Thanks for the support, Puckman (but if the Chiefs and Hitmen ever meet in the WHL finals, I think we might have different loyalties wink ). After the 10-1 blowout on Friday, the Hitmen were brought back down to earth, losing 5-1 to the Wheaties last night. The series resumes in Calgary on Tuesday.

Now that the Ice Dogs (43-20-9) have completed their regular season in second place in the Western Division, three points behind Alaska, they begin the playoffs with home ice advantage for their first round games against the Idaho Steelheads (another great team name.) However, the first game, Wednesday night, won't be in the Ice Dogs' home, the Long Beach Arena--the ice won't be ready--but in the teeny-tiny (400 seat!!) HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo, a suburb of Los Angeles. The Training Center is used by my Kings as their training site & is often used by kids for their hockey games. I won't be able to be there for that particular game--I have tickets for the Dodgers that night--but will be at game two, Friday, back in Long Beach. The series against trhe Steelheads could be difficult for the Dogs--the Steelheads, who are the defending Kelly champions, are the only Western Division team with a winning record against the Dogs this season.

~Adam

Steelheads eh??. Thats a really good name. Let me guess, they are from Spudcity? Alias....Boise?? Go Ice Dogs!!!!

Kootenay again wins over Everett in Everett last night, so the Tips are now down 3 games to zero. This series is toast. Tonight in Seattle its game 3 against Kelowna. Would love to be at the Key.

[ April 12, 2005, 07:47 AM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Why not? Does it take longer to freeze in Long Beach? wink

Ice survives in Long Beach almost as effectively as it does in Hell. wink Actually, the Ice Dogs' home won't be ready for Wednesday because of the Boy Scouts who used the arena for a jubilee over the weekend. And I thought their motto was "Be Prepared."

~Adam

Well Everett is out as I predicted yesterday. Kootenay sweeps the Tips in 4 straight. Now Everett knows something about how it feels to be swept out in 4 straight, after they did this to the Chiefs last year. In Seattle, Kelowna wins it first game of the series, and also the Hitmen win again. Good job Calgary.

The Ice Dogs lead the Steelheads in their best-of-five series, 1-0, following their 3-2 victory last night. Wasn't at the HealthSouth Training Center, but it was filled to capacity--502 people!! I will be at the Long Beach Arena Friday night for game two.

~Adam

Last night from Seattle in game #4 between Seattle/Kelowna, score Kelowna 7, T-Birds 0!!!
Wow, I guess Seattle has been sleeping the past 2 home games from Seattle. Better wake up soon T-Birds or you too will be toast!

7-0??!!?? Have the T-Birds forgotten to play defense?

~Adam

Latest results from last night. Seattle 3, Kelowna-2. I guess the T-Birds finally woke up! Seattle leads now 3 games to 2.
Brandon-6, Calgary 4. Booooo. Calgary leads this series 3 games to 2. Go T-Birds and go Hitmen!
I understand that at least some of these games, are being shown on Canadian televison. LIke ESPN, helloooo! Could you like wake up and smell the coffee!!! :mad:

In other news, I read this morning where there is going to be yet another meeting re: Tri-City's possible relocation to Chilliwack, B.C. on Monday. A spokesman for the Americans says that the team wants to remain part of the W.H.L. but that it simply is not possible in Tri-City. Should be another interesting meeting, as I read where the first one was quite "emotional."

[ April 16, 2005, 06:42 AM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

The Ice Dogs and the Steelheads best-of-five first round series is now tied at one following last night's 3-2 loss by Long Beach. The first period was rather exciting and well-skated, until its final two minutes. With the game tied 1-1, the Ice Dogs were on a power play, with defenseman Steve Villeneuve skating up ice with the puck. Out of nowhere, he seemed to trip over his own skates, coughing up the puck to some Steelhead who took it straight to the net, scoring easily. This threw the Ice Dogs who were flustered the rest of the game--especially during a rambunctious, physical second period. the Ice Dogs (not really a physical team) were assessed five (!) penalties that period. Normally, they don't have that many in an entire game! The general feeling going into this series was that it would go all five games and that it's the most difficult series the Ice Dogs will face in the playoffs; so far, that's proving to be true.

Games three & four are in Idaho today and tomorrow. Seems like an odd schedule: three games in three days, and--same criticism made by puckman--there's no tv/radio coverage of the games. Crud and double crud.

~Adam

Good luck to your Ice Dogs Adam. Keep us informed of the outcomes. In WHL playoffs updates, Kelowna wins in Seattle last night, and yet another shutout for the Rockets 2-0, forcing game 7 in Kelowna Tuesday night.What a strange series this one has been. I would kill to be up in Kelowna tomorrow night. Brandon is at Calgary tonight in their series. Go Hitmen!!

[ April 18, 2005, 06:41 AM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

The Ice Dogs had a great weekend in Boise (if "great weekend in Boise" isn't an oxymoron wink ) taking Saturday and Sunday's games from the Steelheads to win the series, 3-1. Wahoo! They now have to wait to learn who they'll face in the divisional championships: Alaska or Bakersfield. That series is tied at 2 with the decisive game five scheduled for tonight. Got this information from the Ice Dogs website as none of the local papers--including the Long Beach Press Telegram, the Ice Dogs' hometown paper!!!--had anything about the game. Grumble, grumble, grumble.

In that Alaska/Bakersfield series, Alaska Ace (and New Jersey Devil) Scott Gomez suffered a broken pelvis when Bakersfield's Ashlee Langdone slammed Gomez into an open door of Alaska's bench. No swivelling of the pelvis for Gomez.

~Adam

(Sigh...) Looks like the Hitmen have yet another long drive to Brandon, for a seventh and deciding game on Wednesday (although the TV announcer kept saying Friday). The Wheat Kings' defence was too much for the Hitmen tonight, although they avoided a shutout with a goal with seven seconds to go in the game; final score 3-1. Interesting tidbit: two sets of brothers are playing against each other in this series. Dylan Yeo and Alex Plante of Calgary vs Theran Yeo and Tyler Plante of Brandon (the latter is the Wheaties' goalie and at just 15 is one of the youngest players in the league).

The 'Cinderella' team has definitely been the Prince Albert Raiders. With just 71 points in the regular season, they ranked 7th of the 8 playoff teams in the Eastern conference, and have unexpectedly knocked off both the Saskatoon Blades and Medicine Hat Tigers. The Raiders await the winner of the Brandon-Calgary series. 'Out west'...the Seattle-Kelowna series will be decided tomorrow, the winner playing the formidable Kootenay Ice in the next round.

Hey Marc:
I am confident Calgary wil prevail in their 7th and deciding game. I also think Seattle will knock off Kelowna tonight. Would love to see both games on tv. wink

Well I was way wrong about Seattle. Kelowna wins game 7, 2-1 and advances. But, Seattle had one hell of a year, and I know they will be back.

Puckman, I hope your other prediction is right! But I'm not overly-optimistic about tonight's game...the Wheat Kings have gained the momentum by coming back to tie the series after being down 3-1, plus they are playing at home. We shall see what unfolds...

It would have been nice to have a US division team among the final four, but it looks like Seattle wasn't able to overcome the defending Memorial Cup champs from Kelowna.

So much for my confidence Marc. I am so sorry the Hitmen lost last night. Guess it must have been that momentum you were talking about. I know the feeling you have this morning. I can't wait till September and th enew season. Got my fingers crossed for Spokane. I am also awiting news from the Board of Governors (WHL) meeting that was held the other day regarding the outcome of the potential Tri City move. Haven't heard or read anything.

Thanks, Puckman. Of course, the feeling here isn't as bad as when the Flames lost the Stanley Cup finals last year, but still disappointing. In the absence of the NHL, the Hitmen have provided an entertaining alternative; in fact this year they were tops among all Canadian junior hockey teams in attendance.

Last night, the Hitmen actually scored the first goal (a rarity in this series!) which I thought might be a good omen, especially since it didn't happen until the third period. But those Wheaties came back and won it 3-1 to the delight of the record-breaking crowd at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.

So...the Final Four get started tomorrow night, involving some of the smallest cities in the WHL (only Kelowna has more than 50,000 people). I predict a Kootenay Ice-Brandon Wheat Kings final, but the Kelowna Rockets can't be ruled out to repeat, and the Prince Albert Raiders have defied the odds by unexpectedly winning two rounds already. As for American teams...well, even though they aren't in the WHL, it looks like the Ice Dogs are still alive and kicking!

Yes, Marc, the Ice Dogs are alive and kicking (should that be alive and skating? wink ) and will open their series against the Alaska Aces tonight, in Long Beach. According to the Ice Dogs website, the pelvis-challenged Scott Gomez is a game-time decision for the Aces.

~Adam

It is official, according to an article in my Spokesman-Review, the Tri-City Americans are moving/relocating to Chilliwack, B.C.! This is somewhat stunning given the earlier vote of about 4 weeks back that was against the move. There wasn't much detail about the specifics yet. No word if they will be renamed. They should. The Chilliwack Americans just doesn't sound very good.

The Ice Dogs lost the first game of their series with the Alaska Ace, 2-1, last night, with Scott Gomez being used sparingly by the Ace. Second game is tonight.

~Adam

I thought Gomez was going to be sidelined for a few weeks. Considering that he's playing in a minor league, it surprises me that he'd play if he's less than 100 percent.

Bakersfield Condors right wing Ashlee Langdone, the player who injured him, was suspended for 8 games.

Gomez was used "sparingly" (term used in Ice Dogs website description of game 1) but did not play in game two, which the Aces won easily--4-2. The Ice Dogs have their work cut out for them now that the series heads to Alaska for games 3, and if necessary, 4 & 5. Heard some of the first period on the radio as I prepared for the first Seder--the Ice Dogs didn't seem to be in the game at all.

~Adam

In the west playoff picture, game 2 last night goes to Kootenay (Cranbrook, B.C.) who beat Kelowna, so the series is tied at 2 games each. This one will for sure, go to 7 games. Guess I want Kootenay here.

You're right: Chilliwack Americans doesn't sound very good but I dare you to find anything that fits with Chilliwack! wink

~Adam

In tribute (or in disgust) will the Tri-City fans be singing "My Team (Gone, Gone, Gone)" -- a remake of the song "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)" by the Canadian group...Chilliwack?

The Long Beach Ice Dogs season ended last night, with a 3-1 defeat at the hands (skates?) of the Alaska Aces. The Aces swept the conference semifinal series. According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the Ice Dogs are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Arena for a "fan celebration" this afternoon at 3 pm. If it weren't for the fact I have a meeting I can't skip, I'd be there--probably with about four other people.

~Adam

Sorry to hear that, Adam. So every Outsporter's WHL team is out now? That's too bad.

Adam, my condolences to you and your team bud. Last I hear Kootenay won in overtime last night, but Kelowna still has a 3-2 game lead in the west, and I think Brandon won as well last night, but Prince Albert is in the lead in the east of the W.H.L.
I got an e-mail from my Chiefs the other day. They are not going to raise ticket prices next year. They had better not have the disaster of a year we had!

I was reminded of this by a situation here. The Major Indoor Soccer League has its playoffs going on, and the Philadelphia Kixx was supposed to have game one at home in their two-game series with Cleveland. The format is, each team plays a game at home and if they split the games they immediately play an overtime, with a "golden goal" deciding the winner, so Cleveland gets the second game and (if needed) tiebreaker at home since they finished higher in the standings.

Unfortunately for the Kixx, the Spectrum is booked with the circus until Sunday and they couldn't find a time slot at the Wachovia Center due to various events. So the Kixx "home" game was played at...the Savvis Center in St. Louis as part of a doubleheader with the St. Louis-Milwaukee game. eek!

Side editorial comment -- I read that the upcoming World Championships won't be televised on any ESPN channels, but ESPN2 will be showing both games of the MISL championship finals. Hmmmmph.

I too am extremely disappointed that neither ESPN station will be broadcasting the World Hockey Championships. Very very disappointed. Lets boycott ESPN!!! :mad:

Well the mighty Kelowna Rockets who represented the W.H.L. back in eastern Canada have now fallen and will be dethrowned as Champs, as the Rimouski Oceanic ( love that name) beat them last night. Kelowna ends their season by losing 3 in a row in the Memorial Cup playoffs. Can't wait for September!!!! From what I read the Chiefs had a really good draft.

Its official, remember I said that Tri-City had been bought out and will relocate to Chilliwack, B.C.? I was also wondering if they were going to stick with the same name, "Americans." Nope, the new name will be....drumroll please..................................................the Chilliwack Bruins. Now that sounds much better, doesn't it? They will start play in the league next season.

[ May 31, 2005, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Love it. Chilliwack is a mere 51 miles from New Westminster, the home of the WHL Bruins when they were a Memorial Cup dynasty back in the 70s.

Interesting read in a story in my sports section this morning. I guess there is talk of more expansion teams within the WHL. Edmonton, says it would like a team again. The Cranbrook, BC Ice used to be in Edmonton before they moved to Cranbrook where over the years they have been quite successful. I understand Victoria would like a team again. The Cougars now of Prince Geroge BC used to be in Victoria before they went way up north to P.G.. Nanaimo B.C, Winnepeg, and Grand Prairie have also expressed interest in having a team in the WHL too.