'Backs 3 Dogs 2

Read the Recap from the Dogs site here

Bulldogs visit Silverbacks to kick off weekend swing...

Ah, quite the lovely sight here in Vernon - the outdoor rink!

The Bulldogs are indoors next door at the Priest Valley Arena getting in a game day skate to work the kinks out in advance of tonight's game in Salmon Arm, the first meeting of the season between the two teams.  It was a nice travel day yesterday (beyond the snow) as we pulled in just after 7:00 and were able to get to Wesbild Centre before the end of the first period to catch the Vipers hosting the Trail Smoke Eaters

Both teams are coming off of wins entering play tonight - the Bulldogs have won three straight, the Silverbacks topped the defending National Champion Vees 3-2 in double OT on Saturday.

I have always enjoyed going to Salmon Arm - good atmosphere, good fans, and good people up in the Broadcast Booth - even if it's also the music/public address/jumbo tron booth and we are jammed elbow to elbow!

Catch the pregame show tonight at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM

Vernon Viper Play-by-Play Voice Todd Miller is my 2nd intermission guest.
 

Don't forget you can also watch the game live through Fast Hockey

Hammer

Made it...

Made it safely to Vernon through some crazy roads.

I was going to sit in the hotel and catch an NHL game...but the Millionaires and Billionaires are too busy fighting!

Love the BCHL!

Hammer

Jamie Amos named Spirit of Hockeyville Recipient...

Quite the scene at Port Alberni City Council Chambers tonight as Jamie Amos was named the latest recipient of the Spirit of Hockeyville Award.


Russell Dyson spoke eloquently about Jamie and the history of the award, and then Ron Paulson spoke of Jamie's dream to work in the game, got too choked up to continue on and said get on up here already Jamie!!


Well done my friend!


Hammer

Dogs Dec 1 Transactions...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs weren’t as busy as other teams leading up to the December 1st roster deadline. However the team made three roster moves that we feel puts us in a good position leading up to the final January 10 roster freeze.


As of December 1, each team in the BCHL is given 25 cards for the remainder of the season. Included in those 25 cards are all players that are currently on the roster. Therefore, a team that has 22 players on their current roster will have only 3 moves available to them leading up to the final January 10th deadline. This includes signing prospects out of junior B or major midget, signing veteran players that are released by major junior teams, and trading for players. Any player that remains on a team’s injury reserve after December 1st counts as one of those 25 cards even though that player doesn’t currently take up an active roster spot.


Earlier this week, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs traded 1994-born forward Nathan Craft to the Langley Rivermen for future considerations. This move immediately freed up a roster spot for defenseman Brandon Halls who was cleared to resume full play after undergoing emergency appendix surgery a month earlier.


The Bulldogs also removed 1994-born defenseman Daniel Delbianco from the active roster. Delbianco was presented with a plan to get him back into game shape after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason but instead of practicing with the Bulldogs and getting into game action with a local junior B team chose to leave the club and go back home. Delbianco was acquired at the beginning of the 2011/12 season from the Trail Smoke Eaters. We wish Daniel all the best in his recovery and conditioning and hope to see him playing in the BCHL again soon.


In the final move leading up to the deadline, the Bulldogs released 20-year-old American-born forward Chris Tracy. Tracy was picked by the Bulldogs at the start of this season after briefs stints this season with the Langley Riverman and the Surrey Eagles. Last season, Tracy put up 27 points in 48 games with the Langley Rivermen and in 25 games with the ‘Dogs this season, Tracy put up two goals and seven assists.


These roster moves leave the Alberni Valley Bulldogs with an active roster of 21 players and in a position to pick up a 20-year-old player before the January 10th roster freeze without necessarily having to move any personnel, should that be the scenario that unfolds. However, if the right opportunities do present themselves, the team has upto four moves to strengthen the team’s depth.
This is the first time since October 2011 that the Bulldogs have a completely healthy roster.

Dogs 4 Langley 3

Dogs stretch streak to three - Full Recap on the Bulldogs website here

Way to go boys!

Hammer

Teddy Bear Toss night, Dogs host Langley, Brian Stewart interview, Harry Z shorthanded beauty

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs (14-10-0-4, 2nd Island) host the Langley Rivermen (9-11-0-4, 5th Mainland) on Teddy Bear Toss night tonight at the Dog Pound, with a chance for the Bulldogs to play into a first place tie in the Island Division. 

It's always a fun game with the added excitement of everyone lugging their bears around and waiting for the first goal to throw them on the ice. I also believe there is some added pressure if the home side doesn't find the net through the first half of the game as the players know the bears are impatiently waiting. Here's hoping it doesn't take the Dogs until the final minute of the second to score again, as has been the case the last couple of games. And you don't even want to think about the home side not finding the net, but everyone always asks me what happens in that instance...just throw them when the game ends if that is the case!

I've spent a good hour this morning conveying the rules of the Teddy Bear Toss to my little guy - don't throw them until the Dogs score, DO have them in a clear plastic bag if you can so the bears stay dry! Just bringing them to the game is certainly more than enough and very much appreciated by the less fortunate in the community though, so don't let a bag stop you, they will dry!

Aside from the Teddy Bear Aspect, the game will also be an interesting one with four players seeing action against their old team for the first time - Bo Pellah for the Bulldogs, Nathan Craft, Turner Popoff and Evan Anderson for the Rivermen. 

The Rivermen lead the season series 2-0 with wins of 7-3 at the BCHL Showcase in the season opener for both teams, and 7-0 just two weeks later in Langley. It feels like a whole season ago already doesn't it? Yet it was only September.

Catch the pregame show with Bruce and I tonight at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM

Watch the Pay-Per-View Broadcast on FastHockey!

Former Bulldog Brian Stewart, now with the ECHL's Bakersfield Kondors, is our 2nd intermission show guest!

I have memories of Harry doing this at the Dog Pound! Awesome goal!




Hammer

Dogs 3 Caps 2

Another great comeback - I hope they don't make a habit of falling behind because more often than not you can't dig out of a hole. Although it certainly is fun to watch when it happens.

The proof is in the record - going by my stats the Bulldogs are 3-9-0-0 when trailing after 40 minutes. With that record being 1-9-0-0 before the last two games! Here's to hoping for a good start and a lead tomorrow, but the same end result of course!

Fun night at the Pound, love the Movember Salmon, loved Jared Wilson sticking up for Brandon Halls, turning point of the game in my books!

Recap from the Bulldogs website HERE

Dogs end Movember tonight, jerseys off their backs, Angel drops puck, Teddy Bear Toss tomorrow

The Bulldogs (13-10-0-4, Tied 2nd Island) continue a three-game home stand when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (7-13-0-2, 5th Island) for just the second time this season, and the first since the Dogs home opener when they beat the Capitals 8-7 in double overtime.

Of course just a week ago tonight the Capitals beat the Dogs 6-2 in Duncan in a game where the Dogs took a 2-1 lead with eight minutes to go in the second, only to trail 4-2 heading into the third period.

How big would those two points be right now, with the Dogs tied for second in the Conference, and the Clippers and Grizzlies going head-to-head tonight?

That milk has been spilled already. Tonight it's about the Dogs bouncing back against a team that will no doubt be hungry, desperate for points, and energized as they added two players earlier this week in Jesse Neher and Luke Gordon from the Clippers in exchange for Matt Grant.

Catch the pregame show on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with myself and Bruce MacDonald at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00.

Try to show up on time for the game as Port Alberni's Angel Magnussen will be honoured for winning $100,000 for Variety through the Scotia Bank Gamechangers contest at the Grey Cup. Angel will drop the puck before the game and it would be nice to see her get the standing ovation she deserves!

 Don't forget to hang around after the game as the Bulldogs players will be giving you the Mo'vember jerseys off their backs! You can only win ONE jersey, you MUST be in attendance to win!

Don't forget that the Teddy Bear Toss is TOMORROW!

Hammer

Bulldogs trade Craft to Rivermen...

PRESS RELEASE November 29, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today that club has made yet another trade with the Langley Rivermen.


In a continued effort to make roster space available for players returning from the injury reserve leading up to the December 1 roster deadline, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce that they have traded 1994 forward Nathan Craft to the Langley Rivermen for future considerations.


Craft, from Kitimat, BC, had a good start in his rookie campaign with the Bulldogs, putting up 7 points in his first 9 games, along with 18 PIMs. However, Craft only managed to register 3 points in his last 15 games with the Bulldogs.


“The Bulldogs organization would like to thank Nathan for all his hard work and dedication to the team,” said Bulldogs general manager and head coach Kevin Willison. “In addition to being good in the room, Nathan’s efforts in the community were also very appreciated,” added Willison.


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs wish Nathan all the best in Langley and with all his future endeavors.


For more information please contact General Manager and Head Coach Kevin Willison

Teddy Bear Toss!

Bulldogs Teddy Bear Toss Night – Saturday, December 1
PRESS RELEASE
November 29, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today that the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at 7:00pm when the Bulldogs host the Langley Rivermen.

Fans are once again being asked to bring new teddy bears to the game, and upon your Alberni Valley
Bulldogs’ first goal send the teddy bears flying onto to the ice. “It always brings a smile to everyone’s face when the Bulldogs score their first goal, the horn goes off and the fans collectivley toss their new teddy bears onto the ice,” said Bulldogs’ front office manager Dewayne Parfitt.

The players will deliver all the teddy bears collected that night to local children and seniors on December 5th. Fans are reminded that if you cannot attend the game you may drop off your newly
purchased teddy bears at the Bulldogs office. The Bulldogs office hours are 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday through Friday. The Bulldogs would like to remind all those that will be purchasing a new teddy bear for this great event to shop local and support local merchants.

A helpful tip would be for fans to put their new stuffed toys in clear, see-through plastic bags so that the ice and moisture from the rink surface doesn’t get into the toys.

For more information contact front office manager Dewayne Parfitt at 250-723-4412 or
by email at dewayne@albernivalleybulldogs.ca.

Celebrity Server Night at Boston Pizza..Teddy Bear Toss Saturday..!

Should be a fun night tonight as it's Celebrity Server Night at Boston Pizza and the Bulldogs will be involved!

From the Bulldogs facebook page...

Chase Van Allen, Ryan Lough, Lars Hepso, Matt Hansen, Eric Walker, and Manny Gialedakis will be at Boston Pizza tonight from 5pm to 7pm as guest Celebrity Servers. They'll be donating their tips to the Bulldogs' Movember cause.

So come for dinner and put the boys to work!

It's the Bulldog's Teddy Bear Toss this Saturday! Bring your new or very gently used plush toys (wrapped in bags if possible, ice can be dirty and wet) and throw them on the ice when the Dogs score!

Grey Cup Golf...

Awesome day at the Alberni Golf Club!

Video/Picture - Dogs 3 Grizzlies 2, Grey Cup Golf!

And some sights and sounds...

Looking forward to golf and the Grey Cup tomorrow at the Alberni Golf Club! Environment Canada says clearing at noon which is PERFECT as that is when the horn is set to go off. How can one not take advantage of the opportunity to get out and golf in November!

Dogs 3 Grizzlies 2, in OT

Quite incredible. Fourth time now in the head to head series that the team that never led in the game WON the game.

Quite an effort by the Dogs to not wilt under the pressure down 2-0 early in the game. Exciting game with great entertainment value. Outstanding saves by Michael Stiliadis is the only reason it took overtime.

Very happy to see Evan Tironese break out, great atmosphere at the Dog Pound!

Recap from the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Dogs host Grizzlies for first time this season, Movember

It's the first meeting of the season on Dog Pound ice for the Bulldogs (12-10-0-4, 3rd Island) and the Victoria Grizzlies (15-7-0-1, 1st Island) after two meetings at the Bear Mountain Arena and one at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack. It's the first trip back to play in the hometown rink for the Fitzgerald triplets in a couple of years as they didn't make a roadie to Alberni last year with the Prince George Spruce Kings. 

No two hockey games are the same. I maintain that they are like snowflakes, but the three previous head to head meetings have been remarkably similar - all three led by the Bulldogs throughout, all three games the Bulldogs never trailed, all three games the Grizzlies tie the game by virtue of a late-game power play, and all three games the Grizzlies won in overtime. It is rare enough to beat a team in a game that you never led. I would love to know the odds on doing it three times in such similar fashion as they would have to be staggering.

Basically just don't think anyone has tonight's game in control unless its 10-0. I wonder (tongue in cheek of course) if the Dogs game plan should be to let the Grizzlies score first and lead throughout the entire game. What the Dogs quite simply need to do is try and play a consistent 60 minutes. Being the better team for a period doesn't matter if the other team is better for two. Being the better team for half the game doesn't matter if the other team is the better team for the other half. The parity in the league is something else. Take a shift off, and it could be game over. The Bulldogs appeared to do that last night, they have done it in three games against the Grizzlies, they have paid dearly every time.

Get all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at 6:45 and the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00

You can also purchase the Pay-Per-View video broadcast of the game through Fast Hockey

Former Bulldog, now Binghamton Senator David Dziurzynski is our 2nd intermission guest.

Don't forget to get your Movember Moustache courtesy of the 93.3 The Peak FM crew tonight at the game for just $2.00! We donate the proceeds to the Movember campaign, we give you a chance to win $100.00, we give you a sweet muzzy to wear at the game! Win win!


Hammer

Caps 6 Dogs 2

Recap from the Bulldogs website HERE


Another lesson for the Bulldogs in how quick a game can change and how important playing consistently is. Two separate leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but the Dogs couldn't hold either for longer than a couple minutes. A 2-1 lead with eight minutes to go in the second, and it's 4-2 for the other guys before the period is out on a combination of blown coverages, lost face offs, and bad luck, as the 3-2 goal hit a Capital skate at the side of the net and went in.


Hammer

Bulldogs add Mitch Makin

Welcome to the club Mitch, and best of luck to Mark!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today that the team has completed a trade with the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL. The Bulldogs send 94 D Marc Eremenko to Olds in exchange for 94 F Mitch Makin.


The Bulldogs signed Eremenko in the off-season and he showed strong character coming back from facing much adversity over the last year. Eremenko is a great team player but the Bulldogs, again, need to make room on the back-end as Kurtis Gosselin, Brandon Halls and Daniel Delbianco are set to return from injuries.


In Mitch Makin, the Bulldogs get a 1994-born forward that has a lot of potential. The 6’3”, 190lbs forward is a product of the Lethbridge Pronghorns Midget AAA program where last season he put up 37 points in 33 games. This season, Makin dressed in 7 games for the Olds Grizzlys and with very limited playing time registered two assists and 21 PIMs.

“The Bulldogs are extremely happy to have had Marc in our line up for the last 20 games,” said Alberni Valley Bulldogs general manager and head coach Kevin Willison. “Marc has come a long way since the start of the summer and with players returning from injuries we are happy to find him a place where he will play and continue to develop.”

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to wish Marc continued success and look forward to welcoming Mitch Makin to the Bulldogs family.

Mitch Makin’s older brother, Taylor, is currently playing for the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL after spending three seasons in the WHL.

For more information please contact General Manager and Head Coach Kevin Willison

Dogs at Caps tonight, host Grizz tomorrow, MOVEMBER, 12 GAMES for Christmas!

The Bulldogs (12-9-0-4, Tied 2nd Island) head down Island for the second Friday in a row, this time to visit the BIG STICK and the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-13-0-2, 5th Island) for the fourth meeting between the teams so far this season, but the first since the first week of October.


The first three games have been wildly unpredictable, a good lesson to expect the unexpected. 8-7 Bulldogs in double OT, 6-4 Capitals, 3-1 Bulldogs, with the last two meetings also being in Duncan.


I sure hope the Dogs are smart enough to not take the Capitals lightly based on their spot in the standings. With the parity in the league this year, if you show up not ready to play, it's going to show, and it's going to cost you and it has certainly cost the Bulldogs this season.

Yes the Caps are in 5th and they are a ways back. However, consider that they have games in hand on everyone in the Conference, including four on the Bulldogs. Also consider that the Caps are coming off a big double OT win and they will be feeling good, with the win snapping a four game losing streak. The four losses on that streak were by a COMBINED four goals. 

It's always a tough one at the BIG STICK, here's hoping it's a good one tonight!

Get all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM with Bruce MacDonald and I bringing you the pregame show at 6:45 with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 7:00

Former Bulldog Frank Slubowski is my 2nd intermission guest, now with the Western Michigan University Broncos

YES, that's Bernie with a Moustache! Movember is almost over - emphasis on the ALMOST, as 93.3 The Peak is still trying to raise funds along with the Bulldogs for the cause! We will be on site before tomorrow's game selling Moustaches like the one you see above. We actually have 3 or 4 different styles to choose from! For just $2.00 you get a 'Stache you don't have to grow yourself PLUS you could win $100.00! The rest of the money goes to Movember!


Very smart idea to make Christmas giving easier, great move by the Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society...read below, make sure you tell your friends, and make sure you take care of those NICE people on your Christmas list, maybe even make them nice by getting them Bulldog tickets!

Bulldogs Launch 12 Games For Christmas Ticket Campaign

The AVB are helping out Santa with a  12-game ticket package for every home game from Christmas to the end of the regular season. With a great line up of teams scheduled to play hockey fans will get to see the Victoria Grizzlies, Penticton Vees, Nanaimo Clippers and many more great rivalries.

Ticket prices are a 30 to 40% savings over game day prices and ticket holders also get first chance at playoff tickets at the end of the season. Make this Christmas special for the hockey fan in your family. Tickets are on sale now!

	Prices	HST	Total	Per game
Adult	$ 129.00	$ 15.48	$ 144.48	$  10.75
Senior	$ 109.00	$ 13.08	$ 122.08	$     9.08
Student	$    69.00	$    8.28	$    77.28	$     5.75
Child	$    59.00	$    7.08	$    66.08	$     4.92

Happy American Gobble Gobble day, MOVEMBER JERSEYS!

Get to 93.3 The Peak FM to win Evan Tironese's Movember jersey!

Also get to the Mac Five Proshop at the Alberni Golf Club and enter to win Ryan Lough's jersey!

Here is the full list of jerseys at businesses...have a picture with a jersey at your business? Send it to me and I will be happy to put it up here on the blog!

Special M’ovember jerseys are being worn by AVB players all this month and you can enter at participating sponsors for your chance to win one of 23 unique jerseys! Simply stop in at a participating merchant and make a minimum $2 donation for an entry form. Jerseys will be drawn at the Bulldogs game on November 30th and you must be in attendance to win.

Enter today at:

Trends Design
(Bo Pellah)

Card Corner & Collectibles
(Nathan Craft)

Jim’s Clothes Closet
(Dylan Haugen)

Alberni Toyota
(Lars Hepso)

DAST Welding
(Chris Tracy)

MAC Five Pro Shop @ Alberni Golf Club
(Ryan Lough)

Alberni Chrysler
(Manny Gialedakis)

TD Bank
(Tryg Strand)

93.3 The Peak
(Evan Tironese)

Alberni News
(Marc Eremenko)

Berry and Vale Contracting (at AVB office)
(Brad Rebagliatti)

SunLife/Sean Parker Financial
(Jay Deo and Nick Kerr)

Fan can also support this worthwhile cause and enter to win Hunter Stewart’s jersey at Boston Pizza on Celebrity Server night Wednesday November 28th. Entry forms for Chase Van Allen’s jersey will be available with a donation for Tim Horton’s Coffee at the Bulldogs game on November 30th.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and blog readers!

To all the families of the American Bulldog players - we give THANKS to you for sending your boys up here for our entertainment. We try to take good care of them when they are so far away from home to put your minds at ease. We know you miss them, certainly even more so on a holiday such as this one. They all have great billets that will make them miss you just a little less. Most of them will get spoiled with their SECOND Thanksgiving already this year!



Hammer