photo: the BIG DOG Les Dorion
04-05 Playoff hair
The Bulldogs go for their 19th win in a row today as they host the last team that beat them, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The Bulldogs 18th win in a row was an exciting one last night, as they beat the Nanaimo Clippers 4-3 in overtime, their fourth consecutive win over the Clippers. As I posted on the Bulldogs-Clippers game day thread in recap, the game wasn't without controversy as the Clippers tied the game in the final minute of the third period, with Brian Stewart taken out of the play as the shot arrived. Justice was served in overtime though, as Andrew Ella scored the biggest goal of his career coming down the right wing and blowing a slapshot past Simon Leblanc who was good in the Clippers goal. Brian Stewart was again the games first star playing fantastic from start to finish. I haven't seen Stewart as animated as he was last night after the game tying goal, all season long. Credit to him to get his focus quickly back for overtime. With the two points garnered from the win, and the 1 point the Clippers earned with the OT loss, the Bulldogs lead the Clippers by 10 points for first on the Island, and first overall.
Back to today- as I said off the top the Bulldogs play the team that last beat them, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Bulldogs went into Salmon Arm Sunday, November 20th, for their third game in two and a half days, while riding an 8 game winning streak. The Bulldogs started the game very solid, but couldn't hit the scoresheet. The game was much like last years contest in Salmon Arm, where the Bulldogs didn't look awful, but the score sure did. The Silverbacks scored two powerplay goals in the last five minutes of the first, and two more powerplay goals in the first seven minutes of the second to pretty much put it out of reach. The Bulldogs got on the board with 4:43 left in the second and looked to maybe have a fighting chance, but with less than a minute left in the second the Backs scored their first even strength goal of the game to lead 5-1 heading into the third. The only other goal of the game was another powerplay, the 'Backs 5th of the night, for the 6-1 final. If there's one thing I hope the Dogs took out of that game, it's that you can't give the 'Backs vaunted powerplay too many chances, or they'll hurt you in a big way.
After that loss, and the ending of the 8 game winning streak, I'm sure we were all wondering what was to come from the Dogs as a bounce back. NO ONE saw an 18 game winning streak, and don't try to tell me for one second you did, haha.
The Bulldogs 18th win in a row was an exciting one last night, as they beat the Nanaimo Clippers 4-3 in overtime, their fourth consecutive win over the Clippers. As I posted on the Bulldogs-Clippers game day thread in recap, the game wasn't without controversy as the Clippers tied the game in the final minute of the third period, with Brian Stewart taken out of the play as the shot arrived. Justice was served in overtime though, as Andrew Ella scored the biggest goal of his career coming down the right wing and blowing a slapshot past Simon Leblanc who was good in the Clippers goal. Brian Stewart was again the games first star playing fantastic from start to finish. I haven't seen Stewart as animated as he was last night after the game tying goal, all season long. Credit to him to get his focus quickly back for overtime. With the two points garnered from the win, and the 1 point the Clippers earned with the OT loss, the Bulldogs lead the Clippers by 10 points for first on the Island, and first overall.
Back to today- as I said off the top the Bulldogs play the team that last beat them, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Bulldogs went into Salmon Arm Sunday, November 20th, for their third game in two and a half days, while riding an 8 game winning streak. The Bulldogs started the game very solid, but couldn't hit the scoresheet. The game was much like last years contest in Salmon Arm, where the Bulldogs didn't look awful, but the score sure did. The Silverbacks scored two powerplay goals in the last five minutes of the first, and two more powerplay goals in the first seven minutes of the second to pretty much put it out of reach. The Bulldogs got on the board with 4:43 left in the second and looked to maybe have a fighting chance, but with less than a minute left in the second the Backs scored their first even strength goal of the game to lead 5-1 heading into the third. The only other goal of the game was another powerplay, the 'Backs 5th of the night, for the 6-1 final. If there's one thing I hope the Dogs took out of that game, it's that you can't give the 'Backs vaunted powerplay too many chances, or they'll hurt you in a big way.
After that loss, and the ending of the 8 game winning streak, I'm sure we were all wondering what was to come from the Dogs as a bounce back. NO ONE saw an 18 game winning streak, and don't try to tell me for one second you did, haha.
I guess things are now even today. The Silverbacks got the Bulldogs at the end of a three game, two and a half day roadtrip. Not an EXCUSE, but certainly a FACTOR. Now the Bulldogs host the Silverbacks today in the same situation, their third game in two and a half days. The 'Backs have earned two points on their trip so far, after a ugly ugly 10-3 loss in Nanaimo Friday, the 'Backs beat Cowichan 5-4 last night in Cam Macintyre's return to Duncan.
Catch the 93.3 The Peak pregame show this afternoon at 2:45 with Ace and myself. The play-by-play begins at 3:00.
Send an email to the PRESSBOX
If you are out of The Peak's listening area, catch the game on the BCHL's Fanzone
Thanks for stopping by the blog and keep sending your requests, comments, complaints, suggestions, pictures, etc, and don't forget to post your game comments.
Hammer.
1 comment:
WOW!
If you looked at the schedule before opening night, you never would have guessed the Bulldogs would sport the record they do after today. But you would have circled this weekend on the hockey calendar anyways as a back to back with SA and Nanaimo is a tall order.
There are probably a lot of people just waiting for this team to lose and eventually they will. But for now, it is an incredible roll they are on and the team deserves accolades because for the most part, they bring the lunchpail night after night.
I'm hoping they get the #1 ranking from the CJAHL this week - even if it's only for one week. The ranking is best described as recognition of a roster and coaching staff because it takes all the ingredients to keep winning, even when some nights you deserved to lose.
Jim Hiller is having a great season and he has assembled a great group of kids who seem to all buy into his philosophy.
No matter when the next loss comes, we as fans need to let our team know how proud we are of the effort they put into entertaining us.
Good luck on the road trip Bulldogs. Merritt's going to be a tough one...
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