Late start...Zamboni Issues...

MacMillan bros together again at UND, Midget Dogs top Island, full list BCHL transactions...

I'm now able to officially announce that Mitch MacMillan will be joining younger brother Mark at the University of North Dakota to suit up for the Sioux after leaving St. Cloud State last month. Mitch is at UND right now and can do everything with the team except play until December 2012.

Here's just a small example of what the brothers did in Bulldog sweaters...if they can duplicate the same at UND fans of the Sioux will be in for a treat.

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MIDGET BULLDOGS STILL ON TOP

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs collected 3 out of 4 points on the road
last weekend to maintain their position on top of Division 1 of the Island
League.  On Saturday they held off a late surge to tie Peninsula Eagles 2-2
and on Sunday battled to a gritty 3-2 win over Juan De Fuca Grizzlies.

On January 7 at Panorama Arena the game went end to end with no clear
advantage through the first period until Greg Tuckerman used his long reach
to wrist one past the Eagle goalie with 46 seconds on the clock.  Tyler
Wilhelm and Brett Williscroft assisted.  Early in the second period Nathan
Read out-muscled the defence in front of the net and snapped in a loose puck
for a two goal lead.   Peninsula continued to press and was able to tie the
game early in the third period.

The next day at Bear Mountain both teams came out hard.  The Grizzlies
claimed the first goal at 12:06.  The Bulldogs evened it up a minute later
when Corey Beecroft wristed a shot from the right point that found the mark.
Spencer Pierce and Brandon Antonichuk assisted.  Much of the second period
was played in the Alberni zone, and at 2:51 Juan de Fuca went up 2-1.  The
Bulldogs took over in the third period.  At 16:48 Beecroft lobbed a puck
high towards the net and as the goalie turned the wrong way Cameron MacAdams
seized the moment to put the puck behind him.  Chase Gaudreault also
assisted.  Then at 11:22 it was MacAdams from Beecroft again for the game
winner.  Alberni controlled the play for the remainder of the game to secure
the win.   Coach Brent Demerais said "It was good to see the hard work along
the boards on Sunday.  Being physical helped. The other team kept coughing
up the puck."

With two games left in the regular season Alberni Valley leads the league
with 17 points (8 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie).  This is a remarkable achievement
for a team from a small association.  The Midget Bulldog's impressive
performance is not going unnoticed.  Coach Brent Demerais noted the presence
of several WHL scouts at the weekend games and said they have been talking
to him about several players from the team.

Mathematically there is only one other team left with a chance to take the
Division 1 banner.  That team is Cowichan Valley which is 5 points back with
three games to go.  The Bulldogs only need one win to clinch the banner.  

That win could come at their next home game of the season next Sunday,
January 15th when they host Cowichan Valley.  Game time is 5:00 PM at the
Multiplex.  Let's get lots of fans out and make some noise for our Alberni
boys.  Admission is free.

A full list of the transactions yesterday can be found on the BCHL site HERE

Man  I gotta go I have a bus to catch!

Hammer

Dogs visit Capitals tonight, Matt Hatch Interview tonight

The Bulldogs are back in action tonight as they visit the Capitals in Duncan for the fourth time already this season. Catch all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow from the "Big Stick" at 7:00.

I will have some assistance in the booth - or "landing" as we call it in Duncan - as Bulldogs Public Address Announcer Charles Mealey will make the trip down to provide Colour Commentary and Analysis.

For more details on tonight's game and the games Friday and Saturday, check out my "Weekly Preview" article on the Bulldogs website by CLICKING HERE

For those that missed Kevin Willison and Adam Hayduk on The Peak Morning Show today regarding the trade deadline - I will replay it tonight during the 1st Intermission show.

In the 2nd Intermission show, more Bulldog Alumni, as Matt Hatch will be my guest!


That's it for now, more later!

Hammer

Dogs flip Odenaal, add Hunter Stewart, done dealing now, Kevin Willison and Adam Hadyuk on 93.3 The Peak FM 8:10 tomorrow...

Just got word from the Bulldogs that they made one more move and that they are now officially finished dealing in advance of the Trade Deadline.


The Bulldogs have flipped Kirsten Odendaal, acquired along with future consideration in the Dylan Nowakowski trade with the Brooks Bandits, to the AJHL's Olds Grizzlys in exchange for '93 born F Hunter Stewart

Bulldogs Coach Kevin Willison is familiar with Stewart, coaching him not only with Olds but with the Edge Academy as well. Welcome to the team Hunter!

Catch Bulldogs Head Coach Kevin Willison and Assistant Coach Adam Hayduk on 93.3 The Peak FM tomorrow morning just after 8:10 am as they will join me to talk about the moves.

Hammer

Bulldogs move Puddifant

From the BCHL website under transactions, the Bulldogs have moved 20 year old Mike Puddifant to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL for future considerations.

A Press Release from the Bulldogs is forthcoming.UPDATE - here's the Bulldogs Press Release

All the best to Mike, and thanks for your efforts in a Dogs uni!

Hammer

Dogs move Nowakowski, add Odendaal

Just got this from the Bulldogs...sad to see Dylan go, best of luck! At the same time welcome to the town and team Kirsten!

Hammer

Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to announce the team has acquired the playing rights of 93 D Kirsten Odendaal along with future considerations from the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for 91 F Dylan Nowakowski.

Odendaal is in his second season with the Bandits, and has put up 6 assists in 13 games. Odendaal is a 6'1", 185lbs puck- moving defenseman who originally is from Red Deer, AB.

"We are looking forward to giving Kirsten an opportunity to develop and play in all situations," said Alberni Valley Bulldogs Head Coach Kevin Willison. "Kirsten has the skill to develop into a top-4 defenseman and we look forward to welcoming him to the team."

The same deal has 91 F Dylan Nowakowski going to a 1st place team in the South Division that will be sure to be making a strong playoff run this season.

"I would like to thank the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the entire community for treating me so well during my time here," said Nowakowski. "It's sad to be leaving a great oganization like the Bulldogs but I'm also excited for the new challenge."

The organzation would like to sincerely thank Dylan for his contributions to the hockey club and to the community. We wish Dylan all the very best in his future endeavours.

For more information please contact Director of Hockey Operations Rick Schievink 

Sent from my iPhone

Dogs 3 Rivermen 2 in double OT, ADSS Girls win Totem

Great finish at the Dog Pound tonight as the Dogs picked up their first sudden victory of the season in double OT for a 3-2 win over the Rivermen.

Check out my recap of tonight's game by reading my "Weekly Recap" from the Dogs site here

Also huge congrats to the ADSS Girls who won the Totem with a 75-51 over the Kwalicum Kondors. Way to go!

Hammer

Totem 57

Dogs drop wild one to Caps, host Langley, Jordan Kremyr chat, Totem 57 concludes tonight...

Playing at home for the first time in 2012 and for the first time since December 11th, the Bulldogs hosted the Capitals in an entertaining affair last night at the Dog Pound that saw the teams combine for 11 goals in a 7-4 Capitals win, the first for the Conference leading Caps in five tries against the Dogs this season.

The good was that the Bulldogs had scored only four goals in their three previous games combined, while the bad was obviously giving up 7 and too many good chances. Click HERE to to read the box score

 No rest for the wicked as the Dogs host the Rivermen tonight for a chance to tie them for 7th in the Conference. Catch the pregame show at 6:45 with Ace and myself on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the puck drop at 7:00.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Jordan Kremyr, who played with the Dogs from 2004 to 2007 After graduating from Providence last year, Kremyr has made the jump nicely to playing pro with the ECHL's Alaska Aces this season with 6-7-13 in 22 games.

For a refresher of Kremyr's time as a Dog, check out the Bulldog Highlights from 2005-2006 below!

Don't forget that the 57th Totem Tournament concludes today at the Athletic Hall and ADSS - the final Totem at the old ADSS. It was kind of cool that the first thing I saw when I turned on the TV today was an update on Phoenix Sun Steve Nash, who once dominated the Totem as a Victoria High Schooler.

The ADSS Girls won their opener 53-41 over St. Thomas yesterday, while the Boys fell 35-24 to Reynolds.

Here's the schedule today...get out and cheer the teams on!

Saturday, January 7, 2012 (Games at ADSS and Alberni Athletic Hall)

Girls: Athletic Hall 9:30am Belmont vs Saint Thomas Acquinas 

Boys: ADSS 10:00am Stelly's vs Alberni

Boys: Athletic Hall 11:15am Reynolds vs Kwalikum

Girls: ADSS 1:00pm Alberni vs Belmont

Girls: Athletic Hall 2:00pm Saint Thomas Acquinas vs Kwalikum

Boys: ADSS 3:30pm Reynolds vs Stelly’s

Boys: ADSS 5:15pm Kwalikum vs Alberni 

Girls: ADSS 7:00pm Kwalikum vs Alberni

Dogs host Caps tonight, Zolnierczyk scores again, 57th Totem Tourny this weekend, last chance for Festival of Trees is TODAY

After five straight on the road the Bulldogs finally get a home game tonight as they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the first time this season at the Pound. Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:45 with the puck drop to follow at 7:00

Great to see last night that former Bulldog Harry Zolnierczyk scored and picked up 3rd Star honours for the Flyers in their 5-4 win over the Hawks in Philly!

The 57th - and final - Totem at the old ADSS kicks off today! Here's the schedule for the weekend, hopefully you can get out and check out some of the action!

Friday, January 6, 2012 (All games at ADSS Gym)

Girls: 2:00pm Kwalikum vs Belmont

Boys: 3:45pm Stelly's vs Kwalikum

Girls: 5:30pm Alberni vs Saint Thomas Acquinas

Boys: 7:15pm Alberni vs Reynolds

Saturday, January 7, 2012 (Games at ADSS and Alberni Athletic Hall)

Girls: Athletic Hall 9:30am Belmont vs Saint Thomas Acquinas 

Boys: ADSS 10:00am Stelly's vs Alberni

Boys: Athletic Hall 11:15am Reynolds vs Kwalikum

Girls: ADSS 1:00pm Alberni vs Belmont

Girls: Athletic Hall 2:00pm Saint Thomas Acquinas vs Kwalikum

Boys: ADSS 3:30pm Reynolds vs Stelly’s

Boys: ADSS 5:15pm Kwalikum vs Alberni 

Girls: ADSS 7:00pm Kwalikum vs Alberni

Don't forget that today is the cut off to get your vote in on the 93.3 The Peak FM/Van Isle Ford "People's Choice" award at the B.C. Children's Hospital "Festival of Trees" at the Best Western Barclay Hotel! Get down there to vote today before 5pm to have a chance to win an Apple IPad2! If you can't make it there in person, vote online HERE









And one more - please bring some spare change or bills to the rink this weekend and this month!

  

 

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The Allberni Valley Bulldogs are teaming up to help Angel reach her goal of raising $100K for Variety's Kids.  Angel Magnussen will be selling Star Wars Variety Gold Heart Pins and collecting coin donations for Variety's Kids at each Alberni Valley Bulldog home game during the month of January. If you've been saving your coins for Angel to give to Variety on your behalf please bring them to her at the games. And be sure to check out the Star Wars Collector Pins, available for a minimum $3 donation.  With your help Angel will be able to reach her goal before this years Show of Hearts Telethon!!!

Team Building in Whister...

The Dogs made use of an interesting schedule that saw them leave the Island for a one-game roadie, as they are taking their time coming home by heading up to Whistler for some Team Building fun in the form of a Scavenger Hunt.

Express 3 Dogs 1

 

It was a great effort from the Dogs tonight but quite simply you won't win too many games scoring just a single goal.

The Dogs came out ready to play, with Dylan Nowakowski and Josh Mitchell each having in-alone chances on the first shift of the game. As the puck went up ice Alex Petan entered the Dogs zone 1 on 3 and took a shot before being leveled with a huge check by Turner Popoff, who would in turn be challenged by Mitch Nardi as the two dropped the gloves.

No initial penalty was forthcoming on the hit but one of the two Linesmen called a 5 minute major for charging as Popoff was kicked out of the game. Petan didn't appear to miss a shift and finished the game - although Eddie Gregory reports on his blog he didn't play in the 2nd or 3rd.



The Express opened the scoring late in the first period to lead 1-0 on a horrible break as a rimmed puck hit a seam on the glass and no one knew where the puck was except Cody Michelle who put it home.



The Express took a 2-0 lead on another tough play in the second period. It may sound like sour grapes, but its just the facts - at least how I see them. Justin Morello was felled by a board/check from behind that injured him and knocked him out of the game. And maybe more games to come. No penalty was called on the play, with the game winning goal coming as play continued with John Siemer one-timing one five-hole on Max Fenkell.



The Dogs answered seconds later to get back into it when Arty Kalashnikov won a draw back to Nick Tupper who put a shot on net from the line that was tipped home by Evan Tironese as Tupper picked up a point in his BCHL debut. Minutes later it looked like the Express had a 3-1 lead when they scored on a scramble, however one of the aforementioned Linesmen reversed the original call from the Referee and saw the goal waved off.



That's as close as the Dogs would get though as the Express held on before hitting the empty net with less than 10 seconds to play despite the Dogs having a 17-4 advantage in shots on the third.


A great effort but once again painfully just short.

Shots 38-29 Dogs. Each team went 0 for 6 on the power play.

Three Stars:
3rd) Georgeson
2nd) Fenkell
1st) Huggins

Special thanks to Express Broadcaster Eddie Gregory for bringing me back a puck from the World Juniors in Edmonton. And while I'm at it another extra special thanks to the Express organization for acting fast and assisting me in dealing with an unruly fan that was half accosting me in the Broadcast Booth during the game. You've done over 1000 games, and you STILL haven't seen it all! Class act by the organization to help me out!

Hammer

Dogs visit Express tonight, add Tupper, Festival of Trees + Winter Wonderland videos, last chance to vote...

The Dogs open their 2012 portion of their schedule when they head to the Lower Mainland for a one game roadie to face Coquitlam tonight.

For all the details, check out my "Weekly Preview" article from the Dogs website HERE

Catch the pregame show on your radio or computer on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey tonight from Coquitlam at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM

The Dogs have made a move to strengthen their back end, adding 6'4 D-man Nicholas Tupper. To read more, check out the Press Release from the Dogs website HERE

The B.C Children's Hospital Festival of Trees is winding down at the Best Western Barclay Hotel. Friday at 5pm is the deadline to see the trees and vote on the 93.3 The Peak FM/Van Isle Ford "People's Choice Award" to win an Apple iPad 2. Proceeds go to the B.C Children's Hospital, a very important organization and one that is close to my heart! Get down to the Best Western Barclay if you can, if not, vote online by clicking HERE

Part of enjoying my "down time" over the holidays without Bulldog Hockey was getting out with friends and family and taking part in some Alberni Valley Christmas sights and sounds, and the Festival of Trees was one of them - I threw together this video to have some fun - enjoy taking a look!

Please don't complain about the quality...I'm an amateur videographer with an amateur camera and amateur editing skills! Like my Christmas Present wrapping abilities, it's the thought that counts, haha!

And here's the West Coast Winter Wonderland!

Talk to you tonight! Thanks as always for checking the blog!


Hammer

Hughson gives Harry and the Dogs a shout

I'm just starting to watch the game now (love the pvr) as we were out at the lake with friends and family taking all for mini quads for rides on Griff's Christmas present followed by some hot dogs and a fire at the lake!

Thanks to my Island Radio colleague and Capitals Broadcaster Ian Holmes who notified me that Jim Hughson have Harry Zolnierczyk and the Bulldogs a mention just past the halfway mark of the game. I had to laugh as just as I type this my hometown of Flin Flon got a shutout as Bobby Clarke was interviewed! Awesome!

Hammer

Sent from my iPhone

Kings 5 Dogs 1

The Dogs fell behind early in this one and couldn't recover as the Kings skated to a 5-1 win.


It was 1-0 Kings just over two minutes in when James Neal found his own rebound after an initial breakaway stop by Matt Larose. The Kings blew the game open with goals just 8 seconds apart four minutes into the second, the first coming on a bad break as Carter Shinkaruk put a wrist shot on net that ramped up off a Bulldog stick and up and over Larose. Off the next face off the Kings raced in on the attack and made it 3-0 as Evan Richardson tapped one into an open net on a core crease feed.


The Dogs made a game of it again four minutes later when Dylan Nowakowski took over the team scoring lead blowin a slapped through Maguire. That's all the Dogs could muster though as the Kings added one more late in the period just 5 seconds into a power play as Cohen Adair walked in alone off the draw and tucked it home.


The Kings completed the scoring with just over a minute to go in the game on a 5 on 3 power play as Teagan Waugh tipped a point shot home for the 5-1 final as it looked for a moment that the teams might play to their 4th straight 4-1 game this year.


The Dogs are back at it Wednesday night in Coquitlam before they finally return to Home Ice Friday and Saturday to host Cowichan and Langley.


Now to get home to ring in 2012! Be safe be smart tonight and don't forget the outdoor game tomorrow in Philly!


Talk to you next year!

Hammer

Larose's new gear

Dogs Line Up

Waiting for our boat

Dogs visit Kings tonight, have a fun, SAFE New Year's Eve,Rangers @ Flyers outdoors tomorrow

The Bulldogs wrap up 2011 tonight as they visit the Kings in Powell River with a special start time of 5:00, allowing the Dogs to get home tonight and fans to get out of the game early to ring in 2012.

Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak at 4:45 this afternoon. Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Eddie Gregory, Play by Play voice of the Coquitlam Express, who's currently at the World Juniors calling Canada's games for Fast Hockey...what an experience that must be - I am green with envy!


As the puck drops in Powell River it also drops in Edmonton as Canada takes on Team USA, but the game doesn't mean much as the Americans have already been eliminated.

Have a fun New Year's Eve - there are several celebrations happening tonight that I know of. Revolution Productions has the Lance Lapointe Band performing and The Peak's Jolie McMullan MC'ing at John Paul II, Polly's Pub has live entertainment and there is also a celebration at Cherry Creek Hall.

Get out and have fun, but most importantly BE SAFE and BE SMART - do not get behind the wheel, don't let a friend get behind the wheel, and don't get in a vehicle with someone who has been drinking. Call a cab, a friend, an enemy, walk, crawl, run, WHATEVER, just DON'T DRIVE!

Last but not least - don't have too much fun or you may not enjoy the Winter Classic tomorrow morning as former Bulldog Harry Zolnierczyk and the Philadelphia Flyers play host to the New York Rangers outside at Citizen's Bank Park in Philly




Hammer

Dogs 2 Grizzlies 1

Gritty road win for the Dogs tonight as they snapped a three game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over the Victoria Grizzlies.

Victoria led 1-0 despite a strong start by the Dogs on a Jarryd Ten Vaanholt deflection, but the Dogs answered with a Dylan Nowakowski power play goal set up by Evan Tironese and Turner Popoff. Shortly afterwards the penalty kill came up big to keep the game tied as the Grizz went to a 5 on 3 power play for over a minute.

The only goal the rest of the way came early in the third when Walker Hyland got the game winner as he banked one in off a Victoria defender in the dying seconds of the power play.

The Dogs PK would again be called upon to protect the lead through the back half of the third with back to back kills to make the lead stand.

Shots favored the Dogs 35-16 with Max Fenkell picking up the win while Garrett Rockafellow earned 3rd star honours with the loss.

Special teams were just that for the Dogs as they went 2 for 5 on the PP and 6 for 6 on the PK

Now to hit the hay...back at the rink to head to Powell River early tomorrow.