The Score – Kootenay 3 - Brandon 2
What Happened – The Ice capitalized on their power play chances when they had them and when needed, goaltender Todd Mathews was superb.
The Goaltender, again – Mathews got the start – after coming in relief Tuesday and getting the win it was expected – but Nathan Lieuwen’s absence raised the alarm bells. The 17-year-old has concussion-like symptoms and wasn’t at the game – the services of G Dylan Tait from the Kimberley Dynamiters was again required – and is out at least until next weekend. Never-the-less, a confident looking Mathews was solid in the nets and his ability to play the puck adds a new dimension that Kootenay utilized Friday night.
The Hit – Brandon forward Jay Fehr collided with Linesman Scott Pryor just as the second period of the night. Best hit of the night that shook both participants up. Fehr returned for the third, Pryor didn’t and second referee Dan Cowley dusted off his Linesman skills for the rest of the game. Pryor still called penalties though.
The Goals – D Ian Barteaux, after a bouncing puck that wondered all over the Wheat King zone, finally corralled it and sent a shot to the net that Wheat King goaltender James Priestner didn’t move on… Just over two minutes later some miscommunication by the Ice blueliners had a behind the net D-to-D pass surprise Hayden Rintoul and go off his skate into the slot onto the stick of Scott Glennie. Bad idea; Glennie put it in the net before Todd Mathews even knew Glennie had the puck… Opening the second on the power play Rintoul continues his strong offensive play with a point-shot that Kevin King snared, was stopped by Priestner but he kicked the reboud right to Andrew Bailey who deposited perhaps his easiest goal of the season… With the Ice on a five-on-three power play D Brayden McNabb – returning after missing five games with a concussion – wired his 6th past Priestner. It would be the eventual game-winner… Andrew Clark would get the Wheaties close with 1:28 left in the game when he took a feed from the corner with Brandon on the power play and had it trickle through Mathews legs.
The Turning Point – With Brayden McNabb in the box for tripping and the Wheaties pressing for the tying goal on the power play Brandon takes a penalty for too-many-men. Even four-on-four Brandon was dominating but 47 seconds later they do it again, giving the Ice a five-on-three and the eventual game-winner. I’ve been watching this game for a long time and I don’t think I’ve even seen a team take back-to-back too-many-men penalties less than a minute apart.
Lots of delay – Besides the back-to-back too-many-men calls the Wheat Kings also got nailed for delay-of-game when James Priestner wouldn't play the puck early in the game and then late in the first after Scott Glennie shot the puck into the crowd at the end of the first period. The buzzer had went but just after Glennie shot it. The zebras called the penalty anyway and Coach Kelly McCrimmon was wild… Not only were the zebras busy and then short-handed but they were also late, delaying the start of the game by about 20 minutes
Better Prices – On top of signing the new lease at centre ice the club also announced at the same time that season prices were going to drop next season. Following the conclusion of this season Early Bird prices will drop $50 for an adult season ticket to $399; $60 for Seniors with a $299 price; $90 for Students 25 and under to $249 and $31 for Children’s tickets which are now $199. The Early Bird ticket deadline is May 29, 2009.
The Crowd – 2895, ironically enough the first crowd under 3000 in six weeks and on the day the club signs a 15-year lease at centre ice prior to game time.
KNA Three Stars
1. LW Kevin King – three assists
2. C Brayden Schenn – dangerous all night
3. G Todd Mathews – confident and solid all night
What it means - With the win the Ice improve to 25-20-2-5 with 57 points and 6th in the Eastern Conference. Both the Hurricanes, two points back, and the Broncos, a point up, lost in overtime but got a point each.
Up next - Kootenay is in Spokane Saturday night. The Chiefs blasted the Chilliwack Bruins 6-0 Friday night.
Game Summary:
Wheat Kings 2 @ Ice 3
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Kootenay Ice; January 30, 2009.
Kootenay Ice forward Kevin King assisted on all three Kootenay goals as the Ice when on to defeat the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-2 in WHL action Friday night.
The Ice opened the scoring on a point-shot by Ian Barteaux, with his 5th of the season, that beat Wheat King goaltender James Priestner to make it 1-0. The Wheat Kings tied it just over two minutes later when Scott Glennie got his 27th of the season to send the team into the break tied at one.
The Ice got the lead back 19 seconds into the second period with a power play goal by Andrew Bailey and then on a five-on-three power play at 13:04 of the second Brayden McNabb wired his 6th of the season to make it 3-1 Ice. The Wheaties got a late third period goal by Andrew Clark to make it close but couldn't get the equalizer.
Todd Mathews stopped 29 of 31 shots to get the win while Priestner turned aside 21 of 24 shots to take the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Barteaux 5 (King, Antilla) 17:11
2. Brandon, Glennie 27 19:20
Penalties -- Priestner Bdn (delay-of-game - served by Stone) 4:39, Pascovsky Ktn (hooking) 13:32, Glennie Bdn (delay-of-game) 20:00.
Second Period
3. Kootenay, Bailey 22 (Rintoul, King) 0:19 (pp)
4. Kootenay, McNabb 6 (King, Barteaux) 13:04 (pp)
Penalties -- Fox Ktn (delay-of-game) 1:59, McNabb Ktn (tripping) 10:31, Bench Minor Bdn (too man men - served by Stone) 11:39, Bench Minor Bdn (too many men - served by Hall) 12:26, McNabb Ktn (elbowing) 19:45.
Third Period
5. Brandon, Clark 30 (Fehr, Green) 18:32 (pp)
Penalties -- Erb Bdn (boarding) 2:35, Cowan Bdn (tripping) Brandon Bench (unsportsmanlike conduct - served by Stone) 14:32, Frere Ktn (holding) 17:50, Bailey Ktn (hooking) 20:00.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 12 6 6 - 24
Brandon: 6 13 12 - 31
Goal -- Kootenay: Todd Mathews (W, 7-9-0-2); Brandon: James Priestner (L, 12-6-2-1).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 2-7
Brandon: 1-5
Referee -- Pat Smith, Dan Cowley. Linesman -- Steve Cochrane, Scott Pryor.
Attendance -- 2895 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (concussion - undetermined), Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder - 4-6 weeks), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - 8-10 weeks), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite).
Brandon: Mark Schneider, Sanfred King, Aaron Lewadniuk, Stephane Robidoux.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ice dump Pats 7-3
For the News-Advertiser...
High scoring Ice dump Pats
by Jeff Bromley
As the WHL's second-youngest team in terms of average age the Kootenay Ice aren’t supposed to be a high-scoring, offensive threat. They’re also not supposed to winning, yet they’re doing both. Shhhh, I won’t tell if you won’t. Notching 22 goals in their last four games – the last seven in a 7-3 drubbing of the Regina Pats Tuesday night at the Cranbrook Rec Plex – the Ice have managed seven points of a possible eight over the same span and suddenly have a sliver of light between them and the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
On Tuesday four third period goals sent the Pats packing as the Ice took a key conference match-up from Regina 7-3. “Hard work makes up for a lot of deficiencies,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick after the win. “We weren’t exactly world-beaters today but I don’t want to take anything away from our guys. We bent a little and made some errors that we need to correct before the weekend but we certainly cashed in when we got some opportunities and I think we were the beneficiary of some average goaltending as well.”
In fact, if you were one of the 3550 in attendance at the Cranbrook Rec Plex Tuesday – the largest crowd of the season – you were treated to some average goaltending, in both nets.
The Ice opened the scoring in the first period on goals by Ryan Fox and Andrew Bailey. Fox’s second of the season came after referee Graham Skilliter barked at Pat goaltender Linden Rowat to play a puck he’d just stopped. The aptly-named Fox was prowling around the backside of the net when Rowat freed the biscuit and Fox banged it past the surprised Regina netminder. Rowat lost the puck to Jesse Ismond on the second goal when Ismond stripped the goaltender of the puck and then fed Bailey, who potted his 21st for a 2-0 first period lead.
Like many leads over those same four games that lead would be precarious, at best. The Pats scored three second period goals; a long shot by Brett Leffler that beat Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen; a shorthanded backhand by Matt Robertson and finally a Garrett Mitchell wrist shot that Lieuwen just missed to give the visitors a 3-2 lead and signalled the end of Lieuwen’s evening, who would be replaced by back-up Todd Mathews for the second straight start. “It’s just positioning and confidence,” said Holick. “It’s so important. I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Nathan and I know his teammates do to. It’s just something he’s got to battle through. He had some tough luck here tonight but tomorrow’s another day.”
The second-year head coach can afford his starter some slack for two reasons; the fact his squad is scoring by the bucketful and that his back-up goaltender isn’t exactly playing like one, gaining his third win in the last four games. 19-year-old Tylan Stephens continued his torrid scoring pace of late with a key goal 2:16 after the Pats took the lead when he scored his 18th of the year to send the two clubs into the second intermission tied at three. When they emerged for the third period, be it luck, silly mistakes or just good bounces, the Ice walked away with the win, scoring four goals in the period’s first six minutes. “I don’t know if it’s shocking but it’s certainly uncharacteristic of our club to be scoring at the rate we are. Our habits are good, our sticks are on the ice and we seem to be getting to the right place at the right times,” said Holick. “The habits we harped about since day one are paying off.”
Watching American Todd Mathews, a native of Covina, California, get three wins out of the last four games – two of them in which he wasn’t the starter – Holick insists there isn’t a goaltending controversy. “There isn’t a controversy at all. We’re going to play the hot guy and if he’s not playing well the other guy is going to play. It’s been that way all year long and it’s not going to change.”
Quick Hits – D Brayden McNabb missed his fifth straight game with a concussion. He will be re-evaluated for Friday’s game against Brandon… RW Brett Leffler was hit with a clean check late in the second period Tuesday and did not return… Suffering a separated shoulder in Regina last Friday D Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder – six weeks), joined Dustin Sylvester (ankle) and Steele Boomer (concussion) as the club’s scratches… Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak and Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth will sign the new 15-year lease the club has with the Cranbrook Rec Plex at centre ice Friday before the game against the Brandon Wheat Kings…. The Chilliwack Bruins have fired GM Darrell May, who has run the franchise since its expansion season of 2006-07. Chilliwack sits ninth in the 10-team Western Conference with a record of 14-31-2-4. May is a former scout and goaltending coach of the Ice… Jesse Ismond (2g, 7a) and Tylan Stephens (6g 5a) both extended their point-scoring streaks to seven games while Andrew Bailey (3g 5a) and Joe Antilla (2g 4a) reached four straight games with at least a point.
High scoring Ice dump Pats
by Jeff Bromley
As the WHL's second-youngest team in terms of average age the Kootenay Ice aren’t supposed to be a high-scoring, offensive threat. They’re also not supposed to winning, yet they’re doing both. Shhhh, I won’t tell if you won’t. Notching 22 goals in their last four games – the last seven in a 7-3 drubbing of the Regina Pats Tuesday night at the Cranbrook Rec Plex – the Ice have managed seven points of a possible eight over the same span and suddenly have a sliver of light between them and the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
On Tuesday four third period goals sent the Pats packing as the Ice took a key conference match-up from Regina 7-3. “Hard work makes up for a lot of deficiencies,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick after the win. “We weren’t exactly world-beaters today but I don’t want to take anything away from our guys. We bent a little and made some errors that we need to correct before the weekend but we certainly cashed in when we got some opportunities and I think we were the beneficiary of some average goaltending as well.”
In fact, if you were one of the 3550 in attendance at the Cranbrook Rec Plex Tuesday – the largest crowd of the season – you were treated to some average goaltending, in both nets.
The Ice opened the scoring in the first period on goals by Ryan Fox and Andrew Bailey. Fox’s second of the season came after referee Graham Skilliter barked at Pat goaltender Linden Rowat to play a puck he’d just stopped. The aptly-named Fox was prowling around the backside of the net when Rowat freed the biscuit and Fox banged it past the surprised Regina netminder. Rowat lost the puck to Jesse Ismond on the second goal when Ismond stripped the goaltender of the puck and then fed Bailey, who potted his 21st for a 2-0 first period lead.
Like many leads over those same four games that lead would be precarious, at best. The Pats scored three second period goals; a long shot by Brett Leffler that beat Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen; a shorthanded backhand by Matt Robertson and finally a Garrett Mitchell wrist shot that Lieuwen just missed to give the visitors a 3-2 lead and signalled the end of Lieuwen’s evening, who would be replaced by back-up Todd Mathews for the second straight start. “It’s just positioning and confidence,” said Holick. “It’s so important. I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Nathan and I know his teammates do to. It’s just something he’s got to battle through. He had some tough luck here tonight but tomorrow’s another day.”
The second-year head coach can afford his starter some slack for two reasons; the fact his squad is scoring by the bucketful and that his back-up goaltender isn’t exactly playing like one, gaining his third win in the last four games. 19-year-old Tylan Stephens continued his torrid scoring pace of late with a key goal 2:16 after the Pats took the lead when he scored his 18th of the year to send the two clubs into the second intermission tied at three. When they emerged for the third period, be it luck, silly mistakes or just good bounces, the Ice walked away with the win, scoring four goals in the period’s first six minutes. “I don’t know if it’s shocking but it’s certainly uncharacteristic of our club to be scoring at the rate we are. Our habits are good, our sticks are on the ice and we seem to be getting to the right place at the right times,” said Holick. “The habits we harped about since day one are paying off.”
Watching American Todd Mathews, a native of Covina, California, get three wins out of the last four games – two of them in which he wasn’t the starter – Holick insists there isn’t a goaltending controversy. “There isn’t a controversy at all. We’re going to play the hot guy and if he’s not playing well the other guy is going to play. It’s been that way all year long and it’s not going to change.”
Quick Hits – D Brayden McNabb missed his fifth straight game with a concussion. He will be re-evaluated for Friday’s game against Brandon… RW Brett Leffler was hit with a clean check late in the second period Tuesday and did not return… Suffering a separated shoulder in Regina last Friday D Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder – six weeks), joined Dustin Sylvester (ankle) and Steele Boomer (concussion) as the club’s scratches… Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak and Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth will sign the new 15-year lease the club has with the Cranbrook Rec Plex at centre ice Friday before the game against the Brandon Wheat Kings…. The Chilliwack Bruins have fired GM Darrell May, who has run the franchise since its expansion season of 2006-07. Chilliwack sits ninth in the 10-team Western Conference with a record of 14-31-2-4. May is a former scout and goaltending coach of the Ice… Jesse Ismond (2g, 7a) and Tylan Stephens (6g 5a) both extended their point-scoring streaks to seven games while Andrew Bailey (3g 5a) and Joe Antilla (2g 4a) reached four straight games with at least a point.
The Score - Ice, Pats....
THE SCORE – Kootenay 7 – Regina 3
WHAT HAPPENED – Kootenay scored five straight goals after going down 3-2. The upstart Ice capitalized on their chances and had a bit of luck, the Pats didn’t.
THE GOALS – Pats goaltender Linden Rowat had a tough night. First he gloves an Ice shot and is told by referee Graham Skilliter to play it only to lose it to Ryan Fox, who scored his second of the season and first in an Ice uniform… Rowat’s luck continued when he was stripped of the puck behind the net by Jesse Ismond who then fed Andrew Bailey for his 21st of the season… In the second the Pats get back in the game with a weak goal surrendered Nathan Lieuwen to Brett Leffler and then a shorthanded marker to Matt Robertson on a giveaway by Joe Antilla… Lieuwen's night would end when he missed another weak one when Garrett Mitchell's shot beat him to give the Pats a 3-2 lead... Stephens would get the Ice back on even terms just over two minutes later with his 18th of the season... Rowat’s troubles continued early in teh third when he attempted to play the puck but lost it, this time to Tylan Stephens who fed Kevin King, who banged it in and chased Rowat from the net… Less than three minutes later Antilla would get his third of the season when he jumped on a Hayden Rintoul point-shot to make it 5-3… Kootenay would continue the feast on Regina’s goaltenders with a lucky one when Jesse Ismond's pass went off a Pat’s player and behind Damien Ketlo… Stephens would add another on the power play to finish off a four-goal in the first six minutes of the third period.
THE GOALTENDER – 17-year-old Nathan Lieuwen continues to struggle, surrendering 3 goals on 18 shots and was lifted in favour of backup Todd Mathews, who stopped all 16 shots he faced in relief to get the win, the second straight Lieuwen start that Mathews has done that. Pat starter Linden Rowat didn’t fare any better and was yanked after Kootenay’s fourth goal.
THE TURNING POINT - Down 3-2 and their starter chased, again, Tylan Stephens tied the game after the home squad could've folded after surrendering three straight goals to give up the lead. They never looked back.
THE HIT – D Eric Frere hit Brett Leffler with a clean check late in the second that rocked the 19-year-old. Frere fought Garrett Mitchell after the hit but Leffler never returned.
THE STREAKS – Jesse Ismond (2g, 7a) and Tylan Stephens (6g 5a) both extended their point-scoring streaks to seven games while Andrew Bailey (3g 5a) and Joe Antilla (2g 4a) reached four straight games with at least a point.
THE SIGNING – Ice GM and President Jeff Chynoweth along with Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak will sign the new 15-year lease the club has with the Rec Plex at centre ice before Friday’s game against the Wheat Kings.
THE CROWD – 3550 – the largest of the season, on a Tuesday night yet.
THE REC PLEX THREE STARS
1. C Tylan Stephens – Two goals and an assist
2. G Todd Mathews – Another relief appearance, another win.
3. RW Ryan Fox – a goal and two assists
WHAT IT MEANS – The Ice improve to 24-20-2-5, good for 55 points and a tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
UP NEXT
The Brandon Wheat Kings make their final regular season stop at the Rec Plex Friday night.
Pats 3 @ Ice 7
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Regina Pats and the Kootenay Ice; January 27, 2009
The Kootenay Ice scored four third period goals en route to a 7-3 win over the Regina Pats in WHL action Tuesday night. Kootenay took a first period lead on goals by Ryan Fox with his 2nd of the season and Andrew Bailey with his 21st. The Pats roared back with three straight goals by Brett Leffler, Matt Robertson and Garrett Mitchell that chased Ice starter Nathan Lieuwen from the nets in favour of Todd Mathews. Tylan Stephens would tie the game at the 16:32 mark of the second to send the teams tied at three to the second intermission. The Ice would explode for four goals in the third by Kevin King - which chased Pats starter Linden Rowat from the nets - Joe Antilla, Jesse Ismond and Stephens with his second of the game to make the final 7-3.
Todd Mathews stopped all 16 shots he faced to get the win after coming in on relief, the second straight time he's done that, while Rowat stopped 22 of 26 shots in taking the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Fox 2 8:15
2. Kootenay, Bailey 21 (Ismond) 14:46
Penalties -- Ismond Ktn (charging) 6:24, Pym Reg (boarding) 11:38.
Second Period
3. Regina, Leffler 27 (Dudas, Czibere) 1:44
4. Regina, Robertson 20 (Eberle) 7:25 (sh)
5. Regina, Mitchell 7 (Strueby, Teubert) 14:16
6. Kootenay, Stephens 18 (Barteaux, Antilla) 16:32
Penalties -- Perrault Reg (hooking) 2:58, Strueby Reg (hooking) Czibere Reg (misconduct) 6:29, Barteaux Ktn (tripping) 16:46, Dudas Reg (charging) 18:39, Frere Ktn Mitchell Reg (fighting) 19:55.
Third Period
7. Kootenay, King 14 (Stephens, Bailey) 0:56
8. Kootenay, Antilla 3 (Rintoul, Kings) 3:35
9. Kootenay, Ismond 10 (Fox) 4:43
10. Kootenay, Stephens 19 (King, Fox) 5:45 (pp)
Penalties -- Robertson Reg (unsportsmanlike conduct) 5:43, Martin Ktn (cross-checking) 7:22, Stephens Ktn (delay-of-game) 11:17.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 13 12 7 - 32
Regina: 8 14 12 - 34
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (Mathews 14:16 of second - 16 of 16 shots; W, 2-2-0-1); Regina: Linden Rowat (L, 15-14-1-3; Damien Ketlo:3 of 6 shots).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-5
Red Deer: 0-4
Referee -- Graham Skilliter. Linesman -- Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago.
Attendance -- 3550 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Brayden McNabb (concussion - day-to-day), Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder - six weeks), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite),
Regina: Matt Delahey, Justin Slobozian, Kyle Mulder.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
WHAT HAPPENED – Kootenay scored five straight goals after going down 3-2. The upstart Ice capitalized on their chances and had a bit of luck, the Pats didn’t.
THE GOALS – Pats goaltender Linden Rowat had a tough night. First he gloves an Ice shot and is told by referee Graham Skilliter to play it only to lose it to Ryan Fox, who scored his second of the season and first in an Ice uniform… Rowat’s luck continued when he was stripped of the puck behind the net by Jesse Ismond who then fed Andrew Bailey for his 21st of the season… In the second the Pats get back in the game with a weak goal surrendered Nathan Lieuwen to Brett Leffler and then a shorthanded marker to Matt Robertson on a giveaway by Joe Antilla… Lieuwen's night would end when he missed another weak one when Garrett Mitchell's shot beat him to give the Pats a 3-2 lead... Stephens would get the Ice back on even terms just over two minutes later with his 18th of the season... Rowat’s troubles continued early in teh third when he attempted to play the puck but lost it, this time to Tylan Stephens who fed Kevin King, who banged it in and chased Rowat from the net… Less than three minutes later Antilla would get his third of the season when he jumped on a Hayden Rintoul point-shot to make it 5-3… Kootenay would continue the feast on Regina’s goaltenders with a lucky one when Jesse Ismond's pass went off a Pat’s player and behind Damien Ketlo… Stephens would add another on the power play to finish off a four-goal in the first six minutes of the third period.
THE GOALTENDER – 17-year-old Nathan Lieuwen continues to struggle, surrendering 3 goals on 18 shots and was lifted in favour of backup Todd Mathews, who stopped all 16 shots he faced in relief to get the win, the second straight Lieuwen start that Mathews has done that. Pat starter Linden Rowat didn’t fare any better and was yanked after Kootenay’s fourth goal.
THE TURNING POINT - Down 3-2 and their starter chased, again, Tylan Stephens tied the game after the home squad could've folded after surrendering three straight goals to give up the lead. They never looked back.
THE HIT – D Eric Frere hit Brett Leffler with a clean check late in the second that rocked the 19-year-old. Frere fought Garrett Mitchell after the hit but Leffler never returned.
THE STREAKS – Jesse Ismond (2g, 7a) and Tylan Stephens (6g 5a) both extended their point-scoring streaks to seven games while Andrew Bailey (3g 5a) and Joe Antilla (2g 4a) reached four straight games with at least a point.
THE SIGNING – Ice GM and President Jeff Chynoweth along with Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak will sign the new 15-year lease the club has with the Rec Plex at centre ice before Friday’s game against the Wheat Kings.
THE CROWD – 3550 – the largest of the season, on a Tuesday night yet.
THE REC PLEX THREE STARS
1. C Tylan Stephens – Two goals and an assist
2. G Todd Mathews – Another relief appearance, another win.
3. RW Ryan Fox – a goal and two assists
WHAT IT MEANS – The Ice improve to 24-20-2-5, good for 55 points and a tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
UP NEXT
The Brandon Wheat Kings make their final regular season stop at the Rec Plex Friday night.
Pats 3 @ Ice 7
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Regina Pats and the Kootenay Ice; January 27, 2009
The Kootenay Ice scored four third period goals en route to a 7-3 win over the Regina Pats in WHL action Tuesday night. Kootenay took a first period lead on goals by Ryan Fox with his 2nd of the season and Andrew Bailey with his 21st. The Pats roared back with three straight goals by Brett Leffler, Matt Robertson and Garrett Mitchell that chased Ice starter Nathan Lieuwen from the nets in favour of Todd Mathews. Tylan Stephens would tie the game at the 16:32 mark of the second to send the teams tied at three to the second intermission. The Ice would explode for four goals in the third by Kevin King - which chased Pats starter Linden Rowat from the nets - Joe Antilla, Jesse Ismond and Stephens with his second of the game to make the final 7-3.
Todd Mathews stopped all 16 shots he faced to get the win after coming in on relief, the second straight time he's done that, while Rowat stopped 22 of 26 shots in taking the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Fox 2 8:15
2. Kootenay, Bailey 21 (Ismond) 14:46
Penalties -- Ismond Ktn (charging) 6:24, Pym Reg (boarding) 11:38.
Second Period
3. Regina, Leffler 27 (Dudas, Czibere) 1:44
4. Regina, Robertson 20 (Eberle) 7:25 (sh)
5. Regina, Mitchell 7 (Strueby, Teubert) 14:16
6. Kootenay, Stephens 18 (Barteaux, Antilla) 16:32
Penalties -- Perrault Reg (hooking) 2:58, Strueby Reg (hooking) Czibere Reg (misconduct) 6:29, Barteaux Ktn (tripping) 16:46, Dudas Reg (charging) 18:39, Frere Ktn Mitchell Reg (fighting) 19:55.
Third Period
7. Kootenay, King 14 (Stephens, Bailey) 0:56
8. Kootenay, Antilla 3 (Rintoul, Kings) 3:35
9. Kootenay, Ismond 10 (Fox) 4:43
10. Kootenay, Stephens 19 (King, Fox) 5:45 (pp)
Penalties -- Robertson Reg (unsportsmanlike conduct) 5:43, Martin Ktn (cross-checking) 7:22, Stephens Ktn (delay-of-game) 11:17.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 13 12 7 - 32
Regina: 8 14 12 - 34
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (Mathews 14:16 of second - 16 of 16 shots; W, 2-2-0-1); Regina: Linden Rowat (L, 15-14-1-3; Damien Ketlo:3 of 6 shots).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-5
Red Deer: 0-4
Referee -- Graham Skilliter. Linesman -- Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago.
Attendance -- 3550 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Brayden McNabb (concussion - day-to-day), Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder - six weeks), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite),
Regina: Matt Delahey, Justin Slobozian, Kyle Mulder.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Monday, January 26, 2009
WHL Writers Poll
The Western Hockey League writers association poll for Week 18 as released Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, by the office of the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers’ Association (with last week's rank, team, first-place votes in parenthesis and total points):
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (10), 283
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (3), 276
3. (3) Saskatoon Blades, 258
4. (4) Tri-City Americans, 238
5. (T5) Spokane Chiefs, 237
6. (T5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 229
7. (T12) Kelowna Rockets, 199
8. (7) Medicine Hat Tigers, 197
9. (8) Swift Current Broncos, 179
10. (9) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 175
11. (T12) Kootenay Ice, 150
12. (11) Regina Pats, 136
13. (10) Everett Silvertips, 131
14. (14) Kamloops Blazers, 123
15. (15) Seattle Thunderbirds, 105
16. (16) Edmonton Oil Kings, 93
17. (17) Prince Albert Raiders, 82
18. (18) Prince George Cougars, 63
19. (19) Red Deer Rebels, 57
20. (20) Chilliwack Bruins, 39
21. (21) Moose Jaw Warriors, 20
22. (22) Portland Winter Hawks, 19
Members of the WMJHWA award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 13 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Chilliwack Progress, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post (Swift Current), Prince George Citizen, Red Deer Advocate, Regina LeaderPost, Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Tri-City Herald.
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (10), 283
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (3), 276
3. (3) Saskatoon Blades, 258
4. (4) Tri-City Americans, 238
5. (T5) Spokane Chiefs, 237
6. (T5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 229
7. (T12) Kelowna Rockets, 199
8. (7) Medicine Hat Tigers, 197
9. (8) Swift Current Broncos, 179
10. (9) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 175
11. (T12) Kootenay Ice, 150
12. (11) Regina Pats, 136
13. (10) Everett Silvertips, 131
14. (14) Kamloops Blazers, 123
15. (15) Seattle Thunderbirds, 105
16. (16) Edmonton Oil Kings, 93
17. (17) Prince Albert Raiders, 82
18. (18) Prince George Cougars, 63
19. (19) Red Deer Rebels, 57
20. (20) Chilliwack Bruins, 39
21. (21) Moose Jaw Warriors, 20
22. (22) Portland Winter Hawks, 19
Members of the WMJHWA award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 13 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Chilliwack Progress, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post (Swift Current), Prince George Citizen, Red Deer Advocate, Regina LeaderPost, Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Tri-City Herald.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Ice stave off comeback for the Shootout win...
Live by the sword, die by the....
In an incredible swing of the pendulum from 24 hours earlier the Ice managed to jump out to a 4-0 lead in Regina tonight only to have the Pats storm back with four goals in the third period to tie the game with just over two minutes left. Andrew Bailey and Dominik Pacovsky scored in the shootout to salvage the two points.
Kootenay improves to 23-20-2-4 and 52 points, good for 7th in the Eastern Conference, two behind the Hurricanes who dumped the Cougars 7-2 and one short of the Swift Current Broncos who dropped a 4-3 decision to the Saskatoon Blades. Regina falls to 22-22-1-5 and a tie with the Edmonton Oil Kings with 50 points for the 8th and final playoff spot, who dumped the Prince Albert Raiders 4-1.
D Tyler Vanscourt left the game with an arm injury in the first after a hit by Graham Hood... G Todd Mathews got the start and his second win in an Ice uniform. Mathews held the Pats at bay for two periods but then allowed four goals in the third... Look for Nathan Lieuwen to go in Brandon tonight... C Max Reinhart missed his third straight game with a shoulder injury. He is questionable for Saturday's game in Brandon.
Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has a gamer here.
In an incredible swing of the pendulum from 24 hours earlier the Ice managed to jump out to a 4-0 lead in Regina tonight only to have the Pats storm back with four goals in the third period to tie the game with just over two minutes left. Andrew Bailey and Dominik Pacovsky scored in the shootout to salvage the two points.
Kootenay improves to 23-20-2-4 and 52 points, good for 7th in the Eastern Conference, two behind the Hurricanes who dumped the Cougars 7-2 and one short of the Swift Current Broncos who dropped a 4-3 decision to the Saskatoon Blades. Regina falls to 22-22-1-5 and a tie with the Edmonton Oil Kings with 50 points for the 8th and final playoff spot, who dumped the Prince Albert Raiders 4-1.
D Tyler Vanscourt left the game with an arm injury in the first after a hit by Graham Hood... G Todd Mathews got the start and his second win in an Ice uniform. Mathews held the Pats at bay for two periods but then allowed four goals in the third... Look for Nathan Lieuwen to go in Brandon tonight... C Max Reinhart missed his third straight game with a shoulder injury. He is questionable for Saturday's game in Brandon.
Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has a gamer here.
Ice in Regina..
Kootenay is in Regina tonight for another key match-up (in January??)with the Pats. Gametime is 6PM Moutain time (102.9 the Drive or www.kootenayice.net). Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post has a couple of previews here and here.
Should be interesting who Mark Holick decides to start in the nets for the Ice tonight as G Nathan Lieuwen was pulled Wednesday against the Raiders after surrendering four goals on 22 shots. Mathews will get a start in one of the games this weekend, either tonight or in Brandon Saturday.
Speaking of goaltenders Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald has an interesting story on former Ice goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, who chooses his words carefully when speaking out on the situation in Kootenay before he left.
Should be interesting who Mark Holick decides to start in the nets for the Ice tonight as G Nathan Lieuwen was pulled Wednesday against the Raiders after surrendering four goals on 22 shots. Mathews will get a start in one of the games this weekend, either tonight or in Brandon Saturday.
Speaking of goaltenders Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald has an interesting story on former Ice goaltender Thomas Heemskerk, who chooses his words carefully when speaking out on the situation in Kootenay before he left.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Ice staying in Cranbrook
For the News-Advertiser...
City, Ice sign 15-year Rec Plex lease
by Jeff Bromley
The Kootenay Ice are staying in Cranbrook. Announced Wednesday afternoon the City of Cranbrook, the Cranbrook Rec Plex landlords, and the hockey club announced the signing of a long-term lease that will keep the team in the Key City for next 15 years. “We’ve said many, many times that we want to be here, both publicly and privately,” said Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth from Regina where his club prepared to play the Pats. “Signing a 15-year lease shows that commitment that my family and this hockey club has to the city of Cranbrook and the entire East Kootenay region.”
The Ice signed a 15-year lease in 2000 when the Rec Plex opened but it contained a contentious out-clause that enabled the hockey club to get out of the agreement if attendance fell below the 2800 paid attendance per game average mark in two consecutive years. It fell below the line in 2004 and then again in 2008, offering up a collective anxiety for Ice faithful and city officials alike about the possibility that the club could relocate. That anxiety is no more as the new agreement doesn’t include any out-clause. “When my father and I started these negotiations a long time ago we said that if the deal was right we’d be prepared to give up the out-clause,” said Chynoweth. “It’s a huge headache for everyone involved but it was in our existing lease for a reason. We don’t need that black cloud over the heads of everyone in the community, the hockey club and the city every few years. It was something we were definitely prepared to give up.”
A small-market franchise facing increasing costs and a faltering economy, the long-term security of an anchor tenant in the 4264-seat Rec Plex provided by the 15-year agreement without an out-clause did come at a price in terms of the amount the team pays in rent. “Under the old agreement the city experienced a certain level of revenue,” said Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak, who also said that the specific numbers of the agreement - rent, advertising and concession revenue - won't be made public at this time. “The new agreement doesn’t attain the same level of revenue and the person that bears that is the taxpayer of the community, per se, but there are ways the city makes that up. It’s not an automatic increase (for taxpayers) and there’s not a direct correlation between less money from the Rec Plex and more money coming out the taxpayer’s pocket.”
Built for the price of $22.5 million in 2000 in what was then a public-private partnership with Keen Rose Technologies/Vestar, the private partner ceased to operate the complex and the city took full control of the facility two years ago. Manjak said the both he and city council weighed the benefits and costs of having the club in Cranbrook – the second smallest market in the WHL and the smallest market that is privately owned – and hammered out a deal with the Chynoweth family that made the venture viable for both sides. “We had to balance the benefits that the team brings to the local economy and to the regional economy and who we are as a community, those two aspects balance it off.”
Chynoweth admits that attendance, down between 5-10% from last season – announced attendance currently sits at 2841 through 25 home dates this season – is still a concern. “Those concerns are always going to be there for small-market teams. You’ve got to be fiscally responsible even moreso nowadays with the economy the way it is but I believe that this lease works well in a community of this size. Those concerns are going to be ongoing but this gives an opportunity to make a go of it.”
“Mayor Manjak and city council should be commended for their vision and foresight. They have been great to deal with.”
City, Ice sign 15-year Rec Plex lease
by Jeff Bromley
The Kootenay Ice are staying in Cranbrook. Announced Wednesday afternoon the City of Cranbrook, the Cranbrook Rec Plex landlords, and the hockey club announced the signing of a long-term lease that will keep the team in the Key City for next 15 years. “We’ve said many, many times that we want to be here, both publicly and privately,” said Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth from Regina where his club prepared to play the Pats. “Signing a 15-year lease shows that commitment that my family and this hockey club has to the city of Cranbrook and the entire East Kootenay region.”
The Ice signed a 15-year lease in 2000 when the Rec Plex opened but it contained a contentious out-clause that enabled the hockey club to get out of the agreement if attendance fell below the 2800 paid attendance per game average mark in two consecutive years. It fell below the line in 2004 and then again in 2008, offering up a collective anxiety for Ice faithful and city officials alike about the possibility that the club could relocate. That anxiety is no more as the new agreement doesn’t include any out-clause. “When my father and I started these negotiations a long time ago we said that if the deal was right we’d be prepared to give up the out-clause,” said Chynoweth. “It’s a huge headache for everyone involved but it was in our existing lease for a reason. We don’t need that black cloud over the heads of everyone in the community, the hockey club and the city every few years. It was something we were definitely prepared to give up.”
A small-market franchise facing increasing costs and a faltering economy, the long-term security of an anchor tenant in the 4264-seat Rec Plex provided by the 15-year agreement without an out-clause did come at a price in terms of the amount the team pays in rent. “Under the old agreement the city experienced a certain level of revenue,” said Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak, who also said that the specific numbers of the agreement - rent, advertising and concession revenue - won't be made public at this time. “The new agreement doesn’t attain the same level of revenue and the person that bears that is the taxpayer of the community, per se, but there are ways the city makes that up. It’s not an automatic increase (for taxpayers) and there’s not a direct correlation between less money from the Rec Plex and more money coming out the taxpayer’s pocket.”
Built for the price of $22.5 million in 2000 in what was then a public-private partnership with Keen Rose Technologies/Vestar, the private partner ceased to operate the complex and the city took full control of the facility two years ago. Manjak said the both he and city council weighed the benefits and costs of having the club in Cranbrook – the second smallest market in the WHL and the smallest market that is privately owned – and hammered out a deal with the Chynoweth family that made the venture viable for both sides. “We had to balance the benefits that the team brings to the local economy and to the regional economy and who we are as a community, those two aspects balance it off.”
Chynoweth admits that attendance, down between 5-10% from last season – announced attendance currently sits at 2841 through 25 home dates this season – is still a concern. “Those concerns are always going to be there for small-market teams. You’ve got to be fiscally responsible even moreso nowadays with the economy the way it is but I believe that this lease works well in a community of this size. Those concerns are going to be ongoing but this gives an opportunity to make a go of it.”
“Mayor Manjak and city council should be commended for their vision and foresight. They have been great to deal with.”
Dust-up in the Bridge..
For those of you who haven't seen this , it's the dust-up in Lethbridge after Cane forward Kyle Beach took his time to deposit the puck into an empty-net that will undoubtedly draw some suspensions.
Sure, Beach is 'killing time' off the club but the Tigers had obviously had enough of it and in the ensuing melee Colton Sceviour paid for it with a beating from the Tigers McCue. Dwight King and Craig Orofino came off the bench to exact some revenge and will likely be suspended by the WHL for their antics.
If Beach just shoots the puck into the net without dragging it out I wonder if this happens? You know what? Probably.
Lastly, I received a comment a few posts down last week where a reader thought I was the play-by-play radio guy for the Ice. He had some choice words for Kootenay's home duo, specifically Don Murdoch, the color analyst, but after seeing and listening to this I think Don's met his match with the color personality Dick Gibson on the Lethbridge broadcasts!
UPDATE: The WHL has come down with the hammer on the Lethbridge Hurricanes. 'Canes coach Micheal Dyck has been fined $500 and will serve a five game suspension for failing to control his players; Forward Dwight King will get five games for leaving the bench and starting a fight while forward Craig Orofino will serve three games for leaving the bench. The Canes were fined $500 as an organization while Tigers D Matt McCue will serve a two game suspension, likely for a multi-fight altercation during the melee.
And radio color personality Dick Gibson? Gregg Drinnan over at Taking Note (on the right, at the top) reports that sources are saying that Lethbridge radio station CJOC has removed Gibson from the broadcasts and 'Canes broadcaster Pat Siedlecki will go solo tonight against the Cougars.
Sure, Beach is 'killing time' off the club but the Tigers had obviously had enough of it and in the ensuing melee Colton Sceviour paid for it with a beating from the Tigers McCue. Dwight King and Craig Orofino came off the bench to exact some revenge and will likely be suspended by the WHL for their antics.
If Beach just shoots the puck into the net without dragging it out I wonder if this happens? You know what? Probably.
Lastly, I received a comment a few posts down last week where a reader thought I was the play-by-play radio guy for the Ice. He had some choice words for Kootenay's home duo, specifically Don Murdoch, the color analyst, but after seeing and listening to this I think Don's met his match with the color personality Dick Gibson on the Lethbridge broadcasts!
UPDATE: The WHL has come down with the hammer on the Lethbridge Hurricanes. 'Canes coach Micheal Dyck has been fined $500 and will serve a five game suspension for failing to control his players; Forward Dwight King will get five games for leaving the bench and starting a fight while forward Craig Orofino will serve three games for leaving the bench. The Canes were fined $500 as an organization while Tigers D Matt McCue will serve a two game suspension, likely for a multi-fight altercation during the melee.
And radio color personality Dick Gibson? Gregg Drinnan over at Taking Note (on the right, at the top) reports that sources are saying that Lethbridge radio station CJOC has removed Gibson from the broadcasts and 'Canes broadcaster Pat Siedlecki will go solo tonight against the Cougars.
Comeback in PA
Kootenay capped a four-goal comeback last night in Prince Albert for a 5-4 OT win over the Raiders in Northern Saskatachewan. Adam Hawboldt of the Prince Albert Herald has the gamer here.
D Hayden Rintoul, 17, tied a club record with three goals by a defenceman (Steve McCarthy did it in his rookie season in Edmonton in 1997-98) and also tied a club record with a five point night by adding two assists and being in on every Kootenay goal.
G Nathan Lieuwen was yanked after the Raiders went up 4-1 on two weak goals by Dustin Cameron and Igor Ravenko in the last six minutes of the second period 1:09 apart. Lieuwen stopped 18 of 22 shots while his replacement, G Todd Mathews, stopped 7 of 7. Mathews last start was New Year's eve against the Brandon Wheat Kings, does he get the start in Regina Friday night?
Scratches for Kootenay were D Brayden McNabb, who didn't make the trip and won't play until Tuesday at home against the Pats at the earliest; C Dustin Sylvester; C Steele Boomer; C Max Reinhart. Reinhart is expected to play in Regina Friday. D Joe Leach was brought up from the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget league and will stay with the club for the remainder of the trip.
Kootenay got some help from the Prince George Cougars last night as the Cougars scored two third-period goals to edge the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3 in Edmonton. Kootenay improves to 22-20-2-4 with 50 points, good for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, a point a head of the Pats who will be their opponent Friday and two better than both the Oil Kings and Raiders. Kootenay holds games-in-hand on all three clubs.
Internet issues kept me from posting last night. I'll have more on the 15-year lease signed between the club and the city of Cranbrook later today.
D Hayden Rintoul, 17, tied a club record with three goals by a defenceman (Steve McCarthy did it in his rookie season in Edmonton in 1997-98) and also tied a club record with a five point night by adding two assists and being in on every Kootenay goal.
G Nathan Lieuwen was yanked after the Raiders went up 4-1 on two weak goals by Dustin Cameron and Igor Ravenko in the last six minutes of the second period 1:09 apart. Lieuwen stopped 18 of 22 shots while his replacement, G Todd Mathews, stopped 7 of 7. Mathews last start was New Year's eve against the Brandon Wheat Kings, does he get the start in Regina Friday night?
Scratches for Kootenay were D Brayden McNabb, who didn't make the trip and won't play until Tuesday at home against the Pats at the earliest; C Dustin Sylvester; C Steele Boomer; C Max Reinhart. Reinhart is expected to play in Regina Friday. D Joe Leach was brought up from the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget league and will stay with the club for the remainder of the trip.
Kootenay got some help from the Prince George Cougars last night as the Cougars scored two third-period goals to edge the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3 in Edmonton. Kootenay improves to 22-20-2-4 with 50 points, good for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, a point a head of the Pats who will be their opponent Friday and two better than both the Oil Kings and Raiders. Kootenay holds games-in-hand on all three clubs.
Internet issues kept me from posting last night. I'll have more on the 15-year lease signed between the club and the city of Cranbrook later today.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ice/City of Cranbrook sign lease..
The whispers about the two parties settling on a lease are now fact. The two parties released a statement this afternoon that confirmed the club is in fact staying in Cranbrook.
Curiously the biggest and contentious point of the lease, the attendance clause, is now gone. There are little details other than it's a 15-year lease. I'll have a story later.
CITY OF CRANBROOK AND KOOTENAY ICE LEASE AGREEMENT
Wed Jan 21st, 2009
Cranbrook, British Columbia The City of Cranbrook and the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club are pleased to announce that they have entered into a new lease agreement with no exit clause that will see the Kootenay ICE remain as long-term tenants in Cranbrooks Recplex.
Mayor Scott Manjak commented, City Council is very pleased with this new lease agreement and the renewal of our business relationship with the Kootenay ICE, who are important contributors to the economic wellbeing of our community.
Jeff Chynoweth, President/General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club says, I am extremely excited about todays announcement. It has always been our number one goal to remain in Cranbrook and this new lease will ensure that stability for the next 15 years. We are also very excited about our partnership with the City of Cranbrook and look forward to working with them on many exciting new projects in the future.
Cranbrook is proud to be the host city of the Kootenay ICE, 2000 league champions of the world-renowned Western Hockey League, and 2002 Memorial Cup champions.
Curiously the biggest and contentious point of the lease, the attendance clause, is now gone. There are little details other than it's a 15-year lease. I'll have a story later.
CITY OF CRANBROOK AND KOOTENAY ICE LEASE AGREEMENT
Wed Jan 21st, 2009
Cranbrook, British Columbia The City of Cranbrook and the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club are pleased to announce that they have entered into a new lease agreement with no exit clause that will see the Kootenay ICE remain as long-term tenants in Cranbrooks Recplex.
Mayor Scott Manjak commented, City Council is very pleased with this new lease agreement and the renewal of our business relationship with the Kootenay ICE, who are important contributors to the economic wellbeing of our community.
Jeff Chynoweth, President/General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club says, I am extremely excited about todays announcement. It has always been our number one goal to remain in Cranbrook and this new lease will ensure that stability for the next 15 years. We are also very excited about our partnership with the City of Cranbrook and look forward to working with them on many exciting new projects in the future.
Cranbrook is proud to be the host city of the Kootenay ICE, 2000 league champions of the world-renowned Western Hockey League, and 2002 Memorial Cup champions.
Monday, January 19, 2009
WHL Writer's Poll
The Western Hockey League writers association poll for Week 16.
The WMJHWA poll, with last week's rank, team, first-place votes in
parenthesis and total points:
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (7), 217
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (3), 213
3. (4) Saskatoon Blades, 197
4. (3) Tri-City Americans, 187
T5. (5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 177
T5. (6) Spokane Chiefs, 177
7. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers, 150
8. (9) Swift Current Broncos, 139
9. (14) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 128
10. (10) Everett Silvertips, 120
11. (13) Regina Pats, 102
T12. (7) Kelowna Rockets, 100
T12. (11) Kootenay Ice, 100
14. (15) Kamloops Blazers, 92
15. (17) Seattle Thunderbirds, 80
16. (16) Edmonton Oil Kings, 76
17. (12) Prince Albert Raiders, 68
18. (19) Prince George Cougars, 46
19. (18) Red Deer Rebels, 43
20. (22) Chilliwack Bruins, 27
21. (20) Moose Jaw Warriors, 20
22. (21) Portland Winter Hawks, 14
Members of the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 10 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post, Prince George Citizen, Regina LeaderPost, Red Deer Advocate and Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
The WMJHWA poll, with last week's rank, team, first-place votes in
parenthesis and total points:
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (7), 217
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (3), 213
3. (4) Saskatoon Blades, 197
4. (3) Tri-City Americans, 187
T5. (5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 177
T5. (6) Spokane Chiefs, 177
7. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers, 150
8. (9) Swift Current Broncos, 139
9. (14) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 128
10. (10) Everett Silvertips, 120
11. (13) Regina Pats, 102
T12. (7) Kelowna Rockets, 100
T12. (11) Kootenay Ice, 100
14. (15) Kamloops Blazers, 92
15. (17) Seattle Thunderbirds, 80
16. (16) Edmonton Oil Kings, 76
17. (12) Prince Albert Raiders, 68
18. (19) Prince George Cougars, 46
19. (18) Red Deer Rebels, 43
20. (22) Chilliwack Bruins, 27
21. (20) Moose Jaw Warriors, 20
22. (21) Portland Winter Hawks, 14
Members of the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 10 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post, Prince George Citizen, Regina LeaderPost, Red Deer Advocate and Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
Ice lose to Blades, Broncos...
For the News-Advertiser...
Ice drop weekend home dates
by Jeff Bromley
Given the trade deadline acquisitions and the new wing of the Kootenay Ice dressing room that doubles as a Hospital ward, you’ll forgive Kootenay Ice fans if they’re constantly reaching for a program. Kootenay iced another skeleton line-up over the weekend but didn’t enjoy the success earlier on in the home stand against the Calgary Hitmen, losing to the Swift Current Broncos Saturday night 8-5 and dropping a 3-1 decision to the East Division-leading Saskatoon Blades Sunday night. A short bench with a line-up that most of which couldn’t get into an ‘R’-rated movie is becoming somewhat of a theme this season but on this night Cinderella had other ideas. “I thought we responded well and we deserved a better fate after 20 minutes,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick. “It should’ve been 3-1 after two periods and who knows what happens with the lead in the third period but pucks hit sticks, skates and we missed some good chances - Ty Stephens missed a couple of nice ones - but hey, it is what it is. We’ll move forward and get ready for Wednesday.”
Missing D Brayden McNabb to a concussion suffered Saturday and C Max Reinhart to a shoulder problem also tweaked against the Broncos that has the rookie listed as day-to-day compounded the young line-up that is now the main plot of the 2008-09 edition of the Kootenay Ice. On Sunday the club responded well against the high-flying Blades with a first period that they dominated, out-shooting the visitors 13-5. Although they finished the period up 1-0 on a great effort by Stephens who side-stepped a check by Blades D Sam Klassen, streaked in on a 2-on-1 and found Kevin King for a one-timer and his 12th of the season, a missed opportunity with the Blades down two men halfway through the first period would cost them. As would the rest of the missed man-advantage opportunities on this night as the Ice went 0-5 and couldn't beat rookie puck-stopper Adam Morrison for the Blades the rest of the way. “I personally had some chances that I should’ve got behind the line but didn’t,” offered Ice forward Tylan Stephens, who set up Kootenay’s only goal against the Blades. “The pucks didn’t seem to want to go in the net tonight for us.”
“The power play, we didn’t get a lot of shots on net and I’m sure we’ll be working on that this week. It was a big momentum swing for them killing off that 5-on-3.”
The Blades tied the game in the second on a Charles Inglis snap-shot that rung off the crossbar and dropped into the crease of goaltender Nathan Lieuwen. The puck then deflected off of Josh Nicholls’ skate to tie the game. Kootenay protested saying that Nicholls kicked the puck into the net but referee Pat Smith was having none of it and ruled it a goal. In the third some great puck-work by Gaelen Patterson along the wall enabled the 18-year-old to find D Jyri Niemi streaking in from the point and score the game-winner. Patterson would add an empty-net goal late in the third period. “When we were up against the Calgary Hitmen, I was like, oh gosh, what is tonight going to be like?” said Stephens. “Tonight I wasn’t as worried because we pulled it off against the Hitmen but I guess it brought us back to reality with only 14 players and guys that don’t normally play those kind of minutes.”
For guys like defenseman Hayden Rintoul, who relishes in the opportunity to play 25+ minutes as he did on this night, he trade it for the win. “It’s great to get the ice-time,” offered Rintoul who was, at seventeen and a rookie, the club’s most experienced d-man behind 20-year-old Ian Barteaux Sunday. “But when we’re losing it’s no fun. We’d kill to have Negrin and McNabb helping us out but there’s not much we can do about it. Us rookies are just trying to go out there and work hard.”
“Regardless of what age we are we’re all good enough in this league to get some points out of the other teams. (Coach Holick) expects the best of out of us and there’s really nothing else you can ask.”
Quick Hits - Kootenay surrendered a 6-2 lead to former mates John Negrin and Michael Stickland Saturday before clawing back to 6-5 in the third period, only to run out of gas and lose 8-5... The Ice expect to get back D Eric Frere (shoulder) and C Max Reinhart (shoulder) along with newcomer RW Ryan Fox (knee) Wednesday for their key match-up in Prince Albert against the Raiders. Prince Albert sits one point back of a playoff spot that is currently occupied by both the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Ice... Friday Kootenay is in Regina and Saturday they make their final regular season visit to Brandon... D Brayden McNabb suffered a concussion Saturday and will miss the entire three game road trip, hoping to return Tuesday at home against the Regina Pats.
Ice drop weekend home dates
by Jeff Bromley
Given the trade deadline acquisitions and the new wing of the Kootenay Ice dressing room that doubles as a Hospital ward, you’ll forgive Kootenay Ice fans if they’re constantly reaching for a program. Kootenay iced another skeleton line-up over the weekend but didn’t enjoy the success earlier on in the home stand against the Calgary Hitmen, losing to the Swift Current Broncos Saturday night 8-5 and dropping a 3-1 decision to the East Division-leading Saskatoon Blades Sunday night. A short bench with a line-up that most of which couldn’t get into an ‘R’-rated movie is becoming somewhat of a theme this season but on this night Cinderella had other ideas. “I thought we responded well and we deserved a better fate after 20 minutes,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick. “It should’ve been 3-1 after two periods and who knows what happens with the lead in the third period but pucks hit sticks, skates and we missed some good chances - Ty Stephens missed a couple of nice ones - but hey, it is what it is. We’ll move forward and get ready for Wednesday.”
Missing D Brayden McNabb to a concussion suffered Saturday and C Max Reinhart to a shoulder problem also tweaked against the Broncos that has the rookie listed as day-to-day compounded the young line-up that is now the main plot of the 2008-09 edition of the Kootenay Ice. On Sunday the club responded well against the high-flying Blades with a first period that they dominated, out-shooting the visitors 13-5. Although they finished the period up 1-0 on a great effort by Stephens who side-stepped a check by Blades D Sam Klassen, streaked in on a 2-on-1 and found Kevin King for a one-timer and his 12th of the season, a missed opportunity with the Blades down two men halfway through the first period would cost them. As would the rest of the missed man-advantage opportunities on this night as the Ice went 0-5 and couldn't beat rookie puck-stopper Adam Morrison for the Blades the rest of the way. “I personally had some chances that I should’ve got behind the line but didn’t,” offered Ice forward Tylan Stephens, who set up Kootenay’s only goal against the Blades. “The pucks didn’t seem to want to go in the net tonight for us.”
“The power play, we didn’t get a lot of shots on net and I’m sure we’ll be working on that this week. It was a big momentum swing for them killing off that 5-on-3.”
The Blades tied the game in the second on a Charles Inglis snap-shot that rung off the crossbar and dropped into the crease of goaltender Nathan Lieuwen. The puck then deflected off of Josh Nicholls’ skate to tie the game. Kootenay protested saying that Nicholls kicked the puck into the net but referee Pat Smith was having none of it and ruled it a goal. In the third some great puck-work by Gaelen Patterson along the wall enabled the 18-year-old to find D Jyri Niemi streaking in from the point and score the game-winner. Patterson would add an empty-net goal late in the third period. “When we were up against the Calgary Hitmen, I was like, oh gosh, what is tonight going to be like?” said Stephens. “Tonight I wasn’t as worried because we pulled it off against the Hitmen but I guess it brought us back to reality with only 14 players and guys that don’t normally play those kind of minutes.”
For guys like defenseman Hayden Rintoul, who relishes in the opportunity to play 25+ minutes as he did on this night, he trade it for the win. “It’s great to get the ice-time,” offered Rintoul who was, at seventeen and a rookie, the club’s most experienced d-man behind 20-year-old Ian Barteaux Sunday. “But when we’re losing it’s no fun. We’d kill to have Negrin and McNabb helping us out but there’s not much we can do about it. Us rookies are just trying to go out there and work hard.”
“Regardless of what age we are we’re all good enough in this league to get some points out of the other teams. (Coach Holick) expects the best of out of us and there’s really nothing else you can ask.”
Quick Hits - Kootenay surrendered a 6-2 lead to former mates John Negrin and Michael Stickland Saturday before clawing back to 6-5 in the third period, only to run out of gas and lose 8-5... The Ice expect to get back D Eric Frere (shoulder) and C Max Reinhart (shoulder) along with newcomer RW Ryan Fox (knee) Wednesday for their key match-up in Prince Albert against the Raiders. Prince Albert sits one point back of a playoff spot that is currently occupied by both the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Ice... Friday Kootenay is in Regina and Saturday they make their final regular season visit to Brandon... D Brayden McNabb suffered a concussion Saturday and will miss the entire three game road trip, hoping to return Tuesday at home against the Regina Pats.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Score - Saskatoon over Kootenay
The Score – Saskatoon 3 – Kootenay 1
What Happened – Another valiant attempt by a short-handed Ice squad against the East Division’s best team that came up short. Failing to cash in on their opportunities came back to haunt them.
The Injuries – This club continues to have bad luck – of which without it they wouldn’t have any – in the injury department. Press Box row featured somewhat of an all-star line-up with D Brayden McNabb – out for a week with a concussion; rookie pivot Max Reinhart who tweaked a shoulder and is day-to-day, along with D Eric Frere (shoulder – day-to-day), forward Ryan Fox (knee – day-to-day) and Dustin Sylvester on crutches (ankle). C Steele Boomer is Edmonton seeing a specialist for his third concussion this season. Throw in RW Burke Gallimore who was a surprise healthy scratch.
The Message – When your third-leading scorer is scratched in favour of a seventh defenseman, as was Blade forward Burke Gallimore Sunday night, your coach is trying to tell you something.
The Goals – Blades D Sam Klassen went for the big hit on Ice forward Tylan Stephens but missed which sent Stephens in a 2-on-1 with Kevin King. King buried his 12th of the season to give the Ice a 1-0 first period lead… In the second the Blades took advantage of some strong territorial play when the Ice couldn’t clear the puck Blades rookie Charles Inglis fired a shot off the cross-bar behind Nathan Lieuwen that landed in the crease, bounced off the skate of Josh Nicholls and into the net. The Ice protested the goal but to no avail… Less than a minute into the third period a failed clearing attempt ended up with Gaelen Patterson gaining possession, skating behind the net and spotting a pinching Jyri Niemi, who buried past the mass of humanity in front of Nathan Lieuwen… Patterson finished off any hopes of an Ice comeback with an empty-netter late.
The Turning Point – Look no further than the missed power play opportunities including a five-on-three in the first and a key power play halfway through the third that generated little in terms of scoring chances.
The Crowd – 3258, buoyed by hundreds of students from various area schools a usually subdued Sunday night had some energy. The announced season average sits at 2861.
KNA Three Stars
1. D Jyri Niemi – Finnish D-man scored the game-winner
2. C Gaelen Patterson – Set up the game-winner
3. LW Jesse Ismond – One assist; lots of chances.
Kootenay falls to 21-20-2-4; 48 points and tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Ice should see the return of D Eric Frere and the debut of forward Ryan Fox Wednesday in a key conference battle with the Prince Albert Raiders, who sit one point back in the playoff race. D Joey Leach, 16, will likely join the club from the Saskatchewan Midget league's Tisdale Trojans for the trip.
Up Next: The Raiders in PA Wednesday; Regina Friday and in Brandon Saturday night.
Game Summary:
Blades 3 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Saskatoon Blades and the Kootenay Ice; January 18, 2009.
Gaelen Patterson scored a goal and added an assist as the Saskatoon Blades edged the Kootenay Ice 3-1 in WHL action Sunday night.
The Ice opened the scoring with their only goal of the game when Kevin King buired his 12th on a two-on-one feed from Tylan Stephens to make it 1-0. The Blades tied in the second on Josh Nicholls' 6th of the year, who was credited with the goal after a Charles Inglis shot went off the cross-bar and bounced off Nicholls skate and into the net. Jyri Niemi scored the game-winner 36 seconds into the third when he fired a shot from the slot that beat Nathan Lieuwen. Patterson added an empty-net goal to seal the win for the Blades.
Adam Morrison stopped 31 of 32 shots to get the win while Lieuwen turned aside 30 of 31 shots to take the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, King 12 (Stephens, Ismond) 17:18
Penalties -- Saskatoon Bench (too many men - served by Langkow) 4:56, Chorneyko SAS (interference) 12:00, Toomey SAS (tripping) 12:21, Funk SAS (hooking) Magnus Ktn (goaltender interference) 19:19.
Second Period
2. Saskatoon, Nicholls 6 (Inglis) 6:51
Penalties -- Zahn SAS (holding) 2:09, Toomey SAS Rintoul Ktn (roughing) 4:23, Barteaux Ktn (holding) 14:10, Mahacek Ktn (kneeing) 17:53.
Third Period
3. Saskatoon, Niemi 4 (Patterson) 0:36
4. Saskatoon, Patterson 16 18:52 (en)
Penalties -- Martin Ktn (delay-of-game) 1:25, Inglis SAS (tripping) 9:12.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 13 9 10 - 32
Saskatoon: 5 10 17 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 14-12-0-2) ; Saskatoon: Adam Morrison (W, 7-0-1-0).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-5
Saskatoon: 0-3
Referee -- Pat Smith. Linesman -- Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago.
Attendance -- 3258 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Brayden McNabb (concussion - one week), Eric Frere (shoulder - day-to-day), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite), Max Reinhart (shoulder - day-to-day).
Saskatoon: Burke Gallimore (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
What Happened – Another valiant attempt by a short-handed Ice squad against the East Division’s best team that came up short. Failing to cash in on their opportunities came back to haunt them.
The Injuries – This club continues to have bad luck – of which without it they wouldn’t have any – in the injury department. Press Box row featured somewhat of an all-star line-up with D Brayden McNabb – out for a week with a concussion; rookie pivot Max Reinhart who tweaked a shoulder and is day-to-day, along with D Eric Frere (shoulder – day-to-day), forward Ryan Fox (knee – day-to-day) and Dustin Sylvester on crutches (ankle). C Steele Boomer is Edmonton seeing a specialist for his third concussion this season. Throw in RW Burke Gallimore who was a surprise healthy scratch.
The Message – When your third-leading scorer is scratched in favour of a seventh defenseman, as was Blade forward Burke Gallimore Sunday night, your coach is trying to tell you something.
The Goals – Blades D Sam Klassen went for the big hit on Ice forward Tylan Stephens but missed which sent Stephens in a 2-on-1 with Kevin King. King buried his 12th of the season to give the Ice a 1-0 first period lead… In the second the Blades took advantage of some strong territorial play when the Ice couldn’t clear the puck Blades rookie Charles Inglis fired a shot off the cross-bar behind Nathan Lieuwen that landed in the crease, bounced off the skate of Josh Nicholls and into the net. The Ice protested the goal but to no avail… Less than a minute into the third period a failed clearing attempt ended up with Gaelen Patterson gaining possession, skating behind the net and spotting a pinching Jyri Niemi, who buried past the mass of humanity in front of Nathan Lieuwen… Patterson finished off any hopes of an Ice comeback with an empty-netter late.
The Turning Point – Look no further than the missed power play opportunities including a five-on-three in the first and a key power play halfway through the third that generated little in terms of scoring chances.
The Crowd – 3258, buoyed by hundreds of students from various area schools a usually subdued Sunday night had some energy. The announced season average sits at 2861.
KNA Three Stars
1. D Jyri Niemi – Finnish D-man scored the game-winner
2. C Gaelen Patterson – Set up the game-winner
3. LW Jesse Ismond – One assist; lots of chances.
Kootenay falls to 21-20-2-4; 48 points and tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Ice should see the return of D Eric Frere and the debut of forward Ryan Fox Wednesday in a key conference battle with the Prince Albert Raiders, who sit one point back in the playoff race. D Joey Leach, 16, will likely join the club from the Saskatchewan Midget league's Tisdale Trojans for the trip.
Up Next: The Raiders in PA Wednesday; Regina Friday and in Brandon Saturday night.
Game Summary:
Blades 3 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Saskatoon Blades and the Kootenay Ice; January 18, 2009.
Gaelen Patterson scored a goal and added an assist as the Saskatoon Blades edged the Kootenay Ice 3-1 in WHL action Sunday night.
The Ice opened the scoring with their only goal of the game when Kevin King buired his 12th on a two-on-one feed from Tylan Stephens to make it 1-0. The Blades tied in the second on Josh Nicholls' 6th of the year, who was credited with the goal after a Charles Inglis shot went off the cross-bar and bounced off Nicholls skate and into the net. Jyri Niemi scored the game-winner 36 seconds into the third when he fired a shot from the slot that beat Nathan Lieuwen. Patterson added an empty-net goal to seal the win for the Blades.
Adam Morrison stopped 31 of 32 shots to get the win while Lieuwen turned aside 30 of 31 shots to take the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, King 12 (Stephens, Ismond) 17:18
Penalties -- Saskatoon Bench (too many men - served by Langkow) 4:56, Chorneyko SAS (interference) 12:00, Toomey SAS (tripping) 12:21, Funk SAS (hooking) Magnus Ktn (goaltender interference) 19:19.
Second Period
2. Saskatoon, Nicholls 6 (Inglis) 6:51
Penalties -- Zahn SAS (holding) 2:09, Toomey SAS Rintoul Ktn (roughing) 4:23, Barteaux Ktn (holding) 14:10, Mahacek Ktn (kneeing) 17:53.
Third Period
3. Saskatoon, Niemi 4 (Patterson) 0:36
4. Saskatoon, Patterson 16 18:52 (en)
Penalties -- Martin Ktn (delay-of-game) 1:25, Inglis SAS (tripping) 9:12.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 13 9 10 - 32
Saskatoon: 5 10 17 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 14-12-0-2) ; Saskatoon: Adam Morrison (W, 7-0-1-0).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-5
Saskatoon: 0-3
Referee -- Pat Smith. Linesman -- Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago.
Attendance -- 3258 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Brayden McNabb (concussion - one week), Eric Frere (shoulder - day-to-day), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite), Max Reinhart (shoulder - day-to-day).
Saskatoon: Burke Gallimore (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Saturday, January 17, 2009
No Swift...
Nothing out of the Swift Current/Kootenay game tonight as I'm coaching in an Atom tourney. More tommorrow night.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Newcomers contribute right away...
For the News-Advertiser...
New additions fit line-up right away
by Jeff Bromley
Like a deer in the headlights, wide-eyed 16-year-old Christian Magnus met the task of his first game in a Kootenay Ice uniform head-on. Playing more minutes in Kootenay’s 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Hitmen Thursday at the Cranbrook Rec Plex than he’s played all season long after being dealt from the Swift Current Bronco at the WHL trade deadline Magnus adorned himself to the Ice faithful early with some nifty feeds and put his club up 3-2 with a goal in the third period. “I was looking to make a good impression and I was glad to get one. I’ll take it,” offered Magnus of his feed to the left hash-marks 2:10 into the third period from Jesse Ismond. The Saskatoon product jammed it past Martin Jones for his 3rd of the season.
Acquired along with D James Martin at the deadline in exchange for D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland, the former first round pick (9th overall) in the 2007 Bantam Draft is taking a little time to get adjusted to his surroundings. “It was quite a shock,” Magnus said of the trade. “I’m still kind of settling in and unsure about things but the team’s been pretty welcoming.”
Martin, 17, a second round pick (26th overall) in 2006 was a little more comfortable making the transition though he was thrown into the fire early, taking a regular shift against the Hitmen as the Ice dressed six defenseman with the injury to 20-year-old Eric Frere. The Winnipeg product was on the ice for two of the club’s goals-against but got in on the winner with the first outlet pass in overtime. “The guys treated me real nice when I game here, joking around with me already and that helps with the confidence,” said Martin, who played AAA Manitoba Midget with the Winnipeg Wild last season.
The two highly-touted rookies were seeing limited ice-time in Swift Current so the trade to the Ice, whose age now averages 17.65 - the second-youngest team in the WHL next to Moose Jaw who clocks in at 17.5 - will be a windfall. Martin, who will fill-in minutes this season and then see those numbers climb considerably next season when the club loses graduated d-men Eric Frere and Ian Barteaux, and the offensively gifted Magnus who will undoubtedly notice the ice-time 16-year-olds Max Reinhart and Drew Czerwonka receive and will hope to play similar minutes. “ Getting lots of time out there, that’s going to be the great part,” said Magnus.
“I think everyone will get a fair shake,” said Martin. “It might be just who’s playing well that night. Everyone in that room is pretty good on the back-end so we’ll just go from there.”
Their new coach beamed about the two newcomers' contributions in such a key game. “They played a lot and in key situations and deservedly so,” said Holick. “(Magnus) had the puck on the wall in the first period, then he lost it and he spun off the coverage, recovered the puck and zapped a back-door pass to Rintoul for a great chance. There’s not a lot of guys that can make that play, I’m not even sure Hayden expected it.”
“(Martin) did what we wanted him to do; move the puck, make the first pass and get it out of our end. They were both real good additions.”
Martin’s honest about the deal that saw him go from the league’s smallest market to the next rung up on the ladder, the league’s second smallest. In reality it’s not a tough adjustment. “It’s pretty much the same atmosphere with it being a small-town,” Martin said. “It’s good though I’d rather play in a small town than Calgary, for sure. Everyone knows us here, it’s good.”
Quick Hits - D Ian Barteaux’s hit on Hitmen forward Brandon Kozun swung the momentum Thursday night and invigorated the crowd, with Barteaux’s now trademark direction for the fans in attendance - Thursday’s crowd was the largest of the season at 3430 with Sunday’s game against Saskatoon expected to be larger - to get out of their seats. “Big hits always cause a momentum change,” said Barteaux after being named the game’s first star. “I was lucky to catch one of the slipperiest players in the league (Kozun) and had a good tussle with Broda afterwards.” On the arm-waving direction, he just wants to generate some excitement. “It can sometimes be a quiet rink and sometimes you have to give a little extra show to get the fans out of their seats. If that’s what you have to do to get them going then it’s all the more momentum for us.”
New additions fit line-up right away
by Jeff Bromley
Like a deer in the headlights, wide-eyed 16-year-old Christian Magnus met the task of his first game in a Kootenay Ice uniform head-on. Playing more minutes in Kootenay’s 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Hitmen Thursday at the Cranbrook Rec Plex than he’s played all season long after being dealt from the Swift Current Bronco at the WHL trade deadline Magnus adorned himself to the Ice faithful early with some nifty feeds and put his club up 3-2 with a goal in the third period. “I was looking to make a good impression and I was glad to get one. I’ll take it,” offered Magnus of his feed to the left hash-marks 2:10 into the third period from Jesse Ismond. The Saskatoon product jammed it past Martin Jones for his 3rd of the season.
Acquired along with D James Martin at the deadline in exchange for D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland, the former first round pick (9th overall) in the 2007 Bantam Draft is taking a little time to get adjusted to his surroundings. “It was quite a shock,” Magnus said of the trade. “I’m still kind of settling in and unsure about things but the team’s been pretty welcoming.”
Martin, 17, a second round pick (26th overall) in 2006 was a little more comfortable making the transition though he was thrown into the fire early, taking a regular shift against the Hitmen as the Ice dressed six defenseman with the injury to 20-year-old Eric Frere. The Winnipeg product was on the ice for two of the club’s goals-against but got in on the winner with the first outlet pass in overtime. “The guys treated me real nice when I game here, joking around with me already and that helps with the confidence,” said Martin, who played AAA Manitoba Midget with the Winnipeg Wild last season.
The two highly-touted rookies were seeing limited ice-time in Swift Current so the trade to the Ice, whose age now averages 17.65 - the second-youngest team in the WHL next to Moose Jaw who clocks in at 17.5 - will be a windfall. Martin, who will fill-in minutes this season and then see those numbers climb considerably next season when the club loses graduated d-men Eric Frere and Ian Barteaux, and the offensively gifted Magnus who will undoubtedly notice the ice-time 16-year-olds Max Reinhart and Drew Czerwonka receive and will hope to play similar minutes. “ Getting lots of time out there, that’s going to be the great part,” said Magnus.
“I think everyone will get a fair shake,” said Martin. “It might be just who’s playing well that night. Everyone in that room is pretty good on the back-end so we’ll just go from there.”
Their new coach beamed about the two newcomers' contributions in such a key game. “They played a lot and in key situations and deservedly so,” said Holick. “(Magnus) had the puck on the wall in the first period, then he lost it and he spun off the coverage, recovered the puck and zapped a back-door pass to Rintoul for a great chance. There’s not a lot of guys that can make that play, I’m not even sure Hayden expected it.”
“(Martin) did what we wanted him to do; move the puck, make the first pass and get it out of our end. They were both real good additions.”
Martin’s honest about the deal that saw him go from the league’s smallest market to the next rung up on the ladder, the league’s second smallest. In reality it’s not a tough adjustment. “It’s pretty much the same atmosphere with it being a small-town,” Martin said. “It’s good though I’d rather play in a small town than Calgary, for sure. Everyone knows us here, it’s good.”
Quick Hits - D Ian Barteaux’s hit on Hitmen forward Brandon Kozun swung the momentum Thursday night and invigorated the crowd, with Barteaux’s now trademark direction for the fans in attendance - Thursday’s crowd was the largest of the season at 3430 with Sunday’s game against Saskatoon expected to be larger - to get out of their seats. “Big hits always cause a momentum change,” said Barteaux after being named the game’s first star. “I was lucky to catch one of the slipperiest players in the league (Kozun) and had a good tussle with Broda afterwards.” On the arm-waving direction, he just wants to generate some excitement. “It can sometimes be a quiet rink and sometimes you have to give a little extra show to get the fans out of their seats. If that’s what you have to do to get them going then it’s all the more momentum for us.”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Score - Kootenay over Calgary in OT
The Score – Kootenay 4 – Calgary 3 (OT)
What Happened – It wasn’t pretty but two points are two points. Kootenay frustrated the Hitmen with their 1-2-2 trap and when needed Nathan Lieuwen came through, including two huge saves on Joel Broda and Brennan Sonne in the second period.
The Lost Equipment – When the club’s emerged for the pre-game warm-up, the unfamiliar 'Kimberley Dynamiter' red pads of Dylan Tait, along with Todd Mathews, came onto the ice. At that time it was thought that Lieuwen did not make the flight back from Oshawa and the Top Prospects game. Turns out Lieuwen, along with D Brayden McNabb, made it back but Lieuwen’s equipment didn’t. 42-inch pads aren’t exactly common so Matthews was going to get the start, until Lieuwen’s gear arrived with three minutes left in the warm-up.
The Goals – After a scoreless first period the Ice find themselves down two men when both Tyler Vanscourt and Tylan Stephens take penalties. 41 seconds into the penalty-kill Andrew Bailey intercepts a pass and skates the puck out of the zone. Brayden McNabb jumps into the play and Bailey saucers one to the d-man that rolls off his stick and to Hitmen D Paul Postma. Before he can clear it McNabb stabs at the puck. It gets through Postma and fools Martin Jones for an unlikely 1-0 lead with the Ice down two men. It’s the second time they’ve done that this year. Dustin Sylvester did it earlier in the season… Postma would recover though and fire a shot from the point that Golicic got a stick on to tie the game at one 1:24 later… The Hitmen go up 2-1 on a point-shot rebound that Michael Stone jumped on for his 13th of the season at the 13:46 mark… Joe Antilla, who had arguably his best game in an Ice uniform Thursday, gained the zone, drew the defenders low and fed the point. Cason Mahacek gives it to Ian Barteaux who fires a bullet that Drew Czerwonka deflected for his 8th just 50 seconds later. Antilla doesn’t get an assist but he deserves one… Early in the third Antilla, again with a good burst of speed, drops to Jesse Ismond after gaining the blueline. Ismond spots a streaking Christian Magnus who slips one by Jones to give the Ice a 3-2 lead… Tyler Fiddler ties it halfway through the third period when a Golicic shot is stopped by Lieuwen but it trickles to Fiddler who has a wide-open net to bang it home… In OT Tylan Stephens was first on a dump-in and found Max Reinhart for the club’s second straight win over the number-one ranked team in the country.
The Turning Point – In overtime D Ian Barteaux caught slippery Hitmen forward Brandon Kozun cutting to the middle slot with his head-down and clocked him. Barteaux knew what was coming next as Hitmen forward Joel Broda dropped his mitts and started swinging. Barteaux cleaned his clock and waved his arms to crowd to get off their feet. They did; Broda got the instigator and although they didn’t score on the ensuing power play Reinhart got the game-winner six seconds after the penalty ended. I get the whole standing up for your teammate thing but it was a clean hit and the momentum swing probably cost the Hitmen a point.
The Newcomers – RW Christian Magnus played a regular shift and finished +1 with Kootenay’s 3rd goal, a nice welcome present in the 16-year-old's first game with the Ice. D James Martin was on the ice for two of Kootenay’s goals against but played well and should’ve got the second assist on the game-winner.
The Former Goaltender - G Kris Lazaruk, 20, who was released from the Kelowna Rockets this past week after they acquired Mark Guggenberger from the Swift Current Broncos, has joined the USHL's Omaha Lancers.
The Crowd – 3430; The biggest crowd of the season.
KNA Three Stars
1. D Ian Barteaux – Big hit, fight, assist; got the crowd back into the game
2. D Paul Postma – Was a threat all night; three assists
3. LW Joe Antilla – Assist; the 17-year-old had the best game of his career.
Up Next: It doesn’t have to be pretty – and many have commented how it isn’t – but right or wrong the club is surviving being young and shorthanded employing the trap. Kootenay improves to 21-18-2-4; good for 48 points and sixth in the Eastern Conference. It’s still crowded though with three points separating sixth from tenth. John Negrin and Michael Stickland make the early return to the Rec Plex Satuday as the Swift Current Broncos are here. The Broncos are three points up on the Ice for fifth spot. Saskatoon is here Sunday.
Game Summary:
Hitmen 3 @ Ice 4 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Calgary Hitmen and the Kootenay Ice. January 15, 2009.
Max Reinhart scored the overtime game winner as the Kootenay Ice edged the Calgary Hitmen for the second straight game, 4-3 in WHL action Thursday night in front of the largest crowd of the season in Cranbrook.
Brayden McNabb, fresh off returning from Oshawa and the CHL Top Prospects game, opened the scoring with an unlikely short-handed goal with the Ice down two-men at 5:01 of the second period. The Hitmen tied it 1:24 later when Bostjan Golicic deflected his 11th of the season past Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen, who joined McNabb for the trip home from the Top Prosects game. The Hitmen went up 2-1 on a power play goal at the 13:46 mark by Michael Stone but the Ice tied it less than a minute later when Drew Czerwonka deflected his 8th of the year past Martin Jones.
Newly acquired forward Christian Magnus gave the Ice the lead 2:10 into the third with his 3rd of the year but Tyler Fiddler tied it for the Hitmen at the 10:26 mark of the third.
In overtime Tylan Stephens chased down a dump-in and fed Reinhart for the game-winner.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 33 of 36 shots to get the win while Martin Jones took the loss, stopping 23 of 27 shots.
First Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- McMillan Cal (interference) 9:56, Sonne Cal (hooking) 11:28, McMillan Cal (roughing) 15:09, Kozun Cal (tripping) 19:36, Plante Cal McNabb Ktn (roughing) 20:00.
Second Period
1. Kootenay, McNabb 4 (Bailey, Barteaux) 5:01 (sh)
2. Calgary, Golicic 11 (Postma, Stone) 6:25
3. Calgary, Stone 13 (Postmas, Kozun) 13:46 (pp)
4. Kootenay, Czerwonka 8 (Barteaux, Mahacek) 14:36
Penalties -- Vanscourt Ktn (interference) 3:37, Stephens Ktn (tripping) 4:22, Schultz Cal Fraser Ktn (fighting) 8:47, Pascovsky Ktn (tripping) 13:27, Barteaux Ktn (high-sticking) 18:39.
Third Period
5. Kootenay, Magnus 3 (Ismond, Antilla) 2:10
6. Calgary, Fiddler 3 (Golicic, Postma) 10:26
Penalties -- Karpov Cal (holding) 14:46.
Overtime
7. Kootenay, Reinhart 7 (Stephens, Rintoul) 4:04
Penalties -- Broda Cal (instigator - served by Schaber, fighting, misconduct) Barteaux Ktn (fighting) 1:54.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 10 8 5 4 - 27
Calgary: 10 14 11 1 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 14-11-0-2) Calgary: Martin Jones (L, 27-3-2-1)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-6
Calgary: 1-3
Referee -- Chris Savage. Linesman -- Darren Holeha, Matthew Barker.
Attendance -- 3430 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Eric Frere (shoulder - day-to-day), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite), Ryan Fox (knee - day-to-day).
Calgary: Erik Bonsor (healthy), Keith Seabrook (flu), Cody Sylvester (healthy), Mackenzie Royer (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
What Happened – It wasn’t pretty but two points are two points. Kootenay frustrated the Hitmen with their 1-2-2 trap and when needed Nathan Lieuwen came through, including two huge saves on Joel Broda and Brennan Sonne in the second period.
The Lost Equipment – When the club’s emerged for the pre-game warm-up, the unfamiliar 'Kimberley Dynamiter' red pads of Dylan Tait, along with Todd Mathews, came onto the ice. At that time it was thought that Lieuwen did not make the flight back from Oshawa and the Top Prospects game. Turns out Lieuwen, along with D Brayden McNabb, made it back but Lieuwen’s equipment didn’t. 42-inch pads aren’t exactly common so Matthews was going to get the start, until Lieuwen’s gear arrived with three minutes left in the warm-up.
The Goals – After a scoreless first period the Ice find themselves down two men when both Tyler Vanscourt and Tylan Stephens take penalties. 41 seconds into the penalty-kill Andrew Bailey intercepts a pass and skates the puck out of the zone. Brayden McNabb jumps into the play and Bailey saucers one to the d-man that rolls off his stick and to Hitmen D Paul Postma. Before he can clear it McNabb stabs at the puck. It gets through Postma and fools Martin Jones for an unlikely 1-0 lead with the Ice down two men. It’s the second time they’ve done that this year. Dustin Sylvester did it earlier in the season… Postma would recover though and fire a shot from the point that Golicic got a stick on to tie the game at one 1:24 later… The Hitmen go up 2-1 on a point-shot rebound that Michael Stone jumped on for his 13th of the season at the 13:46 mark… Joe Antilla, who had arguably his best game in an Ice uniform Thursday, gained the zone, drew the defenders low and fed the point. Cason Mahacek gives it to Ian Barteaux who fires a bullet that Drew Czerwonka deflected for his 8th just 50 seconds later. Antilla doesn’t get an assist but he deserves one… Early in the third Antilla, again with a good burst of speed, drops to Jesse Ismond after gaining the blueline. Ismond spots a streaking Christian Magnus who slips one by Jones to give the Ice a 3-2 lead… Tyler Fiddler ties it halfway through the third period when a Golicic shot is stopped by Lieuwen but it trickles to Fiddler who has a wide-open net to bang it home… In OT Tylan Stephens was first on a dump-in and found Max Reinhart for the club’s second straight win over the number-one ranked team in the country.
The Turning Point – In overtime D Ian Barteaux caught slippery Hitmen forward Brandon Kozun cutting to the middle slot with his head-down and clocked him. Barteaux knew what was coming next as Hitmen forward Joel Broda dropped his mitts and started swinging. Barteaux cleaned his clock and waved his arms to crowd to get off their feet. They did; Broda got the instigator and although they didn’t score on the ensuing power play Reinhart got the game-winner six seconds after the penalty ended. I get the whole standing up for your teammate thing but it was a clean hit and the momentum swing probably cost the Hitmen a point.
The Newcomers – RW Christian Magnus played a regular shift and finished +1 with Kootenay’s 3rd goal, a nice welcome present in the 16-year-old's first game with the Ice. D James Martin was on the ice for two of Kootenay’s goals against but played well and should’ve got the second assist on the game-winner.
The Former Goaltender - G Kris Lazaruk, 20, who was released from the Kelowna Rockets this past week after they acquired Mark Guggenberger from the Swift Current Broncos, has joined the USHL's Omaha Lancers.
The Crowd – 3430; The biggest crowd of the season.
KNA Three Stars
1. D Ian Barteaux – Big hit, fight, assist; got the crowd back into the game
2. D Paul Postma – Was a threat all night; three assists
3. LW Joe Antilla – Assist; the 17-year-old had the best game of his career.
Up Next: It doesn’t have to be pretty – and many have commented how it isn’t – but right or wrong the club is surviving being young and shorthanded employing the trap. Kootenay improves to 21-18-2-4; good for 48 points and sixth in the Eastern Conference. It’s still crowded though with three points separating sixth from tenth. John Negrin and Michael Stickland make the early return to the Rec Plex Satuday as the Swift Current Broncos are here. The Broncos are three points up on the Ice for fifth spot. Saskatoon is here Sunday.
Game Summary:
Hitmen 3 @ Ice 4 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Calgary Hitmen and the Kootenay Ice. January 15, 2009.
Max Reinhart scored the overtime game winner as the Kootenay Ice edged the Calgary Hitmen for the second straight game, 4-3 in WHL action Thursday night in front of the largest crowd of the season in Cranbrook.
Brayden McNabb, fresh off returning from Oshawa and the CHL Top Prospects game, opened the scoring with an unlikely short-handed goal with the Ice down two-men at 5:01 of the second period. The Hitmen tied it 1:24 later when Bostjan Golicic deflected his 11th of the season past Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen, who joined McNabb for the trip home from the Top Prosects game. The Hitmen went up 2-1 on a power play goal at the 13:46 mark by Michael Stone but the Ice tied it less than a minute later when Drew Czerwonka deflected his 8th of the year past Martin Jones.
Newly acquired forward Christian Magnus gave the Ice the lead 2:10 into the third with his 3rd of the year but Tyler Fiddler tied it for the Hitmen at the 10:26 mark of the third.
In overtime Tylan Stephens chased down a dump-in and fed Reinhart for the game-winner.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 33 of 36 shots to get the win while Martin Jones took the loss, stopping 23 of 27 shots.
First Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- McMillan Cal (interference) 9:56, Sonne Cal (hooking) 11:28, McMillan Cal (roughing) 15:09, Kozun Cal (tripping) 19:36, Plante Cal McNabb Ktn (roughing) 20:00.
Second Period
1. Kootenay, McNabb 4 (Bailey, Barteaux) 5:01 (sh)
2. Calgary, Golicic 11 (Postma, Stone) 6:25
3. Calgary, Stone 13 (Postmas, Kozun) 13:46 (pp)
4. Kootenay, Czerwonka 8 (Barteaux, Mahacek) 14:36
Penalties -- Vanscourt Ktn (interference) 3:37, Stephens Ktn (tripping) 4:22, Schultz Cal Fraser Ktn (fighting) 8:47, Pascovsky Ktn (tripping) 13:27, Barteaux Ktn (high-sticking) 18:39.
Third Period
5. Kootenay, Magnus 3 (Ismond, Antilla) 2:10
6. Calgary, Fiddler 3 (Golicic, Postma) 10:26
Penalties -- Karpov Cal (holding) 14:46.
Overtime
7. Kootenay, Reinhart 7 (Stephens, Rintoul) 4:04
Penalties -- Broda Cal (instigator - served by Schaber, fighting, misconduct) Barteaux Ktn (fighting) 1:54.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 10 8 5 4 - 27
Calgary: 10 14 11 1 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 14-11-0-2) Calgary: Martin Jones (L, 27-3-2-1)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-6
Calgary: 1-3
Referee -- Chris Savage. Linesman -- Darren Holeha, Matthew Barker.
Attendance -- 3430 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Eric Frere (shoulder - day-to-day), Dustin Sylvester (ankle - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite), Ryan Fox (knee - day-to-day).
Calgary: Erik Bonsor (healthy), Keith Seabrook (flu), Cody Sylvester (healthy), Mackenzie Royer (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Lieuwen, McNabb back; lease update....
Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen had a tough night for Team Cherry, giving up five goals in the first half to Team Orr leaving with the score 5-1 in the CHL Top Prospects Game last night in Oshawa... D Brayden McNabb had a better night finishing with a +3 and one assist on Team Orr's first goal... Number one prospect John Tavares was hurt in last night's game after a crunching hit by Peterborough Pete forward Zach Kassian. There's a couple stories including the Toronto Star (Lieuwen pic included) and a bit of a disturbing response at TSN . Paragraph five features a bit of an eyebrow-raising comment.
Forward Kyle Bortis is close to returning to the Calgary Hitmen lineup but likely won't play tonight in Cranbrook when the Ice host the Hitmen for the second straight home tilt... The Buzz from Saturday's tilt hasn't worn off as the crowd for tonight's game should break 3300.... In case you're keeping track average attendance - announced at 2809 through 22 home dates this season - is actually 2659 paid per game. Thought they announce paid tickets plus complimentary tickets, when it comes to lease obligations the only number that matters is the paid tickets, which is why there is a discrepancy.
That number should increase considerably over the next few home games as the 'Support a School' program, instituted by a concerned group of local citizens that have gathered since November to promote attendance to the games by local school students, begins this weekend. I'll have more on that initiative following the weekend's games.
I've had some casual conversations with both officials from the City of Cranbrook and Ice G.M. Jeff Chynoweth on the status of the lease negotiations between the two parties and they are characterized as 'progressive'. Both Chynoweth and new Mayor Scott Manjak are hopeful a deal will get done before Spring, regardless of whether or not the actual attendance makes the 2800 paid average mark... If the 2800 mark is not reached two years consecutive - last season the paid average mark was 2770 - the club is released from the 15-year Rec Plex lease that began when the club moved into the facility in 2000.
An update on the death of former Silvertip Jordan Mistelbacher courtesy the Winnipeg Free Press which links the teenager's death, who was celebrating his 19th birthday Monday, to alcohol. There was an errant report that Mistelbacher was found outside in -40 temperatures but that was false. He was found inside a house and the death is not considered suspicious.
OHL and CHL President David Branch announced this new rule about players who remove their helmet before a fight. It's an interesting debate that has risen of late due to the death of an Ontario (Whitby Dunlops) Senior hockey player Don Sanderson who died three weeks after falling to the ice during a fight, banging his helmet-less head on the ice and falling into a coma. For the record WHL commissioner Ron Robison told told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post that the WHL will look at the situation over the summer. “Our position is we don’t review these (things) in midseason,” the commissioner said. “We have a process we go through with respect to rules and regulations. We’re going to take into account what Ontario has instituted, much in the same manner as we’re looking at the rules with respect to fighting that Quebec has instituted. We’ll do that as part of our annual process in preparation for a recommendation at our June meeting and subsequently for implementation for the ’09-10 season.” The OHL has been progressive in reacting to shocking on-ice incidents of late, including neck guards last season after Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers suffered a skate cut to his neck, narrowly escaping death.
I'm pretty much as traditionalist as they come when it comes to the sport but maybe it's time for these iniatives to be instituted in the junior ranks out west. The safety of the players has to be paramount. These kids - who do not get paid anything amounting to what they make if they had a real job, though they put in more hours - need to have their best interests at heart. Fighting in the game is a part of it and allowed by the rules. Forcing them to keep their lids on only protects them and I'm still a purveyor of neck guards at this level. Though, in the interest of full-disclosure, I still don't wear one playing oldtimers hockey every week. To be honest, the only collison that happens at that level is when we can't get out of the way of each other. It's a bit of hypocritical stance but truth be told the first rec hockey player that dies due to a skate cut to the neck will undoubtedly mandate the wearing of the guards.
Forward Kyle Bortis is close to returning to the Calgary Hitmen lineup but likely won't play tonight in Cranbrook when the Ice host the Hitmen for the second straight home tilt... The Buzz from Saturday's tilt hasn't worn off as the crowd for tonight's game should break 3300.... In case you're keeping track average attendance - announced at 2809 through 22 home dates this season - is actually 2659 paid per game. Thought they announce paid tickets plus complimentary tickets, when it comes to lease obligations the only number that matters is the paid tickets, which is why there is a discrepancy.
That number should increase considerably over the next few home games as the 'Support a School' program, instituted by a concerned group of local citizens that have gathered since November to promote attendance to the games by local school students, begins this weekend. I'll have more on that initiative following the weekend's games.
I've had some casual conversations with both officials from the City of Cranbrook and Ice G.M. Jeff Chynoweth on the status of the lease negotiations between the two parties and they are characterized as 'progressive'. Both Chynoweth and new Mayor Scott Manjak are hopeful a deal will get done before Spring, regardless of whether or not the actual attendance makes the 2800 paid average mark... If the 2800 mark is not reached two years consecutive - last season the paid average mark was 2770 - the club is released from the 15-year Rec Plex lease that began when the club moved into the facility in 2000.
An update on the death of former Silvertip Jordan Mistelbacher courtesy the Winnipeg Free Press which links the teenager's death, who was celebrating his 19th birthday Monday, to alcohol. There was an errant report that Mistelbacher was found outside in -40 temperatures but that was false. He was found inside a house and the death is not considered suspicious.
OHL and CHL President David Branch announced this new rule about players who remove their helmet before a fight. It's an interesting debate that has risen of late due to the death of an Ontario (Whitby Dunlops) Senior hockey player Don Sanderson who died three weeks after falling to the ice during a fight, banging his helmet-less head on the ice and falling into a coma. For the record WHL commissioner Ron Robison told told Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post that the WHL will look at the situation over the summer. “Our position is we don’t review these (things) in midseason,” the commissioner said. “We have a process we go through with respect to rules and regulations. We’re going to take into account what Ontario has instituted, much in the same manner as we’re looking at the rules with respect to fighting that Quebec has instituted. We’ll do that as part of our annual process in preparation for a recommendation at our June meeting and subsequently for implementation for the ’09-10 season.” The OHL has been progressive in reacting to shocking on-ice incidents of late, including neck guards last season after Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers suffered a skate cut to his neck, narrowly escaping death.
I'm pretty much as traditionalist as they come when it comes to the sport but maybe it's time for these iniatives to be instituted in the junior ranks out west. The safety of the players has to be paramount. These kids - who do not get paid anything amounting to what they make if they had a real job, though they put in more hours - need to have their best interests at heart. Fighting in the game is a part of it and allowed by the rules. Forcing them to keep their lids on only protects them and I'm still a purveyor of neck guards at this level. Though, in the interest of full-disclosure, I still don't wear one playing oldtimers hockey every week. To be honest, the only collison that happens at that level is when we can't get out of the way of each other. It's a bit of hypocritical stance but truth be told the first rec hockey player that dies due to a skate cut to the neck will undoubtedly mandate the wearing of the guards.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
CHL Top Prospects.....
The CHL's Top Prospects game goes tonight in Oshawa, Ontario with D Brayden McNabb and G Nathan Lieuwen taking part on opposite sides as Team Orr will face Team Cherry. The tape-delay broadcast goes tonight at 8PM on Sportsnet, unless you're in Alberta, where it's on a 6PM or in the East where it's live. The NHL Central Scouting rankings are out and both McNabb at the 73rd spot and Lieuwen - 12th among North American goaltenders - are among three Ice players on the list. D Hayden Rintoul snuck onto the list at the 181st spot. These rankings are among North American players only... Lieuwen was the number one ranked WHL goaltender at the beginning of the season but has since surrendered that ranking to Darcy Kuemper of the Red Deer Rebels, who is sixth on the list and the new number one goaltender in Red Deer following the trade of Morgan Clark to the Broncos.
An upbeat practice yesterday saw forward Dominik Pacovsky return to a black jersey meaning he should be available for Thursday's home tilt against the Hitmen. Newly acquired forward Ryan Fox was still wearing the yellow 'don't touch me' jersey and as such looks like his knee won't be ready until the club embarks on a three game roach trip through the Prairies. Pacovsky was skating on a line with newcomer Christian Magnus, though the third member of the line was former captain Colin Sinclair who's skating with the club awaiting a trade from the ECHL's Phoenix Roadrunners. Pretty sure he won't be available, though Magnus and D James Martin will both play.
Former Ice goaltender Kris Lazaruk was released this past weekend after the Kelowna Rockets acquired G Mark Guggenberger from the Swift Current Broncos at the trade deadline. Was told that Lazaruk has returned home to Edmonton and is exploring his options with the University of Alberta, though the top-ranked Golden Bears - which include Ice alumni Dale Mahovsky and Derek Price in there lineup - have three goaltenders on their roster; Aaron Sorochan (8-1-2; 1.38 GAA and .945 sv% - the number one ranked goaltender), Adam Kinnaird and Graham Fleming. I would think he'd try to finish his junior career with an AJHL team and play CIS next season. Reports had Lazaruk headed to Camrose of the AJHL or Omaha of the USHL but neither of those club's have anything official.
Swedish junior sensation Mikael Backlund officially joined the Kelowa Rockets this week, sparking the release of import forward Lukas Matejka, who went back to his native Czech Republic to play with the country's U-18 program. The move will undoubted help the Rockets compete in the Western Conference but barring a complete misstep or major injury trouble by the Giants, for my money they are heads and tails the best team in the league. The Chiefs, Ams and Rockets will push to challenge the Giants but in a seven-game series I don't see any of them getting by the Giants. If things fall into place it'll be the Rockets who get to see the Giants in the second round, with the Chiefs and Ams squaring off (1v4; 2v3). The survivor of the Ams-Chiefs won't have anything left for the Giants.
Lastly, a former Swift Current Bronco draft pick Jordan Mistelbacher died tragically Monday. Mistelbacher, who played parts of the past three seasons with the Everet SilverTips. No details about Mistelbacher's death were available. He turned 19 on Sunday. Mistelbacher was released last Saturday by the Tips and joined the Winnipeg Saints of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. In 26 games with Everett this season he had four goals, two assists and 41 penalty minutes. In his 96-game career with the Tips he had 14 goals and 13 assists.
An upbeat practice yesterday saw forward Dominik Pacovsky return to a black jersey meaning he should be available for Thursday's home tilt against the Hitmen. Newly acquired forward Ryan Fox was still wearing the yellow 'don't touch me' jersey and as such looks like his knee won't be ready until the club embarks on a three game roach trip through the Prairies. Pacovsky was skating on a line with newcomer Christian Magnus, though the third member of the line was former captain Colin Sinclair who's skating with the club awaiting a trade from the ECHL's Phoenix Roadrunners. Pretty sure he won't be available, though Magnus and D James Martin will both play.
Former Ice goaltender Kris Lazaruk was released this past weekend after the Kelowna Rockets acquired G Mark Guggenberger from the Swift Current Broncos at the trade deadline. Was told that Lazaruk has returned home to Edmonton and is exploring his options with the University of Alberta, though the top-ranked Golden Bears - which include Ice alumni Dale Mahovsky and Derek Price in there lineup - have three goaltenders on their roster; Aaron Sorochan (8-1-2; 1.38 GAA and .945 sv% - the number one ranked goaltender), Adam Kinnaird and Graham Fleming. I would think he'd try to finish his junior career with an AJHL team and play CIS next season. Reports had Lazaruk headed to Camrose of the AJHL or Omaha of the USHL but neither of those club's have anything official.
Swedish junior sensation Mikael Backlund officially joined the Kelowa Rockets this week, sparking the release of import forward Lukas Matejka, who went back to his native Czech Republic to play with the country's U-18 program. The move will undoubted help the Rockets compete in the Western Conference but barring a complete misstep or major injury trouble by the Giants, for my money they are heads and tails the best team in the league. The Chiefs, Ams and Rockets will push to challenge the Giants but in a seven-game series I don't see any of them getting by the Giants. If things fall into place it'll be the Rockets who get to see the Giants in the second round, with the Chiefs and Ams squaring off (1v4; 2v3). The survivor of the Ams-Chiefs won't have anything left for the Giants.
Lastly, a former Swift Current Bronco draft pick Jordan Mistelbacher died tragically Monday. Mistelbacher, who played parts of the past three seasons with the Everet SilverTips. No details about Mistelbacher's death were available. He turned 19 on Sunday. Mistelbacher was released last Saturday by the Tips and joined the Winnipeg Saints of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. In 26 games with Everett this season he had four goals, two assists and 41 penalty minutes. In his 96-game career with the Tips he had 14 goals and 13 assists.
Monday, January 12, 2009
WHL Writers Weekly Poll...
The Western Hockey League writers association poll for Week 16.
The WMJHWA poll, with last week's rank, team, first-place votes in
parenthesis and total points:
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (12), 285
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (1), 273
3. (3) Tri-City Americans, 261
4. (4) Saskatoon Blades, 243
5. (5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 236
6. (6) Spokane Chiefs, 222
7. (9) Kelowna Rockets, 201
8. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers, 199
9. (7) Swift Current Broncos, 186
10. (12) Everett Silvertips, 157
11. (10) Kootenay Ice, 154
12. (14) Prince Albert Raiders, 138
13. (13) Regina Pats, 124
14. (11) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 115
15. (15) Kamloops Blazers, 111
16. (17) Edmonton Oil Kings, 105
17. (16) Seattle Thunderbirds, 84
18. (18) Red Deer Rebels, 63
19. (21) Prince George Cougars, 48
20. (19) Moose Jaw Warriors, 39
21. (22) Portland Winter Hawks, 23
22. (20) Chilliwack Bruins, 22
Members of the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 13 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Chilliwack Progress, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post, Prince George Citizen, Regina LeaderPost, Red Deer Advocate, Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Tri-City Herald.
The WMJHWA poll, with last week's rank, team, first-place votes in
parenthesis and total points:
1. (1) Vancouver Giants (12), 285
2. (2) Calgary Hitmen (1), 273
3. (3) Tri-City Americans, 261
4. (4) Saskatoon Blades, 243
5. (5) Brandon Wheat Kings, 236
6. (6) Spokane Chiefs, 222
7. (9) Kelowna Rockets, 201
8. (8) Medicine Hat Tigers, 199
9. (7) Swift Current Broncos, 186
10. (12) Everett Silvertips, 157
11. (10) Kootenay Ice, 154
12. (14) Prince Albert Raiders, 138
13. (13) Regina Pats, 124
14. (11) Lethbridge Hurricanes, 115
15. (15) Kamloops Blazers, 111
16. (17) Edmonton Oil Kings, 105
17. (16) Seattle Thunderbirds, 84
18. (18) Red Deer Rebels, 63
19. (21) Prince George Cougars, 48
20. (19) Moose Jaw Warriors, 39
21. (22) Portland Winter Hawks, 23
22. (20) Chilliwack Bruins, 22
Members of the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association award votes in weighted order (22 points for first place, 21 for second, etc.). A total of 13 ballots were cast by the Brandon Sun, Chilliwack Progress, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay NewsAdvertiser, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post, Prince George Citizen, Regina LeaderPost, Red Deer Advocate, Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Tri-City Herald.
Ice over Hitmen...
Ice shock Hitmen with 3-1 win
by Jeff Bromley
As far as classic games go with their arch-rival Calgary Hitmen, this one should go down with some of the greats. The seven-game series with the eventual WHL champions in 1999; the classic 5-0 comeback to tie the Hitmen the next season; the six-game series win in 2000; the seven-game, double OT series loss in 2006. With just 14 skaters on their bench due to injuries and fresh off trading team leaders D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland the Kootenay Ice did the improbable Saturday night at the Cranbrook Rec Plex and pulled off the upset 3-1. “Yesterday we didn’t get the result we wanted,” said Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen who was exceptional in stopping 35 of 36 shots. “We were down two of our top players (after the trade) and to win against a team like that, it’s very special.”
The 17-year-old Lieuwen, who’s play has crept to another level of late, was sensational in being named the game’s first star. After a scoreless first period in which the home side was out-shot 9-5 LW Jesse Ismond, 17, pounced on an errant puck from behind the Hitmen net and outlasted Calgary rookie goaltender Michael Snider, lifting the puck over the goaltender to make it 1-0. Lieuwen’s only blemish of the night came when Calgary forward Ian Schultz caught a Michael Stone pass in behind the Ice defence and roofed a backhand to tie the game at one.
With the Hitmen still pressing the very next shift Calgary captain Carson McMillan found himself on a partial breakaway only to hooked by Ice D Hayden Rintoul on the play. McMillan plowed into Lieuwen and the lanky goaltender smacked his head off the goal-post, forcing him to the ice for a long period while the Rec Plex faithful held their collective breath. With two penalties called on the play - Rintoul for hooking and McMillan for goaltender interference, much to the chagrin of Hitmen coach Dave Lowry - the turning point of the game would occur twenty seconds later when, four-on-four, Matt Fraser would block a Calgary point-shot and race down the ice on a 2-on-1 with Andrew Bailey. Bailey would beat the Calgary rookie for his 17th on the year and the eventual game-winner. Three minutes later some good hustle by Max Reinhart on a dump-in would pay-off as Reinhart fired a laser to Ismond racing to the net for a 3-1 lead.
Lieuwen would shut the door the rest of the way including a third period in which the Ice were out-shot 19-2. “Maybe they took us a little lightly with the short-bench that we had,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick. “We were efficient in our play-making and there wasn’t a whole lot of wasted movement. We bent a little with some turnovers in our own end but it didn’t cost us. I thought the third period was about as perfect as we could play with a lead going into the third period.”
Out-shot 19-2, perfect? Though it may not have been pretty it was more than inspiring for the hockey club that averaged 17 in age and for the 3034 in attendance. “They had some shots, yeah, and there were a couple quality shots but that’s what your goalie is supposed to do,” continued Holick. “Shots don’t mean anything. None of them went in.”
Catching the Hitmen off-guard with the physical game LW Kevin King lead the way with a physical presence that totalled at least four crushing hits that sparked the Rec Plex faithful to life along with the shortened bench. “(Holick) brought me into his office yesterday asked that I play more physical, constantly,” said King. “So I just went out there and banged some bodies trying to do my share.”
Quick Hits - Friday night the Ice were out-classed 4-1 by the Western Conference leading Vancouver Giants in which World Junior Championship gold-medal winner Evander Kane notched two goals for the Giants. D John Negrin got the only goal for the Ice, his last in an Ice uniform… Both Negrin and Stickland joined their Bronco teammates for Swift Current’s tilt with the Calgary Sunday afternoon. At one point the Broncos were up 2-0 with both former Ice players earning assists but the Hitmen struck for four second period goals en route to a 7-3 win… Kootenay newcomers Christian Magnus, 16, and James Martin, 17, were scheduled to arrive Monday and will be in the lineup with the club once again hosts the Hitmen on Thursday… Former Ice captain Colin Sinclair was also in attendance after returning to his adopted home after leaving his ECHL Phoenix Roadrunners and asking for a trade over a lack of ice-time… Kootenay's medical room is still resembles something of an emergency ward with both Sylvester and Boomer done for the season as well as 20-year-old D Eric Frere out with a shoulder injury for at least a week after injurying it against Vancouver. Newly acquired forward Ryan Fox, traded from the Calgary Hitmen to the Ice for forward Kris Foucault, might play this weekend after recovering from knee injury as might import forward Dominik Pacovsky, who is recovering from a rib injury... Foucault, who was released at the beginning of the season, balked at the club's request to re-join the team after Sylvester went down. Foucault had been playing well with Canmore of the AJHL with 41 points in 32 games. The Calgary product accepted a trade to his hometown Hitmen and was in the building Saturday... Kootenay continues the five-game home stand this weekend with the Swift Current Broncos - including Negrin and Stickland - in Cranbrook Saturday night and the Saskatoon Blades here Sunday.... NHL Central Scouting release it's mid-term rankings this week and both D Brayden McNabb, D Hayden Rintoul and G Nathan Lieuwen are among the 200 or so players ranked. Here is the link.
by Jeff Bromley
As far as classic games go with their arch-rival Calgary Hitmen, this one should go down with some of the greats. The seven-game series with the eventual WHL champions in 1999; the classic 5-0 comeback to tie the Hitmen the next season; the six-game series win in 2000; the seven-game, double OT series loss in 2006. With just 14 skaters on their bench due to injuries and fresh off trading team leaders D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland the Kootenay Ice did the improbable Saturday night at the Cranbrook Rec Plex and pulled off the upset 3-1. “Yesterday we didn’t get the result we wanted,” said Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen who was exceptional in stopping 35 of 36 shots. “We were down two of our top players (after the trade) and to win against a team like that, it’s very special.”
The 17-year-old Lieuwen, who’s play has crept to another level of late, was sensational in being named the game’s first star. After a scoreless first period in which the home side was out-shot 9-5 LW Jesse Ismond, 17, pounced on an errant puck from behind the Hitmen net and outlasted Calgary rookie goaltender Michael Snider, lifting the puck over the goaltender to make it 1-0. Lieuwen’s only blemish of the night came when Calgary forward Ian Schultz caught a Michael Stone pass in behind the Ice defence and roofed a backhand to tie the game at one.
With the Hitmen still pressing the very next shift Calgary captain Carson McMillan found himself on a partial breakaway only to hooked by Ice D Hayden Rintoul on the play. McMillan plowed into Lieuwen and the lanky goaltender smacked his head off the goal-post, forcing him to the ice for a long period while the Rec Plex faithful held their collective breath. With two penalties called on the play - Rintoul for hooking and McMillan for goaltender interference, much to the chagrin of Hitmen coach Dave Lowry - the turning point of the game would occur twenty seconds later when, four-on-four, Matt Fraser would block a Calgary point-shot and race down the ice on a 2-on-1 with Andrew Bailey. Bailey would beat the Calgary rookie for his 17th on the year and the eventual game-winner. Three minutes later some good hustle by Max Reinhart on a dump-in would pay-off as Reinhart fired a laser to Ismond racing to the net for a 3-1 lead.
Lieuwen would shut the door the rest of the way including a third period in which the Ice were out-shot 19-2. “Maybe they took us a little lightly with the short-bench that we had,” said Ice head coach Mark Holick. “We were efficient in our play-making and there wasn’t a whole lot of wasted movement. We bent a little with some turnovers in our own end but it didn’t cost us. I thought the third period was about as perfect as we could play with a lead going into the third period.”
Out-shot 19-2, perfect? Though it may not have been pretty it was more than inspiring for the hockey club that averaged 17 in age and for the 3034 in attendance. “They had some shots, yeah, and there were a couple quality shots but that’s what your goalie is supposed to do,” continued Holick. “Shots don’t mean anything. None of them went in.”
Catching the Hitmen off-guard with the physical game LW Kevin King lead the way with a physical presence that totalled at least four crushing hits that sparked the Rec Plex faithful to life along with the shortened bench. “(Holick) brought me into his office yesterday asked that I play more physical, constantly,” said King. “So I just went out there and banged some bodies trying to do my share.”
Quick Hits - Friday night the Ice were out-classed 4-1 by the Western Conference leading Vancouver Giants in which World Junior Championship gold-medal winner Evander Kane notched two goals for the Giants. D John Negrin got the only goal for the Ice, his last in an Ice uniform… Both Negrin and Stickland joined their Bronco teammates for Swift Current’s tilt with the Calgary Sunday afternoon. At one point the Broncos were up 2-0 with both former Ice players earning assists but the Hitmen struck for four second period goals en route to a 7-3 win… Kootenay newcomers Christian Magnus, 16, and James Martin, 17, were scheduled to arrive Monday and will be in the lineup with the club once again hosts the Hitmen on Thursday… Former Ice captain Colin Sinclair was also in attendance after returning to his adopted home after leaving his ECHL Phoenix Roadrunners and asking for a trade over a lack of ice-time… Kootenay's medical room is still resembles something of an emergency ward with both Sylvester and Boomer done for the season as well as 20-year-old D Eric Frere out with a shoulder injury for at least a week after injurying it against Vancouver. Newly acquired forward Ryan Fox, traded from the Calgary Hitmen to the Ice for forward Kris Foucault, might play this weekend after recovering from knee injury as might import forward Dominik Pacovsky, who is recovering from a rib injury... Foucault, who was released at the beginning of the season, balked at the club's request to re-join the team after Sylvester went down. Foucault had been playing well with Canmore of the AJHL with 41 points in 32 games. The Calgary product accepted a trade to his hometown Hitmen and was in the building Saturday... Kootenay continues the five-game home stand this weekend with the Swift Current Broncos - including Negrin and Stickland - in Cranbrook Saturday night and the Saskatoon Blades here Sunday.... NHL Central Scouting release it's mid-term rankings this week and both D Brayden McNabb, D Hayden Rintoul and G Nathan Lieuwen are among the 200 or so players ranked. Here is the link.
Negrin, Stickland traded...
Negrin, Stickland dealt to Broncos
by Jeff Bromley
It was one time he perhaps hated to be right. With a feeling he might be traded all week D John Negrin, 19, along with 19-year-old LW Michael Stickland made the WHL’s trade deadline headlines Saturday as the two were dealt by the Kootenay Ice to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for C Christian Magnus, 16, rearguard James Martin, 17, and a 2nd and a 4th round bantam pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. The two long-time Ice veterans watched their teammates Saturday night play against the rival Calgary Hitmen from the stands of the Cranbrook Rec Plex. “Waking up this morning (Saturday) I thought maybe I’d be staying here,” said the third round NHL pick of the Calgary Flames in 2007. “But I got traded to Swift Current and it’s an opportunity for me to a skilled team that’s going to go in the direction of winning a championship.”
“My four years here have been very enjoyable and a lot of fun. I’ve learned a lot.”
For Stickland, who electrified in the season-opener with a four-goal night in a win over the Spokane Chiefs, but had only nine goals since said the trade will be a fresh start. “It a bunch of mixed emotions,” said Stickland, who played three seasons with the Ice after being listed out of Red Deer in 2005. “It’s somewhere new and it’ll be a fresh start but sitting here watching the game, it’ll be a sad farewell to the guys.”
Going home Friday night following Kootenay’s 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Giants Negrin resigned himself to the fact he likely wouldn’t be traded. He actually found out Saturday morning before the phone call from Ice G.M. Jeff Chynoweth via, of all places, Facebook. A girl from Swift Current had added him as a friend and said that he’d been traded there. A conversation shortly thereafter with the Ice G.M. confirmed the trade about an hour before the 3PM Mountain time deadline. “When I walked in the door and saw the guys on the ice, it was tough,” continued Negrin. “I spent a lot of years here and made a lot of friends. This is home to me and Cranbrook’s been home for me for a long time.”
Losing team scoring leader Dustin Sylvester to a season-ending ankle injury signalled the possibility that the club would go in a younger direction, making Negrin and Stickland assets to teams looking to make a run to the WHL championship. “Losing Dusty was a big hit. He’s a talented player and we centre a lot of our offence around him. Management decided to go with the youth and look towards the future.”
It was with that the Ice GM made the move for the Broncos former first round pick in Magnus and second rounder James Martin. “Probably about eight teams in total,” said Chynoweth about the inquiries into Negrin’s availability. “A few of them had Michael in the deal and a few of them had Andrew Bailey in but from our end we wanted to get an impact player back. Both players from Swift Current we’re very happy with but Magnus is the key from our end. Our scouts had him ranked as the number one player from Saskatchewan in the 2007 Bantam Draft, he went 9th overall but that was the nugget so-to-speak from our end that really excited us. Martin we’re excited about as well because he gives us a ‘91 defenseman and the draft picks we got might not mean much on January 10 but they’ll sure mean something down the road.”
While the trade signals the beginning of the future for the club, the goal remains the same: A .500 record and the 2009 playoffs. “For our knowledgeable groups of fans, everyone expects to win,” said Chynoweth. “Fans, media, all of us. We don’t accept mediocrity. That hasn’t changed, it’s just a different group of players in there and it’s going to get tougher. You can’t rely on a Negrin or a Stickland but on the flip side of that, that’s why we didn’t do any deals with our 20-year-olds. We had two or three deals with Andrew Bailey. I talked to Andrew twice this week and wanted him to go through the process with us and told him how important he’s going to be to this group. His leadership is invaluable. He’s a warrior. He’s played 250 straight games. With Barteaux it’s the same sort of thing. That’s contagious for your younger players.”
“You can’t completely sell-out. You have to put a product on the ice that people will pay their money and get good value for it.”
For Negrin, leaving his billet family after four years will be the hardest. “What the McCormack family has done for me, it’s been amazing there. These last four years I’ve spent more time with them than I have with my family. Bonnie and Al are like my parents and Kayley and Ryley are like brother and sister to me. It was a tough day today, we had a tight bond and I just want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”
by Jeff Bromley
It was one time he perhaps hated to be right. With a feeling he might be traded all week D John Negrin, 19, along with 19-year-old LW Michael Stickland made the WHL’s trade deadline headlines Saturday as the two were dealt by the Kootenay Ice to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for C Christian Magnus, 16, rearguard James Martin, 17, and a 2nd and a 4th round bantam pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. The two long-time Ice veterans watched their teammates Saturday night play against the rival Calgary Hitmen from the stands of the Cranbrook Rec Plex. “Waking up this morning (Saturday) I thought maybe I’d be staying here,” said the third round NHL pick of the Calgary Flames in 2007. “But I got traded to Swift Current and it’s an opportunity for me to a skilled team that’s going to go in the direction of winning a championship.”
“My four years here have been very enjoyable and a lot of fun. I’ve learned a lot.”
For Stickland, who electrified in the season-opener with a four-goal night in a win over the Spokane Chiefs, but had only nine goals since said the trade will be a fresh start. “It a bunch of mixed emotions,” said Stickland, who played three seasons with the Ice after being listed out of Red Deer in 2005. “It’s somewhere new and it’ll be a fresh start but sitting here watching the game, it’ll be a sad farewell to the guys.”
Going home Friday night following Kootenay’s 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Giants Negrin resigned himself to the fact he likely wouldn’t be traded. He actually found out Saturday morning before the phone call from Ice G.M. Jeff Chynoweth via, of all places, Facebook. A girl from Swift Current had added him as a friend and said that he’d been traded there. A conversation shortly thereafter with the Ice G.M. confirmed the trade about an hour before the 3PM Mountain time deadline. “When I walked in the door and saw the guys on the ice, it was tough,” continued Negrin. “I spent a lot of years here and made a lot of friends. This is home to me and Cranbrook’s been home for me for a long time.”
Losing team scoring leader Dustin Sylvester to a season-ending ankle injury signalled the possibility that the club would go in a younger direction, making Negrin and Stickland assets to teams looking to make a run to the WHL championship. “Losing Dusty was a big hit. He’s a talented player and we centre a lot of our offence around him. Management decided to go with the youth and look towards the future.”
It was with that the Ice GM made the move for the Broncos former first round pick in Magnus and second rounder James Martin. “Probably about eight teams in total,” said Chynoweth about the inquiries into Negrin’s availability. “A few of them had Michael in the deal and a few of them had Andrew Bailey in but from our end we wanted to get an impact player back. Both players from Swift Current we’re very happy with but Magnus is the key from our end. Our scouts had him ranked as the number one player from Saskatchewan in the 2007 Bantam Draft, he went 9th overall but that was the nugget so-to-speak from our end that really excited us. Martin we’re excited about as well because he gives us a ‘91 defenseman and the draft picks we got might not mean much on January 10 but they’ll sure mean something down the road.”
While the trade signals the beginning of the future for the club, the goal remains the same: A .500 record and the 2009 playoffs. “For our knowledgeable groups of fans, everyone expects to win,” said Chynoweth. “Fans, media, all of us. We don’t accept mediocrity. That hasn’t changed, it’s just a different group of players in there and it’s going to get tougher. You can’t rely on a Negrin or a Stickland but on the flip side of that, that’s why we didn’t do any deals with our 20-year-olds. We had two or three deals with Andrew Bailey. I talked to Andrew twice this week and wanted him to go through the process with us and told him how important he’s going to be to this group. His leadership is invaluable. He’s a warrior. He’s played 250 straight games. With Barteaux it’s the same sort of thing. That’s contagious for your younger players.”
“You can’t completely sell-out. You have to put a product on the ice that people will pay their money and get good value for it.”
For Negrin, leaving his billet family after four years will be the hardest. “What the McCormack family has done for me, it’s been amazing there. These last four years I’ve spent more time with them than I have with my family. Bonnie and Al are like my parents and Kayley and Ryley are like brother and sister to me. It was a tough day today, we had a tight bond and I just want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Score - Calgary
The Score – Kootenay 3 – Calgary 1
What Happened – The Kootenay Midget, er, Ice opened the game with a physical presence that threw the number one ranked team in the nation off their game. That and a stellar outing by goaltender Nathan Lieuwen got Kootenay the two points.
The Bench – Thin; with only fourteen skaters due to trades and injuries, my Atom team is deeper. The club now resembles a MASH unit with D Eric Frere (shoulder) expected out a week. Dominik Pacovsky could return this weekend.
The Zebras – If you were Hitmen fan you might want to remove referee Devin Klein from your Christmas card list. For the most part Kootenay played discipline hockey but for the times they didn’t they got away with more than a few calls.
The Goals – After a scoreless first Ice rookie Jesse Ismond pounces on an errant puck from behind the Hitmen net, out-waits Hitmen goaltender Michael Snider and puts the puck over the sprawled goaltender for a 1-0 lead… Six minutes later Ian Schutlz gets behind the Ice defence, takes a perfect pass from D Michael Stone from his blueline and skates in on Nathan Lieuwen, beating with a backhand that sent the water bottle flying… A minute later Matt Fraser blocked a shot at his own blueline which sent he and Andrew Bailey on a 2-on-1, Bailey beat Snider for his 17th on the season… Three minutes later Max Reinhart was first on a lazy dump-in and fed a laser to Ismond who was streaking to the net. Ismond notched his 6th and 7th goals on the night… Matt Fraser had a chance to make it 4-1 but was stopped on a third period penalty-shot by Snider.
The Turning Point – At the halfway point of the game and with Hitmen pressing in a 1-1 tie, forward Carson McMillan is sent in alone on Lieuwen. D Hayden Rintoul hooked McMillan off-balance and the Calgary captain knocked Lieuwen into the goal in which the 17-year-old banged his head off the goalpost and was down on the ice for several minutes. Lieuwen didn’t leave the game and the break inspired the home squad as twenty seconds later Bailey scored the eventual game-winner.
Sure, but can he skate? – The first intermission featured the Shotgun shootout. Local shooter Jimmy Derosiers put three pucks in the hole; one from the slot, one from the blueline and one from centre. Good for $1000 and a shot at $10,000 at the end of the season. Sign ‘em up.
Not so Kozy – Brandon Kozun, the league’s third leading scorer, was a target all night and the Hitmen had trouble generating a lot of quality chances with their leading scorer on his backside most of the night.
The Trades – A natural centre but playing wing on this night, newly acquired Joel Broda, 19, was a threat early on but disappeared as the night wore on. D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland were both in the crowd saying their good-byes after three and four seasons in Cranbrook. They’ll join the Broncos Sunday against these same Calgary Hitmen Sunday.
Thanks but no thanks – Former Ice forward Kris Foucault, with 41 points in 32 games with the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles, declined to return to the Ice after being asked following Dustin Sylvester’s injury December 27. He later accepted a trade to the Hitmen and was in the building tonight.
The Captain – Former Ice captain Colin Sinclair was in the building and has returned to his adopted home for the time being after leaving the ECHL’s Phoenix Roadrunners and requesting a trade over a lack of ice-time.
The Crowd – 3034 Loud and boisterous got their money’s worth.
KNA Three Stars
1. G Nathan Lieuwen – goaltender has big games against their biggest rival
2. LW Jesse Ismond – Two big goals
3. LW Kevin King – Physical play gave the short-handed ice the edge
Up Next: Another key game in the long line of game in the history book that is the Calgary-Kootenay rivalry. The Ice had no business winning this game with the line-up they had but they did and the win pushed the club to 20-18-2-4; 46 points - breaking up a five game losing streak in the process and still in a tie with both Edmonton and Prince Albert, both of which won tonight. The Hitmen took Kootenay for granted - suffering their first loss in 13 games after winning 12 straight and you can bet it won’t happen again when the two clubs meet once again Thursday at the Rec Plex.
Game Summary:
Hitmen 1 @ Ice 3
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Calgary Hitmen and the Kootenay Ice. January 10, 2008
With a depleted lineup of only fourteen skates the Kootenay Ice scored three second period goals, two by 17-year-old forward Jesse Ismond, en route to a 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action Saturday. After a scoreless first period Ismond opened the scoring with his 6th of the year at the 3:05 mark. Four minutes later Ian Schultz got behind the Ice defense and scored on a breakaway, backhanded his ninth past Nathan Lieuwen to tie it at one. Just over a minute later Andrew Bailey beat Hitmen goaltender Michael Snider with the eventual game-winner at 10:09. Ismond tapped in a nice cross-ice feed by Max Reinhart to make it 3-1 at 13:08.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 35 of 36 shots he faced to get the win while Snider turned aside 16 of 19 shots to take the loss.
First Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Karpov Cal (holding) 4:30, Stone Cal (hooking) 8:22, Broda Cal (roughing) 11:11, Barteaux Ktn Sonne Cal (roughing) Vanscourt Ktn (interference) 13:45, Sonne Cal (checking-from-behind) 19:39.
Second Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 6 (Cassivi, McNabb) 3:05
2. Calgary, Schultz 13 (Stone) 9:01
3. Kootenay, Bailey 17 (Fraser) 10:09
4. Kootenay, Ismond 7 (Reinhart, Stephens) 13:08 (pp)
Penalties -- MacMillan Cal (goaltender interference) Rintoul Ktn (hooking) 9:49, Calgary Bench (bench minor - served by Burgart) 12:06.
Third Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (delay-of-game) 5:55, Reinhart Ktn (hooking) 12:58.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 5 12 2 - 19
Calgary: 9 8 19 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 13-11-0-2); Calgary: Michael Snider (L, 7-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-5
Calgary: 0-3
Penalty Shot -- Fraser Ktn (7:05 of 3rd - stopped)
Referee -- Devin Klein. Linesman -- Cody Rude, Brad Yoshida.
Attendance -- 3034 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Eric Frere (shoulder - one week), Ryan Fox (knee - 7-10 days), Dominik Pacovsky (rib - one week), Dustin Sylvester (knee - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite).
Calgary: Erik Bonsor (healthy), Kyle Bortis (knee - indefinite), Kris Foucault, Mackenzie Royer (healthy)
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
What Happened – The Kootenay Midget, er, Ice opened the game with a physical presence that threw the number one ranked team in the nation off their game. That and a stellar outing by goaltender Nathan Lieuwen got Kootenay the two points.
The Bench – Thin; with only fourteen skaters due to trades and injuries, my Atom team is deeper. The club now resembles a MASH unit with D Eric Frere (shoulder) expected out a week. Dominik Pacovsky could return this weekend.
The Zebras – If you were Hitmen fan you might want to remove referee Devin Klein from your Christmas card list. For the most part Kootenay played discipline hockey but for the times they didn’t they got away with more than a few calls.
The Goals – After a scoreless first Ice rookie Jesse Ismond pounces on an errant puck from behind the Hitmen net, out-waits Hitmen goaltender Michael Snider and puts the puck over the sprawled goaltender for a 1-0 lead… Six minutes later Ian Schutlz gets behind the Ice defence, takes a perfect pass from D Michael Stone from his blueline and skates in on Nathan Lieuwen, beating with a backhand that sent the water bottle flying… A minute later Matt Fraser blocked a shot at his own blueline which sent he and Andrew Bailey on a 2-on-1, Bailey beat Snider for his 17th on the season… Three minutes later Max Reinhart was first on a lazy dump-in and fed a laser to Ismond who was streaking to the net. Ismond notched his 6th and 7th goals on the night… Matt Fraser had a chance to make it 4-1 but was stopped on a third period penalty-shot by Snider.
The Turning Point – At the halfway point of the game and with Hitmen pressing in a 1-1 tie, forward Carson McMillan is sent in alone on Lieuwen. D Hayden Rintoul hooked McMillan off-balance and the Calgary captain knocked Lieuwen into the goal in which the 17-year-old banged his head off the goalpost and was down on the ice for several minutes. Lieuwen didn’t leave the game and the break inspired the home squad as twenty seconds later Bailey scored the eventual game-winner.
Sure, but can he skate? – The first intermission featured the Shotgun shootout. Local shooter Jimmy Derosiers put three pucks in the hole; one from the slot, one from the blueline and one from centre. Good for $1000 and a shot at $10,000 at the end of the season. Sign ‘em up.
Not so Kozy – Brandon Kozun, the league’s third leading scorer, was a target all night and the Hitmen had trouble generating a lot of quality chances with their leading scorer on his backside most of the night.
The Trades – A natural centre but playing wing on this night, newly acquired Joel Broda, 19, was a threat early on but disappeared as the night wore on. D John Negrin and LW Michael Stickland were both in the crowd saying their good-byes after three and four seasons in Cranbrook. They’ll join the Broncos Sunday against these same Calgary Hitmen Sunday.
Thanks but no thanks – Former Ice forward Kris Foucault, with 41 points in 32 games with the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles, declined to return to the Ice after being asked following Dustin Sylvester’s injury December 27. He later accepted a trade to the Hitmen and was in the building tonight.
The Captain – Former Ice captain Colin Sinclair was in the building and has returned to his adopted home for the time being after leaving the ECHL’s Phoenix Roadrunners and requesting a trade over a lack of ice-time.
The Crowd – 3034 Loud and boisterous got their money’s worth.
KNA Three Stars
1. G Nathan Lieuwen – goaltender has big games against their biggest rival
2. LW Jesse Ismond – Two big goals
3. LW Kevin King – Physical play gave the short-handed ice the edge
Up Next: Another key game in the long line of game in the history book that is the Calgary-Kootenay rivalry. The Ice had no business winning this game with the line-up they had but they did and the win pushed the club to 20-18-2-4; 46 points - breaking up a five game losing streak in the process and still in a tie with both Edmonton and Prince Albert, both of which won tonight. The Hitmen took Kootenay for granted - suffering their first loss in 13 games after winning 12 straight and you can bet it won’t happen again when the two clubs meet once again Thursday at the Rec Plex.
Game Summary:
Hitmen 1 @ Ice 3
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Calgary Hitmen and the Kootenay Ice. January 10, 2008
With a depleted lineup of only fourteen skates the Kootenay Ice scored three second period goals, two by 17-year-old forward Jesse Ismond, en route to a 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action Saturday. After a scoreless first period Ismond opened the scoring with his 6th of the year at the 3:05 mark. Four minutes later Ian Schultz got behind the Ice defense and scored on a breakaway, backhanded his ninth past Nathan Lieuwen to tie it at one. Just over a minute later Andrew Bailey beat Hitmen goaltender Michael Snider with the eventual game-winner at 10:09. Ismond tapped in a nice cross-ice feed by Max Reinhart to make it 3-1 at 13:08.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 35 of 36 shots he faced to get the win while Snider turned aside 16 of 19 shots to take the loss.
First Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Karpov Cal (holding) 4:30, Stone Cal (hooking) 8:22, Broda Cal (roughing) 11:11, Barteaux Ktn Sonne Cal (roughing) Vanscourt Ktn (interference) 13:45, Sonne Cal (checking-from-behind) 19:39.
Second Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 6 (Cassivi, McNabb) 3:05
2. Calgary, Schultz 13 (Stone) 9:01
3. Kootenay, Bailey 17 (Fraser) 10:09
4. Kootenay, Ismond 7 (Reinhart, Stephens) 13:08 (pp)
Penalties -- MacMillan Cal (goaltender interference) Rintoul Ktn (hooking) 9:49, Calgary Bench (bench minor - served by Burgart) 12:06.
Third Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (delay-of-game) 5:55, Reinhart Ktn (hooking) 12:58.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 5 12 2 - 19
Calgary: 9 8 19 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 13-11-0-2); Calgary: Michael Snider (L, 7-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-5
Calgary: 0-3
Penalty Shot -- Fraser Ktn (7:05 of 3rd - stopped)
Referee -- Devin Klein. Linesman -- Cody Rude, Brad Yoshida.
Attendance -- 3034 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Eric Frere (shoulder - one week), Ryan Fox (knee - 7-10 days), Dominik Pacovsky (rib - one week), Dustin Sylvester (knee - indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite).
Calgary: Erik Bonsor (healthy), Kyle Bortis (knee - indefinite), Kris Foucault, Mackenzie Royer (healthy)
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Broncos-Ice deal....
The Swift Current Broncos (who else?) and the Kootenay Ice teamed up once again and completed a trade an hour before the WHL deadline as the Ice bid farewell to D John Negrin, 19, and RW Michael Stickland, 19, in exchange for C Christian Magnus, 16, and D James Martin, 17 along with a 2nd and 4th round pick in the 2010 Bantam Draft.
Christian Magnus
March 20, 1992 * Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Right Wing * Shoots: Right * 5’11”, 168 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 5 0 0 0 0
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 31 2 3 5 6
James Martin
May 29, 1991 * Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Defenseman * Shoots: Left * 6’2”, 190 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 2 0 0 0 0
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 31 0 4 4
14
Essential the deal signals the official rebuilding process of the Ice, though, to be honest that probably happened December 27 when Dustin Sylvester broke his ankle and his season ended. The club will be in tough to make the playoffs for an 11th straight year and will ice what closely resembles a Midget club tonight against the Calgary Hitmen. The new twosome won't be in the lineup until later this week, again against the Hitmen.
This is a huge gamble by the Broncos who think they now have what it takes to challenge the Hitmen for the Conference championship. We'll know in about two months how that turns out. For the Ice, it'll be 1-2 years before we know just how well this deal paid off.
Here's the link to the release.
In other trades today the Kelowna Rockets acquired forward Ian Duval, 20, from the Moose Jaw Warriors for 17-year-old forward Jesse Paradis. This deals follows the morning's deal that saw the Broncos deal goaltender Mark Guggenberger to the Rockets for a 5th round pick, essentially ending Kris Lazaruk's tenure in the WHL. Mr. Drinnan (link over there on the right) is reporting that Lazaruk will likely end up with the AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks or the USHL's Omaha Lancers.
It's a strange freefall for the 20-year-old Edmonton product after a promising season last year and a trade to the Rockets that had in a position to challenge for a title. Inconsistency tried Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton's patience once to often, thus the deal for Guggenberger. I like Guggenberger but I don't think he's much of an upgrade for a playoff run with his lack of experience in the post-season.
Here's a recap of the trades made by WHL teams just prior to the deadline. Courtesy of WHL.ca - oh and don't get me started about the website - why they would change formats without testing it just before the busiest time of the year is beyond me.
2009 WHL Trade Deadline Recap
January 10:
-Portland Winter Hawks trade the rights of D Bo Montgomery (18) to the Medicine Hat Tigers for a conditional 5th-round pick at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Prince Albert Raiders trade the rights of F Max Brandl (20) to the Portland Winter Hawks for 8th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Moose Jaw Warriors trade F Ian Duval (20) to the Kelowna Rockets for F Jesse Paradis (17).
-Kootenay Ice trade D John Negrin (19) and F Michael Stickland (19) to the Swift Current Broncos for F Christian Magnus (16), D James Martin (17) and 2nd and 4th-round picks in 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Swift Current Broncos trade G Mark Guggenberger (19) to the Kelowna Rockets for a conditional 5th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 9:
-Red Deer Rebels trade G Morgan Clark (18) to the Swift Current Broncos for 5th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Swift Current Broncos trade D Jesse Dudas (20) to the Regina Pats for 4th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Chilliwack Bruins traded F Liam Darragh (18) to the Swift Current Broncos for F Matt Ius (18).
January 8:
- Moose Jaw Warriors traded F Joel Broda (19) and F Tomas Karpov (19) to the Calgary Hitmen for F Brendan Rowinski (18) and 2nd and 7th-round picks in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Kamloops Blazers traded F Alex Rodgers (19) and D Nick Ross (19) to the Vancouver Giants for D Curtis Kulchar (18), 3rd and 4th-round picks in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft and a 2nd-round pick in the 2010 WHL bantam Draft.
- Moose Jaw Warriors traded F Ryley Grantham (20) and a 5th-round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft to the Kelowna Rockets for F Dylan Hood (18).
January 7:
- Kamloops Blazers traded F Brady Calla (20) to Spokane Chiefs for F Seth Compton (20) and a 3rd-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 6:
- Prince Albert Raiders traded F Robbie Ciolfi (17) to Prince George Cougars for F Ryan Kowalski (17).
- Prince Albert Raiders traded F Matt Robertson (20) to Regina Pats for F Michael MacAngus (20) and a 4th-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Everett Silvertips traded F Kyle Beach (18) and D Mike Alexander (19) to Lethbridge Hurricanes for F Dan Iwanski (18), D Alex Theriau (16), and a 1st-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 5:
- Saskatoon Blades traded F Brody Sutter (17) to Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 5th-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
More later...
Christian Magnus
March 20, 1992 * Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Right Wing * Shoots: Right * 5’11”, 168 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 5 0 0 0 0
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 31 2 3 5 6
James Martin
May 29, 1991 * Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Defenseman * Shoots: Left * 6’2”, 190 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 2 0 0 0 0
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 31 0 4 4
14
Essential the deal signals the official rebuilding process of the Ice, though, to be honest that probably happened December 27 when Dustin Sylvester broke his ankle and his season ended. The club will be in tough to make the playoffs for an 11th straight year and will ice what closely resembles a Midget club tonight against the Calgary Hitmen. The new twosome won't be in the lineup until later this week, again against the Hitmen.
This is a huge gamble by the Broncos who think they now have what it takes to challenge the Hitmen for the Conference championship. We'll know in about two months how that turns out. For the Ice, it'll be 1-2 years before we know just how well this deal paid off.
Here's the link to the release.
In other trades today the Kelowna Rockets acquired forward Ian Duval, 20, from the Moose Jaw Warriors for 17-year-old forward Jesse Paradis. This deals follows the morning's deal that saw the Broncos deal goaltender Mark Guggenberger to the Rockets for a 5th round pick, essentially ending Kris Lazaruk's tenure in the WHL. Mr. Drinnan (link over there on the right) is reporting that Lazaruk will likely end up with the AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks or the USHL's Omaha Lancers.
It's a strange freefall for the 20-year-old Edmonton product after a promising season last year and a trade to the Rockets that had in a position to challenge for a title. Inconsistency tried Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton's patience once to often, thus the deal for Guggenberger. I like Guggenberger but I don't think he's much of an upgrade for a playoff run with his lack of experience in the post-season.
Here's a recap of the trades made by WHL teams just prior to the deadline. Courtesy of WHL.ca - oh and don't get me started about the website - why they would change formats without testing it just before the busiest time of the year is beyond me.
2009 WHL Trade Deadline Recap
January 10:
-Portland Winter Hawks trade the rights of D Bo Montgomery (18) to the Medicine Hat Tigers for a conditional 5th-round pick at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Prince Albert Raiders trade the rights of F Max Brandl (20) to the Portland Winter Hawks for 8th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Moose Jaw Warriors trade F Ian Duval (20) to the Kelowna Rockets for F Jesse Paradis (17).
-Kootenay Ice trade D John Negrin (19) and F Michael Stickland (19) to the Swift Current Broncos for F Christian Magnus (16), D James Martin (17) and 2nd and 4th-round picks in 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Swift Current Broncos trade G Mark Guggenberger (19) to the Kelowna Rockets for a conditional 5th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 9:
-Red Deer Rebels trade G Morgan Clark (18) to the Swift Current Broncos for 5th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Swift Current Broncos trade D Jesse Dudas (20) to the Regina Pats for 4th-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
-Chilliwack Bruins traded F Liam Darragh (18) to the Swift Current Broncos for F Matt Ius (18).
January 8:
- Moose Jaw Warriors traded F Joel Broda (19) and F Tomas Karpov (19) to the Calgary Hitmen for F Brendan Rowinski (18) and 2nd and 7th-round picks in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Kamloops Blazers traded F Alex Rodgers (19) and D Nick Ross (19) to the Vancouver Giants for D Curtis Kulchar (18), 3rd and 4th-round picks in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft and a 2nd-round pick in the 2010 WHL bantam Draft.
- Moose Jaw Warriors traded F Ryley Grantham (20) and a 5th-round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft to the Kelowna Rockets for F Dylan Hood (18).
January 7:
- Kamloops Blazers traded F Brady Calla (20) to Spokane Chiefs for F Seth Compton (20) and a 3rd-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 6:
- Prince Albert Raiders traded F Robbie Ciolfi (17) to Prince George Cougars for F Ryan Kowalski (17).
- Prince Albert Raiders traded F Matt Robertson (20) to Regina Pats for F Michael MacAngus (20) and a 4th-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Everett Silvertips traded F Kyle Beach (18) and D Mike Alexander (19) to Lethbridge Hurricanes for F Dan Iwanski (18), D Alex Theriau (16), and a 1st-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
January 5:
- Saskatoon Blades traded F Brody Sutter (17) to Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 5th-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
More later...
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Score - Vancouver - Kootenay
The Score – Vancouver 4 – Kootenay 1
What Happened – The precision-like Giants took a while to dissect the neutral zone trap employed by the Ice but a dominant first period by the visitors and a power play goal by the gold-medal winning Evander Kane forced the Ice out of the shell. The offensively challenged Ice could only muster one goal with five minutes to play.
The Turning Point – With the score 2-0 and the Ice pressing in the third Giant goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made a terrific stop on Kevin King. Evander Kane scored on a 2-on-1 not long after.
The Ovation – During the line-up announcements Gold Medal winner Evander Kane drew a standing ovation. He didn’t disappoint.
The Fox – Forward Ryan Fox joined the club from the Calgary Hitmen after being acquired by the Ice in exchange for forward Kris Foucault, who is with the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL. Fox won’t play until next weekend as he’s recovering from a knee injury. Foucault was asked to return to the Ice but declined after being released at the beginning of the season. He’s got 41 points in 32 games with Canmore.
The Hits – Though this one was rather lopsided for a while the Ice let the Giants know it wouldn’t be a cakewalk with several crunching hits including Michael Stickland on Giants captain Craig Shira in the first minute that had the 20-year-old favouring his leg. Ice D Ian Barteaux laid the hit of the night on Lance Bouma in the 3rd with an open-ice collision that spun the Giant forward around in front of the team’s bench.
The Goals – With Bouma and Brayden McNabb off for roughing a four-on-four looked more like a power play for the Giants. Nick Ross, fresh off being acquired from the Kamloops Blazers, wired his 5th of the season to give the Giants a 1-0 first period lead… With the Giants actually on a power play this time a goal-mouth opportunity was converted by Evander Kane. Probably one that Nathan Lieuwen would want back… One of the lone times the Ice actually went on the strong forecheck the Giants perfection passing sent Casey Pierro-Zabotel on a 2-on-1 with Kane, who buried his 24th and second of the night… Late in the game John Negrin finally solved Sexsmith with a power play point blast for his 5th… James Henry would beat Lieuwen in the last two minutes with a shot that went off a sprawling Negrin and through Lieuwen to make the final 4-1.
The Deadline – Lots of trade talk in the building on the eve of the WHL’s trade deadline. Was Negrin’s goal his last in an Ice uniform?
The Surgery, again – C Dustin Sylvester underwent surgery on his broken ankle again after the original procedure two weeks ago in Lethbridge didn’t take. The surgery ensured that Sylvester would not return for the rest of the season… Winger Dominik Pacovsky is still a week away with a rib injury while C Steele Boomer is out indefinitely with a concussion. Oh and just in case you didn't think the Giants could be better than they were tonight, they were also missing their best d-man as Jon Blum underwent dental surgery after taking a stick to the chops at the World Juniors playing for Team USA against Kazakstan.
The Crowd – 3086
KNA Three Stars
1. C Evander Kane – Was all that was advertised. A sure-fire top ten NHL Draft pick in June
2. D Nick Ross – Solid for his first game in a Giants uniform
3. G Tyson Sexsmith – Was the difference when called upon
Up Next – At 19-18-2-4 and 44 points Kootenay is reeling under the pressure of a five-game losing streak. Unbelievably they’re still tied for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference but now they’ve got company as both Prince Albert and Edmonton leap-frogged Regina and Lethbridge into a tie with the Ice. It doesn’t get any easier as the league-leading Hitmen are at the Rec Plex Saturday night.
Game Summary:
Giants 4 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Vancouver Giants and the Kootenay Ice; January 9, 2009
Evander Kane, fresh off his gold medal win with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, scored two goals and added an assist as the Vancouver Giants dumped the Kootenay Ice 4-1 in WHL action Friday night. Defenseman Nick Ross, in his first game in a Giants uniform after being acquired from the Kamloops Blazers earlier in the week, opened the scoring with his 5th on the season with a slapshot from the point 17:39 into the first period to give the Giants a 1-0 after out-shooting the Ice 15-5.
Kane got his 23rd of the season at 14:01 of the second with the Giants on the power play to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Kane got his 24th 8:23 into the third period on a 2-on-1 from Casey Pierro-Zabotel to put the Giants up 3-0. John Negrin got his 5th of the season at the 15:00 minute mark with the Ice on the power play before James Henry made it 4-1 with less than two minutes left.
Pierro-Zabotel finished the game with three assists while Tyson Sexsmith stopped 18 of 19 shots for his 22nd win of the season. Nathan Lieuwen stopped 28 of 32 shots to take the loss.
First Period
1. Vancouver Ross 5 (Kane, Pierrro-Zabotel) 17:39
Penalties -- Bouma Van McNabb Ktn (roughing) 16:25.
Second Period
2. Vancouver, Kane 23 (Pierro-Zabotel, Regner) 14:01 (pp)
Penalties -- Antilla Ktn (tripping) 9:56, Stickland Ktn (interference) 13:13, Cunningham Vcr (hooking) 15:08, Bouma Vcr (interference) 17:40,
Third Period
3. Vancouver, Kane 24 (Nunn, Pierro-Zabotel) 8:23
4. Kootenay, Negrin 5 (Fraser, King) 15:00 (pp)
5. Vancouver, Henry 8 (Gallagher, Manning) 18:47
Penalties -- Kennedy Vcr Machacek Ktn (fighting) 10:34, Nunn Vcr (holding) 11:23, Kudra Vcr (interference) 14:22.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 5 7 7 - 19
Vancouver: 15 10 7 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 12-11-0-2) Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (L, 22-2-0-2 ).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-4
Vancouver: 1-2
Referee -- Derek Zalaski, Ryan Bonnett.. Linesman -- Chris Carlson, Michael Roberts.
Attendance -- 3086 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Dominik Pascovsky (Ribs - 5-7 days), Ryan Fox (knee - 7-10 days), Dustin Sylvester (knee - 10-12 weeks), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite).
Vancouver: Jonathon Blum (dental surgery - day-to-day), Mike Piluso (healthy), Adam Basford (healthy), J.T. Barnett (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
What Happened – The precision-like Giants took a while to dissect the neutral zone trap employed by the Ice but a dominant first period by the visitors and a power play goal by the gold-medal winning Evander Kane forced the Ice out of the shell. The offensively challenged Ice could only muster one goal with five minutes to play.
The Turning Point – With the score 2-0 and the Ice pressing in the third Giant goaltender Tyson Sexsmith made a terrific stop on Kevin King. Evander Kane scored on a 2-on-1 not long after.
The Ovation – During the line-up announcements Gold Medal winner Evander Kane drew a standing ovation. He didn’t disappoint.
The Fox – Forward Ryan Fox joined the club from the Calgary Hitmen after being acquired by the Ice in exchange for forward Kris Foucault, who is with the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL. Fox won’t play until next weekend as he’s recovering from a knee injury. Foucault was asked to return to the Ice but declined after being released at the beginning of the season. He’s got 41 points in 32 games with Canmore.
The Hits – Though this one was rather lopsided for a while the Ice let the Giants know it wouldn’t be a cakewalk with several crunching hits including Michael Stickland on Giants captain Craig Shira in the first minute that had the 20-year-old favouring his leg. Ice D Ian Barteaux laid the hit of the night on Lance Bouma in the 3rd with an open-ice collision that spun the Giant forward around in front of the team’s bench.
The Goals – With Bouma and Brayden McNabb off for roughing a four-on-four looked more like a power play for the Giants. Nick Ross, fresh off being acquired from the Kamloops Blazers, wired his 5th of the season to give the Giants a 1-0 first period lead… With the Giants actually on a power play this time a goal-mouth opportunity was converted by Evander Kane. Probably one that Nathan Lieuwen would want back… One of the lone times the Ice actually went on the strong forecheck the Giants perfection passing sent Casey Pierro-Zabotel on a 2-on-1 with Kane, who buried his 24th and second of the night… Late in the game John Negrin finally solved Sexsmith with a power play point blast for his 5th… James Henry would beat Lieuwen in the last two minutes with a shot that went off a sprawling Negrin and through Lieuwen to make the final 4-1.
The Deadline – Lots of trade talk in the building on the eve of the WHL’s trade deadline. Was Negrin’s goal his last in an Ice uniform?
The Surgery, again – C Dustin Sylvester underwent surgery on his broken ankle again after the original procedure two weeks ago in Lethbridge didn’t take. The surgery ensured that Sylvester would not return for the rest of the season… Winger Dominik Pacovsky is still a week away with a rib injury while C Steele Boomer is out indefinitely with a concussion. Oh and just in case you didn't think the Giants could be better than they were tonight, they were also missing their best d-man as Jon Blum underwent dental surgery after taking a stick to the chops at the World Juniors playing for Team USA against Kazakstan.
The Crowd – 3086
KNA Three Stars
1. C Evander Kane – Was all that was advertised. A sure-fire top ten NHL Draft pick in June
2. D Nick Ross – Solid for his first game in a Giants uniform
3. G Tyson Sexsmith – Was the difference when called upon
Up Next – At 19-18-2-4 and 44 points Kootenay is reeling under the pressure of a five-game losing streak. Unbelievably they’re still tied for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference but now they’ve got company as both Prince Albert and Edmonton leap-frogged Regina and Lethbridge into a tie with the Ice. It doesn’t get any easier as the league-leading Hitmen are at the Rec Plex Saturday night.
Game Summary:
Giants 4 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Vancouver Giants and the Kootenay Ice; January 9, 2009
Evander Kane, fresh off his gold medal win with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, scored two goals and added an assist as the Vancouver Giants dumped the Kootenay Ice 4-1 in WHL action Friday night. Defenseman Nick Ross, in his first game in a Giants uniform after being acquired from the Kamloops Blazers earlier in the week, opened the scoring with his 5th on the season with a slapshot from the point 17:39 into the first period to give the Giants a 1-0 after out-shooting the Ice 15-5.
Kane got his 23rd of the season at 14:01 of the second with the Giants on the power play to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Kane got his 24th 8:23 into the third period on a 2-on-1 from Casey Pierro-Zabotel to put the Giants up 3-0. John Negrin got his 5th of the season at the 15:00 minute mark with the Ice on the power play before James Henry made it 4-1 with less than two minutes left.
Pierro-Zabotel finished the game with three assists while Tyson Sexsmith stopped 18 of 19 shots for his 22nd win of the season. Nathan Lieuwen stopped 28 of 32 shots to take the loss.
First Period
1. Vancouver Ross 5 (Kane, Pierrro-Zabotel) 17:39
Penalties -- Bouma Van McNabb Ktn (roughing) 16:25.
Second Period
2. Vancouver, Kane 23 (Pierro-Zabotel, Regner) 14:01 (pp)
Penalties -- Antilla Ktn (tripping) 9:56, Stickland Ktn (interference) 13:13, Cunningham Vcr (hooking) 15:08, Bouma Vcr (interference) 17:40,
Third Period
3. Vancouver, Kane 24 (Nunn, Pierro-Zabotel) 8:23
4. Kootenay, Negrin 5 (Fraser, King) 15:00 (pp)
5. Vancouver, Henry 8 (Gallagher, Manning) 18:47
Penalties -- Kennedy Vcr Machacek Ktn (fighting) 10:34, Nunn Vcr (holding) 11:23, Kudra Vcr (interference) 14:22.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 5 7 7 - 19
Vancouver: 15 10 7 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 12-11-0-2) Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (L, 22-2-0-2 ).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-4
Vancouver: 1-2
Referee -- Derek Zalaski, Ryan Bonnett.. Linesman -- Chris Carlson, Michael Roberts.
Attendance -- 3086 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Dominik Pascovsky (Ribs - 5-7 days), Ryan Fox (knee - 7-10 days), Dustin Sylvester (knee - 10-12 weeks), Steele Boomer (concussion - indefinite).
Vancouver: Jonathon Blum (dental surgery - day-to-day), Mike Piluso (healthy), Adam Basford (healthy), J.T. Barnett (healthy).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Kootenay NewsAdvertiser
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Ice get a fox.
Ice acquire Fox from Hitmen. Here's the release:
Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has acquired forward Ryan Fox from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for Kris Foucault.
“With the injuries to Dustin Sylvester and Steele Boomer we are short forwards so the addition of Ryan gives us a forward we need while allowing Kris to play in his hometown of Calgary. We feel this is a great opportunity for both us and Calgary,” added Chynoweth.
Kootenay returns to action this weekend at home against the Vancouver Giants on Friday and the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday. Both games will start at 7:00 pm. Tickets for this game are available at the Kootenay ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.
Ryan Fox
April 26, 1990 * Hometown: Creighton, SK
Right Wing * Shoots: Right * 6’0”, 185 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2006-07 Calgary Hitmen 2 0 0 0 0
2007-08 Calgary Hitmen 46 1 7 8 16
2008-09 Calgary Hitmen 22 1 3 4 18
Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has acquired forward Ryan Fox from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for Kris Foucault.
“With the injuries to Dustin Sylvester and Steele Boomer we are short forwards so the addition of Ryan gives us a forward we need while allowing Kris to play in his hometown of Calgary. We feel this is a great opportunity for both us and Calgary,” added Chynoweth.
Kootenay returns to action this weekend at home against the Vancouver Giants on Friday and the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday. Both games will start at 7:00 pm. Tickets for this game are available at the Kootenay ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.
Ryan Fox
April 26, 1990 * Hometown: Creighton, SK
Right Wing * Shoots: Right * 6’0”, 185 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2006-07 Calgary Hitmen 2 0 0 0 0
2007-08 Calgary Hitmen 46 1 7 8 16
2008-09 Calgary Hitmen 22 1 3 4 18
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ice buying or selling?
Chynoweth’s phone ringing at deadline
by Jeff Bromley
Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth is in very strange territory. After years of being buyers, tire-kickers and all out contenders come the WHL’s trade deadline day, this season Chynoweth’s phone is ringing with inquiries about his top players. Though the young WHL club is far from out of the playoff picture Kootenay’s best defenseman John Negrin has been the desire of more than a few WHL general managers. “I don’t know how to take this,” said Chynoweth. “I’ve always been somewhat of a buyer. A little tweak here, a tweak there; some are saying that we have a couple of the keys for certain teams. I’ve never been in this situation before. Usually I’m calling them.”
“There’s been lots of interest in some players but it’s got to be the right deal. There’s not going to be a deal for the sake of making a deal.”
Though Chynoweth wouldn’t specifically say that Negrin had been inquired about the fact that the Calgary Flames third round draft pick from 2007 is signed by the NHL club and won’t be back in junior hockey for his overage season next year makes him a clear target for the so-called contenders. That and the fact that high-end defensemen this season are in high demand says that the 19-year-old West Vancouver product could be on the move by Saturday. “From our end there have been seven or eight teams that have enquired about certain players. Have we got down to the brass tacks? No, we haven’t and thus far, if the trade deadline was right now, we wouldn’t be making any trades.”
Translation: a player like John Negrin is going to cost you.
Currently tenth in scoring among defensemen in the WHL with 4 goals and 26 assists the affable red head has heard the whispers but is doing his best to ignore them. “I know it’s a possibility,” said Negrin. “But anything’s possible. We have a young team and they might have to fill some holes next year on defence.”
Negrin admits that he and some of his older team-mates have discussed the possibility of being traded away – the club’s 20-year-olds; Andrew Bailey, Ian Barteaux and Eric Frere could also be targets – but like Negrin are doing their best not to worry about it. “It’s crossed my mind as well as couple of the other older guys but every year, it doesn’t matter if you have a good team or a bad team, you always think about that deadline and the chance. You never know what could happen. Kootenay has a history of being quiet at the deadline but this year seeing where we are and that we’re so young and kind of rebuilding, anything’s possible.”
Of course this is all predicated on the fact that the Ice could miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Currently sixth in the Eastern conference the club has lost four straight and faces a brutal part of the schedule coming up, playing each of the three division leaders in the West, Central and Eastern over the next week. All without the services of team leader and leading scorer Dustin Sylvester as well as veteran Steele Boomer, who may have played his last game of the season after suffering his third concussion in Edmonton Friday night, leaving the club with just eleven healthy forwards. “That’s thing with this team,” added Negrin. “We’ve got a lot of character, we’re young and they’ve learned a lot and we’re not out of this yet. Management and the coaches are going to have to look at that. Losing Sylvester hurts but we’ve faced adversity in the past and have still shown up. Anything’s possible.”
Quick Hits – The biggest fish said to be available for Saturday’s 3PM deadline is Moose Jaw Warrior forward Joel Broda, 19, the WHL’s leading goal-scorer with 35…. Along with Negrin also said to be hotly pursued are Blazer D Nick Ross and Portland blueliner Travis Erhardt, both 19… Following the World Junior tournament the Kelowna Rockets could be one of the biggest winners. The Rockets own the rights to Swedish forward Mikeal Backlund, a Calgary Flames first round pick, who, along with his Swedish teammates, lost the gold medal game against Canada Monday night. Backlund, who was playing pro in the Swedish Elite League with Vasteras, has had a falling out with the club due to expectations and playing time. The Flames would like him to play in North America this season and are said to be securing his release, clearing his way to the Okanagan… The Portland Winter Hawks have enticed former Medicine Hat Tiger goaltender Tomas Vosvrda to join their club for the rest of the season after Vosvrda was playing in his native Czech Republic. The Tigers outright released him at the beginning of the season and Portland added him to their list, leaving them with four goaltenders on their roster. The addition of Vosvrda, along with current starter Kurtis Mucha, 19, Keith Hamilton, 16, and newly acquired Ian Curtis, 18, is generating speculation that Mucha will be dealt… G Thomas Heemskerk, acquired by the Everett Silvertips for a 3rd round bantam pick in 2010, made his first start with the ‘Tips in Kent, Washington in the new home of the Seattle Thunderbirds the ShoWare Centre, dropping a 4-3 decision.
by Jeff Bromley
Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth is in very strange territory. After years of being buyers, tire-kickers and all out contenders come the WHL’s trade deadline day, this season Chynoweth’s phone is ringing with inquiries about his top players. Though the young WHL club is far from out of the playoff picture Kootenay’s best defenseman John Negrin has been the desire of more than a few WHL general managers. “I don’t know how to take this,” said Chynoweth. “I’ve always been somewhat of a buyer. A little tweak here, a tweak there; some are saying that we have a couple of the keys for certain teams. I’ve never been in this situation before. Usually I’m calling them.”
“There’s been lots of interest in some players but it’s got to be the right deal. There’s not going to be a deal for the sake of making a deal.”
Though Chynoweth wouldn’t specifically say that Negrin had been inquired about the fact that the Calgary Flames third round draft pick from 2007 is signed by the NHL club and won’t be back in junior hockey for his overage season next year makes him a clear target for the so-called contenders. That and the fact that high-end defensemen this season are in high demand says that the 19-year-old West Vancouver product could be on the move by Saturday. “From our end there have been seven or eight teams that have enquired about certain players. Have we got down to the brass tacks? No, we haven’t and thus far, if the trade deadline was right now, we wouldn’t be making any trades.”
Translation: a player like John Negrin is going to cost you.
Currently tenth in scoring among defensemen in the WHL with 4 goals and 26 assists the affable red head has heard the whispers but is doing his best to ignore them. “I know it’s a possibility,” said Negrin. “But anything’s possible. We have a young team and they might have to fill some holes next year on defence.”
Negrin admits that he and some of his older team-mates have discussed the possibility of being traded away – the club’s 20-year-olds; Andrew Bailey, Ian Barteaux and Eric Frere could also be targets – but like Negrin are doing their best not to worry about it. “It’s crossed my mind as well as couple of the other older guys but every year, it doesn’t matter if you have a good team or a bad team, you always think about that deadline and the chance. You never know what could happen. Kootenay has a history of being quiet at the deadline but this year seeing where we are and that we’re so young and kind of rebuilding, anything’s possible.”
Of course this is all predicated on the fact that the Ice could miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Currently sixth in the Eastern conference the club has lost four straight and faces a brutal part of the schedule coming up, playing each of the three division leaders in the West, Central and Eastern over the next week. All without the services of team leader and leading scorer Dustin Sylvester as well as veteran Steele Boomer, who may have played his last game of the season after suffering his third concussion in Edmonton Friday night, leaving the club with just eleven healthy forwards. “That’s thing with this team,” added Negrin. “We’ve got a lot of character, we’re young and they’ve learned a lot and we’re not out of this yet. Management and the coaches are going to have to look at that. Losing Sylvester hurts but we’ve faced adversity in the past and have still shown up. Anything’s possible.”
Quick Hits – The biggest fish said to be available for Saturday’s 3PM deadline is Moose Jaw Warrior forward Joel Broda, 19, the WHL’s leading goal-scorer with 35…. Along with Negrin also said to be hotly pursued are Blazer D Nick Ross and Portland blueliner Travis Erhardt, both 19… Following the World Junior tournament the Kelowna Rockets could be one of the biggest winners. The Rockets own the rights to Swedish forward Mikeal Backlund, a Calgary Flames first round pick, who, along with his Swedish teammates, lost the gold medal game against Canada Monday night. Backlund, who was playing pro in the Swedish Elite League with Vasteras, has had a falling out with the club due to expectations and playing time. The Flames would like him to play in North America this season and are said to be securing his release, clearing his way to the Okanagan… The Portland Winter Hawks have enticed former Medicine Hat Tiger goaltender Tomas Vosvrda to join their club for the rest of the season after Vosvrda was playing in his native Czech Republic. The Tigers outright released him at the beginning of the season and Portland added him to their list, leaving them with four goaltenders on their roster. The addition of Vosvrda, along with current starter Kurtis Mucha, 19, Keith Hamilton, 16, and newly acquired Ian Curtis, 18, is generating speculation that Mucha will be dealt… G Thomas Heemskerk, acquired by the Everett Silvertips for a 3rd round bantam pick in 2010, made his first start with the ‘Tips in Kent, Washington in the new home of the Seattle Thunderbirds the ShoWare Centre, dropping a 4-3 decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)