For the first time in nine seasons the Kootenay Ice will have to contend with a short summer - one game shy of the shortest with their Memorial Cup semi-final loss -before they prepare for the 2011-12 season.
That's not a bad thing.
But as is with all junior hockey clubs, its nature demands that new life is born with every autumn and as such players and personalities will move on to professional contracts, college hockey and life as an adult.
At least they will do so with a championship in their back pocket, something a majority of players at this level will never get a chance to do.
For the WHL Champions there stands to be a change in the personnel of the hockey club. From a team that returned 17 regulars from the year prior, the 2011-12 version stands to look somewhat different.
Here's a peek at next season:
The Graduates - Steele Boomer, Kevin King and Matt Fraser all graduated with Friday night's loss to Mississauga. King was a 3rd round pick from the 2005 Bantam Draft that made the club as a rookie in 2006, playing all five years of eligibility. Boomer, taken in the second round of that draft, made the club in 2007 while Fraser was acquired as a 17-year-old in exchange for 20-year-old Clayton Bauer in 2007. Fraser, a superb community volunteer in his fund-raising efforts with the East Kootenay Hospital foundation, is signed by the Dallas Stars and will play in their organization next season. He was named the Boston (Vancouver?) Pizza Playoff MVP for the team today. King and Boomer are free agents and will test the pro market next season or take advantage of the scholarship program and play college hockey.
But in fact all three of them did so much for the community. Matt Coxford of the Townsman caught up with the three of them at their exit meetings Sunday. What did they do Saturday night after flying back from Toronto? Attended the Relay for Life at the College. Really, how many players do that much for the community and even get an Owl named after them? And can sing?
It's the kind of impact on the community that many never get to see or experience but they sure do make a difference.
20-year-olds - The club is laden with them, seven, to be precise.
C Cody Eakin is signed with the Washington Capitals and will be coming to an NHL arena near you. He was a late cut of the Caps last season and will have a great shot again this year. Although he has one year of eligibility left it won't be used. Signed players can play pro in the AHL at 20 if their NHL clubs so desire.
D Brayden McNabb is signed with the Buffalo Sabres. Like Eakin, McNabb is eligible to return but it won't happen. He likely play a year or two with the Sabres AHL franchise before making a big push for the big club. Then again, in the NHL salary cap world and rookies making less than the veterans, the Sabres are known to let their prospects develop with the big team too. It wouldn't be a shock if he made it.
So two are gone for sure, which leaves five eligible players for three 20-year-old spots and possibly some very difficult decisions for Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth.
G Nathan Lieuwen - The unsigned, undrafted WHL Playoff MVP will almost certainly make Chynoweth's decision easier. His play has earned him some big time talk in the scouting circles to the point that in this year's WHL eligible goaltenders for the NHL Draft it's Lieuwen who won't be left on the outside looking in, as was the case the last two go-arounds. And if that doesn't happen he will almost assuredly be snapped up and signed as a free-agent and play pro hockey somewhere next season. The third possibility is the one that the club must face but likely won't have to. The club has three goaltenders waiting in the wings that will battle for two spots next season. Back-up Brett Teskey, who will be 18, Mackenzie Skapski, 17, and Wyatt Hoflin, 16 will all battle for the two jobs. If by chance Lieuwen returns to the club to play for a 20-year-old spot the chance of being traded just to make room for the others is very real. (As per Gregg Drinnan's blog and their goaltending situation, Vancouver Giants, anyone?) But there is a fourth possibility at play here. Lieuwen is a top-notch student and actually tutored the rest of the club's players this past season when needed. If his hockey dream doesn't pan out next season he could use his scholarship and start school right away.
But based on his play this past season and the playoff MVP in his pocket, the NHL will come calling.
And then there were four.....
D James Martin - Martin will obviously look at any pro offers but is a likely candidate to return next season and wear a letter.
D Hayden Rintoul - Like Martin, Rintoul is in the same boat.
F Joe Antilla - The burly forward has a penchant for scoring big goals
F Jesse Ismond - Nasty to play against, Ismond can also put the puck in the net.
So four, possibly five, players for three spots. Let's look down at the rest of the roster first before we see who might fit where.
19-year-olds
C Max Reinhart - The Calgary Flames draft pick will have a shot at the big club this season but will almost certainly be back in a leadership role with the club. Reinhart should push in the league scoring department next season.
F Drew Czerwonka - Will play an even bigger role next season.
F Elgin Pearce - Was relegated to fourth line duty in the playoffs at times but has shown flashes of being able to put the puck in the net. Will he take the ball and run with it? 19-year-olds have to play top-six, can he be one of them?
F Brock Montgomery - Another role player that was hampered by injuries. Depending on what the club wants to do with it's younger, developing forwards, Montgomery might be able to play a third-line role.
D Luke Paulsen - Slotted in the five-six hole all season Paulsen will play big minutes next year. Power play and likely the second pairing.
D Joey Leach - Brayden McNabb's minutes will have to be taken by somebody. Leach is likely the guy.
D John Neibrandt - Playing in a 7th D-man role this past year Neibrandt will have to step it up as a 19-year-old. His minutes/spot depends on the 20-year-old situation.
18-year-olds
F Brendan Hurley - The power forward played a bigger, third-line role throughout the playoffs. Will his physical presence turn into points? Probably a 3rd line regular next season.
F Erik Benoit - Here's a guy that made the club as a walk-on and then showed he could score given the chance. Next season he will be given more.
F Adam Rossignol - Another kid who can score but was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. He'll get an opportunity. Could be looking at the third line otherwise he'll be fighting with the rookies on the fourth unit, which could put his spot in jeopardy.
D Jagger Dirk - Like Paulsen, Dirk will be counted upon for heavy minutes and will play a top-four role. Has a shot at being a late-round NHL Draft pick in June.
G Brett Teskey - Some big skates to fill if Lieuwen doesn't return. He'll also not be handed the starter's job as Skapski will have something to say about that.
17-year-olds
The club did not carry any 16-year-old regulars this season so here's a snapshot of who I think will push for a spot. They are in order of shot at making the team in their respective positions.
G Mackenzie Skapski. Played Junior B in Ridge Meadows this year with varying success. He is the heir apparent and will push Teskey for the starter's job.
D Mike Simpson. Played with the club at different points this season. With higher-profile rearguards like Michael King and Matt Benning on the club's list both looking at the NCAA route, Simpson is prospect with the best shot at making the club as a full-time rookie d-man.
D Jeff Hubic - Another young d-man who played some games with the Ice this season.
F Levi Cable - Lead the Yorkton Harvest in scoring this past year in Saskatchewan Midget and will be given every chance to make the big club this season.
F Jared Iron - Second in scoring with the Beardy's Blackhawks in Saskatchewan Midget this past year. Like Cable, will likely be in the mix next season.
16-year-olds
F Sam Reinhart - He was the club's defacto 16-year-old this season and would've played more had regulations permitted. He'll transition into a full-time role next season and has a shot as being the club's starriest 16-year-old in recent memory. I suspect the transition to full-time play in the WHL will have it's setbacks as most 16-year-olds do but Reinhart, based his time accummalated with the club in the regular season and playoffs, should be well equipped to play a bigger-than-normal role on this team next season.
D Tanner Faith - Played in four games this season and has a shot at the 7th d-man/rookie role this year. Will be fighting with the likes of Hubic and Simpson for his role.
F Luke Philp - Finished 3rd in Alberta Midget scoring this season as a 15-year-old with the UFA Bisons which is no small feat with 20g 33a - 53 pts in 33 games. I expect him to be one of the club's rookie forwards next season.
F Jaedon Descheneau - Lead the Leduc Oil Kings in scoring in the same league with 15g 20a - 35 points in 31 games.
F Sam Johnson - Was third in scoring on that UFA Bison team. A list player, Johnson might have to wait a year before getting his shot.
As with any prognostication there are many wildcards in play depending who returns, who doesn't and what kind of developments/transitions happen over the summer. This one however will be a short one.
Here's my roster for next year just for fun.
G - Brett Teskey
G - Mackenzie Skapski
Wildcard: Hoflin, 16, will challenge but will have to wait. I'm betting big that Lieuwen get's an NHL contract, if not we'll re-work this thing over the summer.
D - James Martin
D - Joey Leach
D - Hayden Rintoul
D - Luke Paulsen
D - Jagger Dirk
D - Mike Simpson
D - Tanner Faith
Wildcard: John Neibrandt, 19
Rintoul's my overage D-man on the bubble here. He brings a lot to the club but could also get something back in trade. If Rintoul's dealt at the 20-year-old deadline next season Neibrandt, 19, should be in the mix. Rintoul's high-risk, high reward and whether or not Chynoweth wants to rebuild or retool next season will help make this decision.
C - Max Reinhart
F - Joe Antilla
F - Drew Czerwonka
F/C - Elgin Pearce
F - Brendan Hurley
F - Erik Benoit
F - Brock Montgomery
C/F - Adam Rossignol
C - Sam Reinhart
F - Levi Cable
F - Jared Iron
F - Luke Philp
F - Jaedon Descheneau
F - Sam Johnson
Wildcard - F Jesse Ismond; If Rintoul is kept, Ismond is the odd-man out and vice-versa if Rintoul goes. It boils down to offense from the blueline or grit with scoring touch up front. If Paulsen and Dirk can step it up offensively and mature in their own end, Rintoul could be the odd-man out in one of the toughest 20-year-old decisions the club has faced in some time.
As you can see this all sets upon a traditional 23-roster (14 forwards, 7 defensemen and two goaltenders). The WHL Champs lose a lot but still returns possibly nine veteran forwards, five veteran d-men and a veteran back-up based on my configuration. Possibly 15 returning off of a WHL championship team still says something. Two off of the 17 that came back last year.
If anything, a few things to chew on over the short summer.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Cup dream dies at hands of Majors
The Kootenay Ice dream run came to an end in the CHL's second-to-last game of the season Friday night as the Mississauga Majors edged the Ice 3-1 to move on to the Memorial Cup final Sunday against the Saint John Sea Dogs.
The Ice continued on their Memorial Cup theme and found themselves down early when Cody Eakin was assessed a boarding penalty on the first shift. Devante Smith-Pelly wired a wrist shot on the ensuing power play to put the Majors up 1-0 just over a minute into the game.
Late in the second Smith-Pelly did it again with another great wrist-shot from the slot that beat Nathan Lieuwen for a 2-0 lead.
Joe Antilla got the Ice back in the game with a last second goal on the power play to half the Major lead.
The Major would get the empty-netter to advance to the final with 55 seconds left.
Not a lot of thoughts right now other than the missed opportunities of the Ice going 1-7 on the PP and giving up four minors in the first period.
JP Anderson was the difference when needed but quality chances weren't abundant for the Ice on this night.
Physical game was on the Majors side tonight as the Ice were on the receiving end of a many of the game's hits.
All n all a dream season that fell just short of the Memorial Cup final, not a lot to hang their heads about.
Will have some more on the Ice finish the season and a look ahead to next year over the weekend.
The Ice continued on their Memorial Cup theme and found themselves down early when Cody Eakin was assessed a boarding penalty on the first shift. Devante Smith-Pelly wired a wrist shot on the ensuing power play to put the Majors up 1-0 just over a minute into the game.
Late in the second Smith-Pelly did it again with another great wrist-shot from the slot that beat Nathan Lieuwen for a 2-0 lead.
Joe Antilla got the Ice back in the game with a last second goal on the power play to half the Major lead.
The Major would get the empty-netter to advance to the final with 55 seconds left.
Not a lot of thoughts right now other than the missed opportunities of the Ice going 1-7 on the PP and giving up four minors in the first period.
JP Anderson was the difference when needed but quality chances weren't abundant for the Ice on this night.
Physical game was on the Majors side tonight as the Ice were on the receiving end of a many of the game's hits.
All n all a dream season that fell just short of the Memorial Cup final, not a lot to hang their heads about.
Will have some more on the Ice finish the season and a look ahead to next year over the weekend.
Coach K sends message
UPDATE - Not known for his emotional outbursts as a bench boss, did Coach K finally snap after his club's efforts following the first period of last night's tie-breaker? There's a couple of indications today.
From Nate Seager of BTN - "There may or may not have been a ball thrown and a few things knocked off the bench in front," was how star centre Cody Eakin, who had three points, described the scene at the first intermission. "That's a kick in the butt after the first we had and we responded."
This from Patrick King at Sportsnet -
The Ice appeared to have no emotion and no urgency in their game after the first 20 minutes. Overage forward Matt Fraser said the team got a spark lit from their head coach, Kris Knoblauch.
"He came in and sent a message to us that good teams find a way to get the job done," Fraser said. "We took the message loud and clear and as a team we knew that wasn’t acceptable if we wanted to keep playing. We came out and I thought we responded really well."
Fraser also said this of the possible fines he'd face. "I don't have enough money to say what was said in the dressing room" - Kootenay Ice forward Matt Fraser when asked what was said in the dressing room after the Ice went down 2-0 to the Owen Sound Attack in the first period tonight.
A definite players coach in a market where the likes of Ryan McGill, Cory Clouston and Mark Holick have established themselves as 'old school' coaches, Knoblauch hadn't yet fitted that bill, at least until last night. It seemed to work.
From Nate Seager of BTN - "There may or may not have been a ball thrown and a few things knocked off the bench in front," was how star centre Cody Eakin, who had three points, described the scene at the first intermission. "That's a kick in the butt after the first we had and we responded."
This from Patrick King at Sportsnet -
The Ice appeared to have no emotion and no urgency in their game after the first 20 minutes. Overage forward Matt Fraser said the team got a spark lit from their head coach, Kris Knoblauch.
"He came in and sent a message to us that good teams find a way to get the job done," Fraser said. "We took the message loud and clear and as a team we knew that wasn’t acceptable if we wanted to keep playing. We came out and I thought we responded really well."
Fraser also said this of the possible fines he'd face. "I don't have enough money to say what was said in the dressing room" - Kootenay Ice forward Matt Fraser when asked what was said in the dressing room after the Ice went down 2-0 to the Owen Sound Attack in the first period tonight.
A definite players coach in a market where the likes of Ryan McGill, Cory Clouston and Mark Holick have established themselves as 'old school' coaches, Knoblauch hadn't yet fitted that bill, at least until last night. It seemed to work.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Ice on the long road back.....
The Kootenay Ice are alive and now, they're starting to kick.
Matt Fraser and Cody Eakin each notched two goals and an assist while Joe Antilla and Max Reinhart chipped in with a goal and an assist as the Ice dumped the Owen Sound Attack 7-3 to move to the Memorial Cup semi-final tomorrow against the Mississauga Majors.
The Ice continued to do things the hard way as the club started the tie-breaker, do-or-die game arguably the flattest of all of their efforts at this tournament. And that's saying something.
A dominating period by the Attack pushed the OHL champs to a 2-0 first period lead that saw the Ice whiff on a glorious five-on-three opportunity that produced only three shots. Jesse Ismond took a penalty to start the second and the frustration was mounting.
Then came the turning point in the game, by of all players, Brendan Hurley. A solid hit down low by Hurley - a strategy not picked up by the Ice after the war the Attack played against the Majors 24 hours earlier - turned the puck over. Joe Antilla took a pass in the slot and Eric Benoit deftly kicked the puck up to his stick and tucked it past Scott Stajcer (Huh?) to cut the Attack lead to 2-1.
Truer to form, Hurley took a penalty right off the centre ice face-off but on the PK Cody Eakin pushed a puck ahead and took off on a two-on-one with Antilla. He ripped the game-tying goal and Kootenay finally looked like the team that dispatched the Blades, Tigers and Winterhawks en route to the WHL title.
Kootenay's powerplay started to click against the Sea Dogs and it continued tonight when Matt Fraser notched two straight markers, his 3rd and 4th of the tourney, to take a 4-2 lead. The wheels started to fall off for the Attack as Cody Eakin got his third of the tourney to make it 5-2 and Max Reinhart fired another short-handed marker to make it 6-2 in the third. The Attack got another to make it 6-3 but Eakin potted an empty-netter to send the Ice to the semi-final Friday.
Thoughts...
The Gall - It's baffling how this team doesn't panic. Down 2-0 and facing elimination after a less-than-stellar first period.
The Hit - As mentioned a solid hit down low by Hurley turned the puck over. Some great footwork by Benoit to his stick got the Ice started. Some third line magic as Benoit made the most of his opportunity.
The Save - With a 6-3 lead with still over 10 minutes to play Nathan Lieuwen made a spectacular windmill-pad save that went off the cross-bar and stayed out and kept the score 6-3 with the Attack, well, attacking. Alot. The Portland game two de ja vu all over again thing was stopped in its tracks.
The Decision - With all due respect to Attack coach Mark Reeds, I don't like his chances as Mr. Popular in Owen Sound after amazingly deciding to start Scott Stacjer in favour of Jordan Binnington in goal. Though the Attack were 1-2 Binnington lead the Memorial Cup in all the right categories. GAA - 1.42; Save % - .951; he also shut Kootenay out in the round robin. Reeds went with Stacjer. Maybe Dave Cameron will go with Taylor Edwards tomorrow night. I doubt it.
His name is - Joe, Antilla. Jeff Hollick's popular call is becoming a show stopper and if Antilla keeps scoring big playoff goals like he has this spring he'll be able to called whatever he wants. Mayor, Your Highness....
The Line-ups - Following a nearly disastrous first period the lack of depth on Owen Sound with the club's number two and three offensive weapons out of the line-up due to concussions caught up to the OHL champs. Take any two of Fraser, Reinhart or Eakin out of the line-up and you get a clearer picture of what the Attack were up against.
The Lines - Coach K went with what worked against the Sea Dogs with Drew Czerwonka moving up with Reinhart and Fraser while Antilla checked in with Benoit and Boomer. Brendan Hurley sprinkled in on the third line, including the Ice first goal, while Pearce and Montgomery were the fourth unit.
Okay, the Cynic says; They've beat a Saint John team with nothing to play for and resting two top players and they've beaten an Owen Sound team with two of their best players out of the line-up. The true test lies ahead with a healthy Mississauga squad that will have everyone in the line-up, including Chris DeSousa who took out Attack captain Garrett Wilson last night and wasn't punished under supplementary discipline by tournament heavy Brian O'Neill. There wasn't a penalty called on the play.
Up Next - The Ice get a second crack at the Majors this time with their captain and power play quarterback Brayden McNabb in the lineup. Gametime is 5pm on Sportsnet and the Drive.
The Media - Buzzing the Net, The Star, The Sun, and Sportsnet has all the details.
Matt Fraser and Cody Eakin each notched two goals and an assist while Joe Antilla and Max Reinhart chipped in with a goal and an assist as the Ice dumped the Owen Sound Attack 7-3 to move to the Memorial Cup semi-final tomorrow against the Mississauga Majors.
The Ice continued to do things the hard way as the club started the tie-breaker, do-or-die game arguably the flattest of all of their efforts at this tournament. And that's saying something.
A dominating period by the Attack pushed the OHL champs to a 2-0 first period lead that saw the Ice whiff on a glorious five-on-three opportunity that produced only three shots. Jesse Ismond took a penalty to start the second and the frustration was mounting.
Then came the turning point in the game, by of all players, Brendan Hurley. A solid hit down low by Hurley - a strategy not picked up by the Ice after the war the Attack played against the Majors 24 hours earlier - turned the puck over. Joe Antilla took a pass in the slot and Eric Benoit deftly kicked the puck up to his stick and tucked it past Scott Stajcer (Huh?) to cut the Attack lead to 2-1.
Truer to form, Hurley took a penalty right off the centre ice face-off but on the PK Cody Eakin pushed a puck ahead and took off on a two-on-one with Antilla. He ripped the game-tying goal and Kootenay finally looked like the team that dispatched the Blades, Tigers and Winterhawks en route to the WHL title.
Kootenay's powerplay started to click against the Sea Dogs and it continued tonight when Matt Fraser notched two straight markers, his 3rd and 4th of the tourney, to take a 4-2 lead. The wheels started to fall off for the Attack as Cody Eakin got his third of the tourney to make it 5-2 and Max Reinhart fired another short-handed marker to make it 6-2 in the third. The Attack got another to make it 6-3 but Eakin potted an empty-netter to send the Ice to the semi-final Friday.
Thoughts...
The Gall - It's baffling how this team doesn't panic. Down 2-0 and facing elimination after a less-than-stellar first period.
The Hit - As mentioned a solid hit down low by Hurley turned the puck over. Some great footwork by Benoit to his stick got the Ice started. Some third line magic as Benoit made the most of his opportunity.
The Save - With a 6-3 lead with still over 10 minutes to play Nathan Lieuwen made a spectacular windmill-pad save that went off the cross-bar and stayed out and kept the score 6-3 with the Attack, well, attacking. Alot. The Portland game two de ja vu all over again thing was stopped in its tracks.
The Decision - With all due respect to Attack coach Mark Reeds, I don't like his chances as Mr. Popular in Owen Sound after amazingly deciding to start Scott Stacjer in favour of Jordan Binnington in goal. Though the Attack were 1-2 Binnington lead the Memorial Cup in all the right categories. GAA - 1.42; Save % - .951; he also shut Kootenay out in the round robin. Reeds went with Stacjer. Maybe Dave Cameron will go with Taylor Edwards tomorrow night. I doubt it.
His name is - Joe, Antilla. Jeff Hollick's popular call is becoming a show stopper and if Antilla keeps scoring big playoff goals like he has this spring he'll be able to called whatever he wants. Mayor, Your Highness....
The Line-ups - Following a nearly disastrous first period the lack of depth on Owen Sound with the club's number two and three offensive weapons out of the line-up due to concussions caught up to the OHL champs. Take any two of Fraser, Reinhart or Eakin out of the line-up and you get a clearer picture of what the Attack were up against.
The Lines - Coach K went with what worked against the Sea Dogs with Drew Czerwonka moving up with Reinhart and Fraser while Antilla checked in with Benoit and Boomer. Brendan Hurley sprinkled in on the third line, including the Ice first goal, while Pearce and Montgomery were the fourth unit.
Okay, the Cynic says; They've beat a Saint John team with nothing to play for and resting two top players and they've beaten an Owen Sound team with two of their best players out of the line-up. The true test lies ahead with a healthy Mississauga squad that will have everyone in the line-up, including Chris DeSousa who took out Attack captain Garrett Wilson last night and wasn't punished under supplementary discipline by tournament heavy Brian O'Neill. There wasn't a penalty called on the play.
Up Next - The Ice get a second crack at the Majors this time with their captain and power play quarterback Brayden McNabb in the lineup. Gametime is 5pm on Sportsnet and the Drive.
The Media - Buzzing the Net, The Star, The Sun, and Sportsnet has all the details.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Ice under Attack
UPDATE -- Seen this from Sun Media. It basically confirms that not only Attack captain Garrett Wilson is out for the rest of the tournament following the hit last night but Joey Hishon won't be back for tonight's game either.
Attack general manager Dale DeGray has submitted a formal request for the play to be reviewed for supplemental discipline.
“We need to stand up for our kids,” DeGray said. “I have watched the play, and he was vulnerable. The other player took liberties on him in a bad situation and it caused the outcome. (Wilson) is not doing good.”
On McNabb playing:
“Our guy is going to watch from the hotel room, and this guy is going to play and probably run their power play,” DeGray said. “Is that fair? I don’t think so. I really don’t believe a one-game suspension for a hit on somebody who is going to play not even a full game in a tournament is fair.”
Of course the Attack are hoping for some poetic justice while the Ice see the irony in Thursday's tie-breaker game against the Owen Sound Attack at 5PM.
The winner moves on to face Mississauga in the semis Friday while the loser goes home.
Ice Captain Brayden McNabb will play, obviously, much to the chagrin of the Attack whose top player in Joey Hishon, might not. If fact, though no one is confirming, I'd highly doubt he would play. If it's a concussion he suffered from McNabb's elbow last Saturday in which the Ice captain was suspended for one game and Hishon hasn't played since, bringing him back a few days earlier than the standard week - as per concussion protocol, including the baseline testing - would be a stunning development. I would hope he plays, if anything to somehow call things even but at this point I'll bet it's a longshot.
Hishon obviously didn't play in Owen Sound's 3-1 loss to the Majors tonight and the physical game was key for the Majors tonight as the Attack also lost their captain Garrett Wilson on a hit in the first period and he didn't return. Then they nearly lost a d-man when Jamie Wise hit Geoffrey Schemitsch into the end boards. There was no call on the play but I do remember an similar hit by Kevin King to end the first period last Saturday that was called..... No matter.
If Hishon doesn't play along with Wilson a question mark the Ice have a real opportunity Thursday. The Majors played a disciplined, physical game tonight with success. If the Ice could do the same they might have a shot at this.
In the first two games it was the Nathan Lieuwen show. In game three, though a nothing game for the Sea Dogs, Kootenay finally got on track offensively but didn't get the game Lieuwen turned in the previous two. Not that he was bad but if they could get a combination of the two - goaltending and some scoring - the semi-final is within reach.
5PM Sportsnet and on The Drive, 102.9
Attack general manager Dale DeGray has submitted a formal request for the play to be reviewed for supplemental discipline.
“We need to stand up for our kids,” DeGray said. “I have watched the play, and he was vulnerable. The other player took liberties on him in a bad situation and it caused the outcome. (Wilson) is not doing good.”
On McNabb playing:
“Our guy is going to watch from the hotel room, and this guy is going to play and probably run their power play,” DeGray said. “Is that fair? I don’t think so. I really don’t believe a one-game suspension for a hit on somebody who is going to play not even a full game in a tournament is fair.”
Of course the Attack are hoping for some poetic justice while the Ice see the irony in Thursday's tie-breaker game against the Owen Sound Attack at 5PM.
The winner moves on to face Mississauga in the semis Friday while the loser goes home.
Ice Captain Brayden McNabb will play, obviously, much to the chagrin of the Attack whose top player in Joey Hishon, might not. If fact, though no one is confirming, I'd highly doubt he would play. If it's a concussion he suffered from McNabb's elbow last Saturday in which the Ice captain was suspended for one game and Hishon hasn't played since, bringing him back a few days earlier than the standard week - as per concussion protocol, including the baseline testing - would be a stunning development. I would hope he plays, if anything to somehow call things even but at this point I'll bet it's a longshot.
Hishon obviously didn't play in Owen Sound's 3-1 loss to the Majors tonight and the physical game was key for the Majors tonight as the Attack also lost their captain Garrett Wilson on a hit in the first period and he didn't return. Then they nearly lost a d-man when Jamie Wise hit Geoffrey Schemitsch into the end boards. There was no call on the play but I do remember an similar hit by Kevin King to end the first period last Saturday that was called..... No matter.
If Hishon doesn't play along with Wilson a question mark the Ice have a real opportunity Thursday. The Majors played a disciplined, physical game tonight with success. If the Ice could do the same they might have a shot at this.
In the first two games it was the Nathan Lieuwen show. In game three, though a nothing game for the Sea Dogs, Kootenay finally got on track offensively but didn't get the game Lieuwen turned in the previous two. Not that he was bad but if they could get a combination of the two - goaltending and some scoring - the semi-final is within reach.
5PM Sportsnet and on The Drive, 102.9
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Ice live to fight another day
The Kootenay Ice danced periously close to the edge elimination Tuesday night but survived, not without controversy, to fight on for the Memorial Cup and move on to the tie-breaker game Thursday night against the loser of Owen Sound and Missauga in the tournament's last round robin game.
I commented that Kootenay would need their big guns to go off if they were to have any chance of moving on.
That happened in spades Tuesday.
Max Reinhart notched four helpers, Matt Fraser got two goals including the game-winner and Kevin King got a goal and an assist as the Ice edged the Sea Dogs 5-4 in overtime.
Kootenay surrendered a 2-0 lead early in the second after a scoreless first but got the power play going later in the second when Drew Czerwonka scored his first of the tournament then King scored on a five-on-three to tie it. Jesse Ismond put the Ice up 3-2 23 seconds into the third but the Dogs would tie. Kootenay again went up by a goal when Matt Fraser scored another power play goal. That would hold up until 15 seconds left in the game when a shot went off Jurco's face to tie it.
Jeff H. commented on the broadcast that maybe the hockey gods weren't going to smile down on the Ice any longer in these playoffs/Memorial Cup.
They would grant the Ice some divine right to at least continue on when Max Reinhart clearly did not keep the puck in the Dog zone on the game winner and well, you know the rest.
Late in the evening and the Canucks are still playing....
I commented that Kootenay would need their big guns to go off if they were to have any chance of moving on.
That happened in spades Tuesday.
Max Reinhart notched four helpers, Matt Fraser got two goals including the game-winner and Kevin King got a goal and an assist as the Ice edged the Sea Dogs 5-4 in overtime.
Kootenay surrendered a 2-0 lead early in the second after a scoreless first but got the power play going later in the second when Drew Czerwonka scored his first of the tournament then King scored on a five-on-three to tie it. Jesse Ismond put the Ice up 3-2 23 seconds into the third but the Dogs would tie. Kootenay again went up by a goal when Matt Fraser scored another power play goal. That would hold up until 15 seconds left in the game when a shot went off Jurco's face to tie it.
Jeff H. commented on the broadcast that maybe the hockey gods weren't going to smile down on the Ice any longer in these playoffs/Memorial Cup.
They would grant the Ice some divine right to at least continue on when Max Reinhart clearly did not keep the puck in the Dog zone on the game winner and well, you know the rest.
Late in the evening and the Canucks are still playing....
Could it be de ja vu all over again?
Just like in 2009 when the Windsor Spitfires started the Memorial Cup tourney 0-2 and faced a Kelowna team already in the cup final in game three, the Kootenay Ice will attempt to repeat the feat when they face the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight in the club's third and final round robin game.
It's win or go home for the Ice tonight.
The Sea Dogs having nothing on the line tonight and the Ice could also catch another break with the Sea Dogs' coach Gerard Gallant confirming to Sportsnet's Patrick King that he will rest at least one veteran tonight, goaltender Jacob Deserres.
Whether or not the likes of Dog stars Jonathon Huberdeau, Simon Despres or Stanislav Galiev sit out or see limited action is something else entirely. No the Q-champs don't have anything to play for but unless things get really physical or those top three are nursing some bumps and bruises, look for them to play.
That will mean that Kevin King will not get to face good buddy and fellow Calgary product Deserres in a face-off for bragging rights unless it's in the final.
Matt Coxford at the Townsman has some more great coverage here.
It'll be interesting to see the lines Ice coach Kris Knoblauch will throw out tonight against the Sea Dogs. In an attempt to find some scoring and kickstart the likes of Matt Fraser late in the game against the Majors, Knobluach broke up the line of Antilla-Reinhart-Fraser for the first time in the playoffs placing Fraser with Eakin and King with little success.
The club will welcome back captain Brayden McNabb back from suspension, which will help.
There's only so many facecards in the Ice deck however and anything less than the likes of King, Fraser and Reinhart going will translate into an early plane ride home.
It's win or go home for the Ice tonight.
The Sea Dogs having nothing on the line tonight and the Ice could also catch another break with the Sea Dogs' coach Gerard Gallant confirming to Sportsnet's Patrick King that he will rest at least one veteran tonight, goaltender Jacob Deserres.
Whether or not the likes of Dog stars Jonathon Huberdeau, Simon Despres or Stanislav Galiev sit out or see limited action is something else entirely. No the Q-champs don't have anything to play for but unless things get really physical or those top three are nursing some bumps and bruises, look for them to play.
That will mean that Kevin King will not get to face good buddy and fellow Calgary product Deserres in a face-off for bragging rights unless it's in the final.
Matt Coxford at the Townsman has some more great coverage here.
It'll be interesting to see the lines Ice coach Kris Knoblauch will throw out tonight against the Sea Dogs. In an attempt to find some scoring and kickstart the likes of Matt Fraser late in the game against the Majors, Knobluach broke up the line of Antilla-Reinhart-Fraser for the first time in the playoffs placing Fraser with Eakin and King with little success.
The club will welcome back captain Brayden McNabb back from suspension, which will help.
There's only so many facecards in the Ice deck however and anything less than the likes of King, Fraser and Reinhart going will translate into an early plane ride home.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Hishon out
Owen Sound Attack forward Joey Hishon is out for tonight's game against the Sea Dogs. Neate Sager over at Buzzing the Net has the scoop on Hishon and what his absence will mean to the Attack.
Jeff Hollick over at Between the Lines (over on the right) has all the math and plausible possibilities for the Ice and what to hope for. Ironically, Hishon being out for the Attack hurts their chances of going 3-0 and setting up a possible three-way tie for second with three teams at 1-2.
He's got the tie-breaking formula which points out that only the games against each other and not the Attack would count in determining who goes through to the semi-final and who gets the tie-breaker game.
Of course, this is all predicated on the Ice beating the Sea Dogs Tuesday.
Amid all the disapointment of the 0-2 start there's a light at the end of the tunnel that Kootenay could actually still qualify for the semi-final. Amazing!
Has anybody checked if the planets are due to align?
Jeff Hollick over at Between the Lines (over on the right) has all the math and plausible possibilities for the Ice and what to hope for. Ironically, Hishon being out for the Attack hurts their chances of going 3-0 and setting up a possible three-way tie for second with three teams at 1-2.
He's got the tie-breaking formula which points out that only the games against each other and not the Attack would count in determining who goes through to the semi-final and who gets the tie-breaker game.
Of course, this is all predicated on the Ice beating the Sea Dogs Tuesday.
Amid all the disapointment of the 0-2 start there's a light at the end of the tunnel that Kootenay could actually still qualify for the semi-final. Amazing!
Has anybody checked if the planets are due to align?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Ice dig 0-2 hole at Memorial Cup
Rob Flick had a goal and assist as the Mississauga Majors edged the Kootenay Ice 2-1 and pushed the Ice to the brink at the 2011 Memorial Cup.
The one-game suspension tonight of Ice captain Brayden McNabb due to an elbow major on Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack loomed extremely large over the Ice tonight as Kootenay struggled with the fore check and rush of the Majors most of the night, though both clubs play a similar style, McNabb might've been the difference tonight.
Some more thoughts....
This one was ugly, period. A slug-fest that deteriorated into a poorly officiated game, for both sides that morphed into a 1-1 defensive struggle, with each team waiting for the other to make a mistake.
Kootenay was the first to do so when Flick - a bull of a player - pushed his way past a poor effort by Ice D Hayden Rintoul in tying him up and buried the game-winner with 8:09 left in the third period.
The Ice opened the scoring on the power play - positives both, that they scored on the power play and that they scored, period - when Cody Eakin turned into the slot and let go a wrist-shot that beat JP Anderson for a 1-0 lead. 7:55 into the game.
The lead lasted all of 83 seconds as a poor defensive effort again lead to a stunning 2-on-0 from about 25 feet to Nathan Lieuwen's right. Devante Smith-Pelly and Max Kitsyn went in alone on Lieuwen but the keeper stopped them initially but Kitsyn banged in a loose puck to tie it at one.
D Joe Leach was a horse in place of Brayden McNabb. Logging over 30 minutes and he along with D James Martin were the club's best pairing for the Ice. D Hayden Rintoul struggled without his steady D-partner McNabb, on for both goals against. He and Jagger Dirk just didn't look comfortable together.
The Zebras - Brutal, not to put too fine a point on it. Just a poor excuse at this level that the fans on the tube and those at the Hershey Centre were subject to such a display. Refused to allow the teams to develop any flow at all and then when they did in the third, the teams were to apprehensive to get anything going. One comment on the Buzzing the Net live blogging late in the third: "If anyone heard a woman scream "OH GOD NO, NO OVERTIME!" that was me. Kootenay with a good chance to tie it up there."
The most entertaining aspect of the game looked to be the two coaches and their different schools of coaching, one old, the other new. Kris Knoblauch should've been pulling his hair out at the calls in the second that saw the Ice get five minors in the second period alone. He was cool as a cucumber. Dave Cameron, on the other end of the spectrum, was ripping everyone within earshot, including Rob Flick for taking a penalty on the goal he assisted on to tie it up. It worked, as Flick scored the game-winner.
The scoring, or lack of it. For a team that has so many offensive weapons - McNabb, Eakin, Fraser, Reinhart, King - only Eakin looked like a player who might be able to put the puck in the net. Boomer, for my money, was one of Kootenay's better players tonight but no finish was found.
Loo good again - the most consistent player for the Ice at the Memorial Cup has been Lieuwen. He kept them in it last night and did the same for much of the night tonight. Kootenay was out-shot in the third by a wide margin after having second periods on both nights to build on. A dominant middle frame last night fizzled out and tonight they killed off five Majors' power play opportunities, limiting them to maybe four chances by my count. The third period has been a let down on both nights.
The prognosis - Not good. Essentially this tournament is over for the Ice. Only one team, since the four-team format was adopted in 1983 and the three-team version started in 1972, has lost their first two games and rebounded to win the cup - the 2009 Windsor Spitfires. Kootenay's backs are against the wall; it's do or die; seventh game; pick a cliche.
For starters, Kootenay needs to beat the number one ranked team in the CHL Tuesday night, the Saint John Sea Dogs. Do that and it'll put them into the tie-breaker game Thursday night.
Owen Sound and Saint John play Monday. An Attack win puts Owen Sound into the semis, likewise for a Sea Dog win. Whichever team wins tomorrow will be 2-0. If it's the Attack, their game Wednesday against the Majors will be for first place and a bye into the final. If it's the Dogs, then Wednesday will a game for the semi-final placing or maybe the final but the winner will at least avoid the tie-breaker Thursday night.
One would think the Ice would be cheerleading the Sea Dogs to victory tomorrow and hope a repeat of 09 happens when the Kelowna Rockets started 2-0 and then could've put the Spitfires away in their last round robin game only to lose 2-1 and then lose to them again the cup final. The Sea Dogs would be assured of the bye to the final with a win tomorrow as they would have the first tie-breaker over either of the other teams with a 2-1 record at the end of the round robin.
Yes, the planets need to align for it to happen again.
This, of course, is provided the Ice beat the Sea Dogs Tuesday night. They'll need to run the table with four straight wins in order for the Ice to win the cup.
Got it? There'll be a test later.
They'll get McNabb back for Tuesday's game but will it be enough? And will they find the ability to score? One goal a Memorial Cup does not win.
I'll post any more comments, stories or highlites I find.
The one-game suspension tonight of Ice captain Brayden McNabb due to an elbow major on Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack loomed extremely large over the Ice tonight as Kootenay struggled with the fore check and rush of the Majors most of the night, though both clubs play a similar style, McNabb might've been the difference tonight.
Some more thoughts....
This one was ugly, period. A slug-fest that deteriorated into a poorly officiated game, for both sides that morphed into a 1-1 defensive struggle, with each team waiting for the other to make a mistake.
Kootenay was the first to do so when Flick - a bull of a player - pushed his way past a poor effort by Ice D Hayden Rintoul in tying him up and buried the game-winner with 8:09 left in the third period.
The Ice opened the scoring on the power play - positives both, that they scored on the power play and that they scored, period - when Cody Eakin turned into the slot and let go a wrist-shot that beat JP Anderson for a 1-0 lead. 7:55 into the game.
The lead lasted all of 83 seconds as a poor defensive effort again lead to a stunning 2-on-0 from about 25 feet to Nathan Lieuwen's right. Devante Smith-Pelly and Max Kitsyn went in alone on Lieuwen but the keeper stopped them initially but Kitsyn banged in a loose puck to tie it at one.
D Joe Leach was a horse in place of Brayden McNabb. Logging over 30 minutes and he along with D James Martin were the club's best pairing for the Ice. D Hayden Rintoul struggled without his steady D-partner McNabb, on for both goals against. He and Jagger Dirk just didn't look comfortable together.
The Zebras - Brutal, not to put too fine a point on it. Just a poor excuse at this level that the fans on the tube and those at the Hershey Centre were subject to such a display. Refused to allow the teams to develop any flow at all and then when they did in the third, the teams were to apprehensive to get anything going. One comment on the Buzzing the Net live blogging late in the third: "If anyone heard a woman scream "OH GOD NO, NO OVERTIME!" that was me. Kootenay with a good chance to tie it up there."
The most entertaining aspect of the game looked to be the two coaches and their different schools of coaching, one old, the other new. Kris Knoblauch should've been pulling his hair out at the calls in the second that saw the Ice get five minors in the second period alone. He was cool as a cucumber. Dave Cameron, on the other end of the spectrum, was ripping everyone within earshot, including Rob Flick for taking a penalty on the goal he assisted on to tie it up. It worked, as Flick scored the game-winner.
The scoring, or lack of it. For a team that has so many offensive weapons - McNabb, Eakin, Fraser, Reinhart, King - only Eakin looked like a player who might be able to put the puck in the net. Boomer, for my money, was one of Kootenay's better players tonight but no finish was found.
Loo good again - the most consistent player for the Ice at the Memorial Cup has been Lieuwen. He kept them in it last night and did the same for much of the night tonight. Kootenay was out-shot in the third by a wide margin after having second periods on both nights to build on. A dominant middle frame last night fizzled out and tonight they killed off five Majors' power play opportunities, limiting them to maybe four chances by my count. The third period has been a let down on both nights.
The prognosis - Not good. Essentially this tournament is over for the Ice. Only one team, since the four-team format was adopted in 1983 and the three-team version started in 1972, has lost their first two games and rebounded to win the cup - the 2009 Windsor Spitfires. Kootenay's backs are against the wall; it's do or die; seventh game; pick a cliche.
For starters, Kootenay needs to beat the number one ranked team in the CHL Tuesday night, the Saint John Sea Dogs. Do that and it'll put them into the tie-breaker game Thursday night.
Owen Sound and Saint John play Monday. An Attack win puts Owen Sound into the semis, likewise for a Sea Dog win. Whichever team wins tomorrow will be 2-0. If it's the Attack, their game Wednesday against the Majors will be for first place and a bye into the final. If it's the Dogs, then Wednesday will a game for the semi-final placing or maybe the final but the winner will at least avoid the tie-breaker Thursday night.
One would think the Ice would be cheerleading the Sea Dogs to victory tomorrow and hope a repeat of 09 happens when the Kelowna Rockets started 2-0 and then could've put the Spitfires away in their last round robin game only to lose 2-1 and then lose to them again the cup final. The Sea Dogs would be assured of the bye to the final with a win tomorrow as they would have the first tie-breaker over either of the other teams with a 2-1 record at the end of the round robin.
Yes, the planets need to align for it to happen again.
This, of course, is provided the Ice beat the Sea Dogs Tuesday night. They'll need to run the table with four straight wins in order for the Ice to win the cup.
Got it? There'll be a test later.
They'll get McNabb back for Tuesday's game but will it be enough? And will they find the ability to score? One goal a Memorial Cup does not win.
I'll post any more comments, stories or highlites I find.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Ice waxed in Cup opener....
Maybe they're are the underdog....
UPDATE: D Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game by CHL disciplinarian Bryan O'Neill. That release is here. The Ice will play without their captain for tonight's game against the Mississauga Majors at 5PM. D John Niebrandt will likely check in place for McNabb for his first action since the second round. There's been no update on Attack forward Joey Hishon, the receiver of McNabb's elbow. Owen Sound plays tomorrow night against Saint John.
UPDATE II: I've heard reports of an older female Ice fan who took a stray puck in the head at yesterday's game but wouldn't leave, at the advice of the First Aid Staff at the game, until it was over. Tough fans. If anyone has an update please email me or post below. Hopefully her stoicism might translate to the team tonight.
The Kootenay Ice were shutout in their 2011 Memorial Cup debut against the Owen Sound Attack in a 5-0 game that was close up until the last half of the third before penalty trouble by the Ice turned it into a laugher.
Robby Mignardi got two goals while Berdnikov(Attack's lone import which somebody made note of), Fritsch and Wilson got singles for the Attack in the romp. Jordan Binnington, 17, stopped all 29 shots he faced for the no-no.
Some thoughts....
The most pressing issue facing the Ice is three-fold:
1. Captain Brayden McNabb is facing suspension on the elbow/hit on Attack forward Joey Hishon after the Attack went up 3-0. Hishon was skating through the zone with the puck and McNabb nailed him with an elbow. I've seen the hit only at high-speed but it's clear that his elbow makes contact with the head. I'll post video as soon as I find it. If you listen to either Sportsnet colour guys or analysts, McNabb could or should be gone for awhile, maybe even the tournament. More on that in a bit.
2. They can't score. Kootenay went 0-5 on this night and whiffed on a crucial 5-on-3 early in the game. It set the tone as the club dominated in the second, out-shooting the Attack 15-6 but in terms of quality chances, had few of them.
3. Sunday now presents itself as a do-or-die, must-win game, or at least they'll need help if they don't win agains the host Mississauga Majors.
But don't let the 5-0 score fool you. This one, save for a good chunk of the middle frame when the Ice had Owen Sound on the ropes, was the Nathan Lieuwen show. Hung out to dry on more occasions than I can count Lieuwen's heroics saved this one from being a runaway.
Kootenay couldn't establish much of their defensive game against the Attack and were devoid of any blocked shots and heads-up passes. The physical game by the Ice was non-existent and the game featured more turnovers from this Ice playoff team since early in the playoffs against the Warriors.
Ice coach Kris Knoblauch started with:
Drew Czerwonka, Eakin and King
Fraser, Max Reinhart and Joe Antilla
Benoit, Boomer and Ismond
Pearce, Sam Reinhart and Brendan Hurley.
That morphed into Ismond being placed back on the big unit with Eakin and King and then Hurley taking a regular shift with Boomer and Czerwonka, with varying degrees of success. Really, that' the beauty (or drawback) of this tournament is that because of the three TV timeouts a period, the fourth unit's going to see little ice-time. After a long period of time in the first without a whistle the fourth unit saw a shift or two but that was basically it. Benoit and Pearce sprinkled in to different roles when needed but weren't really effective, as were the second line in Reinhart, Fraser and Antilla. I don't know if drawing in Montgomery as an energy guy in place of Sam Reinhart would do much in terms of depth because of the lack of situations to use them.
The D struggled with the effective forecheck of the (aptly named) Attack and seemed to force passes that either didn't hit the mark or were picked off. Essentially, the Attack turned the tables on the Ice with a neutral zone game that capitalized on turnovers.
Back to the McNabb elbow, Sportsnet has the video evidence here. At full speed it's bad but at slower replay speeds, it's clearly worse. The elbow is up before the hit. Ice forward Cody Eakin tweeted after the game that he didn't think that McNabb would receive a suspension. For his club's sake, he better be right.
This one could be over quickly if the Ice don't regroup Sunday night.
UPDATE: D Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game by CHL disciplinarian Bryan O'Neill. That release is here. The Ice will play without their captain for tonight's game against the Mississauga Majors at 5PM. D John Niebrandt will likely check in place for McNabb for his first action since the second round. There's been no update on Attack forward Joey Hishon, the receiver of McNabb's elbow. Owen Sound plays tomorrow night against Saint John.
UPDATE II: I've heard reports of an older female Ice fan who took a stray puck in the head at yesterday's game but wouldn't leave, at the advice of the First Aid Staff at the game, until it was over. Tough fans. If anyone has an update please email me or post below. Hopefully her stoicism might translate to the team tonight.
The Kootenay Ice were shutout in their 2011 Memorial Cup debut against the Owen Sound Attack in a 5-0 game that was close up until the last half of the third before penalty trouble by the Ice turned it into a laugher.
Robby Mignardi got two goals while Berdnikov(Attack's lone import which somebody made note of), Fritsch and Wilson got singles for the Attack in the romp. Jordan Binnington, 17, stopped all 29 shots he faced for the no-no.
Some thoughts....
The most pressing issue facing the Ice is three-fold:
1. Captain Brayden McNabb is facing suspension on the elbow/hit on Attack forward Joey Hishon after the Attack went up 3-0. Hishon was skating through the zone with the puck and McNabb nailed him with an elbow. I've seen the hit only at high-speed but it's clear that his elbow makes contact with the head. I'll post video as soon as I find it. If you listen to either Sportsnet colour guys or analysts, McNabb could or should be gone for awhile, maybe even the tournament. More on that in a bit.
2. They can't score. Kootenay went 0-5 on this night and whiffed on a crucial 5-on-3 early in the game. It set the tone as the club dominated in the second, out-shooting the Attack 15-6 but in terms of quality chances, had few of them.
3. Sunday now presents itself as a do-or-die, must-win game, or at least they'll need help if they don't win agains the host Mississauga Majors.
But don't let the 5-0 score fool you. This one, save for a good chunk of the middle frame when the Ice had Owen Sound on the ropes, was the Nathan Lieuwen show. Hung out to dry on more occasions than I can count Lieuwen's heroics saved this one from being a runaway.
Kootenay couldn't establish much of their defensive game against the Attack and were devoid of any blocked shots and heads-up passes. The physical game by the Ice was non-existent and the game featured more turnovers from this Ice playoff team since early in the playoffs against the Warriors.
Ice coach Kris Knoblauch started with:
Drew Czerwonka, Eakin and King
Fraser, Max Reinhart and Joe Antilla
Benoit, Boomer and Ismond
Pearce, Sam Reinhart and Brendan Hurley.
That morphed into Ismond being placed back on the big unit with Eakin and King and then Hurley taking a regular shift with Boomer and Czerwonka, with varying degrees of success. Really, that' the beauty (or drawback) of this tournament is that because of the three TV timeouts a period, the fourth unit's going to see little ice-time. After a long period of time in the first without a whistle the fourth unit saw a shift or two but that was basically it. Benoit and Pearce sprinkled in to different roles when needed but weren't really effective, as were the second line in Reinhart, Fraser and Antilla. I don't know if drawing in Montgomery as an energy guy in place of Sam Reinhart would do much in terms of depth because of the lack of situations to use them.
The D struggled with the effective forecheck of the (aptly named) Attack and seemed to force passes that either didn't hit the mark or were picked off. Essentially, the Attack turned the tables on the Ice with a neutral zone game that capitalized on turnovers.
Back to the McNabb elbow, Sportsnet has the video evidence here. At full speed it's bad but at slower replay speeds, it's clearly worse. The elbow is up before the hit. Ice forward Cody Eakin tweeted after the game that he didn't think that McNabb would receive a suspension. For his club's sake, he better be right.
This one could be over quickly if the Ice don't regroup Sunday night.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
All-Canadian, eh
As the Kootenay Ice touched down at YYZ yesterday to prepare for the Memorial Cup this weekend all the buzz on the club surrounds the lack of import players.
Don Cherry on HNIC's Coaches Corner started it off with this observation about the Ice line-up and the lack of imports and the guys over at Coming Down the Pipe and at Buzzing the Net all have some great stuff on the process that Kootenay went through in deciding not to draft any imports this season.
And of course this is what was said to me by Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth last June when he shocked the junior hockey community by opting out of the draft and trading their pick to the Wheat Kings.
It's also notable that there are no Americans on the four teams in the Memorial Cup this year. With the rate of development of high-level players in the U.S., that fact is astonishing.
It's also interesting to note the first detracting comment on the piece surrounding not drafting Euros. Nuff said, for sure as the Ice GM now looks like a genius.
A quick scan down the line-ups of the other three clubs in the Memorial Cup shows that Owen Sound has one import (a third liner on some nights) while the Majors and Sea Dogs both have two, with Kitsyn for the Majors (10 goals, 9 assists; second on team scoring) and Galiev (10g, 17a - second on team scoring) and Jurco (6g, 12a - 4th in team scoring) having major impacts on their respective clubs.
But for all the chest-thumping of Cherry or analyzing by national media of the lack of imports. I believe two important concepts are at play here. One, cost. The price to get a player released from their respective federations is significant. I'm told it's anywhere from $4000-$8000 when you factor in everything. In a small-market that significant and cannot be discounted. A list prospect costs the team nothing, comparatively speaking.
Secondly, development of prospects are paramount in the cyclical nature of junior hockey. Yes the Ice returned 18 veterans from last season (two were dealt or released in Magnus and Mathews, Eakin takes Magnus' spot so 17 is the real number), but with an older team such as Kootenay - which stands to lose five impact players next season and two others to the 20-year-old limit - you cannot discount the impact of giving younger players bigger roles headed into next season.
The drawback of a older championship team is that the following season forwards Brendan Hurley, Eric Benoit, Elgin Pearce, will be expected to play second-line roles next season. Soon to be 16-year-old Sam Reinhart will also play likely a third-line role. On the blueline guys like Paulsen and Dirk will be leaned on heavily.
Then again, they won a championship, right? So drawback might not be the right word.
The experience of time this seasonj, however limited, and the long playoff run will pay off in spades for a rebuilding club, or re-tooling as the Ice GM likes to refer to it.
So there's a method to the madness of the lack of imports this season and with a Memorial Cup shot at hand it seems to be paying off.
Don't be surprised to see an import or two here next season however, providing they're a top six forward or top four-five d-man. Otherwise they're just taking up valuable development time.
Don Cherry on HNIC's Coaches Corner started it off with this observation about the Ice line-up and the lack of imports and the guys over at Coming Down the Pipe and at Buzzing the Net all have some great stuff on the process that Kootenay went through in deciding not to draft any imports this season.
And of course this is what was said to me by Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth last June when he shocked the junior hockey community by opting out of the draft and trading their pick to the Wheat Kings.
It's also notable that there are no Americans on the four teams in the Memorial Cup this year. With the rate of development of high-level players in the U.S., that fact is astonishing.
It's also interesting to note the first detracting comment on the piece surrounding not drafting Euros. Nuff said, for sure as the Ice GM now looks like a genius.
A quick scan down the line-ups of the other three clubs in the Memorial Cup shows that Owen Sound has one import (a third liner on some nights) while the Majors and Sea Dogs both have two, with Kitsyn for the Majors (10 goals, 9 assists; second on team scoring) and Galiev (10g, 17a - second on team scoring) and Jurco (6g, 12a - 4th in team scoring) having major impacts on their respective clubs.
But for all the chest-thumping of Cherry or analyzing by national media of the lack of imports. I believe two important concepts are at play here. One, cost. The price to get a player released from their respective federations is significant. I'm told it's anywhere from $4000-$8000 when you factor in everything. In a small-market that significant and cannot be discounted. A list prospect costs the team nothing, comparatively speaking.
Secondly, development of prospects are paramount in the cyclical nature of junior hockey. Yes the Ice returned 18 veterans from last season (two were dealt or released in Magnus and Mathews, Eakin takes Magnus' spot so 17 is the real number), but with an older team such as Kootenay - which stands to lose five impact players next season and two others to the 20-year-old limit - you cannot discount the impact of giving younger players bigger roles headed into next season.
The drawback of a older championship team is that the following season forwards Brendan Hurley, Eric Benoit, Elgin Pearce, will be expected to play second-line roles next season. Soon to be 16-year-old Sam Reinhart will also play likely a third-line role. On the blueline guys like Paulsen and Dirk will be leaned on heavily.
Then again, they won a championship, right? So drawback might not be the right word.
The experience of time this seasonj, however limited, and the long playoff run will pay off in spades for a rebuilding club, or re-tooling as the Ice GM likes to refer to it.
So there's a method to the madness of the lack of imports this season and with a Memorial Cup shot at hand it seems to be paying off.
Don't be surprised to see an import or two here next season however, providing they're a top six forward or top four-five d-man. Otherwise they're just taking up valuable development time.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
McNabb signed....
A couple of notes this afternoon.
D Brayden McNabb, 19, has signed an entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. That story is here.
Neate Sager over at Buzz the Net (on right) has a Memorial Cup preview of all the clubs. Kootenay's is here.
Both pieces have McNabb at 6'5' though everything I've seen has him at 6'4". He certainly played bigger during these WHL playoffs. I dunno, maybe he's still growing.
A great send-off last night by about 500 fans of the Ice as the club trekked to Mississsauga today.
A few questions about whether or not the games will be streamed online. I haven't been able to determine that yet but as soon as I find out I'll pass it along. Cory Flett of the WHL didn't think they would be when I asked him earlier this week.
More later....
D Brayden McNabb, 19, has signed an entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. That story is here.
Neate Sager over at Buzz the Net (on right) has a Memorial Cup preview of all the clubs. Kootenay's is here.
Both pieces have McNabb at 6'5' though everything I've seen has him at 6'4". He certainly played bigger during these WHL playoffs. I dunno, maybe he's still growing.
A great send-off last night by about 500 fans of the Ice as the club trekked to Mississsauga today.
A few questions about whether or not the games will be streamed online. I haven't been able to determine that yet but as soon as I find out I'll pass it along. Cory Flett of the WHL didn't think they would be when I asked him earlier this week.
More later....
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Memorial Cup table is set
The last club to the Memorial Cup dance got their ticket punched tonight as the Saint John Seadogs beat the Gatineau Olypiques 3-2 in double OT.
The Seadogs are backstopped by former Wheat King and T-Bird goaltender Jacob Deserres who is is making his second straight trip to the Memorial Cup with a different team in a different league.
Owen Sound beat Mississauga in game seven OT last night and will be the OHL Champs headed into the tournament. The Majors go in as the host team.
Saint John and Mississauga open the tournament Friday night while the Ice will play their small market brethren Saturday night.
The Seadogs are backstopped by former Wheat King and T-Bird goaltender Jacob Deserres who is is making his second straight trip to the Memorial Cup with a different team in a different league.
Owen Sound beat Mississauga in game seven OT last night and will be the OHL Champs headed into the tournament. The Majors go in as the host team.
Saint John and Mississauga open the tournament Friday night while the Ice will play their small market brethren Saturday night.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Ed Chynoweth Cup Champs 2011
The Kootenay Ice shutdown the Portland Winterhawks tonight in a 4-1 win over the Hawks to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 4-1 series win.
The Hawks opened the scoring early when Sven Bartschi sent a pass out to Tyler Wotherspoon who pinched low to slap his third of the playoffs past Nathan Lieuwen for a 1-0 lead 2:26 into the game. Joey Leach took a tripping penalty a minute later and the Hawks pressed again but Lieuwen shut the door.
It would be the last sustained surge the Winterhawks would have all night.
With 4:13 left in the first period Jesse Ismond send a slap pass that chipped into the net by Steele Boomer. The referee waived it off, the red light went on but so did the play. Almost three minutes later play finally stopped for the play to be reviewed. The overhead camera clearly showed daylight between the puck and the crossbar and it was a goal. Boomer's 4th of the playoffs tied it at one.
In the second period the two club's played a cautious style that easily best suited the Ice. Late in the period Wotherspoon took a cross-checking penalty and Matt Fraser slapped his playoff-leading 16th in the last minute of the period for a 2-1 lead.
In the third Fraser added another and Ismond potted an empty-netter to seal the club's third WHL Championship in the last 11 seasons and punch their ticket to the Memorial Cup in Missauga starting next Friday.
Thoughts....
The Hawks got the start they wanted and the goal they needed. Following the PK with Leach off the Ice pushed back in a big way. They didn't score but they dominated in the Hawk zone. Boomer's goal three minutes after the fact deflated Portland like I've never seen before.
In the second when the Winterhawks should've ramped up their game, intensity and urgency, they did none of it. Kootenay's power play late was not a great example of Portland's pressure PK that has had some success in the series but a passive collapse that Kootenay was able to get Carruth going side-to-side.
In the third any fan watching and not knowing the score might think it was the Winterhawks sitting on a lead. Kootenay dominated all over the ice with Portland not receiving credit for their second shot until the 11 minute mark.
The MVP - Nathan Lieuwen got the nod as the sixth goaltender in the last 12 WHL final series to be named MVP. Lieuwen took his talent and game to a higher level in these playoffs. Does anyone remember him being pulled in Game one of these WHL playoffs against Moose Jaw? Probably not. He came up with big save after big save and lived up to the hype - perhaps unfairly - placed upon him from the word go all those years ago when as a 15-year-old he nearly single-handedly beat the powerful Calgary Hitmen in his Rec Plex debut. The inspiriational goaltender will now take his rightful place among Ice legends in the net; Blackburn, Boxma, Glass and now Lieuwen.
Cody Eakin - The big trade paid off in spades for the Ice. He was everything as advertised and more. His NHL speed and shot was a treat to watch. He'll join the likes of Comrie and Stoll on the wall of Ice fame.
Matt Fraser - I don't think anyone would anticipate the impact he'd have on the club and community when he was the player dealt for when the Ice traded overager Clayton Bauer in 2007. A tireless fund-raiser in the community he was the hot hand in these WHL Playoffs finishing with 17 goals.
The Zebras - A well-officiated game. They weren't a factor.
The Trap - Okay, did Portland just boil over with frustration and stop skating or was Kootenay's defensive game that good. Mostly the latter but certainly definitely some of the former. The Hawks folded.
Well-Played - Brayden McNabb gave the Ed Chynoweth Cup to Jeff to raise. An emotional moment.
As far as the final's five games go it was probably the most uneventful, except the end, of course.
In the end the magical ride isn't over yet. The Memorial Cup, the club's third, starts one week from tonight in Mississauga, Ontario at the Hershey Centre, home of the host Majors. The Ice will see their first Memorial Cup action against the OHL Champions or representative Saturday. Gametime is 5PM Mountain time. The schedule says they'll play Mississauga on Sunday. I add representative because both Owen Sound and the Majors are already in the tournament.
Here's the schedule. All games are on Sportsnet.
2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule (All times are Eastern, all 5PM starts in Cranbrook):
Round-Robin Game 1 – QMJHL vs. Mississauga on Friday May 20, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 2 – OHL vs. WHL on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 3 – Mississauga vs. WHL on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 4 – OHL vs. QMJHL on Monday May 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 5 – WHL vs. QMJHL on Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 6 – Mississauga vs. OHL on Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 26, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Semi-Final – Friday May 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Championship Final – Sunday May 29, 2011 at 7:00 pm
If you plan on going there's still lots of seats available at the Hershey Centre. With seating for 5400+ the Majors, the OHL's best team in the regular season, drew 4053 for game five of the championship series. The Majors are the host but could be champs also but they'll go to a game seven after Owen Sound beat them in game six in front of 3242 in Owen Sound. Like the Ice, the Majors are hearing it for their attendance too, though of course Mississauga has a population of some 734,000 and is Canada's six-largest city.
Good to see the Owen Sound club doing so well. Another small market that almost identical in size to Cranbrook. The Major's and Attack will battle it out in game seven tommorrow.
In the QMJHL the Gatineau (Formerly Hull a few years back) Olypiques pushed their Q-final series to a sixth game tonight with a 3-2 win over the Saint John Seadogs. The Seadogs feature former 20-year-old Thurderbird and Wheat King Jacob Deserres in the nets. He was waived throughout the WHL and picked up by the Seadogs at the beginining of the season. Game six is Sunday in Gatineau/Hull.
On a sad note I've just heard about the passing of NHL enforcer Derek Boorgard. I remember interviewing him as a Tiger in 2002-03. He was a monster at 6'8". Arguably the NHL's toughest fighter. He was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment. Very sad. RIP.
More later...
Kootenay fans called out
If you're interested in stirring your emotions - or not if you don't like the Ice - have a look at Doyle Potenteau's piece over at Dub Nation (on right).
Potenteau throws down the gauntlet to Ice fans for not selling out the joint in games 3 and 4. He's got a few numbers wrong, like the 1000 empty seats (seating capcity:4264) but you get the gist of it. Would've been 800 Tuesday and 600 Wednesday if you're counting.
You might want to wait until after the game to check it out. It might sullen your mood or, depending on the outcome, not phase you at all.
Potenteau throws down the gauntlet to Ice fans for not selling out the joint in games 3 and 4. He's got a few numbers wrong, like the 1000 empty seats (seating capcity:4264) but you get the gist of it. Would've been 800 Tuesday and 600 Wednesday if you're counting.
You might want to wait until after the game to check it out. It might sullen your mood or, depending on the outcome, not phase you at all.
Ice push Hawks to the edge...
Don't know what happened to Blogger but it seems to be back up now.
Looking at the highlites and the penalty in OT (arent replays great? You can critique forever and a day). Bartschi was hit hard by Martin in the corner and skated right to King. He get's his forearm up and it's right in front of the ref. Again, the reason I didn't think anything would be called (except the obvious dumb delay-of-game stuff) is that I thought the stripes established late that pretty much anything this side of murder and a scoring chance goes. Maybe the back ref thought it was but he looks to lunge for the puck and then comes up with the forearm when he didn't get the puck.
All history now...
The Score – Portland 4 – Kootenay 5 OT – Ice lead best-of-seven 3-1
What Happened – Kootenay had a lead and surrendered again but again, they dominated in overtime and Matt Fraser pushed the Hawks to brink of elimination.
The Turning Point – Six minutes into the overtime, after killing Ty Rattie's clearing pass into the stands just minutes prior, Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing penalty. It was a strange, and bad, call for something that had gone on all night. Kootenay's ailing power play finally clicked for the first time in both home games and now the Ice have a chance to win it all. A case could also be made for Ismond's second goal in the last two minutes of the second period.
The Goals – Before many of the Rec Plex faithful could get to their seats, Steele Boomer chipped the puck up off the centre boards to Eric Benoit. He dished it Ismond with speed. Ismond wired his 3rd of the playoffs glove side over Carruth for his 3rd of playoffs 19 seconds in…. After giving Portland most of the play for about five minutes following the first goal, Cody Eakin caused a turnover in the Hawks end. He dished it to Joey Leach whose slapshot Eakin tipped past Carruth…. In the second the Hawks got on the board just as McNabb stepped out of the penalty box when Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen's back door. He didn't miss. 2-1 Ice… Nathan Lieuwen stopped them from just about everywhere in the second except from about 80 feet when Hawk d-man Troy Rutkowski decided to fire the puck on net instead of just dumping it in. The shot hit Joey Leach and changed direction, fooling Lieuwen as he lost sight of it. 2-2… Jesse Ismond salvaged a dismal Ice middle frame when, with both King and Niederreiter off with coincidental minors, Cody Eakin found Ismond with speed in the Hawk zone with a great backhand pass. Ismond deked Carruth to the ice and put his second of the night past him for a 3-2 Ice lead… Ismond and Eakin hooked up again, this time on a four-on-four, when Eakin ripped his 11th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 4-2 lead… Game over right? Not a chance. At the tail end of another power play that the Hawks didn't convert Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone just as it ended. He skated in the zone, used Leach as a screen, and beat Lieuwen top shelf with 3:35 to play… In a furious rally in the dying seconds a Hawk point-shot was blocked or didn't get through the loose puck ended up on Ty Rattie's stick to the right of Lieuwen. He lifted it over him to tie with 17 seconds left…. In overtime it was all Kootenay, out-shooting the Hawks 11-4, and on their second power play Jesse Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner.
The Saves – Nathan Lieuwen started the night where he left off 24 hours earlier. After the first goal it was all Winterhawks but the Abbotsford product was stellar. He stopped Bartschi, again, early and then he robbed Leipsic on the shot and then the backhand rebound with the outstretched glove 3.5 minutes into the period. Though he let in two goals in the period Carruth was not to be outdone, stopping Fraser with the toe save on a one-timed pass from Reinhart. Lieuwen kept the Ice in it when he needed to.
The Hit – Brendan Hurley made the most of his shifts in the first with a blast on the end boards on William Wrenn that had the former NCAA'er hearing footsteps the rest of the period. Unfortunately Hurley also took out Steele Boomer as the latter was backchecking up ice. Hurley had Pearce Eviston in his sights but Boomer skated into the lane at the last second and the teammates collided. Boomer never missed a shift but I don't know how.
The Phantom Call – For a strange reason the referees stopped play in the Ice zone before the Hawks last time-out. One linesman singled off-side and that the face-off was coming out. The back referee decided otherwise and the face-off went into the zone. You know the rest.
The Penalty – Ty Rattie sent one into the crowd and took a delay-of-game penalty that could've cost Hawks the game. It didn't but as long as we know that you can spear a guy (both sides – it was nasty out there) but don't clear it out of play in your own zone. Dumb rule. Bartschi took a roughing call a minute later but that was being allowed all night. That one cost them the game.
The Quote – Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn't mince words about the call in overtime. "It was a bad call," Johnston said. "That's my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I'm not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that."
The(non)Suspension - I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lack of suspension of James Martin from the blindside/check to the head on Troy Rutkowski. I thought it should have been a game but I also thought Boychuk should've got some time too. The explanation I was given is that the WHL has yet to adopt a check-to-the-head rule like the NHL and the OHL or Q. It will likely be put in place over the summer but as of now, it's not there. Thus the non-suspensions on both checks.
The Crowd – 3593 – Biggest of the year
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Jesse Ismond – Four points and the hot hand
2. Ryan Johansen – 100 percent better than the night before; two goals
3. Cody Eakin – Two goals, assist and the Hawks don't have an answer for him
What it means – Kootenay can win it's third WHL Championship in the 15-year history of the franchise Friday night at the sold-out Rose Garden
Up Next: Game Five; 8:30 Cranbrook time Friday night.
For the Oregonian...
Kootenay pushes Portland to the brink
by Jeff Bromley
The Portland Winterhawks finally solved Kootenay Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen Wednesday in Cranbrook but couldn't overcome the men in stripes. After battling back from a 4-2 deficit late in the game Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing call in overtime. Ice forward Jesse Ismond found Matt Fraser wide open 1:37 later for the overtime winner and a 3-1 series lead for the Ice headed back to the Rose Garden Friday night.
Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn't mince words about the call in overtime. "It was a bad call," Johnston said. "That's my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I'm not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that."
Johnston's confident his charges will bounce back facing elimination Friday. "We'll have 10,000 fans in Portland," said Johnston. "We play well at home and we have a day to recover and a day to park it, get rid of it and focus on the next game."
The Winterhawks found themselves back on their heels in the first shift of the game when Eric Benoit slid a pass to Jesse Ismond skating into the Hawks zone. Ismond beat a surprised Carruth overtop his glove for a 1-0 Ice lead just 19 seconds into the game.
Portland took the sub-par first shift to heart and put together a string of great ones, dominating the Ice in their own zone with chance and chance. Nathan Lieuwen continued where he left off 24 hours earlier however and made several spectacular stops, including one on Brendan Leipsic that brought the fans to their feet.
The pressure was short-lived when Cody Eakin forced a turnover in the Winterhawk zone, passed back to Joey Leach on the Ice blueline and then went to the net. He tipped Leach's shot past Carruth for a 2-0 first period lead.
With Brayden McNabb in the box to start the period the Hawks converted just as McNabb left the penalty box. Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen's back-door and got enough of it to get it past Lieuwen to get the Hawks on the board. The Hawks tied it when Troy Rutkowski decided to put it on net instead of the usual dump-in. It deflected off Joe Leach and fooled Lieuwen from 80 feet out. The Ice managed to salvage a period dominated by the Winterhawks when Eakin found a streaking Jesse Ismond at the left circle. Ismond went in and deked Carruth for his second of the game.
With the game and perhaps the series in the balance Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone right after the Hawks killed a penalty. The 18-year-old used the Ice d-man as a screen and ripped his 13th of the playoff and second of the night over Lieuwen's shoulder with 3:35 to play. With a furious rally in the Ice zone and Mac Carruth on the bench for the extra attacker, Ty Rattie jumped on a blocked shot to the right of Lieuwen and put it over him to tie the game with 17 seconds left and send it to overtime for the second straight night and third time in the series. Kootenay head coach Kris Knoblauch saw a lead evaporate for the second straight game. "They've got a good hockey team," said Knoblauch. "Look at their roster. Look at the NHL Draft picks and the future draft picks, they're going to push back. We can't sit back because nothing's a sure thing."
Johansen admitted he needed to be better tonight and he was and in the process found some confidence that they might've finally solved Nathan Lieuwen headed into game five. "They had a few guys that got me off my game yesterday," said Johansen, who finished with two goals on the night. "I needed a good response. He (Lieuwen) has been a little inconsistent and hasn't really played a full sixty minutes yet. Then again he's been tremendous for them when he needed to be. We know where to beat and we just have to capitalize on our chances."
The Hawks couldn't parlay the comeback in overtime however, and on a broken play late in the man-advantage Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner. Though frustrated at the overtime penalty Johnston won't use the referees as motivation for game five. "No, our team rallies around the way we play," he said. "It was a good hockey game. We exposed them in some areas tonight and they were vulnerable and that's a key thing. It gives us confidence. We don't rally around calls we just have to handle the situation and battle through it."
Notes – Both teams featured the same line-ups but the Winterhawks got Tayler Jordan back after a one-game suspension. Brad Ross, who received a two-game suspension from the league for being a repeat offender after the Fraser hit in game two, is eligible to return Friday… Attendance was 3593, the largest of the season at the Cranbrook Rec Plex.
Looking at the highlites and the penalty in OT (arent replays great? You can critique forever and a day). Bartschi was hit hard by Martin in the corner and skated right to King. He get's his forearm up and it's right in front of the ref. Again, the reason I didn't think anything would be called (except the obvious dumb delay-of-game stuff) is that I thought the stripes established late that pretty much anything this side of murder and a scoring chance goes. Maybe the back ref thought it was but he looks to lunge for the puck and then comes up with the forearm when he didn't get the puck.
All history now...
The Score – Portland 4 – Kootenay 5 OT – Ice lead best-of-seven 3-1
What Happened – Kootenay had a lead and surrendered again but again, they dominated in overtime and Matt Fraser pushed the Hawks to brink of elimination.
The Turning Point – Six minutes into the overtime, after killing Ty Rattie's clearing pass into the stands just minutes prior, Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing penalty. It was a strange, and bad, call for something that had gone on all night. Kootenay's ailing power play finally clicked for the first time in both home games and now the Ice have a chance to win it all. A case could also be made for Ismond's second goal in the last two minutes of the second period.
The Goals – Before many of the Rec Plex faithful could get to their seats, Steele Boomer chipped the puck up off the centre boards to Eric Benoit. He dished it Ismond with speed. Ismond wired his 3rd of the playoffs glove side over Carruth for his 3rd of playoffs 19 seconds in…. After giving Portland most of the play for about five minutes following the first goal, Cody Eakin caused a turnover in the Hawks end. He dished it to Joey Leach whose slapshot Eakin tipped past Carruth…. In the second the Hawks got on the board just as McNabb stepped out of the penalty box when Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen's back door. He didn't miss. 2-1 Ice… Nathan Lieuwen stopped them from just about everywhere in the second except from about 80 feet when Hawk d-man Troy Rutkowski decided to fire the puck on net instead of just dumping it in. The shot hit Joey Leach and changed direction, fooling Lieuwen as he lost sight of it. 2-2… Jesse Ismond salvaged a dismal Ice middle frame when, with both King and Niederreiter off with coincidental minors, Cody Eakin found Ismond with speed in the Hawk zone with a great backhand pass. Ismond deked Carruth to the ice and put his second of the night past him for a 3-2 Ice lead… Ismond and Eakin hooked up again, this time on a four-on-four, when Eakin ripped his 11th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 4-2 lead… Game over right? Not a chance. At the tail end of another power play that the Hawks didn't convert Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone just as it ended. He skated in the zone, used Leach as a screen, and beat Lieuwen top shelf with 3:35 to play… In a furious rally in the dying seconds a Hawk point-shot was blocked or didn't get through the loose puck ended up on Ty Rattie's stick to the right of Lieuwen. He lifted it over him to tie with 17 seconds left…. In overtime it was all Kootenay, out-shooting the Hawks 11-4, and on their second power play Jesse Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner.
The Saves – Nathan Lieuwen started the night where he left off 24 hours earlier. After the first goal it was all Winterhawks but the Abbotsford product was stellar. He stopped Bartschi, again, early and then he robbed Leipsic on the shot and then the backhand rebound with the outstretched glove 3.5 minutes into the period. Though he let in two goals in the period Carruth was not to be outdone, stopping Fraser with the toe save on a one-timed pass from Reinhart. Lieuwen kept the Ice in it when he needed to.
The Hit – Brendan Hurley made the most of his shifts in the first with a blast on the end boards on William Wrenn that had the former NCAA'er hearing footsteps the rest of the period. Unfortunately Hurley also took out Steele Boomer as the latter was backchecking up ice. Hurley had Pearce Eviston in his sights but Boomer skated into the lane at the last second and the teammates collided. Boomer never missed a shift but I don't know how.
The Phantom Call – For a strange reason the referees stopped play in the Ice zone before the Hawks last time-out. One linesman singled off-side and that the face-off was coming out. The back referee decided otherwise and the face-off went into the zone. You know the rest.
The Penalty – Ty Rattie sent one into the crowd and took a delay-of-game penalty that could've cost Hawks the game. It didn't but as long as we know that you can spear a guy (both sides – it was nasty out there) but don't clear it out of play in your own zone. Dumb rule. Bartschi took a roughing call a minute later but that was being allowed all night. That one cost them the game.
The Quote – Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn't mince words about the call in overtime. "It was a bad call," Johnston said. "That's my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I'm not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that."
The(non)Suspension - I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lack of suspension of James Martin from the blindside/check to the head on Troy Rutkowski. I thought it should have been a game but I also thought Boychuk should've got some time too. The explanation I was given is that the WHL has yet to adopt a check-to-the-head rule like the NHL and the OHL or Q. It will likely be put in place over the summer but as of now, it's not there. Thus the non-suspensions on both checks.
The Crowd – 3593 – Biggest of the year
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Jesse Ismond – Four points and the hot hand
2. Ryan Johansen – 100 percent better than the night before; two goals
3. Cody Eakin – Two goals, assist and the Hawks don't have an answer for him
What it means – Kootenay can win it's third WHL Championship in the 15-year history of the franchise Friday night at the sold-out Rose Garden
Up Next: Game Five; 8:30 Cranbrook time Friday night.
For the Oregonian...
Kootenay pushes Portland to the brink
by Jeff Bromley
The Portland Winterhawks finally solved Kootenay Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen Wednesday in Cranbrook but couldn't overcome the men in stripes. After battling back from a 4-2 deficit late in the game Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing call in overtime. Ice forward Jesse Ismond found Matt Fraser wide open 1:37 later for the overtime winner and a 3-1 series lead for the Ice headed back to the Rose Garden Friday night.
Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn't mince words about the call in overtime. "It was a bad call," Johnston said. "That's my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I'm not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that."
Johnston's confident his charges will bounce back facing elimination Friday. "We'll have 10,000 fans in Portland," said Johnston. "We play well at home and we have a day to recover and a day to park it, get rid of it and focus on the next game."
The Winterhawks found themselves back on their heels in the first shift of the game when Eric Benoit slid a pass to Jesse Ismond skating into the Hawks zone. Ismond beat a surprised Carruth overtop his glove for a 1-0 Ice lead just 19 seconds into the game.
Portland took the sub-par first shift to heart and put together a string of great ones, dominating the Ice in their own zone with chance and chance. Nathan Lieuwen continued where he left off 24 hours earlier however and made several spectacular stops, including one on Brendan Leipsic that brought the fans to their feet.
The pressure was short-lived when Cody Eakin forced a turnover in the Winterhawk zone, passed back to Joey Leach on the Ice blueline and then went to the net. He tipped Leach's shot past Carruth for a 2-0 first period lead.
With Brayden McNabb in the box to start the period the Hawks converted just as McNabb left the penalty box. Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen's back-door and got enough of it to get it past Lieuwen to get the Hawks on the board. The Hawks tied it when Troy Rutkowski decided to put it on net instead of the usual dump-in. It deflected off Joe Leach and fooled Lieuwen from 80 feet out. The Ice managed to salvage a period dominated by the Winterhawks when Eakin found a streaking Jesse Ismond at the left circle. Ismond went in and deked Carruth for his second of the game.
With the game and perhaps the series in the balance Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone right after the Hawks killed a penalty. The 18-year-old used the Ice d-man as a screen and ripped his 13th of the playoff and second of the night over Lieuwen's shoulder with 3:35 to play. With a furious rally in the Ice zone and Mac Carruth on the bench for the extra attacker, Ty Rattie jumped on a blocked shot to the right of Lieuwen and put it over him to tie the game with 17 seconds left and send it to overtime for the second straight night and third time in the series. Kootenay head coach Kris Knoblauch saw a lead evaporate for the second straight game. "They've got a good hockey team," said Knoblauch. "Look at their roster. Look at the NHL Draft picks and the future draft picks, they're going to push back. We can't sit back because nothing's a sure thing."
Johansen admitted he needed to be better tonight and he was and in the process found some confidence that they might've finally solved Nathan Lieuwen headed into game five. "They had a few guys that got me off my game yesterday," said Johansen, who finished with two goals on the night. "I needed a good response. He (Lieuwen) has been a little inconsistent and hasn't really played a full sixty minutes yet. Then again he's been tremendous for them when he needed to be. We know where to beat and we just have to capitalize on our chances."
The Hawks couldn't parlay the comeback in overtime however, and on a broken play late in the man-advantage Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner. Though frustrated at the overtime penalty Johnston won't use the referees as motivation for game five. "No, our team rallies around the way we play," he said. "It was a good hockey game. We exposed them in some areas tonight and they were vulnerable and that's a key thing. It gives us confidence. We don't rally around calls we just have to handle the situation and battle through it."
Notes – Both teams featured the same line-ups but the Winterhawks got Tayler Jordan back after a one-game suspension. Brad Ross, who received a two-game suspension from the league for being a repeat offender after the Fraser hit in game two, is eligible to return Friday… Attendance was 3593, the largest of the season at the Cranbrook Rec Plex.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Score - Ice push Hawks to the brink
Lots to talk about but for now there's coverage here and here.
Highlites will be here.
The Score – Portland 4 – Kootenay 5 OT – Ice lead best-of-seven 3-1
What Happened – Kootenay had a lead and surrendered again but again, they dominated in overtime and Matt Fraser pushed the Hawks to brink of elimination.
The Turning Point – Six minutes into the overtime, after killing Ty Rattie’s clearing pass into the stands just minutes prior, Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing penalty. It was a strange, and bad, call for something that had gone on all night. Kootenay’s ailing power play finally clicked for the first time in both home games and now the Ice have a chance to win it all. A case could also be made for Ismond’s second goal in the last two minutes of the second period.
The Goals – Before many of the Rec Plex faithful could get to their seats, Steele Boomer chipped the puck up off the centre boards to Eric Benoit. He dished it Ismond with speed. Ismond wired his 3rd of the playoffs glove side over Carruth for his 3rd of playoffs 19 seconds in…. After giving Portland most of the play for about five minutes following the first goal, Cody Eakin caused a turnover in the Hawks end. He dished it to Joey Leach whose slapshot Eakin tipped past Carruth…. In the second the Hawks got on the board just as McNabb stepped out of the penalty box when Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen’s back door. He didn’t miss. 2-1 Ice… Nathan Lieuwen stopped them from just about everywhere in the second except from about 80 feet when Hawk d-man Troy Rutkowski decided to fire the puck on net instead of just dumping it in. The shot hit Joey Leach and changed direction, fooling Lieuwen as he lost sight of it. 2-2… Jesse Ismond salvaged a dismal Ice middle frame when, with both King and Niederreiter off with coincidental minors, Cody Eakin found Ismond with speed in the Hawk zone with a great backhand pass. Ismond deked Carruth to the ice and put his second of the night past him for a 3-2 Ice lead… Ismond and Eakin hooked up again, this time on a four-on-four, when Eakin ripped his 11th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 4-2 lead… Game over right? Not a chance. At the tail end of another power play that the Hawks didn’t convert Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone just as it ended. He skated in the zone, used Leach as a screen, and beat Lieuwen top shelf with 3:35 to play… In a furious rally in the dying seconds a Hawk point-shot was blocked or didn’t get through the loose puck ended up on Ty Rattie’s stick to the right of Lieuwen. He lifted it over him to tie with 17 seconds left…. In overtime it was all Kootenay, out-shooting the Hawks 11-4, and on their second power play Jesse Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner.
The Saves – Nathan Lieuwen started the night where he left off 24 hours earlier. After the first goal it was all Winterhawks but the Abbotsford product was stellar. He stopped Bartschi, again, early and then he robbed Leipsic on the shot and then the backhand rebound with the outstretched glove 3.5 minutes into the period. Though he let in two goals in the period Carruth was not to be outdone, stopping Fraser with the toe save on a one-timed pass from Reinhart. Lieuwen kept the Ice in it when he needed to.
The Hit – Brendan Hurley made the most of his shifts in the first with a blast on the end boards on William Wrenn that had the former NCAA’er hearing footsteps the rest of the period. Unfortunately Hurley also took out Steele Boomer as the latter was backchecking up ice. Hurley had Pearce Eviston in his sights but Boomer skated into the lane at the last second and the teammates collided. Boomer never missed a shift but I don’t know how.
The Phantom Call – For a strange reason the referees stopped play in the Ice zone before the Hawks last time-out. One linesman singled off-side and that the face-off was coming out. The back referee decided otherwise and the face-off went into the zone. You know the rest.
The Penalty – Ty Rattie sent one into the crowd and took a delay-of-game penalty that could’ve cost Hawks the game. It didn’t but as long as we know that you can spear a guy (both sides – it was nasty out there) but don’t clear it out of play in your own zone. Dumb rule. Bartschi took a roughing call a minute later but that was being allowed all night. That one cost them the game.
The Quote – Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn’t mince words about the call in overtime. “It was a bad call,” Johnston said. “That’s my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I’m not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that.”
The(non)Suspension - I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lack of suspension of James Martin from the blindside/check to the head on Troy Rutkowski. I thought it should have been a game but I also thought Boychuk should've got some time too. The explanation I was given is that the WHL has yet to adopt a check-to-the-head rule like the NHL and the OHL or Q. It will likely be put in place over the summer but as of now, it's not there. Thus the non-suspensions on both checks.
The Crowd – 3593 – Biggest of the year
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Jesse Ismond – Four points and the hot hand
2. Ryan Johansen – 100 percent better than the night before; two goals
3. Cody Eakin – Two goals, assist and the Hawks don’t have an answer for him
What it means – Kootenay can win it’s third WHL Championship in the 15-year history of the franchise Friday night at the sold-out Rose Garden
Up Next: Game Five; 8:30 Cranbrook time Friday night.
Summary:
Kootenay leads best-of-seven series 3-1
Winterhawks 4 @ Ice 5 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for playoff game between the Kootenay Ice and the Portland Winterhawks, May 11, 2011
Jesse Ismond had two goals and two assists including setting up the overtime winner as the Kootenay edged the Portland Winterhawks 5-4 in overtime to take a 3-1 lead in the WHL Finals Wednesday night.
The Ice jumped out to a two-goal first period lead on goals by Ismond and Cody Eakin but the Winterhawks tied it in the second on goals by Ryan Johansen and Troy Rutkowski. With less than two minutes left in the period Ismond notched his second of the night off an Eakin pass. In the third Eakin and Ismond teamed up again, this time with Eakin firing his 11th of the playoffs past Mac Carruth to give the Ice a 4-2 lead. The Hawks didn't give up and Ryan Johansen notched his second of the night with a rifle shot over Nathan Lieuwen's shoulder to make it 4-3. With 17 seconds left the Winterhawks tied it when Ty Rattie lifted a shot over Lieuwen to send it to overtime.
Killing a penalty in the extra frame Ismond found Matt Fraser wide open. Fraser buried his 15th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 5-4 win.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 31 of 35 shots to get the win while Mac Carruth turned aside 33 of 38 in taking the loss.
The Ice have a chance to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup Friday night in Portland.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 3 (Benoit, Boomer) 0:19
2. Kootenay, Eakin 10 (King, Leach) 7:46
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (tripping) 18:32.
Second Period
3. Portland, Johansen 12 (Boychuk, Niederreiter) 0:41
4. Portland, Rutkowski 4 (Cunningham) 14:19
5. Kootenay, Ismond 4 (Eakin, Leach) 18:11
Penalties -- Niederreiter Port McNabb Ktn (roughing) 6:13, Morrow Port (hooking) 10:49, Niederreiter Port King Ktn (roughing) 17:57.
Third Period
6. Kootenay, Eakin 11 (Ismond, Leach) 12:30
7. Portland, Johansen 13 16:25
8. Portland, Rattie 9 (Rutkowski, Morrow) 19:23
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (holding) 2:42, Aronson Port King Ktn (roughing) 10:58, McNabb Ktn (interference) 12:55, Rattie Port (high-sticking) 14:34.
Overtime
9. Kootenay, Fraser 15 (Ismond, Reinhart) 12:08 (pp)
Penalties -- Rattie Port (delay-of-game) 8:42, Bartschi Port (roughing) 11:30.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 8 11 8 11 - 38
Portland: 10 11 11 3 - 35
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 15-3); Portland: Mac Carruth (L, 12-6)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-4
Portland: 0-3
Referee -- Matt Kirk, Derek Zalaski. Linesman -- Scott Sharun, Trent Knorr.
Attendance -- 3593 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Elgin Pearce (undisclosed), John Niedbrandt, Adam Rossignol.
Portland: Brendan Burke, Brett Ponich, Chase De Leo, Oliver Gabriel, Brad Ross (suspension), Jason Trott, Nic Petan.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Highlites will be here.
The Score – Portland 4 – Kootenay 5 OT – Ice lead best-of-seven 3-1
What Happened – Kootenay had a lead and surrendered again but again, they dominated in overtime and Matt Fraser pushed the Hawks to brink of elimination.
The Turning Point – Six minutes into the overtime, after killing Ty Rattie’s clearing pass into the stands just minutes prior, Sven Bartschi was assessed a roughing penalty. It was a strange, and bad, call for something that had gone on all night. Kootenay’s ailing power play finally clicked for the first time in both home games and now the Ice have a chance to win it all. A case could also be made for Ismond’s second goal in the last two minutes of the second period.
The Goals – Before many of the Rec Plex faithful could get to their seats, Steele Boomer chipped the puck up off the centre boards to Eric Benoit. He dished it Ismond with speed. Ismond wired his 3rd of the playoffs glove side over Carruth for his 3rd of playoffs 19 seconds in…. After giving Portland most of the play for about five minutes following the first goal, Cody Eakin caused a turnover in the Hawks end. He dished it to Joey Leach whose slapshot Eakin tipped past Carruth…. In the second the Hawks got on the board just as McNabb stepped out of the penalty box when Riley Boychuk found Ryan Johansen at Lieuwen’s back door. He didn’t miss. 2-1 Ice… Nathan Lieuwen stopped them from just about everywhere in the second except from about 80 feet when Hawk d-man Troy Rutkowski decided to fire the puck on net instead of just dumping it in. The shot hit Joey Leach and changed direction, fooling Lieuwen as he lost sight of it. 2-2… Jesse Ismond salvaged a dismal Ice middle frame when, with both King and Niederreiter off with coincidental minors, Cody Eakin found Ismond with speed in the Hawk zone with a great backhand pass. Ismond deked Carruth to the ice and put his second of the night past him for a 3-2 Ice lead… Ismond and Eakin hooked up again, this time on a four-on-four, when Eakin ripped his 11th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 4-2 lead… Game over right? Not a chance. At the tail end of another power play that the Hawks didn’t convert Ryan Johansen intercepted a puck in the neutral zone just as it ended. He skated in the zone, used Leach as a screen, and beat Lieuwen top shelf with 3:35 to play… In a furious rally in the dying seconds a Hawk point-shot was blocked or didn’t get through the loose puck ended up on Ty Rattie’s stick to the right of Lieuwen. He lifted it over him to tie with 17 seconds left…. In overtime it was all Kootenay, out-shooting the Hawks 11-4, and on their second power play Jesse Ismond found a wide-open Matt Fraser for the game-winner.
The Saves – Nathan Lieuwen started the night where he left off 24 hours earlier. After the first goal it was all Winterhawks but the Abbotsford product was stellar. He stopped Bartschi, again, early and then he robbed Leipsic on the shot and then the backhand rebound with the outstretched glove 3.5 minutes into the period. Though he let in two goals in the period Carruth was not to be outdone, stopping Fraser with the toe save on a one-timed pass from Reinhart. Lieuwen kept the Ice in it when he needed to.
The Hit – Brendan Hurley made the most of his shifts in the first with a blast on the end boards on William Wrenn that had the former NCAA’er hearing footsteps the rest of the period. Unfortunately Hurley also took out Steele Boomer as the latter was backchecking up ice. Hurley had Pearce Eviston in his sights but Boomer skated into the lane at the last second and the teammates collided. Boomer never missed a shift but I don’t know how.
The Phantom Call – For a strange reason the referees stopped play in the Ice zone before the Hawks last time-out. One linesman singled off-side and that the face-off was coming out. The back referee decided otherwise and the face-off went into the zone. You know the rest.
The Penalty – Ty Rattie sent one into the crowd and took a delay-of-game penalty that could’ve cost Hawks the game. It didn’t but as long as we know that you can spear a guy (both sides – it was nasty out there) but don’t clear it out of play in your own zone. Dumb rule. Bartschi took a roughing call a minute later but that was being allowed all night. That one cost them the game.
The Quote – Portland head coach Mike Johnston didn’t mince words about the call in overtime. “It was a bad call,” Johnston said. “That’s my thoughts on it. I watched the video just to make sure. I thought (Kootenay) were getting the penalty. We were yelling at Mac for our goaltender to the bench. We thought we had the power play because he (King) interference with Bartschi coming around the net. Bartschi tried to jump out of the way of the hit. I’m not sure how a roughing call was called there but certainly I was surprised that an overtime call would go like that.”
The(non)Suspension - I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lack of suspension of James Martin from the blindside/check to the head on Troy Rutkowski. I thought it should have been a game but I also thought Boychuk should've got some time too. The explanation I was given is that the WHL has yet to adopt a check-to-the-head rule like the NHL and the OHL or Q. It will likely be put in place over the summer but as of now, it's not there. Thus the non-suspensions on both checks.
The Crowd – 3593 – Biggest of the year
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Jesse Ismond – Four points and the hot hand
2. Ryan Johansen – 100 percent better than the night before; two goals
3. Cody Eakin – Two goals, assist and the Hawks don’t have an answer for him
What it means – Kootenay can win it’s third WHL Championship in the 15-year history of the franchise Friday night at the sold-out Rose Garden
Up Next: Game Five; 8:30 Cranbrook time Friday night.
Summary:
Kootenay leads best-of-seven series 3-1
Winterhawks 4 @ Ice 5 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for playoff game between the Kootenay Ice and the Portland Winterhawks, May 11, 2011
Jesse Ismond had two goals and two assists including setting up the overtime winner as the Kootenay edged the Portland Winterhawks 5-4 in overtime to take a 3-1 lead in the WHL Finals Wednesday night.
The Ice jumped out to a two-goal first period lead on goals by Ismond and Cody Eakin but the Winterhawks tied it in the second on goals by Ryan Johansen and Troy Rutkowski. With less than two minutes left in the period Ismond notched his second of the night off an Eakin pass. In the third Eakin and Ismond teamed up again, this time with Eakin firing his 11th of the playoffs past Mac Carruth to give the Ice a 4-2 lead. The Hawks didn't give up and Ryan Johansen notched his second of the night with a rifle shot over Nathan Lieuwen's shoulder to make it 4-3. With 17 seconds left the Winterhawks tied it when Ty Rattie lifted a shot over Lieuwen to send it to overtime.
Killing a penalty in the extra frame Ismond found Matt Fraser wide open. Fraser buried his 15th of the playoffs to give the Ice a 5-4 win.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 31 of 35 shots to get the win while Mac Carruth turned aside 33 of 38 in taking the loss.
The Ice have a chance to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup Friday night in Portland.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 3 (Benoit, Boomer) 0:19
2. Kootenay, Eakin 10 (King, Leach) 7:46
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (tripping) 18:32.
Second Period
3. Portland, Johansen 12 (Boychuk, Niederreiter) 0:41
4. Portland, Rutkowski 4 (Cunningham) 14:19
5. Kootenay, Ismond 4 (Eakin, Leach) 18:11
Penalties -- Niederreiter Port McNabb Ktn (roughing) 6:13, Morrow Port (hooking) 10:49, Niederreiter Port King Ktn (roughing) 17:57.
Third Period
6. Kootenay, Eakin 11 (Ismond, Leach) 12:30
7. Portland, Johansen 13 16:25
8. Portland, Rattie 9 (Rutkowski, Morrow) 19:23
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (holding) 2:42, Aronson Port King Ktn (roughing) 10:58, McNabb Ktn (interference) 12:55, Rattie Port (high-sticking) 14:34.
Overtime
9. Kootenay, Fraser 15 (Ismond, Reinhart) 12:08 (pp)
Penalties -- Rattie Port (delay-of-game) 8:42, Bartschi Port (roughing) 11:30.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 8 11 8 11 - 38
Portland: 10 11 11 3 - 35
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 15-3); Portland: Mac Carruth (L, 12-6)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-4
Portland: 0-3
Referee -- Matt Kirk, Derek Zalaski. Linesman -- Scott Sharun, Trent Knorr.
Attendance -- 3593 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Elgin Pearce (undisclosed), John Niedbrandt, Adam Rossignol.
Portland: Brendan Burke, Brett Ponich, Chase De Leo, Oliver Gabriel, Brad Ross (suspension), Jason Trott, Nic Petan.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Ross gets two games
Ice fans won't be able to see Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Brad Ross play in Cranbrook, at least not for Game Four.
Ross went from TBD to two games today. He served one last night and the second will be tonight. Big Tayler Jordan returns from his one-game suspension tonight.
From the WHL:
5/9/11 Brad Ross Portland Two games under supplemental discipline and repeat offender versus Kootenay
Still no word on the fate of Ice D James Martin
Ross went from TBD to two games today. He served one last night and the second will be tonight. Big Tayler Jordan returns from his one-game suspension tonight.
From the WHL:
5/9/11 Brad Ross Portland Two games under supplemental discipline and repeat offender versus Kootenay
Still no word on the fate of Ice D James Martin
Trucks to win......
Those who say the promotions are few and far between might want to have a look tonight.
I got this from Ice Marketing Director Tiffany today:
"Two trucks are on the line tonight at the game. Two lucky fans will have the opportunity to Shoot to Win a F-150 from Denham Ford during the 2nd intermission tonight! Each fan could walk away with keys to their new set of wheels."
As of 11AM - 2900 tickets sold.
I got this from Ice Marketing Director Tiffany today:
"Two trucks are on the line tonight at the game. Two lucky fans will have the opportunity to Shoot to Win a F-150 from Denham Ford during the 2nd intermission tonight! Each fan could walk away with keys to their new set of wheels."
As of 11AM - 2900 tickets sold.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Score - Ice/Hawks Game 3
This is quick and dirty. Got a 4:30AM wake-up call. I'll add highlites and video of Martin's hit tomorrow morning.
My piece for the Oregonian is here. While Matt Coxford has Townsman converage here.
The game highlites are here. Look closely at 1:30-1:40 of the video. It has the Martin hit and it's clearly a blindside. I would be completely shocked if Martin doesn't get a game suspension for this. Then again, Boychuk's - which was similar - wasn't given a suspension.
The Score – Portland 2 – Kootenay 3 OT
What Happened – They call him JOE, again. Antilla provided the heroics for the second time in these playoffs with a wrist-shot that beat Carruth over the shoulder in OT.
The Turning Point – A loose puck is cleared by Eakin to the top of the Hawk right circle down the Ice. Unbelievably, Carruth doesn't come out to play it. More unbelievably, Drew Czweronka won a foot race with the speedy Aronson and tucked the puck behind Carruth. Wonka isn't the fleetest of foot but he made it count tonight.
The Goals – Just after a particularly ineffective power play had ended Kevin King stayed on for more rush, took a chip off the half-wall and fired a perfect wrist-shot off the bar and behind Carruth… That lasted less than a minute as Ty Rattie used Martin as a screen after Trail product Craig Cunningham dished the puck to him, beating Lieuwen over the glove… In the third Sven Bartschi was found wide open by Rattie. He buried his 10th into an open net... Czerwonka's goal was all charlie hustle. Just hard skating and strenght to protect the puck and get it around Carruth. Place went nuts... They went nuts again when Joe Antilla rifled a gread wrist shot that seeme to surprise Carruth, over his shoulder for the game-winner.
The match-ups – In a strange twist both coaches were getting their match-ups early as Knoblauch preferred to have Boomer, Montogomery and Czerwonka against Portland’s top unit of Neiderrieter, Boychuk and Johansen. It almost cost them a couple of times but the payoff was the match-up of Kootenay's top two units, which produced just as many chances.
The Goaltenders – Both were sharp through three periods but Lieuwen was better in the third. The Hawks second goal notwithstanding – he didn’t have much of chance on that one but was also wayyyy out of position – Lieuwen was spectacular on Bartschi when it counted. Twice he stopped the future first rounder; once on a breakaway in which the Swiss import split the Ice D with seven minutes left and then again in the dying moments of the third from point blank range.
The Hit – James Martin caught Winterhawk D-man Troy Rutkowski breaking into the Ice zone and nailed him with what appeared to be an elbow – a blindside one – that earned him a major and gave the visitors a five minute major through almost the last five minutes of the game. Inexplicably Ryan Johansen, who was complaining steady all night, went ballistic in the ensuing scrum and knocked two minutes off the major with a roughing minor of his own. Don’t know what he was thinking… Kootenay killed the rest but Martin will certainly draw some attention from the league, if not a suspension. But Boychuk didn’t get one, did he…… Okay, let's wait for the replay...
The Whistles – They were in the pocket of the zebras for most of the night. Kootenay had three power plays and the Hawks had one. A three minute major. It was chippy out there.
The 50/50 Winner of over $4400 – Former Ice d-man Paul Kurceba.
The Crowd – 3402; Rockin at the Plex.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Nathan Lieuwen – stellar play. Needed this one
2. Mac Carruth – Was steady in facing 41 shots. Ice never got frustrated; crowd did however.
3. Drew Czerwonka – Busted his butt for a loose puck that was the difference.
What it means – Kootenay takes a 2-1 lead into Game four. It probably means little unless the same result happens tonight.
Up Next: Game Four – 7PM at the Plex
Summary:
Portland 2 @ Kootenay 3 (WHL Playoffs)
Winterhawks 2 @ Ice 3 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for playoff game between the Kootenay Ice and the Portland Winterhawks, May 10, 2011
Joe Antilla scored his 9th goal of the season in overtime to give the Kootenay Ice a 3-2 overtime win and a 2-1 lead in the WHL Best-of-seven final series Tuesday night.
Kootenay opened to scoring with Kevin King's 5th of the post-season at 17:53 of the first. The Winterhawks tied it when Ty Rattie wired his 8th past Nathan Lieuwen 61 seconds later.
After a scoreless second period the Winterhawks took a 2-1 lead on Sven Bartschi's 10th of the playoffs at 3:54. Drew Czerwonka tied it when he won a foot race for a loose puck and tucked it past Mac Carruth at 13:58.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 34 of 36 saves to get the win while Mac Carruth stopped 38 of 41 shots in taking the loss.
Antilla's goal was his second overtime winner of the playoffs.
First Period
1. Kootenay, King 5 (Ismond, Martin) 17:53
2. Portland, Rattie 8 (Cunningham, Boychuk) 18:54
Penalties -- Boychuk Port (interference) 15:49, Rattie Port (slashing) 20:00.
Second Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Johansen Port (slashing) 6:53.
Third Period
3. Portland, Bartschi 10 (Rattie, Wren) 3:54
4. Kootenay, Czerwonka 2 (Eakin) 13:58
Penalties -- Ius Port Hurley Ktn (fighting) 8:53, Neiderreiter Port King Ktn (roughing) 10:46, Martin Ktn (charging major, game misconduct) Johansen Port (roughing) 14:16.
Overtime
5. Kootenay, Antilla 9 (Reinhart, McNabb) 6:12
Penalties -- None.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 11 10 13 7 - 41
Portland: 15 6 13 3 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 14-3); Portland: Mac Carruth (L, 12-5)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-3
Portland: 0-1
Referee -- Devin Klein, Nathan Wieler. Linesman -- Jeff Jobson, Trent Knorr.
Attendance -- 3402 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Elgin Pearce (undisclosed), John Neidbrandt, Adam Rossignol.
Portland: Brendan Burke, Brett Ponich, Chase De Leo, Oliver Gabriel, Brad Ross (suspension), Jason Trott, Tayler Jordan (suspension).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
My piece for the Oregonian is here. While Matt Coxford has Townsman converage here.
The game highlites are here. Look closely at 1:30-1:40 of the video. It has the Martin hit and it's clearly a blindside. I would be completely shocked if Martin doesn't get a game suspension for this. Then again, Boychuk's - which was similar - wasn't given a suspension.
The Score – Portland 2 – Kootenay 3 OT
What Happened – They call him JOE, again. Antilla provided the heroics for the second time in these playoffs with a wrist-shot that beat Carruth over the shoulder in OT.
The Turning Point – A loose puck is cleared by Eakin to the top of the Hawk right circle down the Ice. Unbelievably, Carruth doesn't come out to play it. More unbelievably, Drew Czweronka won a foot race with the speedy Aronson and tucked the puck behind Carruth. Wonka isn't the fleetest of foot but he made it count tonight.
The Goals – Just after a particularly ineffective power play had ended Kevin King stayed on for more rush, took a chip off the half-wall and fired a perfect wrist-shot off the bar and behind Carruth… That lasted less than a minute as Ty Rattie used Martin as a screen after Trail product Craig Cunningham dished the puck to him, beating Lieuwen over the glove… In the third Sven Bartschi was found wide open by Rattie. He buried his 10th into an open net... Czerwonka's goal was all charlie hustle. Just hard skating and strenght to protect the puck and get it around Carruth. Place went nuts... They went nuts again when Joe Antilla rifled a gread wrist shot that seeme to surprise Carruth, over his shoulder for the game-winner.
The match-ups – In a strange twist both coaches were getting their match-ups early as Knoblauch preferred to have Boomer, Montogomery and Czerwonka against Portland’s top unit of Neiderrieter, Boychuk and Johansen. It almost cost them a couple of times but the payoff was the match-up of Kootenay's top two units, which produced just as many chances.
The Goaltenders – Both were sharp through three periods but Lieuwen was better in the third. The Hawks second goal notwithstanding – he didn’t have much of chance on that one but was also wayyyy out of position – Lieuwen was spectacular on Bartschi when it counted. Twice he stopped the future first rounder; once on a breakaway in which the Swiss import split the Ice D with seven minutes left and then again in the dying moments of the third from point blank range.
The Hit – James Martin caught Winterhawk D-man Troy Rutkowski breaking into the Ice zone and nailed him with what appeared to be an elbow – a blindside one – that earned him a major and gave the visitors a five minute major through almost the last five minutes of the game. Inexplicably Ryan Johansen, who was complaining steady all night, went ballistic in the ensuing scrum and knocked two minutes off the major with a roughing minor of his own. Don’t know what he was thinking… Kootenay killed the rest but Martin will certainly draw some attention from the league, if not a suspension. But Boychuk didn’t get one, did he…… Okay, let's wait for the replay...
The Whistles – They were in the pocket of the zebras for most of the night. Kootenay had three power plays and the Hawks had one. A three minute major. It was chippy out there.
The 50/50 Winner of over $4400 – Former Ice d-man Paul Kurceba.
The Crowd – 3402; Rockin at the Plex.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Nathan Lieuwen – stellar play. Needed this one
2. Mac Carruth – Was steady in facing 41 shots. Ice never got frustrated; crowd did however.
3. Drew Czerwonka – Busted his butt for a loose puck that was the difference.
What it means – Kootenay takes a 2-1 lead into Game four. It probably means little unless the same result happens tonight.
Up Next: Game Four – 7PM at the Plex
Summary:
Portland 2 @ Kootenay 3 (WHL Playoffs)
Winterhawks 2 @ Ice 3 (OT)
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for playoff game between the Kootenay Ice and the Portland Winterhawks, May 10, 2011
Joe Antilla scored his 9th goal of the season in overtime to give the Kootenay Ice a 3-2 overtime win and a 2-1 lead in the WHL Best-of-seven final series Tuesday night.
Kootenay opened to scoring with Kevin King's 5th of the post-season at 17:53 of the first. The Winterhawks tied it when Ty Rattie wired his 8th past Nathan Lieuwen 61 seconds later.
After a scoreless second period the Winterhawks took a 2-1 lead on Sven Bartschi's 10th of the playoffs at 3:54. Drew Czerwonka tied it when he won a foot race for a loose puck and tucked it past Mac Carruth at 13:58.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 34 of 36 saves to get the win while Mac Carruth stopped 38 of 41 shots in taking the loss.
Antilla's goal was his second overtime winner of the playoffs.
First Period
1. Kootenay, King 5 (Ismond, Martin) 17:53
2. Portland, Rattie 8 (Cunningham, Boychuk) 18:54
Penalties -- Boychuk Port (interference) 15:49, Rattie Port (slashing) 20:00.
Second Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Johansen Port (slashing) 6:53.
Third Period
3. Portland, Bartschi 10 (Rattie, Wren) 3:54
4. Kootenay, Czerwonka 2 (Eakin) 13:58
Penalties -- Ius Port Hurley Ktn (fighting) 8:53, Neiderreiter Port King Ktn (roughing) 10:46, Martin Ktn (charging major, game misconduct) Johansen Port (roughing) 14:16.
Overtime
5. Kootenay, Antilla 9 (Reinhart, McNabb) 6:12
Penalties -- None.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 11 10 13 7 - 41
Portland: 15 6 13 3 - 36
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 14-3); Portland: Mac Carruth (L, 12-5)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 0-3
Portland: 0-1
Referee -- Devin Klein, Nathan Wieler. Linesman -- Jeff Jobson, Trent Knorr.
Attendance -- 3402 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Elgin Pearce (undisclosed), John Neidbrandt, Adam Rossignol.
Portland: Brendan Burke, Brett Ponich, Chase De Leo, Oliver Gabriel, Brad Ross (suspension), Jason Trott, Tayler Jordan (suspension).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Verdict's in..... So's Boychuk
The WHL ruled today on the two majors assessed and the Ross knee-on-knee in game 2 Saturday night.
They are:
Brad Ross Portland Tbd under supplemental discipline versus Kootenay on May 7
Tayler Jordan Portland One game for cfb major and g.m. versus Kootenay on May 7
So, hey, sometimes I get it wrong. Ross was an easier call in hindsite; knee is stuck out and he's a three-time offender this season. But Jordan, as dangerous as it was I think the major and game misconduct was enough. I just don't think there was the intent of say, well, most know my feelings on that one.
Still think that Boychuk's was worse than Jordan's, especially given the talk on concussions and protecting the head and the like. There's no tolerance to checking to the head and yet the league chooses not to discpline this one any further. Wonder what message that is sending... But it begs the question... does the WHL have a rule 48 like the NHL?
Rule 48 is - Illegal Check to the Head
48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted.
48.2 Minor Penalty - There is no provision for a minor penalty for this rule.
48.3 Major Penalty - For a violation of this rule, a major penalty shall be assessed (see 48.4).
48.4 Game Misconduct – An automatic game misconduct penalty shall be assessed whenever a major penalty is assessed under this rule.
48.5 Match Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.
48.6 Fines and Suspensions – Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconducts under this rule, in either regular League or playoff games, shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
Somebody asked my definition of a blindside: To me, if you don't have the puck and you're not looking, and you're hit in the head, it's a blindside. Whether a replay shows before hand it might've seemed like he saw him coming or not, it's a blindside. Even if he has the puck the league is leaving itself behind if they're not doing everything in their power to protect the players' head.
At any rate, it's all good dialogue, well most of it. Don't get personal just because it's your team, either way - Ice or Hawks. I think it was a Portland fan that posted that this is what the internet can be all about. Generating discussion on the sport we all love. Of course the kind of the point of all this...
On the Ross suspension, I'm sure the league's waiting to see if Fraser plays Tuesday. That would be the only explanation for the delay in determining the length.
Watching the Canucks, how many are cheering for this one to end so that it doesn't conflict with Game 4? Radio had 2500 sold for both games thus far, meaning crowds of about 3000 for game three.
Game Three Tuesday at 7PM
They are:
Brad Ross Portland Tbd under supplemental discipline versus Kootenay on May 7
Tayler Jordan Portland One game for cfb major and g.m. versus Kootenay on May 7
So, hey, sometimes I get it wrong. Ross was an easier call in hindsite; knee is stuck out and he's a three-time offender this season. But Jordan, as dangerous as it was I think the major and game misconduct was enough. I just don't think there was the intent of say, well, most know my feelings on that one.
Still think that Boychuk's was worse than Jordan's, especially given the talk on concussions and protecting the head and the like. There's no tolerance to checking to the head and yet the league chooses not to discpline this one any further. Wonder what message that is sending... But it begs the question... does the WHL have a rule 48 like the NHL?
Rule 48 is - Illegal Check to the Head
48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted.
48.2 Minor Penalty - There is no provision for a minor penalty for this rule.
48.3 Major Penalty - For a violation of this rule, a major penalty shall be assessed (see 48.4).
48.4 Game Misconduct – An automatic game misconduct penalty shall be assessed whenever a major penalty is assessed under this rule.
48.5 Match Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.
48.6 Fines and Suspensions – Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconducts under this rule, in either regular League or playoff games, shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
Somebody asked my definition of a blindside: To me, if you don't have the puck and you're not looking, and you're hit in the head, it's a blindside. Whether a replay shows before hand it might've seemed like he saw him coming or not, it's a blindside. Even if he has the puck the league is leaving itself behind if they're not doing everything in their power to protect the players' head.
At any rate, it's all good dialogue, well most of it. Don't get personal just because it's your team, either way - Ice or Hawks. I think it was a Portland fan that posted that this is what the internet can be all about. Generating discussion on the sport we all love. Of course the kind of the point of all this...
On the Ross suspension, I'm sure the league's waiting to see if Fraser plays Tuesday. That would be the only explanation for the delay in determining the length.
Watching the Canucks, how many are cheering for this one to end so that it doesn't conflict with Game 4? Radio had 2500 sold for both games thus far, meaning crowds of about 3000 for game three.
Game Three Tuesday at 7PM
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Ice escape Portland with a split
UPDATE - Here's a link to OregonLive which has four videos on the hits.
The Highlites are here.
UPDATE II - I'm now hearing that Fraser will play Tuesday, though I haven't confirmed it yet. Without any real confirmation of injuries in the playoffs I guess time will tell.
Matt Fraser and Kevin King had a pair of goals each; Max Reinhart, Cody Eakin and Steele Boomer scored the Ice in a wild, sometimes breath-taking and sometimes heart-stopping, 7-5 win in Portland over the Winterhawks tonight to tie their best-of-seven series 1-1 headed back to Cranbrook for Game 3 Tuesday night.
After a style of game Kootenay likely wanted to get into in the first, the teams traded goals and gone was the wide-open firewagon hockey the Hawks thrive on through one period.
Then all hell broke loose or, more accurately, the bigger, badder Hawks went crazy. A double minor on Brad Ross on two separately plays could've succinctly turned the tide in the series. The question now is which way did it turn?
The four minute minor for roughing and kneeing - separately - took out Matt Fraser on the play. Fraser was on fire and had two goals at that point in a 2-1 Ice lead.
Big Taylor Jordan checked Steele Boomer from behind and drew a five-minute major and a game misconduct and gave the Ice a long, 5-on-3. They score twice to turn the game on it's ear and spark their anemic power play on goals by Reinhart and Eakin to give the Ice a 4-1 lead.
The Hawks weren't done when they took another two penalties in succession and Kootenay cashed in again, twice, on goals by Boomer - nice deflection - and another by Kevin King to make it 6-1.
The Hawks got another major - this time for a blindside head shot on Rintoul by Ryley Boychuk but couldn't extend their lead and actually gave up a shortie in the last minute to Bartschi.
A 6-2 going into the third and Kootenay got into penalty trouble of their own, the Hawks made it 6-3 with Ismond in the box and then Taylor Peters and Joe Morrow scored 13 seconds apart to cut the lead to 6-5 with a whopping 12 minutes left.
Some great saves by Lieuwen and a better defensive game plus an empty-netter got the Ice out of Dodge with a split, barely.
Thoughts...
The Hits - Okay, I'm being objective here and have the benefit of video replay, as the WHL will when their review all three majors the Hawks took. All three will generate a second look by the league but only one, in my opinion, will get more time. The Ross knee-on-knee, though devastating, likely won't be it. He dragged his knee but he suffered an injury on the play too. It might mitigate the suspension if he's out anyway... The check-from-behind from Jordan - though dangerous - will be covered by the call on the ice... Boychuk's blindside hit to the head however - if the league sticks to the bar set on the Boomer-Grbavac hit in the Eastern Conference Final - should be two games. Rintoul didn't have the puck, though he might've been the last to touch it, but Boychuk connected with the head. The NHL's 'hitting zone' notwithstanding, it should be an easy call.
The Penalties - Kootenay stayed out of the box tonight for the most part - Ismond in the third and the four-on-four with Reinhart and and Leipsic didn't help things - and found success. The Hawks, well, Kootenay was 4-7 with two Majors and two five-on-three's.
The Near-Collapse - Face-it, if the Ice didn't pull this one out the possibility of Kootenay recovering from it would've been remote. Home-ice or not. That's why I though the Ross call could be so pivotal. Does Kootenay recover from the loss of Fraser? Do they rebound from a near loss? Probably on the latter, on the former I don't know. Those are big skates to fill. The Winterhawks seemed unfazed by a 6-1 deficit.
Hell, is it even worth mentioning the penalty-shot that Lieuwen stopped on Sven Bartschi in the second before things went sideways for the Hawks? I think so. It was key and it was a bad call. Tripping yes, but not a freebie...
The Flow - Great first period and what I thought this series would be like. The Hawks played into the Ice defensive game and generated little in the way of offensive chances. What happened in the second I don't think I've ever seen before.
Their best game - So, it's tough to gauge whether or not Portland's played their best game but I wonder when the Ice will put one together. They've played about 3.5 good periods of hockey.
How big was the TV timeout halfway through the third? Kootenay had used up their timeout after Portland's 4th goal during the pre-collapse and somehow managed to stem the tide after that. Dan Russell nailed it when he said Kootenay played better in the last 12 or so minutes with a one-goal lead then they did in the first 8 minutes with a 6-2 lead.
Okay humour me, does Carruth remind you of Todd Mathews, temperament-wise? Discuss...
The Cost - The one disclaimer I'll throw out there on the Boychuk hit on Rintoul is that the latter somehow returned. He was out on the ice, clearly, and returned in the third period about halfway through. It was a calming effect... As far as I know however the WHL hasn't adopted the 'quiet room' regulations and such for players after such an incident but Rintoul left the game and returned. I don't know if he went to any other room but the dressing room. For Matt Fraser, he's on crutches - as per Cam Moon's between the benches reporting during the third - and I'd wouldn't bet on him returning. Best case scenario: Charlie Horse and he's back for game five. Worst Case: ACL, done for season. The Prayer Vigil starts tomorrow....
Winterhawk coach Mike Johnston was hot about the calls but you'd never know. He let on a bit in the post-game about the calls and talked about the Martin hit on Bartschi late in the game against the end boards. The beauty of replay shows Martin hitting Bartschi cleanly, shoulder to chest. Give him credit though. Many coaches would've went off about those calls. He didn't. Though he tried. “Bartschi got blindsided,” Johnston said in the post-game news conference. “That should have been at least a five-minute penalty, for sure, 100 percent. On our top player, and it wasn’t called.” Video of it is above. On the Rintoul hit he also kept his cool but obviously didn't like the decision. "He (the referee) explained Rintoul he had a concussion, and then he’s back playing right away,” Johnston said. “It wasn’t an elbow; it wasn’t a high hit. It was a very clean hit with the arm down. Maybe Rintoul didn’t see him coming, but there was no concussion, as (the officials) were saying on the ice.” It'll be interesting to see what the league rules on the hit.
Give Shaw a few kudos now. Mooner between the benches is giving fans some real drama and news, without the league sanitizing it. Shaw caught all of Knoblauch's time-out talk after the Hawks 4th goal. Good Stuff. The post-game showed live is big-league. I like it.
Jeff H. also mentioned that back in December in Kootena's 5-3 win they played in front of less than 1700 fans. Tonight there were a shade under 11,000. Mind-boggling.
Lots to digest over the next day or two. Game Three goes Tuesday. Hollick's got 2300 or so for each game so far sold on his blog. Let's hope that show will kickstart a few sales. As long as Ice fan's tickers' can handle it.
The Highlites are here.
UPDATE II - I'm now hearing that Fraser will play Tuesday, though I haven't confirmed it yet. Without any real confirmation of injuries in the playoffs I guess time will tell.
Matt Fraser and Kevin King had a pair of goals each; Max Reinhart, Cody Eakin and Steele Boomer scored the Ice in a wild, sometimes breath-taking and sometimes heart-stopping, 7-5 win in Portland over the Winterhawks tonight to tie their best-of-seven series 1-1 headed back to Cranbrook for Game 3 Tuesday night.
After a style of game Kootenay likely wanted to get into in the first, the teams traded goals and gone was the wide-open firewagon hockey the Hawks thrive on through one period.
Then all hell broke loose or, more accurately, the bigger, badder Hawks went crazy. A double minor on Brad Ross on two separately plays could've succinctly turned the tide in the series. The question now is which way did it turn?
The four minute minor for roughing and kneeing - separately - took out Matt Fraser on the play. Fraser was on fire and had two goals at that point in a 2-1 Ice lead.
Big Taylor Jordan checked Steele Boomer from behind and drew a five-minute major and a game misconduct and gave the Ice a long, 5-on-3. They score twice to turn the game on it's ear and spark their anemic power play on goals by Reinhart and Eakin to give the Ice a 4-1 lead.
The Hawks weren't done when they took another two penalties in succession and Kootenay cashed in again, twice, on goals by Boomer - nice deflection - and another by Kevin King to make it 6-1.
The Hawks got another major - this time for a blindside head shot on Rintoul by Ryley Boychuk but couldn't extend their lead and actually gave up a shortie in the last minute to Bartschi.
A 6-2 going into the third and Kootenay got into penalty trouble of their own, the Hawks made it 6-3 with Ismond in the box and then Taylor Peters and Joe Morrow scored 13 seconds apart to cut the lead to 6-5 with a whopping 12 minutes left.
Some great saves by Lieuwen and a better defensive game plus an empty-netter got the Ice out of Dodge with a split, barely.
Thoughts...
The Hits - Okay, I'm being objective here and have the benefit of video replay, as the WHL will when their review all three majors the Hawks took. All three will generate a second look by the league but only one, in my opinion, will get more time. The Ross knee-on-knee, though devastating, likely won't be it. He dragged his knee but he suffered an injury on the play too. It might mitigate the suspension if he's out anyway... The check-from-behind from Jordan - though dangerous - will be covered by the call on the ice... Boychuk's blindside hit to the head however - if the league sticks to the bar set on the Boomer-Grbavac hit in the Eastern Conference Final - should be two games. Rintoul didn't have the puck, though he might've been the last to touch it, but Boychuk connected with the head. The NHL's 'hitting zone' notwithstanding, it should be an easy call.
The Penalties - Kootenay stayed out of the box tonight for the most part - Ismond in the third and the four-on-four with Reinhart and and Leipsic didn't help things - and found success. The Hawks, well, Kootenay was 4-7 with two Majors and two five-on-three's.
The Near-Collapse - Face-it, if the Ice didn't pull this one out the possibility of Kootenay recovering from it would've been remote. Home-ice or not. That's why I though the Ross call could be so pivotal. Does Kootenay recover from the loss of Fraser? Do they rebound from a near loss? Probably on the latter, on the former I don't know. Those are big skates to fill. The Winterhawks seemed unfazed by a 6-1 deficit.
Hell, is it even worth mentioning the penalty-shot that Lieuwen stopped on Sven Bartschi in the second before things went sideways for the Hawks? I think so. It was key and it was a bad call. Tripping yes, but not a freebie...
The Flow - Great first period and what I thought this series would be like. The Hawks played into the Ice defensive game and generated little in the way of offensive chances. What happened in the second I don't think I've ever seen before.
Their best game - So, it's tough to gauge whether or not Portland's played their best game but I wonder when the Ice will put one together. They've played about 3.5 good periods of hockey.
How big was the TV timeout halfway through the third? Kootenay had used up their timeout after Portland's 4th goal during the pre-collapse and somehow managed to stem the tide after that. Dan Russell nailed it when he said Kootenay played better in the last 12 or so minutes with a one-goal lead then they did in the first 8 minutes with a 6-2 lead.
Okay humour me, does Carruth remind you of Todd Mathews, temperament-wise? Discuss...
The Cost - The one disclaimer I'll throw out there on the Boychuk hit on Rintoul is that the latter somehow returned. He was out on the ice, clearly, and returned in the third period about halfway through. It was a calming effect... As far as I know however the WHL hasn't adopted the 'quiet room' regulations and such for players after such an incident but Rintoul left the game and returned. I don't know if he went to any other room but the dressing room. For Matt Fraser, he's on crutches - as per Cam Moon's between the benches reporting during the third - and I'd wouldn't bet on him returning. Best case scenario: Charlie Horse and he's back for game five. Worst Case: ACL, done for season. The Prayer Vigil starts tomorrow....
Winterhawk coach Mike Johnston was hot about the calls but you'd never know. He let on a bit in the post-game about the calls and talked about the Martin hit on Bartschi late in the game against the end boards. The beauty of replay shows Martin hitting Bartschi cleanly, shoulder to chest. Give him credit though. Many coaches would've went off about those calls. He didn't. Though he tried. “Bartschi got blindsided,” Johnston said in the post-game news conference. “That should have been at least a five-minute penalty, for sure, 100 percent. On our top player, and it wasn’t called.” Video of it is above. On the Rintoul hit he also kept his cool but obviously didn't like the decision. "He (the referee) explained Rintoul he had a concussion, and then he’s back playing right away,” Johnston said. “It wasn’t an elbow; it wasn’t a high hit. It was a very clean hit with the arm down. Maybe Rintoul didn’t see him coming, but there was no concussion, as (the officials) were saying on the ice.” It'll be interesting to see what the league rules on the hit.
Give Shaw a few kudos now. Mooner between the benches is giving fans some real drama and news, without the league sanitizing it. Shaw caught all of Knoblauch's time-out talk after the Hawks 4th goal. Good Stuff. The post-game showed live is big-league. I like it.
Jeff H. also mentioned that back in December in Kootena's 5-3 win they played in front of less than 1700 fans. Tonight there were a shade under 11,000. Mind-boggling.
Lots to digest over the next day or two. Game Three goes Tuesday. Hollick's got 2300 or so for each game so far sold on his blog. Let's hope that show will kickstart a few sales. As long as Ice fan's tickers' can handle it.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Streak's over.. Hawks win in OT
Kootenay's 11-game winning streak came to an end tonight in Game one of the WHL Championship final with a 4-3 loss in overtime.
The Winterhawks opened the scoring on a wrist shot by Sven Bartschi that beat Nathan Lieuwen over his left shoulder. Kootenay tied on a slapshot from Hayden Rintoul four minutes later.
Bartschi got his second of the night at 12:51 on a scrambly play that had more bodies lying on the ice than a battlefield when Bartschi fired the puck into an open net.
Kootenay tied it again when Cody Eakin started a chance with a dump-in that found McNabb in the high-slot. He fed Antilla with a great pass to tie it at two.
In the last minute Nino Niederreiter corraled a rebound to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead.
Kootenay survived a Portland charge in the second but pushed back in the third. After a long delay fixing a piece of glass at the Rose Garden Kevin King muscled his way down the wing and beat Carruth over his right shoulder.
Kootenay had some glorious opportunities but none bigger than a high-sticking penalty taken by Brad Ross with 2:32 remaining. A power play that didn't have a lot of push all night continued on that theme and then James Martin took an ill-advised interference penalty at the blueline in the Hawks zone.
The Ice paid dearly for that call to start OT with fresh ice as Ty Rattie tipped the winner past Lieuwen to take a 1-0 series lead.
Thoughts....
Something I missed last night following the loss was the ice, no, not the team, the surface. It looked brutal. Worse than the Rec Plex ice in spring and that's saying something. Bill and Dan kept wondering if Max Reinhart was fighting the puck but I think he was fighting the ice too.
Pronunciation: Ismund or IsmOND - so which is it?
Not a great start for the Ice after the long break but to be honest the game played out similar to the last two series. Against the Blades they whethered a storm and played through it and again in Medicine Hat in game one of that series. Against the Hawks they had lot of push back against the bigger, and seemingly tougher Hawks who started the game with an obvious chip on their shoulder.
I'll state the obvious, taking this many penalties against Portland will burn you. It did, at the worst time. Even with a PK as good as Kootenay's...
The lines remained the same in that Steele Boomer and Drew Czwerwonka checked in with Elgin Pearce on the third line and with a lot of success early. Boomer looked like he had a point to prove and played with an edge.
I thought that Portland's D had a relatively easy night as far as the physical game down low is concerned. Where Kootenay had a lot of trouble with the Winterhawk forwards in their own zone until the Hawks unexpectedly backed-off, allowing the Ice to break out of the zone much easier as the game wore on.
If Montgomery's healthy then I think he needs to get into the line-up. Sam Reinhart will be great in time but in a bang, crash, 4th line role against the much-bigger, much meaner Hawks, a guy like Montgomery is needed here.
F Adam Rossignol, F Brock Montgomery and D John Niebrandt were the scratches.
This new territory for the Ice. After playing relatively well and losing. The other two losses against Moose Jaw were not even close whereas other close games have all gone Kootenay's way. At first glance it looked to be the Hawks running away with it but I still don't think the Hawks want to let game two go like tonight. They look much more comfortable in the run-and-gun mode than the defensive play-with-a-one-goal lead one that tonight developed into.
Scantally-clad girls dancing on the ice in the WHL final. Who would've thunk it? Now there's something the Ice haven't tried..... (tongue's in cheek there)
Kootenay's power play really sputtered tonight. Five opportunties but I had a hard time remembering a real quality chance with the man-advantage. That's going to have to change.
This one's got the makings of a real war. Game two is Saturday night. Gametime is 8PM Cranbrook-time.
The Winterhawks opened the scoring on a wrist shot by Sven Bartschi that beat Nathan Lieuwen over his left shoulder. Kootenay tied on a slapshot from Hayden Rintoul four minutes later.
Bartschi got his second of the night at 12:51 on a scrambly play that had more bodies lying on the ice than a battlefield when Bartschi fired the puck into an open net.
Kootenay tied it again when Cody Eakin started a chance with a dump-in that found McNabb in the high-slot. He fed Antilla with a great pass to tie it at two.
In the last minute Nino Niederreiter corraled a rebound to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead.
Kootenay survived a Portland charge in the second but pushed back in the third. After a long delay fixing a piece of glass at the Rose Garden Kevin King muscled his way down the wing and beat Carruth over his right shoulder.
Kootenay had some glorious opportunities but none bigger than a high-sticking penalty taken by Brad Ross with 2:32 remaining. A power play that didn't have a lot of push all night continued on that theme and then James Martin took an ill-advised interference penalty at the blueline in the Hawks zone.
The Ice paid dearly for that call to start OT with fresh ice as Ty Rattie tipped the winner past Lieuwen to take a 1-0 series lead.
Thoughts....
Something I missed last night following the loss was the ice, no, not the team, the surface. It looked brutal. Worse than the Rec Plex ice in spring and that's saying something. Bill and Dan kept wondering if Max Reinhart was fighting the puck but I think he was fighting the ice too.
Pronunciation: Ismund or IsmOND - so which is it?
Not a great start for the Ice after the long break but to be honest the game played out similar to the last two series. Against the Blades they whethered a storm and played through it and again in Medicine Hat in game one of that series. Against the Hawks they had lot of push back against the bigger, and seemingly tougher Hawks who started the game with an obvious chip on their shoulder.
I'll state the obvious, taking this many penalties against Portland will burn you. It did, at the worst time. Even with a PK as good as Kootenay's...
The lines remained the same in that Steele Boomer and Drew Czwerwonka checked in with Elgin Pearce on the third line and with a lot of success early. Boomer looked like he had a point to prove and played with an edge.
I thought that Portland's D had a relatively easy night as far as the physical game down low is concerned. Where Kootenay had a lot of trouble with the Winterhawk forwards in their own zone until the Hawks unexpectedly backed-off, allowing the Ice to break out of the zone much easier as the game wore on.
If Montgomery's healthy then I think he needs to get into the line-up. Sam Reinhart will be great in time but in a bang, crash, 4th line role against the much-bigger, much meaner Hawks, a guy like Montgomery is needed here.
F Adam Rossignol, F Brock Montgomery and D John Niebrandt were the scratches.
This new territory for the Ice. After playing relatively well and losing. The other two losses against Moose Jaw were not even close whereas other close games have all gone Kootenay's way. At first glance it looked to be the Hawks running away with it but I still don't think the Hawks want to let game two go like tonight. They look much more comfortable in the run-and-gun mode than the defensive play-with-a-one-goal lead one that tonight developed into.
Scantally-clad girls dancing on the ice in the WHL final. Who would've thunk it? Now there's something the Ice haven't tried..... (tongue's in cheek there)
Kootenay's power play really sputtered tonight. Five opportunties but I had a hard time remembering a real quality chance with the man-advantage. That's going to have to change.
This one's got the makings of a real war. Game two is Saturday night. Gametime is 8PM Cranbrook-time.
Ice draft Shirley
For the Townsman...
Ice take forward in WHL Bantam Draft
By Jeff Bromley
In the second round of the WHL Playoffs Kootenay swept the Saskatoon Blades four straight games. In the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft Thursday the Ice took one of that city's brightest prospects, forward Colin Shirley of the Bantam AA Saskatoon Bandits.
Saddled with the 17th overall pick after finishing 6th overall in the WHL standings this past season the Ice went with what they thought was the best player available at that spot.
"At that point we were looking for the best player available but also a player that will fit into the Kootenay Ice mould and one that will complement our 1995-born group," said - Garnet Kazuik, Director of Scouting for the Ice.
Though not eligible to play full-time for the Ice for another season, the kid's scoring prowess is something the club hopes can translate to the next level. As a first-year bantam with the Saskatoon Outlaws of the same league the year prior, Shirley tallied 40 goals and 32 assists. Notching 63 goals this season with the Bandits and adding 39 assists for 102 points, Kazuik admits scoring at that clip is probably not likely, at least not right away. "He didn't find that offensive scoring touch until this past year," added Kazuik. "He's a bigger guy. He's tall and lanky and started to find the back of the net at the start of this year and had some success. I don't expect he'll put up those types of numbers when he gets into AAA Midget next year or even in our league but he did find the touch."
"We're excited to have him and from his standpoint he thinks he can play here next season, that's how excited he was."
Devoid of a second round pick due to the Cody Eakin deal that sent Kootenay's other first round pick (13th overall via Vancouver in the David Musil deal) and a second rounder to the Swift Current Broncos, Kootenay dove back into the talent pool in the third round and fished out a blueliner from Sylvan Lake, D Jordan Steenbergen.
With two picks in the fourth round the Ice nabbed another D-man, this time from Kamloops. 6-foot, 181-pound Matthew Murray came in 70th overall with a pick obtained from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Cason Machacek deal in late 2009 while RW Kyle O'Connor, at 6-foot, 1-inch, and 158 pounds, was taken with the Ice's original pick 83rd overall.
Kootenay also had two 5th round picks stemming from the Petr Senkerik trade to the Prince George Cougars last season. With that pick the Ice took D Jake Dube from the Airdrie Extreme 98th overall. At 105th overall the Ice selected another forward C Zak Zborosky from Regina.
Another two picks in the 6th round - the 121st overall pick from Brandon after dealing the club's import pick last June to the Wheat Kings - Jackson Waniek, a forward with the Cloverdale Colts and D Carter Forsyth out of Swift Current who checks in at 6'3" 175lbs. Kazuik hopes that there's a diamond in the rough in this group of 14 players taken this year, the most ever taken by the Ice due mainly to Cody Eakin trade in which five players from their roster and protected list were dealt to Swift Current.
"We sure hope so," Kazuik said. "Obviously time is going to be the tell-all there. I'm sure that there's 22 organizations that hope that happens."
"It was very tough going into this draft having no second-round pick. I thought there was a shortage of defensman (in this draft) but hopefully we addressed that but we'll see if someone turns out to be a diamond in the rough. Time will tell."
In the seventh round the Ice took a Medicine Hat product, forward Ryan Risling and with the 171st pick the Ice took RW Jared Virtanen out of Abbotsford. Way back at the first overall pick the Calgary Hitmen took Jacob Virtanen. The former is the cousin of the Hitmen's number one pick but there's a difference. Jared checks in at three inches shorter than his cousin.. Listed at 5 feet, 9 inches and 160 pounds, Jared can also put the puck in the net with 21 goals and 42 assists in 59 games this season. His cousin nearly doubled him however with 68 goals and 49 assists but the Ice hope that the speedy forward might be a sleeper pick.
"He's smaller than his cousin but he's a very smart hockey player," Kazuik said. "He's got great hockey sense. I don't keep track of stats much but at the BC Cup I ask one of my scouts whether he had five or six assists already and he did. Time will tell how big he's going to be but his family thinks he'll grow and he'll have a lot of ability. We're excited."
Quick Hits - Kootenay's first goaltender came in 193rd overall. Bronson Ammeter out of Starbuck, Manitoba was the only puckstopper the Ice took…. RW Braden Jakubowski from Leduc was the club's 12th pick, 215th overall while two defensemen were the club's last two picks. D Joseph Leonidas from Calgary went in the 11th round 237th overall while D Jack Thomas, also from Calgary, went 259th overall…. Two Cranbrook Minor Hockey products were selected in the draft. G Peyton Lee was taken in the second round, 28th overall by the Vancouver Giants while LW Sebastien Barrette was taken in by the Everett Silvertips in the 10th round, 203rd overall. Both Lee and Barrette played with the Cranbrook Bantam AA Ice last season but Lee played this year with the Pursuit of Excellence hockey academy in Kelowna while Barrette played in Wilcox, Saskatchewan with the Notre Dame Hounds.
Ice take forward in WHL Bantam Draft
By Jeff Bromley
In the second round of the WHL Playoffs Kootenay swept the Saskatoon Blades four straight games. In the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft Thursday the Ice took one of that city's brightest prospects, forward Colin Shirley of the Bantam AA Saskatoon Bandits.
Saddled with the 17th overall pick after finishing 6th overall in the WHL standings this past season the Ice went with what they thought was the best player available at that spot.
"At that point we were looking for the best player available but also a player that will fit into the Kootenay Ice mould and one that will complement our 1995-born group," said - Garnet Kazuik, Director of Scouting for the Ice.
Though not eligible to play full-time for the Ice for another season, the kid's scoring prowess is something the club hopes can translate to the next level. As a first-year bantam with the Saskatoon Outlaws of the same league the year prior, Shirley tallied 40 goals and 32 assists. Notching 63 goals this season with the Bandits and adding 39 assists for 102 points, Kazuik admits scoring at that clip is probably not likely, at least not right away. "He didn't find that offensive scoring touch until this past year," added Kazuik. "He's a bigger guy. He's tall and lanky and started to find the back of the net at the start of this year and had some success. I don't expect he'll put up those types of numbers when he gets into AAA Midget next year or even in our league but he did find the touch."
"We're excited to have him and from his standpoint he thinks he can play here next season, that's how excited he was."
Devoid of a second round pick due to the Cody Eakin deal that sent Kootenay's other first round pick (13th overall via Vancouver in the David Musil deal) and a second rounder to the Swift Current Broncos, Kootenay dove back into the talent pool in the third round and fished out a blueliner from Sylvan Lake, D Jordan Steenbergen.
With two picks in the fourth round the Ice nabbed another D-man, this time from Kamloops. 6-foot, 181-pound Matthew Murray came in 70th overall with a pick obtained from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Cason Machacek deal in late 2009 while RW Kyle O'Connor, at 6-foot, 1-inch, and 158 pounds, was taken with the Ice's original pick 83rd overall.
Kootenay also had two 5th round picks stemming from the Petr Senkerik trade to the Prince George Cougars last season. With that pick the Ice took D Jake Dube from the Airdrie Extreme 98th overall. At 105th overall the Ice selected another forward C Zak Zborosky from Regina.
Another two picks in the 6th round - the 121st overall pick from Brandon after dealing the club's import pick last June to the Wheat Kings - Jackson Waniek, a forward with the Cloverdale Colts and D Carter Forsyth out of Swift Current who checks in at 6'3" 175lbs. Kazuik hopes that there's a diamond in the rough in this group of 14 players taken this year, the most ever taken by the Ice due mainly to Cody Eakin trade in which five players from their roster and protected list were dealt to Swift Current.
"We sure hope so," Kazuik said. "Obviously time is going to be the tell-all there. I'm sure that there's 22 organizations that hope that happens."
"It was very tough going into this draft having no second-round pick. I thought there was a shortage of defensman (in this draft) but hopefully we addressed that but we'll see if someone turns out to be a diamond in the rough. Time will tell."
In the seventh round the Ice took a Medicine Hat product, forward Ryan Risling and with the 171st pick the Ice took RW Jared Virtanen out of Abbotsford. Way back at the first overall pick the Calgary Hitmen took Jacob Virtanen. The former is the cousin of the Hitmen's number one pick but there's a difference. Jared checks in at three inches shorter than his cousin.. Listed at 5 feet, 9 inches and 160 pounds, Jared can also put the puck in the net with 21 goals and 42 assists in 59 games this season. His cousin nearly doubled him however with 68 goals and 49 assists but the Ice hope that the speedy forward might be a sleeper pick.
"He's smaller than his cousin but he's a very smart hockey player," Kazuik said. "He's got great hockey sense. I don't keep track of stats much but at the BC Cup I ask one of my scouts whether he had five or six assists already and he did. Time will tell how big he's going to be but his family thinks he'll grow and he'll have a lot of ability. We're excited."
Quick Hits - Kootenay's first goaltender came in 193rd overall. Bronson Ammeter out of Starbuck, Manitoba was the only puckstopper the Ice took…. RW Braden Jakubowski from Leduc was the club's 12th pick, 215th overall while two defensemen were the club's last two picks. D Joseph Leonidas from Calgary went in the 11th round 237th overall while D Jack Thomas, also from Calgary, went 259th overall…. Two Cranbrook Minor Hockey products were selected in the draft. G Peyton Lee was taken in the second round, 28th overall by the Vancouver Giants while LW Sebastien Barrette was taken in by the Everett Silvertips in the 10th round, 203rd overall. Both Lee and Barrette played with the Cranbrook Bantam AA Ice last season but Lee played this year with the Pursuit of Excellence hockey academy in Kelowna while Barrette played in Wilcox, Saskatchewan with the Notre Dame Hounds.
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