The Bulldogs returned from the Christmas break and got back to practice on Boxing Day, in preparation for three games to finish off 2007. Action begins Friday down in Duncan at the ?Big Stick? as the Bulldogs visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the third time this year.
The Dogs will return home that night to turn around the next day and head down Island again to visit the Victoria Grizzlies at Bear Mountain Arena, for just the second time this season. Sunday will be a day off before the Bulldogs and Capitals renew hostilities for the second annual ?New Years Eve Game? at the Pound to round out 2007.
Bulldog fans no doubt hope that the holiday break hasn?t slowed the team down much, as they were showing marked improvement and appeared to be headed in the right direction as the pre-break part of the schedule wore down. The last two games before the break included a hard fought 2-1 win over the Quesnel Millionaires, and then a heartbreaking but equally hard fought 5-4 last second loss to the Victoria Grizzlies. In my opinion, it?s the ?hard fought? part that has been the biggest difference over the last 4 or 5 games for the Bulldogs. They have played as close as you can get to 60 minutes, they have been physical, and they have played desperate. I?ve said it since about September with this group, and I think the same thing can be said even with the changes to the roster- If they are the harder working team, they?ll have a great chance to win. This brings me to the Cowichan Valley Capitals, who are a team that always works incredibly hard and always forces the Bulldogs to work the same if they want to win the game. The Dogs take a 1-3-0 and 1 head to head record versus the Caps into Friday?s game, and an even 1 win and 1 loss record down at the Big Stick. The last game these teams played in Duncan was Friday, November 2nd, a come from behind 4-3 win for the Dogs. The Caps had a 1-0 lead after one with a Bryce Reddick goal, and a 2-0 lead just 27 seconds into the second as Taylor Holst found the net. The Dogs then fired back to tie it with two goals in a five minute span to end the second by James Kerr and Daniel Moriarty. Brian Matte would put the Caps up 3-2 in the third, but that was short-lived as Daniel Moriarty evened the score less than a minute later at 3-3. With overtime looming James Kerr emerged the hero as he picked the top corner on a 2 on 1 rush with 1:52 left in the third period for the 4-3 final.
The last time the two teams met at the Pound was one to forget, (for the Dogs at least) a 5-0 Caps win November 24th. Special teams were big in this one, as the Caps scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded en route to the victory. Kiefer Smiley picked up the shutout in goal stopping 35 shots.
The Caps ended the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule on fire as they return from the break on a three game winning streak with a record of 18-16-1 and 1, just a single point behind the Powell River Kings for the final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference. The last game for the Caps before the break was a 3-2 win over the Victoria Grizzlies last Wednesday in Duncan. Clinton Pettapiece made it 1-0 Caps 4:17 into the game, before the Grizzlies would pull even in the final five minutes of the frame as Grant Toulmin was the goal scorer. Just over seven minutes into the second the Caps were up 2-1 as Scott Jacklin found the net on the power play. It would be Jacklin again scoring 10 minutes later for a 3-1 Caps lead with just 2:28 left in the second. The Grizzlies got back within one with a power play goal in the final seconds of the period as Brian Nugent found the net at the 19:57 mark for a 3-2 Capitals lead after two. A scoreless third period saw the Caps hold onto that lead for the win. The Caps outshot the Grizzlies 36-31 as Marco Raimondo picked up the win in goal. Matthew Wong was tagged with the loss. Both teams were 1 for 6 on the power play.
Friday?s pregame show is on the air at 7:15pm with the puck drop and all the play-by-play hitting the air at 7:30. Catch all the action in the Alberni Valley on your radio on 93.3 The Peak FM, or anywhere else in the world through your computer and the Internet Broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Monday?s pregame show from the Pound to wrap up 2007 kicks off a 6:45pm. The puck drop and all the play-by-play follows that up just after 7:00. Again catch all the action in the Alberni Valley on your radio through 93.3 The Peak FM, or through your computer and the Internet Broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Monday?s game will be a special one, with the game night sponsor being Alberni Chrysler. The first 900 fans coming through the doors will receive free ?Cheer Sticks?. Also, all those aged 21 and older will be entered into a draw to win a trip for two to Las Vegas including airfare and accommodations for three days and two nights. Should be a fun night!
Sandwiched between the two games with the Capitals Friday and Monday, is the Dogs second trip to the Bear Mountain Arena to face the Grizzlies Saturday night. The last time these teams played was the last game before Christmas for the Dogs, the 5-4 Grizzlies win on December 14th. The Dogs are 0 and 4 against the Grizzlies this season. The only game at Bear Mountain between the two clubs was September 21st; another 5-4 Grizzlies win. The Grizzlies ended the pre-holiday portion of their schedule on a two game losing streak after dropping a 4-0 decision to the Nanaimo Clippers at the Frank Crane Arena last Friday.
The Grizzlies enter this week with a record of 17-16-2 and 3, good for 39 points and a two way tie with the Powell River Kings for the final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference. While the Dogs might be a little road weary making two trips down Island, at least they won?t be OFF Island like the Grizzlies, as they will be travelling home Saturday to host the Bulldogs after seeing action in Powell River on Friday night.
The Grizzlies keep on finding ways to win and be competitive, even after the loss of two of their best players to the WHL. The play of Brian Nugent has to be a big help, as he has been on fire lately, taking the Grizzlies team scoring lead while finding the net regularly, including killing the Dogs before the Christmas break with a four goal performance in a 5-4 Grizzlies win. For the Dogs to get their first win of the season against the Grizzlies they have to be responsible defensively and they need plenty of shots and traffic as Victoria is always dangerous in transition, and Matthew Wong has been rock solid in goal every night.
The pregame show hits the air Saturday night from the Bear Mountain Arena at 6:45pm, with the puck drop and all the play-by-play at 7:00. Catch all the action on your radio in the Alberni Valley on 93.3 The Peak FM, or tune in to the Internet Broadcast through the BCHL Fanzone at www.bchl.bc.ca
Game Day Audio: ?Last two, Next three?
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