Dogs host Grizzlies tonight, Super Bowl Golf tomorrow!

After a very tough stretch that saw them play seven games in ten days and four in five days last week, this is the only game on the schedule this week for the Bulldogs (15-25-2-6, 4th Island) as they host the Victoria Grizzlies (28-13-3-3, 2nd Island) at the Dog Pound.

The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday afternoon where they topped the Powell River Kings 6-4 in a wild and crazy game. With that win the Bulldogs pulled even with the Capitals for 4th place on the Island. It was the first time since Day 1 of the season that the Dogs weren't in 5th.The Grizzlies were in Nanaimo last night where they lost their 4th in a row, 4-2 to the Clippers.

There is a chance that the Grizzlies with be without leading scorer Myles Fitzgerald tonight (4th in league scoring) after he picked up a five minute major for slashing late in the game last night. As far as I am aware, league policies dictate that ALL Major Penalties are reviewed by the Executive Director.

Take a look at the video below.  An interesting call to say the least. You can't argue with how flagrant the two-handed baseball bat swing of the stick was. On the other hand, the player that takes the slash doesn't just appear to be un-injured by the slash, he doesn't seem to even notice he received it. It wasn't until the second time I watched the replay that I noticed Leo Fitzgerald deliberately away from the Clipper player just as he's going to pick it up, directly in front of the Referee. Not the most sportsmanlike move in the book, but I have to admit I had a pretty good laugh!

The Dogs got some help on the out of town scoreboard as the Kings topped the Caps 5-4 in Powell River.

These teams last met immediately before and immediately after Christmas, with the Grizzlies taking both games at Bear Mountain Arena by scores of 5-1 and 4-1 respectively. The teams have met just twice at the Dog Pound, with the most recent meeting going on December 14th where the Grizzlies picked up a 3-2 OT win after the Dogs had dug out of a 2-0 hole after two periods. The Bulldogs have done everything against the Grizzlies except WIN. They have lost, lost in overtime, and also tied, their Head-to-Head record is 0-3-1-1.

 

Myself (Play-byPlay), Bruce MacDonald (Colour and Analyis) and Dan Tisserand (Team/Player Stats) will be in the Broadcast Booth to bring it all to you on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM

The pregame show gets underway at 6:45, with the puck drop to follow at 7:00pm.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

In tonight's 2nd Intermission show we will run an interview from last week's "BCHL This Week" program from Team 1410, in honour of the recent Bell Let's Talk Day. Host Jeff Patterson talks with Cowichan Valley Capitals Assistant Coach Rob DeClark. The topic isn't the action ON the ice, but the challenges that players face OFF of it.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the always fun SUPER BOWL SCRAMBLE out at the Alberni Golf Club!

Super Bowl Scramble

On Sunday February 2^nd. is the annual Super Bowl Scramble and party.

Please register in the Pro. Shop, or you can phone 724-5422 with your 4,5, or 6 person teams or as a single.  The teams can consist of all Men all Ladies or a mixed team. There will be very few rules, just a fun day. Both golfers and non golfers are welcome to join in the activities. If you prefer not to golf come out for the lunch and watch the game the big screen TV in the Clubhouse.

There will be 9 holes of golf with many on course obstacles to overcome. It all begins with a shotgun start at 12 noon and the kick off at 3PM. After golf come into the lounge relax, enjoy the lunch and the game, while you sip on a beverage or two.

 There will be 3 or 4 meat draws, at ½ time courtesy of Rick Paul of Double R Meats. The price for this fun filled day is $30 for members and $40 for guests. This entry fee includes Golf, Lunch and lots of prizes.

One final topic regarding the Men’s Club. Finally at long last we have  the Club Championship sorted out. Once again congratulations to Mike Pichor on capturing the Club Championship for the second time. Mike received a nice plaque and a cheque for $200. Runner up and I believe they went  to extra holes was Jim Proteau who  received $150. In the Flight, the winner was Bill Barrett who received $150. Followed by runner up Livio Tedesco who got a cheque for $100. Congratulations to all the winners, sorry it took so long.

See you on the second.

Justin Georgeson scores beauty, gets POW Honorable Mention, SUPER BOWL GOLF!

How about this thing of beauty from Nanaimo on Friday night! Mitch Makin has company in the goal of the year category!

Always a bunch of fun, the Super Bowl Golf tourney at the Alberni Golf Club! Get signed up and get ready to have some fun! 

Man I love living out here! 

 This is a picture from Mom at home in Northern Manitoba...yah, no thanks!

SUPERBOWL SCRAMBLE

ALBERNI GOLF CLUB

Sunday, Feb. 2

Noon Shotgun Start

$30/Members     $40/Non-Mbrs.

Includes golf, prizes & meal

Sign up in the Pro Shop  723-5422

Dogs top Kings 6-4, tie Cowichan

The game started with a bang, with the Bulldogs scoring just 25 seconds into the game to snap the 180 minute head to head shutout streak of Kings netminder Jeff Smith as Tryg Strand drove the net and one-timed home a centering pass from the top of the crease. Assists on the play went to Justin Georgeson and Hunter Stewart. The Bulldogs continued to push the pace, and quickly made it a 2-0 lead inside the first three minutes of the game as Justin Georgeson found a loose puck at centre and blew past a Kings defender before walking into the high slot and beating Smith with a wrist shot from the high slot blocker side. Hunter Stewart and Tryg Strand picked up the assists at 2:45 of the first. Momentum would shift 30 seconds later when the Kings went to the power play. A strong net drive Kurt Keats just seconds later would draw another penalty as LaCouvee made a great save on a partial break before being taken out by two defenceman who were taken out by Lucas Grayson. The only penalty went to the Dogs, as the Kings went to work on a 5 on 3 for over a minute and a half. They would connect on it to make it a 2-1 game when Jarid Lukosevicius took a cross-ice pass from Jarryd Leung in the left circle that he fired short-side past a screened LaCouvee at 4:40 of the first. The Dogs would kill off the second penalty, but the momentum had swung in the Kings favour as they controlled the next 10 minutes as Connor LaCouvee came up with a handful of saves to protect the lead. The most notable stop was on a one-timer from the slot by former Bulldog AP Brendyn Smith where LaCouvee made a great glove save. The Bulldogs would draw a power play late in the first and had several good chances but they couldn't find the net to build the lead. Shots favoured the Kings 20-14 after the first.  

The Dogs build their lead on a pretty power play set up in the front half of the second as Justin Georgeson took a cross-ice pass from Garrett Halls at the left point before throwing a pass cross-ice to the back door where Hunter Stewart deflected it home to make it 3-1 at 6:40 of the second. The game would turn nasty shortly afterwards when Lucas Grayson came off the Kings bench on a change and blindsided Hunter Stewart on a high hit in neutral ice. There was no penalty on the play, but Bulldog Captain Tryg Strand took exception to the hit and challenged Grayson to a fight. The Dogs would kill off a penalty to protect their lead, before being sent to the box again shortly afterwards. As they were in the process of killing that one off Rob Click and Lucas Grayson would engage in a stick swinging battle at the front of the net that resulted in a delayed penalty to the Bulldogs, and a fight between Click and Grayson that saw Grayson pick up an additional two minutes for roughing along with a Gross Misconduct for removing his helmet and a Game Ejection for a second fight. The Dogs would end up killing off the penalty, before drawing one themselves with two seconds left in the period. Shots favoured the Dogs 11-9 in the period with the Kings holding a 29-25 advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs couldn't connect on the power play to start the period, but they kept pushing and ended up building the lead seconds later as Zach Funk took an in-alone pass from Josh Adkins to skate in on a partial breakaway. He would be unable to get a shot away, but stuck with it and found the puck below the goal line where he threw one out front that went off a King and in to make it 4-1 game 2:34 into the third as Jeff Smith was relieved by Jonah Imoo. The Bulldogs would build their lead to 5-1 six minutes later as Mitch Owsley did a good job to battle the puck past a Kings defender to race away on a 2 on 1 rush where he put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Craig Martin who one-timed it home top corner, far side over the glove of Imoo at 8:12. The Kings would answer back just 15 seconds later when they won a draw in the Dogs end back to the line where Cole Arcuri scored his first career goal with a quick release that beat LaCouvee low, glove side from Jarryd Leung at 8:27. The score stayed that way until the late stages of the game when the Kings scored two quick ones to all of a sudden make a game of it. The first came on a Kurt Keats rebound at the side of the net after Connor LaCouvee made the first save off a deflected point shot. Assists on the play went to Jarid Lukosevicius and Kyle Chatham at 17:12 of the third. The Kings continued to press and drew within one on the next shift as they won several battles in the Dogs end before JJ Coleshaw drove hard to the net and made a quick move before throwing it through the legs of LaCouvee. Assists went to Luke Nogard and Drew Dorantes at 17:46 to make it 5-4. The Bulldogs would call Time Out to slow things down and regain their composure to protect their lead. Instead, they built on it as it took just 10 seconds with Mitch Makin dumping the puck in, chasing it down and throwing it on net from he left wing. Imoo would make the first save but he couldn't control the rebound as Mitch Owsley hammered it from the lip of the crease to make it 6-4 at 17:56. The Kings would again push to try and get back into it but the Dogs made the two-goal lead stand as time expired.

Shots favoured the Kings 46-39 with Connor LaCouvee picking up 3rd star honours with the win while Jeff Smith took the loss giving up four goals on 29 shots before being replaced by Jonah Imoo. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 1 for 5.

With the win the Dogs are now tied with the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the final Playoff spot in the Island Division, the first time the Dogs have drawn even since the opening day of the season. They get some much deserved time off until Saturday night when they host the Victoria Grizzlies, their only game over the coming week.

Hammer

Line ups , Dogs host Kings

Dogs host Kings this afternoon *1:30 START*

It's the first of four meetings between these teams down the stretch drive as the Bulldogs (14-25-2-6, 5th Island) finish off a seven game in ten day run with a 1:30pm hosting of the Powell River Kings (30-10-2-3,1st Island, T-1st Overal) at the Dog Pound.

It's been a crazy schedule for the Bulldogs as I previously mentioned, but it's no picnic for the Kings either as they finish their second straight weekend of three-in-three hockey on the Island. They were of course in Cowichan on Friday night, winning 5-4 in double OT and in Nanaimo last night where they lost 4-3 in double OT.

Bruce MacDonald and I have the call for you on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Van Isle Ford with the pregame show getting underway at 1:15 and the play-by-play/analysis to follow the 1:30pm puck drop.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

 Today's 2nd Intermission guest is Don Klepp, Communications Director and Event Manager for the 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon this May. The local committee is reaching out to hockey fans far and wide to make it a trip worth taking so be sure to catch Don with the details. It wouldn't surprise me at all if some Bulldog fans ended up making the trip.

Hammer

Warriors rally late for 5-2 win over Dogs

A very good start to the game with great pace early and no whistles over the first several minutes of the game. The Dogs had an early 5-1 lead in shots, with good chances for Justin Georgeson on a 2 on 1 where Andy Desautels made a good glove save, and a Craig Martin bid from the slot that just missed the net. The Bulldogs would take a 1-0 lead late in the frame on a wrap around by Zak Bowles where he raced to the puck after a draw in the Warriors end. Zach Funk picked up the only assist on the play at 15:02 of the first. The Warriors would push back and had a great chance to tie it on a Matt Anholt breakaway but Nathan Warren came up with a big blocker save to keep it 1-0 Dogs after one with the Dogs leading the shots 11-10.

The second period started with the Warriors on the man-advantage looking to tie the game, but the Bulldogs did a good job killing it off. The score stayed 1-0 all the way until the back half of the second period when the Dogs doubled their lead as they got the puck deep into the Warriors zone and won a series of battles to retrieve it and get it to the front of the net to Tryg Strand who jammed it through Desautels. Assists on the play went to Hunter Stewart and Justin Georgeson at 10:08 of the second. The Bulldogs would have several good scoring chances late in the period to build the lead but they couldn't find the net as it stayed 2-0 after two with the Dogs leading in the shots 23-18.

The Warriors came out in the third period and battled hard to get back in the game, with the Dogs doing a good job to protect their lead on a Warrior power play early in teh period. The Warriors would get on the board on a mad scramble at the Dogs net as Nathan Warren dove out to cover the puck and appeared to have it for a fleeting second before it came free and onto the tape of Tyson Dallman who jammed it up and over Warren to get the Warriors on the board and make it 2-1 Dogs at 9:40 of the third with Seb Lloyd picking up the only assist. The Bulldogs would protect the lead with a huge penalty kill shortly afterwards to keep it 2-1. The Warriors would end up getting the tying goal in controversial fashion as coming off the Media Timeout when a Linesman dropped the puck while a Bulldog Defenceman was talking with the Referee at the side of the net. The draw ended up in the Dogs net one second later where the Defenceman might have been as a cross-ice pass was one-timed home by Tyson Dallman to make it 2-2 at 14:24 with Matt Anholt picking up the only assist although it was Adam Plant who fed Dallman. Despite the Bulldog protests, the goal stood. That goal would prove huge just a minute later when the Warriors went ahead 3-2 when a shot from the right point was blocked and ended up on the tape of Liam Blackburn in the slot where he fired it past Warren, low stick-side. Taki Pantziris picked up the only assist at 15:31 of the third. The Dogs would go for broke pulling their goalie for the extra attacker with just over a minute to play but the Warriors would get the insurance marker as Adam Plant did a good job to carry it out from behind the net all the way to centre ice before hitting the empty net to make it 4-2 with 1:12 to play. Assists on the play Ryan Fraser-Lee and David Pope, but Plant did it all himself. The Warriors would hit the empty net once more with less than a second to go as Jason Cotton made it a 5-2 Final. Assists on the play went to Seb Lloyd and Jordan Masters at 19:59.

Final shots favoured the Warriors 42-30 with Nathan Warren picking up 1st star honours for his second straight home start while Andy Desautels picking up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Warriors went 0 for 3.

The Dogs are right back at it tomorrow at 1:30 when they host Powell River. A great battle by a ragged Bulldog crew against one of the best, and without question the hottest team in the entire league.   

Hammer

Line ups Dogs vs Warriors

Bulldogs host Warriors tonight at Dog Pound, Kings tomorrow afternoon *1:30 start*

The crazy schedule continues for the Bulldogs (14-24-2-6, 5th Island) tonight when they host the West Kelowna Warriors (27-12-2-2, 2nd Interior) for their sixth game in nine days, and the second meeting between the two teams in six days after the Warriors picked up a 5-3 win over the Dogs in West Kelowna on Sunday afternoon.

For a little refresher - here's the highlights from that game

The Warriors were the hottest team in the league going into play this weekend, running their unbeaten streak to a Franchise Record nine games with the win last Sunday over the Dogs. They started off a three game road swing in Victoria last night, where they continued to roll, digging out of a 3-0 hole after one to top the Grizzlies 5-4 in Double OT for their 5th straight win to go unbeaten now in 10. The trip finishes tomorrow evening in Chilliwack. The Warriors are four points back of the Penticton Vees for the Interior lead with two games in hand.

The single point earned by the Dogs last night didn't see them gain or lose any ground in the standings as the Capitals also dug out of a 2-0 first period hole at home to Powell River, only to give up the tying goal with just over a minute to play to eventually lose 5-4 in Double OT.

I will cover the play-by-play duties while Bruce MacDonald handles the Colour and Analysis on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  with the pregame show getting underway at 6:45 with the puck drop at 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Alex Rawnsley, Play-by-Play voice for the Powell River Kings
with the Bulldogs hosting the Kings tomorrow afternoon at 1:30. Please note that starting time, as it's the earliest Home game I can remember the Bulldogs ever playing. Most games have usually been at 2:00 or 2:30. The change is necessary due to the work BC Ferries is doing on both the Little River (Comox) and Powell River Terminals.

Hammer

Dogs fall to Clippers 4-3 in OT, remain a point back of 4th

The Bulldogs again got off to a good start in this one, having a handful of glorious looks in the first five minutes around the Clippers net, the first coming just 10 seconds into the game when Jayson Argue made a casual play at the puck and almost got burnt. A Jake Kauppila bid minutes later would clang off the post and shortly after that Hunter Stewart couldn't get a bouncing puck to settle with an open net. While the Bulldogs built up a 7-3 lead in shots, the Clippers fought back and opened the scoring with just two seconds to go on a power play when Austin Dick scored on a seeing-eye wrister top corner past the glove of a screened LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Luke Sandler and Korey Morgan at 10:58 of the first. The Bulldogs wouldn't deflate as they pushed back shortly afterwards and tied the game on a pretty play as Ryan Buse picked up the puck from Connor LaCouvee and threw a long pass to Tryg Strand at centre ice where he tipped the puck to the middle over the Clipper line and raced in on a breakaway where he went to his backhand and beat Argue glove side at 16:42 of the first for a 1-1 tie after one, with the Dogs favouring the Dogs 14-8.

The Clippers would take their second lead of the game just a minute into the frame when Anthony Sabitsky took a cross-ice pass through neutral ice and walked over the Bulldogs line into the deep slot where he beat LaCouvee low, stick-side. Mason Mitchell and Jayson Argue picked up the assists at the 1:00 mark. The Bulldogs would go to a four minute power play shortly afterwards when a Luke Sandler high-stick drew blood. The Bulldogs would hit the post and crossbar twice on the advantage and have a handful of great chances around the net but couldn't capitalize. The Clippers would have a great chance to build their lead later in the period on a 2 on 1 rush but LaCouvee made a huge save on a cross-ice pass to keep his team in it. The Bulldogs would go end-to-end in just over six seconds in the dying moments of the period to tie the game when Garrett Halls rimmed the puck hard up the right wing for Hunter Stewart, who deftly chipped it ahead for Justin Georgeson. He would skate up the right wing and over the Clippers line where he made a slick stick-handling move to split the D and get in on goal where he roofed a backhand top corner short-side from one knee to make it 2-2 at 19:53 of the second and into period three, with the Dogs holding a 28-21 advantage in shots. 

The gas the Bulldogs had to through the first two periods wasn't there in the third period as they weren't able to get much going through the first half of the frame with the Clippers carrying the play and getting the better of the chances. They would eventually find the net to take their third lead of the game when Mason Mitchell picked up a Josh McArdle pass up the right wing where he skated it over the Dogs line and beat LaCouvee with a quick release, low far side past the blocker of LaCouvee at 10:50 of the third. The Bulldogs would dig in hard to fight back and tie the game with less than three minutes to play as Garrett Halls took a pass at the right point from Craig Martin that he threw on net where it was deflected home by Mitch Owsley to make it a 3-3 game with 2:53 to play in regulation. The Clippers would have a great chance to get the go-ahead goal late in regulation but LaCouvee made a big save on Jacob Hanlon to keep it tied and force overtime as the Dogs led the shots 41-39 after regulation.

The Dogs would have a great chance to end it on a scramble early in OT with both Darian Henry and Craig Martin with looks at an open net but the puck hit something and stayed out. The Clippers would win it shortly afterwards when they turned the puck over on a high hit at the attacking blue line that resulted in a 2 on 1 rush where Brendan Taylor ended the game going top corner, far-side over the glove of LaCouvee on a pass by Luke Sandler at 3:10 of overtime for the 4-3 Final.

Shots favoured the Clippers 44-43 with Jayson Argue picking up the win while Connor LaCouvee took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Clippers went 0 for 1.

With the point the Bulldogs remain a point back of Cowichan as they also picked up a point in a 5-4 double OT loss at home to Powell River.

The Dogs host the West Kelowna Warriors at home tomorrow night and Powell River at 1:30 on Sunday. 

Line ups Dogs @ Clips

Dogs return favour, pay Clippers a visit tonight, kick off three game weekend

It's the back-half of the Highway 4 "Hump Home and Home" set tonight with the Bulldogs (14-24-2-5, 5th Island) returning the favour and paying the Clippers (22-23-1-1, 3rd Island) a visit at the Frank Crane Arena.

After their 4-1 win at the Dog Pound on Wednesday night the Bulldogs have won the last three games in this head-to-head match-up, including he last two this building, most recently by a 2-0 score on December 20th. That followed up a 6-4 win on November 22nd. After tonight, these teams meet just once more before the Regular Season is out in early February at the Dog Pound.

 All the action comes your way courtesy of Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight from the Frank Crane Arena with the pregame show getting underway at 6:45 and the puck drop to follow at 7:00pm with myself and Bruce MacDonald calling it for you.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Jon Zacks, Play-by-Play voice for the West Kelowna Warriors, who the Dogs host tomorrow night.

Hammer

Dogs top Clippers 4-1, third straight Home win, 1 point back of Caps

The Bulldogs got off to a good start, winning the battles and the races to the puck early in drawing two power play chances in the first ten minutes. They weren't able to connect on them though, as the Clippers did a good job in killing them off. The Bulldogs continued to push the pace and connected shortly afterwards on the rush on a pretty give-and-go as Kurt Gosselin took an outlet pass from Scott Clark and fed Harlan Orr up the right wing over the Nanaimo line. Gosselin drove the net where Orr put a perfect pass on his tape that he deflected home through the legs of Tanner Kovacs to make it 1-0 Dogs at 13:56. The Bulldogs would have several odd man rushes throughout the remainder of the period but were unable to connect. Kovacs would make a great point blank save on a Craig Martin one-timer set up by Mitch Owsley in the final minute of the period to keep it 1-0 after one with the Dogs leading in the shots 13-6. 

The score stayed 1-0 through the midway point of the second, due to the Bulldogs failure to capitalize on the man advantage and the goaltending of Kovacs and Warren. Kovacs made a breakaway save on Darian Henry, while Warren made a save on a short handed 2 on 1 rush and a Clipper 2 on 0, although they executed it poorly. The Dogs continued to get the benefit of the calls and they finally connected on a shot and a rebound as Justin Georgeson got the puck out front to Hunter Stewart who threw one on goal that was stopped by Kovacs. Tryg Strand was outside the paint where he roofed it under the bar to make it 2-0 at 13:22 of the second. It was 3-0 five minutes later on the rush when Jake Kauppila fought the puck over the Clippers line for Scott Clark, who skated into it and ripped one top corner, glove side on Kovacs. Harlan Orr also drew an assist on the play at 18:05. The Dogs went to the power play on the next whistle, and again connected quickly as just 9 seconds into the power play it was 4-0 with Justin Georgeson winning the draw back to Darian Henry who threw a puck on goal that was stopped by Kovacs, but he again couldn't find the rebound as Mitch Makin put it home from the top of the crease for a 4-0 Dogs lead after 40 minutes with the Dogs up in the shots 29-20.

Bulldogs Head Coach Kevin Willison expressed a desire on the Post Game show to get a review of an incident early in the second that saw Mason Mitchell run over Nathan Warren in the Bulldog net. As there was not a major penalty called on the play and no injury resulted, they could not request one. One might think that prior history could be a factor as he has been suspended twice this season, most recently just on January 10th for four games for a Match Penalty. He has been suspended six times over the past two seasons for a total of 16 games due to a variety of transgressions.

The Bulldogs played a solid third period through the first half of it, doing a good job to not sit back while also not giving the Clippers much in the way of chances. The only goal throughout the period came at the end of a good containment shift by the Clippers that ended up with Corey Renwick beating Nathan Warren low, short-side from the top of the left circle. Assists on the play went to Mason Mitchell and Spencer Hewson at 13:42 of the third to make it 4-1. There would be no scoring the rest of the way.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 42-28 with Nathan Warren picking up 1st star honours in his debut on Home Ice while Tanner Kovacs took the loss. Special teams were again the difference with the Dogs going 2 for 6 on the power play while the Clippers went 0 for 2.

Next up for both teams is the rematch in Nanaimo on Friday night before the Dogs return home to host West Kelowna on Saturday and Powell River on Sunday at 1:30.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs vs Clips

Dogs host Clippers tonight to kick off Home-and-Home set, FANBUS FRIDAY

A grueling 7 games in 10 day stretch heats up tonight with a Hump day meeting between the Bulldogs (13-24-2-5, 5th Island) and Clippers (22-22-1-1, 3rd Island) at the Dog Pound. It's the front half of a Home and Home set with the Bulldogs heading over the Hump and paying the Clippers a visit on Friday night. 

The Dogs complete 4 games in 5 days when they host West Kelowna on Saturday and Powell River on Sunday. Of course the Dogs should only thinking about this one and nothing more. After starting off their Okanagan swing with a 4-2 win over Salmon Arm to win their second in a row, the Dogs come into tonight losers of two straight, 4-1 in Vernon on Saturday and 5-3 in West Kelowna on Sunday.

The Clippers were last in action on Sunday afternoon where they pulled back to .500 with a 4-1 win over Prince George.

The Dogs have won the last two head-to-head with the Clippers, most recently 2-0 on December 20th in Nanaimo. The Dogs also won the last meeting in the Dog Pound all the way back on October 23rd (crazy that it's been that long) by a 5-4 score in double overtime.  

The Bulldogs are trying to organize a fan bus to Friday's game in Nanaimo - call the Office at 250-723-4412 if you want to have some fun and head down to the game on Friday!

Get all the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00. After calling the weekend solo, I'm very happy to report Bruce MacDonald (Colour and Analysis) and Dan Tisserand (Team and Player stats) will be back in the booth! There is only so much I can do, these guys make it the full package!

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Frank Riddle, now with the Laurier Golden Hawks of the CIS.

Frank unfortunately isn't likely to get back on the ice this season after requiring surgery due to a preseason shoulder injury. On the bright side, it's given him more time to hit the books!

Hammer

Late rally falls short as Dogs fall 5-3 to Warriors

A very tough start to the game for the Bulldogs, as they arrived late after having their bus struck by a SUV outside of Kelowna. Just like in Vernon the night before, the Bulldogs were awarded a four minute power play early in the game on a high stick that drew blood on Tryg Strand. Unfortunately also much like the night before, the power play was very flat for the most of the four minutes, with the Warriors having the best chance as Connor LaCouvee was called on to make a huge save on a Matt Anholt shorthanded breakaway. The Warriors would jump out to a 1-0 lead as the Dogs failed to get the puck out of their zone. LaCouvee would make several initial saves on the play but a third chance was deflected off traffic at the front of the net and onto the tape of Jason Cotton at the side of the goal where he made no mistake roofing it past the blocker arm of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Jordan Masters and Seb Lloyd at 7:57 of the first. On the next shift it was 2-0, on a goal similar to the first one as Ben Tegtmeyer put a shot on net from the top of the left circle that was deflected by Liam Blackburn. LaCouvee would make the first save on the deflection, but the rebound ended up at the side of the net on the tape of Carl Hesler who roofed it before LaCouvee could recover to make it 2-0 at 8:24. The Warriors would push hard to put the game away, but the Dogs held on with LaCouvee standing tall making countless saves, including a barrage on two Warrior power play chances late in the frame. The Warriors out-shot the Dogs 23-5 over the first.

The Bulldogs came out with much better period in the second, however they were unable to carry enough of the play to generate a sustained attack and get many good scoring chances. The score stayed 2-0 Warriors all the way until the back half of the period when they built their lead on the power play. Just prior to the goal the Bulldogs raced in on a shorthanded 2 on 1 but Cody Porter came up with a big save on Mitch Makin to keep it 2-0. That would loom large as the Warriors went up ice and went up 3-0 when Matt Anholt threw a puck on goal from the top of the left circle that was deflected home out front by Tyson Dallman up and over LaCouvee. Adam Plant also picked up a helper on it at 12:06 of the second. The Bulldogs would continue to chase the puck, ending up in penalty trouble late in the period as they ended up down two men and the Warriors made them pay on the 5 on 3 with a pretty high-low give-and-go set up as Ben Tegtmeyer took a quick return pass at the top of the right circle from Matt Anholt that he fired past a screened and impeded Connor LaCouvee. Reid Simmonds also picked up an assist on the play at 17:31 of the period as the Warriors led 4-0 after 40 minutes, while holding a 34-12 advantage in shots on goal.

The Dogs were unable to get going to start the third period despite a shuffling of the lines, as the Warriors found the net with a pretty set up on the power play five minutes into the period to take a 5-0 lead as Jason Cotton ripped a one-timer top corner, far-side over the glove of LaCouvee from Ben Tegtmeyer. The score stayed that way until the back half of the period with the Bulldogs showing no quit and getting into the game on a Craig Martin goal just past the midway point of the third period with a wrist shot that beat Cody Porter through traffic to make it 5-1 with 10:37 gone in the period with Kurt Gosselin picking up the only assist. The Dogs would find the net less than a minute later to get back within three when Mitch Owsley threw the puck back to the top of the left circle where Kurt Gosselin one-timed it home top corner, far-side over the glove of Porter at 11:35 to make it 5-2 with Owsley and Hunter Stewart assisting. The Dogs would continue to push, eventually making it 5-3 with less than a minute to play when Garrett Halls kept the puck in at the line and got it down to the right corner for Harlan Orr who drove the net and threw a puck cross-ice where it appeared to hit a defender and go in through Porter at 19:12 to make it a 5-3 game. That's as close as the Dogs would get though, as the Warriors salted the rest of the time away.

Shots favoured the Warriors 51-21 with Connor LaCouvee taking the loss in net, despite a heroic effort stopping 46 shots while Cody Porter picked up the win. Special teams were again a big difference for the second night in a row as the Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Warriors went 3 for 7.

The loss coupled with a Capitals win over Powell River has the Dogs again three points back for the final Playoff spot in the Island Division, with the Dogs still holding a game in hand. Their busy schedule continues next week as they host Nanaimo on Wednesday, visit the Clippers on Friday, and host West Kelowna and Powell River Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Hammer

Dogs finish 3-in-3 weekend this afternoon in West Kelowa, Teal Burns interview

It's the conclusion for a three games in two-and-a-half days roadtrip today for the Bulldogs (13-23-2-5, 5th Island) as they visit the West Kelowna Warriors (25-12-2-2, 2nd Interior) at Royal LePage Place for the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

The Bulldog had their four game point streak snapped - their longest streak of the season, with a 4-1 loss in Vernon last night.  They got some help on the scoreboard out of town as the Spruce Kings did them a favour with a 6-4 over the Capitals in Duncan. On one hand it is great that the Dogs got some help, on the other it's too bad when one thinks it was an opportunity where a win would have finally vaulted them up a place in the standings.

While the Warriors had last night off after beating Vernon 5-3 on Friday, they are still playing their third game of the week as they were in Penticton on Wednesday night where they topped the Vees 2-1. The Warriors are the hottest team in the league, unbeaten in their last eight games, winning seven and tying once. With Penticton only picking up one point in their last three games and the Warriors now having three games in hand on them and almost everyone else in the Conference, one has to think the amazing race in the Interior has become even more crazy.

Things get underway this afternoon on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 2:15 with the play-by-play to follow at 2:30.
 

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Today's 2nd Intermission feature guest is former Bulldog Teal Burns , now with the University of Guelph Gryphons.  Aquired by the Bulldogs last year at the Trade Deadline, Burns played a big part in the success the team had throughout the stretch run and into the Conference Finals and the run in the Playoffs. He has aquitted himself at the CIS level, at last look he was 4th in team scoring with Guelph.

Here's a goal by Teal from last year in the Playoffs vs Nanaimo

And of course the infamous skate-through-glass incident!




 Hammer

Dogs drop 4-1 decision to Vipers

The first minute of the game saw three or four big hits as both teams appeared ready to play a physical game early. The Vipers had the early edge in the play and took a 1-0 lead on an odd-man rush where Logan Mick drove the net un-checked and deflected a cross-ice pass before Nathan Warren could get over. Assists on the play went to TJ Dumonceaux and Ryan Renz at 4:14 of the first. The Vipers would have a handful off odd-man rushes and good chances to build the lead over the next couple of minutes but they were unable to find the net. Nathan Warren would make a great desperation save on TJ Dumonceaux where he appeared down and out but somehow managed to get his pad on it to keep it out. The Bulldogs would go to a four-minute power play just short of the midway mark of the period when Harlan Orr was cut by a High stick, but for the most part they failed to generate much of anything with the Vipers making the kill look easy until the Bulldogs generated several good chances around the net in the final 30 seconds of the man advantage. The Dogs would have a glorious chance to tie the game later in the period when Mitch Owsley walked into the slot all alone, but it either just missed or hit the shoulder of Austin Smith and stayed out. At the other end, the Bulldogs would get within a foot of their blue line and fail to get the puck out and it ended up in the back of their net on a nice give-and-go as Liam Coughlin gave the puck back to Michael McNicholas who out-waited Nathan Warren and went top corner, short-side from a sharp angle to make it 2-0 at 17:09 of the first with Dexter Dancs also drawing an assist on the play. The Dogs would push to get on the board late in the period but they couldn't beat Smith as the Vipers took the lead to the room, holding a 9-7 advantage in shots.  

The second period saw the Vipers come out flying and the Bulldogs being a step behind as Nathan Warren was called on to make a series of highlight reel saves - first on a one-timer from the top of the crease by Colton Sparrow, then on subequent breakaways by Brendan Persley and TJ Dumonceaux all within the first five minutes of the period to keep his team in the game. The Bulldogs would fight hard to get back in it, coming close a late period power play when Tryg Strand hit the cross-bar from the hashmarks only to have the puck stay out. Shortly afterwards they would get a good bounce as Austin Smith misplayed the puck onto the tape of Mitch Owsley. He would get back into his net to make the save on Owsley, but the puck bounced off of Smith and a Viper defender and into the net to make it 2-1, un-assisted at 17:08 of the second. After battling back so hard to make it a one-goal game, the Dogs would give it right back less than a minute later when they got caught puck watching in their own end and the Vipers scored on a pretty three-way passing play as Michael McNicholas and Liam Coughlin set up Dexter Dancs for a tap in at the side of the net to make it 3-1 at 17:45. The Vipers would take the 3-1 lead to the room after 40 minutes, with the Dogs out-shooting them over the period 12-6 for a 19-16 advantage after two periods.

The Bulldogs would come out and try to dig out of the hole in the third period and had several chances around the net, but again couldn't beat Smith. The Vipers would get their first power play of the game just over six minutes into the period, and while they couldn't score on it, they did find the net just seconds after the penalty elapsed when Brendan Persley found a loose puck in the slot that he ripped top corner, over the glove of Warren to make it 4-1. TJ Dumonceaux picked up the only assist on the play at 8:28 for the third period and the eventual 4-1 Final score.

Nathan Warren took the loss but looked great in his BCHL debut in net while Austin Smith picked up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 6 on the power play - a big difference in the game, while the Vipers went 0 for 1.

The Dogs finish the trip tomorrow afternoon in West Kelowna, a 2:30pm start. 

Line ups Dogs @ Vipers

Dogs face RBC Cup Host Vipers tonight in Vernon

The Okanagan-roadie continues tonight as the Bulldogs ( 13-22-2-5, 5th Island) head to Vernon to meet the 2014 RBC Cup host Vipers (22-14-3-4, 3rd Interior) for the second and final Regular Season meeting between the teams after the Vipers picked up a 7-4 win in a wild and crazy game at the Dog Pound on October 20th.

A little refresher - the Vipers led 5-2 after 40 minutes and seemed to have the game well in hand until the Bulldogs scored twice in a 16 second span with 10 minutes to go to make it a one goal game. That's as close as they would get though, as the Vipers hit the empty net twice in the final 30 seconds for the 7-4 Final.

The Vipers have had a busy week already, playing in Merritt on Tuesday where they lost 4-1 to the Centennials. Last night they were in West Kelowna, where they lost their second in a row, 5-3 to the Warriors. As much as the Bulldogs are fighting for their Playoff lives, the Vipers are too. One wouldn't expect them to fall out of the Playoff picture, but one good team in the Interior is going to miss the dance as things are incredibly tight in the standings. A good weekend you could go from 5th and out of the Playoffs, to 2nd. A bad weekend can do just the opposite. Fun to watch, fun to be involved in.

For the Bulldogs, it's another chance to catch the Capitals for the final Island Division Playoff spot, as they come into tonight just a point back while still holding a game in hand. It's the first game for Craig Martin against his old team, as he was serving the first of what would become an outrageous 8 game suspension the last time these teams met.

For everything Vipers, and everything about the history between these two teams, head over to the fantastic Viper's Diehard Fan Blog HERE

Catch every second of the action on Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet tonight at 6:45 with the pregame show followed by the 7:00pm puck drop.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com



Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Jon Zacks, Play-by-Play voice of the West Kelowna Warriors, who the Dogs visit tomorrow afternoon (2:30 puck drop) to finish their trip.

Hammer

Dogs win second straight, 4-2 over Silverbacks

The Bulldogs almost had a horrific start to the game, as they won the opening draw but the last Defenceman back fell down allowing a breakaway for Alex Gillies, who would put a shot wide of the net. Beyond the first 7 seconds, the Bulldogs dominated the first period for the most part, running up a 7-0 lead in shots and taking a 1-0 lead on the scoreboard as Kurt Gosselin threw a shot at the net from the left point that hit traffic before Mitch Makin found it and put it on net. Adam Clark would make the first save, but he couldn't control the rebound as Craig Martin found it and fired it home from in tight to make it 1-0 Dogs 2:52 into the game. The Dogs continued to control the play, getting good scoring chances including hitting the goal post, running up a 13-2 lead in shots at the Media timeout with 7:36 left in the period. The Silverbacks would promptly tie the game though, with a Bulldogs defender stepping up at centre ice and getting neither the player or the puck as Alex Jewell raced in down the right wing on a 2 on 1 rush where he went top corner, far side over the glove of LaCouvee to tie it at 1-1 with assists to Taylor Maruya and Brett Fagerheim at 12:40 of the first period. The Bulldogs would fire back to take a lead into the room with a power play goal late in the period when a Darian Henry shot was blocked, only to end up going off Mitch Makin and then the stick of Hunter Stewart and onto the tape of Mitch Owsley between the hashmarks where he went top corner over the glove of Clark for his second goal in as many games at 17:55 of the first. The Dogs had a 15-7 lead in shots after 20 minutes.

The second period saw the Silverbacks pick up their pace of play, aided by two power plays opportunities through the first half of the period. They would threaten with several scrambles around the net, but Connor LaCouvee and the penalty killers came up big. The score stayed 2-1 until the late stages of the period when the Bulldogs were hemmed in their zone after several poor passes and clearing attempts which saw the 'Backs tie the game when Cole McCaskill picked off a pass up the middle and threw a shot on net that deflected off a Bulldog stick before finding it's way past the glove arm of LaCouvee. The goal was unassisted at 15:56 of the second.

Intensity was high in the third period, with each team getting several good scoring chances around the crease but both LaCouvee and Clark stood tall. The Silverbacks would have a great chance to take the lead on a shorthanded 2 on 1 on a pretty give and go but LaCouvee came up with a huge save going side to side to rob Alex Jewell. Just over a minute later the Bulldogs went ahead 3-2 when they raced out of their zone on an odd-man rush where Josh Adkins sent Dylan Haugen in alone with a perfect cross ice pass that he ripped top corner, far side over the glove of Clark to make it 3-2 Dogs with 8:54 to play. The Dogs penalty kill would be tested on back to back occasions with seven and three minutes to go in the third but they came up huge to preserve the lead until the final minute when Hunter Stewart stole the puck at centre and fired it into the empty net for the insurance marker with 28 seconds to play, unassisted, for the 4-2 Final.

Shots favoured the Bulldogs 30-25 with Connor LaCouvee picking up 3rd star honours while Adam Clark took the loss. Special teams were again a huge difference, with the Dogs going 1 for 4 on the power play while the Silverbacks went 0 for 5.

It's the second straight 4-2 win for the Dogs over the Backs, and a really good way to start the road trip. Now it's off to Vernon tomorrow to face the Vipers.

Hammer

Line ups Bulldogs at Silverbacks

Dogs kick off Interior weekend tonight with rematch in Salmon Arm

 

It's the final regular season meeting between these two teams and the second in less than a week as the Bulldogs (12-22-2-5, 5th Island) return the favour and pay the Silverbacks (20-16-1-5, Tied-4th Interior) a visit at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm to kick off crucial a three-game weekend road trip through the Okanagan.  

The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night at home of course against the Silverbacks where they picked up a 4-2 win. The 'Backs were last in action Sunday afternoon in Duncan where they finished their Island swing with a 2-1 loss to the Capitals. It certainly would have been nice for the Dogs had the Backs been able to do them a favour. A tough road trip for the Backs, as they dealt with a short bench due to illness to kick the trip off, and probably felt the effects throughout the weekend. They scored a total of four goals in three games but were right in it in all three contests. The Dogs had best bring their "A" game tonight as one can expect the desperate Silverbacks to be motivated for revenge.

Desperation. Both teams will no doubt have it due to their position in the standings. The team that has more of it has a good chance of winning one would think. The Silverbacks didn't get any favours on the Out-of-Town scoreboard this week either, as the Merritt Centennials beat the Vernon Vipers 4-1 on Tuesday night to pull even with them in the standings for the final Interior post season berth. Technically, the Centennials jumped ahead of the Silverbacks by virtue of holding the first tiebreaker, more wins. 

   

I'll bring all the action to you tonight on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM from the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Graham Turnbull, Play-by-Play voice of the Vernon Vipers, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow night.