Blazers outlast Outlaws

Friday night erupted with goals, within the first few seconds from the puck dropping in the first period Tri-Cities scored their first goal. It would be long afterward that Bellingham answered with two of their own. The Outlaws would even up the score by the end of the first period. The defense tightened in the second period with only one goal scored toward the end giving Bellingham the lead. The Blazers would not look back as they added three more scores in the third, despite the Outlaws best effort to catch up. Final score 6-3. Click here to view photos of the game.

Blazers evade Vipers fangs

The hot streak continues as Bellingham takes the first of two home games against the Vancouver Vipers Friday, December 14 at the Sportsplex. The scoring was fast and furious with two goals in the first period, three in the second and one to finish off the Vipers in the third. Vancouver tried to hang in there, scoring once in each period, but the relentless assault from the Blazers proved to be too much for Vancouver to handle. Final score 6-3. Click here to view photos of the game.

Blazers split home stand against Warriors

Sparks set the Blazers fire early as Bellingham started their home game against the West Sound Warriors with two goals in the first period. The flames were fanned in the second period when, prior to the drop of the puck, Blazers Derek Davis and Warriors Graham Collins began fighting. The inferno raged as the Blazers scorched the net with four more goals. The Warriors tried desperately to control the blaze, scoring once in the first period and twice more in the second. The Warriors scored again twice but the effort was extinguished by the end of the third period as the Blazers burned the Warriors with two more goals. Final score 8-5. Click here to view photos of the game.

Nationals sweep the Blazers

The Bellingham Blazers hosted the Glacier Nationals over the Thanksgiving holiday and were unable to pull out a win. The two teams turned up the defense, Saturday November 24th, keeping the first period scoreless. Glaciers scored early in the second period and kept the pressure on in the third with another goal. Bellingham struggled to capitalize on power play opportunities but rallied late to score their only goal with 35 seconds left on the clock. Final score 2-1. Click here to view photos of the game.

Blazers bested by Generals

The Bellingham Blazers battled the Eugene Generals Friday, November 16th and held them scoreless through the first period while scoring twice. Both teams matched each other in shot-on- goal with 16. The Blazers struck again in the second period but the Generals fired back and scored their first goal as well as out-shooting the Blazers 9-3. Bellingham's sticks cooled down in the third period as Eugene unleashed, scoring three unanswered goals. Final score: 4-3. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bellingham out-shot by West Sound

The Bellingham Blazers lose their first home game of the 2012-2013 season to the West Sound Warriors Saturday, October 20^th at the Sportsplex. The loss was disappointing after the Blazers jumped out to an early lead in the first period when Blazer forward Cody Rich scored the only goal in the period. West Sound rallied and scored three unanswered goals in the second period. Bellingham forward Micky Turner kept hope alive with another score late in the second but West Sound struck again before the end of the period. Adam Papayoanou, Blazers forward, tacked on a goal in the third to bring Bellingham within a score of the Warriors however West Sound dashed their hopes with another goal and put the game out of reach. Final score: 5 to 3. Click here to view photos of the game.

Champions again!

The Bellingham Slam rise to the top of the International Basketball League once again by defeating the Portland Chinooks Sunday, July 8^th at Whatcom Pavilion. Home court and home crowd was clearly the advantage as the Slam performed victoriously in front of their fans. Despite trailing early in the first half Bellingham quickly gained control of the tempo and dictated their will over Portland, building a 30-point lead in the fourth quarter. Morris Anderson ended the evening with 29-points while leading Bellingham to their second IBL title. Final score 142-109. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs best Bearcats

The Bellingham Bulldogs and the Grays Harbor Bearcats, two Pacific Football League teams, took to the sun drenched field of battle Saturday, July 7^th to see who would survive and head to the North Division Championship. Both teams had a claim to the right and would need to prove themselves worthy to advance.

The Bearcats exercised efficiency at the start, moving the ball quickly on their first possession, but the Bulldogs defense would not break. Bellingham's offense answered the challenge and pushed deep into the red zone for a touchdown on the backs of their running game. The Bulldogs defense countered and punched the Bearcats back with two sacks and an interception. Bellingham would score again on the legs of running back Vann Vetch.

The Bearcats were now on their heals, pushed around by the running attack they allowed the Bulldogs passing game to take flight. Quarterback Leon Lilley connected with wide receiver Douglas Miller on a 35-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.

Grays Harbor would not concede victory that easily, taking to the sky themselves, the Bearcats scored a touchdown and would add a 33-yard field goal before the end of the half. However the Bulldogs would respond with another 35-yard bomb for a score by Toby Seim.

The battle seemed bleak for Grays Harbor at the start of the second half. Bellingham would pickup another five points from a 27-yard field goal and a fumbled punt snap that lead to a safety. The Bulldogs defense racked up a fifth sack and a kick return for a touchdown by Toby Seim spelled doom for the Bearcats.

Grays Harbor clawed their way to 21 points in the fourth quarter but despite their courage and heart they could not overcome Bellingham's lead as time expired. Final score 40-30. Click here to view photos from the game.

Championship Bound!

The Bellingham Slam defeated the Vancouver Volcanoes Friday, July 6 at Whatcom Pavilion in the semifinals of the 2012 International Basketball League playoffs. Bellingham is now heading to a championship battle with the Portland Chinooks Sunday, July 8 at Whatcom Pavilion. The Slam coming off the convincing win over Vancouver will have plenty of momentum and the home court advantage. Final score 127-98. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam out shoot Hotshots

The Bellingham Slam wrapped up the 2012 International Basketball league regular season with a solid victory over the Oregon Hotshots Sunday, July 1 at Whatcom Pavilion. Coming off a loss the previous night to the Portland Chinooks, the Slam needed a win to lockup the #1 seed throughout the upcoming IBL playoffs. Bellingham began the night undermanned, dressing only seven players. However they would not let that be a disadvantage. All seven Slam players ended the night with double-digit scores and utilized their defensive game to keep the Hotshots from gaining the lead throughout the night. Now the #1 seed Slam look forward to Friday night at Whatcom Pavilion to take on their next opponent in the semi-finals of the 2012 IBL tournament. Final score 149-103. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs unleash on Raiders

The heavens held back their onslaught of rain and wind long enough to allow the Bellingham Bulldogs to take on the Portland Raiders Saturday, June 23^rd at a soggy Civic Field. Standing pools of water in the end zone did not deter the Bulldogs from entering numerous times over the course of the game. Portland, out number nearly three to one, could not withstand the furry of Bellingham's football machine. Touchdowns struck like lightning, raining down on the end zone in a combination of ground and areal attack. The Bulldogs defense stood like a great wall preventing the Raiders from crossing midfield throughout the first half. The Raiders showed guts as they clawed their way to a score late in the fourth quarter but the undermanned Portland squad, many playing both ways, was swallowed up by the black hole that is Bulldogs football. Final score 49-8. Click here to view photos from the game.

Slam reign over Olympia

The Bellingham Slam needed a last second steal from Mo Anderson to hold off the Olympia Reign and win their 11^th straight victory Friday, June 8 at Whatcom Pavilion. The game seemed closer that the score indicated through four quarters of play. The Slam however lead the Reign by 25 points at one point in the third quarter. Olympia, 3-11 on the season, showed they have heart and proved to the Bellingham fans that they will be a team to reckon with. Clawing their way back in the fourth quarter the Reign kept chipping a way at the point differential until they were down by one point with ten seconds left on the clock. After a time out the ball was stolen by Anderson who sprinted down court for the winning layup. Final score: 128-126. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs thwart Vikings' raid

Bellingham hosted long-time opponent the Snohomish County Vikings at Civic Field Saturday, June 2 for their eighth game of the 2012 Pacific Football League season. The Bulldogs defense set the tone early, dominating the line of scrimmage and punishing the Vikings offensive line. Snohomish County's first three offensive possessions ended with a fumble recovery by the Bulldogs on the one-yard line, an interception off of a deflected pass and a nearly blocked punt. All resulted in a Bulldogs' score. Before the Vikings could catch their breath the score was 24-0 in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs defense was so stifling that it took a fumbled punt return for the Vikings to get into scoring position, turning the opportunity into a touchdown. Snohomish County continued to struggle under the suffocating pressure, relying on the scarce Bulldog miscues for opportunities at points. Bellingham's offense took advantage and quickly put the game out of reach. Moving the ball effortlessly with their running game. Once the Vikings' defensive backs were caught looking inside the Bulldogs threw over their heads, scoring 32 unanswered points. Final score 65-10. Click here to view photos from the game.

Slam Win Weekend

The Bellingham Slam stayed on their winning ways through Memorial Day Weekend home games besting the 2-9 Olympia Reign and the 0-2 Nippon Tornadoes. The Slam boasted triple digit scores in both match-ups thumping the Reign 145-94 and thwacking the Tornadoes 155-101. Slam guard Paul Hafford took the weekend with a 28-point game Friday and a 27-point game Monday. Click here to view photos from Friday and here for photos from Monday.

Cobras strike Bulldogs

Bellingham squared off against their long time nemesis the Tacoma Cobras Saturday, May 12^th at Civic Field. The Cobras got the best of the former Blitz team in back-to-back Professional Developmental Football League championship games in 2009 and 2010. Tacoma would prove to be this united Bellingham team's greatest challenge to date.

The Bulldogs' offense stumbled out of the gates causing them to punt twice, giving the Cobras a short field and leading to two quick strikes for touchdowns. Bellingham's defense could not find an answer for the Cobras' offense as a combination of running and passing attacks put Tacoma up by four touchdowns. Tacoma's defense kept the pressure up blanking the Bulldogs' offense through the first half. A blocked punt and recovery by Bulldogs' cornerback Chris Johnson scored their first touchdown of the night.

Bellingham's defense came out at the second half swinging, forcing the Cobras' offense to give up the ball at mid-field. The Bulldog's offense took advantage, driving the ball down for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Bellingham's defense continued to torment Tacoma's offense. Lead by defensive end Chase Cantrell, the Bulldogs' defense forced two fumble recoveries, but the Bulldogs' offense failed to capitalize with scores.

A late rally by Bellingham put Tacoma on their heals as the Bulldogs' defense kept pushing the Cobras all over the field. The comeback was well established when quarterback Cody Oakes connected with wide receivers Jesse Dellinger and Douglas Miller for touchdowns to tie the game at 28-28 with 5:27 left in the fourth quarter. After a blocked Cobras' field goal attempt the Bulldogs had all of the momentum, but a fumble recovery lead to a quick one-yard run for a Cobras' touchdown. Oakes tried one last time but an interception spoiled the comeback as Tacoma continued their winning ways over Bellingham. Final score: 28-35. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam hold off erupting Volcanoes

The Bellingham Slam hosted the Vancouver Volcanoes in an high-scoring rematch to last season's championship game Friday May 11^th at Whatcom Community College Pavilion. The Slam fell behind early as miscues in passing and steals earned the Volcanoes the lead throughout the first half. Bellingham climbed their way back into the game, cutting a 14-point deficit down to one point with a last-second three-pointer by Drew Ready at halftime. The second half started with both teams trading scores but by the fourth quarter the Slam began to pull away with the 26-point effort of Paul Hafford, who lead six teammates with double-digit totals. Final score: 127-120. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs awe Shockers

The Bellingham Bulldogs took on the South Sound Shockers in their second regular season game of 2012 at Civic Field Saturday, April 21^st. The Bulldogs offense started sluggish, calling on their defense to ignite the Bellingham football engine. The Dog's D did not disappoint. Flexing their front-line muscle the Bulldogs forced the Shockers to punt out of their own end zone, providing the Bulldogs offense with a short field to operate. After quick strike from Cody Oakes to Toby Seim for a touchdown, the pedal was pushed to the floor. A fumble recovery on the next Shockers possession by the explosive Dog's D gave Bellingham's offense another short field but penalties cut the drive short. The Shockers stumbled to their feet and threw a 61-yard bomb down field for a touchdown. Determined to not let the Shocker score again the Bulldogs defense stiffened and pushed the Shockers around the field, allowing the Dog's O to open up the throttle and score 41 unanswered points. The Bulldogs defense also added a score of their own with an interception return of a touchdown by Miguel Pierre. The Shockers did not score again until mid-third quarter. In the end the Dog's defensive machine was too much for the Shockers to overcome. Final score 53-12. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam rule the Reign in season opener

The Bellingham Slam opened the 2012 International Basketball League season against the Olympia Reign at the Skookum Events Center in the Little Creek Casino Resort Friday April, 20^th. The beautiful new court was the perfect stage for both teams to showcase their talents. The Reign set a fast-pace with 11 steals leading to to 20 points. The Reign aggressive defense also lead to 34 points for the Slam from the free-throw line, keeping Bellingham in the lead the majority of the night. Morris Anderson lead all scores with 28 points, propelling the Slam to their first victory of the season. Final score 133-104. Click here to view photos of the game.

United Under One Banner

The rapidly disappearing sun cast long shadows across the field on this brisk spring day, Saturday, April 7th at Civic Field.

A perfect day to showcase the long awaited partnership between the two Bellingham football squads, the Blitz and the Bulldogs. This united football front was spearheaded by owner and co-head coach of the Bulldogs, Phil Smith. He recruited the talents of fellow coach and former head coach of the champions Bellingham Blitz and Whatcom Raiders, Brian Young to lead the offense of this football cooperative. This game could prove be to be a glimpse of the greatness these two field generals can accomplish in the 2012 season. The Bellingham Bulldogs opened the 2012 Pacific Football League season squaring off against a familiar foe, the Renton Ravens.

The Bulldog offense started hot, taking the opening drive down for a touchdown with a mixed running attack from their backfield. After a turnover in the Ravens' redzone the Bulldogs turned the change of possession into a quick strike, a 40 yard-run for a touchdown. Following the score the Bulldogs surprise the Ravens with an on-sides kick recovery. The Dogs marched down the field once again but the offense stalled. A strip fumble recovery for a touchdown by a swarming Dogs defense set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Ravens offense struggled to keep a consistent rhythm under the constant pressure of Phil Smith's relentless defense. This allowed the Dogs offense to open up and push the pedal to the floor. Striking from the air on the arms of quarterbacks Cody Oakes and Leon Lilley as they split quarterback duties between halves. The Bulldogs made a statement to the rest of the PFL and showed Bellingham that a united football club is twice as determined for greatness. Final score 50-0. Click here to view photos form the game.