Monday, March 30, 2009

First Week of Play-offs


The schedule is out.

Also, if you aren't aware I am attempting to organize a Karaoke Show for Keg night. To raise the money for the show I will be holding a raffle- so if you or the company you work with would be interested in donating something to the effort please send me an e-mail at stickysaves@gmail.com with details about your item. Items should be valued at a minimum of $10, gift cards are easy enough, but don't be afraid to get creative. All item pledges need to be in by Thursday evening (April 3) and actual items need to be turned in to jon ellis or Tom Yockey by Saturday (April 11) at 5:00 pm. Any money raised above the amount needed for the show will be donated to the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Success is imminent.

Here's that schedule:

minor----------------

Green 7:15 pm
Warriors (5-2-1) -
Grave Diggers (6-2-0) -

Gold 8:00 pm
Chiefs (8-0-0) -
Puckers (4-3-1) -

Green 9:15 pm
Mutineers (3-5-0) -
Shockers (3-5-0) -

Green 11:00 pm
Ice Holes (0-7-1) -
Silverwings (3-3-2) -

Major--------------

Gold 5:30 pm
Whalers (1-9-0) -
LSI (3-5-2) -

Green 6:00 pm
Brewzers (2-8-0) -
Snipers (1-7-0) -

Gold 6:45 pm
Komets (5-4-1) -
Canadiens (5-3-0) -

Green 8:30 pm
Blue Devils (6-4-0) -
Patriots (8-1-1) -

Green 9:45 pm
Privateers (8-0-0) -
Ice Bats (8-2-0) -

Gold 10:30 pm
Spiders (5-4-1) -
Stickmen (5-4-1) -

See you Saturday,
bciii

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Final Countdown


minor

Shockers (3-5-0) 1
Ice Holes (0-7-1) 0

The Shockers inaugural season has been an emotional roller coaster, but they finish strong making the most of the weaker half of their schedule playing .500 hockey. The Holes are consistent. . . what else can you say? This was one of Goalie James Thurber's best performances, turning away 15 of 16 shots, unfortunately, with only five shots generated by the Ice Hole offense it would only take that one goal by Thomas Mathias to win the game, late in the third, for the Shockers. Talent recruitment in this league is notorious, both of these teams could contend next session.

Warriors (5-2-1) 0
Chiefs (8-0-0) 2

Topher McPherson may have been lit-up for nine goals in the Heineken cup on Friday but he proves he can handle Euless brand I-league tonight. The tension is broke late in the second when Chief Troy "Not Kelly's Brother" Clarkson puts the puck behind Michaelides. The Warriors can't get any offensive drives and eventually allow another Jim-Dandy from Rich "Oven-Chicken" Wojcio. The Chiefs have made a mockery of the minor division, but the remaining top seats have all played the Chiefs in tight games, can they manage two more wins against that competition?

Grave Diggers (6-2-0) 2
Puckers (4-3-1) 1

In another match of the minor's best, the Puckers strike first, just as their penalty expires, Matt Roberts gets a breakaway and drags across the crease to beat Ellis to the opposite post. Ellis gets a piece of the tying goal, sending a pass to Bruce Davis just past center ice for the two on 0, Brian Lochkos drains the feed from Davis. David Blubaugh stands tall in the net holding fast to the tie despite the constant attack of the Diggers- he makes thirty-eight saves. He even rejects the penalty shot from Tim Rivers. Finally the shoot-out arrives to settle the stalemate. Apparently, Tim figured out Blubaugh's weakness and he punishes Blu on the first shot, no one else scores- Diggers win!

Silverwings (3-3-2) 4
Mutineers (3-5-0) 2

Finally a game with some scoring- The first period has a goal from Silverwing Bryan Brookman and the cancelling effort from Nathan Hamilton ending the period with a net zero. Paul Reid puts the Silverwings back on top again and the Mutineers once again answer the bell when Gib "Brother Gib" Searight pounds the rebound through Eric Spivey. The Wings win the period and take the lead when Ryan Kelley scores his first goal of the game, the Mutineers can't gather the gumption to score anymore, so they make penalties instead. Kelley scores his second on the power play in the final frame.

MAJOR

Komets (5-4-1) 3
Whalers (1-9-0) 2

Brian Panice starts the Komets rollin' and Bryan Brookman follows it up. After a dry spell in the second the Komets come-up in the third with their third unanswered goal, this one from Rodney Forehand. The Komets uncork the champagne and toast their success while the Hamster scoots down the ice to score the first Whalers goal. Beck Schooley puts the champagne on ice with another Whaler goal. With their play-off hopes on the line, the Komets call a time-out and after making a pinkie promise to never lose again, they hold fast to the one goal lead, and wait on Yockey to determine which five win team will make it into the finals. What's that? Oh, somebody won six, oh well.

Privateers (8-0-0) 2
Brewzers (2-8-0) 1

The Brewzers pour on the shots and Lori-Kay Fromman puts the Brewzers in the lead. The score holds until Brewzer captain Jamil Jabri commits his second penalty and Joel Bush makes him pay. With the score tied the Brewzers just push harder, accumulating twenty-six shots but it's the Privateers who get the last yo-ho-ho, Matt Sexton refuses to allow the puck passage and Casey Payne drives the stake into the Brewzer heart in regulation.

Spiders (5-4-1) 5
Snipers (1-7-0) 1

Matt Walker and Mike Moore meet once again- student vs. pupil. Matt has the Snipers in front of him, he didn't stand a chance. Three goals rain down from the Spiders in the first alone: Bill Wessel and two from Adam Sugarwala. In the next period Sugarwala claims the hat trick. With Carina Manilow's goal finishing the game for the night, the only hic-cup in an otherwise perfect Spider performance was the power play goal from sometimes ringer Jeff Vaughn.

Ice Bats (8-2-0) 4
LSI (3-5-2) 3

A clash of two powerhouses, someone had to lose. A power play opportunity leads to the first goal from the Bats, LSI claims the lead with goals from Tim Thompson and James Macha. David Trantham responds by diving down from the point to score the knotting tally for the Ice Bats. Less than a minute later Kyle Haman restores the Import lead, setting up a ferocious third, so ferocious in fact that only one goal could be scored- late season acquisition Jason Doyton sends it to overtime, and Eric Petty wins it for the Bats there.

Patriots (8-1-1) 0
Blue Devils (6-4-0) 2

Two rivals meet again, the Pats off their first loss of the session and the Devils crossing their fingers for a spot in the play-offs. Two periods of hockey result in no goals, but in the first minute of the third Scott Speelman's wrap around attempt eventually finds its way through Ellis' paraphernalia and slides across the line. The Pats feel the absence of their defensive stalwart, Les York. Unable to get the puck out of their zone they resort to an empty net, Billy Trull hits it from 150 feet.

Stickmen (5-4-1) 6
Canadiens (5-3-0) 2

The teams trade hits in the first- a Canadien goal to Young Kim, a Stick goal to Lunchbox. The Sticks couldn't be stopped in the long period with a goal from "Big" Joe Tomme, another from Lunchbox, and Kyle Rybak's tally the Canadiens could have gone to the locker room early. Instead they stayed for another Stick goal from Big Joe, a shorty no less and another from Rybak. Along the way, Chris Gallagher nets a meaningless goal to make his bid for the Hart trophy. I still love you Chris, you're so misunderstood.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Karaoke, Anyone?

I don't have the clearance to post one of the surveys, like BC does. You know, the ones over there on the right side of the screen? So, I need to get your input via comments below this post. . .

I ran the idea by Yockey to hire a Karaoke host/DJ for Keg night. He liked it but didn't say anything else. As you might have guessed, it costs money- the guy I know (they do a good show and have a huge selection of songs) needs $300 dollars to make it happen. I will be checking with the Starcenter to see what they can do, and I may have another small sponsor also. . .

Is this going to meet with no success? Will everyone hate me?

Does someone else have a contact (or a sugar-daddy?) that will turn out a good show? It's gotta be at least a somewhat professional production, don't bring your machine if you couldn't sell it to someone else.

So, let's hear your take:

Would you participate?

Would you be willing to pay for it? If so, how much?

It's your call, America!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

recap again

If Dallas Lehr looks like Eric, who does Tim look like?


minor


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

The Puckers are pushing for the fourth spot in the anti-Keg hunt. Only one point now separates them from leap-frogging the Warriors. Scott "Mindo" Dolbee scores first to put the Warriors on top, but Ginger sets-up David James for the equalizer. In the second, Rob Constantine delivers the game winner counting on Blubaugh and his defense to hold-off the Warriors in the third. That's the kind of confidence of an anti-champion.

Silverwings (2-2-2) 5
Ice Holes (0-6-1) 2

The Ice Holes continue their long march to irrelevancy. Jason Vrendenburg and Sergio Castillo score late in the first period but the Holes get one even later from Brian Preusser, to cut the lead in half. Vrendenburg hits another, Kyle Ammann scores the fourth Wing goal followed by Sergio's second on the power play. The Holes manage one more tally, this one from Raul Gilbreath, too little-too late. If this pattern holds the Silver Wings will face a catastrophic loss next week.


Shockers (2-5-0) 1
Grave Diggers (5-2-0) 3

The Shockers and Diggers get together to make one exciting period of play, sandwiched between a couple of seriously boring periods filled with guys in skates. In that middle period, Bruce Davis of the Diggers and Jackson Chang de la Shockers cancel each other out, Randy Chappel pops in too consecutive goals to put the Diggers in the driver's seat- look out anti-Keg!

Chiefs (7-0-0) 7
Mutineers (3-4-0) 1

The collection of former goal tenders dominate the Mutineers, making seven wins in a row. The Chiefs lead the way with Bill Broad's goal and Bob-O gets the Mutineers as close as they would ever get. Josh Ayala, the goalie, drives two between the pipes followed by Ben Stillwagon, another goalie. Troy Clarkson plants another one for the Chiefs, then it was time for Stillwagon's repeat performance, and Ayala's hattrick. If these guys don't win it all it will be a shocker.


MAJOR

Canadiens (5-2-0) 7
Patriots (8-0-1) 6

Chris Gallagher beats the formerly rollin' Patriots, in a knock-down-drag-out of a firestorm. Travis Lehr puts the Pats in front, Gallagher scores for the Canadiens. John Newell, John Thompson, and Travis Lehr put the Patriots out front again with a comfortable margin, Kyle Haman takes a Canadien nibble at the lead but William Craft takes it back. Gallagher sets-up Chris Walter for a Canadien goal and then gets his second hisself. Travis gets a hat trick to keep the Pats up by two, Gallagher gets his hat trick, then Young Kim ties the game. In overtime, Ellis gives-up the gamewinner in this pissing match to Rich Wojcio. It's hard to say if anyone is right in this game, it was close.

Brewzers (2-7-0) 0
Stickmen (4-4-1) 5

The Sticks run the table while the Brewzer's heads spin. Joe Tomme and Clint Tippet start it off and Alex Eysermanns makes Steve Daniels pay for his holding infraction. Zack Colburn finds the back of the net and Tippet pours it on with his second. Mike Moore looked on the verge of a defection after the game, maybe the pow-wow after in the locker room calmed things down a bit.

LSI (3-5-1) 3
Komets (4-4-1) 4

Ram Lavani and Scottie Baldree and Ryan Smith score three unanswered goals for the Komets. Kyle Haman punishes Brent Bryant with two LSI goals and Gabe Rivera sends it to overtime. The shoot-out is decided on the first shot- Wil Dobson wins the game.

Snipers (1-6-0) 0
Blue Devils (5-4-0) 2

The Blue Devils get a much needed win in frustrating fashion. With only a two goal win against the Snipers, it's hard to see the Devils making much of the post season. Ten penalty minutes and the play of Matt Walker in net almost stymied the Blue Devils but Ryan Wacker collects the game winner shorthanded, Aaron Hawley adds to the total.

Spiders (4-4-1) 0
Ice Bats (7-2-0) 7

112 penalty minutes. . . unbelievable! Must be some unresolved issues from Panama City.

Whalers (1-8-0) 0
Privateers (7-0-0) 7

Tony Finazzo and Jonathan Horton score early for the 'Teers and after the goalie change, They just keep scoring. Tony Finazzo collects one on the power play. Goals continue to rain down from Brian Zientek, Cody Payne, Finazzo, and Gus Mask. Ellis is sellin' this thing like it's a Wii music. Man it's late.

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. . .