Vees sweep Clippers, local sports stuff, 2008 NHL playoffs!

The Penticton Vees swept the Nanaimo Clippers in the BCHL Finals with a 4-0 win last night at the Frank Crane Arena to claim their first Fred Page Cup since 1986. I was a little surprised this morning that there wasn't any mention of the end result on the Vees website or blog or the Nanaimo Clippers website. I'm sure there was some pretty good celebrating going on last night though, and the updates will come when the heads clear. The BCHL website has a write up from last nights game up.

Vees play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Pinder has a great blog going with audio and video stuff, including highlights from the previous three games. Visit it by clicking HERE

The most recent news story on the Vees site from yesterday was about this picture. Pretty funny, but probably not so much if you are a Clipper fan.

image: pentictonvees.ca

Congrats to all involved with the Vees organization, but BIG TIME congrats to my good friend Murray Maxwell- the biggest beauty in the BCHL- he's on the Vees staff as an assistant to trainer Alana Dyrland and he has been in Penticton for a long time. He's a great guy and has always been one of the best reasons to play Penticton as we have had some great chats over the years. Shane Power of Lasting Images Photography took this picture last night of THE CHAMPS. Murray is the big guy, back row, far right.
The Vees will face either the Camrose Kodiaks or the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in the Doyle Cup Series, with the winner advancing to the Royal Bank Cup in Cornwall, Ontario.

I really feel for Clippers play-by-play voice Dan Marshall, losing to his old team in the finals a year later. Having said that, I would bet that Dan is in a better situation now. Too bad Danno, I feel for ya.

Local sports. Tonnes of stuff this weekend. I'll be the MC for the Minor Hockey Awards Banquet Saturday night, which should be fun. There's also plenty of hockey action going on at the Multiplex.....When ISN'T there, would be a better question. We know who the REAL Hockeyville is.

First- An update on some Female Hockey from Diane Moore- Thanks again for keeping me in the loop!

Hi Evan,

Thanks for all the promo. The Final Chill was a huge success. None of our local teams made it to the finals but they sure put on a good show. We really appreciate the exposure. Our program has come a long way. Our first tournament 5 years ago had 3 teams competing and this year we had 20 teams! We're hoping next year we can get more teams from out of province or even out of country. Thanks again.

This weekend BC Hockey High Perfomance will be holding the Female U16 camp here on Saturday and Sunday with games on Saturday night at 6 pm and Sunday at 9 am. Over 50 girls are trying out for the Island Zone U16 team and the Island team will be competing in a BC Zone tournament in Salmon Arm at the end of the month.Four local girls will be trying out - Samantha Campbell, Jordan Dowling, Joanna Neufeld and Samm Moore. Should be pretty good hockey.

I hear you are emceeing the AVMHA banquet this year. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Cheers, Diane

Now- RUGBY news. Not something I have talked about on the blog before but they are now keeping me in the loop too- cool.

Man is that a cool logo. Hey BLACK SHEEP RUGBY CLUB- I want a Rugby Uni or a HAT! Pretty please!

Anyway- here's the update they sent me for this weekend- Of course all the action is up at the pitch at the top of Argyle.

News and Events

The BlackSheep are home to the Nanaimo Hornets this weekend. Kickoff for the 2nd Div game is 1pm and 2:30pm for the 1st Div game. Come out and support the Sheep in the last regular season game. Everyone is welcome.

Thanks again for the update. Man, I'm even talkin' Rugby on here now. Up next- HAMMERS COOKING TIP. Ok maybe not. Unless......If someone donates me a nice cut of meat I'll do up a batch of "Hammer's Beef Jerky" Ask Adam Hout- It's a 13 out of 10- He said it started as a 9, but just kept getting better. HAHA.

Last but not least- NHL stuff- not much today, but an incredible video to watch- GO HABS is all I have to say. Man I love the emotion in that building. Second to none. Kinda funny to watch the video now, as they are talking about Cam Ward making his first playoff debut. NO ONE in the world would have believed at that point that he wouldn't look back all the way to the Conn Smythe Trophy. Sure enough- that's what happened. Point is- Expect the unexpected.

Pay special attention to the Montreal fans after the puck drops- Sorry, it's near the end of the video. How they CHEER and BOO so fast when the Habs have the puck and the Canes have the puck is incredible. Like a soccer match. Can't wait for tonight!

And WHY is CBC the best? Because they take you into the rink and show you so much of the pregame stuff. You get a feeling for the atmosphere and the emotion. I'll take that any day over TSN who just shows more panel discussion leading up to puck drop. (DONT WORRY ONLY 60 SECONDS OR SO ARE IN FRENCH) The video is best view with your speakers/head phones LOUD- listen to the roar of the crowd when the flag bearers come out, the pop when the team hits the ice, and the roar every time a player is introduced.


That's it for today, thanks for reading!
Hammer