Home!

Tuesday 8am departure.




Sunday 11:30am arrival.




Good to be home to a sunny Alberni Valley!




Hammer

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Almost....

....



Hammer
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Dogs break league record with 18th straight road win....

It wasn't pretty - as Head Coach Nolan Graham said on the post game - "we were out battled and out worked, and it took us to the 3rd period to wake up"


Wake up they did, as Mitch MacMillan cued the comeback on a great set up by David Dziurzynski and Frank Riddle.


Dziurzynski would then tie it with a great un-assisted effort stealing it and ripping one high blocker side that sent the water bottle for a ride.


The Smokies had great chances in the first overtime, with Scott Lewan making several great stops in tight to keep the Dogs in it.


In double overtime it was Dziurzynski again, finding Mark MacMillan coming off the bench as he ripped a slap shot home for the game winner.


With the win, Scott Lewan picks up his 10th straight win.


For the Dogs, they break the 1990 New West Royals and 2009-2010 Vernon Vipers record of 17 straight road wins with number 18 tonight.


It wasn't exactly pretty, but the Dogs will take it.


Now it's an overnight bus trip to Horseshoe Bay, and back to Port Alberni by sometime tomorrow.



Hammer

Dogs vs. Smokies

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Jumbotron...

70-0? Wow?



Hammer




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Cominco Memorial Arena

Classic barn.





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Bulldogs line up...

The Dogs have a couple of line up changes tonight.


Brody Lynott comes into the line up, while Jeff Reppucci comes out.


Also, Scott Lewan will start in net.


Tye Lewis will be my first intermission guest.


Hammer

Dogs @ Smoke Eaters, Brian Stewart Interview, VOTE STEWIE - Frozen Four Skills Challenge

The Bulldogs make their only trip of the season to Cominco Memorial Arena tonight to take on the Smoke Eaters for the second and final time in the regular season.


Here's a look at the rink. Sorry, last year's camera!




These teams met two weeks ago tonight, a 4-2 Dogs win at the Pound.


With a win the Dogs would sweep their fourth straight 3 in 3 roadie, and they would win their 18th straight game on the road which would break the league record set by the 1990 New West Royals, and tied earlier this year by the Vernon Vipers.


The Smoke Eaters snapped a five game losing streak with a 3-2 win last night over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on home ice. You can get more info on Shawn Mullin's Trail Smoke Eaters Blog.


The Dogs would be ill-advised to take the Smokies lightly as they are surely a motivated team who feels probably pretty good about themselves after their streak-snapper last night.


The motivation will no doubt come from the fact that they are playing for their playoff lives.


On one hand, they are a losing streak away from sliding out of the playoffs. On the other hand, they are a winning streak away from climbing to as high as fifth in the Conference.


The Smokies are two points up on Prince George for the final Interior playoff spot, although they do have two games in hand. Having said that, their schedule is a daunting one. They have the Dogs tonight, and then Penticton-Westside-Westside-Westside-Surrey-Merritt and then Penticton one more time. Prince George doesn't have a cake walk either with their schedule - Victoria-Vernon-Penticton.....no disrespect intended to these teams but it gets a little easier after that: Williams Lake-Williams Lake-Burnaby. Three games against, as of right now, two non playoff teams.


So again, ALL games are of critical importance for the Smokies so the Dogs had better be ready.


Being "ready" won't be exactly easy, with the overnight travel here to Castlegar seeing the Dogs in their beds sometime between 3 and 4am today.


Try telling that to the Smokies though who have a tough travel schedule ALL the time. For the Dogs it comes at the end of a road trip, so hopefully the guys got some good bus sleep last night and a good nap in today.


Speaking of naps, I'm almost good for one myself here.....


Tonight's pregame show is on the air at 7:15 with the puck drop at 7:30 on 93.3 The Peak FM

Tonight's second intermission feature guest is former Bulldog Brian Stewart, now with the Northern Michigan University Wildcats so be sure to tune in to hear "Stewie"

There's a campaign on right now to get Stewie voted into the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge.

If anyone can do it, it's Bulldog fans so CLICK THE LINK (Mens West) AND SPREAD THE WORD!!!


Just as cool - you can click on "Men's East" as well and vote for one-time Bulldog goalie Andrew Brathwaite, now playing for Merrimack!



Hammer

Made it..

And very ready for bed. Great job as always behind the wheel by Ron Sandberg.




Hammer




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Dogs tie league record...

17th straight road win for the Dogs ties the league record.



Kevin Ross breaks the team record for points in a season by a Bulldog defenceman.



Mitch MacMillan picks up the hat trick for 59 goals on the season, and Frank Riddle scores the winner on a beauty.


Again a full 4 line effort. Muir Mitchell Dorais were their usual selves, great in their own end and absolute pests in the attacking zone. Eviston, Mitchell and Bailey were also great in a four line role in both ends of the ice.



And what a game by Frank Slubowski, especially late and in OT.



The Warriors are a heck of a team, and its a great pleasure to come into this rink and see all their fans and staff. I wish we were here more often!



A long bus ride to Trail now, but a happy one!



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Dogs tie league record...

17th straight road win for the Dogs ties the league record.





Kevin Ross breaks the team record for points in a season by a Bulldog defenceman.





Mitch MacMillan picks up the hat trick for 59 goals on the season, and Frank Riddle scores the winner on a beauty.




Again a full 4 line effort. Muir Mitchell Dorais were their usual selves, great in their own end and absolute pests in the attacking zone. Eviston, Mitchell and Bailey were also great in a four line role in both ends of the ice.




And what a game by Frank Slubowski, especially late and in OT.



The Warriors are a heck of a team, and its a great pleasure to come into this rink and see all their fans and staff. I wish we were here more often!




A long bus ride to Trail now, but a happy one!




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Dogs vs. Warriors

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Bulldogs line up tonight, Royal LePage Place..

The Bulldogs again won't be making any changes to their line up tonight.

Brody Lynott, Tyler Berkholtz and Robert Lindores are scratched.


Frank Slubowski gets the start in goal.


Our first intermission guest on the broadcast will be Bulldogs forward Mark MacMillan. Our second intermission guest will be Trail Smoke Eaters play-by-play voice Shawn Mullin.

Here's some video and pictures of the lovely facility that is Royal LePage Place. This is just the second time the Dogs have played here, with the last one being in the 2007-2008 season.





Kinda funny, I remembered taking a picture of the above murals the last time we were here when they weren't yet finished...I googled the blog and lo and behold found the picture! See below.
End view from up top
Cool rows of seats up top. Not sure if there's room, but I would love to see something like this on the catwalk in the Dog Pound.

Hammer

No fever is quite as fun as Bulldog fever, so keep on cheering

Here's an awesome story from the Alberni Valley Times written by Heather Thompson regarding the Bulldogs season to date.




http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/opinion/story.html?id=972264dd-6d07-4222-9ebb-9b9a4375176e





The Dogs will be checking out of their hotel here soon to begin the short trek up to Kelowna/Westside.





More to come in advance of gametime later.




Hammer




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Dogs @ Warriors

After a day off yesterday the Dogs are back at it today as they visit Royal LePage Place in Westside tonight to face the Warriors.



The Dogs and Warriors last met October 24th, an 8-1 Dogs win at the Dog Pound.



The Warriors are coming off a 4-0 win on "Guaranteed Win Night" over the Victoria Grizzlies on Wednesday night. There was even some hair pulling - read more from the Warriors website here



If there's one thing the Dogs can't do, it's take the Warriors lightly. That might be hard to do after they beat them 8-1 in the only previous meeting, but as I said in my preview article it was one of those "what can go wrong will" games for Westside.


Catch the broadcast tonight with the pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM and our website at www.933thepeak.com


The Warriors have a very cool virtual tour of Royal LePage Place on their website. Even cooler, you can click the little yellow square on the broadcast booth which will give you a view from my perspective tonight while I'm calling the game. Click HERE TO SEE IT



More later.



Hammer

Dinner at MacMillans....

These guys don't know how lucky they have it.




Huge thanks to the MacMillans for the great team dinner this evening, including the picture you see attached of dessert - the sundae bar. Wow!




Thanks again to Doug and Lorraine and everyone else that helped with the dinner prep, no easy feat I'm sure for a group of 30 or so!




Hammer





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Practice...

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Dogs @ Vees highlights

Too bad the Tye Lewis goal didn't make the cut, as it was a big league shot and pretty set up. Cool nonetheless that the highlights are up on youtube though.

Dogs 4 Vees 1

Quite the top line performance, four-line performance, and special team performance for the Dogs tonight as they won their 16th straight game on the road - and their fifth straight overall, 4-1 here over the Vees.



The top line swept the three stars - Mark 3rd, Mitch 2nd, and David Dziurzynski 1st.



Probably the best game of the season for Dziurzynski who was EVERYHWERE on the attack, and on the back-check.



A day off now for the Dogs as they practice tomorrow to prepare for Westside Friday.



Hammer

Bulldogs line up tonight....

....no change from Saturday's game.

Brody Lynott, Tyler Berkholtz, and Robert Lindores are not dressed.

Frank Slubowski starts in net.


Hammer

Game Day Skate

What a great place for a rink....Alberni Street!



For a heads up on tonight and the rest of the weekend, read my "Weekly Preview" article on the Bulldogs website HERE


And here's an article from today's Penticton Western News about tonight's game. No surprise that Penticton Natives Mitch and Mark MacMillan are the headline. Click the link to read "Brothers primed for Penticton homecoming"



Finally, here's some pictures from today's Gameday Skate.






















More to come later on today.


Hammer

Game Day Skate

What a great place for a rink....Alberni Street!





The Dogs are going through their paces right now at their gane day skate here at the S.O.E.C




Hammer
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The SOEC, Lakers vs Bruins

Dogs vs. Vees here tomorrow. For now, most of the team is over on the other side of the building watching the OHA's KIJHL team, The Penticton Lakers take on the Grand Forks Border Bruins. Yup, that's what a bunch of hockey people do when they have a night off from hockey.


They go watch hockey!



Hammer


And a night cap bonus. Video of the Vees home, the SOEC



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Nice Roads...

Hammer






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On the road.....by Bruce MacDonald

I promised you something to "chew on" today while we were on the road. It's "On the road" by Bruce MacDonald, who followed the Dogs on their most recent Sunshine Coast-Lower Mainland Roadie. He's going to be meeting the team in Penticton as well to follow them on this swing and join me on the air to do colour. He said he wanted to write something the last trip because he thought the fans would find it interesting...I hope you enjoy the read!

Off to catch the bus so I gotta hurry!

Great job Bruce!

Hammer

ON THE ROAD WITH EVAN THE “HAMMER” HAMMOND (Written by Bruce MacDonald)

I had the luxury of going on the road and being the colour guy with Hammer for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on 93.3 the Peak.

Friday Jan 15^th: Game Day trip to Powell River

Players, team officials and Hammer meet at the multiplex at 8am and board the bus. They then travel to the Powell River Ferry in Comox. Catch the 10:10 ferry to Powell River. The team arrives in Powell River at 11:30; they head to the rink and drop off the player’s equipment. Hammer and I check out our announcing platform, just enough room for the two of us. We have been kicked out of the normal broadcast area to make room for a band that will be setting up and playing during the game.

It is now time to go to the hotel and check in. Everyone has a couple of hours of down time, and then the team meets in the restaurant at 2:30 for their pregame meal. After the meal it is rest time, Hammer goes back to the room and checks the BCHL site for any updates or league news. He then goes over his pregame intro (which he usually does the night before) and makes any necessary changes. It is then rest time until 5ish; the team then boards the bus and heads to the rink. The team arrives at the rink 2 hours before game time. Hammer takes his broad cast equipment up to the booth. Hammer interviews Nolan Graham, he will then interview a Bulldog as an intermission guest (some times he already has interviews in place which he would have done at a earlier time. After interviewing the player he then hunts down the opposing coach for his game comments which will be aired in the pregame show.

Next step is to set up the broadcast equipment and make sure everything is working properly. The home team provides updated game and league info including scratches, starting goalies, etc. (which sometimes is not accurate). Hammer then takes a break.

The next step is to find assistant coach Paul Esdale, as he has the final roster with line combo’s power play and penalty kill units. At about 17 minutes before game time, he phones the radio station and makes sure the links are connected. Hammer is on the air 15 minutes before game time; he reads his pregame intro which includes a report of both teams’ previous games. Then as a colour guy, I get a minute or two to give my perspective of the upcoming game and thoughts.

After a commercial break, he plays the first of the two coach’s pregame interview, after the first interview; there is a commercial and then the second coach’s pregame interview. As the second interview is completed, Hammer goes over both team’s line-up changes and scratches, introduces the ref and linesmen’s names. It is now national anthem time.

While doing the play by play Hammer constantly is checking on his computer for updates, emails, etc. He has to play four 30 second commercials each period-- the challenge is when to play them. They are co-ordinated with someone working back at the radio station He then picks up the play as the commercial usually is still running when play is resumed.

During the game as colour man, one of my jobs is to pick the following; crunch of the game, unsung hero and the turning point. I write down names, times, etc so I can look over the notes which helps in making the right choices (I hope).At the end of the period there is a commercial then Hammer recaps the first period stats, out of town scores, etc. He then plays one of his recorded interviews; and we have an approximate. 8-10 minute break.

For the second and third periods its basically the same as the first, do the play by play, Hammer continues to multitask, checking out of town updates, reading emails, running commercials etc. A period wrap up at the end of the second period. He then plays the other pre recorded interview, which ends just before the third period starts.

At the end of the game Hammer gives a short recap and then goes to a commercial. After the commercial he gives a total recap (goals, assists, shots on goals, etc) It is then time for Nolan Graham to go on the air with Hammer and go over the game. Then there is a commercial break. After the break it is time for the colour man to go over the three stars and comment on each one then onto picking the game awards, first is the crunch of the game, followed by the unsung hero and the games turning point (usually you pick someone who hasn’t received a game star).

Then Hammer and the Colour guy do a final wrap-up. It is then time to pack up all the broadcast equipment and head for the bus. The team then heads to a restaurant for a prearranged post- game meal. At that time Hammer writes up the next game’s pre- game intro. He also updates his blog with info regarding the day and game, including pictures and stats. After the meal the team and Hammer head back to the room, bed time. Day one of the three game road trip is completed.

Saturday Jan 16^TH The Journey To Burnaby

Wake up time is 7am; time for showers, packing up and then breakfast at 7:30.The team loads the bus at 8:00am and leaves and goes to Saltery Bay (20 min drive). It’s on the 9:25 ferry to Earls Cove a 50 minute trip, with beautiful scenery along the way. Once arriving at Earls Cove, it is a 81 km drive (approx. 1 hour) to Langdale, a very twisty road. It’s about a 20 minute wait for the 12:20 ferry ride to Horseshoe Bay, a 40 minute trip. During the ferry ride some of the players, coaches, and staff get off the bus, while many stay on the bus. We arrive at Horseshoe Bay at 1pm. The team stays at the Sandman Inn. They arrive at the Inn at about 1:30. After checking in and unpacking, the team walks to The Old Spaghetti Factory a couple of blocks away; they have their pregame meal and then head back to the rooms for a rest. Hammer checks the BCHL website for updates, transactions, info, and tunes up his pregame itinerary. It’s now nap time. At 5pm we leave and head to Burnaby and arrive there at 5:30, two hours before game time. The team unloads their gear and goes through their pregame rituals. There is a buzz in the air as everyone around the rink is talking about Mitch’s run at 50 in 50, Sportsnet is there and interviews Mitch, Mark, and Nolan. I talked to past NHL player Charlie Hodge a scout for Tampa Bay who is primarily there to see Mark McMillan. Hammer sets up the broadcast booth, which is a lot like in Powell River where you need a ladder to get up to the booth. The view is somewhat limited, especially for me. Hammer goes through his normal pregame routine interviewing Nolan then new player Ryan Renz and finishes off with Burnaby’s new coach former NHL player Darcy Rota, who has taken over the reins that day from Dave McLellan. Hammer then goes to Paul Esdale, the Bulldogs assistant coach for the line up power play and penalty kill units. It’s time for a break before getting back to the booth with about 17 minutes before game time. Hammer then makes sure the link between the radio station and the broad cast booth is working. With 15 minutes left before game time Hammer reads out his pre game intro, then I give my pre game thoughts and keys of the game. Then both coaches’ interviews are aired with a commercial break in between.

Back on the air live just before the National Anthem Hammer gives everyone the last minute line up changes etc, and the ref and linesmen for the game.

The game now starts and Hammer continues to amaze me how he can call the game while continually checking out of town scores, emails, etc. It at times was a hard game to call as it lacked intensity and flow. The game was a very close checking affair and the Dogs squeaked out a 1-0 win with Scott Lewan getting the shootout. There would be no post game comments from the coaches this game. Hammer and I did the post game wrap up and awards. Sometimes the toughest games to play are the ones against a so called weak opponent and tonight was that case. Back on the bus the team will have pizza for a post game meal which is delivered to the bus before departure. Back to the Sandman and bed time, Sunday’s game is a 2:00 start vs. Langley.

Sunday, Jan. 17^TH 2:00 Game In Langley

Today’s game is the biggest of the year; you have the Dogs on a 13 game win streak and Langley on a 12 game win streak. Being that the rink is only 5 minutes away everyone gets to sleep till 8:30ish with breakfast being served at 9:45. The team rests until noon when they load the bus and head to the awesome Langley Events Centre. The complex is unreal; it has gyms, pools, a basket ball gym, and many more amenities. The rink has many private boxes and a million dollar score clock with a huge four sided screen. The broadcast area has all the newest technology with a $250,000 computer system which runs the clock, screens and many more things in the complex. Hammer and I will enjoy doing the game from such a great broadcast booth, no rafters, pillars or ladders. They actually have an elevator to go up to the booth if you so wished! The dogs go through their pregame routine of warming up, stretching before they put on their gear for the pre-game skate. Hammer hunts down his interview guests and I take a tour of the facility.

With 15 minutes before game time Hammer goes through his pregame intro, interviews, updates, line-ups, etc. Matt Hatch and Sam Mitchell will not play as they were injured in the game in Burnaby the night before. The first period was back and forth with both teams scoring one goal. The 2^nd period turns out to be a memorable one as Mitch scores goals 49 and 50 in his 49^th game early in the period. The Dogs controlled the play and led 5-1 after 2 periods. The 3^rd period was a parade to the penalty box for Langley and the Dogs scored 3 power play- goals en route to an 8-2 win. One streak ends at 12 and the Dogs extend theirs to 14. Hammer does his post game wrap, and heads to the bus.

It’s a happy bus ride to the 7pm Horseshoe Bay Ferry (4^th ferry trip in 3 days). The team eats on the ferry--it’s been 8 hours since their last meal, a very hungry bunch. The bus arrives at the multiplex at 10 pm. A tired but happy group heads back to their own beds, as Monday is practice day being that the interior’s #1 team Vernon will be in town for a big game on Tuesday night.

Being on my first road trip with the team, it was very interesting to see how structured and organized the team is. Everyone from the coaches, trainers, Hammer and players are on a tight schedule especially with 3 games in 2 and a half days. It leaves little or no time for anything but travel, rest, food, and hockey. I found it a lot of fun but at the same time realized Hammer’s work load as he has to put together the broadcast and its entire itinerary, organizing info, interviews, pre and post game shows, game recaps, etc. It was a true experience and something I would do again in a heartbeat.

Mitch breaks team record for points in a season....

Congrats to Mitch MacMillan, as he has broken the team record for points in a season with 85.

Of course earlier this year he broke the team record for goals in a season with 35.

I had to do some digging in regards to the 2002-2003 Bulldog season to be sure. In that season, Dustin Hughes had 83 points. Tyler Ruel broke that record in the 2006-2007 season with 84 points.

Congrats to Mitch, and of course his line mates and the rest of the team for making it possible!

Tomorrow the Dogs hit the road at 8am from the Multiplex to head to Penticton. I'll have something for you to chew on here on the blog before we head out so be sure to check back!


Hammer

National Rankings - Bulldogs still 8th, Around the Pound - The Bulldog Hockey Show TONIGHT, Tyler Ruel Interview

Accept my apologies for the lack of an update today. I have been busy as a one-armed paper hanger preparing for the Dogs departure tomorrow morning for the Okanagan.

Also, I'm doing my final prep for "Around the Pound, the Bulldog Hockey Show" presented by Alberni Echo Toyota- from 6pm to 7pm tonight on 93.3 The Peak!


Tonight's guest list:


Bulldogs Head Coach and GM Nolan Graham

Bulldogs Head Scout Brent Graham

Penticton Vees Head Coach Fred Harbinson

Westside Warriors Head Coach Darren Yopyk

Submit your questions for me or my guests via my email here


It's hard sometimes to make sense of the National Rankings. The Dogs went 1 and 1 last week (although their loss was to Vernon) and they rose from 11th to 8th.

Last week, they went 3 and 0, and they stay at 8th.

Here's the latest National Top 20 rankings HERE




Last but not least, here's a link to the TYLER RUEL INTERVIEW from Saturday!



Hammer