Need Hockey Fans feel slighted?

Well,  wouldn't you ?
 When today's WSJ devotes 7, count'em, seven pages to Soccer, but NOT even one small paragraph to the epic battle for the Stanley Cup that is currently playing between EAST and WEST (USA) as the NY Rangers face off to LA Kings.

Hockey, the fastest sport on feet - ahem, skates.

Sure car-racing or horse-racing maybe faster, but IMO the swift and yet elegant way those skaters race after that little black puck is gripping! And colorful. And exciting!

And speaking of hockey, you may know that Houston is one of the few large cities without a hockey team, since the Houston Aeros were moved to DesMoines, Iowa and re-named Iowa Wild. I remember some games here, when the edge of the seat was were we all hung out if not on our feet clapping and yelling! And after the move, Better Half and I drove to San Antonio several times to get our hockey fix...even though the Rampage are not that good.
BUT... One of BH 's faves Jed Ortmeyer

went to play for the Rampage - and so .. there we were!
Meanwhile at home now, we watch the Stanley Cup Play off Games.. and how!!!

Me, I am rooting for the Kings.
But before that, I did for the Habs, especially after their goalie was badly injured and the youngster D. Tokarski, came in 'cold' so to speak, and acquitted himself very well, IMO.  And an Austrian skater was there as well.. ThomasVanek, whom we remembered from 2013 European play offs.

But, the best team won that round and so, here I am now rooting for the Kings.

But am pleased, too, that a former Aeros, Benoit Pouliot, skates for the Rangers, and skates well and fast! And how about Martin St. Louis? We saw him in Tampa, so are happy he is doing this well with the Rangers.
Anyway, more exciting play off Hockey to come
I have a feeling that this will be an epic battle.
Both teams are truly good.
And fast.
And have alert goalies.
Their offense is good, their defense is as well.
Lady Luck will have her work cut out!

Just a little hockey between Bulldogs and Rampage

Well, it was an entertaining game. Although the Rampage lost 3 to 4.

I guess the Bulldogs were just not too eager  (lol) because Ellis got a penalty for delay of game 2 minute into the 1. period. 

Rampage scored close to end of the 1. a goal by Crabb (photo to follow). Hamilton goal by Leblanc made them even in the 2.period. Then, during a penalty for Pateryn  Gilroy scored a power play goal for the Rampage and sent the crowds of over 6100 roaring its approval.
 Despite more penalties during all periods, the Bulldogs were unable to score.
The 2. period ended with 1:1 even.

Lee did score a shorthanded goal fro Rampage three minutes before the Paterkyn goal.
But the Rampage were not able to even the score.
Each team served ONLY 3 penalties, but only the Rampage made one power play, AND a shorthanded goal.
I spied Greg Zanon sporting an A.

I felt that both goalies Robert Mayer for Hamilton, and Michael Houser for the Rampage were quite evenly matched. Mayer 29 saves of 32, and Houser 22 of 26.  

However, twice Houser was out of place letting Hamilton score the 2 goals early in the third. Not sure, if the fact that Houser (Rampage) ended up 'butterflied in  his own net' which some eager beaver skaters pushed over him (lol), but he seemed less able to stop the 2 goals by Hamilton by Blunden, Tarnasky.  That fact also seemed to cause a bit of desperation playing by the Rampage but to no avail.
Houser did try manfully to stop that one which Pateryn scored in the 4th, within seconds of the end of game, giving the Bulldogs the win.

And more hockey on Tuesday, Lake Erie vs Rampage. 

And the heat could not sustain it.

On a drizzly cold day at the ranch..

staying in.

Yesterday evening the Abbotsford Heat and the Rampage met in San Antonio, and we were there.

Within the first few minutes Mark Cundari of the Heat pushed the puck past a visibly surprised Jacob Markstrom. But that was it.

From then on the Rampage ramped it up and slapped home 5 goals, four on power plays by John McFarland, Joey Crabb and Colby Robak, Matt Gilroy, plus one unassisted goal by Bobby Butler.

Both teams basted a dozen or more 6 footers, with Ben Street at 6'7 straining ( lol) to catch up to (most likely his idol) Chara of the Bruins (6'9)! ;-)

Markstrom proved his worth after the initial unexpected one, and stopped 29 of the 30 the Heat threw at him, some saves we're rather spectacular. And so they very sparse audience (it was a Tuesday night after all AND colder than a witches....you know what) was rewarded by receiving a free chick filet coupon per person? AND we also caught the cow drop one in the second period. How lucky can we get, eh? Now we only have to buy fries and a drink in order to redeem one coupon for a chicken sandwich. Lunch for Better Half is assured, lol!

On the other hand the starting goalie for Abbotsford, Joni Ortio did not perform to his coach's, a former Aeros coach, Troy Ward, and was replaced in the third period by, visibly not quite ready, Joey MacDonald. Yes, he stretched a bit to try to warm up, but then the Rampage were at him almost continuously and still Gilroy managed to beat him with the fifth goal on another power play.

Over all an entertaining game, even if it seemed to us the skating was not quite as powerful and fast as in previous games, but who cares really, the home team won and the fans event away quite happy and warmed to their hearts by it! 

A good time was had.  And then it was back out in the cold .. as if inside the arena it had not been cold enough, as it usually is. Which made it strange that several players on both sides slid and slipped and fell.  And no, t'was not the fault of anyone. Two refs kept the game on pace and parceled out penalties seemingly unbiased. The penalty kill talent was most definetely on the Rampage side that night, letting the worst team beat the beast one. Before last night the heat stood at 23-11-1-1 versus the rampage with 12-20-0-3!  It seems that there were a lot less than the 3000plus the game report listed. Probably accounting all those seats that we're not occupied by season ticket holders! LoL.

Photos from the game will follow in the next day or so. I am note yet a costumed to using the iPad as camera at games....sure don't want it confiscated as "too large to be allowed " teehee,so only one rather dreary photo from the porch at the ranch....it IS cold and wet out there, warm and toasty inside. Just right for some reading and writing ! ;-).

And soon it will be time for Operas.  Stay "tuned".....cheers readers!

GAME TWO Rampage versus Rockford 3-1

 A new day dawns

Antti Raanta

And Game Two of Rampage, versus Rockford, gets underway at 7 PM. The ice seems better, fewer falls;
and the air is more frigid in the ATT Center this night.
 

In pain

To the bench and ultimately off ice!

The game starts on a sad note, Rockford's Antti Raanta (net minder) lies in pain, but bravely gets up and stops some more ( 4 of 4 sogs) then finally limps off with the help of teammates.
And in  comes BUG Kent Simpson, who did yeoman service. He let in just 2 goals by Matsumoto in the 2. (on a PP) and 3. periods. Goal 3. was an empty netter by Petrovich.

Simpson says NO you won't

A quick sip and I am ready:Simpson

Veteran net minder Clemmensen has his moves down pat

And later, another Icehog left the ice injured. not an auspicious start for Rockford!

Over all it was fast game;
many, many sogs by Rampage; a  team high, we have been told, of 56!

Rockford only managed 25 even though they did reve up their shooting in the 3rd to 10, when one of the Broadhursts (Alex) got the only goal for the Icehogs.

Sadly, IMO and Better Half's, too, Kent Simpson did not get any Star.  
He should have. He was very active and successful.
Chers Reader you can tell I am pro Kent ( lol)

Icehog Viktor Svedberg (Nr. 8) at 6 ft 8 (the new Chara lol?)and 235 pds does not have far to reach to catch a stray puck ;-)!

He stopped 51; Raanta 4; and the 56th sogs was, after all, an empty netter.

Clemmensen stopped 24 and he did get Nr. 2 Star.
Matsumoto Nr. 1-deservedly, and Alex Broadhusrt the 3.
A little fighting to enliven the scene!Here a scuffle between Selleck (Rampage Nr, 15 and Rockford's Nr.6 Jared Nightingale.
Note: Selleck never lost helmet, Nightingale did!

 

Hockey is still alive and well in Texas.

Even though the Wild pulled out. 
BTW The Minnesota Wild lost both game, this weekend, in OT!

And then there were none... goals that is for the Rampage

Yes Sir, I know its a bottle, next time it'll be a puck, one of 39!

Lieuwen at work

Yes, it's true, yesterday's game Rampage vs Rochester ended in a Shut out 3-0 for the visitor from the East. Who had some dedicated Sabre Jersey clad Fans in the audience, right behind the Amerks' bench..
Nathan Lieuwen cold stopped Rampage's 39 shots on goal, 10 if which have to be credited a very busy Ortmeyer.

Melee-just one of many in front of Lieuwen

Ortmeyer at work

 Back soon where he usually is.. Orty

BTW Orty was were he could do the most damage - that is in front of Lieuwen, but the Amerks defense and Lieuwen was just too good. 

Orty hurt?

At one time Orty looked hurt.. but was back in the blink of an eye and back in front of the net of Lieuwen.

Timmins

Timmins at face off

A wide awake and sober (Lol) Timmons (32) nailed face off after face off (photos above).

Gauthier-Leduc (34) to Gomes (12): "Hey, bud get off our goalie !" :-) it was that kind of game!

Barlow (10) skated like pursued by the devil during periods 1 and 2, but lost steam in the 3.
He also was the lucky (lol ?) winner of the most PIMs ;-). 
Sadly, most of the Rampage players seemed uncoordinated, skated, while not exactly sluggishly, certainly less energetic, missed passes..etc.
The only reason, Rampage did not loose with more goals against was entirely due to the efforts of Grumet-Morris - he did some great saves. He DID stop 9 in the 1, 5 in the 2. and all 8 in the 3.

And Rampage ought to have made some goals, the way Ortmeyer was present with his 10 shots on goal ,  Timmons had  5.

Grumet Morris save in 1.

Grumet Morris save in 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Fives, y'all.

Leggio observing :-) Dov

Other observations:
Leggio (not in net this time) certainly had a grandstand view of the opposing goalie.

Helmet malfunction for Rochester-this game:-)

Got my helmet back ;-)! - no, really - a high stick save by Lieuwen!

And finally, a Leggio  rather chummy with Koharski,
the, oh so unbiased (at times-lol) ref.

Did he thanked him for officiating so well (?) at both games this weekend -just kidding!

Abbotsford turnes 'caliente' in San Antonio

What an exciting afternoon game in SA with a green hued audience of about 7,000!

 Another save by Brust

Abbotsford with a revitalized Barry Brust in goal and a better coordinated defense dominated the 1. period with 15 SOGs  and 2 power play goals. As well as a fight a few minutes into it!
For Kolanos fans it will be good to know that he had two assists.

 Face Off

Kolanos

Brust deflects puck but not Rampage player ;-)

Brust sprawls to save

For Barry Brust fans, let me just say he was in top form, making some truly unorthodox saves, one during the Shoot Out when he went wayyyy out and successfully deflected the oncoming Rampage player's puck. The final Rampage player during the shoot out either lost his nerve a) seeing how Brust deflected all previous shots or maybe b) he lost control of the puck which just gently drifted onto Brust's stick and stopped there ;-)!

Ah, well t'was the afternoon of the Heat. The game was played fast, aggressively with seemingly no holds barred - vide 3 solid fights, which appeared to me went the Rampage way!

To sum it up, Heat went hotly into the the First, simmered in the Second, but flamed up again in the Third resulting in 4 goals, 2 SOGs in OT and finally scored  2 goals in SO.
Rampage had a slack First with no goal, revved it up in the 2. with 1 goal and hit their stride in 3. with 3 goals almost like .... bang bang bang!

AHHHH that stretch feels good !

Yippee, saved! And what a defense mob!

Doc  Grumet Morris held his own during regulation and OT but was less than stellar in the SO.


The 3 Stars of the game 1. Walter, and 2. Brust of the Heat with 3. Combs (2 goals) for SA.

Slightly befogged - Aeros Win

Early Morning Fog Over Bayou - 31.12.2011

but in a nice way.
Because..
well, because the Aeros are leaving 2011 with a win!
And are still in 3rd place in the West right after Heat.. which won last night as well, which will please KK fans!

By the enormous effort of Hackett!
Who was listed as the Nr. 2 Star between McIntyre (1) and Penner (2)
Who stopped 38 of 40 sogs thrown at him by a hyper aggressive but almost fruitlessly scurrying Rampage.
Last night at the ATT Center, to which a slew of dedicated, and ultimately very happy, fans traveled.

Well, what more can I say.
I was not there.
Aeros 5 Rampage 2.
Aeros got five goals on two goalies...
yes, Markstrom pulled for Grumet Morris.
Markstrom had a really bad 'ice day'.

While Hackett, according to the Voice of the Aeros, acrobatically managed to make save after huge save! Maybe similar to above!

Now, astute chers readers -
you will have guessed, that I am back on a freshly scrubbed,
free from insidious Trojans and viruses (or ought that be viri?) computer.

After the first day with withdrawal symptoms, lol, I did not miss it abysmally.
Really enjoyed reading BOOKS.
You know that kind that one holds and flips its pages with moist thumb :-)!
The most interesting IMO was Alan Furst's "Night Soldiers" .
Of course, I have read one or two by him before. But I felt this one was the most fascinating, yet!
How to describe it? Best I can do is borrow the name from a reviewer "Historic Espionage novel" and so it was. And rather absorbing, too.
Following its Bulgarian protagonist through training at the NKVD (KGB or whatever initials used) through the Spanish Civil War, German occupation of France to his ending up finally in the USA after 'escaping' the long reach of the NKVD, at least that is the assumption on which the novel ends.
Next in line in fascination quotient was "The Lost" by Daniel Mendelsohn, a deeply felt and researched history into the lives of "lost" relatives, interspersed with Torah excerpts. A must read for anyone who is a student of the holocaust and its effect on the generations following.
 "Snow falling on Cedars" by David Guterson, sort of a court room drama which involves events following Pearl Harbour, the Japanese internment and its long term effects of that. Only to end on a positive note. Well written and gripping, he does let the characters grow in stature, at the end.

"Tell Me Another Morning", an autobiographical novel by Zdena Berger is one of the rare books that provide some insight into the lives of women and girls during the Nazi years, and in the camps. The way the author uses the 'present tense' makes reading it even more stirring.

After that came two 'easy reads' fictions.
The less said the better.. just a few hours spent on those.
But one has to step away from the sad and horrible, just to relax!
And nothing relaxes more that a steamy romance,
or some cleverly constructed crime, fiction...no? :-), :-D!!!

So now you know, chers readers, that having only limited access to the web was rather relaxing. 
At least for me.

Ah, you say what about "News of the World"? Well  t'was sufficient to just get the biased (alas) condensed versions on the Nightly News (lol).
No real worries about 'catching up' with Tweets, FB.
I may have missed some birthdays.
Or other momentous event?
Maybe!
That a friend was "at this or that place" which by the time most of us get around to reading it, is already old news,  :-)! 
And new photos posted by friends around the world.
But never fear others will be posted - that is a given.
So a few days without the web was not devastating... after that First Day! Lol.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

The Lone Star Skate

"The Lone Star Skate" by Glenn Hart and Rusty Burson with an insightful foreword by former NHL Hall of Famer Bob Gainey, is a brand new book,
just published by BridgewayBooks of Austin.
An interesting read for any serious, or just curious, hockey fan.

Glenn Hart brings to it his personal experience as hockey club owner. Hart, President and Co-Founder of Laredo Energy, first got involved with Hockey in 1995 by bringing an IHL franchise to Houston, 1999 he brought Hockey to Laredo, by creating a venue and a solid fan base for Laredo's CHL's

Laredo Bucks.


Rusty Burson, whose career spans reporting for Galveston newspaper, editor of several publications in Dallas/Ft Worth, and currently associate editor of "12th Man Magazine", brings his expertise to bear on the composition and lay out of the book. He has also written and published seven books.

The 10 chapters of the book start with  the success of the Howe family and Aeros in Houston. And end with the story about  Glenn Hart's personal involvement with hockey - the Houston Aeros and the Laredo Bucks.

It speaks frankly of management, financial, and other difficulties.
Of fans versus owners.
Of players versus coaches.
Of coaches versus owners.
And of many other hurdles that faced hockey in Texas then, and still does now.

But it also presents personal recollections that make us smile.

It brings back memories to older fans, especially if we were THERE when..

There, could be in Houston, the Coliseum, the Summit!

There, could be in San Antonio, the Freeman Coliseum, the ATT Center!

There, could be in Dallas, the Reunion Arena, the AA Center!

And others, all engraved in loyal hockey fans' hearts! 

And we read about  NHL, AHL, ECHL, WHL, WHA, IHL- a quick look at hockey history.

On the way, it covers owner Norm Green, beloved of Minnesota fans,
until he moved the team to Dallas.
Mike Modano, a Dallas Star, who frankly admits, that flip flops and shorts is what he likes!
Jim Lites, Dallas Star advertising guru who succeeded  to bring hockey into baseball and football country -with 'big specials, big hair and big assets'.

The Dineen family, who made Houston a hockey town, even if only at the AHL level.

Terry Ruskowski, Canadian farm boy, player and coach adds his personal anecdotes and photos.
Who, not too long ago, signed a life time contract with the Laredo Bucks.

Rick Kozuback, involved with hockey as co-founder of the WHL, currently CEO  and President of the parent company of the CHL, yes, he too has many funny stories to tell about hockey's toddling steps in the South.

And such stories abound in this lavishly illustrated book, a worthy addition to any hockey fan's library!

Brett Hull, two Stanley Cups winner, NHL and American hall of Famer and a true professional talks about his career and the influences coaches have on players. As a Dallas Star he won the 1999 Stanley Cup.
We read about his life as the son of a Hockey legend and a figure skating mother.
And how he found his way in Dallas.

John Torchetti, former player and coach of many teams, who ended up in San Antonio with the Iguanas.
And later came back to coach the Rampage. Along the way, we learn about the fate of Iguanas, Dragons and assorted reptiles, till the Rampage made their appearance to stay.

Texas, a hotbed for Hockey?
Who would think so.

"The Lone Star Skate" certainly informs us, yes, there are more teams here than you'd think.
And the number of rinks, amateur leagues and youth leagues are almost equal to those in the North.

These personal stories, exaggerated or not, sure make for an amusing read for hard core fans and curious first timers alike.

(All photos from the book, taken by artandhockey, for reviewing purposes only)

ISBN-13:978-1-934454-38-1.
www.bridgewaybooks.net

Wundergoalie to the NHL?

or not?
Per Russo's Rants both Wild goalies are under the weather.
ONLY Khudobin stands in the net. UNLESS, Matt Hackett gets HIS crack at playing in the NHL, backing up Khudobin.

While Tordjman will be Nr. Uno with the Aeros and someone will have to be found to be back up.


 Dennis Endras photo courtesy Augsburg Allgemeine

That would really make the next three games vs the  Wolves on Friday,

the Griffins both Saturday and Sunday VERRRY interesting.



Now the Wild might wish they had Dennis Endras here instead of in Germany? 

Ouzas

Then there is Michael Ouzas, with a 2.24 GAA, once called on as a back up already and thus a somewhat known entity. 

But he was chosen for the ECHL All Star game on January 26, 2011 in Rabobank Arena.

So maybe not!

Of course this is all just speculation.

But then the Aeros have become rather unpredictable.

Just when one thinks they will win they'll fold.

And when one feels they'll fold...they storm out and well, you get the idea.

Tonight Better Half and I will see the Griffins take on the Rampage and so will have a (maybe) better idea of what to expect vs. Aeros Saturday and Sunday.



Quick hits, Ads vs Rampage, Dallas Stars vs 'Canes'



Montoya saves

 And in case you ask,
Stafford was not on the roster for the Rampage last Sunday.


Here,  Ref the puck!

 



 



Scrambles in front of Ads net

Well deserved sip for young net minder  Jeremy Smith

And some pics from the Versus Canes vs Stars.. which was a GOOD game for the Stars.


Seasoned Neal



Young Jamie Benn

 # 18 Neal and Jamie Benn (who did so well forTexas Star during Calder Cup play offs).

 Only one goal for "Canes" by Eric Staal.. does he look sad or mad ;-)?

A beleaguered Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes)

Wild vs Flames - in progress...