NSRHL All-Star line-ups.

The NSRHL staff has released the all-star teams for the 2010-2011 season.

1st Team:

G- Dustin MacDonald - Maidstone
D- Taylor Thiessen - St Walburg
D- Will Rathje - Wilkie
LW- Darren Delainey - St Walburg
C- Aaron Goldade - St Walburg
RW- Ryan Johnston - Maidstone


2nd Team:

G- Nick Pernitsky - Wilkie
D- Chris Hartman - Maidstone
D- Tyson Turgeon - Spiritwood
LW- Barrett Penner - Wilkie
C- Jason Roberts - Maidstone
RW- Jordan Fuder -St Walburg

Outlaws get the Ace(s) in the hole.

Saturday night at the SaskCan Community Centre, the Midget Outlaws defeated the Elrose Aces 6-1.

Outlaw goals were scored by Rylan Petterson (3), Zach Wangler, Seas Fenrich, and Sheldon McKenzie. Assists were credited to: McKenzie, Colby Fulton (2), Keaton Nodwell (2), Riley Thomas, Dustin Glackin, Chris Pennell, and Chris BeckettThe Aces lone contributor was originally credited to Brayden Connor, but was later changed to Clay Day. The lone assist was given to Jon Copeland

The scoring started early when Petterson potted his first of 3 at 4:23 of the 1st. Roughly 3 minutes, Wangler was sprung on a breakaway, and connected to make the score 2-0. It stayed that way until early in the 2nd, when Fenrich made it 3-0. The scoreboard stayed quiet until Day broke the goose-egg with 4 minutes left. The 3rd period, the Outlaws flexed their muscles, potting 2 powerplay goals on the Aces only 2 penalties on the period.

Stayed tuned for a Midget pre-game for their Provincial match-up against the Martensville Marauders.

Jets bomb the Outlaws

Thursday night, the Maidstone Jets came into the SaskCan Community Centre, and left the friendly confinds with a series win of 7-6. They did lose the game 4-1, but with a earlier win of 6-2, they advance to Round 2 against Hillmond/Paradise Hill.

The Bantams were the victims of a short bench, and the 1 over-age player rule, leaving their top reargaurd, Alison Cey, scratched. Through all this, the lead each period (2-0 and 3-0). Backstop Derek Sutherland nailed up the plywood in a spectacular effort. And in the immortal words of Darren Pang: "Holy jumping! You gotta be kidding me!!"

Stay tuned for a Saturday night tilt between the Elrose Aces. Game time is 8pm at the SaskCan Community Centre, followed on Sunday when the Bantams entertain the Elrose/Biggar squad in some afternoon puck. Game starts at 1pm.

Outlaws/Jets pre-game.

This'll be short and sweet, because no one I e-mailed wanted to give me information!

The Bantams come home with a deficit of 4, losing in Maidstone 6-2 on Tuesday night. As I understand it, this Jets team is a mish-mash of all the good kids in town added into a team that plays in one of the Alberta minor leagues.

I chatted with coach Joe Cey last night, and he said they were a stronger team compared to the team they saw in a tournament earlier this year. He also mentioned that the team did not have their best game, and were looking to avenge the poor showing on home ice.

Puck drops at 7:30pm.

Outlaws/Eagles recap

Last night, the Outlaws rolled into St. Walburg, and left with a 4-2 victory under their belt.

Things started early as the Eagles were called for the first minor of the game, however, the Outlaws couldn't capitalize. They did pot the first three goals, with two goals coming in a span of :28. Mike Sittler started the scoring at 10:30 of the 1st with his 16th of the year. It was closely followed by Barrett Penner's 16th goal of the year, which turned into a pinball machine before being wristed by Eagles goalie Bryan Bridges. St. Walburg was undisciplined in the 1st frame, taking three 10 minute misconducts and a Game misconduct. It was through all this that Wilkie received their 3rd PP of the period, and they added to their lead. Penner popped in his 2nd of the game, 17th of the year, at the 16:11 mark.

The second period saw the roles begin to reverse slightly. Wilkie became undisciplined and the Eagles broke the donut at 7:19 with a PP of their own. Aaron Goldade potted his 36th goal of the year, with Darren Delainey adding to his assist total of 29. The game took a turn for the worst when Wilkie's Will Rathje followed St. Walburg's Goldade into the corner for the puck. Goldade slowed up and attempted to fight off Rathje for the puck, but Rathje overpowered him, taking him into the corner. Rathje gave him one crosscheck, and Goldade fell (very easily). Matt Krepps instantly skated over to challenge Rathje and they went at it. Krepps and Rathje were tossed for fighting, with Rathje getting a questionable CFB (Check from Behind) and another game misconduct.

The Third frame went by fast with little to no excitement for either side. However, the last 5 minutes were made interesting as Delainey potted his 13th of the year at the 16:36 mark. It was only amplified when Nick Zoller grabbed the puck and was sent off for 2 or less for Delay of Game at 16:52. The Outlaws were helped on the penalty kill by the Eagles who carelessly iced the puck several times, thus not allowing Bridges to get off for the 6th attacker. Mark Lorenz iced the game with just seconds on the clock with his 8th of the campaign.

Overall, Wilkie played a better game then St. Walburg. They stayed out of the box just enought to not let the Eagles get their potent PP going. And even then, Wilkie had 3 or 4 SH breaks of 2 on 1 or straight up break away. Bridges stood his ground, but Nick Pernitsky was that much better when it mattered most.

Stay tuned for a possible Provincial set up on Wednesday or Thursday. The Bantam Outlaws host Maidstone on Thurs. Jan 27th. It is Game 2 of a 2-Game, total goal series.

VW is a Angel

Yes, you read that correctly, according to Ken Rosenthal of ESPN, Mike Wilner (official reporter for the Jays) and the Drunks at DJF, Vernon Wells and cash is getting packed up and sent to Anaheim in return for Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli. Alex Anthopolous said he was committed to making deals that made sense, and this (to me) proves it.

Napoli brings the versitility of Catching, playing 1B and DH. A highly useful tool for a team without those three positions. More reaction to follow

UPDATE: Here's how I see the positions being filled as of right now: Napoli/Arencibia (C), Napoli/Lind (1B), Hill (2B), E5 (3B) and a combo of Lind, Bautista, Davis, Snider and Rivera in the Outfield. DH? Napoli, and all the outfielders are viable options IMO.

UPDATE: With Manny and Damon, according to many sources, off the market and hitting HR's off the roof in Tampa, it appears that the Jays are done their blockbuster dealing. Having said that, I, along with all other sports reporters in this country, have NO idea what AA has up his sleeves now. Also breaking(ish) is the fact that the Angels are not getting cash back, just the straight up contract of Wells ($86 million left on his contract).

Eagles/Outlaws Preview

Tomorrow night, the Outlaws will take the ice in St. Walburg to battle the league leading Eagles. Here are my keys for each team:

Outlaws (11-4) :

• Stop the Gretzky line: The Eagles have 4 players in the Top 10 leaders in points, with Aaron Goldade leading the league with a average of 4.20 PPG.
• Low Bridges: Bryan Bridges may well be in goal after a early season injury, so that means the job of scoring could get a lot harder. throw everything you have at him. As Tim Micallef says "i'ts not how, it's how many"

Eagles (12-3) :

• Deep watering hole: While the home team has one unreal line, the Outlaws can get you on three lines. They have 5 players in the top 20, three in the top 10 point-getters
• Nail Up the plywood: The Outlaws (stats-wise) has the best goalie in the league. To be successful, you need to close the door. Simple as that, unless you face a potent offense like the Outlaws

What Minor Hockey?

Among the rarites in hockey, including a Gretzky card from his St. Louis days, is not having any home hockey whatsoever in a weekend. This turns out to be one of these upcoming weekends. However, I will be everywhere yet again. Thursday night, Access 7 will be in town to broadcast, on the local North Battleford TV station, the game between the Battlefords North Stars and the Estavan Bruins.

Saturday night, I'll be once again heading up to St. Walburg, this time to watch the Outlaws play on the road vs the Eagles. Possible pre-game post coming up.

Provincial Card is out

Well, the provincial match-ups have been posted, and for your enjoyment, I'll reveal to you the Outlaws' (on all levels) encounters.

Senior Outlaws: They play the Kerrobert Tigers in a two game/total goal series, to be completed by Feb. 14th. They also have the home ice advantage.

Midget Outlaws: They received a 1st round bye, but they encounter the Martensville Marauders, to be completed by Feb. 9th, with Martensville having home ice advantage.

Bantam Outlaws: They play the Maidstone Jets in the 1st round, to be completed by Jan. 27th. The Outlaws own home ice advantage.

View from the Booth pre-game.

The puck drops in about 3 1/2 hours on the only game this weekend in Wilkie. The bantams host the Kyle/Beechy team, and it being the only game, we'll do a Stars-style pre-game.

Both teams (I'm expecting) are probably going to need this game to sweat all the turkey out that was eaten during the holidays. Look for a few key plays to make the game for one team or break the teams confidence.

Keys for Wilkie:

-Crisp passes: Game one of the new year is always tough, but the standard "keep your head up, kid" saying should be in the back of every players mind.

-Help your goalie: Don't leave him hang out to dry. Defense wins games.

Keys for Kyle/Beechy:

-Contain: Wilkie's a speedy team. Containing the speed will ultimately let you cause turn-overs.

-Short shifts: Because of their speed, putting in your 4o second shifts will mean so much more then just letting the next guy on the ice.

Puck drops at 6pm.

Quiet Weekend

This weekend is a quiet weekend at the SaskCan Arena, with just the Bantam team playing a thursday night tilt. Special pre-game post to be coming soon.

Heading to Edam.

Tonight, with the lack of local hockey happening over the holidays, I'll be heading up to Edam tonight with Dan O'Connor to watch the 3 Stars take on the Spiritwood Timberwolves. Game time is 8:30pm on CJNB.