vees:blog

BOSTON PIZZA VEES THIS WEEK

We’ll catch up with Sean Bonar from Summerside, PEI following a Canada West 2-1 loss to the Russians on Sunday, also Interior Conference Power Rankings, News and Notes, Fred on Central Scouting’s swing and a miss, and the weekly staples like weekend highlights, the best answering machine in Penticton and our featured intermission conversation of the week.

Tune in from 6:05 to 7:00 on EZ Rock AM 800, MyEZRock.com, or wait until the show is posted on Monday night right here on the Vees Blog.

CJHL NATIONAL RANKINGS

The new weekly National Rankings are out, and whatever the dudes at CJHL headquarters are smoking, they need to cut back.

To illustrate the lack of logic in the CJHL rankings take a closer look at the Vernon Vipers… Since being ranked #1 in the nation, the Vipers have beat the #2 team in the country (which was Penticton at the time), have won 9 consecutive games, have outscored opponents 63-14 over that margin, and yet have fallen to fourth in the country. They’ve lost once since April the 10th playing in the top Junior ‘A’ league in the country.

Why has Vernon fallen from #1??

WJAC UPDATE

With Team Canada West and the USA both 0-1 in the round robin, both have a day off to prepare for Tuesday tilts. The Americans face the Belorussians and the Western boys will face the Swedes - who lost to Russia 3-2 in a shootout earlier today. The Russians advance to Friday’s Semi-Finals with the win having won ‘Group A’.

For more WJAC coverage check out the local fish-wrap in Summerside: the Journal Pioneer

WJAC DEPARTURES & FAUST’S RETURN

Sean Bonar and Joey LaLeggia are off to PEI today with the rest of Team Canada West for the 2009 World Jr. A Challenge. Team Canada West has 2 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal in the three years that the competition has been in existance… no pressure guys.

Beau Bennett will leave on Wednesday to join Team USA who are the reigning gold medalists.

with Sean Bonar gone to PEI, Billy Faust returns to Penticton today to join the Vees for their next four games. The odd man out in the crease at training camp, Billy has been playing with the Nelson Leafs of the KIJHL, where he 5 wins, a shutout and a GAA of 2.14. Billy and Beau Bennett both played for the LA Jr. Kings (Midget) last year and have come to BC to further their hockey careers. Expect Billy to start at least one of the next four games for the Vees.

DRAFT HYPE

Central Scouting’s NHL watch list has been released and 5 BCHLer have made the preliminary list. While 5 player isn’t a whopping number for the whole league, the fact that the Vees have 3 of the 5 players is an incredible feat.

Beau Bennett has been graded a B prospect, while defenders Luke Curadi and Joey LaLeggia are rated C prospects. Other BCHLers mentioned include Westside Warriors forward Greyson Downing and Langley Chiefs defender Tim Daly.

Central Scoutings give players a grade in the ‘Watch List’, then will release a ‘Mid-Term Rankings’ in January before ‘Final Rankings’ are issued in April.

Speaking with numerous hockey people who know more than I do over the past week, Sean Bonar, and Isaac MacLeod are also garnering all sorts of attention from NHL scouts.

VEES THIS WEEK

We’re back on the air-waves on EZ Rock tonight as Boston Pizza Vees This Week is back after a ‘bye’ week. We’ll chat with Eddie Gregory of the Burnaby Express to preview Friday’s tilt at the SOEC, also new Interior Confernece Power Rankings, Weekend Highlights, a chat with Fred Harbinson after sweeping the Island, and other shenanigans.

CJHL NATIONAL RANKINGS & OTHER NON-SENSE

The Vees fell a spot to fifth in the CJHL National Rankings while Vernon remains at 3rd in the nation. The Kingston Voyageurs (OJAHL) and Dauphin Kings (MJHL) who play in vastly weaker leagues than the BCHL are listed in the top four.

Again, I’ll mention the need for more transparancy in the process of ranking teams from coast to caost. If there is a formula, what is it!?? Is there a ouija board quotient?!

Not much rust on the Vees. That’s the consensus after a 3-1 Vees victory over the Victoria Grizzlies in Penticton’s first game since October 10th.

The Vees opened their four-game Island road swing with a win in the provincial capital on Wednesday and in the process closed out the first quarter of the season with a sparkling record of 12-2-0-1.

Denver Manderson recorded his 13th goal of the season, set up by a nifty play from Beau Bennett as the Vees opened the scoring 4-on-4. Just eight seconds later, still 4-on-4, Garrett Milan made it 2-0 with his tenth of the season, when Jake Johnson spotted him alone in front. Johnson now has 3 points in as many games for the Vees since arriving from the USHL.

Alex Szczechura continues his strong rookie campaign as the 19-year-old added his eighth goal of the year to put the Vees up 3-1. Beau Bennett, Byron Sorensen, Joey Holka, Jake Johnson and Isaac MacLeod all had an assist in the game.

Sean Bonar allowed a single goal as the Vees continued their stingy defensive play in October. The team has allowed just six goals in six games in the Halloween month. Bonar now has nine wins on the year and lowered his goals against average to 2.11 while boosting his save percentage to .930

Brandon Fagerheim and Wesley Myron had assists on captain Jordan Heywood’s goal in the loss for the hosts. Richard Virtanen made 28 saves on 31 shots, and absorbed his fifth loss of the season.

Neither team scored on the power play as the Vees killed three penalties and the Grizzlies killed four. The Vees haven’t allowed a power play goal against since September 29th in Merritt.

The Vees now sit in second in the Interior Conference five points behind the Vernon Vipers with a game in hand. The two Okanagan teams have the top two records in The BCHL and are both ranked in the top 4 in the country.

Next Vees action comes from Cowichan Valley on Friday night at 7:30 when they face Capitals in the first of three games in 24 hours. The Pre-game show starts at 7:15 on EZ Rock AM 800, and myezrock.com

Happy Turkey Day!

While you were watching Monday Night Football or perhaps a 5-goal colapse from the Calgary Flames on Monday night, Murray Maxwell and I were in the EZ Rock studios for the weekly show.

On the program tonight, Interior Conference Power Rankings, Vees Thanksgiving traditions, golf tips with Evan Hammond of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, an alumni NCAA update, a look back at the history of Jr. hockey in Penticton with Al Formo, and highlights of the week that was.

Enjoy your last show for a few weeks, as there won’t be a show next Monday.

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Join Fred Harbinson and myself Ryan Pinder for Coach’s Corner at the Kettle Valley Station Pub at the Ramada tonight from 6 until 7.

After a 6-1 drubbing of the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Wednesday and on the eve of a battle between the top two teams in Canada with Vernon coming to the SOEC on Friday, there will be lots to talk about for the Vees head coach.

The Vees currently lead the BCHL with 20 points in 12 games and are ranked #2 in Canada, while the Vipers are ranked #1, have 8 wins and a single loss for the top winning percentage in the BCHL. The Vees shutout Vernon on Saturday and are looking to gain some breathing room in the Interior Conference.

‘Coach’s Corner’ runs from 6-7 and is open to the public and media alike.

Free beer and pizza for the media, and the best question for the Coach from the audience wins a pair of tickets to Friday’s game with Vernon.

We’ll Meet at 6:00 and get the hockey talk started at soon after! Food. Drink. Hockey Talk. Life is good!

****UPDATE****

Live audio available below. Thanks to all that attended!

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It was another game at the South Okanagan Events Centre, and another win for the Interior Conference leading Penticton Vees on Wednesday.

The Vees now have five wins in as many attempts on home ice after a 6-1 defeat of the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

Denver Manderson added 3 assists to move his league-leading total to 31 points and stretch his streak to twelve games with at least a point. Fifteen Vees recorded a point on Wednesday as the Vees got goals from 6 different scorers, included Adam Zamec who made his season debut after off-season surgery.

Sean Bonar was stellar in the crease for the Vees allowing just a single goal to Shaun Mueller, which caromed in off a defender’s skate. Bonar stopped 27 of 28 shots for his league leading eighth victory of the season.

Newly acquired goalie Alexandre Peck allowed four goals on 23 shots in 40 minutes of work, while 15-year-old rookie Laurent Brossoit allowed two goals in a relief stint in the third period.

Beau Bennett notched his ninth of the year, but his first of the season at even strength. Bennett is tied for second spot in BCHL goal scoring. Other Vees snipers on the night included Logan Johnston, Matt Paltridge, and Ben Sexton each getting their second goals of the year and Garrett Milan deflecting in his 6th of the year.

The Vees power play was back at it tonight going 3/6 with the man advantage, while the penalty kill negated all five minor penalties. The Vees have now killed off sixteen consecutive advantages for their opponents over four games.

The Vees now sit at 10-2-0-0 on the year, while the Capitals are dropped to 3-6-0-1 with games against Trail, Westside, and Vernon in the next 3 days.

Penticton hosts Vernon on Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre after stopping the Vipers 22 game run of consecutive victories last weekend. The Vipers are the top ranked team in Canada, while the Vees are listed in second slot.

Vees tickets can be purchased at the SOEC box office or at ‘ValleyFirstTix.com’. EZ Rock Broadcasts starts at 6:45.

Fixtures: The Interior conference power rankings, game highlights, BCHL news, and Murray’s answering Machine.

Also, we catch up on Robert Skinner’s whereabouts with Rob Facca of Northern Michigan, meet Californian rookie sensation Beau Bennett, and talk with HC/GM Fred Harbinson after a big win over Vernon.

******** Sorry for the late posting. In related news, the Barley Mill Canucks suffered a disheartening loss on Monday…

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* The Vees and the Vipers are 1-2 in today’s release of the CJHL national rankings. Vernon has been sitting in top spot all season (and beyond), while the Vees got an honourable mention in week one, were moved up to 6th in week two, continued to rise to 3rd in week 3 and now are one back of their hated rivals. The Okanagan rivals will play on Friday in Penticton at the SOEC. If you like hockey, I trust you’ll be in attendance. This is an early candidate for game of the year. ValleyFirstTix.com or the SOEC box office for tickets.

* Goaltender Josh Watson (90) of the Powell River Kings has been named the BCHL ‘Player of the Week. The import net-minder was spectacular this week going (4-0-0) with two clean sheets, helping the Kings claim sole possession of first place in the Coastal Conference.

Week two ‘P.O.W.’ F - Mark Zengerle (89) had another monster weekend, this time posting 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in 3 games played. That’s over 4 points a game! Zengerle now sits just 2 points back of Denver Manderson in the BCHL scoring race.

* The Nanaimo Clippers aren’t the power house they once were. After four consecutive seasons with the BCHL’s best record in the regular season (from 04/05 until 07/08) the Clippers finished ninth overall last year and are struggling early this year in a wide open Coastal Conference. The Clippers were shutout on Friday and Saturday and now sit in the basement of the Coastal Conference. To add salt to the wound on Friday Night former Clippers assistant Nolan Graham bested Bill Bestwick’s Clippers in a classic case of the student beating his professor.

The Clippers have not won at home yet this year, they are the only BCHL team that hasn’t. It’s not that Nanaimo is a bad club, it’s just that they haven’t been able to win close games. The Clippers have lost six one goal games this year, three of those in OT. The Clippers goal differential is just minus - 4.

* The Penticton Vees accomplished something that hadn’t been done since April 10th on Saturday, as the Blue Black and White handed Vernon their first loss in 22 games. The Vipers were previously unbeaten in seven regular season contests, four pre-season matches, didn’t lose at the RBC Cup (National Championship round robin and playoffs) in Victoria, swept the AJHL champion Grande Prairie Storm, and then of course won game six of the BCHL final against Powell River (wow).

The Vipers were not shutout once last year. Sean Bonar is the first net-minder to hold Vernon off the score sheet since former Vees puckstopper Alex Evin (seen above facing Vernon in Memorial Arena) did it on March 8th of 2008, in the second round of the playoffs (the Vees won the Fred Page Cup that season).

For more game reaction from Saturday’s game as well as all other Vipers news head to the Vipers Die Hard Fan Blog.

* The Merritt Centennials suffered a late heart break on Sunday in West Kelowna as the team watched the Warriors bury two goals in the last five minutes of play to the the game, and then another in OT to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Musical goalies continue in Merritt as well as they’ve added a WHL cut to their squad. Also the club shipped Tyler Miller to his home town of Prince George after being dropped by the WHL’s Cougars ($10 say he never even left town). Brian Wiebe has the latest and thinks there’s more in the works as well.

* After opening the season undefeated in regulation through their first six games, the Burnaby Express have found out how difficult wins are to earn in the Interior. After a 7-2 spanking in Salmon Arm on Friday, the pain train’s next stop was Trail were the Smokies earned just their second win of the year in a 5-4 OT triumph. Making matters worse was a 4-2 Sunday loss in Vernon for the club’s third defeat in 48 hours. With just a single point earned from a possible six, the Express have been dumped off their throne and are now right back in the pack in the Coastal Conference.

Burnaby broadcaster and blogger Eddie Gregory may have seen this this coming.

* A couple great games with ramifications on Interior Conference standings go down Tuesday night in the BCHL. In the Caribou the Quesnel Millionaires visit the Prince George Spruce Kings for the second time this year. Quesnel won round one by a 4-1 score, and are a single point up on their rivals from PG for fifth in the Interior Conference.

Also, Trail visits Merritt for the second time this year (the sight of their season-opening loss), with both clubs playing much better hockey than they were just two weeks ago. The Smokies have points in 3 of 4 games, while the Cents beat Penticton last week and nearly beat Westside on Sunday. Seeds five through nine are looking pretty jumbled right now in the Interior, but we may have a clearer picture come Wednesday.

Lots on the program this week. Murray Maxwell joined me in studio on a busy week in Vees-land.

We had highlights from the week that was, Caught up with WJAC Team Canada West Coach Rylan Ferster, as well as Joey LaLeggia and Garrett Milan. Also Beau Bennett tells us how excited he is to line up accross from his teammates as he dawns the Red, White, and Blue for team USA.

LaLeggia, Bonar, and Milan are in Okotoks, AB today

Zac Dalpe drops by to give us an update on Devon Krogh’s ‘flow’ at Ohio State, The Interior Conference Power Rankings are altered with Trail’s 1st win of the year, and Brian Wiebe helps us tee up Tuesday’s game in Merritt.

Boston Pizza Vees this week airs Monday’s on EZ Rock AM 800 and at MyEZRock.com from 6-7 (after the news). Also the show will be posted to the Blog before 8PM PST on Monday’s.

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