Player of the Week Drama

Disclaimer!!!
All content on this blog is my personal thoughts and feelings and nothing here should be taken as the opinion of my employers or the teams I am a part of. I am here just to ramble about random thoughts, not to start any controversy, usually. So chill, just read, or don't, I don't care. If I say something you don't like or agree with, tough.




Still here? Good, I have something I need to get off my chest.




Something I have been holding inside for a few years actually. The way the teams in the VIJHL view each other. Its brutal, and dare I say it quite sad. The fans and team personnel from each of the 9 teams are like warring nations that have no love or respect for each other. But instead of fighting it out like men on the battlefield, or the ice, they bitch and moan like children on Twitter.

Perfect example has been the past week. For the second week in a row a Cougars player was selected as the VIJHL Player of the Week. After this was released all Hell broke loose on Twitter. Fans, coaches, owners, and players alike starting calling the whole situation rigged and even going so far as to fake trade requests in order to get POW honors. The coach of the Panthers even said in response to the announcement of the POW, "good job! But other players are playing in the league other than Cougar players #justsoyouknow". This was said over Twitter and he has since deleted the Tweet, but I have a screen shot if anyone wants to see it. Now I can understand fans and even players being upset because they probably don't know how the selection process works, it's even possible that Brian Passmore doesn't know either. But the owner of a team who will remain nameless, but I'm sure you can guess who, ReTweeted this message, endorsing what was said. Want to know which owner? I'll give you a hint, he owns the Panthers. This man KNOWS how the POW player is selected. He has absolutely zero right to complain about a Cougars player being selected.

So now I'll tell you how its done. Every week each team is required to nominate their player of the week, then all the nominations are reviewed by a third party and he selects who he deems to be the best from the previous week. If any team fails to send in their nomination, then that team cannot win POW for that week. Remarkably simple right? Care to venture a guess at who failed to nominate a player last week? Everyone failed, except Victoria. That's right folks, not a single team apart from the Cougars even bothered to enter a name to be considered. Hard to win if you don't play isn't it?

Now with that in mind, doesn't all the bitching and complaining seem a bit stupid? From the outside some people might see favoritism on the leagues part towards the Cougars for selecting their players multiple times in a row. But when every single team in this league knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that they need to submit one single email, with a one paragraph write up on their player, once a week, no one who has any part of any team can complain when they didn't bother to do it.

I have been on the receiving end of some pretty nasty Tweets over the years, everyone from fans of other teams, to coaches, to players, and even owners (again, want to guess who?). This whole situation needs to stop. Fans will continue to do what they do because they are safe behind their silly Twitter wall where no one can hurt them. They also don't need to worry about repercussions because they don't represent the league or a team. Freedom of speech right? But when coaches and owners start belittling people and insulting others it makes the league as a whole look bad.


There are many people in this league need to give their head a shake, all they're doing is making themselves look foolish.

Usurper

Last night the Cougars faced off against the Glacier Kings at home. The game for the most part was forgettable from the Cougars perspective. They didn't play the Cougars game. Even if they made it interesting at the end of the game sending it to OT for the second straight home game, ultimately losing in double OT.

The main reason I call the game forgettable doesn't really have anything to do with the fact that they lost, because they already have clinched their fourth straight league title. They played like a team that hadn't played together. Passes off the mark all night long, dangerous plays in front of their own net, and risky plays where it was one man versus the whole other team. I saw lots of one man missions last night when they had a teammate close at hand.

The goal-tending on the other hand was phenomenal on both sides. Beauchamp was the main reason the Glacier Kings only scored twice, as they many scoring chances even with their low shot count. On the other end of the ice, Michael Hails was unreal. This kid stopped 41 shots, several could easily have been goals. Several more should have been goals. Hails seemingly didn't a back-flip and somehow the puck stayed out.

Last week I was quoted by saying that I think Comox is the favorite to represent the North in the Finals, and I am standing by that. Most people are calling Campbell River the dead to rights favorite. While on paper it might look like that, with last nights win over the Cougars the Glacier Kings are in a solid place to win the North with a game against Campbell River next week. Comox only needs to make up 3 points in 4 remaining games. Two of those games are against Nanaimo who have been inconsistent at best in the last few months.

The Cougars should be able to make it out of the first round of the playoffs against Kerry Park unscathed. They went 8-0 against the Islanders this season and dominated almost every game. Peninsula and Westshore won't have the same luxury in the first round. Both teams have the ability to win, but I think it will Peninsula to come out on top. I suspect that The Storm and Glacier Kings will both leave the first round in 4 or 5 games each. Once the reseeding is done I expect we will see Victoria against Campbell River and Peninsula against Comox. Ultimately leading to a Comox/Victoria or Peninsula/Victoria final. Both would be an unreal way to end the season.

The Cougars are looking to take their 3rd straight Championship, but this is the first year where there is real competition to usurp the Champs.

The playoffs this year should be the first time in a very long time that any of 4 different teams can win it all. I am excited for it to start, are you?

Was this a real test?

Last night the Cougars faced against the basement dwelling Generals. They managed to put together a solid 5-0 win, but is this team good enough to test the Cougar offence to see if the scoring touch is back? On paper, no. That being said, last night the Generals actually played very well for a good portion of the game. Ever since the Gens picked up their 3rd head coach of the season, they have been competing quite well. They actually have a shot at making the play-offs if they can pull out a few wins over the tough north division, as the Braves are floundering in the south right now, even if it's an outside shot.

McMullen and Kemmler both scored for the home team, just as I said they would before the game yesterday. Both players are starting to pick up the Cougars plays and systems very quickly, that should be no surprise as both players are talented students of the game. McMullen should have had 2 goals, but had one disallowed because the net was off, apparently.

Another good sign is the Cougars defence and goal-tending. Both were awesome once again. I was very happy to see Hargrave get the goose egg this time around, he seems to be the victim of a defensive collapse, more than once, in the final minutes leading to a lone goal to steal his shut out away. If the defence and goal-tenders keep on this pace, and if the offence starts clicking each game, the Cougars should have a solid shot at a three-peat as league champions; and even a chance at a Gold medal in Cyclone. Afterall, there are still a few players who have been around for Cyclone Silver medals, and no one likes Silver.

Insane ramblings from the caffeine deprived.

It's Thursday once again, and that means game day. Tonight's game features the Cougars playing host to the Oceanside Generals. While it's true the Generals have had a rough season, since the Christmas break they are 2 and 2, Including a surprise win over Comox. It's very safe to say that Victoria is the heavy favorites going into tonight's game, but I wouldn't count the Generals out. The Cougars still needs to get their scoring touch back.

Last week Victoria added two new bodies at the trade dead-line. Sam McMullen and Garret Kemmler. Both had an immediate impact on the team. While McMullen didn't score, he came oh so close more than once. Kemmler on the other hand frustrated the visiting Nanaimo Buccaneers offence by helping hold them to only 4 shots after the 1st period.

Ryan Carson, Nick Bower, and Michael Fretz lead the charge last week. Carson with the Hat-Trick, Bower and Fretz with helpers. While this line played very well and were the reason the Cougars won 3-0, there is still the lingering question, can the Cougars start scoring like they used to? There were all kinds of chances to score on Sunday that lead to posts, nice saves, or barely missed shots. Once the Cougars start converting these close calls I think things will start to return to days of past, when they scored almost at will. Now that McMullen and Kemmler have actually had a chance to practice with their new team and are starting to learn the way we do things at the ABSC, I think they will fit in nicely, and score often.

I gave up drinking coffee last week, I have a headache, and I'm slightly loopy. I am hoping for an exciting game tonight to help me power through the pain and withdrawal. Lots of goals, and lots of hard hits should work just nicely.

New look Cougars

Today, like many post trade deadline days, the Cougars have a new look.

Late last night the Cougars made a huge trade, sending relative newcomer Nyshan Basra, and Cougar vet, Jake Daughtry over to the Braves. Coming back to the Cougars is 19 year old Sam McMullen, and 20 year old Garret Kemmler. This a pretty big deal as far as I’m concerned. McMullen is huge body that can score, and Kemmler is a quick defender that can also score. The Cougars need scoring… I know I said after the Kerry Park game that the 7 goals Victoria posted could be the spark they needed to get their scoring touch back, but last night in a tough 3-1 loss to the Panthers, the Cougars again had a hard time potting the puck. I’ve heard a few fans of the Cougars say everything ranging from “They are playing against hot teams” to “They are just getting their feet back after a string of injuries”. Whether you agree or not, they need to score goals to win games, and the season is getting shorter. Other teams in the league like Penninsula and Campbell River are playing very well right now. If the Cougars are going to Three-peat as league Champions, goals need to start coming now.

Losing a guy like Daughtry is tough, he’s a solid body up front that can score, hit, grind, and he’s a leader. Thursday night he snagged 2 points and the first star of the game. No question, Jake Daughtry is a solid man to have on your team. I believe Saanich got better by adding him to their roster. I also see Basra flourishing in Braves colours. He is a talented young guy that will see an expanded role in Saanich, which can only help him and his new team. At the end of the day though, the Cougars got better in my opinion. McMullen and Kemmler are solid additions to the team for sure.

Tomorrow night the Cougars will have both McMullen and Kemmler in the roster against Garret Brandsma and the Nanaimo Buccaneers. This has very quickly become my most anticipated game of the season. Former Cougars tough guy Brandsma making his first return to the ABSC facing off against 2 new Cougars who spent the last few seasons frustrating the Cougars every time they played against Saanich. I know I am excited for the game, and I have the best seat in the house. Who am I kidding? I won’t be able to sit at all.

The scoring shines

Coming into the first home game of 2014 for the Cougars, they needed to desperately put the puck into the net. Their offence has been struggling, having been shut-out 3 of the last 5 games, something wasn't clicking. The same can't be said for the back half of the ice, both the defence and goal tending has been unreal. Only allowing 4 goals against in those 3 shut-out loses, it's clear that both Hargrave and Beauchamp having been keeping up their end of things between the pipes. The defence, being lead by Zagrodney, has been top notch as well. That didn't change against Kerry Park on Thursday. The defence was able to hold Kerry Park to only 4 shots in the first period. What did change was the offence. Jo Davie led the charge scoring twice in the first few minutes of the game. This was the spark that the Cougars needed to get their scoring touch back. The Cougars have had Kerry Park's number all year, and this game was no different. For the 3rd time this season the Cougars managed to score 7 goals against the Islanders.

From my side of the ice it was quite clear that the team needed a shake up in order to get things working again. Coach Van Helvoirt mixed up his lines to try and find a way to get that puck in the net, and it worked. The Cougars managed to win the game, and they managed to get back on the score board, but the real test comes when they face the Panthers. The Panthers have added one of the best scorers in the league in Alex Milligan, but he also has managed to rack up quite the total in penalty minutes too.

The question I have, will the Cougars still have the same look as they did against the Islanders? Friday is trade deadline day, will some new faces join the roster to help scoring? Come Sunday against Nanaimo we may see a different team on the ice when the Bucs visit the ABSC, but the Coaching staff may also have complete faith in the team we have now. After all we are still #1 in the VIJHL. If we see some new blood, or the team stays the same, I have faith that the Cougars will close out this season on top, and over coming a few bad games will only make the team stronger for the playoff run.

A frozen view from the sky

I have always had a bunch of random thoughts getting tossed about in my head like a borderline crazy person on his way to a padded room. What I didn't have was an outlet for those thoughts that anyone actually wanted to hear about. So I have decided to put them here, for you to read, if that makes any sense at all. It doesn't to me, but I guess that's why I am writing this all down. Maybe I can sort it all out. I plan on using this Blog to discuss with myself things that matter to me, but not really to those close to me.

I absolutely love sports, especially Junior or Collegiate sports. I have always felt that watching young men and women battle it out on the ice, or court, or pitch, is leaps and bounds more entertaining than professionals getting paid more money per year than most of us see in a lifetime, or two. I wanted to start with a brief history on how I got to where I am now.

I was lucky enough in my teenage years to befriend an awesome guy by the name of Curtis Machek. Now you may not know his name now, but if you're into radio at all, even just listening at work, you'll learn his name eventually. This kid got hooked on the radio bug young, even went so far as to build a full blown studio in his house! This wasn't just a microphone hooked up to a laptop, this was a fully functioning radio station. We used to umpire baseball together, and he mentioned he wanted a few people to DJ for him on his amateur radio station. I jumped at the chance, I have never done anything like it before and relished in the chance to try something new. I played on the radio for quite a while with Curtis, and decided I wanted more. I took a few gigs hosting shows as EMCEE and as an in house announcer for some sporting events. Then one day a few years ago I got a phone call from a guy named Tony Carlson, from the Victoria Cougars. My brother had played for the Cougars for a number of years and being a local Junior B team, I was already a fan. Tony wanted to know if I wanted to try my hand at Play-by-Play. Again another challenge was staring me down. I jumped at the chance to try something new again.

I had no idea what I was doing, no training, no help, just a mic and a hockey game in front of me. It was rough, I mean really rough. I sounded nervous and clueless, truth is I was. But I had some awesome people at the Cougars to support me, fact is, we have the best hockey family around. The broadcast has come a long way in the past few years, going from two mics on the internet to a full video broadcast. I am also not done yet. I have some lofty ideas in mind to make things there even better. But one thing remains, I am still learning. I have made some amazing friends and acquaintances in the local radio world. I have had the chance to play on several radio stations, and even venture up into the broadcast booth with Victoria Royals broadcaster Marlon Martens. All of these DJ's and broadcasters have taught me plenty, especially Marlon. He has been my main influence, and because he is very approachable it's been easy to learn from him. Unfortunately we don't have the resources of an actual radio station to support the broadcast with producers to add production value, all I have is me. If you watch a video broadcast of a team like the Royals when they air the game, or even listen to Marlon on the Zone, you'll notice a difference. There is even a team in the VIJHL that employs a professional radio DJ to call the games, and he brings the resources that come with that. We are doing our best to make the gap smaller.

Now I know I glossed over a lot of stuff with the Cougars, I will go in-depth at a later time. I just needed to ramble about a bit to get things off to a good start. I plan on giving some insight into the world of the Victoria Cougars, and my other adventures, from the broadcast booth. It's cold up here, but the view is amazing.