Happy 80th Mr. Hockey, Need More Cowbell, Good win for the Nucks, Maury Edwards makes Rookie All Star roster.

Born this day in 1928- Mr. Hockey.

Gordie Howe- hockey right winger for 32 seasons, was born on this day at Floral Saskatchewan in 1928. Howe was the first player to score 1000 career major-league goals (1977). He played for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL (1946-1971), Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA) (with sons Mark and Marty 1973-1977), New England Whalers of the WHA (1977), Hartford Whalers of the NHL (1978-1980). Howe won six NHL scoring titles (Art Ross Trophy 1951-1954, 1957, 1963), was awarded the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player six times (1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963), and was a key member of 4 Stanley Cup winning teams. He retired in 1980, at age 52, as the NHL leader in career goals scored with 801. He is second only to Wayne Gretzky on the NHL list for total points scored (goals and assists combined), with 1850.

Thanks to my buddy the BIG DOG Les Doiron for sending the above picture of he and Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, just a couple of weeks ago when Gordie's birthday was celebrated by the Vancouver Giants, of who Howe is a part owner. I asked Les what Gordie was like, and he said he was very polite, asked questions, was just a true nice guy. COOL!

Now- sort of hockey related - Born this day in 1943, Actor Christopher Walken. Probably most famous this day and age due to his "More Cowbell" skit on Saturday Night Live. Some rinks in the NHL actually play the skit audio and video to get the fans goin' with their Cowbells. Funny stuff.


What a game last night for the Canucks. It was like 1994 all over again, as Trevor Linden led the Canucks with two goals in a 6-2 win over the Flames. The Linden bashing drives me nuts, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Needless to say, I was very happy watching the game last night. Naslund even threw a fairly big hit. Throw THAT in the video vault!

Some great news on a former Bulldog, Maury Edwards, now attending U-Mass Lowell.

Hi Hammer,

I had a call from Jack Edwards, Maury's dad,
with some great news. Maury has been named
to the Hockey East All-Star Rookie team.
We are really thrilled to hear what a great
year Maury has had as a freshman. Please
check out this link with all the stats and
rankings.  LINK HERE

Jack asked me to let you know that Maury made
the all-star team. He of course is a very
proud dad.

On top of that we received the equally exciting
news that James (Kerr) has committed to Princeton
for the 2009-2010 season. We're very proud of
both of our boys!

Hope your off-season if going well and looking
forward to hearing your play-by-play voice
again in September.

Sheena Cook

Proud Billet Mom

____________________________________________________________________
Thanks for the note Sheena and congrats to Maury and his family and of course to the billet family.

Billets make junior hockey go and I know that every player owes more to their billets that most people know!

I absolutely love hearing stories like these about former players moving on to success at the next level.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading!
Hammer

Todd Bertuzzi sues Marc Crawford?

Wow......I don't know what to say about this one. Does Crawford sue Burke now? Where does it end? In Crow's defense "pay the price" doesn't mean "sucker punch and injure"



NHL-Bertuzzi-Lawsuit
Bertuzzi files lawsuit against his ex-coach over infamous sucker punch on Moore

TORONTO - There's a report that NHL forward Todd Bertuzzi has filed a lawsuit against former Vancouver Canucks coach Marc Crawford, alleging that negligence on the part of Crawford contributed to Bertuzzi's infamous sucker punch on Steve Moore in March, 2004.

The CBC reports the lawsuit alleges that Crawford urged his players, including Bertuzzi, to make Moore `pay the price' for a hit against Vancouver captain Markus Naslund in an earlier game.

According to the CBC, the suit alleges that Crawford, now the coach of the Los Angeles Kings, `knew or ought to have known that this was likely to result in injury to Moore.'

The allegations have not been proven in court.

During the game, Bertuzzi jumped the Colorado Avalanche's Moore, punching him from behind and then falling on top of him.

Moore, who hasn't played since, has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Bertuzzi that's now before the courts.

(The Canadian Press)

Don Cherry on Patrick and Jonathan Roy, Nucks @ WILD on 93.3 THE PEAK

Don Cherry has as many fans as enemies. Count me as a FAN. I respect you if you don't like Don. Lord knows he gives people enough reasons not to like him. Just don't disrespect me because I think he's one of the true real BEAUTIES left in the game on TV. I could go on quite the rant about the personalities that offer their opinions and insight on TV these days when it comes to hockey.....but momma said if you can't say anything nice.....


Cherry: Roy fight a black eye for hockey

TORONTO - A sad spectacle.

That's the view of Don Cherry, a proponent of fighting, regarding the junior hockey brawl in which Quebec Remparts owner-coach Patrick Roy cheered on his son Jonathan as he pummelled Chicoutimi's Bobby Nadeau then flipped the crowd his middle finger.

`It just boggles the mind,' the Hockey Night in Canada commentator said. `When I fought, I was always under control. I was never, ever mad. When you see a kid (Jonathan) go like that, there's no doubt it's bad for the game.

`The only other thing I'll say is, it's meat for the people who are anti-fighting. They just eat it up. Down in the States, they led off with it (on the sportscasts). That's all they do.'

Would Cherry hire Patrick to coach an NHL team?

'I'd hire him because he's a winner and that (his intensity) is what made him a winner as a goaltender. But he's got to learn. All he's done is hurt his club.'

(The Canadian Press)(The Globe and Mail)

It's another must win for the Canucks tonight as they visit the Wild in Minny. Of course THE PEAK is part of the Canucks Radio Network, so we'll pick up the pre game show at 4:30 and then have all the action with Tom and Shortie shortly after 5:00pm. Luongo or Sanford, the Canucks better bump the slump and FAST or they'll be booking tee times early. I'm by no means off the wagon, but I'm realistic. Win or else. And right now it's or ELSE.

Hammer

Bobby Lou off to meet Baby Lou, James Kerr to attend Princeton

Update- fixed my earlier error, and had to add THIS:

CKNW Canucks Update...

Roberto Luongo has left the team to be at the side of his wife Gina in Florida.
She is expected to deliver their first child today.
Luongo is expected to return to the team in time for their game in Minnesota on Friday night.
CKNW Sent at 1130am



Great news came from the Bulldogs yesterday with the announcement that James Kerr has committed to Princeton University for the 09-10 season, when he will suit up with the Tigers.

Read the press release in FULL HERE

Congrats to James and family, and of course to the Bulldogs organization.
___________________________________________________________________
How about Langley beating Nanaimo 9-0 last night? WOW. Gotta love playoff hockey! That ties the series up at 2-2 with game 5 in Nanaimo on Friday.

On the Interior side, The Penticton Vees are off to the BCHL finals for the second time in three years after sweeping Westside. They are no doubt licking their chops hoping Nanaimo and Langley beat each other up for the full seven games.

Blog Stew- Giants/Bruins, Canucks, Michael-Lee Teslak, The Don Cherry MOVIE, Bantam Timbermen.

A mish-mash of things to talk about today- BLOG STEW!

Too bad the Chilliwack Bruins couldn't pull it out last night. As predicted, I am cursing BOTH teams this morning for keeping me up so late last night! The Giants lead the series 3-0 after scoring the game winner in the final minute of the 3rd overtime. The Bruins try to stay alive tonight, 7pm on SHAW Channel 4 in Port Alberni.

In BCHL action the Nanaimo Clippers took a 2-1 series lead on Langley in a game that appeared to get ugly late. Game 4 goes tonight in Langley. Penticton can advance to the league final tonight after taking a 3-0 series lead with a win last night in Westside.
The Nucks blew a 2-1 third period lead last night en route to losing 3-2 in Calgary to the Flames. The road trip continues tonight in Colorado, another HUGE divisional game. Catch it all on THE PEAK with the pregame show at 5:30 and the puck drop shortly after 6:00pm.

Thanks to Shane Power of Lasting Images Photography for sending me this picture he snapped of former Bulldog Michael-Lee Teslak (signed last week by the Philadelphia Flyers) when he played in the BCHL All-Star game while he was a member of the Prince George Spruce Kings.

photo: Yvonne Berg/Toronto Star

Thanks to Dan the stats man for sending me this article from the Toronto Star. I think I should play Don Cherry!

Cherry movie in the works

Chris Zelkovich
Sports Media Columnist

There will be some loud jackets to fill when the CBC starts casting its latest made-for-TV movie: the Don Cherry story.

"We're trying to find out if Brad Pitt can play the leading role," jokes the movie's protagonist. "Maybe George Clooney could play me in the later years."

Pitt would actually be more appropriate since the two-part movie, written by Cherry's son Tim, deals mostly with the Coach's Corner star's early life in hockey's minor leagues. In fact, it will end when Cherry meets Ron MacLean, 24 years ago.

The movie is still in the development stages, with the younger Cherry's script being massaged by award-winning writer Paul Quarrington. Once CBC gives it the green light, shooting is expected to start this summer with next spring's Stanley Cup playoffs the target launch date.

Tim Cherry says the movie has been a long time in the works.

"I've been bugging Dad for years to do this," he says. "I don't know why he caved this time."

Cherry, who studied broadcasting at Hamilton's Mohawk College and has taken script-writing courses, says the movie focuses mainly on family life.

"It's as much about Mom's journey with Dad as it as about Dad's life," he says, referring to the late Rose Cherry.

There will be a few warts in this look at the Hockey Night In Canada star.

"After the head CBC guy read the story, he said, 'Gee, your Dad doesn't look very good here,' " the elder Cherry recalls. "Tim said, `I hate to say it, but that's the way it is.' "

That's an accurate assessment, Don Cherry says.

"I was very selfish with the family," he says. "That's the one thing that, after I read it all, I thought I was sort of a selfish guy. I don't know how Rose put up with me."

Tim Cherry says the movie has been in the germination stages for some time.

"I've always thought this would make a great story," he says.

__________________________________________________________________
To finish today's posting a submitted write up regarding the Bantam Timbermen's bid for a provincial title that came up short. While the Timbermen didn't return with the banner, they certainly competed hard by the sounds of it and they should be commended for their efforts. Great job guys.

The Bantam Timbermen competed against the best AA teams from B.C. and the Yukon last week in the 2008 provincial finals. They played well, finishing in the middle rankings, but not quite high enough to move on to the semi-finals. However, they represented Port Alberni well, both on and off the ice, and were recognized for their conduct with the Most Sportsmanlike award.

The Timbermen played their first game on Sunday evening against Terrace and came away with a solid 7-0 victory. Every line and the defence contributed to the scoring and equally to keeping the opposition off the scoreboard.

The second game against Mission Stars was for many the most memorable of the competition. This was a hard fought, physical game which neither team could afford to lose. Alberni opened the scoring half way through the first period, but Mission made the most of their opportunities late in the period to score 3 times in four minutes. By the mid-point of the game the Timbermen were trailing by 3 and each time they scored, Mission replied. Half way through the last period, Mission was still up by 6-3 and for the most part keeping play out of their zone. The Timbermen did not give up and narrowed the gap to two with 9 minutes to go. With four minutes left they scored again. With the Alberni goalie out for an extra attacker Mission stopped the Timbermen with only seconds left on the clock. The tying goal seemed out of reach. The Timbermen had one last chance from the face-off to the left of the Mission goal. The Timbermen executed a set play, drawing the puck back to the point and sending everyone else to the goal. A shot, a deflection and the score was tied 6-6. The clock showed only 4 seconds left.

Having left everything on the ice in the morning game, the Timbermen did not do so well in their game against the Salmon Arm Silvertips later in the day, losing 7-1. In their last game the Timbermen played Dawson Creek Canucks, with both teams knowing the winner would advance to the semi-final. The score was tied 2-2 after two periods, but in the third period the bounces did not go to the Timbermen and they finished on the short end of a 3-5 final.

After the last game, Coach Brent Demerais said “The team rode a huge wave all season. The wave finally reached the shore here at the highest level of competition.” He went on to emphasize how the team as a whole had performed well all season and especially how the players who had not previously played rep hockey had developed and contributed to the overall success. The stats from the provincial championship support this. Every skater is included at least once in the scoring. Carson McCulloch had 4 goals and 2 assists, Leo Fitzgerald 2 goals and 2 assists and Jesse Ursic 2 goals and 2 assists. Three other players, Gerry Fitzgerald, Dillon Rees and Dustin Diemert, each had 3 points in four games.

The Bantam Timbermen, Vancouver Island AA Champions, once again acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of coaches Brent Demerais and Dave McConnell in working with them all season. They also thank all the parents who helped behind the scenes and Dave and Jill Sherlock for volunteering their expertise for dry land training. Finally they again thank their sponsors, especially G.D.M. Boom & Sort for getting them to the provincials, and also Redmark Ventures and ReMax Realty.

That's it for today. Off for a nap!
Hammer

What a game, Chilliwack and Vancouver!

As it approaches 11:30pm, I know I will be CURSING the Chilliwack Bruins and Vancouver Giants when I'm getting up at 4:30 am for THE PEAK morning show. Right now, I'm absolutely loving the triple OT action and the WHL playoffs on SHAW. With my friends and former Bulldog staffers Jim Hiller and Matt Auerbach with the Bruins, I'm cheering for a Chilliwack win to make a series of this to get back in it to make it 2-1 in favor of Vancouver.

At the same time, I was a fan of the Giants on their WHL and Memorial Cup run last season. My good friend the "BIG DOG" Les Doiron is a big Giants fan as well, and it became easier to like the G-men last summer when Big Dog invited them to Port Alberni for the annual Charity Golf Classic, and the Giants were involved big time not only for the tournament but around the community, even bringing the Memorial Cup along for a visit. Pictured below is Giants play-by-play man Joey Kenward, taking the Memorial Cup to Echo Village to visit the residents there. Thanks to Big Dog for the picture.




Given Chilliwack's BCHL roots, I'll predict one of their former BCHL'ers to score to FINALLY end this game, one of the top 5 longest in Dub history!

Patrick Roy et Jonathan Roy suspended.

from tsn.ca

QMJHL suspends Patrick and Jonathan Roy

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League suspended six players and two coaches today for a total of 28 games in relation to a brawl that took place Saturday night in a playoff game between the Quebec Remparts and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy, who apologized Monday for flipping the bird to the crowd after engaging in two fights, was hit hardest. He was suspended for seven games and fined $500.

His father, Remparts coach Patrick Roy, was suspended five games.

Maxime Lacroix of the Remparts was suspended three games, and teammate Marc-Olivier Vallerand got two games.

The Remparts were also fined $4,000.

Chicoutimi's Sebastien Rioux was suspended for six games.

Sagueneens coach Richard Martel received an automatic two game suspension because one of his players left the penalty box to join the melee.

Two other Chicoutimi players were suspended. Charles-Antoine Messier will sit for two games and Antoine Roussel got a one game penalty.

The Sagueneens were also fined $4,000.

The brawl started in the second period with Chicoutimi ahead 7-1. As fights erupted, Roy skated to centre and looked to be challenging Sagueneens' goaltender Bobby Nadeau to a fight. Officals intervened, but when they left Roy to break up other fights, be charged the Chicoutimi net and pummelled Nadeau.

Roy then made rude gestures to the crowd, which prompted Rioux to jump him and start another fight.

Patrick Roy has denied encouraging the brawl.

For those that missed the video- regarde

Canucks on THE PEAK tonight, the "Crease Cam"

Another HUGE game tonight as the Canucks visit the Flames at the 'Dome. It's a pay-per-view game, but it's free to listen on THE PEAK, part of the Canucks radio network. We'll pick up the pre-game show from The TEAM 1040 starting at 5:30. Tom and Shortie have all the action covered with the puck drop shortly after 6:00.

Sorry, I'm not into doing the research- but it seems to me that more often than not, the Nucks stink it up on pay-per-view games. The heck with revenue. Want a division or conference title? Put all the games on basic cable! HA.
____________________________________________________________________
I have professed my love of YOU TUBE on the blog many a time. With less Bulldog stuff to talk about, I think I'm going to start posting some of my youtube favorites more often, for your viewing enjoyment. There really is some cool stuff on there. Like this beauty. Read the description first-

Marc-Andre Fleury became the first goaltender to use a modern helmet cam during a professional hockey game during the 2004-2005 season, when he spent the NHL lockout playing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. His footage was made into a pregame video shortly thereafter.

And yes, I know he wasn't the first to EVER use one, but he WAS the first to use the MODERN helmet cam that is mounted inside of the helmet itself. The old model, mounted outside of the helmet, was used by John Vanbiesbrouck in an All Star Game, not a regular season game.



Very cool! The TopGun music fits doesn't it? Anyway- more tomorrow, thanks for reading the blog.

Hammer

Nanaimo vs Langley Game 1

I said I would post some thoughts after going down for game 1 of the Coastal Conference finals last night at the Frank Crane Arena.

All in all, this was typical league-semi final playoff game, through and through. Neither team seemed to be willing to open it up much, playing it close to the vest to not make that crucial mistake. I wouldn't say either team dominated the game, I would say that Langley made the most of the their opportunities, while Nanaimo simply didn't capitalize. HIT THE NET. Kurt Jory was good, but I don't think he had to be lights out. Both teams had their share of chances, both teams did things well, both teams tried to draw penalties and mix it up a bit after the whistle. Things got a little silly on the penalties front a couple of times, but so goes the BCHL at times, especially when the stakes are so high. Huge game today, but Langley knows full well having a 2-0 series lead heading home doesn't always mean much- see Victoria last round.

Hows that for ya Bruce!?
haha

Canucks on THE PEAK tonight, Hughson and Simpson to do double duty, Clippers vs Chiefs

After a strong 4-1 win over the Oil last night in Edmonton, the Canucks have another huge one on tap tonight as they host The Minnesota Wild at The Garage. If you can't catch it on Sportsnet, we've got it for you on 93.3 The Peak FM, part of the Canucks Radio Network. We pick up the pre game show from The TEAM1040 at 6:30 and Tom and Shortie bring you all the action just after 7:00pm.



This is pretty cool....

My thanks to Dan for sending me this article from theglobeandmail.com

Hughson, Simpson will have double the fun

WILLIAM HOUSTON

From Friday's Globe and Mail

• E-mail William Houston
• | Read Bio
• | Latest Columns

March 21, 2008 at 12:20 AM EDT

Hockey voice Jim Hughson must be wondering about the CBC.

He agrees to a six-year contract extension one week and the next they make him work a double shift.

Actually, the idea of announcing two games in one day for Hockey Night in Canada was Hughson's.

Tomorrow, he and game analyst Craig Simpson will call the 3 p.m. EDT Colorado Avalanche-Edmonton Oilers game at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Then they will board a chartered flight to Calgary to announce the Minnesota Wild-Flames game at 10 p.m. EDT.

"I spotted it on the schedule in September and thought, 'I want to do that, baby,' " Hughson said yesterday. "As soon as we talked about it at the start of the year, it seemed like a natural."

Hughson has worked doubleheaders in baseball and called two games in one day at the Olympic hockey tournament, but this is different.

Hughson and Simpson will be announcing two NHL games in one day in two cities. It's never been done at Hockey Night and perhaps nowhere else.

Another likely first is Hughson calling four NHL games in three days. Last night, he worked Rogers Sportsnet's telecast of the Vancouver Canucks-Oilers game. Tonight, it will be Wild-Canucks in Vancouver for Sportsnet, and then the two Hockey Night games tomorrow.

"It won't be difficult," he said. "The travel between Edmonton and Calgary is easy. And the teams involved are all in the Northwest Division, so Craig and I are really familiar with them."

A more taxing schedule, he said, will be next week, when he will be in St. Paul for a Canucks-Wild game on Friday, followed by Flames-Oilers in Calgary on Saturday and Flames-Canucks in Vancouver on Sunday.

The work and travel involved in calling hockey for two networks, Sportsnet and CBC, was one of the reasons Hughson chose one over the other.

Starting next season, he will work exclusively for the CBC for the duration of its six-year contract with the NHL.

Hughson said he chose the CBC largely because it owns rights to the NHL's postseason.

"What Sportsnet could never offer was the Stanley Cup playoffs," he said. "We're no different than players in that you want to be working on the last day of the season."

Hughson will succeed Bob Cole as the lead announcer on Hockey Night, but not until next season, when Cole's workload is reduced. The extent of that will depend on the CBC's success in hiring a new play-by-play announcer. Broadcasters in leagues outside the NHL have been advised that résumés are being accepted.

In addition to hockey, Hughson will call Toronto Blue Jays games this year. If the CBC buys a package of 2009 Jays games, those assignments would push Hughson's annual salary to something approaching $500,000, sources say.

• The CBC will distribute tomorrow's 7 p.m. EDT Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators telecast to Ontario and the West. Boston Bruins-Montreal Canadiens will be seen in Quebec and the East. We'll nitpick and say Bruins-Canadiens should receive wider distribution. Two weeks from now, Bruins-Habs could be a playoff matchup and the CBC's best hope for a large audience in the first round.
• Scott Moore, the head of CBC Sports, launched a blog yesterday at www.CBC.ca/sports/moore. Dan Tavares, the manager of CBCSports.ca, said the blog will be a place "where CBC users and viewers can voice their issues and concerns."
• Sportsnet's coverage of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men's hockey tournament will begin tomorrow at 1 p.m. EDT with Saskatchewan against New Brunswick.

____________________________________________________________________
I'm about to try and send my resume again. I've tried before and I'm stubborn enough to try again!
Thanks again to Dan "the stats man" Tisserand for sending me the article.

I'm probably off to watch game one of the Coastal Conference Final tonight as Langley visits Nanaimo. I'll post my unbiased thoughts on the game afterwards. Can't trust Clipper of Chief fans, right? HA.

Have a GREAT good Friday.

Hammer

2008 CIS Men's Hockey Championships, Happy Birthday Bobby Orr, Hockey in Kandahar

My thanks to Ron Paulson for giving me a heads up on the 2008 CIS Men's Hockey Championships, on now in Moncton, NB.

image: cisport.ca

All games are VIDEO CASTED (cool!) with the semis and finals on Sportsnet. Get all the info and webcasts by visiting THIS LINK

Former Bulldogs Stephen Pattison and Trevor Selin suit up for the Brock Badgers, and 2003-2004 Cowichan Valley Capital goalie Kevin Lachance is on the Moncton roster.

Go Badgers!!

Happy 60th today to Bobby Orr. I feel cheated for never being able to watch him play live.



Cool stuff here-

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The score indicated a defeat for Canadian soldiers, but their sweaty smiles said otherwise.

Hundreds of spectators turned out today to watch Canadian troops grapple with a team of visiting former NHLers in spirited game of ball hockey at Kandahar Airfield.

With the Stanley Cup on display, Team Canada routed the soldiers 9 to 2, but there were no long faces when it was over as the two teams exchanged back-slaps and autographs.

The team of NHL old-timers included former Toronto Maple Leafs Chris Hutchison and Mike Gartner, two-time Cup winner Mark Napier and notorious enforcer Bob Probert.

Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff, and Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, the commander of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, both joined the soldiers for the first period of play.

Tonight, troops will take in a concert featuring Canadian country-rockers Blue Rodeo, Montreal's Jonas Tomalty, Newfoundland's Lori Anna Reid and singer-songwriter Gregg Lawless.
(The Canadian Press)

Phoenix Coyotes: Pierre the Snowman, Great pic, great story!

HFBoards.com, a great hockey message-board site, was where I found "Pierre the Snowman" tonight. Man are these funny. Or is it just me?






Thanks first off to Barb Bailey, who send the below picture in after I remarked that I didn't have a picture of Michael-Lee Teslak as a Bulldog. Wow, 03-04, it feels like 10 years ago! Thanks again Barb.

And finally, my thanks to Nancy Doucette (Joe Scali's billet mom when he was a Bulldog) for sending me this neat story!

This article was on the "Ecac hockey" site in the news, thought I'd share..................I thought it was pretty funny, yet cool...........Nancy

No need for icy relations

by:Matt Rybaltowski

Of any sport, visiting hockey teams are among the easiest for home fans to jeer. Looking for any excuse to get riled up, the crowd usually gets it courtesy of a mistimed check to the boards or an illegal slash.

This weekend when Cornell visits Union for a best-of-3 ECACHL quarterfinals series, you might want to think twice before showering the Big Red players with your best Don Rickles-like verbal assault. Under the gruff exterior of players such as 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore penalty killer Joe Scali is a soft side that helps others in times of need.

Last Saturday night around 11:30, I was headed out of Ithaca after spending the day at the New York State Indoor Track Championship when Mother Nature intervened. Snow and rain during the day soon changed to ice, turning the blacktop on Ithaca's famed College Street into the surface at Messa Rink and causing a reported 33 accidents on the night.

Unable to make it up the incline on College Street, I was forced to turn left down Cook Street. My car slalomed down the hundred feet or so on the steep decline and I was headed toward my third accident on assignment in the past six months (Jeff Gordon, I'm not.)

Thankfully, as my car rested on a 45-degree angle, four Canadian members of the Big Red hockey team came to my aid. Proving that endless wall sits eventually pay off, the Cornell players pushed my car into a driveway and out of danger.

That gesture, alone, would have been nice enough. But farther down on the hill, a young woman's SUV blocked the middle of the road and I was grounded for the night. Seeing my predicament, the players invited me in to their basement apartment to watch hockey.

To break the ice, I told them about an encounter I had with one of the Hanson brothers of "Slapshot" a couple years ago. With his team short on sticks and pads in a game several decades ago, Hanson explained how his squad started a bench-clearing brawl, just so their manager could steal as much of their opponents' equipment as possible and load it on to the bus.

"Maybe Schafe (Cornell coach Mike Schafer) will let us do that if we need any equipment," a player quipped.

The stranded SUV wasn't towed for several hours, and I crashed on the couch in the living room (though not before a player asked if I was a serial killer). There couldn't have been a more fun end to an icy situation, thanks to the generosity of the players.

Though it won't come close to repaying them, I'll try to attend one of their games this weekend and cheer on the Big Red -- unless, of course, the forecast calls for ice.

--------------------

Matt Rybaltowski, a local freelance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union. He made it to Rochester in time to cover the state wrestling tournament on Sunday without further incident and with his car intact.

Sounds like the good ole' Joe I know. Good stuff! Nic and Mara you did good!!

Hammer

This Day in Hockey History- good and bad.

Killing time between periods of the two game sevens underway in the BCHL tonight, I came across some interesting things that happened on this day in the history of hockey. No amount of internet-type will justify the first historical event- so I'll just get right down to it. Here's #1.

MARCH 18th 1892- LORD STANLEY DONATES A CUP

Montreal Quebec - Former Governor General Lord Stanley says he will donate a silver challenge cup, later named after him, as an award for the best hockey team in Canada; originally presented to amateur champions; awarded to the top pro team since 1910, and since 1926, only by NHL teams.

This is a pretty big one too, still in the GOOD file.

MARCH 18th 1945- THE ROCKET SCORES 50 (in 50)

Montreal Quebec - Maurice 'Rocket' Richard scores in 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins; becomes the first NHLer to score 50 goals in a season. Richard does it in 50 games.

This last one is certainly from the BAD file, but it's effect on the game can't be denied. The view from the end zone seats has never been the game.

MARCH 18th 2002- TRAGEDY IN THE STANDS

Columbus Ohio - 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil dies 2 days after being hit in the head by a puck at a game between the host Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. It was the first such fan fatality in NHL history.

Jim Robson on THE PEAK, Michael-Lee Teslak signs with the Philadelphia Flyers.

What a pleasure today to have a living legend, Mr. Jim Robson, the former voice of the Vancouver Canucks and a former employee of CJAV Radio in Port Alberni.

By very popular request- Click the link below to listen to the interview from the show this morning. I really needed 30 minutes with Jim. No lie, I had at the very least 10 more things I wanted to ask him. Jim is a true gentleman, and a great interview, as you can hear for yourself.

Click to listen- JIM ROBSON INTERVIEW

My thanks to Jim for taking the time to talk to me today.
Again, to order his book, click the link robsonhockeybook.com
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Michael-Lee Teslak signs with Philly

Sometime today, it will be officially announced that Michael Lee Teslak has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.

I'm no "insider" or anything, and I have never professed to be one, but just trust me on this one, ok? ;)

To the best of my knowledge, he is the first former ALBERNI VALLEY Bulldog to sign a North American Professional Hockey contract. Say what you will about Teslak being a Spruce King or an Eagle, but I'll remember him how he started his career - as a Bulldog.

I wonder, has anyone in PG or Surrey tracked down "Tesser" for an alumni interview over the last couple of years? (sorry if anyone there did)

I caught up with Mike down at Michigan Tech on the last day of the Bulldogs season for an alumni interview. It was great to talk to him again and great to see how he had progressed from being traded to Prince George in 04-05. When I called him to set up the interview, we had a good chat about old times- the 03-04 season which was the first for both myself and Mike here in Alberni. Of course the run to the playoffs and the first round upset that year was something you couldn't forget. I asked Mike off air what he remembered about his time here, and he said "not much" as that was certainly a couple of years ago and he said his memory wasn't good. Five minutes of reminiscing later, and he is remembering how he was choked at me for when I used him in the INTERSQUAD GAME, the "Media Challenge" game before the 04-05 season. The memory sure came back quick, didn't it? Long story short, Tesser got the shut out, we won the media challenge game, and now he's in the NHL, HAHA.

If you would like to hear the interview, click the link below that will take you to the Bulldogs MultiMedia website. Click on PAGE 2 at the bottom to get to Mike's interview.

TESLAK INTERVIEW

Sadly, I couldn't find a picture of Mike with the Bulldogs. I did find the great video you can see below though- something I posted on the blog a couple months back. It was the FINAL win for Teslak as an Alberni Valley Bulldog. In fact, it was the final win of the 03-04 season for the Dogs, a 6-3 win in game two of the Coastal Conference semi finals. Gotta love the road of that Bulldog crowd on the ROAD when the last 10 seconds of the game start ticking off.




Congrats again to Tesser, proud of you bro!

What a day today....thanks for reading!

Hammer

JIM ROBSON on the PEAK MONDAY, World U17 Tickets on sale TOMORROW, Bantams off to Provincials!

What a pair of memorable people for Canuck fans! Jim Robson (L) and Jim Hughson (R)

I am extremely happy to report that I have lined up an interview with Mr. Jim Robson for THE PEAK morning show at approximately 8:10am Monday.

We will talk about his time with CJAV in Port Alberni and the start of his broadcasting career, through his move to Vancouver through various sports and leagues and ultimately into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. I can't wait for Monday! And isn't that a change!

I thought to land Jim for an interview because I knew the people of Port Alberni would love to hear from him, and to promote his book that everyone I'm sure would love to read- Hockey Play-by-Play Around the NHL with Jim Robson
Read more about the book and order a copy on the website HERE

Mr. Robson's play-by-play IS NOT easy to find. However, I was thrilled to stumble onto this great video on youtube, with calls I had certainly heard before but NOT called by Jim Robson.

I had only heard Bob Cole and the Amercian feed until I found this video. Mr Robson's call is STUNNING to say the least.

The biggest game in Canucks history, Game 6 of the 1994 final. ENJOY.


Again, 8:10 MONDAY MORNING, I hope you all look forward to it as much as I do!
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World U17 Challenge tickets go on sale TOMORROW, that's SATURDAY MARCH 15th at 9am PACIFIC STANDARD TIME. Get your tickets by surfing to www.tickets.com or by phone at 1-800-457-4463.

Only full event packages for all Port Alberni games are on sale at this time. That's 16 games-
1 Exhibition
10 Round Robin
3 Relegation/Semi Final Games
and of course the Bronze and Gold Medal Games.

Full event packages are $256.00. And for the amount of hockey and level of hockey you will see that is a FANTASTIC deal.

You can purchase a maximum of 4 packages per transaction.

The HOST RINK for the U17, inside and out. Most of you have seen it already, for those that haven't, here's THE POUND.


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Finally today, I'd like to wish GOOD LUCK to the Bantam AA Timbermen, off to Summerland for the Provincial Championships. Good luck fellas.

picture: Dave Cusson

The Port Alberni Bantam Timbermen are on their way to the B.C. Provincial AA Play-offs in Summerland where they will represent Vancouver Island. Some of the team can look back on reaching the final of the Provincial AA Championships as Peewees two years ago. The whole team has brought their game to new highs this season, including the Vancouver Island Championship, and look forward to reaching higher still. From March 15 to March 18, the Timbermen will play round robin games against other District Champions from all over B.C. and the Yukon. They will open against Terrace, then face Mission, Salmon Arm and Dawson Creek before the finals. The other pool includes Rossland/Trail, Port Moody, host Summerland, Quesnel and Whitehorse. Thanks again to Bantam Timbermen sponsors G.D.M. Boom & Sort, Redmark Ventures and ReMax.

That's it, have a great weekend, thanks for reading!

Hammer

Jim Hughson, Chicago Stadium, two greats at once! + Nucks on THE PEAK tonight.

After a 4-1 loss to the Ducks in Anaheim last night, the Canucks look to bounce back in Phoenix tonight. We've got the pregame for you at 6:30 tonight with the play-by-play with Tom and Shortie just after 7:00 from jobing.com Arena. What a name!


Man I love youtube! I don't even know what I was looking for when I found the beauty you can watch below. THE ANTHEM at Chicago Stadium. The "Madhouse on Madison", what a great barn that was. I somehow stumbled onto this video of the great Wayne Messmer singing the Star Spangled Banner at Chicago Stadium. What makes the video even better is that when the anthem ends, it's JIM HUGHSON doing play-by-play! The final cherry on top happens when the 'Hawks score. What a great crowd, and what a loud building.

For some reason, the user on youtube has disabled embedding, so you'll have to click the link yourself-Just remember to come back after you watch because I have another great video.

Chicago Stadium, Jim Hughson with the play-by-play

I still remember the day I learned about the tradition in Chicago of the roaring applause the crowd gave the anthem. I was sitting in my living room with my dad watching the 1991 NHL All Star game. I was just a kid at the time, not even a teen. My dad told me of the tradition, and told me that with the recent happenings in the world (The Gulf War) that this anthem might be special. Well, he sure was right. And it sure was a great introduction to the tradition that happened in old Chicago Stadium before every game. It's not about the flag for me, I'm a Canadian after all. I just plain love a CROWD and anyone who knows me knows that.

Sitting on the bus for another long Bulldog roadie this year, the subject of the anthem in Chicago came up and Coach Alan Kerr talked about what it was like sitting in the dressing room in Chicago Stadium, hearing the pre game rumbles, walking up those stairs to the ice, and then being down at ice level for the anthem. He said it was beyond incredible. Again, I love youtube, because the subject came up and after coach was talking about how nuts it was in there I went and did a search and VOILA, I found a video from the very same night when I saw it for the first time. Incredible. Gotta love that old organ too.

It may not seem like much watching it now, but for me at the time it was CRAZY. I grew up "standing at attention" during the anthem and "showing respect". There certainly wasn't any noise and cheering beyond singing. I still don't think anything matches the Nucks and Oiler fans SINGING O Canada as one, but that's the patriot in me.






One FINAL youtube great. I still remember this, but I had forgotten until I again stumbled upon it. Big credit to the Americans, and especially Bostonians, for their reaction to people in Montreal booing the US Anthem. All class in Beantown. Never thought I would say that!



Hammer

Jim Hughson signs with CBC, Timbermen pic, Nucks on THE PEAK.

Canuck games on Sportsnet will never be the same! Congrats to Jim.

From the Canadian Press...

CBC reaches six-year deal with broadcaster Jim Hughson

1 day ago

CBC Sports reached a six-year agreement with broadcaster Jim Hughson on Tuesday.

Hughson will continue to broadcast both NHL and Toronto Blue Jays games on CBC.

"I'm honoured and excited to continue my association with CBC sports," said Hughson. "In the play-by-play world , Saturday night on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada is the best place to be, surrounded by the top professionals in the business.

"And baseball, at a time when the Jays look resurgent, is a great change of pace I'm happy to be a part of."

Hughson began broadcasting NHL games in 1979 and joined CBC's Hockey Night in Canada prior to the 2005-'06 NHL season.

"Jim Hughson is a talent like no other, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with him," Scott Moore, executive director, CBC Sports, said in a statement. "With Jim and Bob Cole, CBC Sports now employs the top two play-by-play announcers in this country for our hockey broadcasts.

"Having Jim in our lineup exclusively for the next six seasons, on both our hockey and our baseball telecasts, is great news for our viewers and great news for CBC Sports."

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I talked earlier in the week about the Atom Timbermen becoming champs. Here's a great picture of the moment, sent in by coach Rick. Thanks Rick, and good job again boys!

Hey Hammer, here's a shot of the AV Refrigeration / Iris Optometrists Atom Timbermen with our playoff banner, in case you have room on your blog. Front row (goalies) Ryan Price and Jessie Geddes. Second row L-R Brittney Savard, Griffin Dolling, Keagun Selva, Michael Addy, Cody Beecroft, Ashton Locke, Logan Henson, Josh Harvey (kneeling), Carson Nicholson, Jakob Leboe. Back row - Ass't Coach Steve Selva, Ass't Coach Dave Beecroft, Jake Eskola, Matthew Irg, Ethan Sundstrum, Kayden Terryberry, Ass't Coach Mike Irg, and Head Coach Rick Geddes. Thanks.

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It's pay-per-view tonight, but free to listen on THE PEAK, part of the Canucks Radio Network, as the Nucks look to roast some Duck in Anaheim. We'll pick up the broadcast from THE TEAM1040 with the pregame show at 6:30 and the play-by-play shortly after 7:00. Catch all the action with Tom and Shortie.

Hammer

This day in history, March 11th 1996

A sad day, as one of the most historic barns in history closed as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 in the last game played in the 72 year old Montreal Forum.

I still remember watching this like it was yesterday. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm not even sure if the video below happened on the same night, but it was for the same reason, the closing of the forum. I wish the video wasn't edited, as the ovation went on FOREVER. Only in Montreal!

Congrats to the Atom Timbermen, Canucks on THE PEAK tonight

First off today, congrats to the Atom Timbermen...see the email below....

Hey Hammer, just to let you know, the Iris Optrician / AV Refrigeration Atom

Timbermen won the Vancouver Island Tier 2 playoffs yesterday, in Nanaimo. We
beat Oceanside 5-4 in double overtime, and brought home a nice new banner to
put up in the Multiplex. This was the first time we had beaten Oceanside in

5 tries, this season. If you could mention this on the air at all, that
would be awesome, as I'm so proud of this entire group of 9 and 10 year
olds. Thanks.

Rick Geddes (Harrison May's billet family) - "The coach"

Congrats boys and girls and coaches/management and parents....Must've been a thriller!

Well done!

Thanks to Rick and Mike for the updates...Don't worry, I got it on the air today and now on the blog!
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The Nucks visit The Staples Center for a meeting tonight with the last-overall L.A. Kings and Crow.

All games are pretty much "must wins" for the Canucks right now. When it's a game against the WORST team it the league, it goes without saying that the Canucks just plain MUST win tonight if they have playoff aspirations.

Tom and Shortie have the pregame at 7:00pm and the play-by-play shortly after 7:30. Catch it all on THE PEAK, part of the Canucks Radio Network.
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Canucks on Thursdays, HFboards.com, the TOOTOO train, etc.

EDIT-I almost just crapped my pants as it appears someone has linked this post on the Canucks message board. And here I was fearing for my safety from the Nucks fans in just Port Alberni...

This post deserves a disclaimer now I guess..

"This blog is run in an extremely amateur fashion, by an already-in-the-offseason play-by-play guy, who is WAY to bored....I beg your forgiveness"
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From the "don't believe everything you hear" file. Out for lunch yesterday, I run into my buddy A (yes, from the famous "T and A" combo) who tried to tell me that the Canucks were winless on Thursdays this season. I said "no way" thinking that this couldn't be possible. Yet he countered with the classic "yes way" and continued "one of my co-workers is a die-hard fan and he knows all his stuff"

OK. Let me check this...

Turns out a quick glance with no double-checking tells me the Nucks are 10-4 and 1 on Thursdays.
Not so close to winless. But thanks anyway A. Might want to check that guys DIEHARD status.

Down to business....

First and foremost, credit to the good peeps at HFBoards.com
There are some smart fans there and those boards have without a doubt THEE biggest collection of die hard NHL and hockey fans anywhere on the web.

I say credit to them because the first thing I saw this morning when I went to read the fallout from the Tootoo incident last night was how during the end of the game brou-ha-ha (that one is for you Don Taylor) what really got it going was when Fiddler shot the puck at Bieksa and then Bieksa returned the volley. I missed it the first time, as I was watching one game on my computer and watching the Nucks game on Sportsnet out of my other eye at the same time. Can you tell I am hockey starved now that don't have 3 games a week to provide the play-by-play for? Anyway, I only REALLY started watching when Bieksa started squaring off. Bieksa fights, you watch. I had a great front row seat last Friday when he tuned up whoever it was from Columbus. I don't think I've ever seen him lose a fight, now that I think of it. Come on, there might not be anyone tougher pound for pound in the league. Come to think of it, I would really like to see Toots and Bieksa scrap. But more on Tootoo later. The video first.

I know it's of course dangerous and AGAINST THE CODE to shoot the puck at someone. A true Daniel Alfredsson move. I gotta say I got a heck of a laugh out of it though. And I don't blame Bieksa for shooting it back. "Fire a puck at me will you? TAKE THAT!" lmao. See for yourself.



In light of the comments and opinions to come, I will first provide this little offering for the Canuck fans so they won't tear me to shreds or meet me out the back of the radio station when my show is done.

Funny video. Leaf blocker. You could sell a million of 'em out here. I'm not so sure about the SENS being any better though. Thanks to my buddy Bruce for emailing this to me.



Ok, hopefully the offering helped....

Also, before I go any further- I CHEER FOR THE NUCKS. NOT THE PREDS. I JUST CHEER FOR TOOTOO AS WELL. I guaran-damn-tee he would be as popular in Vancouver and he is in Nashville if he was wearning our jersey.

TOOTOO. I know that I have a tiny voice here, as we are just a mere blip on the Canucks Radio Network. I still warned everyone yesterday.....LISTEN HERE

Don't mind my " if they don't win they won't make the playoffs" prediction, I'm full of hot air and know nothing but like to make outlandish calls like that. Hey, if someone would've put money on my on-air predictions for the Oilers drive for the 06 finals that were PERFECT to a T for every series, they would be damn rich right now.

That's me in the middle, hosting an autograph session at a sport store with Jordin and Terrance Tootoo after Jordin was drafted by the Nashville Predators. (2002 I think?)

I'll start off by saying that yes, I do know the guy. Once upon a time I was the play-by-play voice of the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL. Once upon a time Jordin Tootoo played there. As did his brother Terrance (rest in peace Barns). I wouldn't call Jordin a friend, but an acquaintance and someone I shared a couple of beers and some fun times with over the off seasons way back when. Terrance was a guy I would call a friend. It always happens when you call games for a team for 3 or 4 seasons. All the wars the times on the road etc etc. Throw in some classic golf games in the off season and a friendship develops. But I digress. I say all of this because how you judge someone and their actions and how you see the game is all based on where your allegiances are. As long as pucks have been round fans of their respective teams and their respective players have been wearing homer goggles that cloud their vision. And I guess I'm no different and I'm just as guilty as the next guy.

So when I talk about Tootoo you know up front right from the beginning where I'm coming from here.

Now.....What seems to be the problem from last night wasn't the hit, but the crosscheck. It was a problem for Hughson and Garrett and most of the posts I've read. I'll agree- the crosscheck was bad. Suspension worthy maybe. I'll also say this- Hughson and Garrett are two of the best in the business. I honestly don't understand the heat Garrett takes, but that might just be back to the earlier "homer goggles" comment. I think he is one of the biggest beauties in the league, and one of the most honest and straight shooting analysts in the sport. BUT I just want to look at the other side of the coin from all of this for a second though- The comment Garrett said was something like

"Tootoo comes with the stick high, leads with the stick high"
I agree 100%. Not even debatable.

My question is-

How does Bourdon come at Tootoo, what does he lead with, is it high? Does he have his gloves off, is ready to go? Is he challenging him, or is he just going right at him? Are his gloves and stick up high like Tootoo's just the same, going for his head just the same? Like I said, the crosscheck was bad. Suspendable. Not defendable. (Are those even words?! Ah well they get the point across, lol) The point is that Tootoo might've just been defending himself. I'll agree that he might have done so with a little too much vigor though. Like the Stephane Robidas incident. Toots gets all the heat for that punch. He makes the hit, turns around, sees the guy coming for his head, and one-punches him.

Maybe it's my old-school upbringing in the game, but if a guy is coming at you for revenge and he doesn't have his gloves off, the ONLY way to lead is with your gloves and your stick.

The Video.



And Robidas..



I hope it's nothing to serious for Aaron Miller. I'm cheering for the CANUCKS here remember.

The difference last night was that they SKATED. Yes, call me stupid (YOU'RE STUPID!!!! you are probably saying) but I think the difference is really that simple. They skated. The Sedins. Naslund. They have appeared to be in quicksand for the last four games. The game is about speed now. Speed kills. Kills your opponent if you got it, kills you if you don't have it.

Thanks for reading. Just my opinion, not yours.....You are welcome to leave your own in the comment section below.

Hammer