Dogs win second straight, 5-3 over Smoke Eaters, Atom/Peewee Dogs tourney continues

A fast start to this contest for the Dogs as they were inspired and carried the play in the early minutes running up an early 5-1 advantage in shots. They would take a 1-0 lead off a face off in their end that was actually won back to the line by the Smoke Eaters. A point shot was blocked by Chris Shutz, who put a perfect pass onto the tape of Scott Clark who flew the zone and snuck behind the Smokies defence. Clark would beat Adam Todd with a beautiful shot and a quick release, top corner glove side on Todd to make it 1-0 at the 6:47 mark of the first. The Dogs had a glorious chance off the ensuing draw to go up 2-0 on a partial break for Zak Bowles, but he just missed the net. The Smoke Eaters would get on the board to tie it at 1-1 on another faceoff in the Dogs end, this time retrieved out of the right corner and thrown to the top of the crease to a wide open Scott Davidson. Billy Christopolous would make the first save, but Davidson found his own rebound and poked it home before any help arrived. Assists on the play went to Charlie Zuccarini and Bryan Basilico at 9:20 of the first. The goal appeared to inspire the Smokies, as they pushed hard and had several good chances before finding the net to take a 2-1 lead as Jeremy Lucchini put a perfect pass to the side of the net to a wide open Bryan Basilico for a 2 on 1 down low. Darian Henry would make a great play to go down to one knee to block Basilico's attempted cross-crease pass, but the puck would end up right back onto the tape of Basilico who fired it into the open side. The only assist on the play went to Scott Davidson at 13:05 of the first. The Dogs would draw a penalty a minute later, but the first minute and change of the power play sputtered and struggled to gain the Smoke Eaters zone. They would stick with it and simplify it, and were rewarded with the game tying goal before the power play was out with a lucky bounce of their own as Zach Funk dug the puck loose and put it back to the left point to Garrett Halls. He would go cross-ice onto the tape of Troy Dobbs, who put a wrist shot at the net that was deflected by Josh Adkins off a Smoke Eater and in for a 2-2 tie at 16:17 of the first. Shots favoured the Smoke Eaters 14-12 through 20 minutes. 

The Bulldogs came out with a considerable jump in their step to start the second, as they were winning all the races to the pucks and all the battles, hemming the Smoke Eaters in their zone for extended periods. There would be no scoring through the first half of the period, but the Bulldogs persisted and were rewarded for it as Darian Henry skated the puck out from behind the Dogs net and carried it through centre ice before dishing off to Everett Putz over the Smokies line. Henry would drive the slot and take a return pass from Putz that he fired past the blocker of Todd to make it 3-2 Dogs at 13:57 of the second. The Smoke Eaters would be awarded a power play after an after-the-whistle skirmish, but a solid Dogs penalty kill protected the lead. They would find the net once more before the period was out when Evan Tironese made a nifty pass to send Mitch Makin to the net, where he cut to his backhand only to have Adam Todd make a great save with his left toe to keep it out. He couldn't control the rebound though, as Chris Schutz drove the net and tapped it over the line to make it 4-2 Dogs at 19:08 of the second. The Dogs led the shots 25-20 after two periods, out shooting the Smokies 13-6 through the frame.

The third period in the early minutes resembled the second, as the Dogs carried the bulk of the play and didn't give up much in the way of chances as they carried the two goal lead past the midway mark of the period. They continued to control the play, but much like the night before all it took was one let down and the Smokies made them pay and all of a sudden made it a one-goal game with 4:49 to play as Christopolous made two saves but couldn't get any help as Charlie Zuccarini poked the rebound home at the side of the net to make it 4-3 with 4:49 to play with assists going to Viktor Dombrovskiy and and Griffyn Martin. The Smokies would go to a power play just seconds after the ensuing puck drop at centre, but the Dogs did a fantastic job against the leagues #1 power play unit, not giving up much in the way of chances and getting the puck out when the opportunity presented itself. Right after the kill, it was game over as Eric Margo made a great read to pick the puck off in the Smokies zone and throw a shot on net that was stopped by Todd, but the rebound went right onto the tape of Evan Tironese who tapped it over the line for a 5-3 lead with 2:27 to play for the final score.

Shots favoured the Dogs 38-30, with Billy Christopolous picking up the win and second star honours for the second night in a row while Adam Todd took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Smoke Eaters went 0 for 5.

The Dogs are next in action Friday at home when they kick off a home and home set with the Capitals and a three in three weekend as the Spruce Kings visit the Dog Pound next Sunday.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, and don't forget the Atom and Peewee Bulldogs continue to host their tournaments tomorrow and Monday at the Multiplex with the Atoms playing at 12:45 and the Peewees playing at 9:15. I'm thankful for family, friends, fans, great hockey and a couple of wins...and my first day off since September!

Hammer

Line up Dogs host Smokies

Bulldogs host Smoke Eaters tonight at the Pound, Tryg Strand interview

It's the first time this season that fans can come to the rink on back-to-back nights to follow their team as the Bulldogs (3-4-0-0, 3rd Island) host the Trail Smoke Eaters (4-2-0-0, 5th Interior) tonight at the Dog Pound. It's the second game of a three game home stand that concludes next Friday when the Dogs host Cowichan to kick off a home and home set with the Capitals.

The Bulldogs topped the defending Fred Page Cup Champion 3-2 last night at the Dog Pound, while the Smoke Eaters won their second in a row and did the Dogs a favour in the process by beating the Kings 5-2 last night in Powell River. It's actually the second game in a row that the Smokies have helped the Dogs as last Friday they beat the Capitals 6-2 in Trail.

This game is unique for the fact that the Smoke Eaters have five - yes FIVE former Bulldogs on their roster as a result of a series of moves over the last couple of years. Former Dogs on the Smokies include goalie Adam Todd - who left the Bulldogs to join the WHL's Saskatoon Blades before finding his way to Trail and also Harlan Orr - who went to Alberta in the off-season as future considerations from last year's Mitch Owsley acquisition. Craig Martin is also back with the Smokies - he was part of the future considerations deal that brought Jake Kauppila to the Dog Pound last season. Also returning to their former home is former Bulldog Affiliate Player in 12-13 Stephen Ryan, and last but not least Kienan Scott, who was with the Bulldogs for five games to start the year last year out of training camp before he was released. I hope I have all that straight! One thing I am certain on is that all the above named players will be pretty excited for this one tonight so I'm hoping the Dogs are too.

I'll provide the play-by-play while Al McCulloch provides the colour and analyis on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  with the pregame show hitting the airwaves at 6:45 and the puck hitting the ice just after 7:00pm. 

If you aren't in radio 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.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Captain Tryg Strand in an interview with host Jeff Patterson from the BCHL this Week show on TSN 1040am in Vancouver. You can catch the show this morning, and every Saturday morning at 9:30 on TSN1040.

Here's a gorgeous goal Tryg scored a couple years ago with some magic against the Smoke Eaters!

Don't forget about the Atom and Peewee Thanksgiving tournaments continuing today on both ice sheets. The Atom Bulldogs opened up their tournament last night with a 9-1 win over Nanaimo and play at 1:15 today and 12:45 tomorrow with the gold medal game on Monday at 1pm. The Peewees meanwhile have two games today at 11:30 and 5:30 and one on Sunday morning at 9:15. The gold medal game for the Peewees goes 3pm on Monday.

Hammer

Dogs top Express 3-2

There was great end-to-end play to start the game, with no whistles over the first two minutes. The Bulldogs would take a penalty shortly afterwards, and while the Express didn't score they certainly looked like they are deserving of their #2 ranking on the power play as they worked the puck around nicely and generated a series of good looks but Billy Christopolous was sharp early. The Bulldogs would get a chance on the man-advantage just short of the midway mark of the frame and they would connect on it in the dying seconds of the advantage when a Evan Tironese shot was blocked and ended up back on the tape of Brett Stewart at the top of the point. He would throw one on net through traffic that deflected off Josh Adkins at the top of the crease and past Braden Krogfoss to make it 1-0 at the 10:43 mark. That would be the only scoring of the first, with the Express leading the shots 15-11.

The Bulldogs began the second period with a purpose, as they drew an early penalty after forcing the Express into a series of icings. They wouldn't find the net on the advantage, but they did a good job of getting pucks in on Krogfoss and appeared to gain some momentum. The Express would take another penalty immediately after the first one expired due to getting caught on a line change, but on this opportunity the Dogs sputtered and didn't manage much of an attack. The score stayed 1-0 until just short of the midway mark of the period when the Dogs went up 2-0 at the end of a good shift in the attacking zone as Chris Schutz found a loose puck in the left corner and walked up the wall and into the circle before spinning and firing and simply putting a puck on net that surprised Krogfoss and beat him high short-side. Evan Tironese picked up the only assist at 9:56 of the second. The Express would push right back and had a great opportunity to get on the board on a Nic Rasovic breakaway on the next shift, but Christopolous came up with a big save to keep it out. They would continue to push the pace thought, and got on the board three minutes after the Dogs had doubled their lead at the end of a shift in the attacking zone as Cameron Bertsch passed back to the point for Daniel Fritz who put a shot on goal what was deflected home by Brendan Lamont to make it 2-1 at 12:50 of the second. The Express would have a handful of chances to build the lead as the period wore on, but Christopolous was solid on several goal mouth scrambles to protect the lead and keep it 2-1 Dogs after two, with the Dogs out-shooting the Express 17-10 for a two period advantage of 28-25. 

The third period saw the Bulldogs immediately build on their lead on a great solo effort by Dylan Haugen as he picked off a pass at centre ice and walked over the Express line up the left wing on an odd-man rush where he kept the puck and fired it past the glove of Krogfoss to make it 3-1, un-assisted 1:43 into the third to give the Dogs a two goal cushion. The Dogs did a great job to control the game and not give up much in the way of chances around the net or on the rush as they salted the time away, but the Express didn't go quietly. Down a goal with less than five minutes to play they kept pushing and made it a one-goal game with just over a minute to play as Christopolous made a desperation save on the door step but couldn't recover or get any help as Brett Supinski retreived the rebound and scored on a banker from behind the net to make it 3-2 with 1:24 to play, with Daniel Fritz also picking up an assist on the play. The Express would get the goalie out for the extra attacker in the final minute but the Dogs held the fort to make the lead stand.

Shots favoured the Express 41-35 with Billy Christopolous picking up the win and first star honours while Braden Krogfoss took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Express went 0 for 3.

The Dogs host the Trail Smoke Eaters to conclude their weekend tomorrow.

Hammer

Line up Express @ Dogs

Bulldogs host Express tonight, Atom and Peewee Thanksgiving Classics!

It's the start of a three game home stand as the Bulldogs (2-4-0-0, 4th Island) host the defending Fred Page Cup Champion Coquitlam Express (2-4-0-1, 5th Mainland) tonight at the Dog Pound.

The Dogs are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Kings in Powell River on Sunday afternoon, their second straight loss, and second straight 4-3 loss in a game that they led 3-2 after 40 minutes. The Express on the other hand snapped a two game losing streak with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Clippers on home ice last Sunday afternoon as well. The Express were down a goal with less than three minutes to play before getting the equalizer, and then the winner, with less than a minute to play.

Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM kicks off live from the Dog Pound tonight with our pregame show at 6:45, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm.

I will provide the play-by-play, while special guest Al McCulloch provides the colour and analyis with Dan Tisserand compiling team and player statistics.

If you aren't in radio 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.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Scott Calvin, play-by-play voice of the Trail Smoke Eaters, who visit the Dog Pound tomorrow night after starting off their weekend tonight in Powell River.

(image © Dennis Crow)

It's going to be a crazy busy weekend at the Multiplex as not only do the Junior Bulldogs play twice, but there are 16 teams in both the Atom and Peewee divisions in town playing in Thanksgiving Classic tournaments.

New Bulldogs from the US will no doubt learn from their fantastic billets that a big benefit of being up in Canada is that Thanksgiving is in October! The really good billets will really cater to the guys and give them an American Thanksgiving too, so they get two!

Hammer

Dogs drop second in a row, 4-3 to Kings

They were really exited to get this game going in Powell River, as it was actually a 1:52pm puck drop, as opposed to the scheduled 2:00pm start. The Dogs ran into penalty trouble early in the game, as Evan Tironese picked up a double minor after the whistle that saw the Dogs end up a man down when all the dust settled. The Dogs would do a good job of killing the penalty off however, not giving up much in the way of chances. They would promptly end up in the penalty box again immediately afterwards. While they would again come up with a solid penalty kill, it's not a good recipe to generate offense and play in the other end of the rink. The Dogs would end up drawing a penalty and getting a power play chance of their own, but they might have considered declining the opportunity as they looked disinterested and disconnected, and ended up allowing a partial breakaway that resulted in another penalty just half a minute into the power play. The Dogs would again kill it off, and shortly afterwards earned yet another power play. Despite a change in personnel, they didn't generate much in the way of chances as the game remained scoreless through 20 minutes with the Dogs up in the shots on goal 9-8. It was the first Dogs game this season that neither team hit the score sheet in the opening period.

The second period saw the Bulldogs start with a man-advantage after a Powell River penalty at the 20:00 mark of the first. They would connect on it on the rush as Nathan Warren left the puck behind the net for Kurt Gosselin, who put an outlet pass up the right wing for Evan Tironese. He would skate the puck through centre and over the Kings line up the left wing before faking a shot and then taking a shot from the left circle that he absolutely ripped bar-down, short-side high on Magnus to make it 1-0 Dogs 1:29 into the second. The lead was short-lived, as the Kings came right back on an odd-man rush to make it at 1-1 game as Nic Gomerich kept the puck over the line down the right side where he fired one short-side past the glove of Nathan Warren. Nick Nonis picked up the assist on the play at 2:07. The Bulldogs would fight off a Kings power play and push back to take their second lead of the game at the tail end of a power play chance of their own as Evan Tironese pounded a rolling puck on net that was stopped by Magnus, but Dylan Haugen was in perfect position to roof the rebound to make it 2-1, with Josh Adkins also drawing an assist at 9:07. The Dogs built the lead just 1:05 later when Mitch Makin won a faceoff in the Kings end back to Darian Henry, who threw a shot on net that was again stopped by Magnus, but Scott Clark found the rebound at the front of the net and tapped it home on the backhand at 10:12 to make it 3-1. The Kings would get it back on another power play chance as Garrett Halls was whistled as the only guilty player after the Kings had gone hard to the net after the whistle and a skirmish broke out. The Kings scored just 13 seconds into the power play as Jonny Evans out-fought a Bulldog for the puck and walked into the slot where he ripped one stick-side past Warren for the un-assisted mark at 12:23 to make it 3-2 after two periods. The Dogs out shot the Kings 18-13 on the period for a two-period total of 27-21.

The third period saw the Bulldogs whistled for consecutive penalties. They were successful in killing off the first one, but the Kings connected late in the second advantage, a high-sticking penalty to Kurt Gosselin, who was on his stomach at the time. The Kings would connect to tie the game at 3-3 as a pass to the net was knocked away by Nathan Warren, but it was found and roofed short-side high by Jarid Lukosevicius. Stephen Hiff and Kurt Keats picked up the assists at 9:00. As the period wore on, the Dogs looked everything like a team playing their third game in two and a half days, with two of those being on the road, as they looked in full survival mode. While they didn't carry the play offensively, they didn't give up much in the way of offensive chances either, doing a good job to salt the time away. Inside the final two minutes, the Dogs failed to get the puck out at their blue line, and two Kings were left wide alone in front. It looked like either the chance hit the post, or that Nathan Warren made a desperation save. The home town Powell River Goal judge did NOT turn on the goal light. The referee who was in position to make a call, didn't, and instead just stood there. After a conference with both linesman, and a discussion with the goal judge to never saw a goal, the Kings were awarded one anyway by the Referee. Jacob Pritchard would get credit for it, from Kurt Keats and Jarid Lukosevicius at 18:06 of the third for the 4-3 lead and the final score as the Dogs were out of gas and couldn't muster an attack as time ran out.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 33-31 with Nathan Warren taking the loss and Brett Magnus picked up the win. The Dogs went 1 for 6 on the power play while the Kings went 2 for 7.

The Dogs are next in action Friday at home when they host the Coquitlam Express.

Thanks as always for reading.

Hammer  

Line ups Dogs at Kings

As always, line up is subject to change!

Hammer

Dogs visit Kings this afternoon to finish busy weekend

It's an early morning departure today as the Bulldogs (2-3-0-0, 3rd Island) load up and depart to catch the Ferry to Powell River to visit as guests for another home opener when they face the Kings (1-3-0-1, 4th Island) for the second meeting between the teams in eight days.

The Kings haven't played since last Sunday, when they won their first game of the season 8-4 over the Capitals in Duncan, while the Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after a tough 4-3 loss last night at home to the Grizzlies.

I'll provide the play-by-play while Bruce MacDonald adds the analysis and colour on  Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 1:45 and the puck drop to follow at 2pm

If you aren't in radio 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.fasthockey.com

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is Coquitlam Express play-by-play voice Eddie Gregory, as the Bulldogs host the defending Fred Page Cup champs at the Dog Pound on Friday.

Hammer

Dogs give up two shorthanded goals in the third, fall 4-3 to Grizzlies

The Bulldogs found themselves chasing the game early as they headed to the penalty box just over a minute into the game. They would successfully kill it off, but the Grizzlies earned momentum. Another penalty to the Bulldogs a minute and a half later put the Grizzlies back on the power play again. While the Dogs did a good job killing the bulk of the penalty off, the Grizzlies would connect in the dying seconds of the advantage as Chris Harpur put the puck down the left wing for Kevin Massy, who then put a perfect pass on the tape of Shawn McBride in the slot where he roofed one with a quick release top corner, far side over the glove of Christopolous to make it 1-0 at 6:40 of the first. The Bulldogs would be awarded a power play just 20 seconds later, but they couldn't connect on it. The Grizzlies would double their lead as the penalty expired as Cody Van Lierop existed the penalty box and chased down a loose puck to skate in on a breakaway where he scored with a quick wrister, low past the blocker of Christopolous from the right side of the slot to make it 2-0. PJ Conlon and Mitch Meek picked up the assists at 9:07 of the first. Before the puck even dropped at centre ice to resume play, the crowd got right behind the Bulldogs, starting a Go Dogs Go chant. The team would respond immediately as it was a 2-1 game 53 seconds later as Dylan Haugen worked the puck loose to Josh Adkins on the left wing wall, where he put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Garrett Halls at the top of the right point where he put a quick wrister on goal that beat Stiliadis low stick-side at the 10:00 mark. The Bulldogs would go to another power play shortly afterwards drawn by good hard work, and they would connect on it to tie the game at 2-2. Kurt Gosselin made a great play to get the puck out of the Dogs zone, and then from his knees head-manned the puck for Chris Schutz. He would find Mitch Makin over the Grizzlies line, who then dished off to Scott Clark wide open down the left wing where he ripped one low, far-side past the glove of Stiliadis to make it 2-2 at 14:53 of the first and into the room after 20 minutes. The Grizzlies led the shots on goal 11-10.

After all the goals in the first period, the second saw only one marker as the game tighened up considerably. The Grizzlies would have a good chance to take the lead back, but Billy Christopolous made a great stick save. Garrett Halls would find the loose puck and lift the puck high in the air through centre and over the Grizzlies line where Eric Margo chased it down and drove the net down the left wing where he fired one low past the glove of Stiliadis to make it 3-2 Dogs with Kurt Gosselin and Billy Christopolous picking up the assists at 12:15 of the second. While that was the only goal of the period, it wasn't for a lack of chances as both Stiliadis and Christopolous were full marks as the Dogs outshot the Grizzlies on the period 12-11 for a two period total of 22 shots a side.

The third period saw a plethora of penalties, and not a lot in the way of flow. An early Grizzlies power play chance was killed off by the Dogs to protect the lead, before the Dogs got a chance on the man advantage seven minutes into the period. The Bulldogs appeared out of sorts and without a lot of urgency, and it would come back to bite them when they conceded the game tying goal as Dane Gibson drove the net where he was stopped by Christopolous, but he was knocked across the net by his own defenseman and Gibson, allowing PJ Conlon to score into the open side to make it 3-3 at 8:51 of the third. The Dogs again went to the power play, and once again conceded what proved to be the winner as a turnover from behind the Dogs net ended up out front and right onto the tape of Jay Mackie right in front who one-timed a slap shot top corner over the glove of Christopolous to make it 4-3, un-assisted at 13:19. The Grizzlies would do a good job to control the play for the bulk of the remainder of regulation, with the Dogs unable to generate much of the way in chances to try and find the equalizer.

With the win, the Grizzlies snap a three game losing streak, and the Dogs have their win streak stopped at two. Billy Christopolous took third star honours with the loss, while Michael Stiliadis picked up the win. The Dogs went 1 for 8 on the power play - but also conceded their first two shorthanded goals of the season on the night, while the Grizzlies went 1 for 5.

The Dogs won't have much time to dwell on this one, as they are right back at it tomorrow afternoon in Powell River, a 2pm start time.

Line up Dogs vs Grizz

Grizzlies didn't submit a line up today, so further changes will come at game time.

Mitchell Barker received a two game suspension from the BCHL for the dust up last night.

Hammer

Dogs host Grizz tonight in rematch at the Dog Pound

(photo: Justin Sieben)

It's the back half of this home-and-home set as the Bulldogs (2-2-0-0, 3rd Island) pay host to the Grizzlies (2-2-0-1, 2nd Island) tonight at the Dog Pound after a wild and crazy and sometimes nasty affair last night at the Q Centre saw the Dogs pull out a 4-3 overtime win for their second win in a row, pushing the Grizzlies to lose their third in a row.
 

The pregame show kicks off live tonight at 6:45 on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm. I will call the play-by-play, Bruce MacDonald provides the analysis and colour, and Dan Tisserand compiles team and player statistics.

If you aren't in radio 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.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Alex Rawnsley, play-by-play voice of the Powell River Kings, who the Dogs visit tomorrow at 2pm for their Home Opener.

Hammer

Dogs top Grizzlies 4-3 in OT, win second straight

After the player introductions and ceremonial puck drop, the Grizzlies had the early edge in play and chances over the early minutes up 5-1 in shots. The Bulldogs started to push back around the five minute mark and began to carry the play and get plenty of pucks on Michael Stiliadis in the Victoria net. The Dogs would push the pace and get rewarded for it as Chris Schutz drove the net and found a Darian Henry centering pass that he chipped into the open side with Stiliadis out of position. Scott Clark also picked up an assist on the play at 8:16 of the first period. The Dogs would keep up the pressure, but couldn't build their lead. Shortly afterwards, the Grizzlies would go to the power play and while they didn't score, it changed some of the momentum as they got their feet under them and started to carry more of the play. They weren't able to beat Christopolous though, as the score stayed 1-0 Dogs after 20 minutes, with the Dogs leading the shots 12-9.

The Bulldogs got off to a good start in the second and had several good looks and carried the better of the play, leading to a power play opportunity. They would make quick work of it as Kurt Gosselin showed great patience and strength on the puck to walk to the top of the blue line off the left wing wall where he blew a slap shot through traffic past the blocker of Stiliadis to make it 2-0. Assists on the play went to Scott Cooke and Scott Clark at 14:46 of the second. The Bulldogs would keep up the pressure, and had several great offensive chances around the net but Stiliadis held the fort. The Grizzlies had a fantastic chance to get on the board on a stretch pass that resulted in a breakaway for Cody Van Lierop who appeared to try and drop it off his skate and back up to his stick in an attempt to deke it home but Christopolous stuck with it to make a left toe save. Off the ensuing face-off a bouncing puck came to the net and Christopolous made another fantastic save knocking a loose puck off the goal line with the paddle of his stick to keep it 2-0. The Bulldogs would have a fantastic chance the other way to build the lead when Scott Clark raced in on a breakaway, but Stiliadis make a great glove save on a backhand deke to keep the Grizzlies in it.  The Grizzlies would persist and keep stretching the ice, getting another breakaway and this time connecting on it as Mitchell Barker accepted a stretch pass from Cody Van Lierop and racing in alone where he snapped one past the blocker of Christopolous to make it 2-1 at 14:46 of the second. Minutes later a large scrum erupted at the Bulldog net that had numerous players throwing punches. The Bulldogs would pick up the only penalty out of the skirmish, which had to be somewhat frustrating as the Dogs couldn't draw a penalty when they were carrying the play.  The Bulldogs were close to scoring shorthanded when Kurt Gosselin rang one off the bar on a 1 on 1 rush. Instead it was a 2-2 game as the Grizzlies attacked the zone with speed and connected on a cross-ice pass from Jay Mackie that was finished off by Brett Gruber on a one-timer that beat Christopolous low stick-side before he could get over. Meirs Moore also picked up an assist on the play at 17:24 of the second for a 2-2 tie after 40 minutes. The Grizzlies outshot the Dogs 14-9 over the period, for a 23-21 advantage. 

The third period in the early minutes was great hockey played tight to the vest at a high pace. The Dogs had a great chance to take the lead when Kurt Gosselin drove the net and took a cross-ice pass from Eric Margo that he lifted high but Stiliadis coming from his right to his left somehow got his glove up to keep it out. Not soon after a large skirmish broke out as prior to a face-off in the Bulldog end, Grizzlies centreman Mitchell Barker attacked Evan Tironese with two vicious baseball/golf swing two-hand slashes. There would somehow be no penalty on the play, but Tironese went after Barker on the half-boards to defend himself. Tironese and Scott Clark would pick up misconducts, as would Barker and Cole Pickup for the Grizzlies - who got into it with Clark and took advantage of Clark being down, continuing to punch him. Here's a video of the incident if you would rather see for yourself as opposed to taking my word on it.

On the next play, a high hit resulted in a misconduct to Garrett Forster. Kurt Gosselin would drop the gloves to defend his teammate, but the linesman jumped in to prevent the fight from happening. Gosselin and Forster would pick up misconducts on the play as the benches started to get short, and the Bulldogs were missing some impact players. Once the hockey resumed, play went back and forth until the Dogs took the lead with 6:34 to play on the rush as Troy Dobbs made a defensive play in front of his net to knock a pass away before Zak Bowles picked it up and raced away on a 2 on 1 rush with Dylan Haugen. Bowles would put a perfect pass onto the tape of Haugen streaking down the left wing where he cut in alone and ripped one off the bar and in top corner glove side on Stiliadis to make it 3-2 Dogs. The Dogs did a pretty good job of protecting the lead until the late stages, but the Grizzlies would find the equalizer on a broken play as Meirs Moore put the puck on net from a sharp angle on the left half wall. Christopolous would make the save, but the rebound went right onto the tape of Nathan Looysen wide open all alone on the doorstep where he fired it into the open side to make it 3-3 at 18:33 of the third with Spencer Hunter also drawing an assist on the play to force sudden death overtime.

The first OT would settle nothing, with not much in the way of chances either way. As three-on-three OT began, the Bulldogs ended it quickly as Zak Bowles won a draw in the offensive zone back to Darian Henry, who got a shot through on net from the left point. Bowles would deflect it, and Stiliadis made the first stop, but he couldn't control the rebound as Josh Adkins found it and fired it home for the 4-3 win as the Dogs raced off the bench to celebrate.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 38-33, including 5-0 in overtime. Billy Christopolous picked up the win, while Michael Stiliadis took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 3 on the powerplay while the Grizzles went 1 for 2.

The teams meet in a rematch tomorrow night at the Dog Pound.

Hammer

Line up Dogs at Grizz

Grizzlies also scratch Chris Harpur

Dogs visit Grizzlies tonight to kick off Home-and-Home, 3-in-3 weekend

It's the start of a very busy weekend tonight as the Bulldogs (1-2-0-0, 4th Island) kick off a three-in-three weekend and a home and home set with the Victoria Grizzlies (2-2-0-0, 2nd Island) at The Q Centre, before the teams meet again tomorrow night in the rematch at the Dog Pound.

It's a building with both fantastic and horrific memories for the Bulldogs - the fantastic being the franchise's Island Championship won in 2013 in sudden death OT in the 5th and deciding game of the series. The horrific being last year's double OT Game 7 loss in the opening round of the Playoffs that saw their season end.

As much as both teams are vastly different from last year to this year, the Grizzlies might seem even a little more of a new team, due to the Fitzgerald triplets - Port Alberni natives for those who don't know, graduated last year and are now attending Bemidji State beginning their NCAA careers with the Beavers.

The Bulldogs are of course coming off a 4-3 win over the Powell River Kings on Saturday night at the Dog Pound, while the Grizzlies are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Clippers in Nanaimo on Saturday night. After winning both their games at the BCHL Showcase, the Grizzlies have now lost two in a row.

We'll have all the action for you from pregame show to postgame show and everything in between on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  with everything getting underway at 6:45.

The full crew of Bruce MacDonald, Dan Tisserand and myself will be present at the "aquarium" tonight at the Q Centre - my fond nickname for the glassed-in broadcast location there!

If you aren't in radio 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.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission interview is a segment from BCHL This Week with Host Jeff Patterson and New/Old Vernon Vipers Head Coach Mark Ferner, who just got back behind the Vipers bench last week after stepping down as an Assistant Coach with the Kamloops Blazers.

You can catch BCHL This Week on TSN 1040am every Saturday morning at 9:30am. Tomorrow, former Bulldog Captain Tryg Strand will be on the show. I'm hoping to run it on our broadcast next week if you miss it today!

Hammer

Bulldogs add 20 year old Scott Cooke from WHL

Sounds like a great addition to the team. And it sure is cool how some former Dogs had a hand in talking to Scott. Once a Dog, always a Dog.

The support, treatment, etc, that the team and this community gives to these players is absolutely priceless when it comes to situations such as this!

Here's some stats on Cooke from Elite Prospects

Hammer

Bulldogs Add Energy, Experience, and Grit

PRESS RELEASE
October 1, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have further strengthen the roster by adding WHL veteran forward Scott Cooke to the team. He will wear number 21 when he debuts for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs against the Victoria Grizzlies this weekend.

Cooke, a native of Surrey, BC, will bring energy, experience, and grit to the Bulldogs line-up. During his major midget days with the Valley West Hawks, Cooke showed that he had some offensive abilities that led to him being drafted in the 5th round by the Vancouver Giants in the 2009 WHL entry draft.

However, both the Vancouver Giants and, recently, the Moose Jaw Warriors expected Cooke to take on more of an enforcer role rather than putting up points. The team believes that Cooke’s skill and work ethic will translate into goals for the Bulldogs.

Cooke is expected to play on a line with St. Paul Academy standout Drew Blackmun and Bulldogs’ captain Mitch Makin.

“I am extremely excited about returning to my home province,” said Cooke. “I’m especially excited to contribute on and off the ice to the Bulldogs organization and really look forward to this season,” added Cooke. “I’m impressed with the players’ and the coaches’ desire to bring a championship to the Alberni Valley. All I want to do is work hard, contribute, and win.”

Two former Bulldogs, Teal Burns and Marlon Sabo, had a hand in reaching out to Cooke as soon as they heard he was released by the Moose Jaw Warriors.

“They both told me that they loved their time in Port Alberni, spoke of how great the
organization is and that I’d love it here,” said Cooke.

Teal Burns joined the Bulldogs at the 2012/13 trade deadline and was a key addition to a memorable playoff run to the conference finals. Burns is now entering his 2nd season with the University of Guelph in the CIS and is joined this season by former captain and fan-favorite Tryg Strand.

Sabo, a childhood friend of Cooke’s, joined the Bulldogs in 2011/12 after being cut by the Cowichan Valley Capitals. In just two short seasons, Sabo’s development excelled in the Bulldogs environment and he is now entering his 2nd season with the Princeton University Tigers. Sabo is best remembered for his punishing hits, intimidating style of play, and his overtime game-winning goal in game 4 of the 2012/13 Island Division Championship against the Victoria Grizzlies.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very excited to welcome Scott to the Bulldogs family and look
forward to him being a big part of the 2014/15 season.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley Bulldogs’
head coach and general manager Kevin Willison

Gosselin gets Player of Week mention, Player Intro video

Nice to see Kurt Gosselin get a mention in the BCHL's Player of the Week announcement. It's actually a "player of the last two weeks". Further details on the BCHL website HERE

We weren't able to get the Player introductions portion of the Home Opener Saturday on the broadcast as it was during our chat with the Coaches during the pregame show - if you missed it, check out Kaicee's video below.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS - Bulldogs 4 Kings 3

Dogs top Kings 4-3 in comeback fashion

After player introductions with the lights dimmed the Bulldogs and Kings got things going with good pace over the opening minutes, although there wasn't much early in the way of offensive chances. That would change in a hurry as the Kings made it 1-0 just over four minutes into the game as Jarryd Leung intercepted a play up the boards up the left wing in the Dogs zone and walked to the net un-touched where he wristed one off the glove of Christopolous and over the line. The goal was un-assisted, at 4:14 into the first period. The Bulldogs would get a power play chance three minutes later and although they had several good looks, they appeared to be guilty of looking for the pretty play too much and not just getting pucks on net. The Kings would go to three straight power plays through the period, and the Bulldogs did a very good job of killing the first two opportunities off, and the bulk of the third one, but the Kings would connect on the advantage with less than 20 seconds remaining in it to make it 2-0 as a Carmine Buono shot from the point off a faceoff win was deflected past Christopolous by Alex Jackstadt. Curtis McCarrick also drew an assist on the play at the 16:31 mark of the first. The Bulldogs would be awarded a power play of their own with less than two minutes to go in the frame and showed good urgency and generated several good chances but they couldn't beat Brett Magnus or get a bounce around the net as the first ended with the Kings up 2-0, and leading in the shots as well 13-9.

The Bulldogs came out with an increased urgency in the second period, but despite a better period and several great offensive chances they were unable to hit the net through the first half of the period, coming painfully close on two occasions where the puck either hit the post or just danced across the goal line during an extended scramble. Their efforts would be finally rewarded with just over three minutes to go in the period at the end of a long shift in the offensive zone as Drew Blackmun walked out from the right side and looked to the point before snapping one quickly through the legs of Brett Magnus. Assists on the play went to Mitch Makin and Garrett Halls at 16:54 of the second. As it always seems to happen at the Dog Pound, a goal goes to the Dogs legs and wakes up the crowd. The Dogs would go to a power play shortly afterwards where they tied the game as Evan Tironese took a pass at the right point, and put an arm up seeming to indicate that there was no traffic in front of the net. A split second later he would blow a slap shot top corner over the glove of Magnus. Kurt Gosselin would pick up the only assist on the play at 18:27 of the second, for a 2-2 tie after two periods. The Dogs out shot the Kings in the second 19-8 for a two period total of 28-21.

The third period saw the Dogs continue to control the majority of the play, but it wasn't until just past the midway mark of the period that they scored to get their  first lead of the game - and of the season, just past the midway mark as Kurt Gosselin threw a puck on net that was stopped by Magnus. The rebound came out to both Eric Margo - who earlier in the shift had a big hit to keep the attack going -  and Zak Bowles, who were both stopped. Darian Henry followed the play and fired it home past a down and out Magnus to make it 3-2 at 10:09 of the third. Margo and Gosselin would pick up the assists. The Dogs didn't hold the lead for long, as the Kings connected on the power play just minutes later. After a great save on a wide open change in the slot by Christopolous, the Kings would score on the next shift on a perfect cross-ice set up that was roofed by Jacob Pritchard top corner from the right circle on a Jarryd Leung feed. Stephen Hiff also drew an assist at 12:51 to make it 3-3 on the power play. The Bulldogs would react well to seeing their lead evaporate, as they pushed back on the very next shift. The score would stay that way until the late stages as the game tightened up. With overtime looming, the Dogs would take the lead back when Chris Schutz accepted a Scott Clark  pass just off the top of the crease and scored on a spin-around no look backhand off the post and in to make it 4-3 with 1:36 left on the clock, with Evan Tironese also drawing an assist. The Kings would get their goalie out for the extra attacker with a minute to go to look for the equalizer but the Bulldogs did a solid job of shutting them down and winning the battles to not give up any big chances. One more draw with 20 seconds to play saw the Dogs kill the clock when Everett Putz dove to chop the puck out of the zone to kill the rest of the time on the clock.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 41-29 with Billy Christopolous and Brett Magnus being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 1 for 6 on the power play while the Kings went 2 for 6.

The Dogs are next in action Friday night in Victoria. 

Line Ups - Bulldogs vs Kings