The Spokane Chiefs play three games in as many nights this weekend and go in having won eight straight games for the third time in franchise history. The Chiefs are at home to the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday and the Vancouver Giants on Saturday and close it out in Seattle on Sunday. . . . Spokane’s franchise record for consecutive victories (12) was set in 1995-96. . . .
C Riley Holzapfel of the Moose Jaw Warriors, who has been out with a concussion since Oct. 14, may return to action Friday against the host Regina Pats. Holzapfel, who has missed six games, was injured when hit by Regina D Colten Teubert, who served a two-game suspension for the check. . . .
The Kootenay Ice will be without C Ben Maxwell for at least six weeks. That was the word after the club got back results of an MRI on a thigh injury. “Our first and foremost goal is to get Ben back into our lineup healthy and we’re not going to push it,” Ice head coach Mark Hollick told Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser. “When he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go but I wouldn’t expect him for at least six weeks.” . . . That means Maxwell almost certainly will miss the ADT Challenge game (WHL versus a Russian team) set for Cranbrook on Nov. 28. . . .
When the Red Deer Rebels lost 4-3 to the Tigers in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, it was their 10th one-goal loss this season. In fact, the Rebels have lost six straight games, each of them by one goal. . . . The Rebels will be without RW J.D. Watt (knee) for perhaps two weeks. . . .
The CHL’s Top 10, as voted on by a panel of NHL scouts:
1. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (14-4-1-0) 3 5
2. Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds (12-3-1-0) 1 6
3. Calgary Hitmen (11-5-0-1) 2 6
4. Kitchener Rangers (11-2-0-0) 6 4
5. Windsor Spitfires (11-3-0-2) 4 5
6. Tri-City Americans (12-4-0-0) 5 6
7. Halifax Mooseheads (11-3-0-2) 7 4
8. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (12-4-0-2) 10 4
9. Spokane Chiefs (11-2-1-1) - 1
10. Medicine Hat Tigers (11-3-2-0) - 1
This poll begs on comment: Where are the Vancouver Giants? . . .
WEDNESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Saskatoon, the Blades halted a six-game losing skid as they dumped the Kootenay Ice 3-2 in the night’s lone game. . . . The Blades (4-10-1-0) were playing their first home game after losing five straight on a U.S. Division swing. . . . RW Kevin Philp, playing his eighth WHL game, won this one with his first goal, breaking a 2-2 tie on a breakaway at 5:20 of the third period. . . . Just over two minutes earlier, the 6-foot-7 Philp had taken an interference penalty. . . . The Ice (7-10-2-0) had ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory in Prince Albert on Tuesday. . . . Captain Steve Da Silva, who is from Saskatoon, had the Ice’s first goal. He has six goals in his last seven games. . . . Saskatoon G Braden Holtby stopped 32 shots. That included a second-period stop on Jason MacDonald on a penalty shot attempt with the Ice leading 2-1. . . . The Ice outshot the Blades 13-2 in the third period.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Rockets burn Blazers
From The Daily News of Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007. . . .
KELOWNA — The Kamloops Blazers’ search for their game took them to the Little Apple on Tuesday night.
The search will continue Friday when the Prince George Cougars visit Kamloops.
Thud!
That noise you heard last night was the Blazers falling into ninth place in the WHL’s 10-team Western Conference, thanks to a 6-1 loss to the Kelowna Rockets before 6,059 observers at Prospera Place.
The victory lifted the Rockets (6-7-1-1) into a tie with the idle Cougars (7-9-0-0) for seventh place in the conference. Were the playoffs to begin today, the Blazers (6-8-1-0), seen as challengers for the pennant in preseason polls, would be on the outside looking in.
“Everyone’s waiting around for someone else to do it,” Kamloops defenceman Victor Bartley said. “Overall, guys are just getting too comfortable.
“We’ve got guys finishing their checks on the last shift of the game. Where is that on the first shift?”
Bartley was done early in the first period, a leg injury suffered in practice Monday taking him out of the lineup after just two shifts.
“I was embarrassed to be in the stands tonight,” he said.
This was a Rockets team missing its two best defencemen — Luke Schenn (suspended) and Tyler Myers (shoulder). The Blazers, however, weren’t able to take advantage of the situation.
“Some younger guys stepped up and played well,” offered Kelowna centre Cody Almond, 18, who went into the game with nine points this season and came out with 14. He had a third-period goal and four assists. “We came out hard and ended up on top.”
His wingers, Lucas Bloodoff and Brandon McMillan, also had big nights. Bloodoff, 18, had two goals and an assist; McMillan, 17, struck for a goal and three helpers.
Almond also felt the Rockets had some extra motivation.
“They beat us pretty bad in Kamloops,” he said, referring to a 5-3 Blazers victory Friday in which the home side led 5-1 at one point. “We kind of had some fire in our stomachs from that.”
The Blazers actually scored first last night — only the fourth time that has happened in 15 games — and it came 19 seconds in when winger Kenton Dulle fired a shot from the right wing that went through goaltender Kris Westblom
Shortly thereafter, the Blazers got their second shot on goal. And that was it for the offence. Pffffft! It didn’t record another shot on goal in the period, managed just five in the second and finished with 13.
“You score first on the first shot of the game . . .,” Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, said. “But we turned pucks over. We turned pucks over all night. We were a bakery.”
The Rockets were quick to take advantage of the visitors’ generosity.
“It was kind of disappointing,” Almond said of giving up the early goal, “but we bounced right back., We had a good next shift and came right back at them.”
Oh, did they!
They beat Kamloops goaltender Justin Leclerc with two goals late in the opening 20 minutes. First, winger Kevin St. Denis, all 5-foot-6 of him, was allowed more than enough time to slap his own rebound under Leclerc at 16:25.
Then, at 19:30, Kamloops defenceman Ryan Bender, usually Mr. Off The Glass And Out, coughed up the puck to centre Colin Long right at the net. Just like that the home side had a 2-1 lead.
“There’s 30 seconds left in the period,” Clark said, “and our captain puts it right on the guy’s stick. That’s not focused hockey.”
It was that kind of night. And it only got worse.
When penalties to Travis Dunstall and Keaton Ellerby gave the Rockets a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage early in the second period, Bloodoff tapped in a rebound and the home side was out of the barn and headed over the hill.
McMillan, who mans a point on the first power-play unit alongside defenceman Tyson Barrie, 16, upped the count to 4-1 at 12:21. At that point, Clark sent James Priestner in to replace Leclerc.
When Bloodoff scored again, at 17:48, the Rockets had a 5-1 lead and the shot clock went off the air. It likely couldn’t believe what was happening, either.
“We knew they beat us the last time and we hadn’t won at home for a while,” said Bloodoff, whose side now is 3-4-1-1 at home. “We just really wanted it. Everybody bought in and everybody was going.
“We were sticking to the game plan and communicating and letting things happen instead of trying to force it.”
That wasn’t the case at the other bench.
“Back to the drawing board . . . the basics of the game,” Clark said. “It’s amazing that we have a bunch of skilled players who can go out on some occasions and play as well as they do and on some occasions look like they don’t know the game.”
With that, he headed off down the concourse in the direction of the Blazers’ dressing room.
The search continues.
JUST NOTES: Referee Derek Zalaski gave the Blazers eight of 11 minors and one of two majors. . . . The majors went to D Mike Gauthier of the Blazers and Kelowna’s James McEwan. They combined for 43 bouts last season but this one ended quickly with a takedown by McEwan. . . . Bartley will see a doctor today and, for now, is listed as day-to-day. . . . G Jon Groenheyde, who joined the Blazers a couple of weeks ago while Leclerc was recovering from a sprained ankle, remains with the team. He won’t be returning to the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials, but likely will be assigned to another junior A team in time.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
KELOWNA — The Kamloops Blazers’ search for their game took them to the Little Apple on Tuesday night.
The search will continue Friday when the Prince George Cougars visit Kamloops.
Thud!
That noise you heard last night was the Blazers falling into ninth place in the WHL’s 10-team Western Conference, thanks to a 6-1 loss to the Kelowna Rockets before 6,059 observers at Prospera Place.
The victory lifted the Rockets (6-7-1-1) into a tie with the idle Cougars (7-9-0-0) for seventh place in the conference. Were the playoffs to begin today, the Blazers (6-8-1-0), seen as challengers for the pennant in preseason polls, would be on the outside looking in.
“Everyone’s waiting around for someone else to do it,” Kamloops defenceman Victor Bartley said. “Overall, guys are just getting too comfortable.
“We’ve got guys finishing their checks on the last shift of the game. Where is that on the first shift?”
Bartley was done early in the first period, a leg injury suffered in practice Monday taking him out of the lineup after just two shifts.
“I was embarrassed to be in the stands tonight,” he said.
This was a Rockets team missing its two best defencemen — Luke Schenn (suspended) and Tyler Myers (shoulder). The Blazers, however, weren’t able to take advantage of the situation.
“Some younger guys stepped up and played well,” offered Kelowna centre Cody Almond, 18, who went into the game with nine points this season and came out with 14. He had a third-period goal and four assists. “We came out hard and ended up on top.”
His wingers, Lucas Bloodoff and Brandon McMillan, also had big nights. Bloodoff, 18, had two goals and an assist; McMillan, 17, struck for a goal and three helpers.
Almond also felt the Rockets had some extra motivation.
“They beat us pretty bad in Kamloops,” he said, referring to a 5-3 Blazers victory Friday in which the home side led 5-1 at one point. “We kind of had some fire in our stomachs from that.”
The Blazers actually scored first last night — only the fourth time that has happened in 15 games — and it came 19 seconds in when winger Kenton Dulle fired a shot from the right wing that went through goaltender Kris Westblom
Shortly thereafter, the Blazers got their second shot on goal. And that was it for the offence. Pffffft! It didn’t record another shot on goal in the period, managed just five in the second and finished with 13.
“You score first on the first shot of the game . . .,” Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, said. “But we turned pucks over. We turned pucks over all night. We were a bakery.”
The Rockets were quick to take advantage of the visitors’ generosity.
“It was kind of disappointing,” Almond said of giving up the early goal, “but we bounced right back., We had a good next shift and came right back at them.”
Oh, did they!
They beat Kamloops goaltender Justin Leclerc with two goals late in the opening 20 minutes. First, winger Kevin St. Denis, all 5-foot-6 of him, was allowed more than enough time to slap his own rebound under Leclerc at 16:25.
Then, at 19:30, Kamloops defenceman Ryan Bender, usually Mr. Off The Glass And Out, coughed up the puck to centre Colin Long right at the net. Just like that the home side had a 2-1 lead.
“There’s 30 seconds left in the period,” Clark said, “and our captain puts it right on the guy’s stick. That’s not focused hockey.”
It was that kind of night. And it only got worse.
When penalties to Travis Dunstall and Keaton Ellerby gave the Rockets a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage early in the second period, Bloodoff tapped in a rebound and the home side was out of the barn and headed over the hill.
McMillan, who mans a point on the first power-play unit alongside defenceman Tyson Barrie, 16, upped the count to 4-1 at 12:21. At that point, Clark sent James Priestner in to replace Leclerc.
When Bloodoff scored again, at 17:48, the Rockets had a 5-1 lead and the shot clock went off the air. It likely couldn’t believe what was happening, either.
“We knew they beat us the last time and we hadn’t won at home for a while,” said Bloodoff, whose side now is 3-4-1-1 at home. “We just really wanted it. Everybody bought in and everybody was going.
“We were sticking to the game plan and communicating and letting things happen instead of trying to force it.”
That wasn’t the case at the other bench.
“Back to the drawing board . . . the basics of the game,” Clark said. “It’s amazing that we have a bunch of skilled players who can go out on some occasions and play as well as they do and on some occasions look like they don’t know the game.”
With that, he headed off down the concourse in the direction of the Blazers’ dressing room.
The search continues.
JUST NOTES: Referee Derek Zalaski gave the Blazers eight of 11 minors and one of two majors. . . . The majors went to D Mike Gauthier of the Blazers and Kelowna’s James McEwan. They combined for 43 bouts last season but this one ended quickly with a takedown by McEwan. . . . Bartley will see a doctor today and, for now, is listed as day-to-day. . . . G Jon Groenheyde, who joined the Blazers a couple of weeks ago while Leclerc was recovering from a sprained ankle, remains with the team. He won’t be returning to the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials, but likely will be assigned to another junior A team in time.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
Tuesday
It was the usual fun night in the Prospera Place press box in Kelowna, enjoying the hospitality of Rockets director of marketing Gavin Hamilton and his crew. . . . Ed Friesen, who scouts for Everett, was in the house and wants the world to know that he is still employed by the Silvertips. It was Eddie Friesen, the 17-year-old defenceman, who was sent home by the team earlier in the week. Ed Friesen, the veteran scout who is something older than 17, is still on the job. . . .
TUESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Swift Current, the Broncos beat Regina 5-1 to move into a first-place tie with the Pats atop the East Division. . . . The Broncos (11-4-0-2) got three assists from Zack Smith as they scored the game’s last four goals. . . . The Pats (12-6-0-0) have lost two in a row after a five-game winning streak. . . . Regina, with the WHL’s top power play, was 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while the Broncos were 2-for-9. . . .
In Kelowna, C Cody Almond had a goal and four assists to lead the Rockets to a 6-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Almond’s linemates also had big nights, Lucas Bloodoff getting two goals and an assist, while Brandon McMillan had a goal and three helpers. . . . The Rockets (6-7-1-1), who had lost five of their last six, moved past the Blazers into a tie with the idle Prince George Cougars for seventh in the Western Conference. . . . The Blazers (6-8-1-0) scored 19 seconds into the game, managed just one other shot in the first period and finished with 13 on the night. . . . Kelowna was without D Luke Schenn (suspended) and D Tyler Myers (shoulder). . . . Kamloops D Victor Bartley hurt a leg in practice Monday and left this one after two shifts. . . .
In Lethbridge, the Hurricanes’ five-game winning streak ended with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings. . . . D Cameron Cepek won it with a goal in the eighth round of the shootout. . . . The visitors outscored their hosts 3-2 in the circus. . . . Five of the regulation-time goals came e in the first period as Lethbridge built up a 3-1 lead. . . . Mitch Fadden had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes (9-7-1-1). . . . The Oil Kings (6-6-1-2) have won their last two games after losing six in a row. . . .
In Medicine Hat, D Pat Kozyra, acquired last week from the Spokane Chiefs, scored his first goal as the Tigers got past the Red Deer Rebels 4-3. . . . Kozyra played 55 games with Red Deer last season before ending up in Spokane. . . . The Tigers (12-3-2-0) built a 4-1 lead before the Rebels (4-12-3-0) scored two late goals. . . . Yashar Farmanra had his ninth of the season for the Tigers. . . . D Mark Isherwood also scored for the Tigers. It was his second WHL goal and it came in his 73rd regular-season game. . . . Medicine Hat is 9-1-0-0 at home. . . . The Rebels have lost eight in a row. . . .
In Prince Albert, G Kris Lazaruk stopped 31 shots as the Kootenay Ice dumped the Raiders 3-0. . . . Steve Da Silva scored twice for the Ice, getting his first shorthanded at 7:01 of the second period and his second at 3:13 of the third. He has eight goals this season. . . . Matt Fraser iced it 50 seconds after Da Silva’s second goal. . . The Ice (7-9-2-0) had lost two of three. . . . The Raiders (5-11-2-0) had won two of three.
TUESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Swift Current, the Broncos beat Regina 5-1 to move into a first-place tie with the Pats atop the East Division. . . . The Broncos (11-4-0-2) got three assists from Zack Smith as they scored the game’s last four goals. . . . The Pats (12-6-0-0) have lost two in a row after a five-game winning streak. . . . Regina, with the WHL’s top power play, was 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while the Broncos were 2-for-9. . . .
In Kelowna, C Cody Almond had a goal and four assists to lead the Rockets to a 6-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Almond’s linemates also had big nights, Lucas Bloodoff getting two goals and an assist, while Brandon McMillan had a goal and three helpers. . . . The Rockets (6-7-1-1), who had lost five of their last six, moved past the Blazers into a tie with the idle Prince George Cougars for seventh in the Western Conference. . . . The Blazers (6-8-1-0) scored 19 seconds into the game, managed just one other shot in the first period and finished with 13 on the night. . . . Kelowna was without D Luke Schenn (suspended) and D Tyler Myers (shoulder). . . . Kamloops D Victor Bartley hurt a leg in practice Monday and left this one after two shifts. . . .
In Lethbridge, the Hurricanes’ five-game winning streak ended with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings. . . . D Cameron Cepek won it with a goal in the eighth round of the shootout. . . . The visitors outscored their hosts 3-2 in the circus. . . . Five of the regulation-time goals came e in the first period as Lethbridge built up a 3-1 lead. . . . Mitch Fadden had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes (9-7-1-1). . . . The Oil Kings (6-6-1-2) have won their last two games after losing six in a row. . . .
In Medicine Hat, D Pat Kozyra, acquired last week from the Spokane Chiefs, scored his first goal as the Tigers got past the Red Deer Rebels 4-3. . . . Kozyra played 55 games with Red Deer last season before ending up in Spokane. . . . The Tigers (12-3-2-0) built a 4-1 lead before the Rebels (4-12-3-0) scored two late goals. . . . Yashar Farmanra had his ninth of the season for the Tigers. . . . D Mark Isherwood also scored for the Tigers. It was his second WHL goal and it came in his 73rd regular-season game. . . . Medicine Hat is 9-1-0-0 at home. . . . The Rebels have lost eight in a row. . . .
In Prince Albert, G Kris Lazaruk stopped 31 shots as the Kootenay Ice dumped the Raiders 3-0. . . . Steve Da Silva scored twice for the Ice, getting his first shorthanded at 7:01 of the second period and his second at 3:13 of the third. He has eight goals this season. . . . Matt Fraser iced it 50 seconds after Da Silva’s second goal. . . The Ice (7-9-2-0) had lost two of three. . . . The Raiders (5-11-2-0) had won two of three.
Tuesday from Kelowna
Perched in the press box in Kelowna, looking at the replay screen-less scoreclock that Regan Bartel, the radio voice of the Rockets, loves so much . . .
Some news from earlier in the day. . . .
Nolan Toigo, a swingman who played defence and forward, appears to have ended his WHL career. Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province reports that Toigo, 18, told Giants head coach Don Hay on Friday that he was “tired of the whole routine” and wanted to move on. Toigo is a nephew of Giants majority owner Ron Toigo. . . . "I had trouble getting myself to the rink, if that makes any sense," Nolan Toigo told Ewen. "It's nothing against Don. He's a great coach. It's nothing against the guys. They're a great team and I love all of them. Personally, I just didn't feel like I could do it anymore." . . . A 10th-round pick in the 2004 bantam draft, Toigo got into 33 games last season and had two assists and 29 penalty minutes. This season, he had one assist and two penalty minutes in 14 games. . . .
Former NHL coach Robbie Ftorek is back in the coaching game. Ftorek has replaced Peter Sidorkiewicz as head coach of the OHL’s Erie Otters, who, at 3-12-0-0, have the league’s worst record. Erie GM Sherry Bassin says he first approached Ftorek on Sunday and the deal got done in a hurry. Sidorkiewicz, a goaltender who played for Ftorek with the AHL’s Albany River Rats, associate head coach Mike Stapleton and assistant coach Mike Nelson all are expected to stay with the Otters. . . . . Sidorkiewicz spent last season and this as the Otters’ head coach. They went 18-62-1-2 under him. . . .
In the QMJHL, the P.E.I. Rocket has undergone more changes. Most of the club’s shares are owned by Marc Savard, who was the governor, and his brother, Serge Savard Jr., who was the GM. Marc has taken a position with the Quebec government, so Serge is taking over as governor. But the QMJHL has a rule that governors can’t be GMs. Guy Chouinard, the new head coach, has also taken over as director of hockey operations. . . .
A note from the Chilliwack Bruins: “Chilliwack Bruins Director of Broadcasting Robbie (The Grape Guy) Snooks will be making a return appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Robbie, the current grape stuffing world record holder, will engage in a marshmellow stuffing battle with the reigning hamburger stuffing champion. Tune in to NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 11:35pm.” That is, of course, Pacific time, and this doesn’t have anything to do with stuffing Don Cherry into a sack.
Some news from earlier in the day. . . .
Nolan Toigo, a swingman who played defence and forward, appears to have ended his WHL career. Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province reports that Toigo, 18, told Giants head coach Don Hay on Friday that he was “tired of the whole routine” and wanted to move on. Toigo is a nephew of Giants majority owner Ron Toigo. . . . "I had trouble getting myself to the rink, if that makes any sense," Nolan Toigo told Ewen. "It's nothing against Don. He's a great coach. It's nothing against the guys. They're a great team and I love all of them. Personally, I just didn't feel like I could do it anymore." . . . A 10th-round pick in the 2004 bantam draft, Toigo got into 33 games last season and had two assists and 29 penalty minutes. This season, he had one assist and two penalty minutes in 14 games. . . .
Former NHL coach Robbie Ftorek is back in the coaching game. Ftorek has replaced Peter Sidorkiewicz as head coach of the OHL’s Erie Otters, who, at 3-12-0-0, have the league’s worst record. Erie GM Sherry Bassin says he first approached Ftorek on Sunday and the deal got done in a hurry. Sidorkiewicz, a goaltender who played for Ftorek with the AHL’s Albany River Rats, associate head coach Mike Stapleton and assistant coach Mike Nelson all are expected to stay with the Otters. . . . . Sidorkiewicz spent last season and this as the Otters’ head coach. They went 18-62-1-2 under him. . . .
In the QMJHL, the P.E.I. Rocket has undergone more changes. Most of the club’s shares are owned by Marc Savard, who was the governor, and his brother, Serge Savard Jr., who was the GM. Marc has taken a position with the Quebec government, so Serge is taking over as governor. But the QMJHL has a rule that governors can’t be GMs. Guy Chouinard, the new head coach, has also taken over as director of hockey operations. . . .
A note from the Chilliwack Bruins: “Chilliwack Bruins Director of Broadcasting Robbie (The Grape Guy) Snooks will be making a return appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Robbie, the current grape stuffing world record holder, will engage in a marshmellow stuffing battle with the reigning hamburger stuffing champion. Tune in to NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 11:35pm.” That is, of course, Pacific time, and this doesn’t have anything to do with stuffing Don Cherry into a sack.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday's musings . . .
D Eddie Friesen has paid the price for an indiscretion and no longer is with the Everett Silvertips. Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald reports that Friesen, 17, has been sent home for disciplinary reasons. Friesen, a third-round pick by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2005 bantam draft, is from Gladstone, Man. "We set a standard here that we're trying to maintain," Everett head coach John Becanic told Patterson. "When guys fall below that standard then you have to act accordingly. We're trying to make good hockey players and good people. Sometimes you have to do some things to make sure they understand what's right and wrong. I think we got that clarified this weekend." . . . C Vitali Karamnov and LW Jordan Mistelbacher, along with Friesen, were left at home Saturday when the Silvertips traveled to Kennewick, Wash., for a game with the Tri-City Americans. Karamnov and Mistelbacher have since been reinstated. . . . Friesen had played in four games, with zero points and two penalty minutes. . . . The Silvertips now have 24 players on their roster, including G David Reekie, 20, who is due off the 60-day injury list on Saturday. . . .
Colin Campbell got it right. The two-game suspension he issued Monday to Philadelphia Flyers D Randy Jones for the hit Saturday on Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins was about right. In fact, it may even have been a game or two too many. . . . Hockey is a physical game — players are going to get injured — and too many people seem to be forgetting that. Just because a player gets injured doesn’t mean there was an illegal play involved. . . . There wasn’t any intent to injure Bergeron on the play but you can make the case that Jones hit a player who was in a vulnerable position. . . . Thus the two-game suspension. . . . But, please, let’s not be comparing this incident to the ones involving the two other suspended Philly players — Jesse Boulerice and Steve Downie. . . .
The Calgary Hitmen have named D Karl Alzner as the franchise’s 12th captain. He takes over from D Dylan Yeo, who graduated and now is with the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings. . . . Alternate captains with the Hitmen are F Ryan White, F Brett Sonne and F Carson McMillan. . . . It is interesting to note that McMillan and White are from Brandon. . . .
The Western Major Junior Hockey Writers weekly rankings of WHL teams, showing last week’s ranking, first-place votes and total points (22 points for first-place vote, 21 for second and so on):
1. (2) Vancouver Giants (11) 410; 2. (4) Spokane Chiefs (8) 405; 3. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers 362; 4. (3) Tri-City Americans 351; 5. (1) Calgary Hitmen 342;
6. (6) Regina Pats 331; 7. (9) Chilliwack Bruins 299; 8. (5) Swift Current Broncos 288; 9. (10) Moose Jaw Warriors 277; 10. (7) Seattle Thunderbirds 238;
11. (T13) Everett Silvertips 221; 12. (11) Brandon Wheat Kings 218; 13. (T13) Lethbridge Hurricanes 209; 14. (12) Kamloops Blazers 167; 15. (15) Kelowna Rockets 134;
16. (16) Kootenay Ice 133; 17. (19) Edmonton Oil Kings 122; 18. (17) Prince George Cougars 103; 19. (21) Prince Albert Raiders 73; 20. (18) Red Deer Rebels 63;
21. (20) Saskatoon Blades 42; 22. (22) Portland Winter Hawks 19.
D Matt Swaby of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Marty Becker, a former Canadian champion team roper, will be at a ranch outside Fort Saskatchewan on Wednesday to put on a “hockey meets rodeo” demonstration. It’s all part of the Oil Kings’ attempts to promote Rodeo Night in the WHL. . . . The Oil Kings will be the Rodeo Kings on Thursday when they entertain the Everett Silvertips. . . . Hopefully, they’ve brought in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings to provide the intermission entertainment. . . . And, hopefully, the zebras don’t allow the game to turn into a rodeo. . . .
This blog never will become rewrite central for WHL-related press releases. But some promotions are worth mentioning, and this is one of them. . . . The Kelowna Rockets are teaming up with Tim Hortons on Warm Hearts Warm Kids. . . . On Sunday, players and staff will be at Tim Hortons outlets from 2 to 4 p.m., assisting with service and sorting donations. So if you’re in the area, show up with new or used clean coats, gloves and toques for kids. And during their game of Nov. 7 the Rockets will take donations of those clothing items. . . .
Andy Kemper, the voice of the Winter Hawks, has a couple of interesting notes on his After The Whistle Blog. . . . He points out that Spokane has outscored the Winter Hawks 33-8 in its last four visits to Portland. That includes Sunday’s 9-1 victory, along with earlier scores of 8-2, 9-1 and 7-4. . . . .With Portland heading into the Central Division for three games this weekend, Kemper expects to see F Bradley Ross, the Winter Hawks’ first pick, fifth overall, in the 2007 bantam draft. Ross, the younger brother of Regina Pats D Nick Ross, likely will play Saturday in his hometown of Lethbridge. . . . LW Kevin Undershute (shoulder) is at home in Medicine Hat rehabbing but will rejoin his teammates this weekend.
From westerncollegehockey.blogspot.com: “A source in western Canada has informed me that Michigan Tech recruit Casey Pierro-Zabotel may soon be suiting up for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, and thus giving up on joining Michigan Tech's program midway through the season. It's very important to note that this is still just a rumor, albeit one from a fairly credible source, and things can always change, but as of right now, it doesn't sound promising for the Huskies.” . . . Pierro-Zabotel, who is from Kamloops, presently is with the BCHL's Merritt Centennials. . . .
The WHL back in Victoria? Hey, why not? Check out this story from Brian Drewry and Cleeve Deenshaw of the Victoria Times-Colonist — www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/story.html?id=459b3030-3978-4019-ad4b-d3f578586c5d
MONDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Prince George, G Tommy Tartaglione blanked his former teammates as the Cougars scored three first-period power-play goals and dropped the Vancouver Giants, 3-0. . . . Tartaglione, who began his WHL career with the Giants, stopped 31 shots for his first shutout this season and the fourth of his career. . . . With the victory, the Cougars (7-9-0-0) leaped over the Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers into seventh spot in the Western Conference. . . . The Giants (11-3-1-2) had beaten the Blazers 3-0 in Kamloops on Saturday. . . . Dana Tyrell scored twice for the Cougars, with Greg Gardner getting the game’s first goal, just 1:05 in. . . . Prince George was 3-for-7 on the PP; the Giants were 0-for-5. . . . Cougars D Ty Wishart, who leads all WHL defencemen in points, had one assist, his 16th. He has 20 points in 16 games. . . . RW Devin Setoguchi, who had such a terrific playoff for the Cougars last spring, scored two third-period goals in his first NHL game to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 4-2 victory over the host Dallas Stars.
Colin Campbell got it right. The two-game suspension he issued Monday to Philadelphia Flyers D Randy Jones for the hit Saturday on Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins was about right. In fact, it may even have been a game or two too many. . . . Hockey is a physical game — players are going to get injured — and too many people seem to be forgetting that. Just because a player gets injured doesn’t mean there was an illegal play involved. . . . There wasn’t any intent to injure Bergeron on the play but you can make the case that Jones hit a player who was in a vulnerable position. . . . Thus the two-game suspension. . . . But, please, let’s not be comparing this incident to the ones involving the two other suspended Philly players — Jesse Boulerice and Steve Downie. . . .
The Calgary Hitmen have named D Karl Alzner as the franchise’s 12th captain. He takes over from D Dylan Yeo, who graduated and now is with the ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings. . . . Alternate captains with the Hitmen are F Ryan White, F Brett Sonne and F Carson McMillan. . . . It is interesting to note that McMillan and White are from Brandon. . . .
The Western Major Junior Hockey Writers weekly rankings of WHL teams, showing last week’s ranking, first-place votes and total points (22 points for first-place vote, 21 for second and so on):
1. (2) Vancouver Giants (11) 410; 2. (4) Spokane Chiefs (8) 405; 3. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers 362; 4. (3) Tri-City Americans 351; 5. (1) Calgary Hitmen 342;
6. (6) Regina Pats 331; 7. (9) Chilliwack Bruins 299; 8. (5) Swift Current Broncos 288; 9. (10) Moose Jaw Warriors 277; 10. (7) Seattle Thunderbirds 238;
11. (T13) Everett Silvertips 221; 12. (11) Brandon Wheat Kings 218; 13. (T13) Lethbridge Hurricanes 209; 14. (12) Kamloops Blazers 167; 15. (15) Kelowna Rockets 134;
16. (16) Kootenay Ice 133; 17. (19) Edmonton Oil Kings 122; 18. (17) Prince George Cougars 103; 19. (21) Prince Albert Raiders 73; 20. (18) Red Deer Rebels 63;
21. (20) Saskatoon Blades 42; 22. (22) Portland Winter Hawks 19.
D Matt Swaby of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Marty Becker, a former Canadian champion team roper, will be at a ranch outside Fort Saskatchewan on Wednesday to put on a “hockey meets rodeo” demonstration. It’s all part of the Oil Kings’ attempts to promote Rodeo Night in the WHL. . . . The Oil Kings will be the Rodeo Kings on Thursday when they entertain the Everett Silvertips. . . . Hopefully, they’ve brought in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings to provide the intermission entertainment. . . . And, hopefully, the zebras don’t allow the game to turn into a rodeo. . . .
This blog never will become rewrite central for WHL-related press releases. But some promotions are worth mentioning, and this is one of them. . . . The Kelowna Rockets are teaming up with Tim Hortons on Warm Hearts Warm Kids. . . . On Sunday, players and staff will be at Tim Hortons outlets from 2 to 4 p.m., assisting with service and sorting donations. So if you’re in the area, show up with new or used clean coats, gloves and toques for kids. And during their game of Nov. 7 the Rockets will take donations of those clothing items. . . .
Andy Kemper, the voice of the Winter Hawks, has a couple of interesting notes on his After The Whistle Blog. . . . He points out that Spokane has outscored the Winter Hawks 33-8 in its last four visits to Portland. That includes Sunday’s 9-1 victory, along with earlier scores of 8-2, 9-1 and 7-4. . . . .With Portland heading into the Central Division for three games this weekend, Kemper expects to see F Bradley Ross, the Winter Hawks’ first pick, fifth overall, in the 2007 bantam draft. Ross, the younger brother of Regina Pats D Nick Ross, likely will play Saturday in his hometown of Lethbridge. . . . LW Kevin Undershute (shoulder) is at home in Medicine Hat rehabbing but will rejoin his teammates this weekend.
From westerncollegehockey.blogspot.com: “A source in western Canada has informed me that Michigan Tech recruit Casey Pierro-Zabotel may soon be suiting up for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, and thus giving up on joining Michigan Tech's program midway through the season. It's very important to note that this is still just a rumor, albeit one from a fairly credible source, and things can always change, but as of right now, it doesn't sound promising for the Huskies.” . . . Pierro-Zabotel, who is from Kamloops, presently is with the BCHL's Merritt Centennials. . . .
The WHL back in Victoria? Hey, why not? Check out this story from Brian Drewry and Cleeve Deenshaw of the Victoria Times-Colonist — www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/story.html?id=459b3030-3978-4019-ad4b-d3f578586c5d
MONDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Prince George, G Tommy Tartaglione blanked his former teammates as the Cougars scored three first-period power-play goals and dropped the Vancouver Giants, 3-0. . . . Tartaglione, who began his WHL career with the Giants, stopped 31 shots for his first shutout this season and the fourth of his career. . . . With the victory, the Cougars (7-9-0-0) leaped over the Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers into seventh spot in the Western Conference. . . . The Giants (11-3-1-2) had beaten the Blazers 3-0 in Kamloops on Saturday. . . . Dana Tyrell scored twice for the Cougars, with Greg Gardner getting the game’s first goal, just 1:05 in. . . . Prince George was 3-for-7 on the PP; the Giants were 0-for-5. . . . Cougars D Ty Wishart, who leads all WHL defencemen in points, had one assist, his 16th. He has 20 points in 16 games. . . . RW Devin Setoguchi, who had such a terrific playoff for the Cougars last spring, scored two third-period goals in his first NHL game to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 4-2 victory over the host Dallas Stars.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday's highlights . . .
On the same day that the World Series ends, A-Rod and his headline loving agent reveal that the third baseman who would rather be a shortstop has opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees. Couldn't wait another day, could they? . . . And now we get to play that most-popular of winter games: Which baseball moron, er, owner will give A-Rod the bank this time? . . .
Two sure signs of winter . . . 1. The swans arrive in the South Thompson River on the east side of Kamloops; 2. Bill Belichick drags out the hoodie with the cutoff sleeves. . . . The swans arrived here overnight Thursday. . . . Belichick wore the hoodie Sunday afternoon and wore it as his New England Patriots waltzed past the Washington Redskins. . . . Winter is on its way. . . . If you haven’t already, you best tell your loved ones that you will be busy on Sunday afternoon (in case you have forgotten, it’s Patriots versus Colts). . . .
The highlight of Sunday's NFL game in London between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins? Easy. The crowd booed at the end as New York quarterback Eli Manning repeatedly took a knee to run out the clock. Maybe the CFL should send a couple of teams over there to show the fans how much fun the last minute of a game can be. . . .
Took time early Sunday to look at a hit from a Friday night game that resulted in a two-game suspension to Kelowna Rockets D Luke Schenn. It came late in the second period of a game with the Blazers in Kamloops. After the hit on Kamloops LW Shayne Wiebe, Schenn wasn’t immediately penalized by referee Andy Thiessen. After meeting with linesmen Kris Hartley and Nick Swaine, Thiessen gave Schenn a charging major and a game misconduct. Wiebe was on his knees and needed attention from trainer Colin Robinson before skating off. Schenn was suspended for two games; Wiebe, who has a concussion, didn’t play Saturday and is questionable for a rematch in Kelowna on Tuesday. . . . But after watching the play five or six times, I’ve got to wonder why Schenn was (a) penalized and (b) suspended. . . . On the play in question, Wiebe, 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, is against the boards in a corner in the Kelowna zone. Schenn, 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, coasts into Wiebe from behind and knocks him into the boards. Wiebe’s head hits the glass. . . . Wiebe, who had his back to Schenn, was not parked three feet from the boards; he was pretty much up against the boards. . . . However, there is no intent to run a guy through the boards. Schenn didn’t run at Wiebe, nor did he launch himself in Steve Downie fashion. . . . If that hit is worth a two-game suspension, you have to wonder where this game is going. . . . One NHL scout who was at the game offered: “That was simply a case of a big guy hitting a smaller guy.” . . . So should the big guy be suspended in such instances?
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Calgary, Clayton Cumiskey‘s goal with 1.2 seconds left in the third period gave the Edmonton Oil Kings a 4-3 victory over the Hitmen. Calgary (11-5-0-1) was coming off a 4-0 home-ice loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Thursday and has lost six of eight. Perhaps the players should bring their skates to practice on Monday. . . . The Oil Kings (5-6-1-2) went in having lost six straight; they also had lost five in a row on the road. . . . Calgary trailed 3-1 in this one before goals 13 seconds apart late in the third period pulled it even. With G Martin Jones on the bench for the extra attacker, the Hitmen got goals from Karl Alzner at 18:52 and Kyle Bortis at 19:05. . . . Cumiskey’s winner came off a 2-on-1 with Brett Breitkreuz. . . . Strangely, Mike Maniago, a former Kamloops Blazers goaltender who is from Calgary, beat the Hitmen on Thursday. On Sunday, Edmonton went with Dalyn Flette, another ex-Blazers netminder who also is from Calgary. Flette was outstanding in making 29 saves. . . .
In Lethbridge, the Hurricanes got out to a 3-0 second-period lead and went on to beat the Red Deer Rebels, 3-2. . . . It was a special victory for Lethbridge head coach Michael Dyck as his wife, Char, had brought a son into the world earlier in the day. . . . Four of the goals came via the PP, as the Hurricanes were 2-for-3 and the Rebels 2-for-9. . . . The Hurricanes (9-7-1-0) are on a five-game winning streak and now are 4-4-0-0 at home. . . . The Rebels (4-11-3-0) are on a seven-game losing streak. . . . Lethbridge had won 4-3 in Red Deer on Saturday. . . . Jacob Dietrich, Adam Chorneyko and Travis Bobbee had Lethbridge out front 3-0 at 18:50 of the second period. . . . Joel Cot got Red Deer on the board at 19:55 of the second period but the Rebels weren’t able to score again until Clayton Bauer found the mark at 19:50 of the third. . . . Red Deer outshot Lethbridge 30-19, including 11-1 in the third period, but G Juha Metsola stood tall for the Hurricanes. . . .
In Portland, the Spokane Chiefs hung a 9-1 licking on the Winter Hawks (2-13-0-0) who now are 1-8-0-0 at home. . . . The Chiefs (11-2-1-1) have won eight in a row and are tied with the Tri-City Americans (12-4-0-0), one point behind the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Giants (11-2-1-2). Vancouver plays in Prince George on Monday night. . . . Spokane got three goals from Judd Blackwater, who has seven on the season. He also had an assist. Ondrej Roman had a goal and three helpers. . . . Jared Cowen, Curtis Kelner, Blackwater and Roman all finished plus-4. . . .
In Seattle, the Wheat Kings, who went into Saturday in Portland on a five-game losing streak, won their second game in a row, beating the Thunderbirds, 5-2. . . . Brandon (9-6-0-1) beat the Winter Hawks 4-2 on Saturday. . . . Brandon, 2-2-0-1 on its U.S. Division tour, won this one by scoring the game’s last three goals in a 3:16 span early in the third period, after the teams were tied 2-2 after two. . . . A power-play goal by Daniel Bartek at 2:01 of the third period began the Brandon onslaught. . . . Jay Fehr added insurance at 5:02 and Brayden Schenn put it away at 5:17. . . . Brandon outshot Seattle 16-7 in the first period and 16-6 in the third, although the final advantage was only 35-32. . . . Sena Acolotse, playing his 56th career regular-season game, had his first goal for the Thunderbirds (6-3-2-1), who now are 4-1-1-1 at home. . . . Brandon’s Tyler Dittmer didn’t score for the first time in five games. . . . Seattle was without D Scott Jackson (ankle), who was injured in a 2-0 Saturday loss to the Chiefs in Spokane.
Two sure signs of winter . . . 1. The swans arrive in the South Thompson River on the east side of Kamloops; 2. Bill Belichick drags out the hoodie with the cutoff sleeves. . . . The swans arrived here overnight Thursday. . . . Belichick wore the hoodie Sunday afternoon and wore it as his New England Patriots waltzed past the Washington Redskins. . . . Winter is on its way. . . . If you haven’t already, you best tell your loved ones that you will be busy on Sunday afternoon (in case you have forgotten, it’s Patriots versus Colts). . . .
The highlight of Sunday's NFL game in London between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins? Easy. The crowd booed at the end as New York quarterback Eli Manning repeatedly took a knee to run out the clock. Maybe the CFL should send a couple of teams over there to show the fans how much fun the last minute of a game can be. . . .
Took time early Sunday to look at a hit from a Friday night game that resulted in a two-game suspension to Kelowna Rockets D Luke Schenn. It came late in the second period of a game with the Blazers in Kamloops. After the hit on Kamloops LW Shayne Wiebe, Schenn wasn’t immediately penalized by referee Andy Thiessen. After meeting with linesmen Kris Hartley and Nick Swaine, Thiessen gave Schenn a charging major and a game misconduct. Wiebe was on his knees and needed attention from trainer Colin Robinson before skating off. Schenn was suspended for two games; Wiebe, who has a concussion, didn’t play Saturday and is questionable for a rematch in Kelowna on Tuesday. . . . But after watching the play five or six times, I’ve got to wonder why Schenn was (a) penalized and (b) suspended. . . . On the play in question, Wiebe, 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, is against the boards in a corner in the Kelowna zone. Schenn, 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, coasts into Wiebe from behind and knocks him into the boards. Wiebe’s head hits the glass. . . . Wiebe, who had his back to Schenn, was not parked three feet from the boards; he was pretty much up against the boards. . . . However, there is no intent to run a guy through the boards. Schenn didn’t run at Wiebe, nor did he launch himself in Steve Downie fashion. . . . If that hit is worth a two-game suspension, you have to wonder where this game is going. . . . One NHL scout who was at the game offered: “That was simply a case of a big guy hitting a smaller guy.” . . . So should the big guy be suspended in such instances?
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Calgary, Clayton Cumiskey‘s goal with 1.2 seconds left in the third period gave the Edmonton Oil Kings a 4-3 victory over the Hitmen. Calgary (11-5-0-1) was coming off a 4-0 home-ice loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Thursday and has lost six of eight. Perhaps the players should bring their skates to practice on Monday. . . . The Oil Kings (5-6-1-2) went in having lost six straight; they also had lost five in a row on the road. . . . Calgary trailed 3-1 in this one before goals 13 seconds apart late in the third period pulled it even. With G Martin Jones on the bench for the extra attacker, the Hitmen got goals from Karl Alzner at 18:52 and Kyle Bortis at 19:05. . . . Cumiskey’s winner came off a 2-on-1 with Brett Breitkreuz. . . . Strangely, Mike Maniago, a former Kamloops Blazers goaltender who is from Calgary, beat the Hitmen on Thursday. On Sunday, Edmonton went with Dalyn Flette, another ex-Blazers netminder who also is from Calgary. Flette was outstanding in making 29 saves. . . .
In Lethbridge, the Hurricanes got out to a 3-0 second-period lead and went on to beat the Red Deer Rebels, 3-2. . . . It was a special victory for Lethbridge head coach Michael Dyck as his wife, Char, had brought a son into the world earlier in the day. . . . Four of the goals came via the PP, as the Hurricanes were 2-for-3 and the Rebels 2-for-9. . . . The Hurricanes (9-7-1-0) are on a five-game winning streak and now are 4-4-0-0 at home. . . . The Rebels (4-11-3-0) are on a seven-game losing streak. . . . Lethbridge had won 4-3 in Red Deer on Saturday. . . . Jacob Dietrich, Adam Chorneyko and Travis Bobbee had Lethbridge out front 3-0 at 18:50 of the second period. . . . Joel Cot got Red Deer on the board at 19:55 of the second period but the Rebels weren’t able to score again until Clayton Bauer found the mark at 19:50 of the third. . . . Red Deer outshot Lethbridge 30-19, including 11-1 in the third period, but G Juha Metsola stood tall for the Hurricanes. . . .
In Portland, the Spokane Chiefs hung a 9-1 licking on the Winter Hawks (2-13-0-0) who now are 1-8-0-0 at home. . . . The Chiefs (11-2-1-1) have won eight in a row and are tied with the Tri-City Americans (12-4-0-0), one point behind the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Giants (11-2-1-2). Vancouver plays in Prince George on Monday night. . . . Spokane got three goals from Judd Blackwater, who has seven on the season. He also had an assist. Ondrej Roman had a goal and three helpers. . . . Jared Cowen, Curtis Kelner, Blackwater and Roman all finished plus-4. . . .
In Seattle, the Wheat Kings, who went into Saturday in Portland on a five-game losing streak, won their second game in a row, beating the Thunderbirds, 5-2. . . . Brandon (9-6-0-1) beat the Winter Hawks 4-2 on Saturday. . . . Brandon, 2-2-0-1 on its U.S. Division tour, won this one by scoring the game’s last three goals in a 3:16 span early in the third period, after the teams were tied 2-2 after two. . . . A power-play goal by Daniel Bartek at 2:01 of the third period began the Brandon onslaught. . . . Jay Fehr added insurance at 5:02 and Brayden Schenn put it away at 5:17. . . . Brandon outshot Seattle 16-7 in the first period and 16-6 in the third, although the final advantage was only 35-32. . . . Sena Acolotse, playing his 56th career regular-season game, had his first goal for the Thunderbirds (6-3-2-1), who now are 4-1-1-1 at home. . . . Brandon’s Tyler Dittmer didn’t score for the first time in five games. . . . Seattle was without D Scott Jackson (ankle), who was injured in a 2-0 Saturday loss to the Chiefs in Spokane.
Giants 3, Blazers 0
From The Daily News of Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. . . .
If the Kamloops Blazers were wondering how close they are to being an elite WHL team, well, they found out Saturday night.
Yes, they have a long, long, l-o-n-g way to go.
The Vancouver Giants came to town Saturday night and, with the home boys raising nary a hand, ransacked the village and whipped the Blazers 3-0 in front of an announced crowd of 4,881 at Interior Savings Centre.
“We talked about it. We went over it,” Kamloops centre Brock Nixon said of his club‘s abysmal start. “We knew exactly how we had to play. We knew exactly what they were going to bring . . . their work ethic.
“For 20 minutes we sat back and let them dominate us.”
In the early going, the defending Memorial Cup champions displayed an up-tempo, forecheck-heavy, get-pucks-to-the-net game that the Blazers often talk about but rarely are able to play.
While this game was in doubt, like in the first period, most of it was played in the Kamloops zone with pucks and players zipping around goaltender Justin Leclerc as though he was in a video game.
“We got off to a good start,” offered Vancouver head coach Don Hay, in something of an understatement. “I really liked our energy and our intensity early in the game.”
The Giants (11-2-1-2), with points in eight of their last nine games, scored two power-play goals in the game’s first 16 minutes, both coming from point shots with lots of traffic at the net. Those goals, from winger Michal Repik and captain Spencer Machacek, were sandwiched around a second Repik goal, one that bounced off a foot with the Giants, again, getting people and the puck to the net.
“We had every reason to get up for this game,” Nixon said, his voice dripping with frustration. “Saturday night in our barn. Probably our biggest rivalry. And we had no jam in the first period.”
The Blazers (6-7-1-0), who outshot the visitors 25-20, also were stymied by Vancouver goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, although it wasn’t until late in the third period that they mounted any sustained pressure. The 18-year-old from Priddis, Alta., put up his 14th career shutout in his 80th appearance. He is tied for 14th on the alltime shutout list, but has played in 35 fewer games than any of the 13 goaltenders ahead of him.
Sexsmith leads the WHL in victories (11), shutouts (3) and GAA (1.63).
The Giants also got a tremendous game from Repik, a gritty Czech who turns 19 on Dec. 31. He was the WHL’s top playoff scorer, with 26 points, last season and has picked right up where he left off, with 20 points, including eight goals, in 16 games this season.
“They scored on their first shot on the power play,“ Kamloops general manager and head coach Dean Clark said. “I think it went off (Nixon) and in. We were on our heels there. Then they get a bounce, whether it is kicked in or goes off a guy’s skate it goes in. We were reeling a little bit.”
Clark paused and then got to the heart of the matter.
“But certainly our starts . . . (Vancouver) came with some energy,” he said. “I didn’t like our start and our energy. As soon as something goes wrong, all of a sudden we stand around and watch and that’s happened way too many times this season.
“I’m concerned with the fact that we’re not pressing the issue, that we’re not setting the level (of play). They set the level, we matched it and maybe got it a little bit higher at times. But we need to set the level.”
Going into the second period with a 3-0 lead, the Giants went into clamp-down mode and put up a defensive wall that the Blazers, playing with all the spark of a campfire in a rainstorm, rarely could penetrate.
So what’s next for the Blazers, who play the Rockets in Kelowna on Tuesday?
“We have to push people out of their comfort zones,” Clark said. “Obviously we have some people who aren’t ready to compete at the start of a game. I think it’s a matter of demanding more and (adjusting) our practices accordingly.
“It’s important that we understand the level of compete that you need in order to beat the Memorial Cup champions.”
Earlier this season, the Blazers, after a poor effort, were made to run the stairs in their equipment. After taking off their gear following Saturday’s game, they were running laps on the concourse.
If this keeps up, Clark just may run a few players out of town.
JUST NOTES: Referee Pat Smith gave each team seven minors and a misconduct. . . . Clark was on Smith early in the first period about Vancouver F Garet Hunt’s penchant for leaving his feet when he throws checks along the boards. Clark’s protests fell on deaf ears. . . . Vancouver D Craig Schira, 19, was solid in playing his second game after missing five with an upper body injury. . . . Kelowna D Luke Schenn sat out the Rockets’ 4-3 shootout loss to the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday and won’t play Tuesday against the visiting Blazers. He was suspended for two games after taking a charging major and game misconduct for a hit on Blazers LW Shayne Wiebe, who is out with a concussion.
Blazers box
From The Daily News of Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. . . .
THE SCORE
Vancouver 3, Kamloops 0
WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers didn’t compete in the first period after which this one was over.
THE SHUTOUT
The Blazers were last blanked at home on Dec. 10 when they were beaten 5-0 by Jacob DeSerres and the Seattle Thunderbirds.
THE SHUTOUT, PART 2
Vancouver G Tyson Sexsmith posted his WHL-leading third shutout of the season and the 14th of his career. The WHL record for shutouts in a career (21) is held by Bryan Bridges (Seattle-Kootenay, 2001-06).
THE INJURIES
Vancouver C Mike Reich took a clearing pass in the face in the first period and didn’t return. He took stitches and was seeing a dentist by game’s end. . . . Kamloops LW Travis Dunstall needed stitches below his lower lip after being hit with a puck in the third period.
THE EX-CAPTAIN
LW Milan Lucic, the Giants’ captain last season, was told by the Boston Bruins on Friday to find a place to live because he’ll be spending the season in the NHL. Lucic, 19, was a second-round pick in the 2006 NHL draft.
THE SERIES
Last season, the Blazers went 6-2-0-0 against the Giants. Except that with overtime and shootouts, the Giants were 2-4-0-2 against the Blazers. . . . The teams will meet eight times again this season, with the next clash Nov. 11 in Vancouver.
THE FIRST GOAL
In 14 games, the Blazers have scored the first goal only three times. They are 3-0-0-0 when doing so.
THE FIRSTS
Kamloops C Jimmy Bubnick picked up the first goal and first assist of his WHL career in Friday’s 5-3 victory over the visiting Kelowna Rockets. D Darcy Huisman picked up his first career assist in that game.
THE FLAMES
Vancouver D Jon Blum’s family resides in Rancho Santa Margarita, which is between San Diego and L.A. Recent fires have been visible from his family’s home, which apparently hasn’t been endangered. Blum told The Province that one of his minor hockey coaches lost his home to the flames.
THE CO-OWNER
Ex-Blazers C Shane Doan, now one of the team’s owners, scored his 200th NHL goal Saturday as his Phoenix Coyotes fell 5-3 to the visiting Dallas Stars.
THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS
1. RW Michal Repik, Vancouver. Scores. Sets them up. Blocks shots.
2. LW Garet Hunt, Vancouver. Had Blazers talking to themselves in first period.
3. G Tyson Sexsmith, Vancouver. Made the stops when called upon.
UP NEXT
The Blazers meet the Rockets in Kelowna on Tuesday before returning home to face the Prince George Cougars on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Saturday . . .
For some light Sunday reading, check out this -- www.thestar.com/Business/article/271086 -- from Saturday’s Toronto Star. . . . Someone in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment leaked some financial documents to the Star and the result is some interesting reading. . . . I mean, selling ice from the Zamboni. Sheesh, Leafs fans really will buy anything Leafy. . . .
SATURDAY¹S HIGHLIGHTS
In Edmonton, the Swift Current Broncos skated to a 3-1 victory over the Oil Kings, handing the expansion side its sixth straight loss. . . . Edmonton G Alex Archibald stopped 36 shots. . . . The Broncos outshot the Oil Kings 39-24, including 24-11 over the first two periods. . . . Still, the game was scoreless heading into the third period. . . . The Oil Kings scored first when LW Karey Pieper got a PP goal at 4:14. . . . Broncos LW Eric Felde tied it with his ninth goal at 7:07 and C Zack Smith won it with his sixth at 13:36 on a power play. . . . RW Keegan Dansereau got his ninth into an empty net at 18:18 to put it on ice. . . . The Oil Kings (4-6-1-2), who play eight of their next nine on the road, have lost six in a row. . . . The Broncos now are 10-4-0-2. . . .
In Kelowna, rookie C Justin Maylan had two goals, but only one will count, as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Rockets 4-3 in a shootout. Maylan scored once in regulation time and added the winner in the circus. . . . While Maylan’s second goal won the game, it won’t count in his totals. Just another quirk in hockey these days. . . . The Rockets (5-7-1-1) have five losses in their last six games after a three-game winning streak. . . . The Warriors (8-3-3-1) have at least a point in 10 straight games. . . . What kind of night was it for Kelowna? The Rockets held period leads of 2-1 and 3-2, then led 2-0 and 3-2 in the shootout and still lost as Maylan scored the winner in Round 8. . . . Warriors C Jason Bast had two assists and now has 13 points, including nine assists, in a seven-game point streak. . . . Moose Jaw F Ryley Grantham had a goal, an assist, three minors and a scrap. . . . Kelowna D Luke Schenn sat out the first of a two-game suspension for a Friday night hit on Kamloops LW Shayne Wiebe, who is out with a concussion.
In Medicine Hat, the Tigers played in front of their 200th consecutive sellout of 4,006 fans and didn‘t disappoint in beating the Kootenay Ice, 4-1. . . . C Brennan Bosch, who was in the penalty box Friday when the Ice got the OT winner in a 2-1 victory in Cranbrook, had a goal and an assist for the Tigers. . . . G Tomas Vosvrda stopped 29 shots for the Tigers (11-3-2-0). . . . Medicine Hat LW Yashar Farmanara had a five-game goal streak snapped Friday. . . . Kootenay (6-9-2-0) went into Saturday’s gave having won three of four. . . . The Ice has been told that C Ryan Russell, 20, will be staying with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, an affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. The Ice had felt there was a chance Russell would be returned. . . . Ice C Ben Maxwell (thigh) is out indefinitely. . . .
In Portland, the Brandon Wheat Kings ended a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Winter Hawks. . . . Brandon C Tyler Dittmer got his 12th goal into an empty net and has scored in seven of his last eight games. . . . The Winter Hawks fell to 2-12-0-0. . . . Portland’s Tyler Swystun got his seventh goal. He has seven of Portland’s 26 goals this season. . . . RW Matt Lowry, acquired from Medicine Hat prior to the season, scored his ninth goal for Brandon. He had 10 in 63 games with the Tigers last season. . . .
In Prince George, C Mark Santorelli had four assists and RW Oscar Moller scored three times as the Chilliwack Bruins dumped the Cougars, 7-2. . . . The Cougars (6-9-0-0) had beaten the Bruins 5-3 one night earlier for their fourth win in five games. . . . Moller has 12 goals in his last five games, including five in the two games in Prince George. . . . The Bruins are 10-4-1-0. . . . Chilliwack, which was 4-for-8 on the PP, led 2-0, only to have the Cougars tie it early in the second period. The Bruins then scored the game’s last five goals. . . . After Saturday’s games, Santorelli leads the scoring race with 27 points. He has a league-high 23 assists. . . . Moller has 15 goals, one fewer than Regina’s Jordan Eberle, who has 26 points. . . . Moller is third in the points derby, with 24. . . .
In Red Deer, the Rebels lost their sixth straight game -- they also have lost six in a row at home -- as they were beaten 4-3 by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . The visitors, who have won four in a row, scored three first-period goals as the Rebels were shorthanded for 11 minutes of the period. . . . Red Deer tied the game in the third period but RW Luke Wiens won it by potting his own rebound with 6:34 to play. It was his first goal of the season. . . . Lethbridge is 8-7-1-0, while the Rebels fell to 4-10-3-0. . . . Red Deer head coach Brian Sutter told the Red Deer Advocate: “There were a lot of marginal calls and a lot of missed calls all over the ice.” . . . The referees who were stroked from Sutter’s Christmas card list? Adam Byblow and Ryan Bonnet. . . . Lethbridge was 1-for-8 on the PP; Red Deer was 0-for-4. . . .
In Regina, C Ryan McDonald scored three times as the Prince Albert Raiders dumped the Pats, 7-3. . . . McDonald, who scored once in the first period and twice in the second as the Raiders took a 4-1 lead, has 10 goals this season. . . . The Raiders (5-10-2-0) went in having lost eight of 10, including a 5-1 loss to the visiting Pats on Friday. . . . The Pats are 5-1-0-0 against the Raiders this season. Yes, they already have met six times. . . . Regina (12-5-0-0) had a five-game winning streak halted. . . . Regina C Tim Kraus had an assist to run a point streak to six games. . . . Regina C Jordan Eberle had two goals and an assist. . . . Prince Albert G Dustin Butler stopped 39 shots. . . .
In Spokane, the Chiefs put up their second shutout in three games as they beat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 2-0. . . . Spokane (10-2-1-1) has won seven in a row, its longest such streak since 1997-98. That also is tied for the third-longest winning streak in franchise history. . . . G Dustin Tokarski stopped 22 shots for his first shutout this season and the third of his career. . . . RW Curtis Kelner and D Jared Cowen had the goals. . . . The Thunderbirds, who had won their last two, slipped to 6-2-2-1. . . . The Chiefs are off to the best 14-game start in franchise history. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., G Leland Irving stopped 42 shots to lead the Everett Silvertips to a 2-1 victory over the host Tri-City Americans, who had won their last 20 home regular-season games. . . . The Americans (12-4-0-0) had a five-game winning streak end. . . . Everett (8-6-0-0), which started the season 1-5-0-0, has won eight of its last 11. . . . D Chris de la Lande, a 17-year-old freshman from Winnipeg, had the winner at 16:37 of the second period when his shot beat G Chet Pickard after going off Tri-City D Jarrett Toll‘s stick. It was de la Lande’s first WHL goal. . . . There’s got to be some irony in a Winnipegger scoring the winning goal against the Americans, a team whose roster includes 11 players from the Manitoba capital. . . . Tri-City C Jason Reese had an assist and has seven points in his last three games. . . . Everett C Dan Gendur picked up an assist to run his point streak to eight games. He has 14 points over that stretch. . . . The Americans are at home to Vancouver on Friday in an early-season clash of titans. . . .
In Kamloops, RW Michal Repik had two goals, G Tyson Sexsmith made 25 saves and the Vancouver Giants beat the Blazers, 3-0. . . . Repik, who led all WHL playoff scorers last season, had two goals and an assist in the first period and now has 20 points in 16 games. . . . Sexsmith put up his WHL-leading third shutout this season and the 14th of his career. He is tied for 14th on the all-time list and, yes, the record (21) is within reach. That record is held by Bryan Bridges (Seattle-Kootenay, 2001-06), who played 213 games. Sexsmith, 18, has played in 80 games, which is 35 fewer than anyone above him on that list. . . The Blazers, who have scored the game’s first goal three times in 14 games, are 6-7-1-0. . . . The Giants (11-2-1-2) got another goal, his 11th, from captain Spencer Machacek. . . . One of the things I really, really love about the WHL is numbers like this: Last season, the Blazers were 6-2-0-0 against the Giants, who were 2-4-2-0 against the Blazers. . . . You figure it out. . . . Vancouver C Mike Reich needed stitches and was in a dentist’s chair by game’s end after being hit in the face by a clearing pass in the first period. . . . Kamloops LW Travis Dunstall took a handful of stitches below his lower lip after taking a puck in the mug late in the third period. . . . The Giants overnighted in Kamloops and will drive to Prince George on Sunday for a rare non-holiday Monday engagement with the Cougars.
SATURDAY¹S HIGHLIGHTS
In Edmonton, the Swift Current Broncos skated to a 3-1 victory over the Oil Kings, handing the expansion side its sixth straight loss. . . . Edmonton G Alex Archibald stopped 36 shots. . . . The Broncos outshot the Oil Kings 39-24, including 24-11 over the first two periods. . . . Still, the game was scoreless heading into the third period. . . . The Oil Kings scored first when LW Karey Pieper got a PP goal at 4:14. . . . Broncos LW Eric Felde tied it with his ninth goal at 7:07 and C Zack Smith won it with his sixth at 13:36 on a power play. . . . RW Keegan Dansereau got his ninth into an empty net at 18:18 to put it on ice. . . . The Oil Kings (4-6-1-2), who play eight of their next nine on the road, have lost six in a row. . . . The Broncos now are 10-4-0-2. . . .
In Kelowna, rookie C Justin Maylan had two goals, but only one will count, as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Rockets 4-3 in a shootout. Maylan scored once in regulation time and added the winner in the circus. . . . While Maylan’s second goal won the game, it won’t count in his totals. Just another quirk in hockey these days. . . . The Rockets (5-7-1-1) have five losses in their last six games after a three-game winning streak. . . . The Warriors (8-3-3-1) have at least a point in 10 straight games. . . . What kind of night was it for Kelowna? The Rockets held period leads of 2-1 and 3-2, then led 2-0 and 3-2 in the shootout and still lost as Maylan scored the winner in Round 8. . . . Warriors C Jason Bast had two assists and now has 13 points, including nine assists, in a seven-game point streak. . . . Moose Jaw F Ryley Grantham had a goal, an assist, three minors and a scrap. . . . Kelowna D Luke Schenn sat out the first of a two-game suspension for a Friday night hit on Kamloops LW Shayne Wiebe, who is out with a concussion.
In Medicine Hat, the Tigers played in front of their 200th consecutive sellout of 4,006 fans and didn‘t disappoint in beating the Kootenay Ice, 4-1. . . . C Brennan Bosch, who was in the penalty box Friday when the Ice got the OT winner in a 2-1 victory in Cranbrook, had a goal and an assist for the Tigers. . . . G Tomas Vosvrda stopped 29 shots for the Tigers (11-3-2-0). . . . Medicine Hat LW Yashar Farmanara had a five-game goal streak snapped Friday. . . . Kootenay (6-9-2-0) went into Saturday’s gave having won three of four. . . . The Ice has been told that C Ryan Russell, 20, will be staying with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, an affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. The Ice had felt there was a chance Russell would be returned. . . . Ice C Ben Maxwell (thigh) is out indefinitely. . . .
In Portland, the Brandon Wheat Kings ended a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Winter Hawks. . . . Brandon C Tyler Dittmer got his 12th goal into an empty net and has scored in seven of his last eight games. . . . The Winter Hawks fell to 2-12-0-0. . . . Portland’s Tyler Swystun got his seventh goal. He has seven of Portland’s 26 goals this season. . . . RW Matt Lowry, acquired from Medicine Hat prior to the season, scored his ninth goal for Brandon. He had 10 in 63 games with the Tigers last season. . . .
In Prince George, C Mark Santorelli had four assists and RW Oscar Moller scored three times as the Chilliwack Bruins dumped the Cougars, 7-2. . . . The Cougars (6-9-0-0) had beaten the Bruins 5-3 one night earlier for their fourth win in five games. . . . Moller has 12 goals in his last five games, including five in the two games in Prince George. . . . The Bruins are 10-4-1-0. . . . Chilliwack, which was 4-for-8 on the PP, led 2-0, only to have the Cougars tie it early in the second period. The Bruins then scored the game’s last five goals. . . . After Saturday’s games, Santorelli leads the scoring race with 27 points. He has a league-high 23 assists. . . . Moller has 15 goals, one fewer than Regina’s Jordan Eberle, who has 26 points. . . . Moller is third in the points derby, with 24. . . .
In Red Deer, the Rebels lost their sixth straight game -- they also have lost six in a row at home -- as they were beaten 4-3 by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. . . . The visitors, who have won four in a row, scored three first-period goals as the Rebels were shorthanded for 11 minutes of the period. . . . Red Deer tied the game in the third period but RW Luke Wiens won it by potting his own rebound with 6:34 to play. It was his first goal of the season. . . . Lethbridge is 8-7-1-0, while the Rebels fell to 4-10-3-0. . . . Red Deer head coach Brian Sutter told the Red Deer Advocate: “There were a lot of marginal calls and a lot of missed calls all over the ice.” . . . The referees who were stroked from Sutter’s Christmas card list? Adam Byblow and Ryan Bonnet. . . . Lethbridge was 1-for-8 on the PP; Red Deer was 0-for-4. . . .
In Regina, C Ryan McDonald scored three times as the Prince Albert Raiders dumped the Pats, 7-3. . . . McDonald, who scored once in the first period and twice in the second as the Raiders took a 4-1 lead, has 10 goals this season. . . . The Raiders (5-10-2-0) went in having lost eight of 10, including a 5-1 loss to the visiting Pats on Friday. . . . The Pats are 5-1-0-0 against the Raiders this season. Yes, they already have met six times. . . . Regina (12-5-0-0) had a five-game winning streak halted. . . . Regina C Tim Kraus had an assist to run a point streak to six games. . . . Regina C Jordan Eberle had two goals and an assist. . . . Prince Albert G Dustin Butler stopped 39 shots. . . .
In Spokane, the Chiefs put up their second shutout in three games as they beat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 2-0. . . . Spokane (10-2-1-1) has won seven in a row, its longest such streak since 1997-98. That also is tied for the third-longest winning streak in franchise history. . . . G Dustin Tokarski stopped 22 shots for his first shutout this season and the third of his career. . . . RW Curtis Kelner and D Jared Cowen had the goals. . . . The Thunderbirds, who had won their last two, slipped to 6-2-2-1. . . . The Chiefs are off to the best 14-game start in franchise history. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., G Leland Irving stopped 42 shots to lead the Everett Silvertips to a 2-1 victory over the host Tri-City Americans, who had won their last 20 home regular-season games. . . . The Americans (12-4-0-0) had a five-game winning streak end. . . . Everett (8-6-0-0), which started the season 1-5-0-0, has won eight of its last 11. . . . D Chris de la Lande, a 17-year-old freshman from Winnipeg, had the winner at 16:37 of the second period when his shot beat G Chet Pickard after going off Tri-City D Jarrett Toll‘s stick. It was de la Lande’s first WHL goal. . . . There’s got to be some irony in a Winnipegger scoring the winning goal against the Americans, a team whose roster includes 11 players from the Manitoba capital. . . . Tri-City C Jason Reese had an assist and has seven points in his last three games. . . . Everett C Dan Gendur picked up an assist to run his point streak to eight games. He has 14 points over that stretch. . . . The Americans are at home to Vancouver on Friday in an early-season clash of titans. . . .
In Kamloops, RW Michal Repik had two goals, G Tyson Sexsmith made 25 saves and the Vancouver Giants beat the Blazers, 3-0. . . . Repik, who led all WHL playoff scorers last season, had two goals and an assist in the first period and now has 20 points in 16 games. . . . Sexsmith put up his WHL-leading third shutout this season and the 14th of his career. He is tied for 14th on the all-time list and, yes, the record (21) is within reach. That record is held by Bryan Bridges (Seattle-Kootenay, 2001-06), who played 213 games. Sexsmith, 18, has played in 80 games, which is 35 fewer than anyone above him on that list. . . The Blazers, who have scored the game’s first goal three times in 14 games, are 6-7-1-0. . . . The Giants (11-2-1-2) got another goal, his 11th, from captain Spencer Machacek. . . . One of the things I really, really love about the WHL is numbers like this: Last season, the Blazers were 6-2-0-0 against the Giants, who were 2-4-2-0 against the Blazers. . . . You figure it out. . . . Vancouver C Mike Reich needed stitches and was in a dentist’s chair by game’s end after being hit in the face by a clearing pass in the first period. . . . Kamloops LW Travis Dunstall took a handful of stitches below his lower lip after taking a puck in the mug late in the third period. . . . The Giants overnighted in Kamloops and will drive to Prince George on Sunday for a rare non-holiday Monday engagement with the Cougars.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday
At the same time that the Spokane Chiefs dealt D Patrick Kozyra to the Medicine Hat Tigers for a 2008 fifth-round bantam pick, the teams made a second deal. In that one, the Chiefs traded the rights to D Andrew MacWilliam, a ninth-round pick in 2005, to the Tigers for future considerations (which is really interesting because in commissioner Ron Robison’s WHL it is against the rules to trade futures). MacWilliam is with the AJHL’s Camrose Kodiaks. . . .
A couple of items of note from our man with his eye on the scene in Europe . . . F Chris Bright (Moose Jaw), released earlier this season by Jesenice (Slovenia), has signed with Hannover Scorpions of Germany’s DEL. Bright, who holds Canadian and Japanese citizenship, joins F Chris Herperger (Swift Current/Seattle), F Mike Green (Edmonton/Kootenay) and D Dan Lambert (Swift Current) on the Scorpions roster. Lambert is the team captain. . . . F John Lammers (Lethbridge/Everett) has been assigned to Ässät Pori in Finland’s SM-Liiga by Dallas, who has a working relationship with Ässät. He joins F Masi Marjamäki (Red Deer/Moose Jaw). . . . As a side note, it’s too bad that Lambert never got the opportunity to run an NHL power play. No one in the history of the WHL has ever done that any better. . . .
And another one bites the dust. . . . The AJHL’s Drayton Valley Thunder
canned head coach Blaine Gusdal after starting 5-10-1. Larry Moberg is the new head coach, with Jim Knight as GM. . . .
It’s as official as it could be, considering that NHL teams have been known
to change their minds. But the Boston Bruins told LW Milan Lucic, 19, on
Friday that he will be spending the season with the NHL team and not
returning to the Vancouver Giants. . . . Boston GM Peter Chiarelli told
bostonbruins.com: "I talked to Milan this morning and I told him he would be with the team for the rest of the year. I told him to get a place. He was
elated. I told him he still has some things to work on, and he agreed, but
we like what he's brought so far and he's progressed...he's something the
Bruins were looking for.” . . . The best part of this for Lucic is that can
vacate whatever hotel he has been living in. . . .
FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Vancouver, a controversial overtime goal by Spencer Machacek gave the Giants a 4-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . After referee Matt Kirk ruled it a goal, the Warriors didn’t leave their bench area and eventually were asked by officials to clear the area. . . . After seeing the video, Moose Jaw head coach Dave Hunchak agreed with the official, telling the Moose Jaw Times-Herald: “I believe it hit the crossbar, it took an awkward bounce inside the goal line, and bounced right back out again.” . . . Moose Jaw G Joey Perricone was credited with 53 saves. . . . Vancouver’s Tyson Sexsmith stopped 22 shots. . . .
In Cranbrook, the Kootenay Ice dumped the Medicine Hat Tigers 2-1 on D Chad Greenan’s goal at 1:30 of extra time. . . . The Tigers (10-3-2-0) got 27 saves from G Ryan Holfeld. . . . The teams meet again Saturday in Medicine Hat. . . . The Ice has picked up C Jason MacDonald, 18, who was released
earlier in the season by the Kelowna Rockets. They had picked him up in a
three-for-three deal with the Regina Pats last season. He was pointless in
three games with the Rockets. . . .
In Everett, the Silvertips dumped the Brandon Wheat Kings, 5-2. . . . Brandon (7-6-0-1) led 2-0 before Everett (7-6-0-0) roared back. Everett is above .500 for the first time this season. . . . F Brandon Regier, 15, made his WHL debut with the Wheat Kings. Regier, who plays for the B.C. major midget league’s Fraser Valley Bruins, was the 17th overall pick in the 2007 bantam draft. . . . Brandon D Daryl Boyle has his streak of having played in 202 consecutive games come to an end as he sat out a one-game suspension. . . . Brandon is winless in its last five and plays in Portland on Saturday. . . . Everett G Shayne Barrie, making his first start, was beaten twice in the first three minutes but composed himself, stopped 16 shots the rest of the period and went on to earn the victory. He finished with 27 stops. . . . Everett D Jonathan Harty (hip) missed his third straight game. . . .
In Seattle, the Thunderbirds dumped the struggling Saskatoon Blades, 5-1. . . . Seattle freshman F Josh Lazowski, who separated a shoulder on the second shift of his WHL career, scored on his first shift back, just three minutes into the first period. . . . Seattle F Prab Rai had three assists. . . . Seattle improved to 6-1-2-1. . . . The Blades (3-10-1-0) have lost six in a row, including five straight on a U.S. Division swing that now is over. . . . Seattle D Thomas Hickey picked up an assist to run his points streak to 10 games. . . . Seattle G Riku Helenius is 5-1-2-0 after a 30-save performance. . . .
In Red Deer, the Rebels fell to 1-6 on home ice as they dropped a 5-4 decision to the Swift Current Broncos. . . . David Stieler’s two goals led the Broncos. . . . Red Deer head coach Brian Sutter told the Red Deer Advocate: “They scored their goals rather easily from the front of the net. They surprised us. That’s why bank robbers rob banks, because that’s where the money is. If you want to score goals you go to the other team’s net, and if you want to stop them you sure as hell better have some urgency in front of your own net.” . . .
In Prince Albert, the Regina Pats beat the Raiders for the fifth time this season, this time by a 5-1 count. . . . The teams meet again Saturday in Regina. . . . Regina also has won five in a row overall and is 12-4-0-0. . . . The Raiders have lost seven of eight. . . . Regina G Jeff Bosch, who backs up Linden Rowat, stopped 33 shots for his third straight victory. . . . The Raiders had C Jorden Iron, 16, from the midget AAA Beardy’s Blackhawks in their lineup. . . . Only Raiders D Jeff May wore a letter (an A), the third straight game in which this has been the case. Captain Ryan DePape and alternates Ryan McDonald and Mike Gauthier lost their letters after violating curfew. Gauthier was later dealt to the Kamloops Blazers. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., F Jason Reese had three goals and an assist as the high-flying Tri-City Americans dumped the Portland Winter Hawks, 5-1. . . . Reese has four goals this season. . . . He scored one goal at even strength, one shorthanded and one on the power play. . . . The Americans, who are on a five-game winning streak, have won 20 in a row at home.
A couple of items of note from our man with his eye on the scene in Europe . . . F Chris Bright (Moose Jaw), released earlier this season by Jesenice (Slovenia), has signed with Hannover Scorpions of Germany’s DEL. Bright, who holds Canadian and Japanese citizenship, joins F Chris Herperger (Swift Current/Seattle), F Mike Green (Edmonton/Kootenay) and D Dan Lambert (Swift Current) on the Scorpions roster. Lambert is the team captain. . . . F John Lammers (Lethbridge/Everett) has been assigned to Ässät Pori in Finland’s SM-Liiga by Dallas, who has a working relationship with Ässät. He joins F Masi Marjamäki (Red Deer/Moose Jaw). . . . As a side note, it’s too bad that Lambert never got the opportunity to run an NHL power play. No one in the history of the WHL has ever done that any better. . . .
And another one bites the dust. . . . The AJHL’s Drayton Valley Thunder
canned head coach Blaine Gusdal after starting 5-10-1. Larry Moberg is the new head coach, with Jim Knight as GM. . . .
It’s as official as it could be, considering that NHL teams have been known
to change their minds. But the Boston Bruins told LW Milan Lucic, 19, on
Friday that he will be spending the season with the NHL team and not
returning to the Vancouver Giants. . . . Boston GM Peter Chiarelli told
bostonbruins.com: "I talked to Milan this morning and I told him he would be with the team for the rest of the year. I told him to get a place. He was
elated. I told him he still has some things to work on, and he agreed, but
we like what he's brought so far and he's progressed...he's something the
Bruins were looking for.” . . . The best part of this for Lucic is that can
vacate whatever hotel he has been living in. . . .
FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Vancouver, a controversial overtime goal by Spencer Machacek gave the Giants a 4-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . After referee Matt Kirk ruled it a goal, the Warriors didn’t leave their bench area and eventually were asked by officials to clear the area. . . . After seeing the video, Moose Jaw head coach Dave Hunchak agreed with the official, telling the Moose Jaw Times-Herald: “I believe it hit the crossbar, it took an awkward bounce inside the goal line, and bounced right back out again.” . . . Moose Jaw G Joey Perricone was credited with 53 saves. . . . Vancouver’s Tyson Sexsmith stopped 22 shots. . . .
In Cranbrook, the Kootenay Ice dumped the Medicine Hat Tigers 2-1 on D Chad Greenan’s goal at 1:30 of extra time. . . . The Tigers (10-3-2-0) got 27 saves from G Ryan Holfeld. . . . The teams meet again Saturday in Medicine Hat. . . . The Ice has picked up C Jason MacDonald, 18, who was released
earlier in the season by the Kelowna Rockets. They had picked him up in a
three-for-three deal with the Regina Pats last season. He was pointless in
three games with the Rockets. . . .
In Everett, the Silvertips dumped the Brandon Wheat Kings, 5-2. . . . Brandon (7-6-0-1) led 2-0 before Everett (7-6-0-0) roared back. Everett is above .500 for the first time this season. . . . F Brandon Regier, 15, made his WHL debut with the Wheat Kings. Regier, who plays for the B.C. major midget league’s Fraser Valley Bruins, was the 17th overall pick in the 2007 bantam draft. . . . Brandon D Daryl Boyle has his streak of having played in 202 consecutive games come to an end as he sat out a one-game suspension. . . . Brandon is winless in its last five and plays in Portland on Saturday. . . . Everett G Shayne Barrie, making his first start, was beaten twice in the first three minutes but composed himself, stopped 16 shots the rest of the period and went on to earn the victory. He finished with 27 stops. . . . Everett D Jonathan Harty (hip) missed his third straight game. . . .
In Seattle, the Thunderbirds dumped the struggling Saskatoon Blades, 5-1. . . . Seattle freshman F Josh Lazowski, who separated a shoulder on the second shift of his WHL career, scored on his first shift back, just three minutes into the first period. . . . Seattle F Prab Rai had three assists. . . . Seattle improved to 6-1-2-1. . . . The Blades (3-10-1-0) have lost six in a row, including five straight on a U.S. Division swing that now is over. . . . Seattle D Thomas Hickey picked up an assist to run his points streak to 10 games. . . . Seattle G Riku Helenius is 5-1-2-0 after a 30-save performance. . . .
In Red Deer, the Rebels fell to 1-6 on home ice as they dropped a 5-4 decision to the Swift Current Broncos. . . . David Stieler’s two goals led the Broncos. . . . Red Deer head coach Brian Sutter told the Red Deer Advocate: “They scored their goals rather easily from the front of the net. They surprised us. That’s why bank robbers rob banks, because that’s where the money is. If you want to score goals you go to the other team’s net, and if you want to stop them you sure as hell better have some urgency in front of your own net.” . . .
In Prince Albert, the Regina Pats beat the Raiders for the fifth time this season, this time by a 5-1 count. . . . The teams meet again Saturday in Regina. . . . Regina also has won five in a row overall and is 12-4-0-0. . . . The Raiders have lost seven of eight. . . . Regina G Jeff Bosch, who backs up Linden Rowat, stopped 33 shots for his third straight victory. . . . The Raiders had C Jorden Iron, 16, from the midget AAA Beardy’s Blackhawks in their lineup. . . . Only Raiders D Jeff May wore a letter (an A), the third straight game in which this has been the case. Captain Ryan DePape and alternates Ryan McDonald and Mike Gauthier lost their letters after violating curfew. Gauthier was later dealt to the Kamloops Blazers. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., F Jason Reese had three goals and an assist as the high-flying Tri-City Americans dumped the Portland Winter Hawks, 5-1. . . . Reese has four goals this season. . . . He scored one goal at even strength, one shorthanded and one on the power play. . . . The Americans, who are on a five-game winning streak, have won 20 in a row at home.
GBL in Kamloops?
From The Daily News of Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 . . .
It’s fair to say that Mayor Terry Lake was cautiously optimistic after meeting Thursday with officials of the Golden Baseball League.
The eight-team independent league, which now has franchises in Calgary and Edmonton, is exploring the possibility of putting a franchise in Kamloops for the 2008 or 2009 season.
“They certainly are enthusiastic,” said Lake late Thursday night, moments after touching down in Victoria. “They were very impressed with Kamloops, with NorBrock Stadium and the Tournament Capital facilities in general.”
Lake met and toured facilities with three men from the GBL — CEO and founder Dave Kaval, commissioner Kevin Outcalt and Calgary Vipers president Peter Young.
“It was very optimistic from their point of view, so we’ll see where we go from here,” Lake said.
The GBL entourage left Kamloops and headed for Saskatoon to check things out there. With the addition of Calgary and the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, the GBL would like to have a four-team Canadian division and, with that in mind, is looking at Kamloops, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Victoria.
And the way Lake looks at it, Kamloops, for starters, has a leg up on Saskatoon.
“Saskatoon is the right size population,” Lake said, “but (the GBL group) said their facility doesn’t even compare to ours.”
Lake said the GBL trio was most impressed with NorBrock Stadium.
“As I said, there’s probably no better place to be in the world than at NorBrock Stadium on a summer night with a cold beer watching baseball,” he said.
“They said our facility is just outstanding. They would like to see more seats but that would come with time. They think there’s nothing really inadequate about it at this point that couldn’t be dealt with.”
The GBL next will communicate with Byron McCorkell, director of parks and recreation services, and see where things go from there.
“They’ll have to follow up with Byron and his group to see how feasible it is in terms of scheduling,” Lake said. “One thing that is always important to us is that we ensure our user groups have adequate facilities, that we don’t shut them out.”
Lake also said that, despite the short window of opportunity, there was talk of getting things moving in time for the 2008 season which is to begin in mid-May.
“They seemed to think there was (enough time),” Lake said. “They’ll have to go over the nuts and bolts with Byron and his group.
“But we’ve got the facility and we’ve got that attitude . . . so if any place can do it in a short time it’s Kamloops.”
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
About the Golden league:
a The league played its first season in 2005. In 2007, the Chico, Calif., Outlaws won the six-team league’s championship, beating the Long Beach Armada 3-1 in the best-of-five playoff final after a 76-game regular season.
a The Samurai Bears, featuring players who all were born in Japan, played in the 2005 season but folded afterwards. The Bears didn’t have a home park, so played all their games on the road.
a CEO and co-founder Dave Kaval is the author of The Summer That Saved Baseball, a book he wrote after a 1998 baseball journey in which he and a friend visited all 30 major league ballparks in 38 days. Kaval has a BA and an MBA, both from Stanford.
a The league is based in the Silicon Valley of California and many of its excecutives made their fortunes there. Commissioner Kevin Outcalt provided the league with its first $1 million. James C. Peters, the chief operating officer, kicked in $1.5 million.
a Pat Sajak, host of the TV game show Wheel of Fortune, was one of the GBL’s initial investors.
a James Denton, who plays Mike the Plumber on the TV show Desperate Housewives, owns a piece of the Orange County Flyers.
a Another investor is California venture capitalist William (Boots) Del Biaggio III, whose name has been associated with attempts to purchase various NHL franchises.
a The league’s proper name is Golden Baseball League, presented by Safeway. Late in 2004, the California-based supermarket chain signed a three-year, $3-million deal for naming rights.
a The Calgary Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats joined the GBL earlier this week following a dispute with the Northern League.
a Former major leaguers Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco have played in the GBL.
a Annual operating costs are said to be around $1 million per franchise.
a Quote: “Minor league baseball is $5 tickets and $3 beers. It’s team mascots and the stuff that goes on between innings.” — Kaval, to The New York Times.
SOURCES: SABR-Zine, The New York Times.
It’s fair to say that Mayor Terry Lake was cautiously optimistic after meeting Thursday with officials of the Golden Baseball League.
The eight-team independent league, which now has franchises in Calgary and Edmonton, is exploring the possibility of putting a franchise in Kamloops for the 2008 or 2009 season.
“They certainly are enthusiastic,” said Lake late Thursday night, moments after touching down in Victoria. “They were very impressed with Kamloops, with NorBrock Stadium and the Tournament Capital facilities in general.”
Lake met and toured facilities with three men from the GBL — CEO and founder Dave Kaval, commissioner Kevin Outcalt and Calgary Vipers president Peter Young.
“It was very optimistic from their point of view, so we’ll see where we go from here,” Lake said.
The GBL entourage left Kamloops and headed for Saskatoon to check things out there. With the addition of Calgary and the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, the GBL would like to have a four-team Canadian division and, with that in mind, is looking at Kamloops, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Victoria.
And the way Lake looks at it, Kamloops, for starters, has a leg up on Saskatoon.
“Saskatoon is the right size population,” Lake said, “but (the GBL group) said their facility doesn’t even compare to ours.”
Lake said the GBL trio was most impressed with NorBrock Stadium.
“As I said, there’s probably no better place to be in the world than at NorBrock Stadium on a summer night with a cold beer watching baseball,” he said.
“They said our facility is just outstanding. They would like to see more seats but that would come with time. They think there’s nothing really inadequate about it at this point that couldn’t be dealt with.”
The GBL next will communicate with Byron McCorkell, director of parks and recreation services, and see where things go from there.
“They’ll have to follow up with Byron and his group to see how feasible it is in terms of scheduling,” Lake said. “One thing that is always important to us is that we ensure our user groups have adequate facilities, that we don’t shut them out.”
Lake also said that, despite the short window of opportunity, there was talk of getting things moving in time for the 2008 season which is to begin in mid-May.
“They seemed to think there was (enough time),” Lake said. “They’ll have to go over the nuts and bolts with Byron and his group.
“But we’ve got the facility and we’ve got that attitude . . . so if any place can do it in a short time it’s Kamloops.”
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
About the Golden league:
a The league played its first season in 2005. In 2007, the Chico, Calif., Outlaws won the six-team league’s championship, beating the Long Beach Armada 3-1 in the best-of-five playoff final after a 76-game regular season.
a The Samurai Bears, featuring players who all were born in Japan, played in the 2005 season but folded afterwards. The Bears didn’t have a home park, so played all their games on the road.
a CEO and co-founder Dave Kaval is the author of The Summer That Saved Baseball, a book he wrote after a 1998 baseball journey in which he and a friend visited all 30 major league ballparks in 38 days. Kaval has a BA and an MBA, both from Stanford.
a The league is based in the Silicon Valley of California and many of its excecutives made their fortunes there. Commissioner Kevin Outcalt provided the league with its first $1 million. James C. Peters, the chief operating officer, kicked in $1.5 million.
a Pat Sajak, host of the TV game show Wheel of Fortune, was one of the GBL’s initial investors.
a James Denton, who plays Mike the Plumber on the TV show Desperate Housewives, owns a piece of the Orange County Flyers.
a Another investor is California venture capitalist William (Boots) Del Biaggio III, whose name has been associated with attempts to purchase various NHL franchises.
a The league’s proper name is Golden Baseball League, presented by Safeway. Late in 2004, the California-based supermarket chain signed a three-year, $3-million deal for naming rights.
a The Calgary Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats joined the GBL earlier this week following a dispute with the Northern League.
a Former major leaguers Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco have played in the GBL.
a Annual operating costs are said to be around $1 million per franchise.
a Quote: “Minor league baseball is $5 tickets and $3 beers. It’s team mascots and the stuff that goes on between innings.” — Kaval, to The New York Times.
SOURCES: SABR-Zine, The New York Times.
Blazers 5, Rockets 3
From The Daily News of Saturday, Oct, 27, 2007 . . .
The Kamloops Blazers opened a new era Friday night at Interior Savings Centre.
The dawning of private ownership looked a lot like the end of the old era — with lots of empty seats in the mausoleum known as Interior Savings Centre, despite the fact the opposition was provided by the once-despised Kelowna Rockets.
The sale of the local WHL franchise from the non-profit Kamloops Blazers Sports Society to Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and ex-Blazers players Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor closed Thursday at 4 p.m.
Just over 24 hours later, with Gaglardi among the announced crowd of 4,785, the Blazers caught fire in a four-goal second period and skated to a 5-3 victory.
The Blazers looked like anything but a $7-million hockey team in the first period, as they were outshot 13-7 and gave up a goal with nine seconds to play, Kelowna centre Colin Long scoring with defenceman Mike Gauthier, the newest Kamloopsian, doing time.
But the home boys took control in the second period, scoring three goals — by Juuso Puustinen, Jimmy Bubnick and Ivan Rohac — in a span of 7:12 before the Rockets’ hopes were dashed by a penalty call.
Kelowna defenceman Luke Schenn, a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder likely to be an early first-round pick in the NHL’s 2008 draft, was ejected at 19:00 for a hit on Kamloops left-winger Shayne Wiebe, who goes 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, in a corner in the Rockets’ zone.
Wiebe was left woozy and on his knees — he won’t play tonight against the visiting Vancouver Giants.
The Rockets were left seething.
“You can’t even hit anyone any more,” stormed Bruce Hamilton, the Rockets’ general manager who was watching from the catwalk.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, disagreed.
“On video,” Clark said, “it’s the hit we’re trying to take out of the game. He jumps up and forearm shivers (Wiebe’s) head into the glass.”
Referee Andy Thiessen didn’t see the hit, and it wasn’t until meeting with linesmen Kris Hartley and Nick Swaine that Schenn was slapped with a charging major and a game misconduct.
The WHL reviews all such penalties, meaning Schenn could miss tonight’s game against the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors and perhaps even Tuesday’s return match with the Blazers.
“(The referee) didn’t make the call himself; he let his linesman make it after,” Schenn said. “I didn’t think I charged him . . . I don’t know . . . I’m going to have to go back and watch the replay.”
“I’ve heard from the guys upstairs that it wasn’t that bad of a hit,” Kelowna head coach Ryan Huska said. “I didn’t see enough of it to comment on it.”
With Schenn off, the Blazers scored two power-play goals — Brock Nixon counted 33 seconds after the penalty and Travis Dunstall scored at 1:58 of the third period — to all but put this one out of reach.
Kelowna got goals from Long and Evan Bloodoff later in the period but, really, the teams were playing out the string.
The Blazers improved their record to 6-6-1-0 and broke out of a tie with the Rockets (5-7-1-0) for sixth spot in the Western Conference. Still, the Blazers have some work to do.
“We took some penalties . . . I’d like to see a little more discipline,” Clark said.
Then, finding positives, he added: “You always worry about that first game back after being away for a long time. I think at times we were thinking the game too much instead of just reacting so our decision-making wasn’t great. But we still found a way to get five and play a pretty solid game.”
For a team that has struggled to score — this was its second five-goal game this season — the victory was a breath of fresh air. Especially with Bubnick, the fifth pick in the 2006 bantam draft, finally scoring his first WHL goal.
“For Jimmy, that’s good because I know he’s really been wondering about this league,” Clark said. “That’s a big-time goal; that’s a big-time shot. I’m happy for him getting that first one out of the way. Now he can settle down and play.”
That goal came at 9:13 of the second period and broke a 1-1 tie. Bubnick, going one-on-one with a defender on the right wing, used a hesitation move and snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Kris Westblom.
“It feels great,” Bubnick said, his grin as wide as the great outdoors as he donned the ugly blue blazer the players award to their game star. “There was a lot of pressure on me before but it feels great to score.”
And it feels great to win.
JUST NOTES: Thiessen gave each team seven minors with the Rockets getting the lone major and game misconduct. . . . Kamloops G Justin Leclerc, who missed two games with an ankle sprain, showed no ill-effects. He made 27 saves and was terrific in the game’s first half. . . . Westblom finished up with 21 saves. . . . Ken Hodge, the general manager of the Portland Winter Hawks, took in the game from the catwalk. His club went into the night with the WHL’s worst record (2-10-0-0) so you’ve got to think he’s at least window shopping.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
The Kamloops Blazers opened a new era Friday night at Interior Savings Centre.
The dawning of private ownership looked a lot like the end of the old era — with lots of empty seats in the mausoleum known as Interior Savings Centre, despite the fact the opposition was provided by the once-despised Kelowna Rockets.
The sale of the local WHL franchise from the non-profit Kamloops Blazers Sports Society to Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and ex-Blazers players Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor closed Thursday at 4 p.m.
Just over 24 hours later, with Gaglardi among the announced crowd of 4,785, the Blazers caught fire in a four-goal second period and skated to a 5-3 victory.
The Blazers looked like anything but a $7-million hockey team in the first period, as they were outshot 13-7 and gave up a goal with nine seconds to play, Kelowna centre Colin Long scoring with defenceman Mike Gauthier, the newest Kamloopsian, doing time.
But the home boys took control in the second period, scoring three goals — by Juuso Puustinen, Jimmy Bubnick and Ivan Rohac — in a span of 7:12 before the Rockets’ hopes were dashed by a penalty call.
Kelowna defenceman Luke Schenn, a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder likely to be an early first-round pick in the NHL’s 2008 draft, was ejected at 19:00 for a hit on Kamloops left-winger Shayne Wiebe, who goes 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, in a corner in the Rockets’ zone.
Wiebe was left woozy and on his knees — he won’t play tonight against the visiting Vancouver Giants.
The Rockets were left seething.
“You can’t even hit anyone any more,” stormed Bruce Hamilton, the Rockets’ general manager who was watching from the catwalk.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, disagreed.
“On video,” Clark said, “it’s the hit we’re trying to take out of the game. He jumps up and forearm shivers (Wiebe’s) head into the glass.”
Referee Andy Thiessen didn’t see the hit, and it wasn’t until meeting with linesmen Kris Hartley and Nick Swaine that Schenn was slapped with a charging major and a game misconduct.
The WHL reviews all such penalties, meaning Schenn could miss tonight’s game against the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors and perhaps even Tuesday’s return match with the Blazers.
“(The referee) didn’t make the call himself; he let his linesman make it after,” Schenn said. “I didn’t think I charged him . . . I don’t know . . . I’m going to have to go back and watch the replay.”
“I’ve heard from the guys upstairs that it wasn’t that bad of a hit,” Kelowna head coach Ryan Huska said. “I didn’t see enough of it to comment on it.”
With Schenn off, the Blazers scored two power-play goals — Brock Nixon counted 33 seconds after the penalty and Travis Dunstall scored at 1:58 of the third period — to all but put this one out of reach.
Kelowna got goals from Long and Evan Bloodoff later in the period but, really, the teams were playing out the string.
The Blazers improved their record to 6-6-1-0 and broke out of a tie with the Rockets (5-7-1-0) for sixth spot in the Western Conference. Still, the Blazers have some work to do.
“We took some penalties . . . I’d like to see a little more discipline,” Clark said.
Then, finding positives, he added: “You always worry about that first game back after being away for a long time. I think at times we were thinking the game too much instead of just reacting so our decision-making wasn’t great. But we still found a way to get five and play a pretty solid game.”
For a team that has struggled to score — this was its second five-goal game this season — the victory was a breath of fresh air. Especially with Bubnick, the fifth pick in the 2006 bantam draft, finally scoring his first WHL goal.
“For Jimmy, that’s good because I know he’s really been wondering about this league,” Clark said. “That’s a big-time goal; that’s a big-time shot. I’m happy for him getting that first one out of the way. Now he can settle down and play.”
That goal came at 9:13 of the second period and broke a 1-1 tie. Bubnick, going one-on-one with a defender on the right wing, used a hesitation move and snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Kris Westblom.
“It feels great,” Bubnick said, his grin as wide as the great outdoors as he donned the ugly blue blazer the players award to their game star. “There was a lot of pressure on me before but it feels great to score.”
And it feels great to win.
JUST NOTES: Thiessen gave each team seven minors with the Rockets getting the lone major and game misconduct. . . . Kamloops G Justin Leclerc, who missed two games with an ankle sprain, showed no ill-effects. He made 27 saves and was terrific in the game’s first half. . . . Westblom finished up with 21 saves. . . . Ken Hodge, the general manager of the Portland Winter Hawks, took in the game from the catwalk. His club went into the night with the WHL’s worst record (2-10-0-0) so you’ve got to think he’s at least window shopping.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
Blazers box
THE SCORE
Kamloops 5, Kelowna 3
WHAT HAPPENED
After a horribly tepid first period, the Blazers took over play in the second period. And a game misconduct to Kelowna D Luke Schenn killed any chance the Rockets had of getting back into it.
THE ROOKIE
Kamloops C Jimmy Bubnick, the fifth pick in the 2006 bantam draft, scored his first WHL goal. He is 81 and 54 behind the career totals of brothers Jonathan and Michael, respectively, both of whom played in the league.
THE HOME ICE
The Blazers hadn’t played a home game since Oct. 8. In the interim they played six road games, going 2-3-1-0.
THE DEFENCEMAN
D Mike Gauthier, acquired Tuesday from the Prince Albert Raiders, made his debut with the Blazers. After taking two first-period penalties and being in stir for Kelowna’s first goal, he settled down and stuck to business.
IN THE HOUSE
Former Hockey Canada and Toronto Maple Leafs head scout Barry Trapp took in the game. He now scouts for the Phoenix Coyotes.
THE DEFENCEMEN
Keaton Ellerby of the Blazers and Schenn were paired together during the Canada-Russia series in September. Both were selected Thursday to play for the WHL against a Russia team in the ADT Challenge in November.
THE ONE-GOAL GAMES
Of the Blazers’ first 13 games, nine have been decided by one goal or included an empty-net score. Kamloops is 3-5-1-0 in those games.
THE SERIES
The Blazers and Rockets will meet eight times this season. Game 2 in the series goes Tuesday in Kelowna.
THE DAILY NEWS
THREE STARS
1. C Jimmy Bubnick, Kamloops. Team loved his first goal.
2. LW Ivan Rohac, Kamloops. Skating and creating.
3. C Colin Long, Kelowna. Two goals.
UP NEXT
The Vancouver Giants, the defending Memorial Cup champions who aren’t the WHL’s defending champions, are in town tonight. Game time is 7 o’clock.
Kamloops 5, Kelowna 3
WHAT HAPPENED
After a horribly tepid first period, the Blazers took over play in the second period. And a game misconduct to Kelowna D Luke Schenn killed any chance the Rockets had of getting back into it.
THE ROOKIE
Kamloops C Jimmy Bubnick, the fifth pick in the 2006 bantam draft, scored his first WHL goal. He is 81 and 54 behind the career totals of brothers Jonathan and Michael, respectively, both of whom played in the league.
THE HOME ICE
The Blazers hadn’t played a home game since Oct. 8. In the interim they played six road games, going 2-3-1-0.
THE DEFENCEMAN
D Mike Gauthier, acquired Tuesday from the Prince Albert Raiders, made his debut with the Blazers. After taking two first-period penalties and being in stir for Kelowna’s first goal, he settled down and stuck to business.
IN THE HOUSE
Former Hockey Canada and Toronto Maple Leafs head scout Barry Trapp took in the game. He now scouts for the Phoenix Coyotes.
THE DEFENCEMEN
Keaton Ellerby of the Blazers and Schenn were paired together during the Canada-Russia series in September. Both were selected Thursday to play for the WHL against a Russia team in the ADT Challenge in November.
THE ONE-GOAL GAMES
Of the Blazers’ first 13 games, nine have been decided by one goal or included an empty-net score. Kamloops is 3-5-1-0 in those games.
THE SERIES
The Blazers and Rockets will meet eight times this season. Game 2 in the series goes Tuesday in Kelowna.
THE DAILY NEWS
THREE STARS
1. C Jimmy Bubnick, Kamloops. Team loved his first goal.
2. LW Ivan Rohac, Kamloops. Skating and creating.
3. C Colin Long, Kelowna. Two goals.
UP NEXT
The Vancouver Giants, the defending Memorial Cup champions who aren’t the WHL’s defending champions, are in town tonight. Game time is 7 o’clock.
Keeping Score
From The Daily News of Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 . . .
A few days back, Roger Goodell, the commissioner of all things NFL, mentioned that the Super Bowl may be played in London — as in London, England — one of these years. To which an e-mailer wrote USA Today: “Keep the Super Bowl, give back Beckham.” . . . The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins will play a regular-season game in London tomorrow. Considering the state of the Dolphins, perhaps the message should have been: “Keep the Super Bowl, give back Beckham, and throw in the Dolphins.” . . . “I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries,” Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said earlier this week. “I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that. I know (Washington Redskins linebacker) London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name.” . . . Ahh, the U of Florida, Crowder’s alma mater, must be so proud.
Greg Cote, in the Miami Herald: “The Buffalo Bills hope to play one regular-season game per year in Toronto. Have you seen the Bills play, Canada? Might want to consider stopping them at the border and sending them back.” . . . When manager Joe Torre walked away from the New York Yankees and their contract offer, the New York Daily News headline read: SHOVE IT! . . . The New York Post reports that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had overnight company recently, in the form of two young women. As Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post noted: “Jeter’s the consummate professional, isn’t he? The guy’s season is over and he’s still playing both ends of a doubleheader.” . . . Football teams from Stanford and Oregon State meet today at Corvallis, Ore. At one time, Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback with the San Diego Chargers whose head coach was Mike Riley. Riley, the former CFL coach, now is Oregon State’s head coach.
Johnny Rodgers, the ordinary superstar when he played for the Montreal Alouettes, is wanting a pardon 37 years after he robbed a gas station. Noted Pete McEntegart of SI.com: “Rodgers is sick of going to Heisman reunions and getting needled by O.J. (Simpson) for having a conviction on his record.” . . . English rugby player Nick Easter hasn’t been at all pleased with the treatment his side has gotten from the media. As he told BBC Sport: “I’d like to thank the press from the heart of my bottom.” . . . After scientists announced that they have discovered Earth’s twin — named Gliese 581 C — and that it’s only 20 light years away, Vancouver comic Torben Rolfsen noted: “Gary Bettman immediately announced plans to schedule next season’s NHL opener there.’’ . . . Jerry Greene, in the Orlando Sentinel: “Right now there are 93 PGA Tour players who have earned more than $1 million each this season. So pull that video game controller out of your kid’s hands and give him a 3-wood.”
Mark Kriegel of FoxSports.com, on the genius (?) of manager Tony La Russa: “Let’s go back to the Oakland A’s. How many points does his baseball IQ drop if there had been drug testing? Is he still a genius? Or just an out-of-work lawyer?” . . . How paranoid are football coaches? Consider the case of Oregon Ducks head coach Mike Bellotti. He closed a practice this week, according to the Portland Oregonian, citing “leakage of knowledge of injuries and specific plays during the week leading up to (last) Saturday’s game in Seattle.” . . . In the game in question the Ducks put up 55 points and 661 yards on the Washington Huskies, who obviously didn’t know what to do with the leakage, other than to let it run down their legs. . . . Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix notes: “The University of Toronto Blues lost their 49th consecutive college football game last weekend, so maybe the Leafs aren’t the worst team in Toronto after all.”
“I enjoyed watching (Eli) play on Monday night because I got a chance to see him play live on TV, and being able to watch the game in mute,” Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said after watching his brother and the New York Giants earlier this season. “Because it’s an easier way to watch the game than hear some of those broadcasters.” . . . All of which makes me even a bigger Peyton fan. . . . Syndicated columnist Norman Chad: “Nielsen no longer releases ratings for NHL games on Versus; it simply lists the names of all viewers on its website.”
Brent Barry, a guard with the NBA-champion San Antonio Spurs, tells ESPN.com that he already is tired of being asked if a repeat is possible. As he put it: “The whole subject of repeating is already getting repetitive.” . . . Wondering what’s so great about playing football at one of the big U.S. schools? Here’s Auburn defensive tackle Josh Thompson talking to The Associated Press about playing at LSU: “People are mooning you, people are throwing water at you, throwing bottles at you, beating on the buses. And then you get in the stadium, and they’re trying to spit at you and yell at you. It’s just a great place to go play.”
Max McGee, who died Saturday at 75 when he fell off the roof of his home in a Minneapolis suburb, had quite a reputation with the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s. Consider this from Greg Bedard and Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who wrote that head coach Vince Lombardi “got a quick introduction to the always colorful McGee early in Lombardi’s tenure. Upset over a loss, Lombardi decided to start with the fundamentals — by introducing a football. From the back of the room, McGee replied, ‘Uh, coach, could you slow down a little? You’re going too fast for us.’ ”
Gregg Drinnan is sports editor of The Daily News. He is at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca. Keeping Score appears Saturdays.
A few days back, Roger Goodell, the commissioner of all things NFL, mentioned that the Super Bowl may be played in London — as in London, England — one of these years. To which an e-mailer wrote USA Today: “Keep the Super Bowl, give back Beckham.” . . . The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins will play a regular-season game in London tomorrow. Considering the state of the Dolphins, perhaps the message should have been: “Keep the Super Bowl, give back Beckham, and throw in the Dolphins.” . . . “I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries,” Miami linebacker Channing Crowder said earlier this week. “I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that. I know (Washington Redskins linebacker) London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name.” . . . Ahh, the U of Florida, Crowder’s alma mater, must be so proud.
Greg Cote, in the Miami Herald: “The Buffalo Bills hope to play one regular-season game per year in Toronto. Have you seen the Bills play, Canada? Might want to consider stopping them at the border and sending them back.” . . . When manager Joe Torre walked away from the New York Yankees and their contract offer, the New York Daily News headline read: SHOVE IT! . . . The New York Post reports that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had overnight company recently, in the form of two young women. As Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post noted: “Jeter’s the consummate professional, isn’t he? The guy’s season is over and he’s still playing both ends of a doubleheader.” . . . Football teams from Stanford and Oregon State meet today at Corvallis, Ore. At one time, Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback with the San Diego Chargers whose head coach was Mike Riley. Riley, the former CFL coach, now is Oregon State’s head coach.
Johnny Rodgers, the ordinary superstar when he played for the Montreal Alouettes, is wanting a pardon 37 years after he robbed a gas station. Noted Pete McEntegart of SI.com: “Rodgers is sick of going to Heisman reunions and getting needled by O.J. (Simpson) for having a conviction on his record.” . . . English rugby player Nick Easter hasn’t been at all pleased with the treatment his side has gotten from the media. As he told BBC Sport: “I’d like to thank the press from the heart of my bottom.” . . . After scientists announced that they have discovered Earth’s twin — named Gliese 581 C — and that it’s only 20 light years away, Vancouver comic Torben Rolfsen noted: “Gary Bettman immediately announced plans to schedule next season’s NHL opener there.’’ . . . Jerry Greene, in the Orlando Sentinel: “Right now there are 93 PGA Tour players who have earned more than $1 million each this season. So pull that video game controller out of your kid’s hands and give him a 3-wood.”
Mark Kriegel of FoxSports.com, on the genius (?) of manager Tony La Russa: “Let’s go back to the Oakland A’s. How many points does his baseball IQ drop if there had been drug testing? Is he still a genius? Or just an out-of-work lawyer?” . . . How paranoid are football coaches? Consider the case of Oregon Ducks head coach Mike Bellotti. He closed a practice this week, according to the Portland Oregonian, citing “leakage of knowledge of injuries and specific plays during the week leading up to (last) Saturday’s game in Seattle.” . . . In the game in question the Ducks put up 55 points and 661 yards on the Washington Huskies, who obviously didn’t know what to do with the leakage, other than to let it run down their legs. . . . Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix notes: “The University of Toronto Blues lost their 49th consecutive college football game last weekend, so maybe the Leafs aren’t the worst team in Toronto after all.”
“I enjoyed watching (Eli) play on Monday night because I got a chance to see him play live on TV, and being able to watch the game in mute,” Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said after watching his brother and the New York Giants earlier this season. “Because it’s an easier way to watch the game than hear some of those broadcasters.” . . . All of which makes me even a bigger Peyton fan. . . . Syndicated columnist Norman Chad: “Nielsen no longer releases ratings for NHL games on Versus; it simply lists the names of all viewers on its website.”
Brent Barry, a guard with the NBA-champion San Antonio Spurs, tells ESPN.com that he already is tired of being asked if a repeat is possible. As he put it: “The whole subject of repeating is already getting repetitive.” . . . Wondering what’s so great about playing football at one of the big U.S. schools? Here’s Auburn defensive tackle Josh Thompson talking to The Associated Press about playing at LSU: “People are mooning you, people are throwing water at you, throwing bottles at you, beating on the buses. And then you get in the stadium, and they’re trying to spit at you and yell at you. It’s just a great place to go play.”
Max McGee, who died Saturday at 75 when he fell off the roof of his home in a Minneapolis suburb, had quite a reputation with the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s. Consider this from Greg Bedard and Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who wrote that head coach Vince Lombardi “got a quick introduction to the always colorful McGee early in Lombardi’s tenure. Upset over a loss, Lombardi decided to start with the fundamentals — by introducing a football. From the back of the room, McGee replied, ‘Uh, coach, could you slow down a little? You’re going too fast for us.’ ”
Gregg Drinnan is sports editor of The Daily News. He is at gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca. Keeping Score appears Saturdays.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Blazers sold
The sale of the Kamloops Blazers is signed, sealed, done, finis. . . . The paperwork was completed and the deal closed Thursday at 4 p.m. Pacific time. . . . The Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club Ltd., which purchased the franchise from the non-profit Kamloops Blazers Sports Society, is owned by Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and ex-Blazers players Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor. . . . Gaglardi was in attendance Friday as the Blazers entertained the Kelowna Rockets.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday's over . . .
The Portland Winter Hawks (2-10-0-0) face a tough task Friday when they travel to Kennewick, Wash. The Tri-City Americans (11-3-0-0) have won 19 straight games at home and have beaten the Winter Hawks in their last seven meetings. . . . Portland G Kurtis Mucha will serve out his three-game suspension Friday. . . . Portland C Aaron McGill has been suspended for two games for a charging major and game misconduct he incurred Tuesday against the visiting Saskatoon Blades. . . .
As if the Americans, who are first in the Western Conference, needed more motivation, they didn’t have any players selected to represent the WHL in the ADT Challenge against a Russian side in November. . . . Also not represented are the Brandon Wheat Kings, Edmonton Oil Kings, Portland and the Spokane Chiefs. . . . If you haven’t yet seen the WHL rosters for the ADT Challenge, visit the WHL website at www.whl.ca. . . . The Regina Pats had four players named, which didn’t have anything to do with the fact that Regina head coach Curtis Hunt is the WHL team’s head coach. . . . D Logan Pyett, D Nick Ross, D Colten Teubert and F Jordan Eberle were picked by a committee of WHL general managers and Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray. . . . Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat) and Don Hay (Vancouver Giants) are the assistant coaches. . . .
Two Brandon players drew suspensions out of Wednesay’s loss to the host Americans. . . . D Daryl Boyle will sit for a game (he had tape on a hand in a fight) and F Robert Brandis got two games for a clipping major. . . .
The Saskatoon Blades, riding a five-game losing streak, close out a U.S. Division swing in Seattle against the Thunderbirds tonight. . . . The Blades will be without D Jyri Niemi (wrist), who leads them with six goals. . . . Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix reports that the Blades have made six trips through the U.S. Division since 1998-99 and have twice gone winless. . . .
Things are getting serious in Kingston where the stumbling, bumbling Frontenacs fired head coach Bruce Cassidy earlier this week. . . . How bad are they getting? . . . Check out this site: firelarrymavety.wordpress.com/ . . .
Former NHL goaltender Steve Passmore, who played in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans, Victoria Cougars and Kamloops Blazers, has gotten into the coaching game. Earlier this week, he joined the coaching staff of the junior B Kamloops Storm. The Storm’s head coach is Ed Patterson, who had WHL stops in Swift Current, Seattle and Kamloops. . . .
The Medicine Hat Tigers will play in front of their 200th consecutive sellout (4,006 fans) on Saturday when they entertain the Cranbrook Ice. That includes regular-season and playoff games. . . . The Tigers have surrendered a 2008 fifth-round bantam pick to acquire D Patrick Kozyra, 18, from the Spokane Chiefs. Kozyra, from Sherwood Park, Alta., played 55 games with the Red Deer Rebels last season, totaling five points. Inn eight games with Spokane, he had one assist. He is expected to play against the Ice in Cranbrook on Friday night. . . .
RW J.D. Watt, 20, has completed his six-game suspension and will be back in the Red Deer Rebels’ lineup tonight as they play host to the Swift Current Broncos. He drew the stiff sentence for a hit that left Saskatoon Blades D Teigan Zahn concussed. “I felt bad when I saw he was unconscious, but I did feel that it was a clean hit and so did the referee who was standing about three feet away,” Watt, who wasn’t penalized for the hit at the time, told the Red Deer Advocate. “I was shocked to say the least when I heard it was six games. I was shocked when I heard it was one game, when the coach (Brian Sutter) told me I couldn’t play the next night.” . . .
In Thursday’s lone game, G Mike Maniago stopped 29 shots as the Lethbridge Hurricanes dumped the host Calgary Hitmen, 4-0. . . . It was Maniago’s second shutout this season and fourth of his career. . . . This shutout was especially sweet as Maniago, 19, is from Calgary and played for the midget AAA Buffaloes. . . . Dwight King had two goals as the Hurricanes improved to 7-7-1-0. . . . The Hitmen (11-4-0-1) outshot the visitors 29-14.
As if the Americans, who are first in the Western Conference, needed more motivation, they didn’t have any players selected to represent the WHL in the ADT Challenge against a Russian side in November. . . . Also not represented are the Brandon Wheat Kings, Edmonton Oil Kings, Portland and the Spokane Chiefs. . . . If you haven’t yet seen the WHL rosters for the ADT Challenge, visit the WHL website at www.whl.ca. . . . The Regina Pats had four players named, which didn’t have anything to do with the fact that Regina head coach Curtis Hunt is the WHL team’s head coach. . . . D Logan Pyett, D Nick Ross, D Colten Teubert and F Jordan Eberle were picked by a committee of WHL general managers and Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray. . . . Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat) and Don Hay (Vancouver Giants) are the assistant coaches. . . .
Two Brandon players drew suspensions out of Wednesay’s loss to the host Americans. . . . D Daryl Boyle will sit for a game (he had tape on a hand in a fight) and F Robert Brandis got two games for a clipping major. . . .
The Saskatoon Blades, riding a five-game losing streak, close out a U.S. Division swing in Seattle against the Thunderbirds tonight. . . . The Blades will be without D Jyri Niemi (wrist), who leads them with six goals. . . . Cory Wolfe of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix reports that the Blades have made six trips through the U.S. Division since 1998-99 and have twice gone winless. . . .
Things are getting serious in Kingston where the stumbling, bumbling Frontenacs fired head coach Bruce Cassidy earlier this week. . . . How bad are they getting? . . . Check out this site: firelarrymavety.wordpress.com/ . . .
Former NHL goaltender Steve Passmore, who played in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans, Victoria Cougars and Kamloops Blazers, has gotten into the coaching game. Earlier this week, he joined the coaching staff of the junior B Kamloops Storm. The Storm’s head coach is Ed Patterson, who had WHL stops in Swift Current, Seattle and Kamloops. . . .
The Medicine Hat Tigers will play in front of their 200th consecutive sellout (4,006 fans) on Saturday when they entertain the Cranbrook Ice. That includes regular-season and playoff games. . . . The Tigers have surrendered a 2008 fifth-round bantam pick to acquire D Patrick Kozyra, 18, from the Spokane Chiefs. Kozyra, from Sherwood Park, Alta., played 55 games with the Red Deer Rebels last season, totaling five points. Inn eight games with Spokane, he had one assist. He is expected to play against the Ice in Cranbrook on Friday night. . . .
RW J.D. Watt, 20, has completed his six-game suspension and will be back in the Red Deer Rebels’ lineup tonight as they play host to the Swift Current Broncos. He drew the stiff sentence for a hit that left Saskatoon Blades D Teigan Zahn concussed. “I felt bad when I saw he was unconscious, but I did feel that it was a clean hit and so did the referee who was standing about three feet away,” Watt, who wasn’t penalized for the hit at the time, told the Red Deer Advocate. “I was shocked to say the least when I heard it was six games. I was shocked when I heard it was one game, when the coach (Brian Sutter) told me I couldn’t play the next night.” . . .
In Thursday’s lone game, G Mike Maniago stopped 29 shots as the Lethbridge Hurricanes dumped the host Calgary Hitmen, 4-0. . . . It was Maniago’s second shutout this season and fourth of his career. . . . This shutout was especially sweet as Maniago, 19, is from Calgary and played for the midget AAA Buffaloes. . . . Dwight King had two goals as the Hurricanes improved to 7-7-1-0. . . . The Hitmen (11-4-0-1) outshot the visitors 29-14.
Kamloops' baseball future Golden?
From The Daily News of Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. . . .
Representatives of the independent Golden Baseball League, which now includes franchises in Calgary and Edmonton, were in Kamloops on Thursday and met with city officials.
David Kaval, the league’s CEO and founder, commissioner Kevin Outcalt and Peter Young of the Calgary Vipers met with Mayor Terry Lake and representatives of the parks and rec department, and toured facilities, including NorBrock Stadium.
“We didn’t really know at what quality and status the facility was,” Kaval said. “It’s in better shape than what we had anticipated. It is very impressive in terms of the way it’s maintained and the money that’s recently been put into it.
“I think there’s a real opportunity here because the facility is in much better shape than many of the other ones we’ve seen in Canada at this point.”
Young agreed.
“It’s a good little stadium,” he said. “A couple of little bleachers down past the dugouts on each side, a new scoreboard and you’ve got a park we could work with.”
Kaval said there is a chance that a franchise could be up and running in Kamloops for the 2008 season.
“The key things are,” he said, “one, we have to work quickly with the city to get a suitable lease.
“Two, we really need to find some local partners to make sure we have some local flavour. As we put together the ownership group we would want to have local people involved and people who have been involved with baseball . . . people who understand the work that has been done here over the many generations of baseball.
“We don’t want to come in as outsiders and try to dictate that. In our experience, it’s more important to involve local people who understand the situation.
“That’s one of the big reasons we’re here, meeting with people and starting the process. You have to take the first step . . . sometimes that’s the hardest thing.”
Young noted that there “probably is a 30-day window to see if we can put something together for (the 2008 season). If not, we’re hoping we can come up with a suitable lease and take a whole year to build it up properly.”
Young pointed out that his group bought the Calgary franchise in February 2005, “opened offices March 15 and opened training camp on May 4. So it can be done.”
City officials could not be reached for comment.
The five-year-old GBL had six teams each play a 64-game schedule in 2007. Young said plans are for an 88-game season in 2008, with teams playing 44 home games. It’s a short-schedule summer league that begins in May and runs through the Labour Day weekend.
The league is headquartered in Dublin, Calif., which is near Oakland in the San Francisco Bay area.
For 2008, it expects to field at least eight teams, including the Vipers and Edmonton Cracker Cats. Those teams left the Northern League last week.
“It is in our best interests to get a Canadian division to try and ease travel,” Young said. “But nobody has approached us locally.”
Young did admit that the GBL has heard from people “who do have summer homes in this area.”
“But,” he said, “it’s not like somebody phoned and said we’d like to put a team in here.”
Kaval also admitted the GBL is looking at other Canadian markets.
“If there’s a possibility here in the next 20 or 30 days and things sort of fall the right way with a couple other Canadian markets we could have 10 teams,” he said.
The GBL’s long-term vision includes three eight-team divisions — one based in northern California and Nevada, another in southern California and Arizona, and a third in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
“We’ve actually gotten to the point where we are in the different geographic areas faster than we had anticipated,” Kaval said, “but that’s pretty exciting for us because we have a lot of great cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Orange County, Yuma.
“These are great cities with a great quality of baseball.”
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
Representatives of the independent Golden Baseball League, which now includes franchises in Calgary and Edmonton, were in Kamloops on Thursday and met with city officials.
David Kaval, the league’s CEO and founder, commissioner Kevin Outcalt and Peter Young of the Calgary Vipers met with Mayor Terry Lake and representatives of the parks and rec department, and toured facilities, including NorBrock Stadium.
“We didn’t really know at what quality and status the facility was,” Kaval said. “It’s in better shape than what we had anticipated. It is very impressive in terms of the way it’s maintained and the money that’s recently been put into it.
“I think there’s a real opportunity here because the facility is in much better shape than many of the other ones we’ve seen in Canada at this point.”
Young agreed.
“It’s a good little stadium,” he said. “A couple of little bleachers down past the dugouts on each side, a new scoreboard and you’ve got a park we could work with.”
Kaval said there is a chance that a franchise could be up and running in Kamloops for the 2008 season.
“The key things are,” he said, “one, we have to work quickly with the city to get a suitable lease.
“Two, we really need to find some local partners to make sure we have some local flavour. As we put together the ownership group we would want to have local people involved and people who have been involved with baseball . . . people who understand the work that has been done here over the many generations of baseball.
“We don’t want to come in as outsiders and try to dictate that. In our experience, it’s more important to involve local people who understand the situation.
“That’s one of the big reasons we’re here, meeting with people and starting the process. You have to take the first step . . . sometimes that’s the hardest thing.”
Young noted that there “probably is a 30-day window to see if we can put something together for (the 2008 season). If not, we’re hoping we can come up with a suitable lease and take a whole year to build it up properly.”
Young pointed out that his group bought the Calgary franchise in February 2005, “opened offices March 15 and opened training camp on May 4. So it can be done.”
City officials could not be reached for comment.
The five-year-old GBL had six teams each play a 64-game schedule in 2007. Young said plans are for an 88-game season in 2008, with teams playing 44 home games. It’s a short-schedule summer league that begins in May and runs through the Labour Day weekend.
The league is headquartered in Dublin, Calif., which is near Oakland in the San Francisco Bay area.
For 2008, it expects to field at least eight teams, including the Vipers and Edmonton Cracker Cats. Those teams left the Northern League last week.
“It is in our best interests to get a Canadian division to try and ease travel,” Young said. “But nobody has approached us locally.”
Young did admit that the GBL has heard from people “who do have summer homes in this area.”
“But,” he said, “it’s not like somebody phoned and said we’d like to put a team in here.”
Kaval also admitted the GBL is looking at other Canadian markets.
“If there’s a possibility here in the next 20 or 30 days and things sort of fall the right way with a couple other Canadian markets we could have 10 teams,” he said.
The GBL’s long-term vision includes three eight-team divisions — one based in northern California and Nevada, another in southern California and Arizona, and a third in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
“We’ve actually gotten to the point where we are in the different geographic areas faster than we had anticipated,” Kaval said, “but that’s pretty exciting for us because we have a lot of great cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Orange County, Yuma.
“These are great cities with a great quality of baseball.”
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
Bender welcomes Gauthier
From The Daily News of Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 . . .
By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
No one on the Kamloops Blazers’ roster was more thrilled than Ryan Bender when the WHL team acquired defenceman Mike Gauthier on Tuesday.
Which is one of the reasons Bender, a fifth-year defenceman and the team captain, was so quick to welcome the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Gauthier to practice Thursday at Interior Savings Centre.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, dealt defenceman Ryan White, 20, and a 2009 fifth-round bantam draft pick to the Prince Albert Raiders for Gauthier, who led the WHL in penalty minutes last season.
“He obviously brings toughness and I think that’s what we were lacking throughout the room,” Bender said. “So that definitely helps.”
With a roster shy on size and toughness, Bender, who brings a bit of both to the game, had taken it upon himself to look after that aspect of the game. And the extra responsibility had become something of a burden.
“For sure,” said Bender, who leads his mates into action against the Kelowna Rockets tonight, 7 o’clock, at ISC. “Now I don’t have to go into games thinking, ‘What am I going to have to do tonight to get the team going?’ Especially . . . in our barn.”
To date, the Blazers (5-6-1-0) have been in 14 fights and four of those have featured Bender. He has 43 penalty minutes, and also has picked up two misconducts.
“I don’t mind dropping the mitts at all,” he said. “That’s not a big deal. But when I’m more focused about what I have to do in terms of fighting . . . that’s not my game. I don’t want to be in the (penalty) box all night either.”
Bender is most valuable to the Blazers when used in a shut-down role, usually against the opposition’s top line. That is a role he has grown into and one he loves playing.
And now with Gauthier in harness, he looks forward to what’s to come.
“We weren’t overly tough . . . not as tough as we’d like to be,” Bender said. “We want other teams, when they come in our barn, to be thinking, ‘Holy smokes! They’re a hard team to play against!’”
Which doesn’t mean fighting, fighting, fighting.
“No,” Bender said, “it’s not about fighting. It’s about overall team toughness.”
Having more toughness, Bender thinks, will allow the Blazers to play with more confidence, which will lead to more success.
“We’re improving. We’re definitely . . . from the first game to now . . . we definitely have seen improvement, so that’s inspiring for the team. And finally now we have a stretch of a few home games where, hopefully, we can get some confidence and go from there.
After tonight, the Blazers are home to the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, visit Kelowna on Tuesday and then entertain the Prince George Cougars (Nov. 2) and Red Deer Rebels (Nov. 6).
The acquisition of Gauthier also did one other thing, Bender said — it shrunk the comfort zone in the dressing room.
“We know that chances are there could be more trades,” Bender said. “You never know . . . that’s playing in the Western Hockey League. You never are really certain. There’s always another guy waiting and wanting to take your spot.
“That’s something everyone has to understand.”
JUST NOTES: Gauthier is expected to open tonight alongside veteran D Keaton Ellerby. . . . Ellerby learned yesterday that he will play for the WHL against a Russian team in an ADT Challenge game in Medicine Hat on Nov. 29. Complete WHL rosters are in Scoreboard. . . . For more on tonight’s game, see Scouting Report in Scoreboard. . . . The Medicine Hat Tigers have acquired D Patrick Kozyra, 18, from the Spokane Chiefs for a 2008 fifth-round bantam pick. Kozyra, who played last season with the Red Deer Rebels, is form Sherwood Park, Alta.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
No one on the Kamloops Blazers’ roster was more thrilled than Ryan Bender when the WHL team acquired defenceman Mike Gauthier on Tuesday.
Which is one of the reasons Bender, a fifth-year defenceman and the team captain, was so quick to welcome the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Gauthier to practice Thursday at Interior Savings Centre.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, dealt defenceman Ryan White, 20, and a 2009 fifth-round bantam draft pick to the Prince Albert Raiders for Gauthier, who led the WHL in penalty minutes last season.
“He obviously brings toughness and I think that’s what we were lacking throughout the room,” Bender said. “So that definitely helps.”
With a roster shy on size and toughness, Bender, who brings a bit of both to the game, had taken it upon himself to look after that aspect of the game. And the extra responsibility had become something of a burden.
“For sure,” said Bender, who leads his mates into action against the Kelowna Rockets tonight, 7 o’clock, at ISC. “Now I don’t have to go into games thinking, ‘What am I going to have to do tonight to get the team going?’ Especially . . . in our barn.”
To date, the Blazers (5-6-1-0) have been in 14 fights and four of those have featured Bender. He has 43 penalty minutes, and also has picked up two misconducts.
“I don’t mind dropping the mitts at all,” he said. “That’s not a big deal. But when I’m more focused about what I have to do in terms of fighting . . . that’s not my game. I don’t want to be in the (penalty) box all night either.”
Bender is most valuable to the Blazers when used in a shut-down role, usually against the opposition’s top line. That is a role he has grown into and one he loves playing.
And now with Gauthier in harness, he looks forward to what’s to come.
“We weren’t overly tough . . . not as tough as we’d like to be,” Bender said. “We want other teams, when they come in our barn, to be thinking, ‘Holy smokes! They’re a hard team to play against!’”
Which doesn’t mean fighting, fighting, fighting.
“No,” Bender said, “it’s not about fighting. It’s about overall team toughness.”
Having more toughness, Bender thinks, will allow the Blazers to play with more confidence, which will lead to more success.
“We’re improving. We’re definitely . . . from the first game to now . . . we definitely have seen improvement, so that’s inspiring for the team. And finally now we have a stretch of a few home games where, hopefully, we can get some confidence and go from there.
After tonight, the Blazers are home to the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, visit Kelowna on Tuesday and then entertain the Prince George Cougars (Nov. 2) and Red Deer Rebels (Nov. 6).
The acquisition of Gauthier also did one other thing, Bender said — it shrunk the comfort zone in the dressing room.
“We know that chances are there could be more trades,” Bender said. “You never know . . . that’s playing in the Western Hockey League. You never are really certain. There’s always another guy waiting and wanting to take your spot.
“That’s something everyone has to understand.”
JUST NOTES: Gauthier is expected to open tonight alongside veteran D Keaton Ellerby. . . . Ellerby learned yesterday that he will play for the WHL against a Russian team in an ADT Challenge game in Medicine Hat on Nov. 29. Complete WHL rosters are in Scoreboard. . . . For more on tonight’s game, see Scouting Report in Scoreboard. . . . The Medicine Hat Tigers have acquired D Patrick Kozyra, 18, from the Spokane Chiefs for a 2008 fifth-round bantam pick. Kozyra, who played last season with the Red Deer Rebels, is form Sherwood Park, Alta.
gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
Fixing Wednesday
Our European correspondent writes to correct something that appeared here yesterday in an item about the Slovakian national junior team:
“A correction to the post regarding Bill Meltzer’s article. The Slovakian U18 team did NOT get relegated last year. It was the Czech U18 team that was relegated. Slovakia finished fifth at the World U18 championship last season. The Slovak U20 team did end up in the relegation round but avoided relegation on the basis of goal differential last sesaon. So far, the Slovak U20 team is winless in 12 games in the Slovak Extraliga (the top league). It is scheduled to play 22 games in the league, playing each team twice (home and away) and all before the WJC.
“Along the same lines, Finland has had its U20 team play in Mestis (the second level league) for three seasons. The games count in the standings for the pro teams. The Finnish U20 team is 2-3 so far this season. It will play 12 games in the league (one against each team and all on the road) before the WJC.”
Our man on Europe also had one signing to report: D Burke Henry (Brandon) signed with AaB Hockey in the Danish Elitserien for the rest of this season. Henry played nine games on a try-out contract with Linköping in Sweden’s Elitserien earlier this season. He had one goal and two assists and was -1 in his time there. AaB Hockey is in Aalborg.
“A correction to the post regarding Bill Meltzer’s article. The Slovakian U18 team did NOT get relegated last year. It was the Czech U18 team that was relegated. Slovakia finished fifth at the World U18 championship last season. The Slovak U20 team did end up in the relegation round but avoided relegation on the basis of goal differential last sesaon. So far, the Slovak U20 team is winless in 12 games in the Slovak Extraliga (the top league). It is scheduled to play 22 games in the league, playing each team twice (home and away) and all before the WJC.
“Along the same lines, Finland has had its U20 team play in Mestis (the second level league) for three seasons. The games count in the standings for the pro teams. The Finnish U20 team is 2-3 so far this season. It will play 12 games in the league (one against each team and all on the road) before the WJC.”
Our man on Europe also had one signing to report: D Burke Henry (Brandon) signed with AaB Hockey in the Danish Elitserien for the rest of this season. Henry played nine games on a try-out contract with Linköping in Sweden’s Elitserien earlier this season. He had one goal and two assists and was -1 in his time there. AaB Hockey is in Aalborg.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday is in the books
Interesting piece at nhl.com by Bill Meltzer on the Slovakian national junior team, which came awfully close to being relegated at last season’s world junior championship. At the same time, the under-18 team did get relegated. . . . Meltzer reports that Slovakian hockey officials decided to put an under-20 team into the country’s top pro league, the Extraliga. . . . The games don’t count in standings for the pro teams, but the experience should do wonders for the junior-aged players. . . . With this team playing together now, it will be interesting to see just how many Slovakian players who are performing in major junior over here will get added for the WJC. . . . This season’s WJC is set for the Czech cities of Pardubice and Liberec. . . .
No one is hotter than head coach Bill Peters’ Spokane Chiefs. Their 4-3 victory over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday was their sixth straight and left them tied for top spot in the U.S. Division, with the Tri-City Americans. . . . Spokane’s six-game winning streak is their longest since October 2003. . . . The Chiefs entertain the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday. . . . The Chiefs and Thunderbirds will meet three times over nine days, as they play again in Spokane on Nov. 2 before going at it in Seattle on Nov. 4. . . .
WEDNESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Regina, the Pats scored the game’s first four goals and went on to a 5-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos. . . . LW Michael MacAngus had two goals for the Pats, giving him five on the season. The goals, 39 seconds apart came in the third period. . . . F Jordan Eberle, 17, had an empty-net goal, his WHL-leading 14th score this season, and two assists. . . . Regina (11-4-0-0) has won four in a row -- seven straight at home -- and leads the East Division by four points over the Broncos (8-4-0-2), who have lost three straight. . . . Regina LW Troy Ofukany was back after missing 11 games with a knee injury. . . .
In Medicine Hat, F Yashar Farmanara’s eighth goal of the season, at 1:47 of overtime, gave the Tigers a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings. . . . Farmanara has six goals and two assists over his last six games. . . . Ryan Holfeld stopped 19 shots for the shutout, his first of the season and second of his career. . . . Edmonton’s Alex Archibald turned aside 38 shots. . . . The Tigers (10-3-1-0) outshot the Oil Kings (4-5-1-2) 17-3 in the second period and 13-4 in the third. . . . And get this -- each team was 0-for-1 on the PP. That is correct -- zero-for-one!!! . . . The referee? Chris Savage. . . .
In Cranbrook, F Jordan Knackstedt scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Kootenay Ice, 3-2. Knackstedt, who has nine goals, also had an assist. . . . The winner came off a goal-mouth scramble. . . . G Joey Perricone stopped 31 shots for Moose Jaw, which has won seven of eight and has points in eight straight, is 7-3-2-1 and up to third in the East Division. . . . The Ice slipped to 5-8-2-0. . . .
In Kelowna, Jamie Benn and Colin Long had shootout goals as the Rockets dumped the Vancouver Giants, 2-1. . . . Both regulation-time goals came in the third period, with Evan Bloodoff scoring for Kelowna (5-6-1-0), at 9:48, and Spencer Machacek scoring for the Giants (9-2-1-2) just 17 seconds later. . . . G Kris Westblom stopped Vancouver’s first two shooters, while the Rockets’ second and third snipers scored to end it. . . .
In Everett, LW Shane Harper’s third goal of the season, at 18:56 of the third period, broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Silvertips a 4-3 victory over the Saskatoon Blades. . . . The Blades (3-9-1-0) have lost five in a row and are 0-4 on their swing through the U.S. Division. They wrap it up Friday in Seattle. . . . Down 2-0 after a period, the Blades tied it in the second only to have D Dane Crowley give Everett the lead again. . . . Walker Wintoneak pulled the Blades even on a PP at 14:40 of the third. . . . Everett got a goal from D Graham Potuer, his third in 184 regular-season and playoff games. . . . Everett (6-6-0-0) outshot the visitors 36-20, including 16-3 in the third. . . . Saskatoon GM/head coach Lorne Molleken, who called out both goaltenders earlier in the week, yanked Garrett Zemlak after he gave up two goals on five shots. Braden Holtby finished up with 29 stops. . . . The Blades were without D Jyri Niemi (wrist), who leads them with six goals. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., the Tri-City Americans erased a 4-1 deficit and beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-4 in a shootout. . . . It was Tri-City’s 19th straight victory at home. . . . Jason Reese and Shaun Vey each scored in the shootout for Tri-City (11-3-0-0). . . . Americans G Chet Pickard, who is 8-1-0-0, stopped two Brandon (7-5-0-1) shooters in the circus. . . . Brandon has lost four straight. . . . C Taylor Procyshen started the comeback with his ninth goal at 17:26 of the second period. D Kevin Kraus, with his first, and Petr Stoklasa, also with his first, tied it in the third period. . . . Kraus, who went into the game with four points in 45 career games, had a goal and two assists as he was in on the game’s last three goals. . . . Brandon RW Matt Lowry had his 10-game point streak halted. . . . In his first WHL start, Brandon G Andrew Hayes stopped 36 shots. . . . During the game, Brandon lost D Daryl Boyle (match, tape on hand in fight) and F Robert Brandis (clipping major) to ejections. The visitors also had what they thought was a shootout goal by Matt Calvert waved off by referee Andy Thiessen. . . . According to the Brandon Sun, the disallowed goal came after both the goal judge and Thiessen had signaled a goal. . . . "I can't afford to comment, but I can say that there were some things that happened in this game that I have never seen before," Brandon GM/head coach Kelly McCrimmon told The Sun.
No one is hotter than head coach Bill Peters’ Spokane Chiefs. Their 4-3 victory over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday was their sixth straight and left them tied for top spot in the U.S. Division, with the Tri-City Americans. . . . Spokane’s six-game winning streak is their longest since October 2003. . . . The Chiefs entertain the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday. . . . The Chiefs and Thunderbirds will meet three times over nine days, as they play again in Spokane on Nov. 2 before going at it in Seattle on Nov. 4. . . .
WEDNESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Regina, the Pats scored the game’s first four goals and went on to a 5-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos. . . . LW Michael MacAngus had two goals for the Pats, giving him five on the season. The goals, 39 seconds apart came in the third period. . . . F Jordan Eberle, 17, had an empty-net goal, his WHL-leading 14th score this season, and two assists. . . . Regina (11-4-0-0) has won four in a row -- seven straight at home -- and leads the East Division by four points over the Broncos (8-4-0-2), who have lost three straight. . . . Regina LW Troy Ofukany was back after missing 11 games with a knee injury. . . .
In Medicine Hat, F Yashar Farmanara’s eighth goal of the season, at 1:47 of overtime, gave the Tigers a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings. . . . Farmanara has six goals and two assists over his last six games. . . . Ryan Holfeld stopped 19 shots for the shutout, his first of the season and second of his career. . . . Edmonton’s Alex Archibald turned aside 38 shots. . . . The Tigers (10-3-1-0) outshot the Oil Kings (4-5-1-2) 17-3 in the second period and 13-4 in the third. . . . And get this -- each team was 0-for-1 on the PP. That is correct -- zero-for-one!!! . . . The referee? Chris Savage. . . .
In Cranbrook, F Jordan Knackstedt scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Moose Jaw Warriors beat the Kootenay Ice, 3-2. Knackstedt, who has nine goals, also had an assist. . . . The winner came off a goal-mouth scramble. . . . G Joey Perricone stopped 31 shots for Moose Jaw, which has won seven of eight and has points in eight straight, is 7-3-2-1 and up to third in the East Division. . . . The Ice slipped to 5-8-2-0. . . .
In Kelowna, Jamie Benn and Colin Long had shootout goals as the Rockets dumped the Vancouver Giants, 2-1. . . . Both regulation-time goals came in the third period, with Evan Bloodoff scoring for Kelowna (5-6-1-0), at 9:48, and Spencer Machacek scoring for the Giants (9-2-1-2) just 17 seconds later. . . . G Kris Westblom stopped Vancouver’s first two shooters, while the Rockets’ second and third snipers scored to end it. . . .
In Everett, LW Shane Harper’s third goal of the season, at 18:56 of the third period, broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Silvertips a 4-3 victory over the Saskatoon Blades. . . . The Blades (3-9-1-0) have lost five in a row and are 0-4 on their swing through the U.S. Division. They wrap it up Friday in Seattle. . . . Down 2-0 after a period, the Blades tied it in the second only to have D Dane Crowley give Everett the lead again. . . . Walker Wintoneak pulled the Blades even on a PP at 14:40 of the third. . . . Everett got a goal from D Graham Potuer, his third in 184 regular-season and playoff games. . . . Everett (6-6-0-0) outshot the visitors 36-20, including 16-3 in the third. . . . Saskatoon GM/head coach Lorne Molleken, who called out both goaltenders earlier in the week, yanked Garrett Zemlak after he gave up two goals on five shots. Braden Holtby finished up with 29 stops. . . . The Blades were without D Jyri Niemi (wrist), who leads them with six goals. . . .
In Kennewick, Wash., the Tri-City Americans erased a 4-1 deficit and beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-4 in a shootout. . . . It was Tri-City’s 19th straight victory at home. . . . Jason Reese and Shaun Vey each scored in the shootout for Tri-City (11-3-0-0). . . . Americans G Chet Pickard, who is 8-1-0-0, stopped two Brandon (7-5-0-1) shooters in the circus. . . . Brandon has lost four straight. . . . C Taylor Procyshen started the comeback with his ninth goal at 17:26 of the second period. D Kevin Kraus, with his first, and Petr Stoklasa, also with his first, tied it in the third period. . . . Kraus, who went into the game with four points in 45 career games, had a goal and two assists as he was in on the game’s last three goals. . . . Brandon RW Matt Lowry had his 10-game point streak halted. . . . In his first WHL start, Brandon G Andrew Hayes stopped 36 shots. . . . During the game, Brandon lost D Daryl Boyle (match, tape on hand in fight) and F Robert Brandis (clipping major) to ejections. The visitors also had what they thought was a shootout goal by Matt Calvert waved off by referee Andy Thiessen. . . . According to the Brandon Sun, the disallowed goal came after both the goal judge and Thiessen had signaled a goal. . . . "I can't afford to comment, but I can say that there were some things that happened in this game that I have never seen before," Brandon GM/head coach Kelly McCrimmon told The Sun.
Wednesday. . . .
The Prince George Cougars will have a new player in their lineup this weekend. F Matt Sokol, an 18-year-old free agent, will play Friday and Saturday against the visiting Chilliwack Bruins. Sokol, who is from Los Angeles, played 63 games last season with the Portland Winter Hawks and had 12 points and 55 penalty minutes. He had one goal in three games with Portland this season. . . .
Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights? . . . On the heels of D Michael Hengen, 20, leaving the Edmonton Oil Kings for “personal reasons” earlier this week comes news that F Scott Skrudland, 19, also has left the WHL expansion team. Skrudland, who is from Winnipeg, is expected to return home and play in the MJHL. . . . The Oil Kings now have a 21-player roster -- most teams carry 23 -- so you can expect some movement there. . . .
The WHL will announce the roster for its ADT Challenge games against a Russian team at a news conference today in Calgary. . . . Yes, the series should have been cancelled this year after the September-October Canada-Russia series. . . . In the four years of the ADT series, the WHL is 8-0 and has outscored the visitors, 47-11. This year’s games, scheduled for Medicine Hat and Cranbrook, won’t be any different. . . .
The OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs canned head coach Bruce Cassidy prior to Tuesday‘s game in Sudbury. The Frontenacs, 2-9-0-1, then lost 4-0 to the Wolves with director of hockey operations Larry Mavety in as the interim head coach. . . . If you‘re counting, that‘s seven straight losses for the Frontenacs.
Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights? . . . On the heels of D Michael Hengen, 20, leaving the Edmonton Oil Kings for “personal reasons” earlier this week comes news that F Scott Skrudland, 19, also has left the WHL expansion team. Skrudland, who is from Winnipeg, is expected to return home and play in the MJHL. . . . The Oil Kings now have a 21-player roster -- most teams carry 23 -- so you can expect some movement there. . . .
The WHL will announce the roster for its ADT Challenge games against a Russian team at a news conference today in Calgary. . . . Yes, the series should have been cancelled this year after the September-October Canada-Russia series. . . . In the four years of the ADT series, the WHL is 8-0 and has outscored the visitors, 47-11. This year’s games, scheduled for Medicine Hat and Cranbrook, won’t be any different. . . .
The OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs canned head coach Bruce Cassidy prior to Tuesday‘s game in Sudbury. The Frontenacs, 2-9-0-1, then lost 4-0 to the Wolves with director of hockey operations Larry Mavety in as the interim head coach. . . . If you‘re counting, that‘s seven straight losses for the Frontenacs.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Gauthier for White
From The Daily News of Oct. 24, 2007
The Kamloops Blazers are walking a little -- make that a whole lot -- taller today.
That’s what happens when you welcome one of the WHL’s toughest hombres into your dressing room.
Just in time for games against perhaps their two toughest B.C. Division rivals, the Blazers acquired 6-foot-3, 200-pound defenceman Mike Gauthier, 20, on Tuesday in exchange for defenceman Ryan White, 20, and a fifth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft.
Gauthier, from North Vancouver, was the third overall selection in the 2002 bantam draft and has played his entire career with the Raiders.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I‘m able to get to play closer to home and for a pretty storied franchise. I’m very excited.”
His family -- parents Joan and Dave, along with twin brother Ted -- also were excited with the news, Kamloops being somewhat closer to North Vancouver than is Prince Albert.
“Yeah,“ Gauthier said, “they are excited to get to see me play a little more. That will be a little different.”
Gauthier’s ticket out of Prince Albert may have been written prior to last weekend when freshman head coach Bruno Campese stripped three players, including Gauthier, of their letters after a curfew violation.
“We paid the price,” Gauthier said. “There’s a new coach and some things are unacceptable. We made a mistake and had to learn our lesson.”
He may also have paid a price for the Raiders being 3-9-2-0 and 11th in the 12-team Eastern Conference going into last night‘s games.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, said he did some phoning around before making the deal.
“All the things that I checked out and the info I got was that he’s a good kid,” Clark said.
Gauthier planned to drive to Edmonton yesterday and then to Kamloops today. If everything works out, he will skate with his new teammates Thursday and play Friday when the Kelowna Rockets visit Interior Savings Centre and Saturday against the visiting Vancouver Giants.
The Blazers had winger Matt Kassian riding shotgun with them for the last couple of seasons, but weren’t able to replace him when he graduated after last season. Until now, that is.
“We just got harder to play against,” said Clark, whose club is 5-6-1-0 and in sixth place in the 10-team Western Conference.
Gauthier, though, feels there’s more to his game than dropping the gloves.
“The past couple of years I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “This year, I wanted to be a complete player and not just a guy who can provide toughness. I think I started off doing that and that’s what I bring Kamloops, along with some toughness.”
When it comes to fighting, he said, he isn’t a thug who skates around looking for trouble.
“I’m not the big square off,” he said. “I’ll hit a guy and . . . or if someone challenges another guy, I’ll be the guy to step in.”
Gauthier was the WHL’s most-penalized player last season, with 264 minutes in 69 games. The WHL chooses not to include misconducts and game misconducts in its penalty totals, but if you add in his four misconducts and three game misconducts, the total is 334.
This season, Gauthier is fifth in penalty minutes, with 45 in 13 games. He also has incurred two game misconducts, meaning one more brings with it a one-game suspension. Gauthier also has six points this season, which ties him with White, who has two penalty minutes.
According to hockeyfights.com, Gauthier has been involved in 45 regular-season fights over the last four seasons, with 18 of those occurring last season. That was the fifth-highest total in the league and included bouts with Western Conference heavyweights Partik Bhungal of the Chilliwack Bruins and Frazer McLaren of the Portland Winter Hawks. Kelowna left-winger James McEwan, who will be in town Friday, of course, led the WHL with 25 scraps.
Gauthier was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2005 NHL draft. He attended one training camp with the Blues but never signed. Prior to this season, he went to camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Clark had been talking of possible changes to his roster since late last week.
“We have to make some change and get people here who are a little more . . . Whitey was a good guy but I don’t know how much he brought us leadership-wise,” Clark said yesterday.
White, from Edmonton, joined the Blazers from the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons midway through the 2005-06 season. He had 27 points and 47 penalty minutes in 121 games with the Blazers.
White is expected to be in the Raiders’ lineup for a home-and-home weekend series with the Regina Pats that opens Friday in Prince Albert.
This was the second trade of the season between the Blazers and Raiders. On Sept. 19, Kamloops sent goaltender Dustin Butler, 20, to the Raiders for a sixth round pick in the 2009 draft.
The Raiders visit Kamloops on Dec. 7; the Blazers play in Prince Albert on Feb. 29.
Having acquired Gauthier, Clark said he will continue to work the phones.
“I’ve been talking to lots of different teams,” he said, “but nothing’s concrete.”
The Kamloops Blazers are walking a little -- make that a whole lot -- taller today.
That’s what happens when you welcome one of the WHL’s toughest hombres into your dressing room.
Just in time for games against perhaps their two toughest B.C. Division rivals, the Blazers acquired 6-foot-3, 200-pound defenceman Mike Gauthier, 20, on Tuesday in exchange for defenceman Ryan White, 20, and a fifth-round pick in the 2008 bantam draft.
Gauthier, from North Vancouver, was the third overall selection in the 2002 bantam draft and has played his entire career with the Raiders.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I‘m able to get to play closer to home and for a pretty storied franchise. I’m very excited.”
His family -- parents Joan and Dave, along with twin brother Ted -- also were excited with the news, Kamloops being somewhat closer to North Vancouver than is Prince Albert.
“Yeah,“ Gauthier said, “they are excited to get to see me play a little more. That will be a little different.”
Gauthier’s ticket out of Prince Albert may have been written prior to last weekend when freshman head coach Bruno Campese stripped three players, including Gauthier, of their letters after a curfew violation.
“We paid the price,” Gauthier said. “There’s a new coach and some things are unacceptable. We made a mistake and had to learn our lesson.”
He may also have paid a price for the Raiders being 3-9-2-0 and 11th in the 12-team Eastern Conference going into last night‘s games.
Dean Clark, the Blazers’ general manager and head coach, said he did some phoning around before making the deal.
“All the things that I checked out and the info I got was that he’s a good kid,” Clark said.
Gauthier planned to drive to Edmonton yesterday and then to Kamloops today. If everything works out, he will skate with his new teammates Thursday and play Friday when the Kelowna Rockets visit Interior Savings Centre and Saturday against the visiting Vancouver Giants.
The Blazers had winger Matt Kassian riding shotgun with them for the last couple of seasons, but weren’t able to replace him when he graduated after last season. Until now, that is.
“We just got harder to play against,” said Clark, whose club is 5-6-1-0 and in sixth place in the 10-team Western Conference.
Gauthier, though, feels there’s more to his game than dropping the gloves.
“The past couple of years I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “This year, I wanted to be a complete player and not just a guy who can provide toughness. I think I started off doing that and that’s what I bring Kamloops, along with some toughness.”
When it comes to fighting, he said, he isn’t a thug who skates around looking for trouble.
“I’m not the big square off,” he said. “I’ll hit a guy and . . . or if someone challenges another guy, I’ll be the guy to step in.”
Gauthier was the WHL’s most-penalized player last season, with 264 minutes in 69 games. The WHL chooses not to include misconducts and game misconducts in its penalty totals, but if you add in his four misconducts and three game misconducts, the total is 334.
This season, Gauthier is fifth in penalty minutes, with 45 in 13 games. He also has incurred two game misconducts, meaning one more brings with it a one-game suspension. Gauthier also has six points this season, which ties him with White, who has two penalty minutes.
According to hockeyfights.com, Gauthier has been involved in 45 regular-season fights over the last four seasons, with 18 of those occurring last season. That was the fifth-highest total in the league and included bouts with Western Conference heavyweights Partik Bhungal of the Chilliwack Bruins and Frazer McLaren of the Portland Winter Hawks. Kelowna left-winger James McEwan, who will be in town Friday, of course, led the WHL with 25 scraps.
Gauthier was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2005 NHL draft. He attended one training camp with the Blues but never signed. Prior to this season, he went to camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Clark had been talking of possible changes to his roster since late last week.
“We have to make some change and get people here who are a little more . . . Whitey was a good guy but I don’t know how much he brought us leadership-wise,” Clark said yesterday.
White, from Edmonton, joined the Blazers from the AJHL’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons midway through the 2005-06 season. He had 27 points and 47 penalty minutes in 121 games with the Blazers.
White is expected to be in the Raiders’ lineup for a home-and-home weekend series with the Regina Pats that opens Friday in Prince Albert.
This was the second trade of the season between the Blazers and Raiders. On Sept. 19, Kamloops sent goaltender Dustin Butler, 20, to the Raiders for a sixth round pick in the 2009 draft.
The Raiders visit Kamloops on Dec. 7; the Blazers play in Prince Albert on Feb. 29.
Having acquired Gauthier, Clark said he will continue to work the phones.
“I’ve been talking to lots of different teams,” he said, “but nothing’s concrete.”
More from Tuesday. . .
D Michael Hengen, 20, has left the Edmonton Oil Kings for what the team is calling “personal reasons.” He had five points in nine games. . . . Hengen was one of the club’s five 20-year-olds. . . . The Oil Kings were his fifth team as he also had stints in Swift Current, Saskatoon, Calgary and Moose Jaw. . . . Hengen, who is from Surrey, B.C., is expected to go to school and play in the BCHL. . . .
LW Troy Ofukany of the Regina Pats, who was expected to miss six weeks or more with a sprained knee, may play Wednesday against the visiting Swift Current Broncos. Ofukany, 20, was injured on Sept. 28. “I was told by some (people) that I’d be out a minimum of six weeks but fortunately it has been a little over three weeks,” Ofukany told the Regina Leader-Post’s Greg Harder. “It feels like I’ve been out for a couple months. I couldn’t imagine sitting out for another month. That would be devastating.” . . . Regina RW Brett Leffler (concussion) will be out at least a week. . . .
The Vancouver Province’s Steve Ewen reports that the Giants have placed RW Ken Petkau, 20, on their suspended list, which allows them add another 20-year-old to their roster, should they so choose. According to Ewen, Petkau has again reiterated to WHL vice-president Richard Doerksen that he no longer wants to play in the WHL. Ewen writes that Petkau “eventually stopped contact with Vancouver,” and that “Petkau hasn't returned phone calls to The Province.” . . .
The Moose Jaw Warriors, who open a five-game road swing tonight in Cranbrook, have brought in G Brandon Glover, 15, from the midget AAA Victoria Grizzlies. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft. It isn’t likely that Glover will get into a game, but he will get to learn something about the WHL routine. . . . Moose Jaw F Riley Holzapfel (concussion) remains day-to-day. . . .
The Chilliwack Bruins will welcome back F Ryan Howse this weekend when they play the Cougars in his hometown of Prince George. Howse, 16, has been out since injuring a shoulder on a check from Kamloops Blazers D Keaton Ellerby on Oct. 6. Howse was the third overall pick in the 2006 bantam draft. . . . “This is a weekend I’ve had in mind for a while, so it’s great I can play,” Howse told the Prince George Citizen’s Jim Swanson. . . . Howse has missed four games. He has two points in seven games. . . .
TUESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Portland, the Winter Hawks scored the game’s last three goals, two of them from LW Frazer McLaren, and beat the Saskatoon Blades, 4-2, in a battle of conference cellar-dwellers. . . . The victory improved Portland’s record to 2-10-0-0. . . . McLaren now has three goals on the season. . . . The Blades (3-8-1-0) have lost four in a row. . . .
In Spokane, Drayson Bowman’s goal at 14:50 of the third period, his ninth this season, broke a 3-3 tie as the Chiefs beat the Brandon Wheat Kings, 4-3. . . . The Chiefs (9-2-1-1) scored the game’s first three goals, one of those a power-play score by Bowman, before Brandon (7-5-0-0) roared back with a goal late in the second period and two more in the third, the last one an unassisted power-play score by Tyler Dittmer, his ninth. . . . Spokane is tied atop the Western Conference with the Tri-City Americans (10-3-0-0) and Vancouver Giants (9-2-1-1), both of whom were idle. . . .
In Swift Current, G Dustin Butler stopped 37 shots as the Prince Albert Raiders broke a 2-2 tie with two late third-period goals and beat the Broncos, 4-2. . . . Max Brandl’s second goal of the season, on a power play at 15:34, stood up as the winner. Ryan DePape added some insurance at 17:15. . . . Prince Albert improved to 4-9-2-0, while the Broncos slipped to 8-3-0-2.
LW Troy Ofukany of the Regina Pats, who was expected to miss six weeks or more with a sprained knee, may play Wednesday against the visiting Swift Current Broncos. Ofukany, 20, was injured on Sept. 28. “I was told by some (people) that I’d be out a minimum of six weeks but fortunately it has been a little over three weeks,” Ofukany told the Regina Leader-Post’s Greg Harder. “It feels like I’ve been out for a couple months. I couldn’t imagine sitting out for another month. That would be devastating.” . . . Regina RW Brett Leffler (concussion) will be out at least a week. . . .
The Vancouver Province’s Steve Ewen reports that the Giants have placed RW Ken Petkau, 20, on their suspended list, which allows them add another 20-year-old to their roster, should they so choose. According to Ewen, Petkau has again reiterated to WHL vice-president Richard Doerksen that he no longer wants to play in the WHL. Ewen writes that Petkau “eventually stopped contact with Vancouver,” and that “Petkau hasn't returned phone calls to The Province.” . . .
The Moose Jaw Warriors, who open a five-game road swing tonight in Cranbrook, have brought in G Brandon Glover, 15, from the midget AAA Victoria Grizzlies. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2007 bantam draft. It isn’t likely that Glover will get into a game, but he will get to learn something about the WHL routine. . . . Moose Jaw F Riley Holzapfel (concussion) remains day-to-day. . . .
The Chilliwack Bruins will welcome back F Ryan Howse this weekend when they play the Cougars in his hometown of Prince George. Howse, 16, has been out since injuring a shoulder on a check from Kamloops Blazers D Keaton Ellerby on Oct. 6. Howse was the third overall pick in the 2006 bantam draft. . . . “This is a weekend I’ve had in mind for a while, so it’s great I can play,” Howse told the Prince George Citizen’s Jim Swanson. . . . Howse has missed four games. He has two points in seven games. . . .
TUESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
In Portland, the Winter Hawks scored the game’s last three goals, two of them from LW Frazer McLaren, and beat the Saskatoon Blades, 4-2, in a battle of conference cellar-dwellers. . . . The victory improved Portland’s record to 2-10-0-0. . . . McLaren now has three goals on the season. . . . The Blades (3-8-1-0) have lost four in a row. . . .
In Spokane, Drayson Bowman’s goal at 14:50 of the third period, his ninth this season, broke a 3-3 tie as the Chiefs beat the Brandon Wheat Kings, 4-3. . . . The Chiefs (9-2-1-1) scored the game’s first three goals, one of those a power-play score by Bowman, before Brandon (7-5-0-0) roared back with a goal late in the second period and two more in the third, the last one an unassisted power-play score by Tyler Dittmer, his ninth. . . . Spokane is tied atop the Western Conference with the Tri-City Americans (10-3-0-0) and Vancouver Giants (9-2-1-1), both of whom were idle. . . .
In Swift Current, G Dustin Butler stopped 37 shots as the Prince Albert Raiders broke a 2-2 tie with two late third-period goals and beat the Broncos, 4-2. . . . Max Brandl’s second goal of the season, on a power play at 15:34, stood up as the winner. Ryan DePape added some insurance at 17:15. . . . Prince Albert improved to 4-9-2-0, while the Broncos slipped to 8-3-0-2.
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