Bulldogs drop fourth straight, 6-2 to Warriors

The game began with a resounding thud, as the Bulldogs  trailed 1-0 just 21 seconds in as Holden Kodak walked down the right wing and threw a puck on goal  far-pad low where Luke Pearson made the save, but had the rebound go off his right toe and onto the tape  of Colby Elmer who tapped it in from the crease. Also drawing an assist on the play was Nick Ardanaz. Pearson would be busy over the following minutes, as the Bulldogs continued be loose in their end. He kept it a one-goal game  until they responded to tie it, as Matthew Grouchy won back-to-back draws in the Warriors end, the second seeing Ryan Doolin get two shots on net. Johnny Derrick would stop them both, but Tommy Bannister found the second rebound and potted it inside the far post to make it 1-1 at 7:52 of the first. The Warriors would take the  lead back on a turnover at centre  ice five minutes  later that saw Colby Elmer walk down the right  side  one-on-one where he put a perfectly  placed backhand top corner, short-side over the glove of Pearson to make it 2-1, unassisted at 12:19 of the first. The Bulldogs would push a few minutes later on a good shift in the attacking zone, but get caught on the wrong side of the puck giving up a 2 on 1 that turned into a breakaway that saw Drew Vieten skate in alone and go off the post and in blocker side to make it 3-1 Warriors at 16:07 of the first, with Deegan Mofford assisting. The Bulldogs would pepper the Warrior net in the final two minutes of the period with an inspired effort, but couldn't get back into it as it stayed a two-goal game after 20 minutes. Shots were `17-15 Bulldogs after one.


The score stayed that way into the middle of the period, with the Bulldogs not looking especially sharp in an attempt to mount a comeback. The Warriors came out of the mid-period media time out, and had a handful of great chances around the Bulldog net, but Luke Pearson came up huge to keep it a 3-1 game. The Bulldogs would earn  a power play of their own later in the period, and connected on it to get back into the game as Tim Gould kept the puck in at the top of the point  and dished off to Matthew Grouchy   in the left circle. He made a pretty pass to a wide open Josh Zary on the doorstep, who initially lost the handle but recovered to stuff a backhand deke home to make it 3-2 at 14:43 of the second. The Bulldogs earned another power play immediately following it, and threatened all around the net, but couldn't  convert. Yet another power play in the  final minute of the period saw them create several great chances, but be unable to find the  equalizer, beginning the third with 52 seconds on the power play. Shots in the second were 25-14 Bulldogs,  for a 42-29 advantage after 40 minutes.

The  Bulldogs were sloppy to begin the third on their power play, with the Warriors having  a great chance to build their lead, only to have Luke Pearson make a highlight reel save with  his heel in midair on a cross-ice set up to keep it 3-2. The Bulldogs earned another power play, and were flat on it. It came back to haunt them almost immediately, as they blew coverage in their zone allowing a loose puck to the  slot and a breakaway for Carter Wilkie, who walked on goal and tucked a forehand deke inside the far post to make it 4-2 at 8:18 of the third, with assists  going to Johnny Evans and Holden Kodak. Five minutes later, the  Bulldogs ended up  in big penalty trouble, first with a soft call on a bump by Dawson Tritt that appeared to be sold by Johnny Evans, which was followed by a match penalty for kicking to Moe Acee. The Bulldogs killed off the two minutes of 5 on 3 play for the Warriors, and a further two minutes of the major, but they couldn't get out of it before the Warriors went up 5-2 as Nicholas Ardanaz put a shot on net from the left circle that was deflected by Porter Dawson and stopped by Pearson, but the rebound went across the crease where it was tappedhome by Deegan Mofford to make it 5-2 at 13:35 on the power  play. The final salt  in the wound came a minute later, when the Bulldogs earned a power play chance, but gave up a shorthanded goal to add further insult to injury as a defender fell down, and no one picked up Carter Wilkie, who walked into the slot and beat Pearson with a long-side wrist shot past his blocker to make it a 6-2 final at 14:50 of the third, with Drew Veiten drawing the lone assist at 14:50 for the 6-2 final.

Third period shots were 14-6 Warriors, for a game total of 48-43 in the Bulldogs favour, with Luke Pearson taking the loss while Johnny Derrick earned 1st star honours with the win. The Bulldogs went 1 for 7 on the power play, and the Warriors went 1 for 5 while also scoring once while shorthanded.

The Bulldogs are next in action Friday when they host the Grizzlies.


Hammer 

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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 conclude weekend today in West Kelowna against Warriors

It's the conclusion of three-in-three weekends for both of these teams, as the Bulldogs (21-16-1-2, 3rd Island) visit the Warriors (9-25-5-2, 6th Interior) this afternoon in West Kelowna. 

The Bulldogs were in Vernon last night, where they dropped their third straight 7-3 to the Vipers. The Warriors  were in action last night at home, where they won their second straight 5-1 over the Merritt Centennials.

These teams were supposed to have previously played on November 9th, but that game couldn't go due to the lack of an ice surface at the Multiplex. A reminder, that is was subsequently rescheduled to Thursday, January 30th. 

Note the 2:30pm start time, which puts our pregame show on the air at 2:15 on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey, brought to you by Van Isle Ford.

Today's 2nd Intermission feature is the latest edition of the Island Division This Week.

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 for visiting the blog, and hopefully we'll see you at 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 trounced 7-3 in Vernon, drop third straight

The Bulldogs earned a power play before the game was a minute old, and while they didn't score on it statistically, for all  intents and purposes they capitalized on it as Dawson Holt had just stepped out of the box when  Jacob  Bosse made a nice second effort to pursue a loose puck before putting a rink wide pass off the right post for Dawson Tritt, who picked the top corner, short-side high on Reilly Herbst to make it 1-0 Bulldogs at 2:31 of the first. The Vipers would respond at the midway point of  the period, immediately following the media time out as Matt Kowalski walked off the wall into the left faceoff dot where he  put a perfectly placed shot top corner, short-side over the blocker of Pearson to make it 1-1 at 10:45 of the first, with the lone assist going to Colby Feist. It would be 2-1 Vernon four minutes later, with Kowalski finding the net on a 2  on 1 rush as the Bulldogs changed after failing to  get the puck in deep. Landon  Fuller put a perfect pass up the middle that Kowalski picked up and walked into the hashmarks where he put a wrist shot against the grain inside the post far-side past the glove of Pearson to make it 2-1 Vipers at 14:01 of the first, with Fuller drawing the lone assist. The Bulldogs would reply to tie the game late in the period, as River Fahey put the puck from the right wing wall into the right corner for Jacob Bosse. He would walk behind the net before putting a perfect pass against the grain back out front from  the near post to the slot where Caige Sterzer put  a perfectly placed shot top corner, far-side over the blocker of Herbst to make  it 2-2 at 17:08 of the first, with River Fahey and Grayson Valente drawing the assists. It  wasn't tied for long  however, as seconds later it was 3-2 Vernon as Trey Taylor put a shot on net from  the left point that was deflected short-side from the  top of the crease by Max Bulawka inside the post past Pearson. Also assisting on the play as Dawson Holt at 17:26. Shots in the period were 16-6 Vernon.


The Bulldogs had a great chance on the  rush to tie the game in the opening seconds of the second, but Reilly Herbst came up with the first save, and a rebound chance to protect the lead. A minute later, it was 4-2 as Jo-Jo Tanaka-Campbell walked to the top of the circles off the left wing wall where he  put a low wrist shot inside the post, short-side  past the blocker of Pearson to make it 4-2, with Trey Taylor drawing the lone assist at 1:24 of the period. The Bulldogs were handed three power play chances throughout the period, but couldn't capitalize on them to get back into the game. They did  at  least threaten on the final opportunity, and gained momentum from it but couldn't trim the deficit.  Shots in the second were 13-6 Bulldogs, for a 23-19 Vernon edge into period three.


The Bulldogs continued to be given power play opportunities to open the third, and after failing on a first chance, FINALLY managed to make good on it to make it a new game, as Jackson  Doucet put a pass from the left wing to  the right circle for Ryan Doolin. He simply put  a far-pad low shot on net that was stopped by Herbst, but he couldn't control the rebound as Mitchel Deelstra off the far posted lifted it high under the bar to make it 4-3 at 2:10 of the third. The Bulldogs were unable to tie the game on yet another power play two minutes later, before the Vipers added insult to injury when they earned a power play and took their two goal lead back at the eight minute mark as Landon Fuller found his own rebound below the goal line and stuffed in a loose puck short-side under the right toe of  Pearson to make it 5-3  with assists going to Dawson Holt and Matt Kowalski. It was a 6-3 game half a minute later when the Bulldogs blew coverage in front of  their net, while losing a race and a battle in the far corner of their zone as Jack Glen put a pass to the top  of the crease were Ben Sanderson tapped it into  a wide open net from  the top of  the  crease. Connor Sleeth also assisted on the play at 8:34  of third. Matt Kowalski would complete the scoring,  rubbing salt into the wound or deftly placing the cherry on top of the proceedings depending on your perspective, as  he completed the hat trick in highlight reel fashion with the Mike Legg "Lacrosse goal" picking the puck up on his stick and wrapping it top corner inside the far post past the glove of Pearson to make it 7-3 at 11:46 of the third to complete the scoring, with Tanaka-Campbell and Ben Helgeson assisting.


Shots in the third were 8-8,  for a game total of 31-27  Vernon with Luke Pearson taking the loss while Reilly Herbst earned the win. The Bulldogs went1 for 8 on the power play while the Vipers went 2 for 4.

The Bulldogs have now lost three straight, and conclude their trip tomorrow afternoon in West Kelowna, a 2:30pm start.

____________________________________________________________

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 Vipers tonight in Vernon *6:00 start*

It's the second game of this three game road trip for the Bulldogs (21-15-1-2, 3rd Island) as  they visit the Vipers (21-17-1-1, T-3rd Interior) tonight at Kale Tire Place.

The Bulldogs were in Salmon Arm last night, where they lost their second in a row, 3-2 to the Silverbacks in overtime, as they had their five game road winning streak also snapped in the process.

The Vipers had last night off, and haven't played since Sunday afternoon at home where they snapped a two-game losing streak with a 7-3 win over the Wenatchee Wild. 

These teams previously met on October 26th at the Multiplex, when the Vipers snapped a then-seven game winning streak for the Bulldogs with a 4-3 shootout win. 

As always, get yourself up to date on the Vipers by checking out the Viper's Die Hard Fan blog

Note the start time of 6:00pm, which means Van Isle Ford Bulldogs Hockey is on the air on 93.3 The Peak FM for our pregame show at 5:45.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Chase Johnston, the play-by-play voice of the West Kelowna Warriors, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 for the first meeting between the teams this season.

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 for visiting the blog, and hopefully we'll see you at 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 drop second straight, 3-2 in overtime to Silverbacks.

The Bulldogs had a slight territorial edge early, but weren't able to manufacture any solid scoring chances. The Silverbacks earned a couple good chances near the midway point of the period, the most notable seeing Jackson Glassford make a shoulder save on an in-alone chance for Logan Shaw. The Bulldogs ended up in the penalty box just past the midway point of the period, and the Silverbacks were very dangerous on it, with at least half a dozen Grade A chances in an around the Bulldog net, but Jackson  Glassford  was fantastic to keep it scoreless. The Silverbacks  opened the scoring with under five to play in the period as they pushed the pace out of their zone and caught the Bulldogs as a quick rim up the right wing was flipped to the middle for Lucas Breault. He made a perfect feed for a streaking Daniel Rybarik over the Bulldog line up the left side, where he drove the net and snapped a quick release home five-hole to make it 1-0 at 15:32 of the  first. The  Bulldogs earned a four minute power play almost immediately afterwards, and while they looked good both early and late on  it, the Silverbacks out-worked them in the middle to protect their lead to the buzzer. Shots were 11-9 Silverbacks after one.

The  second period  was somewhat flat through the  early minutes as neither team carried the  play despite the Bulldogs earning another power play that saw them get a couple of  pucks on net, but  be unable to generate any good looks. The Bulldogs would net the equalizer seven minutes into the frame on a simple dump and chase and steal as Josh Zary put the puck behind the Salmon Arm net and got on the forecheck to knock the puck loose. Stephen Castagna would support him, and steal it a second time where Zary found it and walked out front and put a  perfect cross-ice feed  onto the tape of Jackson Doucet who made no  mistake  roofing it into the open side at 7:09 of the second to tie it at 1-1.  The  Bulldogs were sent to the penalty box a minute later, and twice more over the remainder of the  period as the Silverbacks carried the play and threatened repeatedly around the net but couldn't beat Jackson Glassford as  it stayed 1-1 into period  three. Shots were 20-6 Salmon Arm, for a 31-15 total in their favour after 40 minutes.

The third period saw the same trend of penalties continue, with Mitchel Deelstra sent to the box a minute  into the frame. Three minutes later, Tim Gould went to  the box. The  Bulldogs did a great job in killing them, and mere seconds later they  took a 2-1 lead as Jacob Bosse won an  attacking zone faceoff and went to the net. Stephen Castagna would put a pass back to the right point for Cam Newson, who put a quick release on net where it was deflected home by Bosse from  the slot to make it 2-1 at 7:16 of the third. Just 20 seconds later, the Bulldogs  went back to the penalty box. It  would be one time too many to the kill, as the Silverbacks tied it seconds into the  power play on a loose puck off a battle in the corner that ended up at the front of the net where a wide-open Luke  Mylymok made  no mistake with a backhand under the crossbar to make it 2-2, with Noah Wakeford drawing the lone assist at  7:57 of  the third.  The  Bulldogs  again went to the box two minutes later, but killed off a minute of  the power play before drawing a penalty of their own. A second call would put them onto a 5 on 3 power play for 25 seconds, but they couldn't capitalize on it. They did  earn several good chances in the late minutes, but couldn't draw any further calls. Ethan Langenegger would come up with a huge save on  a Mitchel Deelstra breakaway with a minute to play, before Jackson Glassford made an equally huge save seconds later on a cross-ice set up on Noah Wakeford to force overtime. Shots in the third were 20-11 Salmon Arm, for a 51-26 advantage into sudden death.

The Silverbacks had the best early chance in overtime, with Jackson Glassford stopping a Luke Mylymok breakaway a minute in. The Bulldogs countered with a great chance with a minute and change to go on a Caige Sterzer net drive, but Langenegger shut the door. The Silverbacks would get the winner with 39.5 seconds to play on the rush when the Bulldogs turned the puck over from behind the Salmon Arm net, resulting in a rush the other way that saw Noah Wakeford set up Akito Hirose with a cross-ice pass to the right side of the slot that he made no mistake on with a  top corner, long-side finish over the blocker of Glassford for the 3-2 final at 4:20 of overtime.

Overtime shots were 4-1 Salmon Arm, for a game total in their favour of 55-27. Jackson Glassford earned second star honours with the loss, while Ethan Langenegger earned 3rd star honours with the win. The Bulldogs went 0 for 5 on the power play, the Silverbacks went 1 for 8.

The Bulldogs next see action tomorrow night in Vernon, a 6:00pm puck drop.

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 kick off three game weekend tonight in Salmon Arm

It's the opener of another three-in-three weekend tonight for the Bulldogs (21-15-2-0, 3rd Island) as they visit the Silverbacks (21-17-1-1, T-4th Interior) at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.

The Bulldogs last played Sunday night at home, where they had their four game winning streak halted with a 6-5 loss to the Powell River Kings.

The Silverbacks last played Sunday afternoon at home, where they dropped their third in a row, 1-0 to the Coquitlam Express

These teams last met December 7th at the Multiplex, a 5-3 Bulldog win. 

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 for visiting the blog, and hopefully we'll see you at 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 drop a wild one, 6-5 to Kings

Somewhat similar to last night's contest, both teams appeared ready to play from the opening puck drop as the pace was high and end to end through the middle of the period when the Bulldogs opened the scoring after an extended attacking zone shift saw the Bulldogs continue to win battles and races to keep the attack going and even complete a partial change while in the zone as Jimmy Rayhill went D-to-D to Jackson Munro at the left point. He simply put a low hard one on net, that was stopped by Derek Krall, but Caige Sterzer potted the rebound from the crease to make it 1-0 at 9:19 of the first. The Bulldogs looked for more on the following face off and came close, but the Kings held on and pushed back to tie the game four minutes later as Rowan Miller stole the puck on the right wing in the Bulldogs zone and skated in on goal where he cut across the crease and went between his legs to lift it over the glove of Pearson to tie it at 1-1 at 13:35 of the first.  The Kings quickly went ahead 2-1 just 55 seconds later as a long pass by Ian Kern was knocked down at centre ice by Rowan Miller. He found Levi Glasman, who walked over the line and sent Brett Roloson in alone through the left circle where he lifted a backhand inside the far post, glove side at 14:30 of the period. The teams would trade chances in the final minutes of the period, with Matthew Grouchy being stopped in alone by Derek Krall to keep it 2-1 Kings after one. Shots favoured Powell River 15-13. 

The second period began with a considerable bang for the Kings, and inside the first half minute they led 3-1 as Reilly Moran and Ethan Schmunk teamed up to win a battle to get it deep for Jacob Badal. He walked out from behind the net out the near side where he snuck a forehand wrap around short-side past the glove of Pearson at the 28 second mark as Jackson Glassford entered the game.  His welcome would be an odd-man rush, and an in-alone set up for Levi Glasman seconds alter, as Brett Roloson put it on his tape where he went high glove side to make it 4-1 at 1:10 of the second, with Davis Pennington also assisting. The Bulldogs were unable to respond, and gave up several odd-man rushes and opportunities around their net in the following minutes, and eventually paid for it as a Bulldog offensive push resulted in a long 2 on 1 rush that saw Jack Brackett keep the puck up the right wing and walk in un-challenged through the right circle where he snapped a quick release five-hole on Glassford to make it 5-1, with Jack Long assisting at 5:36 of the second. Just over a minute later, the Bulldogs responded to trim the deficit as Ryan Doolin put a pass to the hashmarks where Dawson Tritt finished it beautifully top corner, far-side over the glove of Krall to make it 5-2 at 6:45 with Caige  Sterzer also assisting. The Bulldogs couldn't build on the momentum though, as Jackson Glassford would be further tested throughout the remainder of the period and held the fort to keep it just 5-2 Kings after 40 minutes. Shots in the period were 17-8 Kings, for a 40 minute total in their favour of 32-21.

The Bulldogs came out inspired to start the third,  and played with a renewed passion in an attempt to get back into the game. They would earn a power play chance, and capitalized on it in the dying seconds of the opportunity as Jackson Munro set up Matthew Grouchy at the left point where he flipped a wrister on goal where it was deflected home by Josh Zary inside the post short-side to make it 5-3 at 6:00 of the third. Just 22 seconds later, it was 5-4 as Tommy Bannister flipped the puck  up the left wing into the Kings zone and forced a turnover that was found by Tim Gould walking over the line up the left wing. He would put a perfect cross-ice pass onto the tape of Dawson Tritt, who one-timed it home into the open net to make it 5-4 at 6:22. The Bulldogs pushed hard to tie it, and had a couple fantastic chances around the net and in alone but couldn't convert on them or draw any penalties. The Kings would hang on, and go up 6-4 with 5:08 to play on a broken play that saw a point shot be blocked, but land at the side of the net for Reilly Moran, who put a perfect pass to the slot for Jacob Badal who made no mistake going high-glove at 14:52 of the third. The Bulldogs didn't quit, and drew a penalty in the Kings zone that didn't look like much compared to what had been let go through the period. They took just six seconds to make it count, as Josh Zary  won the draw and went to the net as Jackson Munro went  D-to-D  to the top of the right circle for Ryan Doolin. He put a perfect backdoor pass onto the tape of Josh Zary who deflected it home past the blocker of Krall to  make it 6-5 with 1:53 to play.  The Bulldogs would have their chances right  to the final 10  seconds, but couldn't get a bounce to  find the equalizer as the Kings held on for the 6-5 final.

Third period shots were  20-2 Bulldogs, for a 42-34 total in the Bulldogs favour, with Jackson Glassford taking the loss giving up three goals in relief of Luke Pearson 28 seconds into the second while Derek Krall earned the win. The Bulldogs went 2 for 3 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 1. 

The Bulldogs are next in action Friday night in Salmon Arm. 

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, Kings meet tonight for rematch *6:00pm puck drop*

(image: K*Photography)

It's the second meeting in as many days between these teams, as the Bulldogs (21-14-0-2, 3rd Island) host the Powell River Kings (19-20-2-0, 4th Island) tonight at the Multiplex in a make up game from the Friday night postponement. 

The Bulldogs won the opener of this two game set last night by a 3-1 score, their fourth straight win and the Kings second consecutive loss. 

This is the sixth game head to head this season, with The Kings leading the season series 3-2 after last night's result.  Prior to that, was a 4-1 Kings win at the Multiplex on December 8th. November 2nd in Port Alberni saw the Bulldogs emerge victorious by a 4-0 score.  The Kings took the first two meetings by scores of 6-3 and 6-5 in Powell River on the first two nights of the season way back on September 6th and 7th.

Note the very unique start time of 6:00pm, which means Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM begins with our pregame show  at 5:45pm. I'll call the play-by-play and be responsible for the hosting duties, Bruce MacDonald provides colour commentary and game analysis and Dan Tisserand is a game-time decision to compile and provide team and individual statistics.

Tonight's 2nd Intermission feature is a replay of "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas"

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 at the rink! 


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 win fourth straight, 3-1 over Kings, score three times in 17 seconds

The game was played at a fantastic pace through the opening ten minutes, with few whistles and long stretches of action. Neither team were able to generate any Grade A chances, but both Jackson Glassford and Derek Krall looked good when they were tested in tight. The Bulldogs earned the first power play of the game later in the period and while they looked dangerous on it, they couldn't cash  in on it.  They best chance of the period might have been when Jackson Doucet walked into the  slot on his backhand and rang a shot off the post that stayed out. The period would end in a scoreless tie, with the shots also tied at 9-9.

The Bulldogs earned another power play in the opening seconds of period two, but were unable to get anything but a single shot on net. The game remained scoreless through the midway point of regulation, with the shot total low at just 13-12 Bulldogs. The pace picked up in the following minutes, before the Bulldogs blew the game open - at a level that perhaps the Multiplex has never seen before, going up 3-0 in a span of just 17 seconds. First, it was Grayson Valente chipping it down from the left point for Caige Sterzer. He banked it deep for Ryan Doolin, who put a perfect pass to the slot for Tim Gould who leaned into a one-timer and blew it by the blocker of Krall to make it 1-0 at 16:36 of the second. Just 8 seconds later, it was 2-0 as Jackson Doucet found a loose puck over the Kings line up the right wing after a battle win by Olivier Fizet to skate into the circle where he again snapped one long side past the blocker of Krall at 16:44 of the period. They weren't done there, as off the ensuing faceoff Jackson Munro went D-to-D to Jimmy Rayhill, who flipped it cross-ice up the left wing where Jackson Doucet skated onto it and in alone where he cut across the crease to lift a backhand up and over the glove of Krall to make it 3-0 at 16:53 of the period. The Kings would get one back before the period was out, as after a great initial save seconds earlier on Brett Roloson the puck went back to the right point where Jack Long put a one-timer on net that appeared to change direction and just sneak through the legs of Glassford to tip off the post and in short-side to make it 3-1. Brett Roloson drew the lone assist at 18:03 of the second. Shots in the period were 11-9 Kings, for a 20-18 Kings advantage. 

The Kings began the third period with a two minute power play, with the Bulldogs efficiently killing it off. The Kings would have two more  advantages throughout the period, but the Bulldogs again didn't give up much. Late in regulation Jackson Glassford came up with a big save to protect the two-goal lead at the end of a power play on Levi Glasman on the doorstep to seal the deal for the 3-1 final. 

Third period shots were 14-3 Kings, for a game total of 34-21 Kings with Jackson Glassford earning third star honours while Derek Krall took the loss. The Bulldogs went 0 for 2 on the power play while Kings were 0 for 4. 

The two teams go at it again tomorrow night at 6:00pm. 

Thanks as always for checking 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 (weather willing) return to action tonight to host Kings at Multiplex

It's the first game of  the  New Year for both clubs, as (weather willing) the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (20-14-0-2, 3rd Island) return to action following the Christmas break tonight by hosting the Powell River Kings (19-19-2-0, 4th Island) tonight at the  Multiplex for the  first game of a back to back set.  

This game of course was supposed to be the conclusion of the two game set - that will be now moved to Sunday evening at 6:00pm after last night's postponement due to inclement weather. 

The Bulldogs  last played December 22nd in Surrey, where they won their fifth straight on the road, and third straight overall 3-2 over the Eagles in a shoot out.  The Kings have played twice already since returning from their break, most recently playing on New Year's Eve at home where they fell 5-4 to the Nanaimo Clippers.

These teams last met December 8th at the Multiplex, when the Kings emerged with a 4-1 win. The prior meeting was on November 2nd in Port Alberni, a 4-0 Bulldog win. This is the fifth meeting of the season between the teams. The Kings took the first two meetings by scores of 6-3 and 6-5 in Powell River on the first two nights of the season way back on September 6th and 7th.

93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey brought to you by Pacific Chevrolet goes live with our pregame show at 6:45, with the puck dropping just after 7:00pm. 

I'll provide the play-by-play, while Bruce MacDonald handles the colour commentary while providing game analysis. 

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 top Eagles in comeback fashion 3-2 in a shootout for third straight win, and fifth straight on the road

The Bulldogs came out - pardon the pun - flying, against the Eagles, as they were in a different gear early in the contest. They peppered Thomas Scarfone in the Surrey net, who was sharp to keep it scoreless through the midway point of the period, with the Bulldogs having  an 11-3 edge in shots through the first ten minutes. The second ten minutes, the script was flipped, as the Eagles carried the play and had several great opportunities on Luke Pearson, but he was fantastic to preserve  the scoreless tie to  the buzzer, with two notable saves on a breakaway for Gabe Schovanek that was followed by a save on a Hudson Schandor one-timer chance from the hashmarks. Shots in the period  were15-14 Eagles.


Neither team was especially crisp through the opening five minutes of the second, with the Eagles having a slight edge in the play. The play continued to be  somewhat scrambled, with the Eagles earning the first power play of the game eight minutes into the period. They  weren't able to generate much on it, with the Bulldogs effectively killing it off. The deadlock was finally broken  by Jacob Bosse in the back half of the frame, as Caige Sterzer got in on the forecheck and threw a hit to force an  errant puck up the wall to the right point. Cam Newson was there to  keep it it, banking it down  the boards for Jacob Bosse. He would walk laterally off the wall across the top of the circle to the slot where he spun and fired a perfectly placed wrist shot far side over the blocker of Scarfone to make it 1-0 Bulldogs at 12:14 of the second. The Bulldogs pushed for more  later in the period, but Scarfone made a great glove save on Jackson Munro to keep it 1-0. The Eagles would push for the equalizer in the final minutes of the period, but Pearson made a couple great saves in tight to keep it 1-0 into the third. Shots in the period were 11-8 Eagles, for a two-period total  in their favour of 26-22.


The third period began with the Eagles pushing early, and the Bulldogs appearing flat and behind the play. They struggled to get  the puck out of their zone, or into  the Eagles end of things for any extended period. It would end up in  the Eagles tying the game, as a net  drive up the right wing and in on net by JJ Fecteau that was stopped  by Pearson,  but  a cross-ice rebound to the slot  was one-timed home  into  an empty net  by Buddy Johnson to make it 1-1 at 2:59 of the third. The Eagles  kept pushing, and had a handful of great chances but couldn't get the go-ahead marker. The Bulldogs then earned back to back power plays, but the Eagles gave them absolutely nothing. They eventually earned a powerplay of their own, and capitalized on it  with a gorgeous cross-ice set up that saw  Brett Bliss take  a cross-ice pass from Brendan Kim before putting another pass across the seam into the right circle where Christophe Tellier roofed it to make it 2-1 Eagles  with 7:12  to play in the third. Less than a minute later, the Bulldogs immediately answered to tie it up as Jacob Bosse  chased down a loose puck and walked out right side and put it right to the doorstep where he one-timed it past the blocker of Scarfone to  make it 2-2 at 13:16 of the third. The Eagles again pressed late to win it, but Pearson made a great shoulder save  in tight to keep it tied, before Stephen Castagna was tripped up in the final minute of regulation to put the Bulldogs to the power play. They were able to generate a couple of chances, but couldn't win it before the buzzer.

Third period shots were 19-8 Eagles, for a 45-30 advantage into overtime. Overtime would see no scoring, with the Bulldogs out shooting Surrey  2-0, for a  game total of  45-32 Eagles headed to  the shootout.

The Eagles  went first and went up 1-0 on a Gabe Schovanek goal, that was immediately answered by Jacob Bosse with a  blocker-side wrist shot. Both  second shooters failed to find the target,  before  Surrey went up 2-1 on a deke in tight by Brandon  Santa Juana. Mitchel  Deelstra  would need to score to keep the game going, and he made no mistake  going high blocker from in tight. Luke  Pearson would then come  up with a save on Wyatt Schlaht to  give  the Bulldogs a chance to win it,  and one  opportunity was enough as Ryan Doolin went right up the middle and made a nice fake to get Scarfone down to lift a backhand high blocker side for the game winner and the 3-2 final.

Luke Pearson earned 1st star honours with the win, while Thomas Scarfone took the loss while earning 2nd star honours. The Bulldogs went 0 for 3 on the power play, while the Eagles went 1 for 2.

With the win, the Bulldogs head into 2020 on a three game winning streak, and a five game road  winning streak. They next see action January 3rd when they host the Powell River Kings.

Have a fantastic break, a great Christmas season, and see you in the New Year!

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 win second straight, fourth straight on the road, 6-4 in Langley over Rivermen

The Bulldogs began the game in the penalty box, due to a warm up infraction. They got into the late stages of the initial penalty, before again going to the box putting the Rivermen to a 26 second two-man advantage. The Bulldogs would kill that off, but couldn't get through the second minor, as the Rivermen went up 1-0 just 2:30 into the game on a pass off the left circle from Devin Leduc that was found by Ryan Helliwell, who walked in and picked the top corner, short-side high past the blocker of Jackson Glassford. The Bulldogs continued to chase the game in the ensuing minutes, but hung on long enough to tie the game on a pretty end-to-end play that saw Olivier Fizet defend  the front of his net and pick off a pass. He would put a perfect bank pass to a streaking Jackson Doucet up the right wing at centre ice, where he beat a defender over the Langley line to create a 2 on 0 rush that saw him put a perfect pass across the tape onto the tape of Josh Zary, who  cut across the crease to lift  a backhand home to make it 1-1 at 6:37 of the period. The Bulldogs earned a power play late in the period, and a follow up penalty to Langley put them on a two-man advantage. They were unable to connect on it before the buzzer. Shots in the first were 9-7 Langley.


The Bulldogs made good on the 5 on 3 advantage to open the second, making it a 2-1 game just 30 seconds into the period as Matthew Grouchy accepted  a Mitchel Deelstra pass in the right circle and threw it at the goal. It would be blocked, but  ended up on the tape of Stephen Castagna, who made no mistake to one-time it home. The Rivermen answered back to tie it just under three minutes later, on a cross-ice pass to the slot onto the tape of Kalen Szeto, who walked in and went high, glove side on Glassford to make it 2-2 at 3:16 of the second, with Kaeden Patrick drawing the lone assist. Just 20 seconds later, it was 3-2 Langley when Brendan Budy set up Jake Livingstone walking in through the left circle. He put a perfect pass across the crease to the back post where Matthew Hubbarde deflected it in at 3:36 of the second. The Bulldogs  quickly answered to tie the game, as Tim Gould kept the puck in by pinching down the right side. Olivier Fizet would find it, and put a perfect pass to the slot for Jackson Doucet. His first chance  hit the crossbar, but bounced across the goal line where Fizet made no mistake to tie it at 3-3 at 4:43 of the second. The following  minutes were played very aggressively, with physical play everywhere on the  ice. The Rivermen went up 4-3 on an unfortunate backhand pass across  the defensive zone onto a Langley stick as Kaeden Patrick walked in alone and went high glove on Glassford at 10:45 of the period. The Bulldogs drew a power play later in the period, on a trip behind the net which was somewhat a surprising call  after everything that was let go throughout the period. They would capitalize on it, with Josh Zary taking a  hit to get the  puck out to the left wing for Jackson Doucet. He took a give-and-go from Jackson Munro in the left circle, and walked in and snapped a long-side shot past the glove of Fleming to make it 4-4 at 15:26 of the period. Just three minutes later, it was 5-4 as Josh Zary won an attacking zone draw that was found by Olivier Fizet, who tapped it back for Jackson Doucet. He walked back to the top of the right circle and spun and fired a floater that snuck long-side past the blocker of Fleming at 18:10 of the second. The Rivermen pushed in the final seconds of the period for the equalizer, but Jackson Glassford made a couple big saves in tight, and got some help from Dawson Tritt who made a save on an open net rebound  with a  dozen  seconds to play in the  frame to protect the lead into  the third. A dust up at the buzzer  saw Langley earn the extra penalty, with the Bulldogs beginning the third on the power play. Shots in the period were 16-9 Langley,


The Bulldogs threatened in the early seconds of the third  on the power play, but couldn't convert on a series  of set ups to the door step. They would make good late in the opportunity to go up 6-4 as Tim Gould took a hit in his zone to work the puck loose up the left wing for Stephen Castagna. He made an outlet pass across the zone to the right side of centre ice for Ryan Doolin. Castagna would catch up and take a return pass over the Langley line up the left wing, before giving it back to Doolin in the slot, where he walked in and went backhand-forehand across the crease to tuck it inside the far post at 1:35 of the third. The Rivermen would press to get back into it on back-to-back power play chances later in the third, but Jackson Glassford was great to protect the lead, coming up with a series of big saves on the power play, and a late partial breakaway save on Brendan Budy to protect the lead for the 6-4 final.

Shots in the third were 9-8 Langley, for a 33-24 total in their favour, as Jackson Glassford earned the win in net while Braedon Fleming took the loss before being relieved after the fifth Bulldog goal. The Bulldogs went 3 for 6 on the power play while the Rivermen went 1 for 4.

With the win, the Bulldogs have won two straight, and four straight away from home. They conclude their pre-Christmas portion of their schedule tomorrow afternoon in Surrey, a 4:00pm start against the 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

Bulldogs visit Rivermen tonight... A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas!

It's a game day road trip back up to Canadian soil today, as the Bulldogs (18-14-0-2, T-3rd Island) meet the Langley Rivermen (17-16-0-1, 3rd Mainland) for the first time this season tonight at the George Preston Recreation Centre.

The Bulldogs were in Wenatchee last night, where they won  their third straight on the road 5-2 over the Wild. The Rivermen haven't played since Tuesday night at home, where they earned a 4-1 win over the Powell River Kings.

I'll cover all the proceedings for you on 93.3 The Peak FM's Bulldogs Hockey, brought to you by Van Isle Ford. The pregame  show is on the  air at 7:00 with the puck set to drop at 7:15pm. 

I have a special treat lined up for the 1st Intermission show tonight. My Christmas Present to you! I can't even guess how many years that I've been doing this,  but it's been at least a decade. 

It's "A Very Merry Bulldog Christmas" The idea  is simple - it's been a grind through the season to get to  this point. The players (and staff and supporters) are missing home and are seeing  the break on  the horizon. Who wants to do more interviews, right?

So I ask the players a simple question - what's on  your Christmas wish list? At the same time I encourage them to send out Season's Greetings to whomever they wish. 

Full disclosure - I actually after about 9 or 10 players started encouraging guys  to say something different for a wish than"family and friends" to just change it up a bit, and have a little fun with it. Afterwards it made me realize... that  all the  guys really want is simply that - to see family and friends and go home to be together. They can't wait to head home, and I know  without a  doubt that all the familys and friends and loved ones can't wait for their return either. Fear not, your boys are coming home soon! HOWEVER -  there's still work to do tonight  and tomorrow FIRST. 

Speaking of tomorrow - I'll have in both the 1st and 2nd Intermission shows for you "A Very Merry BCHL Christmas" which  follows the  same format, but with Play-by-Play Broadcasters, Coaches and Executives from throughout the  British Columbia Hockey League. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Cole Marton, the play-by-play voice of the Surrey Eagles, who the Bulldogs visit tomorrow  afternoon to conclude  the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule. 

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