Please visit the links and support my friends and supporters!!!

Please visit the links and support my friends and supporters!!!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Dogs 6 Grizz 3


Quite a game at the Dog Pound Friday night as the Dogs blew leads of 1-0 and 2-1 and eventually trailed 3-2 heading into the third period before battling back to tie the game and skate away with a 6-3 win to run their record to 2 and 0 on this young season.

For the second straight game the Dogs struck early, getting on the board before the game was a minute old on the power play. They were given ample opportunities with the man advantage to build the lead but the power play sputtered after that, eventually allowing a shorthanded goal (the second in as many games) to see the game tied at 1-1. Just 20 seconds later the Dogs answered right back to lead 2-1, but less than a minute later another odd man rush ended up in the back of the Dogs net and it was 2-2.

The Grizzlies took their first (and only) lead of the game late in the second on yet another odd man rush, this one coming immediately after a Bulldogs penalty kill and a 2 on 1 chance of their own that saw a big save and a big rebound that shot past the Dogs who were all caught deep and up ice as it was 3-2 Victoria after two periods.

The Dogs quickly evened the game in the third period at 3-3 and then went ahead 4-3 with nine minutes to play. A big penalty kill, a couple of big saves, and a post hit by the Grizzlies were the difference as moments later Tyler Berkholtz roofed a rebound to make it 5-3 Dogs with less than five minutes to play before an empty netter with two minutes remaining sealed the deal.

In the end it was a win, but not a consistent effort throughout a full 60 minutes, which you need more often than not to win in this league. You can bet that the Dogs will need to play a better game tomorrow in Duncan if they hope to open the season with a third straight win.

More on tomorrow.....tomorrow. Right now it's bed time!


Well done Dogs!


Hammer









Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
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Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Missing - Black Jerseys?

It appears that Victoria has made a booboo and has brought their Home Unis. More to come on this one. Maybe the Dogs have some Habs jerseys for them to wear, for those that remember last year...

Hammer

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
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Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Friday Faceoffs.....

More tidbits heading into tonight....

Former Grizz Dylan Nowakowski will be our 1st Intermission guest tonight....Ian Holmes from the Capitals Broadcast Team will join us in the 2nd Intermission show.

If you missed it last week - the Grizz and Caps had some fun on Saturday night, and will be short-staffed this weekend as a result.



Special thanks to the Grizzlies blog "Grizz Roar" for the heads up in regards to the video.

The suspensions from the above event are on the BCHL website here

GAME DAY, Dogs host Grizzlies..Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock today..bring your coins for Variety...


A busy weekend coming up for the AVB after just one game on the opening weekend....read my "Weekly Preview" article is up on the Dogs website - read it HERE


Catch  the pregame show with "The Ace" Alf Thompson and myself at 6:45 with all the action to follow at 7:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM



 The 2011 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock rolls into town today, with local rider Constable Tom Gill (above)...to make a donation and to get more information visit the official website HERE

The ride arrives in town and heads to Walmart for a Meet and Greet at 12 noon. That's followed by lunch at Alberni Toyota at 1pm, a visit to the Johnston Road Co-op at 2pm and then action shifts to the Alberni Mall location for a family-fun event from 2:30 to 3:30. The day concludes with dinner at Boston Pizza at 5:30 - tickets are still available. The public is encouraged to get out and welcome the riders to town and to also get out to all of the above events!

Angel Magnussen - check her website out here is also raising funds for a great cause...

Angel's Fundraising Blitz Day, Friday Sept 30th, 2011, starts at the Port Alberni   Bank Of Montreal at 10am with a bake sale, sale of Love Hats By Angel and Angel's Celebrity Charity Cookbooks and the finishes up with a Variety Game Night at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs game later that evening. Bring those coins you've been saving for Variety's Kids and get your name in a free draw to win some great prizes too. All proceeds go to Variety The Children's Charity.  To donate on line go to www.kidscoindrive.ca and click on Angel's name.   This is Angel's 7th year of involvement with the Kids Coin Drive For Variety.  Her long term goal has been to raise $100K for this charity.  Thus far the citizens of the Alberni Valley and Ucluelet have given her over $90K in donations to present to Variety on their behalf.  Angel's hoping this is the year she will reach her $100K fundraising goal for Variety's Kids.  You can help her out by helping to spread the word.   
 
Many thanks, Cheryl and Angel Magnussen

That's it for now - see you at the rink!

Hammer

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Raise a Reader Day!

I'm here at Safeway with store manager Chad McLeod and Bulldog Forward Taylor House along with Mary Moore from the Betwixt Music Makers and RCMP Inspector Gord Wellar Cpl. Jen Allen!


Come see us and make a donation!


We are here until around 10am

Hammer


----
Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
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Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Raise a Reader TODAY, Dogs name Assistant Captains, HENDERSON SCORES FOR CANADA....


It's Raise a Reader day today! Stay tuned to 93.3 The Peak FM throughout this morning as I will take my show "on the road" as Jolie and I will be around town selling Newspapers for donations to Literacy Alberni!

Read more about Raise a Reader and literacy in BC by reading this story from today's Alberni Valley Times click HERE

The Dogs finalized their leadership group yesterday, and also officially announced the release of Oliver McCluskey - best of luck in the future Ollie, keep your head high, you are a great kid and I wish you nothing but the best!

Bulldogs Name Assistant Captains, Release McCluskey


PRESS RELEASE
September 27, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announced today the three assistant captains that will help lead the team in the 2011/2012 season. Alongside returning Captain Trent Dorais, the assistant captains are 91 F Josh Mitchell, 91 D Mike Puddifant, and 91 F Dylan Nowakowski.
       
Mitchell is entering his third season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, coming off a 2010/11 campaign that saw him put up 62 points (17G, 45A) in 58 games. Puddifant hails from Salmon Arm, BC and is entering his 4th season in the BCHL that included brief stints in Salmon Arm, Nanaimo, and Burnaby. Nowakowski is from Calgary, AB and began his BCHL career with the Victoria Grizzlies. Nowakowski put up 7 points (4G, 3A) in his first 15 games last season with the Grizzlies prior to coming to the Bulldogs. After being acquired by the Bulldogs, he finished the 2010/11 season with 19 points (7G, 12A) in 17 games; four of his 7 goals came on the power play.


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs also announced today that 92 F Oliver McCluskey has been released. 


“We have had to make some tough decisions this season,” said Bulldogs’ Head Coach and Assistant Director of Operations Paul Esdale. “Oliver is an outstanding individual, contributed so much to the community, and is an exceptional student.”


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to thank Oliver for his contributions to the team and community. The organization wishes Oliver the very best in all his future endeavours.


For more information please contact assistant coach Adam Hayduk at 250.723.4412 or adam@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.


"HENDERSON TAKES A WILD STAB AT IT AND FALLS.....HERES ANOTHER SHOT, RIGHT BACK IN FRONT THEY SCORE.......HENDERSON HAS SCORED FOR CANADA!


Hard to believe it was 39 years ago today. Even harder to believe that I wasn't alive for it, because it sure feels like I was right there livin' and dyin' at every moment of every game with the rest of the country!

GO TO THE NET KIDS. Worked for Mr. Henderson.





Hammer

Monday, September 26, 2011

Dziurzynski, Zolnierczyk to suit up in NHL Exhibition today....SENATORS GAME ON CBC, 1pm

Pretty cool stuff today for any long-time Bulldog fan, as two players they used to see on Dog Pound ice will suit up tonight in NHL Exhibition action. First off, Harry Zolnierczyk will suit up for the Philadelphia Flyers as they face the Rangers



David Dziurzynski will suit up for the Ottawa Senators as they face the Winnipeg Jets in the Kraft Hockeyville game in St. John's Newfoundland.


Very exciting news - you can watch this one on CBC today, starting at 1pm PST! 


Cool stuff, a nice feather in the cap for the Bulldogs franchise and all those who had a personal connection with these guys on their road to the "show"


Hammer

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Bulldogs 5, Express 1


What a fun night at the Dog Pound as the Bulldogs skated to an entertaining 5-1 win over the Coquitlam Express.

Read my "Weekly Recap" article on the Dogs website here get the boxscore here

Picture credits to Kaicee Trott and Keith Simister...












Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
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Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Morning Show Host:
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Alberni Valley Bulldogs
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Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Home Opener

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Home Opener

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
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Blogger:
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IMG03298-20110924-1752.jpg

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

IMG03299-20110924-1752.jpg

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Tail Gate Party...

...
Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

FINALLY, Dogs open 10th Anniversary season TONIGHT at the Dog Pound




Time to get back to the Dog Pound! Pretty incredible that the AVB have been playing here for 10 seasons now. I have been here for 9 in a row, arriving for 2003-2004, missing the Inaugural 2002-2003 season.

I could write five pages of memories from all the games, but it is not about the past right now, it is about the PRESENT. It is a "gift" treat it as such, etc. It is springtime for Hockey, when hope springs eternal for all teams, a clean slate, a chance to skate to glory and win the RBC Cup, the Fred Page Cup, the Doyle Cup. A chance for personal glory along the way is there for every player that throws on a BCHL sweater. A chance to "live the dream" and get a scholly, get drafted, play in the SHOW. Get PAID to pay this great GAME.

I get paid to work in the game and like so many lucky other people and I feel quite fortunate for the opportunity. Don't tell my boss, but I might even do it for free. 

For new fans and new parents and family members of the new Dogs, it might be no big deal that the season finally starts on September 24th. For anyone that has followed the team here for multiple years, and especially for anyone that is a long time fan, it feels like "springtime" has come three weeks late this year. Kind of like our summer, which arrived on Labour Day Salmon Fest weekend, and lasted until the end of the following Fall Fair weekend, haha!

The last nine years, the Regular Season began the second weekend of September, and I have become quite accustomed to being very busy with my duties with 93.3 The Peak at Salmon Fest, Fall Fair the following weekend with the first Hockey Broadcasts of the season, followed by the Dogs first home game, which was always the following weekend, during the Port Alberni Toy Run which the station always had me involved in as well. It has been nice to have an extra three weeks and be half as busy as past years, but at the same time I have missed the game, missed the Dog Pound, and I am fired up to DROP THE PUCK ALREADY and I know I am not alone! 
Home Opener festivities get going at 5pm with The Peak's Jolie McMullan broadcasting live from the Tail Gate party, featuring live music from Lance Lapointe and a BBQ to fill your bellies to give you lots of energy to make you cheer inside the rink, so brave what might not be the BEST weather, and get to the rink early!

Catch the pregame show at 6:45 with "The Ace" Alf Thompson and myself with interviews from both sides of the coin and all the information you could want about both clubs. It is going to be tough to say goodbye to Rick Schievink, who I have been able to spend lots of time with over our respective years involved with the club, Rick as the Assistant Coach from 2004 to 2007, and then later as my partner in the Broadcast Booth providing Colour Commentary and Analysis. When you spend that much time with someone over that of a period, some great friendships develop and some very fun times happen. At the same time, it feels like going back in time with Ace coming back, he is one of the small army of people that brought this team to the Valley, and he also took part in the Broadcasts from 2002-2003 to 2005-2006, doing all 60 games over those years. He brings a great eye for the game to the air, and does an amazing amount of work on compiling current and historical statistics and researching every single player in the BCHL. Welcome back Ace!

Also in case you missed it, here is Ace's "Off The Post" from the Alberni Valley Times, click HERE to read it

Dan "the stats man" Tisserand will also be back in Broadcast Booth as often as he can be this season,
making our call of the game better with real-time team and player stats. Dan is in it for the fun and for the love of the game. Great to have you back Danno. I hope you and Ace are as funny as you and Ricky going back and forth about the game, about me, about whatever!

With this being the 10th Anniversary season, there might be some pretty special things happening on the ice beofre the start of the game, please try to be in your seats early so you can see it. It will also be the first time for a group of guys on the Bulldogs roster to skate in a game in the Dog Pound with the great crowd behind them. It is a special moment.

Don'tmiss BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale, our 2nd Intermission "feature guest"
Get up to Safeway, and get your name entered into the 93.3 The Peak Port Alberni Safeway Bulldogs power play contest! We will pick a contestant every time the Dogs go to the power play and if the Dogs score, you score a Safeway Gift Card!

We always love to hear to fans from both sides of the puck, parents, family members etc etc etc that are tuned into the Broadcast so feel free to drop us a line by clicking HERE and give us feedback on the broadcast, or maybe a great factoid or tidbit about a player.

Also, don't miss my "Weekly Preview" article from the Dogs website here 

Contained in my write up is a heads up on something making a comeback for the 10th Bulldog season that only previously existed in the Inaugural season - a post game show live on The Peak (then AV1240am "The Source", man have I been here a while, haha) from the Multiplex Upper Lounge. Fans are encouraged to stick around as Ace and I will be joined by members of the Bulldog Coaching Staff and Roster and the opposition as well should they accept our invitation. The plan is to have the audio audible to people in the Lounge, and on the Radio. Please bear in mind that shows like this are always a work in progress. I am crossing my fingers. Ace has told me some legendary stories from the shows in year one, so I'm looking forward to it.

Go Dogs Go!

Hammer



Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday Faceoffs.....

Way too much for one headline...everyone else with a blog seems to be into the aliterations, so "Friday Faceoffs" it is. It will be a collection of random thoughts, some deep, some shallow, accompanied by news and notes, pictures and videos,etc etc.

If you have a better title in mind, please feel free to submit it via email here or in the comments section

8....Bryce Perpelitz.....16 Taylor House.....9 Ryan Lough....15 Evan Tironese....21 Artsiom aka ARTY Kalashnikov....44 Malcolm McKinney....21 Evan Campbell....9 Alex Petan....

That is how I went to bed last night, that is how I woke up this morning - visions of hockey names and numbers dancing in my head. With the first Broadcast of the season tomorrow, its certainly that time of year again as I begin the memorization of 100's of names and numbers from all teams throughout the BCHL. It is not an easy process, but one I must go through if I want to provide the level of play-by-play that I shoot for. The game moves way to fast - if you don't know who has the biscuit the second they have it, by the time you look down at your paper and find the name and say the name, it could be in the other end of the rink and 4 other people could have touched it along the way.

Just a small part of what goes into calling hockey for me!

Bulldogs’ 10th Anniversary Home Opener
PRESS RELEASE

September 23rd, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will open up their 10th Anniversary season when they play the Coquitlam Express on September 24th at 7:00pm at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.

Festivities will begin at 5:00pm with a tailgate Barbecue party and live music.

The Bulldogs will don the new 10th anniversary logo on the shoulder of their jerseys (shown left) along with a jersey patch celebrating the 100th anniversary of Port Alberni.

“It’s an exciting time of year for everyone,” comments Head Coach/Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Paul Esdale. “We would like to thank the community of Port Alberni for supporting the Bulldogs for nine outstanding years. We look forward to another great year and I know we will show everyone that we have the best fans in the league,” adds Esdale.

Season tickets and game tickets for Saturday are still available at the Bulldogs’ office 250-723-4412 or online www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca.

Also, don’t forget to follow us on facebook and twitter. For more information please contact Marketing Director and Public Relations Laurie Smillie at 250-723-4412.

__________________________

Local Artist Lance Lapointe will be providing the musical entertainment. You might have heard Lance's new song "Tonight" on 93.3 The Peak - it's one of my new favorites! Read more about Lance from the Alberni Valley Times HERE

Check out Lance and his music on REBVERB NATION here

___________________________


Penticton Vees Captain Logan Johnson has been suspended 20 games for a dirty check in a game last Saturday that resulted in a broken jaw for Coquitlam Express forward Cody Michelle.


W - O - W is my first reaction. GOOD is my second reaction. This stuff needs to get out of the game, and the sooner the better. Would I feel the same about the check if it was delivered by a Bulldog? Who knows.


I will have BCHL Comissioner John Grisdale on during our 2nd Intermission show tomorrow to talk about all things BCHL, including this incident so don't miss it.


I thought the league really missed the boat last year in the season opener for the Bulldogs in Powell River to send a strong message after the Scott Renner leaping-blindside-elbow to the head of Frank Riddle that resulted in a stretcher and a 20 minute delay just 5 minutes into the first minute of the game of the season. All that was handed out was a 2 game suspension, by about 10am the next morning. It was shocking. Hopefully this 20 gamer will send the message that EVERYONE needs to get. 


Well done BCHL, it couldn't have been easy to make this decision with a lack of video evidence. 20 games, one-third of the season, is a pretty stiff penalty. Catch more with John Grisdale on 93.3 The Peak FM tomorrow during the 2nd Intermission show.


______________________


Pot Luck Ceramics
Barn Sales this weekend!
Saturday & Sunday
Sep 24th & 25th
at the Barn
4011 Cowley Road, Cherry Creek
11 am - 4 pm

Also open every Wed 11am-7pm


Beautiful Terracotta Kitchen &
Dinnerware with a Mediterranean Flair!
GREAT GIFTS


Profit for Non-Profit
Supporting quality of life in the Alberni Valley
Port Alberni Fundraising Co-op
 
 
That's it for now, more later, can't wait for GAME ON tomorrow night!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Dogs add Taylor House, open season at home Saturday, Bulldogs Hockey BACK on The Peak, Alf "The Ace" Thompson back in the booth


  PRESS RELEASE
September 20th, 2011


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to announce the acquisition of 92 F Taylor House from the Cowichan Valley Capitals for future considerations.


The Cochrane, Alberta native racked up 25 goals, 52 assists and 82 penalty minutes in 56 regular season and playoff games with the Osoyoos Coyotes of the KIJHL last season. The 6’1”, 180 pound center also played 3 games with the Penticton Vees.


“We have scouted Taylor all last year and are thrilled with the addition of him to our lineup,” comments Head Coach/Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Paul Esdale. “Taylor will add size, speed and skill to our forward group,” adds Esdale.


The Bulldogs Regular Season Home Opener is September 24th at 7:00pm against the Coquitlam Express at the Multiplex. For tickets please contact the Bulldogs office at 250-723-4412.


For more information please contact assistant coach Adam Hayduk at 250.723.4412 or adam@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.




Saturday night, the Bulldogs officially open their 10th Anniversary season. Can we just drop the puck already!?


I'm excited to get back on the air calling hockey, and I'm excited to have Ace back in the booth with me as he was beside me from 2003-2004 through the 2005-2006 season, if memory serves me correct. Its tough to lose Rick after all the years we spend in the booth, but it feels like what is old is new again with Ace coming back. Longtime fans will no doubt remember all that he brings to the broadcast and new fans are soon to find out - a great eye for hockey, and some great statistics as well to keep you informed. He does more work on cumulative stats and head to head stats than I could manage without going crazy! Welcome back Ace! First Broadcast is of course Saturday night, with the Pregame Show on the air at approximately 6:45 with the puck drop to follow at 7pm.


I'm mostly just hoping that everything goes well and off without only minor glitches and hitches....we have no training camp no preseason, nothin' we just hit the ground running....hopefully!


The Bulldogs will be throwing a Tailgate party to kick the season off, with a BBQ, live music and The Peak Broadcasting live from outside the rink so be sure to come to the rink early Saturday night!


If you are outside of Peak listening range, catch the game over the internet through our Live Stream at www.933thepeak.com or listen live or watch live through the BCHL's PPV Broadcasts on their website here


Speaking of Ace's return to the booth - here's the last two "Off the Post" columns by Ace from the Alberni Valley Times click to read- September 9th September 15th


More later - off to more do more work to get ready!


Hammer

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Final score, 6-2 Caps

Shots 30-28 Caps. Unofficial powerplay stats, Caps go 3 for 6, Dogs go 0 for 7.

Stars: 3rd Jake Charles
2nd Devin Gannon
1st Josh Monk

Hammer

----

Morning Show Host:
93.3 The Peak FM
Play-by-Play Voice:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Blogger:
www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Pictures....