Everything has been more than a little different this year, and you can add the traditional "Year End Awards Banquet" to the list of things that sadly didn't happen in 2021.
The lack of an official gathering doesn't take away what the players went through, what they achieved and the opportunity to celebrate their efforts.
Just one man's opinion here - but I think it's extremely important knowing that five to ten years down the line, when the trophies are picked up and looked at and handed out again that there will be names engraved on them considering EVERYTHING that EVERYONE battled through to even make the 2021 season happen at all.
Congrats to all the winners!
Hammer
2021 Bulldog Year End Awards:
Academic Player of the Year: Ethan Bono Unsung Hero: Josh Van Unen Most Improved Player: Adam Jeffery Most Sportsmanlike Player: Emanuelson Charbonneau Hardest Working Player: Chase Klassen The Paul Cyr Memorial Award for Perseverance: Darren Beattie Coaches Award: Stephen Castagna Best Defenceman: Ryan Nause Rookie of the Year: Brandon Buhr Top Scorer: Stephen Castagna Most Valuable Player: Luke Pearson
It's the finale of the 2021 pod season tonight as the Bulldogs (10-5-3-1, 2nd Island) "host" the Nanaimo Clippers (8-11-0-0, 3rd Island) at the Multiplex.
The Bulldogs carry an Island-pod series head-to-head record of 5-0-1-0 against the Clippers. The most recent meeting between the clubs was on Monday, May 3rd, where the Bulldogs picked up a 7-2 win.
I can't express my heartfelt thanks enough to EVERYONE that made this all happen - it was an absolutely HUGE undertaking throughout the league and throughout the Alberni Valley. For people like me, on the outside, we'll never truly know and be able to appreciate the effort, time and sacrifice that everyone made.
For a small example of the appreciation shown to everyone locally in the Alberni Valley, look no further than the series of tweets below from the Victoria Grizzlies. An awesome gesture by them, to make the rest of us at least somewhat able to understand everyone's efforts!
After tonight, I know I'm really going to miss this! Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM is on the air at 6:45 for the pregame show, with the game action to follow after 7:00pm Pacific.
Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldog Forward Stephen Castagna.
* Stephen is the only repeat interview throughout the pod season. It has always been my goal to give every player the opportunity, and I don't play favourites or make it performance based. I think I got to 18 different players. To the guys I didn't get to - I'm sorry, it was nothing personal. With Stephen playing his last game tonight, and with the length of his tenure with the team I believe the fans would like to hear from him one last time and I also selfishly wanted to as well!
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Bulldogs President and Owner David Michaud, from my 93.3 The Peak FM morning show yesterday as we talked about everything that happened before and through the pod season, and look to the future.
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
It's the second meeting between these teams in three days, with first place in the Island Pod standings once again on the line as the Bulldogs (10-4-3-1, 2nd Island) face the Victoria Grizzlies (13-6-0-0, 1st Island) this evening at the Multiplex.
The teams last saw action against each other on Friday afternoon, a 2-1 Grizzlies win, which snapped their three game losing streak while halting the Bulldogs attempt to win a third consecutive game.
This is the final game of the Pod season for the Grizzlies. The Bulldogs have one more game to play on Tuesday night at 7:00pm against the Nanaimo Clippers.
This is a must win game for the Bulldogs if they hope to claim bragging rights of the Island Pod champs, as they enter play today two points behind the Grizzlies in the standings. While a Grizzlies win clinches the pod for them, a Bulldog win doesn't do the same as it would only pull them into a tie with the Grizzlies in points - and that's only if they win in regulation. They would still have work to do on Tuesday night. That can't be an area of focus of course, the Bulldogs need to focus on the task in front them.
Friday's win gave the Grizzlies a record of 5-1-0-0 in the head to head series, while the Bulldogs are 1-3-1-1.
It's yet another different game time, in what's been a very different "season" to say the least. Game time is 5:00pm. 93.3 The Peak FM's broadcast time sees Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey commence with the pregame show at 4:45.
After a memorable 2013-2014 season with the Bulldogs, Connor spent four years at the NCAA level with Boston University and Minnesota State-Mankato before turning professional. He's quickly approaching his 100th pro game, split between the American Hockey League, the ECHL and even a short Covid-19 stop with Slovakia's HK Dulka Trencin.
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
It's the first of two straight games between these two teams, as the Bulldogs (10-3-3-1, T-1st Island) "visit" the Grizzlies (12-6-0-0, T-1st Island) today at the Multiplex with first place in the Island Pod on the line.
The Bulldogs last played Wednesday night, where they won their second straight 7-3 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
The Grizzlies last saw action Wednesday afternoon, where they dropped their third straight contest 9-6 to the Nanaimo Clippers.
The Grizzlies carry a record of 4-1-0-0 in the head to head series, while the Bulldogs are 1-2-1-1.
Note the unique game time of 2:00pm. 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey broadcast courtesy of Pacific Chevrolet goes live with the pregame show at 1:45pm Pacific.
Today's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldog Forward Logan Walker.
The 2nd Intermission feature guest is Dan Marshall, play-by-play voice of the Nanaimo Clippers on our sister station 109.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo. The Bulldogs and Clippers will conclude the pod season when they meet on Tuesday night, May 11th - the make up game from the postponement on April 15th.
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
It's down to the final four games of the pod season as the Bulldogs (9-3-3-1, 2nd Island) play "host" to the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-9-2-0, 3rd Island) tonight at the Multiplex.
The Capitals played last night, where they did the Bulldogs a big favour in picking up a 3-2 win over the Victoria Grizzlies. It was the Capitals third straight win. The Caps have been playing great hockey lately - after losing seven straight games, they've won 4 of their last 5 and have points in five straight with their only loss coming in overtime to the Grizzlies.
This is the sixth meeting between the teams in the pod season, with the Bulldogs having a head-to-head record of 3-1-1-0 while the Capitals are 2-2-1-0.
Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey takes the airwaves on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 for the pregame show. I'll call the play-by-play of all the game action that follows the 7:00pm Pacific puck drop.
Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldog Goalie Luke Pearson.
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Lars Hepso. I don't want to spoil the interview too much, but Lars is a fantastic story. Traded as a 20 year old, he made the tough decision to give up playing - but he's very much stayed in the game, and has ascended to work within it at the highest level possible.
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 down to the final week (and a day) of the 2021 BCHL Pod season, as the Bulldogs (8-3-3-1, 2nd Island) are back in action tonight as they "visit" the Nanaimo Clippers (6-9-0-0, T-3rd Island) tonight at the Multiplex.
Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM is on the air at 6:45 for the pregame show. I'll call the play-by-play that follows the 7:00pm Pacific 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 quick turnaround today for the Bulldogs (8-2-3-1, 2nd Island) as they take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals (3-9-2-0, 4th Island) today at the Multiplex for a 1:00pm puck drop.
These teams last met a week ago tonight, when the Capitals snapped the Bulldogs four game winning streak, and their own seven game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win.
Note the matinee start time of 1:00pm - that means 93.3 The Peak's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Van Isle Ford will be on the air for the pregame show starting at 12:45.
Today's 2nd Intermission guest is Trevor Miller, Director of Broadcasting and Communications of the Penticton Vees, to provide an update on the "Penticton pod"
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
