Lots of stuff........

It's been a busy couple of weeks for me as i started a new job, which has made for some long days, and then played in a rec hockey tourny this weekend at the new Co-Operators Centre. We finished on top at 3-0-0 and had a great time. Molson's should be thanking us for our business as well. We also had our Balgonie Bison Awards Night and Cabaret last night so i'm a little gased right now.

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As i mentioned above, i had a chance to play at the new Co-Operators which will be home to the U. of R. Cougars hockey teams. The men have been busy recruiting new players and having a new state of the art facility certainly helps. They have already officially announced the signing of Matt Strueby for next season and i'm hearing that another former Pat, Brett Lefler, has committed as well. Also, the Cougars just recently signed former Bonnyville Pontiac, Lucas Isley, for the upcoming year. Isley was briefly with Western Michigan University as well.

I am also hearing that the Cougars are working hard to get former MJ Warrior, Jason Bast, secured for the next season.

Hopefully the Cougars can get a fresh start in their new home!

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Have you been able to see the ESPN Films program that shows regularly on TSN? It has been great with different accounts of players or incidents in the sporting world. I have just recently seen one show on Reggie Miller & Spike Lee from back in the 90's when the Knicks and Pacers met in the playoffs year after year. Great show!

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So the Riders start training camp in less than a month now and they have just added two pieces for the future.

The CFL Canadian Draft was today and the Riders traded up to take LB Shomari Williams from Queens University, first overall. The Riders will also use, the 6'2" 236 lb, Williams at DE.

Then with the 8th overall pick, the Riders selected hometown boy Jordan Sisco of the U. of R. Rams to add to their already deep canadian receiver group. It makes you wonder if someone will be shown the door. Clermont??? Or possibly a trade of promising young, but injury prone, receiver David McKoy. Wait and see!

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Well, i'm in last place of the playoff pool i'm in but i have they most players left so it's still promising. I need Chicago and Detroit to make it to the Western Conference Final and Pittsburgh and Boston to meet in the East. Ideally, i would walk away with it if Boston and Chicago meet in the Stanley Cup final.

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So did you hear the latest on Tiger Woods? I guess one of his neighbours has accused Tiger of sleeping with his 19 year old daughter, making it an unofficial list of 121 women, that he has allegedly had "mis-steps" with. Jeepers creepers!

Later

Retro pic..........

I found this beauty a Mom and Dad's place this past week. It's from one of the fan days about 25 years ago. I'm pretty sure it's Laurie Skolrood. Deadly!

2028 NHL Draft!

The early favorite for first overall pick of the 2028 NHL Draft is Hudson Thomas Pollock. The newest member of the Bonnyville Pontiacs was born this morning at 0724 to his parents, Ryan and Amy Pollock!

From all accounts, everyone is healthy and happy! Congrats to you both. Hope to see you soon!

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As we enter the last day of the NHL regular season, there are still playoff implications on the line.

The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have a one game showdown for a playoff spot. Winner is in, loser is golfing!

Alex Ovechkin is three points behind Henrik Sedin for the points lead, and the Art Ross trophy, with one game left. I wouldn't count out the Russian just yet.

Also, Ovechkin and Tampa's Steven Stamkos are tied with 50 goals each and Sidney Crosby sits one back, for the goal scoring race and the Maurice Richard trophy. All three are in action on the final day.

Last night, Matt Cooke bit off more than he could chew as he challenged Atlanta rookie, Evander Kane, to a fight. One punch and Cooke was out-cold on the ice with team doctors at his side. I can't really say i felt bad for him after some of the crap he has pulled in his career. Karma, if you will?

The Washington Capitals are the first non-original six team to gain 120 points in a season. That sure is a feat considering the Philly teams of the 70's, the Islanders dynasty and the Oilers' of the 80's couldn't do it.

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The final round of the Masters is today and i'll be pulling for 50 year old Fred Couples. He sits in 5th place, five back of the leader Lee Westwood. Phil Mickelson sits one stroke back while Tiger Woods is lurking, four shots behind. Should make for some good tv!

Later

Blowing away!!!!!!!

I am sick of the wind already. It took out the power last night for a few hours and now it has made us change plans for my Dad's 60th birthday celebration tonight. Obviously it is to windy to have a bbq so it will be all indoors. Oh well, we can celebrate the old boy's big day with a few pops in Mom and Dad's house.

It looked like it would be a double celebration as i received a phone call from my brother, Ryan, late last night as his wife, Amy, was going into labour. It turned out to be a false alarm, although the little one is expected to arrive any day now. Ryan and Amy live up in Bonnyville, AB.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs will close out their season tonight knowing they will finish last in the Eastern Conference and miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Hopefully Brian Burke has some more tricks up his sleeve to get this team on track, in the years to come.

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Quick question........Who is the leading scorer on the Phoenix Coyotes?...............If you said Wojtek Wolski, then you would be right and i'm not afraid to say, i wouldn't have guessed that. Haha!

Also, did you know that Lee Stempniak leads the Coyotes with 27 goals? Both Wolski and Stempniak were acquired at the trade deadline. Good on GM Don Maloney for getting this team turned around.

Phoenix has also hit the 50 win plateau for the first time in franchise history.

Later

Team Paco........

This is the family after Jackson's year end Novice tournament last weekend.

Rambling on....

Rider training camp is now less than two months away. Can't wait as the 10 best nights of the summer/fall are spent at Taylor Field.

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Wilcox native, Jaden Schwartz has done it again. Another league, another amazing year. Jaden lead the USHL and the Tri-City Storm, in scoring, with 83 points in 60 games. He will be attending Colorado College this fall and looks to be a 1st round NHL pick this June.

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Well i said i was going to talk about the Senior Provincial A final a bit more, but what's the point. Balgonie choose the worst time of the year to lay a couple eggs. St. Walburg's best players played their best and well............the Bison's best guys weren't even close to the top of their game. Congrats to the Eagles!

The Bisons are starting to look like the San Jose Sharks, or the Buffalo Bills. Always the bridesmaids.

A little more salt on the wound was the fact it was Balgonie's first home loss of the year.

The last loss at the Stardome was when the Shellbrook Elks beat the Bisons, in last years Provincial A final.

It's tough to see the visiting team celebrate a title, in your own barn, let alone twice in a 12 month period.

Balgonie has already started to improve the roster as they look for upgrades in all areas, including coaching and goaltending. There is a certain former WHL, AHL & NHL goaltender in Regina, that would look good in a Bison uniform. Wait and see!

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It looks like the University of Regina Cougars have improved on the offensive side, as they will be adding former 20 year old Regina Pats, Brett Leffler and Matt Strueby, for the 2010/2011 season.

The Cougars (men's and women's teams) will also be moving to their new home in the Co-Operators Centre at Evraz Place. If you haven't been there yet, you need to check it out as it is a beautiful structure.

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NHL stuff........

• Did anyone think the Phoenix Coyotes would have this good of a season, especially with all of the ownership problems off the ice? Dave Tippett has to be the favorite for coach of the year.

• Tampa Bay forward Steve Downie, became the first player, since Theo Fleury in 01/02, to record 20 goals and 200 pims in a season. Hopefully he has put his problems in the past.

• Regina native, Tyler Bozak, has had a very good season in Toronto, with 26 points in 34 games thus-far. Hopefully he can carry his success, into next year.

• The Leafs are 9-4-4 in their last 17 games. Wohoo! Too bad it means absolutely nothing!

That's all folks!

Graham James Pardoned!....... What?

I have just found some of the sickest news in my life. Convicted sex offender, Graham James, has been pardoned. Read on.....

From the Canadian Press;

OTTAWA -- Graham James, the junior coach convicted of sexually abusing his players in a case that rocked the hockey world from house leagues to the NHL, has been pardoned by the National Parole Board, The Canadian Press has learned.

Though the pardon was granted three years ago, it comes to public light only now as a result of a previously unknown accuser contacting Winnipeg police.

A shocked Prime Minister's Office, notified of the pardon by The Canadian Press, called it a "deeply troubling and gravely disturbing" development that demands an explanation from the parole board.

James, now 58, pleaded guilty to sexual assault after two of his former teenaged players, including ex-NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, came forward with their stories of abuse at his hands from 1984 to 1995. James was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison in 1997.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

That is some sick stuff. I almost can't believe it.

Happy Easter everyone!

Stunned!

The St. Walburg Eagles are the Senior Provincial A Champs after winning games two and three, of the final series, over the Balgonie Bisons.

I am stunned, speechless, etc. etc.............

I'll have more of a re-cap of the series in the next week but it is still an open wound right now and i don't really want to talk about it.

I'll leave you with this though, you'll never convince me that the Bisons weren't the best team in the province.

Later

Bisons over Eagles in Game 1!

The Balgonie Bisons drew first blood in the Senior Provincial A Championship with a 5-3 home ice victory this past weekend. The Bisons lead the best of three series 1-0 and head to St. Walburg this Saturday March 27th looking to sweep the final.

Balgonie's top line dominated the game with their speed and quickness and combined for seven points. Jamie Heward also scored his first goal as a Bison.

St. Walburg will have to find a way to slow down the Bison attack to avoid seeing Balgonie celebrate a Provincial title in the Eagles' own barn.

Game 3 (if nec), would be back in Balgonie on Sunday March 28th @ 8:00.

See ya Saturday!

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Look out, the Leafs are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Can you say playoffs? Haha! Just jokes, i'm not that much of a homer.

However, it is nice to see the young guys succeed so there is a little hope for the future. Can't wait to see the Leafs draft Hall or Seguin. Oh ya, i forgot.............

Later

Senior Provincial A Final

The Senior Provincial A final begins this Saturday between the Balgonie Bisons and the St. Walburg Eagles. This is the second straight season that Balgonie has made it the final. Last year, they were beaten in two straight games by the Shellbrook Elks.

St. Walburg upset the defending champs in the 1st round of this years provincials.

The Eagles also have numerous players from the Maidstone Jets, who have signed on for the provincial run.

Here is the schedule for the best of three final..........

Game 1 - St. Walburg @ Balgonie - 7:00 Sat. March 20th

Game 2 - Balgonie @ St. Walburg - 7:00 Sat. March 27th

Game 3 - St. Walburg @ Balgonie - 8:00 Sun. March 28th (if nec.)

Balgonie is a high scoring, extremely fast team, which is lead by the trio of Drew Istace, Lance Herauf, and Chad Richardson. The three combined for 112 goals and 248 points in 25 regular season and playoff games.

St. Walburg's success sits mainly on the shoulders of their netminder, former Memorial Cup MVP, Kelly Guard. One thing that could hurt the Eagles chances at a championship are the injuries that have come up over the last few weeks. Rumor has it, that offensive stalwarts Aaron Starr, Ryan Johnston and Leighton Alexson, could be done for the season. Although, i'm hearing to expect Johnston and Alexson to be back.

Here are some of the players who will be involved in the final series and where some of them have played in their hockey careers........

Balgonie Bisons

Lance Herauf ( SJHL, U. of R., CHL & Europe )

Chad Richardson ( BCHL, SJHL & NCAA )

Grant Selinger ( BCHL, NCAA, Europe & CHL )

Nevin Rumpel ( SJHL, AJHL & ACAC)

Bruce Maclean ( SJHL & U. of R. )

Jason Weitzel ( WHL, U. of R. & CHL )

Derek Kups ( SJHL & CHL )

Jamie Heward ( WHL, AHL & NHL )

Cory Unser ( WHL, U. of R. & CHL )

Rob Marshall ( SJHL, WHL, UHL & CHL )

Alex Fuchs (SJHL & U. of R. )

St. Walburg Eagles

Darren Delainey ( SJHL )

Cole Fern ( SJHL & AJHL )

Ryan Johnston ( WHL, WCHL, U. of S. & CHL )

Aaron Starr ( WHL, MJHL & U. of M. )

Aaron Goldade ( WHL, ECHL, U. of M. & CHL )

Leighton Alexson ( MJHL )

Troy Johnston ( BCHL, NCAA & CHL )

Drew Rose ( SJHL, BCHL & SPHL )

Colin Heppner ( SJHL & USHL )

Vinnie Jonasson ( WHL, CIS & CHL )

Kelly Guard ( WHL & AHL )

Good luck to both teams!

p.s. GO BISONS GO! haha!

Bisons in finals......

The Balgonie Bisons have moved on to the QVHL finals and look for their third straight league title. The Bisons disposed of the Milestone Flyers in three straight games by a combined score of 26-11. The lopsided series was a little surprising, considering the Flyers were 15-5-2 during the regular season.

It seems like nothing can de-rail the Bisons as they have rolled over everything in their path since the beginning of the season. Balgonie is now 35-1-0 on the season.

Balgonie has also advanced to the Senior Provincial A Final after toppling the Midale Mustangs, of the Big Six Hockey League, in two straight games. The Bisons will face the North champions, the St. Walburg Eagles, for provincial supremacy. The Eagles are lead by former Memorial Cup MVP, goaltender Kelly Guard.

I'll have more on this series in the next couple of days.

Later cool cats!

The AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs were swept in the second round of playoffs this past week by the Spruce Groove Saints. The Saints had a remarkable season. They set an AJHL record in obtaining 112 points out of a possible 120.

Pontiacs Asst. Coach (and my brother), Ryan Pollock, said there is some solace in knowing you lost to the #1 team in Canada and the top AJHL team in history.

From Rod Pedersen's blog.....

The Regina Pats haven't missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1921. Until now. And in the franchise's 93 years of existence, they've only missed the playoffs ten times and four have been within the past 15 years.

A lot of talk has been whether or not Russ Parker should sell the team after another disappointing season. My question is....why would he? This junior franchise is a cash cow. Even with mediocre teams, the fans still come and the team still makes money.

Pontiacs sweep 1st round!

The AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs swept the 1st round, best of 5, playoff series over the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Not bad considering the Pontiacs only won 9 of their last 30 games and Sherwood Park had home ice advantage. My brother, Ryan, is the assistant coach to Chad Mercier up there in Bonnyville.
Balgonie native, Tyler Henry, had 4 goals (including the GW in game one) and 2 assists in the series.

A rant coming......

I have to get something off my chest here. Since the gold medal, i have seen numorous articles/blogs/posts that try to make a case that Sidney Crosby is over-hyped. Some people actually hate him for this. He isn't my favorite player but check this stuff out.....

QMJHL All-Rookie Team (2004)
QMJHL First All-Star Team (2004, 2005)
QMJHL Player of the Year (2004, 2005)
Canadian Major Junior First All-Star Team (2004, 2005)
Canadian Major Junior Rookie of the Year (2004)
Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year (2004, 2005)
World Junior Championship - Silver Medal (2004)
World Junior Championship - Gold Medal (2005)
Memorial Cup All-Star Team (2005)

Ed Chynoweth Trophy (Memorial Cup Tournament - Leading Scorer (2005)
NHL All-Rookie Team (2006)
NHL First All-Star Team (2007)
Art Ross Trophy (2007)
Lester B. Pearson Award (2007)

Hart Memorial Trophy (2007)
Lou Marsh Trophy (2007, 2009)
Stanley Cup Finalist (2008)
Stanley Cup Champion (2009)
Winter Olympics - Gold Medal (2010)

First rookie to record 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in a season.
Youngest player to record 100 points in a season.
Youngest player to record 200 career points (19 years and 207 days).
Youngest player to record 2 consecutive 100 point seasons.
Youngest All-Star Game participant.
Youngest Art Ross Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award winner.
Youngest player to be named to the First All-Star Team.
Youngest NHL captain to win Stanley Cup (21 years, 10 months, and 5 days)
Points per game average is 1.35, 5th all-time in the NHL.

And Crosby doesn't turn 23 until August.
Over-hyped?

Super Bowl Sunday!

The New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in Super Bowl XLIV(44). I wish i could tell you what i thought of the game but i was doing laundry and dishes and only watched for about half an hour. Bring on the jokes......

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Monday night, the Balgonie Bisons are off to Langenburg for game two of their 2nd round Provincial A series. The Bisons won game one, 9-2, on Friday night. Jamie Heward and Derek Kups should be back in the Balgonie line-up for this one, as they look to take the best of three series, two straight.

Whoever comes out on top plays the winner of the Montmartre and Bethune series. Montmartre won game one, 3-1.

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The Leafs are 2-1 since acquiring Dion Phaneuf and J.S. Giguere in two separate deals with the Flames and Ducks. Giguere had shutouts in both of his starts. He is the 1st Leaf goalie to get shutouts in his first two starts with the team.

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The Montreal Canadians are trying to decide if they should trade one of their young goalies and get a goal scorer in return. Secondly, they need to decide which goalie to deal. Jaroslav Halak has definitely played better than Carey Price but Price has always been looked at as the "future" of the franchise. Tough call!

One amazing stat about Halak, he has faced more than 40 shots in eight games this season and won all of them. Wow!

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If you haven't seen Avatar yet, get out and see it! The best thing i can say about this flick is, "best movie ever!"

Later sk8ters!

Bisons move on!

The Balgonie Bisons swept their first round series, 2 straight, against the Avonlea Arrows after a 4-1 win Friday night. The Bisons will now take on the Langenburg Warriors of the Triangle Hockey League. Langenburg took out the Cupar Canucks in their first round series.

The Bisons are looking forward to getting former Moose Jaw Warrior and U. of R. Cougar, Jason Weitzel, back for this round. Weitzel has been out for two months with a broken wrist.

Including the two Provincial games, the Bisons are 20-0-0 for the season and 53-6-0 over the last two seasons.

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Profile of the week.....

The Carolina Hurricanes ice team called the Storm Squad.

Check out the full squad here...

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=45923

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I heard an interesting thing about the Leafs this year. They've had nine games with at least 40 shots and lost all of them. The problem is, the guys shooting the pucks aren't very good. Frustrating to say the least!

Later

Trade rumours.....

With the NHL trade deadline, March 3rd, closing fast, alot have big names have been mentioned in the media that could be traded.
The biggest name that could be on the move would be Ilya Kovalchuk. He will be a UFA in the summer and it doesn't look like Atlanta can sign him. The front-runner to acquire Kovalchuk could be the L.A. Kings. That have the the young players (Jack Johnson, Wayne Simmonds & Oscar Moller) and prospects (Brandon Kozun, Thomas Hickey & Colten Teubert) to make such a deal and not hurt their "core".
One other big name that could change teams would be Dion Phanuef. Calgary needs a shake up but i don't see many teams willing to take on his contract.
I hope the Leafs can aquire a few young players and/or draft picks but they don't really have any "assets" to move! Brian Burke has some serious work to do.

Later

Schwartz ranked 29th

Wilcox native, Jaden Schwartz, is ranked 29th for the upcoming 2010 NHL draft. Here is what TSN has to say about him..........

Centre - Tri-City (USHL)
Born: 06/25/92
Hometown: Wilcox, SK
5-10, 193 lbs.
Stats (Through Jan. 24): 20 G, 35 A, 55 PTS, 14 PIM

Notes: Despite being the youngest player on the team, Schwartz is the Tri-City Storm's leading scorer. He has great offensive instincts and is very strong on the puck despite his size. He has committed to Colorado College for next season. - International Scouting Services

January rumblings.....

I haven't blogged in the last month because i didn't really have anything nice to say. The whole Eric Tillman situation got a lot of people down, on both sides of the argument. My opinion was, because there is a "code of conduct" in place, the only decision was dismissal. It would be a political nightmare to keep him on. I don't think it would be fair to anyone, to have this distraction around for another season. Ok, enough with that!

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The Leafs have fell back to earth over the last month, only two wins in their last 10 games, after a promising start to December. Their goaltending and penalty kill have continued to be one of the worst in the league. Jonas Gustavsson will be given the chance, over the final 30 games, to become the Leafs starting goalie, for this season and beyond.

Phil Kessel continues his Jekyll and Hyde play. Awesome one week and then invisible the next. In his defence, he hasn't had anyone to play with. Hopefully that changes before next season. A true first line centre, would be a good start for the Leafs.

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The Bonnyville Pontiacs have been on a major slide as of late, 2-8-0 in their last ten, and have fallen to .500 for the first time this season. Injuries to key contributors has been the biggest issue this season.

Balgonie native, Tyler Henry, has had a good sophomore season with 43 points in 51 games.

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The Balgonie Bisons began their quest for a Senior A Provincial Title last week, with a 5-2 win over the Avonlea Arrows, of the Highway Hockey League. Balgonie has added former NHL'er, Jamie Heward, to their Provincial roster. Check out Jamie's pro career at ...... http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2260

Game two, of the best of 3 first round series, goes Friday January 29th in Balgonie. The series winner faces the Triangle Hockey League's, Langenburg Warriors.

Later folks!