Tag Archives: junior hockey

Esso Cup pic #1

We at Pucked in the Head have long flicked nose candy at lamestream media pundits and “personalities” who seem to think they should be above reporting anything less than the very highest level of sport. These are the Vancouver hockey writers who huff and puff when asked to cover hockey that doesn’t involve teams named ‘Canucks’. These are the radio pundits who whinge and rant when (rightly) informed that their job is, in fact, to report on all sporting events that happen in the area, not just the ones with the most impressive pre-game meals.

What these small-minded folk don’t realize is that the biggest and best in the country, like Bob McKenzie, Ron MacLean and Jeff Marek, for instance, still follow the ranks of minor pro, college, junior, and — gasp — even women’s hockey. The Esso Cup features the best young female hockey players in Canada, and the 2013 tourney is being held in Burnaby, BC this week. Look for pics and a feature or two over the next few days, and let’s hope certain local sports talk blowhards get over themselves long enough to give the tournament some love as well. These young ladies are the next Wickenheisers, the next Pounders, the next Spooners. They’re the next generation of Olympic Gold Medallists and World Champions. They work hard out there on the ice, and gosh darn it they deserve the attention.

Regina Rebels forward Teah Anderson readies to take a 20-foot wrist shot in preliminary round action at the 2013 Esso Cup in Burnaby. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Regina Rebels forward Teah Anderson readies to take a 20-foot wrist shot in preliminary round action at the 2013 Esso Cup in Burnaby. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

And hey, while we’re spotlighting pictures of women in sport — Ms Anderson above, and yesterday’s post about tennis phenom Eugenie Bouchard — let’s give a gander at Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna, who let loose with a wicked slap shot during a post-game shootaround at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre last month. I swear to Gaustad, she put this one-timer top cheese, off the far post and in. Badass.

Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna Bruce Lees a one-timer off the post and in during a post-game shoot around at the AESC. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna Bruce Lees a one-timer off the post and in during a post-game shoot around at the AESC. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Portland Winterhawks on the march

Portland Winterhawks captain Troy Rutkowski scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in a 4-1 win to open the Western Conference final against the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Portland Winterhawks captain Troy Rutkowski scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in a 4-1 win to open the Western Conference final against the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Entering the playoffs this season, many thought it a foregone conclusion that the Portland Winterhawks were a lock to represent the west in the Memorial Cup. They had racked up a ridiculous .812 winning percentage during the regular season and featured the top three scorers in the Western Hockey League. To make matters worse for opposing teams, their defense was led by World Junior Gold Medallist and possible #1 NHL Draft pick Seth Jones, and their crease was manned by Mac Carruth, who only put together the second-best collection of GAA and SV% stats of any goaltender in the WHL this season.

So it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the Hawks picked up their sixth win in a row to open the Western Conference Final series, a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday. It seems they have corrected the feeling of overconfidence that saw them lose twice to the lowly Everett Silvertips, who by all rights shouldn’t have made the post-season at all. Next to the massive 117-point campaign of the Hawks, the Silvertips’ 57 points in 72 games was downright cute in comparison.

More after the break.

Continue reading Portland Winterhawks on the march

Kelowna Rockets make history

The Kelowna Rockets became just the second team in WHL history to win a playoff series after going down three games to none to the Seattle Thunderbirds. It was a dramatic series, with five of the seven games going to overtime, including the seventh and deciding game.

Defenseman Madison Bowey set up the dramatic game 7 overtime winner to complete an historic comeback for the Kelowna Rockets. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Defenseman Madison Bowey set up the dramatic game 7 overtime winner to complete an historic comeback for the Kelowna Rockets. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Tyson Baillie scored his third goal of the game at 5:10 of the first overtime period, on a back door pass from Madison Bowey that left him with 3/4 of the net to shoot at. It was Baillie’s seventh goal of the series, and erased the sour taste in the mouths of Kelowna fans after Seattle had tied the game with just seven seconds remaining in regulation.

More after the jump.

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Surrey Eagles 3, Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2 (OT)

The Surrey Eagles kept home advantage in the BCHL Coastal Conference Finals on Saturday night, edging the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime. Like the opening game on Friday, game two featured plenty of chances and stellar goaltending at both ends of the ice.

Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw carries the puck as game one hero Demico Hannoun looks on. Shaw had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw carries the puck as game one hero Demico Hannoun looks on. Shaw had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Nic Pierog tipped a point shot past Bulldogs goalie Jay Deo just a buck-eighteen into OT to send the series to Port Alberni with the Eagles up two games to nothing. The rest of the Eagles offence came from the usual suspects, as Brady Shaw and Adam Tambellini scored in regulation. Those two players sit atop the playoff scoring race with twelve points apiece.

More, including more pictures, after the jump.

Continue reading Surrey Eagles 3, Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2 (OT)

Kelowna Rockets – Jackson Whistle

The Kelowna Rockets are one of just three WHL teams to crack the 100-point barrier in the 2012-13 season, and finished second overall behind the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks. One reason for the team’s success has been their young #2 goaltender — and ex-Vancouver Giants backup — Jackson Whistle.

Who knew Roland Orzabal played goal? *ahem* Okay, it's not the lead singer for Tears for Fears; it's Jackson Whistle, the stellar backup goaltender for the Kelowna Rockets. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Who knew Roland Orzabal played goal?
*ahem* Okay, it’s not the lead singer for Tears for Fears; it’s Jackson Whistle, the stellar backup goaltender for the Kelowna Rockets, prepping his gear before helping the Rockets to a 6-2 win over the Vancouver Giants on March 15, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

What a difference a year makes. In 2011-12, he played 21 games for the Vancouver Giants, and put up forgettable numbers (3.61 GAA, .873 save &) to earn exactly one win. This season, however, he played 21 games for his hometown Kelowna Rockets, and was positively stingy. He boasted a 1.96 goals against average, and stopped more than 93% of pucks directed at his net, good for 15 wins and just two losses in regulation time.

Continue reading Kelowna Rockets – Jackson Whistle

Vancouver Giants – Alec Baer

Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing some of my photos from the 2012-13 Vancouver Giants season that didn’t wind up attached to a story. Here’s the first, capturing a penalty shot on March 1 — 15-year-old Alec Baer was awarded a penalty shot with 2:27 remaining in the third period that could have won the game for the home team. He was stopped by Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Ty Rimmer, but the Giants went on to win in overtime. Read our original piece on Gordie Howe night here.

The Vancouver Giants used a couple of underage players at various times in 2012-13. One of them, Alec Baer, was awarded a penalty shot against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Gordie Howe night. He missed the attempt, but the Giants won the game in overtime. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The Vancouver Giants used a couple of underage players at various times in the 2012-13 season. One of them, Alec Baer, was awarded this penalty shot against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Gordie Howe night, March 1. He missed the attempt, but the Giants won the game 5-4 in overtime. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Alec Baer is largely regarded as one of the top high school-aged prospects out of Minnesota. As many American teens are not picked up in the bantam draft, it is not a big surprise that the Giants were able to sign him to a WHL Player Agreement (the junior equivalent to a free agent contract in the pro leagues). He was invited to the Giants rookie training camp at the beginning of the 2012-13 season, and left as the top scorer. He joined the Giants for six games late in the season, scoring once (March 8 vs the Victoria Royals) and adding an assist.

You don’t think two points in six games is anything to write home about? Well keep in mind this is a 15-year-old playing against 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds.

Baer was introduced to Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Sakic exactly one month before this picture was taken, by Giants part-owner and ambassador Pat Quinn. Quinn said, “Joe, this young man just may be the next you.”

That conversation is one of the main reasons Baer decided to sign with the Giants instead of taking any one of numerous standing offers to join NCAA college clubs south of the border.

Vancouver Giants book those dreaded spring tee times

Defensemen Mason Geertsen (#44) and Brett Kulak (#2) stand in front of goaltender Jared Rathjen during the final weekend of WHL action. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Defensemen Mason Geertsen (#44) and Brett Kulak (#2) stand in front of goaltender Jared Rathjen during the final weekend of WHL action. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The WHL season is now in the books, and the playoff matchups set for next weekend. Readers in BC, check here for the schedule for games on TV.

For the first time since their inaugural season in 2001-02, the Vancouver Giants find themselves on the outside looking in. While it’s tough for these young men to swallow right now, the Giants and their fans have enjoyed a remarkable run the past 12 years. They earned five consecutive BC Division banners from 2005-06 to 2009-10, and had at least 75 points every season between 2003-04 and 2011-12, including two Memorial Cup appearances (and one win). Numerous Giants alumni now pepper NHL rosters, including Milan Lucic, Cody Franson, Gilbert Brule, Jonathan Blum and now Brendan Gallagher.

Continue reading Vancouver Giants book those dreaded spring tee times

Vancouver Giants 5, Lethbridge Hurricanes 4 (OT)

On a star-studded night at the Pacific Coliseum, it was the Vancouver Giants second line that wrote the final script. Carter Popoff scored twice, including the overtime winner on a beautiful cross-body wrist shot, and the home side took a 5-4 decision over the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The shot you see below was the last shot of the game, as Popoff put the puck over the pad and below the blocker on Ty Rimmer. The Giants have now won three straight games for the first time this season.

In attendance for the game (besides Pucked in the Head loudmouth Jason Kurylo, who took this awesome photo if he does say so himself) were Hockey Hall of Fame players Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Dennis Hull, Marcel Dionne, Johnny Bower and broadcaster Jim Robson. Also in the building were a few guys with names like Orland Kurtenbach and Charlie Hodge. Oh, and Michael Bublé. You know, whoever that is supposed to be. Some famous cake delivery dude or something.

Vancouver Giants forward Carter Popoff continued his strong play of late, picking up two goals and an assist on Gordie Howe night at the Pacific Coliseum. This wrist shot provided the walk-off winner for the Giants, who have now won three games in a row for the first time this season. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Giants forward Carter Popoff continued his strong play of late, picking up two goals and an assist on Gordie Howe night at the Pacific Coliseum. This wrist shot provided the walk-off winner for the Giants, who have now won three games in a row for the first time this season. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

What, a Johnny-on-the-spot winning goal photo isn’t good enough for you? Fine. Go here and get the game highlights in all their interwebby, video-y glitz and glamour. Then go to the WHL website to check out the official game sheet.

 

Vancouver Giants 5, Kamloops Blazers 3

Vancouver Giants goaltender Jared Rathjen stopped 34 of 37 shots en route to a 5-3 win over the mighty Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Giants goaltender Jared Rathjen stopped 34 of 37 shots en route to a 5-3 win over the mighty Kamloops Blazers, and was named the game’s first star. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The Vancouver Giants went into Kamloops with humble hopes Wednesday. Sure, they’d beaten the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1 in their most complete game of the year just a few nights earlier, but the last time they met the Blazers — less than a week ago at the Pacific Coliseum — the visitors spanked the G-men 6-0. Kamloops dominated that game from whistle to whistle, often times without appearing to even try.

The Giants surprised everyone, then, with a hard-fought 5-3 win at the Interior Saving Centre. Perhaps even themselves. The victory marks the second time this season that the Giants have won consecutive games, and gave them their first points against Kamloops in seven tries. These two teams are separated by 51 points in the standings, making this a huge late-season confidence boost for the Giants.

Vancouver Giants forward Dalton Sward scored the first goal for the Giants in a 5-3 road win over the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Giants forward Dalton Sward scored the first goal for the Giants in a 5-3 road win over the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Brendan Rouse scored twice in the win. Travis McEvoy, Cain Franson and Dalton Sward scored the other goals, while Carter Popoff added two assists for Vancouver. Blazer goals were scored by Joel Edmondson, Chase Souto and JC Lipon.

The next Giants game is on Friday, March 1 at the Pacific Coliseum at 7:30 versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The game will celebrate Gordie Howe’s 85th birthday, and in attendance will be former Vancouver Canucks captain Orland Kurtenbach as well as Hall of Famers Marcel Dionne, Bobby Hull, Dennis Hull, Johnny Bower and Mr Hockey himself, Gordie Howe. For more information, hit up www.vancouvergiants.com

Vancouver Giants 4, Seattle Thunderbirds 1

Vancouver Giants defenseman Arvin Atwal lines up a point shot while sporting a commemorative #9 Gordie Howe Mr Hockey jersey. Atwal had an assist in the Giants 4-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds on February 25, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Giants defenseman Arvin Atwal lines up a point shot while sporting a commemorative #9 Gordie Howe Mr Hockey jersey. Atwal had an assist in the Giants 4-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds on February 25, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The Vancouver Giants scored three times on the power play and but for one exception kept opposition pucks out of their own net on Sunday on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds. It was a rare treat for more than 8,500 Sunday afternoon fans at the Pacific Coliseum, as the Giants have had little success this season in either of those areas.

Brett Kulak, Brendan Rouse and Cain Franson each had a goal and an assist, while goaltender Payton Lee stopped 23 of 24 shots to collect his 10th win of the year. Carter Popoff had the other goal for the Giants. Left winger Alexander Delnov scored the lone goal for the Thunderbirds, taking advantage of a two-man advantage in the second period.

More (including highlights) after the jump.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Vancouver Giants 4, Seattle Thunderbirds 1