Bulldogs move Lancaster to Flin Flon

The Bulldogs released news of a trade early this morning, announcing that they have sent Colten Lancaster to the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL in return for Future Considerations. It's always tough to see a guy go.... best of luck to Colten in The 'Flon. For those that don't know, it's my home town where I was born and raised. A great historic organization, and a hockey town that is second to none with a passionate fan base, very similar to here in fact.


Hammer

NEW OPPORTUNITY AWAITS VETERAN NETMINDER IN SASKATCHEWAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have completed a trade  
with the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League,  
dealing 1998-born goaltender Colten Lancaster in return for future  
considerations.

Lancaster joined the Bulldogs in a summer trade from the Merritt  
Centennials and made 12 appearances this season, compiling a record of  
1-8-2 with a 3.87 goals-against average and .887 save-percentage.

"Colten is a great person and teammate who made a positive impact  
during his time in Port Alberni," says Bulldogs head coach Matt  
Hughes. "As a 19-year old it's important that he gets a chance to play  
often and establish himself in a starting role. He's headed to a great  
opportunity with a very solid organization in Flin Flon and we wish  
him all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond."

With today's trade the Bulldogs have created an opening between the  
pipes alongside John Hawthorne, who has posted a 7-7-2-1 record as a  
BCHL rookie. The team will make a corresponding roster move in the  
near future.

***

For more information, please contact:

Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM

UPDATED with VIDEO Dogs drop second straight, 8-5 to the Grizzlies

The first whistle of the game wasn't until over three minutes into it, when it was 1-0 Bulldogs on a turnover by Victoria netminder Shawn Parkinson behind the goal line in his end that was found by James Orban. He would attempt to bank it it and threw it to the crease where it caromed off a Grizzlies defender to the deep slot for Sami Pharaon, who walked in and snapped one home blocker side past a screen provided by Gregg Lee in front. The Bulldogs pushed with a couple Grade A chances created on a power play opportunity a minute later, but Parkinson came up with a couple big saves to keep it a 1-0 game. The Grizzlies would push back and tie the game in the back half of the first period on a turnover by the Bulldogs in their own zone that saw Cameron Thompson walk down the right side and put a perfect pass to the hashmarks for Marty Westhaver who fired it home past the glove of John Hawthorne to make it 1-1 at 11:03 of the first. The Grizzlies continued to push and drew a power play that they made very quick work on as Alex Newhook one-timed a backdoor pass from Ethan Nother into the open side, with Matt Doran also drawing an assist at 13:27 of the first. The Grizzlies kept pushing the pace, with John Hawthorne coming up with at least two fantastic saves on in alone chances to keep it a one-goal game, and the Bulldogs responded quickly to tie it at 2-2 as Mitch Oliver kept the puck in at the right point, and put a perfect D-to-D pass across the line to Connor Welsh. He would walk in and put a perfect slap-pass backdoor set up on to the tape of Jackson Doucet, who deflected it inside the far post to tie it at 2-2 at 17:51 of the first. The Bulldogs took the lead back just 59 seconds later when they went end to end out of their zone as Cole Poliziani found Christian Simeone at centre ice on a 2 on 1 rush. He put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of James Orban at the top of the left circle where he picked the bottom corner, long-side for his first as a Bulldog to make it 3-2 at 18:50 of the first. The Bulldogs earned a power play on the following shift, and began the second period with 1:15 of power play time.  Shots in the period were 12-10 Victoria.


The Bulldogs would take advantage of the power play, scoring on a gorgeous set up on the rush as Mitch Oliver put a perfect head man pass at centre up the left side for Jackson Doucet. He would put a cross-ice pass over the line for Keaton Mastrodonato, who in turn dished it rink wide for Paul Selleck who walked into the left circle and buried it top corner, long-side over the glove of Parkinson to make it 4-2 at 30 seconds of the period. It was 5-2 just 33 seconds later on another power play goal, this time taking just 8 seconds off the clock as Paul Selleck worked the puck off the draw from behind the goal line to the top of the crease for Keaton Mastrodonato, who hammered a one-timer home to make it 5-2 at 1:33 of the second. The Bulldogs pressed an had a couple solid chances to build their lead but couldn't cash in. The Grizzlies would get back within two a minute short of the middle of the period on a faceoff win in the Dogs end back to the left point for Jacson Alexander, who put a perfectly placed seeing eye wrister top corner, long side over the glove of Hawthorne, with assists to Tanner Hopps and Lach Hadley at 9:01 of the second. Almost instantly after the goal, the Grizzlies were penalized. The Bulldogs came close an open net at the top of the crease but it stayed out. Victoria would get back into the game on a slashing call against the Bulldogs later in the period, on a pass to the slot for a wide open Lucas Clark, who beat John Hawthorne with a quick release far-side past his blocker inside the post to make it 5-4 at 17:33 of the second. The Bulldogs would press on the following shift, and a Defenceman would walk down the left wing deep and throw the puck at the net. It would head up ice, and everyone was caught deep as the Grizzlies worked the 2 on 1 perfectly as Shawn O'Malley carried up the right side and outwaited the Bulldog defender to slide a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Lucas Clark who one-timed it low inside the near post before Hawthorne could get over to make it 5-5 at 18:27 of the second. Shots in the period were 19-14 Grizzlies, for a 31-24 advantage after 40 minutes.


The Bulldogs got off to a fantastic start in the third, managing the puck well and spending the better part of the early minutes in the Grizzlies end. Victoria would unfortunately score against the flow of play on a quick regroup in neutral ice that saw TJ Friedmann take a headman pass at the Bulldog line and walk into the deep slot where he picked the top corner, long-side over the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 6-5 at 3:10 of the third, with assists to Matt Doran and Jacson Alexander. The Bulldogs to their credit didn't wilt, and had a couple good chances to tie the game over the following minutes. They would earn a power play chance in search of the equalizer eight minutes into the period, but conceded a shorthanded breakaway after a poor play on the half wall and a bad pinch at the point led to a breakaway for Carter Berger where he deked low across the crease to tuck it inside the post to make it 7-5 at 8:46 of the third with Lucas Clark drawing the lone assist on the play. The Bulldogs appeared gassed at times, but still fought valiantly to get back into it, but they couldn't get the next one to make it a one-goal game before the Grizzlies iced it on a 200 foot empty netter for Matt Doran, un-assisted at 17:33 to make it an 8-5 final.


Third period shots were 12-8 Grizzlies for a game total in their favour of 43-32 with John Hawthorne taking the loss while Zach Rose picked up the win in relief of Shawn Parkinson. The Bulldogs went 2 for 6 on the power play, while the Grizzlies went 2 for 3 while also scoring once while shorthanded.


With the loss, the Dogs have lost two in a row, and are now winless in three. They are FINALLY done a stretch of six straight road games over 10 days. They next see action Saturday at home against Penticton. 


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Bulldogs back on road today to visit Grizzlies

It's a third straight Island Division battle, as the Bulldogs (8-13-2-4, 4th Island) head down to the Q Centre to face the Grizzlies (13-9-3-1, 3rd Island) for a matinee affair.

The Bulldogs were in Nanaimo last night, as they fell 4-0 to the Clippers.

The Grizzlies had last night off after hosting Nanaimo on Friday night - they are unbeaten in two games after playing to a 2-2 tie with the Clippers.

These teams have met four times so far this season, with the Grizzlies win three of the four, including most recently by a 3-2 score in overtime at the Mutliplex on November 10th. The Bulldogs won the only previous meeting in Victoria, also by a 3-2 score in overtime on October 18th.

If you can't make it down to Victoria, we'll bring the game to you on 93.3 The Peak. The pregame show is on the air at approximately 1:45, with the puck drop and game action to follow at 2:00 on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey.

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Paul Meyer,  who's currently into his Sophomore season with the NCAA's Colgate Raiders. It's always nice to catch up with former 'Dogs, and I'm looking forward to this interview as it's the first time we've talked since he moved on as we couldn't connect last year.

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.hockeytv.com



Hammer


____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs drop 4-0 decision to Clippers

A fairly fast paced start, with the Bulldogs having the first good initial push in the opening minute and change. The teams would trade chances through the following minutes, with both John Hawthorne and Noah Featherstonehaugh Gowe looking sharp to keep it scoreless. The game would be changed when the Bulldogs were penalized twice in succession short of the midway point of the first, putting them down two men for 54 seconds. They did a good job on the kill, but couldn't get out of it unscathed as the Clippers scored with 7 seconds left in the first penalty on quick puck movement and a shot from Jordan Wharrie at the right point that hit a Bulldog defender and went up and in over the shoulder of Hawthorne, short-side high over his glove to make it 1-0 at 9:45 of the first. Maxwell Crozier and David Silye picked up the assists. The Bulldogs had a follow up power play, and threatened on it but couldn't find the net, coming close when Ryan Steele hit the post. The Clippers earned another power play later in the period, with John Hawthorne coming up a big save on Cal Babych in front to keep it 1-0.  The Clippers out shot the Dogs 15-11 in the period.


The Clippers had a fantastic chance to open a 2-0 lead a minute into the second, but John Hawthorne went post to post to absolutely rob a Clipper with a desperation save off the back post, with then help from Connor Welsh and Mitch Oliver to keep the rebound off the goal line from going in. The Bulldogs would get a great chance to tie the game a few minutes later, but Noah Featherstonehaugh Gowe stopped Christian Simeone on a breakaway to keep it a one-goal game. The Bulldogs earned  a power play short of the midway point of the period after a large dust-up in the Nanaimo end. The Bulldogs did not take advantage of the opportunity, as they struggled to win draws and make accurate passes to gain the zone with any speed, or at all, as the Clippers turned them back frequently through the first minute. They did settle down to get a shot or two on goal in the late stages of the power play, but not enough to tie the game. The Clippers would open up a 2-0 lead in the back half of the period on poor defensive coverage by the Bulldogs in their zone, as David Silye was allowed to walk un touched in alone on Hawthorne from the left side. Hawthorne would make the save, but he couldn't get any help on the rebound as Brady Lynn found it and jammed it inside the far post at 12:34 of the second, with Jake Harris also assisting on the play. The Bulldogs killed off a penalty a minute later, which wasn't called by the Official three feet with an unobstructed view in front of it, but instead the back Referee 100 plus feet away. They then earned  power play with three minutes to play in the period, for another opportunity to get back into it. They again didn't look overly sharp, and then relied on Hawthorne to keep them in it seconds after the penalty was over as Brad Belisle walked in alone on a breakaway only to again have Hawthorne come up with the save with a minute remaining in the period to keep it just 2-0 Clippers after 40 minutes. Shots in the period were 13-9 Nanaimo, for a 28-20 edge after two.

The Bulldogs came out with a renewed jump to start the third, killing off 1:23 of a Nanaimo carry-over power play and generating a couple offensive chances of their own, but still being unable to bury one to make a game of it. They earned a power play seven minutes into the period, but once again couldn't generate anything.  Immediately at it's conclusion one of the most....... there's really nothing I can say that won't look and sound bad, despite how true and accurate it may be. The Bulldogs were penalized.... and then immediately penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct again. Annnnnnd once again a third time before the puck was even dropped,  further penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, this time from the bench, as the Coaching Staff received their first minor penalty of the season. This turned an initial penalty into a four minute penalty, with another one added making it a full two minute 5 on 3 for Nanaimo in a 2-0 game with 10 plus minutes left. It's hard to not know what is said down below to judge on why the calls happened. I guess all can be said is despite how bad you’re getting, you just need to zip it. Credit to the Clippers for taking advantage of the gift, as while the Bulldogs did well to kill over a minute of 5 on 3 time, it was just too much, as they scored eventually on the 5 on 3 to once again further change the game, as Colin Heinold ripped a one-timer from the top of the left circle through the legs of Hawthorne to make it 3-0 at 10:46 of the third, with no assists given on the play. There certainly should have been, but it's hard to worry about the unimportant goal scoring details when the primary concern appeared to be who to penalize next. It would Mitch Oliver again incidentally, as he was handed a misconduct.  The Clippers would remain on the 5 on 3 power play, and while the Bulldog killed it off the third penalty would end up in the back of their net for the third Clipper power play goal of the game with John Hawthorne making no less than 3 or 4 stops on an extended scramble around the net before Jack MacNab would bury a loose puck to make it 4-0 at 12:37 of the third with assists going to Lucas Vanroboyos and Brad Belisle to complete the scoring. The Bulldogs would be given a power play two minutes later, but couldn't break the shut out bid despite coming painfully close as Christian Simeone hit the crossbar with the netminder completely out of position. The Clippers earned one more power play late in the came after a handful of coincidental penalties as tempers, unsurprisingly continued to flare, but they couldn't cash in on it as time ran out.


Third period shots were 11-10 Bulldogs, for a game total of 38-31 Clippers with John Hawthorne taking the loss while Noah Featherstonehaugh Gowe earned 1st star honours with the win and the shut out.


Hammer



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Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight *6:00 start*

It's another meeting between Island rivals, as the Bulldogs (8-12-2-4, 4th Island) head to Nanaimo tonight to visit the Clippers (13-9-3-2, 2nd Island)


The Bulldogs last played Wednesday night in Duncan, and are unbeaten in their last two games after playing to a 4-4 tie with the Capitals.


The Clippers were in Victoria last night - they are now winless in two games after playing to a 2-2 tie against the Grizzlies. While they are winless in two, they are playing fantastic hockey of late, earning points in 10 straight games.


The last meeting head-to-head was a 4-1 Clipper win at the Multiplex on November 11th. The Clippers won the last meeting in Nanaimo 2-1 in double overtime on October 6th.

Note the start time of 6:00pm - that means the pregame show on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM gets going tonight at 5:45.  

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Scott Didmon, the play-by-play voice of the Victoria Grizzlies, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow for a 2:00pm puck drop.

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.hockeytv.com






____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

UPDATED WITH VIDEO Bulldogs comeback to tie Capitals 4-4 in Duncan

I finally managed to acquire video clips from last night... enjoy. 

Hammer

A high pace to the early minute of the game, with both sides having good jump. Immediately after a defensive zone draw and a clear to centre ice, the Bulldogs got caught on the wrong side of the puck and gave up a long 2 on 1 rush that saw Tate Coughlin carry the puck over the Bulldogs line up the left wing into the left circle where he beat Colten Lancaster with a shot that trickled over the line log-side off the bottom of his glove. Troy MacTavish drew the lone assist on the play at 4:16 of the first. The Bulldogs didn't show any signs of letting the goal deflate them, as they did a great job of pushing right back over the next couple of minutes, generating a couple good chances and some offensive zone time. They would soon afterwards be penalized on a pretty iffy call, but successfully killed it off and didn't give up much, before then earning a power play on another similar penalty call against the Capitals. They would cash in on it to tie the game, on a nice set up that saw Sami Pharaon find Mitch Oliver at the right point. He would feed Cole Poliziani at the right half wall, where he put a hard goal line feed to Christian Simeone, who drove hard on net and appeared to just slide his rebound home over the line past a sprawling Adam Marcoux to make it 1-1 at 13:47 of the first. The Bulldogs drove the net on the next shift with a good chance, but were then subsequently penalized on the following faceoff where Paul Selleck got tied up with the Capitals centre and got his stick caught between his legs, and somehow was whistled for high sticking? The Capitals would make quick work on the power play, on a cross-ice D-to-D set up that was one-timed home through the legs of Lancaster by Adam Laroche to make it 2-1 at 14:33 of the first, with the lone assist going to Andrew Mccann. The Capitals had a great chance late in the period to build their lead, but Colten Lanaster came up with a big glove save in tight off Troy MacTavish. The Capitals were penalized at the buzzer of the first period, bringing about a Bulldog power play to start the second. Shots in the period favoured the Bulldogs 10-8. 


The Bulldogs threatened off the bat on the power play, and while they didn't score on it, they did tie the game just two seconds after the conclusion of the penalty as Ryan Steele dropped the puck for Cole Poliziani and went to open ice where he took a return pass in the right circle where he fired a high shot on goal that was stopped by Marcoux, but the rebound bounced right to the top of the crease where Christian Simeone banged home his second of the game to make it 2-2 at 2:02 of the second. The Bulldogs continued to push the pace, and scored a beautiful goal on a 4 on 2 rush where Christian Simeone gained the line up the right side, and dished off to the top of the left circle for Mitch Oliver. He would quickly one-touch a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Ryan Steele in the right circle where he blasted a one-timer home to make it 3-2 Dogs at 5:45 of the second. The rest of the period flew by, with each team getting their chances but the goalies standing tall, with the most notable save being a breakaway stop by Colten Lancaster on a shorthanded breakaway for Brandon Cherwalk. The Dogs were penalized late in the period, and were within a second of killing it off but couldn't clear the zone as Andrew Mccann held the puck in at the left point where he put a low slapper on goal that was deflected inside the near post by Andrew Jackson from the top of the crease to tie it at 3-3 at 19:08 of the period. The Dogs earned a power play seconds later, but instead of taking the lead back, they gave it away as the last man back at the attacking line fell down with the puck heading his way, resulting in a partial breakaway up the left side for Ty Pochipinski, who walked into the deep slot and placed a perfect shot top corner, long-side over the glove of Lancaster to make it 4-3 Caps, shorthanded at 19:50 of the second. Cole Poliziani would be stopped on a breakaway at the buzzer by Adam Marcoux, with the Capitals again penalized in an after the whistle skirmish to end the period, bringing about a 1:19 in duration 5 on 3 for the Bulldogs to begin the third.  Shots in the period were 13-11 Capitals, for a 21-21 tally after 40 minutes.


The Bulldogs didn't score on the 5 on 3, not for a lack of execution though, as Marcoux made a great blocker save on a backdoor set up on Cole Poliziani. Another cross-ice back door set up for Ryan Steele seconds later hit the post and stayed out. The Bulldogs earned momentum despite not scoring, and quickly tied the game when Tyson Slater one-handed the puck up the boards out of the Bulldog zone up the right side. Keaton Mastrodonato did a good job to out-work his man to feed it ahead for Paul Selleck through centre ice. He gained the Caps zone and dished off to Jackson Doucet up the left side, where he snapped a quick shot inside the post, short-side past the blocker of Marcoux to make it 4-4 at 2:54 of the third period. There would be no scoring the rest of regulation, with each team having some good looks as the goalies held the fort. Colten Lancaster would come up with two big saves late in the third to preserve the tie on Andrew Jackson in tight just at the end of a Capitals power play chance. Shots in the third were 11-9 Capitals for a 32-20 advantage after 60 minutes.


The first overtime saw the Dogs had the best initial chance when Keaton Mastrodonato set up Jackson Doucet on the doorstep, but it appeared to just hit a stick and go over the net. Colten Lancaster would later come up with a big save on a partial in alone chance for Ty Pochipinski to keep the game alive. He would be busy late in the first overtime and into the 3 on 3 when the Bulldogs were penalized. The Caps did get pucks on net, but the Bulldogs did a good job of defending to not give up a Grade A chance, as Lancaster did a solid job of limiting any rebounds. Neither team would find the net through the remainder of double OT as the game ended in a 4-4 draw.

Overtime shots were 7-4 Capitals, for a 39-34 game total in their favour, with Colten Lancaster and Adam Marcoux picking up the no decision in net.  The Bulldogs went 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Capitals went 2 for 6 while also scoring once while shorthanded.


The Bulldogs are next in action Saturday night when they visit the Clippers in Nanaimo.


Hammer



____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs head down Island to visit Capitals tonight

It's another edition of the "Battle of the Valleys" as the Bulldogs (8-12-2-3, 4th Island) pay the Capitals (2-19-3-1, 5th Island) a visit tonight at the Island Savings Centre.

The Bulldogs last played Sunday afternoon in Coquitlam, where they halted a four game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Express.

The Capitals were last in action Sunday afternoon as well, as they lost their third in a row while their winless streak hit nine games with an 8-2 loss to the Chiefs.

This is the fourth head to head meeting between these Island Division rivals already this season, with the Bulldogs winning all three previous contests, most recently 6-3 on November 1st at the Multiplex. The only previous meeting in Duncan saw the Bulldogs pick up a 2-1 overtime win on October 13th.

All the action can be heard as always courtesy of 93.3 The Peak's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet. I'll take to the air for the pregame show at 6:45, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00. Dan "the stats man" Tisserand will be on hand to tabulate team and individual statistics.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Connor Varley (Best Defenceman 2010-2011) who's into his second season of his professional career with Epinal in France after playing last season with the EIHL's Manchester Storm. 

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.hockeytv.com




Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

UPDATED with HIGHLIGHTS Dogs top Express 4-2

Enjoy the video below. Accept my apologies for the gaps in the audio and the shortness of the clips - it's hard to do it away from home, and I'm also continuing to fight to get clips correctly from HockeyTV. Technical challenges made this a four-plus hour effort tonight. I'm closing the computer for good! 

Hammer

The Bulldogs earned an early power play to start the game, and started it much differently than almost all of their opportunities the night before as they controlled the opening faceoff, and as a result had a good minute of pressure and chances around the Express net. While they didn't score, they did earn some momentum. Quite quickly, the Bulldogs were on the penalty kill, and then on a 5 on 3 kill for 1:17 seconds. They came out of it unscathed, with John Hawthorne coming up with two fantastic saves to keep it scoreless. The Bulldogs would earn a subsequent power play as the penalties continued, and connected on it to take a 1-0 lead when Tyler Vanuden did a good job to retrieve the puck behind the net and bank it back to the point for Connor Welsh. He would carry it across the line and switch up with Mitch Oliver before setting him up in the left circle for a one-timer that he blasted off a defender and in at 10:30 of the first. The Bulldogs were again penalized three minutes later, and once again killed it off. The fourth penalty of the period was one too many however, as the Express tied it late in the the frame on an unfortunate sequence that saw a clearing attempt hit Darren Rizzolo in the helmet and bounce to the blue line. The puck appeared, at least to me, to clearly sneak over the line but the Linesman thought differently and waved it off. The puck would immediately end up in the back of the Bulldog net on a shot from the hashmarks by Joshua Bruce, far-side past the blocker of Hawthorne. The assists on the play went to Eric Linell and Troy Robillard at 18:05 of the first. The Bulldogs would voice their displeasure with the Officials at centre ice following the goal, but it wasn't going to be changed at that point. Shots in the period were 13-12 Express.


The Bulldogs carried the play for the first minute and change of the second, and the Express pushed back over the following couple minutes, but neither side was able to generate much in the way of good chances. The Bulldogs earned the first power play of the period near the midway point of it, and once again won the opening draw to generate some chances and momentum, although they couldn't find the net. They were subsequently penalized on a tie up off a draw, resulting in four-aside hockey for over a minute. The Bulldogs killed off the penalty, and then instantaneously took another penalty. They also succeeded in killing it off, with John Hawthorne coming up with a huge save in the dying seconds of it on a cross-ice set up to a wide open Eric Linell off the back post. The Bulldogs pushed late in the period and had a couple good opportunities around the Express net, but more often than not they frustratingly elected to pass instead of shoot. When they did, Hamm held the fort as it remained tied 1-1 after 40 minutes, with the shots in the period being 12-7 Bulldogs, for a 24-20 advantage after the second.


The Express came out with a good initial push in the first minute of the period, but Hawthorne came up with two good saves in tight to keep it tied. The Express continued to have a slight edge in the early minutes, and created a Grade A chance from it as Christian Sanda was found wide open in front of the net, but Hawthorne waited him out to make a big blocker save to keep it tied just over four minutes into the period. The Bulldogs would respond, and take a 2-1 lead on a play that started from their end as Paul Selleck came into a battle on the side boards in the Dogs end to support Tyson Slater who had the puck underneath him as he was on the seat of his pants. Selleck would carry the puck out of the Dogs zone and then put a perfect bank pass up the right wing where Keaton Mastrodonato sped onto it and in alone on goal down the right wing where he snapped a perfect shot inside the far post past the blocker of Hamm to make it 2-1 Dogs at 9:52 of the third. The lead again didn't last long however, as the Express answered on a puck off the outside of the net, followed by a wrap around that was stopped by Hawthorne. The rebound would come to the slot where Doug Scott fought it through the legs of Hawthorne, with the lone assist going to Alex Ambrosio at 11:37 of the third. The Bulldogs responded well to conceding the lead, getting a couple good chances on the following shift. They would take the lead back just under six minutes to play as the Express had a couple chances to clear their zone but failed to do so as the Dogs hounded the puck. Cole Poliziani would keep it in for good, finding Christian Simeone at the bottom of the left circle. He put a perfect pass onto the strick of Ryan Steele driving the net through the slot, and he made no mistake one-timing a bullet top corner, short-side under the bar on Hamm to make it 3-2 Bulldogs at 14:05. Paul Selleck again supported a battle in the far corner of the Dogs zone to find Jackson Doucet in front of the Dogs net. He would find Keaton Mastrodonato again at full flight at centre ice where he drove the middle over the Express line. Two Express defenders would try to take him off the puck as he found Jackson Doucet joining the rush in the middle of the zone where he beat Hamm with a long-side shot past his glove to make it 4-2 at 15:23 of the third to complete the scoring. 


Third period shots were 17-8 Bulldogs, for a 41-28 total in their favour as John Hawthorne picked up the win while Brock Hamm took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Express went 1 for 6.


The Dogs next see action Wednesday in Duncan when they visit the Capitals.


Hammer
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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

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Bulldogs visit Express today to wrap up three-in-three weekend

It's the second meeting of the season between the teams, and the final test on a three game weekend road trip for the Bulldogs (7-12-2-3, 4th Island) as they visit the Coquitlam Express (3-18-1-1, 5th Mainland) for a matinee affair today.


The Bulldogs were in Merritt last night, where they gave up four goals in the first twelve minutes of the game en route to dropping their fourth straight contest, 4-1 to the Centennials.

It's also the third game of the week for the Express today, as they were in Langley on Thursday night, where they fell 5-2 to the Rivermen. They hosted the Wenatchee Wild Friday night, where they lost their 10th in a row, 5-1 to the Wild.

These teams met so long ago that it already feels like it was last season, with the Bulldogs coming out on top 5-3 back on September 16th.

Much like in Merritt last night, the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre has a smaller than regulation ice surface as you might be able to tell from the above picture. That can be both bad or good when it comes to playing on it at the end of a road trip. Things happen fast, but you don't have as far to go both offensively and defensively. There isn't a bad place in the building to put the puck on net.

I'll bring you all the game action and interviews, statstics and everything in between on 93.3 The Peak's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet - don't forget it's an afternoon game, which means our pregame show is on the air at approximately 1:45, with the puck drop to follow at 2:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Hunter Stewart, now a SENIOR (really!?) with the NCAA's Marian University Sabres. 

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.hockeytv.com






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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs drop fourth straight, 4-1 in Merritt

A quick start to the game, with neither side getting a puck on net through the opening two minutes as the Dogs seemed to be a step behind the Centennials pace and the space the smaller playing surface in Merritt allows. The Centennials opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game on a won battle behind the Dogs net and a perfect pass to the slot that was one-timed home, short-side past the blocker of John Hawthorne by Zach Court, with assists going to Nicholas Wicks and Brendan Schneider at 3:19 of the first. The Bulldogs earned  a power play half a minute later, but more often than not lost faceoffs and chased the puck into their zone wasting precious time. They did generate a couple shots late in the advantage, and pushed back over the ensuing minutes to get back in the game. The Centennials would quickly stop that push, going up 2-0 on a banker from behind the goal line after winning a series of battles behind the net that saw Chase Bell sneak it off Hawthorne and over the line. Assists went to Zach Zorn and Sam Miller at 9:16 of the first. The Bulldogs were penalized almost immediately afterwards, and the Centennials again cashed in on it to make it 3-0 on a cross-ice set up to the left faceoff dot for Joey Berkopec  that he finished with a perfect shot top corner, long side over the glove of Hawthorne. Assists went to Tyrell Buckley and Nicholas Wicks at 11:09 of the first. The Bulldogs were again instantly penalized, and again Merritt connected quickly on the power play when Samuel Miller got a point shot from the top of the line through a screen top corner over the glove of Colten Lancaster, who came off the bench in relief, making it 4-0 at 12:01 of the first, with Henry Cleghorn drawing the lone assist. Shots in the period were 14-8.


The Bulldogs had 1:25 of power play time to begin the second, but once again didn't look especially sharp on it. Another immediate follow up power play again didn't look especially sharp, as the Dogs squandered an opportunity to at least start to get back into the game. The period would grind along with a pretty tough parade of penalties against both sides of the puck, with 5-on-5 hockey being a rarity. If anything, four-aside hockey or man-advantage hockey was how the majority of the period was played. The Bulldogs took the most of the calls, but managed to kill them all off, including two separate instances when they were down two men. They would get on the board to make a game of it in the late stages of the second as Christian Simeone carried the puck with speed up the left side over the Merritt line before putting a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Cole Poliziani, who slid it through Jacob Berger to make it a 4-1 game at 18:37 of the second.  The Dogs had a great chance to make it a two-goal game at the end of the period, with Simeone again setting up Poliziani, but Berger came up with a pad save on a cross-ice one timer. Shots in the period were 9-7 Merritt, for a 40 minute total of 23-15 Centennials.


The Bulldogs earned an early power play in the third period for a chance to get further back in it, but again failed to impress as they continued to lose draws and chase the puck. They would push back through the next couple of minutes to threaten around the Merritt net, but couldn't get a bounce. Colten Lancaster would come up with numerous solid saves to give the Bulldogs a fighting chance to get back in it, but the push wasn't there for any sustained periods to trim the deficit. The Bulldogs earned another power play with 10 minutes to go, but again lost draws and chased pucks which was a prevailing theme. A final opportunity late to stage a late comeback saw the Dogs threaten on a scramble, but in the end fail to make a game of it as the Centennials made the 4-1 score hold up.


Third period shots were 15-13 Centennials, for a game total in their favour of 36-30, with John Hawthorne taking the loss giving up three goals in 11:09 before Colten Lancaster came in to earn no decision but third star in relief while Jacob Berger picked up the win. VERY unofficial power play stats - I had Merritt at 2 for 10 on the power play, and the Bulldogs at 0 for 9.


With the loss, the Dogs have lost four in a row and are now winless in five. They conclude their weekend tomorrow afternoon in Coquitlam when they meet the Express.




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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs visit Centennials tonight in Merritt

It's the second meeting between the teams in just two weeks, as the Bulldogs (7-11-2-3, 4th Island) continue their road trip by visiting the Centennials (8-12-2-1, 7th Interior) at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The Bulldogs opened up their weekend last night in Trail, where they lost their third in a row, and saw their winless streak hit four games with a 6-4 loss to the Smoke Eaters in an absolutely crazy game.

The Centennials were in action last night at home, where they lost their second in a row, 3-2 to the Vernon Vipers.

These teams last met two Saturday's ago, when they played to a 3-3 tie at the Multiplex when the Dogs dug out of a 3-0 third period deficit.

It's a unique ice sheet in Merritt, so the Dogs had best be ready. As it's smaller than regulation, things happen very very fast and there is no bad place to try a shot on goal. Here's a look at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in video form. The video is several years old now, and thankfully the heaters you see below as of last year were relocated and are no longer a factor when it comes to the broadcaster's sight lines of the rink!

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight at 6:45 for the pregame show, followed by all the game action to follow just after 7:00.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is Eddie Gregory, the play-by-play voice of the Coquitlam Express, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow to finish their trip for a 2:00pm puck drop.

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.hockeytv.com






____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs drop third straight 6-4 in crazy game in Trail

A tough start to the game from the get-go for the Bulldogs, as they were penalized for failing to exit the ice in time at the conclusion of warm up. They would come up with a solid kill and didn't give up much to keep it scoreless as Colten Lancaster turned aside the lone shot he faced. At the conclusion of the penalty they got a few opportunities on net themselves to test Brandon Wells in the Trail net. The Bulldogs would earn their first power play of the game later in the period, and threatened on it on several occasions early but failed to open the scoring. A 13 second five on three for the Bulldogs on a follow up penalty didn't generate much with the loss of the opening draw, but they continued to push and had a couple near misses, the most memorable coming when Tyler Vanuden sent Issac Tonkin-Palmer over the Trail line on a 2 on 1 rush down the left side where he kept the puck and fired a shot long-side that hit the post and crossbar and stayed out. The Bulldogs out shot the Smoke Eaters 11-8 in the first.

The second period saw the Bulldogs successfully kill off a carry over penalty from the first. They then dodged a bullet as Trevor Zins walked in alone off the right point and hit the crossbar. A fantastic save a few minutes later by Lancaster on Andre Ghantous in tight in alone with his right pad kept the game scoreless. The Bulldogs spent the better part of the next few minutes running around their zone defending, but didn't a good job to not concede a goal. They would then open the scoring on a pretty play that saw Mitch Oliver put a perfect outlet pass up the left wing for Christian Simeone. He would gain the Trail line and put a pass to the middle for Cole Poliziani. He would do a great job to knock the pass down off his feet and retain possession and spin and fire a perfect top corner wrister over the glove of Wells to make it 1-0 at 7:32 of the second. It was 2-0 Bulldogs three minutes later on a hard working shift in the attacking zone that saw Issac Tonkin-Palmer work the puck loose behind the net for Brad Ong. He made a sweet outlet onto the tape of Tyler Vanuden, who one-timed a high finish inside the far post for his first as a Bulldog at 10:21. It was 3-0 a minute and a half later as Ryan Steele played the puck behind the net for Cole Poliziani. He put a perfect feed into the slot for Christian Simeone, who made no mistake ripping a one-timer top corner inside the far post over the glove of Wells to make it 3-0 at 11:53. A big save by Tanner Marshall on Gregg Lee on the doorstep a minute later kept it a three-goal game, before a tough to watch sequence turned the game a further minute later, as Connor Welsh appeared to take a hard hit to the head in the Bulldogs zone in the near corner. An immediate penalty was called, but instead of the Bulldogs on the power play Welsh was penalized for retaliating. It was a 3-1 game seconds later when Kale Howarth walked in tight down the left side and picked the top corner, short-side high on Lancaster. Assists on the play went to Jeremy Lucchini and Braeden Tuck at 13:34 of the second. The Bulldogs were again penalized in short order as the Smokies continued to attack, with what earlier in the sequence looked like a Smokies goal being waved off. They would make it 3-2 a minute later anyway, on a partial breakaway with another delayed penalty on the way to the Bulldogs that saw a stretch pass carried up the right wing and in tight by Braeden Tuck, who went top corner, short-side high on Lancaster. Assists on the play went to Levi Glasman and Jeremy Lucchini at 15:39 of the second. The barrage continued on the power play seconds later, as a pass from the right point to below the goal line at the right side of the net was walked out front by Andre Ghantous, who snuck one in far side from a sharp angle to make it 3-3 at 16:16, with the lone assist going to Carter Jones. Shots in the period were 14-7 Trail, for a 22-18 advantage after 40 minutes.


The third period saw the Bulldogs get their feet back under them, and push to generate a couple of chances and a power play opportunity as a result. They would connect on it to take a 4-3 lead when Sami Pharaon came off the bench off a broken stick for Mitch Oliver to set up Connor Welsh at the right point. His one-timer would be stopped, but Jackson Doucet would slam the rebound home from the paint at 7:14 of the third. The lead would be very short-lived, with the Smoke Eaters tying it up less than a minute later as a Kale Howarth wrap around failed to go, but none of the Bulldogs back picked up the trailer in Levi Glasman who fired the loose puck inside the post to make it 4-4 at 7:56 of the third with Ross Armour also drawing an assist. The Dogs again pushed back, but couldn't take the lead before the Smoke Eaters found the net for their first lead of the game on a face off win in the Dogs end back to the point that saw a Jeremy Lucchini one-timer from the left point be deflected in past Lancaster by Spencer McLean. Blake Sidoni also drew an assist for winning the draw at 11:22 of the third. The Bulldogs earned a power play chance to try and find the equalizer shortly afterwards, and came painfully close on a puck that bounced around on the goal line but stayed out. The Bulldogs were then penalized with three minutes to play, but came up with a big kill to keep it a one-goal game. Any comeback attempt would be stopped on another lost faceoff in their end with just under a minute to play in the third as Tyler Ghiradosi one-timed a Carter Jones draw win top corner off the crossbar and in past Lancaster to make it 6-4 at 19:03 of the third for the eventual final.


Shots in the third were 12-10 Trail, for a game total in their favour of 34-28, with Colten Lancaster taking the loss while Tanner Marshall picked up the win in relief in net. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while Trail went 3 for 6.


With the loss, the Dogs have lost three in a row and are now winless in four games. They visit the Centennials tomorrow night in Merritt.

Hammer


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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around