Thunder Talk: March 4th

At the risk of understating things a little, I'm very pleased to see that we have some signs of life. Our D-Zone coverage, especially in front of our own net, was suspect in the early stages of the game and that cost us early. As the game went on we became more aggressive everywhere on the ice and that was a major reason for pulling out the win.

Another huge difference last night was that our best players were our best players. When the Bouey-Minshull-Wasyliw line is flying it gives the rest of the team energy and opportunities to the other lines like the Bzdel-Derkach-Hladun line who buried the winner in the 3rd.

It's nice to see us hitting our stride last night and we need to continue in that vein the rest of the way. If we do, we can climb into the second round.

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I've been enjoying watching Tradecentre 09 Live on TSN.ca today. The most interesting moves so far:

- Jordan Leopold goes back to Calgary.
- Oli Jokinen to Calgary.
- Pascal LeClaire to Ottawa.
- Mark Recchi to Boston.
- Billy Guerin to Pittsburgh
- Daniel Carcillo to Philly for Scotty Upshall and 2nd Rnd pick. Interesting fit for both. (1:45 pm)
- Antropov to Rangers. (1:48 pm)
- Derek Morris to Rangers (Deadline)
- Dominik Moore to Buffalo (Deadline)
- Steve Eminger to Tampa (Deadline)
- Sami Paulson to Chicago (Dealine)
- Travis Moen and Kent Huskin to San Jose for Prospects and a Pick(Deadline)
- Justin Williams to LA for Patrick O'Sullivan (Deadline)
- Patrick O'Sullivan to Carolina to Edmonton for Eric Cole (Deadline)
- Kolzig and others to Toronto (Deadline)
- Ales Kotalik to Edmonton (Deadline)

Biggest news might be the guys not moved:
- Bouwmeester stays in Florida.
- Pronger stays in Anaheim.
- Neil stays in Ottawa.
- Kaberle stays in Toronto

Deadline was 2 pm SK time.
Watch for yourself at: http://www2.tsn.ca/window/tradecentre.aspx

Highlights of TradeCentre 09:

Duthie to McGuire: "You know you really need to get off the fence on some of these issues Pierre..."

Thunder Talk: March 3rd

Once a week Kenny Trenton from CK750/CJVR checks in with us to give us his view of the NorthEast Hockey Scene.

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Hey hockey fans!

This is the greatest time of the year. Playoff hockey is here in all leagues in our area (except the WHL).

I’ve been covering the Melfort-Flin Flon series. The first two games were in Flin Flon this weekend with the Bombers winning 6-0 Friday, and 3-0 Saturday. The young Mustangs are in big trouble because they haven’t scored in four straight games and Bombers goalie Mat Weninger hasn’t allowed a goal in 4 games. In game one, the Bombers looked great, and Melfort looked overmatched. Rookie Mat Lecours had 5 points in game 1. Lecours was captain of the Telus Cup Champion Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves. It goes to show that once a winner, always a winner. Experience like that cannot be taught in practice or on film. However, the Mustangs have some winners too. Owen Roschuk and Tommy Brown each have two Telus Cup rings, and Devin Stillar was there last year for Sudbury. Games 3 and 4 are at the Palace tomorrow and the Mustangs NEED to win both games. We saw how momentum carried the Battlefords over the Nipawin Hawks. If Melfort can get the pendulum swinging their way, a comeback could happen.

Darryl Skender has been covering the Humboldt-Batrlefords series, which is even at one. Kyle Birch continues to play amazing goal for the Stars, but I still believe the Broncos will take this one in 5. Too much experience and skill for the Stars to keep up.

The Tisdale Trojans start their playoffs against the Prince Albert Mintos tonight as well in Tisdale at 8:00. They were 2-2 against the Mintos this year with each team winning their games at home. I think Tisdale will win this series in 4 games. However, in saying that, the Mintos are capable of pulling off an upset. While on the topic, I’ll offer my predictions on the other series’.

Notre Dame Hounds vs. Saskatoon Blazers. After seeing how disciplined the Hounds are, and how great their execution is, the Blazers will have their hands full. The Blazers have some explosive forwards, but the Hounds have a ton of skill, and are really well coached. Hounds in 3.

Saskatoon Contacts vs. Regina Pat Canadians. Regina’s Derek Tendler and Warren Shymko of the Contacts can make this a dandy in between the pipes. Shymko and Tender were 2nd and 3rd in the league in GAA respectively. Tender was 2nd in save percentage, while Shymko was 4th. Both teams have a good D, but Regina has three key injuries. Forwards Brent Struble and Andrew Rieder, are all out for the series. Struble would have led the team in scoring if he didn’t get hurt. I would have picked an upset here if Rieder, and Struble didn’t get hurt, but I cannot see Regina overcoming those injuries, but I expect a close series. Contacts in 5.

Beardy’s Blackhawks vs. Moose Jaw Warriors. The Warriors have the better goaltending with Jesse Ehnisz, but four of the top five scorers in the league play for the Blackhawks. Both teams are extremely well coached. Dale Grayston has done an amazing job in Beardy’s, but Ray Wareham’s attention to team defense could give Dylan Wruck’s line some difficulty, but Wruck is an outstanding talent who can win the series himself. Blackhawks in 4.

As for the Tri-Town Thunder, here’s my advice to them. Not one period at a time, one shift at a time. Just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The Trojans were up 2-0 on the Blazers last year, and the Blazers ended up winning the series 3-2.

That’s my 2 cents.

Until next time, keep your head up.

Kenny

Thunder Talk: March 2nd

You've probably noticed by now that I don't post much here when we lose. I guess that's because I really hate losing.

Friday nights loss in Game 1 of our Best of 7 was probably the most disappointing game of hockey I have ever been involved with. We had 5 days to rest and prepare and focus for are biggest game of this season and then we didn't show up. It was a half-hearted effort from start to finish and the results were predictable. Saturday we returned to the ice in the afternoon for practice and it was decided to alter the game plan from the week before. We made this change with the understanding that all the different strategies in the world would not make a difference if we didn't commit ourselves to executing the game plan. I was assured that this would not be a problem and that everyone felt more comfortable with this new/ old strategy and therefore would execute.

Unfortunately yesterday was, for the most part, more of the same. Our first period was a carbon copy of Friday nights game and subsequently we dug ourselves a 3 goal hole to climb out of. We talked about the promises we had made to ourselves in the intermission and how, as their coach, I was waiting to see who was going to come through. The 2nd period saw a change in momentum when we capitalized on some undisciplined Royals play and scored on 2 consecutive 5 on 3 powerplays. We carried this momentum into the 3rd and eventually took the lead late, only to give it up with 32 seconds remaining in the game. The OT goal was a great play by the Royals playing to bat the puck out of mid air and off the back of Jay Hudon. Unfortunately we allowed it to happen by not being committed to our DZone execution in the final minute of the hockey game.

We are not a defensive minded hockey club. The majority of us are offensive minded players and subsequently we have to play intense, focused, team defense in all areas of the playing surface. Over the final month of the regular season we have become less and less focused on this as a team and it is hurting us at the moment. I'm afraid that some of our go to guys are playing with their own agendas at the moment and not committed to the team concept.

There is still a lot of hockey to be played and we have proven how dominant a hockey team we can be when everyone is on board. Playoffs success is less about haircuts and all about commitment and sacrifice. I hope we can prove that this week.

Game time is 7:30 in Carrot River on Tuesday night and 9:00 in Saskatoon on Thursday at the Harold Latrace.

Keep Your Stick On The Ice
Coach Kingwell