Bulldogs drop second straight, 7-4 to Warriors

The Bulldogs got a scoring chance just five seconds into the game when Stephen Castagna jumped on the loose puck off the opening faceoff and raced in to the deep slot where Brock Baier got his shoulder on a quick release. Castagna drew a power play in the Bulldog end a few seconds later when he was caught in the face by a high stick. The Bulldogs would connect on it when Ryan Miotto picked off a rim up the near side that he threw to the slot for Jackson Doucet who walked into the deep slot where he snapped a quick release five-hole on Baier and just over the line to make it 1-0 at 1:28 of the first. The Warriors would tie it by the five minute mark, as Anthony Bishop kept the puck in at the right point and walked cross-ice into the top of the left circle where he beat Cole Demers with a wrist shot long-side over his glove to make it 1-1 at 5:08 of the first . with Garret Ewert drawing the lone assist. The score stayed that way until the late stages of the period, with the Bulldogs having a couple good opportunities around the Warrior net, especially on another power play, but West Kelowna went up 2-1 with under five minutes to play when the Bulldogs turned the puck over at centre ice with a defenceman up on the rush resulting in a partial breakaway for Calvin Tilsley that he made good on by dodging a poke-check attempt of Demers to lift it home at 15:58 of the second, unassisted. The Bulldogs raced in on a 2 on 1 rush but a nice defensive play by Garrett Ewert blocked the cross-ice pass attempt. Another Bulldog chance in the final 30 seconds of the period went through the hashmarks and failed to connect, resulting in the Warriors racing up ice and making it a 3-1 game with just 6 seconds to play in the period as Mike Hardman tapped home a pass on the far side of the crease into the open side with Willie Reim and Max Bulawka assisting at 19:54 of the first. Shots in the period were 20-12 Warriors.


The Warriors would go up 4-1 just nine seconds into period two, as a dump-in was fanned on back of the Bulldog net, allowing Lucas Cullen to pick it up and throw it out front against the grain to Parm Dhaliwal, who lifted inside the post short-side. The Bulldogs took a penalty on the next shift, and while they succeeded in killing it off, but the Warriors earned momentum and spent the better part of the next three to four minutes running around the Bulldog zone before going up 5-1 on a cross-ice set up to the back post one-time low through Demers by Calvin Tilsley for his second of the game, assisted by Wyatt Head at 5:44 of the second. The Bulldogs started to get their game going at the midway point of the period, and at least two fantastic chances around the net and on the rush that saw Baier come up big on to protect the lead. The Bulldogs earned a power play late in the period, but couldn't make it count and the Warriors tacked on another one with less than a minute to play in the period as Wyatt Head again set up Calvin Tisley wide open in the left faceoff circle where he walked in tight and lifted it into the open net past a diving Demers to complete the hat trick at 19:27 of the period, with Austin Chorney also assisting. The Bulldogs drew a penalty seconds later, and made good on it instantly off the draw as Ryan Miotto won it back to the right point for Aaron Bohlinger, who wasted no time in putting it on goal where it was deflected home by Dawson Tritt from the slot to make it 6-2 at 19:44 of the second. Shots in the period were 21-9 West Kelowna, for a 41-21 Warriors edge after two.

The Bulldogs again earned a power play early in the third and while they didn't score on it, they kept fighting and found the net just two minutes later as Keaton Mastrodonato accepted a Ryan Miotto pass in the right circle on the rush where he drove wide and put it in front where it hit a stick before Grayson Valente tapped it home from the paint to make it 6-3 and 4:05 of the third. The Bulldogs pushed but couldn't trim the gap through to the back half of the period, where they earned another power play when Mitchel Deelstra fought hard deep in the Warriors zone before being hooked up high. Deelstra would finish it on the power play, when Marcus Walter put an outlet pass up the right wing at centre to Deelstra, who dished off at the Warrior line for Evan Googins and drove the net where Googins put a perfect pass on his tape to send him in alone where he went top corner, short-side over the glove of Baier to make it 6-4 at 12:54 of the third. The Bulldogs kept pushing, with the Warriors responding and pushing back late in the third to hem the Dogs in their zone for an extended period. At the end of the sequence, Jackson Doucet put a flipper perfectly placed into the Warriors zone that Keaton Mastrodonato skated onto for a breakaway that saw Bier make a huge with his glove to keep it a two-goal game. The Bulldogs would push with over two minutes left on the follow draw with their goalie out for the extra attacker and had several looks on pucks around the net, but couldn't find it before Mike Hardman found a loose puck at centre that he fired through the legs of the Bulldog defenceman playing goalie to make it 7-4 at 18:44 of the third to complete the scoring.


Third period shots were 17-7 Bulldogs, for a game total of 48-38 Warriors with Cole Demers taking the loss while Brock Baier earned the win. The Bulldogs went 3 for 5 on the power play while the Warriors went 0 for 1.

The Bulldogs are next in action Friday when they host the Cowichan Valley Capitals.


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs host Warriors today to conclude weekend

It's the second and final regular season meeting between the teams, and the final time the Bulldogs (18-31-3-0, 4th Island) face an opponent from outside the Island Division as the West Kelowna Warriors (26-24-0-1, 6th Interior) conclude a three game road trip by visiting the Multiplex this afternoon.


The Bulldogs were idle last night, after dropping a 6-5 decision to the Nanaimo Clippers at home on Friday night.

The Warriors.... well, funny enough this the edit compared to the original text I had prepared below - the Warriors were supposed to be in Powell River last night, but that was postponed due to Ferry Cancellations. They last played Friday night in Chilliwack, where they fell 2-1 to the Chiefs.

Original - The Warriors conclude an unconventional three-in-three today, or at least it seems that way to me - they opened their weekend Friday night in Chilliwack .... They were in Powell River last night .... Maybe this happens more often than I realize - I know that there has been plenty of instances where teams begin an Island swing Friday in Powell River or begin it on the Island and end it on the Lower Mainland Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure I've seen a team start with a Lower Mainland game, followed by a Sunshine coast contest and conclude it by getting over to the Island for one game.

These teams last met in a wildy entertaining back and forth affair January 12th in West Kelowna that saw the Bulldogs build up a 5-2 lead into the back half of the second, only to have the Warriors score four unanswered en route to a 6-5 win

93.3 The Peak has you covered, as always - Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey commences at 1:45 with the pregame show, followed at 2:00pm with the puck drop and game action. I'll take care of the play-by-play while Bruce MacDonald adds colour commentary while providing game analysis. 

Today's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Connor LaCouvee, who recently signed a two year-two way contract with the AHL's Laval Rocket. Everyone playing the game at the pro level has a story, and Connor's is a fantastic one.

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.hockeytv.com

Hopefully we'll see you from the rink, or talk to you from there! 

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs fall 6-5 to Clippers in a wild one

There was no scoring in the opening seconds of this contest, and no 2-0 lead a minute in, however it was a goal that led to the first stoppage of the game for the second contest in a row as Tyler Williams put a perfect pass from behind the Bulldogs net to the hashmarks for Sammy Steele who one-timed it home short-side past the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 1-0 at 2:52 of the first. The Bulldogs answered quickly, making it 1-1 on a shot simply thrown at the goal by Jackson Doucet that hit Keaton Mastrodonato in the back and bounced across the crease where it went in off a Ryan Miotto net drive at 4:21 of the first. The teams would each have their opportunities and a power play chance, but it stayed tied until the late stages of the period when Ethan McLaughlin put a hard pass from behind the Bulldog net up the left wing for Michael Hodge. He would put a pass laterally out of the zone that caromed off a Clipper pant leg and up the middle where Dawson Tritt simply just seemed to want it more, as he skated on it and beat his man to the net where he snuck a backhand home short-side on Jordan Naylor at 13:59 of the first to make it 2-1. Shots in the first were 11-8 Bulldogs.


The Clippers got the equalizer just 27 seconds into period two, when a Bulldog defender stood up at the Nanaimo line and got caught leading to a long 2 on 1 rush that saw Tyler Williams keep the puck up the left wing deep into the Bulldog zone before he threw a perfectly placed and paced pass onto the tape of Marcus Mitchell who deflected it past Hawthorne to make it 2-2. It was 3-2 seconds later, as Hawthorne left his net and played a dump in to the near corner where it was intercepted by Ethan Scardina, who threw it to the crease where it went off a defender and in at 1:03 of the second. The Bulldogs showed no signs of letting the turn of events effect them, as they continued to push the pace and spend extended periods in the Nanaimo zone, but despite plenty of pucks on net they couldn't get a bounce to tie the game, and also couldn't connect on a couple power play opportunities. Late in the period, the Clippers put a quick two on the board with a series of deflections - the first on a faceoff win by MacKenzie Merriman back to the right point for Aiden Hansen-Bukata, who threw it low on goal where Ethan Scardina tipped it home five hole on Hawthorne to make it 4-2 at 15:25 of the period. Just 30 seconds later it was 5-2 when Nick Marsh put a long range shot on net from the right point that appeared to glance off a Bulldog and in high far side over the shoulder of Hawthorne at 15:55 with assists to Thomas Samuelsen and Hansen-Bukata. Once again, the Bulldogs responded well, pushing back on the next shift and not appearing deflated. They would finally get rewarded for their efforts late in the frame, as Tanner Pochipinski set up Keaton Mastrodonato below the goal line where he put a perfect pass out front for Josh Zary, who one-timed his first career goal long-side past the glove of Naylor to make it 5-3 at 18:00 of the second. Shots in the period were 14-8 Bulldogs for a two period total in their favour of 25-16.


The Bulldogs pushed hard to make it a one-goal game again just over five minutes into the third, as Grayson Valente took a Michael Hodge pass in the Dogs zone and rushed end to end into the deep slot of the Nanaimo zone where he put a shot wide blocker side on Naylor.  It would bounce right back through his feet to the top of the crease where Michael Hodge ripped it high glove side to make it 5-4 at 5:42 of the third, with Dawson Tritt also drawing an assist. The Clippers would restore the two goal lead four minutes later, in controversial fashion to say the least, as a Bulldog no where near the puck was hit twice, the second time into John Hawthorne resulting in Hawthorne being unable to challenge the shooter and attempt to make the save as he ended up on the seat of his pants allowing Nick Marsh to put a slap shot into the open net, unassisted for his second of the game and of his career at 9:32 of the third. The Referee at the net signalled goal, while the Referee at centre appeared to not be able to detect any of the contact. A long discussion at the scorekeepers booth saw the Referee point at centre, but the Public Address announcer at the same time state there was no goal, to further add to the confusion before it was again confirmed as a good goal. The Bulldogs answered right back on the next shift, on a determined effort in the zone by Evan Googins and Michael Hodge and especially Dawson Tritt, who one a series of battles before driving back of the net to stuff a wrap around on the goal line through Naylor where Grayson Valente jammed it in to make it 6-5 at 10:18 of the third. The Bulldogs were awarded a power play on the next shift, but unfortunately they couldn't capitalize on it. The Clippers would make the lead stand to the buzzer, doing a good job of not giving the Bulldogs much in the final two minutes with the Bulldog net empty for the extra attacker.


Third period shots were 9-6 Clippers for a game total of 31-25 Bulldogs, with Jordan Naylor earning the win while John Hawthorne took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play, while the Clippers went 0 for 1.


The Bulldogs are next in action Sunday afternoon when they host the West Kelowna Warriors.


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs host Clippers tonight to conclude home and home set

It's the second meeting between these teams in three days and the final regular season tilt as the Bulldogs (18-30-3-0, 4th Island) host the Nanaimo Clippers (24-26-2-0, 3rd Island) tonight at the Multiplex.

These teams last met Wednesday in Nanaimo, a 5-2 Bulldog win. It was the second straight win for the Bulldogs - the first time since late October that they have won back to back games. It also snapped a four game win streak for the Clippers in the head to head series. It was a second straight loss for the Clippers. After a BCHL high 10th straight win on January 11th in Trail, the Clippers haven't won back to back games since. They lost six straight following winning ten in a row, and have won twice in their last ten games.

Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM  is on the air starting at 6:45 for the pregame show, followed by the puck drop shortly after 7:00. Bruce MacDonald provides colour commentary and game analysis and I call the play-by-play.

In the 2nd Intermission don't miss another edition of the Island Division This Week - courtesy of Dan Marshall from 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo, it's a compilation of recaps, previews and highlights from all the broadcast voices of all the Island Division teams.

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

*UPDATED with HIGHLIGHTS* Bulldogs win second straight, 5-2 over Clippers

The Bulldogs got off to their best start of the season, taking a 2-0 lead before the game was two minutes old. They opened the scoring just 19 seconds in, when a dump in took an odd bounce off the Zamboni gate before it was found by Stephen Castagna. He would send it back to the left point for Marcus Walter, who put a quick shot on goal that was deflected on goal by Mitchel Deelstra. Jordan Naylor would make the initial save, but Deelstra batted the rebound home to make it 1-0. It was 2-0 before the next shift ended, as John Hawthorne stopped a dump in and reversed it to the far corner for Ryan Novecosky. He would put it up the right wing of his own zone for Ryan Miotto, who made a rink wide pass to Jackson Doucet, who flew up the left wing and into the Nanaimo zone and back of the net where he tucked a wrap around inside the far post. The Bulldogs had several chances to build their lead in the following minutes, and eventually went up 3-0 just short of the midway point of the period as Jackson Doucet stepped up to intercept a pass at the red line with a poke check. Keaton Mastrodonato would find it, and flip it around a defender to create a 2 on 1 where he walked in and put a high hard one on net that was stopped by Naylor, but the rebound went cross-ice where it was one-timed home by Ryan Miotto at 9:52 of the first. Landon Pavlisin would enter the game in relief, and was immediately tested as he made a right toe save on a Keaton Mastrodonato breakaway. The Clippers responded with a good shift in the Bulldog zone a few minutes later, and John Hawthorne made a solid toe save on a cross-crease pass on the rush to protect the lead. The Bulldogs drew a power play late in the period and threatened on it, but couldn't pad their lead before the buzzer. They did draw a second penalty, putting them on a 5 on 3 power play for 47 seconds to begin period two. Shots in the first were 15-6 Bulldogs.


The two-man advantage didn't generate anything on net, with the Clippers defending well but the Bulldogs also perhaps lacking urgency. The score stayed 3-0 until just over six minutes into the period when the Clippers struck just 19 seconds into a power play opportunity as Tyler Williams set up Josh Bourne on the goal line to the right of the Bulldog net, where he put a pass to the top of the crease where it was one-timed through the legs of Hawthorne by Marcus Mitchell at 6:16 of the second. The Bulldogs almost got burned by the Zamboni gate seconds later, as a dump in didn't end up back of the net but instead to the slot where it was thrown on net. Hawthorne would make the first save, and get some help from a defender on a rink-wide rebound that looked to be headed into the open side before it was blocked. The Bulldogs pushed back and restored their lead on a power play of their own, as Ryan Miotto made a pass off the right wing wall to the top of the point for Aaron Bohlinger, who one-timed it on goal where it was deflected in by Dawson Tritt from the top of the crease to make it 4-1 at 15:08 of the second. The Bulldogs ran around the Clippers zone for extended periods, but couldn't build their lead before the period ended. Shots in the frame were 9-8 Bulldogs for a 24-14 advantage after 40 minutes.


Time flew by early in the third period, with the Bulldogs doing a good job of defending their zone and getting pucks deep to force the Clippers to earn all the ice. The Bulldogs drew a power play short of the midway point of the period that they made good on, as a second effort by Dawson Tritt deflected a pass off a Nanaimo stick where it was skated onto by Keaton Mastrodonato to keep it in the Nanaimo zone. He would fly up the left side with the defence parting for him as he faked to the middle, drove to the outside and then cut to the middle untouched where he cut across the crease on his forehand to tuck it by Pavlisin to make it 5-1 at 8:43 of the third. The Bulldogs continue to control the bulk of the play and not give up much into the late minutes of regulation. The Clippers would earn a power play, and again connect on it with Marcus Mitchell deflecting a Robby Drazner pass through the legs of Hawthorne to make it 5-2 at 15:32 of the third to complete the scoring.


Third period shots were again 9-8 Bulldogs, for a game total of 33-22 Bulldogs, with John Hawthorne earning the win while Jordan Naylor took the loss before being relieved by Landon Pavlisin. The Bulldogs went 2 for 4 on the power play while the Clippers went 2 for 2.


These teams are both in action on Friday when they meet at the Dog Pound.


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight to open home and home set

(image:Jamie Penner)

It's the opening game of a home and home set between these two Island rivals tonight, as the Bulldogs (17-30-3-0, 4th Island)  visit the Clippers (24-25-1-0, 3rd Island) at the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. The Clippers will return the favour and visit the Bulldogs on Friday night. 

The Bulldogs last played Friday night at home, where they snapped a three game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Powell River Kings. The Clippers were in Duncan on Saturday night, where they fell 4-3 to the Capitals in overtime.  

These teams last met New Year's Eve in Port Alberni, a 6-2 Nanaimo win. That was preceeded by a 4-2 Clippers win at the Multiplex on December 16th. The last meeting in Nanaimo saw the Clippers come out on top by a 3-1 score on December 12th.

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM is live from the Frank Crane Arena at 6:45 for the pregame show, with the puck dropping shortly after 7:00. Bruce MacDonald analyzes and adds colour commentary, and I will call the play-by-play.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog (2005-2007) Maury Edwards, who is now into his sixth season playing professionally in Germany, with ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL.

Maury showed up in my interview crosshairs recently after I clicked on a link titled

"This Could Be The Most Improbable, Absolutely Absurd Hockey Goal Ever Scored"

And wouldn't you know, some guy I know named Maury Edwards assisted on the goal. And oh yeah, the headline doesn't disappoint! Check it out by clicking HERE

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.hockeytv.com

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs snap streak, top Kings 3-2

The start saw the Kings have a good chance in the opening minute and change as Ben Thomas drove the net untouched, but John Hawthorne got his left toe out to keep it out. The Bulldogs drew a penalty a minute later, but for the most part couldn't gain the attacking zone and earn momentum, although the last half-minute of the advantage showed some promise. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead quickly afterwards as Jackson Doucet fed the puck back to the right point for Ryan Novecosky who simply put the puck on goal where Ryan Miotto got a stick on it to deflect it inside the post far-side past the blocker of Matteo Paler-Chow at 5:55 of the first. It looked like it was a 2-0 seconds later, but Paler-Chow made a highlight reel save with his glove on a cross-ice set up for Stephen Castagna from Austin Spiridakis. The Bulldogs earned another power play at the midway point of the period, but had the opportunity cancelled out a minute into it when a player leaving the ice had a puck strike his skate leading to a too-many-men penalty. The Kings threatened on the power play, but Hawthorne was solid, and got some help from the post. Mitchel Deelstra would be sent in alone on a breakaway where Paler-Chow managed to just get enough of it with his glove to put it out of play to keep it 1-0. The Kings would reply to tie it late in the frame, as Ben Thomas was again allowed to walk into the deep slot untouched from his left to right where he put a perfectly placed shot against the grain top corner, far-side off the bar and over the blocker of Hawthorne to make it 1-1 at 16:38 of the first, with assists going to Levi Glasman and Ryan Pouliot. The Bulldogs would have another great chance to retake the lead late in the period, but Paler-Chow got his right pad out to stop Keaton Mastrodonato on a breakaway to keep it 1-1 after one. Shots in the period were 11-6 Kings, with the six Bulldog shots coming from no less than three clear-cut or partial breakaways and a one-timer from the slot.


The Bulldogs took the lead back before the second was four minutes old as John Hawthorne played a rim up the near side to Tanner Pochipinksi, who bumped it back deep for Aaron Bohlinger. He would feed it back of the net for Hayden Hurst, who put a quick outlet up the right side for Ethan Jones. He would put a perfect pass up the left wing cross-ice for Pochipinski in full flight where he walked in with a step into the left circle where he made it 2-1 Bulldogs with a perfectly placed top corner, short-side shot over the blocker of Paler-Chow at 3:56 of the second. The Bulldogs pushed for more in the following minutes, but the Kings would counter to tie it against the flow of play on the rush on a Bulldog shot that missed the net at a far angle and rimmed up the near side for Rowan Miller who carried it over the Bulldug line up the right side where he gained the line and dropped it for Christian Buono who was allowed to walk into the deep slot where he used the defenceman as a screen and beat Hawthorne with a low shot inside the post blocker side to make it 2-2 at 8:02 of the second. The Bulldogs earned a power play two minutes later, and connected on it in the dying seconds of the advantage with good patience and pretty puck movement as Evan Googins walked off the left wing wall to the top of the circle before finding Michael Hodge at the bottom of it. He would set up Mitchel Deelstra in the slot, where he beat Paler-Chow with a blast glove side to make it 3-2 Bulldogs at 12:12 of the period. The Bulldogs carried the play into the late stages of the period, spending extended periods of time in the Kings zone due to a series of won board battles, but they couldn't get the insurance marker. The Kings had a fantastic chance to tie the game later in the period, on the unluckiest - or luckiest, depending on which side of the puck one may be one, as Grayson Valente attempted a pass as the last-man-back at the Bulldog line, only to have his stick dissolve in two in his hands. Josh Coblenz would race in alone on a breakaway, but Hawthorne stood tall to get a blocker on it to protect the lead. The Kings would mount a push in the final minute of the period, as the Bulldogs appeared to be waiting for the buzzer, while the Kings were playing to it. They would test Hawthorne no less than half a dozen times from close quarters, but couldn't beat him. Shots in the period were 13-11 Powell River, for a 24-17 Kings advantage after 40 minutes.


The third period saw the Bulldogs come out hitting on the opening shift, with a high pace of play through the midway point of the period and each side having their chances but the goalies not blinking. The Bulldogs had a glorious chance to get the insurance marker while on the penalty kill in the back half of the period as Austin Spiridakis did a lap of the zone before sending Stephen Castagna in alone, but Paler-Chow kept it out. The Bulldogs pushed and had two great chances called back on breakaway passes at the blue line, before Paler-Chow made a nifty poke check on a 2 on 1 to keep it a one-goal game. The Kings would push into the late stages, but the Bulldogs didn't give up much in protecting their lead and supporting Hawthorne into the final two minutes. The Kings would have a series of chances with their goalie out for the extra attacker all the way to the buzzer, coming as close as hitting the post in the slot but being unable to get a bounce as the Bulldogs blocked two more attempts to the buzzer to secure the win, with a final play standing out that saw Stephen Castagna block a cross-crease pass and clear the zone.


Third period shots were 16-10 Kings, for a game total of 40-27 Kings, with John Hawthorne earning 2nd star honours with Matteo Paler-Chow taking the loss. The Bulldogs went 1 for 4 on the power play, while the Kings went 0 for 2.


The Bulldogs are next in action Wednesday night when they visit the Clippers in Nanaimo.


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs host Kings tonight to conclude weekend

It's the final game on the schedule this weekend for the Bulldogs (16-30-3-0, 4th Island) as they host the Powell River Kings (30-17-1-0, 2nd Island) tonight at the Multiplex.


The Bulldogs were in Victoria last night, where they lost their third in a row, 5-2 to the Grizzlies. The Kings last played Tuesday night in Nanaimo, where they won their second straight, 5-4 over the Clippers.

These teams last met just a couple weeks back, a 2-1 Kings win at the Multiplex on January 20th.

All the action live from the Multiplex can be heard on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM starting with our pregame show at 6:45, with the game action to follow at 7:00pm. I'll call the play-by-play. Dan Tisserand will compile team and individual statistics and Bruce MacDonald provides game analysis and colour commentary.

Catch another edition of Island Division This Week in the 2nd Intermission, courtesy of Dan Marshall of 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo. It's a compilation of recaps, highlights and previews of the week that was and the weekend that is in the Island Division. 

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.hockeytv.com

Thanks as always for checking out the blog! 


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Dogs drop third straight, 5-2 to Grizzlies

The game was played at breakneck speed early, with the Grizzlies having a great initial push before the Bulldogs countered, as Dawson Tritt stole the puck from Alex Newhook for a partial breakaway that missed the target. The Bulldogs had a great chance a few minutes later, when Josh Zary set up Ethan Jones in the slot, but Kurtis Chapman made a good save. The Bulldogs would push the pace, and after a couple near-misses on pass attempts on the rush, it was incredibly similar plays on back to back instances that saw them build a 2-0 lead by the midway point of the first. On the 1-0 goal Jackson Doucet retrieved a loose puck on the left wing wall and put it back to the left point for Grayson Valente. He would get a low shot through on Chapman, who gave up a rebound that was one-timed home by Keaton Mastrodonato driving the net at 7:33 of the first. Just 2:06 later it was 2-0 as Mitchel Deelstra played a Stephen Castagna pass back to the right point for Ryan Novecosky who again put the puck on goal where it changed direction off something to beat Chapman at 9:39 of the first. The Grizzlies would push through the back half of the period, with Hawthorne coming up with a handful of big saves to keep them off the board, but a 2 on 0 breakaway was too much to handle as Edward Yan was sent in alone by Stephen Konroyd where Hawthorne got a piece of it, but not enough of it as it was 2-1 at 15:45 of the first. The Grizzlies earned a power play a minute later, and had several great chances but Hawthorne was sharp to come up with big saves on Cameron Thompson and Cole Noble to protect the lead through the first. Shots after one were 17-10 Grizzlies.

Hawthorne was again solid to open the second, as the Grizzlies threw eight shots on net to the Bulldogs zero through the opening five minutes, with the most notable save on Edward Yan on a backdoor one-timer. The Grizzlies kept carrying the play, and earned a power play opportunity on a sequence that saw a borderline hit on a Bulldog go un-called before they ended up in the penalty box on a battle at the front of the net seconds later. The Grizzlies made quick work on it as Alex Campbell set up Alex Newhook at the bottom of the right circle, where he made a quick cross-ice pass onto the tap of Riley Hughes in the left side of the slot where he one-timed it home low, short-side before Hawthorne could get over to make it 2-2 at 8:44 of the second. The Bulldogs would almost instantly earn a penalty off the next draw, but would give up a shorthanded breakaway a half minute into the opportunity that saw John Hawthorne come up big on Alex Newhook. It turned into a 5 on 3 advantage for over a minute on the next play, as Kurtis Chapman was called for delay of game. The Bulldogs weren't sharp on the opportunity, with Hawthorne called on again, making a big save on Cameron Thompson on a 2 on 1 rush to keep it tied. The Grizzlies would take the lead after killing it off on the rush leaving their zone as the Dogs were a step behind and gave up another breakaway that saw Alex Campbell take a Ryan Nolan pass at the Bulldog line and skate in alone where he beat Hawthorne five-hole to make it 3-2 at 13:56 of the second, with Charlie Campbell also drawing an assist. The Bulldogs gave up another 2 on 1 off the following centre ice face-off seconds later, with Hawthorne again coming up with the save to keep it 3-2. The Bulldogs earned a power play later in the period, and looked better on it at least getting pucks on net and testing Chapman but being unable to get the equalizer. The Grizzlies earned another power play late in the period, with the Bulldogs killing it to the buzzer. Shots in the period were 20-9 Grizzlies, for a 37-19 advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs killed off the remainder of the penalty to open the third, with Hawthorne making another great save after it's conclusion on an Alex Newhook rebound at the side of the net. They would almost instantly end up back in the box again, but again killed it off with Hawthorne continuing to be busy, and sharp. The Grizzlies would get an insurance marker later in the period, on an ill-advised pass to the middle of the zone that resulted in a breakaway from the hashmarks for Marty Westhaver that again saw Hawthorne get a sizable chunk of the puck, but not enough to keep it out as it flipped up and into the back of the net to make it 4-2, unassisted at  7:10 of the third. The Bulldogs spent the better part of the third defending, and penalty killing. Rare instances in the attacking zone didn't result in attempts on net for the most part, but perhaps one pass too many and a counter the other way that saw the Grizzlies put consistent pucks on net with Hawthorne keeping it respectable into the final two minutes. The Bulldogs earned a late power play, and pulled their goalie to make it a 6 on 4 situation. They came close on a faceoff that saw Jackson Doucet ring a shot off the post but be unable to get a bounce to make it a one-goal game, but the Grizzlies sealed the deal with 3.1 seconds to play when Cameron Thompson hit an empty net from his side of centre to complete the scoring, with Jordan Guiney drawing the lone assist at 19:56 of the third for the 5-2 final.

Third period shots were 20-7 Victoria, for a game total of 57-26 with Kurtis Chapman earning the win while John Hawthorne took the loss, and was somehow left out of the three stars. The Bulldogs went 0 for 4 on the power play, with the Grizzlies going 1 for 5. 

The Bulldogs next see action tomorrow night when they host the Powell River Kings.

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

It's a rare Thursday contest on tap tonight, as the Bulldogs (16-29-3-0, 4th Island) head down Island to visit the Grizzlies (29-16-0-2, 2nd Island) at the Q Centre.


The Bulldogs were last in action Sunday afternoon at home, where they dropped their second straight, a 3-1 decision to the Surrey Eagles. The Grizzlies also last played Sunday afternoon on home ice, where they saw a two game winning streak halted with a 4-1 loss to the Vernon Vipers.


These teams last met January 2nd in Victoria, a 3-2 Grizzlies win in overtime. The previous meeting in Victoria was a 5-3 Bulldog win on October 12th.

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey live from the Q Centre is on the air at 6:45 for our pregame show, with the play-by-play to follow at 7:00, all on 93.3 The Peak FM

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is former Bulldog Eric Therrien, incredibly already into his Senior season...wow does time sure fly... with the NCAA's Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons. 

Here's a beautiful goal he scored in the 2015 Playoffs....

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.hockeytv.com

Thanks as always for checking out the blog! 


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs drop 3-1 decision to Eagles

The Bulldogs started strong, with no whistles through the opening two plus minutes of the first. The Dogs continued to press, but couldn't generate any sustained attack to open the scoring, with Hayden Missler making a couple good saves to keep it scoreless. John Hawthorne would then be tested as the Bulldogs were penalized on back to back instances later in the period. He would make one good right toe save in tight on the first opportunity, and a couple saves on the second one with the Eagles also hitting the crossbar from the point but it stayed out. The Bulldogs would push back later in the period, and generated chances and drew a power play opportunity of their own but couldn't find the net before the period ended. Shots in the first were 12-7 Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs began the second with 33 seconds on the power play, but the Eagles pursued a faceoff loss and hemmed the Dogs in their zone and never let the puck out. They had a jump that carried on for four or five minutes, testing Hawthorne with a series of shots through the first five minutes of the frame. The Bulldogs would get going near the midway point of the period, with three shifts in a row where they pushed the pace and spent extended time in the Eagles zone, but couldn't generate much to test Missler. They would then be penalized, but didn't give up much in keeping it scoreless into the back half of the second. The score would stay that way into the dying minutes of the period, with the Bulldogs again having a promising extended shift in the zone but being unable to get anything on net of consequence. The Bulldogs would have a fantastic chance in the final 30 seconds of the period to open the scoring, but a Grayson Valente one-timer from in tight off a Ryan Miotto set up hit the post and stayed out. Shots in the period were 9-6 Surrey, for a 18-16 Bulldog advantage after 40 minutes. 

The Bulldogs finally opened the scoring five minutes into the third, shortly after a Josh Zary net drive hit the post and stayed out. Keaton Mastrodonato would put an outlet pass up the middle for Jackson Doucet, who gained the Eagles line up the left side before finding Ryan Miotto in the right circle where he beat Missler with a quicks hot low inside the far post to make it 1-0 at 5:09 of the third.  The Eagles would push right back and immediately buzz in the Bulldogs zone, and were rewarded for it as Jeremy Smith put a slap pass from the right point onto the tape of Caige Sterzer. He would walk down the slot alone on Hawthorne, who made the first save and possibly a first rebound stop but couldn't get any help before Max Mohagen jammed it home inside the far post to make it 1-1 at 10:13 of the third. The Eagles would immediately make it 2-1 as they won a couple of battles in the Dogs zone before a cross-crease pass by Corey Clifton was jammed inside the far post by Matthew McKim just 27 seconds later, with Noah Fladager also drawing an assist at 10:40 of the third. Off the next faceoff the Bulldogs had an in alone chance for Keaton Mastrodonato that saw him be unable to tuck it by Missler, before carrying hard into him resulting in Missler being forced to leave the game. The Bulldogs would be penalized two minutes later, and on the penalty kill Keaton Mastrodonato would bump replacement goalie Cayden Bailey in the far corner, resulting in Jeremy Smith cross checking him from behind and jumping on him and pummelling him in defence of his goalie.  Mastronato would get the extra two minutes, resulting in the Eagles getting an 18 second 5 on 3 power play that the Bulldogs killed, but it took precious time off the clock. The Bulldogs would push for the equalizer with the goalie out into the final minute, and came painfully close on several instances but couldn't get a bounce before the Eagles sealed the deal when Liam Ryan hit the empty net with 2.9 seconds to play for the 3-1 final. 

Shots in the third were 13-10 Bulldogs, for a game total of 31-26 Bulldogs with John Hawthorne taking the loss while Hayden Missler earned the win. The Bulldogs went 0 for 1 on the power play while the Eagles went 0 for 5. 

The Bulldogs next see action Thursday when they visit the Grizzlies in Victoria. 

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Bulldogs host Eagles today for 2:00 Matinee

It's another out of Division opponent today for the Bulldogs (16-28-3-0. 4th Island) as they host the Surrey Eagles (9-33-2-2, 5th Mainland) for the second and final regular season meeting between the teams today at the Multiplex.

The Bulldogs were in action last night at home where they fell 4-3 to the Penticton Vees. The Eagles were in Powell River last night, where they lost their fourth straight, 4-1 to the Kings.

These teams last met September 30th in Surrey, a 5-3 Bulldog win.

The Bulldogs will need to be ready for this one, as while they're by no means secure in their post season position themselves, they are facing a team in the Eagles that will no doubt be hungry and desperate. The Eagles are on the outside of the playoff picture and looking in, trying to catch the Bulldogs or  Cowichan Valley Capitals for the final playoff spot. The Eagles are 11 points back of the Capitals, with three games in hand and 13 back of the Bulldogs with a game in hand.

Catch all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM, starting with our pregame show at 1:45, followed by the puck drop and play-by-play at 2:00pm on Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey. I'll call the action, Bruce MacDonald will analyze it and add colour commentary. 

Today's 2nd Intermission feature is another edition of the Island Division this week, a compilation of recaps, previews and highlights from all the voices of the BCHL's Island Division teams. It's courtesy of Dan Marshall, the play-by-play voice of the Nanaimo Clippers, from our sister station 106.9 The Wolf in Nanaimo. 

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.hockeytv.com

Thanks as always for checking out the blog! 


Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around

Comeback falls short as Bulldogs drop 4-3 decision to Vees

The intensity was high from the opening puck drop, with the Bulldogs having the first opportunity but the Vees instantly responding with a plethora of pucks on net, leading to a 1-0 lead just over three minutes in as a shot missed the net short-side and bounced off the end wall and out to the far side where Lukas Sillinger found it and lifted it over the glove of a diving Cole Demers. Assists went to Ryan Sandelin and David Silye. The Bulldogs responded well to the goal against, pushing right and spending time in the attacking zone, but being unable to get a Grade A chance to beat LaFontaine. They would be penalized on a tough one soon afterwards, on a trip behind the Penticton net. Just 15 seconds into the power play it was 2-0 as a quick cross-ice pass to the side of the crease was put across the paint to the far post where Evan McIntyre banged it home. Assists on the play went to Luke Loheit and Massimo Rizzo. The Bulldogs once again responded and pushed in the Vees zone, but it became 3-0 at 6:58 of the first when Mason Snell walked into the right side of the slot where he scored on a short-side slapper past the glove of Demers, with Loheit and Brendan Harrogate assisting. Again the Bulldogs didn't let the score deflate them, as they kept pushing the pace and came painfully close to getting on the board when Mitchel Deelstra found a loose puck off a hit thrown by Isaac Tonkin-Palmer and walked in alone where he beat LaFontaine but hit the crossbar and it stayed out. A minute later it was 4-0 as a stuff in attempt was stopped by Demers from below the line, but the rebound was found and fired home by Lukas Sillinger. Ryan Sandelin and James Miller assisted at 13:08 of the first as John Hawthorne entered the game in relief. There would no scoring for the remainder of the first, with the Vees coming close in the late stages by hitting the post, before the Bulldogs countered in the dying seconds with LaFontaine making a save on a Mitchel Deelstra drop pass in the hashmarks before the buzzer. Shots after 20 minutes were 16-15 Bulldogs.


The Vees earned back to back power play chances in the first five minutes of the second, coming close again by hitting the post behind Hawthorne but being unable to cash in on the chances with the Bulldogs doing a good job defending. The Bulldogs would earn back to back power play chances later in the period, and made the second one count late in the advantage as Ryan Miotto fed Keaton Mastrodonato on the goal line near side where he put a perfect pass out front to Dawson Tritt, who beat LaFontaine high glove side to make it 4-1 at 16:31 of the second. The Vees were whistled for too-many-men with under two minutes to play in the frame and the Bulldogs again threatened but couldn't make it a two-goal game heading into the third. Shots in the period were 11-11, for a 27-26 Bulldog advantage after 40 minutes. 


The Bulldogs again started strong in the third, but couldn't trim the deficit through the five minute mark. They kept at it, finally being rewarded for their efforts seconds after a great chance for Michael Hodge on an Evan Googins set up missed the net, Hodge was found by Ryan Novecosky in the far circle off a Grayson Valente D-to-D pass that he rifled home short-side on LaFontaine to make it 4-2 at 9:02 of the third. A fantastic chance seconds later saw Mitchel Deelstra walk in with a step up the left wing, but he missed the net high short-side. Preceeding that chance, was a high-stick by Deelstra that went undetected by the two Referees. As play continued both Deelstra and a Vees forward leaned on a puck battle that saw Deelstra deemed to be guilty of tripping. Following that call, the Linesman assisted the Referees in calling the missed high-stick, resulting in the as of yet unseen by me triple minor to Deelstra, putting the Vees to a six minute power play. The Bulldogs killed it all into the final minute and change before drawing a penalty with a stick across the face of Stephen Castagna. After four-aside hockey, the Bulldogs went to the power play and called time out with just over four minutes to play in advance of a neutral zone faceoff. They would make it a one-goal game on the abbreviated power play as Dawson Tritt banked it back to the left point for Jackson Doucet. He and Aaron Bohlinger would play catch before switching up as Bohlinger took a Jackson Doucet pass on the left side that he abolsutely hammered home with a one-timer high short-side past the blocker of LaFontaine to make it 4-3 at 16:15 of the third to make it 4-3. That's as close as they would come, as the Vees made the lead stand to the buzzer despite a desperate attack.


Shots in the third were 12-12 for a game total of 39-38 Bulldogs, with Cole Demers taking the loss giving up fouer goals on thirteen shots in 13:08 of work before John Hawthorne entered the game in relief while Jack LaFontaine earned the win. The Bulldogs went 2 for 5 on the power play while the Vees went 1 for 6.


The Bulldogs are next in action tomorrow afternoon when they host the Surrey Eagles.

Hammer

____________________________________________________________

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog - and there never will be, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much. *

*As eloquently said by Gregg Drinnan of Taking Note - the best hockey/sports blog around