Dogs host Caps tonight on "Teddy Bear Toss" night!

It's sure to be a fun night on Teddy Bear Toss night as the Bulldogs (7-19-2-23, 5th Island) host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (12-19-0-1, 4th Island) in another gigantic four point game in the battle for the final Playoff spot in the Island Division.

If you look at the BCHL standings - this one sure threw me for a loop this AM - the Dogs show a record of 7-20-2-2. For some reason, they weren't credited with an OT loss Saturday against Coquitlam, but instead a Regulation loss. The Dogs can ill afford having points taken away from them and/or not being given the points they earn. Not sure if it's a clerical or electronic error, or what's up! 

These teams met a week ago tonight, in a wild and crazy game...or a wild and crazy third period? I don't think anyone on the planet would have predicted a 6-0 Final score after a 0-0 scoreline after 40 minutes, but that's why I always say to expect the unexpected. It's another lesson you hope would sink in on consistency and playing a full 60.

The Dogs were last in action on Saturday night when they fell 5-4 to Coquitlam in OT, pulling them back within six points of the Capitals.

The Caps haven't played since last Friday, but they have still been busy as they made several changes to their line up, moving Steen Cooper (F), Taki Pantziris (D), and Mitch (F) and Rylan Ball (D) to Penticton, West Kelowna and Trail respectively. In return the Caps received Matt Berry-Lamontagna (D), Clint Filbrandt (D), Ambrose Firkus (F), Valik Chichkin (D) and Future Considerations.

Holy moly that's some moves!

Get all the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey from the Dog Pound on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself and Bruce MacDonald bringing you the Play-by-Play and Analysis with Dan "the stats man" Tisserand compiling team and individual stats. The pregame show takes to the airwaves at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm.

Tonight's 2nd Intemission guest is Mark Fitzgerald, Play-by-Play voice of the Chilliwack Chiefs, who are in town to visit the Dogs on Sunday afternoon. 

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 visit Pathways

Nice of the Bulldogs to make a surprise visit to Pathways tonight to see some of their biggest fans!

Hammer

Blog soup - Wrestling, Golf, Santa Train, Teddy Bears and.....soup?!

Alberni Wrestlers Compete at Island Novice in Esquimalt

Wrestling teams from ADSS, EJ Dunn, and Neill Middle School travelled to Esquimalt on Saturday to compete at the Island Novice Wrestling Championships. The tournament marks the official start of the school wrestling season.

The Novice tournament is intended for athletes who are relatively new to the sport and there are restrictions as to who can compete.  As a result a number of the Alberni wrestlers either did not travel to Victoria or travelled down to referee rather than wrestle in the tournament.  Despite having only a portion of their wrestlers compete the local teams did very well.

Boys and Girls results were combined to determine the overall Middle School Team Standings.  EJ Dunn Middle School and Neill Middle School finished the tournament tied with 65 points each.  When the tie breaking criteria, most gold medals was applied, EJ Dunn was awarded third and Neill fourth.  Phoenix Middle School from Campbell River finished first and a combined team from multiple schools in Cowichan finished second.  

EJ Dunn was led by the gold medal performances of Ally Flaro (43kg Girls), Bobby McKenzie (29kg Boys), and William Merry (Hwt. Boys).  Seth Price from Neill Middle School went undefeated to claim the gold medal in the Junior Boys 35kg category.

“I was really impressed by the performance of all our middle school wrestlers,” commented EJ Dunn Coach Russ Bodnar.  “Seth Price from Neill and Ally Flaro from EJ Dunn were particularly dominant.  Their performances at this tournament indicate that both Seth and Ally are ready to compete at the next level.  Hopefully they both stick with this sport because I predict very bright futures.”

Anna Frost (Dunn 34kg Girls), Miranda Barker (Dunn 54kg Girls), Kylea Anderson (Dunn 64kg Girls), Ravi Manhas (Dunn 35kg Boys), Ripley Janzen (Neill 41kg Boys), Jayden Iverson (Dunn 57kg Boys), Daniel Spencer (Neill 60kg Boys), and Jayce Clayton (Dunn 78kg Boys) all claimed the silver medals in their weight classes.  EJ Dunn rookie coach Emma Vanderlee made the following assessment, “Alberni had nine silver medalists today.  In many cases they were one or two points away from going undefeated.  With a couple more practices and some hard work I think they are going to be even more impressive.”

Olivia Zanette (Dunn 34kg Girls), Mackenzie Boudreau (Dunn 43kg Girls), Teela Johnson (Neill 51kg Girls), Shane Leeper (Neill 51kg Boys) and Leonard Nookemis (Neill 60kg Boys) finished with bronze medals in their respective weight classes

.

Dakota McKenzie (Neill 4^th 57kg Girls), Jenna Sportak (Dunn 4^th 64kg Girls), Kenji Boyko (Neill 4^th 35kg Boys), Hunter Cootes (Dunn 4^th 45 kg Boys), Jarrod Gagnon (Dunn 4^th 66kg Boys), Harley Barkhouse (Dunn 5^th 66kg Boys), and Kodi Van den Broek (Neill 6^th 60kg Boys) rounded out the top six placers in the Middle School Division.

“I am really excited about how closely the two middle schools finished today,” commented Neill Head Coach Erin Anker.  “I think we are going to have some exciting dual meets between the two schools and I think we can make a run at EJ Dunn this year.  They have been holding onto that dual meet trophy for too long.”

ADSS had five wrestlers compete in the Novice tournament and all five of them placed.  David Wilson led the way with a gold medal in the Men’s 62kg division.  Trevor Barker (Men’s 41kg) and newcomer Cam McFarlane (Men’s Hwt.) finished with silver medals in their respective weight classes. Tanner Cook (4^th at 71kg Men) and Austin Patten (5^th at 64kg Men) rounded out the finishers for ADSS.

“We have a great development program in Alberni,” commented Coach Jeanette Badovinac.  “As a result a lot of people think you have to start wrestling before high school.  David Wilson and Cam McFarlane’s performance at the tournament proves that wrong.  David started wrestling last year in Grade 11 and Cam who is in Grade 12 started wrestling just a few weeks ago.  It isn’t an easy sport but if you work hard and are willing to learn you will have fun and probably even experience some success.  Our season is under way but new or returning wrestlers are always welcome.”

In addition to those competing ADSS sent down a contingent of elite wrestlers to participate in an Island Practice and rules clinic on Friday.  In a successful effort to be reinstated in the Olympics wrestling has made some pretty drastic rule changes.  ADSS experienced wrestlers had the opportunity to learn the rules and get some extra practice in.  On Saturday they gave back by acting as officials and volunteers at the tournament.

Wrestlers from all three teams will be right back on the mats training this week in preparation for upcoming tournaments.  ADSS will compete in Abbotsford on December 7, December 11 will be the first dual meet between Dunn and Neill, and December 14 will be the Cougar Invitational in Duncan.  Parents, wrestlers and program supporters interested in finding out more about upcoming wrestling events are encouraged to visit the club’s website www.alberniwrestling.ca.

Here's a great story on the fantastic Junior Golf program at the Alberni Golf Club!

A very big thanks to everyone that makes the Santa Train possible, from the conductor to the elves to the big guy himself, it's a memory of a lifetime for the kids, and the big kids! Part of a very busy Sunday, and a big tradition around here this time of year!

Don't forget to bring your bears and other stuffies to the game this Friday, TEDDY BEAR TOSS night! Always a lot of fun!

The ADSS Armada Athletic Department will be doing a Food Drive tomorrow night (Wednesday) - check out the details below.

The ADSS Athletic Dept. is doing a community wide Food Drive Wednesday Dec 4 from 5:30-7:30

Please give generously, as all proceeds will go directly to our community food banks. It is our way to give back as the community helps our Athletes in so many ways

For more information call Mike Roberts at 250 731-7782 or items can be dropped off at the school

And here's another one for you to support! Read below 

This year is the inaugural ADSS girls rugby and project based learning Christmas Tree sale. 

This Saturday and Sunday (Dec 7th and 8th) at ADSS from 10am - 1pm team members will be on hand to personally help you pick an amazing Christmas tree. Not only will you get an amazing tree but all profits will directly help students at ADSS. Come out and help support local students and athletes by buying a tree.

Finally, I promised SOUP, so here it is... I made an attempt at one of those "saw it on the internet" recipies - Dill Pickle soup, and wow was it a HIT. 
 

I'm not Gordon Ramsey or anything, I was just spending some fun times with the little guys at home, it's winter so soup feels appropiate. And who doesn't love pickles! 

People on my facebook are commenting on how it doesn't look to appetizing...how is soup supposed to look?! Turns out it looks just like it's supposed to...here's the recipe if you are interested. I promise, no more food posts on the blog...it was cold out, I was feelin' soupy, OK? At the very least, they will be few and far between!

Noble Pig - Dill Pickle Soup 

I must say a big thanks to friend of the Blog, Buy Low Foods (the bright spot on Johnson Road!) for carrying a tough to find ingredient...the soup recipe called for "Old Bay Seasoning" which I had never heard from before. I googled it, and the information I got back indicated it was mostly available only in the Eastern United States. After I asked about it on Facebook, several people commented that it could be found at Buy Low! I don't know how I missed it as I'm a habitual shopper there. When I went in to ask about it, the story goes that someone from Port Alberni went in to ask about it for making Fish Chowder, and Buy Low went out and found a distributor for it! Now is that service, or what?! Thanks Randy and the guys and gals at Buy Low! 

I'm sure they have this down to a science and almost like paint-by-numbers now, but I am always impressed with the displays that the Coke and Pepsi guys set up!

 Yum?

 

Hammer

Express top Dogs 5-4 in OT

The Bulldogs came out inspired off the opening puck drop and hemmed the Express in their zone for several shifts, but all it took was one chance for the Express to find the board as Josh Smith did a good job to steal the puck on the forecheck back of the Dogs net before throwing it out to the top of the crease for Jackson Cressey, who one-timed it through Tyger Howat to make it 1-0 at the 2:18 mark. Just seconds after the goal, the Express would have a glorious chance to build the lead as they raced in on a 3 on 0 rush on a delayed penalty, but they couldn't connect as a cross-ice one timer hit the post and stayed out. The Express would control the play for the next several minutes but the Dogs held on to keep it a one goal spread. The Express would then get in penalty trouble, taking back to back penalties before then taking another one after the whistle that saw the Bulldogs go to a 5 on 3 power play for 56 seconds. While the Dogs couldn't connect on the 5 on 3, they did score just seconds after the first penalty elapsed as Darian Henry put a low shot on net that was stopped by Dushenko, but he couldn't find the rebound before Hunter Stewart jammed it home from the top of the crease. Mitch Makin also picked up an assist on the play at 12:12 of the first period. The Dogs would get their feet under them after that and have several solid chances to take the lead, the best of which coming late in the period off a Craig Martin one-timer from the slot where Dushenko made a great glove save as it stayed 1-1 after one with the shots 11-9 in favour of the Dogs.

The second period was back and forth and fun to watch over the first couple of minutes. The Express would have a great chance at the end of a long shift where the Bulldogs contained them in their zone as Joey Santucci snuck out to centre where he was sent in alone on a breakaway after a great stretch pass. Tyger Howat would come up with a great glove save to keep it 1-1, but the Express would get it back shortly afterwards with their league leading 11th shorthanded goal as Ryan Rosenthal raced to a loose puck misplayed by a Bulldogs defender and put a wrist shot on goal that was stopped by Howat, but he couldn't find the rebound as Rosenthal drove the net and jammed the loose puck home. Assists went to Bo Pieper and John Saunders at 5:51 of the second. The Dogs would make good though and get it back on the power play less than a minute later as Craig Martin fought the puck over the line down the right wing before throwing a cross-ice pass onto the tape of a streaking Justin Georgeson who one-timed it home past the blocker of Dushenko to make it 2-2 at 6:43 of the second. The Bulldogs would take their first lead of the game in the final minute of play after winning several battles in their own end of the ice before Josh Atkins battled hard to find Hunter Stewart at the bottom of the right circle, where he went cross-crease onto the tape of Scott Clark to deflected it home to make it 3-2 at 19:09 of the second. The Bulldogs had a goal called back shortly afterwards as Quinton Wunder was robbed by a Dushenko glove save. Justin Georgeson would glove the puck down out of mid-air and drop it in the crease where it eventually ended up in the back of the net, but the Referee who was in position at the crease ruled no goal as it stayed 3-2 Dogs after two, with the Dogs out-shooting the Express 27-17.

The Express would quickly tie it up to open the third period as the Bulldogs failed to get the puck out, and gave it away up the middle where it was picked off by Adam Rockwood, who fed the left point where John Saunders blew a one-time slapper off a Bulldog stick and in to make it 3-3, with Corey Mackin also drawing an assist at 1:29 of the third. The Express would take the lead back two and a half minutes later on the power play on an unlucky/lucky bounce as a point shot was deflected and ended up in the slot right on the tape of Joey Santucci who fired it home past the glove of Howat. Canon Pieper and Zach Hodder drew the assists 3:50 into the third to make it 4-3 Express. The score would stay that way until the Bulldogs connected to tie it up on a pretty set up on a 5 on 3 power play as Justin Georgeson one-timed a Mak Barden pass in the deep slot top corner past the blocker of Dushenko. Kurtis Gosselin also drew an assist on the play at 9:37 of the third period to make it 4-4. Both teams would have their chances the remainder of regulation, but Howat and Duskenko stood tall to force the game into overtime. The Express would get the winner inside of three minutes into OT when Justin Georgeson was knocked down in the defensive zone before playing the puck on his knees to Darian Henry at centre ice. Henry would try to turn back, and lost his edges and the puck, which was picked up by Ryan Rosenthal who drove wide and to the net where he was initially stopped by Howat. The puck would end up in the net, along with Howat, and the goal stood as the Express won it 5-4 in OT at 2:47, unassisted. I'd like to see the goalie have a chance to keep the puck out, and I don't think he did in this instance.

Here's the video of the game winner - tough call for the Referee to make. You make the call, what's your opinion?

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 41-31, with Tyger Howat taking the loss while Pierce Dushenko picked up 3rd star honours with the win. The Dogs went 3 for 7 on the power play, with the Express going 1 for 4 while also adding one while shorthanded.

The Dogs are now six points back of the Capitals for the final Island Division Playoff spot, they are next in action Friday night at home against Cowichan in another huge game.

 

Dogs back home tonight to host Express

It's the third and final Regular Season meeting between the two clubs tonight as the Bulldogs (7-19-2-2, 5th Island) pay host the Coquitlam Express (13-12-0-2, 3rd Mainland), with the teams splitting the previous two meetings.

The Express won the first tilt 9-4 on day two of the season at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, while the Dogs answered back with a 6-4 win in Coquitlam on November 1st for their first road win of the season.

The Dogs are coming off a tough loss last night where they were in a 0-0 tie after two periods only to see the Caps throw a six spot on the board in the third to win it in a rout. I didn't think the Bulldogs came out of the gate with the intensity and urgency required for the magnitude of the game and the stakes, and I thought the game featured way too many instances of players trying to do too much individually. In the end I hope the Dogs don't remember last night for the wrong reasons - not only did they lose to the Caps and fall seven back instead of clawing just three behind with two games in hand, but they also gave the Caps exactly what they needed - a slump busting win. It's probably best they get right back at it tonight to forget about it with a great effort against the Express.

The Express have had a busy week, as they were in Surrey on Wednesday where they fell to the Eagles 7-5,  before hosting the Eagles in a wild and crazy affair last night (a 9-6 Express win) before then getting on the boat this morning to get over to the Island.

It's a two-man team in the booth tonight on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself and Bruce MacDonald bringing the action to you, with Dan "the stats man" Tisserand having to miss tonight's game to catch his office Christmas party. As always we will take to the air with our pregame show at 6:45 with the play-by-play following the 7:00pm puck drop.

I think our Island Radio Christmas party is next weekend, and once again I will be forced to miss it for about the 7th year in a row as I will be broadcasting a Bulldogs game! Just a small sacrifice for having this great job! Who wants a night away and dinner and drinks on the boss anyway? I bring it up mostly an excuse to highlight the committment of a guy like Dan, who is doing this as a passion for the most part, not a livelihood, travelling to Dogs games mostly on his own from Nanaimo. We'll miss ya Danno!

Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Dylan Haugen.  

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale, in conversation with Jeff Patterson from the BCHL This Week program on Team 1410am. Catch the show Saturday mornings on Team 1410 starting at 9:30.

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

Caps top Dogs 6-0, with six goal third period

The Capitals came out with the early edge in energy and desperation, as the Dogs took a bit to find their legs and get in the game. A harbinger of things to come shortly afterwards saw a questionable penalty shot awarded to the Capitals, on what looked like great defence to me, as three Bulldogs converged on Dane Gibson and no one seemed to get anything more than a light touch of a stick on the player while taking the puck away. Thankfully it wasn't of consequence as Connor LaCouvee came up with a big pad save on Dane Gibson to keep it scoreless just 3:20 into the game. It's hard not to say anything at this point about the Officiating - I would rather not, but it's a part of the game. The game for the period lacked flow, and both teams appeared to take issue with the Offcials. Tempers flared late in the period with a dust up at the Bulldog bench - the Dogs came out of it with a power play, and a 10 minute misconduct to Kurt Gosselin. Less than a minute into the opportunity they would pick up a penalty and have it taken away to bring about four-aside hockey, which happened several times in the first period. The period ended in a scoreless tie, with the Dogs up in the shots 11-9.

Here's the penalty shot call - you make the call!

The second period saw the Bulldogs kill off a minute of a carry-over penalty from the end of the first, before then heading to the box on back-to-back occasions shortly afterwards. They did a good job to kill the penalties off though, allowing the Capitals just one shot in just over five minutes of power play time. The Dogs would get their turn on the power play late in the period - after Kurt Gosselin was hauled down on a breakaway chance. It was no where near as clean as the Bulldogs defence on a breakaway that resulted in a Capitals penalty shot early in the game, but this would end up as just a minor penalty, but that is just how I saw it. The Dogs again weren't able to generate much of an attack as the man advantage struggled to get going. The Caps would have several great chances to open the scoring late in the period but Connor LaCouvee robbed Colton Kehler on a cross-ice one-timer with his right pad, before then standing tall to stop Mason Malkowich on a wide-open look from in tight. The game remained scoreless after 40 minutes with the Caps leading in the shots 19-18.

Here's the no penalty shot call - you make the call again. I would think one can't help but compare it to the first one

The Bulldogs began the third period on the power play, and again failed to generate much. It would come back to bite them shortly afterwards when the Capitals found the net on a centering pass by Daniel Wanner from behind the net to the top of the paint to Dane Gibson, who one-timed it through LaCouvee to make it 1-0 and send the Teddy Bears flying 3:33 into the third. Just 2:07 later the Capitals went ahead 2-0 as Mitch Ball walked over the Bulldogs blue line and beat Connor LaCouvee glove side on the rush from the top of the left circle with a snap shot long-side. Assists on the play went to Brayden Gelsinger and Colton Kehler at the 5:40 mark of the third period. Less than three minutes later the barrage continued as Mason Malkowich flipped the puck high in the air from the Capitals goal line to centre ice, where a Bulldog defender cut it off but failed to get it deep and turned it over at the Capitals line. Taki Pantziris would race into the 'Dogs zone on a partial breakaway before dishing over to Brayden Gelsinger who skated in alone and break LaCouvee with a backhand deke on the breakaway at 8:16 of the third. Two minutes later the Capitals built the lead to 4-0 on another in-alone chance as Mason Malkowich went to the backhand to put it past LaCouvee after nifty passing by Jesse Neher and Kyle Horsman at 10:12 of the third. Just two and a half minutes later the floodgates remained open when Jordan Topping scored on the rush from the top of the left circle, sneaking one through the seven-hole, glove side on LaCouvee to make it 5-0. Assists on the play went to Sam Curleigh and Daniel Wanner at 12:53 of the third period. One more to finish the scoring came on the rush on the power play as the Caps entered the Dogs zone and no one picked up Myles Powell who took a cross-ice pass and skated in alone on LaCouvee where he went to the backhand to tuck it home. Dane Gibson and Rylan Bechtel picked up the assists at 15:49 of the third for the 6-0 Final.

Shots favoured the Capitals 32-20 with Robin Gusse picking up the shut out and 3rd star honours while Connor LaCouvee took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 6 on the power play while the Capitals 1 for 7.

The Dogs will try to bounce back tomorrow night at home when they host the Coquitlam Express. 

Line ups Dogs @ Caps

Dogs visit Caps tonight at the BIG STICK in BIG 4 point game, add Wunder, move Clowes

It goes without saying that this is a HUGE game when it comes to the Island Division standings as the Bulldogs (7-18-2-2, 5th Island) visit the Capitals (11-19-0-1, 4th Island) at the Big Stick at the Island Savings Centre.

The Dogs haven't played since their 3-0 win over the Capitals at home on Saturday night - their first win over the Caps in five head-to-head games, and their first blanking of an opponent this season. The Capitals were in action Wednesday night at Home, where they lost their 9th in a row, 4-2 to the Clippers.

We've got it all covered for you from the friendly confines of the landing in Duncan on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starting with the pregame show at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00pm. Dan Tisserand will compile Team and Player stats with Bruce MacDonald providing Colour and Analysis and myself the Play-by-Play and Player and Coach Interviews.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Eddie Gregory, the Play-by-Play voice of the Coquitlam Express, who are in town tomorrow for the 3rd and final Regular Season meeting between the two teams.

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

 Bulldogs Sign Wunder, Release Clowes

PRESS RELEASE
November 28, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce two changes to the defense core heading into the games this weekend.

The Bulldogs have released 1995-born defenseman Brodie Clowes. He was initially acquired along with future considerations from the Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) for the CJHL playing rights to Luke Fenske. Clowes appeared in 12 games for the Bulldogs accumulating four assists but had troubles finding his stride and lacked the physicality that the team was looking for.

Today, the Bulldogs filled that roster spot with 1995-born defenseman Quinton Wunder from Simi Valley, CA. Wunder comes from the California Titans U18 program coached by Luc Beausoleil. The 6’2”, 190lbs defenseman is expected to be a defensive-defenseman that takes the body and likes to play physically.

“We look forward to Quinton adding an element that is needed on the back-end,” said Bulldogs head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “His physical play should be a big presence and he seems very keen to help us achieve our goals.”

Wunder appeared in all 24 games so far this season for the California Titans U18 team adding 7 assists and 32 PIMs. He also leads all defensemen on the Titans in plus/minus with a +8 rating.

“I am very excited to join what seems to be a great organization,” said newest Bulldog Quinton Wunder. “I would like to thank my parents and my coach Luc Beausoleil for helping me take the next step in my career. I can’t wait to play this weekend,” added Wunder.

Wunder will wear #25 and will be in the line-up this weekend for the Bulldogs.

For more information, contact head coach and general manager Kevin Willison

Hammer

Grey Cup Golf Classic

Always an unreal time!

Dogs win second in a row, 3-0 over Capitals

The Bulldogs got off to one of their best starts of the season, generating a handful of Grade A scoring chances both on the rush and in the Offensive zone. Robin Gusse came up with several solid stops early, but the Dogs persisted and found the net on a nice play on the rush as Mak Barden banked it over the line for Tryg Strand, who dropped it for Mitch Makin who walked into the left circle and ripped one top corner, far side, over the glove to Gusse to make it 1-0 at the 8:39 mark. Gusse again came up big to rob Craig Martin on an in-alone chance to keep it a one-goal game but the Dogs would build the lead shortly afterwards when Tryg Strand battled the puck through centre and over the Caps line for Mak Barden. He would find Garrett Halls at the right point, where he put a wrist shot on goal through traffic that was tipped home by Justin Georgeson, making it 2-0 at the 10:57 mark of the first. The Dogs would control the better of the play, but the Caps still had several good scoring chances as Connor LaCouvee was good when he had to be, with the Dogs up in the shots 19-11 after one period.

The Capitals came out inspired in the second period and while they had the Dogs running around early, they weren't able to generate many scoring chances. The Dogs would again have several chances turned away by Gusse, most notably when he dove back into the crease to rob Zach Funk on a an open net while the Dogs were shorthanded. The Dogs would kill off a penalty and then find the net in short order as Harlan Orr flipped the puck to Justin Georgeson at centre ice, where he sent Craig Martin over the line. He would fight through the defence and throw a shot on goal that appeared to deflect off a Capital defenders stick and fool Gusse, top corner, short-side at 9:21 of the second to make it 3-0. The Dogs went to a power play chance of their own right after the goal, and despite several outstanding scoring chances including a post, they couldn't build the lead. The Capitals would fight back and control the better part of the play late in the period, hemming the Dogs in their zone. LaCouvee was again solid to protect the lead, making an rediculous save on a rebound at the side of the net on Rylan Bechtel to keep it 3-0 Dogs after two periods, with the Dogs up in the shots 31-22.

There would be no scoring in the third period, with the Dogs playing one of their most complete periods of the season, not giving up much defensively while still generating a handful of good chances. While they didn't find the net through the third period, the Dogs dictated the play and the Caps weren't able to get a sustained attack going.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 50-31 with Connor LaCouvee picking up 1st star honours with the win and the shut out (the first for the Dogs as a team, and for LaCouvee this season) while Robin Gusse took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 3 on the power play while the Capitals went 0 for 1.

These teams meet again Friday night in Duncan, with the Caps first seeing action Wednesday night at home against Nanaimo.

Line ups Caps @ Dogs

Dogs host Caps tonight to finish three-in-three stretch, "Western Night" tonight

A three-in-three stretch concludes tonight as the Bulldogs (6-18-2-2, 5th Island) host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (11-17-0-1, 4th Island) in another installment of the "Battle of the Valleys" at the Dog Pound and an absolutely huge four point game.

This is the first meeting between the teams since mid October, when the Caps ran their record against the Dogs to  4 and 0 with a 5-4 win at the Dog Pound.The Caps were also in action last night, where they dropped their seventh straight game, 3-2 to the Grizzlies.

Tune in for what should be a fun one on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - the pregame show starts at 6:45, with the puck dropping just after 7:00pm. I will have the play-by-play, Bruce MacDonald the Colour and Analysis, and Dan "the stats man" Tisserand the statistics.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission interview is once again a segment from "BCHL This Week" on Team 1410, with host Jeff Patterson catching up this week with Victoria Grizzlies Coach Bill Bestwick. The Dogs have seen the Grizzlies just twice this season, and not since October 12th. You can catch BCHL This Week on Team 1410 Saturday Mornings at 9:30.

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 snap streaks, top Clippers 6-4

An outstanding game from the opening puck drop, with great flow to the game and no stoppages of play for the first three minutes of the game. The Clippers would open the scoring, somewhat against the flow of play as Edwin Hookenson went D to D across the blue line to Scott Prier at the left point where he put a low slap shot on goal that was deflected home in the slot by Brendan Taylor, top corner, glove side on LaCouvee at the 4:52 mark. The Bulldogs wouldn't be deterred, and they continued to have the better of the play and the chances, eventually leading to the tying goal as Jakson Elynuik found Darien Henry at the point who set up Brett Stewart in the right circle where he snapped one low blocker, inside the far post on Liam McLeod to make it 1-1 at 13:05 of the first. The Dogs would have several outstanding chances to take the lead, most notably on a 2 on 1 where Mak Barden set up Justin Georgeson, but McLeod came over to make a fantastic save to keep it 1-1 after one.         

The Dogs would take their first lead of the game just over two minutes into the second as the Clippers won a draw in their own end but didn't get the puck as Hunter Stewart retrieved it and put a centering pass onto the tape of a wide-open Zak Bowles in the slot who ripped one top corner under the bar past McLeod to make it 2-1 Dogs at 2:22. The Clippers would go to the power play shortly afterwards where they tied the game as Spencer Hewson took a cross ice pass from Sheldon Rempal and went top corner, short-side on LaCouvee. Korey Morgan also picked up an assist on the play at 4:51 of the second to make it 2-2. The Clippers would control the play for a stretch and have the better of the chances, the most notable of which might have been a Bo Brauer one-timer from the hashmarks, but LaCouvee came up with a huge shoulder save. The Dogs would take the lead back against the flow of play when Ryan Buse took a cross-ice pass at the left point from Josh Adkins before throwing a wrist shot through traffic that beat McLeod low, long side. Rob Click also picked up an assist on the play as it was 3-2 Dogs at the 12:09 mark of the second. Less than a minute later the Clippers would tie it right back up when Devin Brosseau deflected home a Brendan Taylor pass from the slot through LaCouvee, with Chris Newton also picking up a helper at 12:46 to make it 3-3. It would be the Dogs turn this time to answer in a hurry, when the puck came back to the right point where Garrett Halls threw a wrist shot on net that again beat McLeod low, long side for the first career goal from Halls, from Scottie Clark and Hunter Stewart at 13:23 of the second to make it 4-3. The Dogs would take a two goal lead into the room after two periods when they found the net on the power play, snapping a five-game power play goal drought in the process, after they hemmed the Clippers in their zone for 1:41 in duration before finally finding the net when Scott Clark put a wrist shot from the top of the right circle through the seven hole of McLeod to make it 5-4 Dogs with just 9 seconds to go in the period, with assists to Tryg Strand and Kurt Gosselin. 

The third period saw the Clippers make it a one-goal game with just over ten minutes to play when the Dogs defence both missed the puck at the Clipper blue line resulting in breakaway for Anthony Sabitsky that he converted on as he squeaked it through the legs of LaCouvee to make it 5-4 with 9:22 gone in the third, and assists on the play going to Scott Prier and Korey Morgan. The Dogs would make the lead stand until the late stages of the third when Tryg Strand drew a penalty with hard work in the Clippers zone. The Dogs would connect on the advantage as Harlan Orr put a perfect shot on net from the top of the left circle that was deflected past Jayson Argue by Scott Clark for his second of the game to make it 6-4. Darien Henry also picked up an assist on the play at 15:47 of the third, as the Dogs made the lead stand and salted the rest of the time away. 

Shots were even at 40 aside with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win while Liam McLeod took the loss giving up 5 goals in 40 minutes. The Dogs went 2 for 3 on the power play while the Clippers went 1 for 4. 

The Dogs are in action tomorrow night when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals in a huge four point game. 

                                                                      

Line ups Dogs @ Kings

Bulldogs travel to Nanaimo tonight to face Clippers, Jay Deo interview

It's the fifth meeting this season already between these two rivals as the Bulldogs (5-18-2-2, 5th Island) head over the Hump to Nanaimo to face the Clippers ( 13-12-0-1, 3rd Island) at the Frank Crane Arena. These teams last met in Nanaimo on November 8th, a 2-1 Nanaimo win.

The Bulldogs lost their 5th in a row last night, 3-0 to the Kings, while the Clippers lost their second in a row, also to the Kings, 3-2 at home on Wednesday night. 

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM takes to the airwaves/internetwaves with the pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm with Bruce, Dan and myself bringing all the action and stats to you.

Tonight's 1st Intermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Hunter Stewart.

The alumni interviews continue tonight, as in the 2nd Intermission show we'll catch up with last year's Bulldog MVP Jay Deo, now with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Blugolds

One of my favorite Jay highlights...is OFF the ice, as he took my phone on the bus after Game 5 in Nanaimo last year. Sorry the video is sideways, and dark, but it captures the MOMENT, and that's what matters right?

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

Kings top Dogs 3-0 to sweep three-game set

The Kings controlled the play early from the opening puck drop, as the Dogs struggled to find their legs. The Kings put a good amount of pucks on net and built up a 9-1 advantage in shots that led to a 1-0 lead as Jarid Lukosevicius deflected a Jordan Burns point shot past Tyger Howat. Matt Scarth also picked up an assist on the play at 10:43 of the first period. The Bulldogs would get their game going as the period wore on, having several good chances around the net, including on two deflections on a late power play, but they couldn't beat Jeff Smith as the Kings took the 1-0 lead into the room after one, with a 9-8 lead in shots.

The Bulldogs came out with a jump in their step to start the second and carried the better of the play and had several good chances, out-shooting the Kings 7-0 to open the frame. The Kings needed just one shot to build their lead against the flow of play though, as Jarid Lukosevicius put a cross-ice pass through two Bulldog defenders and onto the tape of Kurt Keats who one-timed it into the wide open net. Matt Scarth again picked up the second assist at 7:29 of the second. The Dogs responded well after the goal, but as the period wore on the Kings controlled the bulk of the play and the Dogs were unable to get much of a sustained attack going with the Kings carrying the 2-0 lead to the room after 40 minutes.

The Kings would play a very tidy third period protecting their lead, looking very much like the League's best team. The Dogs would have several good scoring chances, but certainly not enough, as the Kings made the lead stand until Lucas Grayson found a loose puck at centre and deked out a Bulldog defender to have a breakaway on the empty net to seal the deal. Assists on the play went to Kurt Keats and Stephen Hiff at the 18:38 mark of the third period for the 3-0 Final.

Shots favoured the Kings 29-26 with Jeff Smith picking up second star honours with the win and the shutout, his second straight and third in three starts against the Dogs this season, while Tyger Howat picked up 3rd star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 3.

The Dogs are in Nanaimo tomorrow night, and back home against the Capitals on Saturday.

Hammer

Line ups Dogs vs Kings

Dogs back at home tonight to finish triple header with Kings, Johnny Rogic interview

The Bulldogs (5-17-2-2, 5th Island) return to Home Ice tonight for their third straight game against the Powell River Kings (18-4-0-1, 1st Island, 1st Overall) and the first this season at the Dog Pound, trying to snap a four game losing streak. The Kings swept the two games last weekend in Powell River by scores of 3-2 in OT and 5-0 on Friday and Saturday respectively.

It's the second in a row on the road for the Kings after 10 in a row on Home Ice, as they were in Nanaimo last night where they topped the Clippers 3-2 for their fourth win in a row.

It's "Jersey Night" at the Multiplex tonight, as fans are encouraged to wear their favorite jersey from any sport, wear one and you will be entered to win prizes.

If you can't make it to the game, we'll have it all covered for you on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  with yours truly proving the Play-by-Play and Bruce MacDonald bringing the Colour and Analysis and Dan Tisserand compiling Team and Player statistics.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is another Bulldog alum in Johnny Rogic, now a senior at RPI. 

Here's one of my favorite Johnny highlights

 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