It would have been nice to see the Surrey Eagles win it all and have the BCHL repeat as National Champions, but if it wasn't the Eagles, I'm happy it's staying in the West and that "Hicksie" got to win it.
Tanner had plenty of adversity to deal with early in his career...on his first or second shift of his Junior A career he was hit from behind in Powell River and lacerated his spleen, resulting in about 6 months on the shelf. Fans may remember his first or second game back at home against the Vernon Vipers when he blocked three shots on the same penalty kill, and while leaving the ice hobbled a Viper player carried the puck directly in his path thinking he was out of the play...and he thought wrong as Hicks leveled him with an open ice hit for the ages. Never seen that before, and not sure I will again. If his rookie season wasn't tough enough, he was then traded twice the next season, first early in the year by the previous management with the Bulldogs to Trail as part of the Matt Larose trade. He was then subsequently dealt to the Bandits where he went on to win two AJHL titles and an RBC. Good things come to those to keep at it kids! It was awesome to see him on the ice as time ticked down on Sunday.
I didn't get a chance to watch the Semi Final game, but it sounded like the Eagles lost out in controversial fashion on Saturday to Summerside with a hit from behind going un-called, and the player who threw the check ending up scoring the winning goal in overtime. Ouch.
I got to know some of the Bandits crew at the Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo and I lived vicariously through them as their team won it all...now just to live it first hand next season with the Bulldogs!
Speaking of the WCC - seems like a great endorsement for the new format of sending two representatives from Western Canada to the RBC when both of them make the Semis, doesn't it? With no disrespect intended to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the Bandits and the Eagles should have been there, and they proved it. The second ranked team in the WCC ended up winning the RBC - they wouldn't have went under the old AJ vs BC, SJ vs MJ Doyle/Anavet Cup system.
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How about this bit of crazy from the ice in Australia. Yes, AUSTRALIA. Former Cowichan Valley Capital Chris Frank ends up concussing a Linseman while also lacerating his finger. Look out for the stripes boys, wow! For those of you that are impatient, fast forward to the :50 mark to see the hits in question. This one comes from Yahoo's Puck Daddy Blog.
Yikes!
Speaking of Officiating - I listened to the Hawks vs Wings game on my drive back from Victoria (get the Tune In app if you don't have it for your smart phone, it's fantastic) and it was pretty interesting to listen to the Blackhawks Broadcast when the events of the third period unfolded. The best description of the Officiating of the playoffs can be found on Deadspin.com
"Of the phantom interference call, Corey Crawford merely said, "I think that's the first time that I've seen 'in the crease' called since about 2000." Other Blackhawks spoke up, but respectfully. And that's the point we're at. Playoff officiating has been so inconsistent, and teams have whined so much already (Chicago is certainly guilty of this), that no one can work up the energy to complain about legitimate beefs—and it'd get lost in the noise anyway."
Speaking of Officiating - I listened to the Hawks vs Wings game on my drive back from Victoria (get the Tune In app if you don't have it for your smart phone, it's fantastic) and it was pretty interesting to listen to the Blackhawks Broadcast when the events of the third period unfolded. The best description of the Officiating of the playoffs can be found on Deadspin.com
"Of the phantom interference call, Corey Crawford merely said, "I think that's the first time that I've seen 'in the crease' called since about 2000." Other Blackhawks spoke up, but respectfully. And that's the point we're at. Playoff officiating has been so inconsistent, and teams have whined so much already (Chicago is certainly guilty of this), that no one can work up the energy to complain about legitimate beefs—and it'd get lost in the noise anyway."
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I hope you had a fun, safe long weekend.
Mine was spent down in Victoria at Jeneece Place with my better half Theresa and my little guy Griffin. We have another little one on the way soon and Momma is high-risk, so she's been sent to Victoria on Doctor's orders for the next Month. Thankfully a place like Jeneece Place exists, because our family quite simply couldn't afford a month in a hotel. I don't know many people that aren't well-off that could, now that I think of it. What an amazing place!
It was a fun weekend in Victoria with a trip to Beacon Hill Farm - what an incredible place that is...a trip to visit a submarine, a great show that was the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria and more!
1 comment:
Hi, this is Jessica Woollard from Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. The Foundation owns and operates Jeneece Place. I came across your blog post, and I wanted to say how happy I am to hear that Jeneece Place has been a comfort for you and your family. I hope your son is doing well!
Take care!
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