Vipers 5 Dogs 4, OT | Take care Ricky | Bulldogs in the Community

It was a heartbreaker for the Dogs to lose last night at the Pound, where they gave up the tying goal with 2:33 to go and then the winner in OT with just four seconds remaining on a penalty kill.

A couple of turning points in this game. First it was David Aime making a penalty shot stop in the first period with the Vipers leading 1-0. The Dogs would come back to tie at 1-1.
Another would be the Bulldogs power play chance shortly after they went ahead 2-1 in the second. I thought that instead of the Bulldogs taking a two goal lead, or at the very least momentum, it was instead the Vipers that came out and appeared most desperate than the Dogs. They agressively killed the penalty, and then minutes later scored twice in 16 seconds to go from trailing to tied to leading, 3-2.

A long 5 on 3 penalty kill by the Dogs early in third kept the game tied 3-3, before the momentum gained saw the Dogs up 4-3. Shortly afterwards, the Dogs again went to the power play. They did everything BUT score on this one, I thought they were unlucky not to find the net, as they swarmed the Viper net for chance after chance.

The Vipers came on late and the Dogs were unable to hold the lead. What a player Hunter Bishop is. I'll agree with Bryant Perrier 100% with his comments ont he postgame show when he said he believes Bishop is the best player he's seen in this league this year. Without a doubt, he's the best, in my opinion. His 26 goals prove it.

If anything, the Dogs hopefully again proved to themselves and their fans that they can play with anyone, when they come out ready and when they battle hard, work hard, and play desperate. It isn't easy to do it every night, all night, but it's what this team needs to do to win. They also need goaltending like they got last night from David Aime, who was HUGE all night long in his home ice debut.
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Want to wish Rick and Barb Methot well as they are off to Medicine Hat. I got this nice email from Rick I'd like to share with you here. All the best "goosebuster", from "broken tee" hahaha good times!

Hey Hammer,

I have accepted the job as ad director with the Medicine Hat News effective November 20th so this will be my last game in the penalty box here in the "Dog Pound". I would like to say that I will always cherish the last seven and one half years I have spent in the Alberni Valley and especially having the best seat in the house during the trials and tribulations that our Bulldog's have been through. I would like to thank the management, staff, players and fans of the past and present for the opportunity to be a part of the spirit that has made Port Alberni one of the greatest sports towns I have ever known. Every night I was told by opposing players that they would love to play here because of the support they hear from our fans for our Bulldog's. So to the people of Port Alberni, continue to be the loudest and most supportive fans in the league, you will be rewarded....just ask any opposing team.

Gonna try and get in the Tigers penalty box.
Will miss each and every one of you.

Rick Methot

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I also received word last night from Laurie Smilie, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Bulldogs, that Marcello Ranallo and Lee Patzer will be at HomeHardware today from 11:15 to 12:30 to kick off selling Teddy Bears for the Bulldogs 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Toss coming up on Saturday, December 1st when the Dogs host the Nanaimo Clippers. Fans are encouraged to buy a Teddy Bear at HomeHardware with 50% of those monies donated to Children's Hospital. Anyone who buys a bear will be entered into a draw to win an autographed Bulldogs Jersey.

So get the kids and yourselves down there and meet the guys and help out a great cause! I hope that some of my Clipper fan friends will bring down some Teddies for the night. Just remember, you have to throw them on the ice when the DOGS score. If not, security will boot you out! haha.

Hammer