NHL, AHL, WHL & NAHL playoffs, plus TWO former T-Birds doing well

Last night, while I was watching the San Jose/Detroit game go into overtime, I commented on Twitter, "I hope Clowe or Marleau scores for the Sharks in OT." Several minutes later, Patty Marleau did just that, surprising the HECK out of me and making me wish that I could have the same effect on winning Lotto numbers.

I have friends who are Red Wings fans and I feel bad for them that Detroit is now down 3 games to 0. But seeing Patty put one past Jimmy Howard filled me with pride. Marleau is one of the Seattle Thunderbirds' biggest success stories, and even though I didn't go to many games when he played (just the 2 or 3 games a season at which I sang the anthem), I still join with other T-Birds fans at fawning over him like proud parents.

Another former T-Bird is having a heck of a post-season. Bud Holloway leads the Manchester Monarchs with 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points in the playoffs. He's scored 5 game-winning goals and has been en fuego all season since he joined the Monarchs from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Hopes are also high for another former T-Bird, Thomas Hickey, to dominate the D-line once he fully recovers from shoulder surgery.

A recap of the latest NHL, AHL, WHL and NAHL action is posted over at the big KING 5. Click here to read it.

Friday Puck-pourri

Some odds and ends to wrap up a pretty uneventful week. Speaking of uneventful, the general consensus is that the NHL trade deadline was less than stellar. I don't know. I'm not an expert.

 

Mueller as an Av (Photo: Reuters)

I do know that former Silvertip Peter Mueller is no longer a Coyote (much to some fans' chagrin). But he made quite an impression on Avalanche fans by scoring his first goal in his first game with Colorado. He also sounded pretty enthusiastic in an interview during the first intermission. Of course, anyone going to a new team would want to make a good impression, so wouldn't really bad mouth a move, so I guess only time will tell with Peter.

 

Riley Armstrong (the player whose number you can't see)

Former Silvertip Riley Armstrong is on the move as well. We all know Riley signed with Calgary this season, following half a dozen years in the San Jose Sharks organization. He was having quite a year with Calgary's AHL team, the Abbotsford Heat. Calgary big wigs seemed to think so, too, because they traded him to Detroit, in exchange for Andy Delmore. To check out Delmore's numbers, click here. I may get to catch up with Riley after he's settled in Grand Rapids, his new home for the rest of the season. I'll post an update if this works out. Meanwhile, click here for the last interview he did with me, shortly after he arrived in Abbotsford.

 

Shane Harper (Photo: Frank Deines III)

Current Silvertip Shane Harper is celebrating. Well, he's not actually celebrating yet- he's focused on helping the 'Tips finish the regular season strong and steamroll through the playoffs. But, we're celebrating for him!  The Philadelphia Flyers signed Harper to an entry-level deal. Not bad for a kid who was not drafted, either for the WHL or NHL.  Want to know about his youth hockey experience? Click here.  Click here to read an interview he did with me last season. Good kid. Good work ethic.

 

Bud Holloway (Manchester Monarchs)

Former T-Bird Bud Holloway is sharing his journalistic talents, along with his hockey skills over in Manchester. Not only is he having a stellar season with the Monarchs, he's also writing a blog and interviewing teammates. Click here to watch him chat up Justin Acevedo. Meanwhile, Bud's Manchester (and Seattle) teammate Thomas Hickey showed off his reading skills by taking part in "Read Across America."  He and several teammates visited a local elementary school to entertain students. Click here for more information. It's a good think Thomas is keeping his brain matter healthy, as he is still listed as "month to month" with an "upper body injury."  He's actually recovering and rehabbing from shoulder surgery in November.

I interviewed WHL US play by play guys Jon Rosen (Silvertips), Thom Beuning (T-Birds) and Andy Kemper (Winterhawks) for a story. I'm still trying to catch up with Craig West (Americans) and Mike Boyle (Chiefs) so I can wrap this thing up and post it.

 

L-R: Lew, Betty, Ed, Jay (Photo: Ed Petrullo)

Nice job by T-Birds off-ice officials Betty Petrullo, Ed Petrullo, Jay Carbon and Lew Sellers, who helped keep track of Olympics men and women's hockey games!  They worked their butts off and blogged about their experiences at the same time! Now that the Winter Games are over, you can sit back, relax and relive some of the more exciting moments through their eyes. To read Betty's blog, click here.  To read Ed's blog, click here. To read Lew's blog, click here.

The T-Birds teamed up with Microsoft for the 12th Annual Hockey Challenge to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. They ended up raising more than $100,000 for the charity in a series of games last Saturday, culminating in a Celebrity All Star Game featuring celebs like former Mariners' catcher Dan Wilson, actors Michael Rosenbaum (“Smallville”), Jason Thompson (“General Hospital”); 2006 US Olympic hockey bronze medalist Kelly (Stephens) Tysland; media personalities Bill Wixey (Q13 Fox News); Ian Furness (KJR 950AM & play by play announcer for WHL games on FSNW) and former T-Birds Jamie Huscroft, Al Kinisky, Regan Mueller, Blake Knox, Lloyd Shaw, Pat Smith, Danny Lorenz and Ryan Gibbons. KING 5 Sports Anchor Paul Silvi coached one of the All Star teams.  To read more, click here.

I think that's it for now. If more happens before this day ends, I'll add to it. Happy Hockey!

New Bud Holloway Interview

Bud Holloway/Photo: David Pitcher/Seattle Thunderbirds

I had a nice chat with former T-Birds winger Bud Holloway a couple of weeks ago. I never knew him while he played for Seattle, although I do remember watching him play. I did get to see him play for Ontario in April and can report that he's even better than he was when he sported the blue and white (and that's saying a lot because he kicked ass as a T-Bird!)

You can see what he has to say about this last season (split between the Manchester Monarchs and Ontario Reign), the eye-opening transition from Wapella, Saskatchewan (Pop. 351) to Seattle, and the secret talent he showed off in the locker room!

Here's the link:

http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/06/whlechl-catching-up-with-forme.html

Catching Up: ECHL, WHL, AHL, NHL and some really cool Blogs

It’s been so busy at work; I haven’t had a chance to write all week! And there’s so much catching up to do!

First off, CONGRATULATIONS to the ONTARIO REIGN for making such an amazing run in its very first year!

The Reign took the STOCKTON THUNDER to 7 games in the first round of the ECHL playoffs. They lost Game 7, but really put themselves on the ECHL map! And one name kept cropping up in the game recaps: BUD HOLLOWAY.

Bud Holloway (#14)

I attended Game Two of the playoffs in Ontario. That night, Holloway scored the team’s first hat trick on home ice for the Reign. Looking back at his numbers, it’s easy to see that this former T-Bird's star is just rising. Regular season: GP: 21, G: 14, A: 7 for 21 points. Playoffs: GP: 7, G: 5, A: 9 for 14 points. The only question I have about Bud is whether he comes back for the Reign’s second season, moves back up to the MANCHESTER MONARCHS of the AHL, or gets called to the big club: LA KINGS.

I looked over the Reign’s roster and found some more WHL alumni among the ranks.

TIM KRAUS played for the Vancouver Giants from 2003 – 2007. He started the 2008 season with the Giants, but finished out the year with the Regina Pats.

BRAD MEHALKO has a long hockey career in a number of leagues with a number of teams. But one name stuck out. Seems, Mr. Mehalko played for the now-defunct Tacoma Sabrecats in 1998-1999. Small world.

Big D-Man COLTEN TEUBERT joined the Monarchs for the post season, after the Regina Pats failed to advance to the playoffs. I enjoyed seeing Teubert trying to use his size to help the Reign. I can see why the Kings placed him in Ontario. This is a great place for him to get his pro feet under him, with some good seasoned d-men to help him grow.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game I attended. The music rocked, the fans rocked and the arena rocked. I know that future trips to LA will include a drive to Ontario to watch more of this team.

Moving on to the WHL. I have sorely neglected this league since the TRI CITY AMERICANS and SPOKANE CHIEFS knocked the EVERETT SILVERTIPS and SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS out of the playoffs. I followed Tri City’s fight against the KELOWNA ROCKTS, until Kelowna dispatched the Americans in 6 games. Tri City fought hard and came out strong, but could not hold off a stronger Rockets team. Reigning Memorial Cup Champion Spokane took the division leading VANCOUVER GIANTS to 7 games, but in the end, didn’t have what it took for a 2nd consecutive run at the Cup. Still, D-man Jared Cowen is expected to go very high in the NHL Draft- the last prognostication has him going Top 5. Not bad for a guy who spent the post season nursing a knee injury.

I had great fun attending a number of regular season and playoff games for both the T-Birds and Silvertips. This has been such a wonderful learning experience. I am writing a separate blog recapping this amazing season and all the people who helped make it such an amazing time.

One person I have to recognize right now, though, is AMY VAN DALEN. We knew each other from posting on another blog site, but actually met each other at a Silvertips playoff game. She is funny, kind and extremely generous. When I had to take photos with no flash because my seat was so close to the Everett bench, I worried that my photos would not come out. She offered up a number of great photos, which I used in a game recap for the big KING 5 site. Since then, we have become great friends and I am a huge fan of her personal blog, “Chuck A Puck.”
Check it out for yourself here: http://chuckapuck.blogspot.com/

At the end of this season, we said good-bye to several T-Birds and Silvertips who graduated out of the WHL. Several went on to the AHL and seamlessly transitioned to their new teams.

Thomas Hickey

D-Man THOMAS HICKEY (T-Birds) scored 4 points in his first three games with the MANCHESTER MONARCHS, including his first AHL goal. I'm really happy for Thomas and know he will go far, but I will miss watching him at ShoWare Center. He is simply amazing.

Taylor Ellington

D-Man TAYLOR ELLINGTON (‘Tips) scored his first AHL goal within his first week with the MANITOBA MOOSE (Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate).

JIM O’BRIEN joined the BINGHAMTON SENATORS with much fanfare from this Ottawa affiliate.

GREG SCOTT (T-Birds) joined the TORONTO MARLIES (Maple Leafs affiliate). The Marlies are in a playoff battle with the Moose, but from what I can see, neither Scott nor Ellington are on their team’s rosters.

Kyle Beach

Former Silvertip standout KYLE BEACH, who was traded to the LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES at the beginning of the season, got called up to the ROCKFORD ICEHOGS (CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS’ AHL team), after Lethbridge fell in the first round of the WHL playoffs to the CALGARY HITMEN in 4 games.

Following players like Hickey, Ellington, Scott and O’Brien to the AHL opened my eyes to a league I had skimmed over for the past… oh, many years. I knew the AHL existed, but never really paid attention to it. I focused more on the NHL and in a smaller way, the WHL (mostly because we have 2 teams within driving distance to my home, and because I’ve sung at T-Birds games for the last 12 years). That changed this past season.

Mitch Love

One night at an Everett Silvertips game ended up introducing me to the AHL in a very jarring way. I was singing at my first ‘Tips game. What happened that night led to an interview with MITCH LOVE, former Everett D-man now playing LW with the HOUSTON AEROS (the MINNESOTA WILD’S AHL affiliate). As many of you know, he’s been writing a weekly blog about life as an AHL player. Mitch and the Aeros are in the thick of a first round battle against the PEORIA RIVERMEN. Houston scrabbled and fought to win Game 5 and keep the Aeros in the thick of things. They square off for Game 6 tonight. GO AEROS!!!

Riley Armstrong

I’ve also been learning about the WORCESTER SHARKS, thanks to my good friend JoJo, who has visited Worcester on a regular basis and written about San Jose’s AHL affiliate. Jojo’s blogs are as entertaining as they are informative and I’ve been happily cheering Worcester in their playoff battle. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that former Everett Silvertip RILEY ARMSTRONG (brother of former Pittsburgh Penguin /current Atlanta Thrasher COLBY) is a major force for the Sharks. Some of you may have read her blogs at the big KING 5 Hockey site, but if you want more, check out her personal blog, “10 Minute Miss Conduct (plus 2 more minutes for hitting like a girl!)”:

http://10minutemissconduct.blogspot.com/

So… now we arrive at the NHL. I have been a hockey fan for years. I’ve liked the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS since they drafted MARIO, and was excited to see them make it to the Stanley Cup finals last year. This season has been a labor of love for Pens fans, as we watched the team struggle with injury (SERGEI GONCHAR for the first half of the season); off season moves (too many players to name here- went to other teams, most notably the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING), and rumors of dissent within the ranks. Add to that a coach (MICHEL THERRIEN) who was rumored to have many problems with players, and by the halfway point, we fans were left wondering just what the heck was going on.

When the Pens traded RYAN WHITNEY to the DUCKS for CHRIS KUNITZ, my first reaction was, “WTF?” When they picked up BILL GUERIN from the ISLANDERS for a prospect, I scratched my head. My husband loved that move (picking up Guerin, not me scratching my head). He said, “You’ll see. Guerin is just what the team needs. You’ll like him more than you liked Gary Roberts.” That was a tall order, as I liked Gary Roberts quite A LOT.

Well, I have to admit here that hubby was right. DID YOU HEAR THAT, STU? YOU WERE RIGHT.

Kunitz, Guerin, Crosby line

Kunitz and Guerin have helped inject life into a team that frankly sat OUTSIDE the playoff race just a couple short months ago. The Pens took things a step further by cutting ties with THERRIEN (who for some reason wanted to be called “MIKE” or “MICHAEL” this season, instead of “MICHEL” <- as if he didn’t have more important things to worry about than what he wanted to be called!) and calling up DAN BYLSMA from the AHL Baby Penguins. You know the saying that “enthusiasm can eclipse experience” sometimes? (Don’t worry if you haven’t heard that- I think I just made it up). Well, the man affectionately known as “DISCO DAN” has proven that in spades. The Pens are now in the thick of a first round playoff battle against cross-state nemesis PHILADELPHIA FLYERS. Game 6 starts in just under 2 hours and this Pens fan is excited… and scared.

Speaking of the FLYERS, I’ve had a hard time cheering AGAINST them this season! There are several reasons for this.

Braydon Coburn

1. BRAYDON COBURN. I simply love this guy. He’s big, he’s tough and he’s a former WHL’er. Okay, so he played for the Portland Winter Hawks and as a T-Birds/Silvertips fan, I should hate the Winter Hawks. After all, they're the mortal enemy, and there's especially bad blood between the 'Hawks and T-Birds. But still... it's WHL. It’s kinda in the “family.”

Jared Ross

2. JARED ROSS. Okay, so the last memory I have of this kid is as an 8 year old playing in a pee wee (or whatever that league is called) tournament in Huntsville, Alabama at which I sang the national anthem. His dad, DOUG ROSS, was Stu’s hockey coach at the UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, HUNTSVILLE. Doug is a heckuva nice guy. He was extremely gracious and one of the best guests for the weekly UAH Coaches show that I produced for WAFF-TV, the NBC station there. Okay, so I got ribbed for being introduced as “Su Ring, English Major”, every time I sang at a Chargers hockey game (which was a lot- I was the school’s “official” anthem singer for 3 years). But Coach was a good guy. And I’m extremely proud to see that Jared is doing well, as a UAH’er and a hockey fan.

3. My friend CHRIS SHAFER. I met this guy at NHL Connect as was immediately impressed by his hockey acumen. He knows his stuff. His handle there is “22” and he writes for several blogs and websites. The one I like is one he just started with another one of our friends, Kate-the-Great. She’s a ‘CANES fan, but they get along like a house on fire. Check out their blog “The Hockey Writers” here:

http://www.thehockeywriters.com

Well, I’ve reached the end of this post, I think. If I write anymore it will take on epic proportions. Before I go, I want to recommend a few more blogs I am really loving right now:

1. “Concentrated Juice”:

http://juiceinla.blogspot.com This is my friend Justine’s blog. She waxes poetic on all things hockey, but especially her beloved Red Wings. And this isn’t just a bunch of homeristic posturing, either. Before you read Juice, you’d better brace yourself for a lesson, because Juice is gonna SCHOOL ya.

2. “Damn, It’s Good to be a Red Wings Fan”:

http://jlewings.blogspot.com This is my friend Jessica’s blog. If you can’t tell by the title, yes, she IS a Red Wings fan. But like Justine, you read her blogs and come away richer for doing so. I highly encourage you to see Detroit through Jessa’s eyes.

3. “Raw Charge”, “One Timers and Deflections”:

http://www.rawcharge.com http://one-timers.blogspot.com My friend Cassie helps run these two blogs. My other friend John Fontana also helps run “Raw Charge”. RC follows the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, but again, transcends the team.

If I’ve missed anyone else’s blog, I’ll get it next time. But for now, I need to go get ready to watch a crucial GAME 6 for the Pens and buy a new coffee maker, not necessarily in that order.

Former T-Bird Holloway shines with Ontario Reign

                                                                Bud Holloway/Photo: Lee Calkins/Ontario Reign

I went to Los Angeles over the weekend to catch the Kings’ final home game of the season, but received an extra treat: a trip to Ontario, California to see LA’s ECHL affiliate Ontario Reign in playoff action.  The trip came courtesy of the Kings’ music director Dieter Ruehle. He told me he was doing music for the Reign Saturday night and offered to try to line up some tickets for my friend Justine and me.  He came through with flying colors and after the Kings honored their fans at Staples Center, Justine and I hopped into our rental car and hit the highway for Ontario.

We hit a few pockets of traffic but made it there with enough time to grab some dinner before the game.  I was especially excited to see this team because former Seattle Thunderbird forward Bud Holloway was on this team.  I had worn a T-Birds jersey to the Kings game to pay tribute to T-Birds Captain (and LA’s first round draft pick) Thomas Hickey. I figured the “T-Birds” theme would also be good for the Ontario game.  The seats Dieter had secured for us happened to be right behind Ontario’s bench but about four rows up.  We were practically center ice.  What a great view for the entire game! 

The first period got off to a slow start for the Reign. Stockton controlled much of the play and you could sense the frustration among the Reign bench pretty early.  Winger Brad Mehalko and Stockton D-man Cleve Kinley exchanged blows within the first minute of the period and went to the box on twin roughing penalties.  Stockton got its first power play chance just under 7 minutes in when Bud Holloway was called for tripping.  The Thunder could not capitalize on their man advantage.  Neither could the Reign, when Stockton was hit with a “too many men on the ice” call at the 9:20 mark.

Mike Lalonde scored the first goal about 12 minutes in to put the Thunder up 1-0. Thirty seconds later, Cleve Kinley scored to put Stockton up 2-0.  Teammate Brandon Naurato found the net five minutes later, and before you knew it, Ontario was down 3-0 with three minutes left in the first.  With less than a minute left in the period, Bud Holloway finally put Ontario on the board, by slapping the puck past a diving Bryan Pitton.  The first period ended with Stockton carrying a 2-goal lead (3-1).

During the first intermission, Justine and I went to get some coffee. She stepped away to make a phone call and I waited in line.  I was looking around at the different people in line when something caught my eye.  A woman was standing in line a short distance from me and she was wearing a Seattle Thunderbirds jersey! I grabbed my coffee and made my way over to her.  I noticed that her jersey sported Bud Holloway’s number on the back. She stood with another woman wearing a Holloway Reign jersey.  They saw me walk up and noticed the “Seattle” on my jersey.  We complimented each other on our good taste in hockey tops and I introduced myself. I asked the women if they were also down from Seattle for the game.  “No,” replied the woman in the Reign jersey. “We’re here from Saskatchewan.”   Of all the people to run into Saturday night, I had found Bud Holloway’s mother and aunt!  We chatted for a few moments about Bud’s career and agreed that everyone is extremely proud of him.  Then it was time to head back to our respective seats for the start of the second period.

The second period had barely gotten under way when the Thunder found the net for a fourth time.  Craig Valette took the rebound from a shot by Judd Blackwater and shoved it past Reign goalie Jeff Zatkoff.  The rest of the second featured more aggressive play by each team and a number of penalties.  Ontario’s Tim Kraus was called for hooking.  Teammate Geoff Walker went to the box for tripping.  Stockton’s Judd Blackwater got hit with an interference call and a shoving match between the Thunder’s Igor Gongalsky and Ontario’s Geoff Walker in the final seconds of the period set the Reign up for a power play in the third.  Walker received just two minutes for roughing, but Gongalsky got slapped with a double minor and would spend four minutes in the box.  Stockton scored one more late in the period.  Ryan Huddy flipped the puck over Zatkoff. The second period ended with Stockton up 5-1 and the Reign facing a daunting challenge—to make up four goals in the final 20 minutes of play.   Some of the fans around me grumbled that it couldn’t be done.  They did not realize that the best plays of the night were yet to come.

During the second intermission, I strolled around the arena with Justine, looking at the merchandise on sale when a man and woman stopped me to comment on my T-Birds jersey.  Turns out, the couple are from Tacoma and were long-time T-Birds and Tacoma Rockets (now Kelowna Rockets) fans before they moved to California.  They were extremely excited that Ontario had a team and were proud season ticket holders. In fact, many of the fans I spoke with had season tickets and were extremely excited that the ECHL had a team in their city.  One of the ticket takers told me the Reign average about 5,000 people per home game during the regular season. 

The third period began with Ontario firmly in charge on the ice.  Mike Howe scored about two and a half minutes in, with a decisive shot that bounced off the back of the net.  A minute later, d-man Colten Teubert, freshly called up to the Reign from the WHL’s Regina Pats, whose season had just ended, showed that he’s as good with his fists as he is with the puck.  He and Craig Valette got into a scrap that ended with both players losing their balance and falling on the ice, still swinging.  Valette received a 5 minute major for fighting.  Teubert did too, but the refs tacked on an extra 2 minutes for interference.

 The Reign continued controlling the ice for the next ten minutes.  Then, the “Bud Holloway Show” began.  Holloway scored a tricky goal at 13:27 that looked as though it had bounced out of the net without going in.  But no one on the ice had any doubts and neither did the refs.  Instant replay showed that Holloway hit the puck so hard, it bounced off the back of the net and popped back out.  Holloway scored again about two minutes later, and hats rained down on the ice as fans celebrated Holloway’s hat trick.  (I later learned that this was the Reign’s very first hat trick on home ice). 

The score was now 5-4 and the Reign had plenty of time to tie things up.  Coach Karl Taylor pulled Zatkoff from goal to give Ontario an extra attacker on the ice.  It looked as though his strategy would work, too, until the Thunder’s Igor Gongalsky stole the puck and passed it to Craig Valette, who scored an easy empty netter.  Here’s what’s heartbreaking about this: Ontario did find the net again before time ran out!  Reign right wing Denny Johnston scored with 25 seconds left in regulation.  Coach Taylor called a time out to strategize what would surely be the last chance to tie things up and send the game into overtime.  But the Reign could not capitalize, even with an extra man on the ice.  Stockton cleared the puck and a Reign player made a desperate shot from next to Ontario’s net.  The puck flew down the ice and missed Stockton’s goal by about two feet.  The clock ran out with Stockton ahead 6-5, and the series tied at one game apiece.

The 3 Stars of the Game:  1. Bud Holloway, 2. Mike Lalonde, 3. Mike Howe

The action now moves to Stockton.  Game 3 gets underway Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm.  You can find more information about the team and the playoffs, including how to watch or listen to the games if you can’t make it to one in person.  Just click here.

It was great to see T-Bird alum Bud Holloway doing so well. He was a fan favorite during his years in Seattle. The fans I spoke with absolutely love him, too. Many predict he won’t be in Ontario much longer because he will move back to the Manchester Monarchs' lineup (the Kings' AHL team where Bud began this season), or to the Kings themselves. And I know his mom (and the rest of his family) is brimming with pride for this young man who is working hard to make his hockey dreams come true