Just $7 a ticket for all as Dogs host Caps tonight, Zolnierczyk interview, Midget Dogs+Alberni Wrestling recaps

No rest for the wicked, the Dogs are right back at it tonight when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on $7.00 a ticket night at the Pound! Get your tickets at the Dogs office to take advantage. 

For more on tonight's game and the rest of the sked this week, check out my "Weekly Preview" article from the Dogs website HERE

The Dogs are coming off a three-in-three road trip to the Interior that saw them battle proudly with just 13 skaters in Vernon on Saturday to finish the trip. I must say, in all my years of covering Junior Hockey - and we're going back to 1998 here - (man I feel old all of a sudden) that Saturday's game is without a doubt the most impressive collective effort with a short bench that I have ever seen. I am always cognizant of the fact that I strive to call the game without bias, yet always "how I see it", so it's a very fine line to walk.

Am I only seeing what I am seeing and forming the opinions I am forming because I ride the bus with these guys, because I share the team meal table with these guys? Would someone on the other side of the puck see things the same way? I always run through those thoughts in my head. I was very happy to see after the game in Vernon Saturday that I wasn't alone in saying how impressive the Dogs effort was. It was mentioned on the Vipers site, on the Vipersdiehardfan blog, on the Message Board, and the Dogs Coaching Staff even passed along a story of an 80-ish Viper fan (apologies if you aren't that old, and you are welcome if you are older) who went out of their way after the game on Saturday to approach the Coaches to say how impressed they were with the effort that the short-staffed Dog brought, and how they wished they had seen the team play with a full roster. Great stuff. Great things happen when EVERYONE brings their all for a full 60 minutes, when everyone is prepared, when everyone comes together and plays as a TEAM. Keep it going gents. 

Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight at 6:45 with Bruce and myself, with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00.

Former Bulldog and current Philadelphia Flyer Harry Zolnierczyk will be my 2nd Intermission show. Many thanks to Harry, as no matter how busy he's been with his rookie NHL season he just always has time to catch up with me and his Bulldog roots!

 Here's the results from Alberni Wrestling's 29th Annual Invitational over the weekend...outstanding!!

Local results of the 2012 Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament ….

Local wrestlers had an exceptional weekend at the 29^th Annual Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament.  Port Alberni had 12 champions and 26 medalists. A total of 44 valley wrestlers finished in the top 6 of their respective weight classes of Juvenile (Gr 11-12), Cadet (Gr 9-10) and School Age (Gr 6-8). In addition several locals did well in the Open and Grappling Divisions and there were over 100 participants in the Elementary Division. In total there were over 700 participants over the two days of the Invitational.

Gold:

1.       Jordan Bodnar – ADSS 43 kg Juvenile Girls

2.       Bailey Durning – ADSS 64 kg Juvenile Girls

3.       Daley Forbes – ADSS 75 kg Juvenile Girls

4.       Jesse Wagner – ADSS 51 kg Cadet Boys ……. * Most Outstanding Cadet Boy of the tournament

5.       Jordan Wagner – ADSS 54 kg Cadet Boys

6.       Riley Neville – ADSS 90 kg Cadet Boys

7.       Courtenay Lescourbeau – Dunn 57 kg Schoolgirls

8.       Michaela Dick – Dunn 60 kg Schoolgirls

9.       Julia McGowan – Dunn 75 kg Schoolgirls

10.   Trevor Barker – Dunn 31 kg Schoolboys

11.   Ben Salliter – Neill 73 kg Schoolboys

12.   Tyler-Drew Adams – Dunn 90 kg Schoolboys

Silver:

1.       Samantha Anderson – ADSS 90 kg JG

2.       Cullen Hines – ADSS 78 kg JB

3.       Remi Wells – ADSS 51 kg CG

4.       Nolan Badovinac – ADSS 70 CB

5.       Tristan Schultz – ADSS 78 kg CB

6.       Chris Kurucz – ADSS 110 kg CB

7.       Kalissa Montgomery – Dunn 34 kg SG

8.       Aaron Prest – Neill 78 kg SB

Bronze:

1.       Michelle Kurucz – ADSS 60 kg CG

2.       Owen Spencer – Neill 31 kg SB

3.       Oliver Whitham – Dunn 60 kg SB

4.       Quentyn Young – Dunn 90 kg SB

5.       Jordan Higgins - Neill 34 kg SG

6.       Maryna MacDonald – Dunn 60 kg SG

In the team competition ADSS won the Juvenile Girls and the Cadet Boys while Dunn was second in Schoolgirls and third in Schoolboys. In the overall Club standings the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club took away top honours. The following are the full team results …

Juvenile Girls:
Placing	School		Points
1	ADSS		28
2	Carson Graham		22
3	Guildford		17
4	Ucluelet		13
5	Port Moody		12
5	Timberline		12
7	ST Moore		10
7	Maple Ridge		10
Juvenile
Boys:
1	Burnaby Central		62
2	Rick Hansen		50
3	WJ Mouat		39
4	Yale		34
5	MEI		28
6	Abby Traditional		25
7	Timberline		24
8	Cowichan		21
9	Guildford		20
10	ST Moore		19
Cadet Boys:
Placing	School		Total Points
1	ADSS		81
2	ST Moore		65
3	WJ Mouat		57
4	Terry Fox		39
5	Dover Bay		33
6	Abby Tr		32
7	Esquimalt		28
8	Stelly's		24
9	ST Aquinas		16
10	Van College		15
Cadet Girls:
Placing	School		Total Points		Boys
1	ST Moore		48
2	Phoenix		40
3	Carson Graham		31
4	Port Moody		27
5	Ucluelet		27
6	ADSS		24
7	Dover Bay		24
8	Norkam		16
8	Sentinel		16
10	Terry Fox		10
Schoolgirls:
	Placing	School		Total Points
	1	ST Moore		45
	2	Dunn Middle		41
	3	Phoenix		41
	4	Bonner		21
	5	Carson		18
	6	Neill Middle		17
	7	100 Mile		16
	7	Ucluelet		16
	7	Salt Spring Is.		16
	10	Guildford Park		12
	10	Abby Trad		12
Schoolboys:
	Placing	School		Total Points
	1	Abby Traditional		70
	2	Burnaby Cent		70
	3	Dunn Middle		35
	4	Phoenix		31
	5	Collingwood		28
	6	Carson		28
	7	Queen E		22
	8	Guildford Park		21
	9	Salt Spring Is.		21
	10	Neill Middle		16
Overall Clubs:

Placing	Club	Total Points
1	Alberni Valley WC	251
2	Capilano North Shore	216
3	Campbell River WC	151
4	Victoria Bulldogs	93
5	Abby WC	57
6	Salt Spring Island WC	37
7	Cowichan WC	37
8	Guru Gobind	34
9	Frazer Valley WC	12

MIDGET BULLDOGS WILL PLAY IN ISLAND SEMI-FINAL

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs started their play off series at home to the Oceanside Generals on February 5th, after a two week break between games.  The Generals were facing elimination after losing to Powell River the day before.  They came out hard and dominated physically through much of the game, while the Bulldogs looked rusty and made some uncharacteristic errors.

After some back and forth, Beau Wilson opened scoring for Alberni with a wrap around at 7:54 of the first period.  Greg Tuckerman assisted. Oceanside replied with a quick goal at the beginning of the second period.
Wilson got the lead back late in the period, taking a feed from Colby Lim and Ryan Buse and snapping a backhand through five hole.  The Alberni power play stumbled at the start of the third period, allowing Oceanside to even it up with a short handed goal.

After that the Bulldogs got into penalty trouble with 5 minor penalties in ten minutes.  The Generals used a two man advantage to edge ahead 3-2.After that minutes ticked off the clock while 200 home town fans watched
anxiously.

Coach Brent Demerais took advantage of the versatility on the team to switch up some forward and defence roles.  The strategy paid off in the tying goal with only 3:08 left.  Colby Lim slammed the puck under the goalie from the high slot, assisted by Wilson and Nathan Read in front.  Exactly 10 seconds later Cory Beecroft slapped a rebound from the top of the circle which went off the goalie stick and over his shoulder to put the Bulldogs on top.  Lim potted an empty netter for a 5-3 final score.

The win guarantees that Alberni Valley will be in the Vancouver Island semi-final against a South Island team, either Saanich or Juan de Fuca.Their next play-off game in Powell River on February 11th will determine
ranking and home ice advantage for the North Island teams going into the cross-over.

Before the game the team entered the dressing room to find a surprise gift of customized sports bags from sponsor Will Pulford of Van Isle Ford.  They want Will and Van Isle Ford to know how much they appreciate the bags and the sponsorship of the team.

1861KM later...

...Home! And bussie needs a nap! Well done Will!

Hammer

Vipers 5 Dogs 2

Gutsy effort by the Dogs at the end of a trip tonight as they iced just 13 skaters but fought hard all night in a losing cause, 5-2. Read all about it, and about the whole trip on the Dogs website through my "Weekly Recap" by CLICKING HERE

Got a bus to catch, gotta run!

Hammer

Vipes line up

Dogs line up

Apologies for the shadows, they have the lights turned off in here!

Dogs visit Vipers to finish trip...

 

Hello from Vernon, as the Dogs bussed here last night after the 4-2 win in Westside to face the Vipers tonight. Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Tye Lewis, now playing at Sacred Heart

Talk to you tonight! 

Hammer

Dogs 4 Warriors 2

As Coach Kevin Willison said on the post game show "the boys went to battle tonight", and did they ever as the game got nasty at times as the Dogs topped the Warriors 4-2 tonight at Royal LePage Place.

The Dogs didn't appear fazed by the long day of travel as they had their legs from the outset after a long bus trip from Grand Forks. While the Dogs carried the play they trailed the game after one with Travis Blanleil converting on a 2 on 1 rush. The Dogs also dodged several bullets with the Warriors hitting the post several times.

The Dogs came out with the same energy in the second and were rewarded when Tryg Strand banged in a rebound off a Turner Popoff point shot. The game remained tied with the Dogs failing to beat a stellar Daayne Rodrique on back to back power play chances. Shortly after the power play elapsed they found the net anyway when the Kalashnikov brothers set up Brandon Halls on the rush as he snapped one high glove side to make it 2-1. A big turn of events later in the period saw a high hit by Chase Van Allen go un called, and the Dogs actually go to the power play with the Warriors sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. A bench minor for the same then resulted in the ejection of Warriors head Coach Rylan Ferster and a full two-minute 5 on 3 that they connected on with the eventual game winner as Evan Tironese fired one through the legs of Rodrigue.


The Dogs built the lead to 4-1 early in the third on another power play as Hunter Stewart roofed a rebound in front. The game would then erupt in fireworks several times, the first being when Turner Popoff picked up a 5 minute major for kneeing when he stepped up at centre ice. He would be challenged and respond with a spirited scrap. Later in the period Chase Van Allen was victim of a high hit that dislodged a tooth and resulted in Trent Dorais challenging Matt Berry. As that fight was going on Ryan Lougj was jumped but the lineman intervened. During the ensuing 4 aside hockey off the Popoff hit and major penalty cancelled by the instigator to Westside the Warriors made it 4-2 when Brett McKinnon banked a wrap around home. The Warriors came on strong late in the game and had several great chances to make it a one-goal game but Matt LaRose came up huge to protect the lead.


Final shots 40-27 Bulldogs


The Dogs went 2 for 7 on the power at while the DWarriors went 0 for 5


Three Stars
3)Hyland
2)McKinnon
1)Tironese

The Dogs are on their way on a happy bus to Vernon to face the Vipers

Dogs @ Warriors

Dogs @ Warriors, Alberni Invitational today and tomorrow, Midget Dogs at home Sunday

The Dogs are back at it tonight as they try to break a four game losing streak when they visit the Westside Warriors at Royal LePage Place. Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00


Vernon Vipers play-by-play voice Todd Miller will be my 2nd Intermission feature guest.

The already short-staffed Bulldogs (Adams, Hepso and Berkholtz didn't make the trip) lost another body last night as Justin Morello was lost due to injury in the second period, playing his first game back since being injured on a hit from behind in the first game of January in Coquitlam. A positive sees Trent Dorais coming back into the line up. The Bulldogs will need to tighten up defensively tonight first and foremost. While they only scored twice last night, offense wasn't the problem as they gave up at the very least four breakaways and had untold giveaways, SEVEN in fact in the first 60 seconds of the game.

Outlandish prediction - I know I don't make predictions - but I predict that Chilliwack will win one of the next two games against the Vees to deny them either tying or breaking the BCHL's consecutive wins record.

Don't forget to get to the Multiplex today and tomorrow to check out the Alberni Invitational, admission is free and the set up and athleticism will blow you away!

 

The 29^th Annual Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament is scheduled for the Alberni Valley Multiplex February 2-4, 2012.  The Invitational will bring over 600 competitors from all over B.C. to the Valley for three days of intense wrestling action in five different age groups plus another 200 in categories such as the Open, Elementary and a new Grappling division.  .

The Alberni Invitational is widely considered the most prestigious high school wrestling tournament in B.C. and has received recognition across Canada.  The tournament begins on Thursday, February 2^nd   with weigh-ins for boys and girls in the secondary aged divisions at 6:00 p.m. at Glenwood.

The Alberni Invitational tournament action will run all day on Friday, February 3^rd from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.  This year the Friday will be divided into age group sessions. The Cadet (grade 9-10) and Juvenile (grade 11-12) will run Friday morning from 9 am to noon.. There will be a short lunch break before they run the Elementary (grades 3-5) and School Age (grades 6-8) divisions from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. The Cadet and Juvenile divisions run again from 3:30 – 5:30 pm before a short dinner break. School Age, Cadet and Juvenile start up again at 6 pm along with the Open division.

Friday night at 7:00 p.m. will feature the ever-popular semi-finals. Friday night will also feature the Open division where alumni and college wrestlers can test their skills. The conclusion of the rest of the preliminary matches in the age class divisions will begin Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.  Medal matches will start at about 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  The finals in the Schoolboy/girl division (grade 6-8) and Cadet (gr 9-10) will start at noon on Saturday. The Juvenile (grade 11-12) finals start at 2:30 pm on Saturday and wrap up by 3:30 p.m.  There is not cost for spectators for the preliminaries and the finals are by donation.

Returning to this year’s Invitational will be the Grappling division that will run on Saturday. Grappling is another variation of wrestling that is now sanctioned by the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association. It combines many of the techniques and actions of wrestling with various martial arts disciplines. Alberni Wrestling has partnered with Dragon Martial Arts once again offer this dimension to the Alberni Invitational this year..

Registrations for grappling are open to all interested participants of all ages. Registration and weigh-in for grappling will take place Thursday night at Glenwood or Friday night at the Multiplex at 7:30 pm with grappling action starting soon after 9 am Saturday morning. There will be a grappling official’s clinic Friday evening at 7:30 am and an athlete’s rules clinic at 8:30 am Saturday. Make sure you come out to watch this exciting new action.

Not only do local fans have an opportunity for some great competition at the Invitational, you also will once again see very competitive Alberni wrestlers.  The ADSS Boys team is currently ranked #6 in the province and will likely battle it out with over 60 other schools for the team title in the Juvenile and Cadet divisions. These teams include #1 ranked Burnaby Central and # 2 ranked Guildford Park of Surrey and other top teams such as Abby Traditional, John Oliver, Burnaby South and WJ Mouat Secondary of Abbotsford.  

In the Juvenile Girls division ADSS is ranked # 2 or 3  in BC with Carson Graham of North Vancouver #1.   Yale and Terry Fox round out the top 4 girl’s teams.   In the Schoolboy/girl division Alberni will have strong teams from Neill and Dunn Middle Schools and both schools should be in the top 10. Ucluelet Secondary will also have wrestlers in most age divisions.

The AV Times will feature pictures and write ups next week on all the top local wrestlers to watch at the 2012 Invitational.  It will be an exciting few days of wrestling action in the place many observers call          

   “The Wrestling Capital of Canada – Port Alberni! “

For more information contact Tournament Director

            TOM McEVAY--- Phone home:724-0577 or work: 723-3744; email tmcevay@sd70.bc.ca

Last but not least get to the rink Sunday at 5pm as the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs play Game 1 of their playoffs as they host Oceanside - admission is FREE! Go Dogs!

Hello everyone:

It’s that time of year again, Very Exciting, the Alberni Valley’s Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs start their 1^st play-off game at HOME.  It’s a big one.  We need to invite hockey fans to fill the stands and cheer on our Midget Boys and enjoy a free game of great fast ice hockey.

We would appreciate your assistance in inviting all Alberni Valley hockey fans to come out and support our team for this next crucial game.  It will be at the Alberni Valley Multiplex starting at 5 PM on Sunday Feb 5^th vs Oceanside,   Admission is free.

Thank you

Brenda Read

Manager Van Isle Ford Midget T2 Bulldogs

Smoke Eaters 6 Bulldogs 2

The Dogs had plenty of offensive chances, but could only bury two of them. At the same time they gave up way too many chances in route to a 6-2 loss tonight in Trail.

Former Smokie Daniel Delbianco made it 1-0 during 4 on 4 action in the first on an Arty Kalashnikov set up. The Dogs kept up the pressure, but we're unable to build their lead before the Smokies tied it on an end-board bounce goal by Erik Cooper tied it. It was 2-1 Trail after one when they connected late in the period when Connor Tiechko found a rebound on the power play and put it home

The Dogs would tie it with a power play goal of their own, also off an end board bounce back as Ryan Lough scored to tie it at 2-2 just five minutes into the second. Another Smokies goal saw them lead 3-2 after two when Brent Baltus tipped in a point shot, again on the power play.

Matt Larose would come up with a breakaway save on Tanner Clarkson early on the third, his fourth of the game - but the Dogs couldn't tie it up as a Josh Mitchell shot hit the bar and stayed out. Moments later it was 4-2 when the Dogs failed to get the puck out and Craig Martin scored on the breakaway. It was 5-2 just two minutes later when Brent Baltus scored his second on a rebound off a scramble, before Tanner Clarkson scored when he went high short-side walking down the right wing for the 6-2 final.

Shots favoured the Dogs 34-32. The Smokies went 2 for 5 on the power play while the Dogs went 1 for 6.

Three Star:
3) A. Kalashnikov
2) L. Stanwood
1) Bren Baltus

Next up, Westside tomorrow.

The Bulldogs are already without Brandon Adams, Lars Hepso and Tyler Berkholtz. You can add Justin Morello to that list as he was hurt in the the second and wont return, but they will get Trent Dorais back for tomorrow's game

Hammer

Sent from my iPhone

Dogs @ Smokies

Cominco Memorial Arena

Neat mural on the end wall

Pregame Meal...

Here at the old Train Station in Grand Forks

Game day skate in Trail...

Videographer Brian Ceci getting shots of the action...

Game Day Skate in Grand Forks...

Road Trip Diary #6, Weekly Preview Article...

We have made it to our final destination of Grand Forks for the evening, the former home of the Kalashnikov brothers who played here last year for the KIJHL's Border Bruins.

The Dogs will have a game day skate here tomorrow before making the drive to Trail to face the Smokies tomorrow night.

For more, check out my "Weekly Preview" article on the Bulldogs website by CLICKING HERE

Bed time!

Hammer

Road Trip Diary #5

Team Dinner at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa in Osoyoos home of Josh Mitchell!

Nice to run into the Mitchell's here!

Hammer

Road Trip Diary #5

After a stop for lunch in Vancouver we are off to Grand Forks.

Pacific Coliseum is on the right, former home of the Vancouver Canucks, current home of the WHL's Vancouver Giants.

Hammer

Road Trip Diary #4

Approaching Horseshoe Bay/Vancouver...lovely day for a boat ride!

Hammer

Road Trip Diary #3

On the Queen of Cowichan, leaving Departure Bay bound for Horseshoe Bay

Road Trip Diary #2

Update #1, and we aren't even out of town yet - breakfast for the bus from Timmie's!

Road Trip Diary #1

Will the Bus Driver has been replaced!

Kidding of course, thats my little guy Griff, coming to say "Good Luck" to the Bulldogs!

Dogs head on the road for three, "Road Trip Diary" back again, $7 a ticket Tuesday, Marlon Sabo article in BCHL Magazine, Alberni Wrestling hosts Invational this weekend!

The Dogs are on the bus today as they make their way to the Kootenays to face the Smokies in Trail tomorrow before heading to the Okanagan to face Westside Friday and Vernon on Saturday.

I will be bringing back the "Road Trip Diary" on the blog again to keep you all up to date. For those that didn't follow the team last year or years previous, it's pretty simple - I update throughout the day/night etc where we are and what we are doing. I did the same thing last year on the longer roadies and got some great feedback from the families and fans so I will do it again even though I fear my phone bill already!

The Dogs will head back home Sunday, and host Cowichan Tuesday and the Dogs are doing their best to pack the shack with $7.00 TICKETS! Read more...

We are rolling back the price!

PRESS RELEASE
January 30, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – We are rolling back the prices on the 7th of February when your Alberni Valley Bulldogs host the island rival Cowichan Valley Capitals! All ticket prices, Senior, Adult, and Students will be just $7.00!

“Come out and enjoy a night of great entertainment and great Jr. A Hockey action,” said director of sales and marketing Laurie Smilie. “The Bulldogs have been playing with a lot of energy as of late and this is a game that is sure not to disappoint.”

Game tickets can be purchased in person at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs office located at 3737 Roger Street or by phone at 250-723-4412 Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.

Game time happens to also be at 7pm.

For more information contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations Laurie Smillie
at 250-723-4412, 250-735-3647 or lsmillie@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.

Very cool story here from the Bulldogs on Facebook regarding Marlon Sabo being featured in the latest issue of the BCHL's "Smart Hockey" magazine in their "Academic All-Stars" edition. Check out Page 14 online by CLICKING HERE


That's it for now, off to the bus tomorrow AM with plenty of updates throughout the day from the road!

One of the problems with the Alberni Invitational being hosted in the Alberni Valley Multiplex is that more often than not the Bulldogs are a long ways away on the road as the building is unavailable, and as such I can't catch all the action and I have to miss the spectacle, just like this year.

In my 9 years in Port Alberni I have been able to see the Invitational ONCE as a couple of years ago the Bulldogs were on the road but just on the Island. I was blown away with the set up, the organization, and last but not least the quality of wrestling. I even had the opportunity to call the finals on SHAW TV with Charles Mealey and Ryan Dvorak, which was a very cool experience. Sadly I won't be able to see it this year. I urge you to get down to the Multiplex and check this great event out if you haven't before! It is something else!

PRESS RELEASE

ALBERNI INVITATIONAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

GEARS UP FOR FEBRUARY 2-4, 2012

The 29^th Annual Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament is scheduled for the Alberni Valley Multiplex February 2-4, 2012.  The Invitational will bring over 600 competitors from all over B.C. to the Valley for three days of intense wrestling action in five different age groups plus another 200 in categories such as the Open, Elementary and a new Grappling division.  .

The Alberni Invitational is widely considered the most prestigious high school wrestling tournament in B.C. and has received recognition across Canada.  The tournament begins on Thursday, February 2^nd   with weigh-ins for boys and girls in the secondary aged divisions at 6:00 p.m. at Glenwood.

The Alberni Invitational tournament action will run all day on Friday, February 3^rd from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.  This year the Friday will be divided into age group sessions. The Cadet (grade 9-10) and Juvenile (grade 11-12) will run Friday morning from 9 am to noon.. There will be a short lunch break before they run the Elementary (grades 3-5) and School Age (grades 6-8) divisions from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. The Cadet and Juvenile divisions run again from 3:30 – 5:30 pm before a short dinner break. School Age, Cadet and Juvenile start up again at 6 pm along with the Open division.

Friday night at 7:00 p.m. will feature the ever-popular semi-finals. Friday night will also feature the Open division where alumni and college wrestlers can test their skills. The conclusion of the rest of the preliminary matches in the age class divisions will begin Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.  Medal matches will start at about 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  The finals in the Schoolboy/girl division (grade 6-8) and Cadet (gr 9-10) will start at noon on Saturday. The Juvenile (grade 11-12) finals start at 2:30 pm on Saturday and wrap up by 3:30 p.m.  There is not cost for spectators for the preliminaries and the finals are by donation.

Returning to this year’s Invitational will be the Grappling division that will run on Saturday. Grappling is another variation of wrestling that is now sanctioned by the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association. It combines many of the techniques and actions of wrestling with various martial arts disciplines. Alberni Wrestling has partnered with Dragon Martial Arts once again offer this dimension to the Alberni Invitational this year..

Registrations for grappling are open to all interested participants of all ages. Registration and weigh-in for grappling will take place Thursday night at Glenwood or Friday night at the Multiplex at 7:30 pm with grappling action starting soon after 9 am Saturday morning. There will be a grappling official’s clinic Friday evening at 7:30 am and an athlete’s rules clinic at 8:30 am Saturday. Make sure you come out to watch this exciting new action.

Not only do local fans have an opportunity for some great competition at the Invitational, you also will once again see very competitive Alberni wrestlers.  The ADSS Boys team is currently ranked #6 in the province and will likely battle it out with over 60 other schools for the team title in the Juvenile and Cadet divisions. These teams include #1 ranked Burnaby Central and # 2 ranked Guildford Park of Surrey and other top teams such as Abby Traditional, John Oliver, Burnaby South and WJ Mouat Secondary of Abbotsford.  

In the Juvenile Girls division ADSS is ranked # 2 or 3  in BC with Carson Graham of North Vancouver #1.   Yale and Terry Fox round out the top 4 girl’s teams.   In the Schoolboy/girl division Alberni will have strong teams from Neill and Dunn Middle Schools and both schools should be in the top 10. Ucluelet Secondary will also have wrestlers in most age divisions.

The AV Times will feature pictures and write ups next week on all the top local wrestlers to watch at the 2012 Invitational. It will be an exciting few days of wrestling action in the place many observers call 

 “The Wrestling Capital of Canada – Port Alberni! “

For more information contact Tournament Director TOM McEVAY--- Phone home:724-0577 or work: 723-3744; email tmcevay@sd70.bc.ca

Hammer