Dogs drop third straight, 6-0 to Vees in Penticton

Tonight's Game Report is brought to you courtesy of the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel 

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Barclay Hotel, the largest full facility hotel in Port Alberni, BC. When staying with us there is no need to give up conveniences you are used to. You can discover treasures to take home at the Alberni Harbour Quay, and then browse our onsite Cold Beer, Wine Store and liquor store or retreat to our Stamps Cafe or Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy a snack or to watch the game on our big screen TV. Then, relax in our sauna or pool before settling in our luxurious accommodations to enjoy the vintage wine picked up earlier. That's when you will truly understand why the tranquil setting of our hotel has been called the perfect place to call home. If traveling on business, our Port Alberni Hotel boasts over 4500 square feet of meeting space in four rooms that are perfect for small conventions, banquets, parties, meetings and weddings. AV equipment and catering are also available.

The Bulldogs came out flat much like last night in Wenatchee, as through the first three plus minutes they chased the play and gave away the puck on numerous occasions in their end resulting in Carson Schamerhorn being forced to be good to keep it scoreless early. The Vees would open the scoring soon afterwards, on a goal that was initially waved off at the net by Referee Grant Tyson. As would be the Dogs luck, the SOEC is one of just two buildings in the BCHL that has a video review set up - and for the first time since the system's inception it over turned a call on the ice to make it 1-0 Vees at 6:23 of the first. The goal was scored by Matt Gosiewski, who roofed an end-board bounce top corner, far-side just inside the post off a Mitch Meek point shot that went wide, stick-side on Schamerhorn. Taylor Ward also drew an assist on the play. The Dogs earned a power play opportunity soon afterwards, but despite a couple of good looks they couldn't generate the equalizer. The Vees would take a 2-0 lead just 20 seconds later, as Grant Cruikshank threw the puck on net from the right half-wall that was stopped by Schamerhorn. The rebound would appear to go off a defender before Nicholas Jones pounced on it and lifted it past a desperate dive by Schamerhorn to make it 2-0 at 10:48 of the first. The Vees continued to push, and the Dogs continued to chase the game, with Carson Schamerhorn keeping them in it, with the Vees out shooting the Dogs 18-5 through 20 minutes.

The Dogs began the second period on the power play, and had a good look on a loose puck in the crease but it looked like Matthew Robson got his right toe on it to keep it out. At the conclusion of the power play, Owen Sillinger would be hauled down on a breakaway, that was surprisingly only called a hook as Darren Rizzolo hauled him down. The Dogs would kill it to keep in the game, but throughout the period failed to do much to threaten, save for one good attacking zone shift of a long duration that saw a series of good looks, but no pucks getting on net as shots either missed wide or were blocked by the Vees. Penticton would be awarded a power play later in the period, on what might have been a high stick, but was certainly over sold by a late head snap. The Vees would make quick work of it, connecting just 16 seconds into the advantage as Chris Klack fed the puck from the right side to the top of the point to Johnny Tychonick, who put a perfect pass into the tape of Taylor Sanhei inside the right circle where he put a perfect one-timer short-side past Schamerhorn to make it 3-0 at 14:34 of the second. The Vees would get a breakaway on the next shift, with Schamerhorn coming up with the save, but just seconds later it was 4-0 as Joe Leahy walked over the Dogs line up the left side and beat Schamerhorn with a short-side slapper that might've been deflected off a defender's stick. No assists were given on the play at 15:14 of the second as Brody Claeys entered the game in relief off the bench. He would be tested early and often through the end of the period, coming up with two ridiculous saves on the doorstep in desperation efforts on Grant Cruikshank to keep it respectable after 40 minutes. The Vees out shot the Dogs 12-7 in the period, for a two period advantage of 30-12.

The Bulldogs showed some positive signs early in the third, getting pucks on net and showing some signs of desperation. The Vees would tilt the ice short of the midway point of the period though, getting the Dogs back on their heels and spending long periods defending in their zone as Carson Schamerhorn - who started the third period - kept the Dogs in it with a series of saves around his net. The Vees would earn a power play in the late stages of the game, and connected on it to make it 5-0 as Mitch Meek took a pass from the bottom of the right circle that he one-timed top corner off the tip of Schamerhorn's glove. Grant Cruikshank would draw the only assist at 16:30 of the third. The Dogs would get caught pressing trying to get on the board a minute later, and gave up a breakaway to Nicholas Jones that he made no mistake on with a five-hole deke on Schamerhorn to make it 6-0, with Duncan Campbell assisting at 17:39 of the third for the eventual final score.

Third period shots favoured the Bulldogs 12-11 for a game total of 41-24 Vees with Carson Schamerhorn taking the loss in net while Matthew Robson picked up the win and third star honours with the shut out. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play, while the Vees went 1 for 4.

The Dogs will try to snap a three game losing streak tomorrow when they visit the Centennials for a 2:00pm puck drop in Merritt.

Hammer

Dogs back in Canada tonight to face Vees in Penticton

It's the second and final regular season meeting between these clubs tonight as the Vees (30-9-1-0, 1st Interior) host the Bulldogs (13-20-5-2, 5th Island) at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton for a 6:00pm puck drop.

The Bulldogs were in Wenatchee last night, where they lost their second in a row, 4-1 to the Wild. While the Dogs have had a busy week, the Vees have as well as this is their third game of the week.

They were in Merritt last night where they fell 3-2 to the Centennials. They were also in action Wednesday night at home, where they snapped a two game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the West Kelowna Warriors.

These teams last met on September 17th at the Dog Pound, which feels like LAST season already - a 2-1 Bulldog win.

Note the start time of 6:00pm, which means Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey takes to the airwaves at 5:45 for the pregame show, with the game action to follow, all on 93.3 The Peak FM.


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Mantar Bhandal, play-by-play voice of the Merritt Centennials on Q101 in Merritt, who the Dogs visit for a 2:00pm puck drop tomorrow. 

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

Dogs drop second straight 4-1 in Wenatchee

CREDIT: Russ Alman, Digital Media Northwest

Tonight's Game Report is brought to you courtesy of the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel 

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Barclay Hotel, the largest full facility hotel in Port Alberni, BC. When staying with us there is no need to give up conveniences you are used to. You can discover treasures to take home at the Alberni Harbour Quay, and then browse our onsite Cold Beer, Wine Store and liquor store or retreat to our Stamps Cafe or Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy a snack or to watch the game on our big screen TV. Then, relax in our sauna or pool before settling in our luxurious accommodations to enjoy the vintage wine picked up earlier. That's when you will truly understand why the tranquil setting of our hotel has been called the perfect place to call home. If traveling on business, our Port Alberni Hotel boasts over 4500 square feet of meeting space in four rooms that are perfect for small conventions, banquets, parties, meetings and weddings. AV equipment and catering are also available.


The pace was fast from the opening puck drop , with the Dogs getting a fantastic chance inside the first minute as Tristan Bukovec picked off a pass and skated in on a clear-cut breakaway. As he got in on Anthony Yamnitski, he would be both hooked and hacked while in the act of shooting, and couldn't even get a shot away. Somehow, neither of the Referees deemed it worth a penalty. The Bulldogs would be penalized soon afterwards, and killed it off with the killers standing tall and Brody Claeys making a big point blank save on Slava Demin in front. The Wild would be penalized later in the period for too-many-men, and while the Bulldogs spent the first part of the power play fighting the puck, they spent the back half of it moving it around confidently in the Wild end. It would lead to a goal just as the power play elapsed, as Trevor Cosgrove made a great keep at the right point, before finding Nick Rasovic on the right wing. He would walk to the net before putting a perfect cross-slot pass onto the tape of Jordan Sandhu, who slammed it into the open net to make it 1-0 Dogs at 14:45 of period one. The Dogs looked to have drawn a penalty at the period's conclusion, as a Wild player took a long run and contacted Jake Witkowski in the head and snapped it back rather visciously, but neither Referee deemed it worthy of a penalty. Shots in the period favoured the Wild 15-8.

The Wild would tie it early in the second, on a play that initially from my angle looked to be off a high-stick. The Referee at the net would make no call, as he didn't appear to see it. The Officials would convene to talk about it, with the goal standing to make it 1-1 as Matt Baker getting credit for it, with assists to Dakota Raabe and Colin Burston at 2:21 of the second. The Wild would continue to push the pace and carry the better of the play, and were almost immediately rewarded for it as a Bulldog turnover up the middle of their zone ended up on the tape of Jasper Weatherby. He would walk in tight through the right circle and snap a shot on Claeys that he stopped with his left pad, but Sam Morton was perfectly positioned following the play to one-time the rebound home into the open side to make it 2-1 Wild at 3:26 of the second. The Bulldogs would call time out immediately after the goal, and it appeared to be a good move to stem the tide and reset the bench. The Dogs would push back and fight the puck into the Wenatchee end and earned a power play as a result of it, and a follow up penalty immediately after the first. They had no less than five great chances at the out set of the power play, but Anthony Yamnitski held the fort to protect the lead. At the other end of the ice, Brody Claeys made several huge saves while shorthanded to keep the Dogs in it. He made two highlight reel saves throughout the period, the first being a desperation glove save on a wide open Brendan Harris in front, and the second on a breakaway across the crease by Charlie Combs. The Dogs had a glorious chance to tie the game with less than a minute to play in the period when Mackenzie Wight was sent in alone by a perfect pass up the middle by Ryan Steele, but the puck bounced over his stick as he deked in tight on goal as it stayed 2-1 Wild into the third. Shots in the period were 16-7 Wild, for a 40 minute total in their favour of 31-15.

The Bulldogs continued to chase the puck and spend too much time defending throughout the third period, with Brody Claeys again continuing to play lights out to keep them in the game, coming up with point blank saves on in-alone chances for both Matthew Baker and Charlie Combs to keep it a one-goal game. The Dogs would take an undisciplined penalty short of the midway mark of the period, The Wild made them pay immediately, scoring 12 seconds into it as a won faceoff was sent by Brenan Harris to the left point for Tyler Rockwell. He would sneak in and then sneak a slap shot through the arm of a screened Claeys to give the Wild a 3-1 lead, and all the insurance they needed. Also drawing an assist on the goal was Dakota Raabe at 8:57 of the third. The Dogs failed to muster much of an attack as the period continued to the latter stages, with Claeys again giving them every chance with a couple more big saves late to keep it a one-goal game. The Bulldogs wouldn't be able to muster an attack to get back in it. The Dogs would earn a power play with a minute and change to go, and pulled their goalie to make it a 6 on 4 advantage. They had a great chance in the slot and at the side of the net, but Yamnitski kept it out before Matthew Baker found it, where he snapped it 200 feet into the empty net for the 4-1 final at 19:55 of the third, with assists going to Anthony Yamnitski and Alex Bates on the shorthanded empty netter.

Third period shots favoured the Wild 17-5 for a game total of 48-20 with Anthony Yamnitski and Brody Claeys being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Wild went 1 for 4 while also scoring shorthanded.

The Dogs are next in action tomorrow in Penticton when they visit the Vees for a 6:00pm puck drop.

Hammer

Bulldogs kick off three-in-three weekend tonight in Wenatchee

It's the second and final regular season meeting between the teams as the Bulldogs (13-19-5-2, 5th Island) visit the Wild (30-6-4-0, 1st Mainland, 1st Overall) in Wenatchee, Washington USA.

The Dogs were in Powell River on Tuesday night, where they had their unbeaten streak snapped at three with a 5-3 loss to the Kings, The Dogs showed some considerable jam in that game, coming back from a 3-1 deficit after two periods to tie the game at 3-3 with ten minutes to play, only to have the Kings answer twice in the final six minutes,  The Wild were last in action Saturday night at home, when they picked up a 4-1 win over the Victoria Grizzlies.

These teams last met December 11th at the Dog Pound, a 2-1 Wild win in a fantastic end to end contest.

It's a 7:00 puck drop tonight, with Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM on the air for the pregame show at 6:45.


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Fraser Rodgers, voice of the Penticton Vees, who the Dogs visit tomorrow night in Penticton.

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

Kings snap Dogs streak at two with 5-3 win

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Barclay Hotel, the largest full facility hotel in Port Alberni, BC. When staying with us there is no need to give up conveniences you are used to. You can discover treasures to take home at the Alberni Harbour Quay, and then browse our onsite Cold Beer, Wine Store and liquor store or retreat to our Stamps Cafe or Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy a snack or to watch the game on our big screen TV. Then, relax in our sauna or pool before settling in our luxurious accommodations to enjoy the vintage wine picked up earlier. That's when you will truly understand why the tranquil setting of our hotel has been called the perfect place to call home. If traveling on business, our Port Alberni Hotel boasts over 4500 square feet of meeting space in four rooms that are perfect for small conventions, banquets, parties, meetings and weddings. AV equipment and catering are also available.

A breakneck pace from the opening puck drop in this contest, with the Kings with the edge in chances but the Dogs also having a couple pucks on net though the first three minutes. The Dogs would push back and take an edge in shots and chances themselves, and it almost immediately led to a 1-0 lead as Henry Marshall tied the puck up down low in the Kings zone and found Ryan Steele on the right wing. He would get it back to the right point for Trevor Cosgrove, who showed great vision by driving down the right wing and all the way to the net in tight where he put a perfectly placed backhand top shelf, short-side high over the glove of Wilson to make it 1-0 at 6:33 of the first. The Dogs continued to push, but Wilson kept it a 1-0 game until the midway point of the period. The Kings would score off a defensive zone face off when two Bulldog defenders stepped up at both the attacking and defending blue line resulting in an odd-man rush worked to perfection by the Kings with Kyle Betts finishing a cross-ice pass high over a diving Brody Claeys to make it 1-1 with Tristan Mullin and Carter Turnbull assisting at 10:30 of the first. The goal would go to the Kings legs, as they pushed hard over the next couple of minutes and had a handful of good chances to get the go-ahead goal, but Brody Claeys was solid to keep it tied. The Dogs would work an odd-man rush of their own to perfection soon afterwards, as Keith Anderson sent Jordan Sandhu up the left wing. He put a perfect pass onto the tape of a streaking Trevor Cosgrove who skated in alone on Wilson, who made a big initial save and a rebound stop as well to keep it tied at 1-1 through 20 minutes, with the shots in the Kings favour 15-14 after the first.  

The second period didn't have the same pace in the early moments of it, but the Dogs earned  power play opportunity two minutes into it. They would fail to generate anything on it, with the Kings killing it efficiently and taking momentum from it. They would make it a 2-1 game a minute later on the rush, as Ben Berard carried the puck up the left wing and dropped it for Jonny Evans. He would walk into the top of the left circle and put a perfect shot short-side high over the shoulder of Claeys. Matt Cairns also drew an assist on it at 4:11 of the second. The Dogs drew another power play short of the midway point of the period, and despite looking better on it they couldn't cash in on it to tie the game. They would have another pending power play on a delayed penalty soon afterwards with Jack Long taking the initial penalty for cross-checking Ryan Steele. After the whistle, he would chase down Steele at centre ice and give him a shot in the back. Steele would take another shove before turn around and returning a shot at Long. That would result in a penalty to Steele, while Long got nothing for chasing him down, evening up the calls and taking the pending power play away. While Long didn't do anything malicious in going after him, Steele didn't do anything in response either. It's hard for me to agree with it somehow being evened up, but I guess the old adage goes that you can't put the Referee in a position to make a call against you, how ineptly discretionary it may be. The Kings would of course earn a power play less than a minute later, and would connect on it to drastically change the game, as Johan Steen scored on a knuckling one-timer from the right point over the shoulder of Claeys to make it 3-1, with assists going to Jonny Evans and Carmine Buono at 12:10 of the second. The Dogs would be penalized three times before the period was out, but came up with a series of kills to keep it a two-goal game after two. Shots in the period favoured Powell River 11-9 for a two period advantage of 26-23.

The Dogs killed off another carry over penalty to start the third period, and a minute later made it a one-goal game with Trevor Cosgrove picking off an errant pass at the Kings line and feeding a cross-ice pass to the top of the left circle for Keith Anderson. He would catch it and beat Wilson low, far-side inside the post to make it a 3-2 game at 2:56 of the third. The Dogs would continue to push, and tied the game with 10 minutes to play on a great effort by Ryan Steele to get in on the forecheck and steal the puck from Carmine Buono. He would set up Mackenzie Wight in the slot, who fought off a man after accepting the pass on his backhand to spin and fire a shot on net from the slot. Wilson would make the save on it, but kicked out a rebound off his glove that Ryan Steele found at the side of the net to poke it over the line to make it 3-3 at 10:25 of the third. It wouldn't be tied for long though, as the Kings made the Dogs pay for icing the puck, as they were unable to change and get the puck deep, and then out of their zone before it was found by Hunter Findlater who walked into the right circle and scored with a perfect top corner short-side high wrister over the blocker of Claeys. Assists on the play went to Gavin Rauser and Jack Long at 13:19. The Dogs would get caught pressing to tie the game three minutes later, and the Kings got all the insurance they needed as Josh Coblenz made a beautiful cross-ice pass to the middle for Gavin Rauser, who fought off a valiant back check by Henry Marshall to roof a backhand on a deke past Claeys to make it 5-3 with 3:20 to play. The Dogs refused to quit, and pushed hard in the final two minutes and change, but couldn't get the next one to make a game of it again as the Kings made the lead stand.

Third period shots favoured the Kings 14-11 for a game total of 40-34 with Brody Claeys and Brian Wilson being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while the Kings went 1 for 4.

With the win the Kings stretch their streak to four while snapping the Dogs winning streak at two and unbeaten streak at three. The Dogs are next in action Friday night when they kick off a three-in-three weekend by visiting the Wild in Wenatchee, Washington.

Hammer

Bulldogs kick off four game road swing tonight in Powell River

It's the start of a week with four games on the road for the Bulldogs (13-18-5-2, 5th Island) as they head to Powell River to visit the Kings (24-16-1-0, 2nd Island) at the Hap Parker Arena tonight.

The Bulldogs were last in action Saturday night at home where they won their second in a row and ran their unbeaten streak to three games with a 4-1 win over the Prince George Spruce Kings. Powell River is beyond red hot at the moment, as they are coming off back-to-back games at home last weekend where they hit double digits in goals - they beat Prince George 10-4 on Friday night, and bettered that score with a 12-1 win at home Saturday night over the Coquitlam Express.

These teams last met on December 10th in Powell River, a 4-2 Dogs win. The season series has been an entertaining one, with the Bulldogs having a 1-2-0-2 head to head record against the Kings this season, with the Kings out scoring the Dogs 21-18.

The Dogs should feel confident with how they've played lately, and how they played the last time in this building in December. They need to not be over confident at the same time, as the last two Kings results are the proof of how good they are playing and what can happen if you don't come to the Hap Parker Arena ready to play. The Kings have no doubt enjoyed the Christmas break, and getting Carter Turnbull and Kyle Betts back from the World Junior A Challenge.

93.3 The Peak FM has got you covered as always on Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey - the pregame show is on the air at 6:45, the puck drop and play-by-play follows at 7:00 with Bruce MacDonald providing the analysis and colour commentary while I call the play-by-play action.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Arch Ecker, the play-by-play voice of the Wenatchee Wild, who the Dogs visit Friday night in Washington.

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.hockeytv.com

Thanks as always for checking the blog. 

Hammer 

VIDEO: Highlights vs Cowichan + Dogs acquire Rasovic

Fantastic job by Terry Ketler producing/editing and also doing the camera work on this highlight package! 

Also, the Bulldogs announced the acquisition of Nicholas Rasovic from the Vernon Vipers late last night.... welcome to the team, and the community Nicholas! 

Hammer

BULLDOGS TRADE FOR VETERAN FORWARD

PRESS RELEASE

January 9, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired forward Nicholas Rasovic from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for Future Considerations.

Rasovic comes to the Bulldogs with 128 Games of “Junior A” experience and will add much needed depth to the forward group. The 5-foot-10 native of Anmore, BC is an alumnus of the Vancouver North East Chiefs Major Midget program and will finish his final junior season as a Bulldog.

The Bulldogs are currently without defender Malik Kaila and forward Braydon Nelson who have sustained injuries that will keep them out of action for a lengthy period of time.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison 

Dogs win second straight, 4-1 over Spruce Kings

Tonight's Game Report is brought to you courtesy of the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel 

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Barclay Hotel, the largest full facility hotel in Port Alberni, BC. When staying with us there is no need to give up conveniences you are used to. You can discover treasures to take home at the Alberni Harbour Quay, and then browse our onsite Cold Beer, Wine Store and liquor store or retreat to our Stamps Cafe or Pastimes Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy a snack or to watch the game on our big screen TV. Then, relax in our sauna or pool before settling in our luxurious accommodations to enjoy the vintage wine picked up earlier. That's when you will truly understand why the tranquil setting of our hotel has been called the perfect place to call home. If traveling on business, our Port Alberni Hotel boasts over 4500 square feet of meeting space in four rooms that are perfect for small conventions, banquets, parties, meetings and weddings. AV equipment and catering are also available.


The Bulldogs again for off to a solid start, running up a 6-0 lead in shots through the first five minutes of the game with a series of good containment shifts in the Prince George zone. The Spruce Kings would push back to get their legs going near the midway mark of the period, with Tavin Grant being solid to keep it 0-0 through the midway mark of the period. The Dogs would come close to opening the scoring soon aferwards, with Trevor Cosgrove putting a shot from the slot off the post. Neither team would find the net before the end of the frame, with the Dogs out shooting the Spruce Kings 14-5.


The Dogs showed no signs of letting up to start the second, and continued to push to earn a power play just short of four minutes into the period. It took but three seconds for them to connect on it, as Ryan Steele won the draw onto the tape of Alex MacDonald who eluded a defender to walk in alone and deke out Grant to tuck it inside the far-post to make it 1-0 at 3:55 of the second. It was 2-0 two minutes later on the rush, as Kyle Kaufmann fired a shot on net from the right side that Grant kicked out, but onto the tape of Affiliate Player Statton Pickett. He would get a rebound on net that was stopped, but Trevor Cosgrove was there to slam the second rebound home to make it 2-0 at 5:55 of the second. As the period wore on, the Dogs had at least a half a dozen glorious chances to build their lead - Alex MacDonald was robbed by Grant from the hashmarks on a great three way passing play, and numerous bounces around the net failed to find the back of it. The Spruce Kings would hang around, and make it a 2-1 game with just under four minutes to play in the period on an odd goal that saw a puck from behind the goal line end up squeaking through Claeys and sitting on the goal line with no one able to find it before Parker Colley drove the net and dove to poke it home to make it 2-1, with assists to Travis Schneider and Hunter Luhmann at 15:13 of the second. The Dogs would respond seconds later with a great chance to re-establish their two goal lead, but Grant came up with a breakaway save on Tristan Bukovec to keep it a one-goal game. Before the period was out the Dogs would make it 3-1, on a good defensive play by Darren Rizzolo to break up a rush in the Dogs end. Jake Witkowski would rim the loose puck behind the net for Paul Savage, who put a perfect pass onto the tape of a streaking Cayden Kraus at centre, who walked in on a partial breakaway down the left wing where he snapped a shot long-side low off the glove of Grant and in at 18:24 of the second. The Dogs out shot the Sprucies 14-6 in the period for a 28-11 advantage after 40 minutes.


The third period once again saw the Dogs come out with a good jump early, with Alex MacDonald hitting the post at one end after Chong Lee had hit the bar on the power play at the other end. The period was fairly flat, and the Bulldog fans were left fairly unimpressed and equally vocal by a series of what - from the Bulldog perspective looked like obviously missed calls seemed to end up in the Dogs ending up in the penalty box on the next play. The period continued on, and the penalties continued back and forth, with most if not all of the flow gone from the game and the energy gone from the building. A very odd occurrence played out after the midway point of the period as Cayden Kraus was high-sticked by Connor Russell resulting in a a penalty. Not so fast though, as earlier in the play Hunter Luhmann took a run at Kraus at the Spruce Kings bench after he had dumped the puck into the zone, resulting in Luhmann going down with contact from Kraus defending himself. A Linesman would rule it was high sticking against Kraus - although I thought he might have hit the helmet of Kraus. In the end, the Dogs went from being on the power play, to killing a penalty. They would indeed kill it, with Brody Claeys making a huge goal line save on a rebound off a deflected by by Ben Poisson to preserve the two goal lead. The Dogs were again penalized with three minutes and change to play, but again killed it to protect their lead. The Spruce Kings would pull their goalie for the extra attacker with two minutes to go, but the Dogs held them off until the final 10 seconds when they sealed it into an empty net when Trevor Cosgrove found the middle of the empty net on a 200 footer off a blocked shot from the far corner of the Dogs zone at 19:50 for the 4-1 final un-assisted.


Third period shots favoured the Spruce Kings 10-5 for a game total in the Dogs favour of 33-21 with Brody Claeys picking up the win while Tavin Grant earned third star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 1 for 5 on the power play while the Spruce Kings went 0 for 5.

The Dogs are next in action Tuesday night in Powell River.

Hammer

 

Bulldogs host Spruce Kings tonight

It's the second and final regular season meeting between these teams tonight, as the Bulldogs (12-18-5-2, 5th Island) host the Mainland Division's Prince George Spruce Kings (18-15-2-2, 4th Mainland) tonight at the Dog Pound.

The Bulldogs were last in action Wednesday night at home, where they picked up a 5-1 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Spruce Kings were in Powell River last night, where they kicked off a three-in-three weekend swing where they had a two game winning streak halted with a 10-4 loss to the Kings.

These teams last met on October 14th in Prince George, the low point and largest margain of defeat for the Dogs this season as they were nearly run out of the rink 8-0 by the Spruce Kings.

Don't miss a minute of the action on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM - the pregame show gets the broadcast going at 6:45, with the puck drop following it at 7:00 with myself and Bruce MacDonald bringing you the play-by-play, colour commentary and analysis.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Jay Deo , with another big example of how time flies, as he's playing his Senior season with the NCAA's University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Bluegolds.

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

Dogs unbeaten in two, top Caps 5-1

Tonight's Game Report is brought to you courtesy of the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel 

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A fantastic start for the Bulldogs, as they showed no signs of any rust early in the game, carryig the play while running up an early 6-1 lead in shots with Adam Marcoux making a series of great saves to keep it scoreless, most notably on a Mackenzie Wight breakaway and follow up rebound. The Dogs kept up the pressure, and made it a 1-0 game just past the midway mark of the first when the puck was worked from the left corner back to the point by Darren Rizzolo and Alex MacDonald for Jake Witkowski. He would show good patience and poise, delaying and walking in before ripping a low wrist shot home short-side on Marvoux at 10:07 of the first. The Dogs had no less than four Grade A chances in the Capital crease on the next shift but couldn't get a bounce to build their lead, with Marcoux making a diving highlight reel save across the net to keep it 1-0. Shots in the period favoured the Bulldogs 14-4.

The Capitals had an initial jump in their step to start the second, tying the game just 1:15 into the period on a rebound in front after a solid Brody Claeys save on a cross-ice one-timer by Nii Noi Tetteh. The loose puck bounced at the side of the far post where it was fired home by Jarid Domin. Marshall Skapski also drew an assist on the play. The Bulldogs pushed back immediately on the next shift, and were rewarded on the next shift with great pursuit of the puck off a lost draw by Braydon Nelson and Kyle Kaufmann with Nelson knocking it loose behind the net where Kaufmann found it and put it to a wide open Cayden Kraus just outside the top of the crease where he beat Marcoux with a quick wrist shot, high blocker side to make it 2-1 at 2:38 of the second. The Dogs continued to dominate, with Marcoux continuing to keep the Capitals in it. The Dogs would finally build their lead with just under seven minutes to play in the period as Trevor Cosgrove found a loose puck at centre and made a nice move to make a defender miss at the Capitals line before walking down the right wing and firing a low shot on goal that was stopped by Marcoux. He couldn't control the rebound though, as Alex MacDonald reeled it in and pulled it around him before lifting it home to make it 3-1 at 13:01 of the second. Shots in the period favoured the Dogs 24-5 - a season long league high for any BCHL team in the second period - for a game total of 38-9.

The Dogs showed no signs of letting up to start the third, continuing to push and earning a power play as a result of it just short of four minutes in. They would connect on it on the rush as Trevor Cosgrove gained the Capitals line up the right side before pulling up to let the traffic pass him. He would then throw a pass onto the tape of Jordan Sandhu at the right side of the slot, where he in turn threw it cross-ice and onto the top of the left circle for Tristan Bukovec who snapped a quick release home top corner, far-side over the glove of Marcoux to make it 4-1 at 5:01 of the period. The only scoring the rest of the way came with a minute to change to play and the Capitals on the power play. Brody Claeys started the play off by hustling out behind his net to stop an attempted rim-around dump in and tee it up for Trevor Cosgrove. He would throw a quick rim up the left wing where Jake Witkowski chipped it by a Caps defender at the blue line. He would walk down ice up the right side before throwing a wrist shot on net that was stopped by Marcoux. The puck would carom off the end glass and out front off the opposite post where Cayden Kraus found it and banked it home short-side to make it 5-1 at 18:33 of the third. The only note of mention came just 20 seconds later when Rhett Kingston took a full-zone run at Braydon Nelson to deliver a nasty blind-side/boarding hit on him. Kingston would be given a five minute major for checking from behind on the play.

Third period shots favoured the Capitals 10-9, for a game total of 47-19 Bulldogs with Brody Claeys and Adam Marcoux being the goalies of record. The Dogs went 1 for 1 on the power play, while also scoring once while shorthanded while the Capitals went 0 for 3.

A final note - Cayden Kraus has all three shorthanded goals for the team this season.

With the win, the Dogs are unbeaten in two games and now trail the Nanaimo Clippers by three points for the final Island Division Playoff spot.

The Dogs are next in action Saturday night when they host Prince George.

Hammer

Bulldogs return to action tonight to host Capitals

It's the first game of 2017, and the first game in what seems like FOREVER for the Bulldogs (11-18-5-2, 5th Island) as they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (19-15-2-2, 3rd Island) tonight at the Dog Pound. 

The Bulldogs last played 21 days ago, playing to a 4-4 tie against the Victoria Grizzlies on home ice.  The Capitals were last in action on Friday night at home, where they had a three game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to the Grizzlies.

The Bulldogs got some help on the out of town scoreboard while they were on their break, as the Nanaimo Clippers lost two of the three games they played while the Dogs were idle, with the Bulldogs entering play tonight five points back of them for 4th place on the Island with three games in hand. 

The first game back after the break is usually a challenge, with some "rink rust" usually evident along with some turkey and shortbread mixed in. The Dogs can ill afford to squander any of their games in hand if they hope to make up ground in the standings, so here's hoping that the break being as long as it was let the players return to the rink refreshed and ready to go and get right back at it to play the same way coming out of the break that they were when they went into it. As the Capitals already have a game under their belt coming out of the break, one has to think that they could have a bit of an early advantage tonight. 

These teams last met December 14th in Duncan, a 2-0 Capitals win in a game that was scoreless until the final three minutes of regulation. 

That game was of course marred by a horrible incident that saw Ayden MacDonald board Malik Kaila (although it was called a hit to the head) resulting in a terrible scene that saw Kaila removed from the ice on a stretcher after a lengthy delay. The end result - two broken vertebrae in Kaila's neck, and a four game suspension for MacDonald and possibly (probably?) the end of Malik Kaila's career. 

I have been procrastinating posting about this for a long time - since the last game before the Christmas break, in fact, when I heard the league's ruling of the suspension. I have been dreading writing about this for a long list of reasons. I don't want to be critical of the league - I was hoping the suspension would be a lengthy one, and I wouldn't have to say much. I don't want to demonize Ayden MacDonald - I'm sure he feels terrible. No one wants to end someone's career, things happen very very fast out there. It could just as easily have been or could be a Bulldog that hits a player on the other side of the puck with a result like this one. I guess someone has to say something further about it though, and I know from all the questions and angry feedback I've received from fans that everyone expects me to be that someone. 

Here's the hit, for those that haven't seen it yet. A word of warning, it's not for the squeamish. 

I don't think the hit was with intent, but it was reckless. Kaila was 6-7-8 feet away from the boards and MacDonald traveled laterally across the ice to hit him - into the boards. Kaila turns in the act of playing the puck - but that's a moot point. With his chest to MacDonald, or with his back to him, being hit in that fashion in that proximity to the boards is going to result in a significant injury from being boarded no matter what way you go into them, especially at that velocity that he was driven into the boards. The injury Malik Kaila suffered is the reason this rule exists.

This hit was textbook, straight from the rulebook - BOARDING. 6.2

Rule 6.2 Boarding and Body Checking (a) A Minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be assessed any player who body checks, cross-checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards. If a player is injured a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed. 

Four games seems pathetically lenient in my opinion. Maybe it's just that I'm looking at this from the Bulldog side of the puck? In the end, when someone's career is over, how many games will make it "right"?

I don't know the league's rationale in deciding it was worth sitting out four games. I do know that MacDonald is a repeat offender. It's hard to get an idea of past transgressions with the BCHL website change over last year limiting past discipline to only that point, but I found at least two instances of MacDonald being suspended for major penalties for checks to the head, and checks to behind. 

Craig Martin was suspended EIGHT games for a hit from behind in the 2013-2014 season on a hit that had no where near the end result that this one did. And he was a first time offender. Maybe it's unfair to make any comparisons to different plays. 

What's your call? 

All I know is I sure feel for Malik Kaila, and I wish him the best in his recovery. A classy player, and a great person, and the Dogs will certainly miss him. 

I'm excited to get back on the air tonight - Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM kicks off with the pregame show at 6:45, with the puck dropping just after 7:00. Bruce MacDonald adds colour commentary and analysis while I provide the play-by-play.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Chase Van Allen - currently playing his SENIOR season with the NCAA's University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. Holy cow, does time ever fly. It feels like just yesterday that Chase was here, one of the huge reasons that the Dogs won the Island Championship in 2012-2013. Chase was named Best Defenceman, Community Hero, and Most Inspirational that year.

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.hockeytv.com


Hammer