The K Motel AA Hurricanes lost game three in Yorkton tonight and got eliminated from playoff contention.
I haven't heard what the official score was yet...it will be here as soon as I'm filled in on that.
*****
In other news, the Moose Jaw Warriors lead 1-0 in their series versus the conference-best Calgary Hitmen. The Warriors scored three power play goals at Pengrowth Saddledome tonight and beat Calgary 4-2. The final shots on goal were 50-16 in favour of the Hitmen.
The Broncos will kick off their first round in Brandon Manitoba tomorrow night.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
AA Hurricanes Avoid Elimination
Quick update....
I just finished public address announcing/music for tonight's Hurricanes/Terriers game at Fairview West Arena.
****
What a game it was!
Bryce Moberg scored in double overtime for the 4-3 win to send the best of three series back to Yorkton. The K Motel Hurricanes had lost game one by a 5-4 OT score in Yorkton and were facing the end tonight.
Lane Harbor, Hayden Johnston and Craig Fournier also scored for the home team. The 'Canes were down 2-0 before they got on the board midway through the second period. They then scored three unanswered to take the lead, only to have the Terriers tie it 3-3 with just 2:19 remaining in the third period.
Hurricanes G Myles Hovdebo was the best player on the ice throughout the game but made a couple of his best saves in overtime. Yorkton's Chad Fogg had a net-front overtime chance with lots of time to aim. The hard, low shot fooled Hovdebo a bit as it bounced awkwardly off the pad upward and was headed for home. From out of nowhere, Myles snagged it with the glove hand.
If you weren't there tonight you missed a barn burner. Wow.
The Hurricanes will travel to Yorkton this Thursday to finish the series.
I just finished public address announcing/music for tonight's Hurricanes/Terriers game at Fairview West Arena.
****
What a game it was!
Bryce Moberg scored in double overtime for the 4-3 win to send the best of three series back to Yorkton. The K Motel Hurricanes had lost game one by a 5-4 OT score in Yorkton and were facing the end tonight.
Lane Harbor, Hayden Johnston and Craig Fournier also scored for the home team. The 'Canes were down 2-0 before they got on the board midway through the second period. They then scored three unanswered to take the lead, only to have the Terriers tie it 3-3 with just 2:19 remaining in the third period.
Hurricanes G Myles Hovdebo was the best player on the ice throughout the game but made a couple of his best saves in overtime. Yorkton's Chad Fogg had a net-front overtime chance with lots of time to aim. The hard, low shot fooled Hovdebo a bit as it bounced awkwardly off the pad upward and was headed for home. From out of nowhere, Myles snagged it with the glove hand.
If you weren't there tonight you missed a barn burner. Wow.
The Hurricanes will travel to Yorkton this Thursday to finish the series.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Reflections / Predictions
How do you like that for a post title? ;)
******
My predictions for the WHL's Eastern Conference back on September 17, 2009:
Saskatoon
Brandon
Calgary
Kootenay
Medicine Hat
Swift Current
Edmonton
Regina
Prince Albert
Red Deer
Moose Jaw
Lethbridge
A few notes regarding the prognostications at the start of the season:
-I honestly thought Saskatoon would deny what most of the media predicted and JUST edge both Brandon and Calgary for the conference title. Last regular season and for much of this year, the Blades have become something fierce. This year at times they've looked weak and have lost games they were definitely expected to win. Injuries have had a bad effect on the Blades' play. They lost the services of Curtis Hamilton and Teigan Zahn earlier in the season. Jyri Niemi went down with an injured finger. (he should be back if the Blades have an extended playoff run) Whatever the reason(s) may be, the Blades were just behind Calgary and Brandon and finished in third place. They still had 46 wins....an incredible regular season record.
-I don't believe anyone expected the Regina Pats to miss the playoffs this season. That's been beaten and analyzed to death, so I won't go there right now. The Pats have let their fans down for three consecutive years.
-looking at the predictions today, I feel stupid that I pegged Red Deer not to make the playoffs. The Rebels were due for the postseason and they had enough talent to be even higher in the standings then where they ended up. What I was thinking there, I don't know.
-Edmonton is sort of a mystery. I thought the time was ripe for a bit of a run but they were out of the picture a long time ago. I don't think that team will retain it's coaching staff. Something is likely to change, even if the problem isn't coaching. Three years of losing is too much, and fans want answers.
Anyway..there you go. The predictions were pretty close by my standards. What are your thoughts?
******
I'm starting to like this Swift Current at Regina thing for the Broncos' first round of playoffs versus Brandon.
It seems like a lot of Reginans are going to attend the games from what I've heard. Question is, what will it be like to hear that Brandt Centre horn for the Broncos instead of the Pats? How will it feel to be at a "home game" in Regina? Wow....
Excitement is mounting for playoffs. The Broncos might be heavy underdogs going into the series but guess what? It's still playoff hockey. That brings with it excitement and renewed optimism.
Maybe the Broncos can work a miracle and win round one.
******
******
My predictions for the WHL's Eastern Conference back on September 17, 2009:
Saskatoon
Brandon
Calgary
Kootenay
Medicine Hat
Swift Current
Edmonton
Regina
Prince Albert
Red Deer
Moose Jaw
Lethbridge
A few notes regarding the prognostications at the start of the season:
-I honestly thought Saskatoon would deny what most of the media predicted and JUST edge both Brandon and Calgary for the conference title. Last regular season and for much of this year, the Blades have become something fierce. This year at times they've looked weak and have lost games they were definitely expected to win. Injuries have had a bad effect on the Blades' play. They lost the services of Curtis Hamilton and Teigan Zahn earlier in the season. Jyri Niemi went down with an injured finger. (he should be back if the Blades have an extended playoff run) Whatever the reason(s) may be, the Blades were just behind Calgary and Brandon and finished in third place. They still had 46 wins....an incredible regular season record.
-I don't believe anyone expected the Regina Pats to miss the playoffs this season. That's been beaten and analyzed to death, so I won't go there right now. The Pats have let their fans down for three consecutive years.
-looking at the predictions today, I feel stupid that I pegged Red Deer not to make the playoffs. The Rebels were due for the postseason and they had enough talent to be even higher in the standings then where they ended up. What I was thinking there, I don't know.
-Edmonton is sort of a mystery. I thought the time was ripe for a bit of a run but they were out of the picture a long time ago. I don't think that team will retain it's coaching staff. Something is likely to change, even if the problem isn't coaching. Three years of losing is too much, and fans want answers.
Anyway..there you go. The predictions were pretty close by my standards. What are your thoughts?
******
I'm starting to like this Swift Current at Regina thing for the Broncos' first round of playoffs versus Brandon.
It seems like a lot of Reginans are going to attend the games from what I've heard. Question is, what will it be like to hear that Brandt Centre horn for the Broncos instead of the Pats? How will it feel to be at a "home game" in Regina? Wow....
Excitement is mounting for playoffs. The Broncos might be heavy underdogs going into the series but guess what? It's still playoff hockey. That brings with it excitement and renewed optimism.
Maybe the Broncos can work a miracle and win round one.
******
Now without further ado, here are my Eastern Conference predictions for round one:
Moose Jaw @ Calgary ----Calgary in six. The Warriors are in Calgary's head. The Hitmen will prevail but not without a battle.
Medicine Hat @ Kootenay ----Kootenay in five. The Ice are a very well-coached team and seem to have Medicine Hat's number in these situations. I can't see why that would change this year.
Red Deer @ Saskatoon ----Red Deer in six. The Rebels may have finished below them in the standings but they have great forward momentum right now and I think they'll sink Saskatoon in this series. Surprised?
Swift Current @ Brandon ----Brandon in five. Although the Broncos were an exceptional 11-6-1-1 in February/March and eventually made the postseason by a 10-point margin, injuries have once again become a hindrance around playoff time. (Tassone, Wagner, Lowry) That and the fact that Brandon is unstoppable offensively should determine the outcome. The Broncos have offense but not enough to keep up.
GO BRONCOS GO!!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Broncos Get Brandon in Round One
The Swift Current Broncos went nine rounds in the shootout in Moose Jaw and Jordan Peddle scored the winner as they beat the Warriors 5-4. Michael Stickland scored a hat trick in the win.
The Broncos finished the season third place in the East Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference. They'll be in Brandon next Friday night to take on the Wheaties in round one.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Broncos Solve Warriors in Shootout
A capacity crowd looked on at the i-Plex as the Swift Current Broncos downed the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-3 in a shootout in their final regular season home game.
Stepan Novotny scored in the fourth round of the derby and Broncos G Mark Friesen then stopped Ryan Stanton to win the game.
Both teams were plagued by injuries entering the contest. The Broncos were without F Matt Tassone who's done for the year, F Dillon Wagner, and F Adam Lowry who might both be back for playoffs. (optimistically speaking) They healthy scratched D Joel Rogers and elected to play two rookies in Brody Luhning and Michael Hay, and Josh Derko who's a call-up from Sherwood Park Alberta.
Michael Hay opened the scoring with his first WHL goal when he beat Warriors G Brandon Glover on a breakaway chance. The Warriors worked the second period and took a lead on two consecutive goals by Jason Bast. The Broncos though tied the game with a goal by Justin Dowling late in the second. Michael Stickland scored his 22nd of the year early in the final stanza to give Swift Current another lead, but the Warriors pulled the goaltender and managed to tie things with less than a minute to go. The shootout followed after overtime solved nothing.
Warriors G Brandon Glover looked terribly shaky in warmup but followed up with an amazing performance, making 39 saves. At the other end G Mark Friesen manned the fort for the Broncos and stopped 26 of 28. Friesen was coming off a great game in Calgary one week ago when the Broncos lost 2-0 to the Hitmen.
Swift Current D Brody Luhning dropped the mitts with Moose Jaw's Clinton Atkinson in the first period. There was no clear winner in the fight but it did provide some good entertainment for the 2879 onlookers. (video up top)
The Broncos will face the Warriors tomorrow in Moose Jaw to end regular season play for both teams.
****
The Broncos or Warriors could still play Calgary OR Brandon in round one of the WHL playoffs, depending on the outcome of tomorrow's game.
IF....
-the Warriors win in regulation or overtime: The Warriors will get seventh place. Result: Broncos @ Calgary and Warriors @ Brandon in round one.
-the Broncos win in regulation or overtime: Broncos @ Brandon and Warriors @ Calgary.
NOTE: The Broncos' record versus Moose Jaw the last three seasons is now 19-2.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
CLINCH!
Unfortunately I was out of town and unable to watch tonight's game in P.A. The Broncos must have sent a clear message right from the onset. The win officially put a playoff "x" beside their name in the standings.
Maybe some video highlights tomorrow if I have a moment.....
Maybe some video highlights tomorrow if I have a moment.....
Monday, March 8, 2010
Tuesday
Finally, some time to sit down and blog.
I arrived back from Alberta Sunday night at around 11 PM. A workday and a Swift Current Indians BOD meeting followed so really, I've been hard at it since yesterday morning.
****
Well, the weekend was awesome. I took Thursday and Friday off work to catch Bronco games and a bit of a holiday in Calgary/Red Deer.
Although the Broncos brought back just one out of four available points, I had forgotten how much fun it can be to get on the road for awhile. The past three years I'd hardly missed a road game. This year however, due to minor hockey commitments the time did not present itself to travel all over Western Canada....until last weekend.
I had a fantastic day in Calgary. I then took off for Red Deer on Friday to watch the game there and visit my second family, the Postmas. They are a busy bunch...when the Chicago Wolves (Paul's AHL team) are not on the big screen, something else is always on the agenda. This time it was a family wedding. Bottom line: It's a fun time whenever I'm in Red Deer. I'm very thankful for a lot of things in life....but unwavering friends are hard to beat. The Postmas would certainly fall under that category.
*****
The Broncos were likely aiming for two points over the weekend. To "steal" one of the two games in Alberta would have been nice. Given their injuries, how tough it is to win in each of the two buildings, and their sagging power play, (more so in Red Deer at 1 for 9) I suppose one of four points wasn't bad. Most teams draw momentum from killing off that many opposing power plays and hurt you the other way but luckily the Rebels didn't do that until overtime. After all, the Broncos' performance combined with two P.A. losses was enough to ALMOST put the Raiders out of playoff contention at this point.
I was listening to Prince Albert's 900 CKBI via BlackBerry tethered data on my way back from Red Deer. The Wheat Kings beat the Raiders 4-2 up in P.A. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Raiders captain Dustin Cameron, who choked back tears as he was being interviewed post-game by Raiders play-by-play man Drew Wilson. I don't suppose the feeling is any different than losing your final playoff game. It's a sinking feeling. You know it's a matter of time before the hope dwindles down to nothing. Who knows though, right? There is still a glimmer for the Raiders although very faint.
Wednesday's game in P.A. should be a dandy, that's for sure. It may be the toughest test the Broncos have faced this season. Sure it's unlikely that P.A. will catch them, but do the Broncos have that killer instinct? You need it in playoffs.
*****
It sure feels like playoffs in Swifty...almost too warm in fact. I hope you're enjoying this weather!
Ciao.
I arrived back from Alberta Sunday night at around 11 PM. A workday and a Swift Current Indians BOD meeting followed so really, I've been hard at it since yesterday morning.
****
Well, the weekend was awesome. I took Thursday and Friday off work to catch Bronco games and a bit of a holiday in Calgary/Red Deer.
Although the Broncos brought back just one out of four available points, I had forgotten how much fun it can be to get on the road for awhile. The past three years I'd hardly missed a road game. This year however, due to minor hockey commitments the time did not present itself to travel all over Western Canada....until last weekend.
I had a fantastic day in Calgary. I then took off for Red Deer on Friday to watch the game there and visit my second family, the Postmas. They are a busy bunch...when the Chicago Wolves (Paul's AHL team) are not on the big screen, something else is always on the agenda. This time it was a family wedding. Bottom line: It's a fun time whenever I'm in Red Deer. I'm very thankful for a lot of things in life....but unwavering friends are hard to beat. The Postmas would certainly fall under that category.
*****
The Broncos were likely aiming for two points over the weekend. To "steal" one of the two games in Alberta would have been nice. Given their injuries, how tough it is to win in each of the two buildings, and their sagging power play, (more so in Red Deer at 1 for 9) I suppose one of four points wasn't bad. Most teams draw momentum from killing off that many opposing power plays and hurt you the other way but luckily the Rebels didn't do that until overtime. After all, the Broncos' performance combined with two P.A. losses was enough to ALMOST put the Raiders out of playoff contention at this point.
I was listening to Prince Albert's 900 CKBI via BlackBerry tethered data on my way back from Red Deer. The Wheat Kings beat the Raiders 4-2 up in P.A. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Raiders captain Dustin Cameron, who choked back tears as he was being interviewed post-game by Raiders play-by-play man Drew Wilson. I don't suppose the feeling is any different than losing your final playoff game. It's a sinking feeling. You know it's a matter of time before the hope dwindles down to nothing. Who knows though, right? There is still a glimmer for the Raiders although very faint.
Wednesday's game in P.A. should be a dandy, that's for sure. It may be the toughest test the Broncos have faced this season. Sure it's unlikely that P.A. will catch them, but do the Broncos have that killer instinct? You need it in playoffs.
*****
It sure feels like playoffs in Swifty...almost too warm in fact. I hope you're enjoying this weather!
Ciao.
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