Bulldogs host Clippers tonight for third meeting in seven days

It's the third meeting in just seven days between these two hump rivals as the Bulldogs (22-20-2-3, 4th Island) host the Clippers (34-12-0-3, 1st Island) tonight at the Dog Pound.

The last head-to-head meetings are probably fresh in everyone's memories - if you missed them, the Clippers scored twice in 27 seconds on Friday night to blow open a scoreless tie in the second en route to a 3-0 win. On Saturday night the Clippers scored twice in 26 seconds late in the second to erase a 2-1 Dogs lead and all of a sudden lead 3-2. Just two minutes later, they added two goals in 18 seconds during four-aside hockey to blow it open for a 5-2 final. That's six goals score within just 1:11 of each other. Pretty incredible.

It's almost eerie looking back at what happened in both those games, considering what I wrote in advance of the weekend double header last Friday: it's not about how you start but how you finish. Despite being out scored 23-15, the Bulldogs have kept every game close - leading after 40 minutes on three occasions, and being within a goal or tied in every game until the final minutes of the second only to lose painfully in the end.

It's the ultimate of hockey cliches, but I believe it holds true - if the Dogs want two points, they will need a full 60 minute effort. The Clippers have proven time and again this season how dangerous that they are and how they can put you to bed in a matter of minutes if you aren't at your best.

The Bulldogs were last in action Tuesday night in Victoria where they dropped their fourth in a row, 4-0 to the Grizzlies, while the Clippers last played on Wednesday at home when they won their third in a row 5-4 over the Grizzlies in overtime.

Tune in to Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM   live from the Dog Pound with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play, colour/analysis and team and player stats all to follow at 7:00 courtesy of myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand.

If you aren't in radio 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 feature guest is Fraser Rodgers, play-by-play voice of the Penticton Vees, who the Dogs host on Sunday for the second meeting of the season between the teams - and the first since opening night for the Bulldogs at the BCHL Showcase. 

Hammer