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?