The Windsor Spitfires put a licking on the Brampton Battalion in game one of the OHL Championship Series. The game started out close but then they dropped the puck. Okay so it was close for a few minutes in the first period as the game was tied 1-1 at one point. By the time the first was over, Windsor had a commanding 4-1 lead. That lead was extended to 6-1 after two and 10-1 by the end of the game.
Leading the Spitfires was Justin Shugg with a hat trick, Andrei Loktionov with two goals and an assist and both Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique with one goal and two assists. Josh Day got the lone goal for the Battalion.
Both teams head to The Bunker in Brampton on Friday night where the home tropps will look to even the series. After the shelling they took last night, I expect Friday's game to be very spirited and Brampton to come out hungry and show all they belong in this series. It should be a fun game anyhow as I will be in attendance for my first hockey game in The Bunker. You won't catch me wearing one of those ugly Battalion jerseys but I will be cheering for the home team. Bring the J Ross Robertson Cup back to the East!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Look quick!
The Toronto Blue Jays are the best team in Major League Baseball.
It may not last long though because the Boston Red Sox are only a game behind them and are on fire. They have just swept a nine game homestead and have won ten straight. A couple easy series coming up for the birds so they should hold onto the division lead heading into May.
It may not last long though because the Boston Red Sox are only a game behind them and are on fire. They have just swept a nine game homestead and have won ten straight. A couple easy series coming up for the birds so they should hold onto the division lead heading into May.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ready for NLL playoffs
Well we’re a week and a half away from the NLL playoffs and I can’t wait for the drive down the QEW on May 2. The East division finished with a three way tie for first once again but due to tiebreakers, the Bandits (10-6) finished 2nd. New York (10-6) finished on top with Boston (10-6) in third and Rochester (7-9) in a distant fourth. Out West, the Roughnecks of Calgary topped the league with a 12-4 record while Portland (9-7) finished in second, San Jose (7-9) in third and Colorado (7-9) barely made the fourth spot.
Calgary, with top seed, will look to host their second Champions Cup but will have to win two games starting with the always tough Colorado team. Portland’s quest for a return trip to the finals starts with a home game against San Jose. Buffalo will seek revenge against Boston at the HSBC while their western New York rivals travel to the big city to take on the New York Titans. All eight teams have the ability to win and no team is guaranteed the win so these four games should be awesome to watch.
Starting in the East:
New York plays a consistent game, putting in sixty hard minutes every game so they could earn the respect of the league this year with a Champions Cup final appearance. Rochester finished fourth but came on strong late in the season and are still mad they missed the playoffs last year for the first time in franchise history. If the ‘time’ is right Rochester could steal the first round game from New York but I don’t think they can get by either Boston or Buffalo. Buffalo is perhaps the best team in the East but has lacked the consistency this year. They started strong, as in unbeatable, but have gone 5-6 since then with 4 of those losses to the other top teams in the East. Boston has already surpassed most people’s expectations this season. I thought they’d do okay but tied for first in the East, not a chance. If Cosmo stands on his head and the team in front of him plays like they have been, they could easily find themselves in the finals. Any team with Dan Dawson on it can’t be ruled out come playoff time.
Over in the West:
The West is Calgary’s to lose. They are solid from front to back, including both tenders. If their record gets to their heads, Colorado will be there to pull them back out of the clouds. I am not giving Colorado much chance but I am also not writing them off. Portland is looking to give their fans one more reason to get their season tickets for next year with a home victory. Not sure if the win will help but it can’t hurt. Difference in the game will be Matt Disher for the Jax and Colin Doyle for the Stealth. San Jose has a potent offence that can steal this game and Colin Doyle has the ability to take control of this game with rookie Rhys Duch as his more than able sidekick.
This is now a god time for my picks but I am hesitant to make them, anything can happen in one game. Alright, here goes but I reserve the right to change my picks for games after the first round when I get the first round wrong.
Division Semi-finals:
- Colorado at Calgary - May 3: Calgary, they are too good to lose so early in the playoffs.
- San Jose at Portland - May 1: San Jose, double D’s will lead the Stealth to victory
- Rochester at New York - May 1: Rochester, O’Toole and Williams will have great games
- Boston at Buffalo - May 2: Buffalo, they are not going to lose three games in a row, JT will ensure that.
Division Finals:
- San Jose at Calgary - Calgary, but in a close one; Sanderson and Doyle will compete for top points
- Rochester at Buffalo - Buffalo, the place will be electric giving the Bandits the extra edge (I like to think Bandit fans can actually make a difference)
Champions Cup:
- Buffalo at Calgary - Buffalo, in overtime. Payback for the loss in 2004, it’s that simple. If only I had more vacation time…and money…I’d be back in the saddle(dome) again.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Second Round
Well, Brian Kilrea's coaching career in the OHL is officially over. The Niagara IceDogs came back from a two goal deficit in the third period of Tuesday night's game to beat the 67's in overtime. That was the only series to make it the full seven games. Other teams to win were Brampton in four games, Belleville in six and Mississauga in five from the East and Windsor in four, London in five, Saginaw in four and Plymouth in five from the West.
With all four conference semi finals beginning tonight, it is a good time to make my predictions on them. Let's see if I can do better than the first round.
Belleville vs Niagara - Belleville's inconsistency continues to plague them as they needed six games to defeat the Sudbury Wolves. To be fair some of that could be due to the lengthy travel between the two cities. Niagara is coming off an emotional win in game seven on the road. This is an interesting match up as the teams will go from the largest ice surface in the league in Belleville to the smallest ice in Niagara. Belleville will take game one but the series will go six before the Bulls advance.
Brampton vs Mississauga - Travel is almost non existent in this series and both teams should be well rested as neither team had much trouble in the first round. Mississauga will give Brampton a good challenge but Brampton is too good and will win the series in six.
Windsor vs Plymouth - Both teams had an easy time in round one and should also be well rested. Windsor will look for another sweep but I think the Whalers will steal a game. Spitfires in five.
London vs Saginaw - This series will be a lot closer than the Knights will want it to be but will be a good test for the Conference final against Windsor. London has too many good players, several with big game experience, to lose at this point and will edge out the Spirit in a thrilling seven game series. This series will be a good lead into the remaining rounds.
With all four conference semi finals beginning tonight, it is a good time to make my predictions on them. Let's see if I can do better than the first round.
Belleville vs Niagara - Belleville's inconsistency continues to plague them as they needed six games to defeat the Sudbury Wolves. To be fair some of that could be due to the lengthy travel between the two cities. Niagara is coming off an emotional win in game seven on the road. This is an interesting match up as the teams will go from the largest ice surface in the league in Belleville to the smallest ice in Niagara. Belleville will take game one but the series will go six before the Bulls advance.
Brampton vs Mississauga - Travel is almost non existent in this series and both teams should be well rested as neither team had much trouble in the first round. Mississauga will give Brampton a good challenge but Brampton is too good and will win the series in six.
Windsor vs Plymouth - Both teams had an easy time in round one and should also be well rested. Windsor will look for another sweep but I think the Whalers will steal a game. Spitfires in five.
London vs Saginaw - This series will be a lot closer than the Knights will want it to be but will be a good test for the Conference final against Windsor. London has too many good players, several with big game experience, to lose at this point and will edge out the Spirit in a thrilling seven game series. This series will be a good lead into the remaining rounds.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Changing Gears
One week today the Rogers Centre will be full for the only time this MLB season as the Toronto Blue Jays open their 2009 schedule against their one time rival Detroit Tigers. The anticipation of a horrible season should not prevent the stadium from filling on opening day as it seemingly always does. It may take until the weekend to double the yearly attendance figures though.
Titans Steal One From The Bandits
The HSBC crowd was pumped, the announcer was pumped, the bag piper was pumped and even the anthem singer seemed to have a little extra enthusiasm prior to the New York Titans / Buffalo Bandits lacrosse game Saturday night. Unfortunately for the 18,550 in attendance, the Buffalo Bandits enthusiasm left quickly.
Despite getting off 59 shots on net, the Bandits were only able to score nine times as they lost 11-9 to the Titans. All game long the Titans defence caused the Bandits some off-ball struggles but the Bandits were still able to get several quality scoring chances on drives to the net. Those chances ended up missing the net, hitting iron or sucked into the mid-section of New York’s net minder Matt Vinc. During the first quarter Vinc added to the Bandits frustrations by turning aside several sure goals.
Coupled with the lack of emotion displayed by the Bandits was the inability of their defence to stop New York when the momentum shifted to the home side. Twice the Bandits had two goal runs that gave them momentum but each time the Titans responded by netting the next goal and killing all momentum. Some of this poor play rests at the feet of the Bandits goalie, Mike Thompson, as he let several long shots get past him (the type of shots that are meant to generate rebounds as the shot clock nears zero) and allowed some other goals that he should not have.
New York deserves some credit for the win as well. They did play hard the whole game and did not let the crowd and the momentum shifts affect their play. They did not look seem to control the ball as long as Buffalo did this game but they did enough to get the win. As mentioned earlier, Vinc made several spectacular saves in the opening quarter that kept the Titans in the game, including turning away some breakaway chances by the Bandits. The Titans played the full sixty minutes and that is the reason they won, it’s as simple as that.
Next game for Buffalo is the highly anticipated match up Saturday night against the Boston Blazers while the Titans have a home and home with Philadelphia next weekend. A sweep by New York would solidify a playoff spot for them and all but eliminate Philadelphia from the post season. A New York sweep would also give Buffalo a spot in the playoffs regardless of how they do in Boston.
Despite getting off 59 shots on net, the Bandits were only able to score nine times as they lost 11-9 to the Titans. All game long the Titans defence caused the Bandits some off-ball struggles but the Bandits were still able to get several quality scoring chances on drives to the net. Those chances ended up missing the net, hitting iron or sucked into the mid-section of New York’s net minder Matt Vinc. During the first quarter Vinc added to the Bandits frustrations by turning aside several sure goals.
Coupled with the lack of emotion displayed by the Bandits was the inability of their defence to stop New York when the momentum shifted to the home side. Twice the Bandits had two goal runs that gave them momentum but each time the Titans responded by netting the next goal and killing all momentum. Some of this poor play rests at the feet of the Bandits goalie, Mike Thompson, as he let several long shots get past him (the type of shots that are meant to generate rebounds as the shot clock nears zero) and allowed some other goals that he should not have.
New York deserves some credit for the win as well. They did play hard the whole game and did not let the crowd and the momentum shifts affect their play. They did not look seem to control the ball as long as Buffalo did this game but they did enough to get the win. As mentioned earlier, Vinc made several spectacular saves in the opening quarter that kept the Titans in the game, including turning away some breakaway chances by the Bandits. The Titans played the full sixty minutes and that is the reason they won, it’s as simple as that.
Next game for Buffalo is the highly anticipated match up Saturday night against the Boston Blazers while the Titans have a home and home with Philadelphia next weekend. A sweep by New York would solidify a playoff spot for them and all but eliminate Philadelphia from the post season. A New York sweep would also give Buffalo a spot in the playoffs regardless of how they do in Boston.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Montour Should Be Number 1 For Bandits
After a record tying performance last weekend against the Portland Lumberjax, will Ken Montour get the starting goaltender tag for the Buffalo Bandits and start this weekend’s game against the Titans?
At the beginning of the season coach Darris Kilgour stated he would use his two goalies on a rotating basis. If this is still the case after the career game, Montour will find himself watching Mike Thompson take to the field Saturday night. When given the chance, Thompson has not looked sharp and left his last two starts early in the first half. He might have been the victim of poor defence in front of him but he still hasn’t played like the Bandits need him to. Montour on the other hand has performed admirably. Montour sits atop the league in wins (tied with Anthony Cosmo of Boston), goals against average with an insane 9.04 and save percentage with .818. He has played the seventh most minutes and has allowed the fewest goals for those goalies that played over 400 minutes (8th among goalies that played more than 200 minutes).
Montour is in the running for Goalie of the Year honours and the only thing that would get in his way from achieving this honour is not getting enough minutes. Coach Kilgour needs to ensure his team is fully ready for the playoffs so that likely means giving Mikey some starts. Banditland can only hope that Thompson steps up like he can; he did backstop Buffalo to a Champion’s Cup win last year. For all I know this decision might already be made but I have not found any news of it.
At the beginning of the season coach Darris Kilgour stated he would use his two goalies on a rotating basis. If this is still the case after the career game, Montour will find himself watching Mike Thompson take to the field Saturday night. When given the chance, Thompson has not looked sharp and left his last two starts early in the first half. He might have been the victim of poor defence in front of him but he still hasn’t played like the Bandits need him to. Montour on the other hand has performed admirably. Montour sits atop the league in wins (tied with Anthony Cosmo of Boston), goals against average with an insane 9.04 and save percentage with .818. He has played the seventh most minutes and has allowed the fewest goals for those goalies that played over 400 minutes (8th among goalies that played more than 200 minutes).
Montour is in the running for Goalie of the Year honours and the only thing that would get in his way from achieving this honour is not getting enough minutes. Coach Kilgour needs to ensure his team is fully ready for the playoffs so that likely means giving Mikey some starts. Banditland can only hope that Thompson steps up like he can; he did backstop Buffalo to a Champion’s Cup win last year. For all I know this decision might already be made but I have not found any news of it.
My Thoughts On Buying Jerseys
It's Friday and I can't really get into my work so here are my thoughts on buying team jerseys.
I have recently developed an addiction for owning team jerseys but most of the jerseys I own are blanks (i.e. have no number or name on the back). Not only are blank jerseys less expensive up front than their named counterparts, they also provide a longer wear as well. With blank jerseys, one does not have to worry if their favourite player gets traded or retires. Wearing the name of a retired player on one's back just makes them look outdated and cheap, unless that player happens to be one of the games greats or had a major impact on the game or team.
So with this in mind I thought long and hard before buying the new third jersey for the Bandits. This jersey needs a name and number on the back to make it complete; it just doesn't look right left blank. I was at odds with which player I should get stitched on the back when I realized the loophole that existed. John Tavares is one of, if not the greatest lacrosse players ever and he conveniently plays for the Bandits. Although Steenhuis is more suited to the bright orange jersey, due to longevity and his great skills, Tavares' name now adorns the back of my jersey resting above his number 11. After all, it will save me from looking cheap or buying a new jersey in a few years when/if Tavares retires.
I have recently developed an addiction for owning team jerseys but most of the jerseys I own are blanks (i.e. have no number or name on the back). Not only are blank jerseys less expensive up front than their named counterparts, they also provide a longer wear as well. With blank jerseys, one does not have to worry if their favourite player gets traded or retires. Wearing the name of a retired player on one's back just makes them look outdated and cheap, unless that player happens to be one of the games greats or had a major impact on the game or team.
So with this in mind I thought long and hard before buying the new third jersey for the Bandits. This jersey needs a name and number on the back to make it complete; it just doesn't look right left blank. I was at odds with which player I should get stitched on the back when I realized the loophole that existed. John Tavares is one of, if not the greatest lacrosse players ever and he conveniently plays for the Bandits. Although Steenhuis is more suited to the bright orange jersey, due to longevity and his great skills, Tavares' name now adorns the back of my jersey resting above his number 11. After all, it will save me from looking cheap or buying a new jersey in a few years when/if Tavares retires.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Not To Get Ahead Of Ourselves, But…
There is still a lot of lacrosse to be played in this National Lacrosse League season but the two top teams are close to earning a spot in the playoffs. Calgary is leading the West division with eight wins while Buffalo is leading the East division with eight wins as well. Both teams can clinch a playoff spot with three victories and coincidentally, each team has three games remaining at home where they each team has lost just once.
Two wins coupled with a Rochester loss will put Buffalo in the playoffs. Boston needs three wins with a Rochester loss to enter the playoffs in their first season since their return to the NLL. New York has a two game lead on the basement dwellers in the East and play Philadelphia twice down the stretch so they have a chance to greatly influence the final standings. Unfortunately for them they also play Buffalo twice. Checking out the upcoming schedule, if both Boston and Buffalo win this coming weekend (March 27-29), then Buffalo can clinch a playoff spot by defeating the Blazers on April 4th, adding more fuel to an already heavily anticipated battle.
Over in the West, Calgary can clinch a playoff spot this weekend by beating Toronto at home Friday and Minnesota on the road Saturday. The rest of the teams are jammed together, however; Portland has two games in hand on those teams so they could pull ahead of the pack by winning both games. Too bad for them one of those games in hand is against the division leading Roughnecks.
The remaining games should make for some great entertainment as teams try to reach the playoffs. Will Edmonton finally click and string enough wins together? Will Rochester or Toronto return to the playoffs after their one year hiatus from postseason? Can Philadelphia battle through their injuries to make a serious run? Will Boston continue their improbable season and take first in the East? Will Portland continue to impress and make it to the finals for a second year in a row after many dismissed them before the start of the season? The most important question for this writer, will the Buffalo Bandits repeat as champions?
UPDATE: Apparently Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth this weekend too. Check out this article on NLL.com
Two wins coupled with a Rochester loss will put Buffalo in the playoffs. Boston needs three wins with a Rochester loss to enter the playoffs in their first season since their return to the NLL. New York has a two game lead on the basement dwellers in the East and play Philadelphia twice down the stretch so they have a chance to greatly influence the final standings. Unfortunately for them they also play Buffalo twice. Checking out the upcoming schedule, if both Boston and Buffalo win this coming weekend (March 27-29), then Buffalo can clinch a playoff spot by defeating the Blazers on April 4th, adding more fuel to an already heavily anticipated battle.
Over in the West, Calgary can clinch a playoff spot this weekend by beating Toronto at home Friday and Minnesota on the road Saturday. The rest of the teams are jammed together, however; Portland has two games in hand on those teams so they could pull ahead of the pack by winning both games. Too bad for them one of those games in hand is against the division leading Roughnecks.
The remaining games should make for some great entertainment as teams try to reach the playoffs. Will Edmonton finally click and string enough wins together? Will Rochester or Toronto return to the playoffs after their one year hiatus from postseason? Can Philadelphia battle through their injuries to make a serious run? Will Boston continue their improbable season and take first in the East? Will Portland continue to impress and make it to the finals for a second year in a row after many dismissed them before the start of the season? The most important question for this writer, will the Buffalo Bandits repeat as champions?
UPDATE: Apparently Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth this weekend too. Check out this article on NLL.com
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Another Dominant Win By The Bandits
On Saturday evening the Portland Lumberjax entered HSBC Arena in Buffalo looking to avenge their 14-13 loss in last years Champion’s Cup final. Portland was coming off three weeks rest (and limited playing time in the past two months) while the host Buffalo Bandits was coming off their first two game losing streak of the season. With Portland playing better than a lot of people expected of them this season and the Bandits on top in the East, this game promised to be a great one. And it didn’t disappoint, at least for the first half anyhow.
The Bandits wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Mark Steenhuis’ first shot of the game beat Matt Disher just 13 seconds into the first quarter causing Banditland to erupt. Portland quieted the crowd just over two minutes later as Tim Campeau’s shot found it’s way past Ken Montour. The next twenty-seven and a half minutes saw some great lacrosse on display. There were a lot of big hits, mostly thrown from the Bandits, some big saves from both ends and some excellent off ball battles. Buffalo emerged from the first half with a 5-3 lead.
Quarter three was a continuation of the first half until Portland gave into their frustration and got into penalty trouble. Three straight penalties, one a five minute major, three straight powerplay goals by the Bandits and the Lumberjax were down 8-4 with just under twenty minutes to play. Portland relieved some of their frustration after Buffalo’s ninth goal as Brodie Merrill squared off with Brandon Francis and big 6-10 David Morgan danced with Billy Dee Smith. Portland gained no energy or momentum from the skirmishes and Buffalo went on to score five goals in the last quarter for a 14-4 victory.
John Tavares (4G,3A) led all scorers with seven points while teammates Mark Steenhuis (1,5) and Cory Bomberry (3,3) had six apiece. Sean Greenhalgh (2,2) and Mike Accursi (1,3) had four points and Roger Vyse scored the other two goals. Ken Montour made 34 saves in net while earning a Bandits record for fewest goals allowed in a game. For Portland, five players had two points each: Tim Campeau (1,1), Brodie Merrill (0,2), Derek Malawsky (1,1), Ryan Powell (0,2) and Cory Conway (1,1). Peter Morgan scored a single goal.
Portland has a home and home series with San Jose next weekend while Buffalo hosts New York Saturday night.
The Bandits wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Mark Steenhuis’ first shot of the game beat Matt Disher just 13 seconds into the first quarter causing Banditland to erupt. Portland quieted the crowd just over two minutes later as Tim Campeau’s shot found it’s way past Ken Montour. The next twenty-seven and a half minutes saw some great lacrosse on display. There were a lot of big hits, mostly thrown from the Bandits, some big saves from both ends and some excellent off ball battles. Buffalo emerged from the first half with a 5-3 lead.
Quarter three was a continuation of the first half until Portland gave into their frustration and got into penalty trouble. Three straight penalties, one a five minute major, three straight powerplay goals by the Bandits and the Lumberjax were down 8-4 with just under twenty minutes to play. Portland relieved some of their frustration after Buffalo’s ninth goal as Brodie Merrill squared off with Brandon Francis and big 6-10 David Morgan danced with Billy Dee Smith. Portland gained no energy or momentum from the skirmishes and Buffalo went on to score five goals in the last quarter for a 14-4 victory.
John Tavares (4G,3A) led all scorers with seven points while teammates Mark Steenhuis (1,5) and Cory Bomberry (3,3) had six apiece. Sean Greenhalgh (2,2) and Mike Accursi (1,3) had four points and Roger Vyse scored the other two goals. Ken Montour made 34 saves in net while earning a Bandits record for fewest goals allowed in a game. For Portland, five players had two points each: Tim Campeau (1,1), Brodie Merrill (0,2), Derek Malawsky (1,1), Ryan Powell (0,2) and Cory Conway (1,1). Peter Morgan scored a single goal.
Portland has a home and home series with San Jose next weekend while Buffalo hosts New York Saturday night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)