Lajoie gives Broncos joy . . . Raiders end five-game drought . . . McAndrews big for Chiefs

F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Dornbirn (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). Last season, with the Graz 99ers (Austria, Erste Bank Liga), he had 13 goals and 11 assists in 28 games.
---


ROOT Sports has announced its eight-game TV schedule that features Friday night WHL games that include U.S. Division teams.
The schedule opens Jan. 16 with the Tri-City Americans in Vancouver to face the Giants. Once again, Ian Furness will handle the play-by-play with analysis from former D Kevin Sawyer.
The schedule:
Jan. 16 -- Tri-City at Vancouver, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 -- Everett at Kelowna - 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 6 -- Portland at Seattle - 7:35 p.m.
Feb. 20 -- Tri-City at Everett - 7:35 p.m.
Feb. 27 -- Spokane at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.
March 6 -- Seattle at Portland, 7 p.m.
March 13 -- Portland at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
March 20 -- Everett at Victoria, 7:05 p.m.
---

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES:

A scheduled game that was to have had the Medicine Hat Tigers in Victoria to play the Royals was postponed until tonight. The Tigers had problems getting through the Interior of B.C., due to highway closures for avalanche control. . . . The highway opened late Wednesday morning and the Tigers were able to catch an evening ferry to Victoria.
—-
In Prince Albert, G Rylan Parenteau stopped 44 shots to lead the Raiders to a 5-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . F Tim Vanstone scored twice for the Raiders, giving him five this season. He opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 12:58 of the first period. . . . F Brayden Point, who played for Canada at the WJC, returned to the Warriors’ lineup. He drew an assist on F Jack Rodewald’s 20th goal of the season, running his point streak to 13 games. . . . The Warriors scratched D Connor Clouston and F Axel Blomqvist, both of whom were acquired in trades this week. . . . D Dalton Yorke and F Kris Schmidli, acquired by the Raiders from Kelowna in the deal for F Leon Draisaitl, both played. . . . The Raiders(17-23-1) snapped a five-game losing skid and closed to within a point of the Warriors, who are fourth in the East Division. . . . Moose Jaw (16-22-4) has lost two in a row. . . .

In Swift Current, D Max Lajoie scored the only goal of a five-round shootout to give the Broncos a 5-4 victory over the Calgary Hitmen. . . . Broncos F Jake DeBrusk forced OT with a PP goal at 19:11 of the third period. He scored twice, giving him 22. . . . The Hitmen held leads of 2-0 and 3-1 but found themselves tied 3-3 after Broncos F Colby Cave got his 19th goal at 8:56 of the third. . . . Calgary F Connor Rankin gave the Hitmen a 4-3 lead with his 20th goal at 9:23. . . . Lajoie had three assists, all in the third period. . . . F Adam Tambellini and D Travis Sanheim each had two assists for Calgary. . . . Broncos G Landon Bow stopped 43 shots, six more than Calgary’s Mack Shields. . . . The Broncos lost F Coda Gordon to an undisclosed injury in the first period. . . . G Brendan Burke, acquired Tuesday from the Portland Winterhawks, was on Calgary’s bench backing up Shields. . . . The Hitmen were without F Taylor Sanheim, who drew a two-game suspension for a headshot major and game misconduct he incurred Tuesday night in Moose Jaw. . . . The Broncos (20-17-4) had lost their previous two games. . . . The Hitmen (22-15-4) had won two straight. The loser point lifted them into second in the Central Division, a point ahead of the Red Deer Rebels. . . .

In Regina, G Tyler Brown stopped 25 shots to help the Pats to a 3-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips. . . . F Braden Christoffer, in his first game as the Pats’ captain, opened the scoring on the PP at 10:29 of the first period. . . . He’s got 14 goals. . . . Everett F Nikita Scherbak tied it, with his 19th goal, at 13:05. . . . Regina F Pavel Padakin broke the tie with his 10th goal at 16:54 of the second. . . . Pats F Jesse Gabrielle added insurance with his 14th goal at 13:18 of the third. . . . The Pats scratched G Daniel Wapple (groin), so G Tyler Fuhr of the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins was on the bench. . . . F Taylor Cooper and D Connor Hobbs, acquired in deals this week, were in Regina’s lineup. . . . Everett G Austin Lotz stopped 32 shots. . . . Regina (25-12-3) is 5-0-1 in its last six. . . . Everett (24-12-4) had won its last three games, all on an East Division swing. . . .

In Prince George, G Evan Sarthou turned aside 33 shots to lead the Tri-City Americans to a 5-3 victory over the Cougars. . . . Americans’ F Justin Gutierrez broke a 1-1 tie with his sixth goal, on a PP, at 16:38 of the second period. . . . F Nolan Yaremko, one of three affiliate players in Tri-City’s lineup, scored his first goal at 9:27 of the third period for a 4-2 lead. . . . Cougars F Brad Morrison got his 15th goal at 14:12, on a PP, but Americans F Richard Nejezchleb iced it with his 11th goal, an empty-netter, at 19:52. . . . F Chase Witala had three assists for the Cougars. . . . The Americans (19-19-2) snapped a four-game losing skid. They are fifth in the U.S. Division, two points behind the Seattle Thunderbirds. . . . The Cougars slipped to 20-22-0. . . .

In Spokane, F Devon McAndrews scored his first two goals to help the Chiefs to a 4-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks. . . . McAndrews broke a 1-1 tie at 9:13 of the second period and added insurance at 1:50 of the third. . . . Portland F Oliver Bjorkstrand, in his first game since playing for Denmark at the WJC, got his 22nd goal at 14:07 of the first period. . . . Spokane scored the game’s last four goals. . . . Spokane F Kailer Yamamoto had two assists. . . . Chiefs F Adam Helewka scored his 21st goal into an empty net at 18:32 of the third. . . . Spokane D Jason Fram counted his eighth goal and added an assist. . . . Spokane G Garret Hughson stopped 38 shots, six fewer than Portland’s Adin Hill. . . . Hill, who had put up back-to-back shutouts, had his shutout string end at 174:38. According to Todd Vrooman, the Winterhawks’ play-by-play voice, that is just 1 minute 16 seconds shy of Brendan Burke’s franchise record. . . . F Nic Petan, who played for Canada at the WJC, wasn’t in Portland’s lineup, but Danish F Oliver Bjorkstrand was back. . . . D Adam Henry, acquired Tuesday from Saskatoon, made his debut with Portland. . . . The Chiefs (22-14-3) had lost their previous two games. They are second in the U.S. Division, two points ahead of Portland. . . . The Winterhawks (21-18-3) had won their previous two games. . . .

In Kelowna, F Leon Draisaitl scored a goal and added an assist in the second period as the Rockets beat the Vancouver Giants, 4-2. . . . Draisaitl, who was acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday, was playing his first game after being returned to the WHL by the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. . . . Draisaitl drew an assist on a PP score by F Gage Quinney that broke a 1-1 tie at 1:13 of the second period. . . . Draisaitl scored the Rockets’ third goal at 5:00 of the second. . . . F Jakob Stukel scored his third goal of the season at 12;44 of the third to get the Giants to within one. . . . Kelowna F Rourke Chartier got his WHL-leading 36th goal into an empty net at 19:00. . . . F Dillon Dube drew two assists for Kelowna. . . . Rockets G Jackson Whistle stopped 39 shots, 10 more than Vancouver’s Cody Porter. . . . The Rockets (32-6-3) have won three in a row. . . . Vancouver (18-20-2) was 2-0-1 in its previous three games.
---

News - The new Score Clock at the @BrandtCentre is coming January 23rd! http://t.co/ORUcg64CsJ pic.twitter.com/gvIiMf8T7v
— Regina Pats (@WHLpats) January 7, 2015

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Bud Holloway (Seattle, 2003-08) signed a one-year contract extension with Skellefteå (Sweden, Elitserien). The contract has an out-clause should he sign an NHL contract. Holloway was named Elitserien Most Valuable Player, winning the league scoring championship with 20 goals and 51 assists in 55 games. Skellefteå beat Luleå four games to none to win their second-ever Elitserien championship — the first was in 1977-78. There is an interview video (in English) with Holloway on the club website, which you can find right here. . . .

F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) signed a one-year plus option contract with the Graz 99ers (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had four goals and seven assists in 14 games with Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) and 16 goals and 10 assists in 25 games for Milan Rossoblu (Italy, Serie A) this season. . . .

D Jame Pollock (Seattle, 1995-99) signed a one-year contract extension with the Nuremburg Ice Tigers (Germany, DEL). He had eight goals and 18 assists in 46 games this season. Nuremburg also announced that it won’t offer contracts for next season to seven players, including D Sven Butenschön (Brandon, 1993-1996). Butenschön had two goals and one assist in 50 games for the Ice Tigers this season. . . .

F Nathan Rempel (Saskatoon, 1994-98) won’t be offered a contract for next season by the Guildford Flames (England, Premier). He had 19 goals and 20 assists in 43 games for the Flames this season.
———
It will be interesting to see what kind of welcome is afforded F Chase Souto and the Kamloops Blazers tonight in Portland.
The Blazers trail 3-1 in the Western Conference final with the Winterhawks.
After being beaten 3-0 in Game 4 in Kamloops on Wednesday night, Souto was quoted by Marty Hastings of Kamloops This Week as saying: “We did it last year. I think we're going to go in their barn, cause a ruck and shut their fans up. Bunch of losers down there. … just gonna give it our all."
A year ago, in the second round, the Blazers were trailing 3-1 when they went into Portland and won, 7-2.
Souto’s comment was met with a predictable response.
Portland F Nic Petan told Paul Buker of The Oregonian: “We kind of heard it on the bus today. Not much you can do about it, just let it go. Our focus is on winning the game, and not making comments like that.”
D Derrick Pouliot added: “He can say whatever he wants. We’ve got amazing fans here. They’re loud, and proud.”
The loudest stuff, as usual, came from the fans.
Among the comments on the Winterhawks Booster Club’s Facebook page, where the graphic at the top of this entry was posted, were these:
“Wow, what a great example of terrible sportsmanship. Even if the Hawks lost, the fans would never shut up — Hawks' fans aren't fair weather fans.”
“No one shuts up we just shutout.”
“If your going to the game boo him enough for me please.”
“Suoto literally has a face only a mother can love. Go Hawks!!! Skates To Asses tomorrow night from the first puck drop till the final horn!!!”
“Chase Souto mouthing off, down 3-1? Shocker. Someone forgot to lock the chicken coop…”
“We should boo him every time he touches the puck. Just to remind him of his comment and how loud we can really be!”
There also was this:
“As much as it was pretty classless for Souto to make this statement... in my opinion it was wrong of the Winterhawks to create this and share it on their Facebook page. Seriously. Be the better team and show them on the ice...not on social media. This is a professional organization and posting this on their page is completely unprofessional.”
Meanwhile, over on Twitter, there was this:
From WinterhawksEgo (@WinterhawksEgo): “Way to stay classy @blazer hockey, chase souto. You're still losing Saturday night, don't fools yourselves.”
Uhh, someone may want to tell WinterhawksEgo that the game is tonight and tonight is Friday. Uhh, there isn’t a game scheduled for Saturday. So, WinterhawksEgo, don’t fools yourself into thinking there is a game on Saturday.
———
And then there was Portland freelance writer Scott Sepich (@SSepich), who noted: “If the Winterhawks want to get casual PDX sports fans outraged, they should point out that Chase Souto is from CA and prob. a Lakers fan.”
———
In the WHL, we get chirping. In the QMJHL, they get really down and dirty.
You have to love the QMJHL. You watched video of the the post-game donnybrook between the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Baie-Comeau Drakkar and you go to bed. You wake up Thursday morning and the suspensions and fines already have been handed out. No wasting time. Everyone knows where they stand. Wonderful! . . . All told, 12 players, including all four goaltenders, drew suspensions, which means you may be on the bench as a backup goaltender for one of the teams. . . . There’s more on the suspensions and fines right here. . . . The series is 2-2 with Game 5 scheduled for Baie-Comeau tonight. . . . After Game 2, the Armada dropped F Stefane Matteau, who was a first-round selection by the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL draft. Provided with a plane ticket home from Baie-Comeau, he chose to ride home on a fan bus. His father, former NHLer Stephane, is an assistant coach with the Armada, although he now is on leave from the team.
———
Former NHLer Jim Peplinski suggests bodychecking be banned from all levels of hockey until players are at least 16 years of age. . . . “I’d question whether I’d have kids in hockey as it’s currently organized,” Peplinski said. “I don’t think I would. The image, the money, it completely fogs people’s judgments.” . . . Mark Howell, the head coach of the U of Calgary Dinos, says hitting shouldn’t be introduced until players are 13 to 15 years of age. . . . “Kids cannot learn to hit,” Howell said. “Kids need to learn the game of hockey without the fear of body contact at a young age.” . . . Dawn Walton of The Globe and Mail has more right here.
———
It would appear that D Griffin Reinhart’s season is over. That being the case, his WHL career may be over. The Edmonton Oil Kings announced Thursday that Reinhart has undergone surgery to repair a torn tendon in a foot and won’t play for perhaps six weeks. . . . Reinhart suffered a cut to one foot during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference with the Calgary Hitmen. Reinhart, 19, was a first-round selection, fourth overall, by the New York Islanders in the 2012 NHL draft. . . . Edmonton D Cody Corbett (knee), who missed Games 3 and 4, is back skating. . . . With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 of the conference final is tonight in Edmonton. . . . The Hitmen will get back F Jake Virtanen, who served a two-game suspension for the hit that injured Corbett.
———

D Landon Oslanski, who played out his junior eligibility with the Everett Silvertips, has joined the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder. He made his pro debut last night, picking up an assist in a 5-3 playoff victory over the visiting Anchorage Aces.
———

THE COACHING GAME:
Jerry Bancks is the new general manager/head coach of the junior B Kimberley Dynamiters of the Kootenay International Junior League. Bancks had been an assistant coach with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice. In the past, Bancks has done two stints on the Dynamiters’ coaching staff, both times as an assistant. . . .
Aaron Wilburn has resigned as head coach of the junior B Richmond Sockeyes, who won the Keystone Cup as Western Canadian champions last week. Wilburn, 32, told Mark Booth of the Richmond News that his business interests have become too all-encompassing. Among other things, Wilbur is president of The Coaches Site and organizes coaching clinics. . . . Booth’s story is right here.
———

The WHL’s playoff situation:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
THIRD ROUND
Edmonton (1) vs. Calgary (3)
(Series tied 2-2; Game 5 tonight in Edmonton; all games on Shaw TV, with Dan Russell calling the play.)
———
WESTERN CONFERENCE
THIRD ROUND
Portland (1) vs. Kamloops (3)
(Portland leads series, 3-1; Game 5 tonight at the Rose Garden in Portland.)
———
THURSDAY’S GAMES:
No Games Scheduled.
———
CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT (20):
None

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT (6):
None
———

From Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell): “Have to wonder where parity has gone in Jr. hockey. In OHL, QMJHL, WHL there have been 36 playoff series, only one has gone seven games.”


There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

If you haven’t noticed, hockey game programs in magazine format are all but a thing of the past.
That’s really too bad, but it’s simply a sign of the times.
A lot of WHL teams now post programs and lineups, in one form or another, on their

websites on game days. Fans are able to go online and read them or print them.
At a glance, none are any better than the one produced and posted by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
If you’re a Thunderbirds fan, you will want to be checking this out on game days; if you’re not in Seattle, well, it’s worth looking at anyway. And it’s available on game days at www.seattlethunderbirds.com/page/digital-program.
The program also is downloadable via iPhone, Android or Blackberry at games, so you are able to read it that way during a game.
“All of the corporate partners ads are clickable and will direct the user to the website of the corporate partner,” notes Ian Henry, the Thunderbirds’ media and public relations director.
The package also includes statistics and standings, game notes from that night’s two teams, and player profiles using the question-and-answer format. The content of the Q-and-A sessions will change every month, with anything statistically related changing every game.
“Having a digital program means we are not going to be selling paper programs at our games,” Henry said, adding that the digital program also is being promoted through the use of a  QR code.
He then explained: “We are going to have seat stuffers that we put in the seat cup holders that have a QR code on it that we want fans to scan with their mobile device to take them to the digital program page. All of our sales/information tables will have the QR code so that our Account Executives can tell fans what they need to do to get the free program.
“We will have the QR codes on posters on the walls of ShoWare Center where fans can walk up and scan the code.
“We have also made the digital program a customizable option on the T-Birds mobile app. When a fan downloads the app to their phone there are initial default settings. If the user chooses to customize the app they can pick the digital program as an option that shows when they open the app. This option will take them right to the digital program page where they can click on the link for the program PDF.”
Switching to a digital program also means that teams are able to drive traffic to their websites. The digital program is done using UberFlip and that process “tracks how many views, link clicks, downloads and social shares each program has,” Henry said. “This means we have hard data we can provide to our corporate partners that we can show them. We can them how they benefit from a partnership with us.”
UberFlip also provides another neat bit of information.
Again, Henry explains: “UberFlip tracks ‘zoom points.’ On the backend, a little green dot is shown for each spot on the page where a user touched the screen to zoom on the page. This is a very intriguing tool for us to show our partners. We can show them exactly where a user touched their ad. And we can work with them to make their ad as effective as possible with the user so they maximize their relationships with us. Several of our corporate partners are involved with us beyond just the digital program. So this strengthens our relationships with them as well, which is good.”
Back in the day, one person in a hockey team’s office would handle the program, contacting a writer or two about providing copy. Stories and statistics, if any, might be changed once a month. If a program included player mugshots, someone who had been traded away might be shown for a few weeks before changes were made.
Now something like that can be changed at any time.
The Thunderbirds’ digital program came about through a collaboration that involved graphic designer/creative director Brian Eldridge, Jason Thomsen, the director of corporate partnerships, vice-president Colin Campbell and Henry.
———
THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) signed a contract for the rest of this season with Milano Rossoblu (Italy, Serie A). He had four goals and seven assists in 14 games with Red
Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga) earlier this season before being released by mutual agreement from Red Bull on Friday.
———
Dale Earnhardt returns to NASCAR this weekend have taking time away due to post-concussion syndrome. In an Associated Press story, Earnhardt admits he was a “mess” after suffering a second concussion in a matter of weeks. And what has he learned from all of this? “"I’m definitely going to be honest with myself and honest with the doctors," he said. "I’m going to do whatever they tell me to do. I want to be able to live a full life and not have any issues down the road." . . . That story is right here.
———
The Vancouver Giants became the first WHL team to cry ‘uncle’ this season as they did what most observers expected them to do and dealt D David Musil, 19, to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday.
Musil, the son of former NHLer Frantisek Musil, was swapped for D Mason Geertsen, 17, and a 2013 first-round bantam draft pick. Losing that draft pick won’t hurt Edmonton as, in all probability, it will be a late first-round selection and the Oil Kings right now hold two seconds — their own and one they acquired from the Portland Winterhawks in the middle of last season for the rights to Cam Reid.
The Giants originally acquired Musil from Kootenay for a first-round bantam draft pick after the Ice got his rights in a secret draft, the details of which never have been made public by the WHL. Interestingly, the WHL Guide states that Musil was a list player with Vancouver.
The Giants, who are on a five-game road trip, are 4-10-0 and in the Western Conference cellar. They are to play the Tigers in Medicine Hat tonight and should have the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Geertsen, who is from Rocky Rapids, Alta., in their lineup. (Rocky Rapids is in the Drayton Valley area.)
Musil, from Delta, B.C., was a second-round selection, 31st overall, by the Oilers in the NHL’s 2011 draft. The Oilers’ parent company, Rexall Sports, also owns the Oil Kings. Which is why there has been so much speculation surrounding Musil’s immediate future since the Giants started so poorly.
Musil, who should play for the Czech Republic at the world junior tournament, had 27 points and 104 penalty minutes in 59 games last season. This season, he has eight points and 18 penalty minutes in 14 games. In 206 career games, he has 92 points and 270 penalty minutes. He arrived in Edmonton late Wednesday night. The Oil Kings next play Friday against the Raiders in Prince Albert.
Geertsen, the 18th overall selection in the 2010 bantam draft, missed some time with a concussion last season. He had three assists and 70 penalty minutes in 34 games last season. This season, he has four assists and 32 penalty minutes in 15 games.
The Oil Kings have three other Oilers’ draft picks on their roster — D Martin Gernat 122nd, 2011), F Travis Ewanyk (74th, 2011) and F Mitchell Moroz (32nd, 2012). (In fact, the Oilers have four draft picks in the WHL and all four now are with the Oil Kings.)
Gernat, who had 55 points in 60 games last season, has had shoulder surgery and may not return until early in the new year. Getting him back then will be like the Oil Kings making a deal at the Jan. 10 trade deadline and not losing anything off their roster.
———
Just for fun, I have added a poll to the blog. I will try to make this a regular feature, but remember it's just for fun. The first question pertains to Wednesday's trade between the Oil Kings and Giants. While I realize that no one will know for some time just who won this trade — maybe both teams win Memorial Cups over the next two or three seasons and it's a sawoff — what do you think? Give it your best shot and vote in the poll that is located over there on the right near the top of the page.
———
The Prince Albert Raiders are working to trade D Shayne Gwinner, 18, who has gone home to Drumheller to await a move. Gwinner played in nine of the club’s 16 games, with a goal and four penalty minutes. . . . “It just wasn’t working out,” Bruno Campese, the Raiders’ GM, told Perry Bergson of the Prince Albert Daily Herald. “There were expectations for him and it hasn’t been happening. He’s been in and out of the lineup and it’s something we didn’t see getting any better anytime soon with the guys ahead of him playing well. In his best interests, and the team’s because it becomes difficult, the decision was made to send him home.” . . . The Raiders acquired Gwinner from the Moose Jaw Warriors on July 6. It cost them two bantam draft picks -- a fourth-rounder in 2013 and a sixth in 2014. . . . Gwinner’s departure leaves the Raiders with 22 players, including seven defencemen and 13 forwards.
———
WEDNESDAY’S GAME:
The Portland Winterhawks erased a 1-0 deficit with three goals in less than seven minutes in the second period and went on to a 5-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips. . . . With the Los Angeles Lakers playing the Trail Blazers in the latter’s home-opener at the Rose Garden, attendance for the hockey game at Veterans Memorial Coliseum was 2,204. . . . Portland (10-3-1) now has won five straight games. . . . Portland next players Friday and Saturday nights when the Victoria Royals are in town for a double-dip.
———
CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
None.

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None.
———
TWEET OF THE DAY:
From Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) of Yahoo! Sports: “The only way this #CHLPA story could get any weirder is if aliens were involved. Real outer space aliens. #CoastToCoastAM”

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

THE MacBETH REPORT:
F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) was released by mutual agreement by Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had four goals and seven assists in 14 games this season. . . .
F Ashton Rome (Moose Jaw, Red Deer, Kamloops, 2002-06) signed a one-year contract with Dusseldorf (Germany, DEL). He was pointless in five games this season with the Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL). Last season, Rome had 11 goals and nine assists in 66 games with the Portland Pirates (AHL). . . .
F Domenic Pittis (Lethbridge, 1991-94) signed a contract through Nov. 30 with Visp (Switzerland, NL B). He had 12 goals and 19 assists in 49 games with the ZSC Lions Zurich (Switzerland, NL A) last season. . . .
F Martin Hanzal (Red Deer, 2006-07) signed a lockout contract with Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic, Extraliga). He had eight goals and 26 assists in 64 games with the Phoenix Coyotes last season.
F Scott Hartnell (Prince Albert, 1997-2000) has agreed to a lockout contract with KalPa Kuopio (Finland, SM-Liiga). He had 37 goals and 30 assists in 82 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season. Hartnell’s contract will become effective on Nov. 15 should the NHL lockout still be in effect. Hartnell is one of the owners of KalPa and would join Nashville F Craig Smith on the team. According to the local Kuopio newspaper Savon Sanomat, the agreements with both players are consistent with all NHL locked-out players currently playing in Finland. The players are drawing no salaries; the clubs are providing only travel expenses, local accommodations, and contract insurance premiums. The paper reports that the insurance premiums for Hartnell are about €40,000 per month (US$51,800) and about €10,000 per month (US$12,950) for Smith. . . .
If people are wondering about wages in normal situations in Europe, Swedish player agent Gunnar Svensson told Edmonton Journal reporter Jim Matheson that the three best-paying hockey leagues, in order, are the NHL, the KHL, and Sweden’s Elitserien. He went on to say that top salaries in Elitserien are around $500,000 US per season and the average is about $110,000 US.
———
No longer will teams be able to go into the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland and try to run the Winterhawks out of the bandbox. Paul Buker of The Oregonian has the story right here about how the Coliseum now has an NHL-sized ice surface. . . . The first game on the new surface is scheduled for Sunday with the Tri-City Americans playing the Winterhawks.
———
The Everett Silvertips have trimmed two 19-year-olds players from their roster. . . . G Cole Holowenko has returned home to await a move, while F Zach McPhee has left the club. . . . According to a news release, McPhee chose to leae “to pursue opportunities outside the major junior level.” . . . Holowenko was acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders, but went 0-2-1, 6.41, .808 and was passed on the depth chart by Austin Lotz and Daniel Cotton. . . . McPhee, who came over from the Tri-City Americans in 2010-11, had 10 points in 49 games with Everett. This season, he was pointless in 11 games. . . .
———
Veteran F Drew Czerwonka, 20, has chosen to leave the Kootenay Ice and retire. He had been the team’s captain since the start of last season. . . . In 227 games, Czerwonka, who is from Glenavon, Sask., had 112 points, including 48 goals, and 321 penalty minutes. . . . He was in his fifth season with the Ice, but injuries limited him to 40 games last season. He had four assists in eight games this season. . . . “More or less that he had lost the fire and it's been on his mind for about the past month,” Jeff Chynoweth, the Ice’s president and general manager, told Jeff Holick, the club’s radio voice. “He gave it a lot of thought. He's a very thorough young man and . . . I respect the decision.” . . . For more, check out Holick’s blog over there on the right.
———
FRIDAY’S GAMES:
In Vancouver, the Giants ended a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Victoria Royals. . . . The Royals had won the first three games of the season series. . . . The Royals are in Kamloops tonight. . . . The Royals, who had won three in a row, didn’t get even one shot on goal in the first period, the second time this season they have been blanked in one period. It happened in Kamloops in the second period of a 5-2 loss on Oct. 10. . . . F Marek Tvrdon had three goals and an assist for the Giants. . . . Tvrdon, a 31-goal man last season, now has four this time around but he is on a seven-game point streak. . . . F Kale Kessy, 20, played in his first game with Vancouver. He was acquired from the Medicine Hat Tigers while in the midst of a 12-game WHL-issued suspension. . . . G Payton Lee, 16, made his second straight start for Vancouver, this time stopping 13 shots. . . . The Giants left on a road trip right after the game and, according to Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province, Lee wasn’t on the bus. He has returned to the junior B Richmond Sockeyes, leaving the Giants with Liam Liston and Tyler Fuhr as their goaltenders. . . . The Giants were without F Cain Franson, who suffered an injury in a 3-2 loss to the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday. He may have been hurt on a play on which Brandon D Tyler Yaworski was given a headshot major. Yaworski was hit with a ‘tbd’ suspension on Friday morning. . . . Vancouver lost F Thomas Foster with an apparent shoulder injury in the first period. . . . The Giants play in Edmonton on Sunday. . . .

The Everett Silvertips won their fourth straight game, beating the visiting Spokane Chiefs, 6-5. . . . It was Everett’s first home victory of the season. The Silvertips, who entertain the Seattle Thunderbirds tonight, are 1-3-1 at home. . . . F Kohl Bauml had two goals for Everett. . . . D Ben Betker had a goal and an assist, both WHL firsts, for the Silvertips. . . . G Daniel Cotton stopped 29 saves in winning his fourth straight game. . . . The Chiefs trailed 6-2 before scoring the game’s last three goals. . . . According to a Spokane news release, “The Chiefs suffered a further blow when leading scorer Mitch Holmberg took a hit to the head midway through the first period and had to leave the contest.” There were no headshot penalties handed out, according to the online scoresheet. . . . Holmberg has 23 points, including 11 goals, in 14 games. . . .

F Colin Smith had a goal and three assists to help the host Kamloops Blazers to an 8-1 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings. . . . Smith ran his season-opening point streak to 14 games as the Blazers ran their record to 13-0-1. . . . F JC Lipon, the WHL’s leading point man, had three assists. . . . Kamloops has won 11 straight games. . . . F Dylan Willick and F Tim Bozon had two goals each. . . . Kamloops D Tyler Hansen had a goal and two assists. He was playing in his 199th regular-season game and this was his first three-point outing. . . . Bozon also had an assist, giving the Blazers’ big line a 10-point night. . . . Kamloops F Jordan DePape scored in his return from a shoulder injury that cost him six games. . . . The Wheat Kings are 2-3-1 on a seven-game road trip that ends tonight against the Prince George Cougars. . . . The Blazers are at home tonight to Victoria. The Royals beat the Blazers 4-3 in a shootout on Sept. 28 and that is the lone blemish on Kamloops’ record. . . .

G Brandon Glover stopped 44 shots to help the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tri-City Americans. . . . Glover stopped 17 shots in the third period when his mates scored twice to break a 1-1 tie. . . . This was the first meeting of the season between the teams. Last season, the Americans lost the first game and then won nine in a row from the Thunderbirds. . . . Seattle F Robert Lipsbergs broke a 1-1 tie with his first WHL goal at 4:12 of the third period. . . . Tri-City had won its last four games in Seattle’s home rink in Kent, Wash. . . . After eight in a row on the road, the Americans are at home to the Spokane Chiefs tonight. . . .

F Colton Sissons scored twice to lead the visiting Kelowna Rockets to a 3-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels. . . . Sissons recorded his 50th career goal and 100th career point. . . . He’s got eight goals this season. . . . Kelowna F Ryan Olsen came off a three-game suspension to score his club’s other goal. . . . The Rockets play in Edmonton tonight. . . . Red Deer F Wyatt Johnson played his first game of the season. He missed all of the exhibition season and 15 regular-season games with a concussion. . . . The Rebels are at home to the Calgary Hitmen tonight. . . .

F Curtis Valk scored five times and set up another as the Medicine Hat Tigers whipped the host Calgary Hitmen, 10-1. . . . F Hunter Shinkaruk had a goal and four assists for the Tigers. . . . Valk, who has a WHL-leading 14 goals, scored three times in the second period as Medicine Hat took a 7-0 lead. . . . The Tigers scored four PP goals in 10 chances. . . .

The Moose Jaw Warriors scored the games last three goals and beat the host Prince Albert Raiders, 3-2. . . . The teams meet again tonight in Prince Albert. . . . F Dakota Conroy scored his eighth goal since coming to Prince Albert in a swap with the Victoria Royals. . . . Moose Jaw F Brayden Point pulled his side even with two second-period PP goals and F Sam Fioretti got the winner at 13:11 of the third. Fioretti has 12 goals. . . . F Justin Kirsch had three assists for Moose Jaw. . . . The Raiders have lost four of their last five home games. . . . Prince Albert F Tim Vanstone completed a four-game suspension. . . .

The Lethbridge Hurricanes reached the .500 mark with a 6-1 victory over the visiting Regina Pats. . . . The Hurricanes are 7-7-1. . . . G Ty Rimmer, who has started all 15 Lethbridge games, stopped 28 shots. . . . Lethbridge held a 55-29 edge in shots, including 44-13 after two periods. . . . The Swift Current Broncos visit Lethbridge tonight. . . . 

First, the Kootenay Ice lost its captain, then it lost a hockey game. F Drew Czerwonka, 20, announced his retirement prior to the Ice dropping a 5-2 decision to the visiting Swift Current Broncos. . . . The Ice was able to dress only 17 skaters, one under the limit. They also are down to two 20-year-olds and GM Jeff Chynoweth is actively looking for a third. . . . The Ice scored the game’s first goal, with the Broncos then scoring four in a row.
———
CHECKING-FROM-BEHIND COUNT:
F Elliott Peterson, Calgary (twice)
F Henrik Nyberg, Kelowna
D Tyler Bell, Kamloops
F Alex Gogolev, Victoria
F Connor Honey, Seattle

CHECKING-TO-THE-HEAD COUNT:
None
———
TWEET OF THE DAY:
From Kamloops Blazers F Jordan DePape (@papskos17): “Congrats to my ex-roommate Kurtis Mucha on becoming the first goalie in Canada West hockey history to score a goal tonight. #he’scatching me”
Mucha stopped 18 shots as the U of Alberta Golden Bears scored a 7-1 victory over the host Lethbridge Pronghorns. . . . Mucha was credited with the game’s first goal at 12:40 of the first period when he was the last Alberta player to touch the puck before the Pronghorns scored an own goal with a delayed penalty about to be called on Alberta. 

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

THE MacBETH REPORT:
D Ales Cerny (Swift Current, 2000-02) signed a one-year contract extension with Mulhouse (France, Ligue Magnus). He had two goals and 20 assists in 26 games, helping Mulhouse win promotion from Division 1 to Ligue Magnus for next season. . . .
F Milan Kraft (Prince Albert, 1998-2000) signed a two-year contract extension with Chomutov (Czech Republic, Extraliga). He had 23 goals and 33 assists in 50 games as team captain for Chomutov this season, finishing third in 1.Liga scoring as Chomutov won promotion from the Czech 1.Liga to Extraliga. . . .
D Stefan Langweider (Portland, 2006-07) signed a one-year-plus-option contract with Graz 99ers (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). He had two goals and nine assists in 51 games for Iserlohn Roosters (Germany, DEL) this season. . . .
F Ryan Kinasewich (Medicine Hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) signed a one-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). Kinasewich finished second in Erste Bank Liga scoring this season, getting 25 goals and 29 assists in 49 games for Medvescak Zagreb (Croatia). . . .
D Jaroslav Obsut (Swift Current, Medicine Hat, 1995-97) signed a one-year contract with Donbass Donetsk (Ukraine, KHL). He had five goals and 24 assists in 52 games this season as captain of Dinamo Minsk (Belarus, KHL). . . .
F David Svagrovsky (Seattle, 2002-04) signed a two-year contract with Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic, 1.Liga). He had 15 goals and 18 assists in 52 games for Berounsti Medvedi (Czech Republic, 1.Liga) this season.
———
JUST NOTES: The MacBeth Report adds a note about the IIHF World Championship . . . Two more WHL alumni participating in the World Championship. Brent Reiber, who holds a Swiss passport and works out of Switzerland, and Antti Boman (Kamloops, 1991-92) are working the tournament as referees. . . . The NAHL has announced that the Chicago Hitmen won’t ice a team in 2012-13. According to an NAHL news release, “All tendered and veteran players of the Hitmen are now considered free agents.” . . . Prior to last season there was speculation that Finnish G Jonathan Iilahti might end up with the Vancouver Giants, perhaps because the Vancouver Canucks had selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL draft. Iilahti, who turned 20 on April 27, signed a one-year deal Friday with Sport Vaasa (Finland, Mestis).
———
THE COACHING GAME:
Mario Amantea is the new head coach of the AJHL’s Calgary Mustangs. He takes over from David Haas, who was dropped early last month. The Mustangs went 31-22-7 this season before being upset by the Olds Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Amantea, a native of Kimberley, B.C., is a veteran coach, having coached in the midget AAA ranks and at the EDGE school in Calgary where he spent three seasons. He left EDGE after the 2010-11 season in order to spend more time with family and business interests. He is a partner and general manager at ZGM Collaborative Marketing in Calgary.
———




THE WHL FINAL:
Game 6 . . .
In Portland, F Oliver Gabriel’s second goal of the game, at 17:21 of the third period, gave the Winterhawks a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings. . . . The series is tied 3-3. . . . Immediately after the game, the teams boarded the same plane – for the fourth time in the series – and headed for Edmonton where Game 7 will be played tonight. . . . By the time this thing ends, the teams will have played the last three games in slightly more than 72 hours. . . . The winner advances to the Memorial Cup tournament that opens Friday in Shawinigan, Que. The host Cataractes, QMJHL-champion Saint John Sea Dogs and OHL-champion London Knights await. . . . The WHL champion plays in the tournament’s first game, meeting the host team on Friday. . . . Edmonton got on the board first in Game 6 when F Michael St. Croix scored his sixth goal at 7:53 of the first period. . . . Gabriel, who has five goals in these playoffs, tied the game at 11:07. . . . It’s worth pointing out that Gabriel is from Edmonton. . . . Portland got its first lead at 8:44 of the third period when D Joe Morrow scored his fourth goal. . . . However, the Oil Kings tied it at 11:05 when F Stephane Legault beat Portland G Mac Carruth for his fifth goal. . . . F Cam Reid drew two assists as he was in on both of Gabriel’s goals. . . . Portland won despite the fact that it’s big line of Marcel Noebels between Sven Baertschi and Ty Rattie didn’t get even one point. . . . Edmonton G Laurent Brossoit stopped 42 shots, including all 18 he faced in the second period. . . . Carruth finished with 30 saves. . . . This was the first game in which Portland had an edge in shots on goal. . . . Portland was 0-3 on the PP; Edmonton was 0-2. . . . Attendance was 10,947 as the Winterhawks drew a sellout crowd for the fourth straight game. . . . Five of the first six games have been decided by one goal, with Edmonton having won three of them. The exception was Portland’s 5-1 victory in Game 2 in Edmonton. . . . The WHL last had a Game 7 in its championship series in 2007 when the Medicine Hat Tigers beat the visiting Vancouver Giants in double OT. F Brennan Bosch got the winner at 7:16 of the second OT period. . . . This will be the 10th time in league history that the championship has been decided in a Game 7. . . . The Winterhawks franchise has twice been to Game 7 in the final, losing to Medicine Hat in 1987 and to Swift Current in 1993.
———
Here is the schedule for the WHL’s championship final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup (all times local):
Thursday, May 3: Portland 2 at Edmonton 3 (7,466)
Friday, May 4: Portland 5 at Edmonton 1 (10,720)
Sunday, May 6: Edmonton 3 at Portland 4 (10,947)
Tuesday, May 8: Edmonton 4 at Portland 3 (OT) (10,947)
Thursday, May 10: Portland 3 at Edmonton 4 (11,077)
Saturday, May 12: Edmonton 2 at Portland 3 (10,947)
Sunday, May 13: at Edmonton, 6 p.m.
———
A tidbit about the Shawinigan Cataractes, from Wikipedia: The name ‘Cataractes’ often confuses English-speaking hockey fans. The name literally translates as ‘Cataracts’ meaning ‘Waterfalls’; the team is named for Shawinigan Falls, a prominent waterfall in the city, even though the Cataractes do not have a waterfall on their uniform.
The Cataractes play out of the 4,112-seat Centre Bionest de Shawinigan. The facility opened on Dec. 18, 2008. Prior to that, the Cataractes played in the Jacques Plante Arena.

There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.

Monday . . .

THE PLAYOFF CHASE
Teams in the running for playoff spots, showing games remaining (d — denotes division leaders, who are seeded one-two):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
d-Brandon (15) 37-16-1-3-78
d-Calgary (18) 36-16-1-1-74
Saskatoon (18) 36-12-3-3-78
Kootenay (16) 34-17-3-2-73
Medicine Hat (14) 32-18-3-5-72
Red Deer (17) 30-21-0-4-64
Prince Albert (16) 28-23-3-2-61
Moose Jaw (19) 26-19-5-3-60
Swift Current (16) 28-25-0-3-59
Regina (16) 24-25-3-4-55
Monday: No games scheduled.
Tuesday: Regina at Brandon; Moose Jaw at Kootenay; Lethbridge at Red Deer; Calgary at Swift Currrent.
———
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(top eight advance)
dx-Tri-City (19) 38-13-0-2-78
d-Vancouver (15) 33-20-1-3-70
Everett (17) 34-18-2-1-71
Portland (15) 34-20-2-1-71
Spokane (17) 31-20-3-1-66
Kelowna (15) 28-25-2-2-60
Kamloops (15) 26-25-2-4-58
Chilliwack (16) 24-26-1-5-54
x — clinched playoff spot.
Monday: No games scheduled.
Tuesday: Seattle at Tri-City.
———
F Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats scored three times on the weekend to end a bit of a slump (one goal in his previous four games) and take over the WHL goal-scoring lead, with 39. . . . Keep in mind that Eberle has played in only 41 games. . . . All told, he has 79 points in those 41 games and now is second in the WHL points derby, two in arrears of Vancouver Giants F Craig Cunningham. The leader has played in 57 games. . . . The Pats, who are five points out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot and have picked up at least a point in four straight games (1-0-0-3), play the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Tuesday. . . . Brandon F Matt Calvert has 12 points on an eight-game point streak, while teammate Aaron Lewadniuk has nine points in what also is an eight-game streak.
---
F Colin Lidster, who never played in the WHL after being selected by his hometown Kamloops Blazers in the 2004 bantam draft, has retired. Lidster, 20, was traded by the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks to the Trail Smoke Eaters over the summer. On Oct. 8, the Smokies dealt him to the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm and, on Jan. 10, his rights were shipped to the Prince George Spruce Kings. He never reported to the Spruce Kings and told me Sunday night that he has retired. He is living in Calgary and working the oil rigs.
———
The Tri-City Americans open a stretch of six games in eight nights when they play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds of Kent on Tuesday. The Americans go into the week tied with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades for first place overall. . . . The Americans hold four games in hand on Brandon and one on Saskatoon. . . . Tri-City F Patrick Holland is likely to play with a full cage after getting some teeth pushed back during a scrap with Calgary Hitmen F Cody Beach on Jan. 31. Holland has 14 points in his last 16 games, including three in a 5-4 shootout victory over the host Vancouver Giants. Holland also had the shootout winner in that game.
———
Red Deer Rebels F Nathan Green, who suffered a broken leg on Nov. 22 and later underwent surgery, is getting closer to a return to action. Green, 20, was to have screws removed from his left leg on Tuesday and is likely to resume skating within two weeks. He had 22 points in 25 games with the Rebels, who acquired him from the Brandon Wheat Kings during the offseason, and hopes to be at the top of his game when the playoffs get here.
———
The Kootenay Ice go into this week at 34-17-3-2, which has it in sixth place overall and fourth in the Eastern Conference. . . . The Ice will finish over .500 for an 11th straight season — the longest active such streak in the WHL. . . . Since Oct. 30, the Ice is 29-6-3-2. . . . The Ice, which is 23-13-3-2 against Eastern Conference teams, is home to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Tuesday. . . . Ice F Dustin Sylvester has 233 career regular-season points. That’s fifth on the Ice’s franchise list, just one behind Dale Mahovsky and two behind Steve DaSilva. Jarrett Stoll (286) is No. 1, followed by Nigel Dawes (272).
———
F Ryan Kinasewich, the captain of the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, is on his way to the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Kinasewich (Tri-City, Medicine hat, Tri-City, 1998-2004) is Utah’s all-time leading scorer and was leading the ECHL in points (70) and tied for the league lead in goals (32) at the time he got the call. . . . Kinasewich played 24 games for Bridgeport in 2007-08, and also has AHL experience with Hamilton and Lake Erie.
———
This is the 50th season of professional hockey in Muskegon, Mich. But it appears there won’t be a 51st season. The IHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks won’t be back as they disappear to make room for a USHL franchise. That story is right here.
———
F Mike Ferland of the Brandon Wheat Kings is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in one hand during a fight with F Brock Montgomery of the Kootenay Ice on Friday. Ferland is to undergo further examination Tuesday. Ferland, in his freshman season, has 24 points and 83 penalty minutes in 55 games.