Dogs top Kings 4-0

For the second straight home game against the Kings, the Bulldogs got off to a great start, going up 1-0 before the game was two minutes old as Mitch Makin chased down a loose puck and drove in on the Kings net where he beat Smith high, short-side. Scott Clark picked up the only assist at 1:55 of the first. On the next shift the Dogs would go to the power play as Dylan Haugen was hooked while driving the net. The Dogs would connect on the advantage when Darian Henry made a nice play to set up Mitch Owsley on the left wing wall. Owsley would return the pass as Henry drove the slot and Henry ripped it high past the glove of Smith at 3:29. The score stayed that way until the back half of the period when the Dogs made it 3-0 as Justin Georgeson and Tryg Strand both drove the net hard to set up a good chance. Smith would make the first save but he couldn't locate the rebound as Hunter Stewart drove the net and roofed it under the bar at 13:47. The remainder of the period saw a plethora of penalties. First it was a two and a ten to Ryan Scarfo for a hit-from-behind on Ryan Buse that was called as a check to the head. On the delayed penalty, Craig Martin was hauled down on a breakaway, drawing another minor. The Bulldogs weren't able to connect on the long 5 on 3, as they took a penalty just over a minute into it. Shortly afterwards, Darian Henry took a knee-on-knee hit from Luke Ripley that left him writhing in pain on the ice. Gosselin would challenge Ripley, who seemed to drop the mitts and accept the challenge. Gosselin would pick up a penalty for instigating, along with five for fighting, while Ripley got five for kneeing and five for fighting, bringing about the very rare Regulation time 3 on 3 hockey. The period ended with the Dogs back on the power play with the major time remaining, with the shots 13-10. 

The second period saw the Bulldogs continue to play solid hockey as they carried the bulk of the play. They would build their lead to 4-0 when Garrett Halls made a great play to carry the puck down the left wing from neutral ice and into the left corner of the Kings zone where he put a perfect centering pass onto the tape of Zach Funk, who one-timed it past the blocker of Jonah Imoo - who had entered the game in relief of Smith after the third Bulldogs goal. Dylan Haugen also picked up an assist on the play at 5:43 of the second. The Kings wouldn't quit, and pushed hard to get into the game. They would draw two penalties over the back half of the period, but the penalty killers and Connor LaCouvee held the fort to keep it 4-0 Dogs after 40 minutes with shots favouring the Kings 22-19.

The Bulldogs continued to play pretty solid hockey through the early parts of the third period, with the Kings continuing to push to try and get back in it. They would have a glorious chance to get on the board when Stephen Hiff was awarded a penalty shot seven minutes into the period. He would try to go low stick-side on LaCouvee, who stuck with him as the shot hit the post and stayed out to keep it 4-0. There would be no scoring the rest of the way.

Final shots favored the Bulldogs 32-27 with Connor LaCouvee picking up 1st star honours with the win in net while Jeff Smith took the loss before being replaced by Jonah Imoo. Unofficial special team stats had the Dogs 1 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 3.

With the win the Dogs remain a point back of the Capitals for 4th on the Island, as they beat the Clippers 3-1 in Nanaimo.

The Dogs next see action Saturday night - note the start time - as they take on the Kings in Powell River, a 6:30 start.

Hammer

Line ups Kings @ Dogs

Bulldogs host Kings tonight

It's down to the final six games of the Regular Season for the Bulldogs (17-27-2-6, 5th Island) who host the Powell River Kings (32-13-2-4, 1st Island) at the Dog Pound tonight. It almost seems normal to have Wednesday night hockey by now, as it's the third Wednesday game at Home for the Bulldogs over the last four weeks.

The Bulldogs come into play tonight a point back of the 4th placed Capitals, who are in action tonight in Nanaimo. The Kings are two points up on the Grizzlies (who have a game in hand) for the Island lead, and a single point back of the Langley Rivermen for the overall league lead. The Kings have lost three in a row, last seeing action Sunday afternoon in Victoria where lost 4-3 to the Grizzlies. This was a wild one, with the Grizzlies scoring the go-ahead goal with less than two minutes to play in the third at the tail end of a five minute power play with Lucas Grayson picking up a Major for slashing. The Kings were penalized again with less than 30 seconds to go, but they tied the game while shorthanded just a dozen seconds later, only to lose on a power play goal in the first minute OT.

These teams last met January 26th in a wild one at the Dog Pound, a 6-4 Dogs win.

Tune in to Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand bringing all the action to you. The pregame show kicks off at 6:45 with the puck drop to follow after 7:00pm.

 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

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is an interview from yesterday's 93.3 The Peak FM Morning Show, as I sat down with Instructor Carl Poole and Student David Friel and we talked all things Alberni District Hockey Canada Skills Academy.

Hammer

PAJHS Dinner and Auction, Alberni Invitational Results, SD 70 Hockey Academy,

The PAJHS Dinner and Auction is coming up at the end of the month - it was very well attended, and a very fun time last year!

The Dinner and Auction is a very important fundraiser for the Society when it comes to covering the costs incurred with running a Junior A Hockey Team.

 

The Alberni Invitational went over the weekend, and from all accounts it was well run as always. This year was like most others, as in I wasn't able to attend the tournament because it usually runs at the Multiplex when the Dogs are on the road!

31^st Wrestling Invitational A Great Success

The 31^st Annual Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament is in the books and by all variables it was another outstanding event.  While overall entries were down to less than 500, in large part to increased travel costs and shrinking budgets for sports in many Districts, the quality of competition was still high. Alberni wrestlers turned in some incredible performances and displayed the character and sportsmanship they are known for.  Organizationally the Invitational was once again a huge success in large part due to the amazing volunteers and tremendous support from the businesses and organizations of our community.

On the mats local wrestlers captured 21 medals and placed 43 wrestlers in the top 6 placings of their weight classes.  The ADSS Girls won the Juvenile division while the ADSS Boys minus the  injured Nolan Badovinac were third in Juvenile. Dunn won the School Girl division and were 4^th in School Boys while Neill was third in girls and second in the boys. ADSS was shut out in the Cadet Division this year. 

Individually, 6 of the local medals were gold. Winning their respective age and weight divisions were  ADSS wrestlers Jordan Wagner and Remi Wells at 57 kg in Juvenile boys and Juvenile girls.  Wagner was completely dominant in his weight winning all his matches handily. In the final is schooled a tough Cam Liptrot of Nanaimo and won on a superior decision. Wells had a tougher final as she was up against BC champion Faye Tuck also of Nanaimo.  Wells came from behind a 6 point deficit in the second round to win in the final seconds.  Wells performance earned her the selection as the Most Outstanding  Female in the Juvenile division this year. 

“Remi showed some real poise and experience in the final,” said head ADSS coach John McDonald, “Faye is an excellent wrestler and Remi just didn’t get flustered or down. She picked away at the lead one takedown at a time and pulled it out when she needed to. That is a real confidence boost for her going into the BC in 3 weeks.  We were very happy for her.”

Three local girls won School Girl gold with victories at 36 kg, 45 kg and 62 kg. Anna Frost of Dunn took the 36 kg school girl title while teammate Kylea Anderson was first at 62 kg. Neill’s Lily Timothy won the 45 kg weight. Seth Price of Neill took the championship at 36 kg in the School Boy division. 

Five Alberni wrestlers captured silver medals at the Invitational.  Two time BC champion Jesse Wagner  lost a hard fought battle with fellow BC champion Oscar Bulaqui of North Vancouver in the Juvenile boys 54 kg final. Bulaqui is also a reigning National champion and jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on Wagner. Again showing the Port Alberni grit Wager came back strong in the second round but fell short 10-7. ADSS teammate Michel Kurucz did the same in her 60 kg Juvenile girls final against Brandy Perry of Carson Graham. Only a late mistake cost Kurucz a come from behind victory.

Neill school boy wrestlers Shane Leeper and Daniel Spencer took second place honours in their 49 kg and 59 kg weights respectively. Dunn’s Circe Campbell won a silver medal in the 45 kg school girl division. 

Local wrestlers won 10 bronze medals at the 2014 Invitational. New comer Emma McGowan showed some real promise in placing third at 64 kg Juvenile girls. School girls Ally Flaro and Miranda Barker of Dunn were third at 42 kg and 53 kg with Neill’s Kiarra Charlesworth third at 58 kg.  In the School Boy division bronze medals were claimed by Dunn wrestlers Isaac McDonald 41 kg, Jayden Iverson 56 kg, Aaron Badovinac 64 kg, Skyler Lynn 68 kg and Jayce Clayton 74 kg. Neill’s Leonard Nookemis was third at 59 kg. 

Fourth place finishers were  ADSS wrestlers Trevor Barker (Cadet 41 kg), Russell David (juvenile 54 kg), Johannes Kulich (juvenile 66 kg), Dean Leyland (juvenile 70 kg) and Lauren Barker (juvenile girls 57 kg).  Adding fourths were Dunn Schools boys Ravi Manhas (34 kg), Harley Barkhouse (68 kg) and Jarod Gagon (74 kg) and Neill’s Kenji Boyko (36 kg), and Owen Spencer (38 kg). School girls Nevada Grist (Dunn 58 kg) and Dakota McKenzie (Neill 62 kg) were fourth in their weights.

Rounding out the top six placings were fifths from David Wilson (J 63 kg) and Christian Anderson (J 90 kg) of ADSS , Neill’s Gerrard Graham (SB 36 kg) and Scott Coulthart (SB 64 kg) and Dunn’s MacKenzie Boudreau (SG 42 kg), Shaunine D’Andrea (SG 58 kg) and Keyra McNeill (SG 62 kg).  Sixth place finishers were Jarrod Beckett of ADSS at Juvenile 54 kg and Ethan Tramer and Skyler White of Dunn at School Boys 38 kg and 58 kg. 

The 2014 Invitational also featured the very popular Elementary Division on Friday afternoon. Over 100 youngsters ages 7-11 participated in a very fun afternoon run by Alberni coaches Russ Bodnar and Jen Johnson. This division is the culmination of a month of practices where Bodnar and Johnson coordinate local high school and Meddle school wrestlers to coach the younger group. The program this year had sponsorship from the BC After School Sports Program and local company JAL Designs sponsored a shirt for every participant.

Despite their many years of success and accolades the 2015 Alberni Invitational Wrestling Tournament will likely see some major changes according Tournament Chair Tom McEvay. “We have many factors coming together to move us to make changes. The most powerful draw for us is our desire to connect our high school team and the overall program closer to their roots at Alberni District Secondary,” stated McEvay. “While our club has done a lot of the work for this event it is still a school wrestling tournament co-hosted by ADSS.  People forget that Alberni Wrestling is 99% a school based program.”

McEvay continued, “ We ran this event at the old ADSS from 1983 to 1996 but it got too big and we moved to Glenwood. When it got too big for Glenwood we moved into the Multiplex in 2003. The Multiplex has been an awesome venue and the City has been fantastic to work with but with our numbers moving down and the new ADSS being such an amazing facility we felt it is time to move the event there. The students, staff and administration at ADSS are very supportive and excited as it can add another positive identity and promote s even more school spirit at ADSS.  January will bring Totem Basketball and February will bring Invitational Wrestling.  Both events celebrate student excellence in athletics but more importantly the value of sport to school culture and student pride.” 

Planning for the 2015 Invitational will be happening behind the scenes in the weeks ahead but for now the major focus for the local wrestling program is the Island Championships on Saltspring Island this coming weekend and then the BC High School Championships in Prince George February 27 – March 1.  Wrestlers who qualify for the BC’s at the Islands will leave for Prince George on February 26^th and return March 2^nd. Fortunately the local wrestlers are well known for their extensive fundraising which has allowed them to fly to the BC’s this year.  Prince George was the site of ADSS’s first provincial wrestling title back in 1983.

The Alberni Hockey Skills Academy is having a try-it session next Monday...I wish this was around when I was in school! Click the image to enlarge, and consider checking it out!

Hammer

Cents top Dogs 4-2

A very good start to the game for the Bulldogs, as they came out hard on the first couple of shifts. They would take a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the game as Harlan Orr found Jake Kauppila behind the Centennials net, where he quickly centered to Scott Clark, who one-timed it past Jarrod Schamerhorn top corner, short-side at 2:05 of the first. The Centennials would push back and carry the bulk of the play throughout the period, hemming the Bulldogs in their zone on several instances for a long duration of time. They would bend, but not break, with Connor LaCouvee coming up big time and again to protect the lead. The Dogs would get their feet back under them and generate several chances later in the period, before the Centennials again pushed back late in the frame. The Dogs held the lead into the second, with the Cents leading in the shots 17-8.

The second period was fairly even and back and forth with neither team carrying the play through the early minutes. The Centennials would tie the game just over six minutes into it when Adam Tracey stole the puck behind the net and threw it out to the deep slot for Waylon Williams, who put a low shot on net that was stopped by LaCouvee, but he couldn't get any help on the rebound as Adam Tracey outfought the Bulldogs defender to jam it home as LaCouvee made a diving attempt in desperation to keep it out. Williams would pick up the only assist on the play at 6:16 of the second to tie it at 1-1. The Bulldogs would push back hard over the next couple of minutes to try and take the lead back, generating some good chances but they couldn't beat Schamerhorn. Kurt Gosselin came the closest, beating the goalie but hitting the cross-bar as it stayed out. Shots favoured the Centennials in the period 12-9, for a two period total of 29-17.

The Centennials would take their first lead of the game just over two minutes in on a bad luck play as Josh Adkins back-checked and made what looked like a nice defensive play to stop a rush. A second later, a loose puck would hit him and go in past LaCouvee to make it 2-1 Centennials 2:54 into the third. The goal went to Adam Tracey, un-assisted. The score stayed that way until the midway mark of the period when the Centennials broke the game open with two goals in a matter of seconds to lead 4-1. The first came off an neutral zone faceoff as the Dogs got caught stepping up, resulting in an odd-man rush where Diego Cuglietta finished off a centering pass from James Neil. Jeff Wight also picked up an assist on the play at 10:44 of the third. Off the ensuing puck drop the Centennials would threow the puck at the Dogs net and score on a scramble with Cuglietta appearing to knock the puck in out of mid air, with James Neil and Tyler Martin assisting at 11:02. The Bulldogs would go for broke and pull their goalie with just over two minutes left and the move would pay off as Justin Georgeson squeaked one in from a sharp angle past Schamerhorn with Harlan Orr picking up the only assist at 18:12 to make it 4-2. That's as close as the Dogs would get though as the Centennials killed the rest of the clock.

Final shots favoured the Centennials 41-28 with Connor LaCouvee taking the loss but playing outstanding and giving the Dogs every chance. Schamerhorn picked up 3rd star honours with the win. Both teams went 0 for 1 on the power play.

The loss coupled with a Cowichan win sees the Dogs slide back into 5th place, a point back of the Capitals. The Caps game in hand is tomorrow afternoon when they host Coquitlam. The Dogs next see action Wednesday at home against Powell River.

Line ups Dogs at Cents

Bulldogs visit Merritt to conclude roadie, first meeting of season with Cents

An interesting scheduling quirk as it's into the final games of the season and these teams haven't seen each other yet, as the Bulldogs (17-26-2-6, 4th Island) visit the Centennials (25-19-4-1, 5th Interior) at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The Bulldogs opened up their mini two game swing up North with a huge 2-1 win in Prince George. The Centennials were at home last night were they fell 6-2 to the West Kelowna Warriors, snapping the Centennials winning streak at three and their unbeaten streak at four. It was also the Cents first loss at Home since early December.

The Nicola Valley Memorial Arena is a great old barn - it has a smaller than regulation ice sheet, and things happen VERY fast so you had best be ready to play early. I know it's sometimes hard to get an idea of the size of things through photos, but doesn't the rink just look small in the photo up top? There isn't a bad place in the rink to throw a shot on net. Here's a look at the infamous heater that the road broadcasters have to work around!

And one of my favorite touches on this great old rink - the organ at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Broadcast Booth. Still haven't tried to fire it up yet - maybe this is the year!

Finally, a little video tour from a couple of years back.

                          

 Don't miss a minute of the action on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show taking to the airwaves at 7:15, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:30.

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

(image: Kaicee Trott)

Tonight's 2nd Intermission interview is former Bulldog Casey Bailey, now with Penn State

Hammer

Dogs win second straight, 2-1 over Spruce Kings

After a challenging start to the day saw the Bulldogs unable to get to their game day skate due to a frozen bus, they started the game quite well with a good number of chances early and a good jump in their step. The Spruce Kings would push back and really got their feet moving as the period wore on, as they attacked the Dogs zone with speed and had a handful of odd-man rushes and breakaways. The Dogs would have a great chance early on a breakaway just under five minutes in when Zak Bowles broke up a pass at the defensive line and raced in on a 2 on 1 rush where he put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Dylan Haugen, who skated in alone. Haugen would make a nice move cutting across the crease going to his backhand, but Jesse Jenks stuck with him and made a solid save. Seconds later, it was LaCouvee's turn as he made a breakaway stop on Jeremiah Luedtke. The Spruce Kings would open the scoring on another odd-man rush, coming off a faceoff in their own end as they won the draw and flew up ice and found the back of the net as a cross-ice pass appeared to hit Luedtke and go in through the fivehole of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Chad Stahley and Karan Toor at 10:27 of the first. The Bulldogs would keep it 1-0 with a good penalty kill shortly afterwards, before they went to the power play later in the frame looking to tie the game. They would give up a shorthanded breakaway early in the advantage, but LaCouvee again came up big to rob Cole Todd. A crazy period continued seconds later as Tryg Strand was sent in alone, but Jenks came up big with a glove save to keep it 1-0 Spruce Kings after 20 minutes, with Prince George leading the shots 12-11.

The second period saw the Bulldogs come out and have the better of the chances early, but Jenks continued to play solid in the Spruce Kings net. At the tail end of a Bulldog power play a large skirmish erupted on a late hit from behind on Darian Henry, that saw Mitch Makin challenge Brent Lashuk. The whistle sounded to stop play as cooler heads seemed to prevail, albeit momentarily as Justin Georgeson showed good discipline in taking several punches before eventually dropping the gloves and getting the decision in a spirited bout with Skylar Pacheco. The events seemed to fire up the Bulldogs, as they would tie the game up on the next shift as Harlan Orr put a cross-ice pass on the tape of Scott Clark at the Bulldog line where he chipped it onto the tape of Jake Kauppila. He would go end-to-end up the left wing and drive the net where he put a perfect shot top corner, short-side off the back bar over Jenks to tie the game at 1-1 at 9:59 of the second. The Bulldogs would carry the play the remainder of the period and while they had a handful of great scoring chances they couldn't build the lead as it was 1-1 after 40 minutes with the Dogs out-shooting the Spruce Kings 16-5 over the period for a 27-17 advantage after two. 

The third period started very slow, with a series of icings and pucks going out of play. As the period wore on, it was hotly contested with each team fighting for the go ahead marker. The Spruce Kings would have a power play early, but the Dogs killed it with LaCouvee making a big save on Jeremy Rai. The score stayed 1-1 until the late stages of the third when the Dogs went ahead 2-1 as Tryg Strand made a good defensive play in his own end and carried the puck up the right wing into the Prince George zone. He would then go to the slot where he was set up by Hunter Stewart who made a great one-handed pass onto his tape where he one-timed it home low past the glove of Jenks to make it 2-1 with 4:40 to play, with Justin Georgeson also picking up an assist. The Bulldogs would make the lead stand, with LaCouvee making one more good save on a cross-ice pass with three minutes to go to preserve the lead.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 41-25 with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win while Jesse Jenks earned 1st star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Spruce Kings went 0 for 4.

With the win, the Dogs remain a point up on the Capitals for 4th place on the Island as the Caps beat Nanaimo 4-3 in double OT.

The Dogs are in Merritt tomorrow for a 7:30 start time against the Centennials.

Hammer

Bulldogs visit Spuce Kings tonight in Prince George

A two game swing through the Carbioo and Nicola Valley kicks off tonight for the Bulldogs (16-26-2-6, 4TH ISLAND) as they visit the Spruce Kings (28-15-3-2, 2nd Mainland) tonight in Prince George.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-2 win at home over Nanaimo on Wednesday night that gave them two big points to rise to 4th place in the Division - a spot they haven't occupied in the standings all season. Holding a game in hand, the Capitals are hot on their tails.

The Spuce Kings last played on Saturday night at home where they topped Coquitlam 3-2 for their third consecutive win. It was their fourth straight game head-to-head against the Express, one of the realities of the two teams being divisional opponents. The Spruce Kings are unbeaten in four, with a tie mixed in as well. They are in the middle of a nine game Home Stand. The Spruce Kings are 10 points up on the Express for second in the Division, and six back of the 1st place Langley Rivermen with a game in hand.

These teams last met at the Dog Pound on January 4th, a 5-2 Bulldog win.

Here's a look at the Prince George Coliseum - you can tell by the players named that the video is old...but it gives you a good idea on what the rink is like!

I will have all the action for you on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm

 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


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Dustin Scafe, Play-by-Play voice of the Merritt Centennials, who the Dogs visit tomorrow.


Hammer

Dogs top Clippers 5-2, take over 4th Place

The Bulldogs got off to a solid start, drawing two early power play chances, however the Clippers came up with two kills to keep it scoreless. Jayson Argue would come up big as well to keep it 0-0, as he made a great save in tight on Justin Georgeson who put a backhand on goal that appeared to be going up stairs before Argue snared it. The Bulldogs would get on the board just past the midway mark of the period as Harlan Orr fought the puck all the way from his own end and into the Clippers end where he retreived it in the left corner and threw it out front where a scramble ensued. The end result was Scottie Clark poking the puck home with one hand on his stick after an initial Argue save on Jake Kaauppila to make it 1-0 at 10:58 of the first. Argue would come up with another great save shortly afterwards on a pretty set up as Justin Georgeson brought the puck behind the net and threw a behind-the-back pass out front for Hunter Stewart, but Argue again made an acrobatic glove save to keep it 1-0 Bulldogs after the first, with the Dogs leading the shots 17-9.

The Bulldogs would again go to the power play early in the period, and while they looked really good on the early parts of it, they got caught pushing too hard and as a result the Clippers tied the game as Jacob Hanlon found a loose puck and fired it up the middle and onto the tape of a streaking Spencer Hewson who raced in on the breakaway and out-fought the Bulldogs backcheck before ripping a wrist shot top corner, glove side on LaCouvee at 3:57 of the second for a 1-1 tie. The Bulldogs would atone for the shortie against just four minutes later when they connected on another power play as Tryg Strand found a rebound at the front of the net off a Kurt Gosselin shot from the top of the point to make it 2-1. Craig Martin also picked up an assist on the play at 7:47 of the second. The score would stay that way into period three, with the Dogs up 32-20 in the shots. 

The Bulldogs would build on their lead just three minutes into the period on a dazzling highlight reel goal as Craig Martin used one hand to throw a pass to the slot to Mitch Owsley who one-touched it back door for Justin Georgeson who one-timed it top corner, short-side on Argue at 3:45 of the third to make it 3-1. It was 4-1 just three minutes later as Georgeson won a draw in the Nanaimo end and went to the slot where he took a perfect pass from Hunter Stewart that he fired home long side, past the glove on Argue. Tryg Strand also picked up an assist on the play at 6:56 of the third. The Bulldogs would control the next couple of minutes, bringing about a Time Out from the Clipper Coaching Staff. Almost immediately afterwards the Clippers had a glorious chance to tie the game as Ryan Forbes skated in on a breakaway after a shot block at his own line, however LaCouvee came up with a huge save to keep it 4-1. The Clippers would persist and got the Dogs running around in their own end to trim the gap to 4-2 just minutes later as a loose puck off a shot block ended up in the slot on the tape of Nick Guerra who slapped one home top corner past the glove of LaCouvee. Assists on the play went to Scott Prier and Sheldon Rempal at 11:06 of the third. The Clippers would push hard on the next couple of shifts and threw a bunch of pucks on net from sharp angles that created traffic around the net, but no goals. The Dogs held the lead until the late stages when they sealed the deal into the empty net as Hunter Stewart lifted the puck to centre ice for Tryg Strand who backhanded his second of the game and 20th of the season home from the Clippers line at 19:43 of the third, with Justin Georgeson also drawing an assist on the play.

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 42-33 with Connor LaCouvee picking up the win while Jayson Argue took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 5 on the power play with the Clippers going 0 for 3 while also scoring once shorthanded.

The Dogs now sit alone in 4th place for the first time this season, a single point up on the Cowichan Valley Capitals, with the Caps now holding a game in hand. They hit the road 6am Thursday, next seeing action in Prince George on Friday and Merritt on Saturday.

Hammer

Line ups Bulldogs vs Clippers

Dogs host Clippers tonight, head out on the road tomorrow

It's right back to action tonight for the Bulldogs (15-26-2-6, 5th Island) as they renew acquaintances with the Clippers (25-23-1-1, 3rd Island) at the Dog Pound for the third meeting between the teams in the last couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs are coming off a dreadful effort at Home on Saturday where they came out flat and lost 9-5 to the Grizzlies. Combine that with a Cowichan OT loss in Powell River, and the Dogs are right back in 5th place. It took them 48 games to climb out of the basement, and just one bad start and one bad game to fall right back into it.

One has to hope that the best thing is to get right back out there and play a couple of days later, and that the two points up for grabs and a chance to hold 4th place by themselves at the end of the night will serve at good motivation. 

After falling 4-1 to the Dogs on January 22nd in the last game between the teams in this building, the Clippers have won three in a row - including a 4-3 OT win over the Dogs two days later. They followed that up with a 4-3 double OT win over Powell River the next night, and topped Victoria 4-2 last Friday night in their last game.

The Bulldogs announced yesterday that they will be without Nathan Warren for the remainder of the Regular Season - details HERE

Get all the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm with myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand bringing it all to you. 

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

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Ron Gallo, Play-by-Play voice of the Prince George Spruce Kings, who the Dogs visit on Friday night. 

Hammer

Grizz top Dogs 9-5

The Bulldogs came out flat, while the Grizzlies came out absolutely flying, taking a 3-0 lead before the game was three minutes old. It was 1-0 just 1:24 into the game when Gerry Fitzgerald scored on the power play from the right faceoff dot on a shot that appeared to hit traffic before going past the glove of Connor LaCouvee. Just 20 seconds later it was 2-0 when Travis Stephens took a pass off the wall at centre ice and raced around a Bulldog defender and in on a breakaway where he tucked one home past LaCouvee at 1:44. The goal was unassisted, but he was definitely sent in by a teammate. The Bulldogs would call Time Out to try and right the ship, but less than a minute later it was 3-0 when Stephens picked up a pass up the middle in the Dogs zone and skated in alone where he went top corner, glove side on LaCouvee to make it 3-0 at 2:40 as Nathan Warren would come in off the bench in relief. He would be tested frequently as the Grizzlies continued to carry the play, and he came up with a handful of good saves to keep the Dogs in it. They would get on the board to trim the gap to 3-1 just short of seven minutes in when Harlan Orr found a puck back of the net that was misplayed by Nic Renyard. He would make the first save on a wrap around, but Orr stuck with it to poke the rebound home. Scott Clark picked up the only assist at 6:57 of the first. The Dogs weren't able to build on the momentum as the Grizzlies fired back four minutes later as Jesse Schwartz scored on a nice cross-ice pass from Garrett Forster, who picked off another pass up the middle. Travis Stephens also drew an assist on the play at 9:45 of the first. Four minutes later it was 5-1 when the Grizzlies fired back on another partial breakaway as Jesse Schwartz picked up a pass and drove the net down the right wing where he put a backhand off the glove and Warren and just over the goal line. No assists were given on the play at 13:32 of the first for a 5-1 Victoria lead after one with the Grizzlies also leading the shots 14-9. 

The Bulldogs came out inspired to start the second, trying to atone for laying an egg in the first. They had a handful of great chances on the first shift, but Nic Renyard came up big. At the other end, Gerry Fitzgerald skated in on a breakaway a minute later, which was stopped by Warren. Just two minutes later Renyard came up huge on a cross-ice one timer for Mitch Makin to keep it 5-1. The Grizzlies would open up a five goal lead just short of the seven minute mark and the end of a good containment shift in the Dogs end as Brandon Egli walked into the deep slot where beat Warren off his goal stick to make it 6-1. The goal was un-assisted at 6:53 of the second. The Dogs were in survival mode for a spell after that, but they hung on and got back in the game with two quick ones. The first of which was the first of Rob Click's career, as Ryan Buse blocked a shot at the end of a Victoria power play, and found Click exiting the penalty box for a partial breakaway. Renyard would make the first save, but Click drove the net and buried his own rebound to make it 6-2 at the 13:18 mark. It was 6-3 just over two minutes later as Scott Clark carried the puck over the Victoria line and threw a wrister on net that beat a screened Renyard low, far side at 15:23 with Harlan Orr picking up the only assist. The Grizzlies would take the 6-3 lead to the room after 40 minutes, with the Dogs leading in the shots 26-22, out-shooting the Grizzlies 17-8 over the period. 

The third period began much like the first, with the Bulldogs giving up two goals in the first minute and change. The first came off the stick of Jesse Schwartz as he walked in down the left wing into the deep slot where he beat Warren high glove side for the hat trick, 59 seconds into the period with assists going to Garrett Forster and Chris Albertini. Just 15 seconds later it was 8-3 when Gerry Fitzgerald went to the net where he was stopped by Warren. He didn't get any help on the rebound though, as Myles Fitzgerald chipped it home. Brandon Egli also picked up an assist on the play at 1:14 of the third. The Bulldogs again refused to quit, as they fought back to make it 8-4 six minutes later when Mitch Owsley kept the puck in at the Victoria line and drove the net in alone where he went top corner on the backhand from in tight. The goal was un-assisted at 7:04 of the third. The Dogs would trim the gap to 8-5 seven minutes later when Quentin Wunder drove the net and forced a rebound and the goalie over the line in a mad scramble. The Officials would discuss it, but the goal stood. There was no assists, but someone certainly threw the puck on net, I believe Mitch Owsley or Mitch Makin. At any length, it trimmed the gap to 8-5 at 14:14 of the third. That's as close as the Dogs would get, although they had some late chances when they went to a five minute power play as Jesse Schwartz ran over Nathan Warren who had raced out to try and beat him to the puck. It gave the Dogs a good chance to get back into it with 3:45 to play but the Grizzlies held the lead until hitting the empty net with 1:07 to play as Mark McLellan hit the empty net from the Grizzlies end. Assists on the play went to Jacob Kearley and Chris Albertini.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 41-32 with Connor LaCouvee and Nathan Warren sharing the duties, with LaCouvee entering the game after Warren was run over by Schwartz. Nic Renyard picked up the win for the Grizzlies. The Dogs went 0 for 5 on the power play, while the Grizzlies went 2 for 4 w     while also scoring shorthanded into the empty net.  

Line ups Dogs vs Grizz