Bulldogs top Eagles in comeback fashion 3-2 in a shootout for third straight win, and fifth straight on the road

The Bulldogs came out - pardon the pun - flying, against the Eagles, as they were in a different gear early in the contest. They peppered Thomas Scarfone in the Surrey net, who was sharp to keep it scoreless through the midway point of the period, with the Bulldogs having  an 11-3 edge in shots through the first ten minutes. The second ten minutes, the script was flipped, as the Eagles carried the play and had several great opportunities on Luke Pearson, but he was fantastic to preserve  the scoreless tie to  the buzzer, with two notable saves on a breakaway for Gabe Schovanek that was followed by a save on a Hudson Schandor one-timer chance from the hashmarks. Shots in the period  were15-14 Eagles.


Neither team was especially crisp through the opening five minutes of the second, with the Eagles having a slight edge in the play. The play continued to be  somewhat scrambled, with the Eagles earning the first power play of the game eight minutes into the period. They  weren't able to generate much on it, with the Bulldogs effectively killing it off. The deadlock was finally broken  by Jacob Bosse in the back half of the frame, as Caige Sterzer got in on the forecheck and threw a hit to force an  errant puck up the wall to the right point. Cam Newson was there to  keep it it, banking it down  the boards for Jacob Bosse. He would walk laterally off the wall across the top of the circle to the slot where he spun and fired a perfectly placed wrist shot far side over the blocker of Scarfone to make it 1-0 Bulldogs at 12:14 of the second. The Bulldogs pushed for more  later in the period, but Scarfone made a great glove save on Jackson Munro to keep it 1-0. The Eagles would push for the equalizer in the final minutes of the period, but Pearson made a couple great saves in tight to keep it 1-0 into the third. Shots in the period were 11-8 Eagles, for a two-period total  in their favour of 26-22.


The third period began with the Eagles pushing early, and the Bulldogs appearing flat and behind the play. They struggled to get  the puck out of their zone, or into  the Eagles end of things for any extended period. It would end up in  the Eagles tying the game, as a net  drive up the right wing and in on net by JJ Fecteau that was stopped  by Pearson,  but  a cross-ice rebound to the slot  was one-timed home  into  an empty net  by Buddy Johnson to make it 1-1 at 2:59 of the third. The Eagles  kept pushing, and had a handful of great chances but couldn't get the go-ahead marker. The Bulldogs then earned back to back power plays, but the Eagles gave them absolutely nothing. They eventually earned a powerplay of their own, and capitalized on it  with a gorgeous cross-ice set up that saw  Brett Bliss take  a cross-ice pass from Brendan Kim before putting another pass across the seam into the right circle where Christophe Tellier roofed it to make it 2-1 Eagles  with 7:12  to play in the third. Less than a minute later, the Bulldogs immediately answered to tie it up as Jacob Bosse  chased down a loose puck and walked out right side and put it right to the doorstep where he one-timed it past the blocker of Scarfone to  make it 2-2 at 13:16 of the third. The Eagles again pressed late to win it, but Pearson made a great shoulder save  in tight to keep it tied, before Stephen Castagna was tripped up in the final minute of regulation to put the Bulldogs to the power play. They were able to generate a couple of chances, but couldn't win it before the buzzer.

Third period shots were 19-8 Eagles, for a 45-30 advantage into overtime. Overtime would see no scoring, with the Bulldogs out shooting Surrey  2-0, for a  game total of  45-32 Eagles headed to  the shootout.

The Eagles  went first and went up 1-0 on a Gabe Schovanek goal, that was immediately answered by Jacob Bosse with a  blocker-side wrist shot. Both  second shooters failed to find the target,  before  Surrey went up 2-1 on a deke in tight by Brandon  Santa Juana. Mitchel  Deelstra  would need to score to keep the game going, and he made no mistake  going high blocker from in tight. Luke  Pearson would then come  up with a save on Wyatt Schlaht to  give  the Bulldogs a chance to win it,  and one  opportunity was enough as Ryan Doolin went right up the middle and made a nice fake to get Scarfone down to lift a backhand high blocker side for the game winner and the 3-2 final.

Luke Pearson earned 1st star honours with the win, while Thomas Scarfone took the loss while earning 2nd star honours. The Bulldogs went 0 for 3 on the power play, while the Eagles went 1 for 2.

With the win, the Bulldogs head into 2020 on a three game winning streak, and a five game road  winning streak. They next see action January 3rd when they host the Powell River Kings.

Have a fantastic break, a great Christmas season, and see you in the New Year!

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 win second straight, fourth straight on the road, 6-4 in Langley over Rivermen

The Bulldogs began the game in the penalty box, due to a warm up infraction. They got into the late stages of the initial penalty, before again going to the box putting the Rivermen to a 26 second two-man advantage. The Bulldogs would kill that off, but couldn't get through the second minor, as the Rivermen went up 1-0 just 2:30 into the game on a pass off the left circle from Devin Leduc that was found by Ryan Helliwell, who walked in and picked the top corner, short-side high past the blocker of Jackson Glassford. The Bulldogs continued to chase the game in the ensuing minutes, but hung on long enough to tie the game on a pretty end-to-end play that saw Olivier Fizet defend  the front of his net and pick off a pass. He would put a perfect bank pass to a streaking Jackson Doucet up the right wing at centre ice, where he beat a defender over the Langley line to create a 2 on 0 rush that saw him put a perfect pass across the tape onto the tape of Josh Zary, who  cut across the crease to lift  a backhand home to make it 1-1 at 6:37 of the period. The Bulldogs earned a power play late in the period, and a follow up penalty to Langley put them on a two-man advantage. They were unable to connect on it before the buzzer. Shots in the first were 9-7 Langley.


The Bulldogs made good on the 5 on 3 advantage to open the second, making it a 2-1 game just 30 seconds into the period as Matthew Grouchy accepted  a Mitchel Deelstra pass in the right circle and threw it at the goal. It would be blocked, but  ended up on the tape of Stephen Castagna, who made no mistake to one-time it home. The Rivermen answered back to tie it just under three minutes later, on a cross-ice pass to the slot onto the tape of Kalen Szeto, who walked in and went high, glove side on Glassford to make it 2-2 at 3:16 of the second, with Kaeden Patrick drawing the lone assist. Just 20 seconds later, it was 3-2 Langley when Brendan Budy set up Jake Livingstone walking in through the left circle. He put a perfect pass across the crease to the back post where Matthew Hubbarde deflected it in at 3:36 of the second. The Bulldogs  quickly answered to tie the game, as Tim Gould kept the puck in by pinching down the right side. Olivier Fizet would find it, and put a perfect pass to the slot for Jackson Doucet. His first chance  hit the crossbar, but bounced across the goal line where Fizet made no mistake to tie it at 3-3 at 4:43 of the second. The following  minutes were played very aggressively, with physical play everywhere on the  ice. The Rivermen went up 4-3 on an unfortunate backhand pass across  the defensive zone onto a Langley stick as Kaeden Patrick walked in alone and went high glove on Glassford at 10:45 of the period. The Bulldogs drew a power play later in the period, on a trip behind the net which was somewhat a surprising call  after everything that was let go throughout the period. They would capitalize on it, with Josh Zary taking a  hit to get the  puck out to the left wing for Jackson Doucet. He took a give-and-go from Jackson Munro in the left circle, and walked in and snapped a long-side shot past the glove of Fleming to make it 4-4 at 15:26 of the period. Just three minutes later, it was 5-4 as Josh Zary won an attacking zone draw that was found by Olivier Fizet, who tapped it back for Jackson Doucet. He walked back to the top of the right circle and spun and fired a floater that snuck long-side past the blocker of Fleming at 18:10 of the second. The Rivermen pushed in the final seconds of the period for the equalizer, but Jackson Glassford made a couple big saves in tight, and got some help from Dawson Tritt who made a save on an open net rebound  with a  dozen  seconds to play in the  frame to protect the lead into  the third. A dust up at the buzzer  saw Langley earn the extra penalty, with the Bulldogs beginning the third on the power play. Shots in the period were 16-9 Langley,


The Bulldogs threatened in the early seconds of the third  on the power play, but couldn't convert on a series  of set ups to the door step. They would make good late in the opportunity to go up 6-4 as Tim Gould took a hit in his zone to work the puck loose up the left wing for Stephen Castagna. He made an outlet pass across the zone to the right side of centre ice for Ryan Doolin. Castagna would catch up and take a return pass over the Langley line up the left wing, before giving it back to Doolin in the slot, where he walked in and went backhand-forehand across the crease to tuck it inside the far post at 1:35 of the third. The Rivermen would press to get back into it on back-to-back power play chances later in the third, but Jackson Glassford was great to protect the lead, coming up with a series of big saves on the power play, and a late partial breakaway save on Brendan Budy to protect the lead for the 6-4 final.

Shots in the third were 9-8 Langley, for a 33-24 total in their favour, as Jackson Glassford earned the win in net while Braedon Fleming took the loss before being relieved after the fifth Bulldog goal. The Bulldogs went 3 for 6 on the power play while the Rivermen went 1 for 4.

With the win, the Bulldogs have won two straight, and four straight away from home. They conclude their pre-Christmas portion of their schedule tomorrow afternoon in Surrey, a 4:00pm start against the Eagles.


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 Rivermen tonight... A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas!

It's a game day road trip back up to Canadian soil today, as the Bulldogs (18-14-0-2, T-3rd Island) meet the Langley Rivermen (17-16-0-1, 3rd Mainland) for the first time this season tonight at the George Preston Recreation Centre.

The Bulldogs were in Wenatchee last night, where they won  their third straight on the road 5-2 over the Wild. The Rivermen haven't played since Tuesday night at home, where they earned a 4-1 win over the Powell River Kings.

I'll cover all the proceedings for you on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey, brought to you by Van Isle Ford. The pregame  show is on the  air at 7:00 with the puck set to drop at 7:15pm. 

I have a special treat lined up for the 1st Intermission show tonight. My Christmas Present to you! I can't even guess how many years that I've been doing this,  but it's been at least a decade. 

It's "A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas" The idea  is simple - it's been a grind through the season to get to  this point. The players (and staff and supporters) are missing home and are seeing  the break on  the horizon. Who wants to do more interviews, right?

So I ask the players a simple question - what's on  your Christmas wish list? At the same time I encourage them to send out Season's Greetings to whomever they wish. 

Full disclosure - I actually after about 9 or 10 players started encouraging guys  to say something different for a wish than"family and friends" to just change it up a bit, and have a little fun with it. Afterwards it made me realize... that  all the  guys really want is simply that - to see family and friends and go home to be together. They can't wait to head home, and I know  without a  doubt that all the familys and friends and loved ones can't wait for their return either. Fear not, your boys are coming home soon! HOWEVER -  there's still work to do tonight  and tomorrow FIRST. 

Speaking of tomorrow - I'll have in both the 1st and 2nd Intermission shows for you "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas" which  follows the  same format, but with Play-by-Play Broadcasters, Coaches and Executives from throughout the  British Columbia Hockey League. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Cole Marton, the play-by-play voice of the Surrey Eagles, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow  afternoon to conclude  the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule. 

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

Bulldogs top Wild 5-2, win third straight on the road

The Wild were all over the Bulldogs in the opening minutes, with Jackson Glassford coming up with a huge breakaway save on Sam Morton just two minutes in to keep it scoreless. The Wild earned a power play a minute later, but Glassford and the penalty killers were solid to keep it scoreless. Soon afterwards, it was 1-0 Bulldogs as Tim  Gould took a return pass in his zone from Isaac Pascoal on the  right side, and flipped it ahead up the left wing for Caige Sterzer. He would battle past a defender to skate in alone, where he cut across the crease to tuck it home past the leg of Daniel Chenard on his backhand to make it 2-0 Bulldogs at 5:53 of the first. The Bulldogs had a great chance to go up 2-0 on a cross-ice set up by Dawson Tritt to Stephen Castagna, but Chenard made a fantastic initial save and kept several rebounds out on an extended scramble. Jackson Glassford made a big save later in the period to protect the lead when Blake Emmerson  walked in alone off the  blue line, and the Bulldogs responded to go up 2-0 in the final minute of the frame, again on the rush from their end and again with Tim Gould and Isaac Pascoal starting it off. Gould would retrieve a dump in behind the net and put an outlet right to the slot. He found Ryan Doolin up the right wing at centre, where he made a nice move to make a defender miss before being tackled at the Wild line. The puck would end up perfectly on the tape of Isaac Pascoal, who walked in alone and snapped a quick release, low far-side inside the post and  past the blocker of Chenard to make it 2-0 at 19:18 of the first. Shots after 20 minutes were 9-7 Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs came out passionately to start the second, and had several good looks initially turned back by Chenard in an attempt to build their lead. They kept pressing, and a shift that started with a battle win at centre ice, ended with a battle and steal and a 3-0 lead as Stephen Castagna stole the puck from a Wild defender behind the net and put a perfect pass out to the edge of the crease for Mitchel Deelstra, who went straight upstairs, far-side past the glove of Chenard at 5:53 of the second as Noah Altman entered the game in relief. The Wild pushed in the next few minutes to trim the gap, but Jackson Glassford was again solid, with his most  notable  save being on a cross-crease backdoor set up for Brian Adams that saw  Glassford get a right toe on a deflection attempt to keep it out. The Bulldogs further added to their lead late in the period, on another great effort to steal the puck to start it off by Stephen Castagna on the right wing  in the Wild zone. He then fed it deep behind the net for  Jacob Bosse, who put it on the tape of  Castagna in the slot where his one-time bid went  off a defender, and backwards onto the tape of Mitchel Deelstra who made no mistake firing it past the glove of Altman to make it 4-0 at 17:30 of the second. Shots in the period were 13-7 Wild, for a 20-16 Wenatchee advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs were penalized early in the third period, but instead padded their lead while shorthanded as Mitchel Deelstra blocked a shot and then hustled to the wall while being tackled to get a stick on it to poke it loose. Jackson Munro would skate onto it, and go end-to-end up the left wing and in on goal where he put a perfectly placed, low far-side wrist shot inside the post past the glove of Altman for the shorthanded marker and a 5-0 Bulldog lead at 3:00 of the third. Wenatchee would get on the board just 90 seconds later, as the Bulldogs attacked but then left the puck behind, allowing Hunter Hastings to go end to end up the right wing and into the circle where he put a wrist shot long-side through the seven hole of Glassford and just over the line to make it 5-1 at 4:32 of the third, with Quinn Emmerson getting the lone assist. The Wild harnessed the momentum, and continued to carry the play eventually making it a 5-2 game as Brian Adams was found behind the Bulldog defence behind the goal line by Sam Morton, where he took  a step out front and cut across the paint to slide it through the legs of Glassford at 9:10. The Bulldogs were on their heels for the following minutes, but bent and didn't break to push back against the momentum to make the  lead stand to the end.

Third period shots were 15-4 Wild, for a game total of 35-20. Jackson Glassford earned 2nd star honours with the win, while Daniel Chenard took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 1 on the  power play, while the Wild went 0 for 3.

The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night in Langley.

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 open three-in-three weekend tonight in Wenatchee

It's the opener of a three game road trip  for the Bulldogs (17-14-0-2, 4th Island) prior to the Christmas break, as they're south of the border tonight to face the Wild (18-15-3-1, 5th Interior) in Wenatchee, Washington.

The Bulldogs last played Saturday night at home, where they fell 6-4 to the Chilliwack Chiefs. The Wild also last saw the ice on Saturday night, when they picked up a second straight win 4-3 in overtime over the Warriors in West Kelowna

These teams last met October 18th at the Dog Pound, a 5-3 Bulldog win.

I'll bring all the action to you on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM, starting with the pregame  show at approximately 6:50 in advance of the 7:05pm puck drop.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Mike Bordignon, the play-by-play voice of the Langley  Rivermen, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow night to continue their weekend for the first meeting between the teams this season.

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 checking 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

Chiefs top Bulldogs 6-4 in a wild one

The Teddy Bears flew on the first shift, as the Bulldogs came out inspired and retreived a rebound after a first save by Mathieu Caron. Jimmy Rayhill would knock it down to Matthew Grouchy, who set up Mitchel Deelstra in the slot, who dished off to the left faceoff circle for Ryan Doolin, who beat Caron with a quick release, low-short side to send the Bears onto the ice at 33 seconds of the first period. The Bulldogs pushed on the following shifts after the delay for the cleanup, but couldn't pad their lead. Soon afterwards, the Chiefs went to the man advantage. The Bulldogs got to the final two seconds of the kill, but the Chiefs cashed in to tie the game with a pretty cross-ice pass from Nikita Nesterenko onto the tape of Brett Rylance in the right circle where he beat Luke Pearson with a one-timer, short-side to make it 1-1. Cooper Moore also assisted at 7:20. The Chiefs took momentum from the goal, and had a couple dangerous looks around the Bulldog net, but couldn't beat Pearson to take the lead. Late in the period, the Bulldogs earned a power play chance of their own and immediately connected on it as Matthew Grouchy won the opening draw back to Mitchel Deelstra. He put a cross-ice pass into the right circle for Ryan Doolin, who slid it back to the right point for Tim Gould. He simply put a low wrist shot on net, where Caige Sterzer deflected it home to make it 2-1 at 15:15 of the first. The Bulldogs earned a second power play soon afterwards, but couldn't capitalize on it, with Mathieu Caron making a great save on a set up to the slot for Dawson Tritt to keep it 2-1. The Bulldogs earned another power play with just three seconds remaining in the period that carried over to start the second. Shots in the frame were 11-10 Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs were unable to get anything going on the power play, with the Chiefs responding on the shift after the kill with a long sequence in the Bulldogs zone, but were unable to generate anything on net. The Bulldogs then responded in kind, and hemmed the Chiefs in to generate momentum. The Bulldogs had a glorious chance to pad their lead a few minutes later, but Mitchel Deelstra couldn't convert on a breakaway as it stayed 2-1 into the back half of the period. Immediately prior to the media time out, the Chiefs had a Grade A chance of their own as Nikita Nesterenko walked in on net, but he couldn't pull the trigger or tuck it in from below the goal line on a mad scramble. The Chiefs generated some great chances in tight on Pearson in the following minutes, with Kyle Penny being stopped in tight, along with Dawson Good on a rebound on the rush. The Bulldogs pushed back, and earned a power play of their own, but the Chiefs instead tied the game after a couple battles won in the zone. Brett Rylance would gain the Bulldogs zone up the right wing, before putting a slow pass laterally back to the middle. Arlo Merritt would jump off the bench and skate into it and in alone on Pearson where he put a perfect finish top corner, far-side over the blocker and under the bar to make it 2-2 at 17:05 of the second. Tempers became very high in the final minutes of the period, with a largely one-man-fight between Clark Nelson and Austin Spiridakis that saw Spiridakis be unable to get his gloves off. In the next sequence, Olivier Fizet was felled by a blindside shot to the head entering the Chiefs zone that either went undetected or deemed unworthy of a penalty. The Chiefs attacked the Bulldog net on the rush, but Pearson again was fantastic to keep it tied heading to the room with a big stop on the doorstep. Shots in the period were 21-6 Chiefs, for a 31-17 total in their favour after 40 minutes.

The Chiefs  took their first lead of the game just 3:42 into the third period when the Bulldogs turned the puck over at the Chilliwack line, and a quick pass saw Nikita Nesterenko step on the gas and drive over the Bulldog line where he made a  defender miss before walking in alone to the right side where he snapped a shot past the blocker of Pearson to make it 3-2  Chiefs, unassisted. The Bulldogs had a fantastic chance to answer seconds later, but Caron got his glove down on the goal line to make a goal line save to keep it 3-2. Four minutes later, the Bulldogs found the equalizer seconds after a power play chance had elapsed  as Stephen Castagna chased down a puck behind the Chief net  and dished off to  Ryan Doolin behind the goal line and drove  the front of the net  where he one-timed the Doolin pass off a defender's stick and in past Caron to make it 3-3 at 7:10 of the third. The Chiefs again went ahead with under seven minutes  to  play  as a gorgeous slap pass to  the side of the net by Jack Agnew was deflected home  top corner, short-side off the bar and in past Pearson by Arlo Merritt to  make it 4-3, with Brett Rylance also assisting at 13:09 of the third. The Bulldogs responded almost instantly to tie the game, as Jacob Bosse went forward off a draw in the Chiefs end  and fought it to the net where he beat Caron short-side at 13:46 to tie it at 4-4. The Bulldogs couldn't find the go-ahead goal before the Chiefs surged ahead  again on a pass to the right point by Tommy Lyons that was one-timed off the post and in by Brody Gagno short-side on Pearson to make it 5-4 at  18:34 with Nikita Nesterenko also drawing an assist. The Bulldogs would pull their goalie for the extra attacker and a draw in the Chiefs end, but were unable to generate a chance after the winning the draw with a cross-ice pass in the zone picked off up the middle by Brett Rylance who won the race all the way to the Bulldog net to seal the deal, unassisted with 1:05 to play for the 6-4 final score.

Third period shots favoured the Chiefs 13-11 for a total of 44-28 Chiefs with Mathieu Caron earning the win while Luke Pearson took the loss. The Bulldogs went 1 for 6  on the power play, while the Chiefs went 1 for 2 while also scoring once while shorthanded.

____________________________________________________________

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 face Eagles today *4:00pm start* to head into break, "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas"

It's the final game before the Christmas break today, as the Bulldogs (19-14-0-2, 4th Island) face the Surrey Eagles (14-17-2-3, 4th Mainland) at the South Surrey Arena.

The Bulldogs were in Langley last night, where they won their second straight, and fourth straight on the road, 6-4 over the Rivermen. The Eagles meanwhile had last night off, after last seeing action Friday night at home where they had a three game winning streak halted with a 3-2 loss to the Prince George Spruce Kings.

The only previous meeting between the teams was at the Dog Pound on Wednesday September 18th, a 6-3 Bulldog win 

Note the unique start time of 4:00pm. That means I'll be on 93.3 The Peak FM airwaves for the pregame show on Van  Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey starting at 3:45pm.

Don't miss both parts of "A Very Merry  BCHL Christmas" in  both the 1st  and 2nd Intermission shows  today/tonight. If  you missed  last night's "A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas"  - it's  a simple but fun idea I've  been doing this time of  year for....a long time now. I  attempt to contact every single BCHL team's Coach and Play-by-Play voice in the hopes that they'll share their Christmas Wish List with me, and encourage them to send out greetings to whomever they'd want to going into the holiday break. 

It's no small task - but it's fun. I very much appreciate all those that take the time to be a part of it. 

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

Bulldogs host Chiefs tonight for Teddy Bear Toss night

It's the third meeting of the season between these teams, due to their BCHL Showcase match against each other, as the Bulldogs (17-13-0-2. T-3rd Island) host the Chilliwack Chiefs (17-10-4-2, 2nd Mainland) for Teddy Bear Toss night at the Multiplex. 

The Bulldogs were in Duncan last night, where they picked up a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Chiefs played at home last night, where they had a three game winning streak halted with a 4-2 loss to the Langley Rivermen

It seems like a season ago that these teams met - or perhaps it's the results, that make the memory try to forget, HA - as the Chiefs won back to back contests by 5-2 scores and September 28th and on October 2nd when the Bulldogs were the "home" team...against the Chiefs in their own rink. 

Don't forget it's the Bulldogs annual Teddy Bear Toss!

Catch all the action from the Multiplex on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey, live on 93.3 The Peak FM. Our broadcast begins with our pregame show at 6:45, with the game action to follow at 7:00pm. I'll host the broadcast and call the play-by-play of the proceedings, while Bruce MacDonald is responsible for providing game analysis and adding colour commentary.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is the latest edition of The Island Division This Week - a collection of recaps, previews, news notes and highlights from the broadcast voices of all five Island Division teams.

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 surfing by the blog! Don't forget your Teddy Bears/stuffies/plushies etc!


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 come from behind to top Capitals 3-2 in overtime

The Bulldogs were penalized within the opening two minutes of the game, but did a solid job of killing it off and not allowing anything on net. They would earn a power play of their own soon afterwards, and would threaten on it, but couldn't cash in. The Capitals would open the scoring just after the midway mark of the first, on a wrist shot from the left circle by Olivier Gauthier that was stopped by Jackson Glassford, but a cross-ice rebound off his left toe was one-timed into the open net before he could recover by Dimitri Mikrogiannakis at 11:14 of the first, with Cruze Cote and Tanner Sidaway drawing the assists. The Bulldogs came painfully close to tying it soon afterwards, on a shot that deflected off the crossbar and then hit the back of Ben Howard and layed on the goal line but stayed out. Jackson Glassford would come up with a big save later in the period on an in-alone net drive by Nolan Barrett with his glove to keep it 1-0 after one, with the Capitals out shooting the Bulldogs 9-7.


The Bulldogs looked flat early in the second, but fought back to tie the game just over six minutes into the period on a fantastic effort by Caige Sterzer, who won a race to washout an icing and then won a battle to fight behind the Capital net. Despite being prone on the ice, he managed to stick with it and sweep the puck to the front of the net where Olivier Fizet tapped it onto the tape of Josh Zary out front, where he made no mistake to one-time it far-side past the glove of Howard to make it 1-1 at 6:14 of the second. The Bulldogs pushed initially after the goal, but couldn't sustain any momentum as the Capitals promptly responded as they beat the Bulldogs back to their net following a defensive zone faceoff as Olivier Gauthier walked up the left wing and put a rink-wide pass to the right side of the slot where Cruz Cote put it off Glassford and in, stick side at 8:02 of the second to make it 2-1, with Tyrell Boucher also assisting.  The Capitals continued to press, with Glassford being penalized for defending himself after an abundance of traffic in his crease. He would make a couple great saves early on the power play, and a breakaway save on Olivier Gauthier, that also saw the Bulldogs again penalized with the Capitals earning a 29 second two-man advantage. Glassford was sensational during it, with half a dozen great saves, with the penalty killers coming up with a couple great blocks as the Bulldogs kept it a one-goal game. Once it was back to even strength, the Bulldogs had their moments and a couple good opportunities, but couldn't generate the equalizer before the period ended. Shots in the frame were 18-11 Capitals, for a total of 27-18 Capitals.


The Bulldogs came out on fire to start the third period, and potted the equalizer after a series of passionate plays to keep the puck in the zone. Ryan Doolin would initially knock it loose after a Mitchel Deelstra steal. Matthew Grouchy would find the loose puck, and proceeded to make two absolutely filthy one-on-one moves with the puck to make defenders look silly before putting a pass onto the tape of Ryan Doolin at the top of the crease where he one-timed it by Howard to make it 2-2 at 1:10 of the third. There would be no scoring throughout the remainder of regulation, with the Capitals having an extended push in the late minutes of the third, but the Bulldogs bent and didn't break, with Glassford making one more big save on a shot and a rebound with his left toe with four minutes left to preserve the tie. A minute later, Stephen Castagna had his feet taken out from under him at centre ice on a seemingly obvious and flagrant trip. The Officials would let it go, but at the end of the sequence penalized the Capitals for what looked like incidental contact on a battle at the front of the net. The Bulldogs again threatened on it, but couldn't find the go-ahead goal as the game went to overtime. Third period shots were 14-11 Capitals, for a 41-29 advantage in their favour after 60 minutes.


The Capitals had the initial possession in overtime, but Jackson Glassford got enough on a net drive by Dimitri Mikrogiannikis to keep it out. Dawson Tritt had the next chance, with Ben Howard getting a shoulder on a high-hard one to keep it out. The Bulldogs retained possession and regrouped to their zone, with Mitchel Deelstra dishing off for Tim Gould. He would gain the attacking zone before dishing off to Matthew Grouchy, who beat his man to the net and put hard far-pad low shot on net that was stopped by Howard, but he couldn't control the rebound that Tim Gould roofed after out-battling his defender for the game winner at 1:24 of overtime for the 3-2 final score.

Shots in overtime were 2-1 Bulldogs, for a game total of 42-31 Capitals with Jackson Glassford earning 2nd star honours with the win in net, while Ben Howard took the loss. Both teams went 0 for 3 on the power play.

The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow night at home when they host the Chilliwack Chiefs for their Teddy Bear Toss.


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 Capitals tonight in Duncan

It's the sixth edition this season of the "Battle of the Valleys" as the Bulldogs (16-13-0-2, 4th Island) make a trip to the Cowichan Valley to face the Capitals (21-11-2-1, 2nd Island) at the Big Stick.

The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday at home, where they concluded a stretch of four games in five days by having their three game winning streak halted 4-1 at the hands of the Powell River Kings.  The Capitals also last played Sunday at home, where they won their third straight, 5-0 over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.


These teams last met November 30th at the Multiplex, the conclusion of the "swapped home games" series, as the Capitals picked up a 6-4 win, the first team to defeat the Bulldogs in regulation or overtime at home this season. The prior meeting in Duncan was Saturday, November 23rd, a 6-5 Bulldog win in overtime.  The previous two head-to-head meetings were at the Dog Pound a 4-3 Bulldog win on October 25th, following a 3-1 Bulldog triumph on October 5th. The first meeting of the season head to head was in Duncan, was a 3-2 Capitals win on September 20th.

Don't miss a minute of the action, by tuning in to Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak, with the pregame show taking the airwaves at 6:45, followed by the game action just after 7:00pm. Bruce MacDonald provides game analyis and adds colour commentary, while I call the play-by-play and cover the hosting responsibilities. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Vanni DeBartolo, the play-by-play voice of the Chilliwack Chiefs, who the Bulldogs host tomorrow night for their annual Teddy Bear Toss game. 

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 surfing 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 win streak halted at three with 4-1 loss to Kings

The game had great end to end pace through the first half of the opening period, with the Kings having the best early chance as Jack Brackett drove  in on a partial breakaway but was stopped by Luke Pearson. The Bulldogs had a fantastic series of chances to equalize on a scramble, but a Jackson Doucet shot from in tight hit the post and stayed out, as did a follow up attempt on the opposite side of the crease. The Kings would earn a power play opportunity just over six minutes into the game, but the Bulldogs defended well and Pearson was solid when tested. The Kings would open the scoring just past the midway point of the period on an unfortunate scenario that saw the last Bulldog defender at the attacking line lose his footing, allowing Jack Brackett to chase down a loose puck to skate in alone on Pearson where he put a perfectly placed wrist shot short-side off the post and in past the blocker to make it 1-0 at 10:57 of the first, unassisted, however either Hunter McCoy or Michael Abgrall deserved one for a diving play to poke the puck out of the Kings zone. The Bulldogs would fail to cash in on a power play to tie the game later in the period, and then came very close in the final minute on both a delayed penalty and the ensuing power play in the final minute of the period as Derek Krall made two fantastic saves, one on a cross-ice one-timer for Tommy Bannister, the other on a set up to the hashmarks for Jackson Doucet, to keep it 1-0 Kings after 20 minutes. Shots after one were 11-10 Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs failed to get anything going on a carry-over power play to open the period, or a follow up advantage just three minutes into the frame. They were then penalized soon afterwards, and killed it off with Pearson again making a couple solid saves. Yet another Powell River power play came immediately afterwards, and they would score in the final second of the advantage on a set up to the doorstep that saw Nic Porchetta just get enough to it to sneak it  under the arm of Pearson and over the line, making it 2-0 at 10:15 of the second with Jack Brackett drawing the lone assist. The Bulldogs had a great response on the following shift, but couldn't get on the board, with Krall coming up with a breakaway save on Caige Sterzer. The Bulldogs kept their heads down and just kept working, and finally cracked the goose egg in the late stages of the period, as back-to-back offensive zone draws were won by Josh Zary, the second of which back to the right point for Carson Hemenway. He would put a low, hard shot on net that Krall kicked out with his right toe. He would make an initial rebound save  on Stephen Castagna, but Josh Zary knocked the loose puck out of midair inside the far post at 17:26 of the second to make it 2-1. Shots in the period were 13-10 Bulldogs, for a 24-20 total in their favour heading into the third.

The Bulldogs were penalized a minute into the third, but again killed it off to keep it a one-goal game. They earned a power play immediately afterwards, but would concede a shorthanded goal in controversial fashion as Jacob Bosse had his head driven into the glass from behind and was left down on the ice in a heap, with neither Official calling anything, as Powell River made it 3-1 on the play with Jack Brackett flying up the left wing and around the Bulldog defender and in alone on Pearson where he tucked it inside the far post at 4:18 of the third, un-assisted, shorthanded, although a King again certainly deserved one on the outlet pass. Two minutes later the fans in the building voiced their displeasure as a dustup at the Kings net saw Josh Zary doubled over after the whistle, before he then had his helmet ripped off his head. Zary would receive the only penalty. Before the ensuing puck drop, Stephen Castagna would be given a ten minute misconduct, which quickly turned into an ejection. Seconds later, Dawson Tritt would race in on a shorthanded breakaway where he had his stick slashed preventing a shot, with a penalty shot perhaps a possibility, but only a minor penalty resulting. 19 seconds later, Tim Gould appeared to take down Davis Pennington, but Pennington was instead penalized, resulting in a 4 on 3 and then short 5 on 3 power play for the Bulldogs, but they were unable to make good on the opportunity to get back in the game. The Kings would erase all doubt  with further insurance with 3:31 to play as the  Kings caught the Dogs pressing and raced in on a 2 on 1 rush up the right side that saw Brett Pfoh walk in to the right faceoff dot where he snapped a perfectly placed shot off the post long-side past the blocker of Pearson to make it 4-1, with Davis Pennington drawing the lone assist to complete the scoring.

Third period shots were 9-9, for a game total of 34-29 Bulldogs with Luke Pearson taking the loss while Derek Krall earned 2nd star with the win. The Bulldogs were 0 for 6 on the power play, as were the Kings, while they also scored once while shorthanded.

The Bulldogs are next in action Friday night when they visit the Capitals in Duncan.

____________________________________________________________

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 Kings today to conclude weekend

It's the conclusion of a four-game in five day stretch today for the Bulldogs (16-12-0-2, 3rd Island) as they host the Powell River Kings (16-14-2-0, 4th Island) today at the Multiplex for a matinee affair. 

The Bulldogs were in action last night at home, where they won their third in a row, 5-3 over the Salmon arm Silverbacks. The Kings meanwhile are at the end of a busy weekend as well, that saw them host the Surrey Eagles Friday night where they were 5-1 winners. They were in Duncan last night where they fell 5-4 to the Capitals in overtime.

These teams last met on November 2nd, a 4-0 Bulldog win. This is the fourth meeting of the season between the Island Division rivals. The Kings took the first two meetings by scores of 6-3 and 6-5 in Powell River on the first two nights of the season September 6th and 7th. 

Myself and Bruce MacDonald will be live with the pregame show from the Multiplex at 1:45 on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet, with the puck dropping just after 2:00pm.  

(image: ELENA RARDON, Alberni Valley News)

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog (2017-2019) and Powell River native Keaton Mastrodonato, currently playing his Freshman season with the NCAA's Canisius College Golden Griffins 

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 surfing 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 third straight, 5-3 over Silverbacks

Here's the highlights from tonight! 

Hammer

The Bulldogs took the lead before the majority of the late arrivals had reached their seats, as Ryan Doolin chased down a dump-in behind the Salmon Arm net and won a battle to dislodge the puck for Dawson Tritt below the goal line. He rimmed it back to the right point for Jimmy Rayhill, who put a seeing-eye wrist shot through traffic and inside the far post past the blocker of Brett Balas for his first career goal. The following minutes were devoid of flow and control by either side, with a plethora of whistles. The Silverbacks earned the first power play of the game, and tested Jackson Glassford on it, but he was sharp to keep it 1-0. The Bulldogs built their lead in the back-half of the period, as Grayson Valente put a wrist shot on goal from the left point that was stopped by Balas. The rebound ended up back at the right point for Tim Gould, who put it on net where it was stopped by Balas, but stayed in the paint where Jacob Bosse  had the first whack at it in the scramble, before Caige Sterzer managed to poke it home to make it 2-0 at 11:45 of the first. Just 15 seconds later, it was 3-0 Bulldogs as Jacob Bosse  won a defensive zone draw and took off up the left wing into the faceoff circle where he snapped a perfect shot top corner, short-side over the blocker of Balas, with Tim Gould picking up the lone assist at 12:00 of the first. The game was somewhat change in the following seconds, when Dawson Tritt was penalized on a call that the Multiplex vocally disagreed with. Tritt apparently did as well, as he was further penalized for a ten minute misconduct. The Silverbacks would threaten on the power play, with Jackson Glassford making no less than six solid saves to kill it off. The momentum continued on however, and the Silverbacks  made it a 3-1 game on a net drive by Nicholas Breault that saw Glassford down with his right toe on the post keeping it out initially, before Breault ended up pushing him and the puck into the net while it came off it's moorings. The Official would immediately signal goal, and that call would stand after a discussion. The lone assist went to Drew Bennett at 14:46 of the first. Shots in the period were 20-10 Salmon Arm. 

The second period  began with a thud compared to the bang that opened the game, as the Silverbacks made it  3-2 just  half a minute in as Jackson Glassford left his net to play the puck for his
Defenseman.  The Defender wasn't aware of the pressure behind him,  as Nicholas Breault lifted his stick, stole it and potted a wrap around 31 seconds into the period for his second of the night. Less than a minute later, the Bulldogs responded to restore their two-goal lead, as Tommy Bannister fought the  puck up the right wing and over the line where Caige Sterzer skated onto it and drove the net before putting a pass across the slot onto the tape of Jacob Bosse at the top of the crease where he deflected it over the glove of Ethan Langenegger to make it 4-2 at 1:21 of the second. The Bulldogs were unable to build the lead, and the Silverbacks got back within one on the power play five minutes later as Nicholas Breault put a backdoor pass onto the tape of Akito Hirose, who made no mistake with a perfect shot high, short-side over the shoulder of Glassford to make it 4-3 at 6:29 of the second. There would be no scoring through the remainder of the period, with Glassford coming up big on several occasions, most notably on a cross-ice set up in the dying seconds of the period that he got his left toe on to  protect the lead into  the dressing room. Shots in the second were 15-7 Salmon Arm, for a 35-17 Silverback advantage after 40 minutes. 

The Bulldogs got off to a solid start to the third, with dangerous opportunities around the net on an extended shift in the zone for the trio of Bannister-Sterzer and Bosse, that was followed up by Deelstra-Doolin and Tritt. The following minutes flew by, with neither team able to generate much in the way of scoring chances through to the back half of the period. The Bulldogs held the lead into the final minute, before putting the game away with the Silverbacks pulling their goalie for the extra attacker as Josh Zary won a series of defensive zone draws, the final one seeing Jimmy Rayhill rim the puck from the far corner behind the net for Jackson Munro, who quickly out-letted it up the right wing for Stephen Castagna who raced untouched  over centre ice  to hit the empty net to seal the deal at 19:50 of the third period, for the 5-3 final. 

Shots in the third were 7-7, for a game total of 42-24 Salmon Arm  with Jackson Glassford earning the win while Ethan Langenegger took the loss in relief of Brett Balas. The Bulldogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Silverbacks went 1 for 3. 

With the win, the Bulldogs have now won three straight games. They conclude their weekend tomorrow afternoon when they host the Powell River Kings. 

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