Grey Cup Golf Classic on Sunday , Jersey night Thursday, Western night Saturday!

They Grey Cup golf tourney goes this Sunday at the Alberni Golf Club...always a great time!

Grey Cup Scramble on Sunday

This Sunday November 24^th is the annual Grey Cup Tournament and party.

Please register in the Pro. Shop with your 4, 5, or 6 person teams or as a single. The teams can consist of all Men, all Ladies or a mixed team. There will be very few rules, just a fun day. Both golfers and non golfers are welcome to join in the activities. If you prefer not to golf, come out for  lunch and watch the game on one of two big screen TV’s.

There will be 9 holes of golf with many on course obstacles to overcome. It all begins with a shotgun start at 12 noon.  After golf enjoy one of Alberni Golf Course’s world famous lunches, served by the greatest staff to be found anywhere.

Kick off  is 3:15, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders Hosting the Hamilton Tigercats in the 101st Grey Cup  game held in Regina. There will be 3 or 4 meat draws, at ½ time courtesy of Rick Paul of Double R Meats. The price for this fun filled day is $30 for members and $40 for guests. If you come out just for lunch and the game the price is $ 15. This entry fee includes Golf, Lunch, and lots of prizes.  

Call 250-723-5422 to register. See you on the 24^th.

One final note, I am pleased to announce that Steve Acland has accepted the position of Men’s Club Captain for the 2014 season. Way to go Steve

 

 A couple of fun nights coming up at the Dogs home games this week!

Hammer

Dogs fall 5-0 to Kings

The second game of the double header between the Dogs and Kings was very different compared to Game 1, which saw no whistles in the first four minutes of play. Game 2 saw the Dogs penalized in the first 30 seconds of the game, and a pretty flat start for the first five minutes, with the Dogs doing a good job on the early penalty kill, not allowing the Kings a shot. The pace would pick up quickly as the period went on, with the Dogs have several good chances, notably on partial breakaways for Mitch Makin and Mak Barden, however they weren't able to get a shot away. The Kings would open the scoring with seven minutes to go in the period on a bit of a funny one as Matt Scarth tried a centering pass from behind the goal line that appeared to hit either Connor LaCouvee or a Bulldog defender's stick before ending up over the goal line. Kurt Keats and Jarid Lukosevicius picked up the assists for a 1-0 Kings lead 13:00 in and after one period, with the shots in favour of the Kings 12-10.

The Kings would quickly build the lead early in the second when the Dogs attacked on the rush, but missed on a drop pass back to a defenceman joining the rush. The result was a 2 on 2 the other way with a Forward playing defence, and the Kings worked it to perfection as Kurt Keats went to the net where Matt Scarth found him with a pass for a in-alone chance where he deked one past LaCouvee to make it 2-0 at the 1:26 mark of the period. The Dogs would go to the power play just 30 seconds later, but as has been the theme lately, it let the team down and failed to generate much in the way of chances of momentum. To rub some salt in the wound, the Kings would score on the rush just seconds after killing it off as Jarryd Leung went to the net and re-directed home a cross-ice pass before LaCouvee could get over. Assists on the play went to Kurt Keats and Jarid Lukosevicius at 4:11 of the second. Despite the disheartening score, the Dogs continued to battle hard, but they couldn't chip away at the lead before the Kings found the net again to make it 4-0 when the Dogs got caught pinching on an attacking-zone faceoff and couldn't get back as Drew Dorantes scored on a breakway feed from JJ Coleshaw to make it 4-0 at the 16:53 mark of the second. The Kings would lead the shots after 40 minutes 24-21.

The Kings would do a good job of controlling the play in the third period, as the Dogs failed to get much of an attack going, despite the Coaching Staff shuffling their lines to try and get something going. The only goal of the period would come late in the frame as Drew Dorantes drove wide down the right wing and around the Dogs defence and in alone on Tyger Howat (who entered the game to start the third) where he lost his footing but somehow found a way to get it through Howat. Assists on the play went to Brian Rideout and Ryan Scarfo to make it 5-0 with 4:22 to play in the third period. Tempers would flare late in the game, especially in the final 30 seconds when Ryan Scarfo took a healthy run at Justin Georgeson and hit him into the side boards. A needless check given the time remaining and the score, but a check I thought was no where near as bad as Lucas Greyson's the night before on Rob Click - however, THIS hit would be called as a hit from behind resulting in a game misconduct. The Dogs would go for broke trying to break the shut out bid pulling their goaltender to make it a 6 on 3 power play, but they couldn't find the net as time expired.

Final shots favoured the Kings 33-26 with Jeff Smith earning 2nd star honours with the win, while Connor LaCouvee took the loss playing 40 minutes and giving up 4 goals on 24 shots, including a couple of breakaways - don't fault the goalie. The Dogs went 0 for 5 on the power play - three of those opportunities coming in the final six minutes of the game - while the Kings went 0 for 4.

The Dogs are next in action Thursday when they see the Kings again Thursday night at the Dog Pound.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs @ Kings

Dogs and Kings go at it again tonight in Powell River

It's the back-half of the double header between these two teams tonight as the Bulldogs (5-16-2-2, 5th Island) again visit the Kings (16-4-0-1, 1st Island, 1st Overall) for a 5pm puck drop at the Hap Parker Arena, after the Kings topped the Dogs 3-2 last night.

Catch the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself and Bruce MacDonald with the pregame show getting underway at 4:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 5pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is a segment from BCHL This Week on Team 1410 with host Jeff Patterson speaking with Sean Maguire, a former Powell River King. It's a pretty neat story that I'm sure people in the Valley can relate to, as Maguire is a hometown Powell River kid who grew up watching the Kings (even being a billet home) before going on to play for the team before ending up getting a scholarship to Boston College.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Hammer

Kings top Dogs 3-2 in OT, rematch tomorrow

The Dogs and Kings hadn't seen each other since early September, but they looked like old friends immediately with a fantastic start to the game, as it was end-to-end with no whistles over the first four minutes. The Dogs wouldn't be able to keep the Teddy Bears in the stands for long however, as the Kings opened the scoring just over five minutes in when Jarryd Leung scored on a rebound in the paint off a Jarid Lukosevicius wrap around attempt. The only assist would go to Luke Nogard, at 5:22 of the first. Less than a minute later, a nasty hit from behind was thrown on Rob Click by Lucas Grayson. A hit that according to the suspension handed out to Craig Martin should be probably worth about 4 or 5 games. From Referee Steve Brown, it was worth only two minutes. The call on the ice made by the Referee was boarding. Later the penalty was apparently changed somehow, as the boxscore stated a Blow to the Head. As in blowing the defenders head into the boards from behind maybe? Not how the rule is meant to be enforced as far as I'm aware.

Here's the video, make your own opinion now that you have read mine.

While the Dogs wouldn't connect on the power play, they did tie the game shortly afterwards when Mak Barden took a return pass from Brett Stewart at centre and skated over the Kings line right up the middle where he ripped one from the deep slot top corner, glove side on Imoo to make it 1-1 at 13:57 of the first for a 1-1 tie after one, with the Kings leading the shots 13-10.

The Kings would control the bulk of the play in the second, with Connor LaCouvee coming up with several timely saves to keep it tied at 1-1. The Kings would persist though, and take the lead back late in the period on a fortunate bounce on the power play as Mitch Makin laid down to successfully block a Brian Rideout point shot. The puck would carom off Makin, and right back onto the tape of Rideout who blew one on net that was tipped home by Luke Nogard at the top of the crease to make it 2-1 Kings with 4:56 left in the period, with Jarryd Leung picking up the second assist. The Kings would carry the 2-1 lead into the third period, with a 34-18 advantage in shots.

The score remained that way until the late stages of the third period when the Dogs fought back to tie the game at 2-2 when Tryg Strand put a cross-corner dump in into the Kings zone that was retrieved by Harlan Orr. Strand would go to the net and throw it out front for Strand who roofed a one-timer over Imoo at 14:12. The Dogs would have several good chances in the dying minutes to get the go-ahead goal, but Imoo preserved the tie. In overtime the Kings would win it just over two minutes in on the rush when Kurt Keats wheeled back of the Dogs net before passing it out front the same way he went in for Matt Scarth, who tipped it past LaCouvee for the game winner and the 3-2 final at 2:29 of OT.

Final shots favoured the Kings 48-26 with Connor LaCouvee again taking 2nd star honours with the loss, for the third game in a row, while Jonah Imoo picked up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 1 for 4.

A tough loss, but in the end a big point for the Dogs against the top team in the league. The point draws the Dogs back within 9 points of the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the final Playoff spot. The teams go at it again tomorrow night, note the start time of 5pm. 

Bulldogs move Doctor, assign Ostoforoff

Bulldogs Welcome Back Gosselin and Martin,

Trade Doctor

PRESS RELEASE

November 15, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni – Heading into two games in Powell River this weekend versus the Kings, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very excited to have both Kurt Gosselin and Craig Martin back in the line up.

Gosselin is returning from the 30-day injury reserve list and Craig Martin is back after serving an 8 game suspension which was strongly contested by the hockey club. Both Gosselin and Martin are welcomed additions.

To make room on the roster for Gosselin’s return, the ‘Dogs trade 1994-born defenseman Luca Doctor to the St. Michaels Buzzers of the OJHL for future considerations. Doctor was acquired back in early September but struggled to find his game.

In a second roster move on Thursday, the Bulldogs also returned 1995-born defenseman Riley Ostoforoff to the Castlegar Rebels in the KIJHL. Ostoforoff will remain on the roster as an affiliate player.

For further comment, please contact head coach and general manager Kevin Willison at 250-735-0487 or via email at kevin@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.

Dogs head to Powell River, visit Kings for two, Martin back, no suspension for Linesman knock out

It's back on the road for the Bulldogs (5-16-2-1, 5th Island) today as they make way for Powell River, and a double-header with the Kings (15-4-0-1, 1st Island, 1st Overall) at the Hap Parker Arena. It's actually the beginning of three in a row versus the Kings, who will make their first visit of the season to the Dog Pound next Thursday.

* Note the start time tomorrow night of 5pm *

The Dogs have lost two straight, by a combined two goals after falling 2-1 in Nanaimo and 4-3 at home to the Vees on Sunday. They will get Craig Martin back, as he has served all eight games of the suspension that the league handed him.

The Kings are 2 and 2 to start the month, coming off a 6-3 win at home over Cowichan on Sunday that followed up a 7-3 loss to Penticton on Friday night.

Don't miss a minute of the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM
with myself and Bruce MacDonald - the pregame show gets underway at 7:15 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:30.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Marcello Ranallo, now playing over in Italy with the Milano Rossoblu after four years on scholarship at the NCAA's University of Connecticut.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com



You are no doubt one of the over a quarter of a million people that have seen Vipers Forward TJ Dumonceaux knock out BCHL Linesman Ryan Dawson. If you haven't, check out the video below. A note for the squeamish - if you don't like the sight of blood, don't watch.

The incident has gone viral, and worldwide, as if the 250,000 plus views didn't indicate that, it has also shown up on two of the biggest sports websites in the world, in Deadspin and Puck Daddy. 

Puck Daddy has this posted today :

 • Remember that BCHL player who punched a linesman in the face? He will face no punishment. It is open season on linesmen. [Global News]

According to Global News, the BCHL said it was a consensual fight. What they were watching, I will never know, but I didn't see anyone agreeing to fight anyone.

I can't say how surprised I am that there is no suspension. Or am I even surprised at all, after how the whole Martin situation was handled?

Just to make it clear - I have nothing against the Vernon Vipers. I'm actually a fan of all the people that they have involved with their organization, and I have been treated like gold by the people there in all of my trips over the years to Vernon.

 I can understand why they might think I have something against them, but here's hoping they understand it's just a coincidence that they have been  involved in two high profile incidents that have a connection to the Dogs.

Mark Hamilton puts Jake Lebrun in the hospital with a Check-from-Behind and gets suspended two games (deemed a Hockey Play)

Now, Dumonceaux knocks a Linesman out, and sends him to the hospital for repairs, and he receives no discipline whatsoever....huh? Dumonceaux is a repeat offender, by the way.

So if you are keeping score at home - hit a guy on an end-to-end rush with less than half a second to react/stop/change course - and you get suspended over a 10th of the season. Be reckless, and out of control, and knock an Official out? Have a nice day, don't do that again, K?!

All about intent here - of course Dumonceaux didn't mean to hit the Linesman. But possibly when an official is between you and another player, it's not the best time to throw a blind punch? I get it - it's the Linesman's fault for getting between Dumonceaux and the Spruce King player. However, wait a minute,  it wasn't Colton Dahlen's fault for getting between a speeding Martin, and the puck. It's all Martin's fault.

Probably a good time to stop writing things here now.

Hammer



Hammer

Vees top Dogs 4-3

The hockey was great to watch from the outset as both teams appeared ready to play. With very few stoppages of play over the first five minutes, the pace was high and everyone got into the game early. The Bulldogs would earn the first power play of the game, but instead of gaining momentum if anything it gave energy to the Vees as the Dogs struggled to get anything going. At the end of the penalty the Vees would open the scoring as Brad McClure blocked a dump in and raced in alone on a breakaway where he went top corner, glove side on LaCouvee. The goal was unassisted at 10:17 of the first. The Dogs again went to the power play later in the period, and again they failed to generate much of an attack. The Vees would get a power play chance with less than two minutes to play in the period but Connor LaCouvee came up with several big saves to keep it 1-0 Penticton after one with the Vees leading the shots 14-5.

LaCouvee would continue to come up big through the early parts of the second to keep it 1-0 as the Vees had several good chances, namely on odd-man rushes, but they couldn't connect on them. The Dogs would then answer back to tie the game when Brett Stewart fired a puck at the net from the left point that deflected off something and up and over Olivier Mantha to make it 1-1. Assists on the play went to Scott Clark and Harlan Orr at 8:46 of the second. The score stayed that way until the late stages of the second when LaCouvee was penalized for throwing a punch after the Vees crashed the net. The Vees would connect on the power play when Brad McClure scored his second of the game on a one-timer from the top of the point that went top corner, glove side on LaCouvee. Ben Dalpe picked up the only assist on it at 18-14 of the second for a 2-1 Vees lead after two periods, with the Bulldogs unable to generate much offense, out-shot 30 to 8 through 40 minutes. 

The Dogs would kill off a Vees power play to kick off the third period, but they connected shortly afterwards when Connor LaCouvee made a great first save on a wide open Brad McClure, but had the puck shoot out of his glove and onto the tape of Cam Amantea at the top of the crease who fired it home to make it 3-1 Vees at 2:24 of the period. The Dogs would fire back and keep it when they found the net five minutes later as Tryg Strand and Justin Georgeson worked the puck back to the line to Darian Henry who walked to the middle and faked a shot before walking to the outside and ripping a slap shot top corner, far side past the blocker of Mantha to make it 3-2 with 7:43 gone in the third. The Dogs pushed hard and had several good chances to tie it, most notably when Olivier Mantha stopped Scott Clark from the deep slot. The score remained that way until the late stages of regulation when the Vees went ahead 4-2 when Luca Doctor tried to go D-to-D behind the net, but instead shot the puck into the outside of the cage where Cam Amantea picked it up and walked out front and put it through the legs of LaCouvee. The goal was unassisted, with 5:53 to play in the third. It was a heartbreaking goal, but the Dogs proved once again to be resilient and made it a one-goal game just 58 seconds later as Darian Henry sent Riley Ostoforoff in on the breakaway with a great stretch pass up the middle. Ostoforoff would be stopped by Mantha, but Josh Adkins followed the play up and scored his first career goal banking one in off Mantha from behind the goal line to make it 4-3 with 4:59 to play in the third. That would be as close as the Dogs would get however, as the Vees made the lead stand.

Final shots favoured Penticton 37-23, with Connor LaCouvee again taking the loss, while again earning 2nd star honours. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Vees went 1 for 4.

Next up, two straight in Powell River Friday and Saturday night.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs vs Vees

Dogs host Vees tonight, Midget Dogs tourney continues, Lest We Forgettomorrow

It's a rare 5:30pm puck drop tonight as the Bulldogs (5-15-2-1, 5th Island) host the Penticton Vees (12-4-2-1, 3rd Interior) at the Dog Pound as they return to Home Ice after four in a row on the road. 

It's also rare as it's the third meeting of the season between two teams - it was just a couple of years ago when Coastal and Interior Conference teams only saw each other once a season. This year with the teams being in opposing Conferences and meeting at the BCHL Showcase, they play three head-to-head instead of the normal two. The Vees won the first game 3-2 in what was the Dogs season opener at the Showcase on September 7th. The Vees then took the most recent meeting in Penticton by a 6-2 score on October 6th.

Get all the action live from the Multiplex on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - I will call the Play-by-Play action with Bruce MacDonald providing colour and analysis. It all gets underway with our pregame show at 5:15pm. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is....Bulldogs Head Coach Kevin Willison, as he was a guest on BCHL This Week on Team 1410 with host Jeff Patterson. Catch the show Saturday Mornings on Team 1410 at 9:30.

The Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs are 2 and 0 in their tourney entering play today after beating Powell River 6-3 and Cloverdale 10-1 yesterday. They take on the Okanagan Hockey Academy at 11:15 this morning at the Multiplex so get down there and check it out!

PLEASE do not forget to take some time tomorrow to dedicate to remembering those that fought for our freedom! My little guy is starting to ask why everyone is wearing Poppy's, which shows me how important it is for us to continue to carry on the standard of how we celebrate Remembrance Day.

I have posted this every year for what must be 6 years now, my favorite message on what today is all about. Please give the time to check out the video below, Terry Kelly's "A Pittance of Time"

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven oclock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terrys anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream.

Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video.

Please visit www.terry-kelly.com

 

Hammer

Dogs fall 2-1 to Clippers

A pretty flat start to this one, as neither team appeared to be firing on all cylinders, with both goalies not seeing much rubber early. The most action might have been between the whistles and the next puck drop, with several extended after-the-whistle skirmishes breaking out. On the second one, the Dogs ended up down a man, and the Clippers made quick work on the power play as Scott Prier's shot from the high slot was stopped by LaCouvee, but he couldn't control the rebound as Sheldon Rempal one-timed it home into the open side. Devin Brosseau also picked up an assist on the play to make it 1-0, 11:19 into the first. The Bulldogs would answer back to tie the game in the final minute of the period as Mitch Makin blocked a point shot and raced out of the zone and worked a give-and-go to perfection to enter the zone with Mak Barden as he drove the net and received a return pass in tight and went top corner, short-side on Argue to tie it at 1-1 at 19:20 of the first.

The Bulldogs would put forth a better effort in the second period, but LaCouvee might have still been their best player as they were out shot 22-15 in the period. Neither team would find the net though, as the 1-1 score carried over into the third.

The third period was played tight to the chest, with each team having their chances to get the go ahead marker. The Bulldogs would have several outstanding looks on an early-period power play chance as the puck didn't leave the zone for a full two minutes, but the Dogs were unable to connect. Tryg Strand had the best chance on a wide open look in the paint but he just couldn't settle the bouncing puck. The Clippers would take a 2-1 lead later in the period on the rush when the puck went high in the air at the Dogs line and the played was called on side as the Clippers found it and walked in on goal. Brendan Taylor put a hard cross-ice pass onto the tape of Mason Mitchell who was driving the net, where he tipped it under the cross-bar and in. Bo Brauer also picked up an assist on the play at 7:02 of the third. The Dogs would have their chances to tie it late in the third, most notably Mak Barden who saw the puck bounce over his stick while skating in alone, and Harlan Orr who walked into the slot late in regulation but his wrist shot hit the post and stayed out and the Clippers made the 2-1 lead stand for the final score.

Shots favoured the Clippers 43-34 with Connor LaCouvee picking up 2nd star honours while taking the loss, Jayson Argue took 3rd star honours with the win. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Clippers went 1 for 1.

The Dogs are next in action Sunday at 5:30 when they host the Penticton Vees.

Line ups Dogs @ Clippers

Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight, Midget Bulldogs host tourney thisweekend

It's the final game of four straight on the road tonight as the Bulldogs (5-14-2-1, 5th Island) make their first visit of the season to the Frank Crane Arena to take on the Nanaimo Clippers (10-9-0-1, 3rd Island) for the fourth head-to-head meeting between the clubs this season. The Clippers won the first meeting by a 4-2 score back on September, before then picking up a 7-5 win at the Dog Pound on October 18th. The most recent meeting went to the Dogs 5-4 in double OT on Tryg Strand's winner on October 23rd.

The Dogs last played Sunday evening in Chilliwack where they topped the Chiefs 8-5. The Clippers were in Duncan on Sunday, where they beat the Caps 4-2.

All the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM gets underway with the pregame show at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00 with myself and Bruce MacDonald.

Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs Captain and reigning BCHL Player of the week Tryg Strand.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Chase Van Allen, now with the NCAA's University of Alaska-Anchorage SeaWolves

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

The Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs host their "Remembrance Day Classic" tournament this weekend, with 7 teams in town visiting. Check out the tournament website HERE

I have said it before and I'll say it again, there is no better website around for a Minor Hockey Association! All things AVMHA here

The Bulldogs take on Cloverdale Saturday Morning at 7:45, and then Powell River at 4pm. Sunday they take on the Okanagan Hockey Academy at 11:15.

The Gold Medal game goes at 12:15 on Monday. It should be some great hockey so get down to the rink over the weekend and check it out!

 
Hammer

Tryg Strand, BCHL Player of the Week! *VIDEO*

Excuse the delay it took me to get this up on the blog...getting the audio and video together is a long and very painful process, but certainly worth it in the end!

Big congrats to Tryg - and the team as a whole. Two Player of the Week honours in a row is pretty cool.

Here's the details from the BCHL website

And some video of a couple of plays from Tryg over the weekend.

The first is a slick assist on a Zak Bowles goal, a one-touch backhand saucer off a great pass by Darian Henry.

The second clip is a goal that is BEAUTIFUL - but not for it's incredible single handed/flashy/highlight reel etc stuff. It's beautiful for it's simplicity and for the teamwork it shows.

Play solid defence in your own end, then push the pace and move the puck. Communicate, share the puck,  go to the net and get a puck on net - just far pad low, no attempt at corner picking. And the result? A beautiful goal on the rebound!

Hammer

Dogs take wild one 8-5 over Chiefs, take 2 out of 3 on road

The Bulldogs came out inspired to start the game, pushing the pace, moving their feet, and getting lots of pucks on net early. They would score first for the third straight game on this road trip when Justin Georgeson walked the puck over the Chiefs line down the right wing before dishing off to Darian Henry, who had joined the rush. Henry would put a low, hard shot on net that was stopped by Lyndon Stanwood, but resulted in a big rebound that Tryg Strand deposited into the open net from the top of the crease to make it 1-0 at 4:03 of the first. The Dogs would build the lead less than five minutes later when Brodie Clowes kept the puck in at the right point before feeding it down to the right corner to Garrett Halls, who threw a bullet pass to the slot where Zach Funk one-timed it home past the blocker of Stanwood for his second goal in as many games to make it 2-0, 9:41 in. The Dogs went to the power play shortly afterwards, and showed great urgency and had a couple great chances to build the lead, but they couldn't connect. The 2-0 lead has been a deadly one for the Dogs, and this game was no different as the Chiefs would all of a sudden have a handful of great chances to get back into it, including three breakaways in what felt like less than two minutes but Connor LaCouvee came up huge on Mathieu Tibbet (twice) and Andrew Silard to keep it 2-0 Dogs after one. 


The Dogs built the lead before the second period was a minute old when Hunter Stewart worked the puck loose behind the Chiefs net. Ryan Buse would keep it in at the right point and fire a slapper on goal that was stopped by Stanwood. Tryg Strand was again right at the net to deposit the rebound, making it 3-0, with Buse and Stewart assisting at :52 seconds of the second. The Chiefs would get on the board less than a minute later on the rush with the Dogs falling asleep as Austin Plevy drove the net un-checked where he one-timed a cross-ice pass into the open net. Assists went to Blake Gober and Zach Diamantoni at the 1:36 mark. Less than two minutes later it was a 3-2 game when Ben Butcher threw a puck from the left circle on net that was initially stopped by Connor LaCouvee. He wouldn't be able to get a whistle with the puck underneath him and the Chiefs pitchforked it home Jake Hand getting credit for it, and Butcher getting the only assist at 3:23 of the second. The Bulldogs would restore the two goal lead late in the period on the power play after failing on two earlier chances in the period as Tryg Strand fed the puck back to the point for Brodie Clowes. He put a low slap shot on goal that was stopped by Standwood, but the rebound bounced in off the shinpad of Hunter Stewart at the side of the net to make it 4-2 at 16:35 of the period. The Chiefs would get one back in controversial fashion late in the period when Brett Stewart carried the puck out of the Dogs zone up the left wing, where he was hauled down by Zak Diamantoni who reached across Stewart's body with his left arm and threw him down to the ice. The puck would turn the other way and Diamantoni sent Austin Plevy in on the breakaway where he went low stick-side on LaCouvee off the post and in to make it 4-3 Dogs with :29 seconds to play in the period.


The Bulldogs would get the insurance back early in the third when the Chiefs had trouble with the puck in their zone as Tryg Strand sent it deep behind the Chiefs net where Hunter Stewart retrieved it and put it on the tape of Justin Georgeson out front where he ripped it past the blocker of Stanwood to make it 5-3 Dogs 3:14 into the third. The insurance would prove huge five minutes later when the Chiefs again made it a one-goal game on the power play as the Dogs all got caught up high in the zone and failed to get the puck out as Cooper Rush threw it to the front of the Dogs net where a wide open Austin Plevy deflected it off the post and then found his own rebound and deposited it to make it 5-4.  Blake Gober also drew an assist on the play at 8:34 of the third. The Dogs would push right back and take the two goal lead back a minute and a half later after they won several battles to keep the puck in the Chiefs end as Scott Clark fed the puck down the boards behind the net for Harlan Orr who put it out front for Zak Bowles who showed good patience and walked around Stanwood before sliding it home to make it 6-4 Dogs at the 10:02 mark. The insurance marker was again a big one, as the Chiefs pulled back within one with 6:30 to play (the boxscore says 3:30 to play, but is incorrect) when they connected on the rush as Mathieu Tibbet walked down the right wing and fired a wrist shot on net that was stopped by LaCouvee, but he couldn't control the rebound as Carter Cochrane drove the net and chipped it home to make it 6-5. The Dogs would seal the deal with just over two minutes to play when Zak Bowles won a faceoff in his own end and then chased the loose puck down and chipped it past the Chiefs defence onto the tape of Harlan Orr who raced down the left wing on a 2 on 1 and kept the puck and fired a wrister through Stanwood to make it 7-5 with 2:10 to play. The Dogs would seal the deal into an empty net when Rob Click worked the puck loose for Tryg Strand in the Dogs zone, who hoisted it high through the air and into the Chiefs zone where Hunter Stewart chased it down and scored from the right wing boards into the empty net to erase all doubt and make it 8-5 with 1:35 to play.


The Dogs out shot the Chiefs 37-33 with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win in net to run his win streak to four, while Lyndon Stanwood took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Chiefs went 1 for 2.


The Dogs are next in action Friday in Nanaimo, before hosting Penticton Sunday at 5:30pm.


Hammer

Line ups Dogs @ Chiefs

Dogs visit Chiefs to finish weekend, Frank Slubowski interview, late afternoon start

It's the first meeting of the season between the teams as the Bulldogs (4-12-2-1, 5th Island) visit the Chiefs (4-12-1-2, 5th Mainland) today at the Prospera Centre for a 5pm puck drop to finish their weekend swing through the Lower Mainland.

It will be the Dogs third game in the big rink at Prospera counting their two games at the BCHL Showcase to open the season. The Chiefs will play their fourth game this week as they hosted Langley on Wednesday and Merritt on Friday night, before heading to Merritt and back yesterday to finish a Home-and-Home with the Cents. The Chiefs will be trying to snap a three game losing streak, falling 3-2 to the Cents last night in Merritt after dropping the first of the Home-and-Home set 7-2 on Friday night.

I will have the game covered for you on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 4:45 and all the action to follow the 5pm puck drop. Is 5pm afternoon or evening? We'll go with late afternoon!

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature guest is former Bulldog Frank Slubowski, now with the Western Michigan Broncos of the NCAA. He is off to another good start this year already...more from the BCHL website CLICK HERE

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Dogs fall 4-2 to Eagles, win streak snapped at three

I thought the Eagles carried the better of the play through the first 20 minutes of this one, but the Bulldogs did a good job to limit the scoring chances they gave up. At the same time, they generated some glorious ones that they capitalized on to lead 2-0 after 20 minutes. The first of which saw Darian Henry put a perfect bank pass to centre ice on the tape of Tryg Strand. He would make a slick backhand saucer pass onto the tape of Zak Bowles, who blew past the Eagles defence and in on the breakaway where he went top corner, far side on Devon Fordyce to make it 1-0, 8:49 into the first from Strand and Henry. Another breakway would make it 2-0 just over two minutes later when Rob Click found Garrett Halls at centre, who fed Josh Adkins up the middle over the Eagles line. Both of the Eagles D-men checked Adkins, who sent Zach Funk on the breakaway right up the middle where he ripped one top corner, blocker side on Fordyce to make it 2-0 at 11:33, with Adkins and Halls picking up the assists. The Dogs came that close to going up 3-0 on the next shift, but Hunter Stewart's shot hit the post and stayed out as it was 2-0 Dogs after one, with the Eagles leading in the shots 14-5. Tyger Howat was busy, and made a couple of solid saves.

The Eagles would get on the board to start the second period exactly two minutes in on the rush as Joe Drapluk dropped it back to the high slot for Danton Heinen who went top corner, far-side on Howat to make it 2-1. Phillipe Johannson also drew an assist at the 2:00 mark. That would do it for the scoring as neither team hit the net through the remainder of the period, with both goalies playing well, and getting a little luck as each team hit the cross-bar. Shots favoured the Eagles 16-14 in the period. 

The third period saw the Eagles continue to get the better of the chances, and they would eventually connect to tie the game on the power play when Danton Heinen blew past the Bulldogs defence on the rush down the left wing to skate in alone on the breakaway where he went top corner, glove side on the backhand on Howat. Assists on the play went to Michael Roberts and Phillipe Johannson at the 5:49 mark to make it 2-2. The score would stay that way until the late stages of the third when the Eagles took their first lead of the game with just over five minutes to play as Brett Mulcahy walked out from behind the net untouched where he fired a wrist shot past the glove of Howat from in tight to make it 3-2 from Danton Heinen and Michael Roberts with 5:12 to play in regulation. The Dogs would get a power play opportunity with 3:16 to play in the third and while they generated several good chances they couldn't convert to tie it up. The Eagles would seal the deal into an empty net from their own end in the final minute with Michael Roberts scoring it, unassisted, with 36 seconds to play for the 4-2 Final.

Shots favoured the Eagles 47-26 with Tyger Howat playing solid while getting tagged with the loss while Devon Fordyce picked up the win. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play - although the box score incorrectly says 0 for 5 - while the Eagles went 1 for 5.

The Dogs finish their trip tomorrow evening in Chilliwack when they face the Cheifs for a 5pm puck drop. 

Line ups Dogs @ Eagles

Dogs visit Eagles tonight

The roadtrip continues tonight for the Bulldogs (4-13-2-1, 5th Island) as they visit the Eagles (7-11-1-0,  4th Mainland) at the South Surrey Arena, the first trip here for the Dogs since last year's Coastal Conference Final. The Dogs will be trying for their fourth straight win after picking up their first road win of the season last night in Coquitlam. The Eagles will be trying to snap a three game losing streak as they hosted Prince George last night where they lost 3-2.

One of the interesting aspects of the South Surrey Arena is the 200x100 International/Olympic-sized ice sheet. There is more room to skate and create and generate offense, but also more room to get out of position and a further distance to get back into position. It's always fun to watch.

It's the second and final regular season meeting between the teams, after the Eagles took Game 1 by a 7-5 score at the Dog Pound on September 21st. For those that missed it, or forget, that one was as crazy as they come. The Eagles took a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the game on three power play goals before the Dogs responded with three of their own (including two on the power play) before the second was seven minutes old to tie it at 3-3. The teams would exchange goals and go to the room tied at 4-4 after 40 minutes, before the Eagles scored three times before the third was two minutes old, a lead they wouldn't relinquish a second time.

Catch all the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play following at 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Marcus Fitzgerald, Play-by-Play voice of the Chilliwack Chiefs, who the Dogs visit tomorrow (5pm start) to finish their weekend off. 

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Hammer

Dogs win third straight, and first on the road, 6-4 over Express in Coquitlam

The Bulldogs were extremely motivated to play in this one, getting out to a great start in taking a 5-0 lead in shots just two minutes into the game with several great scoring chances. Both goalies were good early, with Gordy Defiel making several point blank stops while Connor LaCouvee also came up big when it was still scoreless robbing Corey Mackin and Nic Rasovic on the doorstep. The Bulldogs would take a 1-0 lead on the rush just past the midway point of the period when Darien Henry found Scott Clark at centre ice, who then sent Mitch Makin up the left wing. Makin used his speed and drove wide before finding Harlan Orr driving the net, who one-timed it home at 10:25 of the first. Four minutes later it was 2-0 as the Dogs won an extended battle in the Express zone and Mak Barden found the puck and fed Brodie Clowes at the top of the point where he put a shot on net that was stopped by Defiel, but the rebound was found by Orr who potted his second of the game at 14:56. The Express would get on the board shortly afterwards as the Dogs failed to get the puck out of their own end. No one would pick up Corey Mackin who drove the net and one-timed an Adam Rockwood pass from behind the net through the legs of LaCouvee to make it 2-1 at 16:10 with Ryan Rosenthal also drawing an assist. The Dogs would lead the shots on goal 23-6 after 20 minutes.

The Dogs started the second on the power play, and made quick work of the advantage as Hunter Stewart got the puck back of the net and battled it loose for Mak Barden, who fed it back to Stewart. He found Justin Georgeson at the side of the net below the goal line where he stepped out front and went top corner to make it 3-1 just 26 seconds into the second period. The Bulldogs built the lead to 4-1 just past the five minute mark when Zak Bowles won a faceoff in the Express end onto the tape of Ryan Buse who one-timed it through Defiel. Tryg Strand also drew an assist on the play at 5:39. The Dogs kept their foot on the gas, making it 5-1 just past the midway point of the period when Ryan Buse stepped up aggressively at centre ice and intercepted a pass and wheeled it over the Express line and tried to split the D. He would be stopped, but the puck bounced back onto the tape of Hunter Stewart in the slot who blew a slap shot past the glove of Defiel, with Strand also drawing an assist at 10:06 of the second. The Dogs were in uncharted waters and it showed, as the Express spent the better part of the rest of the period taking the play to them, and getting several good scoring chances. The Bulldog Coaching Staff would take their Time Out later in the frame to settle things down, as the Dogs led 5-1 after two while being out shot in the period 21-6. 

The Express continued to get the better of the chances in the third and eventually found the net after 4 or 5 great saves by Connor LaCouvee as Bo Pieper roofed a loose puck from the slot to make it 5-2 with 6:06 gone in the third. The collar would no doubt get a little tight four minutes later as the Express pulled within two on the power play when Joey Santucci one-timed home a cross-crease pass by Adam Rockwood to make it 5-3. Canon Pieper also drew an assist on the play at 10:19 of the third. The Bulldogs would do a good job of protecting the lead over the remainder of regulation as they salted the time away by winning battles and getting pucks in deep. The Express would pull their goalie for the extra attacker with just over a minute to go to try and get within one but the Dogs would seal the deal as Harlan Orr took a shot at the empty net from his own end and hit it dead centre for a 6-3 lead and his first career hat trick with 1:05 to go. The goal was unassisted. The Express didn't go quietly, as they drew back within one on the next shift as Mark Biega one-timed a loose puck over Connor LaCouvee from the slot off a Zach Hodder point shot with 46 seconds to play to make it a 6-4 final.

Shots favoured the Express 45-37 with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win and Gordie Defiel taking the loss. Both teams went 1 for 3 on the power play.

 The Dogs are back at it tomorrow when they face the Eagles in Surrey. 

Line ups Dogs @ Express