Friday Puckpourri: Ugh T-Birds, incredible comeback in Kootenay, baby "Blues" for TJ Oshie... + the King of Pop-- on ICE?!

1. UGH, T-BIRDS

Game 1 in the second round of the WHL playoffs is in the books and the Seattle Thunderbirds got the ugly end of the stick. The Kelowna (formerly the TACOMA) Rockets took advantage of a number of penalties and just plain outmanned the T-Birds to a final score of 6-2.

 (Photo: Kelowna Rockets/WHL)

Ugh.
Double Ugh.

I know Kelowna finished the regular season with a whopping 118 points, more than any team in the WHL, OHL or QMJHL. Powerhouse? You bet. Unbeatable? No team is unbeatable. Just ask the 2008-2009 San Jose Sharks, who won the President's Trophy with 117 points, only to lose 4-2 to the 8th seeded Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the playoffs. Or the 2009-2010 Washington Capitals, who finished the season with a whopping 121 points only to go down in 7 games against the Montreal Canadiens, also in first round action.

I'm not a sports psychologist, nor do I play one on TV. But I'd say the T-Birds are facing more than a formidable opponent in the Kelowna Rockets this series. Of course the Rockets are formidable - they've got the best record in the CHL. But they also have something else: history - and recent history at that. In the first round of the playoffs last year, Seattle won the first 3 games and seemed poised to finish off the Rockets and advance to the second round. Instead, Kelowna pulled off an incredible upset, winning the next four games and leaving a stunned T-Birds team (and fans) in their wake. (They didn't advance past the second round after hitting a brick wall called the Kamloops Blazers). 

So... this armchair sports psychologist thinks maybe *some* of the T-Birds may be remembering their massive fall from grace last season and the memory is (consciously or subconsciously) messing with their minds. If I'm wrong, I'll be the first person to offer a loud "mea culpa" at center ice of ShoWare Center. But I heartily believe Seattle has what it takes to bring down this Goliath-like Kelowna team. In fact, the teams split their four regular season games with two wins apiece (4-3 Seattle, 4-3 Kelowna, 4-1 Seattle, 7-3 Kelowna). 

Here's hoping the T-Birds roll into Prospera Place tomorrow night and show the Rockets they don't care about 118-point regular season records or what happened last year, then ride that momentum to Kent and show the hometown crowd, and most importantly, themselves, that they've got the heart and the talent to keep the post-season going.

2. INCREDIBLE COMEBACK IN KOOTENAY

And I'm not talking about the playoffs, although the Ice handily defeated the Calgary Hitmen 4-2 to advance to the second round (Game 1 against Medicine Hat is tomorrow night). 

No, the incredible comeback I'm talking about happened before the March 29th game at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook, when Ice forward Tim Bozon took part in the ceremonial puck drop before his teammates skated to a 5-3 victory and knocked Calgary out of the playoffs.

(Photo: Barry Coulter)

Tim spent the better part of the month in a Saskatoon hospital, battling a form a bacterial meningitis so serious, doctors had to place him in a coma for two weeks while they treated him. He was released from the hospital on March 28 and watched his teammates win the next night. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is now back home in France with his parents, where he'll continue the healing process.

Here's the news conference with Tim and his father (warning: dad gets a little emotional)


Here's video of the ceremonial puck drop: 


3. BABY "BLUES" FOR T.J. OSHIE

Blues star (and Seattle Junior Hockey Association alum) T.J. Oshie has been tearing up the ice and helping St. Louis clinch a playoff spot and a whopping 111 points. But on the Today Show this morning, TJ and his fiancee Lauren shared the emotional challenge faced by their newborn daughter, Lyla Grace, who was born with a serious birth defect called gastroschisis (part of baby Lyla's intestines were outside her tiny body). Surgeons successfully repaired the problem and baby Lyla is expected to go home with her mom and dad next week. 

3. THE KING OF POP... ON ICE?!

The Hubby (@StuV94) spotted this photo tweeted out by @History_Pix today. He retweeted it, then texted me to check it out.

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The photo is identified as a ceremonial puck drop between the Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins on November 16, 1984. According to a story posted by the Canucks in 2009, the only thing the team can confirm is that Stan Smyl is #12 for Vancouver, and we all recognize #66 in the Penguins uniform. But they couldn't confirm with complete certainty that the gentleman holding the puck aloft is actually the King of Pop himself. According to the story, Michael Jackson *was* in Vancouver at the time, performing for three nights at BC Place, so one would assume this was the real deal participating in the ceremonial puck drop. He looks real to me and it seems like the type of thing the kid in him would have enjoyed doing. 

I'd love to sit here and continue ruminating with you, but I've gotta go. I think a UFO just landed in my backyard - and I think Bigfoot's behind the wheel. #TheTruthIsOutThere

Former T-Birds & Tips in NHL action today

This is just a quick note to let T-Birds, Tips and other Seattle-area hockey fans know about a few former players on several NHL game rosters today (including some who are playing against each other!)  Note: All times are Pacific

Noon
Ottawa Senators (Jim O'Brien, T-Birds) vs. New York Islanders (Thomas Hickey, T-Birds)

Dallas Stars (Brenden Dillon, T-Birds) vs. St. Louis Blues (TJ Oshie, Seattle Jr. Totems)
(This game is on NBC Sports Network)

Colorado Avalance (Calvin Pickard, T-Birds <on emergency callup>) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Note: former Silvertip Ryan Murray is on this team, but is injured)

3:00pm
Florida Panthers (Peter Mueller, Tips) vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Hickey, Armstrong & Love

I can honestly say that I now have something in common with former T-Bird Thomas Hickey. We both have been featured on the front page of NHL.com. The site honored 3 of my blogs with front page status. Of course, he's much more high-profile than I am, and if he continues to tear up training camp and pre-season like he did at the LA Kings' prospects camp, his stock is gonna rise even more.

Anyone who's been to a T-Birds game over the last four years has seen this talented guy bloom right before our eyes. We weren't surprised when he was selected to Team Canada for the 2007-2008 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. We weren't surprised when he helped Team Canada bring home their 4th consecutive gold medal. And we really weren't surprised to learn that not only had Thomas been selected to Team Canada for the 2008-2009 WJC in Ottawa, but that Coach Pat Quinn had named him Captain of this talented young team.

And even though Team Canada gave us a couple of heart attacks (who can forget that 6-5 shootout win against Russia in the semi-finals), we knew by the end of the first period in the gold medal game against Sweden that the boys in red were going to pull off their 5th straight championship. The only thing that surprised me was what happened when Captain Thomas Hickey was handed the championship cup. This usually reticent, soft-spoken guy let out a scream that I can still hear to this day. The sound was pure, unadulterated joy.

When the T-Birds fell to the Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the WHL playoffs, Seattle fans felt a deep sense of loss because they knew their captain was gone. Just a couple of days after that heartbreaking Game 5 loss, Thomas was jetting across the country to Manchester, New Hampshire, to join the Kings' AHL team, the Monarchs. And we all remember just what an impact he made right away!

So, just as fans were not surprised at how brightly their star shone all season, they're not fazed that NHL.com is sitting up and taking notice of the #4 selection in the 2007 NHL Draft. Here's a link to correspondent Eric Stephens' great story about Thomas' NHL quest. Our only question is, what took you so long?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=451120&navid=DL|NHL|Home

Photo: Fred Trask

Our favorite pugilist... and hockey blogger Mitch Love could find himself dropping the gloves against his former team, the Houston Aeros this season. Last week, Mitch told me he's signed on with the Peoria Rivermen, the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate. I know that Houston fans are very disappointed. They grew to love Mitch's gigantic heart and work ethic. Oh, and we can't forget those tilts, set to Mitch's theme song, Thorogood's "Who Do You Love?" Well, time to start boning up on my knowledge of Peoria. I'm sure the team is good. I'm just not too keen on the logo guy. He kinda looks like the Gorton's fisherman.

A couple of weeks ago, Mitch and I chatted about his road along the hockey path, from the time he was a wee lad, to today. I learned some interesting things about this guy. One: he LOVES Motley Crue. Two: his dad REFUSED to let him play goalie. You can find out why by clicking on the link below:

http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/07/ahlwhl-behind-the-blog-oneonon.html

Photo: Scott Berg

Former Silvertip Riley Armstrong is also on the move. After San Jose/Worcester didn't exercise their option to re-sign him or trade him, Riley became a free agent and signed on with Calgary. He's understandably disappointed that the organization to which he gave five years of his hockey life let him go, but he's really excited to test out the ice in Calgary, which is garnering new energy under the tutelage of the Sutter family.

Riley chatted with me last week about the latest changes in his life and career. He's setting his sights on making the Flames lineup and playing closer to his family. But... should he end up spending part of the season with Calgary's AHL team, Silvertips fans wouldn't be disappointed at all, since the team moved from Iowa to Abbotsford, BC. Riley says it wouldn't be too bad to play a few games there, either, since he'd get to see some old friends.

You can read more of my interview with Riley by clicking on the link below.

http://blogs.king5.com/sports/2009/07/ahl-former-silvertip-riley-arm.html

A Puck by Any Other Name

I was watching the Penguins/Islanders game recently when a name caught my attention. “Richard Park” the announcer said, referring to an Islander player. Immediately, my interest was piqued. “Park” is commonly a Korean surname. I am half-Korean and spent my formative years in South Korea with my mother while my dad did his duty for Uncle Sam in Vietnam for 6 years. My mother was keen on making sure I kept up with my Korean heritage. Hence, even now, decades later, I still speak the language and know and respect the culture. And I cook a mean bulgogi.

But I digress.

I became interested in Richard Park because as long as I’ve watched hockey, I don’t remember hearing any Asian names. So, like any self-respecting nosy person, I started digging for more. And I came up with some interesting info. Richard, I learned, was born in South Korea and raised in the US. I also learned he is the second Korean-born player in the NHL. (more on the first Korean-born player just ahead). He was drafted in 1994 by my favorite team- the Pittsburgh Penguins. I did not know this and my only excuse is that I stopped watching NHL hockey for several years (between 1990 and 2000) for reasons I’d rather not go into here. Richard bounced around from team to team , marking a measure of success with each, before landing with the Islanders in 2006. Since then, he seems to have grown, both as a player and a humanitarian. Last season, the Islanders presented him with the Bob Nystrom Award, which is awarded to the Islander who “best exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication.” This year, Park sports the “A” and from what I can see, is living up to it.

After reading up on Richard, I searched through team rosters to see if I could find any other Asian players. I found two, including one I’ve liked for years but never realized he had Asian blood.

Paul Kariya's mother has Scottish blood. His father is Japanese and sports quite a life history. His grandparents were sent to an internment camp in BC during World War II. His father was born there. The family doesn’t talk much about it and by his own admission, Paul was raised more Canadian than Japanese. He and one of his sisters attended a Japanese school for a while to honor their grandmother but the rest of their lives were spent more or less immersed in sports. I read that Paul nearly gave up hockey to pursue golf and join others in breathing a sigh of relief that he didn’t. I learned that Paul is more revered in Japan than stars like Wayne Gretzky. I also learned he detests labels and does not like to talk about himself. That’s okay. He speaks volumes on the ice. After years with Anaheim, he landed with the Blues. From what I read, the transition was not that pleasant and he is no longer a favorite with many Ducks fans.

Paul Kariya is a favorite player of the next Asian player I found.

Devin Setoguchi is also half-Japanese/half-Canadian. He was born and raised in Alberta. Like Paul Kariya, Devin’s family has been touched by a shameful part of history: his grandparents were also sent to an internment camp during World War II. Unlike Paul, hockey runs through Devin’s blood. His father Dale played junior hockey in Alberta (he was the AJHL’s MVP in 1979), spent a year playing in Japan and still plays in a senior hockey league.

It’s kind of funny. I identify as much with Paul Kariya as I do with Richard Park. I have straddled two cultures all my life, like Paul (and probably Devin, too). Unlike Paul, my mother insisted that I not only know my heritage, but live it too. When you look at me, you won’t automatically think I’m Asian, yet speak to me in Korean and I will respond. I’ve had fun standing in line or shopping in a Korean store here in the Seattle area, eavesdropping on others as they chatter away, not realizing that a “hapa” (half Asian) is standing nearby who can understand almost every word. My mother taught me to be as proud of my Korean heritage as I am of being American, or being German-Irish on my dad’s side. We lived in Germany for 6 years and traced his mother’s family to a town outside Cologne. I know how his grandfather arrived in NYC from Ireland in 1910. But ask me about my background and I will veer more toward the Korean side because it was so pervasive. My older brother and sister are full Korean. They and our mother became American citizens in 1971. I still remember the ceremony. My oma (mom) chose the American name “Lee” to complement her Korean name “Hyon”. My unee (sister) chose the name “Sharon” to go with “Kyong”. My opa (brother) chose the name “Richard” to sit alongside his Korean name “Byong.”

This brings me back to Richard Park. I don’t know his Korean first name, but I do know the given name of the first Korean-born player in the NHL. It’s Chison Paek.

His parents gave him the Anglo name “Jim” when he was three, so he could integrate into Canadian society a little more easily. Call him Jim or call him Chison, one thing is very clear. He picked up hockey like a native! By the time he reached Juniors, his parents were such fans they attended 106 of 108 games he played with the Oshawa Generals. His first NHL team is my favorite: the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined them in 1992 as the Pens rode a high from winning their first Stanley Cup. He arrived in time for the 92 playoffs. We all know what happened next. (for non-hockey fans: The Penguins won their second Stanley Cup championship)

Jim Paek left the Pens in 1994 and played with the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators before ending his career in the IHL and joining the coaching ranks. Last year, he returned to Pittsburgh, but this time, he was on the Red Wings bench. He is part of the coaching staff of the team’s Grand Rapids affiliate and spent last year’s Stanley Cup finals working with the Red Wings’ extra players.

What is the meaning of this blog? I really don’t know. I guess when I look back at it, the message I see is that it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you’ve got the talent and desire, you can make it in the NHL. You don’t have to be a Russian powerhouse, a Finnish or Swedish superstar. You can be from a country like South Korea, and make it to the Stanley Cup.

In fact, you can make ANY dream come true, if you believe in yourself.