"Around the Pound" tonight, Midget Bulldogs top Powell River

Catch "Around the Pound" the Bulldog Hockey Show , tonight from 6pm to 7pm on 93.3 The Peak.


We'll be talking about the week that was - four out of six points with resounding wins over Nanaimo and Penticton, and a resounding loss to Victoria sandwiched in between. We will also talk about the upcoming road trip that sees the Dogs in Vernon, Salmon Arm, and Merritt Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Tonight's Guest List - in order of appearance, as always, subject to change:

Bulldogs Head Coach and GM Paul Esdale

Bulldog Players Trent Dorais and Sam Mitchell

Rob Shick - by very popular demand, a replay of the Interview from Tuesday night

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Play-by-Play Voice Patrick Haas

Highlights from the week that was

Send in your questions for myself or any of the guests by CLICKING HERE

MIDGET A BULLDOGS WIN FIRST PLAY-OFF GAME

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs won their first play-off game, beating Powell River Kings 5-1 on Saturday at Weyerhaeuser Arena.

Alberni had a slow start and goalie Bryce DiRocco had to be sharp to keep Powell River from taking an early lead.  Head Coach Brent Demerais said “Big saves by DiRocco, especially in the early going made the difference.”  In spite of keeping play in the offensive zone most of the time, the Bulldogs had a hard time finding a way past the Kings defence and goalie.  The first period was scoreless and they only managed 12 shots on goal by the ice clean.

The first goal of the game came after several intense shifts, with 5:39 left in the second period.  Brady Janzen got a backhand through on the short side.  Ryan White and Carson McCulloch assisted.  The Bulldogs stepped up the pressure, but the spectators were kept on the edge of their seats as Powell River had several good scoring chances.

The insurance goal didn’t come until the middle of the third period.  Tyler Wilhelm battled the puck over the blue line, then slipped a pass to Marino Somerville who found Sam Visona on the open side of the net to one time it in.  At 10:12 McCulloch led a pass to Colby Lim who timed a pass precisely for Janzen’s second goal as he jumped behind the defence on the left side.  Late in the third period, the Bulldogs successfully killed off their fourth penalty.  Seconds later Nolan Jarvis passed to Beau Wilson who dished to Dustin Diemert in the slot to score top shelf.  Powell River converted their next power play opportunity, robbing Dirocco of his shut-out with only 37 seconds left.  Lim replied with a backhand fake to a forehand shot that found the top right corner as the clock hit 18 seconds.  In the end shots were 34-19 in favour of Alberni.

After the game, Demerais complimented the team effort.  He said “The defence was good.  Visona and Somerville’s checking on the penalty kill was important.  So was winning most of the face-offs, and the stepped up production from the Lim, Janzen, McCulloch line.”

With one win in hand, the Midget Bulldogs will play their next North Island play-off games away against Oceanside at 1:45 PM on February 6, and then Campbell River on February 12 at 6:15 PM.  The top two North Island teams will advance to the Vancouver Island semi-finals.

 photo: Dave Cusson

________________________

Way to go Dogs!

Hammer

Dogs 7 Vees 2

Wow, what a game. Read all about it from my Weekly Recap article from the Bulldogs website HERE


Too bad that we didn't get to see Mark MacMillan back at the Dog Pound. Hopefully Tyler Berkholtz is ok after taking a nasty hit from Derik Johnson that drew a match penalty for the Vees Captain.


More to come on "Around the Pound" from 6 to 7pm tomorrow on 93.3 The Peak FM.


Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

 .

Dogs 7 Vees 2

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Nice day for a game - update - Mark out.

Beautiful day here in the Alberni Valley.


As surmised earlier, Mark MacMillan is out of the line up today.


Hammer

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Dogs host Vees, Mark returns - or does he?

I thought there was no better picture for Mark MacMillan's return to Alberni. Above is a picture from :LAST years home opener. First time in the Dog Pound in a Dogs jersey. And now tonight its the first time in a Vees jersey. To me, it just won't look RIGHT. That's how it goes in this game now a days though.

Will Mark even play today? He's questionable after an injury last night - more from Ryan Pinder's blog HERE

Who ever would have thought at the time of the photo above that Mark would go on to have an incredible season, putting up 26-54-80, getting a schollie to North Dakota, and finally capping it all off by becoming the first ever Bulldog drafted, by the Montreal Canadiens in June?

More importantly, who would have ever thought that after the season he had here last year, after the schollie and drafting, that he would be told that he would be best served developing playing at home? Or so the story goes?

I certainly didn't see it coming. The most disappointing thing about the whole split was the fact that the fans in Alberni, and myself personally, didn't get to see Mark's further development as a player as he was very fun to watch.

His development was stunted with a first-game wrist injury in Penticton that saw him out for a considerable period. Now - would you believe that he's on the exact same pace he was last year with the Bulldogs? He had 1.4 points per game last year in the regular season, he has 1.4 points per game so far this season. 

Mark is a great kid and comes from a great family that I still call friends. I wish him no ill will, and wish him nothing but the best of luck - just not today on the good luck part.

Not lost of me is the fact that this is one individual (albeit a special one) out of 39 other guys playing a TEAM game this afternoon. Points are huge for both teams - the Dogs are holding down 6th and attempting to fight off Coquitlam and Cowichan while chasing down Nanaimo for 5th. The Vees lost 3-2 last night in Victoria, and are 2-1-0-1 on their trip so far with wins over Nanaimo and Cowichan and a loss to open the trip in Powell River. They are two points back of Vernon with a game in hand for 1st place in the Interior Conference and the 1st round playoff bye that comes with it. 

Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com at 2:15 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow with Rick and I at 2:30.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is Port Alberni Native and former Bulldog - and Brown University Captain - Devin Timberlake, now playing with the ECHL's Reading Royals.

Drop the puck already!

Hammer

Grizzlies @ Bulldogs tonight, Midget Dogs update, Fundraising efforts...

The Bulldogs homestand continues tonight as they host the Victoria Grizzlies at 7:00pm. The Dogs are coming off one of their best efforts of the season on Tuesday night as they beat the Clippers 4-0.

After a less than dominant start, it took one good shift to get a faceoff in the Nanaimo end. Off the draw it was 1-0, and the AVB didn't look back, getting better and better as the game went along. Everyone played well, everyone was skating (wow, speed kills), everyone was hitting. To a man, they out worked their opposition. It needs to be that way every night for this team to be successful.

They also got lots of pucks on net (see Nowakowski, Dylan, 2-0 Bulldogs in the second, and Morrison, Kenney, 3-0) which is a good idea when you are a team that doesn't always score the easy ones.

I'm thinking that maybe - just maybe - Rob Shick went into the dressing room and gave the guys some extra inspiration in regards to the fans and the city of Port Alberni, and what the team means to them and what they should mean to the team.

It was a fun night to be in the Dog Pound. Here's hoping it was the start of more efforts like that, and more nights like that when the final buzzer sounds, as the stretch drive starts to pick up in intensity.The Dogs will need a great effort to top the Grizzlies tonight - the same kind of effort they put in to beat the Grizzlies 4-3 at the Dog Pound on January 11th. It will be impossible for either team to bring the same effort level tonight that they brought a week later for the January 18th game in Victoria won 3-2 by the Grizzlies in an absolute snoozer that felt like it was played in front of 100 fans at the Bear Mountain Arena.

The Bulldogs will need to be vary of new addition Kyle St. Denis, who has been nothing short of fantastic from all accounts with his two goals and three points in just two games.

Catch the pregame show tonight at 6:45 with Rick and I on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com with the puck dropping at 7:00

Penticton Vees play-by-play voice Ryan Pinder will be my 2nd Intermission guest.

The Van Isle Ford Midget A Bulldogs start Island League play-offs Saturday January 29^th at Weyerhaeuser Arena, 12:30-2:30 PM versus Powell River Kings.  This is their first meeting since Alberni Valley edged Powell River by 4-3 in pre-season action.  Their games are usually close, so this should be a good one.  It’s the only home game in the North Island series.  Come out and cheer on the home team.  Admission is free.
Don't forget to help the Dogs help Variety!

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are hosting a Variety Game on Sunday, Jan 30th, 2:30pm. Canada Safeway is sponsoring a "Chuck a Puck" to help Angel raise money for Variety's Kids. Purchase your puck before you head in to watch the game as the puck toss will be held during the first intermission. $1 per puck or 3 for $2. The winner takes home a $100 Canada Safeway Gift Card.

 Angel will be selling Variety Gold Heart pins ($3), copies of Angel's Celebrity Charity Cookbook ($25), at this Friday's Alberni Valley Bulldogs home game and at their Variety game on Sunday.  Look for her in the front foyer of the arena as you enter.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs team. the Port Alberni Professional Firefighters Association, and the Port Alberni Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be in attendance and are asking for your support. The Variety Show will feature many local aspiring performers including "The Shutter Bugs" (Miranda Havard, Dan Mcmillan, John Gilbert, and Doug), Morgan Buxton, Caitlin Royendyk, Caitlyn and Jenna Rigets, Lily Walman, Shaylene Balle, Sydney Reynolds, Angel Magnussen and Christina Wynans. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs team. the Port Alberni Professional Firefighters Association, and the Port Alberni Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be in attendance and are asking for your support. The Variety Show will feature many local aspiring performers including "The Shutter Bugs" (Miranda Havard, Dan Mcmillan, John Gilbert, and Doug), Morgan Buxton, Caitlin Royendyk, Caitlyn and Jenna Rigets, Lily Walman, Shaylene Balle, Sydney Reynolds, Angel Magnussen and Christina Wynans. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs team. the Port Alberni Professional Firefighters Association, and the Port Alberni Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be in attendance and are asking for your support. The Variety Show will feature many local aspiring performers including "The Shutter Bugs" (Miranda Havard, Dan Mcmillan, John Gilbert, and Doug), Morgan Buxton, Caitlin Royendyk, Caitlyn and Jenna Rigets, Lily Walman, Shaylene Balle, Sydney Reynolds, Angel Magnussen and Christina Wynans.

Cheryl Magnussen on behalf of Angel

Hi everyone,

In addition to the chain-wide coffee sale in support of Jeneece Edroff’s dream (see below), we’ve decided to do a little in-house extra FUNdraiser for Jeneece Place.  Below is what we have put on our donation box:

Want another way to help Jeneece Place?

 

Clay’s new moustache has been the topic of many conversations over the last few weeks.  Love it or not, he’s agreed to shave it off if we can raise $500 for Jeneece Place by February 6, 2011.

You get to feel good about helping a young girl build a home away from home for families with sick kids and we get our clean-shaven boss back!

Thank you!

Serious Coffee Roast to help build Jeneece Place

From January 3 to February 6, 2011, Serious Coffee offers you Jeneece’s Dream Roast, a one pound bag of Organic Guatemala Arabica Coffee Beans, freshly-roasted specifically for this important cause. Serious Coffee will donate two dollars from each sale to the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children to help build Jeneece Place.

Named after Jeneece Edroff, Jeneece Place will provide a home away from home for families with children who have to travel to Victoria for medical care. Her courageous dream and fund-raising efforts earned her the Order of BC this past October.

To raise the stakes in your community, each one of the 26 locally-owned and operated Serious Coffee locations is competing against one another to see who can raise the most funds. The winner will present the cheque to charity and will receive additional perks, no Serious Coffee pun intended...



That's it for now.


Hammer

Troubles at Bear Mountain, Fundraising for Variety...

Some news from the Hockey World, with a BCHL connection - quite the story from the Globe and Mail today.

Click to read: Current, former NHL players lose more than $13-million in resort deal

Don't forget about the Heroes with Hearts Variety Show - and to bring some spare change this weekend - from Angel's Mom Cheryl: Angel will be fundraising at every game til the end of Jan.  This Sundays game will be a Variety Game Night and there will be a special puck toss. 

Hammer

Dogs 4 Clippers 0

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
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Rob Shick drops the puck..

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Bulldogs host Clippers, Rob Shick to drop puck....Midget Bulldogs Update

A big game tonight (they're all big) as the Bulldogs host the Clippers at the Dog Pound.

The game will have an extra element of excitement as former NHL Referee, recent BC Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee, and Port Alberni Native Rob Shick will drop the ceremonial puck before the game.

Shick once had the unique experience of officiating a game in front of "Her Majesty" Read more on Shick's experience that night from the NHL Officials Association website HERE

Here's Rob speaking at the 2009 Alberni Valley Charity Golf Classic - first started by Rob way back when - on his retirement. An emotional speech.





More on tonight from the Alberni Valley Times HERE


Read my "Weekly Preview" article on the Bulldogs website HERE

Catch the pregame show tonight from the Dog Pound at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com


Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is former Bulldog Devin Timberlake, now with the ECHL's Reading
Royals. 

The Van Isle Ford Midget A Bulldogs appear to be peaking just in time for Island League play-offs.  They picked up four points on the road, defeating Saanich 4-2 on January 22nd and Nanaimo by the same score on the 23rd.  The wins brought them within one point of second place Nanaimo and tied for points with Comox in Division 1 standings.

On Saturday the Bulldogs came out flying from the first shift and held Saanich to their own zone for most of the game.  The first goal came off a break out with Sam Visona feeding a long pass to Marino Somerville behind the Saanich defence.  Somerville got the goalie moving left, then backhanded to the right side of the net. On an early second period power play, Bryan Read stopped a Saanich clearing attempt at the blue line, put it to Somerville in the corner, then to Tyler Wilhelm who banged it in at the corner of the net.  Two minutes later, playing shorthanded, Colby Lim intercepted the puck and made a stretch pass for Brady Janzen to beat the defence and score five hole.  Saanich got one back to end the period with Alberni ahead 3-1.  Late in the third period, Dustin Diemert scored directly from the face-off.  Saanich made it 4-2 for the final.  The Bulldogs dominated this game, outshooting Saanich 37 to 20.  Goalie Bryce Dirocco made some great saves when he had to.

Sunday’s game in Nanaimo was equally hard fought, but started as more of a defensive battle.  Alberni managed only 4 shots in the first period to 5 for Nanaimo and no score.  The Bulldogs opened the second period on power play.  Visona put the puck to Wilhelm down low and he put it into the slot for Somerville to one-time past the goaltender.  Another power play at 12:34 saw Janzen take a pass from Brett Williscroft, stick handle around the defenders then score five-hole from close on the left side.  At 6:43 it was Visona to Somerville for a hard shot that found its way through for a short handed goal.  Nanaimo made it 3-1 with a man advantage at 5:18, then closed to within a goal on a long shot at 13:03 of the third period.  The score held until the final seconds of the game.  Brandon Antonichuk, under pressure from the Clippers defence missed the empty net, then took his own rebound off the end boards and drove it in to make it 4-2 with 13 seconds left on the clock.  Goaltender Andrew Cusson had a good game, stopping 28 of 30 Nanaimo shots.

Coach Brent Demerais noted the more balanced team effort with the younger players gaining confidence during the season.  Marino Somerville led scoring this weekend and Demerais singled out Visona for his effectiveness on penalty kill and Beau Wilson for stepping up his game.

The Midget A Bulldogs begin the North Island play-offs against Powell River on Saturday, January 29^th from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at Weyerhaeuser Arena.  This is the only home game in the North Island Series and will fan the flames of the rivalry between two closely matched teams.  They have not faced each other since Alberni edged the Kings 4-3 in pre-season play.  Get out and support the home team on Saturday.

More later



Hammer

"Around the Pound" , live tonight on 93.3 The Peak

Catch "Around the Pound" - the Bulldog Talk Show tonight on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com from 6pm to 7pm.

Tonight's guest list - in order of appearance, subject to change:

Bulldogs Head Coach and GM Paul Esdale

Bulldog players Ollie McCluskey and Casey Bailey

Former Bulldog Isaac Smeltzer

Nanaimo Clippers play-by-play voice Dan Marshall

Highlights from the week that was

Email your questions in for my guests by clicking here

Hammer

Weekly Recap, "Around the Pound" Monday from 6 to 7, Dogs host Clippers Tuesday..headin up the Mountain..

A tough loss for the Dogs last night as the Eagles left the Dog Pound with two points with a 4-2 win. The Dogs had good moments in the game - the late stages of the first, the early parts of the second - but in the end it was not a consistent enough effort to beat a team as good as the Eagles. The Dogs weren't ready to play early as the Eagles came out flying (pun intended) and raced out to a 2-0 lead by the midway point of the first and then scored big power play goals late in the second and early in the third to break a 2-2 deadlock after the Dogs had fought back..


Read all about it in my Weekly Recap from the Dogs website HERE

Don't forget "Around the Pound" takes to the airwaves tomorrow night from 6pm to 7pm on 93.3 The Peak FM. And also don't forget that the Dogs are back on home ice Tuesday when the Clippers come to town.

You won't be hearing from me until Monday night - I'm heading up Mount Washington for some recreation and relaxation for today and tomorrow!



Hammer

Dogs host Eagles....

A good win for the Dogs last night, a HUGE win over one of the teams chasing them in the standings. It was even larger when you consider the Coquitlam Express also picked up two points last night with a win in Penticton.

It was an awesome sight to see both Ollie McCluskey and Dylan Nowakowski get goals last night - McCluskey's was his career first BCHL goal and Nowakowski's was his first as a Bulldog. He has had a tonne of chances since joining the team, it just appears he was waiting for the right moment, haha.

The Dogs are right back at it tonight as they host the Surrey Eagles for the FIRST TIME this season. Amazing that it's 49 games in and fans in Port Alberni haven't yet seen every team in the Coastal Conference isn't it?

Catch the pregame show tonight at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is former Bulldog Isaac Smeltzer (above right), now at Brock University playing for the Badgers.

Sorry to cut it short, I'm off to the rink!

Hammer

Dogs 4, Caps 3, 2OT

Dylan Nowakowski's first as a Dog is the game winner 36 seconds into double overtime

Hammer


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Dogs @ Capitals, Jordan White called up, Community Events - Variety, Serious Coffee

Another huge game tonight in the "Battle of the Valleys" as the Dogs visit the Caps at the BIG STICK.

Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM at 7:15 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:30 on your radio or on your computer at www.933thepeak.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Colin Tiggelaar, play-by-play voice of the Surrey Eagles.

Very cool story here on former BCHL'er Jordan White getting the call by the Sharks last night. Dream of a lifetime! Click HERE to read more


This is a big one - click the image to enlarge! Also look for Angel selling cookbooks and accepting your loose change at Bulldogs Home games.

Hello to all , 

As you know your young friend Angel is on a mission to raise $100,000 for
Variety The Children's Charity.  Attached is a poster containing information
on her next fundraising event.  We hope you will consider attending if
possible and bringing your family to the event.  If you are planning to
attend please be aware that tickets to the pasta dinner need to be purchased
in advance, $15 per person.  

We are hoping you might consider supporting Angel's fundraising efforts by
donating an item of value to the silent or live auction.  Please know that
any donations received will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely and with thanks,

Cheryl and Angel Magnussen

And another one for a good cause....read below.....

Hi everyone,

In addition to the chain-wide coffee sale in support of Jeneece Edroff’s dream (see below), we’ve decided to do a little in-house extra FUNdraiser for Jeneece Place.  Below is what we have put on our donation box:

Want another way to help Jeneece Place?

Clay’s new moustache has been the topic of many conversations over the last few weeks.  Love it or not, he’s agreed to shave it off if we can raise $500 for Jeneece Place by February 6, 2011.

You get to feel good about helping a young girl build a home away from home for families with sick kids and we get our clean-shaven boss back!

Thank you!

Serious Coffee Roast to help build Jeneece Place

From January 3 to February 6, 2011, Serious Coffee offers you Jeneece’s Dream Roast, a one pound bag of Organic Guatemala Arabica Coffee Beans, freshly-roasted specifically for this important cause. Serious Coffee will donate two dollars from each sale to the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children to help build Jeneece Place.

Named after Jeneece Edroff, Jeneece Place will provide a home away from home for families with children who have to travel to Victoria for medical care. Her courageous dream and fund-raising efforts earned her the Order of BC this past October.

To raise the stakes in your community, each one of the 26 locally-owned and operated Serious Coffee locations is competing against one another to see who can raise the most funds. The winner will present the cheque to charity and will receive additional perks, no Serious Coffee pun intended...

______________________



Good on ya Angel, and good on ya Serious Coffee!

Hammer

Video - Harry Zolnierczyk named ECAC P.O.W with game winner over #1 Ranked Yale, Bulldogs Spring Camps

Thanks to Chris for sending in the link!!

PROVIDENCE, RI – Brown senior captain Harry Zolnierczyk (Toronto, ONT) has been named the ECAC Hockey/MLX Skates Player of the Week for the week ending January 16^th. Zolnierczyk helped to lead the Bears to a home-and-home split with #1 Yale, as the Bears fell to the top-ranked Bulldogs, 5-2, in New Haven, before earning a 3-2 come-from-behind win in Providence. Sunday's win marked Brown's first modern era win over a team ranked #1 in the country, as the Bears' snapped Yale's 10-game winning streak and handed the Bulldogs their first ECAC loss of the year.

For the weekend, Zolnierczyk led Brown with four points (2g, 2a) on five shots, while finishing with a +3 rating. He scored one goal in each game and added a pair of assists in the victory as well, playing a part in each of the Bears' three goals. On Saturday, Zolnierczyk's 10^th goal of the season, a short-handed breakaway, tied the score at 2-2 heading into the final period of play. The next day, Zolnierczyk earned the primary assist on the first two goals for the Bears, tying the score at 1-1 and then 2-2. Having just killed a Yale power play and with time winding down in the game, Zolnierzyk out-raced two Yale defenders to a puck in the neutral zone and, on a great individual effort, beat Ryan Rondeau with a back-hander on a breakaway for his 11^th goal of the season. He also blocked a game-high four shots in the win, which was Brown's first home victory of the season.

Zolnierczyk currently ranks second on the team with 23 points, 11 goals, and 12 assists. He leads the team with four power play goals, three game-winning goals, and two short-handed goals. The Bears return to the ice this weekend when they host St. Lawrence and Clarkson in a pair of crucial ECAC Hockey contests. The St. Lawrence game is Friday at 7:00, while the Clarkson game is scheduled for 4:00 on Saturday.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Annual Spring Camps
PRESS RELEASE

January 18, 2011

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will be having their annual Spring Camps this April. The Bulldogs will have a Bantam age division (14-15 years old) and a Junior age division (16-20 years old).

The Spring Camps will be April 1st - 3rd in Port Alberni at the Multiplex and on April 15th – 17th in Osoyoos at the Sunbowl Arena. Admission into the spring camps is $185.00 and will be offered to all interested in attending until the camp is full.

The Spring Camps are an opportunity for players to show off their skills to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs scouts and staff in hopes of attaining an invitation to the Bulldogs main camp in August, 2011.

Players will participate in practices, fitness testing, goalie sessions, evaluations, presentations and games.

To register go online to www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca and follow instructions or by mailing in spring camp brochure to Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3737 Roger Street, Port Alberni BC, V9Y -8E3.

Also, players can register by fax (250) 723-4452 or by phone at (250) 723-4412

Register by January 31st and receive a $25.00 discount on registration.

For more information, please contact the Bulldogs Office: (250) 723-4412

Hammer

Kyle St. Denis to the Grizzlies update - is he, or isn't he? Reposting - ECHL Coach loses it on Referee

I posted last night that Grizzlies Head Coach and GM Victor Gervais informed me before the game that Kyle St. Denis was joining the Grizzlies today.

Gregg Drinnan picked up the story on his blog TAKING NOTE - I was very surprised to head there today to do my daily read of it to find out that according to a source of Drinnan's that "the St. Denis family and the Grizzlies continue to talk"

Interesting to say the least. I can't see Gervais leading me astray, as he's been nothing but an up front straight shooter. You never know though.

This one is for Deb, and anyone else that missed Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) Head Coach Kevin Colley unload half the stick rack after getting fed up with the referee

Grizz 3 Dogs 2

A sparsley attended game in Victoria saw a lacklustre effort by the Dogs and Grizzlies.


I can't remember seeing a dog of a game like this one in a long time - and that's not just my opinion, and its not just because the Dogs were on the losing end of it. Talking to several Victoria fans, they thought the same as I did.


The Grizzlies out battled the Dogs on a scramble four minutes in to lead 1-0 on a Michael Colantone goal. The Dogs would have no less than 3 great chances on odd-man rushes to even it up but they couldn't get shots on net.


The Grizzlies went up 2-0 late in the first with the Dogs on the powerplay as David Morley put a beautiful pass through two Bulldogs off a faceoff loss in the Dogs end onto the tape of Madison Dias who ripped one top shelf.


Shots were 5-5 after 1.


The Dogs got on the board on the powerplay early in the second when Tyler Berkholtz took a pass from Mike Puddifant and walked into the top of the left circle and ripped one top corner far side to make it 2-1.


That would be shortlived as just over a minute later it was 3-1 Grizzlies when Evan Richardson scored his 5th goal in three games as he was left open at the top of the crease.


The Dogs took the only three penalties of the third, killing the first two off to keep it a 3-1 game.


That would be big as Sawyer Mick drove the net and took a return pass from Colton Sobchak that hit him and went in to make it 3-2 with just over five to play.


Shortly after the Dogs once again ended up in the box as the pushed for the equalizer. Again they would kill it, but it was time burnt that they couldn't get on the offence. They would get Slubowski out for the extra attacker with a minute to play but they were unable to find the net to tie it up.


Final shots favoured the Dogs 19-17. I'll have to go back and check my records for the last time BOTH teams in a game had less than 20 shots.


The Dogs went 1 for 3 on the powerplay while also giving up a shorthanded goal. The Grizzlies went 0 for 5.


Hammer

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Dogs @ Grizzlies update, St. Denis to join Grizzlies tomorrow

Some extra tidbits heading into tonight's encounter between the Bulldogs and Grizzlies.

Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldog Forward Tyler Berkholtz, while BCHL Director of Communications Brent Mutis stops by after 40 minutes.

Catch the pregame show at 7:00 on your radio on 93.3 The Peak FM and on your computer at www.933thepeak.com and www.bchl.ca

Not dressed for the Dogs - Justin Morello(day to day), Oliver McCluskey and Tanner Hicks.

Out for the Grizzlies - Joel Lowry, Pearce Eviston and - Kyle St. Denis.

Yes, that Kyle St Denis - former Kelowna Rocket and former Vernon Viper

After a couple rough seasons dealing with concussion issues, St. Denis was released by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL in early November. His BCHL rights were subsequently traded to Victoria by Vernon. While St. Denis had indicated his desire to play in Trail with his younger brother Travis, the January 10th Trade Deadline came and went with the teams unable to come to suitable terms.

In talking to Grizzlies Head Coach and GM Victor Gervais before the game tonight, he indicated to me that St. Denis will be joining the team tomorrow. That makes two additions of 20 year olds by the Grizzlies following the January 10th deadline as they also added Mitch Labreche last week from the UBC Thunderbirds.

Hammer

Nice day for a drive...

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Dogs @ Grizzlies, ECHL Coach loses it on Referee, Sidney Crosy to skip All-Star game in protest of Head Shots? Alberni Wrestling Update

The Dogs are back at it tonight, as they look for their first win of the season at Bear Mountain Arena, a week to the day after they picked up their first win this season over the Grizzlies, 4-3 at the Dog Pound.

Read more in my Weekly Preview article from the Dogs website here

Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com at 7:00 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:15.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Brent Mutis, the BCHL's Director of Communications.

Had this one emailed to me, suggesting Paul Esdale should have responded to the officiating in Nanaimo in this fashion on Friday.Probably not a good idea with what the league might do from a disciplinary standpint.

But this coach certainly got his message across! Wow.





Here's a big one from Puck Daddy - Sidney Crosby might skip the All-Star game in a protest of the league's lack of protection of players from Head Shots? It's got some legs, as the Globe and Mail first dropped the bomb.

Read all about it on the #1 Hockey Blog on the net - in my humble opinion - Yahoo's Puck Daddy

Alberni Wrestling Release:

                                 Local Wrestlers Shine at Age Class in Kamloops  

A large contingent of local wrestlers were competing this past weekend at the Western Canadian Age Class Tournament in Kamloops and they did not fail to shine. Twenty-four Alberni wrestlers placed and twelve of them medaled at the prestigious Western Canada Age Class event which featured over 800 wrestlers from close to 100 schools from all over Western Canada.

The Alberni group were led by five wrestlers who went undefeated to claim gold medals in their respective weight classes.  In the Schoolboy division for ages 12 – 14 EJ Dunn wrestler Nolan Badovinac went undefeated in the 75 kilogram division. In the Cadet division for athletes ages 15-16 ADSS wrestlers Rhea Wing (43 kg), Jesse Wagner (46 kg), and Cole Walton (85 kg) won their respective weight classes with strong performances.  Grade 11 wrestler Cullen Hines went undefeated to claim the title at 72 kilograms in the Juvenile (17 – 18 years old).

ADSS head coach John McDonald was pleased with the performance of the team in Kamloops.  “Our wrestlers did well.  This was a high level tournament and we had some good results.  I was really pleased with how some of our wrestlers battled through adversity this weekend.  Three of our senior wrestlers, due to injury, were physically not one hundred percent.  However they focused on the task at hand and were able to perform.  All three of them ended up placing.  This shows the character and the mental toughness that we will need to be successful down the stretch.  There are no guarantees that you are going to be feeling perfect come Provincials and Nationals.  Mentally you need to push through it.  It is difficult to simulate that in practice.  That is why this tournament is so important to our preparation.”

Several local wrestlers claimed silver medals dropping only one match in their respective weight classes.  In the Schoolboy/Schoolgirl division EJ Dunn wrestlers Dean Leyland (60 kg), Emma Vanderlee (66 kg), and Tyler Drew-Adams (85 kg) finished second in their respective weight classes.  In the Cadet division Jordan Wagner (50 kg) lost a close final to finish second in his weight class. Grade 12 wrestler Brianne Charles lost a heart breaking final match to her opponent from Smithers to finish with the silver medal in the 65 kilogram Juvenile Girls Division.

Rounding out the medal count were Russell David of Dunn (51kg) and Micaela Dick (54 kg) who claimed bronze medals in their weight classes in the Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Division.

Other local wrestlers to place in the top six of their weight classes were Chris Kurucz of Neill (4^th at HWT), Remi Wells of Dunn (4^th at 45 kg), Kennedy O’Donovan of Dunn (4^th at 48 kg), Michel Kurucz of Dunn (4^th at 59 kg), Austin Evans of ADSS (4^th at 58 kg), Austin Jaworski of ADSS (4^th at 69 kg), Johannes Kulich of Neill (5^th at 66 kg), Jacob Arcus of Neill (6^th at 60 kg), Ben Salitter of Neill (6^th at 66 kg), Lauren Barker of Dunn (6^th at 43 kg), Brittney Battie of Dunn (6^th at 48 kg), and Sheldon Haddad of ADSS (6^th at 58 kg).  Unfortunately team results were not available at the time of publication.

According to Alberni Wrestling coach James Messenger Age Class is an excellent tune up for the busy few months ahead.  “We always want to take a large group to the Age Class,” said Messenger, “it provides us with an opportunity for great competition and it is also a great team builder.  Road trips like this with several days away on the bus, in the hotel, and around the gym give our team an opportunity to do some team building.  We have a great group of kids here and they were excellent ambassadors for our sport and city.”

The busy weeks ahead include 4 practices per week, tournaments in Abbotsford and Campbell River and then the Annual Alberni Invitational tournament at the Multiplex February 3-5.  The season will continue with the Island Championships in Port Hardy February 11-12 and the BC High School Championships in Abbotsford February 24 – 26. The season wraps up for some of the top wrestlers at the National Championships April 6 – 11 in Windsor Ontario.


Hammer