Why Can't We Be Friends? Or how about "Can't We All Just Get Along?"

It's been a long season. Blood, sweat and tears have all been shed. Friendships made and friendships broken. In the grand scheme of things all of this happened because of hockey. The game we all love and a passion that unites us. Hockey breeds competition, frustrations, joys but most of all it bring us together. It's brought us some great shows. The goals, the hits and the fights have been bringing the crowds to their feet all year long. It hasn't been without dramatic sequences like players boycotting games and fan bases going to war in the crowds and message boards but the one thing that we all took from the games regardless of what happened surrounding it was that butterfly in the stomach excitement that made us want to go night after night.

From fans invading other FHL towns to putting on a show in the Maine Event there has been an endless barrage of story lines that have gripped every fan base at some point. That in a nutshell is what hockey is all about. Things happen and half the time when we can't control them it's not what we wanted to happen. Everyone wants the cup, to win and to be treated fairly but reality is that's just not the case most of the time and we just have to suck it up and try to do the best at the things we can control rather than kick dirt and raise hell over things we can't.  

Since the first day I decided to apply myself to more than just watching the game and started getting involved I began to write this blog and build relationships all around the league. From day one it's been he said, she said and on a small scale complete anarchy. This team is cheating this way... That team is doing this and that and they shouldn't. The Kirnans are out to screw the other teams... The referees are idiots. Such and such organisation is corrupt. It never ends and very likely never will.


What I'm trying to say is this is hockey and the up and downs that come with it. Referees at every level are criticised. Gary Bettman the commissioner of the National Hockey League is one of the most jeered men in sports being booed every time he speaks. Nobody will ever be totally satisfied at some point, if ever and that's life. Get on with it. Do what you gotta do but the mud slinging and trash talking are overblown. Everything is a conspiracy when there is something on the line that everyone wants.


What this league and the teams in it really need to do is just get back to some good ol' hockey. To cut the bullshit and the whining and the conspiracy theories and to just enjoy the game. If it's so horrible every owner in this league can pull their teams out or sell them or just quit but they haven't have they? There is a lot of room for improvement. More clarity. Better ref's you can go on all day. As for treatment of players... They are grown men. They know what's right and what's wrong and they are in no way enslaved to the teams they play for. There are other leagues and opportunities for most to explore.


Players play, Owners pay, The commissioner oversees the league fairly without bias and hands out suspensions and fines as necessary. The fans show up to show support. Security does it's job to protect people and diffuse situations, Referees make calls they see using their best judgement and discretion.


That's hockey. It's not always going to be the way I described it because this isn't a perfect world or a perfect league. Take your licks and keep coming back for more that's what's important. Bury the hatchets and wash off the bad blood. I present you the game of hockey without the politics... hold the stress and frustrations... it's just a game. Learn to enjoy it again for what it is.


If you enjoyed the article please share the link. Thanks for the support. Good luck to everyone still alive in the playoffs and better luck next season to those who are not.

2011: Stories Of The FHL Year

Akwesasne wins the Comissioners Cup

Akwesasne earlier this year won the Comissioners Cup in a finals meeting with the Brooklyn Aviators(Then known as the New York Aviators). Hard work payed off as the team became the first and so far only team to win the leagues title. Going 18-4 at home saw the Warriors finish the season only behind the Aviators in the standings but the team finished on a rough note with the absence of key players.

Those players returned in time for the playoffs and quickly made Akwesasne the team to beat. 1000 Islands was the first to stand in Akwesasne's way. The Warriors sent the Privateers packing in 4 games taking the series three games to one.

Akwesasne then went on to do the same to the Aviators. Winning games one and two in Brooklyn made life much easier as the team returned home. Under pressure to win it on home ice the Warriors dropped the third game 6-3 but came back a couple days later in what was arguably the best game of the season and playoffs. It was close. Trading goals until Akwesasne got the upper hand late forcing New York to pull the goalie. Pierre Dagenais beat a diving defender and casually skated the puck to the net and tapped it in sending the arena into party mode.

Danbury gives new teams the punk test





Danbury is up to their old tricks. A team full of tough guys. Naturally there's going to be a fight whether you want one or not. I've figured out Danbury's game plan though. Fight. Fight more. Then let Alec Kirschner take advantage of you team... Effective.

Over 300 penalty minutes were handed out to the teams including various suspensions of different lengths. You Call That Hockey? Drop the gloves. Do it man to man. In a recent game between the Warriors and Privateers this is exactly what happened. One player from 1000 Islands wanted a bench brawl. What did happen was three fights in the first five seconds. They got it out of their system and now we play hockey. I'm not endorsing mugging guys who are not fighters and that's often what happens in bench brawls. 

Relocation, Expansion, Retraction

The FHL's rush for expansion has come with pitfalls. Some of which are new owners being thrown on hot coals when their teams aren't filling the building.

Broome County Barons moved to Cape Cod and becomes the Bluefins.

New Jersey has taken the league by storm in their first season and they continue to set the bar for marketing and recruiting as they are getting it done on and off the ice.

Danville is over 800 miles away from the nearest team and it's truly stunning that the team continues to have the support of the league. Expansion is nice but when you do it too fast and without much thought to the fact guys are not flying first class in team jets it really becomes a pain in the ass. Oh and they won a stunning two games in 2011.

The Vermont Wild folded. They didn't last as the team was losing money by the bundle and ownership was quick to cut their losses. A team in Vermont would have been nice. The proximity is very manageable and the team would benefit from fans of other teams making the trip with their respective teams.

Delaware Federals the team brought in to "fill the hole" Vermont's left... once lost 18-0. Moving on.

I want to thank you all for a great year. It's been a lot of fun to be even a small part of this league. We appreciate the support received in such a short time and we look forward to expanding to accomodate each fan base in the league. If you haven't already go to the You Call That Hockey? facebook page and click like. If your interested in writing about your team send me a message or leave a comment here. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

GO WARRIORS!

N.J. Outlaws ambush Brooklyn Aviators 6-3 in Jersey!

When the first period started I blinked and was still trying to figure out the seats (more later on this subject) in this arena and it was 1-0 NJ. Only 41 seconds went by and it seems as if the Outlaws were mugging St. Pierre in his own net. The Aviator fans were shocked and wondering if this was a sign for what was to follow? Well it was.

The Outlaws were passing fast and clean and it seemed as if the Aviators were still stuffed with Christmas turkey and seemed a bit slower than New Jersey. Jordan Burn’em Bernier #18 tallied for the Aviators with 5:33 left in the first period. By the end of the first period it was 2-1 Outlaws

Second period just like the first. I was just retuning from the Outlaws brand new sports bar, which of course I was checking out for the article when the fog horn blasted a goal for the N.J. Outlaws. This time it only took New jersey 38 seconds (3-1) to shoot the puck past St. Pierre #38 and into  Brooklyn’s net.

At this point I was afraid to blink that I would miss another Jersey score. Again the Outlaws ‘s passing was clean and crisp and Brooklyn seemed tired and a bit slower. Brooklyn had some good chances to score but the Outlaws goalie Dan McWhinney #31 G  made some great saves for NJ. 

McWhinney injured his left arm in the second and seemed to be in real pain, however he shook if off and played one hell of a game. Jordan Bernier #18 appears to have injured his right ankle and had to be helped off the ice. Bernier didn’t return for the rest of the game. At the end of two it was 4-1 Outlaws.

Third period had a bit of light for the Brooklyn Aviators in Casey Mignone #27 RW. Casey has just returned to service after a 14 day IR listing  (Dec. 10)due to a puck in his face which required several stitches and had to wait for the swelling to go down. Casey scored twice in the third and it looked as if we were watching a comeback for Brooklyn. 27 seconds after Mignone scored Outlaws Brett Liscomb #81 RW shot the puck past St. Pierre #38 G again and found the net for Jersey.

This Brooklyn comeback was not to be as the  Outlaws found the back of the net two more times, one of which was an empty net goal. Final of the match was N.J. Outlaws 6 and Brooklyn Aviators 3.

Now back to the arena and the seats, you have to be kidding me. The Capital one Ice Vault has two rinks and the Outlaws should play their games in the other rink. You will see why, the seats are great if you have half a butt or only if kindergarten kids were attending these games, these seats stink! These seats weren’t designed for the adult butt and that is the only problem with this beautiful arena.

This is one very cold arena and you better dress warm and make sure you take a pair of gloves too. It has a very nice café which overlooks both rinks and the Brand New sports bar upstairs is great.

Tonight we meet again and let’s hope that there is a new sheriff in town by the name of the Aviators. I hope that tonight is a different story and this time the outlaws get ambushed!

Article by Clifford F. Zeman
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AKW@1000: Frustration, Privateers win 8-3

 

Tuesday night was a one sided fight filled game which saw the Privateers walk out with a convincing 7-2 win. Five fights some big hits and that was only the first of two games in as many nights. Tuesday night

A couple black eyes floating around on the ice as the teams came out for warm ups but everyone's out there for both sides. The players are flying in the first. A cross ice feed to Pelkey but Anthony gets his stick on it with a beautiful desperation save.


Privateers goal on a shot that may very well have hit the post and bounced out. Irrelevant because it's now 1-0. However there was no denying their second goal as Geonetti comes out of the box gets behind the defence and the puck take an ugly bounce over Van Hoofs stick leaving Plouffe one on one. A head fake to left froze Plouffe and Geonetti bangs it home on the his right. 2-0 Privateers

Paul Shantz was ejected for dragging a Privateer player around by the jersey. Two more get past Plouffe and the frustration is boiling over. With a rookie backup the team is reluctant to make a change.



The second gets off to a equally poor start as the Warriors let another one get by Plouffe 6-0. Six goals when the Warriors gave Plouffe the hook. Rookie Jake Lazore getting his first taste of action gets caught on a soft goal a minute into his first test but played well to close out the period. 

An ugly elbow to the face of Martin Beaulne gets called a high stick. Beaulne is bleeding with a possible broken nose. There is blood all over the ice as Beaulne gets led to the dressing room and the referee say two minutes. If you don't see the play be honest but the guys blood is all over the ice that should be an automatic 4 minutes at least. 


Third period and Akwesasne seems to have settled down finally. Applying pressure pays off as Martin Beaulne scores to make it 7-2. Some good scoring chances for the Warriors. A lot of neutral zone play as the clock winds down. Barring a miracle this ones over.


A big hit by Desormeaux on Jeff Winchester left the Privateers captain lying on the ice trying get his composure back. Winchester passed the puck up ice. He took a hit to make a play but he did see Simon was coming at him but he still fell awkwardly into the boards. He looked shaken up but he'll be fine.

A late goal by the Privateers ended things just like the night before 8-3 final. Another one sided hockey game as the Warriors carry on without key players and it shows up loud and clear on the scoreboards. These games are tough to watch and right now the Privateers have the Warriors number.

To summarise these games the Privateers have been having a field day with Plouffe in nets and the change to bring Lazore seemed to help even the game out a bit as Akwesasne didn't play with much confidence prior to his entry into the game. He let some ugly rebounds go but did well to get good angles and made some stops that have been going in a lot lately. For the rest of the team... Lets get it together! Your paid to practise you play for your love of the game. We'll be back.

Concussion Control: Part 1 Hits

This is a video i recently found on YouTube. There are three parts so if your interested be my guest. I am amazed at how many hits to the head dominate this video. At one point Joe Bowen who now does commentary for the Toronto Maple Leafs says "If you put your head down your gonna get hit" He said this while laughing excitedly.

With everything that has gone on lately in the NHL like concussions, knee on knee slew footing etc. I found this video and my jaw dropped. The video is 22 years old. 1989! I wanted to do a blog on concussions as it relates to the game but after seeing this video no longer am I so touchy on the subject.

There are more career shortening hits in this video than I care to count. With the current status of the game being questioned. Speed, hitting and lack of respect for fellow players is at the forefront of the debate. Looking back on the past paints a more grim picture however. Everyone who is adamant something needs to change need only to look at the type of hits that occured 22 years ago in this video series to see that maybe the players actually do respect one another compared to the intent to injure style of hits from the old days.

Here is a recent hit by Rene Bourque of Calgary on Chicago's Brent Seabrook. This is very much the usual these days when it comes to illegal hits. It's either elbow or shoulder to the head or hitting from behind. I agree their is a clear need to better protect the head but the recent trend of "cheapshots" is that players simply are not aware of where they are and solely focus on the puck/play.

The evidence is here in this blog and the video above(Letang/Burmistrov). The truth is players these days are going skating toward the boards, Focused on the play and not their safety. I see atleast 20 players in every single hockey game I watch who gets control of the puck and looks to see who is coming and where his opposition is before he makes the play. Guys are always told to finish their checks and hitting a player who fails to take notice of your presence should not rest on the hitter. The question should be how HOCKEY SMART the player being hit is.

In short. There are those who protect themselves. Never get injured outside of the odd groin strain and that's because they think of themself first and then the team. When reality is playing a safer game of hockey is thinking about the team (subliminally). It might not be as flashy but there are a lot of players who produce while protecting themself.

Part 2 coming up tomorrow. Fighting in hockey. Make sure you hit "like" on the right.

A Saturday night in Alexandria Bay gone sour

It was a Saturday night in Alexandria Bay, Ny. I witnessed a good hockey game. My team lost. That's reality and I am in touch with it but the Privateers and the Warriors are so well matched the games can go either way every night and I love it! So I go to every game between the two to show support for the teams the players and the league.

When the Privateers visit Akwesasne or Massena where we sometimes play, There is a hockey game. There is cheering from Akwesasne fans. There is cheering from the ladies who follow the Privateers when they come to town.

When the Akwesasne fans visit the Bonnie Castle in Alex Bay there is a hockey game and what seems to be a heavily intoxicated crowd who insult visiting fans. I've heard our fans being told to shut up for cheering our team on, having rival fans getting in the face of our fans and an all around lack of respect shown. Yes our fans are just as much a part of the issue for not walking away.

Do you see the difference as this blog post has continued? It went from fun and respectful to a volatile situation in which fans are threatening, insulting  and as of Saturday nights game assaulting one another. I love hockey. This is not part of it. Every fan in every building whether they are wearing Akwesasne Warriors merchandise or 1000 Island Privateers or hell even a Delaware Federals jersey with the number 18 on it(Cape Cod fans got that one) deserves to be treated with respect and allowed the same freedoms as anyone regardless of who or how loud you cheer for them. 

This is a video of a fight at the Bell Centre in November between fans. This is not what anyone came to see that night and should not have. An example of what not to do. It looks bad for the league and everyone involved if these things continue to happen.

I'm not saying everyone needs to be perfect these things happen from time to time but when minors become a part of a fight that includes adults cooler heads need to prevail. If that isn't possible which last night showed was the case, steps need to be taken to improve the environment in which the games are viewed. Security must end altercations before they begin by

1. Stepping in sooner and asserting themselves better because alcohol is fun but also a problem in the crowd at these games and securities job is to protect players and people equally.

2. Escorting individuals(without bias) to alternate sections of the building.

3. Removing people from the building if all other options fail(without bias)

We all want to have a good time. I personally stopped two fights from occuring that night. I am a Warriors fan. I held back my fellow Akwesasne fan as well as Privateer fans. It is something I hope I won't have to do again because I just wanted to enjoy a hockey game the same way the Privateer gals do when they come to our games.

I like the passion of the fans in this league but we ALL need to be responsible and I hope for the sake of both franchises we can resolve the bitterness and learn to walk away because  a hockey game is just that A GAME so let the guys put on a show and enjoy.

Go Warriors!

*****

If you have ideas on how to ease the situation feel free to chime in. Please keep it clean and respectful regardless of who your team or what your agenda is.

Warrior Blog: Akwesasne Warriors @ 1000 Islands Privateers 12/17/2011

Alexandria Bay - The second game of a home and home saw the Privateers walk away with a 6-2 win. The first period of the game was tightly contested with Privateers scoring first and then a Equaliser from Akwesasne. A couple big hits led to this tilt

The Privateers took control after the second and didn't look back. Two goals in the second and three more in the third period. Warriors got their second in the third but it was too little to late. The game was highlight by some heavy hits from both sides as the game had a physical edge compared to the night before at the Massena Arena.

Goal scoring:

Tyler Fernandez (Paul Kelly, Jeff Winchester) 1-0

Nicolas Corbeil (Ahmed Mahfouz, Martin Beaulne) 1-1

Paul Kelly (Brad Smulders, Brian Marks) 2-1

Tyler Fernandez (Steve Mcjannet, Brian Marks)3-1

Tyler Fernandez (Paul Kelly, Justin Levac)4-1

Carter Trevasani (Sylvain Deschatelets, Pierre Dagenais) 4-2

Jeff Winchester (Paul Kelly, Steve Mcjannet) 5-2

Paul Kelly (Adam McAllister, Chad Bezin)6-2

Turris to Ottawa, Rundblad+2nd to Phoenix

                                                                   Crying solves nothing... Unless your Kyle Turris   

It's official. Phoenix has traded Kyle Turris to Ottawa. After holding out on the Coyotes, missing training camp and generally forcing his way out of the desert Phoenix had to move him. I think this is Bryan Murrays way of getting over the Heatley trade. His hand was forced in that deal and maybe he has recognized opportunity where others once saw it when Heatley wanted out.


Turris can be a solid player. The potential is certainly there but he has yet to show it. 46 points in a 137 games makes me question this deal. The cap hit is a no brainer but the kid wants to call the shots and it's that lack of respect for the game that makes him a poor addition. Show us what you can do now. I wouldn't be surprised to hear he isn't happy again at some point in the future.

Note: Filatov is KHL bound so Ottawa fans hope of Turris/Filatov line is gone for this season atleast.

Rundblad is projected as a top four defender. A solid prospect who can challenge for a spot on the blue line in Phoenix. His game lacks the defensive style of Phoenix but under Dave Tippett he will learn to tighten his game up and while his offensive skills will begin to shine once he becomes a more complete player.

He has great potential and straight up I think this deal could have happened so I believe based on how the Coyotes use the pick it is a win for Phoenix although both teams have gotten something out of this. Ottawa gets secondary scoring while Phoenix gets a solid prospect and a second round pick.

                                           

I'm now the game writer for the Akwesasne Warriors!

It's a really cool development but starting last night I am now writing the game summarys for the league website. It's a great opportunity and one I didn't see coming. I'm very happy to be doing it and it's a great step for me and the fact I started this blog made it happen. To anyone who reads the site so far I thank you for the views and the support. Now how do I get some of you to comment...

Warriors defeat Privateers 7-6

                    @

Period one

The game started with a fast pace as both teams were trading chances early.  Nicolas Corbeil opens the scoring  at 17:04 assists by (Martin Beaulne /Ahmed Mahfouz)

Privateers goes on the power play a couple minutes later and Pierre Dagenais pulls a couple defenders onto him and connects on a stretch pass to Martin Beaulne for a short handed goal at with 14:41 on the clock. 

On the next play another Akwesasne penalty makes it a 5 on 3. Akwesasne kills the first penalty but is less fortunate on the ensuing play as Brad Smulders sets up Justin Levac to pull within one with 13:12 left in the first period.

Play is back and forth speed and finesse is the name of the game so far as with teams looking to score in bunches here. Play is in the Akwesasne zone and both teams battling for the puck when Smulders wins a battle gets the puck to Mike Richard who dishes to Chad Bazin to even the score with 3:04 left.  A turnover at center ice leads to a one on one as Paul Kelly brings it point blank but is stopped by David Plouffe on a great read by the netminder. The teams go into the first intermission tied with two a piece.

Period two

Akwesasne is on the attack to start the second.  A couple chances with pucks gliding through the crease but nobody gets a stick on it. Pelkey to the box for hooking off of a faceoff as 1000 Islands goes on their third power play.  A gratuitous bounce from a point shot deflects in front of the net nearly leading to a tap in. A rebound and another scramble in front of Plouffe, The puck stops in the blue paint and  gets cleared from the crease right on the tape of the Privateers, Plouffe sees it and reacts well as Akwesasne kills off the penalty.

Play back is back and forth for a couple minutes before Tyler Fernandez beats Plouffe over the shoulder, Assists to Jeff Winchester and Mike Richard. On the next play an Akwesasne player is ridden into the goalie and there is a hook  on the play to Matt Kinnunen. A lengthy discussion as Privateers suggest the play should have been blown dead on contact.  Akwesasne quickly takes advantage on the power play as Pierre Dagenais scores on a hard slap shot assists to Sylvain Deschatelets  and Dan Tessier. It’s now tied at three a piece.

One on one and Privateers get a shot on Plouffe who loses sight of the rebound but covers it as a scrum begins in front of the net.  Justin Levac snipes one top shelf while being ridden to the outside by Raby who finishes his check before Levac has time to celebrate his goal. 4-3 Privateers.  Martin Beaulne gets tangled with goaltender Matt Anthony and there’s a penalty on the play.  Another call and Corbeil goes to the box. Power play goal Winchester with a blast from the point tipped in front by Adam McAllister as Privateers go ahead by two.

2^nd Intermission:  A lady whose name was drawn for the Shoot to Win contest puts the puck into the small puck sized hole and has won a Ford F-150 as the first of five shooters for the contest!

Third Period

Warriors come out for the second period with a jump in their step and are pressing the action trying to get bank in it. Akwesasne goal with 16:30 left in the third. Tight play in front of the net as Addison Pelkey taps it in from Patrick Deraspe  and Carter Trevisani to pull within one of the Privateers 5-4. Less than a minute later two chances going back the other way as the Privateers seem to be getting their feet and they capitalize on the second chance as Justin Levac bangs the puck in from Tyler Fernandez and Jeff Winchester.

Another penalty for Nicolas Corbeil and it’s a power play for the Privateers.  Akwesasne nearly nets another short handed goal as Martin Beaulne fails to wrap in in on a wide open cage as goaltender Matt Anthony misplayed the puck behind the net. Privateers were back checking most of the power play which led to more shots for Akwesasne .

Akwesasne goal scored by Pierre Dagenais who just got a great shot off and Anthony didn’t have time to react to it, 6-5 Privateers with 10:00 minutes left in the period. Privateers struggling to get it out of their own end leads to a tripping call on Matt Kinunnen. Akwesasne continues the pressure and a beautiful cross ice feed for Sylvain Deschatelets from Dan Tessier and it is a new game on the power play goal 6-6.

Privateers starting to pressure with some nice passing in the offensive zone they get Plouffe out of position but Trevisani dives in front of the net in support and Privateers fire wide of the net on what could have been the go ahead goal.

Warriors with the go ahead goal scored by Carter Trevisani assisted by Nicolas Corbeil. A point shot that trickled through five hole on Anthony. 7-6 Warriors.

Time is running down Matt Anthony to the bench for the extra attacker but the Akwesasne Warriors get the win 7-6 is your final in what was a great back and forth game. The pace of the game was high and it goes to show you how well matched and close this rivalry is.

Three Stars of the game

Martin Beaulne AKW 3^rd

Justin Levac 1000 Isl 2^nd

Pierre Dagenais AKW 1^st

Game summary by Joseph Francis

Akwesasne Warriors host 1000 Island Privateers 7:30 pm @ Massena Arena

                                                        Two heavyweights square off


I will be at this game. A full review will be available tomorrow.

For now I look at the rivalry. Two teams who dislike one another. Both loaded with talent. They met in the semi finals in last seasons playoffs with Akwesasne moving on to win the championship. Both teams have only gotten better since. It's been a back and forth struggle with these two evenly matched teams with the last game going into an 11 round shootout which former Montreal Canadien Pierre Dagenais ended on a high note for the Warriors as they won it 5-4.

Even the fans have had a heated rivalry as the hour and a half drive has led to shouting matches and a general dislike for one another. The Warriors bring a fan bus to Alexandria Bay(Home of the Privateers) which is always a wild experience. The Privateers have a handful of fans who make the drive to Akwesasne as well.  The atmosphere always seems like it could boil over the fun and friendly stage of a normal hockey game into a full on brawl so it's quite the experience for die hard hockey fans who love the feeling of being a part of the game, the team and with the size of it... the league.

Players to watch

Pierre Dagenais

The always dangerous former Montreal Canadien has 28 goals 20 assists in 17 games for Akwesasne and netted the game winning shootout goal last time these teams met.

Adam McAllister

21 points in 18 games. He had two goals and one assist in the last game against Akwesasne this kid just seems to have the Warriors number and it will be interesting to see if there is an answer for him tonight.

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Leafs vs Sabres @ 7:30pm (ET)

                                                              Miller is the Sabres.

Buffalo (15-12-3) vs Toronto (16-11-3)
It's a rivalry Leaf fans love until they realise Buffalo isn't playing their back up tonight . Ryan Miller is a thorn in the side of so many franchise he sports the number of teams on his jersey. He brings a battle level which allows him to make third and fourth saves on chances where other goalies are beaten on the initial rebound. All the cash Buffalo has thrown out to Leino to Ehrhoff to Regehr all goes out the window if Miller is off his game but that doesn't happen often enough.


The problem for Miller is at the moment while those players thrive off of his abilities, Miller is without the key support he is used to going into this game and the team is riding a two game losing streak(Rangers and Senators). Lindy Ruff has to make do with what he has and going against an inconsistent team like Toronto he might have enough tricks up his sleeve to get it done as he has in the past.

For Toronto the key is special teams. Toronto is 29th on the PK but fifth on the PP! While the functional PP certainly has helped the team to it's 16-11-3 record as a Leaf fan you have to wonder where the team would be if the PK was on par or atleast in the top ten. Toronto is going to take off if they get special teams figured out sooner rather than later but history teaches us it's not likely so hang in there Leafs Nation.

James Reimer looked good against Carolina but then again who doesn't? He is 1-3 since returning from his head/neck injury which seen him miss 18 games. I'm not completely sold on the kid yet. He had a nice start to the season but we didn't get a big enough sample. Does he return to form or is the rust to much to shake off? He certainly has the defense to get the job done but the penalty kill is no ones friend in Toronto right now.


Projection: Miller keeps Sabres in the game but a fairly healthy Toronto squad proves to be too much against the reeling Sabres. Toronto wins 4-2

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Maiden Voyage

Bringing the hammer down on the new blog... Actually that's a Sabre player Luke, not my blog...

I am a sports nut. I much like yourself, Wake up in the morning and check the news. Check results. I look at the schedule to see which games deserve a look. I plan outings to sports events. I check my mobile constantly. For this I feel I have found my passion. The one thing I never grow tired of. HOCKEY!


Starting today I plan to review analyze and dissect the world of hockey. Starting out it's just me. So I will try to cover as many stories as I can with what I've got.

About me.
I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan who can name nearly every roster in the league off the top of my head so while I may show bias when talking about the Leafs I will cover other teams as fairly as I can with the odd heated review and opinions.

What you will read about here.
NHL
I will try to cover all teams in some capacity with in depth review on the team I know and love most.

FHL
I am going to cover the local team The Akwesasne Warriors of the Federal Hockey League. It's a league in it's second season trying to find it's way in less dominant hockey markets.

The league consists of The Akwesasne Warriors(Defending champs from the inaugural season) The 1000 Island Privateers(Playing out of Alexandria Bay NY) The Brooklyn Aviators (Brooklyn, NY) The New Jersey Outlaws (Wayne, NJ) The Danville Dashers (Danville Illilnois) The Danbury Whalers(Danbury, Conneticut) and The Cape Cod Bluefins(Barnstable, Massachusetts)

My hope is to drum up local interest in teams. I attend every Warrior game and some 1000 Islands matchups.

Please comment and let me know what you would like to see. I would be happy to analyze.