FREE SKATE AND AUTOGRAPH SESSION TODAY!

Very cool opportunity for kids young and old today as there is a FREE SKATE and AUTOGRAPH SESSION featuring the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, NHL Alumni, and Canadian Olympians!

It goes at the Multiplex from 3:30 to 4:15 today, with Skate Rentals courtesy Port Alberni Parks & Rec!

Oh, and by the way, the PAJHS FUNdraising Dinner tonight is SOLD OUT!

Way to go Port Alberni!

Hammer

VIDEO - Tironese shorthanded goal, WEAR PINK today, Fan appreciation weekend!

 

WEAR PINK today people!

 

 

A tiny sliver from Saturday's game, but it is a pretty good example of how most of the game went. End to end. Fast, exciting, very very fun to watch.

The Bulldogs are down to four games left in the regular season, and just TWO on home ice this Saturday and Sunday before they finish next weekend on the road. I saw earlier this morning on the team Facebook page that the Bulldogs are celebrating with "Fan Appreciation Weekend"

More details:

FAN APPRECIATION WEEKEND coming up! Sat, Mar 2nd vs Salmon Arm it's JERSEY NIGHT - anyone wearing their favourite jersey (any sport) will be entered in a draw to win great prizes, including a Colin Guiguet game used jersey. Sun, Mar 3rd vs Nanaimo is a post game fan appreciation skate with the players and BBQ. Free skate rentals available!

That's it for now, hopefully we'll see you either at the games this weekend or the PAJHS FUN-draiser Dinner tomorrow night at the Barclay Hotel...the latest update I heard today was there were just a few tickets left! Get out and support the team with a great dinner, some great speakers, and some fantastic auction items!

Tickets - Bulldogs Office, AVCOC, Card Corner and Collectibles, RBC

Hammer

 

WHAT. A. GAME. Dogs 4, Eagles 4.

What an incredible game. One of the best I have ever seen!

Full Recap on the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Dogs host Eagles tonight, Midget Dogs host Island Finals today

Just five games remain in the regular season for the Bulldogs (26-19-1-5, 3rd Island) with three of them at home and two on the road. It's a big test tonight as the Mainland Division leading Surrey Eagles (32-13-2-4, 1st Mainland) come to town for their first and only regular season visit. It's the first head to head between the clubs since mid-September, a 5-4 Bulldog win in Surrey.

It's been a fun stretch of Friday's on the road with the Dogs winning 8-1, 9-1 and now 7-1 respectively. However, they followed those wins the next night with losses on the road of 8-4 and 3-1. Here's hoping being at home tonight will help buck that trend.

I expect a very good Eagles team, and hopefully a fun game to watch tonight as the Dogs try to chase down second place and Home Ice in the first round of the playoffs. The Dogs haven't been in second for a long time but a win tonight with a Clipper loss in regulation puts them there.

Catch all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show kicking things off at 6:45 with the puck dropping shortly after 7:00.

Don't forget a Pay-per-view broadcast is available to watch through Fast Hockey

Tonight's 2nd intermission guest is Scott Campbell, play-by-play voice of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, who will make their first trip of the season to the Dog Pound next Saturday!

Lots of Hockey today at the Multiplex before the Dogs vs Eagles game!

First off, the Tier 4 Midget Dogs host Game 1 of the Island Finals vs Juan De Fuca at 11:45!

Later on, the Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs (hosting the Tier 3 Provincials March 16-21st) also begin a Best-of-three Island Finals series when they host Victoria at 2:45.

One final reason to check out the Dogs game tonight - you will get a sneak preview of the Mount Arrowsmith Skating Club's presentation of "Under the Big Top"

While loading the bus and doing work at the rink the last little while I have seen some of their fine-tuning, and it looks like it's going to be a great show!

Hammer

Dogs top Clippers 7-1

Emphatic victory for the Dogs as they won their second straight (while stopping the Clippers two game win streak in the process) with a 7-1 drubbing.

With the win the Dogs now trail the Clippers by a single point for 2nd place in the Island Division.

Full Recap from the Bulldogs website here

Hammer

Line Up Dogs @ Clippers

Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight

It's a huge four-point game in the battle for second place in the Island Division, and a probable Playoff Preview as the Bulldogs (25-19-1-5, 3rd Island) visit the Clippers (28-18-0-3, 2nd Island) with the Clippers leading the Dogs by three points in the standings while also holding a game in hand.

It's the first meeting for the teams since the Clippers picked up a 3-1 win at the Frank Crane on January 23rd. The Bulldogs lead the season series 3-2.

Catch all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00

Don't forget you can also watch the game through the Pay-per-view broadcast at Fast Hockey

Tonight's 2nd intermission guest is Surrey Eagles play-by-play voice Brendan Batchelor as the Eagles make their first visit of the season to the Dog Pound tomorrow night! 

Saturday is a big day for both Midget Bulldog Rep teams. The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs (hosting the Tier 3 Provincials March 16-21st) begin the Best-of-three Island Finals series when they host Victoria tomorrow at 2:45.

Get to the rink earlier in the day to support the Tier 4 Midget Dogs, as they are also hosting Game 1 of the Island Finals vs Juan De Fuca at 11:45!

Why not get out on Saturday and try some curling!? Sounds like fun!

Hammer

Dziurzynski's first, and his Bulldog best? Mount Arrowsmith "Under the Big Top"

Here's former Bulldog David Dziurzynski scoring his first NHL goal last night! Awesome!

And here is one of my favorites from his time as a Bulldog in the playoffs in Powell River

 The Mount Arrowsmith Ice Show is coming up! Click the pictures to enlarge for more details!

It is also getting close to our Ice Show “Under the Big Top’

 

March 1st. 7:00pm Tickets are $5 and are available from any member of the club or at Echo

 

Our guest skaters Nicole Orford and Thomas Williams are the 2013 Canadian National Senior Champions Bronze Medalists in Ice Dance.

Dizzy scores!

Congrats to former Bulldog David Dziurzynski, who just scored his first NHL goal!!


Hammer

Sent from my iPhone

Russian Goodwill Hockey Tour comes to Island

Very cool to be able to see some "International Friendlies" as a touring Old Timer's team from Tula, Russia.

Schedule

April 5th Parksville 7:00
April 6th Port Alberni 6:00
April 7th Duncan 7:00
April 9th Campbell River 6:30

Alberni Wrestling Dominates, Hunter Stewart named BCHL Player of the Week, Tironese Honorable Mention

ADSS Wrestlers Win Island Title For Record 14^th Year In A Row

The ADSS wrestling team has a rich history and tradition and added another milestone to their dynasty on the weekend. The ADSS Boys Wrestling team won the Vancouver Island Secondary Wrestling Championship in Ucluelet on the weekend for the 26^th time in the past 31 years and the 14^th year in a row. 

The ADSS boys finished with a whopping 119 points, more than double the 45 points accumulated by second place Dover Bay of Nanaimo. Timberline of Campbell River were third with 43 points followed by Esquimalt of Victoria at 30 points and Cowichan Secondary at 21 points.  The other top ten teams were Queen of Angles, Reynolds, Ballenas, Oak Bay and Francis Kelsey and Gulf Islands tied for tenth. 

The ADSS Girls team were not able to make it a clean sweep for ADSS as they finished second to the host team from Ucluelet.  Ucluelet were first with 36 points with ADSS at 26 points and Cowichan at 21 points. Timberline were fourth in the girls division with 16 points and Campbell River Secondary fifth with 12 points. The reminiang teams in the top 10 for the girls were Queen of Angles, Dover Bay, Quamichan, Francis Kelsey and our own middle school team from Dunn. 

“The continued dominance of our ADSS wrestlers on the Island scene is truly a remarkable accomplishment,” stated Alberni Wrestling Director Tom McEvay, “there are few teams in any sport at any level who can show this type of legacy over such a long period of time. We are certainly proud of our young wrestlers, their dedicated coaches and the amazing support we get from our community.”

ADSS wrestlers won nine of the 29 weight classes contested at the Islands. On the boys side the team were led by their young guns. Grade 10 wrestler Dean Leyland had the tournament of his career so far as he won gold in the very tough 70 kg division. Not only did Leyland win his division he was selected as the events Most Outstanding Male Wrestler. 

“Dean had a terrific tournament,” exclaimed head ADSS coach John McDonald, “he wrestled to his potential and beyond. Every match he had was a close battle and each time he kept his composure, did what he needed to do and pulled out the wins. Some of his victories were of the last second variety which is remarkable for a grade 10 at a high school championship.” 

ADSS grade 10 wrestler Nolan Badovinac continued his tremendous season with another tournament victory. Badovinac took gold at 74 kg and is expected to compete for the provincial gold at the BC’s in two weeks in Duncan. Grade 11 twins Jesse and Jordan Wagner were unstoppable on route to winning the 51 kg and 54 kg weight classes respectively. Fellow grade 11 Christian Anderson was dominant in taking the 90 kg weight class while grade 12 wrestler Cole Walton returned from injury to win the 110 kg weight. 

In the girls division it was grade 12 Jordon Bodnar winning her unprecedented 5^th straight Island gold at 43 kg.  Bodnar is also a 4 time BC champion and will lead the ADSS girls into the BC’s in Duncan. Grade 10 wrestler Remi Wells continued her outstanding season with an Island gold at 57 kg. Up and coming grade 9 wrestler Micaela Dick surprized no one in winning the 69 kg weight class. Despite being so young both Wells and Dick could compete for medals at the BC’s this year.

The strength of the Alberni Wrestling program is not just evident in their gold medal results. Six local wrestlers brought home silver medals and five captured bronze. ADSS captain and grade 12 wrestler Jonathan Spencer took second at 74 kg while fellow graduating wrestler Bailey Durning was second at 64 kg on the girls side.  Both of these senior wrestlers are medal threats in Duncan. Grade 10’s Lauren Barker, Michel Kurucz took slivers at 57 and 60 kg as did another young ADSS wrestler Julia McGowan at 69 kg. Grade 8 wrestler Trevor Barker of Dunn was second at 38 kg.

Bronze medalists for the ADSS boys were grade 12 Sheldon Haddad at 60 kg and grade 10 Eryk McKenzie (Cardinal) at 70 kg. Both had terrific tournaments and according to their coaches impressed everyone in attendance. On the girls side grade 11 Elise Huffman was third at 69 kg while a couple of local middle school wrestlers Summer Wass (Dunn 51 kg) and Isabella Jones (Neill 60 kg) were also bronze medalists.

Rounding out the top six placer for local wrestlers were fourth place finishers Jarred Beckett (ADSS 48 kg), Matt Grimston (Dunn 60 kg) and Kalissa Montgomery (Dunn 47 kg) . Placing sixth were Morgan Dagenais (Dunn 54 kg), Johannes Kulich (ADSS 70 kg) and Trenton Vanderkooi (Dunn 74 kg). Russell David of ADSS had to withdraw due to illness and will be given a chance of a wrestle-off this week to still qualify for the provincials. The top 5 boys and top 6 girls qualified for the BC’s.

With the Island now behind them the complete attention for the local wrestlers will be preparation for the BC’s in Duncan February 28 – March 2^nd.  “This week will be a hard week at practise as we push our wrestlers every day, “ said McDonald, “by next week we begin to tapper and just make sure everyone is healthy and on weight. We will be extremely competitive in both boys and girls at the BC’s and we are proud to have a shot at an unequalled fourth straight Combined/Aggregate title.” 

Congrats to Hunter Stewart and Evan Tironese! From the BCHL website

 
Alberni Valley Bulldogs forward Hunter Stewart has been named the Gongshow BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 17, the league announced Monday.

Stewart racked up five goals and two assists in helping the 'Dogs to four of a possible six points last week. The Calgary native started hot with a hat trick and two assists in a big win over the Powell River Kings where he was named 1st Star as well as the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game.

He finished up with two goals and another 1st Star nod in an overtime victory against the West Kelowna Warriors.

Honourable mentions this week:

Merritt Centennials F Sebastien Pare (3G 2A, two GWGs, 3rd Star)

Chilliwack Chiefs G Mitch Gillam (2W, 1st Star, .961 sv%, 1.50 GAA)

Nanaimo Clippers F Reid Sturos (3G 1A, two 1st Stars, FortisBC Energy Player of the Game)

Penticton Vees F Jedd Soleway (3G 2A, 1st Star, GWG)

Alberni Valley Bulldogs F Evan Tironese (1G 9A, 2nd Star, 3rd Star)

Highlights - Dogs 5 Warriors 4 OT

Enjoy! My audio/video editing skills with a poor program are poor at best...but to quote Dickie Dunn from Slap Shot I believe I "captured the spirit of the thing"

Hammer

Never.Say.Die. Dogs 5 Warriors 4, OT

Wow, what a comeback. One for the ages. They write scripts and make motivational videos on stuff like that. Wow, way to go boys.

Full Recap on the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Line up Warriors at Dogs

Dogs finally return home, host Warriors this afternoon

After six straight games on the road, the Bulldogs (24-19-1-5, 3rd Island) finally return to home ice as they host the West Kelowna Warriors (24-13-3-8, 3rd Interior) at the Dog Pound.

This is the second and final regular season meeting between the teams after they played to a wildly entertaining 3-3 tie at Royal LePage Place prior to the Christmas break.

Catch all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with Bruce and I with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show on the air at 1:45 and the puck drop at 2:00.

Don't forget you can also watch the Pay-per-view broadcast through Fast Hockey

Former Bulldog and Port Alberni Native Josh Bonar, currently playing in Brasov, Romania, is our 2nd intermission guest.

Hammer

Dogs fall to Grizzlies 3-1

A tough one for the Dogs tonight as they appeared flat throughout and were never able to get it going in falling to the Grizzlies 3-1.

Full Recap on the Dogs website HERE

Back at it tomorrow afternoon as the Dogs host the Warriors.

Hammer

Dogs visit Grizzlies, Midget Dogs host Sooke in Island Semis, Dizzy and Harry on HNIC tonight?

The Bulldogs (24-18-1-5, 3rd Island) finish a tough stretch of six straight road games tonight when they travel down Island to visit the Grizzlies (32-11-0-6, 1st Island) at Bear Mountain Arena.

The Dogs are coming off their second fun Friday in a row, winning 9-1 in Powell River last night, a week to the day after picking up an 8-1 win in Trail. Here's hoping they can find a way to end this weekend better than they did last weekend, with losses to Penticton and Chilliwack.

Quite the tough schedule for the Dogs, and that's not just because they are finishing off six straight away from home, but more due to the fact that after last Friday's game in Trail they won't face any teams that are on the outside of the Playoff picture and looking in. The positive is that there is no better way to prepare for the post season and when it really matters than by playing against great opposition.

Get all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey with myself and Bruce MacDonald on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show at 7:00 with the puck dropping at 7:15.


Tonight's 2nd intermission guest is West Kelowna Warriors play-by-play voice Jon Zacks.

Get to the Multiplex today to cheer on the Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs as they host Sooke in a single-game knock out at 2:45 in Island Semi Final action!

Here's hoping former Bulldog David Dziurzynski will suit up for his first NHL game tonight at the Senators visit the Leafs for in the Battle of Ontario. And here's hoping its on in BC with CBC also broadcasting the Flyers-Habs game. But wait, maybe Harry Zolnierczyk dresses for the Flyers in that one?

Very very cool to have two guys that I both got to know from their times in Port Alberni possibly suiting up in the NHL on the same night.

Way to go Harry, way to go Dizzy, way to go Bulldogs!

Hammer

Dogs 9 Kings 1

For the second straight Friday the Bulldogs score a season high as they top the Kings 9-1. Full Recap on the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Line Up Dogs @ Kings

Dogs visit Kings, start another three-in-three weekend

The Bulldogs (23-18-1-5, 3rd Island) are right back on the bus again today as they continue a stretch of six straight games away from home when they visit the Kings (19-22-2-7, 4th Island) in Powell River.

The Dogs are playing their second to last of six straight away from home, the last of which is tomorrow in Victoria before they return home to host West Kelowna Sunday afternoon. The Kings are oddly enough playing their second of six straight at home. The Kings have 8 of their final 10 games remaining on Home Ice.

Catch all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show kicking off at 7:15 and the puck dropping at 7:30

Tonight's 2nd intermission guest is Grizzlies play-by-play voice Scott Didmon.

Don't forget, you can also watch the Pay-per-view video broadcast through Fast Hockey

The Bulldogs aren't home until Sunday but there is great hockey action at the Multiplex on Saturday afternoon as the Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs take on Sooke in the Island Semi Finals at 2:45 in a single game knock out! Come out and cheer the Dogs on!

Hammer