Bulldogs open season 1 and 1, Broadcast Expectations

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. 

I meant to post this last week, to give some insight into what you can expect throughout the season with our Bulldogs Hockey Broadcasts on 93.3 The Peak/ FloHockey - but I got so busy I forgot! 

It's a couple games late - but here's my annual informational post in regards to what to expect when you tune in to Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM (or another medium) through the next 52 games, and any subsequent playoff games.

First and foremost - understand the medium. Which means - we're broadcasting on radio. I am your eyes. My primary goal is to enable those not at the game to SEE the game. I very much understand that some people are watching the pay-per-view and can SEE the game and they might get too much, but the people that can't see the game need more, not less!


Some insight into the broadcast philosophy... as a general rule, I will always try to be positive. At the same time I try to be honest. The core fan base of this team from day one is an educated one. They want me to "call a spade a shovel" and not sugar coat things. Having said that, I'm well aware that there is always one fan on one side of the fence, and one on the other side of the fence. It is one of the challenges and benefits of having such a great fan base and community here that cares for the team and is involved with the team on many levels. There's also a few fans standing ON TOP of the fence - not sure what side they are on. Ha. 


The  job isn't an easy one, as I am always walking the fine fine fine line of not wanting to offend the parent/fan/billet/sponsor that is looking for entertainment, and something to root for and get emotionally invested in. The other side are the true hockey people/fans/parents etc. They want to know the REAL SCOOP. They want BLAME outright, and ANSWERS why the team isn't winning, or why they are winning, and they might have an agenda.


In my opinion there isn't anything wrong with being on one side of that or the other either! In the end the hockey is great, and it's highly competitive. You win some, you lose some, you can't win them all and the line between both results is sometimes - or more often than not - razor thin.


In the end, I'm just "calling it like I see it" as my employer (for those that don't know, it's 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, LP, not the Alberni Valley Bulldogs that signs my cheques, a very common misconception) wants me to do, and as I have done for about 1300? games over the last 20 years or so. Why? Because it hasn't failed me yet. People won't always like what they hear, or don't hear, but I simply can't help it if the game on the ice isn't going the way you want for the team - or an individual on the team.

I'm very happy to inform you that we have Van Isle Ford (home games) and Pacific Chevrolet (away games) back as our title sponsors this year - if you appreciate the broadcasts, thank them with your business!


We begin our broadcasts approximately 15 minutes to puck drop with our pregame show where we speak with coaches from both sides of the puck about the game and current events. We end the game with a post game show with a game recap, a chit chat from a member of the Bulldog Coaching staff, post game show awards and out of town scoreboard updates. In between periods, we speak with Bulldog players both past and present, as well as Coaches/Broadcasters/Executives from around the BCHL and who knows where else!


If you are interesting in being a sponsor on Bulldog Broadcasts, the more the merrier - contact our sales staff at 93.3 The Peak at 250-723-2455, we have plenty of options from big to small available!

Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.flohockey.com

Also a huge thanks to ALL our sponsors that make the broadcasts happen. Fans that have listened before will know that we strive to put together a professional big-league broadcast, and in my humble and very biased opinion, I think we accomplish that.

If you appreciate and like the broadcasts, please thank the sponsors that make them all happen with your business!

If there is something you don't like, we always welcome your feedback - drop me a line by the contact form here on the blog. 

We would love to hear from you throughout the season - feedback, comments, complaints, criticism - constructive or otherwise, an interesting stat or fact about your son or brother or family member that may be on the team, where you might be listening to the game from, etc etc. 

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The Bulldogs began the opening weekend with a win and a loss - 5-1 over Coquitlam Friday night, and 6-4 to the Langley Rivermen on Saturday night. 

I liked what I saw out of the team on both nights. I obviously didn't like the end result Saturday night, but I thought the team could've just as easily won that game. One can argue - leading by two at one point, and leading 3-2 after 40 minutes that they SHOULD have won that game. 

This league is way to good to take a shift off - better yet five to ten minutes off, which is what I thought happened Saturday night. 

The Rivermen came out to start the third inspired, to a man, at a level that the Bulldogs weren't at. Before they knew what hit them, they went from leading 3-2, to losing 4-3. 

Once in that position, they weren't able to push back immediately, and they fell into a 5-3 hole. 

You can't always be at your best - and despite your talent, it's not going to be easy. There's another team out there, and in this league - they are all good. 

The Bulldogs responded, and made it a 5-4 game. However - it took them too long to respond. Momentum is hard to earn, and turn sometimes. Good teams find a way to answer IMMEDIATELY - or better yet, they don't let the other team up off the mat at all. 

They did eventually respond, and they then spent the better part of the final five minutes all over the Rivermen in their zone. The game was lost either at the start of the period, or the following minutes where they gave up what proved to be the game winning goal. 

It sounds so cliche - but I think it's appropriate - you need to play a full 60 minutes. Here's hoping that the Bulldogs earned a valuable lesson Saturday night.

A 2 and 0 start to the season on the road was within reach - but a response from Langley wasn't immediately answered, and despite controlling the play late, they couldn't dig out of the hole and they came home with a 1 and 1 record. 

I'm very much looking forward to the team returning to action this weekend - especially seeing them play at home for the first time this season! 

Thanks as always for reading the blog. 

Hammer 

 

Two down, two to go for Bulldogs, Bombers 1 and 1, Toy Run + more

 

Hi, Happy Tuesday, and thanks for checking out the blog. 

I need a weekend for my weekend! Bulldogs, Bombers, the Fall Fair, Soccer, Rugby... did I miss anything in there?  

The Bulldogs went 1 and 1, topping  the Clippers 4-0 in Nanaimo on Friday night, and dropping a 6-4 decision at home on Saturday night. 

It's always hard to get an accurate read this time of year as teams aren't dressing their full rosters, players are making their first appearance in the BCHL (albeit in exhibition) and the level of intensity isn't what it will be when it comes to game one. 

Having said that, it's as close as you're going to get prior to Game One on September 22nd. 

I saw some good things- I saw some concerning things. I'm excited for the season to begin for real, and of course the final two preseason games this weekend - in Duncan against the Capitals on Friday and at the Multiplex on Saturday night when the Bulldogs host the Capitals to conclude their preseason.

You can watch Friday's game on FloHockey, courtesy of Capitals play-by-play broadcaster Justis Doucet. 

 

The Port Alberni Bombers also went 1 and 1 to start their regular season, winning 3-1 in Nanaimo on Thursday and falling 8-4 in Lake Cowichan on Friday. 

There's perhaps no better introduction to the grind that is Junior Hockey than back to back games on the road in as many nights! I was happy to see the Bombers get a win on night one, and fight back from a hole and show no signs of quitting on Saturday. There will be growing pains - but having standards in regards to your character as a team can take you a long way. 

The Bombers play their home opener Friday when they host Oceanside - they visit the Generals on Saturday night. 

The 39th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run goes this Saturday and Sunday. 

It's a very busy day for me, as I'll be doing my regular bike count live on 93.3 The Peak FM Saturday afternoon, before broadcasting live from the Glenwood Centre to follow. Always a fun time - here's hoping for good weather! 

Find out all the details you need to know on the Toy Run website here

Thanks as always for reading the blog! 

Hammer 

Bulldogs begin preseason this week HOME BROADCASTS are back, Bombers regular season begins, Black Sheep open season

 

The Bulldogs begin their 2023 preseason schedule Friday when they visit the Nanaimo Clippers at the Frank Crane Arena. 

They then host the Clippers this Saturday at the Dawg Pound for their home preseason opener. 

You will be able to watch this game on Flo Hockey, thanks to the encouragement and support of the Bulldogs. 

(You will also be able to watch the September 16th home preseason finale on Flo Hockey, as the Bulldogs host the Cowichan Valley Capitals. )

I cannot stress enough that this is NO WHERE near the product that you can come to expect throughout the season when we are broadcasting on 93.3 The Peak FM and Flo Hockey takes our audio broadcast to sync up with their video pay-per-view.

I won't have any produced elements or much of a pregame show, intermission coverage, interviews, or a post game show or anything along those lines.

I also won't have much lead time when it comes to finding out rosters/line ups and associated names and numbers for players like we do throughout the season, so please keep that in mind. 

It bothers me to put out a less than "finished product" but I know that fans/parents/families etc. will appreciate it none the less! 

Once again - this is strictly a volunteer effort to:

a) make sure all our equipment works
b) to make sure I still remember how to do play-by-play (HA) 

and

 
c) to give you an opportunity to be able to follow the game.

To watch the game, head on over to FLO HOCKEY 

I'm unaware at this point the status of a broadcast being available Friday in Nanaimo, or next Friday in Duncan. I'll be sure to post an update here and on Social Media should I find out more! 

The Port Alberni Bombers begin their third season in the VIJHL this week, as they have back to back road games Thursday in Nanaimo, and Friday in Lake Cowichan. 

Their home opener is September 15th when they host Oceanside. 

The Port Alberni Black Sheep Rugby Club also have their season open this Saturday, when they host Nanaimo. Kick off is at 1:00pm at the top of Argyle.

Thanks for reading! 

Hammer