Vipers top Bulldogs 4-0

The Bulldogs earned a power play chance a minute into the game, and while they looked good on it were unable to generate any opportunities to test Aiden Porter. The pace picked up both ways over the next five to six minutes, but neither side was able to get any sustained pressure or catch either side pushing to create any odd-man rushes. The Bulldogs earned another power play at the midway point of the period, but besides the opening draw weren't able to generate any sustained set up in the zone. A glorious set up to the front of the net for Evan Googins somehow stayed out with under five minutes to play in the period. The Vipers then generated a good chance of their own on a breakdown by the Bulldogs in their zone late in the first, but Cole Demers got his right toe on a Josh Latta one-timer from in tight to keep it scoreless through 20 minutes. Shots after the first were 10-6 Vernon.


The second period again was played at a high pace through the first few minutes. The Bulldogs had a great chance to open the scoring on a breakaway chance for Mitchel Deelstra that appeared to just miss short-side. Just a minute later the Vipers would open the scoring on an odd one as an initial shot on the rush was deflected wide. Teddy Wooding found the rebound first behind the goal line, and appeared to bank it it off Demers to make it 1-0 at 2:32 of the period. A minute and change later it was 2-0 on another odd one as a shot from the point was deflected in tight by Nicholas Cherkowski past Demers to make it 2-0 at 3:57 of the second with Coleton Biloudeau drawing the assist. The Bulldogs came painfully close in the middle of that sequence to getting on the board, as Grayson Valente one-timed a Stephen Castagna feed past Porter but off the post that stayed out. The Vipers took a 3-0 lead two minutes later on the rush, as Jagger Williamson kept the puck up the left wing on a 2 on 2 rush and snapped one short-side through the arm of Demers. The lone assist went to Josh Latta at 6:02 of the second, as John Hawthorne would enter the game to relieve Demers. The Bulldogs once again had a fantastic chance to make a game of it, as Mitchell Deelstra raced in on another breakaway, but Porter came up with a big glove save to protect the lead. The Bulldogs didn't show any signs of packing it in, but despite a couple of chances couldn't get a bounce to make a game of it. The Vipers would tack onto their lead late in the period on a partial 2 on 1 rush that saw Ben Sanderson pick up a Michael Young chip at centre and skate over the Bulldog line up the right side where he picked the top corner, short-side over the glove of Hawthorne to make it 4-0 at 19:16 of the period. Shots in the second were 17-9 Vipers, for a 40 minute total in their favour of 27-15.


The third period saw neither side able to generate offence in the early minutes. Tempers flared short of the four minute mark as Spencer Hora and Alex Swetlikoff dropped the gloves for a spirited fight that saw Hora the definite winner that resulted in the Vipers bench being visibly upset at the end of it. The Vipers ended up on a power play out of it, but were quickly penalized for Goalie Interference. Another Viper penalty put the Dogs on a 4 on 3, and short 5 on 3 power play, but again they couldn't capitalize on it to make a game of it. The teams would trade power play opportunities through the bulk of the remainder of the game, with neither side able to find the net with emotions remaining high until the final buzzer.


Third period shots were 15-11 Vernon, for a 42-26 total in their favour, with Aiden Porter picking up the win and 1st star honours with the shut out while Cole Demers gave up three goals on sixteen shots in 26:02 in taking the loss while John Hawhorne was beaten once on twenty six shots in relief. The Bulldogs went 0 for 6 on the power play while the Vipers went 0 for 2.


The Bulldogs are next in action Friday night in Prince George.

 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 Vipers tonight

It's the second meeting between these teams in a week, as the Bulldogs (7-10-1-0, 3rd Island) host the Vernon Vipers (6-5-4-1, 7th Interior) to conclude Parents Weekend, before they again head out on a three game road trip. 

The Bulldogs were in action last night at home, where they won their second straight, 2-0 over the Nanaimo Clippers. The Vipers were in Powell River last night, where they lost their second straight, 3-2 to the Kings in a shoot out. 

These teams met a week ago tonight in Vernon, a 5-1 Vipers win.

Catch all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM, with Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey taking the airwaves at 6:45 for our pregame show, with the puck dropping at 7:00. I'll provide the play-by-play, Bruce MacDonald will add colour commentary and analysis while Dan Tisserand is a game-time decision to be on hand to provide team and player statistics. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is another edition of The Island Division This Week, courtesy of Nanaimo Clippers play-by-play broadcaster Dan Marshall. 

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

Thanks for stopping by the blog! 

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 WITH HIGHLIGHTS* Bulldogs win second straight, 2-0 over Clippers

The Bulldogs got off to a fantastic start, as Isaac Tonkin-Palmer jumped forward off the opening faceoff to get a shot on goal just 5 seconds into the game. Moments later, the Bulldogs had a fantastic chance with a giveaway in the Nanaimo zone to the slot seeing Jordan Naylor stopping Mitchel Deelstra. The Clippers would counter after fighting off an initial Bulldog push, as John Hawthorne made a good save on a deflection attempt at the crease. The Bulldogs would take the first penalty of the game a few minutes later and did a good job of killing it off. The Clippers created a chance seconds after it ended, with John Hawthorne coming up with a fantastic backdoor save on Daniel Gatenby on a pretty set up by Thomas Samuelsen. The pace slowed over the next few minutes, but the action picked up when Isaac Tonkin-Palmer leveled Mackenzie Merriman at the Bulldog blueline on a suicide pass right up the middle. Matthew Moser would jump Tonkin-Palmer in defence of his teammate, with Tonkin-Palmer showing good discipline to keep his gloves on. The Bulldogs would end up on a five minute power play as a result. They didn't take advantage of it, and didn't look especially good on it, generating just four shots. They did come close to cashing in when Mitchel Deelstra hit the post. As soon as the power play was over, they generated a flurry of chances, with Naylor stopping Dawson Tritt point blank twice from the hashmarks to keep it scoreless. The Clippers went to the power play with less than two minutes to play in the period, but the Dogs again didn't give much in killing it off to the end of the period. Shots in the first were 12-5 Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs came out with a push to start the second and earned a power play, but had that opportunity taken away a minute into it with another penalty. Isaac Tonkin-Palmer would walk out from the corner during four-aside hockey to the slot, but he couldn't get a good shot away while fighting off a stick from behind. The Bulldogs killed off the remainder of the penalty, and again earned a power play five minutes into the period, but again didn't look especially good on it. The next few minutes through the middle of the period were fairly disjointed both ways, with not much flow to speak of. Action would pick up in the back-half of the period, with an increase in physical play, with the Clippers throwing three big hits on one shift, and the Bulldogs hitting back. Neither team would be able to find the net as the period went to the late stages, with the Clippers finally generating their first shot of the frame 15:35 into it, while on the power play. The man-advantage would turn into a 5 on 3 for 41 seconds when the Bulldogs were again penalized. Again, the Bulldogs did a good job of killing it off, with Dawson Tritt battling the initial faceoff out of the zone to kill crucial seconds. The Bulldogs drew a power play in the final seconds of the frame, to open the third on the power play.  Shots in the period were 9-2 Bulldogs, for a 40 minute advantage in their favour of 21-7.

The Bulldogs again couldn't make the power play count to open the third, before they were sent to the box 3:30 into the frame. It turned into another 5 on 3 power play a minute later for the Clippers, this one 46 seconds in duration, on another Bulldog penalty. The Bulldogs would again kill it, with Aaron Bohlinger coming up with huge back to back shot blocks on cross-ice one-timer set ups. The second one would break his stick, and the Clippers got a fantastic chance at the side of the net as a result on a rebound off of Hawthorne, but he would come up with a ridiculous diving save across the crease to get a glove on a mid-air puck to steal what looked like a sure goal from Robbie Drazner to keep it scoreless. The Bulldogs would earn a power play a minute later to create another four-aside situation. The Bulldogs would finally open the scoring, as they raced up ice on an odd-man rush. Ryan Miotto would carry the puck left wing over the Nanaimo line before hitting Keaton Mastrodonato in full flight in the slot. He would make a perfect pass to the back post for Aaron Bohlinger, who deflected it into the open side to make it 1-0 at 6:26 of the third. The Bulldogs did a good job of protecting the lead into the late stages, with the Clippers pulling their goalie in the final minute to try and find the equalizer. Mackenzie Wight would get in front of a one-timer to block it ahead for Ryan Miotto, who head-manned it for Wight who showed great patience to gain centre and change the angle before hitting the empty net to seal the deal with 28 seconds left to complete the scoring.

Third period shots were 9-7 Clippers, for a game total of 28-16 Bulldogs, with John Hawthorne earning the win and 2nd star honours with his first career shut out while Jonathan Naylor earned 3rd star honours with the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 5 on the power play, while the Clippers went 0 for 7.

With the win, the Bulldogs have now won two straight games. They are next in action tomorrow night when they host the Vernon Vipers.

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 Clippers tonight, Parents Weekend

It's the second meeting between the teams this season, and the first on home ice for the Bulldogs (6-9-1-0, 3rd Island) as they host the Nanaimo Clippers (6-10-0-0, 4th Island) open a two game home stand this weekend


The Bulldogs last played Sunday in Langley, where they ended a three game road trip by snapping a three game losing streak with a 3-2 come-from-behind overtime win over the Rivermen The Clippers last saw action Sunday afternoon at home, where they lost 2-1 to the Powell River Kings


It just seems odd that this is just the second meeting of the season between the teams, the last coming in Nanaimo on September 9th, a 2-1 Bulldog win.  It's the Bulldogs closest geographic rival, yet they've seen Salmon Arm twice, Trail twice, Langley, Surrey, Vernon, and Merritt....while they've also only seen Cowichan twice, and haven't even played Powell River yet.


*Did you know?* The only team in the BCHL that has played less home games than the Bulldogs going into play tonight is the Wenatchee Wild?

If you can't make it to the game, we'll bring it to you, on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM. Bruce MacDonald handles analysis and colour commentary, Dan Tisserand takes care of team and player statistics while I provide the play-by-play. We go live at 6:45 for the pregame show, with the game action to follow at 7:00

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is the reigning BCHL Broadcaster of the Year winner Graham Turnbull, the play-by-play voice of the Vernon Vipers, who the Bulldogs host tomorrow night for the second meeting between the teams in seven days. 

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

Thanks for stopping by the blog! 

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 with Video - Bulldogs top Langley 3-2 in overtime

The Bulldogs got the first good opportunity on net in the opening seconds of the game, with Braedon Fleming coming up with a pad save on a Jackson Doucet. The next shift, it was 1-0 Rivermen as Kalen Szeto jumped on a pass across the Bulldog blue line and intercepted it to race in alone where he snapped a shot high past the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 1-0, un-assisted at 1:43 of the first. The Bulldogs chased the game over the following minutes, and weren't able to get much going, with Hawthorne coming up a couple big saves to keep it 1-0, most notably while on the seat of his pants at the top of the crease off of CJ Walker from the top of the paint. Langley would take a 2-0 lead at the midway point of the period when the Bulldogs failed to defend their net on a counter attack as Hawthorne made a good save on an initial 1-on-1 that turned into an in-alone chance for William Stromp that saw Hawthorne came up with a save but not get any help on the rebound as Trevor Ayre found it between two Bulldogs in the crease to make it 2-0 at 9:43 of the first. The Bulldogs did a good job of responding throughout the remainder of the period, but were unable to get a Grade A chance to beat Fleming as it stayed 2-0 after 20 minutes, with Langley up 14-13 in shots.

The Bulldogs came out flying to start the second, making it a 2-1 game just 24 seconds into it as Jackson Doucet played the puck back of the Langley net for Ryan Miotto. He would chop it loose for Keaton Mastrodonato, who walked all the way up the left wing, across the top of the blue line, and into the right circle where he beat fleming with a top corner shot, long-side over his blocker to make it 2-1 at 24 seconds into the period. The same line stayed out, and again attacked on the next shift and came close to to tying the score. The solid start certainly appeared to set the tone for the remainder of the period, as the Bulldogs kept their pace up throughout it and carried the better of the play. They would get the equalizer with just over five minutes to play in it, with John Hawthorne coming up with a big save seconds prior on a breakaway chance for C.J Wilson. The Bulldogs would counter on the rush, as Darren Rizzolo sent Evan Googins up the left wing over the Langley line. He would delay and then hit Ethan Jones with a perfect pass in the slot. He then made an equally perfect feed onto the tape of Tanner Pochipinski at the side of the crease, where he deflected it past Fleming for his first career goal at 14:31 of the second to make it 2-2. The Bulldogs would come painfully close to getting the go ahead marker before time expired in the period, as Darren Rizzolo hit the crossbar from the line, and Ryan Miotto also hit the iron on the power play. Braedon Fleming would come up with a big save on Jackson Doucet on a power play late in the period, as Evan Googins put a perfect rink-wide pass onto his tape that Doucet appeared to put upstairs, short-side only to have Fleming go post-to-post to just get an arm on it to keep it 2-2 after 40 minutes. Shots in the period were 10-6 Bulldogs, for a 23-20 lead after two.


The third period was played at a high pace throughout the first half of it, with both sides having good chances but the goalies standing tall. The Bulldogs came close to getting the go-ahead marker on a power play of their own, before Langley peppered Hawthorne on a man advantage of their own, and he was fantastic coming up with at least half a dozen saves to keep it tied. Hawthorne would again come up huge with less than five minutes to play, as he stopped Ethan Leyh on an in-alone breakaway to keep it tied. As the time ticked down late in the third, the Dogs appeared to be running out of steam, but they did a good job of bending and not breaking in forcing overtime. Shots in the third were 15-6 Langley, for a 35-29 advantage for the Rivermen after 60 minutes.


Langley had the first possession of overtime, but the Bulldogs defended well to get possession back to get on the attack. Braedon Fleming would come up with a breakaway save on Jackson Doucet. The Bulldogs again defended and got the puck back when Aaron Bohlinger battled through a one-on-one to dig it up the left wing for Evan Googins. He would head-man it onto the tape of Doucet at center ice, who made no mistake on his second breakaway, out-waiting Fleming and snapping it home five hole for the game winner.

Shots in overtime were 2-0 Bulldogs, for a 35-31 Langley advantage. John Hawthorne earned 1st star honours with the win, while Braedon Fleming took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Rivermen went 0 for 3.

With the win, the Bulldogs snap a three-game losing streak. They're next in action Friday when they host the Nanaimo Clippers.

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

Bulldogs visit Rivermen today to conclude road trip *2:00pm start*

It's the third game in two and a half days for the Bulldogs (5-9-1-0, 4th Island) as they conclude their weekend road trip by visiting the Rivermen (7-6-0-0, 4th Mainland) at the George Preston Recreation Centre in Langley for a matinee affair.


The Bulldogs were in Vernon last night, where they dropped their third straight, 5-1 to the Vipers. The Rivermen played last night at home, where they dropped their second in a row, 2-1 to the Prince George Spruce Kings. 

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey is on the air at 1:45 for our pregame show, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 2:00. Catch all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog (2014-2016) Chris Schutz, now into his second season with the NCAA's UMass Lowell Riverhawks. 

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

Thanks for stopping by the blog! 

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

Bulldogs drop third straight, 5-1 in Vernon

The pace was high early in the contest, with the Bulldogs having the best early chance when Mitchel Deelstra made a nice move entering the zone to walk to the slot, with Max Palaga making a solid blocker save. The Bulldogs would be penalized a minute and change later, but managed to kill it off with Cole Demers good when he needed to be, and his penalty killers doing a good job to limit chance against. Demers would come up big short of the midway point of the period, when the Bulldogs were in full control of the puck in their zone but coughed it up for a breakaway that saw Demers come up with a big save on Ben Helgeson. The Bulldogs would again be the team picked out of a battle in the corner to be the guilty party a few minutes later, but again killed it off with Demers making a couple good saves. Once it was 5-on-5, the Bulldogs got their game going a bit, with Palaga again making a good save in the deep slot in Deelstra to keep it scoreless. The Bulldogs would be penalized a third straight time late in the period, on what looked like a good defensive play. The call would be a big one, as the Vipers finally took advantage to open the scoring as Jack Judson took a pass at the top of the point from Jagger Williamson and one-timed it on goal where it was perfectly deflected into the top corner over the glove of Demers. The Vipers would push for more in the final minute of the period on an odd-man rush, but Demers came up with a fantastic desperation save going post-to-post to get his arm on it to keep it out. Shots in the period were 13-5 Vipers.
The second period saw the penalty parade continue, with two calls that certainly weren't questionable. The Vipers went to work on a 42 second 5 on 3 power play, but the Bulldogs killed it and the following minor with Demers coming up with again a series of big saves in tight to keep it 1-0. It would be the Bulldogs turn to finally earn a power play short of the midway point of the period, with the advantage turning into a 5 on 3 power play when Jesse Lansdell caught Marcus Walter with a knee-on-knee hit in neutral ice that appeared to obviously injure Walter, as he didn't return for the remainder of the period. It would just be a minor penalty, but the Bulldogs made it count as Darren Rizzolo found Ryan Miotto at the goal line at the right side of the net where he put a cross-crease pass onto the tape of Jackson Doucet, who made no mistake in hitting the open side to make it 1-1 at 8:22 of the second. Penalties would continue to play a factor, as just a minute later Mitchel Deelstra would appear to take a stick to the face, and in the process of falling pull the Viper's helmet off. He would get the only penalty, and the Vipers went up 2-1 when the first save was made on a point drive by Demers, but Jesse Lansdell found the rebound in the crease and put it home. Mitch Andres and Jagger Williamson drew the assists at 9:44 of the third. Just 17 seconds later it was 3-1 on a 2 on 1 rush that saw Demers again make the first save, but Alex Swetlikoff found the rebound first in the crease and put it home before Demers could recover. Ben Helgeson and Elan Bar-Lev-wise drew the assists at 10:01 of the second. The Bulldogs got their turn on the power play two minutes later, but despite some good chances couldn't cash in to make a game of it. The Vipers then went to back to back power play opportunities later in the period, but the Bulldogs stood tall on the kill to stay in the game. Shots in the period were 19-9 Vipers, for a 32-14 edge after two periods.

The third period saw the Bulldogs come out with good energy, creating a couple of chances early and drawing a power play three minutes into the frame. Despite a couple of opportunities, they couldn't beat Palaga as it stayed a two-goal hole. The Bulldogs fought hard to get back into it through the remainder of the period and again had a couple good chances around the net, but couldn't convert on them. The Bulldogs earned a power play with just under six minutes to play, but failed to generate much as the Vipers did a good job of killing it to hold their lead. Things got very interesting late in the game, with a long board battle with the Bulldog net empty was perhaps let go for too long, resulting in a series of cross-checks and a hard slash stick-swing after the whistle erupting, with the result being the Bulldogs drawing the only penalty. They would succeed in getting the puck into the attacking zone and again pulling Demers to make it 5-on-5, but more rough stuff erupted on a Ryan Miotto hit on the forecheck and an ensuing scrum that saw both sides earn penalties. The Officials initially had the faceoff set in the Bulldog end, before moving it the length of the ice into the Vernon zone allowing the Bulldogs to again get their goalie out to make it 5-on-5 in an effort to get back within one. The Vipers would successfully defend their net, with a shot block ending up out of the zone where Jesse Lansdell found Alex Swetlikoff over the Bulldog line, where he set up Jagger Williamson in the crease for the empty net power play marker to make it 4-1 with 1:04 to play. The Vipers would earn a final power play with 30 seconds left, when Evan Googins was called for spearing in retaliation to a hit from behind he didn't like. The Vipers rubbed some final salt in the wound with their fourth power play marker of the night on a nice slot deflection by Coleton Bilodeau top corner over the glove of Demers, with Teddy Wooding and Michael Young getting the helpers with 17 seconds left for the 5-1 final score.

Shots in the third were 9-9, for a game total of 41-23 Vipers, with Cole Demers taking the loss while Max Palaga earned the win. The Bulldogs went 1 for 5 on the power play, while the Vipers went 4 for 11.

With the loss, the Bulldogs have now dropped three straight games. They end their road trip tomorrow in Langley against the Rivermen, a 2:00 start.

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

Bulldogs visit Vipers tonight in Vernon *6:00pm start*

It's the first meeting of two this season between these two clubs, as the Bulldogs (5-8-1-0, 4th Island) take on the Vipers (5-5-3-0, 7th Interior) at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. 

The Bulldogs were in Salmon Arm last night, where they lost their second in a row in heartbreaking fashion, 5-3 to the Silverbacks.

The Vipers were idle last night, after playing at home on Wednesday night where they snapped a two game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters.

For all things Vipers, a must read is the Vipers Die Hard Fan blog. Which, quite frankly, puts all other blogs to shame! 

Note the unique start time of 6:00pm - which is becoming less unique, but is still different than the standard 7:00 puck drop. That means Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM is on the air starting at 5:45 for the pregame show, with the game action to follow at 6:00

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Mike "The Boiler" Bordignon, the play-by-play voice of the Langley Rivermen, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow for a 2:00pm start to conclude their three-in-three weekend.

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

Thanks as always for checking out the blog! 


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

Bulldogs drop second straight, 5-3 to Silverbacks

The Bulldogs got off to a good start on the opening shift with a good opportunity. They continued to push and had an extra step on the Silverbacks over the next couple of minutes, and quickly took a 1-0 lead when Jackson Doucet picked off a pass at centre, and fed Ryan Miotto over the Salmon Arm line up the left wing on a partial breakaway where he walked into the top of the left circle and made no mistake with a perfectly placed shot inside the far post past the blocker of Devin Chapman. Doucet had the lone assist at 4:02 of the first, as Miotto ran his goal scoring streak to four straight games. The Dogs continued to carry the play, and had a gorgeous chance a minute later to go up 2-0 as Miotto again walked in with a step on a 2 on 1 to the top of the left circle. This time he would place a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Keaton Mastrodonato, who went upstairs only to have Chapman make a highlight reel save to keep it 1-0. The Bulldogs would push on an extended shift in the Salmon Arm zone, and earned a power play chance. While they came close to connecting on it, they also gave up a breakaway that saw John Hawthorne come up with a huge breakaway on Hudson Schandor to protect the lead. Another power play later in the period saw the Dogs go up 2-0, as Darren Rizzolo set up Aaron Bohlinger behind the Dogs net. He would step out and put a head-man pass onto the tape of Mitchel Deelstra up the left wing, where he simply drove the net with speed untouched over the Salmon Arm line up the left wing where he sniped it top corner, short-side high
past the glove of Chapman at 11:31 of the first, on the power play. The Dogs came painfully close to padding their lead a minute later, when Keaton Mastrodonato raced away on a misplayed puck at the Bulldog line on a breakaway, only to be stopped by Chapman. Ryan Miotto and Jackson Doucet would team up to steal the rebound and center it again for Mastrodonato, but Chapman came up with another huge save. The Silverbacks would respond quickly, making it a 2-1 game when Nick Unruh put a sharp angle shot on net from the goal line at the left side of the net. John Hawthorne would make the save, but had no chance to get post-to-post on the rebound, as he was knocked down in a pile up with a couple Silverbacks and Bulldogs as Unruh slid a wrap around inside the near post. Ethan McLaughlin drew the lone assist at 13:23 of the first. Shots in the period were 12-6 Bulldogs.

The Silverbacks earned a power play in the final minute of the first, and connected on it to tie the game just 41 seconds into period two on a perfect set up from below the goal line to the left circle for Nick Unruh, who beat Hawthorne with a perfectly placed one-timer high far-side to make it 2-2 with assists going to Akito Hirose and Noah Wakeford. The Silverbacks had the edge in the play over the next few minutes, but couldn't get the go-ahead marker. The Bulldogs earned a power play, but were then subsequently penalized, with neither side able to cash in. The Bulldogs responded later in the period and again earned a power play, but couldn't make it count. The Silverbacks would respond to take their first lead of the game as everyone on the Bulldog side of the puck appeared to be thinking Offence, as they turned it over and lost in battle on the right wall of their zone resulting in a 2 on o rush from the slot that saw Noah Wakeford return a pass from the right side to the top of the crease fr Tyson Gayfor, who managed to beat a valiant effort by Hawthorne, putting it off the tip of his glove and in to make it 3-2 at 14:20 of the second. The Bulldogs earned a power play half a minute later, but couldn't make it count. With a minute to play in the period, they drew another penalty, with Devin Chapman coming up with two good saves on Keaton Mastrodonato to keep it 3-2 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes. Shots in the period were 10-8 Salmon Arm, for a 20-16 total in the Bulldog favour.

While the Bulldogs couldn't connect on the power play to open the period, they had a very obvious desperation to their game. They'd be rewarded for it just a minute later, as Ryan Miotto picked up a Marcus Walter pass at centre up the left wing and again walked in with a step into the top of the left circle where he scored a goal very similar to his first of the game, snapping it inside the far post past the blocker of Chapman for his second of the game to make it 3-3 at 2:21 of the third. The Bulldogs would continue to put on major pressure, and earned back to back power play chances over the next eight minutes, but couldn't make either of them count, and despite a couple opportunities on rebounds around the net, didn't look especially good on them. They continued to push and had chances through the third, but couldn't get the go-ahead marker. With just under four minutes to play, the game would change with penalties playing a factor. Isaac Tonkin-Palmer would take a knee-on-knee hit avoiding a defender at the Bulldog line. Seconds later, Mitchel Deelstra would be penalized for what I thought was a hip check but was called kneeing at the Salmon Arm line. A minute later, Spencer Hora was called for a check at the side of the Bulldog net. The Silverbacks would get the game winner in 15 seconds of 5 on 3 time, as Matthew Verboon accepted an Akito Hirose pass on the goal line at the left side of the Bulldog net before making a perfect cross-ice pass that was one-timed home by Trevor Adams into the open side before Hawthorne could get over to make it 4-3 at 16:39 of the third. The Bulldogs would kill off the remaining 1:45 of power play, and managed to get their goalie out for the extra attacker with a minute and change to go. The damage was done unfortunately, as they couldn't get the equalizer before Nick Unruh found a Noah Wakeford pass at centre to hit the empty net to complete the hat trick and the scoring for the 5-3 final with 13.5 seconds to play.

Shots in the third were 16-13 Silverbacks, for a game total of 33-32 Bulldogs as John Hawthorne took the loss while Devin Chapman earned the win. The Bulldogs went 1 for 7 on the power play while the Silverbacks went 2 for 4.

The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night in Vernon, as they face the Vipers for a 6:00pm start.

Hammer

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Bulldogs kick off weekend tonight in Salmon Arm

It's the second meeting between the teams this season, and the opening of a three game road trip for the Bulldogs (5-7-1-0, 3rd Island) as they visit the Silverbacks (6-6-1-0, 4th Interior) at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. 

The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday at home, where they had their winning streak snapped at two, while extending their points streak to three with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Victoria Grizzlies.

The Silverbacks were in Merritt Wednesday night, where they lost their second straight, 5-0 to the Centennials. In an odd quirk, it was also their second straight defeat by the same score, as they dropped a 5-0 decision in Prince George last Saturday. 

These teams met at the Showcase in Chilliwack on September 22nd, a 4-1 Salmon Arm win.

I'll have all the action covered for you on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starting at 6:45 tonight for the pregame show, with the game action to follow at 7:00

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is the reigning BCHL Broadcaster of the Year winner Graham Turnbull, the play-by-play voice of the Vernon Vipers, who the Bulldogs face tomorrow in Vernon at 6:00pm.

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

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

Bulldogs add Mackenzie Wight, Raffler retires...

Great news to get a player like Mackenzie back! At the same time, too bad to hear about Ben Raffler - best of luck in the future. 

Here's a few little example of what Mackenzie is capable of...


Hammer 

19-YEAR OLD FORWARD BACK IN THE VALLEY FOLLOWING MEMORIAL CUP RUN WITH BRONCOS

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have added 1999-born  
forward Mackenzie Wight from the Western Hockey League's Swift Current  
Broncos, bringing back a player who quickly became a fan favourite  
over the course of a 27-game stint with the team during the 2016/17  
season.

Wight scored six goals and totaled 12 points over that half season  
with the Bulldogs before joining the Broncos for the remainder of  
their regular season and playoffs. He returned to Swift Current for  
the 2017/18 campaign and suited up in 55 regular season games and 20  
playoff contests en route to the Broncos capturing the Ed Chynoweth  
Cup as WHL champions. He would go on to suit up in three games at the  
2018 Memorial Cup in Regina.

"Mackenzie is a high-compete, high-energy forward who will get  
involved physically and help us be better in all three zones," says  
Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. "He's excited to be back in the  
Alberni Valley and we're thrilled to add a player with considerable  
playoff experience and leadership skills who was very recently part of  
a championship team."

The team has also announced that defenceman Ben Raffler is retiring  
from junior hockey to pursue his post-secondary education and other  
interests. Raffler was recently acquired from the Powell River Kings  
and skated in two game against the Victoria Grizzlies last weekend.

"We respect Ben's decision to move on from junior hockey and wish him  
every bit of success in the future," says Hughes. "We're disappointed  
to lose a player who we know would have been a great contributor and  
leader for us, but it was clear that he's a very mature, focused young  
man who is ready to move on to other pursuits."

Wight will make his return to the Bulldogs lineup when the team begins  
a three-game weekend road swing on Friday night in Salmon Arm.

***

For more information, please contact:

Matt Hughes

Grizzlies top Bulldogs 2-1 in overtime

The game started with the Dogs pushing on the opening shift before then getting caught in their zone on an icing on back to back instances. The game continued to be fairly tight through the first half of the period, with neither side looking especially sharp or being able to generate much in the way of sustained pressure. The Grizzlies would open the scoring just short of the midway point of the period at the end of an attacking zone shift that saw Riley Hughes power out of the left corner before putting a cross-ice pass into the right circle where Jeremie Bucheler found it and beat John Hawthorne with a quick release five hole. Lach Hadley also drew an assist on the play at 9:21 of the first. The Grizzlies would earn a power play four minutes later and looked dangerous on it, but Hawthorne and the Bulldog penalty killers stood tall to keep it a one-goal game. There would be no further scoring through the period, with the Bulldogs having several great chances turned aside by Kurtis Chapman to protect the lead. Shots in the first were 15-13 Bulldogs.


The second period was similar to the first, with the teams trading chances and the Bulldogs continuing to get their opportunities but through the middle of the period being unable to beat Kurtis Chapman despite two power play opportunities. The lead stood until the back-half of the period, with Chapman making a fantastic diving save with his paddle to keep it 1-0 with 6:22 remaining in the period, but injuring himself on the play. The Dogs would continue to push, and tied the game with Keenan Rancier making a couple good saves in the first few minutes of relief. He wasn't to blame on the one that beat him, as Spencer Hora kept the puck in at the right point and put a perfect D-to-D pass to the left point for Marcus Walter. He would get a low shot on goal, that Ryan Miotto deflected inside the far post on the doorstep to make it 1-1 at 14:05 of the second. The pace would pick up almost immediately after the goal, with Hawthorne coming up with two good saves, while Chapman returned to the net after receiving attention. Neither team would find the net, as it remained 1-1 after 40 minutes. Shots in the frame were 18-13 Bulldogs, for a 33-26 Bulldog advantage.


The third period seemed somewhat similar to the first two through the midway point of it, as neither team could find the net or manage to sustain any extended pressure in the attacking zone. The Bulldogs came up with a penalty kill to keep it tied, before attacking on the rush with a great chance at the net that saw Chapman stop Grayson Valente in tight. The teams didn't give up much either way through the remainder of regulation, with the best chances maybe coming in the final minute, as John Hawthorne came up with a big glove save on Alex Newhook. At the other end, Aaron Bohlinger drove the net but couldn't get a banker to beat Chapman with under 10 seconds to play. Third period shots were 12-10 Bulldogs, for a 45-36 lead after 60 minutes.


Overtime wasn't the prettiest to watch, with the Bulldogs having the initial possession but being unable to generate and opportunity. The Grizzlies would have back to back possessions off faceoffs, but couldn't generate much either as they repeatedly exited the attacking zone to attempt to generate a chance on the rush. The Bulldogs would win possession off a save by Hawthorne that saw Alex Newhook run him over on a net drive. They attempted to attack on the rush, but Alex Newhook made a nice defensive play to strip the puck and attack on the rush. He would draw a delayed penalty, but it didn't matter as he entered the zone on a 2 on 1 up the left wing where he put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Alex Campbell who one-timed it up and over Hawthorne for the game winner at 3:10 of overtime.


Overtime shots were 3-1 Grizzlies, for a game total of 46-39 Bulldogs, with John Hawthorne earning 2nd star honours with the loss while Kurtis Chapman earned 1st star honours with the win. Each team went 0 for 2 on the power play.

The Bulldogs are next in action Friday in Salmon Arm.

____________________________________________________________

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