Friday, December 10, 2010

Finally Friday...

(Wadena's Joey Leach, a second year defenseman with the Kootenay Ice)

Another work week winds down with another packed weekend cranking up... here's what's on my mind!

- The Kindersley Klippers are now tied for 2nd place in the SJHL Sherwood Conference with the Estevan Bruins. The Bruins looked pretty comfortable up there the last little while, but after their LAR-LAR-FF-FF swing is over on Sunday, they'll have few if any games in hand on anyone (including Yorkton). After tonight, Melville will have the fewest amount of games played in the Conference, and will have some catching up to do. Will they move up from 5th by Christmas?

- With the Mils and Terriers both off tonight, and Swan Valley and Wayway both at home, we've got the Fishing Lake Hockey League on the radio tonight. It's likely becoming an annual thing, with GX94's Salute to Wadena. Same as last year, the day is capped off with a Wadena Wildcats' home broadcast, this time against the Theodore Buffalos. Former Terrier Justin Keller plays for Theodore this year, and 18-goals and 32-points in 7 games. Not bad. Last year's FLHL scoring champ Josh Garbutt, also a former Terrier, isn't far back, with 27-points. Kevin Stringfellow, a more recent Terrier grad has 18-points in just 5 games.

- I caught up with Wadena's Joey Leach this week, and it'll run during tonight's broadcast. Leach is an 18-year-old, second year defenseman with the WHL's Kootenay Ice, the same team former Terrier John Niebrandt's with. Leach was drafted in the 3rd round by the Calgary Flames this past June, after a 17-year-old season that saw him put up 26-points and a +33 rating. This year, he's got 13-points and is a +14. Great digits for a D-man. Joey's dad, Lyle, a former SJHL tough guy in Weyburn, did colour for me last year, but won't be tonight. Instead, he's watching Joey and the Ice as they visit the Moose Jaw Warriors. I guess I'll let him off the hook for that!... and hope someone else fills the void and buys me a beer-per-period. Oops was I supposed to say that out loud?

- UFC top dog Dana White says George St. Pierre is the biggest name in Canadian Sports History. Bigger than Wayne Gretzky. Have your say by voting in the top right corner of this page. Gretz has the commanding early lead as I type.

- Huuuuuge weekend for our two local MJHL teams. Swan Valley saw Portage pass them and take over sole possession of first last night. Portage has a 2-point edge, and 2 games in hand. The Stamps are home to the league-leading Selkirk Steelers tonight, and to the Wininpeg Saints tomorrow. Wayway also has 2 home games, and both divisional opponents, with Neepawa tonight, Portage tomorrow. Wayway's 3-1-1 in their last 5 games, and play nothing but Sherwood opponents until January 7th.

- The new "Inside The MJHL" Show is up and ready. A recap of the CJHL Prospects event in Dauphin with Commissioner Kim Davis, and a chat with Player of the Week Anthony Nobili of the Neepawa Natives is on this week's episode.

- I love the Blue Jays, but when the Yankees and Red Sox continue to do what they do in free agent season... what's the point of even watching. All you can hope for come playoffs is that the Yankees lay another egg against a team like Texas.

- Kavis Reed will be introduced as Head Coach of the Edmonton Eskimos today. Does that mean Richie Hall takes Reed's spot as Winnipeg's DC? Or does he go to Hamilton to work with Marcel Bellefeiulle, another hot rumour. And, WHO COACHES THE RIDERS NEXT YEAR? It'll work itself out.

- The Yorkton Harvest gave up 2 third period goals and lost 4-3 to the Regina Pat Canadians last night, a team that's ahead of them in the standings. The Harvest (10-11-1-2) still sit 8th, and a win last night would have got them into 6th. The Harvest have 4 home games between now and Christmas, starting tomorrow (SAT) against the ND Hounds.

There's a mix-bag for today!

5 comments:

gringo said...

Craig,

Maybe Jays ownership should consider sepnding some good money, such as this year's excellent crop of free agent talent, instead of bad money, such as last week's report they were interested in acquiring the Leafs!

Josh said...

Dana White is a joke. Not only is Gretzky more famous than GSP, there are MANY, MANY other Canadian athletes ahead of him.

He knows he needs these dumb attention-grabbing shticks to drum up UFC interest though.

lyle said...

craig is there a way to hear joeys interview? hope someone bought you a cold one!

Craig Stein said...

I'm posting it right away Lyle. And don't worry, I was well taken care of in Wadena!

lyle said...

thanks craig and have a merry christmas.