It's a historical night tonight at the Dog Pound as the Bulldogs (4-6-0-0, 4th Island) host the Wenatchee Wild (6-3-1-1, 2nd Mainland) for the inaugural meeting between the two franchises as a US based Junior team will play at the Multiplex tonight for the first time.
The Dogs last saw action Saturday night at home, as they won consecutive games for the first time this season with a 4-3 overtime comeback over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Wild began a three game Island division swing last night in Powell River, where they lost their second in a row, falling 2-1 to the Kings in double OT
The Wild began their inaugural BCHL season with eight straight road games and got off to a fantastic start, going unbeaten in their first six games with five straight wins followed by a tie. Since then they have lost four of their last five.
While it has no doubt been a fun experience for the Wild and their players to get the opportunity to see the province and visit a bunch of BCHL rinks, one has to think that they are getting a little road weary. It's not the easiest of travel days to leave Powell River and make the Ferry trip over to the Island like the Wild did today, so here's hoping the Dogs come ready to play and don't have any designs on being polite hosts!
Speaking of being hosts - the Alberni Valley will be visited by a bunch of people from around the province, country and continent this weekend as it's the Bulldogs annual Parents Weekend. Parents, siblings and grandparents of most of the Bulldog players will visit and watch a couple of games and take in the sights and sounds of the Valley. It's not doubt special for the players and their families - one thing most of us that follow the team take for granted is how far away from home the players are, and how little time the players and their families get with one another throughout the hockey season.
Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM takes to the airwaves with the pregame show at 6:45, with the puck drop to follow at 7:00pm. Play-by-play and colour/analyis provided by myself and Bruce MacDonald respectively.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have added 1998-born
defenseman Marshall Skapski. Skapski was a 3rd round selection by the Medicine Hat Tigers in
2013 but was recently released by the Tigers.
To make room for Skapski, the Bulldogs have released 1996-born forward
Will Lavezzorio. In 9 games with the Bulldogs, Lavezzorio was held off the
score sheet.
The Bulldogs would like to welcome Marshall to the
Alberni Valley Bulldogs family and at the same time wish Will all the best in
his future endeavours.
______________________________________________
Welcome to the team and the community Marshall - he'll wear #26 by the way, and best of luck in the future Will!
Congrats go out to former Bulldog Evan Tironese (2011-2013, 2014-2015) as he was named the ECAC Rookie of the Week, assisting both RPI goals in their 2-1 upset win over top ranked Boston College - read more HERE
Further congrats goes out to Bulldogs Forward Josh Adkins, who has been rewarded for picking up his play in a big way lately by receiving an Honourable Mention in this week's BCHL Player of the Week award - read more HERE
An energetic start to the game from both sides, with neither side controlling more play than the other through the early minutes of the game. In the early seconds, the Dogs had a fantastic chance when a horrible giveaway ended up on the tape of Quinn Syrydiuk walking down the middle of the Capitals zone, but his shot missed high and wide. As the period wore on, a back and forth penalty parade broke out with each side having their chances on the power play. The Dogs got lots of pucks on net, but couldn't capitalize on Capitals replacement goaltender Michael Lenko, who was forced into the game in the first minute after a skate issue for Storm Phaneuf. The Capitals would open the scoring late in the period on the power play on the rush, after Eric Margo was given a roughing penalty - questionable in my opinion, even more so that the obvious retaliation cross check after the hit wasn't called. On the scoring play, Jarid Domin drove the net and deflected a centering pass to the crease up and over the shoulder of Carson Schamerhorn. Assists on the play went to Ryan Burton and Carter Cochrane at 17:17 of the first for a 1-0 Capitals lead after one, and the Dogs up in the shots 12-3.
The Officiating would control the game to start the second, with the Bulldogs penalized off the opening puck drop. They would kill that one off, but tempers continued to be high. On a stoppage a couple of minutes later, three or four separate skirmishes broke out, with a fight eventually happening between Scott Clark and Ayden MacDonald. The Dogs, unsurprisingly were handed the extra penalty by the Referee after a 10 minute delay to sort everything out. The boo birds would be out in full force just 17 seconds later, when the Capitals went ahead 2-0 on a shot and a rebound on the power play as Kade Kehoe found a loose puck off the right toe of Schamerhorn and fired it home. Chris Harpur picked up the only assist on the play at 3:53 of the second. Not surprisingly, the Bulldogs would earn a power play just seconds later, but the damage was done on the scoreboard already and the Dogs couldn't capitalize on their chance. As much as the way the calls came about that led to the scoreline, credit has to be given to the Capitals for making the most of their opportunities, while the Dogs did not, even if chances at the time favoured the Capitals 6-2. There wouldn't be any scoring throughout the remainder of the period, but there was another lengthy delay with just a minute remaining in the frame after another dust-up at the benches resulted in punches thrown. The original penalty was coming to the Capitals when it broke out, and after the dust settled the Dogs remained a man up. Shots favoured the Capitals 11-9 in the period, for a 21-14 Dogs advantage after 40 minutes.
The third period started with the Dogs finally breaking the goose-egg and getting on the board as Josh Adkins showed great determination to drive the net down the left wing and fire the puck on goal that was stopped by Lenko. He couldn't control the rebound as Nathan Dingmann drove the net and poked it home to make it 2-1 at 33 seconds of the period with Garrett Halls also drawing an assist, on the pwer play. The Officiating would again rear it's ugly head just minutes later, as first Logan Savard went to throw a check, and Ben Verall attempted to dodge it. As a result, their legs would hit each other. The Referee would watch the play, and didn't initially call a penalty. One he saw Verall on the ice, he then raised his arm. Seconds later Adam Donnelly would drive the net shorthanded. He would take a stick and or arm around his waist from the Capitals defender - nothing I thought warranted a penalty - and while cutting through the crease he avoided any major contact with the goalie, but appeared to accidentally clip skates with Lenko, resulting in a penalty call and a 5 on 3 power play for the Capitals. They would capitalize on it, and take a 3-1 lead when Kade Kehoe one-timed a cross-ice drop pass at the top of the left circle short-side high past Schamerhorn. Mitch Meek and Carter Cochrane drew the assists at 3:32 of the third period. The Dogs didn't lay down and die despite the odds and calls seemingly against them, as they kept to the grindstone and just kept working, and made it a one-goal game with just under nine minutes to play on a pretty power play set up as Jordan Sandhu put a pretty pass to Josh Adkins in the right circle where he showed some deft hands to lift it top corner, short-side on Lenko at 11:28 of the third period with Garrett Halls also drawing an assist to make it 3-2. The Dogs would push hard throughout the late stages of the game for the equalizer, and finally got it with less than a minute to play and the goalie out while on the man advantage to make it a 6 on 4 situation as Paul Meyer made a great play not to shoot and instead dumped the puck off to Quinn Syrydiuk in the right circle where he softly put the puck to the front of the net where Adam Donnelly made a beautiful spin move to his forehand where he roofed it top corner, far-side past Lenko to make it 3-3 with 48 seconds to play to force overtime.
The Dogs would win it in the sudden death frame when Nathan Dingmann and Jordan Sandhu teamed up to steal the puck in the Capitals zone on the left wing. Dingmann would drive the net where Sandhu hit him with a perfect pass. Dingmann would cut across the crease from left to right before sliding it home five hole to kick off a wild celebration in the Pound for a 4-3 final at 2:23 of overtime.
Shots favoured the Bulldogs 44-23 - including 21-8 in the third period, with Carson Schamerhorn picking up the win in net while Michael Lenko took the loss. The Dogs went 3 for 8 on the power play while the Capitals went 3 for 10. Those are unofficial numbers - it was a bit of a circus at times!
With the win, the Dogs have won consecutive games for the first time this season. Next up - the Dogs host the Wenatchee Wild on Friday night.
Have a great Thanksgiving, and don't forget to head to the rink and support the Atom Development and Pee Wee Bulldogs in their tournament!
There's nothing like Saturday night hockey at the Dog Pound, and it's back for just the second time this season as the Bulldogs (3-6-0-0, 4th Island) host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (5-2-1-1, 2nd Island) for the first time this season.
The Bulldogs were last in action Thursday night in Victoria, where they picked up their first road win of the season, 4-2 over the Grizzlies. The Capitals were in action last night at home, where they picked up a 3-2 win over the Grizzlies
This is just the second meeting of the season between the teams, as the Capitals won the previous contest 6-3 in Duncan in what was the Dogs season opener back on September 12th.
Don't forget that tonight is Community Coat Share night. If you would like to help the Bulldogs in their efforts to help the community and give back to those less fortunate, please consider bringing to the game any gently used winter or heavy outerwear of all shapes and sizes. The Bulldogs in turn will get them to community groups that will distribute them to those out there that need warm clothing with colder temperatures coming. It's hard to even think that there are people out there that don't have warm clothing..but it warms the heart to know that the Bulldogs and their fans can give them a hand.
with myself and Ron Paulson calling the play-by-play and colour and analysis. The broadcast gets underway with the pregame show at 6:45 with the puck drop 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:
Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is John Meissner, the play-by-play voice of the Wenatchee Wild, who the Dogs host next Friday for the inaugural meeting between the two franchises.
The Atom Development and Pee Wee Rep Bulldogs are
hosting a Thanksgiving Classic Tournament this weekend. There will be a
total of 15 teams participating in some exciting hockey with kids ages 9 –
12 taking part. Action goes throughout the weekend at the Multiplex, withthe Medal games on
Monday.
There will be Silent Auction tables and Raffle Tables
where there will be very exciting baskets or items to bid on.
A flying start once again to this game for the Bulldogs as they had the jump on the Grizzlies throughout the early minutes of the game. They would draw a penalty early as a result of it, and while they didn't look good on the power play they persevered and were rewarded with 10 seconds left in it when they connected on the rush to go up 1-0 as Troy Dobbs head-manned it up the left wing for Jordan Sandhu. He would gain the Victoria line and make a nice move before throwing a pretty cross-ice pass onto the tape of Josh Adkins driving the net down the right wing. He would make no mistake, firing high past the glove of Matthew Galajda at 3:58 of the first. That would do it for the scoring in the period, but the Dogs certainly had their chances, outshooting the Grizzlies 11-5 over the frame.
The second period saw the Bulldogs get in almost immediate penalty trouble as they looked a step behind. The Grizzlies would tie the game at 1-1 just 17 seconds into a power play chance on a high-low backdoor step up that was one-timed home by Corey Iapalucci as Carson Schamerhorn made a valiant effort but didn't have a chance on it. Assists on the play went to PJ Conlon and Brayen Gelsinger at 3:28 of the second. The Dogs would remain in penalty trouble for the better part of the first half of the period, being handed back-to-back-to-back penalties, but the killers and Carson Schamerhorn stood tall, including an 11 second stretch when they were down two men, to keep it a 1-1 game. Quinn Syrydiuk would have the best chance to give the Dogs the lead as he raced in on a shorthanded breakaway where he deked out Galajda only to ring the puck off the post. The Dogs would earn a couple power play chances of their own later in the period but they couldn't capitalize to take the lead. The best chance might have been when Nathan Dingmann made a pretty move to make a defender miss as he walked in alone, but Galajda made a good shoulder save to keep it 1-1 after 40 minutes. The Grizzlies out shot the Dogs 12-5 in the period, for a 17-16 advantage after two periods.
Before the ice was set in the third period, it was a 2-1 Dogs lead as Josh Adkins read the play in his own zone and deflected a pass to centre ice. He would show great foot speed to out-race everyone to the puck to skate in on the breakaway where he snapped one top corner far-side off the post and in past Galajda for an un-assisted marker 23 seconds into the period. The score stayed that way until the final 10 minutes when the Dogs took a penalty, but built their lead to 3-1 as Garrett Halls wristed a shot up ice that hit a Victoria glove and bounced loose for Quinn Syrydiuk who raced in on the breakaway and made no mistake, ripping a shot with a quick release low glove side on Galajda at 11:11 of the third. The Dogs wouldn't have long to celebrate or enjoy the lead, as just :45 seconds later the Grizzlies scored on a pinball deflection that went cross-crease and onto the tape of JD Falconer who potted it into the open side. Cole Pickup and Cody Van Lierop picked up the assists at 11:56 of the third to make it a 3-2 game. The Dogs would spend the next couple of minutes of the defensive side of the puck, but they held the fort and pushed back throughout the remainder of regulation and didn't give up much as the protected their lead until the dying moments. The Grizzlies would call time out and pull their goalie with 17 seconds to go and the draw in the Dogs end but they couldn't generate a chance before Tyler Cooper and Eric Margo battled it out of the zone for Quinn Syrydiuk, who hit the empty netter for his second of the game and the eventual 4-2 final score.
Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 27-23, and 11-6 Dogs in the period. Carson Schamerhorn was solid to pick up his first career win, while Matthew Galajda took the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while also scoring their first shorthanded goal this season. The Grizzlies went 2 for 6. The Bulldogs are next in action Saturday night at home when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the first time this season.
Welcome to the team and the community Chris! He will play tonight, and will wear #21.
BULLDOGS ADD CHRIS SARAULT
PRESS RELEASE
October 8, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have added 1997-born forward Chris Sarault.
Sarault, from Moncton, NB, was drafted in the 8th round, 131st overall, in the 2013 QMJHL draft by the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Most recently, Sarault won the NBPEIMMHL championship with the 2014/15 Moncton Flyers Midget AAA team where he scored 10 goals and added 13 assists in 20 regular season games. Sarault added another 11 goals and 8 assists in 10 playoff games. As a 17 year old, he also appeared in 9 games with the Woodstock Slammers posting 2 goals and 2 assists.
Sarault is the son of former NHLer Yves Sarault.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to welcome Chris to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs
family.
For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison
It's back to action tonight for the Bulldogs (2-6-0-0 4th Island) as they make their first trip of the season to the Q Centre to face the Victoria Grizzlies (1-6-0-1, 5th Island) for what's already the third meeting of the young season between the two teams.
The Bulldogs won the two previous match ups by scores of 3-2 and 4-2 respectively, most recently on Saturday night at the Dog Pound.
You can bet that the Grizzlies will be very motivated to exact a measure of revenge on the Dogs after losing the previous two contests, and you can bet they'll be out to put in a good performance in their own rink so the Dogs had best be ready from the opening puck drop. The last two games were close throughout and could've gone either way.
The Dogs were last in action Saturday night in Powell River, losing 5-1 to the Kings The Grizz meanwhile last saw action at home on Sunday afternoon where they lost their third in a row, 4-1 to the Vernon Vipers.
Don't miss a second of the action from the Q Centre as I'll have it covered for you on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey with the pregame show getting underway at 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow at 7:00pm on 93.3 The Peak FM I'll provide the play-by-play, Dan Tisserand will compile the team and player stats and Ron Paulson is planning to make his way down to the game to provide some colour and analysis.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
If you missed it yesterday on 93.3 The Peak FM and on Social Media - the latest BCHL.ca website poll asked fans:
"Which BCHL arena has the best goal horn?"
The options to vote were:
Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt
Hap Parker Arena, Powell River
Poirier Sports Centre, Coquitlam
Langley Events Centre
Island Savings Centre, Duncan
South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton
To say that my phone "blew up" with messages would be an understatement. I was thoroughly flooded with texts all basically saying the same thing - the horn at the Dog Pound HAS to be on there! Of note - ALL the messages were from people/fans/broadcasters/coaches of OTHER BCHL teams. No biased/homer messages from local Alberni Valley folks.
Long story short, I send the league a message stating that they might want to consider they missed what most people to consider to be the front-runner in the league. After I didn't hear anything back for a while, I decided to make some postings on Social Media stating the same thing. The response was pretty much what I expected - universal support from around the league that the Multiplex horn was the best.
Credit to the league - as they were made aware that they maybe missed one when they did their poll. So they changed it, and added Alberni Valley to the list. So far at last glance this morning, its doing pretty darn good in the voting!
The sentiment I heard was something along the lines of - OK, the people have spoken, so we'll add it to the list, so it better do well!
Well.... so far so good!
What are some of your favorite Multiplex Horn moments? Back to back OT winners against the Nanaimo Clippers, in a SOLD RIGHT OUT building? One of which was for 18 straight wins? That's up there. Marlon Sabo allowing the Bulldogs to stave off elimination, and then WIN the Island Championship the next night, again in front of a sell out crowd? Or something else?
Goosebumps..
The history of the horn - It's something I have talked about before, but for those that missed it, here goes...
It starts in the last city I worked in - The Pas, Manitoba, and the last team I broadcasted for, the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
I had the same job there as I do here, Morning Show host on the local radio station. The Blizzard rink was notoriously loud, but it lacked a loud horn. Gearing up for the Playoff drive, I spent one morning on my show putting a call out to anyone that might have a loud horn to get in touch with me. Long story short, an hour later the guys at the local train yard called and said "Hey, we just cut a triple locomotive horn off an old train, do you want it?
"Ummm, YES PLEASE" was I think how my response went. The horn was put into the roof and put into action - for Playoffs ONLY over the next couple of years.
When I took the job out here and it came time for my swan song on the air on my last day, I received a phone call telling me I had to go outside of the station. I had some special guests - the guys from the train yard. They had a giant horn with them and said "One of these hangs in our rink because of you, and we think you should take this one as a piece of here out there with you"
A very touching and cool gesture to say the least. Another horn, freshly cut off a train.
Then I had to move out to BC from Manitoba. In a Ford Mustang. Quite simply, I didn't even have room for all of my possessions, better yet a gigantic train horn. So it stayed in my parents garage at the lake. A month or two later I received a phone call from home - there was a bush pilot, who worked in Flin Flon during the summer, that was flying across the country in a float plane to work in Tofino during the winter. And he had a special guest riding shot gun. A giant horn! HA.
I can't remember how it exactly happened next. I at some point brought up on the air on my show, or to the City Mutliplex Staff of the Bulldog ownership group, that I had a huge horn if they wanted it for the rink. They all jumped in with both feet, and a couple of months later into the season, the horn made it's debut and it's been going ever since.
The city did a great job with the set up - attaching the correct valves and hoses, etc to make it sound good - as you have seen on the message board, part of the horn (its three horns all built into one, actually) is intentionally muffled. You think it's loud NOW....ha. It's too loud in it's natural form for the low roof here - it had quite a neat sound in OCN with it's high arched wooden roof. The echo was something, so say the least! But it also wasn't charged like the horn here always was. It had a hose 100 feet to the ground running off the compressor. A totally different sound.
Apologies to those here that think it's too loud - I know for some their hearing is sensitive. I hope it's all part of the experience and doesn't bother you too much. One of the best things without question in the Alberni Valley is that the hockey rink doesn't resemble the library when it comes to noise!
Hammer
UPDATE - Took me a while to write this and post this - The Dog Pound is now at 62%!
A high-energy, back and forth start to the contest as the Dogs spent the first minute on defence in their own zone, before pushing back the net minute and spending an extended period on the attack in the Kings zone. The Dogs would have the better of the play through the first half of the frame, running up a 6-1 lead in shots through the first 10 minutes. They would continue to push the pace and generated a couple chances, but Stefan Wornig came up big in net to keep it scoreless. Late in the period a high hit knocked Cayden Kraus to the ice and the Dogs got caught up ice, resulting in a 3 on 1 rush the other way for the Kings that they make no mistake on as Gavin Rauser walked in tight down the left wing where he ripped one top corner, short-side on Tai to make it 1-0 at 16:10 of the first. The Kings would go to the man advantage with less than two minutes to play in the period and would make good on it with the Bulldogs being unable to clear the puck out of the zone over a minute and a half and a handful of good stops by Tai. The Kings would find the net on a rebound in the slot that was fired home by Curtis McCarrick, with Nick Halagian and Rylan Ball at 19:35 of the first to make it 2-0 after one period, with the Dogs leading in the shots 9-8.
The Dogs were noticably a step behind to begin the second, as the Kings had a breakaway within the first minute that saw Chris Tai make a good save on Jeremy Leipsic. The Kings however would go up 3-0 less than a minute later on a 3 on 1 rush as Curtis McCarrick picked up a Nick Halagian pass and walked in on a 2 on 0 rush that he finish with a snap shot past the glove of Tai from in tight 1:32 into the period. Less than a minute later it was 4-0 as the Kings kept up the attack, with Gavin Rauser potting an end-board bounce after a point shot missed the net short-side and bounced out front at the opposite post. Tai and a Bulldog defender made a valiant attempt to keep it out, but Gavin Rauser would jam it home for his second of the game. Rylan Ball and Austin Kamer picked up the assists at 2:23 of the second as Carson Schamerhorn entered the game off the bench in relief of Tai in the Bulldogs net. Despite the no doubt deflating beginning to the period, the Dogs showed considerable moxie to not quit, as they fought hard to get in the game throughout the period. They would finally draw their first power play chance of the game late in the frame, but it would be the Kings who found the net as the Dogs turned the puck over up high at the blue line as the Kings raced in on another 2 on 0 rush. A give-and-go passing play saw Nick Halagian feed Kyle Betts. As he cut across the crease, Schamerhorn tried to follow him and pushed off on the post, dislodging the net. The referee at the net would count the goal, but it appeared to me the net was clearly off. The time of the goal was 17:14 of the second, it was the first shorthanded goal the Dogs conceded this season. The Kings led in the shots in the second 17-11 for a two period advantage of 25-20 and a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes.
The Dogs would trim the deficit early in the third as Troy Dobbs head-manned it for Jordan Sandhu. He and Josh Adkins would work a give and go over the Kings line that saw Adkins put a low shot on net from the right circle. While it was stopped by Wornig, he couldn't control the rebound as Jordan Sandhu lifted it up and over his glove, top corner to make it a 5-1 game with just 1:45 gone in the third. The Bulldogs would earn a power play later in the period, that turned into a 5 on 3 for 35 seconds after Nick Nonis picked up four minutes for spearing. The Dogs called time out and executed a set play, but the Kings blocked the shot. It would be the prevailing theme of the advantage, as while the Dogs got a fair amount of rubber on net in tight on Wornig and had some chances in tight, the Kings blocked just as many shots. Nick Halagian was most notable as he blocked two point blank blasts back to back. There would be no scoring the rest of the way.
Final shots favoured the Kings 31-28, with Stefan Wornig picking up 3rd star honours with the win while Chris Tai took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 1 for 5.
A frustrating result for the Bulldogs, a fairly solid game throughout, with four minutes of game time where a couple of mistakes bit them and hugely changed the complexion of the game. One goal obviously isn't going to win it in the end - but giving up a couple they way they did to end the first and open the second didn't give them a chance.
The Dogs are in Victoria Thursday before returning home to host Cowichan.
It's a chance for some redemption today for the Bulldogs (2-5-0-0, 4th Island) as they make their first trip of the season to Powell River to take on the Kings (6-2-0-0, 1st Island) at the Hap Parker Arena for a 5pm start time.
One has to hope that the Dogs are going to be motivated for this one and ready to seek some measure of payback and they see this as a chance to prove themselves after the Kings came into the Dog Pound at the end of a three-in-three weekend on September 20th and left with two points after a big 7-0 win.
The Bulldogs were in action last night at home, where they snapped a four game slide and topped the Grizzlies 4-2. The Kings were also in action last night at home, as they ran their winning streak to five with a 3-0 win over the Vernon Vipers.
The Hap is always a tough place to play, and the Kings always play hard. Quite simply, the Dogs had better bring their best effort, and bring it for a full 60 minutes - or perhaps more. They learnt a hard lesson the last time what the Kings are capable of if you aren't ready to play at their level.
Note once again the unique start time of 5:00pm. That means Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM commences with the pregame show at 4:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 5:00.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
We're going back into the Alumni Archives for today's 2nd Intermission guest. It's former Bulldog Maury Edwards, in an interview that ran late last year. Edwards played last season in the DEL 2 in Germany with the Ravensburg Tower Stars. He's up a division this year, playing in the top Professional league in Germany with the DEL's Straubing Tigers and is off to a good start with 7 points in 6 games played. It's amazing how time flies by, as he's into his sixth year as a Pro already. After playing with the Bulldogs in the 2005-2007 seasons, he earned a NCAA opportunity with UMass-Lowell where he played four years before turning pro in 2011.
Once again a fantastic start to the game for the Dogs, as they entered the attacking zone in the opening seconds and came a millimeter away from opening the scoring when Scottie Clark rang a shot off the bar that stayed out. The Bulldogs remained in the Grizzlies zone for what felt like a minute, getting some momentum going. The period would be fast-paced and entertaining early, as either side had their fair share of chances. The best chance early went to the Grizzlies when Corey Iapalucci raced in on a breakaway while shorthanded, but Chris Tai came up with a big glove save to keep it scoreless. The Grizzlies would find the net shortly afterwards when they won an extended battle in the Dogs zone and got the puck loose back to the left point for Cody Van Lierop. He would put a quick shot on goal that was deflected and stopped by Tai, but he couldn't find the rebound as Nick Guiney slid it home. Joseph Visconti also drew an assist on the play at 8:51 of the first. The Dogs responded well, and tied the game at 1-1 just over two minutes later when Paul Meyer picked up a loose puck and skated from his zone up the left wing and over the Grizzlies line. He then chipped it past a Grizzlies defender and raced onto the puck and walked deep where he snapped one from a sharp angle top corner, short-side over the blocker shoulder of Mitchell Benson. Adam Donnelly also drew an assist on the play at 11:06 of the first. The Dogs came out flying on the next shift, going up 2-1 just 57 seconds later as Jordan Sandhu found a second rebound in front after a Nathan Dingmann wrap around was stopped, and a Josh Adkins rebound was kept out. Sandhu would make no mistake for his first career goal, firing it into the open side before Benson could get over, to make it 2-1 Dogs 12:03 into the first. Another breakaway save by Chris Tai protected the lead later in the period, as he came up with a pad save on a Braden Gelsinger partial break as it stayed 2-1 Dogs after one, with the Bulldogs leading the shots 15-10.
The second period saw a slower pace initially, with penalties both ways slowing the flow. A spirited scrap between Adam Donnelly and Sage Fleming would inject some emotion into the building and both teams in the first half of the frame. The Grizzlies had a great chance immediately after the media time out as Tai made a breakaway save with his stick on a giveaway up the middle. The Dogs would turn around and race up ice and make it 3-1 seconds later, as Quinn Syrydiuk went wide down the left wing before dropping it back for Eric Margo. He in turn would find Scott Clark trailing the play, where he knocked the pass down and got it on his forehand before snapping it past the blocker of Benson to make it 3-1 Bulldogs at 10:38 of the second. Immediately after the goal, the Dogs would again cough the puck up behind their net and Tai came up with a huge right toe save when he was down and out on the wrong side of the net to rob Mitchell Barker to preserve the lead. Late in the period the Dogs built their lead when Jordan Sandhu dropped the puck off the boards back to the right point for Paul Meyer, who walked to the middle before ripping a quick release wrister top corner, short-side over the glove of Benson. Shots favoured the Grizzlies 12-10 in the period for a 25-22 Dogs advantage after 40.
The Bulldogs continued to carry the play throughout the early stages of the third period, as they spent the better of the play in the attacking zone getting lots of chances. Matthew Galajda was good in the Victoria net, entering the game to start the third in relief. He would keep the Grizzlies in it until the back-half of the period when they would earn a power play chance, with the Dogs unable to buy a call throughout all their attack zone time and what looked like several infractions. The Grizzlies would make good on the chance, on a goal that pretty in it's simplicity as Chuck Bennis put a low hard one-timer on net from the left point that was deflected through the five-hole of Tai by Nick Guiney on a goal very similar to his first that made it 1-0. Kevin Massy also drew an assist on the play at 11:02 of the third to make it 4-2. The Dogs wouldn't let the goal against get to them, as they continued to push and didn't sit back. The Grizzlies would yet again earn another power play chance with five minutes and change to go but the Dogs killers stood tall and blocked shots to keep it 4-2 for the eventual final score.
Third period shots favoured the Dogs 36-29, with Chris Tai picking up the win while Mitchell Benson took the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Grizzlies went 1 for 6.
With the win the Dogs climb over the Grizzlies into 4th place in the Island Division. The Dogs visit the Kings in Powell River tomorrow afternoon, a 5pm start.
After three straight on the road, the Bulldogs (1-5-0-0, 5th Island) are back on home ice tonight when they host the Victoria Grizzlies (1-4-0-1, 4th Island)
It's the second meeting of the season between the teams, and the second at the Dog Pound, as the Dogs beat the Grizzlies 3-2 in their home opener on September 19th.
The Bulldogs were last in action Wednesday night in Nanaimo, where they lost a wild one, 7-4 to the Clippers.
The Grizzlies finally played their home opener last night, losing 5-4 in overtime to the Coquitlam Express. While the Grizzlies lost the game, they showed no quit and pulled a point out of the fire as they scored twice with the goalie pulled in the final two minutes, including once at the buzzer to force overtime. Points are points, whether they are gained in October or February. Who knows how huge that single point could be when it comes to the end of the season in the standings.
Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey gets underway on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the pregame show. The puck drop follows at 7:00pm with myself, Port Alberni City Councillor, Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society President and Bulldogs Governor Ron Paulson and Dan Tisserand providing the play-by-play, colour and analysis and team and player stats.
If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:
Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former BCHL'er and NHL'er Steve Kariya, in an
interview he had last week with Host Jeff Patterson on the BCHL This
Week radio program on TSN 1040 and TSN 1410. Catch the show 9:30 Saturday mornings on TSN 1410.
