Detroit Denied

The Penguins play a near flawless game seven to win the cup. Sid takes his place as the youngest captain to lift the cup. The dumbest looking winner of the Conne Smythe is named. Fleury has a flair for the dramatic with two great saves, the last against Lidstrom. And, the Redwings rest their chins on the knob's of their sticks- the stadium booing to no effect.

Who among us didn't enjoy seeing the mighty Wings get clipped?

Oh yeah. . .

Be sure to offer your condolences to Michigander Wil Dobson, poor guy.

It's Hard Out There For a Tip

If you haven't already heard, the word on the street is that Dave Tippett has been sent packing. I wouldn't call it surprising, when Nieuwendyk signed his contract as the new General Manager there was no doubt a line delegating the job of firing the mustache-less coach. If the Stars had not overachieved in last year's post season he would have surely been looking for a new gig a year ago, but this season's performance demanded action.

What's that you say? Yes, they did overachieve and this season is probably more indicative of what this team really is, talent wise. The injuries to Morrow, Zubov, Richards, and Lehtinen are beyond his control. You certainly can't blame him for the Avery fiasco. So why does Tippett have to pay with his job when the deck was so stacked against him anyway?

The '08-'09 season stumbled out of the gates but made a push after their Sean-ectomy. Turco was playing like he had in the play-offs a few months prior and the offense looked like a trampled fire ant bed. Then Tippett lost the team. The fight for a play-off spot that at one time appeared a given slipped away with the uninspired play on the ice. After five consecutive years of driving his team to the post season, the players just stopped listening. I don't know if all that is true.

Newy needs a clean slate. What man would want to go into a new job saddled with a stalwart coach with more tenure and limited play-off success? He would have to argue points with a coach he had no history with (after all Tippett was a general manager/coach with the Aeros in their Turner cup winning season) when he could easily bring in his own man and maintain a clear pecking order. In fact there will likely be many more changes on the Stars' staff of varying significance before camp starts. If Nieuwendyk wants to take accountability for this team, it's the only way. The sources are saying we are returning to the Kings' well for our new head coach.

Tip's record was stellar, according to the Stars' own website, in his first 300 games he has the seventh best record all time in the National league, has two fifty win seasons, and the third best record since '02-'03. His rookie season ended with the fourth highest point total in league history (this one slightly skewed because of the overtime loss points). But the real reason that he can't steer this ship anymore. . .

The Mustache.

At least he has his "Mr. Hustle" award from the Hartford Whalers to fall back on.

A Trend

Yes I missed my deadline, again. But you would not believe the severity of the sunburn on my back. All Saturday night their was this glaring, bright goal lamp shining down on me. I am in earnest pain, it may have worked its way through all the layers of my skin right into my spine.

I-league

Silverwings (2-5-0) 1
Soul Patch (4-2-0) 5

The Patches are in their element tonight they only get ten shots on net but make the most of every scoring opportunity. The fireworks started in the first with a Soul goal from Kenneth Watkins and another two minutes later from Josh Jones. The Wings threw everything they had at the net for two periods but in the final minute of the second it wasn't a Silverwing raising his arms, it was Brad Aho securing the three goal lead. Brian Lochkos makes it four and Jones, with his second of the night, makes it five nothing. In the closing minutes of the game the Silverwings finally spoil the shut-out when Ryan Kelley cleans-up Castillo's rebound. The Patch goalie, Jason Hollaway, has only the one blemish for twenty-six shots.

Warriors (3-3-1) 2
Stickmen (5-1-1) 3

The two heavyweights circled each other taking jabs, looking for openings, weaknesses- and in the second the Warriors landed one early when Carl Moser pops McCollister in the kisser. The Warriors go on the power play, looking for blood but end-up calling for for Mick to cut them open when the Sticks score shorthanded, Jeff Thomas gets the goal. Thomas gets in another for the lead late in the third, Steven Frye diagnoses McCollister's weakness and ties the game up again sending it to overtime. The fight proves too long for the Warriors and a minute in the Sticks win with Larry Wade's shot.

Puckers (6-1-0) 5
Whalers (5-2-0) 1

The Whales are in a whirlpool, sinking fast. Steven Niekamp scores the only goal of the first period and the Puckers take the lead. The Whalers take it back with a Paul Thurston goal, but before the second can end, Matt Roberts claims the game winner for the Puckers. The final period of play was a Pucker-fest, with little or no resistance from the Whalers they score with Rob Constantine, Jimmy Studer, and Jason Arias- Studer's in a man down situation. A new powerhouse has emerged.

Blue Devils I (5-1-1) 3
Spiders (4-3-0) 2

The Beady Eyes face-off with a Spiders team back-stopped by myself, a preview of an SND goalie match-up. The Arachnids take the lead with a goal from Evan Callahan, but a minute later they give-up the man advantage and the ensuing goal to Jay Peters of the Blue Devils. Peters is the next to score after a twenty-seven minute stalemate, taking the lead in the third. Conrad Ratliff ties the game on the resulting face-off shifting the momentum. The Blue Devils get a friendly deflection on a pedestrian shot from Martin Berryman but the Spiders refuse to accept defeat, with a flurry of activity all around Blubaugh in the Devil's net eventually he succumbs to the pressure. The arm of the ref on the goal line shoots-out indicating the goal, but Olsen from center ice waves it off. The confused Spiders go comatose and the Devils claim the victory.

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

Bob Barr gift wraps the Brewzers' first goal as he heads to the box for tripping, Steven Collyard receives the gift on behalf of the Brewzers. Jimmy "Stone Cold" Welch proves that it is better to give than receive and scores for the first time in his I-league career to tie the game. The Diggers are given a power play but they fall flat and watch Jamil Jabri score a shorty for the lead. The Digger's power play finds its rhythm in the third tying the game on a Randy Chappel shot. The game leads into a shoot-out and the second Brewzer shooter, John Parker, puts the puck in the net leaving all the pressure on two men: Mike Moore in the Brewzer net, and Raul Gilbreath the final Digger shooter. Raul tries to deke right then left but Moore doesn't bite and the bluff ends in a convulsive flip of the puck into Moore's belly. The Mike Moore goaltending clinic is back in session with a Brewzers' clutch win.

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

We were warned that Patrick Haley in the Mutineer net would be too much of an advantage for the team. . . The Mute's open scoring with a goal from John Swartzbaugh. Haley finds himself sprawling all over the crease for the next twenty-one minutes as he faces chance after chance from LSI. The first Import to score is Cody Woodard. John Meher leads the LSI charge in the second and Woodard claims his second of the contest padding the lead. Meher collects the garbage and his second of the night hoping to put the game out of the Mutineers' reach. Woodard tests his teammates by putting the Imports on the kill with just under two minutes left in the game and Jeremy Boyd cuts the lead to two, but returning to even strength the Lonestar Imports run out the clock for the win.

Shockers (4-2-1) 2
Snipers (3-2-1) 1

Wil Dobson scores a power play goal on his first shift for the early Shocking lead. It takes thirteen minutes before anyone else can find the net- Big Joe Tomme ties the game. It's the Shockers' special teams that carry the weight and Nick McMacken takes the game winner for the Shockers leaving no time for the impotent Snipers to mount a comeback.

SND

Blue Devils (3-3-1) 9
Patriots (1-6-0) 1

My confidence bolstered by my previous meeting with the Devils' farm team and an early Patriot lead with a Jeff Eagle goal, things were looking promising. Looks can be deceiving. The first was competitive, the Pat lead was erased by a Scott Zahner goal and the Devils escape the first with the lead on Ben Stillwagon's surgical precision. But in the secomd the Patriots could only stare at their skates as BD opportunities rarely ended anywhere but in the net- Martin Berryman beats my blocker, Rich Wojcio patiently circles the net until my stick is out of his path, and Charlie Heine goes blocker also. The third was a blur, Stillwagon finds the net again, Michael Redmon shoots over my diving corpus, Charlie Heine gets his second when a puck bounces off his skate, and Clint Tippet drives the stake into my heart. Just to make the Patriot bench feel even worse I make an amazing meaningless save with no rebound- reminding all of the presence I used to be. Where is this water coming from? Is my laptop leaking?

Privateers (6-0-1) 4
Komets (5-1-1) 3

The hired gun John Thompson makes his presence felt, this time for the Komets, as he redeems his teammate Ram Lavani's high sticking call with a shorthanded goal. Graham Dunlap adds to the lead at even strength. The 'Teers strike back on the power play with a Matt "Tugboat" Taylor goal. Taylor makes the equalizer in the final minutes of the second. Dunlap gets on the scoresheet again vaulting the Komets back into the lead, but on the power play Gus Mask carries the Privateers to the extra period. My brain cannot process the Pointstreak notation of the shoot-out, but the Privateers apparently win with two scores to the Komets one.

Canadiens (2-4-1) 0
Ice Bats (4-2-1) 4

Joey Otsuka makes his SND debut in the Bats' net and gets the best seat in the house as the Bats dominate all aspects of the game: shots, penalties, and goals. The first Bat scorer is Mark Smith and Bruce Davis joins his teammate off the next face-off. Hong Young Kim makes the next Bat goal. Chris Dolbee closes the second, making it look like Redwings/Penguins game five. But the Bats don't have the killer instinct in the third and are content with the four goal lead. What happened to Gallagher? Did Joey baffle the "Canadien Counter Punch"?


Malkin has always looked dumb, but lately he has started to play that way, how can the Pens possibly bounce back from this?

The Pucks Just Keep Coming

Euless I-league

Stickmen (4-1-1) 4
Whalers (5-1-0) 2

The Hamster's bold claims are tested early when Lunchbox knocks in two Stickmen goals and Ken Halford makes a three goal hole for the Whalers who can't even score one goal in the first period. Finally in the second Joshua Monaco starts the puck rolling for the Whalers but they hit a wall immediately- Steve McCollister. No one else scores until the third when the Sticks drive the harpoon through their heart with Kyle Rybak's power play goal. After several more minutes of fooling around Kenneth Thomas gains a goal for the Whalers that ultimately doesn't mean a thing. The Whales are sunk for the first time this session, how will they respond next week?

Silverwings (2-4-0) 5
Brewzers (0-6-0) 4

Last week the Brewzers had one taken away on a bad call from the refs, and this week they once again jump out to an early lead, in fact this one is even more impressive. Kevin Cook scores the lone goal of the first period and in the second their dominance is increased threefold: two from Steven Collyard and one from Rob Walker while killing a penalty, no less! But in the third a switch flipped- that same penalty that Collyard got his shorty on does result in a goal for Silverwing Sergio "C-train" Castillo, absent from the score sheet for months now, then Chris Arendall cuts the Brewzer lead in half. Collyard shows his frustration and the refs put him in the box to watch A. J. DiBenedetto score another Wing tally. As the game neared its end, Bryan Brookman ties the game. Overtime was looming, about half a minute away when Justin McCullough breaks the Brewzer hearts again.

Puckers (5-1-0) 2
Blue Devils I (4-1-1) 1

This was a staring match between two legendary I-league netminders. Patrick Donaghue guarded the cage for the Red Menace, David Blubaugh held the hopes for the Beady Eyes. Lynne Young is the first to fool one of these goalies, putting BDI out front. Just before the first period ends, Blubaugh loses the puck in traffic and Casey Jenkins is awarded a goal. The tie would last through the remainder of regulation as these giants of beer league turned away shot after shot, smothering scoring opportunities like Chief Bromden on McMurphy. In the first minute of the extra period Martin Berryman puts the Puckers on the power play and about ninety seconds later, Kyle Boltz ends the game with a Pucker victory.

Shockers (3-2-1) 4
Grave Diggers (0-4-1) 1

The game was over before it had left the first period. . . Matt Russell lays in the first Shocker goal and on the power play, former Digger, Wil Dobson scores what would prove the game winner for his new team. The sole Digger goal belongs to Bruce Davis. Eric Yepez ends the first period with a Shocker goal, and that would be just about it- the remainder of the game is mostly skating around collecting penalties. At the end of the second, Stephen Dowling scores the final Shocker goal.

Warriors (3-3-0) 2
Snipers (3-1-1) 3

The second period erupts, destroying the still of the initial thirteen minutes with a goal from Terry Redmon for a Sniper lead, Kyle Rybak gets the assist. They reverse roles half a minute later to double the lead. Big Joe puts the Wariors on the power play and Derek Tillemans starts the momentum shift with his first goal, his second near the end of the third period ties the game and all signs pointed toward overtime. . . right up to the final second when Rybak again finds the twine to lift the Snipers into the one goal lead with no time left for a Warrior recourse.

LSI (2-3-0) 0
Spiders (4-2-0) 3

The systematic dismantling of the Imports by the Arachnid squad starts in the first period when William Wessell scores. My old pal Mackey Hermosillo finally skates under his own name and collects a goal in the second. In the third Freddy Gilbert takes the third Spider goal in a match where the shooting was 26 to 11 in favor of his Spiders. Kurt Kresta gets an assist on the final goal. . . A rare night away from the house, Lynn must be about ready to pop.

Mutineers (2-4-0) 1
Soul Patch (3-2-0) 2

The Patches are the first on the board with a shot from Brad Aho, nearly twenty minutes later Brian Lochkos adds one more to the Soul Patch cause. And a good thing too, as the Patch power play back fires in a Mutineer goal from John Swartzbaugh. The third period continues to degenerate into a fracas of penalties but the Soul Patch hangs on to their lead.

SND

Privateers (5-0-1) 5
Patriots (1-5-0) 3

I may have waited too long for the "Ambassador of Fun" gig, as Neiuwendyk forces Hull back into the management shuffle, but at least I didn't play quite as bad this week. Mark Johnson establishes the Patriots first, but Bob-O equals his efforts and ties the game. Matt "Tractor" Taylor takes the 'Teer lead, and on the power play Jonathan Horton puts the Privateer bench at ease with another goal. Jeff Eagle takes one back in a Patriot rally that almost unnerves the 'Teers, and when William Kraft knocks home the tying goal the Privateers went into a full panic. The Privateers full court press is fulfilled when Gus Mask gets a lucky deflection and Taylor subdues the anxious 'Teers with a late two goal lead, the Pats cannot respond.

Canadiens (2-3-1) 7
Komets (5-1-0) 8

A game of tug-o-war erupts on the green rink and the Komets pull one out first- Brian Panice. The Cans steal the lead with goals from Scott Haman and James Macha. Mighty John Thompson ties the game for the Komets and Graham Dunlap makes it a Komet lead, but Gallagher won't abide it- he ties the game. Macha once again restores the Canadien's lead. Komets tie again with Ram Lavani's shot, Clinton Tippet cancells it out with a Canadien goal. On the power play, Dunlap brings the Komets beck to even. Gallagher erases the special team effort with another goal for the Cans, but Dunlap takes it back- claiming a hat trick. Scott Haman puts the Canadiens in the lead again and watches as Dunlap goes fourth to tie the game one last time with just a little more than two minutes left, in regulation. In overtime the face-off goes to the Komets and in only twenty-seven seconds, Kelly Harris wins the game for the Komets. Fifty-one shots in this game, fifteen goals.

Ice Bats (3-2-1) 8
Blue Devils (2-3-1) 3

David has criticized my play in net, but the Bats are the only team I have beaten this session. . . might want to keep that gear on when you go home to that glass house. The Devils get the jump with a Casey Jenkins goal sandwiched between two Ben Stillwagon goals, but that would be the end of it as the Ice Bats go on an eight goal run. . . Bruce Davis scores another goal on the night (this time in a winning effort) and his is followed by Ed Boch's tally. The lovely Jacqueline Zee collects two in a row, one of which is the only puck to cross the line in the second period. In the final frame the Bats show no respect for the Blue Devils and despite putting themselves down a man for eight minutes they just keep cranking the pucks toward Blubaugh- Chuck Dolbee and Billy Quinn both score shorties. Andrew Latham lays one in the back of the net and to cap it off, Damon Lacey pounds a power play goal making it a 25% power play conversion game compared with a 50% penalty kill conversion. Well it should come as no surprise that these Bats know how to play on the kill.

Soon

Please don't roast me. I had a lot of things going on this weekend and I pushed-off the Blog until it was too late then I overslept this morning. . . It will get done.

I would like to take a moment to congratulate my Sister on her marathon relay that she participated in this weekend in San Diego (so jealous), her team of four runners turned in a time of 2:57:XX. They may have the third best time for mixed gender teams. I'm sure she will update me in the comments.

Memorial Day Weekend

There was some confusion as to the schedule for the weekend but the games went on, regardless. . . or irregardless? Believe it or not, it is the first weekend in a month that I have played more than one game, some might say I haven't played a full game in quite a while and I have no ammunition to dispute that.

I-league was filled with competitive battles and some controversy, while the Original Six aligned for three blowouts this week. I saw some faces that had been missing for awhile and Harold gave me a cool shirt- so other than the hockey itself I had a pretty good night. One thing I don't understand: Hamstra wins ten bucks off me and I don't even get a drink out of it!

I-league de Euless

LSI (2-2-0) 0
Soul Patch (2-2-0) 4

The Soul Patch ran thirteen minutes of reconnaissance then mounted their assault in the second on the false hopes of the Imports. Rich Weller is the first Patch to capture a goal and when Brian Lochkos commits an interference penalty he looks to Josh Jones and sings ". . . Patches, I'm dependin' on you son. . ." and Jones does his duty, collecting a shorty. Brad Aho gets a goal to make it a three point game for his stats, and to cap it off, Lochkos sinks the final one for team Soul Patch.

Mutineers (2-3-0) 3
Shockers (2-2-1) 2

Michael Patrick McMacken uses his Dr. Horrible skills to put the Shockers out to an early lead, Nate Hamilton ties the game but the Shockers go on the power play twice, allowing Patrick Haley (who should stick to the Privateers or play net, in this humble reporter's opinion) to steal the lead with a short handed goal. The Shockers take advantage of the man advantage on the third attempt with a goal from Stephen Dowling making it two to two. Unable to resist Patrick knocks in his second of the game with less than half a minute remaining to win the game for the Mutes. I hate Captain Hammer.

Silverwings (1-4-0) 2
Snipers (2-1-1) 4

The Snipers win one for the Gipper. Jamil Jabri, once again, heaves his team onto his back and sends the pill under Spivey, putting the Snipers out front. Alex Eysermanns' goal is next and provides the cushion to hold the lead when Silverwings forward (and struggling Canadien's goalie) nets his second of the season. The Snipers charge again with a power play goal from Kevin Cook and a second goal for Eysermanns. Jason Rogers scores one for the Wings in quick response leaving a two goal differential and most of the third period, but even with a hooking call going to Cook, they can't climb the hill. Jamil leaves this game with a knee injury. . . no details on the severity as yet, but he did stay to help coach/inspire the Brewzers.

Grave Diggers (0-3-1) 1
Whalers (5-0-0) 4

My return to the Diggers net hit its high point somewhere around the conclusion of the shoot-around. The first period was scoreless, and the bet on Hamstra's performance was hanging heavy in the air, so in the second the Hamster kills the tension by scoring on a break away, beating Ellis on the blocker. Steve Culps leads the Grave Diggers' charge and ties the game. . . Thomas Aarons jumps on a juicy rebound to take back the Whalers' lead. Brad Watson takes his cue on another misplay by Raul Gilbreath around his own crease for the Whalers' third goal, and for good measure, Hamstra goes double or nothing off the cuff of the catcher, under the crossbar. Brian Hamstra offers his condolences," It's not your fault, Jon, no one can beat the Whalers this session."

Blue Devils I (4-1-0) 3
Brewzers (0-5-0) 2

One of the most controversial games in some time. Clint Wacker can't make the game so he sends in a decidedly better hockey player, his son- Ryan. The younger Wacker scores the first goal for the early BDI lead but it is erased by the goal of Brewzer Paul Thurston and the Brewzers take the lead with a goal from Dennis Sutton. In the third things were starting to heat-up, the Devils were trying to rally but could find no way to beat Mike Moore in the Brewzer goal, that is until they slipped a little cash to the ref. Mike makes a brilliant save on a quick feed from behind the net to Jay Peters, stapling the puck to the ice right at the line, the whistle blows and as Mike returns too his skates the puck slides across the line. The protege ref shoots out his arm to signal the goal and no matter who objects the goal after the whistle stands- and ties the game. With only twenty seconds left, a neutral zone disaster results in the puck finding its way onto Ryan Wackers stick and the rest is history. On the up side, Jen and her brother Chris found their way back to the rink, and that is always pleasant.

Stickmen (3-1-1) 3
Spiders (3-2-0) 4

Larry Wade puts the first Stickmen goal away on the second shift and some guy masquerading as Arvin Manalo ties the game a minute later. Before the first ends, Brad Bynum regains the Stick lead, Kyle Rybak adds to the total in the second holding-off the Spiders' power play goal from William Wessel. But, the one goal lead was not enough, in the opening of the third period, Bryan Couture ties the game and Jeremy Brown who looked solid despite his save percentage holds the Sticks back for the remainder of regulation. In overtime, the jersey snatcher posing as Manalo sends McCollister's save percentage below 90 for the win.

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

I didn't actually see him in the building, but according to Pointstink, Dallas Lehr is back on the ice after his emergency appendectomy as he gets the secondary assist on Chuck Dolbee's goal. The Warriors strike again with a shorty from Sean Griffin but the big lead melts under the impressive talent of Rob Constantine, who scores once then twice to tie the game. Griffin fires in one more to reclaim the Warrior honor and who should respond but Constantine with a complete hat trick and a tie game. Griffin one ups the Pucker with a hat trick of his own, this one for the win.

SND

Privateers (4-0-1) 8
Komets (4-1-0) 2

The Komets lose their perfect record in dramatic fashion, almost right at the drop of the puck. Young Kim and Tony Finazzo both score in the first five minutes and Matt Taylor makes it three in the final minute of the first period. Graham Dunlap interrupts the 'Teers scoring but only for a moment as Young Kim supplies the power play punch for the Privateers. Upon leaving the sin bin, Scottie Baldree scores a goal for his flailing Komets, but it would be the last tally for the squad. Taylor and Finazzo both score again, and Joel Bush finds his way onto the scoreboard for the Komet drumming. Finally, in the death throes of the contest, Taylor collects the hat trick.

Blue Devils (2-2-1) 6
Canadiens (2-3-0) 1

Twelve penalty minutes for the Cans, yet they kill them off, eighteen Blue Devil penalty minutes, and of course they have no fear of tonight's Canadiens team. Chase Hannah bookends an otherwise eventless period with his two goals for the Devils, Martin Berryman, and Todd Smith make it a four goal run before the heavens parted and Jonathan Bird delivered the only Canadien goal. The Devils get down to the business of beating Can ass with a goal from Charlie Heine. . . Then just to stick it in their eye, even Val gets a goal.

Patriots (1-4-0) 3
Ice Bats (2-2-1) 9

It may be time for me to go ahead and turn in my resume for that vacant "Ambassador of Fun" position. Joel Blixt establishes the Bat presence at My net, but a goal from Roy Haenselmaen ties the game. Bruce Davis, formerly of the Diggers, puts the Bats on top again, and again the Pats tie it with a goal from Jeff Eagle. Andrew Latham scores for the Bat lead, and the genesis of a six goal run. Blixt hits the hat trick with two quick ones, Jacqueline Zee takes her desserts, Bruce Davis puts home a cross crease feed. Chuck Dolbee deflects one in off his boot. Steve Benefield stops the bleeding, if only temporarily, with a Patriot goal, and Blixt puts a fork in it with his fourth.


P.S. We have an independent "fact checker" for Pointstreak. Coordinators are encouraged to contact our liaison to the stat service at Jaks524@yahoo.com. If you have to correct the game stats or the spelling of a name let your coordinator know.