hockey123
02-03-2010, 04:45 PM
This, that and the other thing
By: Chuck Lafleur
February 2nd, 2010 @[NO EMAIL POSTING ALLOWED] 3:46pm
What started out as a very promising weekend for the Niagara Icedogs turned into a lost opportunity to gain ground in the OHL's tight Eastern Conference standings .The Icedogs began last weekend with a very tidy 5-3 home ice win over the Erie Otters, but things went South on Friday night in a 2-1 shootout loss in Pennsylvania. The Otters won 5 of the 6 games the two teams played this season, and when you look back, even a split of the games would make a huge difference in Niagara's point total.The Otters had been struggling coming into the home and home series, and are in a battle in the West to make the playoffs, first of all, then avoid the Windsor juggernaut in the first round.Next was one of those games that happen from time to time over the course of a 68 game marathon, a 5-1 defeat at home against the Kingston Frontenacs. The Icedogs were very much in the game until late in the first, when Kingston scored with 20 seconds left to take a 1-0 lead into the dressing room, then Niagara looked a little flat and in disarray inthe second, giving up four unanswered goals to finish the weekend with three points. To make matters worse, Sudbury and Brampton, two of the teams the Icedogs are chasing in the playoff hunt, went to overtime in their head-to-head game,the Wolves gaining two and the Battalion one point on Niagara over the course of the afternoon. It does not get any easier this weekend, with two home ice tilts, first Thursday night against London, then Saturday against the defending Memorial Cup champion Spitfires.The Knights are currently third overall in the standings, while the Spits are battling it out with the Barrie Colts for top spot. The return of Chris DeSousa with the Knights has been long anticipated by Icedog fans, some to welcome him back and acknowledge his contribution to the team over two and a half years, but for others, a chance to show their fierce loyalty to the Icedogs, and make DeSousa feel as unwelcome as possible against the team he abandoned.It's going to be full and it's going to be LOUD!
Nice to see Andrew Agozzino being selected for the OHL All Star Classic being held this week in Kingston. While an argument could certainly be made for Mark Visentin and Alex Friesen to be there as well, most of the lower ranked teams have only one player in the lineup. Captain Aggy is a fine representative for the team, he conducts himself with class, enthusiasm and professionalism both on and off the ice, and commands the respect of his peers with his demeanour. In a world that sometimes produces rotten apples, Andrew is plain and simple, just a great young man, a real role model for the younger members of the team, who's parents are and should be very, very proud of him.
Had the pleasure of interviewing Johnson Andrews of the Icedogs last week. He's not only an extremely well-spoken individual, but he truly appreciates the opportunity to play in the OHL. He plays the game the way many of us love to see it played, he's strong along the boards, never afraid to go into the tough areas, and he'll protect his teammates in a heartbeat. As well,Johnson has developed into a bona fide heavyweight when it comes time to drop the gloves, and with continued hard work , patience and a bounce here or there, will see his goal totals rise as his career moves forward.Good guy to have on any hockey team!!
While accolades are being handed out, excellent work by TV Cogeco's Al Galloway this week on the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Napanee. Al's knowledge and smooth style makes watching the event a very enjoyable experience. And I hear after the curling is over each evening, Al goes to Napanee karaoke bars and sings Tony Bennett songs all night.........
Speaking of TVCogeco, I would be remiss if I did not thank Steve Clark for filling in for me on a road trip a couple of weeks ago in Sarnia and Windsor. Dude is just plain talented, knows his stuff, and jumped into the games with my usual cohort Ted Lehman as though they had been working together all season.Enjoyed his blog detaling the trip and heard something unusual about Steve. While many of us can drive roomates crazy on the road with snoring, Steve yodels in his sleep!!Who knew.....
And finally, special thanks go out after a milestone, ahem, 39th birthday last Sunday to my bratty wife Kim the Sports Muffin, along with superfan Jean Geyer who brought along a humoungous card that was signed by a ton of people, and to Bones for delivering a card to our broadcast booth that was signed by the team,and Corey and Rod for putting for what seemed like hours, a much younger picture up on the video screen , and co-workers Ted and Angus , Bill from the Standard and everyone who exended best wishes.The Icedogs and their fans have become, in less than three years, like a big extended family, so spending a birthday calling a hockey game on home ice was the perfect place to be. And the trades the Leafs made Sunday morning made the day even better!!! Then to have all the festivities of Groundhog Day on February 2nd on top of that?? Whew, I'll tell you, I'm spent..........just spent............
Later,
Chuck
By: Chuck Lafleur
February 2nd, 2010 @[NO EMAIL POSTING ALLOWED] 3:46pm
What started out as a very promising weekend for the Niagara Icedogs turned into a lost opportunity to gain ground in the OHL's tight Eastern Conference standings .The Icedogs began last weekend with a very tidy 5-3 home ice win over the Erie Otters, but things went South on Friday night in a 2-1 shootout loss in Pennsylvania. The Otters won 5 of the 6 games the two teams played this season, and when you look back, even a split of the games would make a huge difference in Niagara's point total.The Otters had been struggling coming into the home and home series, and are in a battle in the West to make the playoffs, first of all, then avoid the Windsor juggernaut in the first round.Next was one of those games that happen from time to time over the course of a 68 game marathon, a 5-1 defeat at home against the Kingston Frontenacs. The Icedogs were very much in the game until late in the first, when Kingston scored with 20 seconds left to take a 1-0 lead into the dressing room, then Niagara looked a little flat and in disarray inthe second, giving up four unanswered goals to finish the weekend with three points. To make matters worse, Sudbury and Brampton, two of the teams the Icedogs are chasing in the playoff hunt, went to overtime in their head-to-head game,the Wolves gaining two and the Battalion one point on Niagara over the course of the afternoon. It does not get any easier this weekend, with two home ice tilts, first Thursday night against London, then Saturday against the defending Memorial Cup champion Spitfires.The Knights are currently third overall in the standings, while the Spits are battling it out with the Barrie Colts for top spot. The return of Chris DeSousa with the Knights has been long anticipated by Icedog fans, some to welcome him back and acknowledge his contribution to the team over two and a half years, but for others, a chance to show their fierce loyalty to the Icedogs, and make DeSousa feel as unwelcome as possible against the team he abandoned.It's going to be full and it's going to be LOUD!
Nice to see Andrew Agozzino being selected for the OHL All Star Classic being held this week in Kingston. While an argument could certainly be made for Mark Visentin and Alex Friesen to be there as well, most of the lower ranked teams have only one player in the lineup. Captain Aggy is a fine representative for the team, he conducts himself with class, enthusiasm and professionalism both on and off the ice, and commands the respect of his peers with his demeanour. In a world that sometimes produces rotten apples, Andrew is plain and simple, just a great young man, a real role model for the younger members of the team, who's parents are and should be very, very proud of him.
Had the pleasure of interviewing Johnson Andrews of the Icedogs last week. He's not only an extremely well-spoken individual, but he truly appreciates the opportunity to play in the OHL. He plays the game the way many of us love to see it played, he's strong along the boards, never afraid to go into the tough areas, and he'll protect his teammates in a heartbeat. As well,Johnson has developed into a bona fide heavyweight when it comes time to drop the gloves, and with continued hard work , patience and a bounce here or there, will see his goal totals rise as his career moves forward.Good guy to have on any hockey team!!
While accolades are being handed out, excellent work by TV Cogeco's Al Galloway this week on the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Napanee. Al's knowledge and smooth style makes watching the event a very enjoyable experience. And I hear after the curling is over each evening, Al goes to Napanee karaoke bars and sings Tony Bennett songs all night.........
Speaking of TVCogeco, I would be remiss if I did not thank Steve Clark for filling in for me on a road trip a couple of weeks ago in Sarnia and Windsor. Dude is just plain talented, knows his stuff, and jumped into the games with my usual cohort Ted Lehman as though they had been working together all season.Enjoyed his blog detaling the trip and heard something unusual about Steve. While many of us can drive roomates crazy on the road with snoring, Steve yodels in his sleep!!Who knew.....
And finally, special thanks go out after a milestone, ahem, 39th birthday last Sunday to my bratty wife Kim the Sports Muffin, along with superfan Jean Geyer who brought along a humoungous card that was signed by a ton of people, and to Bones for delivering a card to our broadcast booth that was signed by the team,and Corey and Rod for putting for what seemed like hours, a much younger picture up on the video screen , and co-workers Ted and Angus , Bill from the Standard and everyone who exended best wishes.The Icedogs and their fans have become, in less than three years, like a big extended family, so spending a birthday calling a hockey game on home ice was the perfect place to be. And the trades the Leafs made Sunday morning made the day even better!!! Then to have all the festivities of Groundhog Day on February 2nd on top of that?? Whew, I'll tell you, I'm spent..........just spent............
Later,
Chuck