HockeyFanLand

Phoenix Coyotes must win Game 3

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:15:00 +0000

I think every hockey fan knows tonight is a must win game for the Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes have been major underdogs throughout their hockey history and nothing has changed. They are still the underdogs today, even though the LA Kings were technically an eight seed in the Western Conference.

Virtually nobody gave the Phoenix Coyotes the chance, and if they go down 3-0 tonight they won't have one. Making matters worse, Coyotes' Hanzal has been banned 1 game for Brown hit.

Doan is certainly the key player here as the team will need his leadership and a monster effort from him on the ice to right the ship in Game 3. But losing Hanzal will be a major obstacle as well -- especially in a physical series like this.

I'm not sure anything can help Phoenix. The Los Angeles Kings are playing unstoppable hockey and they will be on home-ice. No eighth place team has ever won the Stanley Cup. The Kings certainly look capable. Phoenix Coyotes must win Game 3 to have hope. At this point, it looks more like a sweep...

NHL: Why LA vs. NY makes sense

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Why LA vs. NY Makes Sense

Back on our May 1st show I predicted the Los Angeles Kings to meet the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals. So far I feel pretty good about it. The Kings are up 2-0 on the Phoenix Coyotes and the series will shift to LA for game 3 on Thursday, May 17th. The New Jersey Devils have just evened the Eastern Conference Finals at one a piece. That series heads to New Jersey Saturday, May 19th.

I picked the Kings because of Jonathan Quick's fast start as the playoffs began. I have also always been a fan of Anze Kopitar and the team's other centers. The Kings are the hottest team in the game right now and nothing can slow them down. They have not lost a road game throughout the playoffs and the only game they did lose came at the hands of the number one seeded Canucks in the opening round. The Kings proceeded to sweep the number two seed, St. Louis Blues. If the Kings are going to win it all this year they must get some contributions from Jeff King (had a hat trick in game two's blowout) and their captain Dustin Brown (3 points in the first two games against Phoenix). The Kings have won all season long due to their defense and goaltending. They have actually improved on both areas this postseason.

I picked the Rangers to come out of the Eastern Conference because I felt they were the best team all year long and a goalie like Henrik Lundqvist doesn't come along very often. The Rangers have some solid offensive pieces with Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan. I did mention the Devils prior to the start of these playoffs and how I viewed them as a sleeper team due to their great penalty kill during the regular season (Best in the NHL) but I'm sticking with the Rangers to come out of the East.

If I'm correct, the NHL will have the perfect match up of two mega markets holding a championship bout. LA and New York are arguably the two biggest media markets in all of sports and if these two teams make it to the finals, NHL's commissioner, Gary Bettman will be able to market his sport to a lot more fans. What sounds better: New York versus LA or Phoenix versus New Jersey? I thought so...

My final, set in stone, prediction: The LA Kings beat the New York Rangers in 5 games to win the Stanley Cup.

Hit me on twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner

Be sure to check out other great articles at Mr Fantasy Freak.

Washington Capitals' Dale Hunter steps down as head coach

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Well that didn't take long.

Two days after the Washington Capitals were eliminated in Game 7 by the New York Rangers, Dale Hunter has decided he will step down as head coach. The decision comes following speculation that Hunter would return to his family in London after it was reported that Hunter signed a one-year deal.

"I want to go back to the farm, the team, and the family," Hunter told reporters at the team's locker clean-out day.

Dale owns the London Knights (OHL) with his brother Mark, and the Knights are currently set to play in the Memorial Cup after winning the OHL title. It certainly was a long shot for Hunter to return as his family lives in London and he has practically built an OHL empire.

In his first year coaching the team, Hunter led the Capitals to a second-round appearance after many thought Washington wouldn't even make the playoffs as recently as mid-March. The former Caps captain completely changed the way Alex Ovechkin and co. play the game, and taught those players what it takes to win come crunch time.

A man like Dale Hunter cannot be replaced. He was able to reach the players in a way Bruce Boudreau could never achieve, and his personal playing experience played a vital part in the (relative) postseason success for the Capitals.

Now it's time to find the coach that will use a blend of both systems (Hunter and Boudreau) to take the next step in the long process of achieving a Stanley Cup. More to come from Capitals 101.

Be sure to check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.

Report: Another Cup for Brodeur?

Mon, 14 May 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Martin Brodeur has done just about everything an NHL netminder could ever hope to do. He's the all-time leader in wins, shutouts and games played by a goalie on top of being the proud owner of three Stanley Cup titles. As careers go, they just don't get much better than this.

On top of all that, Brodeur still has a chance to add to his storied career -- even at age 40. The New Jersey Devils begin their series against New York tonight with a trip to the Stanley Cup on the line. And, as our own Craig Custance points out, the veteran netminder actually might be getting the least attention of the four goaltenders remaining in these playoffs right now. Henrik Lundqvist, Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick are getting all the buzz right now -- and they deserve the publicity they're getting. But Brodeur has a chance to equal Patrick Roy in total Stanley Cups and further cement his legacy as one of the very best goalies of all time. It's dangerous to overlook him -- especially because he seems to be getting stronger in this postseason as the prize gets closer. ESPN

The HockeyFanLand Insight

Martin Brodeur has been sensational for the New Jersey Devils this postseason. I have long said, that when you face your biggest rivals in sports, anything can happen. This Eastern Conference Final is going to be a tremendous display of hockey. It is always intriguing when the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils hook-up.

That said, I have to be honest here, I just don't see Brodeur advancing beyond this point. Yes, he is the best goalie of all-time. However, he is facing Henrik Lundqvist who to me is the Martin Brodeur of a decade ago. Standing above everyone else as the best goaltender in the National Hockey League today.

Series prediction:

New York Rangers in six games.

New York Rangers advance to Eastern Conference Final with Game 7 victory over Capitals

Sun, 13 May 2012 02:50:00 +0000

The New York Rangers are out to prove defense is still the key to winning championships in hockey. In their biggest game of the season, the Rangers did something they were accustomed to doing all season long, winning a tight-checking hockey game by one goal.

Brad Richards the biggest free-agent signing last summer, was brought in to bring the Rangers to the next level. He did exactly that. Richards scored his sixth goal of the playoffs just 1:32 into the game. This settled the contest down for his club and the momentum favored New York.

The Washington Capitals did not look ready to play until midway through the second. The Rangers defense was solid as ever. When Capitals shooters did get pucks through, the next task was to beat the best goaltender in the world, Henrik Lundqvist, which seemed impossible at times.

"Lundqvist was brilliant, especially during the second period with the Capitals applying constant pressure. He made 11 saves during the middle 20 minutes, including beauties on Alexander Semin and Mike Knuble". NHL.com

Midway through the third, Michael Del Zotto snapped a lucky one passed playoff sensation Braden Holtby, who did everything to keep his side in the game making 29 stops total.

Roman Hamrlik, the most experienced Washington Capitals player in Game 7 situations, scored the lone goal for the Washington Capitals 38 seconds after Del Zotto Potted what would turn out to be the game-winner. The final score 2-1 New York Rangers.

Let's face it, the New York Rangers deserved to win this deciding game. The Washington Capitals only recorded four shots total in the final frame. Including the most ridiculous power-play I've ever seen with a team's season in the balance. They were closer to scoring on themselves, then tying the game.

With the win, the New York Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1997. Their opponent will be the archrival New Jersey Devils. That series kicks off Monday. No rest for a team that has already put together two Game 7 victories to get to this point.

Congratulations, New York Rangers.

New York Banks on Hank for Eastern Conference Advancement

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Hard work and determination got The New York Rangers to the top of the Eastern Conference, but much of the workload fell on goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. As the New York Rangers gear up for an explosive Game 7 against the Washington Capitals Saturday night, the Vezina Trophy finalist must continue his fight to advance past the dragon that has kept New York out of the playoffs the last two seasons. If the Rangers win and advance, they will take on The New Jersey Devils and veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur, or go home.

Henrik Lundqvist (photo courtesy of crimespreehockey.com)

The Swedish netminder has had an impressive year. A four-time Vezina finalist, Lundqvist ranked near the top of the league in wins, shutouts, plus a 1.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference regular-season title for the first time since 1993-94.

Also named a finalists for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the league, Lundqvist's value marks only the eighth time since 1980 that a goalie has been named a finalists. This is the first time since 2006-07, when Vancouver's Roberto Luongo and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur were in the top three, that a goaltender's contributions prevailed. The Hart gets its votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, who have marveled at the brickwall in net for the Rangers.

But that's not all. Lundqvist was also named a finalist for the Ted Lindsey Award for the NHL's "most outstanding player." This is an honor and high recognition for Lundqvist, because the NHL players vote on the Lindsey. His teammates know the battles he has faced. Only this season, the Blueshirts have recognized the offensive power they must bring to be called champions.

Lundqvist has the second lowest goals-against average in the playoffs at 1.73, but the disappointing 2-1 loss in Game 6 shook the goaltender. In a postgame interview, the usually calm backbone of the New York crew had a flustered tone in his voice.

The pressure is on to move past the second round for the first time since 1997, but hope is not lost. The Rangers are 4-5 in Game 7s but 4-0 at home, while The Capitals are 3-7, 1-1 on the road. No team has ever won the Stanley Cup after heading into Game 7s in the first two rounds.

Introduction of the Whitecourt Wolverines

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:55:00 +0000

With the approval of the A.J.H.L to relocate the St. Albert Franchise to the Town of Whitecourt this week, the Whitecourt Wolverines are pleased and excited to see the realization of a dream.

Greg Parks following the approval by the league announced with Brent Stark the merger of the former Steel and Wolverines Organizations. “We feel that Whitecourt has within it a quality organization that can do nothing but help us hit the ground running”, said Parks “The Wolverines have proven that they are a Championship Team off the ice and I welcome their help and support as the newest members to the A.J.H.L.”

For the Wolverines Brent Stark also expressed his pleasure with the news. “I have been asked a lot in recent weeks what we thought about the proposed move of the Junior A club to our community. I have always said that we wanted Junior A here and with this announcement it is finally going to happen!”

With regard to the merging of the two organizations, Stark said, “We have developed a great team here in Whitecourt that has always been based on a Junior A type structure. The inclusion of our people in the overall running of the club was a simple one to make and we are glad to be a part of it.”

The Wolverines also announced its management and administration staff:

Brent Stark - President / Governor

Greg Parks - Vice President / General Manager / Director, Hockey Operations

Joey Bouchard – Head Coach

Tracy Ross - Vice President, Club Operations

Marc Chayer - Director, Club Operations & Community Relations

NEW TEAM COLOURS

With the developments the team announced some changes immediately. The name “STEEL” will be replaced with the local favourite “WOLVERINES”. “This town identifies with the Wolverine name given what we have achieved over the past 5 years. We see no reason to change the name that so many fans identify with as their team.” said Stark.

The one change that fans will notice will be the team colours. Going from the traditional Black and Gold the team will now sport Red, White and Black. “Last season we really began to appreciate the work of Minor Hockey in Whitecourt.” Said Stark, “It was with that in mind that we wanted to salute the work so many volunteers and parents put into Minor Hockey so we decided to change our colours to match theirs.”

JUNIOR “A” HOCKEY…and what it means to Whitecourt

The advent of the new era in junior hockey in Whitecourt brings with it benefits not seen in the Junior B Ranks.

First and foremost fans will notice an increased skill level on the ice. “These players are very serious about their hockey careers and what it can mean to them as individuals.” said the teams new Coach & GM Joey Bouchard. “They still have a great chance at collegiate scholarships as well as the professional leagues to advance their careers.”

Last season over 60 Alberta junior A players received scholarships from various colleges throughout North America from such notables as Queens University, Harvard and Yale.

Stark also expanded on the education front by saying, “This is what we have strived for all along. Providing opportunity for local kids to not only play at the highest level but to also have a shot at going to a great school and maybe even the pros. When we formed the Stark Sports Society last year this is exactly what we had in mind.”

In addition to the educational components of Junior A Hockey, the Town of Whitecourt now joins an exclusive club within the province. It becomes one of only 16 communities to have been decided as worthy of hosting a Junior A Franchise. In recent years, the A.J.H.L has repeatedly shied away from granting any expansion franchises to other communities.

The benefit to this fact is the obvious exposure for the town and region as an up and coming community.

“The Mayor (Trevor Thain) and Council along with Jay Granley and his staff have been a silent but a key component in all of this.” said Brent Stark. “We have met repeatedly on the organizations behalf and have had nothing but support from the Mayor. This new era for the Town could not have been possible without the Mayor.”

When asked about support from the province Stark answered, “George as we all know from his recent bets is a huge Wolverine supporter. We will obviously look for help from him in areas important not only to the team by the community as well”.

WHAT’S NEXT…?

In answer to that question, Stark stated “We have a lot of work to do over the summer. But the first thing fans will see will be the sale of the season tickets beginning sooner rather than later”.

In the same light, the organization has also begun making plans to create more than a hockey game for those who go to see a game. ‘We want this to be an experience for the whole family and I guarantee fans will appreciate that thought we put into game night.”

For further information, please call 780 779 6755 (Marc Chayer)