dogs leading the shots 9-7.

The second period saw the Bulldogs again come out and assert themselves early and have an edge in the play. The Clippers would be awarded two straight penalties - one in incredible fashion after the whistle- but the Dogs did a great job to kill them off to keep it 0-0. The Dogs would have a 2 on 1 taken away when Craig Martin chipped the puck past Colton Dahlen, only to have Dahlen jump him, obviously in retribution for the hit he put on him earlier in the season. There would be no extra two to Dahlen, but the Dogs no doubt gained momentum with the one-sided scrap going in my opinion to Martin. One would have thought that Martin answered the call when he was also called on to fight the last game in Nanaimo, but Dahlen I guess didn't think that was the case. I wondered at the time if it was the best of decisions with his past concussion history - a bad one last year, and one on the hit from Martin this year. Dahlen wouldn't play another shift to the best of my knowledge. The Dogs continued to push and finally broke the scoreless tie on a great shift in the offensive zone as Kurt Gosselin pinched in to keep the puck behind the net for Zach Funk. He would find Josh Adkins at the top of the crease with a quick pass that he one-timed through the legs of Kovacs to make it 1-0 Dogs 12:12 into the second. The Dogs had several solid chances to build the lead, but Kovacs held the fort. In the late stages of the period tempers flared when Zak Bowles threw a huge hit on Sheldon Rempal. Bowles would be jumped by two Clippers simultaneously, with Quintin Wunder also dropping the mitts with Austin Dick. The Clippers would get the extra two minutes as the Dogs finally got their first power play of the game with 2:30 to go in the period, but they were unable to connect on it as they lead 1-0 after 40 minutes while holding a 19-13 edge in shots.

The Bulldogs came out flying to start the third period, drawing an early power play chance. While they couldn't find the net, they generated several good chances. When it was back to five on five, the Bulldogs continued to carry the bulk of the play, winning the races and the battles both in the offensive and defensive zones. They would get some much needed insurance with 4:10 left in the game when Nanaimo native Zach Funk found his own faceoff win in the Nanaimo end and walked un touched into the right circle where he snapped one home short-side on Kovacs. Assists on the play went to Ryan Buse and Dylan Haugen at 15:50 of the third period. The Dogs would play a solid final four minutes to seal the deal for the 2-0 Final.

Connor LaCouvee picked up 3rd star honours with the win while Tanner Kovacs took 2nd star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Clippers went 0 for 2. The Dogs outshot the Clippers 30-16, including 11-3 in the third period.

Quite possibly the most solid, 60 minute effort this season for the Bulldogs, and they couldn't have made better use of one of their two games in hand on Cowichan. One more to go before the Christmas break tomorrow night in Victoria.

Line up Dogs at Clips

Dogs visit Clippers tonight, Grizzlies tomorrow, before Christmas break

Just two more games to go before the Christmas break, as the Bulldogs (9-20-2-4, 5th Island) head over the hump tonight to visit the Clippers (18-17-0-1, 3rd Island) at the Frank Crane Arena.

If past experience is any indicator, it should be some interesting hockey to watch this weekend. With both teams full of kids (young men) who for the most part have been away from home for a long time and away from their families and friends, it is a very tough time of the season to focus at the task at hand and be ready to play. The team that does it the best, has a good chance of winning so here's hoping the Dogs "bring it", as there is nothing better than heading home for a long break on a positive note.

The Dogs have lost their last two, including Saturday's 3-2 OT loss to the Grizzlies. The Clippers won two of three on the road last weekend, including most recently 3-2 in double OT over the Rivermen in Langley on Sunday afternoon. The Dogs have lost two in a row on the road, with their last win coming...at the Frank Crane Arena, 6-4 over the Clippers on November 22nd.

The Bulldogs are now five points back of the Capitals after the Caps picked up a 7-2 win last night over the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Bulldogs have two games in hand.

Sam Curleigh apparently won't be suspended for his extremely dangerous hit from behind in Mitch Makin last Friday night, as he played the next night, as well as last night, where he picked up a couple assists in the Capitals win.

FANTASTIC JOB done by the BCHL! 

Follow all the action tonight from Nanaimo on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself providing the Play-by-Play, Bruce MacDonald the Colour and Analysis, and Dan Tisserand the Team and Player statistics. The pregame show begins at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play just after 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission show will feature Part 1 of my Christmas present to you, "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas" I'm not sure how many years I have been putting this together now... 5, 6, 7? They have flown by. It's always a ton of fun, and it wouldn't be possible without the help of everyone around the league, and everyone involved with the Bulldogs. It's a simple concept - I track down as many Coaches and Broadcasters around the league and get them to give me the items on the Christmas Wish List, and I also offer them the opportunity to send out Christmas Greetings to whomever they wish to send them to. Some guys have some fun with it, some guys are serious and by the book. It's my Christmas present to you, and I hope you enjoy it! Part 2, as well as "A Very Merry Bulldogs Christmas" goes tomorrow night! 

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:

Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Thanks for checking the blog!

Hammer

Suspension for Makin hit? Underdogs premiere tonight, ADSS Rugby Christmas tree sale

As of yet, the BCHL hasn't announced any judgement on the dangerous hit from behind Mitch Makin received from Sam Curleigh Friday in Duncan. It would be presumptuous to ask how many games, instead of does he get any games...but after the giant 8 game suspension to Craig Martin for a very similar hit, that was even upheld through an appeal process, one assumes this has to be SOMETHING. You be the judge.

From my opinion, the hits are similar, and Curleigh had more intent, and more time to make a different decision than Martin did at high speed on an end-to-end rush.

The premiere showing of the BULLDOGS UNDERDOGS documentary is tonight at the ADSS Auditorum. This has been an process over a year in the making, and the finish product will be nothing short of incredible! If you are looking for something to do tonight, I encourage you to go check it out. Admission is by donation - the doors open at 5:30 the show goes at 6:00.

If you are still in need of a tree, here's a great cause to support while also getting a tree at a great deal!

Hey guys,
  
Wondering if you could help out one last time with this xmas tree sale.

We have a few Christmas trees left and need to get rid of them so they don't go to waste..... so we are holding final sales this Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 and Friday 3:30 to 6:30 at ADSS. For those people who are last minute tree shoppers we have a deal for them - any tree any size $20, first come first serve. Whether its grand, noble or douglas fir people are looking for we do have a few left, and only $20!

Thanks Ryan

Get your $50,000 ticket, Very Merry Bulldogs/BCHL Christmas, Novice Jamboree

This is absolutely huge when it comes to the long and short term success of the Bulldogs in Port Alberni...if you are looking for a Christmas idea for someone special, not-so-special, or even yourself, consider getting one of these tickets. I grabbed a couple last weekend, and I'm looking forward to buying lots of stuff when I win the BIG prize of $50,000

Attention community supporters!!!

The Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society, your Community owners of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, are selling 999 tickets for a cash lottery with a $50,000 grand prize.  We are over two thirds sold and need to sell the last 200+ tickets for the raffle to be a success. The $50,000 grand prize will be drawn January 4.  Tickets are $100.  Just think of the great chances!!  They make great stocking stuffers or family presents. Many people are sharing tickets among family, friends and teams. Get your family, office co-workers, business or industry together and help us over the top.

The best place to get your tickets is at the Bulldogs office Tuesday and Thursday 1 -5 or better still at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce by phone at 250 724-6535 or in person at 2533 Port Alberni Highway. Their hours are 9 - 5 Monday - Friday and 10 - 2 on the weekends.  They will close December 23 for the holidays. The Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society directors; Ron Paulson, Russell Dyson, Darren Deluca, Stefanie Weber, Barb Witte, Diana Moore, Gareth Flostrand, Jolie McMullan, Bill Collette and Bob Cole all have tickets for sale. Contact anyone of them for ticket sales or delivery. Visa or Mastercard accepted.

All proceeds go to help pay for the ice for the team - which is a community owned non-profit!

BC Gaming Event Licence #57547

Know your limit and play within it.  Must be 19 years of age or older

Chances are 1 in 999 (total tickets for sale). Problem gaming helpline 1-888-795-6111

www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

The Bulldogs are on the road this weekend, but there is still hockey action at the rink as the AVMHA's Novice Jamboree takes over the Multiplex...I just have so much fun watching the little guys and gals out there. Mostly because I know they are having so much fun! Click the above image to enlarge it!

I am currently putting in some serious extra time trying to put together my Christmas gift to you...coming up on the broadcasts this weekend, is "A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas" AND "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas" It's quite the effort as I track down as many Coaches and Broadcasters as I can throughout the BCHL, in the hopes that they will share their Christmas wish with me.

I do the same thing with as many people as I can involved with the Bulldogs family - players, staff, etc. As much work as it is, it's also lots of fun, just plain having a little "fun" with it, as opposed to talking to everyone with a microphone, doing interviews, taking serious stuff and being all business all the time!

If you miss it on the broadcasts, yes, I will also put it up here on the blog!

Hammer

 

Dogs dig out of 2-0 hole after two, fall 3-2 in OT to Grizz

The Grizzlies were the better team early, and took an early 1-0 lead helped by back-to-back penalty calls against the Dogs in the first four minutes of the game as they connected on the second man advantage chance on the rush when Myles Fitzgerald took a cross-ice pass and walked in tight on LaCouvee before firing a low shot home short-side. Jesse Schwartz and Gerry Fitzgerald picked up the assists at 5:13 of the first. It was the Dogs turn to go to the power play shortly afterwards, and they came THAT close to tying the game as Kurt Gosselin fired a wrist shot from the line that hit the post and stayed out. Seconds after the penalty elapsed, the Grizzles went up 2-0, again on the rush as Kurt Gosselin did a good job to force Myles Fitzgerald behind the goal line but no one picked up Gerry Fitzgerald who one-timed a pass from Myles from the top of the crease past LaCouvee. Jesse Schwartz again also picked up an assist on the play at 10:25 of the first. The Bulldogs did a good job to push back inspite of the score, and drew two additional penalties. While they didn't score, they had several good chances with Alec Dillon coming up big on deflections and a goal mouth scramble to keep it 2-0 Grizzlies after one, with the Grizz leading in the shots 14-10.

The Bulldogs came out with a noticeable jump in their step to start the second period, and carried the bulk of the play from the outset and through the better part of the period. They had countless good looks turned away at the net by both Alec Dillon and the Grizzlies defence as the Dogs were unable to break the goose-egg to trail 2-0 after two periods, with the Dogs outshooting the Grizzlies 10-9 on the period for a 23-20 Grizzlies advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs would finally find the net just over a minute and a half into the third period as Kurt Gosselin poked the puck to centre ice for Justin Georgeson up the right wing. He would delay as he gained the Grizzlies zone before throwing a cross-ice pass that went off the stick of Scott Clark and onto the tape of Tryg Strand who walked right down the middle and fired a snap shot, low blocker side on Dillon at 1:37 of the third. The Dogs would tie it up five minutes later with one of the goals of the season -while shorthanded as Kurt Gosselin made a fantastic play and as opposed to just clearing the puck down the ice he took an extra second to put a perfect stretch pass onto the tape of Mitch Makin at centre ice. Makin would out race the Grizzlies defender to skate in on breakaway, where h was tripped up. While sliding on his knees, he was able to control the puck and fire a wrist shot past the blocker of Dillon. Incredibly, the goal was scored as unassisted, at 6:30 of the third to tie the game at 2-2 as the Dog Pound erupted. The Grizzlies would push back and control the better of the play until late in regulation when the Dogs also had a couple of good chances, most notably Justin Georgeson at the side of the net where Dillon made two saves as Georgeson attemped to go high, short-side.

Here's the Makin goal...

 

The OT period went both ways, with the Dogs having the best chance early as Justin Georgeson set up Scott Clark driving the net with a cross-ice pass, but Dillon stuck out his pad to keep it out. The Grizzlies would win it seconds later on a bad turnover right up the middle that was picked off by Garrett Foster who blew a slap shot top corner, blocker side on LaCouvee to win the game 3-2 at 2:59 of overtime, unassisted.

Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 37-29, with Alec Dillon picking up the win while Connor LaCouvee took the loss while earning 2nd star honours. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play, while also scoring once shorthanded, their second of the year, while the Grizzlies went 1 for 4.

The Dogs are next in action Friday in Nanaimo, before facing the Grizzlies Saturday at Bear Mountain Arena. 

Line ups Grizz at Dogs

Dogs host Grizzlies tonight, $5.00 tickets, Fivehole for Food night tonight

It's back to Home Ice tonight for the Bulldogs (9-20-2-3, 5th Island) as they host the Victoria Grizzlies (21-8-3-2, 2nd Island) for just the second time this season, and just the third meeting between the Island Rivals overall. The first meeting was a 2-2 tie way back on September 27th in Victoria, and the second meeting was a 5-1 Victoria win at the Dog Pound on October 12th.

The Grizzlies of course made major news this week on several fronts. First came a Monday announcement of an Ownership change. More here.  Then came a Tuesday afternoon announcement that Bill Bestwick was no longer the Head Coach and GM of the club. More here

The Grizzlies will be playing their third game of the week, after a 4-2 win at Home Wednesday night over the Clippers, and a 5-1 win over the Powell River Kings at home last night to pull within a single point of the Kings for the Divisional lead, although the Kings have played three less games.

Don't forget tickets are just $5.00 tonight, in an effort to PACK THE SHACK with all the Holiday events/parties happening around town.

Also don't forget to bring your food items for the Five Hole for Food Challenge!

All the action as always can be heard on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with Bruce MacDonald providing Colour and Analysis, Dan Tisserand the game stats, and myself the Play-by-Play. Game time is 7:00, so the pregame show takes to the airwaves at 6:45.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Harrison "Mayday" May , now with the Ottawa GeeGee's of the CIS

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com


Hammer

Caps top Dogs 2-1

The game started well for the Dogs as they found the scoreboard just under three minutes into the game when Zach Funk won a draw in the Caps zone onto the tape of Dylan Haugen, who quickly fired one on net off his back foot that beat a stunned Robin Gusse low, short-side at 2:41 of the first. The only assist given on the play went to Josh Adkins, who did not take the face off. The second straight penalty to open the game went to the Bulldogs - a questionable call as two players went into the corner hugging each other, and Rob Click was given the only penalty. It would end up in the back of the Dogs net on a pretty give-and-go between Mason Malkowich and Jesse Neher as Neher walked into the left circle and went top corner far side, high glove on LaCouvee. Matt Berry also drew an assist on the play at 10:33 of the first. The Capitals would carry the bulk of the play after that, drawing another penalty. The Dogs would have it almost killed off before the Capitals took a penalty when Justin Georgeson was hit in the numbers, head-first into the boards. The Referee would call a check to the head penalty. The second such call the Dogs have seen this season where a hit from behind with the only contact to the head coming from it being driven the boards has been called in such a fashion. The Dogs were unable to connect on the man advantage, not generating much in the way of chances. The Dogs drew a penalty with just 2.4 seconds left in the period, but would have the pending power play taken away with another questionable call as with 10 players standing around jawing, Kurt Gosselin was somehow picked out of the pile for an Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The period would end in a 1-1 tie with the Caps out-shooting the Dogs "officially" 15-3, however it was noticeable that several Dogs shots didn't go up on the board. Dan "the stats man" Tisserand had the Dogs actually putting 7 shots on net.

The Dogs would play a much better period in the second, drawing three penalties, and generating plenty of scoring chances. They weren't able to beat Robin Gusse though, as he stood tall and make a handful of great saves, most notably on Darian Henry with a couple of glove saves, and on Scott Clark and Hunter Stewart in tight. The Caps would take a major penalty in the late stages of the second when Sam Curleigh hit Mitch Makin from behind on a nasty hit that saw Makin fly from the goal line head first into the end boards. Makin's helmet would fly off on the impact, as the teams came very close to a line brawl with everyone grabbing a partner. Makin would jump up off the ice, and join the pile, and somehow got a 2 minute minor and a 10 minute misconduct. After two minutes of four-aside hockey, the Dogs were unable to connect on the three minutes of power play time to end the period with the game tied at 1-1 after 40, with the Dogs out-shooting the Caps16-7 over the period.

The third period was entertaining to watch, with each team having their fair share of chances but both Robin Gusse and Connor LaCouvee coming up with big saves at both ends to keep it tied up. The Capitals would go to the power play just short of the midway mark, on yet another soft after the whistle call against the Bulldogs - they all went the other way tonight - while the Bulldogs would kill it off, the Capitals scored the game winner just 20 seconds later when Colton Kehler stole the puck from a Bulldogs defenceman behind the net and managed to score on mutliple rebound attempts with the puck tied up in LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Dane Gibson and Myles Powell at 12:11 of the third to make it 2-1. The Caps had a chance to put the game away with just under five minutes to go on a partial breakaway for Jordan Topping but LaCouvee came up with a glove save to keep the Dogs in it. The Dogs had a handful of outstanding chances in the final minutes to tie it up but Robin Gusse came up with point blank saves on Mitch Makin with just under four minutes to play, and Scott Clark from the slot just a minute later. With two minutes to play Kurt Gosselin made a nifty move at centre ice to make Kyle Horsman miss, only to have his feet taken out by the stick of Horsman. The Dogs couldn't buy a call from the Official as there would be no penalty on the play, with the Caps racing in and almost sealing the deal.




The Dogs had one final scramble as the buzzer sounded, with the puck somehow staying out as the Caps held on.

Final shots favoured the Capitals 33-29, although Dan had the Dogs putting 40 shots on net. Robin Gusse picked up the win while Connor LaCouvee took the loss, with the Dogs going 0 for 4 on the power play with the Capitals going 1 for 4.

A tough loss for the Dogs, who fall again to four points back of the Capitals. If their effort in the first half of the game was anywhere near how they played in the second half it might have been a different story.

A big tilt at Home for the Dogs tomorrow, when they host the Grizzlies in their final Home game before Christmas.

Line ups Dogs @ Caps

HUGE tilt tonight as Dogs visit Caps, FOOD DRIVE and $5.00 tickets tomorrow!

It's about as big as a game in December can get, as the Bulldogs (9-19-2-3, 5th Island) once again visit the Capitals (12-21-0-1, 4th Island) in a huge four point game. The Bulldogs sit just two points back of the Capitals for the final Playoff spot in the Island, with the Bulldogs holding a game in hand.

The Dogs were last in action Sunday afternoon at home where they topped Chilliwack 7-2 for their second consecutive win after a 5-2 triumph over the Caps at the Dog Pound on Friday. The Capitals last played Saturday night at home where they lost their second in a row, 3-2 to the Vernon Vipers. The Capitals have lost 11 of their last 12, however their only win in that stretch was the crazy six-goal third period that saw them beat the Dogs at home 6-0 two Fridays ago.

Interesting stat - the only rink in the Division that the Dogs haven't taken at least a point in this year is the Island Savings Centre. That's in spite of the fact that it's the rink they have visited the most, and the Caps are the team closest to them in the standings. The Dogs took a point in an OT loss in Powell River, played to a tie with the Grizzlies at Bear Mountain Arena and have beaten the Clippers in Nanaimo. Here's hoping that the Dogs can bring a complete effort to get over that hump tonight, as the timing couldn't be better/worse or more critical.

 Get all the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight with the pregame show commencing at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play following at 7:00pm. I will provide the Play-by-Play, and Dan "the stats man" Tisserand will compile Game and Player statistics. Bruce MacDonald won't be making the trip to provide Colour and Analysis as he has a Staff Christmas party to attend. Just like when Dan attended his party, it's a great time to highlight the commitment Bruce makes and the passion he shows volunteering his time to travel to the road games on the Island and all he contributes to the broadcasts. We'll miss ya BMac! 

Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs Defenceman Ryan Buse, while my 2nd Intermission guest is new Grizzlies Head Coach Craig Didmon.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

 

Don't forget to bring your non-perishable food items to the game tomorrow, and that tickets tomorrow night are just $5.00!

Hammer

Winter Wonderland!

Winter Wonderland EVERYONE WELCOME tonight!

The everyone welcome skate with the 'Dogs goes at 6:30 tonight at Winter Wonderland! All welcome all free!

Bestwick done with Grizzlies

First an ownership change, now a change at the top and behind the bench as it sounds like Bill Bestwick is done as Head Coach and GM of the Grizzlies.

A shocker given what he did to turn the Grizzlies around last year, and where he has them this year.

Makes the Grizzlies game tonight a bit interesting!

I don't know the details, but consider this done. 

Hammer

Georgeson/Makin POW mentions, , Dogs awesome in the community, $5 tickets/Food Drive Saturday

Well, that was a fun weekend, wasn't it? Two big wins, 12 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, and most importantly, four big points. Congrats to Justin Georgeson and Mitch Makin, who picked up Honorable Mentions for the BCHL's Player of the Week award - more details HERE

The players, staff, Coaching Staff, and everyone involved in the Bulldog family have done a pretty incredible job in this very tough first half of the season. Staying positive, and continuing to believe in one another and the process, are the biggest factors in my opinion that has seen this group go from 10 points and upwards out of a Playoff spot to all of a sudden just 2 points back.

Much has been accomplished but at the same time, nothing has been accomplished yet besides narrowing the gap. So keep at it everyone and know that the incredible effort to get to this point only has to be even better going forward! It's been fun to watch and be a part of over the last while.

I was very happy to receive this picture this morning...the first of many stops around the community for the Bulldogs to deliver all the Teddy Bears thrown on the ice Friday against Cowichan. The Dogs will visit Hospitals, Care Homes, those less fortunate, etc etc.

I'm very glad this is just a picture, and not a video, as I'm not sure how in-tune the guys are as they were singing Christmas Carols when it was taken. Kidding, of course!

The Dogs were also involved in the "Battle of the Badges" game on Saturday. I sadly couldn't make it, as I had a wedding to attend...I heard great things from all parties involved about the Bulldog involvement, and I then received this awesome email yesterday from the Port Alberni Association for Community Living Executive Director Craig Summers...

Hi Evan,

I’m hoping that you would be able to do me a huge favor, if at all possible,  the next time you broadcast the Bulldogs game? Could you please announce, or make reference to, the remarkable support the Bulldogs provided to the Battle of the Badges charity hockey game that took place on December 7^th?

The event was a huge success in large part by the participation of the Bulldogs and it would be great to hear them thanked publicly at a home game for their contribution to the community and community events…their support was truly amazing and appreciated!

Thanks so much on behalf of the Port Alberni ACL foundation and the Bulldogs biggest fan club.

Craig

Ps…Jolie was also a great support at the game as well and promo’s provided by 93.3 The Peak were also very appreciated!

(Craig also offered the below note back when I replied to him if I could put his note on the blog)

Hi Evan,

Yes, please feel free to use this in your blog. As I eluded to in my email, I was truly impressed with the players and coaches and how genuinely supportive, interactive and approachable they were in assisting us in this event. 

Our participants (Adults with developmental disabilities) hold the Bulldogs in the highest regard and they sure were not disappointed. My staff and volunteers also commented to me several times how impressed they were with the Bulldogs organization.

Thanks a lot!

Craig

Now THAT is what being involved in your community is all about! 

This has been going on around the league for a while now, and it's finally the Alberni Valley's turn to show what we are all about, the Fivehole for Food Challenge! Bring your non-perishables to the game this Saturday and compete against other cities around the BCHL to see who can bring in the most food! Show 'em what you are made of Bulldog fans!

FIVE HOLE FOR FOOD CHALLENGE

This season, the BCHL is teaming up with Five Hole for Food to assist on a goal for local food banks around B.C. Every club in the league will be hosting a night for the team and its fans, sponsors and boosters to raise as much food and gather as many donations as possible. The idea is for each team to outdo the others so, as a league, we can raise the maximum amount of food for food banks and the families that rely on them year round.

FIVE HOLE FOR FOOD CHALLENGE WEBSITE HERE

 It's tough to fill the rink this time of year with all the Christmas parties and events around town, combined with everyone spending a bunch of cash to get all the items on everyone's Wish Lists...no better time of year to bring back the "Pack the Plex" pricing! 

That's right, this Saturday, all tickets for the Dogs vs Grizzlies game are just $5.00, that's right FIVE BUCKS!!

Pack the shack, tell your friends, your enemies, your inlaws/outlaws etc and lets get the barn full!

Hammer

Dogs top Chiefs 7-2

The Chiefs would have the best start of the game inside the first minute, as the Dogs were caught deep and the Chiefs raced up ice on a 3 on 1 rush. Connor LaCouvee would come up with a huge save moving from his left to right to get a blocker on it to keep it out. The Bulldogs found the net shortly afterwards after several great chances around the crease when the puck came back to the right point for Kurt Gosselin, who walked to the middle and fired a wrist shot on goal that went through Josh Halpenny. Mitch Makin picked up the only assist at 5:45 of the first. The Dogs would go to the power play just over a minute later looking to build the lead, but the best chance early went to the Chiefs as Mathieu Tibbet was sent in alone on a shorthanded breakaway where LaCouvee made a huge glove save to keep it out. The Dogs would push back and had several great chances around the net stay out, before it looked like they took a 2-0 lead when a shot from the line found it's way home with Justin Georgeson screening in front, appearing to be outside of the crease, and making minimal contact with Halpenny. The Referee appeared initially to signal goal, however the Officials met in the circle and eventually called no goal due to incidental contact on the goaltender. The Chiefs would make the most of the break, coming up ice and scoring just seconds afterwards when Austin Plevy sent Mathieu Tibbet in alone on the breakaway where he scored with a backhand deke, five-hole on LaCouvee. Carter Cochrane also drew an assist on the play at 12:14 of the second. The game would change and be much more even and less one-side in favour of the Bulldogs as the teams headed to the room tied 1-1 after one, with the Dogs out-shooting the Chiefs 16-10.

The second period was great to watch, with end-to-end, fast paced hockey. The Bulldogs would take their second lead of the game just over seven minutes into the period when Harlan Orr banked it up the right wing to set up a 2 on 1 rush where Scott Clark made a perfect pass onto the tape of Zak Bowles driving the net where he made several moves in tight before going top corner, far side on Halpenny. Garrett Halls picked up the second assist at 7:02 of the second to make it 2-1. The Chiefs would have a great chance just seconds later to tie it up when Austin Plevy raced in on a breakaway, but again LaCouvee came up huge with his glove to keep it out. The Dogs would build the lead in the final minute of the period when Justin Georgeson walked out from behind the net and showed good patience with the puck before throwing one on net from a sharp angle that somehow found it's way off Halpenny and into the back of the net. Quinton Wunder picked up the only assist on the play at 19:17 of the second for a 3-1 Dogs lead after two, with the Dogs up 31-23 in the shots.

The Dogs began the third period on the power play after a dust up to end the second, and they would connect on it early to lead 4-1 as Mak Barden took a pass at the top of the point from Kurt Gosselin that he one-timed on goal. Halpenny would make the first save, but he couldn't find the rebound before Mitch Makin jammed it home from the top of the crease, 42 seconds into the third. The Chiefs would go to the power play shortly afterwards, but they took themselves off of it taking a penalty in front of the Dogs net. With the teams playing four aside, the Chiefs would take another penalty for running over Connor LaCouvee who was out playing the puck behind the Dogs net. The Dogs would go to a 5 on 3 power play that they made quick work on as Kurt Gosselin took a pass from Justin Georgeson and walked into the deep slot where he blew a slap shot top corner, short-side on Halpenny at 5:11 of the third for a 5-1 Dogs lead. The Chiefs would get that one back just three minutes later on a pretty power play set up as Austin Plevy took a pass at the bottom of the right circle and one-touched it to Jake Hand who scored on a one-timer from the faceoff dot, high short-side on LaCouvee, with Cody Bardock also assisting at 8:44 of the third to make it 5-2. The Dogs increased the cushion back to four goals four minutes later on a crazy sequence in the Chiefs zone as several shots off the stick of Darian Henry were blocked, before Halpenny made a save at the side of the net. The puck ended up back on the tape of Henry, who wasted no time in one-timing a slap shot home low, far-side on Halpenny. Assists on the play went to Mak Barden and Tryg Strand at 12:54 of the third for a 6-2 Dogs lead. They would add one more four minutes later to rub some salt in the wound as Justin Georgeson lifted the puck to centre and joined the play where he took a pass over the Chiefs line from Craig Martin and walked around a couple of defenders through the slot before tucking a backhand past Halpenny for a 7-2 score and the eventual Final.

Shots favoured the Dogs 49-28, with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win while Josh Halpenny took the loss. The Dogs went 2 for 7 on the power play while the Chiefs went 1 for 3.

With the win, the Dogs are just two points back of the Capitals for the final Island Division Playoff spot, with a game in hand. The Dogs are in Duncan Friday, and home against the Grizzlies on Saturday. 

Line ups Chiefs @ Dogs

Dogs host Chiefs this afternoon

After a night off from Game action last night (although they were still at the rink for the Battle of the Badges Game) , it's back to business today for the Bulldogs ( 8-19-2-3, 5th Island) as they host the Chilliwack Chiefs (7-21-1-2, 5th Mainland) for the second and final Regular Season meeting between the teams this season after an 8-5 Bulldogs win in Chilliwack on Sunday, November 3rd. 

The Bulldogs picked up a 5-2 win in a huge four-point game against the Capitals at Home on Friday night to pull within four points of them for 4th place. With the Capitals loss at home to Vernon last night, the Bulldogs now have two games in hand on them, one of which is this afternoon. The Chiefs opened their three game road trip Friday night in Powell River where they fell 5-1 to the Kings, before facing the Clippers last night in Nanaimo where they lost their 6th in a row, 2-0.

It's a 2pm start today, so the pregame show will commence at 1:45 with all the action to follow the 2pm puck drop. The full crew will be present, Evan Hammond (that's me) provides the Play-by-Play, Bruce MacDonald provides Colour and Analysis, and Dan Tisserand will provide us with Team and Player statistics. It's all on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM!

Today's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Mitch Makin.

  

Todays's 2nd Intermission guest is former BCHL Official, now NHL Referee Trent Knorr, pictured at right in the photo above, prior to his first NHL game.

It's a pretty cool story how fast Trent has risen up the ladder from the BCHL to THE SHOW...it feels like just yesterday that I was on the air saying he made the wrong call, now I have to gently suggest that sentiment to the TV!

A nice story on his ascension from the Times Colonist Newspaper can be found HERE

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com