ALL pictures today- random stuff, Boston Pizza, my puck collection.

Outside the Cowichan Valley Capitals dressing room- "Hammer of the game"?! Wait just a darn minute Mr. Currie!
old score clock at the post game meal at Kane's Sports Bistro in Powell River. One of the coolest places in the league.
The one, the ONLY Jamie Amos, geared up at the age of 10 on the frozen backyard pond in Vancouver.
I was impressed when I walked in Boston Pizza and saw the Dogs painting and signed sweater.

Martin Mars Waterbomber- VERY COOL.
Later during our dinner BP a.k.a Bryant Perrier stopped by to grab a bite with friends. I just had to take a picture of "BP at BP's"
I got this great Christmas Present from my cousin Daryn in Oliver....Ok, so what the heck am I supposed to do with a VEES mug? haha. Thanks for thinking of me Darren :)
Now, onto my pucks. It's a humble collection, but it's cool because most pucks have a story. Below are my two Bulldog pucks. On the left is an autographed inaugural season puck- signed by Tyler Ruel- courtesy of the BIG DOG Les Doiron. On the right, another Dogs puck given to me by Rob Thompson from JAL DESIGNS and Graphics. Rob and staff designed the alternate logo, on the reverse side. See below.
zoomed up to see the autograph a bit better
reverse of other puck.
My two World Juniors pucks. I picked the one from '06 up myself when we went over for opening day. Brent Paul from Port Alberni's Double R Meats picked up the 07 puck when he attended the tournament in Sweden. He even pulled strings to get me a puck from this year's tourney. I sure hope his friends in Pardubice got me one!
Given to me during warm-up by my friend Jordin Tootoo, former OCN Blizzard (more on them below) when we went over to a Nashville vs Vancouver game at GM place( in 04-05 if I remember correctly.)
Hosting an autograph session for Jordin and Terence Tootoo at a Sports Store in The Pas/OCN after Jordin was drafted by the Nashville Predators.
Signed by Bobby Hull- Thanks again to the BIG DOG for this beauty.
I picked this one up during a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto this summer. Just had to have a white puck to shake it up.
Just plain Hockey Canada baby.
Huge thanks to RONNIE for getting this for me in London last week when he attended the World U17 Challenge. You are a beauty Ronnie!
Junior Hockey Prep Camp Port Alberni. Picked this up in the stands at the rink in the summer.
My sister Erin got this one for me when she visited Madison Square Garden in 2001.
Pucks from one of the other teams I broadcasted for/worked for, the OCN Blizzard. I was there through parts of 99 to 2003.
Pucks from the two Royal Bank Cup tournaments I attended- 2001 in my home town of Flin Flon, Manitoba, where I did the play-by-play of the Western reps, the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL. I attended the 2002 tournament in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where I did the play-by-play for all OCN Blizzard games.
Kinda funny, two of my good trainer buddies- Hilty and Matty- both got married, both had puck centrepieces.
The hometown club, my alma matter, my fathers former club, the Flin Flon Bombers on the left. I got my play-by-play start there in 1997 and did games there parts of 97-99. The Williams Lake TimberWolves puck was given to me by someone- (Stephen Pattison, Preston Charles, Matt Auerbach?) when the Dogs played in Williams Lake.

Canucks host Islanders, World U17 Interview in full, Bulldogs This Week a blast.

images: canucks.nhl.com/team1040.ca

The Canucks host the New York Islanders at GM Place tonight, and we've got it on THE PEAK, part of the Canucks Radio Network. We will pick up the pregame show from The TEAM 1040 kicking off at 6:30 tonight, with the puck drop and the play-by-play beginning at 7:00 with Tom and Shortie.

Here is the full length interview with Ron Paulson (chair) and Tom McEvay (co chair) of the 2009 World U17 Challenge Committee which comes to Port Alberni next December/January
Click HERE to listen to the interview

And don't forget that merchandise is now available. I have seen lots of fans wearing stuff already.
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Thanks to everyone that tuned in, emailed in, and most importantly STOPPED IN to Alberni Chrysler last night for "Bulldogs this week" It was nice to have some guests in there again checking out the show live. We'll do it all again on Monday night, I hope to see you there!

Hammer

Dogs top Smokies 4-2, Bulldogs this week returns tonight

Wait a minute, we are playing TRAIL today aren't we?!

I guess the Westside Warriors charter out their bus, in light of the wheels the Smoke Eaters rolled into town yesterday with. Who knows, maybe there was extenuating circumstances. Maybe it's just cheap?

While I think I could stomach riding another teams bus, I'm not so sure I could do it when it was flying their colours and their slogan., especially when it's a rival. And I'm just the radio guy! Maybe it's just me, but come on, could you see the Dogs riding on the Clippers or Capitals bus, logos and colours and slogans on it? Or vice versa? Yikes!

Again, I don't know for sure the situation with the Smokies using the Westside bus- there could be plenty of factors. Just thinking about it from the other side of it!


Special teams ruled the day as the Dogs went 3 for 5 on the power play (I don't count a penalty at the 20:00 mark of the third period as a power play chance but apparently the box score does), 7 for 7 on the penalty kill, and also scored once shorthanded en route to a 4-2 win.

Read my full recap on the weekend games on the Bulldogs homepage HERE

"Bulldogs this week" returns to the airwaves and DEBUTS on the internetwaves tonight for the first show of 2007, live on location at Alberni Chrysler at the "top of the town" from 6 to 7pm.

Tune in to 93.3 The Peak FM in the Alberni Valley, or listen in through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca by clicking on "LIVE SHOWS" and then PORT ALBERNI.

I'm crossing my fingers hoping that everything works right. Please listen in and let me know how it goes on the fanzone.

BIG THANKS goes out to everyone with the Peak management and engineering staff to get things done to get the show on the fanzone for the parents and fans out of the peak listening area.

Don't worry, if you miss the live show the interviews from the show that are Bulldog related will still be posted by the Bulldogs in the AUDIO section of their MultiMedia site

Don't be afraid to send you emails in for myself or the coach or the Bulldog player that will join me tonight, HERE

Here's the guestlist-click to enlarge-

You may be wondering "what does the PA International Twinning Society have to do with the Bulldogs?" the answer is- lots actually, as credit goes to the Dogs organization for continuing to be heavily involved in the community.

Here's the jist of what's happening with the Twinning Society, as a group of young hockey players from Abashiri, Japan will be taking to the ice Saturday night as the Dogs host the Victoria Grizzlies:

Thursday- Group arrives in Port Alberni

Friday- Group spends the morning in SD70 Classrooms. Noon to 2pm sees the group get an ice session at the Multiplex, with Alan Kerr and several Bulldog players running them through some drills. Following their own ice time, the Abashiri delegation will then watch the Bulldogs practice.

Saturday- Team Abashiri takes on a Port Alberni house team. Alan Kerr will run the bench for the Abashiri team. Noon to 3pm will see the players attend the Abashiri day festivities.
7:00pm will see the players introduced before the Bulldogs game. In one of the intermissions of the Dogs game a Port Alberni house team will take on the Abashiri squad.

This is a big deal for the kids from Abashiri- They don't play indoors back home, and they probably don't get much of a crowd. I know that they will be blown away by playing the 'Pound and by the crowd that will be on hand the reception they will get from the crowd.
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That's all I've got for today! Blah Monday!
Hammer

Dogs host Smokies, Canada wins World Junior Gold

Click the image to enlarge

It should be a good one this afternoon as both teams look to bounce back from losses. The Bulldogs need to be the team that comes out flying and keeps their foot to the gas for 60 minutes, as they are playing a team that travelled over from Powell River this morning and has been on the road since Thursday. With last night off to relax, there are no excuses for the Dogs.
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Well it was a little more tense that it had to be, but Canada came through with a 3-2 OT win over Sweden at the World Juniors yesterday, after surrendering a 2-0 3rd period lead.

I wasn't looking at the late icing or the lack of a timeout call by the Canada coaching staff but I thought the face off wasn't fairly done with less than a minute to go in the Canadian zone as the Swedish player skated into the dot as the puck was dropping. But whatever, it doesn't matter now!

Hammer

Canada vs Sweden for the Gold Medal at the World Juniors, Broadcast info, Dogs drop heartbreaker.

Sorry goes out to the American readers after Canada advanced to today's gold medal game by beating the US 4-1 in yesterday's semi final.

Canada will face Sweden, who were 2-1 winners over Russia in OT in the other semi.

Watch the game on TSN, or on tsn.ca, or listen live to the internet broadcasts or their radio feeds (scroll down to read TV AND RADIO COVERAGE if you can't find the game) if that is as much as your computer can handle or if you are geographically close enough to pick up the radio!

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What a heart breaker for the Dogs yesterday as they battled back twice in the third period (the second time the equalizer came with 58 seconds left) only to see Surrey score almost immediately afterwards with 41.8 seconds left for a 5-4 win.

A big time kick in the you-know-wheres, especially after the coaching staff called timeout to address the situation after the team had tied it.

"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" was something that was said on the post game show.

The Dogs next see action tomorrow, as they host the Trail Smoke Eaters at 2:30.

I'm off to watch the gold medal game, SEE YA GO CANADA GO!!

Hammer


(AS I HIT "publish post" it's 1-0 CANADA whoooooooooo!)

Dogs host Eagles, World U17 Final, Canada vs US at the World Juniors, Internet Broadcast

Lots to get to today so lets get at 'er. First things first- click the image to enlarge-


Tonight's first intermission guests will be part 1 of a two-part interview taped yesterday with Tom McEvay and Ron Paulson, who are in London Ontario at the 2008 World U17 Hockey Challenge to see the tournament for themselves and learn about all of the logistics and hang-ups that go with hosting an event like this so the 2009 event in Port Alberni will go as smoothly as possible.
Part two of this monster interview will run in the second intermission of Sunday's game. For those that can't get one or the other or both, I'll be sure to post a link here for you in the near future.

One thing Tom and Ron wanted to push was the quality of hockey-they said they were blown away with how good it was. Don't miss your chance to see the best this tournament has to offer with the GOLD MEDAL GAME on TSN today at 4:30pm according to the most recent story on the HOCKEY CANADA site, as Team Ontario takes on the US for Gold at the John Labatt Centre in London.

I sure hope Ron doesn't forget my puck!

(U17 images from hockeycanada.ca)

I can't wait until 2009!



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Of course the big one today is Canada and the US at the World Juniors- TSN 11:00am- and you can also watch it online through TSN's website. The video through their website has worked great for me this year, after it didn't work at all last year. If you can't WATCH you can still LISTEN online through the Internet broadcast from The FAN 590 in TO

Of course I ran the "chirping from the Bulldogs dressing room" feature yesterday (click the link to listen)

In response to that piece, I got a little nugget of dirt yesterday....
ADAM HOUT are you out there buddy....Whats this I hear about there being some Canadian in your blood? Something about the MacLean's and Fraser's from Halifax? I knew there was something extra special about you, you have a little Canuck in ya!

One last tidbit- The BC Junior Men's and Women's Provincial Curling Championships are on in Port Alberni as we speak. Check out albernicurling.com for updates. All action goes at the Alberni Curling Club with the semi's going Sunday at 9am, the finals Sunday at 2pm, and the medal presentations and closing ceremonies are slated for 5pm.

As always, thanks for checking the blog, and send those emails myway or even better post a comment below.

Hammer

A dressing room divided, Canucks host Rangers, 6 degrees of hockey separation

Bulldog Coaches Alan Kerr and Bryant Perrier have a huge task on their hands- keeping their dressing room together.

Before I go any further, I must tell you this is all a JOKE and all in good fun. Because no doubt some puck-for-brains will go Olgie Oglethorpe or hockeygod7 on the message board and say that I'm claiming the Dogs have problems in their room. If anything, this is the CLOSEST group of guys I've seen in my 10 years of doing this. I think the fact that it's been a trying season at times has brought the guys together, but what I also think has been a big factor is that almost every guy came in with what appeared to be a pretty good amount of character to begin with.

In light of Fridays Semi-Final showdown between Team Canada and Team USA, there's bound to be plenty of chirping and beaking and trash talking back and forth in a dressing room with 5 Americans and 23 Canadian kids. I actually saw a HUGE amount of this go on in 2002 when I was working in the MJHL with the OCN Blizzard and we had 2 American kids and the Olympics were going on in Salt Lake. I still vividly remember the atmosphere on the bus going to Winnipeg as we listened to the Women's Gold Medal game, USA vs Canada, where the Canadian ladies pulled it off in spite of the screw job the ref put on them. I also just as clearly remember being on the bus for the Men's Canada vs US gold medal game.

So, I knew that this little World Junior thing would be fun. I went down to the room yesterday mic in hand and talked to a smattering of individuals about the upcoming game tomorrow to get their thoughts and predictions along with some insight as to what's happening in the room with both sides going at it.

This is great stuff, I can tell the guys are having fun with it, and I appreciate them taking the time to have a little fun with this one.

Click to listen to Bulldogs-Canada vs USA
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The Canucks host the New York Rangers at GM Place tonight, and we've got it on THE PEAK, part of the Canucks Radio Network. We will pick up the pregame show from The TEAM 1040 kicking off at 6:30 tonight, with the puck drop and the play-by-play beginning at 7:00 with Tom and Shortie
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So how do you connect the Alberni Valley Bulldogs to the Swedish U17 team to the New York Rangers?

It's actually remarkably easy- Through Perry Elderbroom, President/Director of Operations of GOLD IN THE NET

For those that don't know,Perry is the Bulldogs Goalie Coach.

I ran into Perry yesterday in Nanaimo at the Clippers vs Sweden U17 game, as he was watching one of his Gold in the Net products who was tending net for Sweden last night. Today, he's taking that goalie to Vancouver to meet another of the goalies from his program, New York Rangers #1 man Henrik Lundqvist.

Isn't the hockey world small?

Hammer

Clippers 2, Sweden 0 (EDIT-PICTURES ADDED)

Swedish flag, nice touch.

Bruce patrolling the box.

improved points for matching gear to Mr. Smith.

EDIT- Pics added
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Maybe it's because I wasn't cheering for the home team, but I thought tonight's game was a little boring. Maybe that's Sweden's fault though? Or the Clippers fault for being too strong?

In a game that was 99.9% emotion free, the Clippers scored once in the first (scored by Port Alberni born Colton Cyr, in the lineup as an AP) and once in the second (AJ Gale) en route to a 2-0 win.

Sweden impressed with their skating abilities and their overall quickness. They weren't very physicl (although they didn't really seem to shy away from it) and they didn't seem to be too strong on the puck. Offensively they didn't really threaten for any extended periods until the last couple of minutes of the third when Michael Garman (who came in at the halfway mark of the game after Evan Smith started) made a couple big saves to preserve the shutout. Sweden trailed in shots all night before getting the last 6 or 7 to actually outshoot Nanaimo 26-25.

Referee Chris Hahn sent Sweden to the box early and often, which might have had something to do with the lack of flow throughout the game. Sweden was certainly guilty of several infractions.

I took some pictures, I'll post them tonight when I get home or tomorrow morning. The 6am morning show comes early!

Good crowd on hand in Nanaimo tonight for the game.

Hammer
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Posted with my HTC SmartPhone

Update- Bulldogs show on SHAW

It should be a good night for local hockey fans tonight on Shaw Channel 4 Port Alberni. First off it's the WHL on SHAW at 6pm as the Brandon Wheat Kings visit the Red Deer Rebels.

Following the game, the latest BULLDOG SHOW on SHAW will debut. So be sure to tune in tonight!

It's taking a bit longer to get the episode put together as it's a little longer than usual, but count on it being on the air tonight!

Huge thanks again to Jenny Fortin for her efforts in shooting and producing the episode, and thanks to Darren Evans and Nancy Wilmot for their constant assistance and guidance in making the show happen.

Hammer

Dogs wrap up '07 in style, new BULLDOGS SHOW on SHAW coming SOON, Clippers host Team Sweden

I snapped this picture as I showed up to the rink for the New Year's Eve game on Monday. I was surprised when I walked in to see that the rink lights were still turned off, which is unusual when it's 2 hours to game time. I thought it was cool how just the Dogs logo at centre ice seemed to be illuminated with a cool glow. Yes I know it was just one light, but it still looked cool.

It was sure pretty to watch as the Dogs beat the Caps 5-1.

With 13:00 left in the game it was still a 1-1 tie, but Marcello Ranallo made it 2-1 with a banker from behind the goalline, before Eliot Raibl just got the puck on goal on the power play.

James Kerr and Zack Mazo would finish the scoring, with two goals that were a lot more than just numbers on the scoreboard in my opinion- they were examples of WHY this team has been competing hard and winning games- EFFORT HEART DESIRE - as both goals were scored on beauty second efforts.

For more on the last three games check out the Bulldogs website and my latest WEEKLY RECAP write up.
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I'll be spending some time today at the local Shaw TV studios to do some work to prepare the latest Bulldogs Show ready to go to air as part of "The Daily" on Shaw Channel 4 in Port Alberni. Shot by Jen Fortin after the morning skate on New Year's Eve, the latest show features the "California Connection" - Adam Hout, Mark Morikawa, and Josh Pineiro. We also talk to Bryant Perrier from the Dogs coaching staff, about what these players are all about. Besides new hairdo's. I will post an update when I have a more concrete idea as to when the show will first air.

Josh Pineiro shows off his new 'do as Adam Hout looks on and says "what did you DO!"

haha, that's great stuff.
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courtesy: nanaimoclippers.com

Details are scarce as the Nanaimo Clippers host the Swedish U17 team tonight at the Frank Crane Arena at 7:30. The Clippers haven't updated their site since before the holiday break, but they've had a pretty busy schedule lately. Here's a link to a great story on the game from the Nanaimo Daily News, by Scott Brown:

Styles Collide in International hockey battle

It's good that the story sheds some light on how these games were organized as I've been asked plenty of times how Port Alberni - the HOST CITY for next year's World U17 Championships - doesn't get a game with the Swedish U17 team when they are all around the Island for a week.
I'm not part of the U17 committee and I don't know any details on this I'm afraid.

I'll be heading down to the catch the game, so I'll share my thoughts on it tonight or tomorrow, along with a couple pictures.
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As I finish this it's Canada 3, Finland 2, in the third period of today's quarter final game at the World Juniors. Come on fellas!

That's it for today
Hammer