Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle, the newest mascot of the Saginaw Spirit, was featured in this week's Sports Illustrated, dated October 16.
The bi-weekly sports publication covered the connection between the Spirit and the Colbert Report, as well as Steagle's unveiling ceremony.
"The Saginaw Spirit organization is thrilled to have been featured with Stephen Colbert and Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle in Sports Illustrated," stated Spirit managing partner Craig Goslin. "This is just another illustration that the Spirit program is getting recognition nationwide because of the hard work, commitment and dedication of our staff to provide the best game-day experience possible for our fans."
Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle is undefeated through his first six games of his career with the Spirit and if his winning streak continues at this rate, he is sure to become one of the most famous sports mascots since the Phillies Fanatic or the Phoenix Suns Gorilla.
The Spirit have been receiving national attention lately with the increasingly amusing partnership it has developed with the Colbert Report. Stephen Colbert, the show's host, pushed to have the newest Spirit mascot be named after him. The team responded and on September 30, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle was unveiled for the first time during the home game at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.
The Report is shown on Comedy Central Monday through Thursdays at 11:30 p.m.
Monday, October 16, 2006
'Diggers invade Traverse City this weekend
The Alpena IceDiggers travel to Traverse City to take on the North Stars in a two-game set this weekend. This marks the first time the IceDiggers will play back-to-back road games in the same building since the first weekend of the season in Blaine Minn.Over the course of the next 18 games, Alpena will only play four at Northern Lights Arena and head coach Kenny Miller is putting a positive spin on the games away from home.
"This gives us a chance to see where we stack up," Miller said. "We have been really good at home and in order to win in this division we need to win on the road."
Alpena is coming off a 4-2 win at home against rival Marquette, while Traverse City hosted the Mahoning Valley Phantoms for three straight games where they came away with two wins and one loss to pull within one point of the first-place IceDiggers.
MORE NEWS
Forwards Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill continue to cause havoc on opposing goalies. Craner leads the NAHL in scoring with nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points, while Rudasill has added nine goals, 14 assists for a combined total of 23 points, one shy of Craner for the league lead.
Linemate Drew Pierson is ranked 8th in the NAHL with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 11 games.
Goaltender Shawn Hunwick is second in the NAHL with seven wins while playing 561:49 minutes with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
The IceDiggers announced today they have added forward Mike DeGrazia. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Novi native played last season for the Santa Fe Roadrunners. DeGrazia started this year with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets in the USHL.
Michigan NAHL weekend roundup
All three Michigan NAHL teams were in action last weekend.
The Alpena IceDiggers beat the Marquette Rangers, 4-2, yesterday on home ice to regain first place in the North Division. Todd Rudasill scored twice and Nolan Craner and Drew Pierson added two assists each. Erik Peterson and Korey O'Brien also scored. Shawn Hunwick made 18 saves for the win. For the Rangers, Iiro Junnila and James Gallagher scored with Matt Brooker making 29 saves. Alpena plays in Traverse City next weekend against the North Stars.
Traverse City went 2-1 with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms at home and were in first place in the division for about 18 hours. On Friday, the Stars won, 5-4, on goals by Joe Greener, Brett Englebright, Arthur Bidwill, Jameson Raymond and Aaron Pietila and Kyle Jendra's 30 saves. Saturday night, Sebastion Kimmel's shootout goal in the 10th round gave TC a 3-2 win. Matt Hughes and Nathan Urbaniak scored in regulation and Stefan Shively stopped 39 shots for the win. Sunday, Ryan Zapolski turned aside all 29 shots the North Stars fired his way in a 3-0 win. Shively also made 29 saves.
Marquette blanked the U.S. NTDP, 5-0, Friday night and then lost,. 4-3, on Saturday. Friday, Gallagher potted two and Neeco Belanger, Mike Macari and Jason Cohen added solos. Stephen Ritter stopped 30 shots for the shutout. The next night, David Wohlberg scored 50 seconds into overtime to give Team USA the win. Belanger, with two, and Cohen scored for Marquette, who got a 28-save performance out of Ritter. The Rangers travel to Bismarck this weekend for a pair with the Bobcats.
The Alpena IceDiggers beat the Marquette Rangers, 4-2, yesterday on home ice to regain first place in the North Division. Todd Rudasill scored twice and Nolan Craner and Drew Pierson added two assists each. Erik Peterson and Korey O'Brien also scored. Shawn Hunwick made 18 saves for the win. For the Rangers, Iiro Junnila and James Gallagher scored with Matt Brooker making 29 saves. Alpena plays in Traverse City next weekend against the North Stars.
Traverse City went 2-1 with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms at home and were in first place in the division for about 18 hours. On Friday, the Stars won, 5-4, on goals by Joe Greener, Brett Englebright, Arthur Bidwill, Jameson Raymond and Aaron Pietila and Kyle Jendra's 30 saves. Saturday night, Sebastion Kimmel's shootout goal in the 10th round gave TC a 3-2 win. Matt Hughes and Nathan Urbaniak scored in regulation and Stefan Shively stopped 39 shots for the win. Sunday, Ryan Zapolski turned aside all 29 shots the North Stars fired his way in a 3-0 win. Shively also made 29 saves.
Marquette blanked the U.S. NTDP, 5-0, Friday night and then lost,. 4-3, on Saturday. Friday, Gallagher potted two and Neeco Belanger, Mike Macari and Jason Cohen added solos. Stephen Ritter stopped 30 shots for the shutout. The next night, David Wohlberg scored 50 seconds into overtime to give Team USA the win. Belanger, with two, and Cohen scored for Marquette, who got a 28-save performance out of Ritter. The Rangers travel to Bismarck this weekend for a pair with the Bobcats.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Spirit continue winning, sweep East foes
With wins Friday night and Sunday afternoon, the Saginaw Spirit are now in second place in the OHL's West Division.In Ottawa Friday, Tomas Zaborsky, Jack Combs and Tom Pyatt each had a goal and an assist in the 5-3 victory. Jan Mursak (pictured) and Tyler Haskins also scored to back Ryan Daniels' 32-save outing.
Sunday, Pyatt scored three goals and Mursak had a goal and four assists as the Spirit routed Kingston, 8-1. Patrick Asselin, Ryan Berard, Ryan McDonough and Haskins, also with a pair of assists, scored as well. Captain Patrick McNeill chipped in four assists and Daniels earned the win making 25 saves.
Saginaw hosts Brampton Thursday night.
Whalers drop both games over weekend
The Plymouth Whalers lost both games last weekend, one on the road and one at home.Friday, Jared Boll and James Neal scored and Jeremy Smith made 24 stops in net for Plymouth in a 3-2 defeat in Erie.
London then came to town and took a 5-2 win last night. Vern Cooper scored his first OHL goal and Neal also tallied. Michal Neuvirth made 25 saves in Plymouth's first home loss this year.
The Whalers play Thursday night in Windsor against the Spitfires and then at home Friday night against Brampton.
Photo from London game by Walt Dmoch
Indians salvage weekend split
A 6-1 rout of the Manitoulin Islanders on Saturday night salvaged a weekend split for the Soo Indians.The Indians had started a weekend doubleheader at Big Bear Arena by losing to the Abitibi Eskimos, 5-3, on Friday night.
"I thought we rebounded nicely on Saturday after a lacklustre effort on Friday," observed Indians' coach-general manager Jim Capy. "It's important with a schedule being top heavy with so many home games during the first part of the schedule that we don't give away points."
The Indians now have a record of 7-4 and are 6-2 on home ice and 1-2 on the road.
In Saturday's win over Manitoulin, Sean Farley, Joe Larson, Derek Thocker, Isaac Viau, James Ciotti and Mike Connolly scored for the Indians in support of the 21-save effort of goalie Brennan Poderzay, who improved his record to 3-0. Farley's goal was his team-leading ninth of the season and Connolly's was his first Junior A marker.
Ciotti, Thocker and Larson scored in Friday's loss to Abitibi in which Michigan Soo product Miles Williams made 31 saves between the pipes for the Eskimos.
The Indians' next action is at home to Manitoulin again on Saturday night, while on Sunday, they head across the International Bridge to play the Soo Thunderbirds in the first Carmen Provenzano Memorial Cup series action of the season.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Spirit take 5-3 win in Peterborough
The Saginaw Spirit took a 5-3 win over the 2006 OHL champion Peterborough Petes Thursday night in Peterborough.Captain Patrick McNeill (pictured) scored twice to go along with singles from Ryan McDonough, Jan Mursak and Zack Torquato.
Spirit goalie Ryan Daniels made 15 saves in the effort.
Saginaw continues their road trip through eastern Ontario Friday night against the Ottawa 67's and then head to Kingston for a Sunday match-up against the Frontenacs.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Indians end losing streak Wednesday
The Soo Indians ended a two-game losing streak in tidy fashion on the road Wednesday night.
The Indians trimmed the defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Sudbury Kal Tire Junior Wolves 5-2 to improve their record to 6-3-0 on the season.
It was the first road win of the season for the Indians after previous losses at Manitoulin and Blind River.
Sean Farley, Nick Zilka, Paul Isleib, Sean Reid and Daren Mansfield scored for the Indians, who got a 43-save performance from goalie Elliot Hogue.
"Elliot was outstanding...he was named player of the game and deservedly so," noted Indians' head coach Jim Capy.
Sudbury outshot the Indians 45-28, who played much of the game shorthanded and benefitted from Hogue's clutch goaltending.
The Indians are now home for two games this weekend. On Friday, the Abitibi Eskimos are at Big Bear Arena and on Saturday, the Manitoulin Islanders pay their first visit of the season to the Michigan Soo.
Start time both nights is 7 p.m. Admission for all Soo Indians games is $5, the lowest price in the NOJHL.
The Indians trimmed the defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Sudbury Kal Tire Junior Wolves 5-2 to improve their record to 6-3-0 on the season.
It was the first road win of the season for the Indians after previous losses at Manitoulin and Blind River.
Sean Farley, Nick Zilka, Paul Isleib, Sean Reid and Daren Mansfield scored for the Indians, who got a 43-save performance from goalie Elliot Hogue.
"Elliot was outstanding...he was named player of the game and deservedly so," noted Indians' head coach Jim Capy.
Sudbury outshot the Indians 45-28, who played much of the game shorthanded and benefitted from Hogue's clutch goaltending.
The Indians are now home for two games this weekend. On Friday, the Abitibi Eskimos are at Big Bear Arena and on Saturday, the Manitoulin Islanders pay their first visit of the season to the Michigan Soo.
Start time both nights is 7 p.m. Admission for all Soo Indians games is $5, the lowest price in the NOJHL.
Phantoms to descend on TC
According to Traverse City North Stars head coach Scott Gardiner, the North American Hockey League’s North Division is ‘arguably the toughest division in the league.’
While Alpena has what amounts to a sizable lead in the early stages of the 2006-07 campaign, the rest of the North is separated by just three points.
That makes this weekend’s three-game series at Centre ICE arena between the second-place North Stars and fifth-place Mahoning Valley Phantoms an important one. With six points on the table, either club could make a serious move in the standings by the final whistle of Sunday’s matinee.
“It makes for a long weekend,” Gardiner admitted. “But we try to treat it like a mini-tournament, like it’s a playoff weekend. It sort of gives us an idea of what it’s like when you have those playoff weekends in April. There’s some stamina involved.”
While the visiting Phantoms might be on the bottom of the North standings at the moment, Gardiner says they’re as good as any team in the division.
“Oh geez, there’s no way that’s a last-place club, I don’t care what the standings say. They’re big and physical and throw a lot of skill at you, too. Plus they have both their goaltenders back from last year. This is a good hockey club coming in here.”
While the NAHL’s most dynamic scoring trio of 2005-06 – Anthony Ciraulo, Marc Menzione, and Drew Satterly – are off to NCAA Div. I schools this fall, the 4-5-0 Phantoms have gotten solid production from holdovers Matt Quigley (team-leading six goals, 11 points) and Chris Fairbanks (five goals, nine points).
The netminding tandem to which Gardiner refers includes Ryan Zapolski and Bryce Merriam, both of whom scored victories against Traverse City last season. So far in 2006-07, Zapolski has worked twice as much as Merriam, logging three wins while surrendering an average of 4.33 goals per games with an .883 save percentage.
With his two-goal outburst last Saturday against Marquette, Jared Mullen now has a Stars-best six markers, while captain Patrick Nagorsen leads the club with nine points.
The Phantoms, who captured 11 of the 12 meetings between the teams last year, were riding a three-game win streak before falling to interdivisional foe Springfield last Saturday.
The Friday and Saturday installments of the three-day weekend series face off at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s matinee commences at 12:40 p.m.
While Alpena has what amounts to a sizable lead in the early stages of the 2006-07 campaign, the rest of the North is separated by just three points.
That makes this weekend’s three-game series at Centre ICE arena between the second-place North Stars and fifth-place Mahoning Valley Phantoms an important one. With six points on the table, either club could make a serious move in the standings by the final whistle of Sunday’s matinee.
“It makes for a long weekend,” Gardiner admitted. “But we try to treat it like a mini-tournament, like it’s a playoff weekend. It sort of gives us an idea of what it’s like when you have those playoff weekends in April. There’s some stamina involved.”
While the visiting Phantoms might be on the bottom of the North standings at the moment, Gardiner says they’re as good as any team in the division.
“Oh geez, there’s no way that’s a last-place club, I don’t care what the standings say. They’re big and physical and throw a lot of skill at you, too. Plus they have both their goaltenders back from last year. This is a good hockey club coming in here.”
While the NAHL’s most dynamic scoring trio of 2005-06 – Anthony Ciraulo, Marc Menzione, and Drew Satterly – are off to NCAA Div. I schools this fall, the 4-5-0 Phantoms have gotten solid production from holdovers Matt Quigley (team-leading six goals, 11 points) and Chris Fairbanks (five goals, nine points).
The netminding tandem to which Gardiner refers includes Ryan Zapolski and Bryce Merriam, both of whom scored victories against Traverse City last season. So far in 2006-07, Zapolski has worked twice as much as Merriam, logging three wins while surrendering an average of 4.33 goals per games with an .883 save percentage.
With his two-goal outburst last Saturday against Marquette, Jared Mullen now has a Stars-best six markers, while captain Patrick Nagorsen leads the club with nine points.
The Phantoms, who captured 11 of the 12 meetings between the teams last year, were riding a three-game win streak before falling to interdivisional foe Springfield last Saturday.
The Friday and Saturday installments of the three-day weekend series face off at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s matinee commences at 12:40 p.m.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Saginaw nabs OA from Western League
The Saginaw Spirit have acquired overage defenseman Curtis Cooper from the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars.
Cooper arrived in Saginaw last night and is expected to play in the three-game road trip this weekend.
The 6-foot 200-pound native of Kamloops, British Columbia contributed 58 points (eight goals, 50 assists) in his four seasons playing for the Cougars.
Cooper arrived in Saginaw last night and is expected to play in the three-game road trip this weekend.
The 6-foot 200-pound native of Kamloops, British Columbia contributed 58 points (eight goals, 50 assists) in his four seasons playing for the Cougars.
Saginaw players under investigation
State police are investigating a criminal complaint involving five members of the Saginaw Spirit.
According to a report in the Saginaw News, five players were suspended two games for "breaking team rules." They have since rejoined the team and will continue to play pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to detectives, Tittabawassee Township police were called to a home last Thursday night. At least one of the players lives at the house in question.
From there, Tittabawassee Township police turned the investigation over to the Michigan State police.
Detectives are conducting interviews in the criminal complaint. At this point, the case centers around a 15-year-old girl who was at the house with the players.
The Spirit organization isn't saying much about the case.
"It's come to the attention of the Saginaw Spirit hockey club that there is an investigation involving one or more members of the Saginaw Spirit hockey team. We're taking this matter very seriously. We're still gathering information on the Spirit side of things. But it is our policy, in an incident like this, or any similar incident, that we fully cooperate with any investigation," said the team's director of marketing Cameron Knowles.
The status of some players for Thursday's game in Peterborough is unknown.
"There will be more discipline coming, but I can't say what because I don't know what the outcome of the criminal investigation will be," Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini told the newspaper. "I am extremely disappointed (in the players)."
Defensemen Scott Fletcher and Matt Corrente and forwards Ryan McDonough, Zack Torquato and Chris Chappell didn't play last weekend.
According to a report in the Saginaw News, five players were suspended two games for "breaking team rules." They have since rejoined the team and will continue to play pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to detectives, Tittabawassee Township police were called to a home last Thursday night. At least one of the players lives at the house in question.
From there, Tittabawassee Township police turned the investigation over to the Michigan State police.
Detectives are conducting interviews in the criminal complaint. At this point, the case centers around a 15-year-old girl who was at the house with the players.
The Spirit organization isn't saying much about the case.
"It's come to the attention of the Saginaw Spirit hockey club that there is an investigation involving one or more members of the Saginaw Spirit hockey team. We're taking this matter very seriously. We're still gathering information on the Spirit side of things. But it is our policy, in an incident like this, or any similar incident, that we fully cooperate with any investigation," said the team's director of marketing Cameron Knowles.
The status of some players for Thursday's game in Peterborough is unknown.
"There will be more discipline coming, but I can't say what because I don't know what the outcome of the criminal investigation will be," Spirit coach-GM Bob Mancini told the newspaper. "I am extremely disappointed (in the players)."
Defensemen Scott Fletcher and Matt Corrente and forwards Ryan McDonough, Zack Torquato and Chris Chappell didn't play last weekend.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Michigan juniors weekend recap
Recapping last weekend...
On the road, the Plymouth Whalers fell to the Owen Sound Attack Saturday night, 4-2, but came back to beat the Mississauga IceDogs, 4-2, Sunday afternoon. Saturday, Kaine Geldart and John Armstrong scored and Jeremy Smith stopped 45 shots. Jared Boll, Armstrong, Chris Terry and Evan Brophey scored Sunday to back Michal Neuvirth's 41 saves. The Whalers play in Erie Friday night before hosting London Saturday night.
Saginaw won both their home games over the weekend. The Spirit beat the Ottawa 67's Saturday by a 7-3 count and then edged the Sudbury Wolves, 2-1, Sunday. Saginaw scored five power-play goals against Ottawa and a shorthanded goal. Tyler Haskins had a goal and three assists, Jack Combs scored twice and Tom Pyatt, Tomas Zaborsky, Patrick Asselin and captain Patrick McNeill added singles. Ryan Daniels stopped 24 shots. Sunday, Zaborsky and Pyatt scored and Daniels made 28 saves. Saginaw travels to Peterborough Thursday night.
The Alpena IceDiggers swept the U.S. Under-17 Team at home to take over first place in the NAHL's North Division. Friday night, captain Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill each potted a pair to pace Alpena to a 4-2 win. Shawn Hunwick made 29 saves. Saturday, Drew Pierson recorded a hat trick in a 6-1 win. Craner, Justin Stadler and Taylor Doorlag also scored and newly-acquired Mike Jarboe stopped 26 shots. Next up for the IceDiggers is a game at home next Sunday with the Marquette Rangers.
Marquette and the Traverse City North Stars split last weekend in Marquette. Friday, goalie Stephen Ritter made 29 saves en route to a 3-1 win for the Rangers. Neeco Belanger, Brodie Zuk and Mike Macari scored for Marquette, while Matt Hughes tallied Traverse City's lone goal. Stefan Shively made 36 stops for the North Stars. Jared Mullen scored twice in Traverse City's 5-2 win Saturday. Captain Patrick Nagorsen, Aaron Pietila and Jonathan Juliano also scored to go along with Kyle Jendra, on assignment from the Whalers, who stopped 23 shots. Matt Brooker stopped 38 for the Rangers, who got goals from Zuk and Jake Hauswirth. Traverse City returns to Centre ICE this weekend, hosting the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in a three-game series starting Friday night. The Rangers host the USNTDP Friday and Saturday.
The Soo Indians dropped both their games over the weekend as they lost 4-3 to the Sudbury Northern Jr. Wolves Friday night at home and then 3-2 to the Blind River Beavers Saturday night in Blind River. Derek Thocker, Joe Larson and Sean Farley scored Friday and goaltenders Elliot Hogue and Brennan Poderzay combined for 22 saves with Hogue taking the loss. Saturday, Farley registered both goals and Paul Isleib and Andy Rammer each had two assists. Hogue made 46 saves. The Indians travel to Sudbury Wednesday night.
On the road, the Plymouth Whalers fell to the Owen Sound Attack Saturday night, 4-2, but came back to beat the Mississauga IceDogs, 4-2, Sunday afternoon. Saturday, Kaine Geldart and John Armstrong scored and Jeremy Smith stopped 45 shots. Jared Boll, Armstrong, Chris Terry and Evan Brophey scored Sunday to back Michal Neuvirth's 41 saves. The Whalers play in Erie Friday night before hosting London Saturday night.
Saginaw won both their home games over the weekend. The Spirit beat the Ottawa 67's Saturday by a 7-3 count and then edged the Sudbury Wolves, 2-1, Sunday. Saginaw scored five power-play goals against Ottawa and a shorthanded goal. Tyler Haskins had a goal and three assists, Jack Combs scored twice and Tom Pyatt, Tomas Zaborsky, Patrick Asselin and captain Patrick McNeill added singles. Ryan Daniels stopped 24 shots. Sunday, Zaborsky and Pyatt scored and Daniels made 28 saves. Saginaw travels to Peterborough Thursday night.
The Alpena IceDiggers swept the U.S. Under-17 Team at home to take over first place in the NAHL's North Division. Friday night, captain Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill each potted a pair to pace Alpena to a 4-2 win. Shawn Hunwick made 29 saves. Saturday, Drew Pierson recorded a hat trick in a 6-1 win. Craner, Justin Stadler and Taylor Doorlag also scored and newly-acquired Mike Jarboe stopped 26 shots. Next up for the IceDiggers is a game at home next Sunday with the Marquette Rangers.
Marquette and the Traverse City North Stars split last weekend in Marquette. Friday, goalie Stephen Ritter made 29 saves en route to a 3-1 win for the Rangers. Neeco Belanger, Brodie Zuk and Mike Macari scored for Marquette, while Matt Hughes tallied Traverse City's lone goal. Stefan Shively made 36 stops for the North Stars. Jared Mullen scored twice in Traverse City's 5-2 win Saturday. Captain Patrick Nagorsen, Aaron Pietila and Jonathan Juliano also scored to go along with Kyle Jendra, on assignment from the Whalers, who stopped 23 shots. Matt Brooker stopped 38 for the Rangers, who got goals from Zuk and Jake Hauswirth. Traverse City returns to Centre ICE this weekend, hosting the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in a three-game series starting Friday night. The Rangers host the USNTDP Friday and Saturday.
The Soo Indians dropped both their games over the weekend as they lost 4-3 to the Sudbury Northern Jr. Wolves Friday night at home and then 3-2 to the Blind River Beavers Saturday night in Blind River. Derek Thocker, Joe Larson and Sean Farley scored Friday and goaltenders Elliot Hogue and Brennan Poderzay combined for 22 saves with Hogue taking the loss. Saturday, Farley registered both goals and Paul Isleib and Andy Rammer each had two assists. Hogue made 46 saves. The Indians travel to Sudbury Wednesday night.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Stars visit first-year Rangers this weekend
Even as the North American Hockey League’s officiating crackdown is packing ‘em into penalty boxes at a record clip, the Marquette Rangers will pay homage to ‘old-time hockey’ this weekend when the Traverse City North Stars visit for a two-game series.
That’s because Saturday’s game will feature an appearance by the Hanson Brothers, the bespectacled brethren who played for the Charlestown Chiefs in the cult hockey classic, “Slap Shot.”
On the ice, the teams are unlikely to ‘put on the foil,’ but the North Stars will have their hands full with Marquette goalie Stephen Ritter, one of the NAHL’s top goalies. Ritter, a behemoth of a netkeep at 6-3, 200-lbs., has worked the pipes in five of the first-year Rangers’ six outings, posting a 3-2-0 mark with an eye-bulging .946 save percentage and nearly as astounding 1.80 goals against average.
“They’re a solid team all around, but that guy has been outstanding in net for them,” assessed Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. “We’ll have to work hard to get anything past him.”
While Marquette boasts five NAHL vets, including Steve Sperry (Team USA-17 in 2005-06), the neophyte Rangers have been as hard-hit as any team by the officiating onslaught. Despite not having played a game in 12 days, the club has amassed the second-most penalty minutes in the league.
The Rangers’ offense is led by Saskatchewan export Brodie Zuk, who has a trio of goals and four assists. Nick Kosinski and hometown prep star Neeco Belanger have contributed six points each, while Nic Weight leads the club with four goals.
Marquette head coach Leigh Mendelson told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that his team would be facing a vet-laden, open-ice bunch in the North Stars.
“Their team has some veterans and returning players,” he said. “They have a good, skilled team with speed. That’s the kind of team you need to have in today’s hockey.”
While the North Stars are just a point out of first place in the NAHL North Division, it would be impossible for them to ascend to the divisional penthouse on Friday, as the two first place clubs – Alpena and Team USA – face off at Northern Lights Arena. The Rangers are in fourth place, right behind Traverse City with two games in hand. And as for a home ice advantage, the team set an NAHL record with 2,270 fans at its inaugural home opener against Alpena on Sept. 23.
“It should be an interesting series because they’re a new franchise but in a very hockey-savvy community,” Gardiner said. “They packed ‘em in pretty good up there at their opener, and with the Hanson Brothers thing, they’ll probably be going crazy in their building. We’ll have to match their intensity or we could get caught on our heels a bit.”
The North Stars return to Centre ICE arena next weekend for a two-game set against Mahoning Valley.
That’s because Saturday’s game will feature an appearance by the Hanson Brothers, the bespectacled brethren who played for the Charlestown Chiefs in the cult hockey classic, “Slap Shot.”
On the ice, the teams are unlikely to ‘put on the foil,’ but the North Stars will have their hands full with Marquette goalie Stephen Ritter, one of the NAHL’s top goalies. Ritter, a behemoth of a netkeep at 6-3, 200-lbs., has worked the pipes in five of the first-year Rangers’ six outings, posting a 3-2-0 mark with an eye-bulging .946 save percentage and nearly as astounding 1.80 goals against average.
“They’re a solid team all around, but that guy has been outstanding in net for them,” assessed Stars head coach Scott Gardiner. “We’ll have to work hard to get anything past him.”
While Marquette boasts five NAHL vets, including Steve Sperry (Team USA-17 in 2005-06), the neophyte Rangers have been as hard-hit as any team by the officiating onslaught. Despite not having played a game in 12 days, the club has amassed the second-most penalty minutes in the league.
The Rangers’ offense is led by Saskatchewan export Brodie Zuk, who has a trio of goals and four assists. Nick Kosinski and hometown prep star Neeco Belanger have contributed six points each, while Nic Weight leads the club with four goals.
Marquette head coach Leigh Mendelson told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that his team would be facing a vet-laden, open-ice bunch in the North Stars.
“Their team has some veterans and returning players,” he said. “They have a good, skilled team with speed. That’s the kind of team you need to have in today’s hockey.”
While the North Stars are just a point out of first place in the NAHL North Division, it would be impossible for them to ascend to the divisional penthouse on Friday, as the two first place clubs – Alpena and Team USA – face off at Northern Lights Arena. The Rangers are in fourth place, right behind Traverse City with two games in hand. And as for a home ice advantage, the team set an NAHL record with 2,270 fans at its inaugural home opener against Alpena on Sept. 23.
“It should be an interesting series because they’re a new franchise but in a very hockey-savvy community,” Gardiner said. “They packed ‘em in pretty good up there at their opener, and with the Hanson Brothers thing, they’ll probably be going crazy in their building. We’ll have to match their intensity or we could get caught on our heels a bit.”
The North Stars return to Centre ICE arena next weekend for a two-game set against Mahoning Valley.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Elmblad impresses, now a Wolverine
Not long after the Team USA U-17 squad held off the Traverse City North Stars in a decisive Game 5 of last year’s North American Hockey League North Division semifinal playoff series, Eric Elmblad went right back to work. But instead of chasing a NAHL Robertson Cup championship, the St. Ignace native was running down a dream.“Since I was a kid, it’s been a lifelong dream to play hockey at (University of) Michigan,” said Elmblad, whose indelible image after scoring an overtime clincher in Game 3 of the USA-17 playoff series has become a de facto component of the North Stars’ branding. “I got into the school and deferred my enrollment for two years so I could try to become the kind of hockey player who could make it here. There were some bumps in the road along the way, I guess, but I never really lost sight of that goal.”
Over the summer, Elmblad contacted Wolverines assistant coach Mel Pearson and inquired about getting a look from the U-M coaches as a walk-on. A rigorous training regimen followed, as Elmblad prepared himself to dazzle the Wolverines’ staff.
“We did not recruit him, and I told him right away that it’s pretty tough to make it here as a walk-on, especially given how much depth we have this year,” explained longtime Michigan coach Red Berenson. “That might have discouraged some kids, but it only seemed to make Eric work harder, and that’s something I really admired about him.”
Berenson has seen his share of Wolverines hopefuls come and go over the course of his 23 years in Ann Arbor. And some have helped Berenson win nearly 600 games (eighth in all-time NCAA victories), nine CCHA titles and pair of national crowns. But the coaching legend says Elmblad earned his block ‘M’ sweater the old fashioned way.
“It’s rewarding for me to see a kid work like that toward a goal and reach it,” Berenson added. “Nothing was handed to Eric. He just plain wanted to be here.”
Elmblad had three goals and six assists in 36 games with the North Stars last year after spending 2004-05 with the NAHL champion Texas Tornado. Traverse City head coach Scott Gardiner moved him to forward toward the end of the season and it paid huge dividends in the club’s first-ever home playoff game, won by Elmblad’s tip-in in overtime on April 7.
“It’s big for us as a team, but it’s just a great, great thing for Eric,” Gardiner said. “He worked hard academically to get where he is, and he did the same thing on the ice and look where it got him. We here in Traverse City couldn’t be happier for him or prouder of him. He’s a great kid and he deserves all of it.”
The scholarly Elmblad – who, by the way, is also enrolled in the prestigious U-M School of Engineering – says that his NAHL stint truly helped him prepare as a hockey player intent on playing for the Wolverines.
“Playing in the North American league helped me develop a certain work ethic,” he explained. “I tried to learn how to be strong with the puck and to be able to play a physical game. It’s a good level of competition, and playing there definitely helped my development as a player and a person.”
While the first hurdle – making the team – has been cleared, Elmblad now faces the challenge of securing his share of playing time. But challenges are nothing new to the 6-4, 210-pound defenseman/forward.
“When you come in as a walk-on, you generally start at the bottom of the depth chart,” Berenson said. “And we are very deep on defense, so his work isn’t done. He knows that, and I’m sure that will probably drive him even harder.”
True.
“I’m still in a little bit of shock just making it,” Elmblad admitted. “But there’s a lot of work ahead of me still. But this isn’t something I just decided to try this summer – I’ve been aiming at this for a long, long time. I’m not going to back down from any challenge.”
Spirit trades Priamo to hometown Guelph
The Saginaw Spirit announced today that forward Tim Priamo has been traded to the Guelph Storm for a conditional pick in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection.
Further details of the trade were not disclosed.
The 18-year-old Guelph native played 60 games for the Spirit last season, earning four goals and 10 assists. He also played three games against the Storm in the 2006 OHL playoffs.
Further details of the trade were not disclosed.
The 18-year-old Guelph native played 60 games for the Spirit last season, earning four goals and 10 assists. He also played three games against the Storm in the 2006 OHL playoffs.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Whalers deal goalie Garay to Erie
The Plymouth Whalers have traded third-year goaltender Justin Garay to the Erie Otters in exchange for a conditional draft choice in 2007.The trade reduces Plymouth’s crowded goaltending situation. Michal Neuvirth and Jeremy Smith have split duty in goal so far this season with rookie Kyle Jendra as the third goaltender.
Garay, 19 and from Monaca, Penn., was selected by Plymouth in the eighth round (159th overall) in the 2003 OHL Priority Selection. Garay made his OHL debut on October 1, 2004 in London in a 5-4 overtime loss. He played in 22 games in his rookie season in 2004-05, posting a 3.64 goals-against average and a .880 save percentage.
Last year, Garay compiled excellent numbers through the first two months of the season with a 2.70 goals-against average and .918 save percentage, including his first OHL shutout on Oct, 21, 2005 in a 3-0 victory in Kitchener. But Garay injured his ankle last November and appeared in five games the rest of the season. Overall, Garay had a 3.72 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in 14 games in 2005-06. He also won the Barbara Ann Karmanos Community Goals Award.
In addition, the Whalers have assigned goaltender Kyle Jendra to the Traverse City North Stars and defenseman Chad Loikets has moved on to play for Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Loikets was picked up off waivers from Erie last week, but did not see any game action.
The Colbert Report spotlights Spirit
The Saginaw Spirit were highlighted on the Colbert Report last night.
The Report showed footage from the unveiling ceremony of the newest Spirit mascot, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle. The segment also showcased the OHL and the two upcoming Spirit home games against the Ottawa 67's and the Sudbury Wolves. At the end of the show, the host, Stephen Colbert, retired his Spirit jersey and raised it to the rafters of his studio.
"We are proud of our accident-prone new mini mascot, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle, as he made his international television debut last night," Spirit managing partner Craig Goslin said. "As Stephen Colbert raised his Spirit Jersey to the rafters of his studio, he officially became the first Spirit to do so."
The community of mid-Michigan is quickly being transformed into raving Stephen Colbert fans. Stay tuned for future updates on both the Colbert Report and the Saginaw Spirit hockey games played at the Dow Event Center.
The Report is shown Monday through Thursday at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. The show will be replayed on Comedy Central Wednesday, October 4th at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. A video clip of the segment will be available online on Comedy Central's website within the next two days.
The Report showed footage from the unveiling ceremony of the newest Spirit mascot, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle. The segment also showcased the OHL and the two upcoming Spirit home games against the Ottawa 67's and the Sudbury Wolves. At the end of the show, the host, Stephen Colbert, retired his Spirit jersey and raised it to the rafters of his studio.
"We are proud of our accident-prone new mini mascot, Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle, as he made his international television debut last night," Spirit managing partner Craig Goslin said. "As Stephen Colbert raised his Spirit Jersey to the rafters of his studio, he officially became the first Spirit to do so."
The community of mid-Michigan is quickly being transformed into raving Stephen Colbert fans. Stay tuned for future updates on both the Colbert Report and the Saginaw Spirit hockey games played at the Dow Event Center.
The Report is shown Monday through Thursday at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. The show will be replayed on Comedy Central Wednesday, October 4th at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. A video clip of the segment will be available online on Comedy Central's website within the next two days.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Alpena acquires goalie from St. Louis
The Alpena IceDiggers acquired goaltender Mike Jarboe from the St. Louis Bandits yesterday.The Grosse Pointe native is in his second season in the NAHL, having played last year for the now-defunct Bozeman IceDogs where he complied a 15-4-0 record with two shutouts.
Jarboe started this season with the Bandits where he went 1-0 with a 31-save win over the North Iowa Outlaws.
Alpena coach-GM Kenny Miller feels that with Jarboe and Shawn Hunwick, both goalies can step in and give the team a chance to win every night.
"Shawn has been great so far and now with Mike, we should have one of the best one-two combos in the league," said Miller.
With adding Jarboe, the IceDiggers had to make room by releasing rookie netminder Brandon Stephenson.
"It was a tough decision, but when you get a chance to add a guy like Mike you have to do what is best for the entire team," Miller noted. "Brandon is a great kid who will turn out to be a good goalie in this league, but I felt we had to get a guy that can step in right now and play."
Monday, October 02, 2006
Michigan juniors weekend recap
All six Michigan junior teams were in action this past weekend.
The Plymouth Whalers won another shootout, 3-2, in Guelph Friday night. James Neal and Evan Brophey scored shootout goals, while goaltender Jeremy Smith stopped all three Guelph shots. Earlier, Frank Grzeszczak scored his first OHL goal and Neal also scored. Saturday night at home, Neal scored the shootout winner and Steve Ward, Chris Terry, Dan Collins and Tom Sestito all scored. A.J. Jenks added two assists for Plymouth and Michal Neuvirth earned the win in net. The Whalers are at Owen Sound Friday and at Mississauga Saturday.
Saginaw lost, 4-3, in a shootout in Sarnia Friday night, but won their first game of the season, 5-3, Saturday night at home against Windsor. Friday, Patrick Asselin, captain Tyler Haskins and Ryan McDonough scored and Ryan Daniels made 43 saves. Tom Pyatt had two goals and two assists in Saturday's win and Asselin added two goals as well. Jack Combs potted the other and Daniels stopped 26 shots. The Spirit play two home games this weekend with Ottawa Saturday night and a Sunday matinee with Sudbury.
The Alpena IceDiggers/Traverse City North Stars rivalry continued as the teams split their weekend home-and-home series. On Friday, host Alpena dropped Traverse City, 5-1, as Erik Peterson (2), Ricardo Yesue, Ben Kitzmiller and Drew Pierson scored to back Shawn Hunwick's 20 saves. Harrison Niemann tallied for TC and Stefan Shively and Ryan Donovan combined for 27 saves. Saturday night in Traverse City, the North Stars held on for a 4-3 win. Brett Englebright, Sebastion Kimmel, Matt Hughes and Jonathan Juliano scored for Traverse City while Nolan Craner scored twice and Pierson once for the 'Diggers. Shively stopped 33 shots and Hunwick made 25 saves. Traverse City will travel to Marquette for a two-game set against the Rangers this weekend. Alpena hosts the U.S. Under-17 team on Friday and Saturday night.
Marquette was idle last weekend and hosts Traverse City this weekend.
Paul Isleib picked a good time to score his first two goals of the NOJHL season for the Soo Indians. Saturday at Big Bear Arena, Isleib's goal with less than five minutes to play in the third period tied the score before his overtime tally just 41 seconds into the extra frame gave the Indians a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Abitibi Eskimos. The victory gives the Indians a 5-1 record as they prepare to play host to the defending champion Sudbury Northern Jr. Wolves on Friday night at 7:00 at Big Bear. James Ciotti and Sean Farley had scored earlier goals for the Indians and Isleib's timely tallies made a winner out of goalie Elliot Hogue, who turned aside 27 shots for his third straight win to start the season. The win over Abitibi came a night after the Indians lost for the first time this season, a 5-3 road setback at Manitoulin. Farley, Nick Novak and Nick Zilka scored for the Indians in defeat. Jake Rosenthal stopped 22 shots for the Indians.
The Plymouth Whalers won another shootout, 3-2, in Guelph Friday night. James Neal and Evan Brophey scored shootout goals, while goaltender Jeremy Smith stopped all three Guelph shots. Earlier, Frank Grzeszczak scored his first OHL goal and Neal also scored. Saturday night at home, Neal scored the shootout winner and Steve Ward, Chris Terry, Dan Collins and Tom Sestito all scored. A.J. Jenks added two assists for Plymouth and Michal Neuvirth earned the win in net. The Whalers are at Owen Sound Friday and at Mississauga Saturday.
Saginaw lost, 4-3, in a shootout in Sarnia Friday night, but won their first game of the season, 5-3, Saturday night at home against Windsor. Friday, Patrick Asselin, captain Tyler Haskins and Ryan McDonough scored and Ryan Daniels made 43 saves. Tom Pyatt had two goals and two assists in Saturday's win and Asselin added two goals as well. Jack Combs potted the other and Daniels stopped 26 shots. The Spirit play two home games this weekend with Ottawa Saturday night and a Sunday matinee with Sudbury.
The Alpena IceDiggers/Traverse City North Stars rivalry continued as the teams split their weekend home-and-home series. On Friday, host Alpena dropped Traverse City, 5-1, as Erik Peterson (2), Ricardo Yesue, Ben Kitzmiller and Drew Pierson scored to back Shawn Hunwick's 20 saves. Harrison Niemann tallied for TC and Stefan Shively and Ryan Donovan combined for 27 saves. Saturday night in Traverse City, the North Stars held on for a 4-3 win. Brett Englebright, Sebastion Kimmel, Matt Hughes and Jonathan Juliano scored for Traverse City while Nolan Craner scored twice and Pierson once for the 'Diggers. Shively stopped 33 shots and Hunwick made 25 saves. Traverse City will travel to Marquette for a two-game set against the Rangers this weekend. Alpena hosts the U.S. Under-17 team on Friday and Saturday night.
Marquette was idle last weekend and hosts Traverse City this weekend.
Paul Isleib picked a good time to score his first two goals of the NOJHL season for the Soo Indians. Saturday at Big Bear Arena, Isleib's goal with less than five minutes to play in the third period tied the score before his overtime tally just 41 seconds into the extra frame gave the Indians a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Abitibi Eskimos. The victory gives the Indians a 5-1 record as they prepare to play host to the defending champion Sudbury Northern Jr. Wolves on Friday night at 7:00 at Big Bear. James Ciotti and Sean Farley had scored earlier goals for the Indians and Isleib's timely tallies made a winner out of goalie Elliot Hogue, who turned aside 27 shots for his third straight win to start the season. The win over Abitibi came a night after the Indians lost for the first time this season, a 5-3 road setback at Manitoulin. Farley, Nick Novak and Nick Zilka scored for the Indians in defeat. Jake Rosenthal stopped 22 shots for the Indians.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Soo Indians players come from all over
The Soo Indians may be based in Michigan and play in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, but they feature players from six different states and the province of Ontario.
The Indians feature two homegrown products in Michigan Soo natives J.D. King and Daren Mansfield, as well as a lone import from the crossriver Canadian Soo in winger Dan Vernelli. King is a defenceman and Mansfield is a forward.
Besides those three, the rest of the team is from just about all over. In fact, the Indians' goalies are from three different states -- Elliot Hogue hails from St. Louis, Missouri, Brennan Poderzay calls Tower, Minnesota home and Jake Rosenthal is from Wantagh, N.Y.
Others from Michigan include defencemen Dan Klever (Bailey), Jake Russell (Owosso), and Brett Lavalley (Grosse Pointe Woods) and forwards Darek Thocker (Grand Ledge), Jon Sutton (Muskegon), James Ciotti (Romeo), Alex Falardeau (Midland) and Issac Viau (Cheboygan).
New York natives include defenceman Billy Horton (New Hartford) and forwards Alex Durinka (East Amherst) and Mike Connolly (Shoreham).
Others from Minnesota include forwards J.P. Perpich (Bloomington), Nick Zilka (Mound) and Joe Larson (Apple Valley).
Players from Illinois include defencemen Peter Landem (Lombard) and Sean Reid (Chicago) and forwards Chris Cooper (Glenview), Sean Farley (Park Ridge) and Paul Isleib (Batavia).
And the Indians have two players from Wisconsin: defenceman Nick Novak, who hails from Green Bay, and winger Andrew Rammer, who calls Appleton home.
The Indians feature two homegrown products in Michigan Soo natives J.D. King and Daren Mansfield, as well as a lone import from the crossriver Canadian Soo in winger Dan Vernelli. King is a defenceman and Mansfield is a forward.
Besides those three, the rest of the team is from just about all over. In fact, the Indians' goalies are from three different states -- Elliot Hogue hails from St. Louis, Missouri, Brennan Poderzay calls Tower, Minnesota home and Jake Rosenthal is from Wantagh, N.Y.
Others from Michigan include defencemen Dan Klever (Bailey), Jake Russell (Owosso), and Brett Lavalley (Grosse Pointe Woods) and forwards Darek Thocker (Grand Ledge), Jon Sutton (Muskegon), James Ciotti (Romeo), Alex Falardeau (Midland) and Issac Viau (Cheboygan).
New York natives include defenceman Billy Horton (New Hartford) and forwards Alex Durinka (East Amherst) and Mike Connolly (Shoreham).
Others from Minnesota include forwards J.P. Perpich (Bloomington), Nick Zilka (Mound) and Joe Larson (Apple Valley).
Players from Illinois include defencemen Peter Landem (Lombard) and Sean Reid (Chicago) and forwards Chris Cooper (Glenview), Sean Farley (Park Ridge) and Paul Isleib (Batavia).
And the Indians have two players from Wisconsin: defenceman Nick Novak, who hails from Green Bay, and winger Andrew Rammer, who calls Appleton home.
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