How about that debut?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’m stuck here in the office waiting on high school football games, so I’m following everything via pointstreak tonight. It’s 4-2 OKC in the second, and I just want to say how good is Jeff MacDermid looking tonight?
He already has a goal in his first game. Also, forget what I said about the homecoming for the Rapid City guys. All four of them have already been in the box tonight.
Side note: How good have the Sarah Palin look-a-likes been?
The newest Blazer…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Anyone who watched Sunday’s game with Colorado knew something was up with Josh Patterson. He gave a gutty effort, but there was something seriously wrong with him.
Patterson was operated on this morning and head coach Doug Sauter has brought in Patterson’s former teammate to try to ease the pain.
Jeff MacDermid will make his debut with the Blazers tomorrow night against the Rapid City Rush. MacDermid, 24, is 5-10 and 160 pounds, according to hockeydb.com.
MacDermid and Patterson were University of Prince Edward Island teammates last year in Canada.
Other notes heading into the Rapid City Rush (1-0-4) game:
Reigning goaltender of the week Andy Franck will be in goal again. Sauter said he expected Franck to be this type of workhorse.
Injuries are the bugaboo right now for Oklahoma City. Sauter said four players missed practice yesterday, and he could not confirm who would sit out tomorrow night.
Sauter said the guys needed those two days of rest and that they’re ready to go. He also wanted me to make sure I gave a special mention to Robin Gomez for having the Blazers’ first Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal-assist-fight) of the season last Saturday at Tulsa.
It’s going to be a homecoming for the Rush for four players: Garrett Prosofsky, Gio Flamminio, RG Flath and Blair Manning. Of the four, which one are you looking forward to seeing the most?
Player of the Week vs. Goaltender of the Week. Chris Lipsett of the Rush was named the POW, scoring five goals and two assists as the Rush went 1-0-2. And of course, Franck for the Blazers. Hey, something’s gotta give.
Sorry, I once again won’t be there tomorrow. Fellow chum Matt Patterson will be there (but no promises he’ll be dressed up).
Short update…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Hey, not much going on in the world of the Blazers as the guys are enjoying their days off to rest and get ready. But I did want to clarify a couple of things.
The start time for both the Nov. 8 and Nov. 29 games vs. New Mexico are at 7:10 p.m. I think we all safely assumed this, but it’s nice to get it confirmed.
With Halloween on Friday, who is going to dress up at the game? I would if I was there. I’m going as The Joker this year. I’ve got the face paint and am ready to color my hair green and everything. Finding a cheap purple suit might be a challenge. I was The Undertaker last year and that was a big hit. I might post pictures of both if I can find some.
CHL Notes for Week 3…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I was all set to go off on a rant about goaltender Andy Franck’s early-season greatness. But it appears the CHL has beat me to it.
The little excerpt that will run in Tuesday’s paper:
Oklahoma City Blazers fans know how good goaltender Andy Franck is. Apparently, the rest of the Central Hockey League is taking notice, too. Franck was named the Oakley Central Hockey Goaltender of the Week on Monday.
Franck has been a catalyst to the Blazers strong start. He has been in net for all six games and has posted a 4-0-2 record and has not given up more than two goals in any game this season.
Against four different teams last week, Franck stopped 90 of 95 shots and is second in the CHL in goals against average and third in saves percentage.
The Blazers host the expansion Rapid City Rush on Friday at the Ford Center.
Take one look at the CHL goalie leaders, and one HUGE thing comes to mind. It’s the not the GAA or even the saves percentage. Ladies and gents, look at the minutes played. That’s ridiculous.
He leads Rapid City Rush goalie Miguel Beaudry by almost 130 minutes (374-249). Granted, the Blazers have played a crazy amount of games through the first two weeks, but Franck’s consistency is unreal right now. No other goalie has more than four games played.
So I ask, OKC fans, is too much being asked of from Franck right now? What’s the use of an impressive October if you have nothing left in March and April?
But I digress. Congrats to Andy on the honor. He definitely deserved it.
Other CHL thoughts from The Boneman:
- No Miron’s Cup hangover for Colorado. In the NFL, the team that loses the Super Bowl normally has an off year the next season. Um, somebody forgot to tell the Eagles that. Loaded with, as Michael said, “a roster full of all-stars”, this team is not disappointing.
- You think two SO losses is tough, trying being the expansion Rapid City Rush. They’ve lost three shootouts and one game in OT. The Rush are right in the midst of a brutal 14-game road trip to start the season. I say get to ‘em now before they get home and turn things around. Former Blazers star Garrett Prosofsky has two goals and two assists so far for RCity.
- Sticking with the Rush, how about the start from Rich Hansen? He leads the league in points with 13 but what I find more impressive is that plus-7 ratio. Wow.
- What’s going on right now with “our friends” in Tulsa and Amarillo? I wish I could have been there for the opening of the BOK Center as the crowd sounds like it was electric. It’s too early to count either team out, but you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know things have to change quickly.
- Corpus Christi is a tough team to figure out. A 12-3 win and 11-3 in two combined losses. The tough part about that second stat is that CC hasn’t left home yet. By the way, Greg Rajan is never a bad read.
- Look at Colorado in shootouts: the Eagles are 6-for-16, which is passable. But, opponents are a mere 1-15. No wonder they’re 6-0.
- Everyone seems quick to write off Wichita. But take out the two OKC losses, the Thunder are a respectable 2-1 with a loss to Mississippi. Also, through five games, only one home game, so, we’ll see.
- And finally, I’m a power-play nut on both sides of the equation. Through the first two weeks, Bossier-Shreveport is the best in efficiency (10-for-30). Conversely, the Blazers are tops in killing the PP, giving up only 5 goals in 52 chances. Not bad.
Throw it out to you guys. What’s grinding your gears (TM Peter Griffin) this week?
I’ll be heading to Blazers practice Thursday. So if you have any burning questions you want answered, send them this way.
Colorado 2, Blazers 1 – SO (Game Blog)
9 p.m. – That’s a tough one to take, losing in a shootout. The mood was very upbeat with both the coaching staff and the players, and I can see why. I don’t think this Blazers team saw this as a moral victory. This group knows it can hang with the best, it proved it tonight.
With that said, dem shootouts are a big cloud over OKC’s head right now. I didn’t see Friday, but I can say that Cey made some nice shootout saves. I don’t know if you can take solace in that, but I feel it’s better that the goalie just got ya instead of missing the net.
The goalies were the story of tonight’s game, no question about that. I sent a pregame prediction to Matt Patterson that it would be the Eagles 4, Blazers 2.
I gots no issues saying I was way off. Oklahoma City is going to be a team that controls the puck. The Blazers are going to have more shots on goal. And the onus is going to fall with the opposing goaltender. Franck is sharp. I would say that if he faced 15 shots or 50 attempts. He always looks cognizant of what is going on out there.
On this night, eh, Cey was the smidgest amount better.
Jason Murfitt told me something I had never thought of. With shootouts, it’s tough because of the horrible shape the ice is in. True.
He said you have to try to keep things simple, and you don’t really get your best shot at it. But missing eight straight shootout attempts is tough to come to terms with.
Although maybe that’ll make this week’s practice more fun. I would be pretty excited to hear that part of practice will be shootout practice. That’s like hearing you’re going to have a 3-point shooting contest or something for basketball because the team is struggling from long range. We’ll see how it works out.
Notes from Sauter: He loved the passion out there. I’ve harped on it enough, but in the third game in three nights, the guys were still intelligent out there.
Sauter plans to talk to CHL officials about the Gomez misconduct penalty. Sauter won’t blame that for the loss, but that was extremely crucial (we can all agree on that). He just wants an explanation.
Think about the third period for a second. The Blazers started short-handed, then had Gomez’s infraction and then Tyler Harder was called for tripping with 2:02 left in the third.
Franck came up with huge saves in that final minute to force the extra session.
With Patterson ailing, Standish gutting it out, Passmore not 100 percent, health is going to be a major concern for the Blazers. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if the guys get a day or maybe even two off to rest up and get ready. Oklahoma City doesn’t play until Friday, so time to heal those wounds.
While Sunday technically begins the week, it ends the week in the CHL. So every Monday will be CHL notes blog day. What’s impressing me, what’s shocking, etc?
7:36 p.m. – Time for a shootout. And here…we…go.
7:27 p.m. – We’re in OT. ‘Nuff said.
7:15 p.m. – We have 8:49 left. We’re still tied at 1. The Blazers just had their first power play of the period and had many chances but couldn’t light the light. Cey isn’t getting these shots clean, but OKC cannot find anything off the rebound yet.
Robin Gomez was issued a 10-minute misconduct penalty, much to everyone’s surprise. Be back later.
6:35 p.m. – We gots ourselves a battle right now. The Blazers evened this puppy up on a power-play goal by Oriel McHugh from Bill Vandermeer with 9:19 left in the second.
OKC had to take advantage of that as the Blazers had a 5-on-3 advantage and were going to have it for 1:22. It only took ‘em 14 seconds, and it was a fun goal to watch as Vandermeer and McHugh just kept passing it back and forth to each other again and again. McHugh really reared back on that one and got everything on it.
Before then, the Blazers again applied the pressure as both McHugh and Tyler Harder had solid opportunities. Colorado’s Greg Pankiewicz got into the act, too. His shot seemed like a sure-bet that he even started to put his arms up in celebration. Not so fast.
Marty Standish set up Stacey Bauman beautifully but Cey is not budging tonight.
Patterson did come back but looked like he tweaked that leg again trying to change direction. He’s giving it his all, but he needs to sit, if you ask me.
The Blazers have put themselves in a hole, too. Bauman picked up a hooking penalty right as the period expired, so the Eagles will have that man advantage to start the period.
Both teams are playing hard but not stupid. It’s led to a really fun game with perhaps the best 20 minutes still to come.
I know it’s Franck’s job ‘n all, but I’m impressed at how ready he is for everything. He’s not getting many real powerful shots coming to him, but his head is definitely in the game.
5:45 p.m. – It’s the same story. Blazers dominate play, but the Eagles are the ones with the advantage. A power-play goal by Colorado’s Erik Adams is the difference right now with Colorado leading 1-0 after the first.
The Blazers have 13 shots and have had many scoring opportunities. Simon Lambert has had a couple of great shots. Jason Seerey had a nice opportunity on a power play. Bill Vandermeer had a golden shot. But alas, nothing can get past Morgan Cey.
I mean this in the nicest way possible, but Colorado’s Konrad Reeder is like a little gnat. He has pressed the issue a number of times and has had a couple of breakaway attempts but has been thwarted by Franck. His speed is impressive. I’d like to see him and Jason Murfitt square off.
But the story of the first period is the injury to forward Josh Patterson. He took a hard spill on the boards just past the net and adding insult to injury, a couple of guys fell on top of him after. It was a good scoring chance for OKC, but it may have really backfired if it’s something serious.
It’s definitely a leg injury. Have no idea on the severity or where exactly on the leg, but he was limping off. I would be surprised to see him back tonight. Big loss.
That chippy play I expected did not show up in the first. The two teams went through a four-minute and a three-minute span during the first where the whistle never blew. Both teams had three penalties but nothing too egregious.
Sauter has to be pleased with the effort. Law of averages say keep applying the pressure, eventually something will find the net. I expect the intensity to really pick up in the next 20 minutes.
Play will resume with a 4-on-4 for 58 seconds and then Colorado will have a 30-second power play.
5:00 p.m. – Andy Franck gets the call in net again. How much does he have left? We’re going to find out. We’re minutes away from starting. OKC is rockin’ the black jerseys. I like it. I can be superficial at times.
LIVE at the Ford Center…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Here we go again. We’re just over an hour and a half from face-off on an extremely windy day in Oklahoma City. Both Colorado and the Blazers are playing their third game in three nights. We’ll see if that causes any issues with the play.
Will the teams be chippy? Tired? Willing to give if off to a bad start? We’ll see.
The Blazers lost in a shootout Friday but bounced back with a torrid third-period assault at Tulsa last night and enter today at 4-0-1. The Eagles, well, they’re just having their way with everybody right now. After two SO wins against the expansion Rapid City Rush, Colorado has won its last three by scores of 5-1, 7-5 and 6-2 last night at Amarillo.
The Eagles lead the CHL in goals, averaging six per contest. Looking at the leaders, the Eagles have four of the top 10 point-scorers in the league. Ryan Tobler and Riley Nelson each have 11 points while Ed McGrane and Kevin Ulanski each have nine points.
You have to get down to No. 17 in the league leaders to find OKC’s Simon Lambert who leads the Blazers with seven points and is coming off a two-goal effort last night.
We’re getting closer and closer, so strap in and join me for another night of Blazers hockey. As before, I’ll be posting b/w periods.
Third period fireworks…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Whoa, baby, what did The Dash and Sauter say b/w the second and third periods? The Blazers scored four in the third period to trounce Tulsa, 5-1, and improve to 4-0-1.
Simon Lambert is starting to really get comfortable. He scored twice, both on the power play. The Blazers were so effective that all four goals came within the first 12 minutes of the period.
We’ll see how long it lasts, but I think what is most evident with this group of guys is pressure, pressure and more pressure. OKC is definitely getting more shots than its opponents, just about cashing in.
Andy Franck was solid as always. I wonder if Doug Groenestege will get that shot Sunday vs. Colorado?
Anyway, if you were in Tulsa, what did you think?
Bounce back ability…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Alright, let’s see how the Blazers do after their first loss? I wasn’t there, so I’m only going off of what little I know. But it appeared OKC dominated play but not the scoreboard.
Shootouts have been the Blazers’ problem before. Didn’t take long for it to rear its ugly head once again.
Tell me, Blazer fans, what was the deal with the penalties last night? Unnecessary machismo, ticky-tack calls by the refs? With OKC battling injuries, losing both Josh Patterson and Cam Doull to game-misconduct calls really hurt.
Here’s the thing you’ll learn quickly with me. I love finesse. I’m not into the enforcing and the fights. I love the speed and precision involved akin to poetry in motion. I might be in the minority on that, but that’s what I think when I see fights: is it really necessary?
It can be left in the rear-view mirror with a win at Tulsa tonight, spoiling the opening of the BOK Center.
Matt Patterson will once again be the man for the job tonight. I’ll be back at the Ford Center tomorrow.
Other news. Ryan Waldner, who was on the Blazers original training camp roster, has been traded to Texas from Amarillo. Good luck, Ryan.
All about commitment (so far)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Nothing like a nice, relaxed day at the Ford Center watching some Blazers practice. As much as I love the view from high above, sitting on the bench for practice and seeing things up close is pretty cool.
We’re going to find out a lot about the Blazers with a three-game stretch this weekend. Some news and notes heading into Friday’s game with Mississippi.
Andy Franck will once again get the call in net. Previous years we’ve seen head coach Doug Sauter alternate goaltenders. He said it has nothing to do with Doug Groenestege at all. If you look at Franck’s numbers, it’s tough to argue. He’s only given up four goals in three games and has saved 94 percent of all shots.
He would be even higher in the CHL leaders if it wasn’t for the fact some teams have not played as much as OKC. But look at the minutes where Franck has a nearly 40-minute lead on everyone else. I don’t know whether that is good or bad because the Blazers need him fresh, but it is early confirmation about the talent Franck is.
The Blazers are a little bruised. Sauter said it will be game-time decisions for both Brian Passmore and Marty Standish. Passmore scored in Tuesday’s win vs. Wichita.
Defenseman Tyler Harder will be back. His one-game suspension is over and with injuries, Harder will be welcomed back.
Mississippi is coming off a loss Tuesday and is 1-2. Tulsa has been sitting around just waiting to open up the new building against the Blazers. Sunday, expect things to get chippy as both Colorado and the Blazers will be going on their third in third nights. “This weekend will be a measuring stick,” Sauter said.
Took a little time to speak with assistant coach Chris Dashney (The Dash). Had a couple e-mails requesting as much, so there you go, Brian and Margaret. He said he is impressed with the commitment and work ethic of the team. He spoke about how management can only judge the talent so much before the talent needs to step up and take over.
And so far, so good. He said the guys have made the jump extremely well. Either a lateral step or moving up to the CHL has not been an issue. There have been no disappointments so far and “the team is definitely not stale.”
But like Sauter, Dash is worried about how this weekend will go. Add me to that list. How will some of these young guns react to three straight nights? It’s like the NBA with rookies playing on those back-to-back nights. You don’t see that in college.
Another question posed to me was about Nos. 11 (Hardy Sauter) and 25 (George DuPont and Peter Arvanitis) being on the ice again. Sauter didn’t mince words on this. “It’s a new era.” Sauter said the guys are told what numbers are available and pick them out themselves. Hmmm, I smell a story. What’s the story behind some people’s choice of numbers?
The plan for this weekend: Friday and Saturday will be Matt Patterson. I’ll return Sunday. We’re getting there. Once HS football season is over with, for better or worse, all you’ll hear is The Boneman.
Keep the questions/comments coming. I’m sure we’ll all have something worth talking about after this weekend.
Harder is back…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
One thing I will over-analyze to death in how teams do is on the face-off. I don’t know what would be the equivalent to this in other sports. Maybe two-out runs in baseball, third down conversions in football? Maybe. It’s just you dominate play with stuff like that.
Anyway, the Blazers dominated this stat in Tuesday’s thumping of Wichita. And I’ll tell you what else is kinda interesting.
You know how well each team did in the respective period by the stat. Period 1, OKC dominated 15-5. No shock that it was also 2-0 after the first.
The second was a lot tighter with a 13-8 edge. And the game got a little close on the ice as well at 3-1.
The third was another wipeout at 17-6 and a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard. If my math serves me correctly, Blazers had a 45-19 advantage. Pretty glaring.
In terms of individual play, Jason Murfitt dominated the dojo (thanks, Seinfeld). He was 4-2, 6-2 and a whopping 10-2 in the final period. Overall, he won 20 of 26 face-offs.
The other news of the day is defenseman Tyler Harder will be back for Friday’s game, if head coach Doug Sauter elects to dress him. Harder sat out Tuesday’s game because of a one-game suspension by the CHL.
I’ve got a rarity Thursday, no high school assignments. That means I’m heading out to the Ford Center for some practice action and getting the latest word on what’s up heading into Friday’s affair with Mississippi (1-2).
