VIDEO FLASHBACK - 2004 Playoffs, Dogs fans invade Surrey

Here's one from the archives from the 2004 Playoffs. Last night really brought back memories of this one with the crazy support on the road in Nanaimo, as on this night about 700 to 800 Bulldog fans took over the South Surrey Arena in the second round.  Or at least so the legend goes, I'm not sure anyone knows the exact number. If that many fans made it to Surrey, how many can make it down the Island to Victoria?

The video is pretty cool as for the most part you don't see the side of the rink that has all the Bulldog fans on it, you just HEAR the carnival like atmosphere, which builds to a ROAR as the time winds down. Once time runs out the camera then pans down the right side and it looks like Bulldog fans 2/3rds down the side of the rink.

I remember it best as not only the night that Alberni won it's first game in Round 2 of the Playoffs as a franchise but also the night Bert Watkins scored his first career goal!

 

Dogs top Clippers 2-1 for reverse sweep, advance to Island Finals

Just wow, too much to say to even get into it.

The best-of-five Island Finals begin in Victoria with Games 1 and 2 Friday and Saturday. Games 3 and 4 - if necessary - go Monday and Tuesday at the Dog Pound. 

Full Recap on the Bulldog website HERE

Amazing job by the Bulldog fans that made their way down. 1st star of the SERIES.

Hammer

Line up Bulldogs @ Clippers

Dogs visit Clippers tonight for deciding Game 5, UPDATE - Second fan bus possible

Another night, another must-win game for the Bulldogs as they head down to Nanaimo tonight to visit the Clippers in the deciding Game 5 of this Island Division Semi-Final series.

It's a new experience for the Clippers as it's their first time facing elimination. For the Bulldogs, it's their third straight game in this situation. The Bulldogs are well aware of the pressure and motivation that comes with your backs against the wall, and they need to continue to raise their level of play. It will be interesting to see how the Clippers react - do they feel the pressure, benefit from it, wilt from it, or something else entirely? Of course a Clipper loss doesn't see their season end tonight as they will play in the Western Canada Cup as hosts, with a chance to go to the RBC, but you can bet they are a proud group like any team and they don't want to take the backdoor into the tournament, even if it would leave them well rested and a leg up on everyone else.

The Bulldogs will once again be sending a Fan Bus down for Game 5 tonight - the office was open selling seats after the game last night, and will be doing so again today so get down there after 10am or give them a call. Here's hoping there's a huge crowd cheering the Dogs on tonight! Wouldn't mind seeing the Dogs fans taking a page out of the Clippers fans book and bringing a drum - nice to get some rhythm and a beat to get the fans going!

UPDATE - BUS FULL, SECOND BUS IS POSSIBLE IF THE DEMAND IS STRONG ENOUGH, CALL THE BULLDOGS OFFICE ASAP IF YOU WANT TO GO (250) 723 4412

UPDATE UPDATE - SECOND BUS CONFIRMED, IF YOU WERE WAITING THINKING IT WOULDN'T GO, DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER OR YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SEAT!

 WAY TO GO BULLDOG FANS! 

Catch all the action with myself and Bruce MacDonald on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00

Tonight's 1st intermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Manny Gialedakis, while Powell River Kings play-by-play voice Alex Rawnsley is the 2nd intermission guest.

Quite the day for the Kings and Grizzlies as with cancellations to Ferry sailings both teams have been forced to take the "Amazing Race" roadie down the Mainland for two boats before catching a third boat from Horseshoe Bay back to the Island, I assume? Wowzers.

As always you can watch the game through the pay-per-view broadcast through Fast Hockey

The Van Isle Ford Tier 3 Midget Bulldogs improved their record to 2 and 1 at the Provincials yesterday, topping Dawson Creek 7-1. They are in action today at 3:00 when they take on Merritt.

Follow along on the tournament website HERE

A big win for the Tier 4 Bulldogs wasn't enough to see them advance at the Provincials in Lillooet, with a 12-3 win yesterday over Whitehorse giving them a 1 and 2 record. Sorry to hear they are heading home, but nice to see them go out with a big win.

Hammer

Dogs stay alive, top Clippers 3-2, force Game 5 Wednesday night

Another exciting night at the Dog Pound...Bulldogs stay alive for a second straight night and force a Game 5 tomorrow night in Nanaimo, winner moves on, loser goes home.

Full Recap from the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Line up Clippers @ Bulldogs

Stayin' Alive Part II, Dogs host Clippers tonight

Strand's Game Winner

Well that was so fun, let's do it again tonight! A great game to watch, a well played game by both teams, and while the final score was 4-1 it was much tighter than that and could have gone either way.

All of the above doesn't matter, that was last night and today is a new day and if the Dogs want to live to fight another day they must do it all again tonight at the Dog Pound as they still trail the best-of-five series 2 games to 1.

The Bulldogs kept the Box Office open last night for 90 minutes following the game, and they will open back up at 10:00am today to sell Game 4 tickets so get there fast!

Get all the action on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with Bruce and myself with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show getting underway at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00pm

Tonight's 1st intermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Matt Hansen, while BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale is the 2nd intermission guest.

Don't forget you can always watch the game through the pay-per-view broadcast from Fast Hockey

The Van Isle Ford Tier 3 Bulldogs dropped a 3-1 decision yesterday at the Multiplex to Smithers, dropping their record to 1-1 at the Provincials. They take on Dawson Creek at 5:30 tonight at the Multiplex. Games go throughout the day - check out the schedule HERE

The Tier 4 Bulldogs fell to 0 and 2 at the Provincials in Lillooet with a 6-2 loss yesterday to Burns Lake. Big game for them today as they take on Whitehorse at 11:30 - website HERE

Hammer

Video - Teal Burns makes it 3-1

Sweet dreams thinking of this one. Accept my apologies for the quality of video, it's all I can get this quickly.

Night all, Morning Show is way too early!

 Hammer

Dogs 4 Clippers 1, tickets on sale NOW, and 10am tomorrow

Wow, love the Dog Pound. Great effort by the Bulldogs, well played game by the Clippers that fell short. Players decided the game, Officiating was top shelf - and I don't say that because of who won the game, but how the game was played and how the players decided it. Fun to watch.


We'll see you tomorrow night.


Full Recap from the Bulldogs website HERE


Hammer

Line up Clippers @ Bulldogs

Bulldogs host Clippers tonight in must win, Midget Dogs open Provincials

 You just gotta believe! From the Hump Cam!

It's a must-win game for the Bulldogs tonight to keep their season alive as they host the Nanaimo Clippers at the Dog Pound in Game 3 of the best-of-five series. The Bulldogs were right there in Games 1 and 2, losing both by a total of two goals, 4-3 Friday night (holding two goal leads twice) and 3-2 in overtime on Saturday.

Here's hoping a Home Ice advantage is just that and the crowd will give them that extra boost tonight, and we can be sitting here this time tomorrow preparing for Game 4!

Don't forget to WEAR WHITE tonight, and to get there early to get one of the 1200 Playoff towels!

Jolie will be broadcasting live on THE PEAK from outside the rink this afternoon, and Lance and Darien Lapointe will be performing live in the Upper Lounge.

The Bulldogs released about 200 tickets to the game this morning so if you don't have a ticket yet get to the Dogs office ASAP!

Get all the action with myself and Bruce MacDonald on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show getting underway at 6:45 with the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00.

Tonight's 1st instermission guest is Bulldogs Forward Teal Burns. 

Tonight's 2nd intermission guest is former Bulldog Kenney Morrison , who is now a teammate of former Bulldog Frank Slubowski  (who he played with here in 2010-2011) with the Western Michigan Broncos.
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As always, you can also watch the game through the pay-per-view broadcast offered by Fast Hockey

The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs opened up their hosting of the Tier 3 Midget Provincials with a 7-2 win over Langley in front of a great crowd at the Mutliplex. They are next in action today at 3:00 when they host Smithers.

Check out all the details on the tournament website here

The Midget Tier 4 Bulldogs dropped Game 1 of their Provincial quest in Lillooet to the hosts last night by a score of 7-3 and are action again today at 1:00pm taking on Burns Lake - website here

Hammer

Midget Provincials underway, Dogs face must win at home tomorrow

The Van Isle Ford Midget Tier 3 Bulldogs begin their hosting of the Provincial Championship tonight at the Alberni Valley Multiplex as they take on Langley in the feature game at 8:00pm, immediately following the Opening Ceremonies.at 7:30 tonight.

Action got underway at 7:30 this morning at the Multiplex - you can follow the tournament by visiting it's website HERE

The Midget Tier 4 Bulldogs also made Provincials, and they are also in the feature game tonight at 7:30 in Lillooet - follow that tournament HERE

The Bulldogs face a must win tomorrow night at home in Game 3 of their best-of-five series with the Clippers.

While the Bulldogs are facing a must win game certainly sooner than they might have expected, I look at it quite simply - they knew they had to win a game in Nanaimo to win the series. Now they just know that it's  Game 5.

The Bulldogs can't think at all about "the end" , or it being "over", or "what's next" after hockey. If you think that, you are right - it's over/the end/etc,  and you aren't doing that you need to be doing.

Again it's quite simple on that front - you need to be thinking about what you need to do to win, and absolutely nothing more.

Just win baby. Should be fun.

Hammer


 

Dogs fall 3-2 in overtime, trail series 2-0 heading home

Tough loss for the Bulldogs, especially after coming back to tie the game. I didn't think the Dogs were anywhere near their best, and that they were chasing the puck and play more often that controlling it and dictating it. However, they still found a way to hang around and give themselves a chance.

The Dogs fought the officiating all night...maybe if you don't control the game, you don't get the calls. Maybe if you can't get the calls, you can't control the game?

Check out the Game Recap from the Bulldogs website here

The Clippers might be without Chris Rygus for Game 3 after he was given a major penalty and an ejection for a cross-check on Teal Burns after the whistle. I thought the call against Rygus - like most throughout the game - was soft, but I guess if you cross-check someone in the throat, you cross-check someone in the throat.

Pretty surprising that not one the Referees or Linesmen appeared to know what the BCHL Rules are for Playoff OT, as at the conclusion of the third period 10 minutes was put up on the clock and the teams remained on the benches, as opposed to league guidelines of a full intermission and flood followed by a 20 minute overtime period. In defense of those that were confused with what the OT format actually was, it has changed over the last couple of years. Possibly only Dan Marshall and myself were the only people in the barn that knew what was up, kind of funny that I found out Dan and I both contacted the league earlier this week inquiring about this exact topic!

In the end it was a typical overtime. As Bruce said they are usually over early, or over late. More often than not the winner comes after a great chance at the other end. The Dogs had a mad scramble and several glorious chances on the shift before the Clippers ended it.

That's all in the past though, the Dogs need to look forward to home ice Monday. Going home down 0-2 is never where you want to be. When it's a best-of-five and you are facing elimination, it's an even tougher spot. The positive is you only need to win three to win the series. The Dogs will need to forget the last two, and play above the pressure they may feel from facing elimination. They will have a full rink, and the most supportive fans in the league behind them.

Hammer

Line up Dogs @ Clippers

Dogs visit Clippers tonight for Game 2

Right back at it tonight for the Bulldogs and Clippers as they meet at the Frank Crane Arena for Game 2 of this best-of-five affair.  The Clippers lead the series 1-0 after they came from behind last night and dug out of a 3-2 hole after 40 minutes to win 4-3.

Gotta love best of five series, hey? A Bulldog win tonight, and they can win the series on home ice and not come back to Nanaimo. A Clipper win, and they have a chance to win the series Monday night.

Lots of hockey to be played before anyone is thinking of Monday and the next step, so here's hoping the Bulldogs learned a few lessons last night and a ready to go tonight

Get all the action with myself and Bruce MacDonald on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM tonight with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show at 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00

As always, you can also watch the game through the Fast Hockey pay-per-view broadcast.

Tonight's 2nd intermission with feature an interview from my 93.3 The Peak Morning Show from Thursday with a trio of players from the Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs, who host Provincials starting tomorrow night.

Here's hoping you can make your way to the Multiplex for the Opening Ceremonies at 7:30, with the Bulldogs taking on Langley in the feature game immediately afterwards.


Hammer

Clippers 4 Dogs 3

Tough loss for the Dogs, who led 3-2 after two periods, only to lose. As I said on the blog earlier today, it's all about having a short memory in the playoffs.

Park it - and get ready for tomorrow.

Full Recap on the Bulldogs website HERE

Hammer

Line up Dogs @ Clips

REAL SEASON begins, Dogs visit Clippers to open Playoffs

After being absent from the dance last year the Bulldogs (29-20-2-5, 3rd Island) make their return to the post season tonight as they visit the Clippers (32-20-0-4, 2nd Island) at Frank Crane Arena for Game one of this best-of-five series.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season winning two in a row while the Clippers lost two in a row. The Bulldogs won the final head-to-head meeting, last Friday in Nanaimo by a score of 5-4 in overtime. The Bulldogs took the season series, winning five games while the Clippers took three.

You can forget about all of the above though, as it all means absolutely nothing now as the slate is wiped clean and the teams and players all have a stat line of zero.

I have been very lucky in my career to witness some fantastic playoff runs, going to five league championships and two Royal Bank Cup tournaments, and I'm hoping the Dogs can make this run a long one was well. Playoffs are everything, it's why we are involved in the game. They are about passion, intensity, drive and sacrifice. At the same time, they are about the opposite - composure, discipline, playing smart.  Mostly, they are about having a short memory. What happened last game/period/play doesn't matter, it's only about what's up next. One night you can be sky high off a huge win, the next you can be so low after a tough loss that you are lower than a snakes belly in a tire rut. PARK IT and look to the next play/period/game. 

  
I'm hoping for a great crowd for the boys on the bus at the top of the hump today, and I'm hoping for good weather for the die hard faithful that make their way up there! If the weather is ugly, I'm pretty sure it's nothing that will deter anyone that calls Port Alberni home as we all have umbrellas. Besides, it's often sunny up there when it's socked in down in the Valley so who knows, you might just see some sun!

 

Catch all the action with myself and Bruce MacDonald on Boston Pizza Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM with the Pacific Chevrolet pregame show kicking off at 6:45 with the puck drop just after 7:00

Tonight's 2nd intermission will feature a replay of my interview from THE PEAK Morning Show with the new members to the Bulldog Staff, Business Manger Scott McWilliam and Director of Sales and Marketing Erica Horsfield. I thought it was important to get them on the air to get them introduced to the Valley and to the Bulldog fan base, and that's why I'm airing it again tonight for anyone that missed it! Welcome to the community and welcome to the team Scott and Erica, you're gonna love it here!

Don't forget you can also watch the game through the Pay-per-view broadcast through Fast Hockey

Another "don't forget" is that there is a Fan Bus again going down to Nanaimo for Game 2 tomorrow night! It leaves Boston Pizza at 5:30 sharp. If you want to be on it, call the Bulldogs Office to get registered.

Also an important heads up for Bulldogs Season Ticket and Corporate Ticket holders - the deadline to purchase your tickets for Monday's Game 3 is TONIGHT at 6pm.

Call the Bulldogs Office, or get to the office, because if you don't claim your tickets by the deadline tonight they will go on sale to the public.

That's it for now, DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!

Hammer

AWESOME story!

Saw this on facebook yesterday...the gentleman in question decided to give me the tickets to give away to someone...man I love Port Alberni!

A couple of weeks ago, I see a parcel that had just fallen out of a truck laying on the road. I pull over, walk down the road and pick the parcel up (after a meatstick ran over it on purpose). I notice the ladies address on it (which is on my way home) and figured I'd stop by and give it to her after work.

Did'nt open it , looked a little squashed. I pull up to the driveway and the Husband answers the door so I say "is ****** home?"

He says "no not right now why?" I hand him the parcel, tell him the story and he opens it and says "wow $50 for shipping, all the way from Italy."

A Few Days later his wife phones me thanking me 10x and says shes going to make the shipping company pay me the shipping cost. I said "listen, I dont need the money and was only doing what I would expect someone to do for me If they ran across one of my belongings and I really dont need the $50 but thanks anyways."

Today, I get a thank-you card in the mail with a Cheque for $50.

Guess Ill buy some extra Bulldogs tickets and help pack the pound.

FLASHBACK - Playoffs at the Dog Pound (UPDATED - THANKS!)

Flashback to March, 2010. It's the last time the Bulldogs won a Playoff game at the Dog Pound...you never would have thought it at the time, but that's what Playoffs is all about. The Dogs won the game to tie the Coastal Conference Final at 1-1, before heading to Powell River and taking the next two games to lead the series 3-1. A loss at home in Game 5, in Powell River in Game 6 and at home in Game 7 still hurts like it was yesterday.

Like I said, it's what the Post season is all about. Expect the unexpected, cherish but don't get lost in the moment...as the old CBC Stanley Cup song says oh so perfectly "the chance may never come again"

Just wanted to add a note to the bottom of this today - a big thanks to everyone for passing along their kind words in regards to my "call" of this. I'm just lucky that I got to call a great moment, that's all.
I'll paste some of the feedback below, and someone also left a really nice comment at the bottom! Thanks all!


"Loved the flashback video on the blog. Actually gave me goosebumps having a pkayoff ot winner, the horn going off, you and Rick describing it perfectly. Ahhh the good ol days. Let's hope that all comes back this year."


"Few announcers can give anyone chills with their call. Hammer you're definitely one of those guys. Enjoy the dance."


 "I remember it well and we can do it again, but this time we'll go all the way. Let's bring a championship to Port Alberni and I believe we can do it. GO DOGS GO!!"

"Lets pack the Pound and show Our Support for the Boys! Go Dogs GO!!!"