Hammer’s Weekly Preview

The Bulldogs are back in action Friday and Saturday with a home-and-home tilt with the Cowichan Valley Capitals up on the schedule. The set begins with the Caps home opener Friday at the BIG STICK, before the Dogs have their home opener the next night at the POUND.

The Bulldogs sit at 0 and 2 going into this week, after losses of 5-1 and 4-1 in Nanaimo and Powell River last Friday and Saturday respectively. Please see the most recent “Hammer?s Recap” for more details on the last 2 Dogs games.

The Capitals are 1 and 0 after a 5-4 overtime win in Powell River on Friday in one that they almost let get away. Down 1-0 early the Caps fought back to tie it up as Scott Jacklin got them on the board with 1:24 left for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes. The Caps then got it done on special teams early in the second with two goals in the first four minutes for a 3-1 lead as Brooks Robinson scored at the :42 second mark shorthanded before Tyler Johns added a power play marker just under 3 minutes later for a 3-1 lead. The Kings got one back at the halfway point to get within one at 3-2 but it was Brooks Robinson who found the net again to restore the two goal lead with a power play goal with six minutes left in the period. It was 4-2 Caps heading into the third. With 8:44 to go and a chance to ice it on the power play the tables turned the other way as Powell River got within one with a shorthanded goal. With just 19 seconds to go in regulation the comeback was complete as Powell River scored to force overtime. The Caps would recover quickly though as Clinton Pettapiece would be the hero scoring the game winner just 30 seconds into overtime for the 5-4 final. The Caps were 2 for 9 on the power play, while also scoring a shorthanded goal. The penalty kill went a perfect 5 for 5 but the Caps did give up a shorthanded goal against. Shots were 41-38 in favor of Powell River. Ray Ferarro?s son Matt got the win in net for the Caps.

Historically, the Dogs and Caps always seem to play high-tempo, hard working hockey. That might be a reflection on the coaches that have been running these teams. More so, a connection might also be made to the communities these teams play in and the atmospheres that exist in their respective rinks and the expectations of the fans.

History doesn?t necessarily repeat itself, and in this instance between these two teams Bulldog fans will hope this is indeed the case. Last year these teams had the same schedule for their home openers on the same second weekend of the season- Friday in Duncan, Saturday in Alberni. The Caps won game 1 in their home opener by a 6-5 score before spoiling the Dogs home ice debut the next night 5-4. But last year is just that- last year. Last year might even seem like a decade ago with the amount of changes in Dog land. When it comes to the Caps there has certainly been change, but not to the same extent as in the Alberni Valley. Gone from the Capitals roster are the likes of Luke Cain and Craig Parkinson, the Caps #2 and #3 point getters from 06-07. Also gone is #1 goalie Riley Whitlock. Returning players include top point getter Clinton Pettapiece, who was just 7 points shy of the century mark last year. Brooks Robinson, Chad Gehon and Travis Holloway are also some of the returnees who have hurt the Bulldogs in the past. Big boys Cody Adams and Corbin McPherson are a couple of names to watch out for on the back end. If I were a Bulldog player I would make sure keep my head up when these guys are out there.

Due to the fact that Friday?s game is the Capitals home opener, the schedule will be pushed back with all of the pre game festivities that are planned. The pre game show from Duncan and the Cowichan Community Centre and the “Big Stick” begins at approximately 7:25, with the puck drop and all the play-by-play anywhere from 7:40 to 7:50pm. Catch all the action on your radio in the Alberni Valley on 93.3 The Peak FM, and anywhere in the world on your computer through the BCHL?s Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca

Also due to the fact that Saturday is the Dogs home opener, the pre game show from the “Dog Pound” at the Alberni Valley Multiplex will begin at approximately 6:55, with the puck drop and all the play-by-play at approximately 7:20pm. Again, catch all the action on your radio in the Alberni Valley on 93.3 The Peak FM, and anywhere in the world on your computer through the BCHL?s Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca

Alan Kerr

Evan Michalchuk

Daniel Moriarty