Stamps Blank Blizzard To Take Game 1

No "Argue-ing" What The Difference Was As Stamps Netminder Steals Show In Series Opener

Jayson Argue showed exactly why he deserves all the awards he has been given so far as he stopped 35 shots, including many high quality ones in the 1st period, as Swan Valley left OCN with a 2-0 victory on Friday to take Game 1. 

The Blizzard could have easily score 4, 5 or even 6 goals but Argue had other ideas.  TJ Constant had 3 very good chances in the opening 20 but Argue was sensational including a tight, point-blank save on Cody Zulyniak.  The Stamps 2 goals came late in period, Justin Valentino's was the winner at 15:47 of the 1st and the huge insurance marker was Riley Hiebert, short handed at 17:16 of the 3rd.

Look, the Blizzard could not bury on chances, of which they had many and I agree with a commenter under the game day preview that said if the Blizzard keep playing like they then they will win the series.  I thought they played very well overall.  They could polish up a thing or 2 but for the most part they should be proud of the effort just not the result.  They get Denis Restoule back tomorrow and I think he'll have a great game.  He was extremely upset to have had to miss tonight.

Here is hoping we see plenty of Blizzard fans in Swan tomorrow night!  For those not going or can't be there, the Murray Dunn GM Pre-Game Show begins at 7:10 on CJ 1240.

Other Series 

-The Winnipeg Saints walked into Dauphin and left with a narrow 5-4 win despite having leads of 4-1 and 5-3.  Craig Scott and Brett Chartier each scored twice as the Saints take a 1-0 series lead.

-The other Winnipeg club won on home ice as the Blues pounded the Flyers 7-3 on the strength of 4 power play goals.  Jared Morris had 3 goals and 2 assists and Derek had 4 assists as the Blues took game 1.

-The Portage Terriers began defense of their league title with a 4-1 at home over the Steelers.  The Terriers had 4 different goal scores as they continue to miss captain Andrew Wiebe and they also were without # 1 goaltender Shea Cooper.  Word is he hurt his knee and is done for the playoffs.  I am still working on confirmation.

-Smalley-

Blizzard - Stamps Series Preview

Series D

(2) OCN Blizzard

31-23-7=69 pts

vs

(3) Swan Valley Stampeders

27-27-8=62 pts

-Swan Valley won season series with 5 wins

-OCN goals for = 21

-Swan Valley goals for = 25

Season Matchups

1) September 17th - OCN 1 @ Swan Valley 3

2) September 30th - Swan Valley 0 @ OCN 1

3) November 13th - OCN 5 @ Swan Valley 3

4) November 23rd - OCN 4 @ Swan Valley 3

5) November 30th - Swan Valley 7 @ OCN 3

6) January 18th - Swan Valley 2 @ OCN 1

7) February 8th - OCN 2 @ Swan Valley 3 (OT)

8) February 10th - Swan Valley 2 @ OCN 3 (SO)

9) February 22nd - OCN 1 @ Swan Valley 3

Five Things The Blizzard Need To Do Well To Move On

1) Get In Jayson Argue's head

Not easy to do, but better than Argue messing with the minds of the Blizzard frustrating them.

2) Top Guys Need To Be Leaders In Points And Play

In playoffs your "top guys" don't always have to do all the work but it doesn't hurt when they contribute as much as they can.  Clearly down the stretch the 3rd and 4th lines were most consistent which can continue as long as they get some decent output from lines 1 an 2.

3) Stay Disciplined

The Blizzard have to avoid unnecessary penalties as best they can otherwise they'll be in trouble.  Beyond that if an "iffy" penalty is called, then it's a matter of not mouthing to the referee to cause further damage.

4)  Win Special Teams Battles

Neither team's powerplay was very good in the regular season but OCN's penalty kill was at or near the top all season.  Both teams have offensive weapons but OCN's penalty kill could be the key here.

5)  Be Physical

Nothing gets crowds into games at the GLMC like some good hitting at the start.  Strangely, when the Blizzard play physical they also usually have good games overall.

Five Things Swan Valley Needs To Do Well To Move On

1)  Get A Win In OCN

Fine call me "Captain Obvious" but if there is no win in OCN then there will be no moving on for the Stamps.

2)  Avoid Intimidation

The Blizzard are a more veteran team with the louder, more intimidating rink.  The Stamps never backed down all year but we know the playoffs are much different, more tense time.

3)  Kickstart The Powerplay

Swan's powerplay really struggled down the stretch and finished last in the regular season.  Man advantage opportunities are usually rare in the playoffs but if they could ever get their pp turned around it wouldn't hurt.

4)  Frustrate The Blizzard

Not only in terms of game play, but also if Swan can get OCN off their game and into taking needless penalties then it gives them a chance to get that struggling powerplay going.

5)  Have Jayson Argue Stay Healthy

Argue won the MVP and Top Goaltender and more that deservedly so.  However, he has well known leg and knee issues which caused him to miss some time.  The numbers don't lie.  They are a way better team when he tends net than when watching from the stands.

Key Battle To Watch 

I have to go with the goaltenders battle between Argue and Matt Krahn.  Here you have arguably the top 2 goalies in the league and the last 2 winners of the top goalie award.  Krahn is a previous champion, albeit in a backup role and has played way more hockey.  These 2 respect each other and could ensure this is a very tight series.  Don't expect a lot of pucks to get by these guys.

"X" Factor

Crowd noise figures to be wild in both the GLMC and Centennial Arena, 2 of the MJHL's smaller arenas in terms of size and seating capacity.  Both "barns" will be electric, whether it be by human noise or horns, bells,, whistles, cowbells, etc etc etc.  The key here will be the team that feeds of the crowd noise but also doesn't lose focus in the process.

Playoff History

This is the 1st meeting since 2006 when the Blizzard won 4 games to 1 in the 1st round.  OCN has never lost a playoff series to the Stampeders.

Overview

The Blizzard might be the favorite here but they shouldn't be labeled a "runway favorite".  These 2 clubs are close in many ways from the goaltender on out and the Stampeders had a great 2nd half run to get them into the playoff hunt and then ultimately a playoff spot.  The Blizzard have been the model of frustration this year.  At times they looked like world beaters and at other times they have looked lost and disinterested on the ice.  They slapped Portage 6-2 once, beat Dauphin 6-2 and 5-2 but then were also smoked twice in lopsided shutouts in Wayway and how can we forget the nightmarish 1-4 record against Steinbach.  That said, that was the regular season and it all means nothing now.  OCN has the talent and ability to go on a long run, but it's a matter of everyone being on the same page and showing the drive and desire when it matters most.  Swan Valley is still a young team that figures to be even better next year and the year after.  Nobody is expecting the Stamps to win the league, but a good long series or even a win would be huge for a young squad.  Hey, afterall, they did take Portage to 6 games last year and there is no reason to think they can't at least do that to the Blizzard this year. Of the four 1st round series, this likely will be the lowest scoring one and shouldn't be a surprise with who the goalies are.  OCN doesn't need a road win but if they can get 1 in Swan then it might be tough for the Stamps to win.  If OCN can win 2 in Swan however then that could be the ultimate difference.    I think this will be a long, hard fought and very tight series and I'll take experience but not in a landslide.

Prediction:  Blizzard in 7 

-Smalley-

Crossover Series Preview

Series C

(1) Dauphin Kings

41-16-5=87 pts

vs

(5) Winnipeg Saints

34-22-6=74 pts

-Dauphin won the season series with 4 wins

-Dauphin goals for = 24

-Winnipeg goals for = 17

Season Matchups

1) September 17th - Dauphin 4 @ Winnipeg 2

2) October 7th - Dauphin 6 @ Winnipeg 4 (Showcase)

3) December 6th - Winnipeg 5 @ Dauphin 4 (SO)

4) January 4th - Winnipeg 4 @ Dauphin 5

5) January 17th - Dauphin 5 @ Winnipeg 2

Overview

There is no team happier than the Saints that the crossover spot exists since they get into the playoffs.  Winnipeg won 4 straight to close the regular season, won 5 of their final 6 and 8 of 12 in February so they certainly are on a roll.  Of course the question is can they beat Dauphin so has plenty of offense as well?  That remains to be seen because the Kings were the opposite losing 4 straight to head into the playoffs, 3 of which were to non-playoff teams.  Dauphin was trying for 1st overall so they didn't just roll over and play dead in those games.  This series could too provide plenty of goals and therefore nightmares for the goalies.  Also featured in this matchup will be the coaches.  Winnipeg's David Anning and Dauphin's Marlin Murray were together for Dauphin's RBC Cup Year.  Certainly there is a high respect for each other but also a strong drive for their own team to win.  Of the four 1st round series, this would be one of 2 where you can look and say that if the higher seeded team loses then it would be a big upset.  The other being Portage and Selkirk.  Winkler and Winnipeg are too close and Swan will give OCN a bigger fight than most might think.  So therefore I am going to make this my upset special of the opening round.

Dauphin wins if:  They be physical with the Saints an frustrate their top line including the dangerous Brett Chartier.

Winnipeg wins if:  They can frustrate the Kings into penalties and take advantage of the opportunities.

Prediction:  Saints in 7

Coming up tomorrow will be the Blizzard-Stamps preview.  It may be up by midnight but if not for sure in the morning.

-Smalley-

Addison Division Previews

Series A

(1) Portage Terriers

42-15-5=89 pts

vs

(4) Selkirk Steelers

37-23-2=76 pts

-Portage won the season series with 6 wins

-Portage goals for = 32

-Selkirk goals for = 19

Season Matchups

1) October 1st - Portage 4 @ Selkirk 1

2) October 28th - Selkirk 3 @ Portage 2 (SO)

3) November 1st - Selkirk 4 @ Portage 5

4) November 11th - Portage 7 @ Selkirk 2

5) November 29th - Portage 3 @ Selkirk 1

6) January 8th - Selkirk 2 @ Portage 5

7) February 14th - Portage 3 @ Selkirk 2

8) February 23rd - Selkirk 4 @ Portage 3 (SO)

Overview

The Steelers will be hoping that the regular season really doesn't matter as they lost 6 of 8 meetings and needed a shootout in both of their victories.  One thing that could bode well is that Selkirk does need at least 1 road win and 6/8 meetings were won by the visiting team and the Terriers won all 4 in Selkirk.  The Terriers are clearly the favorites based on their record and being defending champions.  This series should boil down to the defensive structure of Portage against the offense of the Steelers.  That said, Portage has plenty of firepower and the Steelers have plenty of capable defensemen.

Portage wins if:  They stick to their game plan because when they play that way they are so hard to beat.

Selkirk wins if:  They can find a way to fight through the tight checking Terriers and capitalize on the powerplay which was their bread and butter all season.

Prediction:  Terriers in 6

**********************************************************************************************

 Series B

(2) Winnipeg Blues

38-19-5=81 pts

vs

(3) Winkler Flyers

37-21-4=78 pts

-Season Series was tied with 4 wins apiece

-Winnipeg goals for = 34

-Winkler goals for = 34

Season Matchups

1) September 18th - Winnipeg 1 @ Winkler 4

2) October 27th - Winkler 2 @ Winnipeg 8

3) November 8th - Winkler 6 @ Winnipeg 3

4) December 13th - Winnipeg 6 @ Winkler 5 (OT)

5) December 17th - Winnipeg 4 @ Winkler 6

6) January 20th - Winkler 4 @ Winnipeg 3 (OT)

7) February 18th - Winnipeg 5 @ Winkler 4

8) February 24th - Winkler 3 @ Winnipeg 4

Overview

You really can't get a much closer series than these 2 clubs could possibly serve up.  They had the same amount of goals against each other.  They each were 2-2 at home and on the road.  They each won an overtime game on the road and of course they were very tight in the standings.  A lot of people are saying that this could be the highest scoring round of the playoffs and understandably so.  It could also be the most exciting series as well.  The best matchup could be the matching of "wits" between 2 long time MJHL coaches, who can boast being league champions.  Ken Pearson guided the Blues to a league title in 2006 and Don McGillivray who won with Portage in 2005, each coach of course bouncing OCN out in the process.    Two former OCN Blizzard players, now with Winnipeg, will be hoping their final seasons yield a league championship of their own in Colin Fay and Dustin Pearson.  Defensemen and goaltenders could be having nightmares by the team this series is done and I would take the over on the over/under in each game.

Winnipeg wins if:  They can outscore the Flyers as it seems this series should be a shootout.
Winkler wins if:  They can stay out of the penalty box. Thanks to Matt Friesen in Winkler for this one.

Prediction:  Flyers in 7

Coming up tomorrow will be the preview between the Dauphin Kings and the "crossover" Winnipeg Saints

-Smalley

Blizzard Playoff Tickets Are Ready!!!

OCN Blizzard playoff tickets go on sale TODAY for Games 1 & 3 at the Blizzard Office tonight from 7-9pm for season ticket holders and again on Thursday from 9am-1pm and 7-8pm for season ticket holders only!!  Tickets for the GENERAL PUBLIC will go on sale Friday at the GLMC gate from 12-1 pm and again 4 pm until game time, also for Games 1 & 3.

***ALL ADULT, YOUTH AND SENIORS TICKETS ARE $10/EACH***

Round 1 Playoff Dates Confirmed

Friday March 2nd: Swan Valley @ OCN 7pm

Saturday March 3rd: OCN @ Swan Valley 7:30pm

Monday March 5th: Swan Valley @ OCN 7pm

Wednesday March 7th: OCN @ Swan Valley 7:30pm

Friday March 9th: Swan Valley @ OCN 7pm (If Necessary)

Sunday March 11th: OCN @ Swan Valley 7:30pm (If Necessary)

Tuesday March 13th: Swan Valley @ OCN 7pm (If Necessary)

Also I will do my Addison Division playoff previews for Wednesday, Dauphin/Saints preview will be up on Thursday and the big Blizzard/Stamps preview will be posted Friday morning in time for the game

***LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE BOYS IN THE 2011-2012 PLAYOFFS***

-Smalley-

OCN Blizzard Game Day

The OCN Blizzard now know who they will face in Round 1 of the playoffs and that will be the Swan Valley Stampeders.  The Blizzard have not had to play for for points or positioning for the last couple of weeks but they certainly have tried to win the games they've played but the last 3 games have not gone their way.  Tonight as the regular season comes to an end the Blizzard will be trying to to head into the playoffs on a winning note.  What should also not be forgotten is they are also going for a very impressive 15th straight win again a divisional who also sees their season end tonight.

The Neepawa Natives have had a season to forget in many ways but they have at least put forth a competitive effort more nights than some would think.  They come to town tonight at 12-44-4=28 pts and also with a win in their final home game which any team wants regardless of record.  It was a nice comeback down 3-1 to beat Wayway to win in a shootout.  With back to back wins the Natives now have 6 wins in the 2nd half of the season which is what they had in their 1st 31 games.  Four players will play their final Junior A game tonight in Dylan Dock, Shane Harrington, CJ Kort and Nolan Jago.  Jago is the only Canadian of the foursome as Dock hails from Wisconsin, Kort from Colorado and Harrington from Massachusetts.

The Blizzard as we know have long since locked up 2nd place but would still like to halt a 3 game losing streak before the real season begins.  The Blizzard did play well in Wednesday's loss despite missing some key regulars and are not hiding the fact they are not happy with 3 straight losses and want to win tonight.  They enter the game at 30-23-7=67 pts and with a win would win their 15th straight against Neepawa which will be by far the longest streak if wins by 1 team over another in the league.  A win would leave OCN 3 short of last year and even with a loss, their 30 wins would still be the 4th highest total since their dynasty ended.  In 2005-2006 they had 37 wins, 2008-2009 they had 32, and last season 34.

Three Keys To A Blizzard Victory


1.  Treat The Game Like It Matters

Again pretty easy, but if you don't think the game matters then you likely won't win.  The Blizzard do want to win and over their last 9 periods they have played pretty well in 7 of them.  The only 2 real bad ones were the 2nd and 3rd period of last Saturday's loss in Dauphin.

2.  Outwork The Natives

As always, you don't often get an off night from a Neepawa team and with 2 straight wins that will be no different.  As mentioned above, the Natives have 4 players who want to end their careers as winners.  Other than the last meeting, most games have been close and you can bet the Natives will "bring it tonight"

3.  Win The Special Team Battle

Neepawa's special teams have been at or near the bottom all year but really the only bright spot in either team's special teams is OCN's penalty kill.  The Blizzard pk is 2nd in the league entering tonight and could still potentially finish 1st but their power play is virtually the same as Neepawa's.  Still if you win this battle you often win the game.

Special Teams Breakdown

OCN power play - 39/251=15.54% (10th)
Neepawa power play - 42/274=15.33% (11th)

OCN penalty kill - 277/331=83.69% (2nd)
Neepawa penalty kill - 194/255=76.08% (11th)


Previous 10 Games

OCN is 5-4-1 and on home ice are 18-7-3
Neepawa is 2-7-1


Season Series (OCN leads 7-0 and has won season series)

October 21st @ OCN - Jordan Christianson scores 2 goals and Taylor Santorelli has 2 assists as the Blizzard double the Natives 4-2. Ryan Delorme makes 24 saves as the Blizzard outshoot Neepawa 38-26.

October 22nd @ OCN - Luke Hannas scores 1 goal and sets up another as the Blizzard edge the Natives 3-2. Ryan Delorme once again plays very well stopping 25 shots as the Blizzard outshoot Neepawa for the 2nd straight night, this time 37-27 and win their 9th straight overall against their divisional foes.

November 9th @ Neepawa - Despite giving up a goal just 1:14 into the game, the Blizzard score 4 unanswered to down the Natives 4-1. Josh Elmes and TJ Constant each collect a goal and assist in the win as OCN outshoots the Natives 32-27 to defeat Neepawa for the 10th straight time.

December 17th @ OCN - Guillaume Vallee scores 2 goals, 1 on the powerplay as the Blizzard defeat the Natives 3-1. Denis Restoule had a shorthanded goal to open the scoring in the 2nd period. OCN outshot Neepawa 29-28.

January 10th @ Neepawa - Despite trailing 2-1 after 2 periods, the Blizzard rally with 3 goals in the 3rd period to double up Neepawa 4-2. Gui Vall, TJ Constant, Jorden Iron and Brad Swampy all score in the win an Denis Restoule has 2 assists. The Blizzard outshot the Natives 42-32.

January 11th @ Neepawa - Once again the Blizzard find themselves down 2-1 in the 2nd period but this time the winning goal is scored in the 2nd as the Blizzard again double Neepawa 4-2. Kolton Baptiste, TJ Constant, Nathan Bruyere, and Erik Pushka all score in the win. OCN outshot the Natives 39-28 and Mitch Backhouse picked up his 1st win as a member of the Blizzard.

February 3rd @ Neepawa - It took the Blizzard awhile to score but once they did this game was not really in doubt as they dumped the Natives 5-1.  TJ Constant scored the 1st goal late in the 1st period and Gui Vallee had the last 2 OCN markers.  Dani Kalashnikov had his 1st goal against his former team and Taylor Santorelli had the other goal.  Jorden Iron and Darien Cardinal each had 2 assists in the win and the Blizzard outshot the Natives 31-27 for their 14th straight win against their divisional foes.

Again tonight is RBC night at the GLMC with local RBC staff in attendance with giveaways and draws for RBC merchandise.  Also there will a draw for autographed OCN Blizzard team stick and fans can bid on an autographed Team Canada jersey signed by Montreal Canadiens blueliner P.K. Subban.

See ya at the rink and bring some noise for the final home game!

-Smalley-

Blizzard-Natives Postponed Game Now Cancelled

Courtesy of www.mjhlhockey.ca

The suspended game re-scheduled for Feb. 26 (Neepawa at OCN originally scheduled on December 18) will not  be played.

The reason for this is that the outcome of the game has no bearing on the final league standings, nor the MJHL Draft in terms of final position for the teams involved.

"Financially, it also makes sense," said MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis.

"The game in question will result in significant savings for OCN."

On December 18 the game was suspended after one period with Neepawa ahead 3 – 2. The players stats earned will be retained and the final standings will show each team with one less game than the other teams in the league.

All Blizzard fans who had tickets given out for the game can be used for Saturday's game

-Smalley-

OCN Blizzard Game Day

And so here we are in the final week of the MJHL's regular season with not many days of game action left.  Not much is left to determine except basically on playoff matchup and that is the matchup to determine who faces the OCN Blizzard in the opening round.  Tonight won't officially give the Blizzard their oponent but it still possible that their very opponent this evening could be who they face in the 1st Round but even then that is not certain.  This game may mean more to 1 team than another but here is hoing that's still a very good game nonetheless.

For a little more than a week the OCN Blizzard have known that 2nd place is their destination in the Sherwood Division.  They enter tonight at 30-2-7=67pts and coming off of 2 disappointing losses to Dauphin.  A victory tonight would give them the season series on the Stamps but it would also infuriate them further as Swan Valley had a chance to lock up3rd place on Monday, which they did not do.  The Blizzard are 2-1-1 in the Centennial Arena this season and have played well enough to be 4-0.  I'm really hoping for a good crowd tonight with Stamps fans being plenty loud and passionate.

Swan Valley enters tonight 25-27-8=58 pts and that is an identical record with Wayway who more or less saved their season with a huge road win in Daupin last night.  Again, the Stamps can still finish 3rd but need to beat OCN and Dauphin to likely do it.  That's given Wayway faces Neepawa and is home to the Kings.  The most disappointing thing though for the Stamps that they didn't win in Wayway Monday when they got down 4-0 and lost by a tight 4-3 margin.  For many reasons I would like to see and OCN/Swan 1st round series. This biggest being that they are 2 hours apart, which means fan support in each rink should be very good for both sides and then never mind the travel too.

Three Keys To A Blizzard Victory


1. Play The Game Like It Means Something

The Blizzard treated both games in Dauphin like they meant something it's just too bad the results didn't come. There is no question that they want to finish strong heading into the post season so if even if the wins don't come, at least seeing a full effort like in Friday's loss would be encouraging.

2. Avoiding Rough Spurts Like On The Weekend

Okay so the Stamps are not as offensive as the Kings but sometimes in hockey things just go very wrong and sometimes very fast and there is nothing you can do. That happened twice to the Blizzard in back to back losses. But hopefully even if they give up a couple of quick goals tonight that they can fight it off should it occur.

3. Win Special Teams Battles

Both of these clubs struggle on the power play and OCN has the better penalty kill so pretty self explanatory. At times in 2012 the Blizzard power play has done very well but just not consistently. Their penalty kill generally has been pretty good against the Stamps this year.

Special Teams Breakdown

OCN power play – 39/251=15.54% (10th)
Swan Valley power play – 48/313=15.34% (11th)

OCN penalty kill – 273/327=83.49% (3rd)
Swan Valley penalty kill – 227/273=83.15% (5th)

Previous 10 Games

OCN is 5-4-1 and on the road are 12-15-2-1 including both Showcase games
Swan Valley is 4-5-1

Season Series (Tied 4-4)

September 17th @ Swan River - The Blizzard score the 1st goal early in the 2nd period and would hold that lead for over a whole period. But the Stamps score 3 times in the 3rd, one into an empty net to grab a 3-1 victory. Jayson Argue makes 31 saves for the win while Ryan Delorme played very well for the Blizzard despite the loss making 31 saves as well.

September 30th @ OCN - The Blizzard win a true goaltenders battle 1-0 in which they outshot the Stamps 37-20. Matt Krahn gets the better of Jayson Argue and Guillaume Vallee scores the only goal of the game early in the 3rd period.

November 13th @ Swan River - Jorden Iron scores 2 goals and sets up another as the Blizzard down the Stamps 5-2. Luke Hannas & Guillaume Vallee each have a goal and an assist and Denis Restoule sets up 2 as "20 year olds" finally bust out in a big way on the scoresheet.

November 23rd @ Swan River - The Blizarrd end up hanging on for a 4-3 win despite leading 3-0 after the 1st period with Josh Elmes and Kolton Baptiste each scoring on the power play. TJ Constant scored what turned out to be the game winner in the 3rd period. Ryan Delorme made 40 saves for the win.

November 30th @ OCN - The Blizzard scored 1st but the Stamps came right back with a vengance to win 7-3 on the strength of 7 straight goals, including 4 in the 1st period. Dylan Reimer and Kyle Smart each had 2 goals and 1 assist while Sam Briscoe and Ryan Elliot each had a goal and 2 helpers. Cody Zulyniak, Gui Vallee and Erik Pushka all scored for OCN who were outshot 33-30.

January 18th @ OCN - By description, a very slow and boring game by both teams which the Stamps won 2-1 to tie the season series. All 3 goals were scored in the 1st period, including Kirk Chief getting the lone Blizzard marker, his 1st in OCN colors.

February 8th @ Swan Valley – Each time had a 1 goal lead in the hockey game before it was decided in overtime with the Stamps winning 3-2. Erik Pushka and Kirk Chief had both Blizzard goals. TJ Fairall, Dylan Favell and Jeff Bartel with the winner scored for Swan Valley who outshot the Blizzard 34-26.

February 10th @ OCN – The Blizzard had two 1-goal leads but could never make the lead by goals as the Stampeders tied the game each time to help force overtime again. This time though the Blizzard got the upper hand winning 3-2 in a shootout. Spencer Brennan and Danil Kalashnikov each scored for OCN while Kyle Smart and Tony Partridge each scored for Swan. Smart also had the Stamps' lone shootout goal while Kirk Chief and Jorden both scored to ensure an OCN victory.

A Weekend To Forget In Dauphin

In back to back games, the OCN Blizzard had strong starts in the both of the opening periods.  However each night it was a 5-goal outburst by the Dauphin Kings that helped sink them.  Five goals in the 3rd period Friday and 5 goals in the 2nd period Saturday and the Kings won both games by scores of 6-4 and 6-1.

Friday there was a good effort for most of the game but sadly it was not the case come Sunday as Mitch Backhouse got a rare start and gets saddled with the loss but there wasn't much help in front of him.  The Kings showed exactly why will be a favorite to be league champions as they used a balanced scoring attack both nights and that was without Jesse Sinatynski fnding the net in either game.

After starting the year with 3 straight wins over Dauphin, the Blizzard could not find a way to match the Kings after that.  However, Dauphin added more offensive pieces after that 3rd meeting.  The Kings take the season series with 6 straight wins over the Blizzard.

OCN is now 30-22-7 after the weekend and has likely 3 more games left.  They are in Swan Valley on Wednesday and home to Neepawa Saturday.  The December 18th make-up game right now is tentatively scheduled for Sunday afternoon but the league is still deciding if that game should be played or not.

Also should Swan Valley win in regulation on Monday in Waywayseecappo then they will face the Blizzard in Round 1.

OCN Blizzard Game Day

The 2011-2012 season won't be the best in Blizzard history but there is still plenty to like from this year's group.  When they want to, they have treated everyone to some good, exciting hockey.  At other times they have confusing and frustrating.  But in the end they are playoff bound and for the 1st time in 6 seasons will have home ice in at least 1 playoff series.  Now all that really matters is finishing strong and staying healthy.  But make no mistake they want to still win their final 5 games and tonight they will get another crack at a team that has beaten them 4 straight times and realistically has clinched 1st in the division since way back earlier in the season.

The Blizzard enter play tonight with games left on the road, all in a row before finishing at home with 2.  Their record entering tonight is 30-20-7=67 pts and could still match last year's win total of 34 but clearly have to go 4-1 to do that.  That's not so important as being healthy again which slowly the team is doing.  Last week they welcomed back Josh Elmes and Mitch Backhouse and could have 1 or 2 guys back tonight.  The playoffs likely start 2 weeks tonight but who OCN facs remains up in the air.  We know there will be no meeting with Dauphin in Round 1.  That would have to wait until Round 2.

The Kings have had another spectacular regular season as they enter tonight at 39-12-5=83 pts and again have led the Sherwood Division from start until now the finish.  They still can finish 1st overall in the league too as they trail Portage by 1 point.  The Kings have 2 games in hand on the Terriers.  Tonight is the Kings 1st home game in a while since they had to vacate Credit Union Place for the provincial Men's curling playdowns last week.  Forward Jesse Sinatynski goes into this weekend with 56 goals and has 6 games to get 60.  He hit the 50 mark 3 weeks ago against OCN no less and could certainly hit 60 against them too.  The Kings have great depth at offense but a quirky stat is that Sinatynski might have 50 pus goals but not 1 other King has 20 goals.  Mitch Van Teeling could/should hit 20 as he is next closest with 17.

Three Keys To A Blizzard Victory

1.  Tighten Up The Penalty Kill

Last time these clubs met the Dauphin power play was a big reason they won both games, moreso in the 2nd game.  Overall they went 4/16 or 25 percent in the 2 wins.  It wouldn't hurt for OCN to stay disciplined either.  The Kings just have so many weapons that the Blizzard really need to be strict on the "pk".

2.  Have A Better 1st Period

Three weeks ago it was 2 lousy 1st periods that helped sink the Blizzard.  They ended up battling back to be in both games, even in the 2nd game when they were down 3-0 and lost 6-3.  But of the 10 goals surrendered in the 2 games, they gave up 5 in the two 1st periods.  On the flip side they gave up only 1 goal in two 2nd periods.

3.  Try Keep Sinatynski Quiet

This just in!  Jesse Sinatynski is a pretty good hockey player leading the Kings and league in goals with 56.  He scored 5 of the 10 Kings goals in the last 2 meetings and hey let's give some credit to everyone he has played with particularly Neil Tarnasky and Mitch Van Teeling.  They are very good too.  I've never hidden that I love the way Tarnasky plays and Marlin Murray called him a "beast" for how hard he works. 

Special Teams Breakdown

OCN power play – 38/247=15.38% (10^th)

Dauphin power play – 65/317=20.50% (4^th)

OCN penalty kill – 269/319=84.33% (1^st)

Dauphin penalty kill – 242/287=84.32% (2^nd)

 Previous 10 Games

OCN is 6-3-1 and on the road are 12-13-2-1 including both Showcase games

Dauphin is 8-2

Season Series (Dauphin leads 4-3)

October 1st @ OCN - The line of Hannas-Collins-Restoule combines for 10
points as the Blizzard pound the Kings 6-2 handing previously unbeaten
Dauphin it's 1st loss.

October 2nd @ OCN - Spencer Brennan scores twice and Matt Krahn makes 33
saves as the Blizzard again dominate the Kings, this time by a score of
5-2.

October 18th @ Dauphin - The Blizzard open a 2-0 1st period lead and go on
to beat the Kings 3-1. Garick Gray, Erik Pushka and Mike Collins all
score for the Blizzard who were outshot 41-25. Matt Krahn was easily the
games best player and the Blizzard penalty kill goes a perfect 9-for-9.

November 25th @ OCN - Despite a 1st period lead of 2-0 and 3rd period
leads of 3-1 and 4-2 the Blizzard win up losing 5-4 in a shootout. The
Kings have a strong 3rd period which sees them tie the game with just 43
seconds left. Mitch VanTeeling leads all Kings with a goal and 2 assists
while Denis Restoule has 2 goals for the Blizzard. Tyler Noseworthy had
the lone goal in the shootout.

November 26th @ OCN - Once again the Blizzard score 1st but they could
only manage 1 goal in a 3-1 loss. Mitch VanTeeling had 2 goals including
the winner while TJ Constant had the only Blizzard goal. The Kings
outshot the Blizzard quite heavily 42-27 to complete the 2 game sweep on
GLMC ice.

January 27^th @ Dauphin – The Kings score 2 goals in the 1^st period and go on to double the Blizzard

4-2.  Twice OCN got to within a goal but could never tie the game.  Jesse Sinatynski had 2 goals and 1 assist to lead the Kings.  Erik Pushka and Gui Vallee scored for the Blizzard who were outshot 35-26.

January 28^th @ Dauphin.  An even uglier 1^st period by the Blizzard as the Kings scored on their first 3 power plays and never looked back in a 6-3 triumph.  The Blizzard trailed 3-0 but again tried to stay in the game getting to within 3-2 and 4-3 before a bad 3^rd period sunk them.  Jesse Sinatynski had 3 more goals to give him 5 on the weekend.  Neil Tarnasky had 3 assists and Brendan Kotyk did 1 better with 4.  OCN's goals were from Gui Vallee, Kirk Chief and Erik Pushka.

Both games from Dauphin this weekend are on CJ 1240 starting each night at 7:10 with the Murray Dunn GM Pre-Game Show at 7:10.
Finally I would like to say a VERY BIG Happy 97th Birthday to Mrs, Evelyn Jebb who turns 97 years young on Monday.  She listens to all Blizzard games and I know for a fact she gets right into games.  So Happy Birthday Mrs. Jebb and enjoy the games this weekend and hopefully the guys give you 2 wins!

-Smalley-