It's the first time on home ice since January 19th for the Bulldogs, (15-27-4-4 4th Island) as they return home after six straight games on the road to host the Nanaimo Clippers (25-20-3-3, 3rd Island) for the final regular season meeting between the teams.
The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night in Powell River, where they dropped a 4-1 decision to the Kings. The Clippers haven't played since Friday night at home, where they won their third in a row 8-5 over the Capitals, while running their unbeaten streak to four games.
This is the first meeting between the teams since January 5th, an 8-3 Clipper win in Nanaimo that was preceded by a 5-2 Clipper win at the Dog Pound two nights earlier. The Clippers have won five straight in the season series, and six of seven. The lone Bulldog win was at the Dog Pound on September 29th, by a 5-4 score.
It will certainly be nice to call a game from the friendly confines of the Multiplex - Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM begins with the pregame show at 6:45, followed by the puck drop at 7:00pm. It will be especially nice to have Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand back in the booth - not just for the camaraderie but also for all that they bring to the broadcast in handling the colour commentary and analysis along with team and player statistics, while I add the play-by-play.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Arch Ecker, the play-by-play voice of the Wenatchee Wild, who visit the Dog Pound on Saturday night.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The Kings had a dangerous chance just a handful of seconds into the game as a Buldog defender got caught stepping up at neutral ice and a dangerous rush and scramble ensued. The Bulldogs then pushed back, and carried the better of the play through the first five or six minutes, opening up a 5-1 lead in shots and getting a couple good chances around Mitch Adamyk. The Kings got on the attack later in the frame, and while the Dogs didn't give up much in the way of big chances, John Hawthorne was busy, and good, coming up most notably with a big save in tight on Nick Abbott. The Kings would earn a trio of power play opportunities in the back-half of the period - the Bulldogs killed off the first with Hawthorne again tested a couple times in tight. They were later penalized on a 2 on 1 rush where Carter Harris was penalized for goalie interference - it looked like in real time, and on the replay that Ben Raffler fell down, or dove to attempt to break up a pass, and if anything made more contact on Adamyk than Harris did. It brought about an interesting scenario, as Adamyk was forced to leave the game, bringing in Emergency Back-up Cam Stevenson. The Bulldogs didn't get a chance to test him though, as they were again penalized less than a minute later bringing about a 5 on 3 power play of 1:01 in duration for the Kings. The Bulldogs again killed it off, but couldn't get any momentum before the Kings opened the scoring as Mitch Williams carried the puck up the right wing below the goal line were he put a perfect centering pass onto the tape of Ethan Kimball who one-timed it through Hawthorne to make it 1-0 at 19:06 of the first, with Josh Coblenz also drawing an assist on the play. Shots were 18-9 Kings after one.
The second period saw the Bulldogs earn their first power play of the game, but it was quickly taken away on what looked like a great defensive play to block a shot by Darren Rizzolo. The Dogs killed off the ensuing penalty, but the Kings scored just a second later on a fortunate bounce for them, as Ben Thomas fanned on a one-timer from the hashmarks, but it worked out as a perfect pass off the near post for Gavin Rauser, who fired it inside the post before Hawthorne could recover to make it 2-0 at 9:11 of the second. The Dogs killed off two more penalties throughout the period, and had an opportunity of their own sandwiched in the middle that they threatened on, but couldn't get a bounce to trim the hole, coming painfully close when Keaton Mastrodonato hit the crossbar on a partial breakaway. The Bulldogs kept pushing after killing a penalty later in the period, and finally found the net as Paul Selleck won a draw in the Kings zone back to the left point for Luc Salem. He made a quick pass across the line to Mitch Oliver, who just flipped one at the goal where Jackson Doucet deflected it home to make it 2-1 at 19:26 of the second. Shots in the period were 16-15 Kings, for a 40 minute advantage of 34-24.
The third period saw the Bulldogs have a handful of great chances on odd-man rushes through the early minutes of it, but they couldn't make one of them count. The game stayed 2-1 until the midway point of the period, when the Dogs got caught with a tired group on the ice after an icing call. It would end up in their net just a couple seconds later when Neal Samanski won the draw right back onto the tape of Hunter Findlater, who picked the top corner, short-side high on Hawthorne to make it 3-1 at 9:08 of the third. Just 12 seconds later, it was game over as Gavin Rauser was knocked down below the goal line but out-fought a Bulldog defender for possession to find Carter Turnbull who walked un-touched across the crease where he lifted a backhand home top corner, far-side over the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 4-1 at 9:20. There would be no scoring the rest of the way, as the Kings made the lead stand.
Shots in the third were 14-6 Kings, for a game total of 48-30 in their favour, with John Hawthorne taking the loss while Cam Stevenson picked up the win in relief of Mitch Adamyk in earning 1st star honours. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 8.
The Bulldogs are next in action Wednesday night when they host the Nanaimo Clippers.
It's the second game in as many days between these Island Division Rivals, as the Bulldogs (15-26-4-6, 4th Island) once again visit the Kings (23-16-6-4, T-2nd Island) at the Hap Parker Arena.
These teams tangled last night, with the Bulldogs picking up a 4-3 overtime win to snap a three game losing streak, while the Kings saw their losing streak hit five games.
It's a 5:00pm game time tonight, so our broadcast of Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak commences with the pregame show at 4:45.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Chris Schutz, who spent two years in the Valley (14-16) before securing an NCAA scholarship to play at Robert Morris University starting last season. Chris has went through his fair share of adversity in getting his NCAA career going, as he was hurt last year, and then didn't get an opportunity to play. He decided to red shirt and transfer to UMass-Lowell, where he's finally getting to play and is off to a fantastic start with the River Hawks, scoring three times already in just ten games.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The first few minutes didn't see either team get anything in the way of good scoring chances, as both sides appeared to be feeling things out. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead on their first shot of the game just short of eight minutes in as Keaton Mastrodonato chipped the puck up the right wing for Bradley Ong. He would collect a rolling puck at the bottom of the left circle, and put a quick shot on goal high short-side past Mitch Adamyk. The Dogs had a follow up power play a couple minutes later on a hit from behind on Cole Poliziani by Neal Samanski. They threatened on it with a couple good chances, but couldn't find the net. The Kings earned a follow up power play, and while the Dogs killed it they couldn't clear the zone and get the player out of the box and back into play before the Kings tied it at 1-1 on a pass to the slot that was found by Carter Turnbull, who spun and put a quick backhand high past the blocker of Hawthorne. Assists on the play went to Gavin Rouser and Jonny Evans at 15:48 of the first. Shots after 20 minutes were 11-7 Powell River.
The Kings drew another power play early in the second, but the Dogs killed it off with John Hawthorne making a couple good saves in the paint. Off the next draw in the Dogs zone, the Kings took a 2-1 lead as Ben Raffler went D-to-D to the right point for Sam Pouliot. He put a quick shot on goal that Hawthorne stopped with his right pad, but Josh Coblenz beat his man to the net to slap the rebound into the open side at 2:32 of the second. The Kings would have the better of the play for the first half of the period, with the Bulldogs starting to push back in the latter stages of it. They would get the equalizer with just over a minute to play when Mitch Oliver rimmed the puck up the right side for Keaton Mastrodonato. He would chip it out to Bradley Ong to create a long 2 on 1 that saw Mastrodonato keep the puck to walk into the bottom of the right circle in tight where he put a perfectly placed shot top corner, short-side high on Adamyk to make it 2-2 at 18:56 of the second. The Kings would be penalized on the next stoppage, resulting in the Bulldogs having 1:09 of power play time to start the third. Shots in the second were 15-10 Kings, for a two period total in their favour of 26-17.
The Bulldogs didn't get anything going on their power play, but a minute later took the lead back when James Orban won an attacking zone draw. Christian Simeone would tip it back to the left point for Darren Rizzolo, who put a quick wrister on goal that was deflected off a King and in to make it 3-2 Dogs at 2:14 of the third. The Dogs did a good job to play with the lead- not sitting back and pushing offensively. Credit to the Kings for not quitting, as they pushed hard on a long extended shift late in the third that saw them get the equalizer when Andy Stevens had his initial shot blocked from the right point that he found again and beat everyone to the net where he cut across the crease and slid one home back hand-five hole to make it 3-3, unassisted at 18:04 of the third. The Dogs did a good job to push back against any momentum over the final two minutes to force overtime. Third period shots were 8-7 Kings, for a 60 minute total of 34-24 Powell River.
Overtime didn't last long, with the Kings having the first good chance that saw John Hawthorne stop Carter Turnbull after he made a nice move walking up the middle. Luc Salem would make a big desperation defensive play off the following puck drop to force a cross-crease pass off the mark, where it was found in the right corner of the Bulldog zone by Cole Poliziani. He would immediately step on the gas, and go end to end through centre and up the right wing to the bottom of the right circle where he put a pass off a King stick and onto the tape of Paul Selleck in the hashmarks, where he beat Adamyk with a quick release far side past his blocker for the game winner to send his teammates pouring off the bench to celebrate at 50 seconds of overtime.
Final shots were 35-26 Kings, with John Hawthorne picking up the win while Mitch Adamyk took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 3.
With the win, the Dogs snap a three game losing streak. The Kings have now lost five in a row.
The teams go at it again tomorrow night here in Powell River - a 5:00pm start.
It's the start of a mini two-game set tonight in Powell River, as the Bulldogs (14-26-4-4, 4th Island) visit the Kings (23-16-5-4, 2nd Island) for just the second time this season, and the first time since September.
The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday afternoon in West Kelowna, where they dropped their third in a row, 6-2 to the West Kelowna Warriors. The Kings last played Wednesday in Wenatchee, as they played a make up game that was originally scheduled to be played back in November, but was postponed due to travel difficulties for the Kings. The Wild sent the Kings to their fourth straight loss, 5-2.
This is the first meeting between the teams since New Year's Eve, a 3-2 double overtime Bulldog win. The night before, the Kings won 3-2, in
We'll bring the game to you as always on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - the pregame show gets the festivities started at 7:00, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:15pm.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Trevor Cosgrove, playing his Freshman season with the NCAA's Colgate Raiders. Trevor was a one-year Bulldog, but it was a memorable one as he was a dynamic and entertaining player to watch as he led the team in scoring last season from the back end.
Here's an example of what he was capable of...
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The Bulldogs had good jump on the opening shift, but quickly trailed just over a minute in on a bad luck goal on a centering pass from the bottom of the right circle that went to the top of the crease where it hit the skate of Michael Lombardi and went in past the blocker arm of John Hawthorne. I quick discussion by the Officials let the goal stand. I did not think there was a kicking motion, it just happened to hit him and take a fortunate/unfortunate bounce. RJ Murphy drew the only assist 1:52 into the game. The Warriors were immediately awarded a power play, but the Bulldogs came up with a big kill to keep in the game. The Bulldogs then earned a chance on the power play, but didn't look especially good on it. Later in the period, the Dogs passion and compete level came up and they earned another power play as of result of it. They looked considerably better on it, but couldn't beat Nik Amundrud. The Warriors would then take a 2-0 lead on a goal somewhat against the flow of the play that saw Willie Reim have an extra step in beating his man to the net, where he one-timed home a cross-crease pass from RJ Murphy, with Garrett Ewert also assisting at 14:42 of the first. The Bulldogs again earned a power play, with an obvious urgency in their game resulting in a couple solid chances, but an inability to get on the board. Another mad scramble in the final minute of the period failed to find the net, and the Warriors went up ice and scored against the flow of play as a pass to the hashmarks was found by Michael Lombardi, who snapped a quick release far-side off the post and in past Hawthorne to make it 3-0 at 19:45 of the first with Willie Reim drawing the only assist. Shots in the first were even at 12-12.
The Bulldogs were penalized just over a minute into the second on a big hit by Mitch Oliver on Lucas Cullen - it was clean, but the Referee manufactured an interference call on it. The Warriors would take a 4-0 lead as a result of it, as Parm Dhaliwal walked out un touched from behind the goal line at the right side of the net where he cut across the crease and tucked it inside the far post. Assisting on the play were Chase Dubois and Ryan Steele at 2:14 of the second. Four minutes later it was a 5-0 game as a Bulldog defender stepped up and got beat at his blue line resulting in a 2 on 1 rush that the Warriors worked to perfection as Parm Dhaliwal took a pass from Wyatt Head that he gave right back to him and head finished it into the open net near side. Also assisting on the play was Chase Dubois at 6:03 of the second. The Bulldogs answered just 21 seconds later, as Michael Sacco won a draw in the Warriors end that was helped back to the line by Bradley Ong. Spencer Hora would one-time it at the net, where Sacco deflected it inside the far post to make it 5-1 at 6:24 of the second. The Dogs weren't able to build any momentum however, as the Warriors padded their lead later in the period again on the power play as Parm Dhaliwal was set up at the side of the net by Chase Dubois, where he walked out un-touched and went high short-side past the blocker of Brock Lefevbre to make it 6-1. Ryan Steele also assisted on the play at 13:28 of the second. Shots in the period were 21-8 Warriors, for a 40 minute advantage of 33-20.
The third period saw the Bulldogs start with some jam initially, but they couldn't trim the deficit. They were subsequently penalized, but Brock Lefevbre was good to keep it a 6-1 score. The Dogs pushed on a nice odd-man rush to create a solid chance to trim the hole they were in, but couldn't cash in around the net, and ultimately were penalized for...... I'm not quite sure. The Bulldogs would kill it, and then another penalty later in the period, before earning a power play of their own. It would turn into a 5 on 3 advantage of just under half a minute when the Warriors were again penalized. The Bulldogs were all over the Warrior net initially, but couldn't get a bounce to beat Amundrud. They quickly connected on the 5 on 4 power play when Paul Selleck won the draw for Jackson Doucet. He helped it back to Timon Prexler at the left point, who went D-to-D to the right point for Mitch Oliver. He would put a quick shot on goal that was deflected home in the paint by Christian Simeone to make it 6-2 at 16:59 of the third for the eventual final.
Shots in the third were 15-7 Bulldogs, for a 40-35 game total in the Warriors favour. John Hawthorne took the loss before being relieved by Brock Lefevbre, while Nik Amundrud picked up the win. The Dogs went 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Warriors went 2 for 6.
With the loss, the Bulldogs have dropped three straight. They are next in action Friday night as they kick off a double header against the Kings in Powell River.
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
It's the finale of a three game weekend this afternoon in West Kelowna, as the Bulldogs (14-25-4-4, 4th Island) face the Warriors (23-22-1-1, 5th Interior) at Royal Lepage Place for a 2:30 puck drop.
The Bulldogs were in Vernon last night, where they lost their second in a row, 4-2 to the Vipers. The Warriors have played twice this week, as they were at home Tuesday night against Coquitlam, when they picked up a 5-0 win over the Express.They hosted Vernon on Friday night, when they lost 7-4 to the Vipers before having last night off.
I'll be on the air today starting at 2:15 for the pregame show - the puck drops at 2:30. Catch every minute of the action on 93.3 The Peak FM, on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey.
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
The Bulldogs had an early noticeable jump to their step, as they held an early lead in shots through the first four minutes of the game, with one good chance seeing Julian Benner dance over the line only to be stopped in tight by Ty Taylor. The Bulldogs continued to push, and drew a penalty short of the midway point of the period as Isaac Tonkin-Palmer was hooked from behind while walking in on net. The Bulldog power play looked dreadful for the first minute and a half, as the Vipers out worked them and won a series of battle to not concede their zone. The Bulldogs failed to quit though, and gained the zone on the rush with speed as Julian Benner flew down the left side and behind the net before putting a quick pass out front for Jackson Doucet. He put a quick one timer on goal that was stopped by Taylor, but he couldn't control the rebound as it went cross-crease to the far post where Cole Poliziani hammered it home to make it 1-0 Bulldogs at 10:11 of the first. The Vipers would push and tie the game later in the period, on a sharp angle chance through traffic by Connor Marritt that found the post short-side to make it 1-1, with assists to Alex Swetlikoff and Coleton Bilodeau at 14:01 of the first. The Bulldogs pushed right back, and a fantastic save by Ty Taylor kept it tied as he stopped Jackson Doucet on a deflection attempt on the doorstep on the rush off a pretty set up by Cole Poliziani. The Bulldogs earned a late period power play, and threatened on it but couldn't cash in before the buzzer. The Vipers were penalized at the buzzer, as Mitch Andres was whistled for being an ineligible player for not leaving the ice after losing his helmet. Shots in the first were 19-10 Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs once again connected on the power play to take the lead, just over a minute into the frame as Mitch Oliver kept the puck in at the right point and found Jackson Doucet on the right half wall. He would feed it below the goal line for Julian Benner, who took one quick step out front and swept a wrap around through Taylor to make it 2-1 Bulldogs at 1:21 of the second. The Vipers answered to tie the game four minutes later, after a long shift in the Bulldog zone and a post hit that stayed out, as Mitch Andres put a slap shot on goal from the top of the line that beat a screened Lefevbre top corner, long-side over his glove to make it 2-2 at 5:05 of the second, with the lone assist going to Brett Stapley. The Vipers continued to push, and drew a penalty and what they thought was a goal in what was a crazy sequence. I was surprised at the penalty call, as Spencer Hora dove on a Viper who had a step on him and got nothing but puck to break up the play. The arm went up anyway, and the Vipers pressured. Brock Lefevbre would make a save in the crease, the Bulldogs would appear to have possession of the puck, and the puck went to the crease again where Lefevbre was bumped out of position before a rebound went in. After a long discussion, the goal was waved off. I thought initially it was for contact in the crease, but the announcement in the building was due to the Bulldogs having had possession of the puck - I'm not sure that's a call that can actually be made after the fact though, and not in the moment. In the end, it didn't stay tied long. While the Dogs killed the penalty, the Vipers connected soon afterwards as Chris Jandric carried the puck end-to-end and back of the Bulldogs net where he was hit off of it, only to have Jimmy Lambert find it. He walked across the top of the line and to the deep slot where he fired a wrister high over the glove of Lefevbre to make it 3-2 Vernon at 7:56 of the second. Less than a minute later it was 4-2 as a Jordan Sandhu rush down the right wing was defended well by Darren Rizzolo, but the loose puck from the side of the net was found by Derek Brown. He put a quick wrist shot on goal that eluded Lefevbre seven hole to make it 4-2 at 8:51 of the second, with assists to Jordan Sandhu and Jack Judson as John Hawthorne entered the game in relief. He would be very busy for the remainder of the period, and rock solid to keep it a two-goal deficit into the third. Shots in the period were 21-6 Vernon, for a 40 minute edge of 31-26.
The third period saw the Vipers push throughout almost the bulk of the first 15 minutes of it, getting plenty of attack zone time and a good amount of opportunities around John Hawthorne but he was fantastic to keep the Bulldogs in it. The Dogs earned a power play with nine minutes gone in the period and a huge chance to get back into it. They couldn't generate much, or anything on it however. The Bulldogs didn't quit, and generated a couple Grade A chances with under four minutes to play - the first of which saw Julian Benner make a drop pass to Keaton Mastrodonato on the rush that he rang off the crossbar behind Taylor, but it stayed out. Later in the shift Mitch Oliver put a puck on goal that Taylor allowed a fat rebound on to the hashmarks for a wide-open Mastrodonato. Taylor would come up with a fantastic glove save to keep it 4-2. The Dogs would be given a major penalty with just under three minutes to play when Tyler Vanuden was called for boarding on Jagger Williamson who appeared to admire his own dump in and not protect himself as he put the puck in from centre. The Bulldogs quickly attacked and pulled their goalie, and had another series of near misses around the Vernon net resulting in a penalty to Ty Taylor to make it a 5 on 4 for the final minute and change. They pushed to the final buzzer, but couldn't beat Taylor as the Vipers held the lead to the final buzzer.
Final shots were 43-32 Vernon, with Brock Lefevbre taking the loss while Ty Taylor picked up the win. The Bulldogs went 2 for 4 on the power play, while Vernon went 0 for 3.
The Bulldogs conclude their weekend tomorrow afternoon in West Kelowna for a 2:30 start.
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
It's a big test tonight on tap for the Bulldogs (14-24-4-4, 4th Island) as they visit the Vernon Vipers, (30-12-1-4, 2nd Interior) one of the top teams in the Interior Conference at Kal Tire Place.
This is the second of three meetings between the teams this season, due to the previous meeting at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack on September 21st, when they played to a 1-1 tie.
Here's a look inside Kal Tire Place - formerly the Vernon Multiplex, and in this video, known at Wesbild Centre.
Note the somewhat unique, but becoming somewhat more common start time of 6:00pm. That means our pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet is on the air starting at 5:45pm.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is Trevor Miller, the play-by-play voice of the West Kelowna Warriors, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow afternoon (2:30 start) to conclude this three game road trip.
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
The Bulldogs began the game on the power play, due to the Silverbacks being whistled for a warm up infraction, as they didn't leave the ice before the clock hit zero. The Bulldogs looked flat on the power play, but struck with one second remaining in it as Luc Salem did a nice job to keep the puck in at the left point. Keaton Mastrodonato would support the pile, and chip it down the left side for Michael Sacco. He would pick it up and walk untouched to the net where he snapped one through the legs of Kyle Dumba from in tight to make it 1-0 at 1:59 of the first. The clock stopped late, so it wasn't credited as a power play goal. No assists were given on on the play. The Bulldogs continued pushing, and drew another power play seconds later. They would connect on it, on the rush, on a blown call at the attacking line as Paul Selleck appeared to take down a Silverback without the puck. Mitch Oliver head-manned a pass up the left wing for Julian Benner, who gained the line with speed before dishing off a perfect cross-ice pass for Jackson Doucet in the right circle, where he ripped a one-timer through Dumba to make it 2-0 at 4:05 of the first, with Paul Selleck - who didn't touch the puck, drawing the only assist. The Referees would immediately commence the even up, with Salmon Arm awarded a 5 on 3 power play for 1:16 in duration exactly two minutes later. The Bulldogs would kill it, with John Hawthorne coming up with a couple big saves, the most notable one on Rhett Kingston on an in alone net drive. The Silverbacks pushed with the power play momentum, and made it a 2-1 game soon afterwards as Nick Unruh located an end-board bounce back of the net and fed it out front to Grayson Constable, who one-timed it far-side past Hawthorne. 9:42 was the time of the goal, with Travis Halladay also assisting. The Bulldogs would again be penalized a minute later, nd Salmon Arm connected on it to tie the game as Akito Hirose put a slapper on net from the left point that hit a Bulldog defender and deflected up and over Hawthorne. Assists on the play went to Trevor Adams and Trey Thomas 12:12 of the first. There would be no scoring the rest of the way, with the shots even at 14-14 after one.
The second period started with a bang, with the Bulldogs restoring their lead just 55 seconds into it as Jackson Doucet threw a big hit at centre on Trevor Adams to knock him off the puck. Mitch Oliver would find it, and head-manned it up the right wing for Cole Poliziani. He would walk deep down the right side into the Salmon Arm zone before dishing off to the deep slot for Doucet, who fired a quick release long-side past the glove of Dumba to make it 3-2. The Dogs earned another power play quickly, and made quick work of it as Darren Rizzolo fed the puck from the left point to the top of the right circle for Keaton Mastrodonato. He would put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Tyler Vanuden, who ripped it home high into the open side to make it 4-2 at 4:25 of the second. The Bulldogs didn't respond well to the lead, as the Silverbacks pushed right back and forced them into a series of failed clears in their zone and made it 4-3 as Max Wutske put a slap shot on net from the right point that was stopped by Hawthorne, but Tanner Campbell found the rebound un-checked in front where he tucked it inside the near post. Demetri Kambeitz also drew an assist at 5:06 of the second. The Bulldogs would then spent the better part of the remainder of the period in the penalty box, penalized four straight times including twice in quick succession, giving Salmon Arm two more 5 on 3 power play chances - one of which was over a minute in duration on a horrible call that saw Julian Benner take contact at centre ice - not initiate it, but still be penalized. The Bulldogs would kill them all off, with Hawthorne coming up with a couple big saves, and his penalty killers coming up with big blocks and critical clears. Hawthorne would come up big again on a breakaway chance for Grayson Constable, protecting the lead. The Silverbacks would tie it with just 18 seconds left in the period on the rush, as Akito Hirose was stopped, but the loose puck went to Tanner Campbell, who beat Hawthorne short-side under his arm with a quick release to make it 4-4 at 19:42 of the second. Shots in the period were 17-5 Salmon Arm, for a 40 minute total of 31-19.
The 'Backs had a good chance for the go-ahead goal a minute into the third, but Hawthorne came up with a big goalmouth save on Tanner Campbell. The Bulldogs were again penalized early in the period, and once again came up with a big kill to keep it tied. They finally earned a power play a couple minutes later, and for the fourth time in the game connected on it as Tyler Vanuden sent the puck to the deep slot for Keaton Mastrodonato. He would put a slap shot on goal from the middle of the slot that was deflected home by Michael Sacco on the door step to make it 5-4 Bulldogs at 7:19 of the third. Once again, the Bulldogs didn't respond well to the goal for, as Salmon Arm tied it just over a minute later as Sol Seibel took a drop pass in the slot from Tanner Campbell that he fired in past the blocker of Hawthorne. Also drawing an assist on the play was Nick Unruh, at 8:34 of the third. The Silverbacks would take their first lead of the game with just over eight minutes to play on the rush as John Hawthorne made the first save with his blocker on Brandon Whistle, but Demetri Kambeitz beat his man to the net and jammed the rebound home five hole to make it 6-5 Salmon Arm at 11:51 of the third. The Bulldogs would push back and get the equalizer with just over a minute to play as Luc Salem went to D-to-D for Spencer Hora, who dumped it into the Salmon Arm zone where Michael Sacco found it off a defenders arm and walked in alone where he snuck it in through the legs of Dumba to make it 6-6 at 18:32 of the third to force overtime. Shots in the third were 8-6 Salmon Arm for a 60 minute total of 39-25.
Overtime saw the Bulldogs questionably penalized early in it, but once again come up with a big kill to keep the game going, with John Hawthorne coming up with a couple good saves to protect the tie. Overtime shots were 5-2 Salmon Arm. Double overtime saw the Silverbacks win the opening draw, and never lose possession as they regrouped and made a change before getting the winner as Trevor Adams walked out from behind the goal line and out front where he was stopped by Hawthorne, but was able to find his own rebound home and slide it inside the far post for the game winner and a 7-6 final at 1:22 of double OT.
Final shots were 47-27 Salmon Arm, with John Hawthorne and Kyle Dumba being the goalies of record. The Bulldogs went 4 for 7 on the power paly while Salmon Arm went 1 for 10.
The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night in Vernon, a 6:00pm puck drop.
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
It's the start of a three game weekend in the Okanagan, as the Bulldogs (14-24-3-4, 4th Island) visit the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (18-23-3-1, 6th Interior) tonight at the Shaw Centre.
The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night in Duncan, where they won their second in a row, 4-1 over the Capitals. The Silverbacks were in Langley on Tuesday night, where they won their fourth in a row, 5-2 over the Rivermen.
This is the second of two meetings between the teams this season. The Bulldogs took the previous meeting 5-4 at the Dog Pound on January 13th - which was the last time the Silverbacks lost a game.
The Bulldogs will need to be at their absolute best tonight - Salmon Arm has had a fantastic month beyond winning their last four games. Prior to that, they won twice and tied once in four games. They've lost only twice this month - to the Bulldogs, and 4-2 in Merritt.
Here's a look inside the SHAW Centre - back when it was the Sunwave!
As always, we'll have every minute of the road trip covered for you. Tune in live for the pregame show tonight at 6:45, on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Graham Turnbull, voice of the Vernon Vipers. The Bulldogs visit the Vipers tomorrow night for a 6:00pm 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 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
A fast start to the game, in a sold right out building. The Bulldogs had a couple great chances early, but couldn't convert. They earned a power play soon afterwards, and generated a Grade A chance of the end of it on a backdoor pass to Sami Pharaon, but Michael Corson came up with a big save. The Dogs earned another power play a couple minutes later, when Tate Coughlin high sticked Carter Harris, and then hit him from behind. The Bulldogs again generated a couple good chances on the door step, but couldn't get a bounce to beat Corson. The Capitals would get their best chance of the game at the midway point of the period as a centering pass was deflected on goal from in tight by Hugh Larkin, but Hawthorne came up with a big save. The Bulldogs continued to push the pace hard, and again drew a high sticking penalty. They again threatened around the goal, but couldn't get anything to go. Corson would also come up with a big save late in the period on Isaac Tonkin-Palmer on a 3 on 2 rush to keep it scoreless. The Capitals had another great chance in the final minute and change of the period, as David Laroche was set up in the slot but hit the post with the teams heading to the room tied at 0-0 after 20 minutes, with the shots 9-8 Capitals.
The Bulldogs were penalized twice in quick succession to start the second, with the Capitals going to a 5 on 3 power play for 50 seconds. They couldn't make it count, with the penalty killers doing a good job of not giving up much, and Hawthorne being rock solid when called upon. The Bulldogs earned a power play short of the midway point of the period, but again couldn't capitalize as the game remained deadlocked into the back half of the second. The Bulldogs would finally open the scoring with just over two minutes to play in the period as an extended shift in the Capitals zone with a series of battles won in the right corner resulting in a giveaway to the slot that saw Paul Selleck corral the puck and fire a quick wrister long-side past the blocker of Corson to make it 1-0, with Cole Poliziani assisting at 17:43 of the second. The Bulldogs had a glorious chance to build the lead on the next shift, but couldn't connect on a long 2 on 1 rush. Shots in the period were 12-9 Bulldogs, for two period total in their favour of 20-18.
The Bulldogs killed off a minute and change of a penalty to start the third, with two fantastic plays made - the first by Bradley Ong off the bench, diving to prevent a Ty Pochipinski breakway chance. The second was a great Hawthorne save on MacTavish on the doorstep. Another Bulldog penalty immediately afterwards was successfully killed off with a couple of great efforts by Christian Simeone. They would open up a 2-0 lead with seven minutes gone in the third on a crazy scramble around the Capitals net that started when Mitch Oliver put a puck on net from the right point. Corson would make the save, but kicked out a big cross-ice rebound. Cole Poliziani would have a wide open net, but missed short-side. Jackson Doucet would jam the end board bounce on goal from the opposite side where it was stopped by Corson. Paul Selleck would find the rebound, and jam it over the line. The Referee in perfect position behind the net immediately called it a goal. A long discussion would ensue, but the original call stood. Replays showed it looked to be the correct call. It was Selleck's second of the game, with assists to Cole Poliziani and Mitch Oliver at 7:00 of the third. The Capitals would earn a power play soon afterwards, and it changed the game as they made it 2-1 as Hugh Larkin collected a long stretch pass and skated up the right wing on a partial breakaway that he snapped far-side off the post and in past Hawthorne. Assists on the play went to Nicholas Wilson and Marshall Skapski at 13:03 of the third. The Bulldogs responded well to the Capitals momentum, and didn't give up much and in fact earned a fantastic chance to put the game away on a long 2 on 1 rush but Corson came up with a huge save on Carter Harris on a Julian Benner set up. Harris would take a shot at the whistle, and responded, and for some reason was the only player sent to the penalty box. The Capitals pushed hard for the equalizer, firing six shots on net on the power play but John Hawthorne was razor sharp to protect the lead before the Dogs put the game away shorthanded as Paul Selleck found a rebound in front and sent it up the left wing for Cole Poliziani. He would walk over the Capitals line and cut to the middle where he snapped a quick release low, against the grain inside the post on Corson to make it 3-1. Mitch Oliver also drew an assist on the play at 18:12 of the third. The Dogs killed off the remaining seconds of the penalty, and rubbed some salt into the wound on an empty net as Keaton Mastrodonato skated the puck to centre and head-manned it up the right wing for Michael Sacco who gained the zone and finished it off for the 4-1 final score at 18:56 of the third.
Third period shots were 12-8 Captials for a game total in their favour of 30-28 with John Hawthorne earning second star honours with the win while Michael Corson took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 6 on the power play while the Capitals went 1 for 7.
With the win, the Bulldogs have won two in a row, and now lead the Capitals by 11 points in the standings. They also snapped a four game road losing streak, going back to December 9th.
The Bulldogs are next in action Friday night in Salmon Arm.
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
It's the finale of a mid-season mini series between these teams, as the Bulldogs (13-23-3-4, 4th Island) head down to the Island Savings Centre tonight to visit the Capitals (8-30-4-2, 5th Island) for the third head to head match up in just four days.
These teams met last night at the Dog Pound, with the Bulldogs coming up with a 7-6 double overtime win in a wild and crazy game.
Not only is it sure to be a great game, just due to the implications on the standings, it's also sure to be a fantastic atmosphere with a sold out crowd due to Roger's Hometown Hockey in Duncan today. The Bulldogs again need to keep their desperation and work ethic at a higher level than the Capitals. Easy to say, and hard to do of course.
As always, 93.3 The Peak FM will be there to bring the game to you, on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey. The pregame show is on the air starting at 6:45, with the puck dropping just after 7:00pm. I'll take care of the play-by-play, Dan Tisserand will compile and provide team and player stats.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/ Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.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
