Dogs host Clippers tonight for do or die Game 4, Johnny Rogicinterview, Tailgate party

It's a do-or-die win or go game tonight for the Bulldogs as they host the Nanaimo Clippers in Game 4 of this best-of-seven Island Semi Finals series as they trail the Clippers 3 games to 0 after dropping another heart breaker last night 4-3.

Break out all the cliches, buzzwords, words of wisdom etc. Win or go home, do or die, it takes four to win a series, backs against the wall, you can't win four tonight, the fourth one is the toughest and on and on.

You can't blame the Bulldogs or their fans for that matter if they would be feeling down, defeated, feeling the end etc. When facing elimination and a hole in a series it's impossible for those thoughts not to come into play, just human nature. The only thing you can do is shelf it and forget it and use it for fuel and motivation to go out and win a game. Or it will be the end.

I think the Dogs should be proud of their effort last night in a losing cause, and can take some confidence from it as hard as the end result was to take. They battled back from a two goal deficit, and I think that shows a lot about their character because it couldn't have been easy to find themselves down 2-0 in the game last night while they were down 2-0 in the series and on playing on home ice. They bent but didn't break at a lot of instances where they could have with the pressure they faced and the circumstances they faced last night. An early power play against and several more through the second when they were down a couple goals. As frustrating and disheartening the end result would be they could have given up another one to fall into a 3-0 hole and it might have been game over. I was impressed that they gave themselves a chance by fighting back while scoring a power play goal for the first time while also beating Decelles three times in a game for the first time.

You can't blame the Clippers for being confident in accomplishing this series lead while winning three straight games as they haven't trailed once. They have scored first every night and have won the special teams battles every night which are huge keys to winning.

It's certainly going to be a battle and it sure was fun to have Playoff hockey back at the Dog Pound last night. Here's hoping the Dogs can simply just believe and find the motivation to play for the fans, each other, the 20 year olds etc to get a chance to keep their season going and force a Game 5 in Nanaimo on Monday night.

Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starts with the pregame show at 6:45 up to the 7:00 puck drop. I'll call the play-by-play while Bruce MacDonald adds the colour and analysis and Dan Tisserand compiles team and player stats.

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.com74

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Johnny Rogic, who is playing his first season after a professional with the ECHL's Quad City Mallards after four years with the NCAA's RPI Engineers.

 

Ashleigh Clark will be broadcasting live on 93.3 The Peak FM starting at 4pm this afternoon from the pregame tailgate party with a BBQ to benefit Kidsport, live music from Lance Lapointe and road hockey for the kids! Sounds fun!

Hammer