Port Alberni, B.C. - Hammer's Bulldog Blog

Grizz 2, AVB 1

2009-12-08T22:43:00.001-08:00

Tough one for the Dogs tonight, and a well earned one for the Grizzlies as they broke a 1-1 deadlock with less than five minutes left to skate away with a 2-1 win.

It was a tough one for the Dogs because they have lost two home games in a row, both with the opposition coming up with a game winning goal in the late stages of regulation.

The Grizzlies looked more than a little ready for this one to get some payback for the Dogs 4-0 win at the Bear Mountain Arena on Friday night, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead before the game was even 30 seconds old on a great feed from Jordan Heywood to Dustin Mowrey in the slot.

The Grizzlies continued to get some good chances early while the Dogs battled to get into the game. After back to back penalty kills, including a short 5 on 3, the Dogs seemed to get some momentum and get going. The Dogs would tie the game just over four minutes into the second on a beautiful stretch pass to send Josh Mitchell in alone, where he made an equally nice play faking before sliding the puck to a driving Mitch MacMillan where he made no mistake ripping it into the open side for a 1-1 tie.

The Dogs had plenty of chances the rest of the way, out shooting the Grizzlies 17-5 in the third period alone. Ryan Holfeld was very good, and the Dogs just couldn't buy a break around the Victoria net.

The 1-1 tie lasted all the way until the 15:16 mark of the third where Alex Allan threw a cross crease pass to Madison Dias that he managed to squeak past Scott Lewan as he looked at first for a split second to have made the save from my viewpoint.

The Dogs had several last tries with the goalie out where they got the puck to the crease but couldn't convert.

While not nearly as busy as Holfeld, I again really liked the game of Scott Lewan. Love the way he battles in there. Not only did he come up with some big saves through the game, he can't be faulted on either goal.

Ronnie Paulson raised this point with me - The Dogs had 82 - yes 82! points sitting in the stands in this one with Tye Lewis, Warren Muir, and David Dziurzynski all out.

I'm sure the Grizz don't feel too bad about that though as at the same time they had some important players out too in Baker, Pawlowski, and Myron.

A chance missed by the Dogs to move into first place in Coastal Conference. Now it's three straight on the road up North starting Friday in PG.

And now I gotta hit the hay. Morning show starts at 6.

Bulldogs line up tonight

2009-12-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

Confirmed Bulldogs line up:

Mitch MacMillan - Mark MacMillan - Sam Mitchell

Matt Hatch - Johnny Rogic - Casey Bailey

Trent Dorais - Josh Mitchell - Tyler Berkholtz

Brody Lynott - - Robert Lindores

Kevin Ross - Nick Cecere

Jeff Reppucci - Luke Fenske

Frank Riddle - Ryan Corbiell

Scott Lewan
Frank Slubowski

Scratches
David Dziurzynski
Warren Muir
Tye Lewis

Dogs host Grizzlies, FOOD DRIVE TONIGHT, Bantam A Bulldogs

2009-12-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Dogs look to take first place on their own tonight for the first time this season as they host the Victoria Grizzlies.

Read up on the game with my preview on the Bulldogs website here....

Here's an article from the other side of the puck from the Victoria Times Colonist "Grizzlies hit road for crucial tests"

Bring your non-perishable food items tonight and you'll get a paper airplane. Toss that bad boy and you could win a turkey or ham!

BANTAM BULLDOGS SPLIT

The Bantam A Bulldogs split their games on the Dec 5-6 weekend, outplaying Cowichan at Fuller Lake in a 4-1 game, but unable to find a winning combination at home against Nanaimo. They are tied for 3rd place in the Island League Division 1 standings.

In Fuller Lake the Bulldogs drew first blood on a power play when Austin Smith ripped a hard shot in from the left circle. Logan Savard assisted. Cowichan evened it up as the first period ended. The second period was an end to end battle. With only 2:27 left on the clock Corey Beecroft and Savard worked the puck across the blue line. Savard went hard to the net and drove in the game winning goal on the blocker side. At 11:31 of the third period Beau Wilson and Liam MacLeod cycled the puck to big Tyler Wilhelm in the slot to get the insurance goal. The Bulldogs protected their lead for the rest of game, keeping Cowichan in the other end. With a minute left Beecroft worked the puck in for MacLeod to finish it off with a 4-1 win.

Casey Davidson made some great saves to maintain the Alberni lead, but the whole team played intense hard hockey for three periods to take this one. They next play an exhibition game against Cowichan on December 12 followed by a game in Comox on Dec 13.

The Bantam reps have picked up another sponsor. Tseshaht Market joins Dave Koszegi and Sure Span Construction as sponsors of the Bantam A team.

Bulldogs Co-Hosting with me 8am to 9am today..

2009-12-08T07:20:00.001-08:00

Ryan Corbiell and Mitch MacMillan will be co-hosting my show with me today from 8 to 9 along with a couple students from the ADSS leadership class promoting the Food Drive that they have joined forces for the month of December. Be sure to tune in should be some fun stuff
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Audio Audio Audio

2009-12-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

I've had a bunch of requests the last while for audio of interviews from Bulldog Broadcasts.

Here we go. Click the links to listen.

Frank Riddle Interview

Jeff Reppucci Interview

Bulldog Alumni Interviews:

Daniel Moriarty

Joe Scali

All audio courtesy and copyright 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

And here's a little fun from the 93.3 The Peak FM A.M. show today when I was joined by the ADSS Leadership Class and Bulldog players Kevin Ross and Matt Hatch.

Kevin Ross plays the wrong game

Good try Rossie!

Mitch MacMillan and Ryan Corbiell will be on the show with a couple more ADSS students from 8am to 9am, should be fun!

Hammer

Weekend review - AUDIO. VIDEO. PICTURES.

2009-12-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

Here's the audio from "the comeback" by the cardiac canines at the Frank Crane Arena yesterday from the 93.3 The Peak FM Broadcast. Myself and Charles Mealey with the call.

All audio courtesy and copyright 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Sadly this is the best one I got of my Colour Commentator Charles Mealey. Great job buddy!

Starting line up.

Love the "Frank the Tank" fan club behind the net in Nanaimo yesterday. The Pee Wee B Bulldogs, I believe.

Unfortunately, my camera focused on the glass that separates the broadcast booths, so it's a little "foggy" but it's still a neat perspective to see the fur fly.

Thanks Dennis See for the pictures!

That's me doing the Beaver Creek R/C draw - the proud owner of the most popular R/C truck, the Traxxas Slash - Judy Vatamaniuk - CONGRATS!

Dogs crack National Rankings! Ross and Hatch on THE PEAK this morning...Teddy Bear pictures.

2009-12-07T06:15:00.001-08:00

Well, what does three wins and a loss over the week get the Alberni Valley Bulldogs besides a share of first place in the Coastal Conference standings?

A place in the top 20 teams in the country!

Click to read "Bulldogs, Warriors, join Vees and Vipers in CJHL's Top 20 Rankings"

For some more weekend review, from the Alberni Valley Times check out "Bulldogs keep pace with Eagles at top of Coastal"

Bill Bestwick isn't happy with the officiating from yesterday's game.

Read from the Clipper side of the puck, from the Nanaimo Daily News - "Clippers miss chance to gain on Bulldogs"

Bestwick was ejected from the game in the second period after picking up a bench minor when his team was about to head on the power play. I don't know what the protest was about, but it might have been something on the faceoff in front of the Nanaimo bench. As play continued, the Dogs would pick up a penalty. Things would be evened up after the bench minor, which quickly morphed into a game ejection.

"Bulding a Better Community by Fighting Hunger Today" is the slogan of the Dogs food drive this month. TOMORROW - bring a non perishable food item to the game and you could win a turkey or ham!

The Dogs goal is to raise their team weight in food for Christmas - 4002 pounds.

The Dogs have teamed up with the ADSS Leadership Group for this one. I'll have members from the ADSS group and the Bulldogs group on THE PEAK today and tomorrow.

Today - Matt Hatch and Kevin Ross. Tomorrow - Mitch MacMillan and Ryan Corbiell. Be sure to tune in between 8am and 9am to catch it!

Teddy Bear pictures later, some video later, be sure to check back!

Wow.....Dogs 3, Clippers 2, in OT

2009-12-06T17:27:00.001-08:00

I love all the kid Bulldogs in the picture above, high fiving the Dogs through the glass as they make their way off the ice.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs played a great 21:00 of hockey from the start of the third period into overtime that made up for a lackluster first 40 minutes as they battled back from a 2-0 hole to steal two points from the Frank Crane Arena with a 3-2 overtime win over the Clippers.

More later. Gotta drive home.

Way to go Dogs!

Hammer

Dogs @ Clippers...

2009-12-06T14:03:00.001-08:00

Please forgive me for the lateness of the game day post! It was the Island Radio Christmas Party last night so I had to head to Nanaimo after the game and I have been preparing today for the broadcast.

It will be a nice change today as I'll have a colour commentator on the road for a change, as Bulldogs Public Address announcer Charles Mealey will join me on the broadcast for the first time.

Charles is beyond pumped, this should be fun!

Today's first intermission feature guest will be Bulldogs Forward Trent Dorais. My second intermission guest will be former Bulldog Joe Scali.

What's at stake for the Dogs? A share of first in the Coast, or first by themselves should Surrey lose in Powell River. I know the Dogs won't be thinking about any of this stuff, its just the game at hand. I bet more than a few guys were a little miffed at the end result last night after they saw the Eagles also lost to the Grizzlies.

For the Clippers, this is a chance to leapfrog Victoria to take four place as they currently sit 5th in the Coast a point back of the Grizz.

Hammer

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Teddy Bears!

2009-12-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

The entire dumpster was full to capacity, those that couldn't fit ended up on the tarp. Way to go Dogs fans!

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Bears Fly!

2009-12-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

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Fozzie Bear....

2009-12-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

...requesting permission for takeoff.

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Future Home of Bears..

2009-12-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

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Beaver Creek R/C Grand Opening today, Teddy Bear Toss TONIGHT, Dogs host Kings

2009-12-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

Located next to Beaver Creek Home Centre, Beaver Creek R/C is having their grand opening today to coincide with their sponsorship of the Teddy Bear Toss tonight.

This shop is like a motorized version of a candy store for little and big kids alike! Cars, trucks, boats, planes, 'copters. Cool stuff.

I tried my hand at the "game" on the TV screen below. It's pretty cool, a full on R/C controller that works through a computer, through the TV. I even managed to land my plane once, which got some kudos....I won't mention the 19 or so crashes into bushes, shrubs, trees, THE GROUND, haha.

Catch the pregame show tonight at 6:45 with the play-by-play at 7 with Rick and myself.

Yes, I'll bring out another trivia question for you to take a crack at.

Tonight's second intermission feature guest is Nanaimo Clippers play-by-play voice Dan Marshall. Of course the Dogs are in Nanaimo for a 3pm tilt with the Clippers tomorrow afternoon.

Expect nothing but a tooth and nail hard fought battle tonight.

Here's the last three minutes of the game the last time the Dogs and Kings met.

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Early Saturday Game Day

2009-12-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Just some quick hits here as I'm off to the rink for some interviews and other game day duties.

Thanks as always to Danno for keeping me up to date on what the papers have for BCHL coverage.

From the Times Colonist by Sharie Epp - "Bulldogs bury listless Grizzlies"

From the Nanaimo Daily News by Krista Bryce - "Clippers fall in overtime to Eagles but still expecting big second half"

And finally from the Nanaimo News Bulletin by Greg Sakaki - "Clippers need dogged effort"

Quite the complimentary - yet very confident - comment by Clippers Captain Carson Schell in that one

"“It’s great battles against Port. They play the same style as us – hard-nosed, straight-line hockey” said Carson Schell, Clippers captain. “They’re always going hard and hitting and taking up a lot of space, but we’re smarter with the puck and I think we have more talent.”

Off to the the rink and then Beaver Creek R/C to check out their grand opening, don't forget they host the TEDDY BEAR TOSS tonight!

More later!

Enjoy the sun!

Hammer

Dogs win 6th straight..

2009-12-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

The Bulldogs won their season high sixth straight game Friday night with a dominating 4-0 win over the Victoria Grizzlies.

The Dogs looked strong out of the gate from the opening puck drop, and the Grizzlies looked just the opposite missing some players from their line up as they were just a step behind all night.

Trent Dorais, making his return to the line up after missing Tuesday's game due to personal reasons, made it 1-0 Dogs in the final second of the opening period on a great set up by Kevin Ross and Tyler Berholtz.

Dorais would play set up man in the second period to make it 2-0 as he somehow managed to outwork two Grizzlies as he stole the puck and found Robert Lindores in the slot where he one-timed it high glove side on Ryan Holfeld for a 2-0 Dogs lead eight minutes into the second.

It would be the Dogs power play that found the net to make it 3-0 as Kevin Ross took a hit to make a play to David Dziurzynski down the right wing into the Victoria zone. "Dizzy" would throw a perfect cross ice pass to Mitch MacMillan walking down the left wing to the net where he scored a big-league goal, ripping a perfect shot high short-side.

The Dogs would dominate the third, outshooting the Grizzlies 15-1 but the only goal would be Casey Bailey finding the empty net with just over a minute left stretching his goal scoring streak to five games. New Bulldog Jeff Reppucci picked up an assist on the play in making his BCHL debut.

Scott Lewan picked up his third straight win in net, and his first career BCHL shutout.

Next up - the TEDDY BEAR TOSS Saturday night as the Dogs host the Powell River Kings.

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Meet the new guy...

2009-12-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

Jeff Reppucci..

Game Day Chat - Dogs @ Grizzlies

2009-12-04T19:14:00.001-08:00

Alberni Valley Bulldogs @ Victoria Grizzlies

Bulldogs add NCAA recruit Jeff Reppucci

2009-12-04T14:42:00.001-08:00

Wow...

Bulldogs Add Jeff Reppucci

Press Release
December 3 2009

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have added 91 D Jeff Reppucci. The Massachusetts
native began the season with the Boston Junior Bruins of EJHL where he posted
2 assists in 19 games.
Prior to this season Reppucci graduated from Philips Exeter Academy where he
had an outstanding senior season tallying 7 goals and 31 assists. Reppucci has
earned a scholarship to attend Holy Cross University.

"Jeff will add another dimension to our team. He is a puck moving defenseman
that thinks the game extremely well "comments Bulldogs Assistant Coach Paul
Esdale.

Reppucci will be in the lineup this weekend when the Bulldogs start their three
games in three nights against Victoria at the Bear Mountain Arena.

____________

I think this is quite the addition by the Bulldogs. Reppucci was teammates last season with Bulldogs Forward Matt Hatch. If he manages to adapt to the BCHL the way Matt Hatch has, then he will be quite the player.

Reppucci will wear #11.

Hammer

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On the road again...

2009-12-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

....

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Bulldogs Game Day @ Grizzlies, Teddy Bear Toss at THE POUND tomorrow,

2009-12-04T11:24:00.001-08:00

A big one tonight at the Bear Den as the Bears and A-V-B meet for the sixth time this season.

Check out my Weekend Preview on the Bulldogs website here

No confirmed line up for Bulldogs tonight, as they are doing some tinkering and some players might be banged up. I'm not sure either way.

Tonight's second intermission feature guest is an encore running of my "Bulldog Alumni Series" chat with Daniel Moriarty, now at Harvard.

I'm running the Alumni chats on the road as well as at home after I got in some trouble from the fans that missed them :)

Joe Scali's interview will run Sunday in Nanaimo.

AND YES they will be put here on the blog as well for those that miss them again!

Get it all on 93.3 The Peak FM or online at www.933thepeak.com

I will also be calling the video broadcast on the BCHL Pay Per View from Victoria as my good friend Scotty Didmon needed a favour.

I will have the usual trivia question on the broadcast tonight, with the winner getting some tickets to an upcoming Bulldogs home game!

WIN by emailing me the correct answer first!

I will also have the game day chat here on the blog later so be sure to come join the banter.

When the Dogs host Powell River Saturday be sure to bring or buy a Teddy Bear if you can for the BEAVER CREEK R/C TEDDY BEAR TOSS!!

At the risk of starting a "who let the dogs out?" debate....here's a video from a past Bulldogs Teddy Bear goal scored by Tyler Ruel.

As someone already said here on the blog comments, the Teddy Bear Toss can be momentum sapping due to the delay it causes so the Dogs have to be ready for that when it happens! I'm sure with the support that the Bulldogs fans will put behind this worthwhile community cause the delay will be quite substantial just due to the sheer amount of bears that will be thrown.

LET THE PLUSH FLY!

Bulldogs Food Drive December 8th - TUESDAY NIGHT!

2009-12-03T19:22:00.001-08:00

To add some extra added "ooomph" to the promotion of the Food Drive, we'll have a couple Bulldogs and a couple of the ADSS group coming in on the 93.3 The Peak FM Morning show on both Monday and Tuesday to pump the event up.

Bulldogs Have Their Annual Food Drive

Press Release

December 3 2009

The Alberni Valley Bulldog players and ADSS Leadership group decorated the Bread of Life soup kitchen for Christmas in preparation for the Bulldogs Food Drive.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will have their annual Food Drive on December 8th. When the Bulldogs play the Victoria Grizzlies, people are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation.

Anyone who brings a food item will receive an airplane to throw onto the ice during the 1st intermission. Fans will have a chance to win a turkey or a ham.

Please join the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and support this great event!

Cool stuff!

Hammer

Dogs news -Teddy Bear Toss SATURDAY, (SELL OUT THE SHACK) + Transactions Yesterday

2009-12-02T17:41:00.001-08:00

No, the above isn't a picture of rituals or prayers to the "hockey gods"

It's an "assembly line" of autographs for something. I'm half not exactly sure and half worried I might let out a surprise so I'm not saying!

What I found interesting to watch was how this team just seems to do EVERYTHING as a team and a unit.

It's just signing stuff yet they had a whole system they were having fun with, guys making sure things were moving along at a good pace and guys making sure everyone signed everything and no one missed.

No big deal I'm sure, but just interesting to watch. I've seen lots of teams and dressing rooms before where it's as casual as everyone dropping by to sign on their own time, guys signing what they felt like and some not signing everything, guys saying to the trainer "Hey blank blank, can you put my siggy and my number on that for me"

I'm not critical of that way either, just found it unique to observe this group.

Some press releases..

Beaver Creek R/C Hosts the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Teddy Bear Toss
Press Release
December 2nd 2009

Beaver Creek R/C and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs present the annual Teddy Bear Toss.

On December 5th when the Bulldogs play the Powell River Kings fans will be encouraged to bring Teddy Bears to the game. When the Bulldogs score their first goal fans will throw their Teddy Bears onto the ice. Teddy Bears will also be on sale for $8.00 with all proceeds going to The Salvation Army Angel Tree.

All Teddy Bears thrown onto the ice will be donated and hand-delivered by Bulldogs players to Fir Park, Echo Village, Kuu-us Crisis Services and the Salvation Army.

Also on December 5th stop by Beaver Creek R/C for the Grand Opening. Beaver Creek R/C is located at 4663 Gertrude St.

Join Beaver Creek R/C and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on this great day and help support this wonderful cause.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Hockey Club
3737 Roger Street
Port Alberni, B.C., Canada, V9Y 8E3
Phone: 250-723-4412 Fax: 250-723-4452
www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca

And here's another release on the transactions from yesterday..

Bulldogs Acquire Tye Lewis

Press Release
December 2nd 2009

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired the playing rights of 89 F Tye Lewis from the Trail Smoke Eaters for the playing rights of 90 D Curtis Tonello and future considerations.
.
_______________________________________________________________

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have moved the playing rights of 91 F Jesse Halikas to the Lloydminster Bobcats of Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to thank Curtis and Jesse for their contributions to the team and community. The organization wishes them the best in all their future endeavours.

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Hockey Club
3737 Roger Street
Port Alberni, B.C., Canada, V9Y 8E3
Phone: 250-723-4412 Fax: 250-723-4452
www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca

BCHL news - Drew George practicing with Regina Pats, Bulldogs news..

2009-12-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

This one made my eyes bug out a little bit.

Former Vernon Viper Drew George, who was recently traded to the Cowichan Valley Capitals but didn't report - is practicing with the WHL's Regina Pats.

It's only practice for now apparently. Rod Pedersen's blog has the scoop here

"Drew George at Pats Practice"

Elsewhere, the Surrey Eagles have released injured goaltender Paul Barclay after picking up Mike Chan from the Burnaby Express.

A pretty picture...

2009-12-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

Way to go Dogs!

Thanks Nicky V for the picture!

Hammer

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