Thursday Thoughts

YORKTON/WEYBURN PLAYOFF PREVIEW POSTED BELOW!

- This radio guy has a second straight night off, after games in five straight nights to open the playoffs. It's nice to re-charge, but there's no place like the rink this time of year. Looking forward to getting back at 'er tomorrow in Weyburn!

- The bulk of the hard-core Swan Valley Stampeder fans who LIVE in the Valley will most likely be at the Centennial Arena tonight, but to the many parents/relatives of Stampeder players in Southeast Manitoba, unfortunately tonight's Game 4 is not on GX94. We've got an amateur talent night called 'Sturgis Mini-Miracle', a fundraiser for upcoming TeleMircale. It always goes over great and I believe is always on the last Thursday in February. But for you family members far away on a weeknight who aren't able to make it to the game tonight, by all means tune into Voice of the Portage Terriers Jeff Dyck, who'll have all the action on 920 CFRY, and online at www.portageonline.com. It's a little tricky to find, you have to roll your mouse over FEATURES at the top of the page, and click Portage Terriers Live Streaming... but here's the link that will get you there: http://www.portageonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5382&Itemid=455 ... Just click the button anytime after 7:15 and you should be good to go!

- The Stamps aren't putting any extra pressure on themselves going into a potential series-clincher. I just got off the phone with Coach Dwayne Kirkup to record our Coach's Show, which is on GX94 at 10:40 this morning, and available to listen to here on the Coach's Show page. Unfortunately I had a button NOT pushed and missed the first few seconds of Dwayne's first answer, so I had to splice it together which doesn't exactly sound natural, but the jist of it was that they're happy with the position they're in through three games, and need a better start to Game 4 to be successful as they try to end the series infront of a packed house on home ice.

- Thanks again to Swan Valley Star & Time Sports Man Derek Holtom for a copy of his book "Beyond the Jersey." I like to think my knowledge of the Stampeders since working in the MJHL is pretty good, but obviously before that I'm clueless, so it's a great read for me to get caught up. The Stampeders have made it past the first round once in their previous 10 years of existence, and it was in 2003-2004 when, as the 3rd seed, beat 2nd place Neepawa in 6 games, then had home ice in the North Final against 4th place Portage, who upset the division-leading OCN Blizzard in a sweep. But Portage was able to erase a 2-0 series deficit and win in 6 over Swan in the Division Final.

- The Yorkton Terriers have a fan bus going to Weyburn tomorrow leaving the Gallagher Center at 4pm. The cost is $50 per person and that includes your game ticket. For more info or to get on the bus call the Terriers office at 783-4077. It's first come first serve. Also tickets for Game 2 on Saturday and Game 4 on Wednesday in Yorkton are on sale now at Ticketmaster at the Gallagher Center.

- Melville's Matt Kinnunen was named SJHL Player of the Month for February, scoring 12g-2a-14p in his final 10 regular season games, following that up with an overtime winner in Game 1 of the playoffs.

- The SJHL released its team nominees for a few awards...

SJHL Rookie of the Year
Yorkton Rep: Austin Bourhis
Melville Rep: Michael Desjarlais

SJHL Defenseman of the Year
Yorkton Rep: Clark Byczynski
Melville Rep: Austin Krahenbil

Most Valuable Player
Yorkton Rep: Jordan Menke
Melville Rep: Logan Herauf

- Trade deadline day sucked. Glad I didn't watch. Wojtek Wolski was probably the biggest name moved.

- Above zero temperatures in Yorkton everyday on GX94's 5-day forecast this week. Hope they're right... gotta love that combination of spring time and playoff hockey!

- And just a reminder the broadcast schedule for the next few days is updated, give it a click if you're not sure what's on the air what night!