Please visit the links and support my friends and supporters!!!

Please visit the links and support my friends and supporters!!!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Bulldogs Year End Awards Banquet



Coaches Award:

Tryg Strand
Connor LaCouvee

Academic Players of the Year - Sponsored by The See Group

High School - Zach Funk

College - Rob Click

Best Defenceman

Kurt Gosselin

Rookie of the Year

Scottie Clark

Humanitarian Award

Dylan Haugen

Unsung Heroes

Dylan Haugen
Zach Funk
Josh Adkins
Ron Paulson

Community Hero

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Season Ticket Holders

Top Scorer

Justin Georgeson

Most Improved Player

Darian Henry

Most Sportsmanlike

Zach Funk

Most Valuable Player

Connor LaCouvee

Fan Choice - voted by the fans, spnosored by the Port Alberni Port Authority

Tryg Strand


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Dogs season ends with 5-4 double OT loss in Game 7


The Bulldogs again opened the game on fire, quickly opening up a 1-0 lead when Kurt Gosselin found a loose puck in the left circle that he slapped low, far-side past Renyard. Craig Martin and Mitch Makin picked up the assists at 1:17 of the first. The Bulldogs would keep up the pressure, and built the lead on the power play seven minutes later on a frantic attack that saw several shots blocked before Craig Martin one-timed a puck with great skill as it was in the air and he timed it perfectly to catch it flush the second it bounced, blasting it low through Renyard. Assists on the play went to Kurt Gosselin and Harlan Orr at 8:29 of the first for a 2-0 lead. The Dogs would play a solid period, taking the 2-0 lead to the room after one while holding a 12-11 lead in shots.

The second period started rather slow, but the Grizzlies started to pick up the pace and get some chances. After back-to-back deflections hit the post on either side of LaCouvee and stayed out, they would get on the board when Shaw McBride tipped a Mitch Meek point shot through LaCouvee and just over the line to make it 2-1 at the 6:49 mark of the second, with Cole Pickup also drawing a helper on the play. The Grizzlies came close to tying it on the following shift, as Gerry Fitzgerald walked to the slot and rang a shot off the crossbar. The Bulldogs would push back almost immediately, storming the net and almost scoring on a scramble that saw Brandon Egli loose his cool and drop his gloves and jump Jake Kauppila and take an extra two minutes. The Bulldogs didn't score on the power play but built momentum, taking a 3-1 lead shortly after the man advantage elapsed as Zak Bowles put the puck back to the right point for Darian Henry who blew an absolute rocket top corner, far-side over the blocker of Renyard. The Referee at the side of the net wasn't sure if it went in, and couldn't be blamed for it, as it was incredibly fast. The back Referee at centre ice had a better view and pointed immediately that it was a goal at 11:39 of the second. The Grizzlies would get a power play later in the period to try and get back into it, but the Dogs killed it off. Quinton Wunder would exit the penalty box and pick up a stretch pass after Dylan Haugen and Zach Funk did a great job to battle it out at the Dogs zone. Wunder would gain the line and show great strength on his skates to fight off two Grizzlies before snapping one home low, long-side past the glove of Renyard to make it 4-1 with just 28 seconds to play in the second as the Dogs led the shots 26-22 after two.

The Bulldogs did a great job through the early stages of the third period to continue to play at a high pace and not give the Grizzlies much in the way of chances or time in the attacking zone. They would take a penalty that changed the tide a bit though as the Grizzlies scored to trim the gap to 4-2 as a Jaden Schmeisser shot from the deep slot deflected off a Bulldog defender and in over the glove of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Myles and Gerry Fitzgerald at 8:23 of the third. The Bulldogs would again play solid to salt the time away, holding off the Grizzlies who were pushing hard to make it a one-goal game. They would have a great chance to get further insurance when Scott Clark walked in on a partial breakaway, but Renyard came up with the save to keep it 4-2. The Dogs would head to the penalty box after a long shift defending in their own zone in the late stages as the Grizzlies went to the power play with just over two minutes to play. They would pull their goalie to make it a 6 on 4 advantage, and dodged an early bullet when the Dogs got the puck out and Jake Kauppila had his empty net shot from centre ice blocked. The Grizzlies would get within one when they won a draw in the Dogs end and Myles Fitzgerald walked in to the slot where he ripped one home top corner, short-side over the glove of LaCouvee with Gerry assisting at 18:18 of the third. They would pull their goalie immediately afterwards and less than a minute later tied the game when Jaeden Schmeisser took a cross-slot pass from Gerry Fitzgerald in the left circle that he ripped top corner, far-side over the glove of LaCouvee with 18:44 gone in the third to force overtime with Myles Fitzgerald also drawing an assist on the play with the shots favouring the Grizzlies 40-31 after 60 minutes as the game and the series went to next goal wins.

The first overtime would see no scoring, with the Bulldogs in full on survival mode as the Grizzlies dominated the play and the short-staffed Bulldogs clawing with every ounce they had to keep their season alive. Connor LaCouvee would come up time and again, and his team would do their best to protect their net to keep the game going. The Bulldogs would have a couple good chances, most notably on Darian Henry and Jake Kauppila looks from the slot, but they couldn't find the winner. The Grizzlies outshot the Dogs 18-5 over the first overtime.

Double OT saw the Bulldogs further short-manned as Darian Henry left at the end of the first overtime after getting concussed hitting his head on the glass. The Dogs gave up several glaring chances early in the double OT, but again LaCouvee stood tall and the Grizzlies failed to connect and the Dogs held on to keep the game going. The Grizzlies would prevail just over eight minutes into double overtime to win the game and end the series when a loose puck came to the slot for Shawn McBride who one-timed it home far-side past the blocker of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Cole Pickup and Kevin Massy at 7:18 of double OT for the 5-4 Final and the 4-3 series win.

Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 63-42 with Connor LaCouvee taking the loss in net, and NOT picking up a star award - possibly they were selected by the Game 6 Referees...Nic Renyard picked up the win. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 2 for 4.

This one will no doubt hurt these players for a long, LONG time. Maybe forever, given the circumstances.

I for one, will NEVER FORGET what they accomplished and what they overcame and went through to even get to this position.

Thanks gentlemen. Incredible stuff.

Hammer 


Line ups Dogs @ Grizz

Bulldogs at Grizzlies tonight for winner take all Game 7

For the second year in the row the Bulldogs will visit the Grizzlies for the deciding game of a series as it's Game 7 of this Island Semi Final series at the Q Centre tonight. Most would have thought three days ago that it would not come to this, and seven days ago no one would have believed that it would come to this under the circumstances that it has, with the Bulldogs having three chances to put it away. Just ten days ago most would have thought that the Bulldogs weren't even going to make the Playoffs at all, with a magic number of two on the last day of the season. As I always say, expect the unexpected.

Most importantly though is how the Bulldogs have to forget that happened on the last two nights. They are just as relevant as the six months. All that matters now is embracing the opportunity that presents itself, and that's ONE game to win a series. One game to continue their season -for some their careers, and for their team and fans a chance to defend their Island Championship.    

Last year when these teams met in the deciding game of a series it was a Game 5, and it was the second round of the Playoffs, the Island Finals

)

The Bulldogs might be playing without Captain Tryg Strand, after he picked up a Major Penalty for Checking from Behind with less than four minutes left last night. Pretty tough play for Strand as it appeared he was right on the back pocket of Travis Stephens on a race to the puck into the corner and Stephens got there first and touched the puck and immediately dead stopped.

I understand the onus is on the hitter but I don't understand what else Strand can do in this case. It's down to the dying minutes of an elimination Playoff game and a race to the puck and he's doing nothing more than hustling after it and has a millisecond to realize that Stephens is stopping directly in front of him instead of continuing down the boards. At the same time the onus has to be on the player to look after themselves and always expect to be hit, especially in hockey at this time of the year. However I'm sure the other side sees it very differently.    


Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet begins with the pregame show at 7:00 and the puck drop to follow at 7:15pm with myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand providing the Play-by-Play, Colour/Analysis and Teams and Player Statistics.
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




Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Matt Hansen, now with Colorado College of the NCAA's NCHC.

Hammer


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Grizzlies force Game 7 with 3-1 win


A high intensity and high pressure start to this one as both teams seemed very aware of the stakes. The Bulldogs appeared somewhat tight as they fought the puck on several instances. They would get a great early chance when Craig Martin was alone in the slot, but Chris Albertini came up with a great shot block. The Grizzlies would open the scoring on the power play on a questionable penalty - from some Officials, you always seem to find a way to get the extra two which happened in this instance as Scott Clark finished his check at the Grizzlies bench, which saw the Grizzlies player hit the boards and pop the bench door open. Chris Albertini would challenge Clark and give him a shot, Clark would answer with one back, which then saw Albertini go down. Clark would get the extra two, and the Grizzlies would capitalize on it when Jaden Schmeisser scored from the right circle with a wrist shot that hit the far-side post past the blocker of LaCouvee and bounced in. Assists on the play went to Leo and Gerry Fitzgerald at 7:34 of the first. The Bulldogs responded well to the goal, getting several good chances throughout the remainder of the period - Dylan Haugen busted through the defence and skated in on a partial breakaway where Nic Renyard made a great blocker save. Garrett Halls would throw a perfect cross-slot pass onto the tape of Tryg Strand at the backdoor, but Renyard got his right pad on it. The Dogs would be awarded two power plays in the back-half of the period on back-to-back penalties to Myles Fitzgerald, and despite several good chances around the net they couldn't capitalize as the Grizzlies led 1-0 after one with the shots tied at 9-9.

The second period saw the Grizzlies come out and push to build the lead, but despite the Bulldogs held them off the board. Near the midpoint of the period the Bulldogs started to control the play and back-to-back shifts in the Grizzlies end saw them tie the game when the puck came through the slot headed to the line. Garrett Halls would have the presence of mind to let it go and not play it, and Kurt Gosselin one-timed it home past the blocker of Renyard, short-side to make it 1-1 with Mitch Makin picking up the only assist at 9:43 of the second. The score stayed that way until the late stages of the second when the Grizzlies took a 2-1 lead, in controversial fashion. Ryan Buse was hit by a shot on the rush in what looked like the chest. He was down in the corner, as the Dogs had possession of the puck behind the net. Referee Steve Brown looked on. As Buse struggled to the bench, the Grizzlies skated in on a 2 on 1 rush. Storm Wahlrab would drive the net, where he was stopped by LaCouvee. The initial thought from most in the building at the speed it happened was that he ran the goalie. A second it appears that he just put the puck on the net and body check the pile, hitting Kurt Gosselin from behind, impeding LaCouvee, with the puck ending up over the line. The Officials would discuss it, and allow a goal to the Grizzlies, with Wahlrab incredibly not even figuring in on the scoring play as Mark McLellan got credit, from Brandon Egli at 18:30 of the second to make it 2-1. The Grizzlies would score on the very next shift to make it a 3-1 game as Jesse Schwartz went to the net and no one picked him up. Connor LaCovee raised his arm for icing on the play, but the call didn't come. Credit to the Grizzlies for continuing to play, as Schwartz accepted a perfect pass right between the hash marks from Travis Stephens that he one-timed past the blocker of LaCouvee to make it 3-1 at 19:17 of the second for a 3-1 Grizzlies lead after 40 minutes with the Grizzlies leading the shots 19-18.

The Bulldogs would be given ample opportunities by the Officials to get back into the game with back to back power plays to start the third period. Despite several good looks on scrambles and rebounds, they were unable to capitalize. There would be no scoring in the period as the Bulldogs were unable to generate much of a sustained offensive attack. There was a plethora of penalties and a mix of everything as the game turned into a bit of sideshow with the Grizzlies making the lead stand to force a Game 7 tomorrow night.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 27-24 with Nic Renyard picking up the win while Connor LaCouvee took the loss. Unofficial numbers on the special teams as it became hard to tabulate when it became a bit of a circus saw the Bulldogs go 0 for 4 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 6.

Quite the tough pill to swallow to see the game winning goal scored under the circumstances that it was. That's hockey I guess, but there is a difference in going TO the net going INTO the net/crease, and  in my opinion quite simply the goalie should have a chance to make the save. LaCouvee getting impeded by a couple of players getting run over into him didn't allow him that opportunity. 


Enough of my opinion, what is yours?
 )

Hammer


Dogs host Grizzles tonight for Game 6, TICKET SALES BEGIN 8am

It's right back at it tonight at the Dog Pound for Game 6 with the Bulldogs looking to advance to the Island Finals against Powell River (who eliminated Nanaimo in 5 at Home last night) while the Grizzlies took to once again stave off elimination after they picked up a 9-2 win last night at the Q Centre.

You may remember a comment I made at the outset of this series a week ago about how Playoffs is all about the peaks and valleys and managing the ups and the downs with an even keel, how one night you are sky high and the next you are lower than low. If you didn't know what I meant then, you most certainly do now, as the Dogs need to move on and forget last night and focus on all that matters - tonight.

They had their moments last night, racing out to a 1-0 lead, having the Grizzlies on the ropes. They had ample opportunities into the second after falling into a 3-1 hole on a bad bounce off a defenceman and in, but could never get back into it. The third period saw a shot ring off the post at one end, and the Grizzlies score at the other. Instead of a two-goal game, it was a four goal spread and the game dramatically changed and led to a goalie change shortly afterwards and the score got ugly. It's been the case through the series - one break either way, and in an instant things can change.

The Dogs need to reset, and be ready for a Grizzlies team that will no doubt be feeling confident. The Dogs will need their best game of the series no doubt, and here's hoping Home Ice will give them the boost they need to put the Grizzlies away in their second chance to do so.

Don't miss a second of the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM live from the Dog Pound with myself, Dan Tisserand and Bruce MacDonald comprising the team that will bring you the Play-by-Play, Team and Player Statistics and Colour and Analysis.
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

 Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Max Fenkell, currently playing with the NCAA's Bowdoin College Polar Bears - great name!

Hammer

Monday, March 10, 2014

Grizzlies force Tuesday night Game 6 with 9-2 win


The Bulldogs came out with their best start of the series without question, getting several good chances early before taking a 1-0 lead as Quinton Wunder had a shot blocked that came back to him in the left circle that he fired home short-side past the blocker of Nic Renyard just 1:40 in with assists to Tryg Strand and Hunter Stewart. The Bulldogs would continue to have the edge in the play as the Grizzlies appeared tight or the Bulldogs were boosted by their great fan support on the road. The Dogs had numerous chances, most notably on a 3 on 1 rush but they couldn't build the lead. The Grizzlies would get their feet underneath them and started to carry the play getting a tonne of pucks on net. LaCouvee would again be rock solid to keep the Grizzlies off the board coming up with a handful of great saves, but the Grizzlies persisted and tied the game with five minutes to go in the period as Mitch Meek was roofed a loose puck from the slot top corner over the glove of LaCouvee after he made an initial save on a Storm Wahlrab wrap-around. Jay Mackie also picked up an assist on the play at 15:00 of the first. The Grizzlies would keep up the pressure and build the lead on a 3 on 2 rush as Leo Fitzgerald went to the net down the right wing and went top corner, short-side on the backhand to make it 2-1. Assists on the play went to Gerry Fitzgerald and Rory McGuire at 18:47 of the first with the Grizzlies up in the shots after 20 minutes 21-7.

The Bulldogs would kill off a Grizzlies power play to start the second period, and then had several good chances at the end of it to try and even it up but they couldn't capitalize. The Grizzlies would take a 3-1 lead on a bad bounce...or a good bounce from the Grizzlies perspective, as a one-timer from the line that was missing the net hit the skate of a Bulldog defender and went in up and over the shoulder of LaCouvee. Jaden Schmeisser would get credit for the goal, with assists going to Brandon Egli and Gerry Fitzgerald at 3:18 of the second. The Bulldogs would have a power play chance to trim the defecit when Cole Pickup cross-checked Connor LaCouvee in the head after the whistle, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity. The Grizzlies would take a 4-1 lead later in the frame when they won an extended battle in the Dogs end from the half-boards down to the corner and back up the wall again where it finally came loose and onto the tape of Storm Wahlrab who put a quick shot on goal from the bottom of the right circle top corner, short-side on LaCouvee. Mark McLellan picked up the only assist on the play at 11:22 of the second. Despite the deficit - or due to the Grizzlies taking their foot off the gas, the Bulldogs would really push hard over the remainder of the period and had a series of chances on both odd-man rushes and goal mouth scrambles but they couldn't get a bounce to trim the gap with the Grizzlies taking the lead to the room after 40 minutes, leading the shots 30-23.

The Bulldogs came close to trimming the gap at the five minute mark of the third when Justin Georgeson picked off a Jared Schmeisser pass up the middle to skate in alone on Renyard. He would beat the goalie, but his shot rang off the post and stayed out. The Grizzlies would build on their lead just a minute later when Garrett Forster walked up ice on a 3 on 1 rush up the left wing where he kept the puck and fired a slap shot top corner over the glove of LaCouvee to make it 5-1 with Rory McGuire picking up the only assist at 6:28 of the third. An undisciplined penalty on the next shift put the Bulldogs on the penalty kill, and the Grizzlies connected as Leo Fitzgerald snuck one in on the rush short-side past the blocker of LaCouvee to make it 6-1 at 7:42 with assists to Jaden Schmeisser and Jacob Kearley. The Bulldogs would pull Connor LaCouvee on the next whistle to give him a rest and the game out of reach. The Bulldogs would respond to make it a 6-2 game as Darian Henry scored on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle, far side past the glove of Renyard, with assists to Harlan Orr and Garrett Halls at 9:10 of the third. The Dogs were unable to build on it though, as the Grizzlies beat Giroux on their first shot just over a minute later with Myles Fitzgerald scoring from Leo and Gerry at 10:19 to make it 7-2. Just half a minute later it was an 8-2 as Jacob Kearley was allowed to walk right in to the deep slot where he snapped one through the seven-hole on Giroux. Assists went to Myles and Gerry Fitzgerald 10:41 of the third. One more exactly two minutes later would make it a 9-2 Final as a Bulldog defender stepped up at the attacking line and gave up a long odd-man rush that was finished off perfectly by Garrett Forster as he one-timed home a Jesse Schwartz pass at the bottom of the left circle into the open net. Shawn McBride also drew an assist on the play at 12:41 of the third.

Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 45-30, with Nic Renyard picking up the win while Connor LaCouvee took the loss giving up 6 goals on 37 shots in 48:55 minutes of work. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 4.

With the win, the Grizzlies stave off elimination and force a Game 6 Tuesday night at the Dog Pound. Tickets go on sale Tuesday Morning at 8am, with Season Ticket and Corporate Ticket holders having until 2pm to pick up their tickets before they are released to the public.

Hammer

 

Line ups Dogs @ Grizz

Bulldogs visit Grizzlies tonight for huge Game 5

It's win and move on night for the Bulldogs, and win or go home night for the Grizzlies as the Bulldogs take a 3-1 lead into tonight's Game 5 at the Q Centre in Victoria after a 3-1 win at the Dog Pound on Saturday night.

They say that the fourth one is always the hardest to win, and if that's the case it will be quite the battle tonight because the win in Game 4 was anything but easy for the Bulldogs as the Grizzlies pushed hard and played desperation hockey to try and even the series. As is the case so often, special teams and goaltending along with capitalizing on chances were big differences.

On the run last year to the Conference Championship the Bulldogs fought off elimination five - yes FIVE times. Three times against the Clippers, and twice against the Grizzlies so they should know full well how hard it is to put a team away. The Grizzlies won't want their season - and with it some of their careers, to end tonight. The Bulldogs need to find the same desire to not have to head back home for another game. Never let a team up off the mat when you have them down.

A very strong reminder to never take a shift off and always be ready to go can be found in how this series has been swung by some defining moments. The 2 Bulldog goals in a 1:10 span in Game 2 with the Dogs down 2-1, to all of a sudden lead en route to a 6-3 win. The 2 goals in 30 seconds in Game 3 where the game went from 0-0 to a 2-0 Bulldog lead. And of course the 29 seconds that saw Game 4 go from 2-0 Dogs to 2-1 and then right back to 3-1 again. Defining moments - so far.

Here's hoping the momentum the Bulldogs have built will be further boosted by a fan bus and a large amount of supporters making their way down to the game tonight.

We will bring all the action to you through your radio, computer or smart phone on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM

It all kicks off with our pregame show from 100.3 The Q Centre in Victoria at 7:00 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:15 with Dan Tisserand compiling Team and Player statistics, Bruce MacDonald providing the Colour and Analysis while I will bring the Play-by-Play 
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



Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Eliot Raibl, who just concluded his collegiate career with the RIT Tigers

Hammer




Saturday, March 08, 2014

Dogs beat Grizzlies 3-1 to take 3-1 series lead




Good end-to-end hockey off the hop in Game 4 as there were no whistles over the first four minutes. The Bulldogs would have a good chance initially off a scramble, with the Grizzlies also having several opportunities on the first power play. The Bulldogs would go to a man advantage of their own shortly afterwards but the Grizzlies killed it off. The Dogs would open the scoring in the late stages of the first when Josh Adkins stepped up at the red line to knock down a loose puck. Zach Funk would pick it up and make a nice move at the Grizzlies line to make a defender miss and race in down the right wing on a 2 on 1 rush where he kept the puck and caught Dillon maybe thinking pass, ripping one home short-side with a quick release for a 1-0 lead with the only assist to Adkins at 15:53 of the first. The Dogs would carry that lead into the room with the shots even after 20 minutes at 11 aside.

The second period was again hotly contested, with great battles in all areas of the ice. Both teams would have their chances through the early stages, with neither goalie giving up anything. The best chance was a clear cut breakaway for Zak Bowles, but Dillon just got a piece of it with his glove to keep it out. The score stayed 1-0 again until the late stages of the frame as the Dogs went end-to-end off a faceoff win their own end by Mitch Makin that saw a pretty odd-man rush up ice set up by Zak Bowles who fed Craig Martin, who then returned the pass for Bowles and went to the net where he got a return pass and cut across the crease on the backhand where he tucked it home to make it 2-0 at 15:01 of the second. The Grizzlies would push hard over the final five minutes to get back into it, but LaCouvee came up with a series of big saves to keep it 2-0 after two with the shots again even at 29-29.

The third period saw the Bulldogs do a great job to kill off a Grizzlies power play of over a minute in duration carried over from the 2nd period. The scoring would come earlier in the frame this time, with the Grizzlies scoring their first road-goal of the series when Jaden Schmeisser picked up a loose puck at centre ice and wheeled over the Bulldogs line up the right wing where he snapped one top corner, short-side over the glove of LaCouvee to make it 2-1, unassisted at 4:31 of the third. The game wouldn't change for very long, as the Dogs answered less than 30 seconds later as Jake Kauppila and Harlan Orr battled hard to dislodge the puck off the left wing in the Grizzlies end where it ended up out front on the tape of Scottie Clark who ripped one top corner over the glove of Dillon to make it 3-1 at 5:00 of the third. The Grizzlies would have their chances including another power play but they couldn't beat LaCouvee as the Dogs made the lead stand.

Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 48-37, with Connor LaCouvee picking up 1st star honours again with the win while Alec Dillon took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 4.

With the win, the Bulldogs have a 3-1 series lead and a chance to advance Monday in Victoria as the Grizzlies host Game 5.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs host Grizz

Bulldogs host Grizzlies in Game 4 tonight, Tail Gate Party and BBQ at 5:30

It's a 2-1 series lead for the Bulldogs coming into play tonight after a 4-0 win over the Grizzlies last night at Dog Pound. Fans no doubt went home entertained by the return of Playoff hockey to the building. I know I sure enjoyed the great atmosphere and noise that this type of hockey brings.

It goes without saying that the stakes are pretty high tonight. A Dogs win and it's a 3-1 series lead and a chance to advance Monday in Victoria. A Grizz win and it's 2-2 and a best of 3 affair. The Dogs should be confident with where they are at, but they also need to stay focused and realize that although they have accomplished much that it's only half way. And it will only get tougher.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, the Dogs should expect the Grizzlies to not come out like the wounded bear. The Bulldogs have put themselves in this position with their all out desire, and they need to match the Grizzlies level of desperation. You only have to look back to the playoff run last year and how good the Dogs were with their backs up against the wall.

Catch Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM from what's sure to be a rockin' Dog Pound. The Broadcast begins at 6:45 with the pregame show followed by the 7:00pm puck drop with play-by-play, colour/analyis and team and player stats from myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand. 


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


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Port Alberni Native Devin Timberlake, former Bulldog Captain, and former Captain of Brown University. 

Devin's #18 is one of two Bulldog sweaters to be retired. Hunter Stewart actually wears #81 now, as he wore 18 until taking it off and presenting it to Devin at the pregame ceremony last year. Devin was also honoured this year by being inducted to the ADSS Armada Wall of Fame.


Don't forget there is a pregame BBQ/Tailgate Party sponsored by Quality Foods kicking off at 5:30 tonight so get to the rink early and grab a bite to eat!

Hammer

Friday, March 07, 2014

Dogs top Grizzlies 4-0 to take 2-1 series lead




You could feel the tension in the air as Game 3 had a very tense start with a great crowd on hand and great atmosphere. The Grizzlies would take an early 5-0 lead in shots, but the Bulldogs fired right back to even it up, getting a great chance to take the lead as Alec Dillon stopped Tryg Strand on a breakaway. There would be no scoring throughout the first period, but there wasn't a lack of excitement as late in a frame a couple of heart-stopping moments had the building going as Alec Dillon twice misplayed dump ins, once fanning on the puck as it slid by the open net. Seconds later he would play one that was picked off by Zach Funk, who couldn't hit the empty net or get it out front to a teammate. The Bulldogs would have several scrambles as the period drew to the end, but couldn't find the net as it was 0-0 after one, with the Bulldogs leading in shots 12-10.

The Bulldogs came out and got on the board early in the second as Tryg Strand found Kurt Gosselin at the bottom of the right circle in the Grizzlies zone. Strand would go hard to the net as the give-and-go was worked to perfection with Gosselin finding him in the slot where he snapped it through the legs of Dillon at  2:50 of the second. It was 2-0 Dogs just 40 seconds later as the roof really started to rumble as Justin Georgeson found a loose puck in the slot that he roofed top corner, glove side on Dillon from Darian Henry and Tryg Strand at 3:20. The Dogs had a great chance to go up by three near the midway point of the period when Darian Henry sent Justin Georgeson in on the breakaway, but Dillon made a fantastic glove save. The Dogs would eventually take the 3-0 late in the period when Scottie Clark made desperation play to swipe the puck into the slot where Jake Kauppila found it and put a perfect cross-slot pass onto the tape of Harlan Orr who one-timed it home through Dillon at 17:12 of the second. The Dogs would take the lead into the third, leading in the shots 26-23.

The Bulldogs came out with a very strong third period, controlling the game and limiting the Grizzlies opportunities as they only got their second shot on net 9:10 into the period. Alec Dillon would come up with a handful of big saves to keep the Grizzlies in it. The Bulldogs would build their lead in the back half of the period on a well executed power play as Justin Georgeson that he relayed back of the goal line for Jake Kauppila, who put it on the tape of Hunter Stewart behind the goal line at the opposite side of the net. Stewart was un-checked, and he walked out front where he went short-side on the backhand over Dillon to make it 4-0 for the eventual Final.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 40-33, with Connor LaCouvee picking up 1st star honours with the win and the shut out while Alec Dillon took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 0 for 4.

With the win the Bulldogs lead the series 2-1, Game 4 goes tomorrow night at the Dog Pound with a pregame Tailgate Party and BBQ getting going at 5:30.

Hammer

Line ups Grizz at Dogs

Playoff Hockey returns to the Dog Pound, Dogs host Grizz tonight for Game 3


Playoff Hockey returns to the Dog Pound tonight as the Bulldogs host the Grizzlies in Game 3 of this Best-of-Seven Island Semi Finals series. It's a 1-1 series after a 6-3 Dogs win Wednesday night in Victoria, a gutsy effort that saw the Dogs score twice on the power play while killing off eight of nine opportunities for the Grizzlies.

Special teams were special, and so was the overall effort. Thinking back to the goals the Dogs scored on Wednesday, about 3 of them were possibly scored by more than one player. The first goal had three players in the battle on it, the third goal was Martin finishing a Makin effort on the goal line, and the sixth and final goal basically saw Strand and Makin scoring it at the same time. Now THAT is how you need to go to the net and score in the post season.

As I said going into the Playoffs, it's all about ups and downs, and managing the peaks and valleys and keeping an even keel. The Bulldogs didn't panic after a disheartening Game 1 loss and brought a much better effort into Game 2. Now they need to do the opposite and not get too high after getting a big win on the road to head back to the Dog Pound with Home Ice advantage. You can bet that the Grizzlies will enter play tonight with a burr under their saddle and a great effort to try steal home ice right back.

The last Playoff game at the Dog Pound between these two teams ended in memorable fashion


Don't miss any of the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with our pregame show getting underway at 6:45 and the puck drop to follow at 7:00. I will provide the play-by-play with Bruce MacDonald adding the Colour/Analysis and Dan Tisserand compiling the Team and Player stats.
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


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Nolan Graham, former BCHL'er and Pro player and winner of the Coastal Conference Coach of the Year as Bulldog Head Coach from 2009-10.

Nolan is now an Assistant Coach at RPI. 

Here's a very cool story about Nolan running for "Defending the Blue Line", a charity that benefits children of armed service members.

Don't forget about the fundraiser for the three Midget and Bantam Bulldog teams off to Provincials today!

The Bantam and Midget rep hockey teams have all won their way to Provincials so we are having a fundraiser today at Alberni Cap-It to help cover the costs. The event goes from 11am to 5pm.

They are going to sell hot dogs, have a bake sale, car wash and bottle drive.

If you have any bottles you would like to donate please drop them off today at Alberni Chrysler


Hammer



Thursday, March 06, 2014

VIDEO - Pretty tough, pretty gutsy.

This play in my opinion shows what the Playoffs are all about, and how tough hockey players can be. A very big turning point in last night's game. Given that it's a series, any turning point of a game could be the turning point of a series as well.

Zak Bowles takes a dump in off the face. A pretty scary play, where I was surprised that there wasn't a whistle by any of the four Officials, as the Dogs touched the puck almost immediately afterwards. Listening to the Grizzlies Broadcasters, they were also surprised that there wasn't a whistle and it appeared as nasty to them as it did to Bruce and I.

Maybe a whistle would have came, if Bowles would have stayed down on the ice. He refused to, and instead got up, bleeding all the way to the bench. The payoff to his team was immediate, as Craig Martin finishes the rebound on the Mitch Makin breakaway, for the first Bulldog lead of the series.

I gave credit to Bowles after the game for being tough and getting up. He said that someone yelled at him (he thought it was maybe Tryg Strand) "GET UP!!" 4

Thank goodness he did. Great leadership and heart shown all around.

What a beauty series of events, and a very small but very appropriate example of how the Bulldogs played last night. It's just one win and one game, but it's a great small example of what it takes to win in the big picture.



Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Dogs tie series 1-1 with 6-3 win in Game 2, take Home Ice back to the Dog Pound



A much better start to Game 2 for the Bulldogs, as they appeared to have their feet going better from the get go as opposed to the first game. Tryg Strand would have a great look wide open at the top of the crease but he couldn't get it past Renyard. Jake Kauppila would also have a partial breakaway where Renyard made the save just dragging his pad to get a toe on it. The Grizzlies would start to take over the play near the five minute mark, going to the power play. The Bulldogs would kill it off until the final four seconds of the advantage when they were again penalized, which drew protests from the Bulldogs Coaching Staff as they appeared to think it was a dive. The Grizzlies would find the net on the opportunity to go up 1-0 when two Bulldogs collided and took each other out behind the net as the puck went to the top of the left circle for Brandon Egli who one-timed it home top corner far-side over the glove of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Myles and Leo Fitzgerald at 12:30 of the first. Almost immediately afterwards the Bulldogs went to the power play where they battled hard to tie the game with their first goal of the series on a scramble with Hunter Stewart deflecting a cross-ice pass from Justin Georgeson off the post and into Nic Renyard before it was jammed home. Jake Kauppila and Mitch Makin were both jamming at it, with Makin getting credit for the goal, with no assists being given on the play at 14:43 of the first. Just two shifts later the Grizzlies would get it right back when they won a long battle on the boards in the Dogs zone before getting the puck to the slot. Connor LaCouvee would make the first save on Jesse Schwartz but Garrett Forster found the rebound and fired it home glove side at 15:50 with Travis Stephens also assisting the play as the Grizzlies led 2-1 after 20 minutes while leading the shots 17-9.

The Bulldogs would kill off 1:40 of Grizzlies power play time to start the second, before being sent to the box again shortly afterwards for a Bench Minor for Too-Many-Men. They would again kill it off, before shortly afterwards going to the power play where they again connected. After a good first minute of pressure the Grizzlies would clear it down ice, but Connor LaCouvee would get a quick up onto the stick of Hunter Stewart at the attacking blue line to catch the Grizzlies changing. Stewart would put a perfect saucer pass to the middle for Tryg Strand who skated in on the breakaway where he tucked a backhand past Renyard to tie it at 2-2 at 7:32 of the second. Just 1:10 later the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game and the series, on a really odd play as a Grizzlies dump in his Zak Bowles in the face in what was a scary scene. The Bulldogs would touch the puck, but the Referees didn't blow play dead. Credit to Bowles for his toughness for not staying down and laying on the ice as while he was struggling to the bench the Dogs raced up ice on a breakaway when Mitch Makin poked the puck out at the line. Makin would be stopped by Renyard, but Craig Martin showed great hustle to catch up to the play and beat his man to the net where he tapped the loose puck home before Renyard could find it to make it 3-2 Dogs at 8:42 of the second. The Grizzlies would fight back to tie the game four minutes later on a quick puck to the net off the left half boards that was deflected on net by Myles Fitzgerald. LaCouvee would appear to make the initial save, but Myles tipped the rebound home to make it 3-3 from Rory McGuire and Gerry Fitzgerald at 11:58 of the second. It was the Dogs turn to answer back four minutes later as Craig Martin did an incredible job to keep the puck in at the line before driving down the right wing. Martin would get pulled off the puck with a Grizzlies stick across his waist with Martin raising his arms skyward and looking at both Referees for a call that never came. Another no-call by the Officials would work in the Dogs favour as Hunter Stewart retrieved the puck and centered to Martin who put a wrist shot from the slot off the blocker of Renyard and in to make it 4-3 at 15:48 of the second. The Dogs would take that lead into the third, with the Grizzlies leading in the shots 32-20.

The Bulldogs began the third period on the power play for 1:40, but were unable to capitalize. The Grizzlies would get a golden opportunity to equalize when they went to back-to-back power plays, including a 5 on 3 for over 20 seconds. The Bulldogs would kill it off to protect their lead, doing a fantastic job on the penalty kill. They would get some insurance with eight minutes to play when Zak Bowles knocked the puck away at the Bulldog line and raced away on a breakaway where he faked backhand and showed great patience to tuck a forehand past the pad to Renyard to make it 5-3 Dogs, unassisted, with 11:13 gone in the third. The Dogs would go a good job to protect the lead, with the Grizzlies going to a power play on a phantom call on Josh Adkins with the Dogs again killing it off. After being tripped off stride and failing to draw a penalty, Scott Clark would go to the box seconds later with 2:45 to go in the third. The Bulldogs would kill it off until Tryg Strand sealed the deal on a shorthanded 2 on 0 rush as he and Mitch Makin fought the puck out of the zone and raced in on a breakaway where Strand jammed it home to make it 6-3 with Mitch Makin also picking up an assist at 18:19 of the third. The Bulldogs would get a power play with less than a minute to play to salt away the rest of the clock.

Connor LaCouvee picked up 1st star honours with the win while Nic Renyard took the loss. The Dogs went 2 for 4 on the power play - their final opportunity less than a minute long, while the Grizzlies went 1 for 9.

With the win the Bulldogs have taken Home Ice from the Grizzlies as the series heads back to the Dog Pound for Games 3 and 4 Friday and Saturday. Game 5 goes in Victoria on Monday night.

Hammer

Dogs visit Grizzlies for Game 2 tonight looking for split

The Bulldogs enter tonight's Game 2 down 1-0 in the Best-of-Seven Series looking to return home with a split after a 3-0 loss last night in Game 1.

After a feeling out process early in the game the Bulldogs spent the better part of the remainder of the contest chasing the puck and appearing a step behind. They weren't able to generate enough in the way of a sustained attack, and while they were able to play hard and keep it close despite a constant parade to the penalty box, the Grizzlies got all the insurance they needed late in the second to take a 2-0 lead. While there was certainly positives to take out of last night's game, at this time of year nothing matters but the end result.

As the old adage goes, a series doesn't begin until a team loses at home, so lets hope the series begins tonight. The Bulldogs will need to increase their pace of play and their moving of the puck, to find a way to dictate the play.

Tune in to Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show going live at 7:00 with the puck drop to follow at 7:15. Dan Tisserand compiles Team and Player statistics with Bruce MacDonald providing Colour and Analysis while I will bring you the play-by-play.

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



Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Mark MacMillan, who was named the BCHL's Coastal Conference Rookie of the Year Award in 2009-2010, and a Co-winner of the Bulldog Rookie of the Year Award with Frank Slubowski. He was drafted later that spring by the Montreal Canadiens. Mark is now in his Junior season with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, where he was recently named the NCHC's Offensive Player of the Week

Hammer

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Grizzlies take 1-0 series lead with 3-0 win



The game from the opening puck drop looked very much like an opening game of a Playoff series as both teams appeared to be feeling each other out over the first five minutes. The Grizzlies were initially awarded a goal on a 2 on 1 rush when Gerry Fitzgerald rang a puck off the post that ended up in the corner. The goal judge did not turn on the goal light, but Referee Adam Griffiths would signal goal. After consulting with the goal judge, and the other three officials, a goal wasn't awarded. The period would end in a scoreless tie, with the shots favouring the Grizzlies 11-5.

The second period saw the pace pick up a bit, with each team having their chances early. The Grizzlies would open the scoring on a jam in play in tight as a broken play ended up on the lip of the crease for Storm Wahlrab, who managed to sneak one through LaCvouvee and just over the goal line. Assists on the play went to Mark McLellan and Jay Mackie at 5:40 of the second. The Bulldogs would struggle to get going as the Grizzlies had the better of the play, as the Bulldogs were sent to the penalty box back-to-back-to-back, two of the three being on boarding penalties drawn by Cole Pickup, the final one on a late whistle. The Bulldogs would kill off the first two penalties, and were down to the final four seconds of the third straight penalty, but the Grizzlies connected to double the lead 2-0 when Garrett Forster found Jesse Schwartz in the slot where he snapped one past LaCouvee to make it 2-0. Rory McGuire also picked up an assist on the play at 16:54 of the second with the Grizzlies taking the lead into the room, leading in the shots 27-11.

The third period saw the Bulldogs have a little more jump in their step, but it was almost immediately taken away when the Grizzlies went to their fifth straight power play on a neutral ice slashing call. The Bulldogs would kill it off, but for the most part they were unable to generate a sustained offensive attack in the Grizzlies zone through the first half of the period. While they had several opportunities to generate chances on the rush, they weren't able to get pucks on net and capitalize on them. The Bulldogs would finally draw a penalty with less than eight minutes to play, and then drew another one with a minute and change to go. They would generate several chances but couldn't bury to make a game of it as the Grizzlies held on until the late stages when Kevin Massy made a great play to first clear the zone by blocking a point shot, before then picking off a pass in the Bulldogs zone before hitting the empty net while shorthanded for the 3-0 Final score with seven seconds to play.

Final shots favoured the Grizzlies 35-18, with Connor LaCouvee taking the loss while Nic Renyard picked up 3rd star honours with the win. The Grizzlies went 1 for 5 on the power play while also scoring once shorthanded while the Dogs went 0 for 2.

Back at it tomorrow for the Dogs, forget it, move on, and focus on tomorrow.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs @ Grizz

Bulldogs visit Grizzlies tonight to open Playoffs

After the whirlwind roller coaster that was the Regular Season, the slate has been wiped clean as the Bulldogs open defense of the Island Championship where they won it last year, as they visit the Grizzlies tonight at 100.3 The Q Centre to open the 2014 BCHL Playoffs for Game 1 of this Best-of-Seven Island Semi Final series.

The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night at Home where they beat the Kings 3-0. They would then head to the dressing room and listen to the radio to find out that they were indeed in the Playoffs thanks to the Grizzlies, who beat the Capitals 5-2 on Home ice to capture the top seed on the Island.

The Bulldogs and their fans were big fans of the Grizzlies for about five minutes. That might be a bit of a stretch actually, but it is certainly a little bit odd that the Bulldogs will face the team in the Playoffs that had a hand in them getting into the dance.

The Grizzlies lead the season series, with the Bulldogs record in head-to-head play being 1-5-1-1. The last time these teams met was on February 22nd, a 6-2 Bulldog win on another crazy night in the Bulldogs run to the Playoffs. A loss that night, coupled with a Capitals win, and they would have been all but out. Pretty crazy when you look back on it now and it was just a couple of weeks ago. 

It's a bit of a change this year for fans and players that were around last year, as the first two rounds of the Playoffs last year were best of five series. It changes the complexion somewhat - if you lose the first two games on the road you obviously faced elimination heading home.

As much as the post season is about bringing your best every night, it's also about bringing your best every shift, and managing the "peaks and the valleys" where one night you can be sky high and the next night you can be as low as you can go. I think the Bulldogs are somewhat prepared in this regard due to the ups and downs they have experienced over the last 20 games of the season trying to qualify for the Playoffs, and the stakes that existed with almost every single game.

Playoff hockey is a battle of attrition as well, and the Bulldogs need to remember it's not just about the now, but about how what you do every shift every game has a cumulative effect that can have an impact as the series goes on. One would think that the players that were part of last year's crazy run will benefit from the experience gained last year, and that they can lead by example and pass that experience along to the guys playing in the post season for the first time.  

Their opposition will be very tough. You don't end up where the Grizzlies did at the end of the season without solid depth, scoring, defensive play, goaltending, special teams, coaching, etc etc. 

Here's hoping for a great series and some exciting hockey. Everything is big and everything is magnified this time of year. Faceoffs, physical play, preparation, discipline can all be the difference. The "intangibles" so to speak also will be huge. Leadership, adjusting, composure, bearing down, desperation, etc, etc.

Enough talk, drop the puck already!
 We'll bring all the action to you from 100.3 The Q Centre on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  with the pregame show kicking off at 7:00 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:15 with myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand.

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



Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Connor Varley, named the Top Defenceman for the Bulldogs in 2010-2011, now in his Sophmore season with Penn State

For those that aren't active on Social Media, I had to share this from the Bulldogs Facebook Page

"Another reason why Alberni Valley Bulldogs fans are the best...thanks to the 1,000+ fans who passed around and signed the big red card during the game last night. The boys loved it!!! And special thanks to Lyle Pitts for getting it going.:

Just plain awesome, another "only in Port Alberni" moment!


Hammer