vees:blog

Getting ready for their third game in as many nights, here is Vees Assistant Coach David Small.

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The Russians and Germans have been eliminated from medal contention at the World Jr. A Challenge.

The Russians were blown out 8-2 by the Americans and the Germans fell to Belarus 7-5 in double-header action yesterday in Camrose. The pair will face off on Saturday in the 5th place game.

C-Mac, Mandy & Canada West will face Belarus, while Canada East sees the USA Saturday’s Semi-Finals action in Camrose.

Cam Tait has more from Alberta (and he’s hip to YouTube kids)!

Curtis McKenzie and Denver Manderson each had a point as Canada West beat Russia 5-2 last night to earn their first win at the WJAC.

McKenzie scored on the Power Play and was set up by Justin Schultz (Westside Warriors D-man) and Denver Manderson in the 2nd period.

Derek Grant of the Langley Chiefs notched a pair for Canada West in the win that sees the club take over top spot in Group A with 4 points (turns out they did award a point for Canada West’s OTL to Belarus).

Tonight Canada East and the USA battle in Group B action and the final game of the Preliminary Round of play.

Cam Tait has been following the WJAC and says things got ugly after the game last night.

After being shocked 4-3 in a shootout against Belarus on Sunday, Team Canada West faces Russia tonight. All 3 teams both groups (A & B) will advance to the elimination round, but the top seeded team move to the semi-final, rather than play in the quarterfinals.

A win for Canada West Tonight would put the club in a 3 way tie for first in Group A, while a loss or tie would result in the team ranked 3rd (A3). I imagine the tie-breaking formula would involve goals for and against (email me if you know). Mysteriously there is no point awarded for a Shoot-Out Loss in the tournament, which seems silly to me.

Denver Manderson scored shorthanded in the first game of the preliminary round after posting 3 assists in exhibition play, Curtis McKenzie is yet to hit the score sheet.

Here the skinny on the ‘WJAC‘.

The Vees finish their season long 5 game road trip with just 2 of a possible 10 points. Sure, the club can lean on the fact that McKenzie and Manderson weren’t present for 4 of the 5 games, but lets be honest, the Vees were exposed this weekend as a team that has still has a lot to learn about winning.

Poll Time!

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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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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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 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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