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 29th 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
2 comments:
Why do they wear blue?
retro jerseys honoring AVMHA history.
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