Sorry for the lack of updates recently. I've had some internet access trouble at home and on the road making it a little more difficult to get to the website.
Do you ever feel like you're just not mentally sharp? Ever since I've returned to BC from my trip home I think my brain has been a step behind. Yesterday morning when talking with Hammer on his radio show I told him I was looking forward to meeting him... even though I knew very well that I'd met him in Trail earlier this year. On today's broadcast I screwed up our power supply and said the wrong name for Powell River's roster a lot more than I usually do. It's something I hate doing because I think every team and every player in the league deserves the proper respect. One thing about Powell River's jerseys is that it's tough to read the number on the shoulder. Up to me to just get to know their players better.
Regardless, I think I've been in my own "slump" this week. The two games haven't been the best I've ever called and I guess critical posts on the BCHL message board are a reflection of that to a point. I think we probably all go through days where we're not at our best. Whether you're a hockey player, broadcaster, factory worker, civil servant or any other work. Hopefully there are more good days than bad.
We left off last weekend as the Smoke Eaters played an awesome game against a tough Nanaimo team. They went on to lose a very tight game with Salmon Arm on Saturday. Would they have loved 4 points? I'm sure they would, but those were two very well played games against two excellent teams. The effort level certainly hasn't been as inconsistent. There are still some mental mistakes creeping into the games at the wrong times, but they don't ever look like they are dogging it or asleep at the wheel. You can see that effort level every game and every period of late.
The Merritt game was just like every other game in Merritt this year for the Smokies: another roller coaster. I thought they played a pretty solid first period without getting rewarded. The second wasn't all bad either, but their mental mistakes really cost them. The Ruud shorthanded goal and the Moir goal off the back boards really could have sucked the momentum out of the team. However, Brad Davis immediately dropped the gloves and lit a fire under his team. I've heard some people online talk about how Davis gets in a lot of fights and never really whips somebody in them. He'll lose some, he'll win some, but that's not really the point. The point is more that he's a guy who will step up to anyone on any team to help give his team a lift.
In this case the Smokies immediately responded on the goal by Decosse. Limbert made a great feed and Decosse basically had a penalty shot. Went backhand to forehand and just slid the puck in on a very nice move. Decosse had his best game since returning. He scored and had two important assists. He's a guy who is going to give players on the ice with him chances to score thanks to his puck control and his ability as a play maker. Seems like he's getting in game shape and knock on wood he stays healthy.
The Smokies won the rest of the game 5-1. They badly outshot Merritt in the third period and didn't stop the pressure. Ryan Bulach unleashed a bullet snap shot to make it 3-2 Cents. All that momentum nearly got flushed by another blown PP and shorthanded goal by Ruud. At the time I was convinced that kind of a goal would just put Trail down into the dumps. Instead they showed heart and tenacity in fighting back. Casey Shade scored on a rebound from Paul Levarsky's shot and Ryan Bulach somehow found a rebound off Jimmy Geerin's shot to tie the game in the lats half of the third. They just wern't going to accept anything less than a win on this night.
Do you ever feel like you're just not mentally sharp? Ever since I've returned to BC from my trip home I think my brain has been a step behind. Yesterday morning when talking with Hammer on his radio show I told him I was looking forward to meeting him... even though I knew very well that I'd met him in Trail earlier this year. On today's broadcast I screwed up our power supply and said the wrong name for Powell River's roster a lot more than I usually do. It's something I hate doing because I think every team and every player in the league deserves the proper respect. One thing about Powell River's jerseys is that it's tough to read the number on the shoulder. Up to me to just get to know their players better.
Regardless, I think I've been in my own "slump" this week. The two games haven't been the best I've ever called and I guess critical posts on the BCHL message board are a reflection of that to a point. I think we probably all go through days where we're not at our best. Whether you're a hockey player, broadcaster, factory worker, civil servant or any other work. Hopefully there are more good days than bad.
We left off last weekend as the Smoke Eaters played an awesome game against a tough Nanaimo team. They went on to lose a very tight game with Salmon Arm on Saturday. Would they have loved 4 points? I'm sure they would, but those were two very well played games against two excellent teams. The effort level certainly hasn't been as inconsistent. There are still some mental mistakes creeping into the games at the wrong times, but they don't ever look like they are dogging it or asleep at the wheel. You can see that effort level every game and every period of late.
The Merritt game was just like every other game in Merritt this year for the Smokies: another roller coaster. I thought they played a pretty solid first period without getting rewarded. The second wasn't all bad either, but their mental mistakes really cost them. The Ruud shorthanded goal and the Moir goal off the back boards really could have sucked the momentum out of the team. However, Brad Davis immediately dropped the gloves and lit a fire under his team. I've heard some people online talk about how Davis gets in a lot of fights and never really whips somebody in them. He'll lose some, he'll win some, but that's not really the point. The point is more that he's a guy who will step up to anyone on any team to help give his team a lift.
In this case the Smokies immediately responded on the goal by Decosse. Limbert made a great feed and Decosse basically had a penalty shot. Went backhand to forehand and just slid the puck in on a very nice move. Decosse had his best game since returning. He scored and had two important assists. He's a guy who is going to give players on the ice with him chances to score thanks to his puck control and his ability as a play maker. Seems like he's getting in game shape and knock on wood he stays healthy.
The Smokies won the rest of the game 5-1. They badly outshot Merritt in the third period and didn't stop the pressure. Ryan Bulach unleashed a bullet snap shot to make it 3-2 Cents. All that momentum nearly got flushed by another blown PP and shorthanded goal by Ruud. At the time I was convinced that kind of a goal would just put Trail down into the dumps. Instead they showed heart and tenacity in fighting back. Casey Shade scored on a rebound from Paul Levarsky's shot and Ryan Bulach somehow found a rebound off Jimmy Geerin's shot to tie the game in the lats half of the third. They just wern't going to accept anything less than a win on this night.
August Aiken made an awesome pass to Brett Corcoran for the overtime winner (photo credit to Randy Emery). Corcoran was just at the side of the crease and Aiken found him tape to tape for a tap in goal. Aiken also set up the Geerin shot on the tying goal. After being one of the guys out there for the 2nd shorthanded goal he looked very determined to make sure his team got back into it. Has anyone been more clutch than Brett Corcoran lately? He's been scoring goals in almost every game over the last month and a bit. Another winner here and according to stats guru Randy Emery he has scored the winner for the last three Trail victories.A huge credit to the 5 guys on D who had to play the game shorthanded. Scott Warner especially logged a ton of ice time and they never looked tired or worn out. Full marks to this group of underrated guys who seem to only be getting better.
There were things the coaching staff wouldn't like in this game, but they have to love the never say die attitude. They have to like the confidence they showed even when getting down. They had to like the work ethic in every aspect of the game outside perhaps the power play on that night. Two points on the road is always a positive step.
Had a good day in Langley in between games. Although the attempt to get to a movie didn't work out for the guys because of a problem with the ticket machines. I spent some time in Vancouver which was nice for me as I've rarely been there.
Tonight's game with Powell River looked to be going in the right direction for much of the first period, but they just couldn't sustain the positive momentum. After getting down on an early goal by Oakes, the Smokies responded with two really nice PP goals by Shade and Aiken. Corcoran set Shade up by driving the net and putting a good low shot into the pads. Aiken's goal was a pure skill goal and he sure can be explosive. Things seemed to be going in the right direction at the time.
Corcoran set up Shade for another great chance a few minutes later, but when the play went back up the ice Harvey's backhand got past Grant Rollheiser. I would say that you rarely see a weak goal against Rollheiser, and I wonder if he is 100% after this game. Barclay came in after that goal and outside of struggling a bit with some rebounds, I thought he played well. One thing about Barclay is that he's a very athletic goaltender. He made one save on his back while reaching out with his blocker that was really impressive. I know Rollheiser has earned the starting job here, but I think Barclay has a lot of potential and often shows signs of being a really good starter in this league as time goes by.
After getting down 4-2, Limbert made a nice play by gaining the line and when it looked like he was going to drive the net he drew both PR defenders to him. He quickly gave it to Decosse who made a great move to his backhand and scored. The momentum was with Trail at that point, but Harvey scored his hat trick goal to suck the wind out of the Smokies' sails. It was another example of what had been happening all night. The D and forwards for Trail just couldn't seem to clear the puck or the Kings bodies from the front of their net. Anytime there was a rebound it turned into another dangerous scoring chance as Powell River was allowed to have guys just sitting in front of the net. If there was one major difference between the teams I'd say that was it in this game.
Trail then had a chance for 40 seconds on a 5 on 3 that didn't generate anything. Very good, tight triangle from PR that didn't leave any room for play down low. Decosse very nearly had his second goal on the 5 on 4 that followed, but he net came off at the last second. That seemed to be the last chance for Trail to get back into the game as the final minutes were pretty lethargic.
I don't think tonight's loss was an awful effort, there were just a few flaws. They didn't respond well after the trying goal in the first period, and they didn't do enough to clear the front of their net. Those are problems that can be corrected. I thought the effort level was still pretty decent. Powell River just isn't a bad team. You make mistakes and give them that much room and they're going to burn you. Especially Harvey, Oakes and Vos who were responsible for 5 out of 6 goals.
Another interesting note, Chad Niddery who scored the 3rd goal for the Kings is a former top scorer on the Grand Forks Border Bruins in the KIJHL. He left Grand Forks in the fall and they haven't regained their form since that departure. He looked good tonight and his numbers are OK. Seems to fit in well here.
Finally a congratulations to Kevin Limbert for moving into second place in list of all-time regular season games played for this Trail Smoke Eaters franchise. Another number that Randy Emery passed on to me today. Limbert is the current face of the team and will be a part of the record books for years to come.
Looking forward to my first trip to Vancouver Island tomorrow and a chance to see the apparently great rink and crowd on Port Alberni. If Trail can get 4 out of 6 points I think they'd have to consider that a successful road trip. Every point is going to be a battle this month as they have 10 of 13 games on the road. Hopefully it'll bring the team together and put them on a good roll going into the playoffs. With Prince George and Quesnel breathing down their necks, the Smokies can't afford to let up for a second.
Should be lots of fun.
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