Aviators Crash And Burn In 3rd

I am writing this article with information that I was able to get from PointStreak. As we all know LSV Live Sport Video game of the week was another failure and the fans of the FHL are getting fed up with a subpar service like LSV. Email them at Caroline Markert [caroline@livesportsvideo.com] and tell them you want your refund and that their service really stinks.

Now back to the game…..

Alexandria Bay - The Privateers scored first Justin Levac #14LW on a power play goal. Nick Grove #6D scored for the Aviators to tie the match. The match was a 1-1 tie at the end of one.

In the second period Schott #10C scored for the Aviators making it 2-1 A’s. Michael Richard #10RW for the Privateers evened it up when he hit the back of the A’s net on a power play goal. Matt Atsoff #12C bagged in the next score for the Aviators, making it 3-2. The second period ended with the tally 3-2 Brooklyn.

Third period started out great for the A’s, Jesse “G-MAN” Felten #20C scored to make it 4-2 in favor of Brooklyn. This is when Brooklyn wished the game ended, no such luck. Does the word Blitzkrieg ring a bell? The Privateers scored four unanswered goals and sent the Aviators crashing in flames by a score of 6-4.

Sideline: Must admit it was nice chatting with the Privateers fans on FaceBook during the game and giving updates and receiving a lot of good humor along the way. The better team won tonight and I’ll give credit where credit is due.

Article by Clifford F. Zeman

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!

Privateers defeat Dashers 3-1

With Matt Kinsella starting in the net for the Privateers, the first period ended 2-0 in favor of 1000 Islands with Danville out shooting them 9-8.  Tippin getting the first goal at 2:15 (Smulders, Richard) and the second from Winchester (Kelly, Richard) with 4:43 left. 

Both Teams spending much of their time against the boards fighting for the puck. Matt made some good saves but not a whole lot of action in front of him.  

The second period appeared to be as slow moving as the first.  Only a couple of hits and a few penalties .  Danville with a two on none couldn't score and the Privateers were not getting the puck in the net either. Both teams having several opportunities on the Power Play no goals were scored. The Privateers out shot the Dashers 10-6. 

The third period saw both teams returning to the ice in aggressive mode.  With the Ref`s appearing to be watching the Dashers and Privateers game instead of officiating, the two teams were becoming frustrated. With words falling on deaf ears, Body contact being viewed threw a looking glass and off side confusion, the cheers went up when the Ref was knocked down.  Fans and players alike I`m sure were grinning ear to ear.

Danville finally got a goal on a Power Play to make it 2-1. Pushing and shoving was the extent to the Physical Part of the Game with Kelly (McAllister) getting the Final Goal to end the game with a 3-1 Victory and an even 7-7 shots on net in the third. A Great Effort from Danville and although they couldn't find the net they were a very different Team to watch then the start of the year. 

The Privateers return home after winning both games in the series. 5-2 and 3-1 respectively. I want to wish all the Privateers players, management, volunteers and fans a Happy Holiday and safe travels. 

Article by Karen Brown

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.

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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