What a game! The North Division ties it with under 2 seconds to go in the third period and Zahn Raubenheimer scores the winner in Overtime to give the game to the North 14-13.
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Good crowd out to watch the game at the Max Bell. If any of those people were from Calgary and just out because of the marketing the AJHL did for this game then they should leave with a high regard for the product the AJHL has to offer.
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Yeah... I was cheering for the South as I had agreed with John Spigott (voice of the Bobcats) that one of us had to cheer for the South. Things looked good with 3 minutes to go but the competative instinct came out in the North and they were able to claw their way back into the game.
The Robb Hunter Blog
Saturday, January 31, 2009
BLOGGING FROM CALGARY
Best thing I've seen so far in Calgary was a pinto like vehicle with a mattress and boxspring strapped to the top driving down Deerfoot Trail. Classic.
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Friend of Kool, Chris Boutilier took Cheryl and I out for dinner last night to a place call Open Sesame where you pick out the food for them to cook. Good times.
My wife Cheryl and I arrived in Calgary before Chris was off work so we checked into the hotel and got settled. I told Cheryl that if only Matlock was on TV this would be a great example of what we get up to on the road. "This is it?" she asked me. Yeah it's not always as exciting as some people think. It is nice to have her on this trip. Although this is the first road trip of the year where "Rich bride, Poor bride" made it on the TV. Where's Matlock when you need him?
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Pontiacs all stars Steven Seigo and Ashton Hewson.
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Barry Trotz is awesome and should never ever be fired.
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Having not lived in Calgary since 2004 I had forgotten how much large groups of Flames fans annoy me.
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Friend of Kool, Chris Boutilier took Cheryl and I out for dinner last night to a place call Open Sesame where you pick out the food for them to cook. Good times.
My wife Cheryl and I arrived in Calgary before Chris was off work so we checked into the hotel and got settled. I told Cheryl that if only Matlock was on TV this would be a great example of what we get up to on the road. "This is it?" she asked me. Yeah it's not always as exciting as some people think. It is nice to have her on this trip. Although this is the first road trip of the year where "Rich bride, Poor bride" made it on the TV. Where's Matlock when you need him?
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Pontiacs all stars Steven Seigo and Ashton Hewson.
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Barry Trotz is awesome and should never ever be fired.
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Having not lived in Calgary since 2004 I had forgotten how much large groups of Flames fans annoy me.
SATURDAY
It's Game Day in Calgary. Check back today and John Spigott and I will try and get some audio onto the blog today. Hope it works.
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Some interesting proposals were tabled at the semi annual meetings yesterday. Again I'll try to have more today.
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Fingers crossed for a big walk up crowd today. If you are in the Calgary area come on out. It'll be a good time. 4:30 puck drop.
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Some interesting proposals were tabled at the semi annual meetings yesterday. Again I'll try to have more today.
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Fingers crossed for a big walk up crowd today. If you are in the Calgary area come on out. It'll be a good time. 4:30 puck drop.
Friday, January 30, 2009
FRIDAY
Finishing up work early today to try and get on the road for Calgary. I'm very excited for All Star Weekend. It should be a great time.
As for the game itself one would likely expect a little bit of a high scoring game. Answer the poll question to let me know what you think about the all star game.
I asked league president Craig Cripps if this was going to be the last AJHL all star game.
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Coach Chad Mercier on Behind the Bench this morning. Listen for his picks in the Reebok All Star Shootout this weekend.
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It's Joe Colborne's birthday today.
As for the game itself one would likely expect a little bit of a high scoring game. Answer the poll question to let me know what you think about the all star game.
I asked league president Craig Cripps if this was going to be the last AJHL all star game.
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Coach Chad Mercier on Behind the Bench this morning. Listen for his picks in the Reebok All Star Shootout this weekend.
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It's Joe Colborne's birthday today.
INSIDE THE SJHL
By: Dan O’Connor – Voice of the North Stars
The past seven days of the SJHL have been very intriguing. I returned vacation last Friday only to see that the Mellville Millionaires were beaten 14-0 by the Estevan Bruins. Three weeks ago the Mil's were the easy favourite to win the Sherwood Conference, and now this team is in all sorts of trouble.
I've always been a fan of the Estevan Bruins, and I feel that they are much better than a fifth place team, but 14-0? Seriously? The Mil's have since fallen into second place, and the Weyburn Red Wings are now running away with the Sherwood Conference division. Melville will likely finish second now as they currently have a seven point lead on third place Kindersley. Kindersley, Yorkton and Estevan are all competing for postioning at the bottom of the Sherwood Conference. The Notre Dame Hounds are still technically alive, but won't be for much longer.
On the Itech side, the Melfort Mustangs are heating up. Stang's coach Darrell Mann was so close to trading away his veterans at the deadline, and his decision to hold-back might earn him "Coach of the Year" consideraiton. This week Melfort goaltender Jordan Washburn posted two shutouts, leaving the goaltending situation completely up in the air. At one point David Tetrault was the clear number one, but thanks to Washburn's surge as of late, the Stang's are platooning the two tenders.
Friday night will be interesting as the Battlefords North Stars battle the Nipawin Hawks at the N.B. Civic Center. If the regular season were to end today, the Stars and Hawks would meet in the SJHL Survivor Series, so a playoff-type atmosphere is expected. The Hawks and Stars still have three more games against one another before all is said and done.
Until next week....
The past seven days of the SJHL have been very intriguing. I returned vacation last Friday only to see that the Mellville Millionaires were beaten 14-0 by the Estevan Bruins. Three weeks ago the Mil's were the easy favourite to win the Sherwood Conference, and now this team is in all sorts of trouble.
I've always been a fan of the Estevan Bruins, and I feel that they are much better than a fifth place team, but 14-0? Seriously? The Mil's have since fallen into second place, and the Weyburn Red Wings are now running away with the Sherwood Conference division. Melville will likely finish second now as they currently have a seven point lead on third place Kindersley. Kindersley, Yorkton and Estevan are all competing for postioning at the bottom of the Sherwood Conference. The Notre Dame Hounds are still technically alive, but won't be for much longer.
On the Itech side, the Melfort Mustangs are heating up. Stang's coach Darrell Mann was so close to trading away his veterans at the deadline, and his decision to hold-back might earn him "Coach of the Year" consideraiton. This week Melfort goaltender Jordan Washburn posted two shutouts, leaving the goaltending situation completely up in the air. At one point David Tetrault was the clear number one, but thanks to Washburn's surge as of late, the Stang's are platooning the two tenders.
Friday night will be interesting as the Battlefords North Stars battle the Nipawin Hawks at the N.B. Civic Center. If the regular season were to end today, the Stars and Hawks would meet in the SJHL Survivor Series, so a playoff-type atmosphere is expected. The Hawks and Stars still have three more games against one another before all is said and done.
Until next week....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
THURSDAY
There aren't excuses coming from the Bonnyville Pontiacs camp about the number of guys out of the lineup. The company line has been and remains "the guys who are in the lineup need to play well enough to win". Asking coach Mercier on the pre game coaches show last night if he's ever seen anything like this and the answer is no.
To give fans of other teams a look at what their roster might look like I've taken the place on the Pontiacs roster (scoring wise) and removed the equivalent on the oppositions roster. I also moved Lucas Isley from 21st on the Pontiacs to 5th. If he'd been with the team all year he would probably be higher but he hasn't been and 5th seems like a reasonable spot.
Sherwood Park would be playing without the likes of:
Rob Kleebaum
Nick Blair
Cody Kunyk
D'Lane Sather
Colby Kulhanek
Chris Kallal
David McNeill
Jeff Houghton
Spruce Grove:
Connor Hardowa
Jordan Drape
Nate Fleming
Brendan Lines
Sam Dezman
Josh Keizer
Tyler Barr
Rory Connop
Grande Prairie:
Dennis Rix
Morgan MacLean
Tanner Fritz
Bobby Tyson
Jordon Harrison
Mark Stojan
Mitch Kaufmann
Cody Stackaruk
Lloydminster:
Logan Gabel
Brett Slobodzian
David Dziurzynski
Brody Foster
A-Jay Moore
Brendan Roberts
Tanner Sohn
Brooks:
Matt Williams
Scott Aucoin
Cam Creighton
Cullen Bradshaw
DJ McDougall
Tyler Skauge
Brad Deagle
Ty Rattie
That's just an example. This isn't meant as a "ahhh the poor Pontiacs" piece. It's meant to shed more light on what an unbelievable situation this has become.
Looking forward it is an irrelevant point anyways as the Pontiacs don't play again until February 6th and will have a number of their 8 injured players back.
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For those of you who missed the broadcast last night but are loyal blog readers you would have known the Pontiacs were missing 7 players. Well Jeremy Gerhardt missed the game with the flu so make it 8.
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This audio is from the end of an interview I was doing with Westlock St. Paul MP Brian Storseth about the budget. Storsie is a big hockey fan. Click here.
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Sources tell me Crusader coach Ross Kenny gave a pretty heart felt apology to the staff of the Centennial Centre regarding the locker room damage done back on December 3rd. In the end the apology was accepted and everyone can move on.
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I'll do my best to get as much all star coverage onto the blog as possible.
To give fans of other teams a look at what their roster might look like I've taken the place on the Pontiacs roster (scoring wise) and removed the equivalent on the oppositions roster. I also moved Lucas Isley from 21st on the Pontiacs to 5th. If he'd been with the team all year he would probably be higher but he hasn't been and 5th seems like a reasonable spot.
Sherwood Park would be playing without the likes of:
Rob Kleebaum
Nick Blair
Cody Kunyk
D'Lane Sather
Colby Kulhanek
Chris Kallal
David McNeill
Jeff Houghton
Spruce Grove:
Connor Hardowa
Jordan Drape
Nate Fleming
Brendan Lines
Sam Dezman
Josh Keizer
Tyler Barr
Rory Connop
Grande Prairie:
Dennis Rix
Morgan MacLean
Tanner Fritz
Bobby Tyson
Jordon Harrison
Mark Stojan
Mitch Kaufmann
Cody Stackaruk
Lloydminster:
Logan Gabel
Brett Slobodzian
David Dziurzynski
Brody Foster
A-Jay Moore
Brendan Roberts
Tanner Sohn
Brooks:
Matt Williams
Scott Aucoin
Cam Creighton
Cullen Bradshaw
DJ McDougall
Tyler Skauge
Brad Deagle
Ty Rattie
That's just an example. This isn't meant as a "ahhh the poor Pontiacs" piece. It's meant to shed more light on what an unbelievable situation this has become.
Looking forward it is an irrelevant point anyways as the Pontiacs don't play again until February 6th and will have a number of their 8 injured players back.
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For those of you who missed the broadcast last night but are loyal blog readers you would have known the Pontiacs were missing 7 players. Well Jeremy Gerhardt missed the game with the flu so make it 8.
-----
This audio is from the end of an interview I was doing with Westlock St. Paul MP Brian Storseth about the budget. Storsie is a big hockey fan. Click here.
-----
Sources tell me Crusader coach Ross Kenny gave a pretty heart felt apology to the staff of the Centennial Centre regarding the locker room damage done back on December 3rd. In the end the apology was accepted and everyone can move on.
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I'll do my best to get as much all star coverage onto the blog as possible.
THE SUSPENSIONS
These aren't up on the AJHL website yet but this is what was in effect for last night:
The following players have each been suspended for one (1) game as a result of their actions, during a January 27, 2009 game in Spruce Grove:
Crusader players – Dave McNeil, Greg Lazoruk, Colby Kulhanek, Scott Gabriel and Trevor Connrad
In addition, Sherwood Park player, Dave McNeil, is suspended for one (1) additional game as a result of being assessed his third instigator penalty of the season.
Also, Crusader player, Scott Gabriel, is suspended for an additional one (1) game for having been assessed a gross misconduct.
As well, Sherwood Park Coach, Ross Kenny, is suspended for two (2) games and assessed a league fine for failure to control his bench.
The suspensions are to be served during the Sherwood Park Crusaders next one (1) to two (2) regularly scheduled League games, as applicable.
The following players have each been suspended for one (1) game as a result of their actions, during a January 27, 2009 game in Spruce Grove:
Crusader players – Dave McNeil, Greg Lazoruk, Colby Kulhanek, Scott Gabriel and Trevor Connrad
In addition, Sherwood Park player, Dave McNeil, is suspended for one (1) additional game as a result of being assessed his third instigator penalty of the season.
Also, Crusader player, Scott Gabriel, is suspended for an additional one (1) game for having been assessed a gross misconduct.
As well, Sherwood Park Coach, Ross Kenny, is suspended for two (2) games and assessed a league fine for failure to control his bench.
The suspensions are to be served during the Sherwood Park Crusaders next one (1) to two (2) regularly scheduled League games, as applicable.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
WEDNESDAY
Well... one more game before the all star break or for everyone not named Steven Seigo and Ashton Hewson, one more game before 8 days off. The Pontiacs expect at least a couple of their injured players to be back for their February 6th game in Olds but will still be short handed tonight.
It looks like they won't be the only team missing a chunk of their lineup tonight but the Sherwood Park Crusaders will be missing players for a whole other reason. Suspensions.
The Cru got into a little dust up in Spruce Grove last night with 36 seconds to play in what was a 9-5 game at the time. While no suspensions have been posted on ajhl.ca, and there usually are at this point, this does not mean there are none forthcoming. It is my understanding that Vice President of Officials George McCorry is taking his time with these suspensions in order to make sure he has the full story.
The number of line brawls and off ice incidents seem to have gone up over the last month. The fact the playoffs are getting closer may have something to do with it but this broadcaster wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, the league steps in and makes an example of somebody to try and get these shenanigans to stop. I'm not saying it will come with the Crusaders and Saints but I think we have to be getting close to a tipping point.
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It's the final regular season meeting between Bonnyville and Sherwood Park with the Pontiacs trailing 3-2 in the season series so far. This meeting marks the first meeting in Bonnyville since a December 3rd meeting when the Crusader bench got into it with the Pontiacs crowd and then following the 3-0 Bonnyville win there was the small matter of the bill. There were some damages to a Centennial Centre locker room that had to be paid for. I'm sure all has been forgotten.
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Records GP W L T OTL PTS
Sherwood Park 53 37 15 0 1 75
Bonnyville 53 29 19 1 4 63
PP (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 20% (6) 60/306 Road: 23% (3) 34/145
Bonnyville: 21% (5) 57/277 Home: 21% (5) 28/133
PK (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 86% (2) 43/311 Road: 84% (5) 21/133
Bonnyville: 81% (11) 57/297 Home: 80% (12) 27/135
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The Pontiacs spent a good chunk of practice time working on their penalty kill this week. They have killed off penalties at a paltry 60% rate on this recent four game losing streak.
It looks like they won't be the only team missing a chunk of their lineup tonight but the Sherwood Park Crusaders will be missing players for a whole other reason. Suspensions.
The Cru got into a little dust up in Spruce Grove last night with 36 seconds to play in what was a 9-5 game at the time. While no suspensions have been posted on ajhl.ca, and there usually are at this point, this does not mean there are none forthcoming. It is my understanding that Vice President of Officials George McCorry is taking his time with these suspensions in order to make sure he has the full story.
The number of line brawls and off ice incidents seem to have gone up over the last month. The fact the playoffs are getting closer may have something to do with it but this broadcaster wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, the league steps in and makes an example of somebody to try and get these shenanigans to stop. I'm not saying it will come with the Crusaders and Saints but I think we have to be getting close to a tipping point.
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It's the final regular season meeting between Bonnyville and Sherwood Park with the Pontiacs trailing 3-2 in the season series so far. This meeting marks the first meeting in Bonnyville since a December 3rd meeting when the Crusader bench got into it with the Pontiacs crowd and then following the 3-0 Bonnyville win there was the small matter of the bill. There were some damages to a Centennial Centre locker room that had to be paid for. I'm sure all has been forgotten.
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Records GP W L T OTL PTS
Sherwood Park 53 37 15 0 1 75
Bonnyville 53 29 19 1 4 63
PP (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 20% (6) 60/306 Road: 23% (3) 34/145
Bonnyville: 21% (5) 57/277 Home: 21% (5) 28/133
PK (League Rank)
Sherwood Park: 86% (2) 43/311 Road: 84% (5) 21/133
Bonnyville: 81% (11) 57/297 Home: 80% (12) 27/135
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The Pontiacs spent a good chunk of practice time working on their penalty kill this week. They have killed off penalties at a paltry 60% rate on this recent four game losing streak.
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Check ajhl.ca for a Pontiacs related all star game press release later this afternoon.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
TUESDAY
The Bonnyville Pontiacs All Injured team:
Alex Grill Donovan and Dru Cotterill will start along the blueline
Up front, Craig Cuthbert centres Greg Hennessey and Kirk Belyk.
Juneau and Isley are named to a tremendous second line.
Perhaps Grill Donovan will be able to get a padded cast and and could be slotted in as a goalie. I think Cuthbert could handle a shift or two on defence.
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A great night of games on the AJHL schedule tonight starting with the battle for first place in the south with Brooks traveling to Okotoks.
Then 1st place in the north might be up for grabs as well as 2nd place Sherwood Park will try valiantly to pull to withing 7 points of first place Spruce Grove at the Grant Fuhr arena tonight.
You've got the battle of Calgary and Lloydminster travels to St. Albert for an almost must win against the Steel if they want 6th place in the north.
Oh ... and Drumheller is in Canmore for a game that will at least decide 13th place in the power rankings for another week.
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More press for the Old Man. "Little Empires" made the Lethbridge Herald again. Come on people it's only $0.18 a page.
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lil' wayne is way overrated.
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A reliable source has told me the 2010 Olympic torch will be passing through Cold Lake so if it's making it to Cold Lake it isn't out of the realm of possibility that Bonnyville could be a stop as well.
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Why does hockeydb.com freeze my work computer everytime I'm on that site?
Alex Grill Donovan and Dru Cotterill will start along the blueline
Up front, Craig Cuthbert centres Greg Hennessey and Kirk Belyk.
Juneau and Isley are named to a tremendous second line.
Perhaps Grill Donovan will be able to get a padded cast and and could be slotted in as a goalie. I think Cuthbert could handle a shift or two on defence.
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A great night of games on the AJHL schedule tonight starting with the battle for first place in the south with Brooks traveling to Okotoks.
Then 1st place in the north might be up for grabs as well as 2nd place Sherwood Park will try valiantly to pull to withing 7 points of first place Spruce Grove at the Grant Fuhr arena tonight.
You've got the battle of Calgary and Lloydminster travels to St. Albert for an almost must win against the Steel if they want 6th place in the north.
Oh ... and Drumheller is in Canmore for a game that will at least decide 13th place in the power rankings for another week.
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More press for the Old Man. "Little Empires" made the Lethbridge Herald again. Come on people it's only $0.18 a page.
-----
lil' wayne is way overrated.
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A reliable source has told me the 2010 Olympic torch will be passing through Cold Lake so if it's making it to Cold Lake it isn't out of the realm of possibility that Bonnyville could be a stop as well.
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Why does hockeydb.com freeze my work computer everytime I'm on that site?
Monday, January 26, 2009
MONDAY
I walked into practice this afternoon and had to smile to myself when I saw how few guys were on the ice. There isn't much else to do other than to laugh at the situation. The Pontiacs are missing 7 regulars from their lineup including. Two are gone for the season, three can be considered long term and two more might be able to return after the all star break.
Despite the fact I can only count 15 Pontiac skaters on the ice for practice this afternoon and the team is coming off one of their most lop sided defeats of the season the mood is light. It may as well be as there isn't any sense in dwelling on their predicament.
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$8600 was the grand total raised from Pink Jersey and Hair Cut night on Saturday. A great cause that was well supported.
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Alex Grill Donovan was still in hospital waiting for surgery to his leg earlier this afternoon. They did eventually feed him the other day and pushed surgery back to "hopefully" today. Not only has he not left the hospital but his new roommate snores.... loudly. Poor kid. He seemed to be in good spirits when I saw him today.
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No offense to the NHL all star game but this last weekend might have been one of the worst of the sporting year. No NFL, no MLB, no real NHL games, no good golf, I didn't catch any soccer. Anything I'm missing?
Despite the fact I can only count 15 Pontiac skaters on the ice for practice this afternoon and the team is coming off one of their most lop sided defeats of the season the mood is light. It may as well be as there isn't any sense in dwelling on their predicament.
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$8600 was the grand total raised from Pink Jersey and Hair Cut night on Saturday. A great cause that was well supported.
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Alex Grill Donovan was still in hospital waiting for surgery to his leg earlier this afternoon. They did eventually feed him the other day and pushed surgery back to "hopefully" today. Not only has he not left the hospital but his new roommate snores.... loudly. Poor kid. He seemed to be in good spirits when I saw him today.
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No offense to the NHL all star game but this last weekend might have been one of the worst of the sporting year. No NFL, no MLB, no real NHL games, no good golf, I didn't catch any soccer. Anything I'm missing?
POWER RANKINGS presented by Grizzly Diamonds
Power Rankings on TheRobbHunter.com are compiled by a panel of media members who follow the AJHL and are based on a combination of last week's play and a squad's overall outlook. Last weeks rankings are in ().
1. Sherwood Park Crusaders (1) -- Have a date tomorrow night at the Grant Fuhr arena where they will want to impress.
2. Spruce Grove Saints (3) -- After a Tuesday win in Grande Prairie it was expected they would be back at the top of the rankings but less than stellar showings in Bonnyville where they just squeaked passed a depleted Pontiacs team despite getting 17 more minutes in powerplay time than Bville and in Lloyd where they needed a last minute goal to force overtime against a Bobcat team that has given them troubles as of late.
3. Brooks Bandits (5) -- Had a roller coaster weekend with a 5 game winning streak being snapped against Olds. Another matchup for first place tomorrow against Okotoks.
4. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- Losers of three straight the Storm are better than this and they know it but every team hits tough spots. Lucky for them last week wasn't the first round of the playoffs.
5. Camrose Kodiaks (6) -- Winners of 8 straight can't sweep the Oilers but have proven to be able to sustain this run they have been on.
6. Okotoks Oilers (4) -- Saturday win over Kodiaks salvages losing week. Loss to Drumheller earlier in the week moves them below the Kodiaks in the rankings.
7. Olds Grizzlys (9) -- Have won six of 7 with the only loss coming against Spruce Grove as both bear themed teams are out of hibernation and ready for spring.
8. St. Ablert Steel (10) -- One of the hottest teams in the league have won five in a row and 8 of their last ten.
9. Fort McMurray Oil Barrons (11) -- Nothing like both your coaches getting tossed, some 700 minutes in penalties and a number of suspensions to bring a team together.
10. Lloydminster Bobcats (8) -- Deserve to be higher but this 7th place team needs to prove it with a win tomorrow night against the Steel.
11. Calgary Canucks (12) -- Typical Canucks week. 1-1-1.
12. Bonnyville Pontiacs (7) -- 30% of the Pontiacs 185 goals for this season have been scored by seven players currently out of the lineup for extended periods of time that even the all star break isn't going to help.
13. Drumheller Dragons (14) -- A pair of nice victories this week to go along with a tie. Maybe this team isn't extinct yet.
14. Canmore Eagles (13) -- Good showing in an OT loss on Friday against Brooks but couldn't hold up on Sunday in a 7-1 loss to the Canucks.
15. Drayton Valley Thunder (15) -- They were tied with the Crusaders through 50 minutes on Sunday.
16. Calgary Royals (16) -- They did pick up a point with an overtime loss against Olds.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
2008 RBC CUP PROFIT
HOCKEY CANADA
NEWS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ
January 23, 2009 NR015.09
PROFIT ANNOUNCED FOR 2008 RBC CUP
CORNWALL, ON – Organizers of the 2008 RBC Cup in Cornwall, ON have announced a profit of more than $48,500 for the National Junior A Championship, which was held May 3-11, 2008 at the Cornwall Civic Complex.
From that profit, $11,000 has been shared with the Central Junior Hockey League, of which the tournament host Cornwall Colts are members, to set up scholarship funds. The remainder was shared between the five competing teams – the Colts, Camrose Kodiaks, Humboldt Broncos, Oakville Blades and Pictou County Weeks Crushers – to help cover their costs in participating in the 2008 RBC Cup.
"Hosting the RBC Cup was a wonderful experience for our community,” said Candy Pollard, chair of the host committee. “It was a pleasure to welcome the participating teams and their fans from across the country, and to watch the Cornwall Colts compete for the national championship. Working with Hockey Canada and TSN was a great opportunity for our volunteers and for our community at large, and one we will not quickly forget."
"The Ottawa District Hockey Association is very pleased with the success of the 2008 RBC Cup,” said Richard Waldroff, president of the ODHA. “The volunteers who worked on the event did a super job; they made the event extra special. As usual our branch focus is on the players and the desire for them to have a great experience and on all accounts this was achieved. We thank to the City of Cornwall for a great event and to Hockey Canada for their great support."
The host committee also shared information about an economic impact study that was conducted during the event. STEAM (Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model) is a cutting-edge, economic impact assessment tool that predicts and measures the economic impact of a sport event on a community in Canada. The STEAM report concluded that the combined spending of operations and visitors to the 2008 RBC Cup totalled over $1.7 million in economic activity for the City of Cornwall and the Province of Ontario.
"The 2008 RBC Cup was an amazing success,” said Paul Lefebvre, chair of the Cornwall Hotel Accomodation Partners. “We're especially appreciative of the economic benefits the tournament provided. Overall it was an extremely well organized tournament and great asset to the City of Cornwall."
“The 2008 RBC Cup was truly a special event, and we are very excited that a legacy can be left for future generations of hockey players in the Cornwall area,” says Scott Smith, Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer. “It is my pleasure to congratulate the city, the province, the host committee, the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of fans that made this possible.”
The 2009 RBC Cup will be held from May 2-10, 2009 in Victoria, BC. For more information on the 2009 RBC Cup, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/rbccup.
NEWS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ
January 23, 2009 NR015.09
PROFIT ANNOUNCED FOR 2008 RBC CUP
CORNWALL, ON – Organizers of the 2008 RBC Cup in Cornwall, ON have announced a profit of more than $48,500 for the National Junior A Championship, which was held May 3-11, 2008 at the Cornwall Civic Complex.
From that profit, $11,000 has been shared with the Central Junior Hockey League, of which the tournament host Cornwall Colts are members, to set up scholarship funds. The remainder was shared between the five competing teams – the Colts, Camrose Kodiaks, Humboldt Broncos, Oakville Blades and Pictou County Weeks Crushers – to help cover their costs in participating in the 2008 RBC Cup.
"Hosting the RBC Cup was a wonderful experience for our community,” said Candy Pollard, chair of the host committee. “It was a pleasure to welcome the participating teams and their fans from across the country, and to watch the Cornwall Colts compete for the national championship. Working with Hockey Canada and TSN was a great opportunity for our volunteers and for our community at large, and one we will not quickly forget."
"The Ottawa District Hockey Association is very pleased with the success of the 2008 RBC Cup,” said Richard Waldroff, president of the ODHA. “The volunteers who worked on the event did a super job; they made the event extra special. As usual our branch focus is on the players and the desire for them to have a great experience and on all accounts this was achieved. We thank to the City of Cornwall for a great event and to Hockey Canada for their great support."
The host committee also shared information about an economic impact study that was conducted during the event. STEAM (Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model) is a cutting-edge, economic impact assessment tool that predicts and measures the economic impact of a sport event on a community in Canada. The STEAM report concluded that the combined spending of operations and visitors to the 2008 RBC Cup totalled over $1.7 million in economic activity for the City of Cornwall and the Province of Ontario.
"The 2008 RBC Cup was an amazing success,” said Paul Lefebvre, chair of the Cornwall Hotel Accomodation Partners. “We're especially appreciative of the economic benefits the tournament provided. Overall it was an extremely well organized tournament and great asset to the City of Cornwall."
“The 2008 RBC Cup was truly a special event, and we are very excited that a legacy can be left for future generations of hockey players in the Cornwall area,” says Scott Smith, Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer. “It is my pleasure to congratulate the city, the province, the host committee, the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of fans that made this possible.”
The 2009 RBC Cup will be held from May 2-10, 2009 in Victoria, BC. For more information on the 2009 RBC Cup, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/rbccup.
SATURDAY
As of 11:30 this morning Pontiacs Defenceman Alex Grill Donovan was still in hospital with a broken leg which is going to require surgery. There was a chance surgery could happen today so he still hadn't eaten anything from before the game so hospital staff had a hungry teenager on their hands.
Alex went awkwardly into the boards with just under 8 minutes to play in last nights third period. I'm told he will need a rod put in his leg but that he will make a full recovery. He will be out for the rest of this season.
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While we hope nothing like this ever happens again we should give credit to the great response by trainer Kim Sydora from the Pontiacs, the Saints trainer who also came out to help and the EMT's who responded. Good work was done by all.
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Back to hockey, it was a tough way to end what was shaping up to be a great game. The Pontiacs were playing well and despite having to kill off 17 more minutes worth of penalties than the Saints they were right in it until the final buzzer once again proving the team can skate with anyone in the league.
Our hope as fans is that the level of play seen last night continues throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs as opposed to the two first periods played against Lloyd. One last Wednesday and one on January 9th.
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Wear your pink to the game tonight. It is Pink Jersey night tonight at the RJ as the Pontiacs will be wearing pink jerseys for the game with the jersey's being auctioned off with the money being donated to breast cancer awareness.
There will also be a number of prizes given out and the 50/50 draw is a guaranteed $1000, not to mention the hair cuts given by Techniques Hair Salon in exchange for $10 donations.
It will be a fun night off the ice.
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On the ice the Pontiacs will try to snap what is now a three game losing streak by beating a team they have had success with this year. The Pontiacs are 4-0 against the Steel so far this year. Don't let the record fool you. This won't be a cakewalk for Bonnyville as St. Albert has been playing some inspired hockey as of late picking up a pair of wins in Fort McMurray last weekend and come in having won their last four games.
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Congrats to yesterdays winners who picked Connor Hardowa to score the winning goal. Mind you all the winning e-mails came in after the game was over but I suppose I didn't say that wasn't allowed. Thanks for playing and I'll see if I can track down some more prizes in the future.
Alex went awkwardly into the boards with just under 8 minutes to play in last nights third period. I'm told he will need a rod put in his leg but that he will make a full recovery. He will be out for the rest of this season.
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While we hope nothing like this ever happens again we should give credit to the great response by trainer Kim Sydora from the Pontiacs, the Saints trainer who also came out to help and the EMT's who responded. Good work was done by all.
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Back to hockey, it was a tough way to end what was shaping up to be a great game. The Pontiacs were playing well and despite having to kill off 17 more minutes worth of penalties than the Saints they were right in it until the final buzzer once again proving the team can skate with anyone in the league.
Our hope as fans is that the level of play seen last night continues throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs as opposed to the two first periods played against Lloyd. One last Wednesday and one on January 9th.
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Wear your pink to the game tonight. It is Pink Jersey night tonight at the RJ as the Pontiacs will be wearing pink jerseys for the game with the jersey's being auctioned off with the money being donated to breast cancer awareness.
There will also be a number of prizes given out and the 50/50 draw is a guaranteed $1000, not to mention the hair cuts given by Techniques Hair Salon in exchange for $10 donations.
It will be a fun night off the ice.
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On the ice the Pontiacs will try to snap what is now a three game losing streak by beating a team they have had success with this year. The Pontiacs are 4-0 against the Steel so far this year. Don't let the record fool you. This won't be a cakewalk for Bonnyville as St. Albert has been playing some inspired hockey as of late picking up a pair of wins in Fort McMurray last weekend and come in having won their last four games.
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Congrats to yesterdays winners who picked Connor Hardowa to score the winning goal. Mind you all the winning e-mails came in after the game was over but I suppose I didn't say that wasn't allowed. Thanks for playing and I'll see if I can track down some more prizes in the future.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tickets for Pink Jersey Night
I have 4 tickets for tomorrow night's Pontiacs game courtesy RBC.
If you are the first to e-mail me the name of the player who scores the winning goal in tonight's Pontiacs game and your contact info I'll get a hold of you tomorrow and the tickets are yours.
e-mail me at rhunter@newcap.ca
Your name and telephone number would probably help.
If the game ends in a tie (hey it could happen) e-mail me the name of the goalie that gets the start for the Pontiacs tonight.
If you are the first to e-mail me the name of the player who scores the winning goal in tonight's Pontiacs game and your contact info I'll get a hold of you tomorrow and the tickets are yours.
e-mail me at rhunter@newcap.ca
Your name and telephone number would probably help.
If the game ends in a tie (hey it could happen) e-mail me the name of the goalie that gets the start for the Pontiacs tonight.
FRIDAY
A sub par effort in the first period on Wednesday night in Lloydminster and the Pontiacs lose the season series to Bobcats.
Lloydminster used 3 powerplay chances to get out to a 3-0 lead after the first 20 minutes. Adam Matlock and Brendan Turner both scored with the powerplay and David Dziurzynski scored just as Matthew Register was getting back into the play after serving his slashing penalty.
The Pontiacs tried to battle back making the score 3-2 early in the third but an undisciplined butt ending double minor taken by goaltender Tyler Pugh put Lloyd back on the powerplay where Micheal Winkel would restore the 2 goal lead.
Tyler Henry would make a beautiful backdoor pass to Matthew Register as Regi scored his 11th of the year to again pull the Pontiacs to within one with less than 3 minutes to go but Jared Jagow would ice it with an empty netter.
Poor starts for the Pontiacs have almost been as big a story as the number of man games lost to injuries this year.
Give credit to Lloydminster for creating their chances and then capitalizing.
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Look for Blake Leask and Kevin Carthy to make it into the Pontiacs lineup tonight. Both are AP's. Leask played one game with the team already this year back on November 7th. Both Leask and Carthy are from Edmonton.
Derek Hutton from Sherwood Park has also been added to the Pontiacs roster and might make it into the lineup before the all star break.
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Assistant coach Ryan Pollock joined us on the morning show for Behind the Bench this morning.
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The Pontiacs are 0-1-1-1 against the Spruce Grove Saints this year.
The Saints are currently ranked 2nd in the Country according to the CJHL rankings. Bonnyville has a pretty good record against teams who are nationally ranked. The Pontiacs beat Sherwood Park in back to back games when the Crusaders were the number one team in the country and this last weekend Bonnyville split with Grande Prairie with the Storm ranked 4th.
The Pontiacs did lose 6-3 to Brooks in December but I believe that was one week before the Bandits jumped to 12th in the rankings.
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The Lloydminster Bobcats gave the Saints only their 6th regulation time loss on the season just last weekend and we heard from their play by play voice the blueprint for beating the top team in the league on B and R Eckles Pontiacs Hockey on Wednesday. Here's the recap.
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The North Eastern Alberta Junior B Provincials is fast approaching and volunteers are needed.
Cold Lake is hosting the event which starts April 2nd and about 75 to 80 volunteers are needed to pull this event off.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call 639-2522.
Lloydminster used 3 powerplay chances to get out to a 3-0 lead after the first 20 minutes. Adam Matlock and Brendan Turner both scored with the powerplay and David Dziurzynski scored just as Matthew Register was getting back into the play after serving his slashing penalty.
The Pontiacs tried to battle back making the score 3-2 early in the third but an undisciplined butt ending double minor taken by goaltender Tyler Pugh put Lloyd back on the powerplay where Micheal Winkel would restore the 2 goal lead.
Tyler Henry would make a beautiful backdoor pass to Matthew Register as Regi scored his 11th of the year to again pull the Pontiacs to within one with less than 3 minutes to go but Jared Jagow would ice it with an empty netter.
Poor starts for the Pontiacs have almost been as big a story as the number of man games lost to injuries this year.
Give credit to Lloydminster for creating their chances and then capitalizing.
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Look for Blake Leask and Kevin Carthy to make it into the Pontiacs lineup tonight. Both are AP's. Leask played one game with the team already this year back on November 7th. Both Leask and Carthy are from Edmonton.
Derek Hutton from Sherwood Park has also been added to the Pontiacs roster and might make it into the lineup before the all star break.
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Assistant coach Ryan Pollock joined us on the morning show for Behind the Bench this morning.
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The Pontiacs are 0-1-1-1 against the Spruce Grove Saints this year.
The Saints are currently ranked 2nd in the Country according to the CJHL rankings. Bonnyville has a pretty good record against teams who are nationally ranked. The Pontiacs beat Sherwood Park in back to back games when the Crusaders were the number one team in the country and this last weekend Bonnyville split with Grande Prairie with the Storm ranked 4th.
The Pontiacs did lose 6-3 to Brooks in December but I believe that was one week before the Bandits jumped to 12th in the rankings.
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The Lloydminster Bobcats gave the Saints only their 6th regulation time loss on the season just last weekend and we heard from their play by play voice the blueprint for beating the top team in the league on B and R Eckles Pontiacs Hockey on Wednesday. Here's the recap.
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The North Eastern Alberta Junior B Provincials is fast approaching and volunteers are needed.
Cold Lake is hosting the event which starts April 2nd and about 75 to 80 volunteers are needed to pull this event off.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call 639-2522.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
GAME DAY INTRO and a couple brief notes
Hello Hockey Fans in Bonnyville and those listening around the globe courtosy of the world wide web. This is the Telephone Connections Pregame show on B and R Eckles Pontiacs Hockey. I am Robb Hunter.
It has been a very long time since the Lloydminster Bobcats have won a season series against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. That all could change with a Bobcat win on home ice tonight. The 7th place Cats have had the Pontiacs number this year picking up wins of 5-3, 3-2 in OT, 6-1 and 7-5. While Bonnyville has responded with a 7-2 shellacking and a 4-1 victory.
Take out the OT game on September 20th and all the games featured one squad not showing up ready to play. 2 weeks ago on January 9th the Bobcats had a 4-0 lead less than 8 minutes into the first period and despite a valiant comeback you aren't going to win many games when you grant the opposition a 4-spot to start the game.
That January 9th game was also the return of Lucas Isley to the Pontiacs lineup and should have been a game the team was ready for with the amount of buzz the Isley return created. Now they will play this game without number 89 in the lineup as Isley joins the Pontiacs walking wounded for the next 10-14 days.
As injuries continue to be a story the Pontiacs have a long look up at Sherwood Park in third place now 10 points ahead of them. While coming back to win a season series against Lloyd is nice it's the 2 points on the line in each of the remaining 2 games between the clubs that matters most.
Tonight it's the Bobcats and the Pontiacs only on Kool 101.3
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Isley is out with an upper body injury.
It has been confirmed that Marc Antoine Juneau is done for the year after a hit he took back on January 9th against Lloydminster.
Jordan Krankowsky is back in the lineup after hurting himself in a fight standing up for Juneau.
Greg Hennessey and Kirk Belyk are still both out for a while but could be back before the playoffs start. Key word there is 'could'.
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Former Pontiac Logan Isley joins us during the 2nd intermission tonight.
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Still waiting on a Pontiacs related all star announcement which I think is coming.
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I'm sitting in the civic centre typing this and it is rather dark in here. Thankfully though they do have wireless internet so I could add to today's post.
It has been a very long time since the Lloydminster Bobcats have won a season series against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. That all could change with a Bobcat win on home ice tonight. The 7th place Cats have had the Pontiacs number this year picking up wins of 5-3, 3-2 in OT, 6-1 and 7-5. While Bonnyville has responded with a 7-2 shellacking and a 4-1 victory.
Take out the OT game on September 20th and all the games featured one squad not showing up ready to play. 2 weeks ago on January 9th the Bobcats had a 4-0 lead less than 8 minutes into the first period and despite a valiant comeback you aren't going to win many games when you grant the opposition a 4-spot to start the game.
That January 9th game was also the return of Lucas Isley to the Pontiacs lineup and should have been a game the team was ready for with the amount of buzz the Isley return created. Now they will play this game without number 89 in the lineup as Isley joins the Pontiacs walking wounded for the next 10-14 days.
As injuries continue to be a story the Pontiacs have a long look up at Sherwood Park in third place now 10 points ahead of them. While coming back to win a season series against Lloyd is nice it's the 2 points on the line in each of the remaining 2 games between the clubs that matters most.
Tonight it's the Bobcats and the Pontiacs only on Kool 101.3
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Isley is out with an upper body injury.
It has been confirmed that Marc Antoine Juneau is done for the year after a hit he took back on January 9th against Lloydminster.
Jordan Krankowsky is back in the lineup after hurting himself in a fight standing up for Juneau.
Greg Hennessey and Kirk Belyk are still both out for a while but could be back before the playoffs start. Key word there is 'could'.
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Former Pontiac Logan Isley joins us during the 2nd intermission tonight.
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Still waiting on a Pontiacs related all star announcement which I think is coming.
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I'm sitting in the civic centre typing this and it is rather dark in here. Thankfully though they do have wireless internet so I could add to today's post.
WEDNESDAY
I'm off to an event at a local school today so there isn't much for the blog but I did catch up with Pontiacs captain Craig Cuthbert as he was getting to the rink this morning. We chatted briefly about tonight's game.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
TUESDAY
If people were upset at how high we ranked the Kodiaks in last weeks power rankings wait until they read the national rankings.
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The Bonnyville Pontiacs are holding their first ever 'Pink Jersey Night' on Saturday in support of cancer research. The Jersey's will be auctioned off to raise money. It's also Hair Cut Night so get to the game early, get your hair cut and make a donation to the cause. I'll put up more details later this week.
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Every morning on Kool 101.3 we play battle of the beats where we put two songs up against one another and people phone in and vote for their favorite. The champ right now is Run DMC with It's Tricky. The song always reminds me of good ol' JR.
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The Ramada AJHL player of the week is Chris Markiewicz of the Brooks Bandits. For your extra stats of the day Chris picked up an assist in the gold medal game of the 2006 Telus cup final while he was playing for the Calgary Buffalo's. Other standouts on that Buffalo's squad was former Kodiak Mike Connolly and WJHC star Jordan Eberle. The Buff's lost that gold medal game in triple overtime as they couldn't find a way to beat future WJHC goaltender Dustin Tokarski who played for the Prince Albert Mintos. Also on the Mintos were current and former Lloydminster Bobcats; Ron Myers, Adam Matlock, Bobby Spigott and Lewis Laczko.
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Also coming out later this week will be further Bonnyville Pontiacs related AJHL all star game news.
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To the folks in B.C. who think Powell River has the best powerplay in Canada it's not like you have to look that far to the East.
I've forgotten. Which is better? 28.52% on the power play or 31.48%
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It's days like this that I wish I had an internet connection at the house so I could catch Jeff Henson's play by play of the Storm vs. Saints game tonight.
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A big thanks to Ryan Bailey for his intermission work on our Kool 101.3 broadcasts. Ryan gets interviews with players from the locker room. It adds a lot to our broadcasts. Look for another "Sharp dressed man" to be added to the broadcasts in the near future.
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The Bonnyville Pontiacs are holding their first ever 'Pink Jersey Night' on Saturday in support of cancer research. The Jersey's will be auctioned off to raise money. It's also Hair Cut Night so get to the game early, get your hair cut and make a donation to the cause. I'll put up more details later this week.
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Every morning on Kool 101.3 we play battle of the beats where we put two songs up against one another and people phone in and vote for their favorite. The champ right now is Run DMC with It's Tricky. The song always reminds me of good ol' JR.
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The Ramada AJHL player of the week is Chris Markiewicz of the Brooks Bandits. For your extra stats of the day Chris picked up an assist in the gold medal game of the 2006 Telus cup final while he was playing for the Calgary Buffalo's. Other standouts on that Buffalo's squad was former Kodiak Mike Connolly and WJHC star Jordan Eberle. The Buff's lost that gold medal game in triple overtime as they couldn't find a way to beat future WJHC goaltender Dustin Tokarski who played for the Prince Albert Mintos. Also on the Mintos were current and former Lloydminster Bobcats; Ron Myers, Adam Matlock, Bobby Spigott and Lewis Laczko.
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Also coming out later this week will be further Bonnyville Pontiacs related AJHL all star game news.
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To the folks in B.C. who think Powell River has the best powerplay in Canada it's not like you have to look that far to the East.
I've forgotten. Which is better? 28.52% on the power play or 31.48%
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It's days like this that I wish I had an internet connection at the house so I could catch Jeff Henson's play by play of the Storm vs. Saints game tonight.
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A big thanks to Ryan Bailey for his intermission work on our Kool 101.3 broadcasts. Ryan gets interviews with players from the locker room. It adds a lot to our broadcasts. Look for another "Sharp dressed man" to be added to the broadcasts in the near future.
Monday, January 19, 2009
POWER RANKINGS
Power Rankings on TheRobbHunter.com are compiled by a panel of media members who follow the AJHL and are based on a combination of last week's play and a squad's overall outlook. Last weeks rankings are in ().
1. Sherwood Park Crusaders (3) -- Winners of six straight the Cru padded their stats against some lesser competition this week but you can only beat the teams you are scheduled to play. In a strange scheduling move the Cru don't play again until Sunday.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- The Storm split on the road in Bonnyville while being badly outshot in both games but they did beat Lloydminster while the Cats handled the Saints. Huge matchup tomorrow when they host Spruce Grove. The Storm need those two points if they want to have a hope of getting a first round bye.
3. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- They have been the cream of the crop all season long and will continue to be the team that all others are chasing but this week they weren't as good as Sherwood Park or Grande Prairie. If the Saints beat the Storm tomorrow they will be back to the top of the rankings next week.
4. Okotoks Oilers (4) -- The Oilers continue to roll through January with their only loss coming to Camrose but they get another crack at the Kodiaks in a home and home this weekend.
5. Brooks Bandits (7) --Cullen Bradshaw and Scott Aucoin are taking the scoring pressure off Granberg and Lyons as the Bandits get secondary scoring against the Royals and Dragons.
6. Camrose Kodiaks (5) -- The Kods are now winners of six straight and should have won seven in a row by the time they take on Okotoks again.
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (9) -- Good showing this week beating Grande Prairie on Friday but couldn't follow it up with a sweep of the Storm on Saturday. Lucas Isley might be starting to heat up as he picked up his first two points since his return from Western Michigan.
8. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) --What a week! It starts with a loss to Drayton Valley and ends with a win over Spruce Grove.
9. Olds Grizzlys (6) -- A tough week for the Grizz getting shutout by the Canucks and being doubled up 6-3 by the Saints. They get a pair with the Royals this week.
10. St. Albert Steel (12) -- If you score 5 powerplay goals in a game you would typically be connecting at a high percentage than 23% but the Steel were at 23% on Sunday going 5 for 21. They are making a race of it for 5th in the North.
11. Fort McMurray Oil Barrons (8) -- The Fort McMurray panel contributor would like to rank the MOB right behind Cory Moser in the rankings this week.
12. Calgary Canucks (12) -- Tough to tell where this team is going to go but with Aaron Dell in net they should be close in a lot of games. Nice win over Olds this week.
13. Canmore Eagles (14) -- It's a toss up between the Eagles and Dragons this week so they take 13th based on goal differential.
14. Drumheller Dragons (13) -- The Dragons have 3 wins in their last 10 which is actually better than Canmore so look for these teams to flip flop again next week.
15. Drayton Valley Thunder (16) -- We would like to remind you that we called a Drayton Valley victory in last weeks power rankings.
16. Calgary Royals (15) -- meh.
1. Sherwood Park Crusaders (3) -- Winners of six straight the Cru padded their stats against some lesser competition this week but you can only beat the teams you are scheduled to play. In a strange scheduling move the Cru don't play again until Sunday.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- The Storm split on the road in Bonnyville while being badly outshot in both games but they did beat Lloydminster while the Cats handled the Saints. Huge matchup tomorrow when they host Spruce Grove. The Storm need those two points if they want to have a hope of getting a first round bye.
3. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- They have been the cream of the crop all season long and will continue to be the team that all others are chasing but this week they weren't as good as Sherwood Park or Grande Prairie. If the Saints beat the Storm tomorrow they will be back to the top of the rankings next week.
4. Okotoks Oilers (4) -- The Oilers continue to roll through January with their only loss coming to Camrose but they get another crack at the Kodiaks in a home and home this weekend.
5. Brooks Bandits (7) --Cullen Bradshaw and Scott Aucoin are taking the scoring pressure off Granberg and Lyons as the Bandits get secondary scoring against the Royals and Dragons.
6. Camrose Kodiaks (5) -- The Kods are now winners of six straight and should have won seven in a row by the time they take on Okotoks again.
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (9) -- Good showing this week beating Grande Prairie on Friday but couldn't follow it up with a sweep of the Storm on Saturday. Lucas Isley might be starting to heat up as he picked up his first two points since his return from Western Michigan.
8. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) --What a week! It starts with a loss to Drayton Valley and ends with a win over Spruce Grove.
9. Olds Grizzlys (6) -- A tough week for the Grizz getting shutout by the Canucks and being doubled up 6-3 by the Saints. They get a pair with the Royals this week.
10. St. Albert Steel (12) -- If you score 5 powerplay goals in a game you would typically be connecting at a high percentage than 23% but the Steel were at 23% on Sunday going 5 for 21. They are making a race of it for 5th in the North.
11. Fort McMurray Oil Barrons (8) -- The Fort McMurray panel contributor would like to rank the MOB right behind Cory Moser in the rankings this week.
12. Calgary Canucks (12) -- Tough to tell where this team is going to go but with Aaron Dell in net they should be close in a lot of games. Nice win over Olds this week.
13. Canmore Eagles (14) -- It's a toss up between the Eagles and Dragons this week so they take 13th based on goal differential.
14. Drumheller Dragons (13) -- The Dragons have 3 wins in their last 10 which is actually better than Canmore so look for these teams to flip flop again next week.
15. Drayton Valley Thunder (16) -- We would like to remind you that we called a Drayton Valley victory in last weeks power rankings.
16. Calgary Royals (15) -- meh.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
SATURDAY
It was going to take a lot for last night's game to top Wednesday's against Fort Mac. It topped it and more with the best part being the Pontiacs and Storm go at it again tonight.
Steven Seigo took advantage of a bad G.P. line change, walked in and snapped low blocker to open the scoring in the first period.
The Storm would tie it with Dennis Rix's 11th of the year 6 minutes into the second with Devon Kalinski restoring the Pontiacs lead before the period was out by poking a lose puck in the crease home before Matt Milne could find it.
That was it for scoring in a hard fought hockey game.
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The game did feature a hard hit from behind by Eli Grossman on Lucas Isley. Isley was shaken up and remained on the ice for a couple minutes before making it to the bench. There was no penalty called on the play. Thankfully Isley was alright and would return to action.
In a classy move Grossman sought out Isley after the game to apologize.
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Besides that the hardest hit of the night might have actually happend about 90 minutes before puck drop. I slipped on a puddle on the stairs at the RJ and ended up about 4 stairs lower than were I started with my legs right out from under me.
Just a warning for fans when they come to the rink those stairs can be slick.
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After calling them out ealier in the week I should say how much I enjoy the Grande Prairie Storm's website. The updates are great.
Steven Seigo took advantage of a bad G.P. line change, walked in and snapped low blocker to open the scoring in the first period.
The Storm would tie it with Dennis Rix's 11th of the year 6 minutes into the second with Devon Kalinski restoring the Pontiacs lead before the period was out by poking a lose puck in the crease home before Matt Milne could find it.
That was it for scoring in a hard fought hockey game.
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The game did feature a hard hit from behind by Eli Grossman on Lucas Isley. Isley was shaken up and remained on the ice for a couple minutes before making it to the bench. There was no penalty called on the play. Thankfully Isley was alright and would return to action.
In a classy move Grossman sought out Isley after the game to apologize.
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Besides that the hardest hit of the night might have actually happend about 90 minutes before puck drop. I slipped on a puddle on the stairs at the RJ and ended up about 4 stairs lower than were I started with my legs right out from under me.
Just a warning for fans when they come to the rink those stairs can be slick.
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After calling them out ealier in the week I should say how much I enjoy the Grande Prairie Storm's website. The updates are great.
Friday, January 16, 2009
FRIDAY
It's a great weekend for hockey in Bonnyville. The Pontiacs host the Grande Prairie Storm for a pair and the Northeast Panthers are also home for two. The Grande Prairie midgets play the Panthers tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at the RJ for those interested in a G.P. double header. The Midget Kodiaks then visit Bonnyville on Sunday afternoon.
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The Storm are this years version of the Fort McMurray Oil Barrons in the eyes of the Bonnyville Pontiacs. The Pontiacs have not been able to find a way to beat the G.P. yet this season in three tries in their rink and once at the RJ. The MOB swept last years season series with the Pontiacs going 6-0. Bonnyville will be trying to avoid that same fate this weekend as these two games will conclude the regular season matchups between the clubs.
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Bonnyville Pontiacs defenceman Steven Seigo has been named an assistant captain of the North Division all star team. The list of other captains is available here.
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A plug for the old man. The Lethbridge Herald has a story on The Gord Hunter and the book he has written. Read the article here and then buy the book. My inheritance depends on it.
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The voice of the Regina Pats Rod Pedersen has a great blog post today about the Regina vs. Moose Jaw rivalry in the WHL. Check out the post here. I haven't seen a mascot beat down in a while.
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The Storm are this years version of the Fort McMurray Oil Barrons in the eyes of the Bonnyville Pontiacs. The Pontiacs have not been able to find a way to beat the G.P. yet this season in three tries in their rink and once at the RJ. The MOB swept last years season series with the Pontiacs going 6-0. Bonnyville will be trying to avoid that same fate this weekend as these two games will conclude the regular season matchups between the clubs.
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Bonnyville Pontiacs defenceman Steven Seigo has been named an assistant captain of the North Division all star team. The list of other captains is available here.
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A plug for the old man. The Lethbridge Herald has a story on The Gord Hunter and the book he has written. Read the article here and then buy the book. My inheritance depends on it.
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The voice of the Regina Pats Rod Pedersen has a great blog post today about the Regina vs. Moose Jaw rivalry in the WHL. Check out the post here. I haven't seen a mascot beat down in a while.
INSIDE THE SJHL
By: Dan O’Connor – Voice of the North Stars
The SJHL trade deadline has come and gone and much like the AJHL there was nothing earth shattering to report.
The Humboldt Broncos added a veteran goaltender (Matt Larochelle) and a play-making defenceman (Joel Belair) and Melville added an extra goalie, forward and d-man to their fold too. Other than that, none of the big-names tossed around last week were dealt. Rylan Schwartz and Tommy Brown are still with their respective teams which means that the playoffs could proove to be quite exciting.
One team that I'm looking forward to watching is the Estevan Bruins. Don't let their fifth place position in the Sherwood Conference fool you. This team has strong goaltending with Tommy Legault, maybe the best offensive depth in the Sherwood Conference, and an underrated coach and recruiter in Kerry Biette. The only thing hindering Estevan is their defence.
*** Quick Story ***
Saturday night I called a game in Estevan where the Bruins cruised to a 4-1 win over the North Stars. The lone Stars goal came with less than two minutes to go in the third period off the stick of tough guy Tony Oak. Oak stole the puck away from Bruins d-man Mike Dopko and scored.
During the broadcast I happened to say something like, "Wow. What was Dopko thinking! That was an awful give away."
24 hours later I returned home to the Battlefords and saw that I had a new voice-mail.
Apparently Mike Dopko's father listened to my broadcast from Makwa, SK and thought it would be a good idea to call my house and berate me for calling out his kid. He told me how, "His son is a local who's had to proove a lot of people wrong and that upon hearing my comments he was demoralized and hurt."
Here's a thought.
Next time you're team has a 4-0 lead in the third period, don't blindly throw the puck up the middle in your own defensive zone!
Mr. Dopko than proceeded to call me a few hours later. Not only did he wake me up from a splendid sleep but he then repeated himself verbatim from his voice mail.
In the end we parted on good terms and he actually had some pretty positive things to say about my broadcasting. But I find the situation hilarious!
Who does that?!? Your son's team won 4-1, and yet you still feel the need to protect the family name by calling the radio announcer at his home?
At least I know that people are listening.
Upset of the Week:
A big surprise this week was the Melfort Mustangs, who came back from a 3-2 deficit to defeat the Humboldt Broncos in a shootout on Wednesday. The Mustangs are battling it out with the Nipawin Hawks for third place in the Itech Conference, and heading into the weekend only one point separates the two teams in the standings.
In the Battlefords things are intensifying as the home-stretch of the regular season draws near. The Stars are winless in their past six games, and still remain just three points ahead of the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
We could end up having a situation where a 12 win team makes it to the post-season in the Itech (North Stars), and a 26 win team down South does not advance (Notre Dame Hounds).
That's it for this week, I'm on vacation next week in Vancouver so you can expect another update in two weeks.
The SJHL trade deadline has come and gone and much like the AJHL there was nothing earth shattering to report.
The Humboldt Broncos added a veteran goaltender (Matt Larochelle) and a play-making defenceman (Joel Belair) and Melville added an extra goalie, forward and d-man to their fold too. Other than that, none of the big-names tossed around last week were dealt. Rylan Schwartz and Tommy Brown are still with their respective teams which means that the playoffs could proove to be quite exciting.
One team that I'm looking forward to watching is the Estevan Bruins. Don't let their fifth place position in the Sherwood Conference fool you. This team has strong goaltending with Tommy Legault, maybe the best offensive depth in the Sherwood Conference, and an underrated coach and recruiter in Kerry Biette. The only thing hindering Estevan is their defence.
*** Quick Story ***
Saturday night I called a game in Estevan where the Bruins cruised to a 4-1 win over the North Stars. The lone Stars goal came with less than two minutes to go in the third period off the stick of tough guy Tony Oak. Oak stole the puck away from Bruins d-man Mike Dopko and scored.
During the broadcast I happened to say something like, "Wow. What was Dopko thinking! That was an awful give away."
24 hours later I returned home to the Battlefords and saw that I had a new voice-mail.
Apparently Mike Dopko's father listened to my broadcast from Makwa, SK and thought it would be a good idea to call my house and berate me for calling out his kid. He told me how, "His son is a local who's had to proove a lot of people wrong and that upon hearing my comments he was demoralized and hurt."
Here's a thought.
Next time you're team has a 4-0 lead in the third period, don't blindly throw the puck up the middle in your own defensive zone!
Mr. Dopko than proceeded to call me a few hours later. Not only did he wake me up from a splendid sleep but he then repeated himself verbatim from his voice mail.
In the end we parted on good terms and he actually had some pretty positive things to say about my broadcasting. But I find the situation hilarious!
Who does that?!? Your son's team won 4-1, and yet you still feel the need to protect the family name by calling the radio announcer at his home?
At least I know that people are listening.
Upset of the Week:
A big surprise this week was the Melfort Mustangs, who came back from a 3-2 deficit to defeat the Humboldt Broncos in a shootout on Wednesday. The Mustangs are battling it out with the Nipawin Hawks for third place in the Itech Conference, and heading into the weekend only one point separates the two teams in the standings.
In the Battlefords things are intensifying as the home-stretch of the regular season draws near. The Stars are winless in their past six games, and still remain just three points ahead of the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
We could end up having a situation where a 12 win team makes it to the post-season in the Itech (North Stars), and a 26 win team down South does not advance (Notre Dame Hounds).
That's it for this week, I'm on vacation next week in Vancouver so you can expect another update in two weeks.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
THURSDAY
For the first time since December 20th the Bonnyville Pontiacs scored the first goal last night. They got the first two to be exact. Shawn Bates scored his 16th just over six minutes into the game while Craig Cuthbert tallied on the powerplay adding to his team leading total with his 19th and giving the Pontiacs the 2-0 lead after one.
Just like the Pontiacs have done many times over their last 5 games the Oil Barrons were down early but able to rally with three unanswered in the 2nd period. The Pontiacs peppered MOB netminder Kirby Halcrow in third with Fort Mac not getting their first shot of the period until the 11 minute mark. Halcrow stood tall in the net but it was all star defenceman Steven Seigo scoring the tying marker with 2:58 to play.
Matthew Register would end it in overtime with a powerplay goal. Regi put his head down and blasted a cannon of a shot blocker side on Halcrow from just outside the top of the circle. It was the big defenceman's 10th of the year and second game winner.
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Perhaps the Storm brass know some we don't. This is the headline from the G.P. website as of this morning.
Home
Current NewsNews Archives >>-->
MACLEAN FOUR-POINTER IN WIN OVER PONTIACS
If they have figured out a way to get their reporting done before the games are even played I might have a lot more free time on my hands.
I shouldn't point out other people's minor mistakes because I make more than enough of my own but I did enjoy this little piece of possible foreshadowing.
The headline of course should read "Win over Bobcats" as the Storm continue to roll through the North Division.
One of the matchups of the year will be Tuesday night in Grande Prairie when the Saints go to visit.
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Check out this fantastic recap of a fans perspective of the WJHC from our own Nick Kuhl available here.
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There are stories from every team in this league giving back to their community. This one is from Brooks.
This possible future Bandit was a part of Q13's 12 days of Christmas charity promotion. Devon is a big Rob Gunderson fan so RBK presented him with a set of matching goal pads. The Bandits then had Devon on the ice for practice with most of the team staying well after to continue to skate and take shots at the young netminder.
Thanks to Bruce Barker for sending me the story.
Just like the Pontiacs have done many times over their last 5 games the Oil Barrons were down early but able to rally with three unanswered in the 2nd period. The Pontiacs peppered MOB netminder Kirby Halcrow in third with Fort Mac not getting their first shot of the period until the 11 minute mark. Halcrow stood tall in the net but it was all star defenceman Steven Seigo scoring the tying marker with 2:58 to play.
Matthew Register would end it in overtime with a powerplay goal. Regi put his head down and blasted a cannon of a shot blocker side on Halcrow from just outside the top of the circle. It was the big defenceman's 10th of the year and second game winner.
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Perhaps the Storm brass know some we don't. This is the headline from the G.P. website as of this morning.
Home
Current NewsNews Archives >>-->
MACLEAN FOUR-POINTER IN WIN OVER PONTIACS
If they have figured out a way to get their reporting done before the games are even played I might have a lot more free time on my hands.
I shouldn't point out other people's minor mistakes because I make more than enough of my own but I did enjoy this little piece of possible foreshadowing.
The headline of course should read "Win over Bobcats" as the Storm continue to roll through the North Division.
One of the matchups of the year will be Tuesday night in Grande Prairie when the Saints go to visit.
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Check out this fantastic recap of a fans perspective of the WJHC from our own Nick Kuhl available here.
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There are stories from every team in this league giving back to their community. This one is from Brooks.
This possible future Bandit was a part of Q13's 12 days of Christmas charity promotion. Devon is a big Rob Gunderson fan so RBK presented him with a set of matching goal pads. The Bandits then had Devon on the ice for practice with most of the team staying well after to continue to skate and take shots at the young netminder.
Thanks to Bruce Barker for sending me the story.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Hello hockey fans in Bonnyville and those listening around the globe courtesy of the world wide web. This is the Telephone Connections Pregame Show on B and R Eckles Pontiacs Hockey. I am Robb Hunter.
A playoff atmosphere in January. The Pontiacs and Oil Barrons are on a collision course with the first round of the playoffs.
With the Pontiacs 8 points back of Sherwood Park and the MOB 8 points ahead of St. Albert it is looking more and more likely Bonnyville and Fort McMurray will be first round dance partners with home ice advantage still up for grabs. These two points tonight will go a long way to deciding who leads... Thickwood Heights or RJ Lalonde. Two buildings that visiting teams have trouble getting wins in.
Fort Mac does have a win at the RJ this year but the Pontiacs lead the season series 3 games to 2. Mirwaldt or Henry, Dubetz and Bates, Stebner, Seigo, Legatto and Pugh. Know the names because the reality is both teams will be dancing with their stars.
Tonight, it's the Oil Barrons and the Pontiacs only on Kool 101.3
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It was just a good excuse to throw up an awesome pic of a classic wagon. I'm not slowly going crazy.... yet.
A playoff atmosphere in January. The Pontiacs and Oil Barrons are on a collision course with the first round of the playoffs.
With the Pontiacs 8 points back of Sherwood Park and the MOB 8 points ahead of St. Albert it is looking more and more likely Bonnyville and Fort McMurray will be first round dance partners with home ice advantage still up for grabs. These two points tonight will go a long way to deciding who leads... Thickwood Heights or RJ Lalonde. Two buildings that visiting teams have trouble getting wins in.
Fort Mac does have a win at the RJ this year but the Pontiacs lead the season series 3 games to 2. Mirwaldt or Henry, Dubetz and Bates, Stebner, Seigo, Legatto and Pugh. Know the names because the reality is both teams will be dancing with their stars.
Tonight, it's the Oil Barrons and the Pontiacs only on Kool 101.3
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It was just a good excuse to throw up an awesome pic of a classic wagon. I'm not slowly going crazy.... yet.
WEDNESDAY
The Bonnyville Pontiacs have added another all star. Ashton Hewson has been named to the North Division all star team as an injury replacement. The only problem is that he's replacing his own teammate as Kirk Belyk won't be able to participate in the game.
Hewson has 31 points (13g, 18a) in 27 games with the Pontiacs this season. He's clutch as 5 of those 13 goals have also been game winners.
Stay tuned for another announcement of a possible Pontiacs related addition to the all star game. We should have more details later this afternoon or tomorrow.
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Sorry this was overlooked last week as it was kind of a given but the Pontiacs officially clinched a playoff spot with the 6-5 win over St. Albert on January 2nd.
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The Pontiacs are on the ice this morning at 10:00 for a quick pregame skate.
Bonnyville has a 3-2 edge in the season series against the Fort McMurray Oil Barrons and the way it sits right now the Pontiacs and MOB would face off in the first round of the playoffs.
Fort Mac is coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to Sherwood Park on Sunday afternoon after a good two game home set against Grande Prairie where they picked up 3 of a possible 4 points from the Storm.
The Pontiacs are coming off their own disappointment with a 7-5 loss on home ice to Lloydminster on Friday night but rebounded on the road with a 4-2 win in St. Albert Sunday afternoon.
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Join us after the game tonight in the Weatherford lounge inside the Centennial Centre for the Bear Slashing post game show. We will have a coach and a player join us up there for all the home games this year.
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I would not have wanted to be on that bus heading from Drayton Valley to Grande Prairie last night.
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I don't think I've ever seen so much arguing over one word before. "Panel".
Would the act of being on a Panel and doing work on that Panel actually be called Paneling?
What if all the people on that Panel worked for radio stations?
What if the readers of the Panel's word thought they were all on some sort of band wagon.
Would that be Stationwagon Paneling? Would Stationwagon Panelling? Wood?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
TUESDAY
A look at the teams with the highest scoring defence pairing. Understand that these are just the two highest scoring defencemen on each team, they don't neccessarily play together as a pair.
Spruce Grove -- Connor Hardowa 14-37-52 Brendan Lines 10-18-28
Total 80 points
Okotoks -- Justin Daigle 7-22-29 Nicholas Bell 7-18-25
Total 54 points
Sherwood Park -- D'Lane Sather 9-19-28 Josh Lee 6-18-24
Total 52 points
Olds -- Curtis deBruyn 6-24-30 Wade Bergman 7-15-22
Total 52 points
Camrose -- Jacob Johnston 7-23-30 Dylan Olsen 7-14-21
Total 51 points
Brooks -- Chris Markiewicz 6-29-35 DJ McDougall 2-13-15
Total 50 points
Bonnyville -- Steven Seigo 10-17-27 Matthew Register 9-13-22
Total 49 points
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Here's a good primer for the BCHL trade deadline.
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A list of NHL Crentral Scouting's mid season rankings is available here.
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From AJHL.ca
Ramada AJHL Player of the Week – January 5th-11th, 2009
January 12, 2009
Jared Jagow of the Lloydminster Bobcats is the Ramada AJHL Player of the Week and the first ever recipient of the award. During the week of January 5th – 11th, Jagow registered 3 goals and 6 points in two games, including a 5 point night in Bonnyville on January 9th, 2009. He is currently enjoying a 5 game goal streak and 10 game point streak.
The 20 year-old forward is second in team scoring with 45 points in 29 games played this season. Jagow is tied for 16th overall in the AJHL Scoring Race, and leads the League with 1.6 points per game. Jared will represent the Bobcats as a member of the North Division All-Star Team at the upcoming 2009 Scott Safety AJHL All-Star Game in Calgary on January 31st.
The AJHL is proud to partner with Ramada Worldwide to recognize the AJHL Player of the Week for the remainder of the 2008-2009 AJHL Season. Ramada Worldwide is a global presence, with over 850 locations in 35 countries. Whether guests are looking for a full-service experience or simply a convenient, affordable stop in their travels, they’ll find a Ramada hotel perfectly suited to fit their needs.
Spruce Grove -- Connor Hardowa 14-37-52 Brendan Lines 10-18-28
Total 80 points
Okotoks -- Justin Daigle 7-22-29 Nicholas Bell 7-18-25
Total 54 points
Sherwood Park -- D'Lane Sather 9-19-28 Josh Lee 6-18-24
Total 52 points
Olds -- Curtis deBruyn 6-24-30 Wade Bergman 7-15-22
Total 52 points
Camrose -- Jacob Johnston 7-23-30 Dylan Olsen 7-14-21
Total 51 points
Brooks -- Chris Markiewicz 6-29-35 DJ McDougall 2-13-15
Total 50 points
Bonnyville -- Steven Seigo 10-17-27 Matthew Register 9-13-22
Total 49 points
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Here's a good primer for the BCHL trade deadline.
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A list of NHL Crentral Scouting's mid season rankings is available here.
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From AJHL.ca
Ramada AJHL Player of the Week – January 5th-11th, 2009
January 12, 2009
Jared Jagow of the Lloydminster Bobcats is the Ramada AJHL Player of the Week and the first ever recipient of the award. During the week of January 5th – 11th, Jagow registered 3 goals and 6 points in two games, including a 5 point night in Bonnyville on January 9th, 2009. He is currently enjoying a 5 game goal streak and 10 game point streak.
The 20 year-old forward is second in team scoring with 45 points in 29 games played this season. Jagow is tied for 16th overall in the AJHL Scoring Race, and leads the League with 1.6 points per game. Jared will represent the Bobcats as a member of the North Division All-Star Team at the upcoming 2009 Scott Safety AJHL All-Star Game in Calgary on January 31st.
The AJHL is proud to partner with Ramada Worldwide to recognize the AJHL Player of the Week for the remainder of the 2008-2009 AJHL Season. Ramada Worldwide is a global presence, with over 850 locations in 35 countries. Whether guests are looking for a full-service experience or simply a convenient, affordable stop in their travels, they’ll find a Ramada hotel perfectly suited to fit their needs.
Monday, January 12, 2009
POWER RANKINGS
Power Rankings on TheRobbHunter.com are compiled by a panel of media members who follow the AJHL and are based on a combination of last week's play and a squad's overall outlook. Last weeks rankings are in ().
1. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- Remember, remember the 5th of November? That's the last time the Saints lost in regulation until Thursday night when the Kodiaks were able to break the point streak. Saints will be fine since no team picked up Guy Fawkes at the deadline.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- Had a chance to possibly overtake the Saints in the Power Rankings if they could have swept the Oil Barrons but Thickwood Heights is just too tough a building to take 4 points out of.
3. Sherwood Park Crusaders (3) -- Three wins this week proves we weren't wrong ranking them this high last week.
4. Okotoks Oilers (4) -- Big win over Brooks on Wednesday gives them some breathing room atop the south division standings. Newcomer Jeremy Roberts picked up two points in his Oiler debut.
5. Camrose Kodiaks (13) -- You didn't? Oh yes we did. The largest jump ever on the power rankings as the Kods are now on a 4 game winning streak where the beat both Spruce Grove and Okotoks. They've solidified their goaltending and are now officially the team no one wants to play in the first round of the playoffs.
6. Olds Grizzlys (5) -- Lost to the Canucks this week drops them in the rankings because the two wins against depleted Canmore doesn't boost their strength of schedule enough.
7. Brooks Bandits (6) -- Beat Drumheller and lost to Okotoks this week. The Bandits now boast a stellar goaltending tandem of Gunderson and Torris with Komistek now out of town.
8. Fort McMurray Oil Barrons (8) -- Three out of 4 points against Grande Prairie is impressive. Getting blown out of Sherwood Park isn't.
9. Bonnyville Pontiacs(7) -- Injuries still a factor. The Pontiacs seem unable to put a long string of wins together and will have to find their game this week with Fort McMurray in town Wednesday and G.P. visiting the RJ Lalondefor two on the weekend.
10. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) -- Seven wins in their last 10 games the Cats have a pair of lines that can score, solid goaltending and a don't quit attitude
11. Calgary Canucks (9) -- Another solid week for the Canucks with wins against Olds and Drayton Valley. Probably deserve to be higher but who would you move lower in the rankings?
12. St. Albert Steel (11) -- Big win over Lloyd in overtime on Wednesday could also be higher and would be if they didn't play in the toughest division in all of Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey.
13. Drumheller Dragons (12) -- After losing to Brooks and Okotoks the schedule doesn't get any easier with a game against Sherwood Park and rematches with the Bandits and Oilers.
14. Canmore Eagles (14) -- Things aren't all bad. This team will make the playoffs.
15. Calgary Royals (16) -- The Royals move up one spot as they won this week. It's now Drayton Valley's turn to win a game.
16. Drayton Valley Thunder (15) -- Who would win a 7 game series between the Thunder and the Royals?
1. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- Remember, remember the 5th of November? That's the last time the Saints lost in regulation until Thursday night when the Kodiaks were able to break the point streak. Saints will be fine since no team picked up Guy Fawkes at the deadline.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- Had a chance to possibly overtake the Saints in the Power Rankings if they could have swept the Oil Barrons but Thickwood Heights is just too tough a building to take 4 points out of.
3. Sherwood Park Crusaders (3) -- Three wins this week proves we weren't wrong ranking them this high last week.
4. Okotoks Oilers (4) -- Big win over Brooks on Wednesday gives them some breathing room atop the south division standings. Newcomer Jeremy Roberts picked up two points in his Oiler debut.
5. Camrose Kodiaks (13) -- You didn't? Oh yes we did. The largest jump ever on the power rankings as the Kods are now on a 4 game winning streak where the beat both Spruce Grove and Okotoks. They've solidified their goaltending and are now officially the team no one wants to play in the first round of the playoffs.
6. Olds Grizzlys (5) -- Lost to the Canucks this week drops them in the rankings because the two wins against depleted Canmore doesn't boost their strength of schedule enough.
7. Brooks Bandits (6) -- Beat Drumheller and lost to Okotoks this week. The Bandits now boast a stellar goaltending tandem of Gunderson and Torris with Komistek now out of town.
8. Fort McMurray Oil Barrons (8) -- Three out of 4 points against Grande Prairie is impressive. Getting blown out of Sherwood Park isn't.
9. Bonnyville Pontiacs(7) -- Injuries still a factor. The Pontiacs seem unable to put a long string of wins together and will have to find their game this week with Fort McMurray in town Wednesday and G.P. visiting the RJ Lalondefor two on the weekend.
10. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) -- Seven wins in their last 10 games the Cats have a pair of lines that can score, solid goaltending and a don't quit attitude
11. Calgary Canucks (9) -- Another solid week for the Canucks with wins against Olds and Drayton Valley. Probably deserve to be higher but who would you move lower in the rankings?
12. St. Albert Steel (11) -- Big win over Lloyd in overtime on Wednesday could also be higher and would be if they didn't play in the toughest division in all of Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey.
13. Drumheller Dragons (12) -- After losing to Brooks and Okotoks the schedule doesn't get any easier with a game against Sherwood Park and rematches with the Bandits and Oilers.
14. Canmore Eagles (14) -- Things aren't all bad. This team will make the playoffs.
15. Calgary Royals (16) -- The Royals move up one spot as they won this week. It's now Drayton Valley's turn to win a game.
16. Drayton Valley Thunder (15) -- Who would win a 7 game series between the Thunder and the Royals?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
SUNDAY
No moves on Deadline day for the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
We talked to Chad Mercier about what happened with his team at the deadline:
http://www.box.net/shared/fud2jgk7hr
There's a reason the AJHL doesn't post trades until they are officially done.
We talked to Chad Mercier about what happened with his team at the deadline:
http://www.box.net/shared/fud2jgk7hr
There's a reason the AJHL doesn't post trades until they are officially done.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday Night
Still no word out of the pontiac camp with regards to any trades but i believe coach and general manager Chad Mercier will be working the phones right up to the 11:00pm deadline. If anything gets done it likely won't be released till tomorrow.
SATURDAY - DEADLINE DAY
All is quiet so far on the trade front. While it seems there isn't much happening around the whole league I can say that at least from a Pontiacs perspective there isn't anything done as of right now.
If a move is going to happen for Bonnyville it would likely involve an out of province player. Not that I'm aware of anything they are close to but I would just assume that by taking a look around what might be available right here in the AJHL. With so many teams refusing to sell there doesn't look like there is much out there for Alberta talent.
Of note, the Hockey Canada trade deadline for import moves is 7:00 Alberta time tonight. The AJHL deadline is 11:00 tonight so any trade for an out of province player has to get done by 7:00 and an intraleague deal has four more hours to be completed.
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I certainly didn't expect there to be 12 goals scored last night. The Pontiacs dug themselves a hole that was just too large to climb out of last night. Give the Bobcats credit for capitalizing on every opportunity they were given. Jared Jagow showed Pontiacs fans why he's the Cats representative to the All Star game in Calgary at the end of the month and despite giving up 5 goals Calvin Bartel also deserves an honorable mention for his work last night.
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Great crowd last night at the RJ. Despite a number of other large community events going on in Bonnyville one of the largest crowds of the year showed up. Hopefully the crowds continue to grow down the stretch drive.
If a move is going to happen for Bonnyville it would likely involve an out of province player. Not that I'm aware of anything they are close to but I would just assume that by taking a look around what might be available right here in the AJHL. With so many teams refusing to sell there doesn't look like there is much out there for Alberta talent.
Of note, the Hockey Canada trade deadline for import moves is 7:00 Alberta time tonight. The AJHL deadline is 11:00 tonight so any trade for an out of province player has to get done by 7:00 and an intraleague deal has four more hours to be completed.
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I certainly didn't expect there to be 12 goals scored last night. The Pontiacs dug themselves a hole that was just too large to climb out of last night. Give the Bobcats credit for capitalizing on every opportunity they were given. Jared Jagow showed Pontiacs fans why he's the Cats representative to the All Star game in Calgary at the end of the month and despite giving up 5 goals Calvin Bartel also deserves an honorable mention for his work last night.
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Great crowd last night at the RJ. Despite a number of other large community events going on in Bonnyville one of the largest crowds of the year showed up. Hopefully the crowds continue to grow down the stretch drive.
Friday, January 9, 2009
MORE FRIDAY
My conversation with Coach/GM Chad Mercier this morning:
http://www.box.net/shared/44z4re3ai1
Chad told me after we were done recording that Greg Hennessey is, in fact, still out of the lineup but all the other guys who were day to day last weekend are ready for tonight.
Henny got some good news with his MRI this week. While he's going to be out for a while his junior career isn't over. He will be back before the playoffs.
http://www.box.net/shared/44z4re3ai1
Chad told me after we were done recording that Greg Hennessey is, in fact, still out of the lineup but all the other guys who were day to day last weekend are ready for tonight.
Henny got some good news with his MRI this week. While he's going to be out for a while his junior career isn't over. He will be back before the playoffs.
FRIDAY
A couple more WJHC pic's courtesy of Nick Kuhl.
I know there are a number of loyal readers from south of the border but I can't resist.
Did Scotiabank Place misplace the U.S. flag?
Nick with Gary Bettman.I don't know for sure but I'm willing to bet there was a long heated exchange about the no touch icing rule being adopted by the NHL.
INSIDE THE SJHL
By: Dan O’Connor – Voice of the North Stars
I’d like to just start by saying that it’s a privilege to be contributing to this blog. I hope that Robb and his three loyal readers enjoy a little more insight into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
I’m kidding Robb.
The January 10th trade deadline is two days away, and by all accounts I’m expecting a rather quiet deadline on the SJ front.
The biggest trade may have already happened during the holiday break when the La Ronge Ice Wolves traded 20-year-old goaltender Jonathan Jobin to Nanaimo in exchange for 18-year-old goaltender Mark Trousdell and future considerations.
Don’t let his “less than stellar” numbers fool you. Jobin was the only reason why La Ronge is even close to a playoff spot in the Itech Conference. Nanaimo isn’t exactly a BCHL power-house, so it will be interesting to see what type of impact Jobin has in that league. As far as Trousdell’s impact in La Ronge? It’s tough to tell. The defense in La Ronge is so bad that he’ll have a tough time establishing himself until next year.
Again, I’m not expecting a ton of activity on Saturday, but because Hunter’s paying me by the word, I will go through each team and bring you some deadline predictions:
Humboldt Broncos (1st in the Itech Conference: 34-5-1-0)
The Humboldt Broncos are once again the clear favorite to come out of the Itech Conference. The defending RBC champs have a ton of depth at every position. The only question mark surrounding Humboldt is in goal. Dean Brockman’s club has two 18-year-old goalies in Andrew Bodnarchuk and Jeff Holloway. Will that inexperience come back to haunt the Bronco’s come playoff time?
The Broncos were one of the teams rumored to be pursuing Jobin from La Ronge. But nobody could really blame the La Ronge coaching staff for trading out of province. I predict that Humboldt adds another veteran forward, and they might make a run at Melfort defenceman Tommy Brown, but I’m not exactly holding my breath.
Flin Flon Bombers (2nd in the Itech Conference: 22-16-2-1)
The Bombers were struggling mightily before the holiday, but have since regained their stride. Had you asked me a month ago if Flin Flon would have a busy deadline, my answer would have been yes. But Cole Wilson, and Michael Young are healthy again, and if Reid MacLeod continues to light the lamp, Flin Flon might just be the team that makes a run at Humboldt.
Nipawin Hawks (3RD in the Itech Conference: 14-17-0-2)
If there is a dark-horse in the Itech the Nipawin Hawks get my vote. This team was in shambles for the first three months of the season, but have since turned a corner. The re-addition of Brett Ottman and the emergence of Shael Hechter has given Nipawin the offensive consistency that it has so badly craved. There was some speculation that Hawk’s leading scorer Torey Dyck might get moved, but with the way that Nipawin is rolling right now I just don’t see it happening.
Melfort Mustangs (4TH in the Itech Conference: 16-22-1-2)
The Melfort Mustangs are an anomaly. They have enough potential to make a run, but they may also be the most inconsistent team in the SJHL. Look for either all-star defenseman Tommy Brown or 20-year-old forward Kyle Fraser to be dealt. The Mustangs have ton a tremendous job of building for the future, but they don’t have the tools to make a run this year.
Battlefords North Stars (5th in the Itech Conference: 12-24-3-0)
The North Stars only have three 20-year-olds and none of the three have expressed interest in leaving the Battlefords. Bonnyville Pontiac fans will be happy to know that Chris Jung has garnered a lot of interest from several colleges down south, which likely means that he’s staying put. Josh Clare and Nick Martin are the only two other 20-year-olds and Ken Pearson has said repeatedly that he’d have to be “blown away” in order to trade any of his 20 year olds. Ken Pearson has said that he wants to add one more forward, but it won’t compromise the roster in place right now. After a five win season the Stars are on the verge of returning to the playoffs, and they have enough youth on this team to make a better run at the Itech next year.
La Ronge Ice Wolves (6th in the Itech Conference: 11-29-2-0)
Bob Beatty won’t admit it, but the trading of Jon Jobin likely means that La Ronge is folding the tent on this season. They still have a few older players that will likely be gone before too long. 20-year-old Dustin Stevenson could be a great asset to a team like Humboldt or Melville, and 20-year-old winger Everett Lerner would be a great fit on a contender’s second or third line.
Now to the Sherwood Conference.
Melville Millionaires (1st in the Sherwood Conference: 28-10-3-0)
The Mill’s are in good shape to make a run at the SJHL title. Their defense and goaltending is tremendous and as long as they can stay healthy down the stretch, they are definitely the favorite in the Sherwood. The Mil’s could definitely stand to add an Everett Lerner or a Dustin Stevenson from La Ronge and look for them to make a run at one or both of those guys.
Weyburn Red Wings (2nd in the Sherwood Conference: 27-15-1-0)
The Weyburn Red Wings are one of the oldest team’s in the SJHL which means:It’s now or never.The Wings have great depth, an underrated defense-core, and AJ Whiffen is still one of the best goaltenders in the league. I’ve heard from several sources that Weyburn has already inquired about adding a second-line center to the fold. Do they accomplish this within the SJ? Doubtful. But I’m looking for Weyburn to challenge Melville for Sherwood supremacy irregardless of any deadline deals.
Yorkton Terriers (3rd in the Sherwood Conference: 21-14-0-5)
Much like the Nipawin Hawks of the Itech, the Terriers are the “chin-scratcher” of the Sherwood division. They’ve got an underrated defense, a great goaltender in Devon Peters, but I strongly feel that they lack the necessary offence to go far in the playoffs. Look for Yorkton to add some toughness at the deadline.
Kindersley Klippers (4th in the Sherwood Conference: 21-12-0-4)
This team needs offensive depth! Aside from Brett Leedahl, Kirk Pearce and Jordan Braid, this team has very little offence. I strongly doubt that the coaching staff is willing to split up the top-line come playoff time. But one thing the Klippers do have is youth, and look for them to be a player in the Everett Lerner sweeptakes.
Estevan Bruins (5TH in the Sherwood Conference: 18-19-2-4)
This team is way better than the record indicates. Offensively there may not be a team with as much depth in the Sherwood Conference. The only thing hindering the Bruins is their lack of speed and defense. A Dustin Stevenson would work wonders for this team. I really like the B’s chances to upset a team or two in the post-season.
Notre Dame Hounds (6th in the Sherwood Conference: 17-24)
There have been a few grumblings from around the league that the Hounds are possibly looking to trade Rylan Schwartz.Think again!This team would have to literally be blown away in order to trade their home-grown superstar. Yes he’s got a scholarship next year, and yes he’d probably like to play for a winner, but I still think Schwartz’s loyalty is too strong. Look for the Hounds to stand-pat at the deadline.
Hope this insight helps you out. I look forward to contributing more to Robb’s blog.
Dan O’Connor host’s the “Co-Op Leisure Time Sports Fix” every Monday at 8:00 CST on www.cjnb.com.
I’d like to just start by saying that it’s a privilege to be contributing to this blog. I hope that Robb and his three loyal readers enjoy a little more insight into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
I’m kidding Robb.
The January 10th trade deadline is two days away, and by all accounts I’m expecting a rather quiet deadline on the SJ front.
The biggest trade may have already happened during the holiday break when the La Ronge Ice Wolves traded 20-year-old goaltender Jonathan Jobin to Nanaimo in exchange for 18-year-old goaltender Mark Trousdell and future considerations.
Don’t let his “less than stellar” numbers fool you. Jobin was the only reason why La Ronge is even close to a playoff spot in the Itech Conference. Nanaimo isn’t exactly a BCHL power-house, so it will be interesting to see what type of impact Jobin has in that league. As far as Trousdell’s impact in La Ronge? It’s tough to tell. The defense in La Ronge is so bad that he’ll have a tough time establishing himself until next year.
Again, I’m not expecting a ton of activity on Saturday, but because Hunter’s paying me by the word, I will go through each team and bring you some deadline predictions:
Humboldt Broncos (1st in the Itech Conference: 34-5-1-0)
The Humboldt Broncos are once again the clear favorite to come out of the Itech Conference. The defending RBC champs have a ton of depth at every position. The only question mark surrounding Humboldt is in goal. Dean Brockman’s club has two 18-year-old goalies in Andrew Bodnarchuk and Jeff Holloway. Will that inexperience come back to haunt the Bronco’s come playoff time?
The Broncos were one of the teams rumored to be pursuing Jobin from La Ronge. But nobody could really blame the La Ronge coaching staff for trading out of province. I predict that Humboldt adds another veteran forward, and they might make a run at Melfort defenceman Tommy Brown, but I’m not exactly holding my breath.
Flin Flon Bombers (2nd in the Itech Conference: 22-16-2-1)
The Bombers were struggling mightily before the holiday, but have since regained their stride. Had you asked me a month ago if Flin Flon would have a busy deadline, my answer would have been yes. But Cole Wilson, and Michael Young are healthy again, and if Reid MacLeod continues to light the lamp, Flin Flon might just be the team that makes a run at Humboldt.
Nipawin Hawks (3RD in the Itech Conference: 14-17-0-2)
If there is a dark-horse in the Itech the Nipawin Hawks get my vote. This team was in shambles for the first three months of the season, but have since turned a corner. The re-addition of Brett Ottman and the emergence of Shael Hechter has given Nipawin the offensive consistency that it has so badly craved. There was some speculation that Hawk’s leading scorer Torey Dyck might get moved, but with the way that Nipawin is rolling right now I just don’t see it happening.
Melfort Mustangs (4TH in the Itech Conference: 16-22-1-2)
The Melfort Mustangs are an anomaly. They have enough potential to make a run, but they may also be the most inconsistent team in the SJHL. Look for either all-star defenseman Tommy Brown or 20-year-old forward Kyle Fraser to be dealt. The Mustangs have ton a tremendous job of building for the future, but they don’t have the tools to make a run this year.
Battlefords North Stars (5th in the Itech Conference: 12-24-3-0)
The North Stars only have three 20-year-olds and none of the three have expressed interest in leaving the Battlefords. Bonnyville Pontiac fans will be happy to know that Chris Jung has garnered a lot of interest from several colleges down south, which likely means that he’s staying put. Josh Clare and Nick Martin are the only two other 20-year-olds and Ken Pearson has said repeatedly that he’d have to be “blown away” in order to trade any of his 20 year olds. Ken Pearson has said that he wants to add one more forward, but it won’t compromise the roster in place right now. After a five win season the Stars are on the verge of returning to the playoffs, and they have enough youth on this team to make a better run at the Itech next year.
La Ronge Ice Wolves (6th in the Itech Conference: 11-29-2-0)
Bob Beatty won’t admit it, but the trading of Jon Jobin likely means that La Ronge is folding the tent on this season. They still have a few older players that will likely be gone before too long. 20-year-old Dustin Stevenson could be a great asset to a team like Humboldt or Melville, and 20-year-old winger Everett Lerner would be a great fit on a contender’s second or third line.
Now to the Sherwood Conference.
Melville Millionaires (1st in the Sherwood Conference: 28-10-3-0)
The Mill’s are in good shape to make a run at the SJHL title. Their defense and goaltending is tremendous and as long as they can stay healthy down the stretch, they are definitely the favorite in the Sherwood. The Mil’s could definitely stand to add an Everett Lerner or a Dustin Stevenson from La Ronge and look for them to make a run at one or both of those guys.
Weyburn Red Wings (2nd in the Sherwood Conference: 27-15-1-0)
The Weyburn Red Wings are one of the oldest team’s in the SJHL which means:It’s now or never.The Wings have great depth, an underrated defense-core, and AJ Whiffen is still one of the best goaltenders in the league. I’ve heard from several sources that Weyburn has already inquired about adding a second-line center to the fold. Do they accomplish this within the SJ? Doubtful. But I’m looking for Weyburn to challenge Melville for Sherwood supremacy irregardless of any deadline deals.
Yorkton Terriers (3rd in the Sherwood Conference: 21-14-0-5)
Much like the Nipawin Hawks of the Itech, the Terriers are the “chin-scratcher” of the Sherwood division. They’ve got an underrated defense, a great goaltender in Devon Peters, but I strongly feel that they lack the necessary offence to go far in the playoffs. Look for Yorkton to add some toughness at the deadline.
Kindersley Klippers (4th in the Sherwood Conference: 21-12-0-4)
This team needs offensive depth! Aside from Brett Leedahl, Kirk Pearce and Jordan Braid, this team has very little offence. I strongly doubt that the coaching staff is willing to split up the top-line come playoff time. But one thing the Klippers do have is youth, and look for them to be a player in the Everett Lerner sweeptakes.
Estevan Bruins (5TH in the Sherwood Conference: 18-19-2-4)
This team is way better than the record indicates. Offensively there may not be a team with as much depth in the Sherwood Conference. The only thing hindering the Bruins is their lack of speed and defense. A Dustin Stevenson would work wonders for this team. I really like the B’s chances to upset a team or two in the post-season.
Notre Dame Hounds (6th in the Sherwood Conference: 17-24)
There have been a few grumblings from around the league that the Hounds are possibly looking to trade Rylan Schwartz.Think again!This team would have to literally be blown away in order to trade their home-grown superstar. Yes he’s got a scholarship next year, and yes he’d probably like to play for a winner, but I still think Schwartz’s loyalty is too strong. Look for the Hounds to stand-pat at the deadline.
Hope this insight helps you out. I look forward to contributing more to Robb’s blog.
Dan O’Connor host’s the “Co-Op Leisure Time Sports Fix” every Monday at 8:00 CST on www.cjnb.com.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
THURSDAY
A couple of 'on the way home pics' from the world juniors.
My buddy Jason Daffy with the cup.
Cup on a plane.
Pictures are courtesy of good friend Nick Kuhl who does colour on our broadcasts when the Pontiacs travel to Grande Prairie.
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While it's great to have Lucas Isley back in Bonnyville as his return to the lineup will have an impact the rest of the team better not think things are now going to be easy. There is still a lot of work left to be done.
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On paper I was really looking forward to two games last night. Turns out only one of those games was any good. The battle of the top two teams in the South division disappointed with Okotoks skating themselves to a 4-0 lead after two. There were 94 minutes in penalties called in the third period. The battle for 6th in the North didn't disappoint though with St. Albert scoring the final two goals in the third to come back and tie the game forcing overtime. Scott Elkow recorded his hat trick goal early in the extra frame as the Steel down Lloydminster and open up a 4 point gap for the right to avoid Grande Prairie in the first round of the playoffs.
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If the playoffs were to start today these would be the matchups.
NORTH
G.P vs. Lloydminster: The Storm are 3-0 against the Cats so far this year.
Sherwood Park vs. St. Albert: There will be 157 goals scored in this 5 game series. Through 6 matchups this year the teams are 3-3 against each other.
Bonnyville vs. Fort McMurray: A rematch of last years second round. The Pontiacs have a 3-2 edge in the season series with one win coming in double overtime.
SOUTH
Brooks vs. Canmore: The Bandits are 2-1 against the Eagles this year. All games were played during the Hudson/Odegard era.
Olds vs. Camrose: A battle of the bears first round series could turn into a classic. The Kodiaks hold a 4-2 series edge on the Grizz.
Calgary Canucks vs. Drumheller: The season series is tied at 2. For what it's worth Matthew McKay had three points in those 4 games.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
WEDNESDAY
Caught up with Lucas Isley moments before he hit the ice for practice yesterday. Listen to the interview here:
http://www.box.net/shared/7evj6ua012
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I sure am glad TSN had wall to wall coverage of Bryan McCabe's return to Toronto yesterday. I fondly remember the Norris Trophy and Cup wins.
http://www.box.net/shared/7evj6ua012
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I sure am glad TSN had wall to wall coverage of Bryan McCabe's return to Toronto yesterday. I fondly remember the Norris Trophy and Cup wins.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
With practice set to go at 2:00 Shawn Bates and Matthew Register walked into the RJ Lalonde with Lucas Isley at 1:48. Shawn and Matt had picked Lucas up in Edmoton and were delayed in an effort to get his luggage.
The luggage still didn't make it but I guess this is one player that you can guarantee won't be bringing any "excess baggage" into the locker room.
However, with some borrowed equipment, Lucas made it onto the ice just a few minutes late for the start of practice.
Isley skated on a line with Bates and Brennan Volcan in practice although I think you can expect Jeremy Gerhardt to join Bates and Isley when he is healthy. Gerhardt and fellow injured forward Rick Cey are both on the ice this afternoon but are wearing the White "I'm Injured" Jerseys. Expect both of them to be back in the lineup for Friday.
Ashton Hewson who missed the last two games with the flu is also ready to go.
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Greg Hennessey tells me he won't have a problem giving Isley back the number 89 he wore for the last three years as a Pontiac. I told Henny to at least get a steak dinner out of the deal.
The luggage still didn't make it but I guess this is one player that you can guarantee won't be bringing any "excess baggage" into the locker room.
However, with some borrowed equipment, Lucas made it onto the ice just a few minutes late for the start of practice.
Isley skated on a line with Bates and Brennan Volcan in practice although I think you can expect Jeremy Gerhardt to join Bates and Isley when he is healthy. Gerhardt and fellow injured forward Rick Cey are both on the ice this afternoon but are wearing the White "I'm Injured" Jerseys. Expect both of them to be back in the lineup for Friday.
Ashton Hewson who missed the last two games with the flu is also ready to go.
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Greg Hennessey tells me he won't have a problem giving Isley back the number 89 he wore for the last three years as a Pontiac. I told Henny to at least get a steak dinner out of the deal.
TUESDAY
Lucas Isley has made it to Canada but his luggage has not so he won't be on the ice at practice today.
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How's this for a balanced attack? The Pontiacs have the 4th highest scoring offence in the league but don't have anyone on the front page of AJHL.ca's league leaders section (20 players).
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I'm off to practice. We'll have more later. Also look for a trade deadline feature.
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How's this for a balanced attack? The Pontiacs have the 4th highest scoring offence in the league but don't have anyone on the front page of AJHL.ca's league leaders section (20 players).
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I'm off to practice. We'll have more later. Also look for a trade deadline feature.
Monday, January 5, 2009
IT'S OFFICIAL
Lucas Isley travels back from Western Michigan today and will be at practice tomorrow. Isley's first game will be Friday at home when the Pontiacs host Lloydminster.
Isley had 67 points in 60 games last year with the Pontiacs and was named playoff MVP recording 4 goals 5 assists in 11 games.
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Sorry about the lack of updates the last few days. Things should be back to normal now.
Isley had 67 points in 60 games last year with the Pontiacs and was named playoff MVP recording 4 goals 5 assists in 11 games.
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Sorry about the lack of updates the last few days. Things should be back to normal now.
POWER RANKINGS
Power Rankings on TheRobbHunter.com are compiled by a panel of media members who follow the AJHL and are based on a combination of last week's play and a squad's overall outlook. Last weeks rankings are in ().
1. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- What Christmas break? The Saints pick up right where they left off, winning their first two games back by a combined score of 13-1.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- Both Matt Milne and Chad Carder are two shutouts shy of Jordan Ramstead's team shutout record. Could they both break it in the same year?
3. Sherwood Park Crusaders (7) -- A disastrous December is behind them and they get a boost in this weeks standings because they fired the first shot at the trading deadline adding Scott Hudson. The Cru now have a monopoly on overly talented undersized forwards.
4. Okotoks Oilers (6) -- After mentally checking out for the Christmas break a week too early the Oilers showed they are back and still tops in the South with a 5-1 win over Lloydminster.
5. Olds Grizzlys (4) -- Still can't find a way to beat Camrose but now have 7 wins in their last 10.
6. Brooks Bandits (3) -- A little unfair to drop this far based on one game but a last minute goal by Lloyd means they have to fall below the Grizz and Oil because those teams were able to beat the Bobcats this weekend.
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (5) -- Kirk Belyk is back and looked great in a 6-5 win against St. Albert but the Pontiacs are now missing Hewson, Hennessey, Cey and even Gerhardt left the Sherwood Park game in the first period. Anyone else on this team over 6' tall better watch out.
8. Fort McMurray (9) -- Split a pair in the Park this weekend and now get G.P. at home for two this week. The Storm are a great test to have just before the trade deadline.
9. Calgary Canucks (8) -- Tie the Storm at the Crystal Centre and then outshoot the Steel but can't score enough on Scott MacInnis. Decent road trip North for the Canucks.
10. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) -- Started their road trip well by downing Brooks but then poor starts against Okotoks and Olds led to a pair of losses. Big tests this week with games against St. Albert and Bonnyville.
11. St. Albert Steel (14) -- In their last 4 and a half periods of hockey they have outscored their opponents 7-1 but finished with just the one win against the Canucks. The battle for 6th heats up on Wednesday night.
12. Drumheller Dragons (13) -- A win over Camrose on the weekend keeps them ahead of the Kodiaks but will this team be a buyer or a seller at the deadline?
13. Camrose Kodiaks (13) -- The Kods lose to Drum but then beat Olds where do they go on deadline day? Wouldn't want to face them in the first round in the South.
14. Canmore Eagles (11) -- The Odegard sweepstakes are on as the all star defenceman awaits a trade. Will their 20 year olds also find a new home as this team looks to the future?
15. Drayton Valley Thunder (15) -- Lose to Fort Mac, Grande Prairie and Spruce Grove. They wouldn't be the only team that would lose those three straight games.
16. Calgary Royals (16) -- There isn't a violinist playing Nearer My God To Thee is there?
1. Spruce Grove Saints (1) -- What Christmas break? The Saints pick up right where they left off, winning their first two games back by a combined score of 13-1.
2. Grande Prairie Storm (2) -- Both Matt Milne and Chad Carder are two shutouts shy of Jordan Ramstead's team shutout record. Could they both break it in the same year?
3. Sherwood Park Crusaders (7) -- A disastrous December is behind them and they get a boost in this weeks standings because they fired the first shot at the trading deadline adding Scott Hudson. The Cru now have a monopoly on overly talented undersized forwards.
4. Okotoks Oilers (6) -- After mentally checking out for the Christmas break a week too early the Oilers showed they are back and still tops in the South with a 5-1 win over Lloydminster.
5. Olds Grizzlys (4) -- Still can't find a way to beat Camrose but now have 7 wins in their last 10.
6. Brooks Bandits (3) -- A little unfair to drop this far based on one game but a last minute goal by Lloyd means they have to fall below the Grizz and Oil because those teams were able to beat the Bobcats this weekend.
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (5) -- Kirk Belyk is back and looked great in a 6-5 win against St. Albert but the Pontiacs are now missing Hewson, Hennessey, Cey and even Gerhardt left the Sherwood Park game in the first period. Anyone else on this team over 6' tall better watch out.
8. Fort McMurray (9) -- Split a pair in the Park this weekend and now get G.P. at home for two this week. The Storm are a great test to have just before the trade deadline.
9. Calgary Canucks (8) -- Tie the Storm at the Crystal Centre and then outshoot the Steel but can't score enough on Scott MacInnis. Decent road trip North for the Canucks.
10. Lloydminster Bobcats (10) -- Started their road trip well by downing Brooks but then poor starts against Okotoks and Olds led to a pair of losses. Big tests this week with games against St. Albert and Bonnyville.
11. St. Albert Steel (14) -- In their last 4 and a half periods of hockey they have outscored their opponents 7-1 but finished with just the one win against the Canucks. The battle for 6th heats up on Wednesday night.
12. Drumheller Dragons (13) -- A win over Camrose on the weekend keeps them ahead of the Kodiaks but will this team be a buyer or a seller at the deadline?
13. Camrose Kodiaks (13) -- The Kods lose to Drum but then beat Olds where do they go on deadline day? Wouldn't want to face them in the first round in the South.
14. Canmore Eagles (11) -- The Odegard sweepstakes are on as the all star defenceman awaits a trade. Will their 20 year olds also find a new home as this team looks to the future?
15. Drayton Valley Thunder (15) -- Lose to Fort Mac, Grande Prairie and Spruce Grove. They wouldn't be the only team that would lose those three straight games.
16. Calgary Royals (16) -- There isn't a violinist playing Nearer My God To Thee is there?
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