Paul Meyer... #27, Defenceman for the Bulldogs.... and.... TV star?

OK, TV "star" might be a bit of a stretch.... but he'll get more TV time than about 95% of the rest of us in our lifetimes, as he is featured in the current NHL 16 video game commercial.

I was at the Radio Station today doing my show and I saw the commercial on Facebook. About 3 seconds into it I went HEY...wait a sec. Is that Paul Meyer?

I went to the rink today to assist with some video interview work for the Bulldogs and asked around if anyone was aware of Meyer being in the commercial, and no one had heard anything about it. Next thing you know, and Meyer was my next interview and he walked into the room.

I said "hey, were you in an NHL commercial?!" Quite casually he stated "yep, that's me!"

Pretty cool stuff. Paul's appearance is at about the 3 second mark.

"Zach Parise...right there"

Bulldogs Home Opener Saturday - details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – On Saturday night at 7:00pm, the Bulldogs will play their first home game of the 2015-16 season at the Weyerhaeuser Arena. The team is looking to rebound from an opening night loss in Cowichan Valley last weekend. Saturday night’s game is sponsored by the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District and features many other special events.

“We are excited to play our first home game and build off last weekend,” says head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “We did many positive things last weekend and the goal is to keep getting better each time we step on the ice.”

To celebrate farming and local food products, the Bulldogs have teamed up with the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District. Bring a farmer to the Bulldogs’ home opener and you can qualify to win dinner for four at Drinkwaters Social House. Details are on the Bulldogs website at www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca.

Prior to the game, there will be a BBQ outside in support of Literacy Alberni and music by Broken Record Entertainment. All tailgating festivities begin at 5pm.

The Bulldogs home opener against the Victoria Grizzlies is on Saturday, September 19th at 7:00pm.

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

Raise a Reader Road Hockey tonight - RAIN or SHINE

The Raise a Reader Road Hockey challenge goes tonight in the Multiplex parking lot. It doesn't look like the weather is supposed to be too pretty, but I was told yesterday that the event is a go, rain or shine! Hey, we all might be a little sweet, but we aren't made of sugar so we won't melt, right?!

I'm not sure how many years the event has been ongoing now, but what I am sure of is that it's always a lot of fun and it is for Literacy Alberni and the Raise a Reader campaign which is a great cause.

It all gets going with festivities at 5:00 with a BBQ, and the ball drop will be at 6:00. The game features members of the Bulldogs roster split up battling it out with local celebrities and officials on Team Read and Team Write.

Peak Afternoon Drive host Ashleigh Clark will act as Emcee and once the game gets going I'll do some play-by-play of all the action.

Don't let the weather scare you! Hopefully we'll see you there. Should the weather move or change the event, check the blog and social media as I'll be sure to get the updates out there the second I have them.

This year's Raise a Reader day is next Wednesday, September 23rd. Look for volunteers, local celebs and the Bulldogs wearing orange shirts selling special edition Raise a Reader Newspapers to raise funds for the campaign.

Here's some pictures of the event over the years

Hammer

Dogs drop season opener 6-3 in Duncan

A very fast start to the game and to the season as there weren't any whistles over the first two minutes off the opening puck drop, which is a good way to get everyone into the game. The Capitals would push the pace early and had the better of the chances with Chris Tai coming up big on a partial breakaway for Jarid Domin as he got his glove out to keep it scoreless just two minutes in. The Dogs would continue to give up odd-man rushes, and it burnt them just over five minutes in when the Caps initially failed to connect on a cross-ice pass on a 2 on 1 rush, but they found the net seconds later when the puck was retrieved behind the net and jammed over the line in front by Adam Osczevski. Assists on the play went to Ryan Burton and Kade Kehoe at 5:51 of the first. The Bulldogs would tie the game less than two minutes later on the power play when the Capitals were caught with too-many-men on the ice. Quick puck movement D-to-D across the blue line saw Paul Meyer feed Troy Dobbs at the right point where he blew a slap shot top corner over the glove of Lane Michasiw to make it 1-1 at 7:32 of the first. The Capitals would take the lead back five minutes later on another unfortunate sequence of events as the Dogs failed to get the puck out of their zone when Tyler Cooper was drilled headfirst into the side boards by Adam Osczevski. The puck made its way back to the blue line to Connor Russell. He would just throw the puck at the net where it hit traffic and ended up in the air where it was knocked home by Adam Osczevski to make it 2-1. Kade Kehoe also drew an assist on the play at 12:01 of the first. Cooper was injured on the play, and did not return to the game. The Capitals would score a crucial late goal with time ticking in the first period as the Bulldogs again got caught standing up at their own blue line as Adam Osczevski carried the puck over the Dogs line down the left wing where he cut to the goal and sniped one top corner, short-side over the glove to Tai to make it 3-1 Capitals at 19:04 of the first period with Kade Kehoe drawing the only assist. The Dogs out shot the Capitals 13-8 through the first 20 minutes.

The second period started with very wet ice with hot conditions outside, and a Zamboni malfunction inside the Island Savings Centre.  I didn't think that the game should've been played with the ice as wet as it was, but the Officials dropped the puck anyway. The Bulldogs looked to get a great chance from it early in the period when the puck stuck on wet ice in the Capitals zone, but Will Lavezzorio couldn't get a shot away. Seconds later it was a 4-1 game when Adam Osczevski scored his fourth of the game on a breakaway all the way from the Caps blue line that he made good on with a leg kick fake to freeze Tai before sliding it home inside the post. The goal was unassisted at 1:20 of the second. The Caps continued to push, going up 5-1 and chasing Tai from the game just short of seven minutes into the period when an odd bounce saw the puck carom off the end boards in front of the goal line where Matt Hudie one-timed it home from a sharp angle. The only assist on the play went to Patrick Geary at 6:59 into the second. That would do it for Chris Tai's night, as Carson Schamerhorn entered the game in relief. The Bulldogs would be penalized almost immediately afterwards, but they killed it off to keep it close. The Dogs would get two power play chances in a row later in the period to try and get back into it, but they failed to connect. Shots in the period favoured the Capitals 11-8, for a two period advantage for the Bulldogs of 21-19.

The third period had a lack of pace from the get-go, and a plethora of penalties that no doubt played a part in it. The Caps went to the power play initially on a hit by Adam Donnelly on Ryan Hogg. There was no call on the play, but as the Dogs carried the puck up ice and over the Caps line with Carson Schamerhorn heading to the bench for an extra attacker a call was made on the initial hit. While the Referee signalled boarding, the call would then be changed to a blow to the head. A couple quick penalties the other way, and the Bulldogs went to a 4 on 3 advantage. They would connect on it on a nice set up when Quinn Syryduik took a Taylor Derynck pass and put a perfect feed onto the tape of a pinching Paul Meyer at the backdoor where he made no mistake for his first career goal ripping it home top corner to make it 5-2 at 8:01 of the third. The Dogs would get another power play shortly afterwards, but they couldn't connect on it to really make a game of it. The Caps re-established the four goal lead with eight minutes to play when an ill advised cross-ice pass in the Dogs zone went off a teammates pant leg and onto the tape of Jarid Domin who walked in alone on Schamerhorn who made the first save but couldn't control the rebound as Domin fired it home short-side to make it 6-2, un-assisted at 11:41 of the third period. Once again the Dogs didn't quit, as they converted on another late power play to make it a 6-3 game on a simple play where the puck was just thrown on net by Taylor Derynck. I wasn't sure if it had eyes or hit something, but the goal was given to Jordan Sandhu for his first career marker. Eric Margo was given the only assist, but Derynck also certainly deserved one at 16:38 of the third period. It would be too little, too late however, as that's as close as the Dogs would get.

Final shots favoured the Dogs 33-27 with Chris Tai taking the loss giving up the five goals in the Dogs net, and Lane Michasiw picking up the win and third star honours for the Capitals. I had the Dogs going 3 for 8 on the power play and the Capitals going 0 for 5.

Next up - the Dogs home opener next Saturday when the Victoria Grizzlies pay the 'Pound a visit.

Hammer

Bulldogs visit Capitals tonight to kick off 2015-2016 season

It's the start of another new season for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (0-0-0-0) as they visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals (1-0-0-0) at the Island Savings Centre to kick off another British Columbia Hockey League season.

This year has a different feel from the get-go as it will not be starting at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, like the last three seasons have for all BCHL teams. I certainly enjoyed the spectacle that the Showcase was, with every BCHL team playing two games in two days to kick off the season. At the same time, I think I like the new timeline with it as it doesn't happen until three weeks into the season (the Bulldogs play at the Showcase on September 24th and 25th) with the event happening this year over four days as opposed to just two. Teams will not only show up in a little better form with more practice time together and more game action under their belt, but they will also play in better confines with all the games for all teams now being played in the big rink, and no games being played on the "community rink". There isn't a comparison in most facilities between their big rink and their secondary surface, but that gap in Chilliwack is even wider with the Prospera Centre having all the amenities including a video scoreboard and a great crew that gets lots of game action and replays on it during the contest. It's a big league feel. 

I just realized that I wrote about 12 lines, all about the Showcase. None of that matters now of course, as it's about the NOW and that's the Cowichan Valley Capitals tonight. The Capitals might have a slight edge going into this game, as they already got their feet wet playing their first game last night where they emerged victorious, 3-2 over the Victoria Grizzlies

As much as everyone should be prepared for tonight, it's hard to create a real game atmosphere when it isn't a real game. Exhibition is one thing, tonight when the bullets are flying for real, so to speak, is a completely different thing. At the same time, maybe the Dogs can use the adrenaline and excitement that comes with game one to their advantage and they can come out flying.

It's important when the energy level and nerves might be a little high to just try and focus on the fundamentals and not try and do to much. Push the pace and move your feet, take the body and shoot the puck. The rest will take care of itself!

Catch all the action on  Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey tonight  on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show at approximately 6:45 and the play-by-play to follow at 7:00 with myself and Port Alberni City Councillor, Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society Director and Bulldogs Governor Ron Paulson providing colour commentary and analysis with Bruce MacDonald unable to make it. Dan the Statsman Tisserand will be on hand to compile team and player stats.


Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is BCHL Communications Director Brent Mutis, talking about all things BCHL and how you can follow the league beyond the coverage we provide on The Peak and I provide here on the blog.

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:

Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Hammer

93.3 The Peak, Bulldogs, Save on Foods team up, Drew Blackmun to NAHL....

With the addition of Grade 8 and 9 kids to the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) their popular Breakfast Club program will need more help this year. Last year they spent more than $20,000 feeding 400+high school students every day, whose family situation prevented them from having a proper breakfast before school. Breakfast is very important for young people as without it their attention spans and their ability to retain information are lessened.

The promotion runs from September 1^st to 25^th, and every customer that goes through Save-On-Foods will be asked at the checkout if they would like to donate $2 or Save-On-More Points to the ADSS Breakfast Club

Members of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs will be in attendance to offer to bag groceries, or carry out groceries in exchange for donations to the ADSS Breakfast Program. They will be in attendance on the 11^th from 10 am to 1 pm, and the 18^th from 5-7 pm.

I will be Live on Location today from 10am to 1pm broadcasting live on 93.3 The Peak FM trying to get the word out, hopefully we'll see you up at Save on Foods! 

The Bulldogs also announced yesterday that they transferred the playing rights of Drew Blackmun to the Aston Rebels of the NAHL. The Bulldogs also thanked Drew for all he did for the organization, and wished him the best of luck.

It's always tough to see a player you've come to know move on, but such is life in Junior Hockey, and I guess hockey in general. Drew is a great kid, and I too wish him all the best. I thank my lucky stars every day that I just get to call the game, and I don't have to make decisions like this that the Coaches have to make because they sure aren't easy ones.

Hammer

Bulldog Broadcasts - what to expect

Here's a little update on what to expect when you tune in to Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM (or another medium) through the next 58 games, and any subsequent playoff games.

First and foremost - understand the medium. Which means - we're broadcasting on radio. We are your eyes. My primary goal is to enable those not at the game to SEE the game. I very much understand that some people are watching the pay-per-view and can SEE the game and they might get too much, but the people that can't see the game need more, not less!

Some insight into the broadcast philoposhy... as a general rule, I will always try to be positive.At the same time I try to be honest. The core fan base of this team from day one is an educated one. They want me to "call a spade a shovel" and not sugar coat things. Having said that, I'm that there is always one fan on one side of the fence, and one on the other side of the fence. It is one of the challenges and benefits of having such a great fan base and community here that cares for the team and is involved with the team on many levels.

The  job isn't an easy one, as I am always walking the fine fine fine line of not wanting to offend the parent/fan/billet/sponsor that is looking for entertainment, and something to root for and get emotionally invested in. The other side are the true hockey people/fans/parents etc. They want to know the REAL SCOOP. They want BLAME outright, and ANSWERS why the team isn't winning, or why they are winning.

In my opinion there isn't anything wrong with being on one side of that or the other either! In the end the hockey is great, and it's highly competitive. You win some, you lose some, you can't win them all and the line between both results is sometimes - or more often than not - razor thin.

In the end, I'm just "calling it like I see it" as my employer (for those that don't know, it's 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, LP, not the Alberni Valley Bulldogs that signs my cheques, a very common misconception) wants me to do, and as I have done for about 1000 games over the last 15 years or so. Why? Becuse it hasn't failed me yet. People won't always like what they hear, or don't hear, but I simply can't help it if the game on the ice isn't going the way you want for the team - or an individual on the team.

I'm pretty excited for the season, drop the puck already!

I'm very happy to inform you that we have Van Isle Ford (away games) and Pacific Chevrolet (home games) back as our title sponsors this year - if you appreciate the broadcasts, thank them with your business!

We begin our broadcasts approximately 15 minutes to puck drop with our pregame show where we speak with coaches from both side of the puck about the game and current events. We end the game with a post game show with a game recap, a chit chat from a member of the Bulldog Coaching staff, post game show awards and out of town scoreboard updates. In between periods, we speak with Bulldog players both past and present, as well as Coaches/Broadcasters/Executives from around the BCHL and who knows where else!
 
If you are interesting in being a sponsor on Bulldog Broadcasts, the more the merrier - contact our sales staff at 93.3 The Peak at 250-723-2455, we have plenty of options from big to small available!


I'm very lucky to have a couple great guys in the booth with me, and fans are listeners sure are lucky to have them as well, as Bruce MacDonald provides colour commentary and analysis and Dan Tisserand provides team and game statistics.

 Options for listening  / watching the game, beside the trusty radio are:


Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.fasthockey.com

Also a huge thanks to ALL our sponsors that make the broadcasts happen. Fans that have listened before will know that we strive to put together a professional big-league broadcast, and in my humble and very biased opinion, I think we accomplish that.

If you appreciate and like the broadcasts, please thank the sponsors that make them all happen with your business!

If there is something you don't like, we always welcome your feedback - drop me a line here

We would love to hear from you throughout the season - feedback, comments, complaints, criticism - constructive or otherwise, an interesting stat or fact about your son or brother or family member that may be on the team, where you might be listening to the game from, etc etc. 

Hammer

Bulldogs announce roster, sign Lavezzorio, Savard

BULLDOGS ANNOUNCE OPENING WEEK ROSTER
PRESS RELEASE

September 8, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port Alberni, BC – With the regular season opener less than a week away, the Bulldogs announced that it has trimmed its roster to twenty three players. On Sunday September 6th, the team acquired forward Brodie Smith from the Cowichan Valley Capitals for Future Considerations.

Smith spent parts of the past two seasons with the Capitals where he scored 13 points in 58 career BCHL games. Prior to that, Smith played for the Oceanside Generals in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League where he accumulated 30 points in 42 games before making the jump to Junior “A.”

The Parksville, BC, resident is known for his tenacious play and will complement the style of hockey the Bulldogs are known for. “Brodie adds more depth and grit to our hockey club,” says head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “We are very familiar with Brodie from the past two seasons and believe he will make a positive impact on our program.”

“I am very excited to start a new season as a Bulldog,” says the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Smith, who will wear jersey number 8. “I can’t wait to put on the uniform for the first time.”

The Bulldogs would also like to announce the signing of forward Will Lavezzorio. The Chicago, Illinois native spent the past three seasons developing for his hometown academic institution at the Lake Forest Academy. The 5-foot-10, 172 pound American will be relied on to play and develop in all situations and will bring a lot of speed to the Bulldogs line up.

“I am excited to be a part of the Bulldogs organization,” says Lavezzorio. “I really enjoyed my time here so far and the support from the community is awesome. I cannot wait to get the regular season started.”

“Will has been on our radar for quite some time,” says Willison. “We want to be a fast pace
hockey team and Will definitely brings a lot of energy to our on-ice product.”

The Bulldogs are also very proud to announce that the team has signed local forward Logan Savard for the 2015-16 season. The graduate of Alberni Valley Minor Hockey Association spent the last two seasons playing for the Oceanside Generals of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League where he posted 15 goals and 32 points in 47 games.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound power forward also appeared in 4 playoff games for the Bulldogs last season adding 2 assists. Savard will be the only local player to begin the season on the roster and will be relied on for his size and strength down the middle.

“I am excited and honored to play for the team I grew up watching and idolizing as a child,” says Savard. “I worked very hard this off-season and I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to what should be a strong Bulldogs team this year.”

“We are excited to have Logan with us this season,” says Willison. “He has put in a lot of hard work the past few off seasons and we have noticed a huge improvement in his game. He will be a leader for us in the community and a great role model for other local players who hope to crack our roster in the future.”

Savard will wear jersey number 7 for the Bulldogs. For the time being, the Bulldogs will carry a roster of 23 players leading up to the season opener.

2015-16 Alberni Valley Bulldogs:
Goaltenders: Chris Tai (Delta, BC), Carson Schamerhorn (Kelowna, BC) Defense: Nolan Alward (Havelock, NB), Tyler Cooper (Sudbury, ONT), Taylor Derynck (Whistler, BC), Troy Dobbs (Buffalo, NY), Garrett Halls (Comox, BC), Paul Meyer (Edina, MN), Nathan Walker (Calgary, AB) Forwards: Josh Adkins (Victoria, BC), Will Lavezzorio (Chicago, IL), Drew Blackmun (Hudson, WI), Scott Clark (New Boston, MI), Liam Conrad (Sackville, NB), Nathan Dingmann (Plymouth, MN), Adam Donnelly (Bolton, ONT), Cayden Kraus (Whistler, BC), Eric Margo (North Vancouver, BC), Jordan Sandhu (Richmond, BC), Logan Savard (Port Alberni, BC), Chris Schutz (Fort Worth, TX), Brodie Smith (Parksville, BC), Quinn Syrydiuk (Toronto, ONT).

The Bulldogs open the regular season against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, on Saturday September 12th at 7:00pm.

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

Bulldogs acquire Brodie Smith

Good very early morning from the waters of the Alberni Inlet. Some quick blogging to attend to as I head out in pursuit of the elusive wild Salmon.

The Bulldogs announced late last night the acquisition of Brodie Smith from the Cowichan Valley Capitlals, for Future Considerations. 

Brodie's stats can be found here 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=202427

Welcome to the team and the community Brodie!

The Bulldogs also announced that they will announce their season opening roster on Tuesday. 

Wish me luck on the water!

Hammer

Live at Salmon Fest..

Happy Sunday from Salmon Fest! The Bulldogs were here as of just after 8:00am today helping all the kids and families with the Lion's Club Bullhead Derby.

Nice to see the team involved in the community that supports them so well. It would have been easy to take this morning off considering that they were back most likely sometime after 1am from last night's game in Victoria. Here's hoping some of the kids as some hard questions in regards to the score last night!

After helping with the fishing and the weighing in and measuring of the fish the Bulldogs played some road hockey with all the kids before introducing themselves on the stage afterwards. Following that, the rookies treated the crowd to a very forgettable rendition of Katy Perry's Firework. My ears will never be the same! 

Hammer

Grizzlies top Bulldogs 7-2

I couldn't make the game today, but I'm getting some updates via text from the rink. 

Grizzlies lead 1-0 after 20 minutes. Shots favour the Bulldogs 12-9. Brayden Gelsinger with the goal while short handed. Sounded like a bad/good break depending on what side of the puck you are on as a broken stick at the point led to the goal. The Grizzlies on their Twitter account dubbed it a "lucky break"

The score stayed 1-0 until inside the final minute of play in the second where the Grizzles found the net on a rebound to build their lead to 2-0 with Nick Guiney scoring.

Shots after two periods favour the Bulldogs 24-16.

Victoria takes a 3-0 lead five minutes into the third on a Kevin Massey goal. 

Drayson Pears put the Grizzlies up 4-0, before the Dogs got on the board to make it 4-1 on a Nathan Dingmann marker. Joseph Visconti answers back to make it 5-1 Grizz, but Adam Donnelly answers back to make it 5-2. The Grizzlies went up 6-2 on a PJ Conlon goal with less than two minutes to play, before Mitchell Barker adds a short handed empty netter to make it 7-2 with a minute to play for the final score. 

Final shots favoured the Bulldogs 39-33.

First regulation loss for the Bulldogs as they conclude the exhibition season with a record of 2-1-1-1. 

Next up, game on as the puck drops on the regular season next Saturday in Duncan!

Hammer 

Bulldogs visit Grizzlies tonight at Westhills Arena *UPDATE - No updates tonight* LIVE at Salmon Fest

It's the final game of the preseason tonight as the Bulldogs (2-0-1-1) visit the Victoria Grizzlies (1-3-1-0) at the Westhills Arena in Langford.

There will be no broadcast tonight, as it's a neutral site game which means the Fast Hockey infrastructure won't be there to make a broadcast possible. 

An update - please accept my apologies as I won't be able to attend tonight's game to provide updates afterall. My little guy took a pretty hard tumble today and is going to make a trip up to the emerg so I'm not going to be able to get the bus in time. I'm sure all will be O.K. but family comes first!  Sorry! 

It was a pleasure to get back in the booth last night and throw the headset on and call the game on Fast Hockey. Thank goodness I still remember how to do play-by-play, ha!

Big thanks to Port Alberni City Councillor and Bulldogs Governor and Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society President Ron Paulson for pinch hitting and jumping in to help me on the broadcast by providing some colour commentary and analysis. He did a fantastic job in my opinion. His only fault was he got a little over excited and yelled some advice at the guys during the play a couple of times...but that happens to even the best of them, and I know I would never be able not to! Since it was his first shot at it, I'll give him 9.5 out of 10!

Here's some of the sights and sounds from today at the 44th Annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival! We will be broadcasting live and updating our social media all weekend long!

Hammer

Bulldogs and Grizzlies play to 1-1 tie

A very entertaining, fast paced and well played game by both teams, with neither side able to find the winner through 70 minutes of hockey as the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

Chris Schutz put the Dogs up 1-0 in the first, a lead they held until the third period when a deflected Cody Van Lierop shot found its way home.

Both sides would have their chances for the winner the rest of the way and through overtime, but no one could find the net as Chris Tai and Mitchell Benson were both solid manning the respective cages. 

The Grizzlies out shot the Dogs 43-39. I had the Dogs 0 for 3 on the power play and the Grizzlies at 0 for 4.

The teams meet again tomorrow night to conclude the preseason at Westhills Arena in Langford. There won't be a broadcast, but I'll attempt to update the blog. 

Hammer

Bulldogs host Victoria tonight, FASTHOCKEY BROADCAST, Salmon Festival opens tonight

It's the final home game of the preseason tonight as the Bulldogs (2-1-0-0) host the Victoria Grizzlies (1-3-0-0) to kick off a home and home set that concludes at Westhills Arena in Victoria tomorrow night.

The Dogs were last in action Wednesday night in Duncan where they fell 6-5 to the Capitals in overtime while Victoria also last played Wednesday night in Nanaimo where they lost 6-2 to the Clippers.

I will be providing a bare-bones broadcast of the game tonight through the Fast Hockey pay-per-view service. To watch the game, head over to FastHockey.com

This is NO WHERE near the product that you can come to expect throughout the season when we are broadcasting on 93.3 The Peak FM and Fast Hockey takes our audio broadcast to sync up with their pay-per-view. We won't have any produced elements, or interviews, or anything along those lines.

This is strictly a volunteer effort to

a) make sure all our equipment works
b) to make sure I still remember how to do play-by-play (HA)
and
c) to give you an opportunity to be able to follow the game tonight.

As it stands right now, I'll be calling the game solo, as Bruce MacDonald had to head out of town this weekend.

The 44th Annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival kicks off tonight with opening ceremonies at 7pm and fireworks at approximately 9:00pm.

 I encourage you to get down to Clutesi Haven Marina through the weekend to check out the festivities, but if you can't, just tune in on your radio - or computer - or phone - to 93.3 The Peak FM as we will be broadcasting live for 28 hours - yes TWENTY EIGHT - hours on the grounds through the weekend.

A very long weekend for me - broadcasting the Dogs game tonight, live at Salmon Fest tomorrow, on the bus immediately afterwards to head down to the Dogs game in Victoria, back late and back on the air early Sunday Morning at Salmon Fest. I'll get the chance to go fishing Monday, before heading back to the grounds to broadcast live once again up to the closing ceremonies that the 93.3 The Peak FM crew will once again host.

Whew.

Salmon Festival official website HERE Salmon Festival facebook page HERE

Hammer

Dogs drop 6-5 overtime decision in Duncan

The Bulldogs opened the scoring 8:24 into the first on an Adam Donnelly marker, but the Capitals answered back on a goal by Brodie Smith at 12:41. Steven Fiust put the Caps ahead 2-1 less than two minutes later at 14:02 before Josh Owings made it 3-1 during four-aside hockey at 15:33 as the Caps took that lead into the second period.

Shots favoured the Caps 11-7 after 20 minutes, with the Dogs doing 0 for 2 on the power play and the Capitals going 0 for 1.

The Caps took a 4-1 lead just short of the midway point of the second after an extended period where the Dogs fought the puck and failed to get it out of their zone as Jake Switzer went top corner, short-side on Zakery Myrowich who started in net for the Dogs. It was a 4-2 game shortly afterwards when the Dogs capitalized on a power play chance when Scottie Clark deflected an Ezra Paddock point shot past Storm Phaneuf. The Dogs would get back within one to make it 4-3 when newly acquired Quinn Syrydiuk scored a beautiful goal on a solo effort, skating the puck out of the Dogs zone and through centre before chipping it off the boards to himself down the right wing where he snapped one on goal from the faceoff dot top corner, long side past Phaneuf at 19:52 of the second.

Shots favoured the Capitals in the second 14-7 for a two period advantage of 25-14.

Carson Schamerhorn entered the game just short of the midway point after the 4th Caps goal to relieve Zaery Myrowich in the Bulldog net.

The Capitals re-established their two goal lead with 14:05 to play in the third on Chris Harpur point shot that was deflected past Schamerhorn by Matt Hudie to make it 5-3. The Dogs didn't quit though, as with 11:00 to play Liam Conrad took a headman pass from Logan Savard and walked over the Capitals line down the right wing where he backhanded one home from a terrible angle to make it 5-4, with Taylor Derynck at 9:00 of the third. The Dogs would make it a 5-5 game while shorthanded with 3:36 to play after blocking what felt like half a dozen shots in their own end. Eric Margo would pressure the Capitals goalie who was out playing the puck, and the puck ended up in the crease where it looked like Quinn Syrydiuk knocked it in for his second of the game at 16:24. The Capitals would push hard to go ahead again over the next couple of minutes, but Carson Schamerhorn held the fort to preserve the tie. The Dogs were a second away from getting the winner as Scottie Clark blew a one-timer home through the legs of Phaneuf from the slot but he couldn't beat the buzzer as the game went to overtime.

Shots favoured the Capitals 10-9 through the third for a 60 minute total of 35-23 Capitals.

Each team would have a couple of chances early in overtime, but the Caps would end it 1:14 into sudden death when Jared Domin undressed a Bulldog defender before tucking it home past Schamerhorn for the 6-5 final.

Final shots favoured the Caps 36-23.

While you of course can't like the end result in losing the game, I think at this time of the year it's best to focus on the positive (truth be told, I think ANY time of year it's best to focus on the positive) and in this game it can be found in the fact that the Bulldogs came back from at one point three goals down, and two goals in the third period, to steal a "point" in an opposition's rink. It would have been easy to pack it in and let this game get away from them considering that it's preseason and a "mean nothing" game - but you never want your team to ever exhibit the character that they quit when the going gets tough. It looked like the tough got going in this game. Quinn Syrydiuk scoring twice in his first game is very nice to see, and Adam Donnelly finding the net in his first game is also a positive.

On to Friday now, when the Dogs host the Grizzlies.

Special thanks to Dan "the stats man" Tisserand for updating me on the action I missed, and to Caps voice Jeff Sargeant for calling the game.

Hammer


  

Bulldogs visit Capitals tonight, make trade, announce signing

The preseason continues tonight as the Bulldogs (2-0-0-0) play their first road game when they visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals (2-1-0-0) for their first road game at the "Big Stick" at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan. If you are new to the team or the league, yes, that is the biggest stick and puck in the world! 

I will not be attending the game in Duncan tonight. It pains me greatly to miss a game and a single second of the action, but as I have a 5am wake up call for a 6am Morning Show on 93.3 The Peak FM tomorrow I'm choosing to skip a game while I still can!

Fear not, as fantastic Capitals play-by-play voice Jeff Sargeant will be calling the game on Fast Hockey so you can tune in and watch the pay-per-view broadcast by clicking HERE


The Bulldogs made a trade today, and also officially signed a player for the 2015-2016 season. Read more below from the official team release

BULLDOGS ANNOUNCE TRADE AND NEW SIGNING
PRESS RELEASE

September 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – On Monday September 1st, the Bulldogs acquired the playing rights to 1996-born forward Quinn Syrydiuk from the Trail Smoke Eaters for future considerations.

Syrydiuk enters his third full season of Junior “A” having spent the previous two with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The 6-foot, 170 pound Toronto native comes to the Bulldogs with two straight OJHL Championships under his belt and has appeared in the RBC Cup 2014 in Vernon, BC.

“We are looking forward to working with Quinn,” says Bulldogs head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “We feel that his championship experience and leadership will be a great addition to our locker room.”

The team is also proud to announce the signing of 1999-born forward Cayden Kraus, a 5- foot-10, 160 pound forward who played the previous two seasons with Pursuit of Excellence in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League. Kraus has impressed the Bulldogs coaching staff with his speed, skill, and compete level.

“We feel that Cayden is ready to play at this level and look forward to developing him as a student-athlete and young man for the next few seasons,” says Willison.

The Bulldogs play their final home exhibition game at Weyerhaeuser Arena against the Victoria Grizzlies on Friday September 4th at 7:00pm.

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

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Quinn sounds like a solid addition to the team - some stats on him can be found by clicking HERE

I was quite impressed with Cayden in the Intrasquad game and through the first two Exhibition contests. Some stats for him can be found HERE

Welcome to the team and the community gents!

Hammer

Bulldogs top Clippers 5-2, improve to 2 and 0 in preseason

Tune in to Fasthockey to watch tonight's game as the Bulldogs host the Clippers.

Two-time BCHL Broadcaster of the Year Award winner - and current holder of the belt - Dan Marshall, of our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo has the call.

For those that don't have the means or interest to purchase the pay-per-view, I will post occasional updates here on the blog.

Carson Schamerhorn starts in net for the Bulldogs, Emilien Boily for the Clippers.

Clippers open the scoring 4:31 into the game on a point shot by Ryan Coghlan that knuckles off traffic and past the glove of Schamerhorn. Charley Borek with the lone assist.

Drew Blackmun converts a perfect pass on the rush from Chris Schutz with a deflection through the legs of Boily. Brandon McReynolds also draws an assist at 12:55.

Bulldogs take a 2-1 lead when Garrett Halls pokes a rebound home from the crease. Cayden Kraus and Josh Adkins draw the assists 14:15 into the first, on the power play.

First period concludes with the Bulldogs leading 2-1. Shots favour the Bulldogs 11-10. At one point earlier in the frame they were 8-1 Nanaimo.

The Bulldogs went 1 for 2 on the powerplay, while the Clippers went 0 for 1 - they ended the period with 1:13 left on their second power play of the game. That stat is somewhat misleading, as the Clippers were penalized just 5 seconds into their first power play chance which brought about 1:55 of 4-on-4 hockey, and a 5 second Bulldog advantage at the end of it.

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Chris Schutz picks up the only minor during an after the whistle skirmish as the Dogs go down a man. On the penalty kill, Corey Renwick went after Eric Margo. Reluctantly, Margo would oblige as the players dropped their gloves. In the ensuing exchange at the benches, Troy Dobbs picked up an additional minor, putting the Dogs down two men for an extended period of over a minute. 

Bulldogs kill off the 5 on 3. Late in the second penalty a deflected puck appeared destined to roll over the goal line behind Schamerhorn, but Paul Meyer saved a goal by pulling it off the line and clearing it to the corner.

Bulldogs kill off both penalties.

Immediately afterwards, the Bulldogs are again penalized.

Bulldogs again kill it of to preserve the lead.

Goalie change for Nanaimo - Austin Roden enters the game.

Chris Schutz and Adam Pilotte join Renwick and Margo in the showers as they drop the mitts for a spirited scrap.

Repeated after the whistle mini scrums. Feels like the tail end of a playoff series, not a preseason game.

The game quietened down considerably, with about 3 or 4 stoppages going by without any shenanigans.

After an icing call, Scottie Clark reacted to something behind the play from Mackenzie O'Mahony (beauty name) and they also fight and are subsequently ejected.

Very long second period concludes with the score staying 2-1 Bulldogs. Shots that period favoured the Bulldogs 16-12 for a two-period advantage of 27-22.

The Bulldogs are 1 for 3 on the power play while the Clippers are 0 for 5.

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Bulldogs make a goalie change to start the third as Chris Tai replaces Carson Schamerhorn in net.

Bulldogs go to their fourth power play of the game with 14:37 left in the third. They then get a two-man advantage of just 23 seconds in duration when the Clippers are caught with too-many-men on the ice but they can't capitalize. They DO capitalize on the 5 on 4 power play when Paul Meyer walks into the slot and takes a nice cross-ice pass that he rips top corner, far-side high past Roden. Troy Dobbs and Jordan Sandhu with the assists, 7:47 into the third.

Bulldogs take a 4-1 lead on the power play when Paul Meyer scores his second of the game on an absolute rocket, one-timing one tight under the crossbar. Troy Dobbs and Josh Adkins pick up the assists on the power play goal at 12:59.

Bulldogs are now 3 for 6 on the power play by my unofficial count.

Clippers make it a two-goal game and a 4-2 score when they capitalize on a Bulldogs icing as Charley Borek bangs home a rebound in front off a Spencer Hewson shot at 17:28. 

Bulldogs take a 5-2 lead at 18:19 when Will Lavezzorio chases down a loose puck down the left wing and hits the empty net from a sharp angle. Drew Blackmun drew the lone assist.

 Shots favoured the Bulldogs 13-9 in the third for a game total of 40-31 Bulldogs.

I had the Bulldogs at 3 for 6 on the power play and the Clippers at 0 for 5. 

The Bulldogs are next in action Wednesday night when they visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan. 

Hammer

Bulldogs open presesaon with 3-2 win over Powell River

Check this post throughout the night for periodic game updates. Make sure to REFRESH your browser (F5 key is the short cut) to make sure you are viewing the most current version.

Chris Tai starts in net for Alberni..
Jeff Smith starts in net for Powell River.

Bulldogs open the scoring late in the first on a goalmouth scramble as Nathan Dingmann pokes one home before Jeff Smith was able to completely smother it. No assists were given on the play but it looked like there might have been a couple players deserving of one. Goal was at 18:18 of the first.

Just 44 seconds later Bulldogs go up 2-0 on a bang-bang play on a draw in the Kings end as Brandon McReynolds finds a loose puck and snaps it low through the wickets on Smith. No assists on the play at 19:02 of the first.

Shots favour the Bulldogs after 20 minutes 11-8.

Powell River went 0 for 1 on the power play, while the Bulldogs didn't earn an opportunity.

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Bulldogs take a 3-0 lead on the power play when Cayden Kraus deflects a Nolan Alward point shot top corner over the glove of Smith. Max Daerendinger also picks up a helper, 8:07 into the second.

Kings get on the board shortly afterwards when Chris Protopoulos goes top corner, far-side over the glove of Tai on the rush down the right wing. No assists were given on the play at 9:45 of the second.

Score stays 3-1 Bulldogs after two periods.

Shots that period favoured the Kings 15-10 for a two period total of 23-21 Powell River.

Bulldogs are 1 for 3 on the power play, while the Kings are 0 for 2.

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Bulldogs make a goalie change to start the third as Carson Schamerhorn replaced Chris Tai in net. 

Score still 3-1 Bulldogs, with 10:41 left in the third. Schamerhorn just made a fantastic point blank save on Hunter Findlater wide open in the slot to preserve the lead. The Bulldogs go the other way on the rush on a delayed penalty and Nathan Walker rings one off the crossbar and it stays out.

Powell River makes it a 3-2 game with 7:32 to play as Andy Stevens sends Austin Kamer in alone where he makes a nice move delaying to the backhand before tucking it home. Stevens with the only assist at 12:28.

The Kings put on a late push over the final minutes of the third, but the Dogs did a pretty good job of not giving up many Grade A scoring chances.

Third period shots favoured the Kings 16-7 for a game total of 39-28.

The Dogs went 1 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 2.

Next up for the Dogs is another home game tomorrow (Saturday) night when they host Nanaimo.
Hammer 

Dogs open Exhibition sked, Kings close Exhibition sked, tonight at Multiplex

It's only preseason hockey, but it's hockey against another BCHL club as the Bulldogs (0-0-0-0) host the Powell River Kings (1-0-0-0 in preseason) tonight at the Multiplex.

It's just another step up in the level of play that new and returning players alike will face. Training camp scrimmages are one level, the intersquad game is another. Exhibition hockey brings yet another step up in the intensity, hostility, pace and physical play. Eventually that goes up another notch with the start of the Regular Season.

Both teams might be looking at this game very differently. It's the first Exhibition game for the Dogs - they will host the Clippers tomorrow and play three more next week, in Duncan Wednesday, home to Victoria Friday and in Victoria on Saturday.

The Kings meanwhile opened their Exhibition sked last night, picking up a 9-4 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Lake Cowichan Arena. Tonight's contest is their final preseason game, as they won't see game action against another BCHL club until September 12th and 13th when they host the Nanaimo Clippers to open the Regular Season. I'm sure in a perfect world that the Kings would want to play a couple more exhibition games next week, but it's not a cheap endeavour to hop a ferry and spend a night in a hotel. The fact that they are "mean nothing" games, it's hard to think it's worth the expense. Knowing their Staff like I do, you can be sure they'll have more than a few things planned to get their team game ready next week.

The Bulldogs Coaching Staff still have the luxury of a good amount of time to evaluate potential players in a game situation, and might adjust their roster accordingly. The Kings meanwhile might very well be treating this as their final tune up and icing close to their opening night roster. For players dreaming to crack their line up, this might be their final chance to get off the bubble and make that lasting impression, so the Bulldogs will need to be ready to match their urgency.

Hammer