Martin Mars Waterbomber Videos.

This blog now contains 99.9% HOCKEY content. Going to shake it up a bit today to post some videos of these giant birds. I've searched high and low on the internet and have seen every picture and video. Check out the Flying Tankers Inc. official website for info on the company, the planes, and of course- pictures and videos.

Flying Tankers

Besides the videos they have on their site, I was surprised to find that an internet search yeilded only ONE other video of the Mars Waterbombers. And it wasn't a video of them IN THE AIR. So I decided to take some of my own mostly for my own enjoyment, but also for the purpose of sharing the beauty of these great birds with anyone else that loves them. It's funny when they fly over Port Alberni how up and down the street one can see people of all walks of life and all ages bounding out of the house to see them fly over. They never get old, and the thrill of seeing them airborne doesn't either. At least to me, I can't speak for the rest of you. There's few sounds as beautiful as that unmistakeable drone of the four big engines as the Mars lumber home to base or head out for a firefight. For me, maybe only the sound of the Mulitplex Horn sounds as sweet. Without further delay, here's 3 videos I took off my front deck of the big birds doing some training, I believe. Just hit the > PLAY button and they should start automatically. Thanks for stopping by and ENJOY. Tomorrow, it's back to HOCKEY talk as I'll be posting the second podcast in my series of 2003-2004 Bulldog Highlights! Questions, comments, complaints, yaddah, yaddah- EMAIL me or post a comment.

Hammer.

Flyby # 1



Flyby # 2



Overhead, my personal fave. From my back deck to the front, on the full run.

Many new things- POLLS, ADS, 2003-2004 Highlights PART 1.

Hello and thanks for stopping by. I really have to get a new first line don't I? Oh well, one thing at a time. Did alot to the blog today. Added a poll, to start. Under the LINKS, click on CLICK HERE

Or click on that link I just left ya. In the future, click on CLICK HERE though. I hope I didn't forget anyone in the first poll. I was spending more of my energy getting it on the blog period. That was quite the struggle. I also added a "google search" bar as well. Do me a favour- If you use google to search, or even if you don't, you should think about it. If you do indeed use google to search, try going to the blog first and using that one. I customized it, so you get a Bulldogs logo every time you search, as a little present. Also, do me a BIG favour. I have added google ads to the blog. If you see an ad that might interest you, please click on it. Even if something doesn't interest you, click on it, if you have a free moment. I might make myself a couple of bucks for a pop or two, and the thought that I would GET SOMETHING for doing this (besides your time, and I thank you for it!) would be great!

If you have an idea for a poll, email me

Don't hesitate to email as well with any other ideas, suggestions, complaints, PICTURES, or anything else. Love to hear from you.

Now, a DISCLAIMER- What you are about to hear isn't the best of broadcasting. I hope to you it doesn't sound too bad. To me, it sounds awful. There's no better way for a broadcaster to tell if he's going in the right direction than to pull out some material from several years ago and compare it with current stuff. The audio you are about to hear is from a couple seasons ago. When I compare it to the 2005-2006 Bullogs Highlight Video, I'm proud of the improvements I've made. A long way to go for sure though.

I give you PART 1, from the AV1240AM "The Source" Bulldogs broadcast, myself and "The Ace" Alf Thompson calling game 60 of the 2003-2004 Alberni Valley Bulldogs season.

Click HERE to listen, to a blast podcast from the past.

Be sure to check back tomorrow or the next couple days, I'll get PART 2 of this game, and another 2003-2004 THRILLER podcasted here for your enjoyment.

Thanks for stopping by!
Hammer

Anyone still reading this?

Greetings everyone, or is it anyone? As of last night the NHL season is done, and the hockey season is officially over. Here's my question- Is anyone still checking out the blog, and if so, would anyone be interested in me podcasting some Bulldogs Broadcast moments from the 2003-2004 season? I may have found some. It will take some effort to get them on here, but if there's a demand or a request, I'll do it! Let me know!

Hammer

VIDEO redux, Hockeyville done.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. The Alberni Valley Hockeyville bid was stopped Friday after making the top 10. Smithers BC was chosen over the Alberni Valley bid to make it into the top 5. Congrats to the community, committee, and anyone and everyone in between for the efforts and accomplishments. Too bad we couldn't win it, but top 10 in Canada is nothing to be upset about.

I've linked the highlight reel video differently. Now it's right on the blog, and doesn't have to be opened in a new window! Cool! If you haven't seen it yet, it's a MUST for Dogs fans.

Jim Hiller Interview, Tom McEvay Hockeyville Interview, from Hamilton

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. First off for todays posting/podcasting is an interview from my morning show yesterday on 93.3 The Peak FM with former Alberni Valley Bulldogs coach Jim Hiller, now the bench boss for the expansion Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League. It's a long interview, so it's in 2 parts. Click the below links to listen.

Jim Hiller interview, part 1
Jim Hiller interview, part 2

Port Alberni mayor Ken McRae presents Prime Minister Harper with a "Alberni Valley Hockeyville" jersey

Also on the morning show yesterday, (Wed, June 7th) I got a call from Tom McEvay of the Hockeyville Committee, in Hamilton. I threw Tom on the air for an update on the happenings from the "front lines" as I called it, for everyone here at the "homefront" Also had an interesting chat with Wade Parker, who did a little campaigning on behalf of the Salmon River, Nova Scotia hockeyville quest. At the end of the interview, I demonstrate to listeners how easy it is to vote. FRIDAY is the next big day so get ready to watch and VOTE VOTE VOTE.

Hockeyville interview, part1
Hockeyville interview, part2

Thanks for stopping by the blog and I hope you enjoyed the listen. Don't miss out on all the "repodcasts" I've posted below!

Hammer

More AUDIO re-podcasted, Jim Hiller interview on the way.

A quick hello tonight, and a quick post. Continuing what I started yesterday, reposting the audio from the season gone by for you to listen to again to remember.

Here we go.

Dogs Vs Cents. End of a streak of a different kind. BEAUTY from Timberlake.

Another highlight reel- WilliamsLake/Nanaimo

Dogs vs Caps

Interview with "The Canpar Guy" Bruce Sly. Great hockeyfan and hockeyman, even though he's from NANAIMO, haha. He's a Clipper fan and an off ice BCHL official running the clock at the Frank Crane. We love Bruce, and he's a well liked guy in the Valley. Recently wrote a letter of support to the Alberni Valley Hockeyville committee. Class act and a great guy, this night he filled in when my intermission interview didn't make it to the booth.

Dogs Caps Game 1

Dogs Caps Game 2 AKA the Aaron Schepers SHOW

Dogs Caps Game 3

Game 4

Round 1 Highlight Reel







That's all I have on my computer. Round 2 came and the time available went away, then the season ended. I hope to get the Jim Hiller interview from Wednesday on here soon.

Thanks for dropping bye, spread the word that the blog is updated!
Hammer

How to vote for Hockeyville, Jim Hiller on 93.3 The Peak tomorrow, Bulldogs signings, Herman to College, GREATEST BLOG POSTCAST HITS.

WHEW, what a title!

First off, here's how to vote for hockeyville. You have until 8:59pm PACIFIC Wednesday, June 7th to get your votes in. Here's the updated info.

Voting for Hockeyville commences at 5:00 pm (PST) Tuesday June 6.Here is how to Vote
Alberni Valley as Hockeyville
You can vote using all three of the following methods:

By Touch Tone phone: by dialing 1-888-459-2006

By Cell phone: by dialing1-888-459-2006

Alberni Valley is in the Pacific Region.Confirm your vote before you disconnect.You may use each method five times to vote for the Alberni Valley.You will need to connect separately for each vote.PLEASE maximize your Vote.Voting commences at 5:00 pm (PST) Tuesday June 6, 2006 and will remain open until Wednesday June 7, 2006 at 8:59 pm (PST).Please ensure that you vote, your family votes and that your friends vote for the Alberni Valley too.




Former Bulldog coach Jim Hiller, new coach of the expansion Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League, will be joining me on my morning show at 8:10am tomorrow (WED JUNE 7th) to talk Bulldogs, Bruins no doubt, the Alberni Valley, and I'm sure hockey in general. It could be the last interview we get so I suggest you tune in. For those not in the Valley, or for those that miss it, maybe I'll podcast it if you ask nice.

Bulldogs signings, Brad Herman to the NCAA.

Well, it's a fact of life of hockey at this level. Players move on, but players move in. Just like coaches, trainers, staff, etc.

Click this link to read the Brad Herman story from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs website.

Click HERE

Click this link to read the Bulldogs announcement regarding the signing of Dustyn Clegg and Torry Lindsay. Good to know that we'll be increasing our listenership in Manitoba next season to more than my friends and family.

Click HERE

GREATEST HITS!

After getting some feedback from the highlight reel video by talking to players and fans, I just started to miss the games more already. I also realized how many great moments didn't get into the video. Whether it was time contraints, video unavailability or quality, I talked to 3 players and 5 fans and they all told me how much they loved the video, but "why wasn't that one on there, and this one" etc etc. I really wish I could do more. Like I previously said, I don't have the resources to keep making them. HOWEVER, I still have ALL of the podcasts I put on this blog from the day I started it.


So, if you are missing Bulldogs hockey, or the broadcasts, make sure you have a free hour and a computer with sound and sit back and enjoy (I hope) much of the audio I've previously posted from what was a great and memorable season for the Bulldogs. Try to figure out what game these are from, and please leave your comments as to what are your favorites.

the COUNT, for the first time?

early highlight reel

the THUMP. Listen close for the puck on the back bar.

Bert Watkins, AKA "WATTY" by request

Watty INTERVIEW by request

vs The 2006 Royal Bank Cup champion Burnaby Express

In "the puddle" and double OT.

Comeback of the season? This game might have my vote. This was talked about just a couple of days ago with me and a couple Bulldogs players. It was nuts on the back to back goals off the face off, and when Joe Scali scored the second goal, it seemed the rink RUMBLED more than usual. You can even hear it on the highlights, you could feel it in there, becuase I mentionted it. At that point of Joes goal, it was almost like every fan in the rink KNEW that the team was going to come back.

PART 1

PART 2

The streak continues.

Sudden victory.

Sudden victory again, the streak continues. In my eyes, the most emotional game of the streak. Credit to the opponents as much as the Dogs for that. Can't say anything that anyone doesn't know about the Clippers/Dogs rivalry. HERE to LISTEN

Over the Silverbacks, the team that stopped the first streak at 8, if I'm not mistaken. A tear in my eye, for THE LAST COUNT of the streak.

Finally, the last win of the streak. 20 in a row. A third of the season. NOT a pretty win, an ugly, all heart road comeback. But a win is a win they say. About the comebacks- this team NEVER quit. I know we all hear that alot in sports, and I'm sure it's true alot in sports. But if there's anything that really stood out about this team, it's that they never quit, never got their heads down, no matter what the deficit. Just put the work boots on and start over and stop digging that hole. It was a pleasure to watch.

Speaking of great things to watch, this OT was a heartstopper. Maybe the craziest of the season. The final win, 20 in a row. No count as it was on the road. Although I talked to alot of people back home who were tuned in who said they counted at home.

END TO END.

I have more highlights to go, and I will post them in the days to come. I'm sure thats enough reading and listening for now. Again please SPREAD THE WORD about Hockeyville, and about this blog. Post your comments, and email me your submissions/complaints, etc.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hammer.

Oiler fans- Best fans in the league, loudest barn in the league!

Amazing performance I missed by the Edmonton fans Tuesday night. Thank goodness for the internet!

Also, the Oilers intro to ice level earlier in the playoffs. Click PLAY on the videos to watch.

Hammer

Sitting at LAX

Man, technology is something else isn't it? Sitting at a Kiosk at Los Angeles International writing this. 3 mins to go, better hurry. Just found out that there is no 1045 boat back to Duke Point. OUCH. Will be home 2 or 3 am, will be a fun morning show, what a way to start working again after a vacation. How about them OIL, WOW.

Just a quick note to let you know that Disney Land didn't kill me, it was fun, and THE MOUSE left me enough money to get home. dan the stats man you may be right, OIL should make me their good luck charm.

Take care all, kiosk time up,
Hammer

Hello from Arrowhead Pond!

NO KIDDING!

The stars sure aligned for this one. My dear Sarah won a trip to Disney Land, back in around September. We had to choose when to go, and the only sure date we could come up with that was suitable for them was right after the Royal Bank Cup, when it was known FOR SURE that I wouldn't be tied up doing play by play. Now the Royal Bank Cup sure didn't happen for the Bulldogs, we all know that. Don't want to think about what might have been again......

Anyway, as I said the stars aligned for this one. The Oilers beat out the Wings. The Ducks beat out the Flames. I did some math, and thought, WOW, the West Final might be happening in Anaheim if we are really lucky.

I applied for media accreditation on a whim, not thinking there was a chance I could get in.

Well, here we are, 6:25 on the clock ticking down to game one, and here I am.

Off to watch the game. If I'm allowed, I'll take some in rink pics and post them.

GO OIL

Even though I can't say that up in the pressbox.

Hammer

Ladies and Gents, Boys, Girls, and Dog fans of all shapes and sizes......

The BIG STUFF is here.

I give YOU

The 05/06 Alberni Valley Bulldogs Highlight Reel.

Did I mention it's a VIDEO reel?

I believe it to be the first of it's kind when it comes to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Let me state some things about the video first, before I post a link.

I did not make this video for profit of any kind.

I made video for the purposes that are stated at it's start.

The video was made to showcase my skills as a broadcaster, and to document some of the Dogs moments of the past season.

It was alot of work to get this done. It was alot of tough moments picking which highlights to use. Radio, and video wise. Some great highlights from other moments throughout the season and playoffs weren't available whether it was video wise or I didn't think the play by play was the best I could select.

Of course I finally get this done and ready to go onto the net today, and I tell a Bulldog player about it. Now he wants some of his highlights made into a reel. Not sure I could do that, but you never know.

I don't expect fans and players of any other BCHL teams to enjoy this video much. When it's one teams "best moments" and you are an opponent of that one team, you aren't going to like the memories.

I am a passionate broadcaster no doubt, but I'm sure that fans and players and the like from other teams would enjoy a video of their teams moments as much as Dogs fans will enjoy this.

PLEASE spread the word. Send it to your inlaws, outlaws, friends and family. I worked hard on it for the reasons stated and I'd love for as many people as possible to see it, for the fans, for the players, for the team, and for Port Alberni.

Tah Dah!

Hammer's 2005-2006 Alberni Valley Bulldogs Highlight Reel

Congrats to the Burnaby Express, and BIG STUFF on the way!

Congrats go out to the Burnaby Express and former Bulldog Jeff Orban for winning the Royal Bank Cup Sunday in impressive fashion, 8-2 over the Yorkton Terriers.

A special congrats to Express Play-by-Play voice Eddie Gregory. Eddie is a young hard working guy, who always had time for any interviews requested of him by me this season. Being through a RBC, I know the ups, downs, and everything else that yes, even a broadcaster, goes through. Congrats to Eddie.

I have to run for now, but if you are a Bulldog fan you MUST check the blog in the next couple of days. I've been working hard over the last little while on something, and it's finally done!

Stay tuned, and thanks for stopping by.
Hammer

Dogs prospect camp on the ice+ the "Quest for Hockeyville" heats up

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. Haven't been posting much because it's hammers "Bulldog" blog and there wasn't much Dogs news for a while. There is now though. Went down to the rink a bit today to check out some of the prospects camp. Head down to the Multiplex this weekend to see some action. More information can be found on the Bulldogs website, link on the right.

Great to see some hockey and to see some of those people that I only seem to see at the rink. Easy that way to see what that facility does to the city, and how hockey is all involved.

Out of 400 plus entries from across the country, the AV Hockeyville bid is still in the running with the number down to 25 bids still vying country wide in all varying types of communities large and small.

Hockeyville Happenenings- Take a look at this "handout" I received via email. Thanks Tom. Other than that, thanks for stopping by and hope to see you all around.

Hammer.
GO OIL GO.

The 2006 Alberni Valley Hockeyville Quest

Get Involved and Show Your Community Spirit!

Check out our Website at http://www.hockeyville.org/ or call 720-2803

Sunday May 7^th:

• The Alberni Valley Hockeyville Committee will have a tent set up in front of the Multiplex with information, jersey’s and tshirts sales, and the Kiwanis food bus from noon to 8 pm. We will be preparing for a 6 pm visit from a CBC film crew. Home Depot will be sending us $2500 worth of materials for us to build the “Spirit of Hockeyville” trophy case that day. We have volunteers from the North Island College Cabinetry class and others helping us build this on site. The trophy case will honour the qualities of fairness and sportsmanship which we all should strive to achieve on and off of the ice. The 2006 recipient will be honoured Sunday evening at 8 pm at the Multiplex. The Harbour City Big Band will be providing musical entertainment.

Tuesday May 9^th:

• We are hosting the Alberni Valley’s Hockeyville Celebration in the ADSS Auditorium at 7 pm. Celebrate our quest to become Hockeyville Canada. Wear a jersey, paint your face, make a banner and bring your family, relatives, neighbours or your whole team. Get all the details of our application, watch the recent video that was submitted to help us reach the Top 25 and hear some of the inspiring stories. Participate in our Hockeyville Idol. Come on stage and tell us “Why Port Alberni is Hockeyville Canada.” Tell us individually, in a group, by song or verse or in your own unique way. One or more people will be selected to be filmed to be a part of our next 1 minute video to be aired on national TV on June 6^th.

Friday May 12^th:

• The first of Hockeyville Friday’s in the Alberni Valley. We challenge everyone to wear something connected to hockey every Friday up until Hockeyville Canada concludes on June 11. Alberni Valley Hockeyville Jerseys and Tshirts can be ordered from JAL Designs. We encourage businesses, schools and other organizations to get involved. Decorate your homes, offices, stores and classrooms. Submit stories and pictures to Russell_Dyson@city-port-alberni.bc.ca for inclusion on our website.

Throughout May:

• Throughout the month of May we encourage schools and other organizations to hold Hockeyville events. These could be on Hockeyville Fridays or on other more convenient days. Submit your plan to Tom McEvay at tmcevay@sd70.bc.ca by May 12^th and the Alberni Valley Hockeyville Committee will select one or two to be filmed by local TV. You may be able towin prizes for your school. Also submit your letters from students and anyone answering “Why is the Alberni Valley Hockeyville?” or “You know you live in Hockeyville when…..” to Rick Methot at the AV Times rmethot@avtimes.net for inclusion in a daily Hockeyville column.

Friday May 26^th:

• We submit our 1 minute Testimonial video to CBC and Kraft Hockeyville as part of the next requirement in the competition. Remember you could be a part of this video if you are selected from our Hockeyville Idol auditions on May 9^th.

Monday June 5^th:

• Ron Paulson and Tom McEvay will be flown to Hamilton Ontario by CBC to be the official Alberni Valley representatives for the next steps in the Hockeyville Canada competition. Other members of the Alberni Valley Hockeyville committee are planning to make the trip as well and we invite anyone else who wants to join us to come along and be part of a strong Alberni Valley presence. Cash in those airmiles and be part of a great road trip.

Tuesday June 6^th:

• The fifth episode of Hockeyville Canada will be aired live on CBC channel 3 at 7 pm. McEvay and Paulson will present our 1 minute video along with the other top 25 communities. The judges will select 1 community from each of the 5 regions to move on to the top 10. The viewing public have until 11:59 pm on June 7^th to select 1 community from each region as well. In the last round the Alberni Valley was selected by the judges and was not on the list for viewers to vote on. We need to be prepared to get out the vote if needed this round. Make sure everyone you know is ready to phone or email their vote in before the deadline.

Friday June 9^th:

The sixth episode of Hockeyville Canada will be aired at 7 pm on CBC. This episode will announce the remaining 10 communities. This episode will then feature representatives from each of these 10 communities in a Hot Stove discussion where the judges grill the contestants on why their communities should be Hockeyville Canada 2006. If we make it to the final 10 McEvay and Paulson will be our representatives for this session that will then see the judges reduce the group to the final 5 communities. Each of the top 5 communities will receive $10,000 worth of hockey equipment for disadvantaged youth from CCM/Reebok.

Sunday June 11^th:

• The seventh and final episode of Hockeyville Canada will be aired live at 7 pm on CBC. At the end of this episode they will announce the Grand Prize winner of the $50,000 gift certificate from Home Depot for their arena upgrades and the right to host an NHL exhibition game next fall.

Hockey is a team sport and we need the entire community to be part of our Hockeyville team !! We can’t do this without you so get on board.

No, I'm not hiding, no, I'm not avoiding this!

I'm just BUSY! Really. The loss Saturday and the end of the season was as tough for me as the fans/players/staff et all. Maybe it was tougher. It's over, it was over Saturday, and the sun came up Sunday morning. Really too bad. Any Dog fan or follower would say that. Anyone else would say "too bad?, too bad it didn't happen sooner" maybe. Who knows.

No blame on any one person. Win as a team, lose as a team. Blame the forwards, blame the defense, blame goaltending, coaching, special teams, reffing, what have you. I say blame no one. The name of the game is that someone wins and someone loses. If any blame needs to be placed, blame the Victoria Salsa! They played great and got hot at the right time, playoff time. I remember saying going into the series "they beat Nanaimo in 5, and won 2 games in the Frank Crane, they will not be easy and they are obviously doing something right"

I won't be predicting the future for the BCHL playoffs. I've always said that predicting is for Nostradamus and I'm sticking to that. Who would've predicted Nanaimo gone in 5? Who would've predicted the Dogs round 1 series against Cowichan in a sweep? 10-7 in game 1? Triple overtime in game 2 and double overtime in game 3 and a come from behind-4 unanswered goals comeback in game 4? 2-1 Dogs over Salsa in game 1, 13-2 in game 2, then four straight losses/wins however you look at it. All the self proclaimed experts will all say they know exactly why one team lost and another team won, they'll say they predicted it all. An open invitation to you then- come on here and post your name and your reasons for winning and losing and further predictions. Nameless won't be allowed. As you can see from the BCHL message board anyone without a name is the smartest person in the hockey world with all the answers. Make them stand behind those answers and words and they disappear.

Thanks Thanks Thanks for reading the blog, for stopping by the blog, for emailing submissions and posting comments and requests/complaints. I started this not too long ago and had alot of fun with it. Alot of fun, but alot of work for sure. I'll be posting more in the future hopefully, so please come back. Not sure how much more I will post, but I'm not saying this will be the end.

The thing I regret the most about the loss- my dad won't be able to see any Bulldogs hockey this year. He arrived in Port Alberni Monday. A couple days too late. Hey, even I don't predict as I said already. He was asking me when to come out early this year. March, April, Feb? I told him, "you KNOW Cal, you can't count on anything other than the regular season" The way the Dogs played through the regular season and around December or so when he made his decision on when to come out here, some would've thought that coming the last week of March would be a good time, to see some hockey. Turns out it's a good time to golf. Really too bad. As I said, it's the biggest regret on the season as I look back. He loved the Pound, he loved the oppositions rinks, he loves the action of the BCHL and the quality of hockey it offers. Too bad he can't see it this year. Too long of a drive on a work day to Vic and back. It IS good weather for golf, so that's where we're off to again today. My game may be horrible, but it's the first time I've seen him in a year so it's getting out there together that's fun.

Good luck to all BCHL teams still on the road to the RBC and Fred Page and Doyle Cups. I'll post more on the Dogs and the players and fans and everything in the next little while. Thanks again for the support and stopping by.

FORE.

It's not GO DOGS GO, I'm afraid.

Do or Die, Bulldogs Playoffs Gameday, Island Finals Game #6

I'm going to skip talking about yesterday, not because yesterday is yesterday but because I could start talking about that game and I'd still be going but I'd need to be on the bus down to Victoria. Great game, bad finish if you are an Alberni fan. One can only imagine the joy on the other side of the puck. Can't complain much about the game when the teams treat the fans to almost 90 minutes of hockey. Chance after chance one way didn't find the back of the net, chance after chance the other way didn't find the back of the net, until THE goal went in. And that's where we stand.

Simple, simple. Do or die for the Dogs. A win tonight in the Bear Mountain and game 7 goes Monday at the Pound. A Salsa win and they face Burnaby in the Coast final to go to the league championship series and the Dogs season is over. The Dogs hadn't lost at home in the playoffs until last night, just their third home ice loss all year. The Salsa haven't lost at home in the playoffs yet.

When adversity slaps you in the face, you need to jersey it, and give it about 10 uppercuts. I again was thinking about my times in OCN after last night.

Let me tell a story. Coming into the 2001-2002 season, we were three-peat champs. Three straight league titles. But everytime we went on to play Saskatchewan for the right to go to the Royal Bank Cup, we lost. All all of the three championship seasons we were never in a long series to win the MJ. At the most, maybe ONE six game series in any series from start to finish of the playoffs over those three years. Fast forward to the end of the 2001-2002 season. Second round of the playoffs, for the division title, we got caught in a battle, not unlike the Dogs vs Salsa battle now. Long story short we battled back and went to the first ever game 7 in team history, and the first game 7 in our rinks history. We came out and were tougher worked harder and were more desperate and wanted it more, and we won. After that we didn't end up in a long series. A couple of sweeps, including the league finals, winning at home for the first ever time, the 4th straight league championship. One can say that even a sweep isn't easy. You have to play great to beat any team 4 straight. But this isn't about that. After winning the league finals, we went on to face Saskatchewan, the foe never beaten. We split games 1 and 2 there, and returned home for three straight, and won em all to go to the Royal Bank Cup for the first ever time. No one thought the team could ever beat the Sask. Champs, especially in 5 games. Game three was a close double-ot affair, game 4 was a 6-3 win, and game 5 we bombed them 6-0. My point here is that when it came down to it in the end, the difference was that we were FINALLY tested with enough adversity to make the team realize what was needed for victory. No one was thinking about that second round battle and the 7 game series when it came down to the Royal Bank Cup so much later in May. But it was a factor. The team, the fans, cannot worry about thinking of the end. If you are thinking of the END, you aren't thinking of the NOW. IF the Dogs find a way to jersey adversity tonight and live to fight another day, you just never know what could happen. They could lose game 7. They could play for two more months. Today a hockey game has to be played and the winners will live to fight tomorrow, they will not have to think about the END.

Tonights pregame show is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with Ace and myself. The puckdrop is at 7:00.

Send an email to the PRESSBOX

Catch the internet broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone

Thanks for stopping by the blog,
GO DOGS GO
Hammer

Bulldogs Playoffs Gameday, Island Finals Game #5

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. Just finished my subway lunch pregame, now a blog post, then off for the pregame nap. After being up since 4:30 this morning for the pre-work gameday walk and the morning show and everything else I do on gameday I hope I'm tired enough to nap this afternoon in spite of how jacked up I am for tonights game.

Pretty simple now. With the series tied 2-2 it's now a best of three to crown the Island Champions, with the Bulldogs having home ice advantage. Whoever wins tonights game 5 will have a chance to win the Island title tomorrow at Bear Mountain. The Dogs, like the Salsa, are unbeaten at home in the playoffs so far. While that doesn't mean anything when the puck drops tonight or tomorrow, it's a stat none the less. The Salsa showed in round one with two victories at the Frank Crane that they are capable of winning in tough rinks. While the Dogs have only lost two games at home all year by no means does that mean that tonight is a given. I hope the team isn't thinking anything else but how hard they have to come out tonight to outwork outhit and outhustle the Salsa to earn a victory. A Salsa fan from the other side of the coin could state that since the Salsa are winless at the Pound this season, they are certainly due. Dog fans hope not, of course, but after the Salsa's 13-2 loss here for game two, no one knows how tough it's going to be tonight more than them. The only thing certain is that this should be a great one tonight.

Our Alberni Engineering pregame show is on the air at 6:45pm on 93.3 The Peak FM with Ace and myself. The puckdrop is at 7:00. Tonights second intermission feature guest is Surrey Eagles play by play voice Colin Tiggelaar. Since the Eagles elimination at the end of the regular season Colin has been hosting "Inside the Race for the Fred Page Cup" on the BCHL homepage, along with everything he's doing inside the BCHL Fanzone from the BCHL offices. We'll talk about what the fanzone offers and Colin's work in putting everything together, along with the "Inside the Race for the Fred Page Cup" Incase you've missed that, it's FREE on the frontpage of www.bchl.bc.ca so take a listen and see what a good show it is. You can listen back from the recaps of game 1 of the playoffs all the way though the first round to the second round preview and recaps. Just click on "click to read the full story" My thanks to Colin for the interview.

Don't forget to send an email to the PRESSBOX

Catch our internet broadcast as well as internet broadcasts of all BCHL playoff games, live scoring updates, full game broadcast archives and postgame shows in the BCHL Fanzone

Thanks for stopping by,
GO DOGS GO
Rip and Tear
and dare I say-
Loud and Proud.

Hammer

Bulldogs Playoffs Gameday, Island Finals Game #4, ticket pickup info for Game 5

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. Posting from the hotel in Victoria, getting ready for game 4 tonight. The Dogs 6 game winning streak was snapped last night with their first loss of the playoffs. On the other side, The Salsa had their losing streak snapped at 2, winning for the first time since they beat Nanaimo last Monday. Maybe not a coincidence, it was their first game back at the Bear Mountain Arena. The Salsa did what they usually do to the Dogs at the Bear Mountain. They scored first, and they scored early. Former Bulldog Jordan MacIntryre scored just 55 seconds into the game and it was 1-0. The score remained that way until Maury Edwards backhanded one (we thought off Andrew Estey's stick) before the second was 5 minutes old and it was 1-1. Early in the third the Salsa went ahead 2-1 with Jeff Gagnon scoring on a scramble on the powerplay, the first Salsa powerplay goal of the series. That goal was the only goal not scored on an odd man rush. The first goal was a 3 on 2, the third goal and eventual game winner was a 3 on 2 after the Bulldogs turned it over at the Salsa line on a 3 on 2 of their own, and the fourth goal was a 2 on 1 as the Dogs got caught deep pushing for the equalizer. The 5th was into an empty net. Credit to the Dogs for tying it up 2-2 with an Andrew Ella goal with 10:00 remaining in the third. Credit to the Dogs for taking it to the Salsa in the third outshooting them almost 2 to 1. However, they couldn't score and the Salsa scored on their chances. Sounds simple but that's how it looked to me. To quote Rick Schveink on the postgame show "we felt forunate to be in a 1-1 tie after two periods, the way we played" and "we were for the most part a step behind or a step slow tonight"

Maybe the 13-2 win went to the heads a little, you can't blame the Dogs if that was the case. Last night the Salsa were the more desperate team and it showed on the scoreboard. The Dogs missed on a chance to put a stranglehold on the series. The Salsa took full advantage of their chance to make this a whole new series, and get some much needed confidence after the 13-2 embarrasment Saturday. After all is said and done tonight, it'll look like this. A Dogs win and they lead the series 3-1, and have a chance to win the Island title Friday at the Pound. A Salsa win and whoever wins Friday in Alberni will have a chance to win the series Saturday at the Bear Mountain. Should be a good one.

The pregame show is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM with Ace and myself at 6:45 from the Bear Mountain Arena. The puckdrop is 7:00. Our second intermission feature guest is Battleford's Stars coach Glen Watson from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to talk about the SJHL, the AJHL, the MJHL, and the road to the Royal Bank Cup.

Send an email to the PRESSBOX

Check out the BCHL fanzone for the Internet Broadcast, and Broadcasts of the other playoff series on going. Game broadcasts are also archived for you to listen back to if you missed a game or if you want to relive a game. Postgame shows and game highlights are also things the BCHL Fanzone offers.

Ticket pickup info for Fridays Game 5, 7:00pm at the Pound

Season Ticket Holders/Corporate Sponsors
TODAY (Tuesday) until 5pm upper lounge. No interac, cash and credit card only
TOMORROW (Wednesday) 12 noon-7pm upper lounge. No interac, cash and credit card only

General Public:
THURSDAY 6pm-9pm Bulldogs office

Thanks to Dan and Chris for getting me that info.

I'm out for a nap and a pregame meal, then showtime.
Thanks for stopping by the blog,
GO DOGS GO
Rip and Tear
Hammer

On the road again, PODCAST Round 1 Highlights, Bulldogs Playoffs Gameday, Island Finals Game #3.

Hows that for a title? How was that for a game Saturday night? Team record for goals scored in a game, and in a playoff game. Team record for goals by a player in a game, and in a playoff game, by Tyler Ruel with 6. He hadn't scored a hattrick in 199 BCHL regular season and playoff games with 58 goals scored going into last night. Then he goes out and gets a double hatty. Anyone who watched the Dogs all year agreed with that Jim Hiller said on the post game about Tyler. He was snakebitten for 7 months it seemed, so many chances all season long. Just couldn't score. Hitting things and fantastic saves and bouncing over sticks, whathaveyou. Nice to see him finally get some luck, and then some, around the net last night. It wasn't like he went out and had 20 shots and scored six times. I can only really think of one or two times all night where he tried to score, or set up a goal, and it didn't end up in the net. I guess "one of those nights" but the most extreme of those nights. I'll stop talking about the game now because I won't be able to stop and I have to get to bed. After midnight as I type this. Broadcast is ready for tomorow, clothes are packed and ready. Off to bed then off to the bus tomorrow morning and off to Victoria and on the road again. Love that playoff grind. Won't be an easy game at all. Stakes are HUGE. It's either 3-0 Dogs with a firm grip on the series, or it's 2-1 and it's a whole new game. Don't let 13-2 fool you. That was LAST game. THIS game starts 0-0 regardless of games 1 and 2.

Game three of the Island finals goes tonight at the Bear Mountain Arena. The pregame show is at 6:45 on 93.3 The Peak FM with Ace and myself, the puck drop is at 7:00. Tonights second intermission feature guest is Burnaby Express play by play voice Eddie Gregory to talk about the series on the mainland with the Express up 2-0 and game 3 at Bill Copeland in Burnaby tonight.

Send an email to the PRESSBOX

Catch the internet broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone

Get yourself signed up for the BCHL Fanzone

Colin Tiggelaar is doing a great job with the game night recaps. First thing when I get home that I do after a game is listen to the nights recap. Colin has been getting audio from broadcasters around the BCHL after the games, getting the game story. He also has clips from game highlights. It's a great listen. Again, I also am telling people to sign up to the Fanzone because they have the resources to archive the entire game broadcasts. I could never post ALL the audio from the game. Plus, they have the games archived the night of. I can't get the highlights from the 93.3 The Peak FM broadcast on here that quick, just too much for me to keep up to. So again, I urge you to get signed up. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a couple sign ups from Port Alberni today after the crazy night last night in the Pound. Well worth the $17.00 when I could go home after the game last night and listen to all 13 goals and everything else.

Finally, here's some audio for ya. This is the "Round 1 Highlight Reel" that I threw together, at the request of the players. They asked me earlier this season to make them a highlight reel to music to listen to in the room to get fired up and focused before they come out. They also asked me to update it as the season goes. This is about the third or fourth edition. I would've posted it here sooner, but it was the players to listen to first, then everyone else. I got almost every single Dogs goal from the first round on the reel. Way to go Dogs fans on the road. Love the chanting, and love those AIRHORNS. I know not all rinks allow them, but if the rink you are travelling to allows them, or if you want some more noise at home, hit up Canadian Tire or wherever else they sell them. Could really hear them in Duncan.

Todays Podcast- click to listen- Round1HighlightReel

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Get those comments and questions sent in. STILL don't have enough pictures sent in, especially from fans perspectives on how they see the game, home, road, wherever. CLICK TO SEND THEM- HERE

Thats it, I'm out. Thanks for stopping by the blog.
GO DOGS GO
Rip and Tear
Hammer

Bulldogs Playoffs Gameday, Island Finals Game #1, my degree of gameday.

Hello Dogblog fans and thanks for stopping by. I'm sure everyone is just a little pumped up today for game #1 of the Island Final tonight kicking of at the Dawg Pound as the Bulldogs host the Salsa. You won't get any predicting out of me, except that it will be exciting. Someone will have a four game winning streak snapped tonight, no ties in playoffs. The Dogs of course swept the Capitals, while the Salsa lost game one against Nanaimo before reeling off 4 straight w's to win in game 5 Monday at the Frank Crane. The Alberni Engineering pregame show is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight at 6:45 with Ace and myself, the puck drop is 7:00. Tonights second intermission feature guest is "JB" the colour commentator for Chilliwack Cheif home broadcasts, among other things. JB gives us his thoughts on the Chiefs vs Express Mainland Final series , of which the winner will face the Bulldogs or the Salsa to advance to the BCHL finals. But that is a long way away.

Those not in the 93.3 The Peak FM listening range can catch the internet broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone. Those wanting to hear internet broadcasts of the other series on going, full game rebroadcast archives, postgame shows, highlights, daily recaps and previews by Colin Tiggelaar, and MORE, get yourself SIGNED UP to the BCHL Fanzone

Lastly, don't forget to send an email to Ace or myself in the PRESSBOX


Alright, now off to "gameday" from my perspective. Dan"thestatsman" requested that I try to post what gameday is like for me, a player, Matt Auerbach, and a coach. This is the second "degree of gameday" after I posted Matt's a while back. My thanks again to Matty for his time and effort in putting it all together. Off to my day.

4:30am- Wake up.
The view out my front door off for a gameday- pre morning show walk to wake me up. The DAWG Pound in a way that most don't see it, around 4:50am on gameday.
The REAL season starts in 14 hours or soAfter the wake up walk, home by 5am for a quick shower and brekkie on the go, at the station by 5:30 or so to get on the air at 6:00am. The morning guys life support, the coffee maker at work.
Peak newsman Rob Diotte prepares for the 6am newscast. At the same time I'm working on sports and weather, as well as all my show prep for 6am to 10am.The control room, fired up by me and ready to go prior to 6am.
Side view, note "Bernie the Bulldog" morning show mascot overlooking the coffee making sure I'm motivated and ready.Rob reading the 6am news.

"Baron" the British-Bulldog bobblehead looks on and rocks on when I get going. He also keeps Bernie in line.
The view outside The Peak studios. Not too nice on this day as is the case most winter mornings. When the sun is shining and it's a clear day it's a great view of the Harbour Quay and the Alberni Inlet.Front door.After I'm off the air at 10am on game day I'll usually spend about 20 to 30 minutes making phone calls, doing interviews, and answering emails. Then it's off to THE PEAK cruiser to head down to the Multiplex to set up the pressbox.


Before
During set up during the Bulldogs morning skate, Jamie Amos drops by for a chat and a check up on me. After. All that's missing is my laptop and all of Ace's stuff that we both bring to the box at around 5pm.Bulldogs finishing the gameday skate with a cool down stretch as I finish setting up.
After I'm done, it's back to work to do any final preperations for the nights game, and the sportscast at noon. Following that, it's home for lunch, then I do my gameday post on the blog. After that, I do any final prep for the broadcast that night, then it's off to bed somewhere around 2pm.

Up at 4pm, shower, shirt and tie, and off to the rink by 5pm. After arriving at 5pm, I interview Bulldog coach Jim Hiller, then a Bulldog player, then the opposition coach. After the interviews are finished, I head back up to the pressbox to listen to them to make sure they are ok, and everything times out.

After warmup starts, it's off to talk to Bulldog assistant coach Rick Schievink to get the Bulldogs lines for the game. Off for a bathroom break, then back to the pressbox to connect to Milli back at the radio station to get everything ready to go when the pregame starts at 6:45. Between coaches interviews scorekeeper Brenda Russell brings up the gamesheet for us to get the game officials, and any lineup changes- scratches, additions, and starting lineups.

7:00pm puck drop and we're fully underway.

Whenever the game is over, pack up the pressbox and the broadcast equipment, and home sometime after 10pm. I'll usually start preparing for the next broadcast that night, especially if the Dogs play the next day. Then bedtime. And so goes my gameday. Hope I didn't leave much out and you found it interesting.

Thanks for stopping by the blog,
GO DOGS GO
Rip and Tear
Hammer

Pictures Pictures, OCN Blizzard video and audio

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. First picture today comes courtesy of Dwayne Stern. Dwayne took this picture as Aaron Schepers scored the game winner in triple OT of game 2, to end the longest game in Alberni Valley Bulldogs history. I saw the picture credited to Dwayne in Thursday's Alberni Valley Times Newspaper and asked him if he could email it. Thanks Dwayne.Pictures taken by me from "the landing pad" in Duncan. Pipers opening up game 3, left/right/centre from our broadcast location, and a picture of our setup on the pad. Pictures of Bulldogs fans, the celebration after the game was over and the handshake also. Thanks to the BIG DOG Les Doiron for the picture of the clock after the emptynetter.Alright, now onto some non-Bulldog and non-BCHL talk. Some of my previous experince as a play-by-play broadcaster comes from my time as the voice of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's O.C.N (short for Opaskwayak Cree Nation) Blizzard. It's hard not to think of my times and experiences in OCN a time or two when it comes down to this time of year. I was there for 4 consecutive league titles, 1 inter-provincial championship, and 1 National Championship, the Royal Bank Cup. Memories indeed. Anyone thats been a part of ONE season like any I had in OCN no doubt has lifelong memories with them. It could take a simple mention of the word "championship", or "RBC" and I get something running through my mind. Sometimes it takes an amazing effort by a Bulldog player or the team as a whole and my mind starts running.

My memory was jogged this time around to years gone by after I was sent an email that had a link to some video highlights from the Blizzard website

It wasn't the greatest of video or the greatest of cameras, but it brought me back. The building there, the dark, menacing, loud, "GLMC" (short for Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre) was a crazy place, that the DAWG Pound here in Alberni reminds me of at times. The GLMC has the same horn as the Mulitplex does (thats a whole nother story) but the horn is louder I think in OCN because it's not regulated at all and the acoustics in the building there were unreal. With a high arched roof and no acoustic tiles everything was louder than loud. Couple that with almost every single fan having an air horn of some sort and you've got a great place to play a hockey game. Not a great place to CALL a hockeygame just because our broadcast booth had no roof and there was nothing to muffle the noise. Lost the voice more than a couple times there.

Take a look at the video, from the Blizzard advancing in 5 games in round 1.

My memories for the most part are caught in this PODCAST

Not the greatest of quality at times as the clips are from casette, computer, radio, VHS, you name it. Highlights there from the first league championship at home, after winning 3 years in a row, all on the road. More clips from my friend Terence Tootoo, brother to Nashville Predator Jordin Tootoo. The clips were on the reel to begin with, but they carried a bigger meaning after Terence tragically took his own life. Highlights from the RBC as well, and inter-provincial play. While that highlight reel sure takes me back to the past, I always snap back to the present and think of the team here and their chance to give us all memories like those ones that will never go away. More importantly, it's a chance for them to earn those memories for themselves. I'm not handicapping the chances of this team in anyway, but the fact is that if you are still playing, you still have a chance. I've been there and I've seen it and lived it, and I'd sure love to live it again.

Thanks for stopping by the blog,
Hammer