They say you never forget your first love and in terms of hockey for me that's definitely true. Though I did start watching hockey with Hockey Night in Canada there is one place that will always for me definitively be the birthplace of my hockey fandom and that place is with the Silvertips.
I didn't become a hockey fan the traditional way and if you read my first ever post on this blog you know that.
If you don't want to read that lengthy tale, I'll give you a short recap.
My first exposure to hockey was at a WHL game when I was about 6. It was between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Moose Jaw Warriors and it was a fight fest. Needless to say I hated hockey walking out of the game, I didn't understand all the fighting at my age.
Fast forward a couple of years and by some stroke of luck our TV had CBC which meant that I could watch Hockey Night in Canada. For a short while, my family would sit around and watch the Canucks play. We even went up to Vancouver for a game, back when the exchange rate wasn't crap. So yes, I was a Canucks fan for a bit. Yes, I feel shame for that people. I was young and impressionable!
Jump to 03-04, the WHL expanded and the Silvertips were born. After attending a playoff series clinching game over the Vancouver Giants to send the Tips to the WHL Western Conference finals in their inaugural season, I was full on hooked to hockey.
From that point, I began my quest to become an intelligent hockey fan. Even if I was the only hockey fan in my family. Really I learned the game from watching the seats of the EEC before and through the NHL lockout. Then when the NHL came back (after the word came out the lockout was ending on my birthday) I was a Penguins fan and then three years ago I became Blackhawks fan. And no, I don't plan on changing my fandom anymore even with my soft spots for the Oilers and Kings.
While I have been a fan of three different NHL teams in my team has a hockey fan, there has always been one team I have always cheered for and that is the Silvertips.
Thinking about walking into Comcast Arena, which I will always call the EEC, for the first time this season makes me giddy excited. Whenever I walk into the EEC, it's similar to coming home, where even after being gone for a long period of time, everything is still familiar and comforting. Maybe for you it's your hometown rink, the first rink you played at or where you watched your first hockey game. Tonight I'll be lucky enough to see my Tips take on my adopted team the Chiefs.
I know that everyone has their own story to share with stories from different rinks but the EEC will always hold a number of mine. It was the place where I left with my ears ringing from the train goal horn after the Tips knocked out the Giants to advance to their first ever Western Conference finals. The place I saw my first ever favorite hockey player, Zach Hamill pull the puck & his stick between his legs and score in the shoot out and another time come down on a breakaway and score right in front the goal my mom and I were sitting behind after my mom had told me he wasn't playing very well. The place where at my 13th birthday party (my birthday is in July) I got my then-best friend to yell at Brandon Dubinsky, "Hey boys!" as we sat right next to the visitor's bench as the Winterhawks took on the Tips. It's also the place I watched Kyle Beach play his last game with the Tips before getting traded unexpectedly, in which he scored & fought. I was also lucky enough to see a lot of now NHL players play there like Dubinsky, Peter Mueller, Luke Schenn, Carey Price, Tyler Myers, Gilbert Brule, Jordan Eberle, Shea Weber, etc. And that's only some of my memories.
Now that I'm away at school, if I'm lucky I get to go to a couple games at the EEC. I still attend WHL games since there is a team where I go to school but it doesn't compare to going to the EEC and rooting for the home team. I know that eventually one day with my career aspirations, I'll most likely end up having to move away from the WHL and not get to catch a single game at the EEC. But for now, I'm appreciative of getting to go to a game at home. Even if it's starting to make me feel old now that the bulk of players on rosters are years younger than me whereas before they were so much older. Plus I love getting to see great young players before they get drafted.
My hockey fandom grew from the ranks of junior hockey given my lack of an NHL team nearby, which will always give the WHL a special place in my hockey loving heart. So if you're lucky enough to go to a game at your favorite rink, cherish it. Memories from the rink are priceless.
Showing posts with label Everett Silvertips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everett Silvertips. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Go, go, go!
3 games in 3 nights.
6 points on the line.
Can your team grab them all?
Well in the case of the Everett Silvertips, they did. Just a little while ago the Tips were sitting in the bottom of the US Division, but with their third win of the weekend a 4-2 win over the Tri-City Americans they've catapulted themselves into a tie for 3rd place of the Western Conference. The Tips had previously beat the Kamloops Blazer 4-2 on Friday and then the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 on Saturday.
Their record sits at 11-8-1-3 for 26 points in 23 games after their 3 wins in 3 nights. The Tips are in 4th place in the US Division & 5th place in the Western Conference.
Blackhawks prospect Kent Simpson started the games against the Thunderbirds & the Americans and turned in two solid efforts. He stopped 29 of 31 in Seattle and 37 of 39 in Tri-City.
The Spokane Chiefs had 3 games of their own this weekend but didn't fare as well as the Tips did dropping 2 of their 3 games. The Chiefs lost Friday's game against the Thunderbirds 2-1 in Seattle, took an 8-3 pounding at the hand of the Americans but ended the weekend on a good note by beating the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks 3-1.
Their record sits at 11-9-1-1 for 24 points in 22 games. They are in last place in the US Division & 7th in the Western Conference.
After the Portland Winterhawks and their 20-4-1 record and 41 points the Western Conference is wide open. Only 6 points separates the second place (the BC Division leader) and tenth place teams.
Amazingly in the US Division every team has a winning percentage of over .500. Just 2 points separate 2nd place in the division from 5th.
It's clear that the Portland Winterhawks are the cream of the WHL crop with their record. They've won 14 of their last 16 games and that includes a road trip to the East Division. But after the Winterhawks, the US Division is a crap shoot until someone else pulls away from the pack. As of right now the T-Birds, Ams & Tips all have the same amount of points each with 26. Though the T-Birds have 2 games in hand over both the Ams & Tips. The last place Chiefs also are only 2 points behind the middle three.
As always the US Division is one of the toughest & tightest in all of the WHL.
On the other end of the spectrum last year's WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen are sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 5-16-1-0 record for 11 points in 22 games which makes for a winning percentage of just .250. They have the worst record in the WHL. Ouch.
What a difference a year makes!
In comparison 10th & last place in the Western Conference are the Kamloops Blazers who have a record of 11-11-0-1 for 23 points in 23 games, sit at .500.
Hopefully this Wednesday(if I don't get snowed in) I'll get to take in my first Winterhawks home game as they take on the Silvertips in the Great Airplane Toss game. I'll get to see the best team in the WHL in action again & hopefully the Tips can slay the giant. So look for a blog about that if the snow doesn't stop me.
Have a great start to your week everybody!
6 points on the line.
Can your team grab them all?
Well in the case of the Everett Silvertips, they did. Just a little while ago the Tips were sitting in the bottom of the US Division, but with their third win of the weekend a 4-2 win over the Tri-City Americans they've catapulted themselves into a tie for 3rd place of the Western Conference. The Tips had previously beat the Kamloops Blazer 4-2 on Friday and then the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 on Saturday.
Their record sits at 11-8-1-3 for 26 points in 23 games after their 3 wins in 3 nights. The Tips are in 4th place in the US Division & 5th place in the Western Conference.
Blackhawks prospect Kent Simpson started the games against the Thunderbirds & the Americans and turned in two solid efforts. He stopped 29 of 31 in Seattle and 37 of 39 in Tri-City.
The Spokane Chiefs had 3 games of their own this weekend but didn't fare as well as the Tips did dropping 2 of their 3 games. The Chiefs lost Friday's game against the Thunderbirds 2-1 in Seattle, took an 8-3 pounding at the hand of the Americans but ended the weekend on a good note by beating the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks 3-1.
Their record sits at 11-9-1-1 for 24 points in 22 games. They are in last place in the US Division & 7th in the Western Conference.
After the Portland Winterhawks and their 20-4-1 record and 41 points the Western Conference is wide open. Only 6 points separates the second place (the BC Division leader) and tenth place teams.
Amazingly in the US Division every team has a winning percentage of over .500. Just 2 points separate 2nd place in the division from 5th.
It's clear that the Portland Winterhawks are the cream of the WHL crop with their record. They've won 14 of their last 16 games and that includes a road trip to the East Division. But after the Winterhawks, the US Division is a crap shoot until someone else pulls away from the pack. As of right now the T-Birds, Ams & Tips all have the same amount of points each with 26. Though the T-Birds have 2 games in hand over both the Ams & Tips. The last place Chiefs also are only 2 points behind the middle three.
As always the US Division is one of the toughest & tightest in all of the WHL.
On the other end of the spectrum last year's WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen are sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 5-16-1-0 record for 11 points in 22 games which makes for a winning percentage of just .250. They have the worst record in the WHL. Ouch.
What a difference a year makes!
In comparison 10th & last place in the Western Conference are the Kamloops Blazers who have a record of 11-11-0-1 for 23 points in 23 games, sit at .500.
Hopefully this Wednesday(if I don't get snowed in) I'll get to take in my first Winterhawks home game as they take on the Silvertips in the Great Airplane Toss game. I'll get to see the best team in the WHL in action again & hopefully the Tips can slay the giant. So look for a blog about that if the snow doesn't stop me.
Have a great start to your week everybody!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A win, is a win, is a win.
Well, after a disappointing shootout loss to the Predators just the night before the Blackhawks bounced back with a 3-2 OT win over the streaking Anaheim Ducks. It wasn't a feel good fuzzy win but it was just that, a win.
Both goals came on the PP from Patrick Kane (yes you read that right) & Marian Hossa.
However with the Hawks up 2-1 the Ducks Corey Perry, who had both Duck goals tonight, tied it up not even 4 minutes into the 3rd. Every Hawks fan groaned as yet again we lost a one goal lead. Even worse that it was on an awful Duncan Keith turnover.
Every Hawks fan banged their head against a wall when Kopecky took a late game penalty. The Hawks however killed the penalty with a decent rush even led by Hossa with Toews (favorite forward PK pair ever).
And then just as everyone thought the game was going to end in a shootout with 28 seconds left in a flash (of Swedish beauty) Viktor Stalberg was able to tip in Duncan Keith's point shot for the win! Leafs GM Brian Burke was in attendance at the game to see the player he traded away score the OT winner as Versteeg is slumping.
This Toews quote basically sums up how I felt after the end of this game:
"It would be fun to open the game wide open and not have to fight for that one in the third or OT. But we know that’ll come." (source)
With that the Blackhawks leave the UC with a win as they embark on their annual circus trip.
Starting Wednesday the Blackhawks trip starts as they'll take on the Oilers (oh joy!), Flames (on Patrick Kane's 22nd birthday), Canucks, Sharks, Ducks & Kings. (Along with a jaunt to Las Vegas in there)
We all know the shenanigans that happened in Vancouver last year but hey.. if that's what Kaner needs to have a great season like he did last year? Feel free buddy, just as long as the Hawks are stringing together wins.
I'm not going to make any predictions about the Circus trip, cause who knows what'll happen with this team. This trip could define the rest of the season and if anything else, help them bond together.
Hopefully, Duncan Keith's Norris trophy form will be found again as well.. It's been missing for far too long.
Let's have a solid rest of the November Hawks.
____________________________________________________________
Dub it up: (I'm going to run out of cheesy titles soon)
The Spokane Chiefs went 2 for 2 this weekend by taking down the Tri-City Americans 5-0 in a game that included Cheerstix as a giveaway (read worst giveaway ever). This extends their win streak to 3.
James Reid recorded the shut out stopping all 20 shots he faced. There were 5 different goal scorers including a breakaway beauty by Blake Gal. If he doesn't get signed by an NHL team, I'll be surprised. He scores pretty goals.
The Chiefs now have 3 games in 3 nights next weekend as the take on Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans and Portland Winterhawks all on the road.
The Silvertips lost tonight 3-1 to the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops but managed a 3-2 OT win over the Chilliwack Bruins last night to secure a 2-1 record in their weekend of 3 games in 3 nights.
The Tips travel to Seattle & Tri-Cities for 2 games next weekend.
Hope everyone has a good start to their week, cause ending the weekend with a win ain't so bad no matter what way you get it.
Both goals came on the PP from Patrick Kane (yes you read that right) & Marian Hossa.
However with the Hawks up 2-1 the Ducks Corey Perry, who had both Duck goals tonight, tied it up not even 4 minutes into the 3rd. Every Hawks fan groaned as yet again we lost a one goal lead. Even worse that it was on an awful Duncan Keith turnover.
Every Hawks fan banged their head against a wall when Kopecky took a late game penalty. The Hawks however killed the penalty with a decent rush even led by Hossa with Toews (favorite forward PK pair ever).
And then just as everyone thought the game was going to end in a shootout with 28 seconds left in a flash (of Swedish beauty) Viktor Stalberg was able to tip in Duncan Keith's point shot for the win! Leafs GM Brian Burke was in attendance at the game to see the player he traded away score the OT winner as Versteeg is slumping.
This Toews quote basically sums up how I felt after the end of this game:
"It would be fun to open the game wide open and not have to fight for that one in the third or OT. But we know that’ll come." (source)
With that the Blackhawks leave the UC with a win as they embark on their annual circus trip.
Starting Wednesday the Blackhawks trip starts as they'll take on the Oilers (oh joy!), Flames (on Patrick Kane's 22nd birthday), Canucks, Sharks, Ducks & Kings. (Along with a jaunt to Las Vegas in there)
We all know the shenanigans that happened in Vancouver last year but hey.. if that's what Kaner needs to have a great season like he did last year? Feel free buddy, just as long as the Hawks are stringing together wins.
I'm not going to make any predictions about the Circus trip, cause who knows what'll happen with this team. This trip could define the rest of the season and if anything else, help them bond together.
Hopefully, Duncan Keith's Norris trophy form will be found again as well.. It's been missing for far too long.
Let's have a solid rest of the November Hawks.
____________________________________________________________
Dub it up: (I'm going to run out of cheesy titles soon)
The Spokane Chiefs went 2 for 2 this weekend by taking down the Tri-City Americans 5-0 in a game that included Cheerstix as a giveaway (read worst giveaway ever). This extends their win streak to 3.
James Reid recorded the shut out stopping all 20 shots he faced. There were 5 different goal scorers including a breakaway beauty by Blake Gal. If he doesn't get signed by an NHL team, I'll be surprised. He scores pretty goals.
The Chiefs now have 3 games in 3 nights next weekend as the take on Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans and Portland Winterhawks all on the road.
The Silvertips lost tonight 3-1 to the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops but managed a 3-2 OT win over the Chilliwack Bruins last night to secure a 2-1 record in their weekend of 3 games in 3 nights.
The Tips travel to Seattle & Tri-Cities for 2 games next weekend.
Hope everyone has a good start to their week, cause ending the weekend with a win ain't so bad no matter what way you get it.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Oh you, got what I need.
It's been over 3 weeks since I've been to a live hockey game. That may not seem a long time to some. I, however made the mistake this season of starting myself out on 4 games and going to games 3 straight weeks.
However like all WHL teams the Chiefs left town for about 2 weeks on a trip to the opposite conference, in this case to western central Canada. This in turn left me with 3 live hockey-less weeks for me.
It's funny that a former friend once said to me that college would make me go to less hockey games than I did in high school.. but that definitely hasn't been the case.
I'm even on pace this year to blow by last year's mark of 10 games over the regular season & playoffs here (with at least 3 while at home) since tonight's game will make 5 in the first 2 months of the WHL season. It doesn't hurt that I've hooked one of my closest friends on hockey & she wants to go to games as much as I do.
As I'm getting older I've been realizing that my passion for hockey keeps growing as well.
I dislike rival teams more.
I've pretty well settled in with my NHL fandom.
I've learned to love and appreciate the WHL hockey I get to see a lot more.
I've realized how much I love a freezing cold rink & the not so subtle hockey stank after the offseason.
And most of all I've found how awesome the people are that love hockey are, thank you Twitter.
I am just so glad that my 12 year old self decided to pick up hockey.
_______________________________________________________________
Today the Blackhawks will take on Central division foe, the Nashville Predators.
The Blackhawks problems have been well voiced by not only the media but Hawks fans on Twitter as well.
Dave Bolland returns to the Hawks line up which once again plays with scrambled lines. With Bolland's return the Hawks have a fully healthy line up.
If this will change the trend of Hawks losses though, remains to be seen.
What the Dub:
The Silvertips broke their losing streak by taking down the Americans 5-2. Former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Josh Birkholz had a hat trick (with an empty net goal). The win pulled the Tips record to .500. Goalie Kent Simpson, a Blackhawks prospect did not play. The Tips have Chilliwack Bruins at home tonight as the middle game of 3 games in 3 nights before heading to play the Blazers on Sunday.
The Chiefs however kept the Tips in the basement of the US Division by winning 4-3 over the Oil Kings. Local boy Tyler Johnson potted 2 goals, including an unassisted shorty. They take on their rivals the Americans tonight.
The Wheat Kings beat the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Scott Glennie (1G, 1A), Shane Wiebe (2G) & David Toews (2A) all had 2 points.
The WHL powerhouse Portland Winterhawks, 10 game win streak came to a close last night with a 4-3 loss to Saskatoon. A game at which Shannon Tweed & Gene Simmonds were in attendance for & Simmons even donned some goalie pads! (scroll down for photos)
However like all WHL teams the Chiefs left town for about 2 weeks on a trip to the opposite conference, in this case to western central Canada. This in turn left me with 3 live hockey-less weeks for me.
It's funny that a former friend once said to me that college would make me go to less hockey games than I did in high school.. but that definitely hasn't been the case.
I'm even on pace this year to blow by last year's mark of 10 games over the regular season & playoffs here (with at least 3 while at home) since tonight's game will make 5 in the first 2 months of the WHL season. It doesn't hurt that I've hooked one of my closest friends on hockey & she wants to go to games as much as I do.
As I'm getting older I've been realizing that my passion for hockey keeps growing as well.
I dislike rival teams more.
I've pretty well settled in with my NHL fandom.
I've learned to love and appreciate the WHL hockey I get to see a lot more.
I've realized how much I love a freezing cold rink & the not so subtle hockey stank after the offseason.
And most of all I've found how awesome the people are that love hockey are, thank you Twitter.
I am just so glad that my 12 year old self decided to pick up hockey.
_______________________________________________________________
Today the Blackhawks will take on Central division foe, the Nashville Predators.
The Blackhawks problems have been well voiced by not only the media but Hawks fans on Twitter as well.
Dave Bolland returns to the Hawks line up which once again plays with scrambled lines. With Bolland's return the Hawks have a fully healthy line up.
If this will change the trend of Hawks losses though, remains to be seen.
What the Dub:
The Silvertips broke their losing streak by taking down the Americans 5-2. Former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Josh Birkholz had a hat trick (with an empty net goal). The win pulled the Tips record to .500. Goalie Kent Simpson, a Blackhawks prospect did not play. The Tips have Chilliwack Bruins at home tonight as the middle game of 3 games in 3 nights before heading to play the Blazers on Sunday.
The Chiefs however kept the Tips in the basement of the US Division by winning 4-3 over the Oil Kings. Local boy Tyler Johnson potted 2 goals, including an unassisted shorty. They take on their rivals the Americans tonight.
The Wheat Kings beat the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Scott Glennie (1G, 1A), Shane Wiebe (2G) & David Toews (2A) all had 2 points.
The WHL powerhouse Portland Winterhawks, 10 game win streak came to a close last night with a 4-3 loss to Saskatoon. A game at which Shannon Tweed & Gene Simmonds were in attendance for & Simmons even donned some goalie pads! (scroll down for photos)
If your curious as to why they were in Saskatoon here's an article to explain.
Shannon Tweed drops the puck at the Winterhawks/Blades game.
Gene Simmons suited up in goal again PBR Bull Rider, Aaron Roy.
Close up of Gene Simmons & his mask.
All photos via @TheWHL's twitter.
Well, that's all folks! I won't be able to watch the Blackhawks/Predators game so feel free to leave your thoughts in a comment or just to say hi because I'm starting to feel like I'm just talking to myself here..
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Said hey, what's going on?
So there's a Blackhawks game tonight, the infamous Paul BizNasty & the Coyotes are in town. The Coyotes currently sit at 14th in the Western Conference while the Blackhawks sit in 6th. (Does that surprise anyone else..?)
However the Blackhawks have played 17 games which is at least 2 more games than any other NHL team.
According to multiple sources on Twitter, Seabrook and Keith are going to be split up (but we'll see how long that lasts..) and Patrick Kane will be trying out the left wing on a line with Kopecky and Hossa.
I'm not really digging any of these changes since Seabrook and Keith playing with anyone but each other seems odd to me and to a lesser extent Kane and Toews.
I was a big fan of the Stalberg-Toews-Kane line but we all know as much as lines are juggled pregame, it can happens as much in game.
Really, I don't want to think about the game much until it happens. Personally I just want to see a full 60 minute effort.
I've been feeling like I've been neglecting talking about my junior hockey loves but I guess that's what happens when the team in town goes on their Eastern Conference road trip and I haven't gone to a live hockey game in 3 weeks. (Yes, I'm in SEVERE hockey withdrawal)
The Silvertips are currently on a 3 game losing streak and just 2-6-0-2 in their last 10 games. The two most recent losses both have been shutouts at the hands of Vancouver and Red Deer, where former Tip & Blackhawks Byron Froese was traded in exchange for Landon Ferraro.
They're currently below .500 with a 6-7-1-3 sitting in the basement of the U.S. Division.
The Chiefs though after their 6 game eastern road trip in which they went 3-2-1-0 have gotten their record back to .500 and are in 4th place in the U.S. Division just above the Tips.
The Chiefs have a 2 game home stand this weekend taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings and their hated rival Tri-City Americans. (a game at which I'll be at!)
While both teams are struggling, one team that is far away the best in the U.S. Division and in my mind the WHL, the Portland Winterhawks are on a 9 game win streak as they travel through the Eastern Division. The Winterhawks boast a 15-2-0-1 record through 18 games played.
They are just behind the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (who have an identical record) of the OHL for the top spot in the CHL rankings.
An already stellar lineup filled with NHL prospects was also recently boosted by the Islanders return of Nino Niederreiter, they're loaded.
Just going to come out and say it now. The Portland Winterhawks are my pick for Memorial Cup champions and at very least WHL champions.
We'll be seeing you again soon?: Based on comments by the LA Kings head coach Terry Murray, Brayden Schenn could be reunited with Scott Glennie and the Wheat Kings soon. (source)
My Schenn, Wheaties shirsey might be a lot more relevant..
Hogs Wild!: The Rockford IceHogs had quite the game last night beating the Peoria Rivermen 4-1 in a game that had 8 fights and 4 ejections.
Kyle Beach had a goal, 2 assists & 2 fights to easily round out a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Jeremy Morin had a goal but was kicked out from the game after his fight at the end of the 1st period.
Nick Leddy, Shawn Lalonde(2), Igor Makarov and Brandon Pirri all had assists.
Ben Smith had a goal of his own, as did Ryan Potulny who also had 2 assists.
I wouldn't mind watching one of those games with the way the big club has been doing..
And that was your whirlwind tour of all my hockey interests.
Here's to a better Blackhawks game tonight than we've recently seen!
However the Blackhawks have played 17 games which is at least 2 more games than any other NHL team.
According to multiple sources on Twitter, Seabrook and Keith are going to be split up (but we'll see how long that lasts..) and Patrick Kane will be trying out the left wing on a line with Kopecky and Hossa.
I'm not really digging any of these changes since Seabrook and Keith playing with anyone but each other seems odd to me and to a lesser extent Kane and Toews.
I was a big fan of the Stalberg-Toews-Kane line but we all know as much as lines are juggled pregame, it can happens as much in game.
Really, I don't want to think about the game much until it happens. Personally I just want to see a full 60 minute effort.
I've been feeling like I've been neglecting talking about my junior hockey loves but I guess that's what happens when the team in town goes on their Eastern Conference road trip and I haven't gone to a live hockey game in 3 weeks. (Yes, I'm in SEVERE hockey withdrawal)
The Silvertips are currently on a 3 game losing streak and just 2-6-0-2 in their last 10 games. The two most recent losses both have been shutouts at the hands of Vancouver and Red Deer, where former Tip & Blackhawks Byron Froese was traded in exchange for Landon Ferraro.
They're currently below .500 with a 6-7-1-3 sitting in the basement of the U.S. Division.
The Chiefs though after their 6 game eastern road trip in which they went 3-2-1-0 have gotten their record back to .500 and are in 4th place in the U.S. Division just above the Tips.
The Chiefs have a 2 game home stand this weekend taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings and their hated rival Tri-City Americans. (a game at which I'll be at!)
While both teams are struggling, one team that is far away the best in the U.S. Division and in my mind the WHL, the Portland Winterhawks are on a 9 game win streak as they travel through the Eastern Division. The Winterhawks boast a 15-2-0-1 record through 18 games played.
They are just behind the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (who have an identical record) of the OHL for the top spot in the CHL rankings.
An already stellar lineup filled with NHL prospects was also recently boosted by the Islanders return of Nino Niederreiter, they're loaded.
Just going to come out and say it now. The Portland Winterhawks are my pick for Memorial Cup champions and at very least WHL champions.
We'll be seeing you again soon?: Based on comments by the LA Kings head coach Terry Murray, Brayden Schenn could be reunited with Scott Glennie and the Wheat Kings soon. (source)
My Schenn, Wheaties shirsey might be a lot more relevant..
Hogs Wild!: The Rockford IceHogs had quite the game last night beating the Peoria Rivermen 4-1 in a game that had 8 fights and 4 ejections.
Kyle Beach had a goal, 2 assists & 2 fights to easily round out a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Jeremy Morin had a goal but was kicked out from the game after his fight at the end of the 1st period.
Nick Leddy, Shawn Lalonde(2), Igor Makarov and Brandon Pirri all had assists.
Ben Smith had a goal of his own, as did Ryan Potulny who also had 2 assists.
I wouldn't mind watching one of those games with the way the big club has been doing..
And that was your whirlwind tour of all my hockey interests.
Here's to a better Blackhawks game tonight than we've recently seen!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Alright stop, collaborate & listen..
First off, I hope that everyone had a safe and fun Halloween weekend.
I haven't had much time to watch the highlights of either game the Hawks played this weekend.
So I'm just going to judge based on the scores, which is always accurate don't ya know?
Hawks lost the the Oilers 7-4.
Say what... 7-4? Not the score or result I was expecting at all.
Turco ends up getting pulled for Crawford. Hall, Cogliano, Eberle & Gagner all scored for Edmonton.
Clearly, I'm not as sad now about missing this game. My soft spot for the Oilers clearly came back to bite me.
Well the 2nd of the back to back games the Hawks come back with a 3-1 win over the Wild.
Turco starts the 2nd of two games and bounces back with a win after being benched in the Oilers game.
I honestly have no idea how this game went since I didn't watch any of it. I'm just glad the Hawks won.
Moving on to tonight's game which I actually be able to watch, the Blackhawks take on the Rangers, the only time the two teams will meet all year.
Two Marian's are out with Hossa for the Hawks & Gaborik for the Rangers.
Reunited & it feels so good: Brian Campbell has been activated for tonight's game and should be reunited with Niklas Hjalmarsson to make up the 2nd D-pair. (YESSSSSSS)
I'm hoping that this means we start playing less in our zone & freaking out less about the defense outside of Keith-Seabrook. (who have even made me a bit nervous at times)
The hits they just keep on coming: Though Brian Campbell is returning from injury, Dave Bolland has been place on IR with an "upper-body" injury, this is retroactive to Friday, meaning that the Bolland can't return to Saturday at the earliest.
I have no idea what's wrong with Bolly. But I really hope this trend of injuries stops, like now.
How you doin' junior:
-The Tips lost their Pink the Rink night game 3-2 in a shootout to the Tri-City Americans.
-Pink the Rink raised $38,897.77!
-The highest bid for a jersey was $1,500.00 for Ryan Murray's jersey.
- Full story here
- The Chiefs lost the first game of their 6 game Eastern Conference road trip to Moose Jaw 3-2 but bounced back the next night with an 11-1 win over the Regina Pats.
- In the 11-1 win over Regina, Cole Hamblin, Collin Valcourt and Marek Kalus all scored their first WHL goals. Congrats to them!
Can't catch a break: Jordan Staal, two days before he was set to return from a foot injury which had prevented him from playing this season, suffered a broken hand in practice & is said to be out about 6 weeks, though it has been said he'll be out indefinitely. (source)
Update: According to the Penguins, Staal will be undergoing surgery on his hand & will be out up to 6 weeks.
All the best to him & hope he can get back on the ice soon!
I haven't had much time to watch the highlights of either game the Hawks played this weekend.
So I'm just going to judge based on the scores, which is always accurate don't ya know?
Hawks lost the the Oilers 7-4.
Say what... 7-4? Not the score or result I was expecting at all.
Turco ends up getting pulled for Crawford. Hall, Cogliano, Eberle & Gagner all scored for Edmonton.
Clearly, I'm not as sad now about missing this game. My soft spot for the Oilers clearly came back to bite me.
Well the 2nd of the back to back games the Hawks come back with a 3-1 win over the Wild.
Turco starts the 2nd of two games and bounces back with a win after being benched in the Oilers game.
I honestly have no idea how this game went since I didn't watch any of it. I'm just glad the Hawks won.
Moving on to tonight's game which I actually be able to watch, the Blackhawks take on the Rangers, the only time the two teams will meet all year.
Two Marian's are out with Hossa for the Hawks & Gaborik for the Rangers.
Reunited & it feels so good: Brian Campbell has been activated for tonight's game and should be reunited with Niklas Hjalmarsson to make up the 2nd D-pair. (YESSSSSSS)
I'm hoping that this means we start playing less in our zone & freaking out less about the defense outside of Keith-Seabrook. (who have even made me a bit nervous at times)
The hits they just keep on coming: Though Brian Campbell is returning from injury, Dave Bolland has been place on IR with an "upper-body" injury, this is retroactive to Friday, meaning that the Bolland can't return to Saturday at the earliest.
I have no idea what's wrong with Bolly. But I really hope this trend of injuries stops, like now.
How you doin' junior:
-The Tips lost their Pink the Rink night game 3-2 in a shootout to the Tri-City Americans.
-Pink the Rink raised $38,897.77!
-The highest bid for a jersey was $1,500.00 for Ryan Murray's jersey.
- Full story here
- The Chiefs lost the first game of their 6 game Eastern Conference road trip to Moose Jaw 3-2 but bounced back the next night with an 11-1 win over the Regina Pats.
- In the 11-1 win over Regina, Cole Hamblin, Collin Valcourt and Marek Kalus all scored their first WHL goals. Congrats to them!
Can't catch a break: Jordan Staal, two days before he was set to return from a foot injury which had prevented him from playing this season, suffered a broken hand in practice & is said to be out about 6 weeks, though it has been said he'll be out indefinitely. (source)
Update: According to the Penguins, Staal will be undergoing surgery on his hand & will be out up to 6 weeks.
All the best to him & hope he can get back on the ice soon!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Saying hello but bidding adieu.
Well I probably should have been smarter about the timing of the start of this blog considering I'm missing both Blackhawks game this weekend by going out of town. But of course I still have something to say.
This weekend on the Blackhawks Halloween schedule are the Oilers & Wild.
With the Oilers former Hawks Nikolai Khabibulin & Colin Fraser return.
Congrats to Colin Fraser & his wife Carli on the recent birth of their son, Calder.
The Oilers are still continuing to struggle as they have a youth movement of their own going on with 3 rookies you may have heard something about, Jordan Eberle (Canada's WJC captain clutch), Magnus Paajarvi & Taylor Hall.
While the Oilers are sitting just above the bottom of the NHL with the Panthers & Devils, the team is pretty darn entertaining to watch, so it should be interesting to see how the game turns out.
I'm actually quite disappointed to miss the game since I do enjoy seeing the Oilers play. They kind of remind me of the Blackhawks a couple years ago (though that sounds so cliche with every rebuilding team with young players).
Then the Hawks travel to Minnesota Saturday to take on the Wild & former Blackhawks Cam Barker, Martin Havlat & John Madden. The Wild currently sit 9th in the Western Conference and a game above .5oo.
It's been no secret the drama that has surrounded the Wild early this NHL season. There's already been a well publicized bag skate, a fan-player incident & most recently Allan Walsh, agent of Martin Havlat, writing the Minnesota Star Tribune that his client is being underused. (Link to the story here)
Things seem a little messy in Minny.
Of course the Hawks have issues of their own, Brian Campbell is on the fringe of coming back while Marian Hossa is out for two weeks with an upper-body injury resulting in the call up of Ben Smith from the Rockford IceHogs.
What to expect this weekend from these 2 games? I don't know.
I feel like through the first 11 games of the season, I have no idea what kind of team the Hawks are.
The Hawks have essentially played without a solid 2nd d-pair behind Keith-Seabrook and offense has come from either Hossa or Sharp. Now with Hossa out, someone is going to have to step it up offensively.
I hope that Patrick Kane & Jonathan Toews rise to the challenge like I know they can and Patrick Sharp keeps doing what he's doing, scoring goals & while blinding the opposition with his beauty.
But I'm not opposed to anyone period stepping up to the plate with some offense.
Hopefully Kane's +/- doesn't make me want to Gibbs slap him anymore after this weekend. (If you don't know what a Gibbs slap is Google it).
Last but not least the Silvertips are having their Pink the Rink night tonight in support of those with cancer & auctioning off the jerseys they'll be wearing and donating the proceeds to the Providence General Foundation who give free mammograms. Proceeds from special ticket packages, chuck-a-puck, programs, "I Pinked the Rink" T-Shirts & signed pink sticks will also go to the Providence General Foundation. To learn more, click here.
Here is the jersey the Tips will be auctioning off modeled by Tyler Maxwell. (via Silvertips twitter)
Hope the Tips raise a lot of money & get the win over the Ams.
Good luck to the Chiefs as well who are on their Eastern swing taking on Moose Jaw & Regina this weekend.
On that note, have a safe & fun Halloween weekend!
And y'know I'd take a 4-point Blackhawks weekend over candy any day.
Hopefully we all get that treat.
Feel free to drop a comment for me on how the games go!
This weekend on the Blackhawks Halloween schedule are the Oilers & Wild.
With the Oilers former Hawks Nikolai Khabibulin & Colin Fraser return.
Congrats to Colin Fraser & his wife Carli on the recent birth of their son, Calder.
The Oilers are still continuing to struggle as they have a youth movement of their own going on with 3 rookies you may have heard something about, Jordan Eberle (Canada's WJC captain clutch), Magnus Paajarvi & Taylor Hall.
While the Oilers are sitting just above the bottom of the NHL with the Panthers & Devils, the team is pretty darn entertaining to watch, so it should be interesting to see how the game turns out.
I'm actually quite disappointed to miss the game since I do enjoy seeing the Oilers play. They kind of remind me of the Blackhawks a couple years ago (though that sounds so cliche with every rebuilding team with young players).
Then the Hawks travel to Minnesota Saturday to take on the Wild & former Blackhawks Cam Barker, Martin Havlat & John Madden. The Wild currently sit 9th in the Western Conference and a game above .5oo.
It's been no secret the drama that has surrounded the Wild early this NHL season. There's already been a well publicized bag skate, a fan-player incident & most recently Allan Walsh, agent of Martin Havlat, writing the Minnesota Star Tribune that his client is being underused. (Link to the story here)
Things seem a little messy in Minny.
Of course the Hawks have issues of their own, Brian Campbell is on the fringe of coming back while Marian Hossa is out for two weeks with an upper-body injury resulting in the call up of Ben Smith from the Rockford IceHogs.
What to expect this weekend from these 2 games? I don't know.
I feel like through the first 11 games of the season, I have no idea what kind of team the Hawks are.
The Hawks have essentially played without a solid 2nd d-pair behind Keith-Seabrook and offense has come from either Hossa or Sharp. Now with Hossa out, someone is going to have to step it up offensively.
I hope that Patrick Kane & Jonathan Toews rise to the challenge like I know they can and Patrick Sharp keeps doing what he's doing, scoring goals & while blinding the opposition with his beauty.
But I'm not opposed to anyone period stepping up to the plate with some offense.
Hopefully Kane's +/- doesn't make me want to Gibbs slap him anymore after this weekend. (If you don't know what a Gibbs slap is Google it).
Last but not least the Silvertips are having their Pink the Rink night tonight in support of those with cancer & auctioning off the jerseys they'll be wearing and donating the proceeds to the Providence General Foundation who give free mammograms. Proceeds from special ticket packages, chuck-a-puck, programs, "I Pinked the Rink" T-Shirts & signed pink sticks will also go to the Providence General Foundation. To learn more, click here.
Here is the jersey the Tips will be auctioning off modeled by Tyler Maxwell. (via Silvertips twitter)
Hope the Tips raise a lot of money & get the win over the Ams.
Good luck to the Chiefs as well who are on their Eastern swing taking on Moose Jaw & Regina this weekend.
On that note, have a safe & fun Halloween weekend!
And y'know I'd take a 4-point Blackhawks weekend over candy any day.
Hopefully we all get that treat.
Feel free to drop a comment for me on how the games go!
