Dogs drop second in a row 4-2 in Trail, Long road ends Sunday in Merritt.

Trying something new....

Let me know what you think.

Good evening from Castlegar

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. WOW it's great to finally be off that bus! After the game last night in Quesnel the team boarded the iron lung and travelled to Kamloops, a 5 plus hour trip. At 3:00am plus, everyone was quite tired and ready to sleep in a BED. Wake up came at 10 and breakfast was at 11. Then, back on the bus by noon, and the long trip to the Kootenays began. After lunch in Kelowna and dinner in Trail, we got to the hotel here sometime around 10pm. What a trip. Huge thanks to Ron Sandberg for getting us to and fro safely, and to Bryant Perrier who not only has the associate coaching duties but also the roadtrip planning duties. Great meals, and well thought out to the last detail.

Two down, two to go. Tomorrow night the pregame show is on the air at 7:15, and the play-by-play is at 7:30. Then it's back on the bus and a couple more hours to Penticton. After getting in early Sunday morning, it's quick to bed, and up for breakfast and back on the bus to Merritt to the "Ice Box" for a 2pm start time Sunday. Then HOME.

How to listen through the FANZONE, Chiefs a class organization

I've had several people, namely Bradyn Melrose and Jordan Kremyr, who have had problems listening to our broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone. Two emails last night from these guys said the same thing "Hammer, all I can hear is Merritt, how do we get you?"

It's simple really, but don't feel bad guys as several people have had this problem....At the bottom of the Media Player in the FANZONE, lower left hand corner, there's a button that says "ALTERNATE AUDIO"

Click that and you should be able to switch between broadcasts.

If there is still a problem after you have clicked that button, please contact me in the PRESS BOX and let me know.

Hats off to the Langley Chiefs for being a class organization. In talking this week with Jared Harmon, the Chiefs Director of Marketing and Play-by-Play Broadcaster, I told him about the unfortunate incident that saw a young Bulldog fan get struck in the face with a puck last week. I was surprised but very happy to hear that the Chiefs showed up in town tonight with a signed jersey that they will deliver to her during the game tonight. Classy move Chiefs!

Almost game time, I gotta roll.

Hammer

Canucks home opener already controversial? Dogs host Cents. UPDATE: DOGS ADD COLLEGE BOUND PLAYER?

Imagine my surprise when I was doing my prep work for the broadcast tonight when I saw that the Bulldogs had a new player on their roster. Imagine my further surpise when I went to the BCHL webiste to do some research on this player and there he was, staring me in the face, as a feature player under the "College Bound" link. ??!!

"Alberni Valley Bulldog's Chris Moulson- Committed to Cornell for 2008-2009"

Nothing official yet from the Bulldogs or the BCHL. Except the aforementioned "College Bound" link. Welcome to the club Chris!

From the newswire this morning:



(BC-Canucks-Season) Say goodbye to that hockey fan in your family and make plans to meet again in June -- the new N-H-L season is underway and the Vancouver Canucks meet San Jose tonight. But the Canucks' home-opener is already controversial -- in part because of the team's new blue and green jersey, introduced last month. Team management has extended the new colours to the conference and division banners gathered by the team over the past 37 years. Purists are particularly incensed that the banner honouring Stan Smyl's number 12 jersey -- the only one ever retired by the team -- has also been changed from the yellow and orange worn by Smyl to the new blue and green. (Citytv)



Whats your opinion? I say leave them as is- Don't update in the name of fashion!

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The Bulldogs are back in action tonight, hosting the Merritt Centennials at the Pound. The pregame show is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM or the BCHL Fanzone at 6:45 with the puck drop at 7:00pm.

More of a preview is available by visiting the Bulldogs website and clicking on "Hammer's Preview"

Don't forget to bring a non-perishable food item tonight for the Bread of Life. Bring a food item and you will be given a paper airplane to toss for a chance to win Turkeys!

See you at the barn.
Hammer

Long Lost "Chuck Canuck" + other HHOF pics as Nucks open 07-08

Alright, here's what I believe is a long lost Canuck logo version, not from a jersey but from memorabilia. Meet Chuck Canuck. This pennant is way under a staircase with a bunch of other random trashy looking stuff at the Hockey Hall of Fame...hence the poor pic quality. I think it's pretty cool. New. At least new to me. I scoured the net 100's of google pages searching for "Canucks Vintage" and I couldn't find anything like this. Photo credit- ME!


Bottom mask in the above picture is Dunc Wilson, from the 70-71 inaugural season for the Nucks

Ah, King Richard!

That is a lot of pucks! Not all of the 802 pucks are the original goal puck, but the NET is actually the one he scored the goal on. Who was in net when this happened anyway? Sorry for posting this Nucks fans but it's history none the less, haha

Had to grab a picture from the "wall of pucks" at the Hall Entrance of my home town. Sarah touches the "lucky loonie" from the ice in Salt Lake at the 02 Olympics.

Man....this one gets me right fired up. Love John Ashbridge. Love the Drums. Love the Horn. Love the U2. Love the fans. Love the air raid siren. Man we gotta crank that thing up at the Multiplex. I can't even hear it. Maybe I can do some talking on that one.....Also must say I love what CBC does. Many other networks, and many other sports, they don't seem to care much about giving the viewer the experience of being there and watching the game. The intro of the teams onto the ice, the anthems....Seems it's just commercial time to them. Kudos to CBC.
Lastly, love Youtube!

hope you can appreciate this next video even if you aren't a Canucks fan, but a fan of "crowd energy" like me. Growing up in Manitoba I was never really a Canuck fan. Habs and Jets first, then Oilers because Cujo was there. 2002 or so watching the playoffs on CBC it was actually the CROWD that got me into the Canucks. The unreal atmosphere, the great "pop" from the crowd when the team came on the ice or scored a goal, the tradition of singing part of the Anthem, all of that got the passion flowing and next thing you know, I'm a fan!

It'sssssssssss AAAAAAAALLLLIIIIVVVVEEEE

The "Churchill" is goose bump city!
The addition of the Winston Churchill speech only improved what is already one of the greatest intros in pro sports today. Throw in the fact it was game 7, which made the crowd extra nuts. Love that air raid siren!

Long story short, I predicted this next one. From later on in game 7. When Jovo took the penalty, right when the video starts, a fan jumped off the wagon. I said "YOU'RE GONNA FEEL PRETTY DUMB WHEN THE NUCKS TIE IT UP WITH JUST SECONDS LEFT"

The rest is history. All 30 people at the house we were watching it at went nuts like you can't believe. We kicked the wagon jumper off the island. Or something like that. Although Calgary got the last laugh. That one still hurts. Man do I ever miss Chris Cuthbert.



PS- BOB COLE IS STILL THE BEST. Just imagine him doing Canucks games instead of Leaf games. I love Hughson, he will be the man for a long time. It will be great when Bob Cole goes out in style this year with him calling the Canucks winning the cup.

BOB COLE+CANUCKS

1 more. What a crazy moment is. Bob and Harry are great.

I won't say anything about Miller or Maguire on TSN. My momma always said if you can't say anything nice about your broadcaster brethren, don't say anything at all!

Predictions- I always say that predicting is for Nostradamus. But I will humour you.

Canucks win the Cup, and win the division. Anaheim wins the west.

I don't even want to go into the scenario of what happens if Bobby Lou goes down. I honestly wonder if Nonis or Vigneault or any other staff or fans have had a nightmare where they see Luongo go down, but it seems real. Yikes. Don't even want to think about it. But hey, take away any teams #1 and they are in some trouble.

Calgary will make the playoffs, based on Kipper alone. Not Keenan.

Edmonton will be closer than anyone thinks.

Leafs won't be in unless Toskala plays like Cujo.

Sens will be top 5 in the East again.

Habs will make it. Carey Price will end the season as the #1 goalie.

Thanks for visiting the blog. That's all for today. Two posts today. 7 games for the Bulldogs in 10 days starting tomorrow at home. Expect me to be scarce, but around!

If you pass along the "Chuck Canuck" logo, please give the blog credit please and link it!


Hammer

By Request for Patty: 2 for Kremyr in 22 | Canucks long-lost logo tonight!

Stephen Pattison saw my post yesterday regarding the COUNT request by Matty and dropped me a line regarding his request for Jordan Kremyr's 2 goals in 22 seconds against Nanaimo. When Patty came in to do his goodbye interview on the PEAK morning show he said that this moment was his favorite in his three years as a Bulldog. Here's the quote from the interview:

"it was so loud in that rink....I could just hear a buzzing noise...I couldn't even hear the horn, I couldn't hear the crowd, it was just a buzz"

Without further adieu, I give you the moment. What a crazy moment it was. I sound like a braggart saying "whatever you will do we will do better" But you have to understand the context and craziness of the moment. The Bulldogs were 9 and 0 at home. Nanaimo was 9 and 0 overall. It was a battle of the #1 and #2 teams in the league. Nanaimo came out early in the second and scored twice in 44 seconds, taking the entire rink out of it. Then cue Jordan Kremyr. The first goal was loud enough. The second one seconds later is impossible to describe. The crowd went nuts BEFORE it even went in! Just listen.

(A warning to Clipper fans, you shouldn't listen, you will hate this, haha)

CLICK TO LISTEN 2 in 22 seconds for Kremyr

Stephen Pattison is attending Brock University getting an education and playing hockey for the Badgers. Best of luck Patty! We will do an interview for the broadcast soon!

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Coming up tonight I will be posting some Canuck stuff, getting pumped up for the season opener. I believe that I have a picture of a long-lost Canuck logo that might be so rare that no one has seen it unless they have been to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It's hidden there, so you have to look REALLY hard for it. I will post it later. Not a jersey logo but merchandise stuff, vintage era. Not Johnny Canuck either!

Be sure to check back, and thanks for visiting the blog!

Hammer

By Request for Matty : "The Count"

photo: chilliwackbruins.com

I received an email last week from former Bulldogs Trainer/Therapist Matt Auerbach (now with the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL of course) asking me if I had any copies of the radio broadcast of the crowd in the Dog Pound doing "the count" in the middle of that incredible winning streak.

Yes- A good lesson in BACKING UP what you have on your computer. Even if my hard drive can't be saved, I still have all of those memories backed up on CD. I spent a good couple of hours yesterday going over alot of the moments from 05-06 looking for the fans chanting the wins and listening to other stuff. I found another crazy moment in my library that Stephen Pattison had remembered as his fondest memory as a Bulldog, a moment he called the loudest he had ever heard the Dog Pound. I'll get that on the blog in the future too.

Nanimo fans must read this and listen to these things and all of a sudden want to barf...All the best moments are against them! I've said it before and I will say it again- It says something about the strength of the rivalry and the Clipper fans should also take it as something to be proud about when it comes to their team. Not proud in the sense that they are coming out on the wrong end of these moments of course, but proud that it says something about their team and their program that someone's best moment and memory is beating THEM.

About the "count" It was just redonkulous to be a part of that winning streak- whether it was media memeber, fan, player, coach, TRAINER, etc. 20 games. That is a THIRD of the season. Just plain nuts. To be there watching it and be on that wave of emotion was an incredible ride to be on. Thinking back and listening back to this I realized that at the time I didn't realize how nuts the whole run really was. Yah, it was amazing. But when you are in the middle of it you don't realize that it might be a once in a lifetime thing.

Fans in the Dog Pound are the best, bar none. No doubt some out there will argue that till the cows come home. The fact that 90% of the people I talk to from other teams and other communities say Bulldog fans are the best is enough validation for me. Having heard the the "wall of noise" and the "ROAR" of the pound crowd is enough for me. If you have never been inside that barn when it really goes nuts- You just DON'T KNOW.

"It's all in the horn" you say? Feel free to watch the video below this post with the fans roaring on the ROAD. And that's a third of the crowd that is at home, in a rink with a high roof, also far different from at home.

And now listen to 2000 people counting in unison. CRAZY.

THE COUNT

Thanks to Matty for the request. All the best to you and Jim and the Bruins!

P.S. to Matty- Big Dog got me a Giants hat over the weekend. Don't make me wear it.

P.S.S. to Matty- No trainer since you has had the radio on like you always did in the room. Better pass along some of your tips on that one.

Hammer

04 Bulldogs playoff video, - fans nuts on road | We got a hard drive down! | backup your data | 7 games 10 days | Sad News Saturday

Yah I know, longest posting title in history. Lots going on right now. Check out this video, the last win of the 03-04 Bulldogs season. Great video on youtube from Nicole shows the roar from the Dogs fans on half the rink in Surrey, as the Dogs kill the rest of the clock for a road playoff win. I hadn't noticed the noise the fans had made at the time, just when I watched the video for the first time. Surrey would get the last laugh though.

Sorry that it has been a couple of days since I posted. A little problem arose Thursday when my hard drive starting making a noise like a dog whistle. I got the blue screen of death and my computer crashed. It hasn't worked since. I am crossing my fingers that Cliff from Dunbar Computers can save the old hard drive enough to give me all of my data back instead of setting me back to the dinosaur age. I have plenty of backed up data but one can never keep up with the amount of work I do on the darned computer. Go Cliff Go!

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Starting Friday the Bulldogs begin a stretch of 7 games in 10 days. Ouch.

When you realize that 10 games is 1/6th of your season, this 7 game stretch seems that much more important!

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Regarding the 6-2 loss to Victoria Saturday night- I think the most simple way it can be said is that the team just plain wasn't ready.

I was saddened when I heard the news that a gentleman had collapsed outside the rink before game the game and passed away.

I was shocked to later hear that the fan that was struck by the puck was the daughter of the man that found the collapsed gentleman and tried to save his life.

Thoughts and prayers go out to all those dealing with these incidents.

Dogs win first, Clips lose first.

The Bulldogs were 2-1 winners in Nanaimo Friday night. All of the scoring was on the power play with Daniel Moriarty making it 1-0 Dogs 14:01 into the first after killing off an early Nanaimo 5 on 3. The Dogs went up 2-0 7:46 into the second on pp chance when Evan Michalchuk drove wide down the right wing and cut to the net before sending it to Marcello Ranallo who was walking through the hash marks. Less than 1 minute later the Dogs were in penalty trouble again with Nanaimo going on an extended 5 on 3 where Eric Filiou banged in a rebound to get the Clippers on the board just past the halfway mark of the game. I'm sure that no one thought at the time that 2-1 was going to be the final score. At least I didn't. But with good team defense and good goal tending by Harrison May through the latter parts of the second and 3rd the Dogs made it stick. I said it at the time, and I'll say it again- anyone holding Nanaimo to 10 shots in the third period in that rink when they are up by 1 is doing something right. The Dogs didn't generate near the chances that the Clippers did but they are still improving game to game with the chances they are able to create. 20 shots on goal doesn't sound like much but Michael Garman did make several good saves, notably 2 breaks/partial breaks in the third by Evan Michalchuk and Matt Frydrysek. I committed a broadcaster cardinal sin by saying Frydrysek had scored on his chance. I had to ask him later how it didn't go in as it looked from my angle that he had half of the net to hit, with Garman looking to be on the other side of the goal and oddly positioned. Bottom line is that the goalie kept it out and gave the Clippers a last chance to tie it up. Harrison May was brilliant.



Here's the play-by-play of the game winner, courtesy and copyright 93.3 The Peak FM.

Click to LISTEN HERE

It's officially bed time now. Pregame tonight from the pound is 6:45pm with the play-by-play at 7:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM and through the BCHL fanzone at http://www.bchl.bc.ca/

Great job by the Bulldogs last night/tonight. Great to watch and great to be writing about a win.

Hammer

35 years ago today.....where were you?

I wasn't even born. But it seems like I was right there. Those that were alive no doubt remember it, EXACTLY where they were.

Thirty-five years ago today, Paul Henderson etched his name into Canadian history. So did the rest of Team Canada. It was on this date in 1972 that Henderson scored with 34 seconds left, as Canada beat the Soviet Union 6-5 in the deciding eighth game of the Summit Series in Moscow.



In the original broadcast quality, but a longer version.



Dogs in Nanaimo tonight. 7:15 pregame 7:30 play-by-play on 93.3 The Peak and the BCHL Fanzone.

I AM FIRED UP.

See you there/talk to you from there.

Send an email to the PRESS BOX

Hammer

2 more for Dogs this week,Hout family Roadie, Dogs new trainer, Clips go Pink, and more and more

Hello and thanks for checking the blog. Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I've been swamped with Bulldogs this week and the preview for the Dogs website (up now, check it out) and my prep work for this weekend, which sees the Dogs in search of their first victory as they are into Nanaimo on Friday and back home against Victoria Saturday. I believe that the first win of the season could come this weekend. The first two could come this weekend. The sky is the limit with this group if they continue to improve and work hard and buy in to what Alan Kerr and Bryant Perrier are selling. The overall 60 minute effort needs to improve. The work ethic needs to improve. The physical play needs to improve. The discipline needs to improve. The special teams need to get better, get that big goal and big kill when it's really needed. The goaltending needs to improve. The same could be said for EVERY team in the league throughout the season. The biggest positive I have seen from this group is the work they have put in to improve each day and each game. It will be a great season if they keep that up, and once that first victory comes they very well might turn the corner. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. The 05-06 Dogs team taught us all that, if we didn't know it already. The big key for the Dogs right now is finding a way to win at the START so they aren't too far behind to find themselves out of it at the finish- and out of the playoffs. Once you get in the dance, anything can happen, everyone knows that. The job right now is getting that first win and getting there.

The first win should've come last week. Up 2-0 after 40 against Powell River. If the Dogs came out a little more ready they might've won that game. If they stayed out of the box against Victoria Friday and if they would've gotten that big save when they needed it they might have won there too. As Bryant Perrier said on the post game show with me earlier this season "If if's and buts were Beers and Nuts then we'd have one awesome party" Or something close to that. Very true words. I guess as a fan and follower of the team you have to hope that the lessons being learned are sticking and the players are indeed learning from them.

Pregame from Nanaimo tomorrow is at 7:15. My second intermission feature guest is Burnaby Express play-by-play voice Eddie Gregory. Saturday at home the pregame puck drops at 6:45. Second intermission feature guest that night is Merritt Centennials voice Keegan Goodrich.
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What a story from the Hout family! (Kathy, Sam and Dena) I sat down yesterday and fired up the laptop to do some prep work for the 'booth Friday in Nanaimo. As I had that work completed I fired up the email and started to answer back all of the emails that were sent to me over the games last week. I always try to answer back those that took the time to drop me a line as I appreciate anyone who takes advantage of the email feature during the games. The Houts emailed during the game on Friday, so I emailed back and said thanks for emailing and thanks for listening...Kathy Hout emailed right back two minutes later as she was doing one last check of the email 5 minutes away from getting in the car (actually, Adam's car) before beginning an epic roadtrip from Ladera Ranch, California to the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. That's an approximate 1,400 miles one way. What a trip. They are coming up to bring Adam his car, to be here for his 18th birthday, and to catch 2 Bulldogs games in 48 hours. Sunday they fly out of Victoria back down to Cali. What a trip indeed! I really hope all goes well for them because it could be one of those "experiences of a lifetime" Now the Dogs just need to get a win or two and Adam needs a goal or two! Hey Houts- If you are reading this- Feel free to pick up a pack of those Marlobo's eh? I also know my friend Bulldog fan L.R.T would certainly consider a paying a sum for a pack of Miller Highlife beer. Both not available in Canada! All kidding aside- Good luck in getting to Nanaimo for gametime on Friday! The ferries are always an interesting scenairo when it comes to getting to the Island! If you don't get there in time and you have a radio tune in to our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo to hear Dan Marshall's great call of the game!

I know Bulldog fans will give the Houts' a great welcome so I don't need to even mention it!
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Dogs New Trainer

The Bulldogs announced on their website this week that they have found a new trainer. A big welcome to the valley and the team and congrats on the appointment to Jesse Moser!
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Clippers Go Pink

Thanks to my buddy Dan "thestatsman" Tisserand on this one.

From the Nanaimo Daily News

In support of the upcoming Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, the Clippers will wear pink laces during Friday's game against the Dogs.

Kudos Clips, Good on ya. Every team should do this!
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Wow, check out this story!

And our hero of the day award goes to Doug Sauter, the coach of Oklahoma City's minor-league hockey team who helped prevent a possible stampede of horses at the Oklahoma State Fair by biting one of the animals on its ear! Doug, coach of the Oklahoma City Blazers, was at the fair attending a horse show when he saw a Belgian horse break free from its reins. That caused a chain reaction that spooked other horses. A stampede seemed inevitable until Doug bit the ear of one of the spooked horses to stop it from stampeding. He told reporters, "That's how you stymie a horse. You bite as hard as you can, and it won't move." (The Oklahoman)

Who knew?
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URGENT-BBL-Winters-Suspended,
INDEX:Sports
Ump Mike Winters suspended for remainder of regular season over Bradley flap

Umpire Mike Winters has been suspended for the rest of the regular season following his confrontation with San Diego's Milton Bradley. The Padres claimed Winters baited the outfielder, who has a history of losing his temper. Bradley tore a knee ligament when his manager tried to keep him from going after Winters during Sunday's game with Colorado.

I'm very happy to hear of this news. It seems that all too often in all sports and at all levels that officials are given free reign to act however they want to the players/coaches/staff. I certainly won't name names or attack any certain leagues or sports with this. It's just how I've felt certainly more than a time or two in the past. Officials take HUGE amounts of abuse, don't get me wrong. If you don't get treated with respect of course you shouldn't give it back. It's the toughest job in the world, especially when it comes to reffing hockey. If you abuse your position of power and use it as a means to treat others with disrespect, you SHOULD be reprimanded, in my humble opinion. All too often it seems that leagues associations and unions PROTECT officials, no matter WHAT their actions. Again, I'm happy to hear that this ump has been suspended. By all accounts he baited the player, and to me, that's an example of abusing your power. The player getting injured was the manager's fault, but it was CAUSED by the umpire.

And that could be the very first and the very last time baseball will come up on the blog.
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I think I've written enough for today...I had a big "Ode to the BCHL Message Board" planned in light of the recent Caps vs Clips brawl....More on that later though!

Thanks as always for checking out the blog. Hopefully not too much reading for you today!

Hammer

Pictures/Play-by-Play from the weekend, Would you see the "Gay Hockey Movie"?

I agree Bernie, what the heck is going on here!

photo: Dennis See/Bulldogs Photo Gallery @ http://www.avbulldogsmedia.ca/

Dogs Tie it Up-great pic

photo: Shane Power of Lasting Images Photography

Now that you have the image, hear the sound, courtesy and copyright 93.3 The Peak FM:

Click HERE for the play-by-play on the 3-3 goal

More pictures from the Bulldogs tail gate party Sunday afternoon, with credit and thanks for all the following pictures to Dennis See. Be sure to check out all the great pictures/audio/videos by visiting the site

http://www.avbulldogsmedia.ca/

Interviewing Sawyer Eichel for the NEW Bulldogs SHAW TV program (more on that in the future)

Kevin Ross, Liam Brennan and Josh Pineiro hard at work manning the grill

The Bulldogs Booster club is always hard at work at events like this. Thanks to Garreth and Alice and the rest of the club, on behalf of the players!
Bernie giving Manny and Mandeep tips
All proceeds from the event went to a great cause, the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock!

Moving on- This is garnering plenty of attention recently. Would you see the "Gay Hockey Movie"? Sounds interesting to me.

'Gay Hockey Movie' hopes to score despite vicious remarks

Pics from the weekend, Dogs earn point with comeback, "Bulldogs This Week" tonight at Alberni Chrysler

Aside from all of my broadcast duties I also had the camera out this weekend taking pictures from both home openers. Enjoy.

New luxury boxes going up in Duncan. Are you listening City of Port Alberni/Bulldogs??!!!

BCHL Comissioner John Grisdale speaks

Alberni Valley Bulldogs President Andy Oakes addresses the crowd

Congrats to BCHL Volunteer of the Year, Gerry Fagan!

A great weekend of hockey for the Dogs and Caps and the fans of both teams. For the Dogs, they continue to get better and more competitive every game, which is a very good sign! They have their first point, next up it's the first win! Nothing like a comeback in the Dog Pound. Of course you don't want to be in that position. About the weekend- I'm just glad it's over. I think....

Here was my sked for the weekend:
Friday-
Morning show on 93.3 The Peak.
Down to Duncan for the game, Broadcast Game.
Home by 2am.

Saturday-
Morning show on 93.3 The Peak FM
On location for The Peak at the 23rd Annual Port Alberni Toy Run 11am-3pm. (best one ever, we counted 1018 bikes!)
Straight to rink after throwing on a shirt and tie for interviews for the broadcast.
Then did some TV interviews for a new SHAW TV Bulldog show we are working on.
Broadcasted the Game.
Home.

Sunday-
Morning Show on 93.3 The Peak FM
Back to rink parking lot to get more interviews for SHAW TV Bulldog show.
Wrote "Weekly Recap" for the Bulldogs website www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca
home to recover.

Today-
Morning show on 93.3 ThePeak FM
Write this Blog posting.
Interviews, planning, formatting for Bulldogs games Friday and Saturday
Beginning of writing "Weekly Preview" for Bulldogs website
Down to the rink to get audio from the coaching staff and players for preview article
Interviews and planning for tonights "Bulldogs This Week" at Alberni Chrysler from 6pm-7pm.

Tonights guest list:
A member of the Dogs coaching staff.
A Bulldog player.
Victoria Grizzlies play-by-play voice Scott Didmon
Nanaimo Clippers play-by-play voice Dan Marshall

and of course your emails HERE

Is that as boring as it appears? Throw in trying to deal with life's issues, and about 50 other work things, thats my sked for the last couple of days and today/tonight! I hope you tune into the show and I hope you email in.

I'll be in to the SHAW studios tomorrow to do some work on the Bulldogs show. More on that to come, but I hope you are excited of the news of this show being in the works!

Hammer

Dogs Gameday #3, Dogs make trade.

Hi and thanks for stopping by the blog. I managed to find the above pictures in the archives. They are from the Caps and Dogs home openers LAST year. I thought it was appropriate to post them today since the schedule is the same this year- Duncan Friday, Alberni Saturday. Should be some great fun!

Here's the PLANNED schedules for the broadcasts tonight and tomorrow. All times are approximate.

Tonight: Pre game show at 7:25. Puck drop at 7:50. Our second intermission feature guest will also be tonight's colour commentator- Rick Schievink. I will be replaying the interview Rick and I did regarding the Alberni Valley Hockey Academy. Yes, it was on the morning show, and also here on the blog, but for any fans that missed it I thought it was important to get it out there again. I figured that there would be no better time to run the interview again than during a HOCKEY broadcast.

Tomorrow: Pregame at 6:55. Puck drop at 7:20. My second intermission feature guest will be the BCHL Director of Officiating Mr. Frank Brodeurs. It should be a great interview worth listening to, as we will discuss new BCHL rules, rehash the old ones, and talk about officiating in general.

The Bulldogs made a trade last night sending Matt Thompson to the Burnaby Express in exchange for Lee Patzer. The Bulldogs have just put a media release up on their website www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca

That's it, very busy day, I must run- See you/Talk to you tonight and tomorrow!

Don't forget to add a comment, or send me an email during the broadcast or regarding anything else!

Hammer

**Broadcast time changes this weekend** + Bulldogs Tailgate Party

With both games Friday and Saturday being the home openers for the Caps and Dogs, our broadcast times will change due to the game start times being pushed back.

Here are the approximate schedules, according to Capitals Marketing Director/Business Manager Shari Paterson, and Laurie Smillie, the Bulldogs Director of Marketing/Public Relations:

Friday in Cowichan- Approx puckdrop of 7:50pm. We will hit the air with the pregame show at approximately 7:20pm

Saturday in Alberni Valley- Approx. puckdrop of 7:20pm. We will hit the air with the pregame show at approximately 6:55pm

Of course you should be in your seats BEFORE 7:30 and 7:00 Friday and Saturday respectively to catch the pregame festivities!

Thanks to Shari in the Caps office and Noreen Pelk and Laurie in the Dogs office for the information.

Dogs Tailgate Party-
This sounds like tonnes of fun for the Kids Sunday!
Bring the kids to the rink between 1 and 3pm for the party that will include a chance to play some Road Hockey with the players. Twiggly Wiggly The Clown will also provide entertainment. Bulldogs players will be signing kids up for the Bulldogs Kids Club as well. Lastly, there will be Burgers/HotDogs and a pop BY DONATION with all proceeds going to the Cops for Cancer, Tour De Rock

Gotta roll!
Hammer

Fired up for the home opener yet?

For those that have never seen the inside Alberni Valley Mulitplex (thinking about the Bulldogs players/families/friends/etc) or anyone that hasn't been in the rink in a while, I hope you enjoy this video- I took it with my feet right standing on the centre ice faceoff dot, I give you "Dog Pound 360" I really should get into movies I think....
I guess I put alot of thought into the VISUAL aspect of the rink and the game...My whole business remember is making people SEE the game, making people feel like they are AT the game. My belief is that if you see the rink in your mind you can better see the game in your mind.
The video starts facing the opposition's end of the ice....The end with the scoreclock is the Bulldogs end, as in- Dogs defend twice. The end with the catwalk and windows is the opposition end, as in-Dogs attack twice.



Man....this one gets me right fired up. Love John Ashbridge. Love the Drums. Love the Horn. Love the U2. Love the fans. Love the air raid siren. Man we gotta crank that thing up at the Mulitplex. I can't even hear it. Maybe I can do some talking on that one.....Also must say I love what CBC does. Many other networks, and many other sports, they don't seem to care much about giving the viewer the experience of being there and watching the game. The intro of the teams onto the ice, the anthems....Seems it's just commercial time to them. Kudos to CBC.
Lastly, love Youtube!


It'sssssssssss AAAAAAAALLLLIIIIVVVVEEEE



I hope you can appreciate this next video even if you aren't a Canucks fan, but a fan of "crowd energy" like me. Growning up in Manitoba I was never really a Canuck fan. Habs and Jets first, then Oilers because Cujo was there. 2002 or so watching the playoffs on CBC it was actually the CROWD that got me into the Canucks. The unreal atmosphere, the great "pop" from the crowd when the team came on the ice or scored a goal, the tradition of singing part of the Anthem, all of that got the passion flowing and next thing you know, I'm a fan!

Thanks for checking the blog!Don't be afraid to send an email HERE or add a comment below!
Hammer

Who are you, where are you from, and why don't you comment!

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Apparently people actually read this thing...Aside from a nice message board comment (Thanks Cam my friend, I really appreciate the props, thank you very much!) and the nice encouraging email now and again (thanks to the Hout's in Cali for the very nice words on Sunday) it seems that there's a few other readers/viewers that are unaccounted for. Whoever you are, thanks again for viewing/reading/etc. If no one was, then why would I be doing this? Still, don't be SHY people. Be interactive. Email me or post a comment/question/complaint/etc. I look forward to some feedback the other way every now and again. Of course I don't want anyone visiting this site to cause a fight or to bash me or the team or the league etc etc etc but I also don't want to just give YOU the reader what I think you want....Tell me. Help me help you, I think that how it goes? I try to give you a little hockey, a little personality, a little seriousness with a dose of lightheartedness, a little human-interest, some Alberni Valley pump-up stuff, BCHL thoughts, hockey in general, even a RANT now and again. All of the above coming to you in the form of pictures, audio, video, and last but not least and by far my weakest skill-the written word. As one fan said on the message board, I "won't be winning any nobel's" But that's ok, you understand me right?

ANYWAY, If there's anything else you would look forward to regularly or enjoy on here, let me know. If there is something of the above that you like more than others, let me know. Or leave me unleashed and loose and let me do my thing I guess if I am doing that good of a job! HA.

I have heard lots of feedback around town from the fans about Bryant Perrier's great interview on Saturday from Powell River. Being that it was the first time in the booth I had interviewed Bryant I didn't know what to expect really....The radio station on a nice sunny morn is different than in the press box after losing 4-1. Having said all of this- I found Bryant to be honest and articulate and intelligent. A coach through and through, but a good interview at the same time. That IS a possibility, you know?

By request- CLICK to hear Bryant Perrier on the postgame in Powell River. Enjoy.

I have to be up to do a morning show in 6 hours...sleep time.

Hammer

So I'm not Steven Spielberg....

....but I still think I did respectable job on this using just a digital photo camera on the video function. Oscars here I come!

Took this picture right after taking the video. Loading the good 'ole bus up again to head to Nanaimo on Friday. It's a second home come hockey season. We'll be back on it Friday to head down to Duncan Friday to take on the Caps at the BIG STICK.

A big THANKS goes out to Alan Kerr, Daniel Moriarty, BCHL Comissioner John Grisdale, and Cowichan Valley Capitals Head Coach and GM Scott Robinson for helping me make the first edition of "Bulldogs this week" a roaring success last night. Thanks to the folks at Alberni Chrysler Dodge Jeep for hosting us and sponsoring the show, thanks to Diane from The Peak and thanks to Dan "the stats man" for dropping by. Final thanks goes out to The Baileys who sent in a great question for Head Coach/GM Alan Kerr via email that coach even hung around for an extra minute to answer on the air.

That's about it for today. Back to the rink again this afternoon to grab some audio for "Hammer's Preview" that will be on the Bulldogs website later this week teeing up this weekend.

Hammer

Bulldogs start 0 and 2, BULLDOGS THIS WEEK is BACK 6-7pm tonight, May's new gloves, the worlds best soup?

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. The Bulldogs opened the season over the weekend with losses in Nanaimo Friday and Powell River Saturday. For my recaps on those games please visit the Bulldogs website and click on "Hammers Recap" to see what happened.

After everyone got the jitters and nerves out in the first game in Nanaimo I thought that everyone looked better Saturday in Powell River. That's what it's going to be about for this group- getting better every night.

This week of action sees two games- a home and home set beginning in Duncan Saturday against the Caps, before heading back to Port Alberni Saturday FINALLY for the Dogs home opener. Should be fun as always.

"Bulldogs this week" is BACK! Now, for those that probably don't know it was even gone, here's the background- In 2004-2005 the radio station (then CJAV AM) produced a 2 hour Monday night "Bulldogs This Week and BCHL This Week" show that was hosted by yours truly at the radio station. We brought on a host of guests locally and league-wide to talk BCHL and hockey in general. Due to a variety of reasons the show was put on the shelf for the last couple of years. Now, it's back, and I'm excited to be hosting it again. We have made some changes, namely- the show is only 1 hour long, and it will now be ON LOCATION at Alberni Chrysler, located "at the top of the town" in Port Alberni by the Tourist Info Centre. We have plans as the show progresses to open it up for the public to come by and watch, and even ask a question or two. For the first week though, we intend to just do the show and get the kinks out of the way. You are welcome to send an email for me or my guests HERE if you have any questions. Also, I am always open to any suggestions/complaints/ideas. Bring 'em on!

Tonights guests will be:
Dogs head coach/GM Alan Kerr
Bulldogs forward Daniel Moriarty
BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale
Cowichan Valley Capitals Coach/GM Scott Robinson

It should be a lot of fun! Big thanks to the radio station staff for making it happen, for Alberni Chrysler for coming on board, and last but no least the Bulldogs organization for their commitment and involvement. Without them, there is NO SHOW.

I have to run as I'm in the process of getting read for the show, but I have a couple of pictures for you.

First, I give you the new gloves belonging to Bulldogs Goalie Harrison May. I LOVE the "MayDay" stitching. You see, I take credit for "MayDay" being Harrison's nickname. Last season the boys were calling him "Dirty Harry" (yes after the Eastwood character) but I thought MayDay was much more appropriate. Harrison, I expect my royalty check any minute now.


I give you the "worlds best soup" (in my humble opinion) It's the "Roasted Scallop" soup first discovered by Matt Auerbach when he was the Dogs trainer. I made sure the tradition of the staff and support guys getting the soup lived on last year, and I raved about it enough this year that we got to have it again on Saturday. Honestly, I would go to Powell River and back just for this stuff. It sure tastes better than the picture might lead you to believe, trust me! No one else thought it was as good as I did....Must be due to how much I pumped it up ahead of time!
Don't forget "Bulldogs This Week" tonight at 6pm on 93.3 The Peak FM. The show might actually make it onto the BCHL Fanzone tonight under "Live Shows" It will surely be there in the future for fans and parents outside Port Alberni, but I'm not sure if the league and station can swing it for tonight. I really did my best with that one, but it's out of my hands.

Thanks for reading the blog!
Hammer