Clippers take 2-0 series lead with second straight 6-3 win

The Bulldogs had good jump early, and the first few pucks on net in the early minutes, before the Clippers pushed back on a lengthy attacking zone shift, where the Bulldogs failed on several separate instances to clear the puck, but also succeeded in blocking a couple shots. The Bulldogs pushed back, and had a couple good opportunities around the Nanaimo net, but couldn't bury them to open the scoring. The Clippers would earn a power play eight minutes into the period, but the Bulldogs killed it off with Jackson Glassford coming up with a couple big saves, battling through considerable traffic in his crease. Another Bulldog penalty just a minute after they killed the previous one off saw the Clippers open the scoring, as Devon Mussio walked down the left wing and put a wrist shot at the goal that appeared to be deflected high short-side over the shoulder of Glassford. Mussio wouldn't celebrate with his teammates, but instead taunted the Bulldog bench with his hand to his ear  - or so it appeared. The assists went to Kyler Kovich and Tim Washe at 12:11 of the first. An incredible eight seconds later, the Bulldogs responded to tie it at 1-1 as Caige Sterzer fought the faceoff forward and through a defender and drove the net where Naylor made the first save, but couldn't control the rebound. Olivier Fizet would pounce on it, and finish it top corner, short-side at 12:19 of the first. The score stayed that way until the dying seconds of the period when the Bulldogs took the lead as Jimmy Rayhill flipped the puck through  centre ice where Matthew Grouchy tipped it ahead for Ryan Doolin. He would drive the net up the right wing, and then lunge around a defender to poke a one-hander over Naylor. Shots in the period were 17-16 Clippers.


The second period began with the Clippers earning a third straight power play to open the game, as it looked to me that Tommy Bannister simply defended well in tying his man up driving the net. Late in the advantage, the Clippers would fail to keep the puck in, and were stuck on a  delayed off-side. The play was immediately blown dead. As is usually the case - or as far as I've seen 100% of the time, the faceoff goes all the way down the ice. In this instance, it inexplicably does not, and instead goes right outside the blue line. The Bulldogs were incensed, rightfully so on the bench, but the complaints fell on deaf ears. The double whammy of not having the clock continue to run on a delayed offside while on the penalty kill, combined with a faceoff outside their line, saw the Clippers score with 1 second remaining in the penalty as Trevor LeDonne put a wrist shot low inside the far post to make it 2-2 at 3:49 of the second, with assists to Liam Ryan and Joshua Bourne. The logic should be simple enough to understand - the Bulldogs are killing a penalty, the Clippers are the team on a delayed offside. The Bulldogs want the clock to keep running. They haven't done anything to cause a stoppage of play - the Clippers did. The ramifications were of course HUGE - and it's unfortunate to have a blown call at this juncture of the season have an impact as large as this one did.  Thankfully, the Bulldogs would again respond to take the lead back, as Jackson Munro took a Mattias Dal Monte pass and drove the puck into the Nanaimo zone, lost it, and got back before putting a cross-ice pass into the right circle for Matthew Grouchy, who fanned on his initial attempt before just throwing it on goal where it snuck home five hole on Naylor to make it 3-2 at 7:24 of the second. The Bulldogs didn't have the lead back for long though, as a minute later it was 3-3 as Devon Mussio accepted a pass in the left circle where he threw a shot on goal that snuck home long-side under the glove of Glassford. Assisting was Joshua Bourne at 8:24 of the second. The teams traded chances into the back half of the period, when the Clippers took the lead back as the Bulldogs iced in and had a tired group on the ice and failed to get a change before it ended up in the back of their net as Josh Kagan picked up a Josh Bourne pass in the slot where he picked the top corner over the blocker of Glassford to make it 4-3 at 15:01 of the second, with Robby Drazner also assisting. The Bulldogs finally earned their first power play of the game with under three minutes to play in the second, and looked dangerous on it but couldn't cash in to tie the game. The best chance saw Mitchel Deelstra blow the doors off a defender to get in alone on Naylor, who made a great left toe save to keep it just off the goal line. Shots in the period were 18-14 Clippers, for a 35-30 advantage after 40 minutes.


The Clippers added to their lead just short of two minutes into the third, as Josh Kagan raced up the left wing over the line on a  1 on 1 where he put a low wrist shot that just snuck through the fivehole of Glassford, and slowly slid over the line to make it 5-3 at 1:54 of the third, with assists to Josh Bourne and Steven Agriogianis. The Clippers did a good job to not allow the Bulldogs the opportunity to manage much of an attempt to get back in it through the remainder of the period. The Bulldogs earned a power play with under seven minutes to play in the contest, but didn't look good on it, twice misplaying the puck on retrievals into their zone. The culmination would be a 6-3 Nanaimo lead when the last defenseman back put it directly onto the tape of Josh Bourne, who walked in alone where he went five-hole on Jackson Glassford to make it 6-3 at 16:14 of the third. The following minute, the game got nasty, and the Officiating remained..... insert adjective here. Dawson Tritt threw a  hit at the Bulldog bench, that saw an initial retaliation by Travis Walton that brought about a delayed penalty. Trevor LeDonne would also attempt to retailiate on Tritt, who cross-checked him in defense. In the end, the Officials ended up forgetting, I guess that they had called the first penalty on Walton, and instead called LeDonne for the retaliation, with I  guess the logic being he somehow delivered a cross-check while also receiving the cross-check from Tritt?  My best guess. The final 20 plus seconds were....dangerous, but thankfully without any large incidents.


Third period shots were 9-3 Clippers, for a game total of 44-33 Clippers, with Jordan Naylor and Luke Pearson being the goalies of record. The Clippers went 2 for 3 on the power play while the Bulldogs went 0 for 2.

The series shifts to Port Alberni for Games three and four on Tuesday and Thursday.


Hammer

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Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight for Game Two

 ( image: Jamie Penner V3 Media )

It's right back at it tonight for the Bulldogs and Clippers, as they meet tonight at the Frank Crane Arena for game two of this Best-of-Seven Island Division semi final series.

The Clippers lead the series 1-0, after a 6-3 win last night in the opener. 

I liked alot of what I saw out of the Bulldogs last night - it just wasn't there consistently enough, perhaps. Falling behind early is never easy, but I liked the resilience they showed in battling back to tie it up on numerous occasions, including once out of a two-goal hole. When constantly playing from behind however, it's too often the scenario that played out last night - fight back, carry the play, just to get back into it....only to fall behind again. Full value to the Clippers for the win - but the Bulldogs can't make it as easy as it was at times.

In the end, all those words are irrelevant. Welcome to the playoffs. Win big - forget it, reset look forward to what to you have to do to move forward. Lose big, lose little, lose a quadruple overtime heartbreaker? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and look forward to what you have to do to move forward.

It's either a 1-1 series, and the Bulldogs stealing home ice advantage back to the Dog Pound next week - or the Clippers holding serve and going up 2-0 and putting the pressure on the Bulldogs to do the same. Here's hoping the Bulldogs bring it tonight, to make it the former and not the latter!

If you aren't able to make the game, it's always our goal to make you feel like you're there. Tune in to 93.3 The Peak FM for Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey starting at 6:45 with our pregame show, followed by the live game action at 7:00pm. I'll call the play-by-play, Bruce MacDonald provides game analysis and colour commentary and last but certainly not least statistician Dan Tisserand covers individual and team stats.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Mitch MacMillan (2008-2010) the last player in BCHL history - and only player in Bulldog history as well - to score 60 goals in a season - he finished with 61 in the 2009-2010 season, and I still vividly remember him hitting 50 in 50, and 60 in 60 and feel fortunate to have been able to witness it all and have been "along for the ride" so to speak.

He was also of course recently named to the Bulldogs All-Decade team. 

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

Thanks for checking the blog! 

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

Clippers take game one 6-3

The Bulldogs had the first shot on net, but the Clippers had the first scoring chance, as Josh Bourne was found with a cross-ice pass in the right circle and was allowed to walk in alone in tight on Jackson Glassford where he went top corner, short-side high to make it 1-0 at 1:04 of the first, with assists to Josh Kagan and Robby Drazner. The Clippers earned a power play seconds later, but the Bulldogs came up with a big penalty kill with a handful of shot  blocks to keep it a one-goal game. The Bulldogs quickly got their feet under them, and as the period wore on started to carry the better of the play. They would tie it at 1-1 off a draw in the Nanaimo end when Caige Sterzer fought through obstruction off the draw to one-hand it deep behind the net. Olivier Fizet also fought through some traffic without the puck to fight it past a defender, before putting a perfect pass onto the tape of Isaac Pascoal in the paint, where he showed great patience and great hands in tight to pull it to his backhand to tuck it home past the pad of Jordan Naylor to make it 1-1 at 11:34 of period one. The Bulldogs spent the following minutes having lots of time in the Nanaimo zone, but they couldn't bury one to take the lead. The Clippers would take the lead back against the flow of play on a turnover by the Bulldogs entering the Clippers zone as Ethan Scardina was allowed to walk over the line up the right wing where he made one move to make a defender miss before putting a shot between the legs of a defender and over the glove of Glassford, short-side to make it 2-1 at 18:22 of the first, with assists going to Tim Washe and Mike Kennedy. The Bulldogs came painfully close to tying it seconds later on a 3 on 2 rush as Ryan Doolin walked into the right circle and beat Naylor, but hit the post blocker side and it stayed out. Shots in the first were 10-10.


The Bulldogs earned a power play early in the second, but couldn't get anything going on it. Nanaimo would have a great chance to build their lead on a walk to the net by Josh Bourne on the rush a minute later, but Jackson Glassford came up with a big save to keep it a one-goal game. The Bulldogs would give up another chance almost instantly afterwards, and found themselves in a two-goal hole as Steven Agriogianis found a puck at the side of the net and put it off a Bulldog stick and in from close quarters to make it 3-1 Clippers at 3:51 of the second. The Bulldogs didn't spend too much time feeling down, as they responded in short order to make it 3-2 as Mitchel Deelstra found Stephen Castagna at the Nanaimo line up the right wing. He would hustle to tag up on a delayed off-side, before putting a pass between a defender's legs to allow Jacob Bosse to walk up the middle into the high slot where he put a quick release high off the glove of Naylor and over his head and just barely over the line at 4:43 of the second. Four minutes later it was 3-3, as again Castagna found Mitchel Deelstra over the Nanaimo line up the left wing where he simply put a low shot on  net from a distance where it was deflected home five-hole by Jacob Bosse at 8:40 of the second. The Bulldogs couldn't build on it, as less than a minute later it was 4-3 Clippers as a cross-slot pass was one-timed home off the crossbar over the glove of Glassford by Joshua Bourne, with the lone assist going to Steven Agriogianis at 9:21 of the period. The Bulldogs earned a power play later in the period, and spent a frantic minute and a half on the attack in the zone but couldn't convert on it for the equalizer. The Clippers would add to their lead with under two to play in the frame when the Bulldogs got caught running around in their end and misplayed the puck at the side of their net. It allowed a second chance for Ethan Scardina, who walked out from behind the net and beat Glassford high, far-side to make it 5-3 at 18:15,  of the second, unassisted.  Shots in the period were 10-9 Bulldogs, for a 20-19 total in their favour heading into the third. 


The Bulldogs began the third with a solid attacking zone shift and looked to really have something going on a set up to the slot, but a moving-in defenseman couldn't handle the pass. The Clippers would race up ice on a 3 on 1 rush, but Glassford came up with an in-tight save on Ethan Scardina to keep it a two-goal game. It didn't stay that way for long, as the Clippers completed the scoring 3:41 into the period as Tim Washe walked over the line up the right wing into the faceoff dot where he went high, short-side on his backhand to make it 6-3, with assists going to Ethan Scardina and Kyler Kovich at 3:41 of the third.


Third period shots were 10-8 Nanaimo, for a game total of 29-28 Clippers with Jordan Naylor earning the win while Jackson Glassford took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Clippers went 0 for 3 on the man advantage.


The teams go at it again tomorrow night in Nanaimo for Game two.


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

Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight to open Best of Seven series

After a 58 game dress rehearsal, it's onto the real season tonight as the Bulldogs (26-28-2-2, 4th Island) head over the hump to visit the Clippers (37-17-2-2, 1st Island) for Game one of this best-of-seven Island Division semi final series.

These teams last played Sunday afternoon at the Multiplex, a 6-1 Nanaimo win.  It was the Clipper's fifth straight win. It was also the fifth straight head-to-head win for the Clippers in the season series.

The season series was a tight one, with a razor thin line separating winning and losing - at least prior to the final two games over the last five days to end the regular season with the Bulldogs dressing a line up no where near what is expected to suit up tonight. In fact, only one game was decided by more than one goal. The scores in chronological order - 2-1 Clippers, 3-2 Bulldogs, 2-1 Bulldogs, 3-1 Clippers, 5-4 Clippers and 4-3 Clippers before the 8-4 and 6-1 Nanaimo wins to end the regular season last Wednesday and Sunday.

It's all 100% irrelevant now, however. Everything written above, all previous scores, games, stats, etc, etc, etc go right out the window. Both teams are winless, all skaters are pointless and the goalies are unblemished.

The Clippers no doubt will go into the series with confidence, and deservedly so - they won the last five games in the season series, and won their last five games of the year. They'll be looking to carry all that forward.

The Bulldogs are the complete opposite - they're no doubt beyond excited at the prospect of a fresh slate starting tonight. Every team faces adversity, plain and simple. Having said that, the Bulldogs saw a level of adversity that was at a whole different level. No other teams spent a month evicted from their rink, having to practice and play on the road. Sure, all teams face injury issues. Unless I missed it, no other team went through a stretch like the Bulldogs with not one - but two - goalies unavailable. I'm also quite confident that the list of teams that had players injured by Referees and Linesmen is also a very short one. It's said about adversity - that if it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger. Here's hoping everything the Bulldogs have had to fight through this season has indeed made them stronger.

Is there anything like playoff hockey? One minute you're higher than high. The next - you're lower than low. Whether it's the former, or the latter doesn't matter. Finding a way to go out the next game, the next shift, the next period etc, with all the buzzwords -  will, skill, desire, determination, discipline, desperation - I'll stop before I have to get out a thesaurus... is all that matters.

I can't wait.

Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey goes live on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight for our pregame show at 6:45, with the game action to follow just after 7:00pm. Dan Tisserand tabulates team and individual statistics, Bruce MacDonald provides game analysis and adds colour commentary while I manage the hosting while calling the play-by-play.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is a "Playoff Preview" edition of The Island Division This Week - with all of the Island Division play-by-play voices looking into the first round of the post season and their team's matchup.

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

Talk to you tonight! 

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 drop regular season finale, 6-1 to Clippers

The game was fairly passive, tight and sloppy early as neither side appeared sharp and in sync. The Clippers would earn a power play just under five minutes into the game. but the Bulldogs killed it off with Luke Pearson again being razor sharp as the Clippers ran up a 10-1 edge in shots. The Clippers would earn an almost immediate follow up power play, that was hard to accept as Tim Gould was hooked off the puck by Tyler Williams who was chasing him. Gould then hooked him back in similar fashion, but was penalized. It would be a big consequence, as the Clippers took advantage of it to lead 1-0 when Tim Washe deflected home a Robbie Drazner point shot five-hole on Pearson. Devon Mussio also drew an assist on the play at 9:00 of the first. The Bulldogs were unable to generate much throughout the period, and the Clippers doubled their lead with under a minute to play in the period as Scott Mahovlich went to the net and was tied up by a Defender and took advantage of the opportunity to stand in the crease and impede Pearson from moving in the paint as Travis Walton potted a loose puck in the crease to make it 2-0 at 19:14 of the first. Shots after one were 20-4 Nanaimo.


The Bulldogs earned  a power play early in the second, but if anything lost momentum as they struggled with the puck and failed to even get set up in the attacking zone. As the period wore on, the Bulldogs continued to struggle to generate anything, and found themselves in a 3-0 hole just over six minutes into the period as Travis Walton carried the puck up the right wing and over the Bulldog line before throwing a cross-ice pass to the deep slot for Ethan Scardina, who blew a one-timer home short-side past the blocker of Pearson to make it 4-0 at 11:13 of the second. The Bulldogs showed an increase in passion in the back half of period, initially leading to a power play opportunity. While they didn't score on it, they looked good on it and earned momentum and chances and got the crowd into it a bit. They would finally find the net with just under two minutes to play in the period, as Jacob Bosse found a loose puck off a draw in the Nanaimo end and walked in untouched where he beat Jordan Naylor with a quick  release, blocker side to make it 4-1 at 18:15 of the second, with Jackson Doucet drawing the lone assist.  Shots in the second were 13-8 Clippers, for a 33-12 edge after 40 minutes.


The third period saw the Bulldogs  have an extra jump to their step, but they were unable to mount any sustained attack to trim the deficit. The Clippers would further add to their lead just short of the midway point of the period when Ethan Scardina was set up in the deep slot in the right circle, where he put a quick release high, short-side off the post and in past the glove of Pearson to make it 5-1. Jack O'Brien also assisted at 9:32 of the third. The Clippers would add one more four minutes later on a fortuitous bounce as Devon Mussio appeared to fan on a shot, but it worked out as it went wide at a sharp angle and hit a sliding Bulldog defender to sit on the lip of the crease where Kyler Kovich tapped it into the open net to conclude the scoring at 13:22 of the third.


Shots in the third were 16-13 Bulldogs, for a game total in Nanaimo's favour of 46-28 with Jordan Naylor earning the win while Luke Pearson took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Clippers went 2 for 4.


With the win, the Clippers clinch 1st place in the Island Division, meaning they'll meet the Bulldogs in Round One of the playoffs.


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 host Clippers today to conclude regular season

It's the regular season finale for both teams today, as the Bulldogs (26-27-2-2, 4th Island) host the Nanaimo Clippers (36-17-2-2, 2nd Island) in a potential first round playoff matchup at the Multiplex on Fan Appreciation Day.

The Bulldogs were in Duncan last night, where they snapped a four  game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Capitals. The Clippers last played Friday night at home, where they won their fourth straight 2-1 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

These teams last met Wednesday night at the Dog Pound, an 8-4 Clipper win.

The stakes couldn't be more different for both sides of the puck today. The Bulldogs are playing to head into the playoffs feeling good about their game, and that's that. The Clippers on the other side are playing with an Island Division title on the line as they enter play today a single point behind the Clippers. They had the first tiebreaker on the Capitals as well, with one more victory.

If you can't make the game, we'll bring it to you. Catch all the action live from the Dog Pound  on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM, starting with our pregame show at 1:45, with the game action to follow after 2:00

Bruce MacDonald provides game analysis while adding colour commentary, and I call the play-by-play. 

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Billy Christopoulos , who is now playing professionally with the ECHL's Toledo Walleye after a four-year career playing NCAA hockey with Air Force. 

Here's a nice read on his year from the Toledo Blade

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

Thanks for checking the blog, talk to you from the 'Pound this afternoon. 

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 top Capitals 2-1

Here's the highlights! Enjoy! 

Hammer

The Bulldogs looked everything like a team with half of their roster out of the lineup early in the game, as the Capitals had all the pressure and the Bulldogs chased the game. Luke Pearson was very sharp, as the Capitals ran up a 10-1 edge in shots but couldn't find the net. The Bulldogs started to settle in, and drew a penalty just short of the middle of the period. They would capitalize on it. as Jimmy Rayhill carried the puck from the Bulldogs zone all the way into the left corner in Capitals territory. He would then end-board bank it to the right corner for Austin Spiridakis, who put a quick pass to a wide-open Dawson Tritt in front, where he went to his backhand and lifted it over the glove of Zach Borgeil to make it 1-0 at 10:31 of the first. The Capitals pushed back through the back portion of the period, but the Bulldogs held on with Pearson again being solid to protect the lead. They would draw another penalty late in the period, and again made it count as Caige Sterzer found Isaac Pascoal on the right wing wall. He put a perfect saucer pass to the top of the point for Moe Acee, who blew a slapper top corner past the blocker of Borgeil to make it 2-0 at 19:35 of the first. Shots after 20 minutes were 18-12 Capitals.



The Capitals again put a push on to start the second, helped out by a 52 second 5 on 3 power play but the Bulldogs again held on with Luke Pearson making three or four big saves to keep it 2-0, with his defenders also doing a fantastic job of blocking shots and clearing loose puck around the net. The Bulldogs earned a power play later in  the period, and had several glorious chances around the  net, but couldn't convert on them with Zach Borgiel also coming up with some big saves on scrambles to keep it a two-goal game.  Neither team would find the net before the buzzer, with the shots in the period being 17-6 Capitals, for a 35-18 total in their favour after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs controlled the play early in the third period, winning the battles and getting pucks both in and out. The Capitals pressed just over four minutes into the period, and kept it up for a crazy five to seven minute stretch where Luke Pearson was so ridiculous  he almost defies description, coming up with save after save in every  way  imaginable to protect the lead. The Capitals would keep  pushing, and made  it a 2-1 game at 10:07 of the third as Dimitri Mikrogiannakis drove end to end up the  right  wing and one-handed it to the crease  where Pearson made  the initial save but John Lundy poked the rebound through Pearson and over the line. Dan McIntyre  also drew an assist on the play. The Capitals pressed for the equalizer, but Pearson continued to play fantastic, at  one point making a desperation save while losing his helmet on the goal line. The Capitals would  be penalized  for  goalie  interference late in the period, as Tanner Sidaway attempted  to  split the defence and carried into Pearson while attempting to keep his balance. It looked  worse live  than the replay showed, but a five minute major was called. The Bulldogs  for the most part didn't look good on the advantage, fighting the puck and not being able to generate  any offence. They would then be penalized with 30 plus seconds to go in the major and just under two minutes to play. The Capitals would call timeout and pulled Borgiel for the extra attacker, to make it a 5 on 4, followed by a 6 on 4 advantage at the conclusion of the major penalty. They would have their chances  to tie it, including hitting the crossbar with under 10 seconds to play, but the Bulldogs defended their net and Pearson made two more good saves at the buzzer to make the lead stand.


Third period shots were 20-10  Capitals, for a game total in their favour of 55-28. Luke Pearson earned 1st star honours with the win, while Zach Borgiel took the loss. The Bulldogs went 2 for 4 on the power play, while the Capitals went 0 for 5.


With the win, the Bulldogs snap a four game losing streak. They conclude their regular season tomorrow when they host the Nanaimo Clippers at 2:00pm.

____________________________________________________________

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 Capitals tonight at the Big Stick *6:00pm start*

It's the final regular season road game tonight for the Bulldogs (25-26-2-2, 4th Island) as they head down to Duncan to visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals (35-14-5-2, 1st Island) tonight at the Cowichan Community Centre.


The Bulldogs had last night off, last seeing action Wednesday night at home, where they lost their fourth straight, 8-4 to the Clippers.  The Capitals were in action last night in Nanaimo, where they dropped  a  last-minute 2-1 decision  to  the Clippers.


This is the eighth and final regular season meeting between the Island Division rivals, and a potential first round playoff match up, The Bulldogs are 5-2-0-0 head to head, while the Capitals are  2-2-3-0.

These teams last met January 22nd at the Dog Pound, a 5-4 Bulldog win in overtime. Before that, they met December 13th in Duncan, a 3-2 Bulldog win - again in overtime. The Capitals earned a 6-4 win at the Multiplex on November 30th. The Bulldogs won 6-5 in overtime in Duncan on November 23rd, and also earned a 4-3 win over the Capitals at the Dog Pound on October 25th. The Bulldogs won the first meeting of the season in Port Alberni 3-1 on October 5th, after the Capitals earned a 3-2 win in the first meeting of the season on September 20th in Duncan.

Catch all the action live from the Big Stick in Duncan tonight on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM, starting with our pregame show at 5:45, with the game action to follow after 6:00

Bruce MacDonald provides analysis while adding colour commentary, and I call the play-by-play. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is the final regular season edition of The Island Division This Week - previews, recaps, highlights and news and notes from all the BCHL's Island Division Broadcast voices, courtesy of Dan Marshall, voice of the Nanaimo Clippers on our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo. 

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

Talk to you from Duncan tonight! 

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 drop fourth straight, 8-4 to Clippers

The Bulldogs looked sharp in the early minutes, and drew a penalty just 2:08 into the contest. Their power play would unfortunately lose any momentum with back-to-back misplays at the attacking line. The Bulldogs would concede a shorthanded breakaway at the end of the power play, but Luke Pearson came up with a pad save on Tim Washe to keep it tied. The Bulldogs kept pushing the pace, and opened the scoring on a delayed penalty as a Tim Gould cross-ice pass was found and one-timed home from the left circle by Jacob Bosse before Jordan Naylor could recover. Affiliate player Luca Cagnoni also drew an assist on the play at 8:33 of the first. The Bulldogs had a handful of Grade A chances throughout the following minutes, but either couldn't hit the target, or beat Naylor to pad the lead. A big shot block in front of the Nanaimo net quickly turned up ice an a perfect outlet pass from Ethan Scardina sent Tim Washe in alone behind the defence, and he didn't miss on a second chance as he went backhand over the glove of Luke Pearson to tie it at 1-1 at 16:02 of period one, with Kyler Kovich also drawing an assist. On the ensuing faceoff, the Bulldogs drew another penalty, as Scott Mahovlich got his stick up in the Bulldog zone. They would make the opportunity count, with a great keep at the right point by Jimmy Rayhill. He would then take a few steps in before simply throwing it at the net, where Stephen Castagna deflected it home to make it 2-1 Bulldogs at 17:07 of the first, with Austin Spiridakis also drawing an assist. Shots in the first were 13-12 Clippers.


The Bulldogs began the second on the power play, but couldn't get anything going to add to their lead. The Clippers would get the equalizer just over seven minutes into the frame, on a giveaway onto the tape of Joshua Bourne, who walked right down main street  to the hashmarks where he beat Pearson with a quick release, blocker side to make it 2-2, unassisted at 7:06 of the second. Just 1:22 later, it was 3-2 Clippers, as the Bulldogs failed to get the puck out numerous times, the first hitting the Linesman and staying in the zone, before a giveaway at the net front saw an initial chance hit the crossbar, before the puck skittered across the crease where Scott Mahovlich tapped it home with 8:28 gone in the second, with assists to Ethan Scardina and Kyler Kovich.  The Clippers pushed for more, but Luke Pearson came up with a highlight reel windmill glove save on a cross-ice set up for Tim Washe to keep it a one-goal game.vThe Bulldogs pushed back to tie it, with Tommy Bannister battling the puck over the Nanaimo line up the right wing for Ryan Doolin. He would bounce a pass across the slot for Jacob Bosse, who batted a one-timer through Naylor to make it 3-3 at 13:54 of the second. Seconds later, it looked like it was 4-3 Bulldogs, but Jordan Naylor came up with a highlight reel save on an open net on Matthew Grouchy backhand to keep it tied. Just a minute later, the Clippers went up 4-3 when Ethan Scardina deflected a shot from the top of the left circle past the blocker of Pearson, with assists going to Trevor LeDonne and Kyler Kovich at 15:15. Less than a minute later it was 5-3 on a gorgeous three-way passing play on the rush that saw Robbie Drazer tap it in off the back post. Assists on the play went to Tyler Williams and Joshua Bourne at 16:05 of the second. The Clippers would tack on one more before the period was out on the power play to pad their lead, as Pearson made the first save with his left toe, but Bourne won a battle in the paint to slap it home to make it 6-3 at 19:43 of the second with assists to Tyler Williams and Steven Agriogianis. Shots in the period were 14-13 Bulldogs,  for a 26-26 total after two periods of play.


The Bulldogs were unable to trim the gap in the third before the Clippers further added to their lead as Tim Washe was allowed to walk in to the deep slot where he put a wrist shot through the blocker arm of Pearson to make it 7-3 at 4:25 of the third, with assists going to Brandon Dent and Kyler Kovich. The Bulldogs continued to fight it, and the Clippers took advantage of a giveaway by the Bulldogs at their line that saw Joshua Bourne again walk in to the deep slot, where he put a perfect shot top corner, long-side over the glove of Pearson and under the crossbar to make it 8-3 at 9:43 of the third, un-assisted. The Bulldogs would complete  the scoring in the final minute of play as Olivier Fizet threw  it across the crease where Jacob Bosse jammed it on net. Naylor would make the first save, but Caige Sterzer potted the rebound from the crease to make it an 8-4 final.

Third period shots were 15-12 Bulldogs, for a game total of 41-39 with Luke Pearson taking the loss while Jordan Naylor earned the win. The Bulldogs went 1 for 5 on the power play, while the Clippers  went 1 for 2.

With the loss, the Bulldogs have now dropped four straight contests.They are now cemented into 4th place in the Island Division standings.

The Bulldogs are next in action Saturday night in Duncan for a 6:00pm puck drop.


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 finally back home tonight to host Clippers

After five straight games on the road, the Bulldogs (25-26-2-2, 4th Island) finally return home tonight, as they host the Nanaimo Clippers (34-17-2-2, 2nd Island) tonight at the Multiplex, the first time the Clippers have visited Port Alberni since September 21st.

September 21st? That cannot be correct, can it? Incredibly, it is.

The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday afternoon in Merritt, where they suffered their third straight defeat, 7-4 to the Centennials.

The Clippers last played Saturday night at home, where they won their second straight, 2-1 in overtime over the Powell River Kings.

This is the seventh of eight head to head meetings between the teams this season. The Bulldogs record in the season series is 2-3-0-1, while the Clippers are 4-1-0-1. The last three games between the teams have been at the Frank Crane Arena. The most recent was January 31st in Nanaimo, where the Bulldogs dropped a last-second heartbreaker 4-3. Prior to that, they met on November 13th, a 5-4 Clipper win in a shoot out at the Frank Crane Arena. The previous meeting was a 3-1 Clipper win again at the Frank Crane Arena on November 1st. The Bulldogs won the two prior meetings, both at the Multiplex -  first by a 2-1 score on September 21st, which followed a 3-2 shootout win on September 14th. The Clippers won the season opener 2-1 at the Frank Crane Arena on September 13th.

After five straight games on the road, I cannot wait to get back inside the friendly confines of the Multiplex broadcast booth tonight - Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak takes the airwaves at 6:45 for our pregame show, with the game action to follow at 7:00pm. Bruce MacDonald provides colour commentary and game analysis, Dan Tisserand covers team and individual statistics and I call the play-by-play.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Justis Doucet, the play-by-play voice of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, who the Bulldogs visit on Saturday night. 

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

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

Bulldogs drop third straight 7-4 to Merritt

The Bulldogs came out inspired in the first couple of shifts, but the game instantly changed when they were penalized in the attacking zone in the first minute and change of the game. It would take the Centennials 19 seconds to make the power play count, as Scott Bird made the first save on a deflection, and a follow up rebound stop, but the second rebound saw no support as it was banged home under his pad by Evan Benwell to make it 1-0 at 2:10 of the first, with assists going to Payton Matsui and Talon Zakall. The Bulldogs replied to tie it up five minutes later, as a quick turnover at centre saw Matthew Grouchy head-man it up the middle for Mitchel Deelstra over the Merritt line. He made a rink wide pass to Ryan Doolin in the right circle, and he walked in and put a quick release far-side past the blocker of Ryan Winter to make it 1-1 at 7:08 of the first. It wasn't tied for long, as just a minute and change later it was 2-1 Centennials, as they out-manned the Bulldogs in their zone to steal the puck up the left wing wall. Jerzey Orchard would find Jake McLean below the goal line, where he set up Thomas Manty at the top of the crease, where he one-timed it through Scott Bird at 8:13 of the first. Five minutes later, the Centennials went up 3-1 on a similar play that saw Chase Nameth win a battle below the goal line to set up Payton Matsui in tight, where he one-timed it high past the glove of Bird at 12:13 of the first. Scott Bird would be called upon to make a couple big saves over the following minutes, as the Centennials kept pushing the pace  and the Bulldogs  struggled to catch up. They would get a critical goal to  get back within one late in the period on a hard working shift in the attacking zone by Chase Klassen, Caige Sterzer and Issac Pascoal. The shift ended when Klassen played the puck back to the left point for Jackson Munro. He went D-to-D across the line to the right point for Mattias Dal Monte. He would simply fire it at the net, where Isaac Pascoal deflected it home past the glove of Winter to make it 3-2 at 16:20 of the first. Shots after 20 minutes were 17-12 Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs had a fantastic start to the second period, but the Officials took over and a full on circus ensued for the better part of the next ten minutes. It all started with Mattias Dal Monte stepping up  to finish a check on Jerzey Orchard. Orchard immediately got up - and several  Centennials retaliated against him with punches to the head, ripping his helmet off. Dal Monte  would receive the only penalty, a five minute major for a blow to the head. Seconds later, Mitchel Deelstra and Christian Buono got tied up at centre. The Referee would blow his whistle, and point at both players and say "you're both going"  however, somehow only Deelstra was penalized, a double minor. The Centennials began a three plus minute 5 on 3 power play, which  brought about yet another Bulldog penalty - which didn't start until the previous penalties elapsed. The Bulldogs did a good job to kill off the Major Penalty, and were into the final seconds of the  double-minor, but it was just too much as Thomas Manty walked into the left side of the slot where he picked the top corner, far-side over the glove of Scott Bird to make it 4-2 at 13:45  of the second with Evan Benwell and Talon Zakall  assisting. The Bulldogs incredibly earned a power play later in the period, and while they looked dangerous, they were also too cute and couldn't capitalize on it. Shots in the period were 16-10 Centennials, for a total of  28-27 Merritt. 

The Bulldogs struggled to get going in the third, but earned a power play off a draw in the Merritt end six minutes into it. They would concede a short-handed goal on it, again being guilty perhaps of being too cute as they gained the zone, stick handled deep, and banked it back of the net where the bounce came to the slot and resulted in a 2 on 1 rush that saw Payton Matsui finish a perfect cross-ice pass from Thomas Manty inside the post, blocker side on Bird, who made a valiant effort to go post-to-post to stop it. The goal was shorthanded at 6:16 of the third. The Bulldogs answered on the power play 42 seconds later, as Austin Spiridakis potted a rebound in the paint, with assists going to Jimmy Rayhill and Jacob Bosse at 6:58 of the third to make it 5-3. They were unable to mount any comeback, before being penalized and allowing another power play goal with 7:30 to play as Evan Benwell re-rirected a Talon Zakall point shot low past the right pad of Scott Bird from the slot to make it 6-3, with an assist also going to Payton Matsui. The following minutes were fairly uneventful, until the Bulldogs made it a two-goal game with under a minute to play as Jacob Bosse drove the net off an Austin Spiridakis pass before putting a cross-crease feed onto the tape of Chase Klassen off the back post where he one-timed home his first career goal to make it 6-4 at 19:08 of the third. The Bulldogs would call time out and win the following faceoff, but misplayed the puck before the Centennials knocked it to centre ice where Payton  Matsui skated onto it to hit the empty net for the 7-4 final score, with Chase Cooke also drawing an assist on it at 19:40.

Third period shots were 16-9 Centennials, for a game total of 44-36 Merritt. Scott Bird took the loss while Ryan Winter earned the win. The Bulldogs went 1 for 4 on the power play, while the Centennials went 3 for 5 while also scoring once while shorthanded. 

With the loss, the Bulldogs have now dropped three straight games. 

They will next see action Wednesday night at home, when the host the Nanaimo Clippers

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 conclude weekend today in Merritt against Centennials

It's the final game of a three-in-three weekend today for the Bulldogs (25-25-2-2, 4th Island) as they visit the Merritt Centennials (12-38-1-3, 7th Interior) this afternoon at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in Merritt. 

The Bulldogs were in Penticton last night, where they dropped their second straight in heartbreaking fashion 3-2 in overtime to the Vees, surrendering the tying goal with 8 seconds left in regulation. The Centennials were in action last night at home, where they earned a 4-2 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

The most recent head-to-head contest was a make up game at the Multiplex on December 4th, where the Bulldogs stormed back from a 3-0 deficit after 40 minutes to earn a 4-3 win in a shoot out. The previous meeting was a neutral-site affair at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack on October 3rd, a 4-1 Bulldog win. 

It's always a challenge going into the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena with it's smaller than regulation ice sheet, so here's hoping the Bulldogs are ready to play from the outset today. An extra boost is always needed at the end of a three in three weekend, and I'm some energy can be passed throughout the roster due to the homecoming of former Centennials Jackson Munro, Mattias Dal Monte and former Centennials Coaches Joe Martin and Brandon Shaw as it's a special game for them. 

I'll be live at 1:45 today for the pregame show, in advance of the 2:00pm puck drop on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is the latest edition of The Island Division This Week - news, notes, recaps, previews, highlights - and more, from all the voices of the Island Division teams. As always, it's courtesy Dan Marshall, the play-by-play voice of the Nanaimo Clippers on 106.9 The Wolf FM

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

Thanks for visiting the blog as always! 

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