Nucks host Preds for Game 2, further schedule details, RBC Cup opens tonight in Camrose...

It's Game 2 of this Western Conference Semi-Final series, with the Canucks looking to go up 2-0 heading to Nashville after a 1-0 win in Game 1 on Thursday night. Catch the pregame show tonight at 5:30, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow at 6:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM, part of the Canucks Radio Network.


From the Canucks website, here's the PREVIEW and LINE UP

For anyone still wondering about the schedule - Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Nashville at 6:00pm. Game 4 goes Thursday night at 5:30. Should a game 5 be necessary, it will go next Saturday in Vancouver with a 5:00pm start.

The 2011 RBC Cup opens today in Camrose, as the two-time defending National Champion Vernon Vipers open their quest for the three-peat when they face the tournament host Camrose Kodiaks. Follow the RBC by visiting the tournament website on HockeyCanada.ca


Hammer

'Dogs add Goalie, Canucks vs Predators *early* schedule...

April 28th, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to announce that 91 Goalie Max Fenkell has committed for the 2011-2012 season.


Fenkell, born in Philadelphia played last season for Colgate University of the ECAC. The 5’9”, 170 pound goalie spent the whole 2010-2011 season in the Colgate University program.

Previous to that, Fenkell had two stellar seasons in the New England prep school league at Phillips Exeter (N.H.) Academy. Fenkell won 45 games at Exeter and set an all-time record at the school with a .933 save percentage. During his junior season, Max backstopped the Big Red to 28 victories and an appearance in the New England Division I prep championship game. He topped New England with a .940 save percentage that year and set team single-season records for minutes played, shots, saves, goals against average and save percentage.


“We are very excited to have Max. He has had a taste of the next level spending the whole year at Colgate. Even though he didn’t see game action, he has been able to improve through practice”, states Bulldogs Head Coach/Assistant Director of Hockey Operations Paul Esdale. “Max’s situation is unique, it allows him to come back to junior and not lose a year of eligibility. He will be a solid addition to the team,” said Esdale.
Colgate University plays in the competitive ECAC of the NCAA and made it to the final four of the ECAC tournament this past season.


"Max Fenkell has huge potential. His work ethic and drive help make him one of the most committed goalies we have had in our program in some time. The fact that he is playing behind two seniors prompted this move which we fully support. We expect that he will help the Bulldogs challenge for a championship in the BCHL while at the same time aid in his development prior to his return to Colgate," states Head Coach of Colgate University Don Vaughan.


For more information please contact Head Coach/Assistant Director of hockey Operations Paul Esdale at 250.723.4412.

Fresh off Tuesday night's Game 7 overtime win over the 'Hawks, the Canucks are right back at it tonight when they host the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semi-Final Series at Rogers Arena. Catch the pregame show at 5:30 with the puck dropping just after 6:00 on 93.3 The Peak FM, part of the Canucks Radio Network.

Here is the rest of the Round 2 schedule, which is not yet finalized.

2011 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS SERIES

#1 Vancouver vs. #5 Nashville

Thursday, April 28 at Vancouver, 6:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS

Saturday, April 30 at Vancouver, 6:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS

Tuesday, May 3 at Nashville, TBD CBC, VERSUS

Thursday, May 5 at Nashville, TBD CBC, VERSUS

*Saturday, May 7 at Vancouver, 5:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS

*Monday, May 9 at Nashville, TBD CBC, VERSUS

*Wednesday, May 11 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS

* if necessary

Go Nucks!


Hammer

THEE "official" NHL magnet board update!

Round 2 is set to go!

Hammer

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CBC makes hunchback reference in opening tonight in connection with Lucic on Spacek incident.....Lucic really does suffer hunchback disease...

...a.k.a Scheuermann's Disease

Update - here's a great story that talks about it from early in his Rookie season with the Bruins....I still remember Lucic from his time in the BCHL with the Express. The one moment that REALLY stands out that I have talked about on the blog before was when the Dogs and Express had a line brawl and Joe Scali got the best of Lucic in a scrap. Lucic was so incensed with the outcome of the scrap that he broke out of the sin bin and attempted to get over into the 'Dogs penalty box before eventually being restrained. Click to read "Punching up his resume" from Boston.com

One would think that this was all an accident and that Ron McLean and CBC would feel badly about it, even though Spacek was the one referred to as a hunchback?

Am I just being oversensitive, a result of emotional overload from Game 7 last night and a Morning Show today??


Hammer


-

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Game 1, Predators @ Canucks, CONFIRMED...

It has been confirmed, that 6pm tomorrow (THURSDAY) is Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi Final series between the Canucks and Predators.

Hammer

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BURROWS

Winner take all Game 7 tonight, Mike Gillis speaks up on officiating, video of penalties, or lack thereof....

Everyone on the wagon! The 'Nucks aren't done....yet?

An old cliche goes something like this - "Only through great adversity can one truly achieve great success"

Well the Canucks certainly have their jerseys over their heads at the moment, with adversity feeding them and endless helping of uppercuts, don't they?

 
From the Canucks website, click to read the PREVIEW and LINE UP No, Kirk McLean isn't going to start in goal!

Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM at 6:30 with the puck drop and play-by-play to get underway just after 7:00.

Much has been made of the officiating in the series, and especially in Game 6. Mike Gillis loaded up both barrels outside the Canucks room yesterday. Before the comments from Gillis, take a look at a highlight reel of the penalties from Game 6 here - I wish the clips were edited a little shorter, but you still get the idea of where Gillis is coming from!

And here's Mr. Gillis. Not sure I have ever seen or heard someone with that sort of ammunition giving it to the officiating.

Cory Schneider to start?

Sounds like it. Wow.
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Nucks vs Hawks Game 6 today on THE PEAK, Game Day Notes and Line up - courtesy Joey Kenward of Team 1040

Catch Game 6 tonight from Chicago on 93.3 The Peak, part of the Canucks Radio Network. The pregame show kicks off at 4pm with the play-by-play to follow just after 4:30 This is the first straight opportunity for the Nucks to advance, as they hold a 3-2 series lead.

Here's some great game day tidbits, courtesy Joey Kenward of Team 1040, self described "Play By Play Broadcaster Dressing Room Reporter Soccer Referee Music Buff" pictured above with the Memorial Cup in front of Echo Village in Port Alberni as he visited in 2007 when he was the play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Giants.


Despite allowing 12 goals against in their last two games, the Canucks have another opportunity tonight to close out their Western Conference Quarterfinal series with the Blackhawks.


Daniel Sedin (4g,2a), Christian Ehrhoff (1g,3a), and Henrik Sedin (4a) lead Vancouver in head-to-head scoring while Duncan Keith (4g,2a), Michael Frolik (1g,3a), and Dave Bolland (1g,3a) lead Chicago.


The Canucks are coming off a 5-0 loss in Game 5 on Thursday. That loss came exactly four years to the day Vancouver had last been shut-out in a playoff game. It had been 34 post-season outings since the last time Vancouver was held off the score sheet in the playoffs (Apr. 21, 2007 – 2-0 loss @ Dallas Stars).


Vancouver only had a handful of players skate this morning in Chicago and judging by the looks of things, there could be a few changes to their line-up. Keith Ballard may very well return after being a healthy scratch on Thursday in place of Aaron Rome. The only other likely change could see Victor Oreskovich returning to  the fourth line in place of Tanner Glass. Vancouver is looking to avoid back-to-back road losses for the first time since January 18.

Roberto Luongo will definitely be looking for a strong bounce-back performance after being replaced by
Cory Schneider his last two starts. Luongo had not been pulled in back-to-back games since March 26 and March 28 of 2008. On Friday, Luongo was named one of the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy. It's the third time he's been nominated for the NHL's top goaltending honour.


The Hawks are expected to make one change tonight on home ice as Brent Seabrook returns to the blue line. After sitting out the last two games with a concussion, Seabrook practiced with the team yesterday.


Duncan Keith leads all NHL defencemen in playoff scoring. His two-goals in Game 5 at Rogers Arena gave Keith his first multi-goal playoff game in 44 career playoff games. In addition, that night marked the first time in 530 games (regular season and playoffs combined) that Keith put up four points in one game.


Corey Crawford turned aside all 36 shots he faced in Game 5 on Thursday for his first career playoff shut-out. In 57 regular season games this year, Crawford had just one assist. He has posted assists in back-to-back games and has more points than 12 different Canucks who have appeared in this series so far. The last time a Hawks goalie had more than one assist in a post season was Murray Bannerman (2) in 1985.


Jonathan Toews is still looking for his first goal in this series. Chicago's captain and leading scorer from the regular season had just one goal in his final seven games heading into this series.


Here's a look at how both teams could line-up tonight at the United Center:


Canucks:

D. Sedin – H. Sedin – Burrows
Higgins – Kesler – Samuelsson

Raymond – Hodgson – Hansen

Torres – Lapierre – Oreskovich/Glass

Edler – Ehrhoff

Hamhuis – Bieksa

Salo – Ballard

Luongo

Schneider

Blackhawks:

Viktor Stalberg – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane

Ben Smith – Patrick Sharp – Marian Hossa

Bryan Bickell – Dave Bolland – Michael Frolik

Troy Brouwer – Ryan Johnson – Marcus Kruger

Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook

Niklas Hjalmarsson – Brian Campbell

Chris Campoli – Nick Leddy

Corey Crawford
Marty Turco

Joey
twitter.com/kenwardskorner


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Take 2, Nucks try to eliminate Hawks, Martin Mars Mexico bound,. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS (back to Winnipeg)

The Canucks take another crack at eliminating the Stanley Cup Champs tonight as they host the 'Hawks at Rogers Arena for Game 5. Catch all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 6:30 and the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00

From the Cancks website, here's the PREVIEW and LINE UP for tonight

Free Airshow in Port Alberni today! Look to the skies, and you might be lucky enough to see one of the Martin Mars tankers doing some flight testing. They are needed in Mexico - more details from the Times Colonist HERE

Last but not least - get the Jets back to Winnipeg ASAP, NHL!

Some epic videos from days gone by - first off, this one from 1990, as Dave Ellett scores in double OT to give the Jets a 3-1 series lead over the Oilers....we won't talk about the next four games, ok? The noise from this goal is just out of this world. It's worth watching the whole video to hear the late and great Don Whitman and John Garrett talk about Winnipeg and their fans as they talk about how the loudest rink in the league was the (still standing) Chicago Stadium, but on this night the noise from the Jets fans rivaled anything ever heard in Chicago. Get the team back already!

And here's one more example of the epic fan support in Winnipeg - it's again worth watching until the end of the video, as during a 2006 Exhibition game between Phoenix (!!??) and Edmonton, one very loud fan yells "GO JETS GO" during a quiet moment near the end of O'Canada. The quiet is quickly exchanged for a deafening roar through the end of the anthem.

Go 'Nucks, Go Habs, Go Jets!


Hammer


-

"Lock it down"

To quote Jeremy Grey, a.k.a Vince Vaughn from wedding crashers:
"lock it down" Canucks. Park it forget it flush it etc!

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Nucks @ Hawks for Game 4 tonight on The Peak, Alberni Golf Club Men's Club update, fan jumps on the ice in BCHL'ers game in Russia....

The Canucks try to sweep the defending 'Cup champs out of the playoffs tonight in Game 4 at the United Center in Chicago. Catch the pregame show on 93.3 The Peak FM at 4:30 with the play-by-play to follow at 5pm on 93.3 The Peak FM


From the Canucks website, click to read the PREVIEW and LINE UP

It was a cool but dry Sunday as 67 men headed out onto the links to take part in the Westwind partner with a Pro event.

Gene Kimoto was the big winner placing first in the competition, next was Wayne Johnstone, followed by Ken Fong, Joe Baker and in 5^th place was Cal Davies. They all won Pro Shop gift certificates. I like the thinking of Club Captain Fred Fredrickson, as the prizes were awarded to the top 13 players. Congratulations Gentlemen!

There were also several draws held, for the ones who weren't in the golf prizes. Westwind gift certificates were won by Steve White, Jerry White, Mickey Keeley and Gene Kimoto. ( how did he get in there. ). There were two $50 cash draws won by Clint Wilson and Cliff O'laney.

In the ball sweep portion of the day Fred Fredrickson won the low gross and took home three balls, while Jacques Giovetti won two balls. On the net side of things Cal Davies won 3 balls, Livio Tedesco won 2 balls, Bob Matlock and Steve Acland both took home one ball. Dave Mann won the Charity closest to the pin on #2 collecting $39. On #4 it was Fred Fredrickson, #13 was Doug Richmond. The second shot on #6 was won by Steve White and Clint Wilson had the longest drive on # 7.

Next week is an open day with the money pot ball sweep and Charity Closest to the pin happening. Be sure to pay your $2 and write your name down before you tee off. There will also be optional net skins for $5 taking place.

Huge thanks to the Westwind pub. 

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE. 

And here's something you don't see everyday - a fan jumped on the ice in the middle of a game in Russia. Oddly enough, it was a game involving BCHL players. Here's the video:

For more on the BCHL'ers and the conclusion of their trip to Russia, check out Eddie Gregory's BCHL in Russia 2011 blog

No suspension for Torres...

...I wonder what the odds would have been last night on Torres receiving ZERO games. I bet you could have made a pretty penny.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2011/04/18/torres_update/

Here is an interesting tidbit from the NHL.COM video vault - what is Illegal and legal shoulder contact...I  wonder if Torres gets suspended for the hit from last night (going on the current trend of hitting getting taken out of the game, and on his recent and not-so-recent track record) if this video doesn't exist - pay close attention to the 4:00 mark. Doesn't that look pretty similar to the Torres/Seabrook hit from last night?

Hmmmm

Nucks take 3-0 lead, the current hockey culture and the "blindside" hit

The Canucks took a 3-0 series lead with a hard fought 3-2 win last night in Chicago. Game four goes tomorrow night at 5pm from Chicago, and live on 93.3 The Peak FM.

Lets not talk AT ALL about the game though. Lets talk about the "hit" because that's the day and age we are in.

The hit in question - Raffi Torres on Brent Seabrook. Torres dumps the puck in, and gets on the chase on the forecheck. Brent Seabrook fields the puck behind the net and........he gets "blindsided" by Raffi Torres.

It was a blindside according to CBC, Versus, TSN, Blake Price on Team 1040 and PuckDaddy (who have since changed their headline from "blindside" to "hit to the head" - good on you guys for waking up and smellin' the coffee)

That's right. He came right at him, straight in line with the Indian Head on Seabrook's sweater. But since Seabrook has absolutely ZERO awareness of his surroundings, and he has his head facing in the opposite direction that he is travelling on the ice, someone who hits him HEAD ON, STRAIGHT ON, is "blindsiding" him.

I concede that this could be a hit where the head is the principle point of contact. And if that's the basis on which the NHL decides to suspend Torres, then I could agree with that. Torres shouldn't be the one to blame because Brent Seabrook didn't have the wherewithal to defend himself - but PLEASE talking heads - CBC, TSN, etc, all the people who are supposed to be the EXPERTS - don't just jump waste deep (pun intended) into the diarrhea of buzzwords to describe a hit as something that it certainly wasn't.


I feel for Torres. He's going in and making a good hard hit. In the NHL this day and age, hard hits aren't allowed. If the players can't protect themselves, then I guess the league has to take hitting out. I don't want anyone getting their bell rung and having their quality of life effected. At the same time, I don't want to watch no contact hockey either. It's a very fine line. We can start making the line just a TINY bit clearer if we don't immediately as one jump up the second someone gets hit hard just to hit the panic button and look for buzz words that don't apply.


Wouldn't it be something if we put the same amount of attention and blame towards players that don't defend themselves, as opposed to the guys who are trying to play physical and make big hits? It is one of the absolute BEST things about this great game, but very very very quickly it is disappearing. Are we having this discussion if Seabrook has his head up? Absolutely not.


It's impossible and downright dumb to take hockey off the ice and try and make it into a real life scenario. However, it is just as impossible, and also downright dumb to try and take hitting out of a contact sport. So here goes nothing!


Real World - I'm driving my car through an intersection. I am looking BEHIND ME whilst I am driving forward. I hit someone, or I am hit by someone. Surely I am to blame for not looking where I am going? Hockey World. NOPE. The person who hit me is to blame, because they knew where they were going, while I wasn't paying attention? Makes a tonne of sense.


Torres either gets ZERO games because the NHL sees the light. Or he gets 10.


Hammer

Van Isle Ford's Drive One 4 ur Community TODAY at the Multiplex!

If you know how much it can cost so your kids can play sports, if you believe in the benefits of kids on the fields in the rinks and off the streets, if you support the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay 4 Life... then you simply MUST come to the Alberni Valley Multiplex to Van Isle Ford's Drive One 4 ur Community!


$30.00 for every test drive goes to Kidsport and the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life! Yes, JUST for a test drive.



There is absolutely zero pressure to buy, NONE. This is a fundraiser, not a sales pitch! On now at the Multiplex until 3pm!!

Hammer
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Nucks lead 2-0 after 4-3 game two win...

Hansen for the Conn Smythe!

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Nucks vs Hawks Game 2, Van Isle Ford "Drive one for your community" (for KIDSPORT) goes tomorrow, Doyle Cup begins, Kevin Na takes a 16!!!?!!

Catch Game 2 of the Canucks vs Hawks series tonight on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 6:30 and the play-by-play to follow just after 7:00pm.

From the Canucks website..... click to read the PREVIEW  and LINE UP


It's a big day tomorrow for Kidsport and the Relay for Life - I will be ON LOCATION at the Multiplex from 10am to 2pm - and I had BETTER SEE YOU THERE to take a test drive (no sales pitch, no pressure to buy) to support Kidsport! Keep the kids off the streets and on the playing fields! Good on ya to Van Isle Ford and the Ford Motor Company for this great initiative. Extra thumbs up to Van Isle Ford for donating an extra $10.00 per test drive to the Relay for Life!

Van Isle Ford and Local Community to Raise as much as $6,000 for KidSport Port Alberni

Innovative test-drive event will yield much-needed money for organized sports activities

Port Alberni, B.C. – (April 11, 2011) – Van Isle Ford is once again bringing Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited’s innovative Drive One 4 UR Community program to Port Alberni in an effort to raise up to $6,000 for KidSport Port Alberni. For every person who test-drives a Ford vehicle at the Alberni Valley Multiplex on Saturday, April 16, Van Isle Ford and Ford of Canada will donate $20 to the organization that provides financial assistance to local children participating in organized sports activities.

“We know how important extracurricular activities are to kids and as part of this community, we want to help,” says Will Pulford, dealer principal of Van Isle Ford. “The great thing about KidSport is that all money raised here stays within Port Alberni. April 16 is also ‘Soccer Day’ in the Alberni Valley, so there’s a great incentive to come out and support youth activities”.

The event, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature a selection of available Ford models including the Explorer, Edge, Fiesta and F-150 with EcoBoost.

Since the start of Ford’s Drive One 4 UR School and Community programs in 2010, more than 25,000 test-drives at more than 160 events have generated over $460,000 in donations for high schools and organizations in Canada. This is the third Drive One 4 UR Community event held by Van Isle Ford with the two events in 2010 raising more than $4,500.

Gotta admire Kevin Na's attitude and demeanor through all of this....gotta love casual golf, where you can pick it up and take a "Gentleman's 9" or a "Wounded Moose".....not that I would know anything about that!




Man, that is one tough hole!

Last but not least - the Doyle Cup begins tonight in a rematch of last year as Vernon hosts Spruce Grove, with the winner advancing to the RBC Cup in Camrose.

The Vipers are of course two-time defending RBC Cup Champions. Go BCHL! Both teams have been idle for a while preparing and healing up....the Vipers dispatched Powell River in four games while the Saints beat teh RBC Cup host Kodiaks in 5.



Hammer

Nucks vs. Hawks, 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Quarter Finals Broadcast Schedule, Bulldogs season ticket renewal deadline on Friday, Alberni Golf Men's Club Update....

Here's your match-ups and schedules for the first round of the playoffs....All times are EASTERN. Images courtesy puckdaddy

Bulldog Season Ticket Renewals
PRESS RELEASE

April 6 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs organization would like to remind all current season ticket holders that the deadline for season ticket renewal is Friday April 15th 2011. The office will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm on that day only.

Beginning April 19th any unclaimed season tickets will be available to the general public. Any season ticket holder that would like to change their current seat may come in and do so starting at 10:00 am. If you are interested in moving your seat please come in person to the Bulldogs office.

Office hours starting April 19th will be Tuesday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm.


As a season ticket holder you will have your seat reserved for the 30 home games, you are also given first right of refusal on all Bulldog playoff games.




To renew your season tickets or purchase a season ticket for the 2011-2012 season please contact the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Office at 250-723-4412 or visit the office located at 3737 Roger Street, Port Alberni, BC.

Here's the Men's Club update from yesterday....thanks as always to Gerry Fagan for the updates....

Unfortunately due to the rainy conditions last Sunday the Westwind Partner with a Pro was postponed. Not to worry the weather man has promised it will be a good weekend coming up. 

The partner with a pro will be held this Sunday April 17th. We will still be using the Pro’s that played in the Masters as our partners, only the procedure will be slightly different.

When you come into the Clubhouse on Sunday morning you will pay your $10, but you will not choose your pro partner until you finish your game. That means when you come in you will choose a number out of a hat and the corresponding pro is you partner. Your score and his score added together is where you finish in our event.

Anyone who entered for last week must sign up again in the pro shop for this Sundays event. 
This is an individual event, be sure to register in your own foursome or as a single and you will be placed on a team. There will be a shotgun start at 8AM. Please try to be there at least 15 minutes prior to tee time.

Don’t forget to register for the money pot, ball sweep and Charity closest to the pin for $2 each.