Dogs @ Clippers - battle for "Rival Hammer", Sendoff at the Summit 4pm today, Midget Bulldogs Update

After finally getting a home game after 9 straight on the road on Tuesday night, the Dogs are right back on the bus tonight - thankfully for just a short jaunt over the hump to the Frank Crane Arena - to face the Clippers.

The two points the Dogs picked up with their 4-3 win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday night were big ones, as the very next night the Capitals and Express BOTH won, to keep on the Dogs heels.

The Dogs hold down 6th in the Conference entering play tonight, one point up on Cowichan and three points up on Coquitlam. AND two points back of the Clippers for 5th. Yes this is a BIG ONE tonight, and not just for the big 6 foot tall Hammer that goes to the winner of the season series either, which is currently led 4-3 by the Clippers as they have won the last three head to head games.

One year after going undefeated in the regular season at the Frank Crane Arena and ending the Clippers season on their own home ice in the playoffs, the Dogs have yet to win there this season. They have certainly been in every game though, losing the last two by scores of 4-3, with the most recent meeting ending in double overtime. 

Here's hoping the boys get a boost from the "Sendoff at the Summit" planned for this afternoon. Fans are encouraged to get to the top of the hump with their signs and jerseys at 4pm to cheer the guys on as the bus rolls by on the way to Nanaimo.

The first "Sendoff at the Summit" happened at the end of the regular season in the 2005-2006 season. It resulted in the first ever regulation time, regular season win in Nanaimo for the Dogs. Here's hoping tonight's version results in the first win there this season.

Here's how the first sendoff went - mild language warning.




And the Sendoff at the Summit II

Catch the pregame show from the Frank Crane Arena tonight at 6:55 on 93.3 The Peak FM and online at www.933thepeak.com

Former Bulldog Joe Scali, now playing with the CHL's Laredo Bucks after a collegiate career at Cornell, will be my 2nd Intermission guest.

Marino Somerville (17), Sam Visona (13) and Tyler Wilhelm (9) demonstrate the form that helped the Van Isle Ford Midget A Bulldogs beat the older Oceanside Generals Juvenile team last weekend.  Wilhelm had two goals and assist, Visona a goal and Somerville two assists in the 9-3 win.  The team is at a tournament in Kamloops on the January 14-16 weekend.

Hammer