Sorry for no update yesterday, I couldn't get my computer online so I ended up doing the entire Overtime show on the cell phone. Don't have a lot of time to update today either. Smokies played well for most of yesterday's game, but a couple of key mistakes cost them and their come back was just a little too late. Exciting finish!
Saturday, December 15th, 2007: Trail Smoke Eaters (15-16-1-2) at Vernon Vipers (20-13-1-2)
(Click here for boxscore)
Decosse is out of the line-up again today. Looks like he came back a little too early from injury so they're not going to take any chances. He'll be shut down for today and Tuesday so he can come back at 100% after Christmas. They'll need him down the stretch.
Brad Davis is serving the final game of his three game suspension. That stems from the gross misconduct in that first Prince George game last weekend.
That means the Smokies are one man short tonight. Looking to avoid some costly mistakes today. If they can do that and put together a similar effort a win is certainly possible tonight. Luckily for Trail both PG and Quesnel lost yesterday so nobody is any closer to them in that race for 5th and 6th. You certainly want to take advantage of those occcurances by putting some more space between the teams. Vernon is a tough, skilled team though.
I love this building. It's one of the best in the league without question. The other thing is I'm admittedly a bit of a wimp. This rink is room temperature and I gotta say I absolutely love that part of it. What can I say, I may be a proud Canadian but if I could avoid seeing my breath I would.
UPDATE:
Well I ddn't have time during the broadcast to do any updates. I'll just quickly post that I thought this was as exciting a game as we've seen. Trail and Vernon really seem to have some great battles. Reminded me of the first game of the season between these two teams. Looking at the season so far the best games of the year have been against Prince George and Vernon... not surprisingly the teams that are one ahead and behind of the Smokies in the standings. These wins do give Vernon some extra space between themselves and Trail. The Smokies got one point this weekend, PG got one point and Quesnel got none. That means the race is pretty much exactly where it was heading into the weekend. The Smokies do have some games in hand on Quesnel so they'll need to take advantage of those.
Chris Santiago played his best game as a Smokie today. He was excellent in the face off circle. I didn't realize he had that ability. He also made some key defensive plays and had an assist on Corcoran's goal. I thought Casey Shade was dynamite on the forecheck today. He was all over Vernon after that puck inside their zone. Limbert was rock solid as always, including a couple giant hits. The puck JUST escaped him on a chance to win it in double overtime.
Big credit to Grant Rollheiser for this game as well. He stopped 40 of 43 shots and a lot of them were really tough point shots with deflections in front. Rollheiser has faced some tough games the past two weeks. In my opinion he hasn't been giving up any soft goals, but 5-1, 6-2, 5-4... those kinds of scores I imagine are tough on a goalie's confidence even if you're playing well. He was terrific in this game. Rollheiser is all ready good, and I predict next season he'll be one of the top goaltenders in this league without question.
Ourosov and Corcoran are the goal scorers for Trail. Those are both guys who have a knack around the net. Corcoran especially has been just on fire since the Arduin deal. Must've really put some pressure on himself to pick up that slack. Now he's all ready at 19 goals for the season.
Jimmy Geerin is really impressing people here. He's played two games and fit in like a veteran. Two points in those two games as well. Very good first pass, very calm and poised in his own zone, solid positionally and just looks like a player. He and the rest of the team were running around a bit in the third period, but I am so far a fan of what he brings to the table. Looking at the pick ups on D (Levarsky, Hill, Geerin) we're seeing a shift towards responsible guys who really know how to play in their own zone.
It's tough to swallow only getting a single point in these two games, but as I said on the broadcast I expect the team to take a lot of positives out of their hard work and solid play this weekend. Lets hope it carries over into the game Tuesday night at home against Westside.
Game Preview: Okotoks Oilers @ Vernon Vipers:
2 hours ago
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9 comments:
I always listen to your broadcasts. It would be great if you showed as much enthusiasm for the Smokies as you do for the opposing team. You should listen back on some of your broadcasts and hear how obvious it is.
I agree, I think it is ridiculous how much enthusiasm you show for the other team and anytime that Trail has any sort of offensive opportunity it is simply water off a ducks back to you. You need to show alot more enthusiasm towards the Smokies as you are their hometeam announcer.
Hey, I don't know about that. I think Shawn's pretty fair when he's covering the games. He has more enthusiasm than I've heard from some other announcers. Besides, I think we're pretty lucky anyways to be able to hear the games if we can't be there.
I agree that Shawn does a good job and it is great to be able to hear the games even when we're not there, but he clearly shows more enthusiasm for the opposing team.
For those of you who actually thinks Shawn does a good job you should get out more.
I don't mind the criticism. Not everone is going to think I do a good job.
It would sure mean more if it wasn't posted completely anonymously. Anytime I criticize something or make a statement I attach my name to it.
Anyway, you can say I'm too enthusiastic for road teams if you want but you'd be wrong to say I'm not enthusiastic about Trail. I can post all sorts of examples of me sounding like I'm going to go horse when Trail scored.
But I refuse to be one of those announcers who acts like he's at a funeral when the road team scores. Hockey is an exciting game... it's exciting no matter who scores. Last night's game was an awesome game to watch and I'm not going to act like it wasn't when Vernon has the puck.
hockey is an exciting game but you are the hometeam announcer and I think the point here is you need to show more enthusiasm for them than you do the away team, that seems to me all these people are trying to say. ya you are enthusiastic for trail but tone it down for the away team.
It's fine for someone or anyone to think that... fair point really. But I've always been of the opinion that too many announcers blatantly cheer for their teams. I shouldn't sound dissapointed because someone else scored. This is a game and it's my job to convey what's happening not to cheerlead.
I do end up cheering for Trail... I mean you get to know the players, the coaches, the executive and I want all these guys to do well. But the announcer in my view shouldn't sound like a fan of any team.
That's my opinion, but you definately have the right to disagree.
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