Game Preview - Chicago Wolves 11/19

Wolves Forward Mark Mancari

The Chicago Wolves return to the Allstate Arena tonight for the first time since October 29th to face the San Antonio Rampage, AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers. The Rampage are coming off of a 5-4 win last night in Grand Rapids and look to start a winning streak against the suddenly white hot Wolves. Through 15 games, the Rampage are 6-9-0-0 (12 pts) and in last place in the West Division. San Antonio features one of the top goalie prospects in the AHL in Jacob Markstrom, though since being assigned to San Antonio his stats aren’t stellar (GAA 3.60 Save % 0.879). San Antonio's leading scorer is center Bracken Kearns with 5-4-9 in 13 games played.

Player to watch:

Mark Mancari – Mancari had two points in last night's win against the Milwaukee Admirals and seems to be coming into his own since moving back to his normal position on the wing, he struggled to produce his normal big numbers when adjusting to playing center earlier in the season.

- Chris / @GgooglyBoogly

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Posted in: AHL,Bracken Kearns,Chicago Wolves,Florida Panthers,Grand Rapids,Jacob Markstrom,Mark Mancari,Milwaukee Admirals,San Antonio Rampage

Game Recap – Chicago Wolves vs Milwaukee Admirals 11/18

The Wolves kept on rolling Friday night in Milwaukee as they defeated the Admirals 6-3, and extended their season long winning streak to five games. Matt Climie got another start in net and played a solid game, turning away 31 of 34 shots faced. Climie has started each game during this four game winning streak and head coach Craig MacTavish is showing that his plan with his two number one goaltenders this year will be to ride the hot hand.

Darren Haydar started off the scoring with a quick release goal from a beautiful feed from Kevin Doell, who caused a turnover in the offensive zone and dropped the puck off for Haydar. In fact, four of the six wolves goals scored tonight were directly off turnovers.

The four goal second period started off with an odd man rush and Darren Haydar picked up his second point of the game after delivering a beautiful pass to defensemen Kevin Connauton - who continues to contribute to the offense (5-2-7). Goals by Nathan Longpre (Mancari) and Bill Sweatt (Haydar, Mancari) made it 4-0, and Mike Duco grabbed an unassisted goal when the Admirals goalie misplayed the puck in the corner.

The Admirals showed signs of life at the end of the 2nd period and scored one goal and got two more by Matt Climie in the third. Mark Mancari put in an empty netter late in the 3rd making the final score 6-3. The Amtrak rivalry series now stands at three games to two in favor of the Admirals. Scratches for the game were Polasek, Parent, Friesen, Davies, Archibald, Clackson, Reinprecht and Oreskovich.

Player of the game:
Darren Haydar – Darren had a three point night with one goal and two assists to give him nine points in his last three games, to this point in the season, he has 6-11-17 totals.

- Chris / @GgooglyBoogly

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Posted in: AHL,Amtrak Rivalry,Bill Sweatt,Chicago Wolves,Darren Haydar,Kevin Connauton,Kevin Doell,Mark Mancari,Matt Climie,Mike Duco,Milwaukee Admirals,Nathan Longpre

"Love for Lokomotiv"

As we all know, tragedy struck the hockey community this September as 44 lives were lost when the plane carrying Lokomotiv Yaroslavl players, coaches and other various personnel crashed. In their memory some hockey girls have started a charity for donations called "Love for Lokomotiv". They have been selling beaded bracelets ($50 adult/$25 child) and silicon bracelets ($10 one size) to raise money for the friends and family of the victims. 100% of the proceeds from the bracelets go to a foundation set up in honor of the team.

Heres the link to purchase bracelets: http://www.loveforlokomotiv.com/donate.html and their twitter account is: @Love4Lokomotiv

- Samantha / @Bicicaxx

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Posted in: charity,KHL,Lokomotiv,Love for Lokomotiv,Yaroslavl

He Shoots... He Misses...

Had to put this video up. Craig Smith misses a wide open net... no need to get fancy, just shoot the puck!

- Samantha / @Bicicaxx

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Posted in: Craig Smith,Empty Net,Nashville Predators,NHL,Toronto Maple Leafs,Video

Game Preview - Chicago Wolves 11/18

Wolves' Center Nathan Longpre

The Chicago Wolves head up to Milwaukee tonight, in the FINAL game of their annual circus road trip. This marks their 5th meeting with the Admirals this season. The Admirals have been victorious in all but one of the matchups with the Wolves and look to continue their dominance of this year’s rendition of the Amtrak Rivalry. Still no word on who will be in net tonight, although Matt Climie has started each game during the Wolves current win streak.

Players to Watch:
Nathan Longpre has seemingly sparked Chicago's offense with a 3-2-5 line through his 6 games with the Wolves this season.
Darren Haydar had a 6 point week in two games last week so look for him to continue to prove he’s one of the best players the AHL has ever seen.

Check my twitter @GgooglyBoogly throughout the day for news on the game and during the game for updates.

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Posted in: AHL,Amtrak Rivalry,Chicago Wolves,Darren Haydar,Matt Climie,Milwaukee Admirals,Nathan Longpre

Chicago Express

Express Goaltender Mike Nolan

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates for the inaugural Chicago Express game on October 22nd. I am relatively new to Chicago and regrettably never took advantage of the minor league hockey scene in Massachusetts. As soon as I walked in we were greeted by a friendly staff, saw a “trackless” train ride and signs for Traxtown, which is a special area for kids. The pregame festivities were great and the atmosphere was electric with over 5,000 people packed the lower bowl.

The Express scored against the Kalamazoo Wings shortly into the first period and kept the crowd in the game with a few entertaining fights and great physical play. The Express are a skillful team and having already won their first road game you could tell they were pumped up to play at home for the first time.

As we all know, minor league sports love their gimmicks and the Express are no different. Everyone in attendance was given a train whistle and we all helped to set the Guinness World Record of having the most people blowing a train whistle at the same time. I had a great time at that game and it left me wanting to come back for more.

I’ve since been to two more games. When I heard they were running a Friday night home game deal of $1 beers and $1 hot dogs - I had to be there - and of course, it was awesome. Due to it being their inaugural season and first $1 beer and hot dog night, the lines were a little long. It wasn’t a problem for us but surprisingly enough as we left the arena, we were given ticket vouchers for a Wednesday night game as their apology for the lengthy lines.

When we arrived at the Sears Center on Wednesday night we went to the box office to turn in our vouchers and were able to pick what section we wanted to sit in. We chose center ice and were given front row tickets. Right off of the face off there was a fight and the team played energetically and with heart. Although they lost to the Toledo Walleye the game was just as entertaining as the last.

All in all, the Express play a competitive brand of hockey. They have a great organization and the Sears Center is a wonderful place to see a game. It’s a fun (and cheap!) night out especially if you’re bringing the whole family. To find out more about the Chicago Express visit their website at: http://www.chicagoexpresshockey.com

- Chris / @GgooglyBoogly

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Posted in: Chicago Express,ECHL

Missing All-Star

This afternoon I decided to finally cast my vote for the NHL All Star game. Although I was already well aware that Boston Bruins young-gun Tyler Seguin wasn’t on the ballot, writing his name in for a vote just didn’t seem right.

At the age of nineteen Tyler Seguin has already won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011. Although he wasn’t as productive as he was expected to be in his rookie season, his sophomore year has already made up for that and then some. After sixteen games played Seguin has 11 goals which leads the Bruins and has him tied for third most goals in the league. He is leading the NHL with his plus minus rating of +15 and his point total of 20 is in the top ten of the league… but he’s not an all star candidate?

I know he isn’t a big name player – although he is on the road to becoming one – but it just seems odd that a player who is leading his team in goals, points and plus minus rating would be left off the list. It is even odder that Tyler's teammate Nathan Horton is on the ballot with 5 goals, 6 assists and -1 rating in sixteen games. Don't get me wrong, Horton is a great guy and I enjoy watching him play but I don't see why he was chosen over a player who's obviously having a better season. It seems like there is something wrong with this system of nominating players and although Tyler may get enough write in votes to still make the All Star game he should’ve been given a fair shot by being on the ballot in the first place.


- Samantha / @Bicicaxx

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Posted in: All Star,Boston Bruins,Nathan Horton,NHL,Tyler Seguin