Anyone who knows me will tell you I love hockey. This is the truth. But I believe there is a MASSIVE difference between being a fan of "hockey" and being a fan of the "NHL" -- and that I'd like to think I would fall into both categories.
Being at the rink is one of my favourite times, and I'd far rather be there than watching NHL hockey on TV ... and so, for the past two seasons, I have followed a junior A team through some good times and some bad times, and it's great to see they have finished first in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Sher-Wood Division and begin the months-long quest for the ANAVET Cup, and a chance to play in this year's national championship, the Royal Bank Cup, in Camrose, Alta.
Tonight, the Portage Terriers take on the Swan Valley Stampeders in the opening round. The Stamps, who looked as though they would be making a late-season push towards the end, sort of fell off at the end and finished fourth. Led by three offensively talented young men, Tyler Moore, Brenden Harms and Brett Wold, and anchored between the pipes by arguably the best netminding tandem in the league, Jason Kasdorf and Kirk Croswell, the Terriers should be a force to be reckoned with.
Playing in the other Sher-Wood Division battle is second-place Dauphin taking on third-place OCN Blizzard. The Kings, who hosted nationals last year, were thought to be in a rebuilding year and struggled early but came through late in the season. Some recipients of my constant baked-good concoctions -- Eddie Friesen, who along with my other little friend Kyle Krzyzaniak (both former WHL blueliners), and the Kings should put up a good fight against the defensive-minded Blizzard, where another cupcake recipient, Colin Fay, plays.
The Sher-Wood Division fifth place team, Waywayseecappo Wolverines, earned themselves the cross-over bid to take on first place in the Addision Division -- Winkler Flyers. Wayway also had a late post-season push and was battling with Swan Valley for some time for command of the Sher-Wood's fourth spot.
Selkirk and the Winnipeg Saints make up the other Addison series, and the Selkirk Steelers should have a cake walk through the opening round. One of my very dear friends is playing with the Steelers this year, and I am anticipating a Terrier-Steeler final for the league title.
To follow along, visit the MJHL website or the MJHL unofficial fan forum -- some teams also have their games broadcast on the radio, and can be heard online.
Good luck Dogs, Eddie, Kyle, Fayzer, Robi, and Babycakes!
No comments:
Post a Comment