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.

------

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.

---

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

Thunder Talk: February 26th

The Prairie Junior Hockey League announced it's Award Winners for the 2008-2009 season and our organization was represented well again this year.



Captain Matt Minshull was a Co-Runner Up for the Most Sportsmanlike Player award that went to Fort Knox's Jarrett Waldbauer. This distinction for Matt couldn't be more deserved. Matt's character and leadership both on the ice and off has been a tremendous example for his teammates as well as other captains throughout the league. Matt finished 8th in league scoring with 57 points and 5th in goals with 29 to go along with his minuscule 6 penalty minutes over 38 games..... seriously Matt, 6 minutes?? How is that possible in this league!!!



Rookie goaltender and local product Jay Hudon was named Runner-Up Rookie Of The Year behind Fort Knox's Dane Bonish. One of a handful of 16 year olds playing in the league this season and the leagues youngest goaltender Jay was 2nd behind PJHL MVP and Top Goaltender winner Curtis Timmerman of Fort Knox in Wins with 17 in 26 starts this season. That type of workload on a 16 year old is impressive in itself and when you factor in his 2.94 GAA, which made him one of only 3 goalies with an GAA under 3.00 and at least 20 starts this season, the other 2 being Timmerman(2.33) and Nathan Unrau(2.62) of the Quakers, it is obvious that Jay has proven himself to not only be one of the best rookies this season but one of the best goaltenders and players in the PJHL.

Lastly, I was fortunate enough to be honored with the Peter Dittmann Memorial Coach-of-the-year Award. This is the second straight year that a Thunder coach has won this award with Gavin Holcomb winning last season. I believe that the leadership exhibited by the board, in management and within the the dressing room is the reason for the organizations success in this regard. The Thunder organization's past successes and reputation as a stand out franchise in Jr hockey sets expectations high every season, and that was a major reason for me signing on this spring. I am very proud that our team has met these expectations through the regular season and look forward to meeting them in the post season beginning Friday night.

On behalf of the Thunder I'd like to extend our congratulations to all PJHL award winners and runner-ups for this season.

Keep Your Stick On The Ice
Coach Kingwell

Thunder Talk: February 25th

Every week Kenny Trenton from CK750/CJVR checks in with us to give us the insed track on the NorthEast Hockey scene.

Hey hockey fans:

Let me apologize for missing last week’s entry. As many of you can imagine, this is the busiest (and BEST) time of the year. I obviously want to talk about the Nipawin Hawks. First off, as some of you may have heard on the air, the series winning goal was scored by Battlefords North Stars captain Mitch Wall on a penalty shot. Torrie Dyck dove into Wall to try and prevent the breakaway. I was going on about how bad a call it was, but replays later showed in fact referee Curtis Howe made the correct call. Coaches, players, fans, and broadcasters are always hard on officials. Curtis Howe has always been one of the most consistent officials, so I apologize to him on a mistake I made.

As you know, the Hawks were swept in three, and although the penalty shot call was no doubt a big factor, we can’t ignore the first two games either. I didn’t make the trip to North Battleford for game 2, but in game one, the Hawks were outworked badly in a 7-4 loss. Goaltending was also a big factor. Kyle Birch made huge saves when he needed to, whereas Currie and Waselenchuk struggled. No matter how good your team is, you have to overcome adversity to be successful. However, the North Stars played better, and earned the right to move onto the semi finals and face the Humboldt Broncos. I expect the Broncos to win the series in 5 games. They’re a well rested bunch, and they play Friday in Humboldt.

Also starting on Friday is the Melfort-Flin Flon series. It’s the fourth time these teams are meeting in the post-season. Each time, the Mustangs had a better regular season record, but Flin Flon advanced, including last season. This year, the Mustangs are the underdogs, so could this represent a change? I’ll be covering this series, and am really excited. I haven’t seen the electricity in a Junior A rink as high as it is at the Whitney Forum. I cannot wait to be calling games in that environment again. As far as my predictions go in this series, I expect Melfort to win if they can earn a split this weekend in the Flon (or get both), but if they come home down 2-0, it’ll be very difficult.

Some other notes, I want to congradulate the Tisdale Trojans on finishing in fourth place. Well done for a team that was in a rebuilding mode. They’ll either face Prince Albert or Moose Jaw in round one (I expect it’ll be PA). They finish the regular season tonight in Delisle against the Saskatoon Blazers. I also want to give some love to Coach Kingwell’s Tri-Town Thunder. It came right down to the wire, but they got home ice advantage, which everyone knows is HUGE this time of the year. Good luck to them Friday night against the Royals.

Until next time, keep you head up.

Kenny