Sunday 27 September 2015

The Roundup-Weekend Chasing Idiots Sofa Kings Cradle Robbers etc

The Weekly Roundup


Last Weekend
The Ghostriders had a 6-3 win in Golden on Friday then picked up a point in their home opener when they lost 3-2 in overtime against the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Saturday. 

On the Road Again
On Friday after a long bus ride the Ghostriders had a slow first period in Golden but still managed to come out of it tied 2-2 ... despite being outshot 15-8. Cole Keebler from Peers, then Keebler from Wilson and Thomsen scored the goals.

In the second the shots were 17-5 only this time for the Riders and Aidan Wilson from Differenz and Thomsen then Keebler from Peers scored ending the period with a 4-2 lead.

In the third the Rockets scored shorthanded but Zach Befus from Keebler made it 5-3 then Mack Differenz scored into the empty net for a 6-3 W and a 43-27 shot advantage in their fourth road game in a row.

The Home Opener vs 100 Mile House
After losing 5-0 in Creston the night before the Wranglers came out very slow in the first 10 minutes here in Fernie. The Riders were all over them and probably deserved at least one goal anyway but Zane Steeves, who shutout Kimberley last week, (Thanks Zane)  played very well. The Wranglers seemed to get some legs after that and ended up with some good chances of their own by the end of the first but neither team scored.

In the second 100's Liam Cumberbirch scored first but a few minutes later Mitch Titus from Kingwell and Befus got one on the power play and the period ended 1-1.

In the third Alex Hansen took advantage of a tripped on the blueline  "D" and put one past Jeff Orser for a 2-1 lead. Half way through the period Ryan Teslak scored his first of the season from Keebler and Befus on the PP for a 2-2 tie.

In the OT Brady Ward scored the winner for the Wranglers.

The shots were 46-32 for the Riders who went 2-8 on the PP and killed all 3 PP's against. Jeff Orser was in net and had to make a few big saves gaining the Riders a valuable point in the standings.

The First Time
1/ The 100 Mile game was the first time I've seen the Riders in a real game. They have some good speed and easily generated enough good chances to win, Steeves (who could have been 100's POG) stopped at least three breakaways and a few other big chances.

2/ Mack Differenz was back in the lineup after getting hurt in the opening weekend, he looked good and had a goal and an assist in Golden just missing on some points here in Fernie as well. The Coaches are hoping he can be a differenz maker this season.

3/ RW Zach Befus had 2 assists vs 100 and has had a point in every game.

4/ LW Rider Prue played his first game Saturday and showed some flashes, he will help when he gets settled in here in Fernie, and his first name will make for some confusion in the media... I hope.

5/ News Flash... Cole Keebler didn't score a goal Saturday after scoring 9 goals in his first 4 games...  despite having a couple of great looks. But he did have an assist

6/ Rookie D- men Kevin Pierce (98) and Keagan Kingwell (97) lead the D in scoring with 3 assists each, just wait for a month or so when they really get used to the KI. You can say that about several of the new players as well.

7/ You could argue, and I will, that the Riders would have had a better fate vs 100 with top guns Justin Peers and Spencer Bender in the lineup. Peers is suspended 2 games for a head contact hit in Golden and Bender is out with an injury for the foreseeable future, which could be next weekend the way these kids heal. Injured players Dalton Bouvier, Taylor Sincennes, Kyle Haugo and Jacen Richards were all out and would have helped as well. Pretty early for all these injuries.

8/  Kinda like Evan Reid up front, ( played D last season) he can really wheel, beat guys one on one, and has a bit of a mean streak in him, he has no points yet and missed on a breakaway Saturday but I believe it will come.

9/ Mitch Titus was the POG Saturday... pretty exciting to watch and should have had at least one more goal.

10/ The new fitter trimmer Jeff Orser will be put to the test with Brandon Butler out for yet another weekend coming up. He has played all the games in net so far winning 3 losing 1 in regulation and 1 in OT. 




























Sofa Kings
After losing 2 points last season for using an ineligible player Kelowna didn't learn from their mistakes and lost 3 points again last week when they didn't check to see if all their personnel had been approved by Hockey Canada. This is (say this fast) sofa king-- stupid, get on your phone and check the website, if is says something other than approved don't let em in the game.


 Chase Heat President Scott Koch thinks "I'm" an idiot for bringing this Kelowna story up on Twitter  (sarcastically of course). But if he wants the league to look good, and I assume he does,  he would be much better served by going after his brothers in Kelowna for not checking the HC site. After the Nelson fiasco last season Read that story here if you don't remember  the team Presidents, GM's and Coaches should be vigilant and attack each other whenever this happens, not the KIJHL President  or the media for reporting it. When this kind of thing happens it hurts the league, and we need every recruiting advantage we can get, so Scott, go after your brothers and tell em to check, check check, just like you  tell your players. OR you can do this below...

The almost 80 year old KIJHL President Bill Ohlhausen tells me that when ever this happens he is the "lightning rod" and has to take the heat for the team's mistakes. But, as Bill says (but not quite like I'm going to say it)  the answer for guys who are too lazy to check the HC site is to hire someone to be in charge of registering every player coach and trainer. Other leagues do this...  if the teams are really concerned about their image, and checking the HC site is just to much of a burden... then check your wallets and hire someone!

Now how's this for irony, this time the Nelson Leafs get the points from the Kelowna's mistake More on this here    the Leafs still got a few more miles to go though.

Players on the trail of something big

The Ghostrider players and coaches helped out Pat Gilmar of the Fernie Trails Alliance last week building the new Montane bike and hiking trail. The Fernie Trails Alliance has done as much and maybe more for tourism than the ski hill has with all the bike trails they have built making Fernie an all season destination. Gilmar should get the Spiritus award or something, that's him on the left in the first pic. Click for large view 

































Letter from the Mayor
The boys helped the City put in and take out the boards covering the ice for the Mine Rescue Competition a few weeks ago.

From Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano
Please pass my sincere gratitude to the Ghostrider boys for all their assistance this past weekend They were truly terrific and I thank them more than words can express Mary.


NCAA  Cradle Robbers
Now how about the high and mighty NCAA who won't allow kids to even play an exhibition game in the WHL because that would make them professional. But it's OK to get 14 year old's committed to College? This from Gregg Drinnan  G Boston Bilous has committed to Denver University where he will play for the Pioneers. Bilous, from Langley, B.C., is 14 years of age and attends the Delta, B.C., Hockey Academy. The commitment is for 2019-20. He is eligible for the WHL’s 2016 bantam draft. Kinda like in Vietnam when drafted 18 year olds weren't allowed to drink but could shoot people.


Doug Brown from the Athlete's Factory put the boys through their paces in the gym last week



















For those who like this, and I know your out there...


Former Ghostrider and Fernie local Dave LeNeveu has been hired as the Nanaimo Clippers goaltending coach.

All about David LeNeveu 's hockey career click here  

The Nanaimo Clippers are pleased to announce that David LeNeveu has joined the team as the Goaltending Coach for the 2015-2016 season.

David played for the Clippers during the 2000-2001 season before playing two seasons at Cornell University.  During his time at Cornell David played for Team Canada in the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships. During his 12 year professional hockey career, David played in the National Hockey League with the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets.  Most recently, he played as a backup goaltender for the New York Rangers and dressed for all Rangers games in the 2014 Stanley Cup finals.

David brings a wealth of experience to the Clippers and our goalies will benefit from his knowledge.  He will be a great addition to the coaching staff.

Standings after Saturday Night- that point was important








And finally, and not a moment to soon
In a move that will mean almost nothing to fans, BC Hockey has named Brian Harrison as the Junior Division Coordinator. Now occasionally we see  some infighting going on regarding player transfers, 30 day suspensions carding etc between the leagues and I assume from now on Harrison will be the moderator, mediator ?  This is a newly created position so I don't know what BC Hockey has up their sleeves, but I'm sure good or bad we'll find out in the coming months. Below is the press release.


Harrison Named Junior Division Coordinator
Wednesday, September 23, 2015

BC Hockey announced Wednesday, September 23, 2015 that Brian Harrison (Mill Bay, BC) has been named the Junior Division Coordinator. Harrison will provide general oversight of the Junior hockey programs within BC Hockey, working closely with the teams and leagues.

Prior to this role, Harrison was the BC Hockey Junior B Director, a role that he held for approximately 10 years. He was actively involved with the Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association (MHA) for many years, serving in numerous roles including President and Referee-in-Chief. Brian was also the secretary for the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) for a few years before taking over as Chair.

Outside of hockey, Harrison held a successful political career in the Cowichan Valley that spanned over 15 years. Throughout his career, he served as Chair at various times over all committees including Administration and Finance and Regional Planning. Harrison also served as Chairman of the Board of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) for three (3) terms.


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