Monday, January 26, 2009

Stars Inching Closer to the Playoffs.

After a full week off and then some, the Battlefords North Stars return to game action Tuesday night against the Melfort Mustangs.

Coach Ken Pearson says the week off came at a good time for his team who had played seven games in 10 days earlier in January.

The Stars are coming off a 3-1 home-ice victory over the Melville Millionaires on January 17. Mitch Wall, Brett Miller and Ryan Toporowski scored for the Stars while Kyle Birch stole the show in goal and was named the game's first star.

Tuesday night, the Stars host the Melfort Mustangs in what could be a first-round playoff preview. The Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks seem to be rotating between third and fourth in the Itech Conference.

There could also be a big score to settle given the fact that Melfort has beaten the Battlefords in four straight games since Sept 30th. The Stars are still without the services of forward Tony Oak (5 more games) and defencemen Martin Cole and Woody Klaussen (each one more game) due to suspension.

A win for the Stars will put them seven points ahead of the La Ronge Ice Wolves for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Itech Conference. Heading into Tuesday's contest the Stars have four games in hand on the Wolves, and could clinch a playoff spot within the next few weeks if things continue to go well.

The puck drops at 7:30 from the Civic Center.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

2009 So far..

On a personal front 2009 has been awesome.

Highlights so far include:

- An awesome New Years Eve party at my place.
- Mats Sundin playing his first game with the Canucks (Shut up! I like him.)
- Watching Canada win another Gold Medal in the World Juniors.
- Not eating a single potato chip since Dec 31.
- Received a brand new computer from the girlfriend's family.


On the North Stars front things are a little less positive.


Jan. 4:

Stars lose in overtime to Kindersley 3-2.

Jan. 6:

Stars lose in overtime to Notre Dame 4-3. Blake Peake leaves the game late in the third period thanks to a knee on knee collision with Notre Dame's Rylan Schwartz. The Stars begin overtime on the powerplay only to lose six seconds in thanks to Rylan's younger bro Jaden.

Jan 9:

Stars begin a weekend road trip with a 3-2 loss to the Weyburn Red Wings. Not a bad effort overall, but still not enough finish or chemistry to put the Wings away.

Although I do want to commend the Weyburn broadcast crew for showing me a good time. I got a good glow on for only 25 bucks!

Jan 10:

The trade deadline is fruitless for the Stars and they lose a 4-1 decision to Estevan. The highlight of this game was when I announced that "Mike Dopko" gave the puck away to Tony Oak which resulted in the Stars' only goal.

Much to my amusement Dopko's Dad left two messages on my home answering machine pleading with me that his son didn't give the puck away and that apparently his son was "disheartened" and "demoralized." We all make mistakes, and I for one was shocked that Mr. Dopko had the nerve to call my house twice.

Hello!?!? You're son's team won the game!!! I find the entire situation hilarious.



Jan 11:

Stars lose 4-2 in Notre Dame. Jesse Lebreton goes after Rylan Schwartz right off the opening face off and gets kicked out - NOT BY THE REF; but by his own coach. Jesse never saw another shift, and the Stars gave up four power play goals. After the game Ken Pearson said he had never been so disgusted and angry during a hockey game.

Jan 13:

Stars lose 6-2 in Humboldt. The ref's were awful, and the Stars weren't even given a chance from the get-go. But kudos to Humboldt, they truely are a great team and should contend for another RBC if they can win the SJ again.


That brings us to today (Jan 14).

Today has been awesome. I left work at 8:15 am after pre-recording everything, and I've accomplished a ton today already and its only noon. I've cleaned the bathroom, done some laundry, did my TV work for "SJ This Week" (Thursday nights on Access 7 at 7), and I'm now in the midst of downloading a ton of music onto my new computer.


Life is good.