vees:blog

After three straight victories at home last week, expectations were high for the Vees lone Coastal Roadtrip of the season. Sure, they would be missing Manderson and McKenzie (World Jr. ‘A’ Challenge), but the club was hot, holding opponents to about 20 shots and the reigning champs had just acquired Jordan White to patrol the crease.

What a difference a week makes! A cover-your-eyes effort in Merritt followed by a Junior Hockey clinic put on by the Kings in Powell River and a fine goaltending display in Surrey, and the Vees are staring at a losing roadie. No ‘if’s ‘and’s or ‘but’s about it.

The teams had its best effort of the 3 game road skid last night, and will take positives out of the 3-2 loss, but now points are at a premium as the Vees games in hand are drying up in hurry.

If the Vees want points in Burnaby or Langley they would be wise to observe these 3 suggestions.

1. Don’t allow a goal on the first shot of the game… Believe it or not the Vees have done this 3 games in a row (all loses).

2. Win the special teams battle… the Vees have lost the PP & PK match-up in each of the 3 losses.

3. Give their goalie a lead to work with. the Vees have lead for exactly 0 minutes on this road trip… Let’s watch Jordan White work with a lead.

Vees Assistant David Small talks road trip logistics and team bonding.

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The BCHL announced the 7 league players ranked for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Central Scouting. Curtis McKenzie is forcasted as a mid-round pick.

McKenzie is currently in Camrose for the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge with Denver Manderson.

Ferry enthusiast and long time Vees Equipment Manager Murray Maxwell gives us a tour of the Queen of Chilliwack.

‘ALL ABOARD’!

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The Vees Blog caught up with last year’s Assistant Coach Aaron Wilbur as the blue, black and white practiced at UBC’s Campus.

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Jordan White was smiling ear to ear in the Nichola Valley Arena. Come to think of it, so were Murray Maxwell and Al Formo - who represented the only present links to Jordan’s last stint in Penticton 3 years ago.

Just after midnight in the wee Sunday morning hours Jordan was acquired in a 5-team, 8-player deal that involved the Merritt Centennials, the Cowichan Valley Capitals and a team in both the AJHL and the MJHL. The Vees surrender 20-year-old Camrose native David Andreassen (off to the AJHL) and 19-year-old rookie Goaltender Anthony Borelli (to the MJHL) in the dizzying exchange.

But, while the addition of White most certainly improves the strength of the Vees club, the club looked plenty weak on the ice in an embarrassing 4-1 loss in Merritt where the visitor seemed to feign interest and lacked any sort of intensity.

Sean Bonar got the start for the second straight game (that likely won’t be happening much anymore), as White worked the gate on the Vees bench in his ‘08 Vees debut. Odds are strong the easy-going former Portland Winter Hawk will start Wednesday in Powell River - the second of five games for the Vees on this eight day road trip. Perhaps we’ll see glimpses of why Al and Murray were so happy today!

Here’s my conversation with Jordan today prior to the game with the Cents.

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While the Vees 3rd game is 4 nights might not have the sexy appeal of the previous pair, there is quite a few ‘BIG’ games around the BCHL tonight.

COASTAL CONFERENCE

ALB @ SRY

- Still chasing down their 3rd win of the season, Bryant Perrier and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs are in Surrey where the Eagles have just 4 wins this season… lets call this the Coastal Doormat Bowl!

COW @ NAN

- The Capitals were supposed to be much improved this season, a win in Frank Crane would make a statement, while a Clippers ‘W’ would put some pressure on the road weary Grizzlies.

LNG @ PR

- The Kings and Chiefs are looking like the class of the mainland, great battle here. Who Rules? The Kings or the Cheifs.

INTERIOR CONFERENCE

VIC @ TRL

- The Smokies will have their hands full with an ornery Grizzlies club that is in the midst of their longest winless skid, and longest road trip of the season.

SA @ PG

- The Interior’s best September club faces the Interior’s best October club (who will be December’s best?) in the first of two in two in the Caribou.

WS @ VRN

- The Warriors are (0-3-0-0) against Vernon this year. Will the trend continue?

‘The Tecumseh Trio’ are not the newest crime-fighting comic book heros, nor a funky minimalist jazz group, yet when at the top of their game the trio can inspire civic pride, and leave fans singing applause at the top of their lungs.

(was that too cheesy? OK, Sorry. It won’t happen again)

The three newcomers to the BCHL were all teammates last season with the Tecumseh Chiefs of the WOJHL (Western Ontario Junior Hockey League) and were crowned provincial Champions last spring.

Without further ado, here are F Ryan Viselli (#9, 1989), C Travis Ouellette (#12, 1989), and D Matt Paltridge (#44, 1989)… ‘The Tecumseh Trio’!

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The Vees are in Day 2 of a 13 day stretch that sees them play 8 times. Here’s Head Coach and GM Fred Harbinson on last night’s win, today’s practice and tomorrow’s game.

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The Vees have been dropped from the CJAHL’s all seeing, all knowing, all encompassing National Rankings.

The BCHL has 3 clubs in the Canadian Top 15 click on the link for the full rankings.

BONUS OBSCURE CJAHL TEAM OF THE WEEK: Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League.

While the Woodstock Slammers sounds like a great band name, they are actually a hockey team from Woodstock, New Brunswick that are home to the snazziest flash webpage in the CJAHL! Their logo seems to be a crazed Scandinavian Viking that carries around a huge mallet. Woodstock opened their season with a win in Weeks (New Glasgow, NS). Round one of the much feared Smashers/Crushers rivalry!