This one..... is just plain bonkers. The fact that a video from a game in 2004 is available is crazy in itself... but you just gotta watch this one.
This is a clip of the last minute of play from Game two of the second round of the 2003-2004 Playoffs.
The clip starts and follows the play, showing also the left side of the rink. It's not empty, but its certainly not full.
As the final 30 seconds wind down, a low buzz grows into a rolling roar. THEN the camera shows the right hand side of the rink. And it is PACKED with Bulldog fans.
I was talking about this last night at the Bulldog banquet as another example of some of the crazy stuff that has happened with this team and their fan base. This isn't said in disrespect to Surrey - but I did a little research to make sure when I was recalling this memory that it wasn't getting blown out of proportion, like the fish that got away, so to speak.
The game before this one in Surrey against Victoria the attendance was listed at just over 600.
I found this forgotten and downright epic highlight clip deep in the back corners of internet history.
I/we/Bulldog fans can't be blamed for forgetting this one, as it was unfortunately over shadowed by the downright ridiculous moment when Marlon Sabo won it later in overtime.
Sabo's goal doesn't happen if Mak Barden doesn't tie a MUST WIN Game Four (of a Best-of-Five) at 3-3 with two minutes left. Barden doesn't tie it without a superb next level play and effort by Evan Tironese.
"What a story Mark Barden is" ... is perhaps the understatement of all time considering what happened the NEXT night.
How about the atmosphere in the building?
Enjoy the highlights from yesterday's win below ... and here's the dates for the Island Division Semi Final series announced by the Bulldogs today...
Bulldogs Season Members, just a reminder that you have until Thursday to purchase your seats for games 3 & 4 of the Island Division Semi-Final presented by AV Financial. After Thursday, all un-purchased seats will be open for sale.
The box office hours for this week are:
Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Next week we will be open
Monday March 4th: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday March 5th: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (Game 3)
Wednesday March 6th: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (Game 4)
The Island Division Semi-Final Schedule is as follows:
Game 1- Friday March 1st - Q Centre
Game 2- Saturday March 2nd - Q Centre
Game 3- Tuesday March 5th - Multiplex
Game 4 - Wednesday March 6th- Multiplex
Game 5- Friday March 8th- Q Centre *If Necessary
Game 6- Saturday March 9th - Multiplex *If Necessary
Game 7- Monday March 11th- Q Centre *If Necessary
There was lots of flow and few whistles early, and the energy was higher than expected with the game of no consequence in the standings, perhaps due to the number of affiliate players on both sides of the puck who were excited at the opportunity. Each side had a couple of opportunities through the first, but both John Hawthorne and Matteo Paler-Chow kept it scoreless through 20 minutes. One especially scintillating save came late in the period while the Bulldogs were on the power play on a pretty Rowan Miller set up across the crease that saw John Hawthorne make yet another highlight reel save by kicking out his right pad to rob Ben Wozney of what looked like a sure goal. Shots in the first were 14-12 Bulldogs.
The second period saw the Kings have an early power play, but be unable to find the net on it with John Hawthorne making a couple good saves in tight early. The Bulldogs would be unable to answer back to generate any momentum before the Kings opened the scoring two minutes later as Deepkaran Hans intercepted a clearing play up the wall and raced in alone where he fought off a backchecker to beat Hawthorne with a quick release short-side from the right side of the slot to make it 1-0, unassisted for his first career goal at 6:17 of the second. The Bulldogs killed off another Kings power play opportunity to keep it tied, before they got the equalizer on a power play of their own with under six to play in the frame as Michael Hodge set up Aaron Bohlinger at the top of the left point where he simply put a quick release on goal that was deflected through Paler-Chow by Josh Zary at the front of the net to make it 1-1 at 12:24 of the second. The Bulldogs weren't able to build on the momentum, as the Kings continued to generate opportunities on Hawthorne, resulting in them taking a lead late in the period after Hawthorne had made the first save on a Matthew Byrne deflection of a Brendan Saether point shot. He but couldn't get help on the rebound as Ethan Schmunk found it and slid it home at the far side of the crease to make it 2-1 at 18:18 of the second, with assists to Matthew Byrne and Jacob Paler-Chow. Shots in the period were 17-5 Kings, for a 40 minute total in their favour of 29-19.
The third period flew by through the early minutes, with neither side able to generate much on net or in the way of sustained time in the attacking zone. As the period approached the midway point, the Bulldogs tied it up when Keaton Mastrodonato went down to block a shot and quickly got back to his feet to accept an outlet up the left wing from Austin Spiridakis that he carried over the Kings line before delaying and throwing it across the zone for Aaron Bohlinger walking through the right circle where he threw it on goal. Paler-Chow would make the first save, but he couldn't find the rebound before Austin Spiridakis swept it home at the side of the net. There would be no scoring through rthe remainder of the third, with Hawthorne again coming up with a couple big saves in tight, with some help from Dawson Tritt on a loose puck on an open net that kept it tied. Third period shots were 10-7 Bulldogs, for a 60 minute total of 36-29 Kings.
Overtime started with a bang, with Isaac Tonkin-Palmer racing in alone in the opening seconds but just putting a shot high and wide. Seconds later, Aaron Bohlinger flipped the puck to the middle and split the D to race in alone where he drew a penalty in being stopped by Paler-Chow. The Bulldogs had a couple good chances before being whistled for a penalty themselves. They would kill that off, and again have a fantastic chance when it was back to 3 on 3 that saw Evan Googins go forward off a draw and set up Michael Hodge across the crease, only to have Paler-Chow make a highlight reel glove save to keep the game going. Another late Bulldog penalty put the Kings back to the power play in the dying seconds, but shot blocks by Isaac Tonkin-Palmer and Stephen Castagna killed the clock to force the shoot out. Overtime shots were 5-4 Kings, for a game total of 41-33 Powell River,
In the shoot out, Keaton Mastrodonato and Mitch Williams went first on either side but neither of them could battle the ice to get a shot on net. Aaron Bohlinger went next, and gave the Bulldogs the lead walking slowly down the left side to the slot where he snapped it far-side low off the post and in to make it 1-0. Hawthorne would give the Bulldogs a chance to win on their next shooter, as he came up with a left toe save in tight in out waiting Ben Thomas. Dawson Tritt would be the next shooter, and he made good on the opportunity as he attacked in the same fashion as he flew in at high speed up the left side of the slot before ripping it far-side low past the glove of Paler-Chow for the game winner.
John Hawthorne earned the win in goal with first star honours, while Matteo Paler-Chow took the loss. The Bulldogs went 1 for 3 on the power play, while the Kings went 0 for 5.
The Bulldogs are next in action Friday and Saturday for Games 1 and 2 of the Best of Seven Island Division Semi Final series as they visit the Grizzlies at the Q Centre. Games 3 and 4 are back in Port Alberni March 5th an 6th. Game 5 if necessary would be in Victoria March 8th, a Game 6 if needed is March 9th in Port Alberni and if a Game 7 is required it would be at the Q Centre on March 11th.
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
It's the final game on the regular season schedule today for the Bulldogs (20-34-3-0, 4th Island) as they host the Powell River Kings (34-21-2-0, 2nd Island) for a 2:00pm puck drop this afternoon at the Multiplex.
The Bulldogs were in Duncan last night, where they lost their second straight, 3-2 to the Capitals. The Kings were in Nanaimo last night, where they fell 6-4 to the Clippers, solidifying the first through fourth seeds in the Island Division - the Kings will finish second, meaning they'll host Nanaimo in the first round while the Bulldogs will visit the Grizzlies to open the post season next weekend.
We'll be on the air for our pregame show at 1:45, with the game action shortly after 2:00. Catch it all live from the Multplex on 93.3 The Peak's Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey, with Bruce MacDonald providing analysis and colour commentary while I call the play-by-play.
Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Captain Ryan Lough, part of the unforgettable 2013 Island Championship run, who just recently made the decision to retire from professional hockey and move into the work force.
Unforgettable....
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The game certainly had the feel of a contest with no consequences in regards to the standings in the early moments, as both sides appeared somewhat loose with the play being less than sharp. The Bulldogs would open the scoring before the game was two minutes old, as Dawson Tritt won a faceoff in the Capitals zone that Michael Hodge got a piece of before being tied up. Evan Googins would jump on the loose puck off the pile and beat Jack Grant with a quick release short-side inside the post to make it 1-0 at 1:51. Almost instantly, the Bulldogs were penalized off the centre ice puck drop. The Capitals would make good on the opportunity as Dimitri Mikrogiannakis one-timed an Olivier Gauthier pass at the left point on net through traffic. Cole Demers would get a good chunk of it, but not enough of it as it just rolled over the line to make it 1-1 at 3:49 of the first. There would be no scoring the rest of the way, with a couple good opportunities either way but the goalies coming up big. Shots in the first were 8-7 Capitals.
The pace was high to start the second, with each side getting pucks on net, but not much materializing in the way of chances. A rather battling scenario played out near the midpoint of the period, as Stephen Castagna got tied up with Preston Brodziak behind the play at the Capitals bench. Brodziak would drop his gloves and throw a handful of haymakers on Castagna, who didn't drop his gloves or stick of throw a single punch. Unbelievably, it was just two minutes each for roughing......moving on before I get too far into that one, there would be no scoring the rest of the way, with again not much in the way of wide open chances, but a couple good saves either way. Demers was the busier of the two netminders, as the Capitals out shot the Bulldogs 13-6 for a two period advantage of 21-13.
The third period saw plenty of penalties to the Bulldogs early, with the Capitals going up 2-1 at 5:02 of the period when Preston Brodziak took a headman pass to race in alone on Demers, who would make the first save but be unable to find the loose puck before Cruz Cote jammed it home in the paint. Like they did twice last night in Powell River, the Bulldogs immediately responded to tie it as Evan Googins went forward off the draw in the Caps zone before sliding a perfect pass across the slot to Dawson Tritt, who made no mistake with a quick release far-side past the stick of Grant to make it 2-2 at 5:14 of the third. The Capitals would immediately go to the power play, but Demers and the penalty killers kept it tied. The Capitals continued to push throughout the period, and eventually went ahead 3-2 in the back half of regulation on an odd man rush that saw a cross-ice pass find Brady Lynn in the slot who beat Demers with a quick release. Assists on the play went to Paul Selleck and David Melaragni at 11:04 the third. The Bulldogs showed no signs of packing it in through the remainder of regulation time, but weren't able to mount much of a sustained attack to create the equalizer as the Capitals made the lead stand.
Third period shots were 17-6 Capitals, for a game total of 38-19 in their favour with Jack Grant earning the win while Cole Demers took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Capitals went 2 for 5.
The Bulldogs conclude their regular season tomorrow afternoon at home when they host the Powell River Kings.
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
It's the penultimate game of the 2018-2019 regular season, as the Bulldogs (20-33-3-0, 4th Island) visit the Capitals (16-34-5-1, 5th Island) for another edition of the "Battle of the Valleys" at the Island Savings Centre.
The Bulldogs were in Powell River, where they had a two game win streak halted with a 3-2 loss to the Kings. The Capitals haven't played since last Sunday at home, where they dropped their fourth in a row 6-1 to the Coquitlam Express.
These teams most recently played head-to-head last Friday at the Multiplex, a 6-2 Bulldog win which ran their head-to-head winning streak to four games. The previous meeting in Duncan was a 4-0 Bulldog win on January 23rd.
Neither team can do anything to their position in the standings heading into the post season tonight, with the focus instead on getting their game where they want it to be when the second season begins next weekend.
Note the start time of 6:00pm, which means we'll gp live from the Island Savings Centre tonight at 5:45 to commence Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with our pregame show. The puck drop and play-by-play will follow at the top of the hour. I'll call the play-by-play while Dan Tisserand tabulates team and player statistics.
Catch the final Regular Season edition of the Island Division This Week in the 2nd Intermission, courtesy of Dan Marshall at 106.9 the Wolf in Nanaimo. It's a compilation of previews, recaps and highlights from the Island Division play-by-play voices.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
Editors note - I always get a post buzzer scoreboard picture for the top of postgame updates, but not only do they turn the board off quick here, there was also the distraction of the after the game fight followed by an incident at the Bulldog bench and my being surrounded in my broadcasting position in the crowd so accept my apologies for the omission.
The game didn't have a lot of flow early, with the Kings having the better of the initial opportunities on net as Cole Demers made two good saves in tight, one with his left toe, the other with a poke check. The Kings would open the scoring on a pretty goal that Demers had no chance on, as Mitch Williams put a pass out of the right corner to the deep slot for Ben Thomas who one-timed it perfectly placed top corner, short-side over the glove of Demers to make it 1-0 at 5:28 of the first. The Bulldogs would counter less than a minute later making quick work on a power play opportunity as Ryan Miotto took a pass at the top of the right circle from Aaron Bohlinger and walked in and threw it on goal. It would go off a stick, and then the hand of a King defender before clanking off the crossbar and onto the goal line behind Mitch Adamyk. Josh Zary would locate it first and jam it home to make it 1-1 at 6:20 of the first. There would be no scoring in the remainder of the frame, with both Demers and Adamyk tested a couple of times but neither team was able to take the lead. Shots in the period were 11-10 Kings.
Action was tight to begin the second, with the Kings getting one good early chance where Ben Wozney was stopped on a high-hard one by Demers. Quite similary to the first, the Kings took the lead six minutes into the frame, and the Bulldogs again answered immediately. Powell River made it 2-1 when the Bulldogs misplayed a D-to-D pass back of their net, that allowed Levi Glasman to chase it down and throw it out front where it went off Demers and onto the stick of Ethan Schmunk who walked across the crease and managed to just slide it through Demers to make it 2-1 at 6:19 of the second. The Bulldogs responded seconds later, as Aaron Bohlinger stepped up to break up a play at centre, that was picked up by Evan Googins. He would attack the Kings zone with speed up the right side before putting a cross-ice pass onto the tape of Michael Hodge between the hashmarks where he wasted no time with a quick release into the top corner far-side over the glove of Adamyk to make it 2-2 at 6:34. The Bulldogs earned two power play chances later in the period, and while threatening on them, they couldn't generate enough to take the lead. The Kings went up 3-2 later in the period on a interesting scenario that saw icing signalled by the back Linesman, and the Bulldogs appear to win the race but the front Linesman waved it off. The puck would go back to the line, and immediately end up in the net as Ben Wozney put a low slapper to the far post where it was tipped in by Ryan Brushett to make it 3-2 at 10:56 of the period. The Bulldogs again earned a power play, but couldn't respond this time. The Kings went to the advantage immediately afterwards, but the Dogs did a good job to defend it to keep it 3-2 after two. Shots in the period were 12-10 Kings, for a 23-20 total in their favour after 40 minutes.
The third period was hotly contested and played at a high place with few whistles through to the back half of regulation, with the score staying 3-2 thanks to both goalies, most notably Cole Demers who made great saves in tight on Levi Glasman twice, and Ryan Brushett. The pace continued through to the late stages of the third, with neither side generating either much in the way of chances or consistent zone time. The Bulldogs would pull Demers for the extra attacker with over two minutes to play, but despite forcing the Kings into a series of icings and getting the puck around Adamyk they couldn't generate much of a good scoring chance to tie it as the Kings made the lead stand to the buzzer.
After the buzzer, a slash that I didn't see, led to a dust up between Christian Buono and Ryan Miotto. That was followed by an ugly incident at the Bulldog bench where an apparently repeatedly verbally abusive fan crossed over that line and spat on the Bulldog players leaving the ice resulting in them responding to it. Security would eventually intervene, for again what was a most unfortunate ending to what was a wildly entertaining game.
Third period shots were 9-7 Bulldogs, for a 30-29 Kings advantage. The Bulldogs went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 1.
The Bulldogs are in Duncan tomorrow night when they visit the Capitals for a 6:00 puck drop.
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
It's the start of a three-in-three weekend to conclude the regular season, as the Bulldogs (20-32-3-0, 4th Island) visit the Kings (33-20-2-0, 2nd Island) tonight in Powell River, for the first of two games between the teams over the next three days.
These teams last met February 1st at the Multiplex, a 3-2 Bulldog win which evened the season series at three wins aside. The previous meeting in Powell River was a 3-2 Bulldog win in overtime on December 1st They were of course supposed to play Family Day Monday at the Multiplex, but Ferry Cancellations forced that game to be rescheduled to this Sunday.
The Bulldog win Saturday night in Victoria, coupled with the Cowichan Valley Capitals dropping a 4-1 decision Sunday afternoon at at home to the Coquitlam Express means that the Bulldogs have clinched 4th place in the Island Division. The Kings win over the Grizzlies has made the battle for the Divisional title that much more interesting, as the Kings trail the Grizzlies now by just four points, with a game in hand.
Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM will be on the air tonight starting with our pregame show at 6:45, with the game action to follow at 7:00pm
Catch the final Regular Season edition of the Island Division This Week in the 2nd Intermission, courtesy of Dan Marshall at 106.9 the Wolf in Nanaimo. It's a compilation of previews, recaps and highlights from the Island Division play-by-play voices.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The game was played at a breakneck end to end pace in the first few minutes, with the Bulldogs having the first opportunity in the opening seconds as Evan Googins let a slapper go that hit the knob of the stick of Zach Rose and stayed out. The Grizzlies immediately answered and ran around the Dogs zone for a minute, and John Hawthorne was busy with a flurry of chances in tight. The pace continued through the following minutes, before the Bulldogs were penalized on a hit at centre ice. The Grizzlies had several good chances on the power play, and built momentum on it to have a couple good looks immediately following it but Hawthorne was again fantastic when called upon, stopping both Alex Newhook and Alex Campbell in alone, while also getting some good help around the net most notably from Jackson Doucet to intercepted a pass on what looked like an open net set up. The Bulldogs would earn a power play of their own on a body check a few minutes later, and make quick work on it as Ryan Miotto set up Aaron Bohlinger at the top of the point where he blew a one-timer low on goal where it was deflected through the legs of Rose by Keaton Mastrodonato to make it 1-0 at 10:59 of the first. The Grizzlies again pushed for the equalizer, but the Bulldogs defended before drawing a power play of their own late in the period that they had a couple of great looks on around the net but couldn't cash in on them before the buzzer. Shots in the first were 17-10 Grizzlies.
The second period saw the Bulldogs start with a minute and change on the power play, but they were unable to get anything going. The game was somewhat sloppy to the midway point of the period, with the Grizzlies still having a couple good looks that Hawthorne turned away to protect the lead. The Grizzlies would make it 1-1 just a minute past the midway mark of the period as a rim up the wall was kept in at the right point by Alex Newhook. He would walk in and rip a perfectly placed shot top corner over the glove of Hawthorne, with the lone assist to Jeremie Bucheler at 11:09 of the second. The Bulldogs would immediately silence the building, as Aaron Bohlinger made a good defensive play in the slot in his zone to poke it free for Ethan McLaughlin. He would put a perfect stretch pass up the left wing for Mitchel Deelstra behind the Grizzlies defence, where he flew in alone on Rose to pick the top corner, short-side to put the Dogs ahead 2-1 at 11:46 of the period. The Bulldogs earned a power play three minutes later, but couldn't make it count. Deelstra would get another breakaway in similar fashion a minute later, but Rose made the save to keep it 2-1. The Bulldogs drew another power play late in the period, which turned into a 5 on 3 power play to start the third when Ryan Nolan picked up a major penalty for boarding on a nasty hit with 1 second left in the period that saw Keaton Mastrodonato go head first into the ledge where the boards and glass meet. Shots in the second were 10-10 for a 27-20 Grizzlies edge after 40 minutes.
The Bulldogs came painfully close to padding their lead on the major, with Dawson Tritt pulling the puck across the slot in tight alone on Rose where he rang the puck off the crossbar. Another set up to the slot for Ryan Miotto just missed short-side. The Grizzlies created a great chance on the rush soon afterwards, but John Hawthorne despite fighting some traffic made a great glove save on a cross-ice deflection. The Bulldogs countered, with another great chance cutting in front for Tritt fought off by the blocker of Rose. The Grizzlies had a great chance for the equalizer in the back half of the period, but John Hawthorne made another huge save with his right toe on a breakaway chance for Henri Schreifels. Another great chance to pad the lead came when Dawson Tritt stole the puck at centre and skated in alone on Rose, who got his glove on it to keep it out. Major fireworks erupted with just under six minutes to play, as Grayson Valente took a hit in the back and up high from a jumping Alex Newhook. There was no initial call on the hit, but Keaton Mastrodonato saw Valente down and took exception to it and challenged Newhook, who answered the call as both players threw some pretty good punches. The Grizzlies earned a power play out of it with an instigator penalty to Mastrodonato, but they weren't on the power play for long as Isaac Tonkin-Palmer was hauled down at centre ice. The Bulldogs defended well, with one good pass block by Aaron Bohlinger, The Grizzlies would work it back to the line, and Bohlinger blocked one more shot before banking up the wall for Austin Spiridakis, who bunted it out of mid air and into neutral ice where Josh Zary skated to the Grizzlies line to seal the deal for the 3-1 final score at 19:36 of the third.
Third period shots were 11-10 Grizzlies, for a 38-30 game total in their favour. John Hawthorne earned 1st star honours with the win, while Zachary Rose took the loss. The Bulldogs went 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Grizzlies went 0 for 2.
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
It's the final regular season meeting between the teams, as the Bulldogs (19-32-3-0, 4th Island) head down to the Q Centre tonight to visit the Grizzlies (34-16-0-4, 1st Island)
The Bulldogs were in action last night at home, where they picked up a big 6-2 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Grizzlies were off from game action last night, and last played Wednesday night in Duncan, where they won their third in a row, 6-4 over the Capitals.
The last head-to-head meeting was a 5-2 Victoria win at the Q Centre on January 31st. Previously, the Grizzlies won 4-3 in overtime on home ice on January 2nd.
In the season series, the Bulldogs have a 2-3-2-0 record against the Grizzlies.
Catch all the action with Bruce MacDonald and myself providing the colour commentary/analysis and play-by-play respectively on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starting with our pregame show at 6:45, with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Connor Welsh, who's having a great Freshman season with the CIS's Dalhousie Tigers. Welsh played parts of two seasons with the Bulldogs before being traded last year in advance of the deadline to the Trail Smoke Eaters. It's hard to argue that it's a trade that worked out for both parties, as Welsh played in 16 playoff games on the Smokies run to the Interior final last year, while the Bulldogs turned the Future Considerations acquired for him into the current leading scorer in Ryan Miotto.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
The intensity was high in the opening minutes, and both sides of the puck pushed the pace. The Bulldogs had a good cycle shift early and the Capitals got several pucks on net on John Hawthorne. The Bulldogs would earn a power play early in the game on a great stretch pass by Grayson Valente that sent Jackson Doucet in on a partial breakaway that he just missed the net on but was tripped up. The Bulldog power play looked sharp, earning several great chances before making it 1-0 5:45 into the first as Keaton Mastrodonato made a pretty move to make a defender miss before putting a cross-ice saucer pass onto the tape of Ryan Miotto at the top of the right circle. He would place a perfectly placed pass to the paint onto the stick of Dawson Tritt to deflected it past Pierce Diamond to run his goal scoring streak to four games. The Bulldogs kept pushing the pace and creating opportunities, and made it 2-0 at 10:46 of the period as Jackson Doucet brought a puck from behind the net up the right wing before finding Ethan McLaughlin at the left point where he put a low shot on goal that was deflected home inside the far post by Keaton Mastrodonato. The Bulldogs were penalized late in the period, but built their lead as they initially defended well before going up 3-0 on a highlight reel shorthanded goal that saw Marcus Walter win a battle in the Dogs zone on the right wall free for Austin Spiridakis who flipped it high up the left wing through centre and into the Capitals zone. Dawson Tritt would chase it down, and make a pretty move through the left circle to make a defender miss before walking in on goal where he got Diamond down before sliding it home for his second of the game at 18:05 of the first. He wasn't done there, as Jackson Doucet drew another penalty on the following shift. The Bulldogs made it count with another pretty set up as Keaton Mastrodonato set up Ryan Miotto at the bottom of the left circle, where he one-touched it to Tritt inside the hashmarks where he buried it top corner, high far-side to make it 4-0 as hats rained onto the ice at 19:20 of the first. Shots in the period were 15-14 Bulldogs.
The Capitals earned a power play early in the second, and connected on it to make it 4-1 as Olivier Gauthier beat a screened Hawthorne high far-side from the top of the right circle at 2:26 of the second from Cruz Cote and Jordan Robert. The Bulldogs failed to respond on a power play soon afterwards, but made it 5-1 seconds later as John Hawthorne got half out of his net late to force a shot wide out of the penalty box. Grayson Valente would then force it out at the Bulldog line and drive the Capitals net up the right wing and in on goal where Diamond made the save, and a follow up rebound stop on the line on Josh Zary, but still couldn't get help as Austin Spiridakis poked it home to make it 5-1 at 8:27 of the second. The Bulldogs added another seconds after a power play chance had elapsed as Mitchel Deelstra drove wide around a defender and got Diamond down and out at the side of his net before throwing it to the crease. An initial great save by a defender on the goal line kept a first chance out off Isaac Tonkin-Palmer, but Stephen Castagna fought the rebound on goal off a Capital and inside the far post to make it 6-1 at 11:28 of the period. The Bulldogs had several chances to build their lead on another power play later in the period, but couldn't beat Diamond to pad their lead. Shots in the period were 17-11 Bulldogs, for a 32-25 advantage after 40 minutes.
The Bulldogs began the third playing well, spending the better part of the opening three minutes forcing the Capitals into repeated icings and getting a plethora of pucks on net from face off wins. Things got a little loose short of five minutes into the frame though, and a bad change led to a breakaway for Vincent Millette that he snapped short-side from the slot past the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 6-2, with assists to Preston Broadziak and Boo Grist at 4:16 of the third. That would do it for the scoring, as the Bulldogs killed off three power play opportunities for the Capitals to the buzzer to defend the lead.
Third period shots were
14-8 Capitals, for a game total of 40-39 Bulldogs with John Hawthorne earning the win while Pierce Diamond took the loss. The Bulldogs went 2 for 5 on the power play and also scored once while shorthanded while the Capitals went 1 for 5.
The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night when they face the Grizzlies in Victoria.
Hammer
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It's a game with gigantic implications in the Island Division standings, as the Bulldogs (18-32-3-0, 4th Island) host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (16-32-5-1, 5th Island) tonight at the Multiplex.
The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday afternoon at home, where they dropped their second straight, 7-4 to the West Kelowna Warriors. The Capitals played host to Victoria Wednesday night. where they lost their second straight, 6-4 to the Grizzlies.
The Bulldogs have a 4-2-0-0 record in the season series, while the Capitals are 2-3-1-0. Both of the Capital wins have come on Multiplex ice.
Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey is on the air at 6:45 for the pregame show, followed by the game action at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM. I'll handle the hosting and play-by-play calling, Bruce MacDonald provides analysis and adds colour commentary and last but certainly not least, Dan Tisserand compiles and tabulates individual and team statistics.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is the latest edition of The Island Division This Week - a compilation of recaps, previews and highlights from the week that was, and the weekend that is, in the Island Division. As always, it's courtesy of Dan Marshall from 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
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
