Fans plan Rally for Dogs, Evan Pighin situation, former BCHL'er Brad Thiessen player of the week..

Yikes haven't posted since Saturday! Been busy, my apologies!

Lets start first off with this, an Email from Nancy - only in Port Alberni does something like this happen!

Hi Evan:

We are going to have a rally for the Bulldogs, sort of like a sendoff on the summit, but they are leaving Thursday morning, so we have decided to have the rally at the end of their practice on Wednesday. Do you think you could really promote it on the radio and on your blog? We are asking everyone to meet in the lobby at the arena at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday Oct 22nd and we`ll all go into practice together at around 4:15. Hopefully it will help the guys for their road trip.

What an outstanding idea! It's on the blog and on the radio already! So tell one tell all please and get down to the rink Wednesday afternoon!

Don't remember or know what the "Send off at the Summit" is? Take a look at this video, from the 2005-2006 season.

(PG rating, mild language)






Thanks to Danno for sending me this update on the Evan Pighin situation. He's finally cleared to play for the Grizzlies. Read all about it from this article from the Victoria Times Colonist HERE


Not Bulldog related, but BCHL related...A nice little story here on former BCHL'er Brad Thiessen, recently named Hockey East Player of the Week


Nice to get an update from Bulldogs Head Coach Bryant Perrier last night on the state of Josh Pineiro's health. I didn't want to talk on here about the situation as I didn't know what was public knowledge or what the team wanted to share.

As Bryant said on the show last night, Josh is one tough hombre and proved it Saturday as he went through the pain of a dislocated jaw after an elbow to the face by Victoria Grizzlies d-man Todd Gebert.

For over half an hour the doc at the rink tried to get the jaw back in but couldn't. An overnight hospital stay in Victoria was the end result. What a way to spend a Saturday night.

Bryant also stated on the show that the Bulldogs have sent the tape to Dave Sales in the BCHL office with a request that the league look at the incident.

More news to come on this situation when I get it.

Hammer

Clippers down Dogs, Dogs @ Victoria tonight, Hockey Canada suspends Evan Pighin...again

"take away two glaring up-the-middle giveaways, and that was a 2-2 game"

Those words were spoken to me after the game by someone from the Nanaimo Clippers side of the puck.

I agree. And in my opinion you can truthfully look at almost every Bulldogs loss this season and there would be two or so crucial mistakes each game that have ended up in the puck in the back of the net. And ultimately a loss at the end of the night.

I thought the Bulldogs played well again last night. I don't think two goals is going to do it on most nights for this club though. Or any club. I think with the way they've solidified their defense and the way their goaltending can play that three goals might be enough for some wins though. As long as you cut out the mistakes. If you have to work so hard to score 2 or more, you had better not be making 2 or more mistakes a game that lead to goals against.

In the Nanaimo Daily News today, Clippers Head Coach and GM Bill Bestwick said about last night's game: "Alberni outplayed and outworked us, make no mistake about that"

Read the whole story by Michael Rhode by CLICKING HERE

Moving along..

The never ending circus.

Evan Pighin has had his suspension reinstated by Hockey Canada.

A great update on the situation by Sharie Epp in the Times Colonist newspaper can be read RIGHT HERE

Thanks to my friends Bruce and Danno for keeping me up to date with the newspaper links.

The Dogs face the Pighin-less Grizzlies tonight at Bear Mountain Arena. Catch the pregame show at 6:55 and the play-by-play at 7:10 on Port Alberni Safeway Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM

Hammer

Bulldogs This Week debuts TONIGHT on THE PEAK with Captain announcement, News on Harrison May+Evan Pighin, Doug Krantz to Boston Bruins Rookie Camp..

Just way too much to fit into one title!

First off - I'm excited to begin some "official" Bulldogs coverage tonight on 93.3 THE PEAK FM with the debut of "Bulldogs This Week" from 6pm to 7pm.

Bulldogs This Week runs every Monday night from 6pm to 7pm from now until the end of the Bulldogs season, barring conflicts with Vancouver Canuck Broadcasts, holidays, or any conflicts with the Bulldogs team schedule.

This is a significant commitment by Bryant Perrier and the Bulldogs organization. It may not seem like much, but tying up your Monday night from now to March is no small thing. I am thankful and appreciative that Bryant and the team see this show as an important thing to do for the fan base, and I hope you appreciate it too.

I phoned Bryant a couple of weeks ago to make sure that he and the team would committ to the show for the season, as without them the show just simply wouldn't happen. The words were barely out of my mouth before Bryant answered "of course we're in, whatever we can do Hammer"

Thanks BP.

Tonight's guest line up -

Bulldogs GM Alan Kerr leads off the show. Bryant Perrier follows him up. Along with all the chat about training camp and exhibition and the season starting Friday, Bryant will also be making an announcement regarding the team Captain for the upcoming season.

Whoever the Captain is, he'll join me in the next segment.

I don't know who it is, so don't ask!

I'll finish off the show with what is sure to be an interesting interview with my final guest - Victoria Grizzlies General Manager Jackson Penny.

Of course the Grizzlies are the Bulldogs opposition for their season opener at The Pound this Friday. They are also the 2009 RBC Cup hosts. They are also in the middle of the Evan Pighin controversy. So we'll have plenty to talk about.

Send all your questions in for myself of my guests by sending me an email HERE

Again, this is all tonight from 6pm to 7pm on 93.3 THE PEAK FM. Listen anywhere in the world to the show through our website by clicking the LISTEN LIVE link at http://www.933thepeak.com/



Speaking of Evan Pighin....

News has come down today that he'll be getting a tryout with the New York Rangers. This one comes from the Nanaimo Daily News.

CLICK HERE TO READ IT.

Here's some more Bulldogs news, a piece done by Michael Briones in the Alberni Valley Times.

In the story Bryant Perrier reveals that goaltender Harrison May won't be back in a Bulldogs jersey this season. May was recently cut by the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, and he's now at home awaiting a trade.

Bryant also talks about Matt Frydrysek returning to the Red Black Copper and White.

To read it all - CLICK THIS LINK

DOUG KRANTZ TO ATTEND BOSTON BRUINS ROOKIE CAMP!!

(Krantz on the bench at Madison Square Garden in New York last season as the Cornell Big Red take on Boston College, what a picture!)

I was ecstatic to get this email this morning from Doug's dad Randy.

Hello Hockey Fans (As the Cornell Announcer says each game),

Hockey must be getting close to regular season for P.A..I know you are all excited.

Passing on news that Doug was invited to attend the Boston Bruins Rookie Camp beginning September 15.If interested,you can go on the Bruins site and under 'news' find the 'Training Camp Rosters And Schedule'.

Doug is looking forward to playing with the Regulars as part of his schedule.He has been in Ithaca all summer working out, working part time and golfing(not a bad life:) Finally, managed to get his weight up to 215 lbs. I have not hassled with him since he turned me upside down so fast, didn't know what happened.

Have a great year with the Bull Dogs,

Randy

Way to go Dougie, and good luck! I'll never let you forget when I beat you on the Front 9 buddy! HA. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Doug makes exhibition, makes the team, makes the AHL...Nothing surprises me about Dougie. Anyone that watched the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the 02-03 and 03-04 seasons knows what he's capable of and how far he's come!

Hammer