Friday, March 20, 2009

The Stars Need Your Help, Is Ovechkin a Jerk?

Fellas,



So far we’ve sold 2 tickets to our Adult League night at the Stars game with drinks and dinner. Soooooo, I’m going to release everything for the March 26th game, and I will hold 100 seats for the April 2nd game until Monday (3/23). We’ll have to make the call on Monday to scrap the whole thing or move forward with it so we can coordinate the food and drink part. As long as we have at least 20 people signed up, we can proceed…so we need 18 more people signed up by Monday or we’ll kill it and try something similar next year.



Any help you can provide as a final push would be greatly appreciated. I’ve updated the original flyer and attached here in case you need it again. Thanks!



John Higgins

Senior Account Executive

Dallas Stars Hockey Club

Direct: 214.387.5541 Fax: 214.387.5515

JHiggins@DallasStars.com



Alexander Ovechkin has only one thing going against him in my book- his English ain't that great. Other than that he is probably my favorite non-goalie in the league. He can skate around you or through you, shoot for accuracy or power (usually both), and he is entertaining. Alex scored his fiftieth goal of the regular season in the first period of the game against Tampa and celebrated this feat by warming his hands over his hot stick. Maybe he hasn't done much in the playoffs, but this is his third consecutive fifty goal season, and everyone seemed to adore his theatrics in the shoot-out competition, if you ask me it is just the antics of a charismatic player trying to make the most of his time in the sun. Besides, he is the reigning Hart trophy winner, who can really complain about his bringing attention to himself- who is more deserving?

Nobody made a stink when Brodeur celebrated his passing Patrick Roy in carrer wins. It was great to see him jumping up and skating around with the net in one hand and the puck in the other. You might say it was different because it occured after the game instead of during play in the first, I don't see that. Both are milestone experiences, Brodeur's is quite a bit more rare than Ovechkin's but he's not celebrating every goal in this pre-meditated way, now that would be ridiculous. Let the players enjoy the moment. Let the personalities shine through.

Just my opinion, I am partial to a little showmanship, myself. . . I certainly don't have the talent to back it up, but if you're not having fun, why play the game?

bcIII

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Winning at Any Cost

The Ringer talk seems to build toward the end of every session, we're approaching the end currently. One of the comments made on a previous post was concerning the Keg and it's negating the legitimacy of an instructional league.

Before the Keg was introduced, there were a few teams that were playing for the best record, but once a play-off was installed it put the horse shoe around the stake -a ringer. Once the feat of winning was recognized by the league, the stacking of rosters followed. The fact is, if you are an instructional league, your record is meaningless, and you don't crown a champion. If you are one of the teams that likes to proselytize your devotion to "true I-league", then more power to you. That's a very noble cause- trying to spread the good of hockey to those who have never tried it before. Unfortunately, if you are really trying to create better hockey players, then you can't really complain about another team's ringers because you should be celebrating things like head manning the puck, staying on-side, or making a clean break-out. . . not your record.

This really did stop being an I-league a long time ago. When was the last time you attended a practice? Did your team even have a practice this session?

The minor/Major thing is a big innovation, in my opinion. No matter how reserved your team is regarding your record vs. your skill progression, losing week after week will destroy a team before it has a chance to develop. Having the teams that have settled into Saturday night play regulated into the ones who will make whatever moves they can get away with in order to win, and the ones who aren't as progressed or ruthless should help to keep those weaker teams from losing their fire. If you're in the Major division, forget it, you've got to compete or move down. Likewise, if you're dominating the minors, show what resources you've got in the next one up.

I think that there is no such thing as a ringer in the Major division.

The only Saturday night team that has any reason to complain about ringers are the Ice Holes. . . They can't steal a win, even when they call in some of their retired players from their runner-up season.

I bet this shuts-up exactly no one. . .

Yockey Presents

Adult Stick and Puck Class

4 week Spring Semester April 2009

THURSDAYS
7:45-8:45PM

4 week session
April 2, 9, 16, 23

Join this full hour workout ...
Adult Stick and Puck Class
4 week Semester for $75.00
Includes:
* 60 minutes of class instruction per week
*2 Free Drop In Passes and a FREE Skate Sharpening
This Class is geared towards D League and I League Players wanting to improve your ice skills for League play and players wanting to join these Leagues. One full hour of Power Skating and Stick and Puck drills beneficial to your game.


Darlene Cain
Skating Programs Manager
Dr Pepper StarCenter Euless
dcain@dallasstars.com
817 267-4233 ext 229

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The End is Near

First of all, my sources are confirming the rumors that the Major division will soon be rebranded as D-league. This will not assuage those who complain about ringers, or at least not for long, since the complaints will soon be that there are too many players of C, B, and even A quality. . . on somebody else's team. I'm still having fun no matter what they call it, I hope some of you can do the same.

Secondly, here's the weekend in review. . .

minor

Warriors (4-0-1) 5
Grave Diggers (4-2-0) 6

The undefeated Warriors had to search high and low for a goalie, finding A. J. DiBenedetto just before the Zam finished the surface, unfortunately he gives-up the first goal to Digger Kyle Amman on a first period power play. But, in the second the Warriors light up Ellis for three unanswered goals- first to Mac Miller, then to Nate Hodges, and finally to Dallas Lehr. The Diggers close the period when Bruce Davis brings them within one. Ellis starts the third with more insane antics leading to two more goals from Hodges- an ugly hat trick. Kyle Amman fires back two Grave Digger goals completing his own hat trick, and Randy Chappel comes up with the tying goal in the final minute of regulation. The game carries on to a shoot-out, Where Ellis gets a measure of revenge turning away Lehr, Hodges and for the win- Clark Sandlin. Move over refrigerators, the Diggers are what's cool.

Silverwings (1-2-2) 1
Chiefs (6-0-0) 4

The Chiefs continue their roll through the league, leading the charge with two goals in the first: Bill Broad and Richard Wojcio. In the second they cool off on the scoring and collect a couple penalties, but their PK is unfaltering. Marie Lindley delivers a potent blow for the Silverwings. Ayala closes off the net, ending the Wing rally before it begins. With a goal from Mike Kirkland and one from Ben Stillwagon, the Chiefs have established themselves as the greatest I-league minor team. . . ever. With their first win occurring last week, in what league will the Silverwings find their fortune?

Shockers (2-4-0) 2
Puckers (3-3-0) 1

The Shockers gave-up the first win to the Silverwings, the first career shut-out to Eric Spivey, and appeared to be in total disarray following the eight goal loss. It certainly didn't look promising when the first shot whizzed by back-up goal tender Jon Ellis' blocker as Matt Roberts puts the Puckers in the lead. The Shockers refuse to lose, they return fire with Thomas Mathias' goal. The Pucker's short bench and Blubaugh's conditioning eventually catch up with the Red Machine when Jackson Chang drains the third period game winner. The Puckers suffer another defeat but maintain a tenuous grip on a .500 record, good enough to tie for fourth, and a spot in the bracket. . . in an eight team division.

Ice Holes (0-5-1) 0
Mutineers (3-3-0) 4

The Holes give a valiant effort in the first keeping the Mutineers off the board, but they can't score anything themselves. In the second the Mutineers get online Eric Ahlstedt delivers the game winner while the Hole offense hardly gets out of their own zone. In the third Mike Kirkland collects a power play goal for the Mutes and before the game ends Ahlstedt earns a hat trick. What was all of this talk about the Mutineers not being able to buy a win? Sure, it is the Ice Holes.

MAJOR

Blue Devils (4-4-0) 3
LSI (3-5-0) 5

The Devils drop another important game. With two quick goals in the first the Devils looked to be in control, but in the second Chris Zoll and Charlie Heine's gains are erased by the Import offense, specifically James Macha and Gabe Rivera. With a tie and two talented teams, not to mention a goalie change for LSI, the third period was set for high drama. And, it delivered. Rivera strikes again to put the Imports in front for the first time and Jay Peters ties the game about a minute later. The Blue Devils had been spectacular on the penalty kill, but four times proved too many when Cory Cooper put the Imports back on top. As times got desperate, Blubaugh was forced to flee the net for the extra attacker, it back fires though ending in an empty net goal for LSI player Ken Lentz.

Patriots (8-0-0) 7
Spiders (4-3-1) 3

Adam Sugarwala creates a panic on the Patriot bench when his first two shots at the net pass by Ellis for goals. But in typical veteran fashion the Patriots fire back three unanswered goals from Jeff Eagle, John Newell, and Kendall Bernard for the lead. The Spider's Bill Wessel claims the tying goal but the Pats score again for the lead, this one from William Craft, to close the middle frame. In the final period the Pats big guns put their skates on the Spider's throats with three more goals: Roy Haenselmann, Dallas Lehr, and Jeff Eagle. Earlier in the session this Pats squad appeared to be very balanced, but the scoring that has increased has been offset by the drop in goal play, this needs to get fixed before the playoffs. . .

Snipers (1-5-0) 0
Ice Bats (6-2-0) 2

The Bats don't provide much drama. . . at least not in their play. They continue to deliver wins with lots of attitude. This game was all about goaltending, just one side though. Ice Bat net minder Joey Otsuka turns in a perfect game on seven shots, while Terry Redmon gets a workout facing forty-two for the game. He holds off the best the Bats can get for two periods, but Andrew Latham breaks the dam in the early third. No hope for the Snipers as their captain heads for the box allowing Raul Gilbreath to put them down by two- and perhaps two scoring chances left in the tank.

Privateers (6-0-0) 4
Canadiens (4-2-0) 3

The second most dramatic game of the night stars A. J. DiBenedetto (again) in a losing effort (sadly, again). The Privateers score first when Jeremy Boyd makes the most of the power play opportunity, a lead that would last until late in the third when Chris Gallagher would tie the game. Joel Bush reclaims the 'Teer lead less than a minute later. And who should answer the call but Gallagher for the tie, followed by a lead changing goal from Young Kim, with a little hard work on defense the last half of the third would be behind the Canadiens with a quality win. . . The 'Teers send shot after shot in the general direction of the net and with less than two minutes left in the game Brian Zientek beats A. J. and ties the game. As the clock winds down Patrick Haley sinks the Canadien's battleship, but this goal with only ten seconds left in the game shouldn't fall at A. J.'s feet but rather at those of William Cravens, who put the Canadiens down a man in the closing minute.

Brewzers (2-6-0) 5
Whalers (1-7-0) 3

Both of these teams were looking for goalies on Saturday, whatever that means. Steven Coolyard of the Brewzers and Beck Schooley of the Whalers cancel each other out in the first period. But in the second it wasn't even close, the Brewzers serve up the Whalers a la mode with goals from Josh Sutton, Brit Broostrom (WOW), and Collyard. Collyard opens the third with his hat trick leaving a three goal mountain for the Whalers. Paul Thurston scores the first in that climb and Thomas Aarons takes the next step but the Whalers apparently have Sherpa impostors leading the way.

Komets (3-4-1) 2
Stickmen (3-4-1) 3

The Sticks start it off with the only goal of the first, it falls to Glenn Listman. The Komets get the tying goal in the second from Rodney Forehand and take the lead in the third with a quick goal from Kellen Kauffman. The celebration would be short lived when the Sticks put all their hopes in one basket- that being Brad Bynum. Well, with a-tisket and a-tasket Bynum drops the two goals putting the Stickmen up by one forcing A. J. to watch the final seconds tick off the clock from the bench.

It seems like Ellis, Blubaugh, and DiBenedetto played all of the games themselves.