Dogs drop fourth straight 5-1 to Rivermen

The Bulldogs got off to a great start in the first minute and change of the game, showing some noticeable jump and testing Chad Cromar twice. The Rivermen would get their first shot of the game seconds later, in the form of a breakaway for Alec Capstick that was stopped by John Hawthorne. The  Bulldogs would be penalized on the next shift, with the Dogs hanging on with the Rivermen having another fantastic chance as Hawthorne came up with not one but two saves from the top of the paint with his left toe on John Wojciechowski. Another highlight reel stop by Hawthorne three minutes later on a cross-ice set up one timed on goal by Tanner Versluis with his left pad kept it tied. The Bulldogs responded and drew a couple penalties later in the period, and tested Cromar but he was equal to the task as it remained scoreless through 20 minutes, with Langley up in the shots 12-8. 

The Bulldogs were penalized twice in the first 30 seconds of the second period the first call being five seconds in when Isaac Tonkin-Palmer knocking down Angus Crookshank quite easily on the opening draw, the second being when Mitch Oliver hacked a Rivermen across the upper body entering the zone immediately afterwards putting Langley on a two-man advantage for 1:39 in duration. It didn't take that long for them to open the scoring as a cross-ice one timer from the right side was blasted home short-side before Hawthorne could get over by Angus Crookshank, with assists going to Colin Bernard and Derek Hamelin 50 seconds into the second. Langley would build their lead to 2-0 at the 5:55 mark of the period when the Bulldogs turned the puck over in their zone, allowing Brendan Budy to put the puck to the middle and onto the tape of Eric Butte walking down the middle where he put a top corner wrist shot long-side over the glove of Hawthorne, with John Wojciechowski also assisting. Hard to understand Officiating prevailed throughout the period, with the Bulldogs on the short end of the calls. They did earn a power play after a soft call on a slash led to a 10 minute misconduct and an equally soft call the other way against Langley , but they couldn't find the net to make a game of it. Just prior to the Media Timeout Isaac Tonkin-Palmer was buried in front of his net with a crosscheck across the head eerily similar to what he was called for to open the period, but no call was made. As a result,  The Rivermen would go up 3-0 just seconds later,  with 7:14 to play in the period when a pass to the slot by Angus Crookshank was one-timed past the glove of Hawthorne by Brendan Budy. An assist on the play also went to John Wojciechowski to complete the scoring in the period. Shots in the frame were 16-12 Bulldogs, for a 26-24 Rivermen advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs finally connect to make a game of it - or one would have hoped - as they made it 3-1 with a good effort by Cole Poliziani to win a battle back of the net to fight the puck back to the right point for Logan Cursley. He would feed it down the wall for Cayden Kraus, who walked into the deep slot where he ripped home a perfect short high short-side over the glove of Cromar at 5:38 of the third. The goal didn't lead to any momentum for the Bulldogs unfortunately, as the Rivermen pushed right back with a long shift in the attacking zone that led to a 4-1 lead on a beautiful set up to the back post by Angus Crookshank that was one-timed in on a deflection by Nicholas Ponak at 7:25 of the third, with Colin Bernard also drawing an assist. Less than a minute later it was 5-1 on a tough luck goal as Brady Berger attempted to throw the puck to the slot where it hit a Bulldog defender's stick and the back of Hawthorne and in to make it 5-1. Not only was one assist given on the play to Spencer Berry, but a second was later added to Eric Butte on the play at 8:10 of the third to complete the scoring.


Final shots were 40-29 Rivermen, with John Hawthorne taking the loss while Chad Cromar earned 3rd star honours with the win. The Bulldogs went 0 for 5 on the power play while the Rivermen went 1 for 7.


The Bulldogs are next in action Wednesday night when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals.







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Bulldogs wrap up weekend this afternoon in Langley

After an overnight drive got them back to Canadian soil, the Bulldogs (6-8-1-2, 4th Island) are right back at it today as they visit the Langley Rivermen (9-3-6-0, 1st Mainland) at The George Preston Recreation Centre to conclude their three-in-three road trip.


The Bulldogs were in Wenatchee last night, where they took one on the chin in the form of an 8-1 thumping at the hands of the Wild, their worst loss of the season, and their third straight defeat.


The Rivermen were also in action last night at home, where they won their fourth in a row 2-1 over the Prince George Spruce Kings. 

I will once again bring all the action to you on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - the pregame show begins the proceedings at 1:45, the game action follows at 2:00pm.

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Casey Bailey (2009-2011) who's currently in the New York Islanders system, playing with the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  After two years with the Bulldogs followed by a year in the USHL, Bailey played three seasons with Penn State. A pretty cool whirlwind followed as Bailey was signed by and made his NHL debut with, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was then subsequently traded in the off season as part of the package that saw Dion Phaneuf head to the Senators.

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.hockeytv.com







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Dogs drop third straight, 8-1 to Wild

The Bulldogs were a step behind in the early moments of the game, as the Wild on successive shifts hemmed the Dogs in their end. Colten Lancaster would make a great first save on a one-time set up in tight, but he couldn't control the rebound or get any help on it as Sam Morton slid it home five hole to make it 1-0 at 1:41 of the first. The Bulldogs would continue to be a step behind, and were penalized on the following shift. They successfully killed the penalty off, with Lancaster coming up with a couple good saves. The Bulldogs earned their first power play of the game soon afterwards, and came close to connecting on it as Austin Park made a fantastic save on a rebound for Connor Welsh off a Mitch Oliver one timer. Another penalty against the Bulldogs was killed off on a pretty soft slashing call later in the period, with the Dogs pushing back to try and get into the game. A very dangerous hit that saw Ryan Steele driven head-first into the boards from behind went uncalled, with the Wild almost scoring on the play as Lancaster made a great glove save on Lucas Sowder to keep it 1-0. It looked like the Dogs might get out of the period only trailing by one, but the Wild pushed and made it 2-0 with 50 seconds to play as AJ Vanderback scored on a wrap around with assists to Lucas Sowder and Jasper Weatherby. Shots in the period favoured the Wild 16-3.


The second period played out the same way over the first few minutes, with the Dogs a step behind and the Wild spending long stretches of time in their own end. They would again pay the price for it, as a puck thrown net by Cooper Zech was stopped by Lancaster, but the loose puck ended up behind him where Josh Arnold found it first to put it home to make it 3-0 at 4:23 of the period. The Dogs were still unable to pick up the pace, and again the Wild connected to make it 4-0 on a pass out of the right corner to the front of the net for Jared Christy, who snapped it home from in tight at 8:35 of the second with assists to Jackson Wozniak and Brady Bjork. Just over a minute later the Wild made it 5-0 on a lonnnnng 2 on 1 rush that saw Lucas Sowder take a pass from Jasper Weatherby and walk in tight down the left side where he snapped a shot home short-side past the blocker of Lancaster, with AJ Vanderbeck also drawing an assist at 9:57 of the second as John Hawthorne entered the game in relief off the bench. The Bulldogs continued to chase the game, with Hawthorne tested frequently. They would respond to get on the board with just under five minutes to play in the period when they caught the Wild pressing as Ryan Steele banked a pass ahead to Keaton Mastrodonato for a long 2 on 1 that he played to perfection, out waiting the defence before putting a perfect cross-ice feed onto the tape of Jackson Doucet, who blasted a one-timer into the open net to make it 5-1 at 14:44 of the second. The Dogs appeared sparked by the goal, and came close to making it a three goal game with Austin Park making a save in tight off Mitch Oliver and getting help from his defence on a loose puck in the paint on the rebound. Much like the end of the first, the Dogs got caught on a long stretch in their zone late in the period, and paid for it as Nathan Iannone put a perfect pass into the top of the left circle for a pinching in Cooper Zech, who blasted a one-timer high over Hawthorne to make it 6-1, with August Von Ungern also assisting at 19:49 of the second. Shots in the period were 12-7 Wild, for a two period total in their favour of 28-10.


The Bulldogs started the third period with a good initial push through the opening seconds of it, but the Wild went up 7-1 on an odd goal just seconds later as Mitch Oliver deflected a pass high in the air from the Dogs line that bounced at the side of the net. Colten Lancaster - who came back on to start the third - attempted to knock it away with his stick, but Jasper Weatherby arrived at the same time and banged it home just 22 seconds into the third, un-assisted. The Bulldogs would earn back to back power play chances through the first half of the period, but were for the most part unable to threaten on them. The Wild would then earn a power play at the midway point of the period that they cashed in on as they had a good minute of pressure in the Dogs end before they connected on a shot from the left circle that was deflected through the legs of Lancaster by Lucas Sowder for his second of the game with a few seconds left in the power play to complete the scoring for the eventual 8-1 final.


Third period shots were 15-4 Wild, for a game total in their favour of 43-14 with Colten Lancaster taking the loss while Austin Park picked up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Wild went 1 for 5.


With the loss the Dogs have lost three in a row, and are now winless in four. They conclude their road trip tomorrow afternoon in Langley.

Bulldogs and Wild meet for first time this season tonight in Wenatchee

It's over the border and down to the United States tonight for the Bulldogs (6-7-1-2, T-3rd Island) as they visit the Wild (10-6-0-1, 5th Interior) at the Town Toyota Centre in Wenatchee, Washington.


The Bulldogs were in Penticton last night, where they lost their second in a row, 4-2 to the Vees. The Wild were also on the road last night in Vernon, where they had their winning streak stopped at three games with a 4-1 loss to the Vipers.


It's the first meeting of the season between the clubs, in what's sure to be a loud and fun atmosphere in Wenatchee.

Tonight's start time is a little different at 7:05pm, which means the pregame show on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM can be heard starting at 6:50.



Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Mike "Boiler" Bordignon, the play-by-play voice of the Langley Rivermen, who the Dogs visit tomorrow for a 2:00pm puck drop at the George Preston Recreation Centre.

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.hockeytv.com





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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs drop second straight, 4-2 to Vees

The Bulldogs got off to a great start to the game, led by a crushing hit by Ryan Steele on Ben Allen. They continued to push hard on the opening shift and getting the puck in deep and on net. A shot from Tyson Slater from the right point hit the crossbar behind Nolan Hildebrand and stayed out. The Bulldogs kept their push on, but ended up in the penalty box on back to back instances that took some of their momentum away, but they killed both off successfully to keep it scoreless with John Hawthorne tested a couple of instances but looking sharp. The Bulldogs would push back with an extended attacking zone shift that saw them have several good looks, but they couldn't find the net as it remained 0-0 after one, with the shots being 13-9 in favour of the Vees, although I noticed at least three occasions where the Bulldogs didn't appear to be credited with a shot when they had one.


The second period again started with good pace and flow both ways. Ryan Steele would force a turnover just over two minutes in that resulted in a partial breakaway for Keaton Mastrodonato that saw a penalty go against the Vees as he was hooked from behind. The Bulldogs were sharp on the power play, moving the puck crisply and getting no less than 5 pucks on net with a couple glorious looks. While they didn't score, they certainly gained momentum that they carried through the next couple of minutes. The game remained scoreless through the middle of the period, with the Bulldogs having the better of the chances. The Vees would push to open the scoring in the back-half of the frame, with John Hawthorne coming up with a great save on a one-timer in front by Lucas Sillinger. The Vees took a 1-0 lead with six minutes left in the period on a dump-in that saw Cassidy Bowes out-fight his check below the goal line before walking out front untouched where he spun to his forehand and put a perfectly placed shot short-side high off the post and in past Hawthorne. The Dogs answered three minutes later when Brandon Bergado aggressively carried the puck out from behind the Vees net and fed Tyson Slater at the left point. He snapped a D-to-D feed across the line to Sami Pharaon, who quickly fired a low shot at the net that was deflected off the far post and in by Paul Selleck to make it 1-1 at 17:22 of the period. The Dogs drew a power play in the late stages of the period, and again looked sharp and threatened around the Vees net but couldn't cash in as it remained 1-1 after two, with the Dogs out shooting the Vees 17-8 in the period for a 26-21 lead after 40 minutes.


The third period began with a bang - and then was delayed by a bang. The Bulldogs were unable to connect on 1:16 of power play time to begin the period, but quickly took their first lead of the game just inside of three minutes in as Isaac Tonkin-Palmer fought a faceoff to the slot and to the front of the net for Cole Poliziani who walked across the crease from left to right and battled it onto his stick and fired it off the pad of Hildebrand and in under the bar to make it 2-1 Bulldogs at 2:52 of the third. The lead was very short-lived, as the Vees responded just over half a minute later when Ryan Sandelin fed the puck from the right corner behind the Bulldogs goal line to the left side of the net for Jared Nash, who banked one in off the back of Hawthorne and just over the line to make it 2-2 at 3:23 of the third. Just a minute and change later it was 3-2 when Owen Sillinger walked down the right wing and snapped one on goal long-side that snuck through the seven hole, blocker side on Hawthorne and just over the line, with Ryan O'Connell drawing the lone assist. The game was delayed for a good 10-15 minutes shortly afterwards when Cassidy Bowes threw a hard hit on Mitch Oliver after he had put a pass to centre ice, resulting in the glass that separates the Bulldog bench and the crowd shattering. Once it was replaced, the Vees built their lead on a long attacking zone shift that saw Nicky Leivermann put a cross-ice pass to the back door for Riley Nash, who one-timed it into the open side past a stickless John Hawthorne to make it 4-2 at 9:24 of the third to complete the scoring. The Bulldogs wouldn't be able to muster much of a push to get back in it, as they took back to back penalties in the following minutes that saw them spending the bulk of their time on the defensive side of the puck in their zone as opposed to attacking as the Vees made the lead stand.


Third period shots were 15-7 Vees, for a game total in their favour of 36-33. John Hawthorne took the loss in net, while Nolan Hildebrand picked up third star honours with the win. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Vees went 0 for 4.


With the loss, the Dogs have lost two in a row, and are winless in three. They are next in action tomorrow night in Wenatchee.


Hammer

Bulldogs visit Vees tonight in Penticton

It's the beginning of a three-in-three weekend roadtrip through two countries and two conferences tonight for the Bulldogs (6-6-1-2, T-3rd Island) as they visit the Penticton Vees (9-2-1-1, 5th Interior) at the South Okanagan Events Centre.


The Bulldogs last saw game action Sunday afternoon at home, where they had their four game unbeaten run halted with a 4-1 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies.

The Vees last played on Wednesday night at home, where they lost their second in a row, 3-2 in double overtime to the Wenatchee Wild.


This is the second of three meetings between the teams this season - the Vees took the first meeting in comeback fashion 3-2 on September 22nd at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack.

I will be on the air on  93.3 The Peak FM starting at 6:45 tonight for the pregame show on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey. The puck will drop shortly after 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Arch Ecker, the play-by-play voice of the Wenatchee Wild, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow night down in Washington.

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.hockeytv.com





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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs fall 4-1 to the Grizzlies

A high paced game from the early minutes. The Grizzlies had he first good opportunity on net that saw Colten Lancaster kick out his right toe to top an Alex Newhook shot. The Dogs earned the first power play of the game a few minutes later. They had a great look on it on a pretty back door set up that saw Shawn Parkinson make a fantatic right pad save going post to post. The Bulldogs would threaten on an extended scramble just past the midway point of the period, with a Jackson Doucet shot getting through Parkinson and sitting behind him on the line, but the Dogs couldn't get a bounce to capitalize on it. The Bulldogs continued to press and had several good chances on scrambles, but Parkinson was solid to keep it scoreless. The Grizzlies would open the scoring with less than four to play in the period on a quick transition from neutral ice that saw Carter Berger feed Alex Newhook over the Bulldogs line up the left side where he snapped a perfectly placed shot from inside the circle top corner, long-side under the bar and over the glove of Lancaster to make it 1-0. Jamie Rome also drew an assist on the play at 16:04 of the first. The Bulldogs responded well to the goal against, as they didn't deflate and pushed back, although they couldn't get on the board before the period was out. Shots were 12 aside after 20 minutes.


The Bulldogs were penalized early in the second, but killed it off well with Lancaster forced to make one good glove save. Before the Dogs could attempt to get back on the attack, they were again penalized, but again killed it off with Lancaster sharp on a couple of occasions in tight. The Dogs had another near miss immediately after the kill on a shot and a rebound at the side of the net that looked close, but again the Grizzlies net became dislodged and it stayed out. The Bulldogs would get the equalizer in the back half of the period off a faceoff in their end that saw Sami Pharaon put a perfectly placed indirect headman pass up the right wing for Keaton Mastrodonato behind the Grizzlies defence. He would walk in on a partial breakaway where he snapped a shot long side past the blocker of Parkinson to make it a 1-1 game at 13:24 of the frame. The Grizzlies would respond almost immediately, with a strong push back shift that saw Lancaster come up with a handful of saves, the most notable being on a net drive by Lucas Clark. The Bulldogs would be penalized on the shift, and were again penalized six seconds later to bring about a long Victoria 5 on 3. The Bulldogs would kill it off, with Lancaster standing tall, and a couple of great plays by Connor Welsh to clear the puck. The Bulldogs would earn a power play before the period was out, but couldn't threaten on it as it remained 1-1 after 40 minutes. Shots in the second were 15-9 Grizzlies, for a 27-21 advantage after two.


The third period saw the Bulldogs come out with a solid push through the first few minutes, but the Grizzlies instead took a 2-1 lead on a Bulldog faceoff win in the attacking end that saw a rink-wide pass at centre ice intercepted resulting in an odd man rush that the Grizzlies worked to perfection with a give and go that saw Alex Newhook take a return pass off the back post from Jamie Rome that he made no mistake on 2:35 of the third. The Bulldog earned a power play a minute later, but again couldn't cash in on it to tie the game. The Dog were in turn penalized two minutes later, but again came up with a big kill to keep it a one-goal game. With just under seven minutes to play the Bulldogs again earned a power play, with a Bench Minor to the Grizzlies bench, but again they couldn't find the equalizer. Shawn Parkinson would come up with a big save on Grayson Valente on a giveaway right up the middle to protect the lead in the late stages of the third, with the Bulldogs again coming frustratingly close to tying the game around the net on a series of instances. The Bulldogs would be penalized with four minutes to play, and the Grizzlies almost immediately made it count to get some insurance, as a clearing attempt was kept in at the line by Carter Berger, who flipped it to the net for Tanner Hopps alone behind the Dog defence where he put a quick shot on net that just trickled over the line off the blocker of Lancaster to make it 3-1 at 16:15 of the third. Just a minute later the Dogs pushed back and earned a power play of their own, but despite pulling their goalie to make it a 6 on 4 advantage they couldn't make it a one-goal game before the Grizzlies hit the empty net on a 200 foot curler by Matt Doran that found the middle of the net to make it 4-1 at 19:44 of the third.


Final shots were even at 38-38, with Colten Lancaster earning second star honours while taking the loss, while Shawn Parkinon earned first star honours with the win. The Bulldogs went 0 for 6 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 6.


The Bulldogs are next in action Friday in Penticton. 


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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

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Bulldogs host Grizzlies today for matinee affair

It's the third meeting of the season between the teams, and the second this week as the Bulldogs (6-5-1-2, 3rd Island) host the Victoria Grizzlies (8-6-1-0, 2nd Island) for a matinee affair this afternoon at the Multiplex.


The Bulldogs were last in action of course last night at home, where they saw their winning streak stopped at three while extending their unbeaten streak to four with a 3-3 tie against the Prince George Spruce Kings. The Grizzlies had last night off, but were in action on home ice on Friday night where the snapped a four game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Coquitlam Express.


These teams have met twice already this season with each team picking up a win in the other teams building. The Grizzlies took the first meeting 4-2 on September 15th. The Bulldogs beat the Grizzlies 3-2 in overtime at the Q Centre on Wednesday night in the most recent meeting.

93.3 The Peak FM will broadcast live from the Multiplex starting at 1:45 with the pregame show, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 2:00pm. Bruce MacDonald will handle the analysis and provide colour commentary, Dan Tisserand will compile team and individual stats and I'll call the play-by-play, all on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Head Coach Nolan Graham (2009-2010) who is now an Assistant Coach with the NCAA's RPI Engineers.

Nolan is a great story, and a great example of what this league is all about. He played in the BCHL, he played in the NCAA with RPI before moving on to Pro Hockey. He then came back to the BCHL as a Coach, and now he's back with his former team as a Coach.

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.hockeytv.com


Hammer










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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

UPDATED VIDEO ADDED Bulldogs and Spruce Kings play to 3-3 tie

It was somewhat of an odd start to the game, with neither team getting a puck on net through the first five minutes of play as neither team had a shot on net. The Spruce Kings would generate the first good look of the game on a deflection from the slot by Corey Cunningham, but John Hawthorne came up with a great save. The first good look for the Bulldogs was at the midway point of the period as Cole Poliziani put a low slapper on net after a long battle was won by Brad Ong, but Bradley Cooper just got his pad on top of it to keep it out. The Bulldogs earned the game's first power play later in the period, and while they didn't score on it they did look sharp and generated a couple good chances and gained some momentum. The last three to four minutes of the period was again played somewhat like the first minutes of it, as neither team generated or gave up much either way. Shots were 7-6 Spruce Kings after 20 minutes.


The second period saw more in the way of offense by both sides, with the Bulldogs opening the scoring just over three minutes into the period. Connor Welsh fed Gregg Lee up the left wing over the Spruce Kings line, where he forced it back of the net to the right corner where Cayden Kraus made a good read to feed the puck back to the right point for Mitch Oliver. He would simply put it at the net, and Kraus went to it where he deflected the shot through the legs of Cooper to make it 1-0 at 3:16 of the second. The Bulldogs would come up with a solid penalty kill five minutes later with John Hawthorne making back to back glove saves in tight, and then immediately built their lead as a puck up the wall was found by Christian Simeone, who walked into the deep slot down the right side where he ripped one home top corner, short-side over the glove of Cooper at 8:03 of the second, with Brandon Bergado drawing the lone assist which brought about a goaltender change for the Spruce Kings as Evan DeBrouwer came into the game off the bench.  The Bulldogs pushed hard to build their lead but the Spruce Kings held on, and then came up with a solid penalty kill of their own. They would find the net shortly afterwards to make it 2-1 as Chong Lee picked off a pass in the right circle and put a shot on net that Hawthorne stopped, but the rebound went skyward and fell at the side of the net where Nolan Welsh slammed it home at 13:13 of the second. The Bulldogs again pushed and had a couple near misses across the goal line at the Prince George net but couldn't get a bounce. The Spruce Kings would then push and hem the Bulldogs in their zone in the final minute of the period and would tie the game as Ben Brar walked into the deep slot and put a high shot on net that was stopped by Hawthorne, but Ethan de Jong managed to get his second or third rebound to go from his knees under the crossbar to make it 2-2 at 19:18 of the second. Shots in the period were 16-12 Spruce Kings, for a 23-18 advantage after 40 minutes.


The third period saw the Spruce Kings take a 3-2 lead in somewhat controversial fashion, as Jackson Doucet took a stick across the face that all four Officials missed. The Spruce Kings would go down ice and score seconds later, on a pass from behind the goal line to the slot that was one-timed home past Hawthorne by Ethan de Jong at 3:07 of the third, with the assists going to Ben Brar and Ben Poisson. The Bulldogs would tie the game on a gorgeous end to end rush by Cole Poliziani, as he carried the puck from behind his net and up the right wing over the Prince George line at full flight where he made a pretty move to make a defender miss before putting a perfect cross-ice feed to Isaac Tonkin-Palmer who deflected it inside the far post before DeBrouwer could get over to make it 3-3 at 10:38 of the third. The Bulldogs would earn a power play on a rather soft call, but a call none the less with just over four minutes to play, but they couldn't cash in on it for the game winner as the game went to overtime. Shots in the third were 11-10 Bulldogs, for a 33-29 Spruce Kings lead after 60 minutes.


The first overtime saw the Bulldogs dominate, out-shooting the Spruce Kings 4-0 and having a couple chances that looked to be game winners, the most notable coming from Mitch Oliver with less than 15 seconds to play in OT as he walked around the zone to the slot and put a shot on net that was stopped by DeBrouwer. Oliver followed his own rebound to the net, and appeared to have it going high into the open net but DeBrouwer made a rediculous windmill desperation save to keep the game going. The second overtime was unfortunately not the usual end-to-end thrilling hockey, as the Bulldogs were penalized just 26 seconds into the 3-on-3 OT on what looked like to me a pretty crisp stick lift and defensive play, but the Referees thought different. The Bulldogs would successfully kill it off, with Hawthorne making a couple good saves, the best of which might have been on Ben Brar on the door step. The Bulldogs wouldn't get the puck back after they killed the penalty, but despite being Dog tired they defended well as the Spruce Kings made a series of changes to get fresh legs on the ice but nothing in the way of chances as time ran out and the game ended in a 3-3 draw.


Final shots were 35-33 Spruce Kings, with John Hawthorne and Evan DeBrouwer being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play and the Spruce Kings went 0 for 3.


With the tie, the Dogs win streak is snapped at three although they are now unbeaten in four. They are next in action when the Victoria Grizzlies visit the Dog Pound for a 2:00pm puck drop tomorrow.


Hammer


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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs host Spruce Kings tonight

It's the first meeting of the season between the teams, as the Bulldogs (6-5-1-1, 3rd Island) play host to the Prince George Spruce Kings (7-4-2-2, T-1st Mainland) tonight at the Multiplex to kick off Parents Weekend.


The Bulldogs were last in action Wednesday night in Victoria, where they won their third in a row, 3-2 over the Grizzlies in overtime. The Spruce Kings kicked off a three-in-three Island swing last night in Powell River, where they saw their winless streak extended to three games with a 3-3 tie against the Kings.

The full crew will be on hand tonight in the Broadcast Booth to bring it all to you on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - I'll handle the play-by-play with Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand providing the colour commentary and analysis along with team and individual statistics. The pregame show commences the proceedings at 6:45, with the puck drop to follow the introduction of the Bulldog parents at 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Nick Sandor. While he's no longer playing the game, as he's now working as Financial Security Advisor and Investment Representative at Freedom 55 Financial, he is still involved in the game as he's taking part in Hockey Helps the Homeless. If you'd like to make a donation to support the cause, Nick's page is HERE


While Nick's career started with the Bulldogs in 2007-2008, the bulk of his story happened elsewhere and the theme of what he accomplished is that he refused to quit. Nick broke his leg/ankle in the middle of that season, as luck would have it, right when he appeared to be really finding his stride and figuring the league out. He returned for the 2008-2009 season and was one of, if not THE leading scorer for the team through the preseason schedule, yet was surprisingly outright released by the Coaching Staff. Some people might have considered packing it in, but he headed to Calgary to pursue and opportunity there. He got a phone call midway, and was told to head to Trail to try and carve a spot off the Smoke Eaters roster. The rest, they say, is history. He had over 100 points with the Smokies in 100 games and he had 30 goals in his 20 year old season, and earned an NCAA opportunity with American International College. He played there for two seasons, and then finished his career with three seasons playing for Simon Fraser University.

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.hockeytv.com

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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

UPDATED VIDEO OF WINNER Dogs win third straight, 3-2 over Grizzlies in OT

The Bulldogs got off to their best start of the season, as they took a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the game when Connor Welsh forced a turnover at the Bulldog line. Bradley Ong would push the pace up ice to create an odd-man rush where he put a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Isaac Tonkin-Palmer in the left circle where he snapped a shot on goal that beat Zachary Rose top corner, long-side over his glove. The Grizzlies pushed right back on the next shift, but Colten Lancaster came up with a couple good saves in tight. The Bulldogs almost created another another odd-man rush from their own side of centre seconds later, but instead turned the puck over and the Grizzlies capitalized on it as Ryan Nolan threw a cross-crease pass from the right side that was one-timed home by Lucas Clark to make it 1-1 just 1:21 into the game. The Bulldogs would have a good chance to take the lead later in the first when Cayden Kraus walked to the net from in tight and lifted a backhand over Rose, but it hit the crossbar and stayed out. It remained a tie game until the latter stages of the first when the Dogs got caught with a tired group on the ice after they spent a minute in the attacking zone, but couldn't get off the ice. It would lead to an extended shift in their zone, that led to a penalty. The Bulldogs won the initial faceoff to clear the puck down ice, but after that they couldn't get a clear to get a change and the Grizzlies connected to make it 2-1 on another cross-crease set up as Lucas Clark put a backdoor pass onto the tape of a wide-open Alex Newhook who lifted it into the open side before Lancaster could get over, at 16:21 of the first. Shots in the period were 9-7 Grizzlies.

The Bulldogs did a good job to kill off the penalty to start the period, and then pushed the pace over the next couple of minutes to create a series of good chances both off the rush and in the attacking zone, but they couldn't find the equalizer. They would again find themselves in the penalty box, but again came up with a solid kill to keep it a one-goal game. The Grizzlies would create a great chance on the rush to build their lead, but Colten Lancaster came up with a great right toe save on a Lucas Clark tip-in attempt. The Bulldogs would earn a power play at the midway point of the period, and while they didn't cash in on it they looked good and created some chances and momentum. The best chance to get the equalizer came with three minutes to play in the period off a defensive zone draw that saw a clearing attempt chased down by Keaton Mastrodonato for a breakaway that didn't see him get a Grade A shot off, but Zachary Rose still came up with the save to keep it a 2-1 game after two periods. Shots in the second were 10-7 Bulldogs, for a 17-16 advantage in their favour after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs continued their push to start the third, and were rewarded for good work below the goal line that saw Keaton Mastrodonato block a rim up the wall that saw the puck come to the slot. Paul Selleck threw a low shot on net that was stopped by Rose, but he couldn't control the rebound as Selleck had another wack before it popped back to the hashmarks for Jackson Doucet who made no mistake in ripping it under the crossbar to tie the game at 2-2 at 1:35 of the third period. The Bulldogs would have the better of the chances throughout the remainder of regulation, with Jackson Doucet having an in alone chance with five minutes to play that saw him get a good shot away despite Jordan Guiney water skiing behind him with his stick across his waist. The Bulldogs had another near-miss in the final minute of regulation but Rose came up with two in tight saves on Brandon Bergado. Third period shots were 10-6 Bulldogs, for a 27-22 advantage after 60 minutes.

Overtime saw each team have a look on net, with the Bulldogs having the initial possession and opportunity. They would get the winner with just over a minute left in 4-on-4 OT as an initial set up saw Mitch Oliver take a Ryan Steele pass and put a shot on goal that appeared to be tipped wide by Keaton Mastrodonato. Connor Welsh would find the puck in the right corner up the wall and put a perfect pass again to a wide-open Oliver in the left side of the slot where he ripped home the game winner, high long-side over the glove of Rose at 3:38 of overtime.

Final shots were 29-23 Bulldogs, with Colten Lancaster picking up the win while Zachary Rose took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 3.

With the win, the Bulldogs have won three straight games, while the Grizzlies have lost four straight. The Bulldogs are next in action Saturday night at home when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Hammer


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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs visit Grizzlies tonight

It's the second meeting of the season between the teams, and the first in Victoria as the Bulldogs (5-5-1-1, 3rd Island) head down Island to visit the Grizzlies (7-6-0-0, 2nd Island) at the Q Centre.

The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night at home, when they won their second straight, 4-1 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Grizzlies last played Sunday afternoon in Surrey, where they lost their third in a row, 5-2 to the Eagles.


Victoria took the previous head to head contest 4-2 in what was the Bulldogs Home Opener on September 15th.

93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet will be on the air tonight starting with the pregame show at 6:45, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Brendan Pawliw, play-by-play voice of the Prince George Spruce Kings, who the Bulldogs host on Saturday night.

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.hockeytv.com


Hammer




____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

UPDATED - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS Bulldogs win second straight, 4-1 over Capitals

Here's some video highlights from tonight's game - for the first time in HIGH DEF.

The Bulldogs organization have put a bunch of time and effort into the endeavor of making high definition video broadcasts happen - it's certainly a work in progress still but I very much appreciate everything the organization has done, and it's a remarkable improvement in video quality from just the first go at it tonight. 

Apologies for the audio, as it still needs some work. It's too bad that with the new limitations of the HD set up that we can't have pre-produced broadcast audio from 93.3 The Peak anyore...now it has to be fed into the system "raw" and directly off our equipment in the booth. As the set up gets further dialed in I hope that it will improve dramatically. Also apologies to Christian Simeone for the "lip slip" on his goal. I knew it was something "one or ani" , d'oh!

After an initial whistle just 11 seconds into the game, the flow was fantastic with no whistles until just short of the five minute mark of the first. The Dogs had the best early chance to open the scoring when Keaton Mastrodonato blew past a defender to skate in on a breakaway, only to have Adam Marcoux come up with a big glove save. Two minutes later the Capitals opened the scoring for the second straight night, on a set up to the slot and a scramble that saw John Hawthorne make the first save only to have Ethan Scardina locate the loose puck and battle it over the goal line to make it 1-0. Assists on the play went to Caleb Franklin and Riley Thorpe at 6:05 of the first. The Bulldogs answered back after the media time out off a defensive zone faceoff when Cayden Kraus won the draw for Sami Pharaon, and then took off up the middle where Pharaon hit him with a perfect pass in full flight at centre ice to create a 2 on 1 rush. Kraus would keep the puck over the line up the right side and fire a perfect shot low, long-side past the stick of Marcoux to make it 1-1 at 10:29 of the first, with Ryan Butler also drawing an assist. The Bulldogs carried the better of the play through the remainder of the period and had a handful of great chances both on the rush and off containment in the zone, but couldn't capitalze on them at it remained 1-1 after 20 minutes, with the Dogs out shooting the Capitals 14-6.

The second period started with a bang, as the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game before it was two minutes old on the power play when Jackson Doucet fed Mitch Oliver at the right point. He would dish off for Connor Welsh as they would switch up, before Welsh put a perfect pass onto his tape at the top of the left circle where he ripped a one-timer top corner, far-side over the glove of Marcoux to make it 2-1 Bulldogs at 1:50 of the second. It was a 3-1 game three minutes later when the Bulldogs pressed and had a series of consecutive attacking zone draws. Isaac Tonkin-Palmer would win the draw and Cole Poliziani did a great job to jump to the middle and find it and one-time it while falling off the post and in past Marcoux for his first as a Bulldog at 4:56 of the second. The Bulldogs would have a great opportunity to build the lead later in the period when they had a 5 on 3 power play of just over 40 seconds in duration, but they couldn't cash in on it as they took the 3-1 lead to the room after two. 

The third period was delayed for a while due to a fan in the stands requiring medical attention. There was no scoring through the first half of the period, with the Bulldog penalty kill called upon to protect the lead. The Capitals had a noticeable level of desperation to their game, but the Dogs didn't concede much in their zone as they protected their lead. The Capitals would a power play with just over five minutes to play after a big hit and a large dust up at the whistle at their net, but again the Dogs killed it off and didn't allow much in the way of good chances. They would finally put the game away with just over two minutes to play on a pretty end-to-end goal that saw Connor Welsh make a good defensive play on a Capital rush. Ryan Steele would find the loose puck on the left wing of the Bulldog zone, where he put a hard cross-ice pass to the right side of centre ice for Brandon Bergado. He in turn made a perfect saucer pass to the middle of the ice on the tape of Christian Simeone, who raced in alone on the breakaway where he faked to his backhand before tucking it in on the forehand inside the far post past a sliding Marcoux to make it 4-1 at 17:14 of the third for the eventual final score. 

The Capitals out shot the Bulldogs 16-7 in the third, for a 33-32 total in the Bulldogs favour, with John Hawthorne picking up the win while Adam Marcoux took the loss. The Bulldogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Capitals went 0 for 4. 

With the win, the Bulldogs have won back to back games for the first time this season, and they have improved their record to .500 also for the first time. They are next in action when they visit the Grizzlies Wednesday night in Victoria. 

Hammer

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There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around