Groenestege to start Wednesday…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Oklahoma City Blazers goaltender Doug Groenestege returned to practice Monday and will start Wednesday, said head coach Doug Sauter.
Groenestege injured his right leg in the first period in a Game 2 loss at Mississippi last Thursday.
He left the game and was replaced by CHL All-Star starter Andy Franck. Franck stopped 18 shots but looked sharp in the loss.
“I wanted to be safe,” said Groenestege. “I’ve had a couple days off to rest it, and I feel fine. There was no sense in injuring it more at that point.”
The best-of-7 Northern Conference semifinal series resumes Wednesday at the Ford Center. The series is tied 1-1.
Groenestege finished the regular season with the best goals against average in the league at 2.10 and also earned the win in Game 1 before getting injured.
“I didn’t feel hesitant at all today. It was something minor, and I’m not worried about re-injuring it,” Groenestege said.
Groenestege wasn’t the only one who was feeling better. The entire team practiced, except for defenseman Oriel McHugh. McHugh has missed three straight games with a knee injury, and there is no time table for his return.
Tickets are still available for both Game 3 and Game 4 on Thursday night at the Ford Center.
***
Some form of the above story will run in Tuesday’s paper, but I wanted to let you readers out there know it first.
When I spoke with Doug Sauter on Friday, he declined to comment about Groenestege’s situation.
And maybe at the time, there were still some concerns. But Groenestege looked fine Monday, moved fine and his personality certainly hadn’t taken a hit.
Sauter said the team was feeling well. I wasn’t going to push the goaltender question until Tuesday, but Sauter came right out and said Groenestege will get the start. That’s confidence, and you know at this point, nobody would say anything if that wasn’t the case.
It was a hard, tough practice today, but the players looked like they were ready to be back out there.
From everyone I talked to, the rest was definitely needed but now it’s time to get back to work.
I thought Andy Franck looked extremely sharp in practice today. That might be because of my vantage point at practice, but he looked good.
Doug Sauter’s son, Kent, is also skating with the team. I think it’s good to bring in a new face. With the teammates, you start to know everything about them and gets too predictable.
Even though Kent has skated with the team before (during Christmas time), he brings something fresh to the table.
Most of the guys said they just took it easy this weekend. Sauter went to Remington Park while I watched my bracket go in flames. You know, a Final Four of Louisville, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Syracuse didn’t sound that ludicrous. Oh well.
Think Sunday was the first day I didn’t blog in like two months. Since I last posted, Texas has taken a 2-0 lead on Rio Grande Valley. Laredo has won the first two games on the road at Odessa. Though remember earlier this season, the Jackalopes were one of the best road teams, so who knows?
And in Northern Conference news, Colorado began its series with Bossier-Shreveport with a 4-3 win. Kevin Ulanksi came up big for the Eagles.
Interesting (to me, at least) that Jon Horrell got the call in net for the Mudbugs. Game 2 is tonight at 8:05.
Back tomorrow with some more practice thoughts.
Other series predictions…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Believe it or not, there are other games going on besides the Blazers and Mississippi. And since the team is taking it easy this weekend, why not look at the other two serieseseses (it’s a Simpsons reference for those wondering about the spelling).
Northern Conference
Best-of-7
No. 4 Bossier-Shreveport vs. No. 1 Colorado
Season series: Bossier: 0-3; Colorado: 3-0
Why Bossier could win: After that mini-round, kinda tough to accurately answer that one. I’ve been ridin’ G Ken Carroll for a long time, but he was pulled twice. What will that mean in the grand scheme of things?
So I’ll say this: Bossier has been known as the team that “chokes” in the playoffs. Well, they were down 1-0 and 4-2 midway through the third period in game 2 vs. Rocky Mountain and came back and won. At least for one series, that label rings false. Travis Clayton and Joe Blaznek have had terrific starts to the postseason.
Why Colorado could win: Because no team has more skill than this Eagles squad. I mean four guys with more than 80 points. Seven guys with a +/- rating over +20? It’s ridiculous. But as we’ve seen, they have lapses in concentration and struggled against Tulsa and Amarillo.
G Andrew Penner found his groove again. He went through a stretch where he was 2-4-1, but he ended the season on a four-game winning streak as Colorado held off Mississippi for the top spot.
The pick: Colorado in six.
Southern Conference
Best-of-7
No. 4 Rio Grande Valley vs. No. 1 Texas
Season series: RGV: 2-2; Texas: 2-2
Why RGV could win: Because no G was hotter than Wylie Rogers this last week. He got the win in Game 1 and was taken out for Christian Boucher but slammed the door shut in Game 3 vs. Corpus Christi.
Didn’t realize the season series was tied, either. Might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but interesting. Where did D Nathan Ansell come from? 24 points in the season and -4 to six points in three games and +6?
Why Texas could win: Because the Brahmas are the most balanced team in the league. And on a side note, have pass “Boneman’s eye test” with flying colors.
In the last three weeks, have had Justin Kinnunen and Scott Sheppard return to the team from the AHL. That’s not good news for the rest of the league. And though G Brett Jaeger didn’t finish the year in style (2-2-1), not someone I would doubt at this time.
The pick: Texas in five.
With the Blazers and Mississippi, said Oklahoma City in six. And in Laredo and Odessa, I said something to the effect of “rookie Darryl Smith might not know any better and lead a strong playoff run.”
Look at Game 1. Smith scores two goals, including the game-winner in OT to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead. Let’s say Bucks in six in that one. I picked Laredo to win but never gave a game count.
Lund lands in Independence…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Former Blazers and Express Sports CEO Brad Lund will be the team president for the expansion Independence, Mo., franchise when the team begins play next season in the CHL.
Lund said it would either be Missouri or Allen, Texas, and guess Missouri won out.
No word on a team name or a mascot as a search will be on for both.
Here’s the official story from The Examiner. Attempting to get in touch with Lund for further comment.
Lund resigned in November after being with the team for 16 years and is still involved in a pending lawsuit against the team.
Former owner Horn Chen is suing the team for monies owed to him from the time of the sale to Bob Funk. Funk is countersuing for misrepresentation. Lund will receive 5 percent of whatever monies are awarded to Chen.
Wrapping up Game 2…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
A little late on this, huh? Anyway, was able to get in touch with head coach Doug Sauter to talk about last night and where the team will go from here.
Started off with a nice little ribbing about the “hockey beard” and “centerman Tyler Fleck.” It’ll be a while before I live that one down (even in my own head).
The team is going to take the weekend off to rest up. Sauter said it is a well-deserved physical and mental break.
Trainer Wade Sundbye is going to be a busy, busy man early next week as the team has a bevy of minor injuries. No injury stands out more at this time than G Doug Groenestege.
Groenestege left last night with an apparent right leg injury. Sauter would not comment more on that, except to say “hopefully, all the guys will be OK.”
Sauter he wasn’t really shocked by the way his team responded after being down three goals twice. This team will always keep working hard and has a lot of determination to get the job done.
Sauter said a lot of credit goes to Mississippi for the way it played last night. RKings scored two on the power-play and played with a lot of intensity from the opening draw to the final horn.
The roster won’t change despite all the nagging injuries. Sauter said he wasn’t thinking about bringing anybody in. D Matt Harris will get a chance to play if someone else does get injured to the extent they can’t play.
The team has made it safely back to Oklahoma City. And my bet is the team (as well as me) won’t do much this weekend with the nasty weather heading this way.
Tonight starts the Laredo and Odessa best-of-7 Southern Conference semifinal while Texas and Rio Grande Valley start Saturday and Colorado and Bossier-Shreveport start Sunday.
The CHL also released the rest of the conference semifinal schedules earlier today.
The best-of-seven conference semifinal schedules are as follows:
Bossier-Shreveport vs. Colorado
3/29 @ Colorado, 8:05 PM
3/30 @ Colorado, 8:05 PM
4/2 @ Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 PM
4/6 @ Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 PM
4/7 @ Bossier-Shreveport, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
4/10 @ Colorado, 8:05 PM (if necessary)
4/12 @ Colorado, 8:05 PM (if necessary) (the final two games have been changed)
Laredo vs. Odessa
3/27 @ Odessa, 7:05 PM
3/28 @ Odessa, 7:05 PM
4/1 @ Laredo, 7:00 PM
4/3 @ Laredo, 7:30 PM
4/4 @ Odessa, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
4/7 @ Laredo, 7:00 PM (if necessary)
4/9 @ Odessa, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
Rio Grande Valley vs. Texas
3/28 @ Texas, 7:05 PM
3/29 @ Texas, 3:05 PM
4/1 @ Rio Grande Valley, 7:35 PM
4/3 @ Rio Grande Valley, 7:35 PM
4/4 @ Rio Grande Valley, 7:35 PM (if necessary)
4/7 @ Texas, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
4/8 @ Texas, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
Oklahoma City vs. Mississippi (series tied 1-1)
3/25 OKC 2 @ MIS 1 (OT)
3/26 OKC 3 @ MIS 5
4/1 @ Oklahoma City, 7:10 PM
4/2 @ Oklahoma City, 7:10 PM
4/4 @ Mississippi, 7:05 PM
4/6 @ Oklahoma City, 7:10 PM (if necessary)
4/8 @ Mississippi, 7:05 PM (if necessary)
Blazers vs. Mississippi – Game 2
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
10:07 – Wylie Rogers stops 30 shots as Rio Grande Valley blanks Corpus Christi, 3-0. The Killer Bees advance to play the top-seeded Texas Brahmas. That series is scheduled to start Saturday night.
Once again, it was Mississippi 5, Oklahoma City 3 as the RKings tie the series up heading to Oklahoma City next week. Those days off will do both teams some good, huh? It’s been every bit as physical as anticipated.
9:31 – Mississippi 5, Blazers 3, final. Series tied 1-1. No real chances worth reporting in the final minutes.
9:12 – Garrett Larson was stoned by Franck one time but not the second. A slashing penalty by Justin Sawyer put the RKings on the PP, and Larson cashed in. Gascon picked up his second assist and third point of the game and sounds like he had one heck of a pass.
Still time, but feels like that window closed as Beech did his job in the first part of the third period when the Blazers really pushed it. 9:23 left.
9:04 – Still 4-3 with about 14 minutes left. It’s been all Beech this period as Jelitto and Jason Murfitt have had solid shots to try to tie the game. Oklahoma City is outshooting Mississippi 5-1 so far this period.
8:36 – And the period is finally over. Mississippi 4, Blazers 3, end of the second.
Give credit to Oklahoma City as it showed heart and also turned up the intensity to test Beech. Oklahoma City outshot Mississippi 14-7 in the period. Can’t score if you don’t shoot, right?
The problem might be was too much taken out of the team trying to come back from three-goal deficits twice in the period. You see it all the time in basketball. Big run, big comeback but nothing left in the gas tank down the stretch.
Bossier is moving on with a 5-3 win. The ‘Bugs will take on the Colorado Eagles in a best-of-7 Northern Conference semifinal. Game 1 will be Sunday in Colorado. That’ll be quite the trek for the two teams going from Colorado to Bossier and vice versa all those times.
Rio Grande Valley up 2-0 with just under 15 minutes left in the second period.
8:26 – The Rock Pile enters the scoring column as Josh Patterson notches a PP goal, and it’s 4-3 with 6:16 left. Chad Hinz on the assist. Seerey will get credit, too. Seerey has played well in the second period.
8:20 – And that wasn’t long, either. Bill Vandermeer scores from Tyler Harder, and it’s 4-2, still in the second. There’s still 9:52 left, so who knows what’s going to happen in this “shootout.”
8:16 – That didn’t take long. Adam Smyth scores, and it’s 4-1. D.J. Jelitto had a nice chance, but Beech came up big. And how many times do you see that where one good save on one end leads to a breakaway goal going the other way.
And now the Blazers will be SH’d as Jason Seerey will be in the box for a roughing call.
8:13 – Goal, Eric Przepiorka. Nice set up by Ted Vandermeer, and it’s 3-1. Still a lot of time left, 13:42 left in the period.
8:07 – Oklahoma City started the period strong with solid opportunities by Bill Vandermeer and Eric Przepiorka, but it’s Mississippi that has found the net again.
At 3:34 of the period, the RKings take a 3-0 lead. Matt Summers put it in with assists going to Bobby Chaumont and Jeff Nelson.
RGV up 1-0 with four minutes left in the first while Bossier is up 5-3 with 17 minutes left.
7:42 – Strong period from Mississippi and RKings take a 2-0 lead into the second period.
Biggest news is obviously what has happened to Groenestege. He tried to stay in the game but wasn’t comfortable. He went to the dressing room with 5:31 left in the period. It appears to be a right leg injury.
For his part, Franck has looked ready in those final five minutes. He made four saves, but the problem is he made as many saves in the final five minutes as Beech made in the period.
Disturbing trend for Oklahoma City fans as the Blazers only had four shots in the first period. Last night, Oklahoma City only had 12 shots through the first two periods.
The scenario I posted earlier is coming true. Oklahoma City is down early, what’s going to be the mindset? Turn it into a brawl and take it back to Oklahoma City 1-1? Or scratch and claw their way back?
Oklahoma City scoreless on two PPs tonight and are going to have to find a way to make those chances count. Going to be tough to get two, three by Beech full strength.
Second intermission in Bossier with the ‘Bugs up 5-3 on Rocky Mountain, and we’re scoreless early in the first with CC and RGV.
7:36 – Well, Franck has already made a couple of saves, but the Blazers are going to SH’d once again. 4:08 left. What I said about RM, gonna say here. Blazers just need to get to that first intermission and regroup.
7:32 – Groenestege is going to try to stay in the game, but it’s not going to happen. G Andy Franck will be in goal for the Blazers. Early reports (from Byers) sounds like a right leg? injury of some sort.
7:30 – Jeff Alcombrack scores on the power-play, and it’s 2-0. Also, trainer Wade Sundbye is looking at Doug Groenestege, who hasn’t gotten up. Still 5:31 left.
Don’t know what exactly happened to Groenestege.
7:26 – Darrell Stoddard scores from Martin Gascon and Matt Summers to give Mississippi a 1-0 lead with about seven minutes left.
Stoddard didn’t play last night, and immediately is paying dividends for the RKings.
The Blazers had a two-man advantage for 22 seconds but couldn’t convert. Might keep an eye on the Oklahoma City PP. After finishing the season strong, doesn’t even sound like it’s had a realistic scoring opportunity.
In Bossier, ‘Bugs up 4-2. To quote Dennis Green “we (Rage) let ‘em off the hook.” Check that, now 4-3.
6:36 – Bossier 1, Rocky Mountain 0, 3:42 left. Shots: Bossier 13, RM 1. One shot? Rage need to weather the storm and work themselves back into it.
6:21 – Scoreless in Bossier with 12 minutes left. Scott Reid vs. Ken Carroll one final time. Nobody counted out Rocky Mountain more than yours truly, so the fact the Rage are here is a surprise.
But the fact they have to play a Game 3 when up by two goals with 10 minutes left has to be disheartening as well.
About 40 minutes away from Mississippi and the Blazers.
5:25 – Getting closer and closer. Also of note is the Bossier game will start at 6, so if you need your hockey fix before Game 2 of Blazers and RKings, there you go.
Special thanks to Jim Byers for getting in touch with me this afternoon. That offensive flurry in overtime last night: 1:06. I don’t know how there were only four shots in goal in OT for the Blazers, but I doubt anyone really cares.
Blazers have a habit of doing that. Whenever they’ve come out flat in the past, they step it up. Hasn’t always led to positive results, but the work ethic of this team can never be questioned.
Also, Mississippi is 10-3-2 (if I did the math right) following a single loss. The RiverKings had three two-game losing streaks during the season but never went winless for more than two games the entire year.
12:30 – Yeah, a little early to start the game blog. But I figured I’d let this be an open forum for readers out there to either remark about what they saw/heard from Game 1 and predictions for Game 2.
Still on the horn about AHL updates, and if anything happens in the next five, six hours, I’ll let you know.
My biggest question entering tonight is will Matt Harris play? My gut says he has to. My head wonders if Doug Sauter has enough trust in him yet? Oklahoma City played an extended period of time with only four defensemen and went into overtime.
Also the mindset of both teams will be intriguing. Will Mississippi come out and be extremely physical and aggressive and set the tone early? All things considered, I was amazed at only four PP chances for the Blazers against a team like the RiverKings.
My gut also says (sure is talking a lot today) that if there was ever a game with the Most Outstanding Goaltender is going to make a statement, it’s this one. Think Kevin Beech is going to play lights out tonight. You don’t get into panic or desperation mode down 0-2, but you’re not doing yourself any favors, either.
Want a good recap of Corpus Christi’s big win? Of course, go to Rajan. Tonight will also be the third and final game in both CC and Rio Grande Valley as well as the Bossier-Shreveport and Rocky Mountain serieseseses.
Be back later.
Wrapping up Game 1…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Wrote the extended snap shot for tomorrow’s paper. These playoff recaps will be about the same length as the home game stories as that was one of the things agreed upon since I couldn’t go to Mississippi to start off things.
Spoke with head coach Doug Sauter about a crazy, well-played Game 1 between his Blazers and the Mississippi RiverKings.
- He said it was a heck of a hockey game. Both teams just battling and battling out there. Wanted to make sure Bill Vandermeer got some credit for the tying goal by D.J. Jelitto. It was Vandermeer who orchestrated the play leading to the Hinz shot and Jelitto’s goal.
- He said early on there might have been some nerves for some of those younger guys. “It’s just one of those situations.”
- Associate coach Chris Dashney spoke about why Brian Passmore did not see the ice until overtime after an undisciplined penalty in the second period. Sauter bascially said the same things Dashney said on the call-in show.
Basically, can’t make that type of mistake at this time of year. Passmore was out there in OT and played well. Want my .02, situation is done and not worth re-visiting (unless something else happens).
- I asked about the possibility of seeing Matt Harris on Thursday night. With Tyler Harder having to spend more than 12 minutes off the ice, Blazers were down to four defenseman because of the injury to Oriel McHugh.
Sauter said he would have to see how everybody feels Thursday morning. He did say Harder got caught up in the moment, but that Harder took a shot in the face but no penalty was called on Mississippi.
Harris did skate in the warmup tonight, but I think you’ll find out if Harris is playing right about the same time I’m going to Thursday.
- In his first playoff game, G Doug Groenestege was Boneman’s No. 1 star but didn’t even make the three stars for the official game sheet. Groenestege will get the start Thursday after stopping 38 shots and keeping the Blazers in the game in those tumultuous first two periods.
- Sauter said something at the end that resonated with me. “We’re not satisfied with one here. We want to win both games. There’s a lot of hockey left to be played.”
Not so much shocking to hear a coach say that, but it might be interesting if the Blazers are in the same position (trailing late in the game) Thursday and just decide “we did what we were supposed to do.”
- Also great stat from Josh Evans about this only being the fourth win all-time for Oklahoma City when trailing after two periods in overtime. Blazers are now 4-39 when that happens.
- In the other games, CC routed RGV with a 6-2 win. The deciding Game 3 is Thursday. Also, Bossier goes from down 4-2 with 10 minutes left to winning in overtime to force Game 3 vs. Rocky Mountain.
- All three games that happened tonight will be on tap again Thursday. So we’ll do it again here in, oh, 20 hours or so.
Once again, Blazers 2, Mississippi 1 in overtime. Ted Vandermeer scores the game-winner. Oklahoma City takes 1-0 series lead.
Blazers vs. Mississippi – Game 1
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
9:43 – Ted Vandermeer scores the game-winner. Blazers 2, Mississippi 1, OT. Oklahoma City put on strong pressure the entire overtime and takes a 1-0 lead in the series.
9:40 – Whatever you can do, I can do better. Groenestege with the save on Nelson and Beech comes right back on Przepiorka.
9:25 – RM 4, Bossier 3, 8:57 left. 4-3 RM with 4:33 left. CC still up 4-2 with 10:38 left.
9:19 – Big chances at the end for Mississippi, but the red light does not go on. To overtime we go, fitting with these teams.
The RKings really had some good chances in the final 4-5 minutes of the period and have 37 shots.
Seven of the nine games were decided by one goal between these teams, is this really a shock? Let’s play some more. No shootouts, keep playing 20 minute-periods until we have a winner.
RGV gets one and is down 4-2 to Corpus Christi while Rocky Mountain is up the same margin and has Bossier on the ropes.
9:15 – Rocky Mountain 4, Bossier 2, 13:32 left.
9:13 – Mississippi still with a hefty 32-18 shot edge, but the Blazers have life and energy following the goal. While the six shots is not much, the good sign for Oklahoma City fans is only four shots for the RKings in the first 15 minutes of the period.
4:28 left, and Groenestege stops Costanzo.
9:09 – Goal, D.J. Jelitto. Chad Hinz had a great shot, and Jelitto scored on the rebound at 11:53. Tied 1-1.
Remember, no shootouts in the playoffs. We might be here a while 
9:08 – Still 1-0 Mississippi. Rocky Mountain scored in the final minute of the second period and now in the first 11 seconds of the third to take a 3-2 lead at Bossier.
We’re under nine minutes left in Mississippi. No penalties so far in the third.
9:05 – Big save by Groenestege after a giveaway by D.J. Jelitto. Little over 11 minutes left. Harder can be used again.
9:01 – Blazers have as many shots in the third as in the second in the first five minutes. Beech showed why he was named the top goaltender with a great save on a Murfitt attempt.
Still 14 minutes left.
8:47 – It’s up there for the lowest amount, but it’s not the lowest. Oklahoma City had 11 shots through two periods in a 3-2 OT loss to Rocky Mountain.
But the trend has been not a lot of shots, not a lot of wins (seems obvious, right?)
Blazers had 14 shots in a 3-0 loss to New Mexico on Nov. 29. OKC had 12 shots at Bossier-Shreveport in the 5-0 loss. Also had 13 shots in a 3-2 win at Rio Grande Valley.
Best chance tonight came on a Justin Sawyer breakaway, but he didn’t have enough room/time to make the kind of shot he would have wanted to.
Rocky Mountain has tied it up with Bossier at the end of the second while it looks like headed to Game 3 as CC has a 4-1 lead on RGV, also after the second period.
Byers said maybe the Blazers are looking too hard for “the perfect shot” right now against Beech. Think he might be on to something with that one.
But this might be interesting if the Blazers lose. It’s not because of a bad outing by Groenestege, would Sauter switch and put Andy Franck in tomorrow night? Still got the third period to worry about stuff like that, but something to think about.
8:34 – Not many games where you can say after two periods that the Blazers didn’t really have a legit scoring opportunity.
But in the first game of the playoffs, that is the case as Mississippi takes a 1-0 lead into the third period.
I’ve been keeping tabs on what sound like good scoring opportunities, and it’s all RKings right now.
Bobby Chaumont had a couple of good chances, Dallas Costanzo had a rebound shot and Stephen Margeson was robbed by Groenestege.
So far, 29 shots for Mississippi and 12 for the Blazers. Give me a minute as I want to see if that is the lowest amount this season after two periods. Be back in five.
8:24 – Oklahoma City putting itself in a tough spot. Harder picked up a roughing and 10-minute misconduct penalty after getting into a mini-scrum with Adam Smyth.
Sawyer also received two minutes as we head into the final five minutes of the second.
8:20 – Still 1-0 RKings. Meanwhile, CC has added another for a 3-1 lead while Bossier has regained the lead early in the second.
8:14 – Goal, Louis Dumont of Mississippi. RiverKings take advantage of a 5-on-3 PP and Dumont sneaks it in 10:13 into the second period. Jeff Nelson and Derek Landmesser on the assists.
RKings will still be on the PP. Nope, Gascon will be in the box as well, setting up some 4-on-4 play.
8:12 – Shades of Friday night at Odessa with three men in the penalty box. Only 5 seconds left on Tyler Harder’s penalty but Justin Sawyer and Brian Passmore picked up penalties during the same time, so Groenestege and the PK unit will have their work cut out for ‘em.
8:05 – Blazers are back on a PP after stopping a MS power-play. Ted Vandermeer stole the puck and had a breakaway and was slashed by Joe Markusen.
Przepiorka once again seemed like he had a chance but didn’t get it on goal. Bauman’s PP shot also missed the net.
Interesting point being brought up by Byers right now. Give my thoughts when have a little more time.
7:40 – It didn’t take long for Doug Groenestege to get introduced to the playoffs. Matt Summers sounds like he had a golden chance in the first minute to put Mississippi up, but Groenestege made the save.
And made some more and is the No. 1 reason why after the first period, we are scoreless.
Tried the Nifty and Byers combo, but Nifty is too far behind, so everything is “sounds like.”
Martin Gascon and Jeff Nelson also had good chances for Mississippi. Nelson had back-to-back shots late in the period that tested Groenestege.
Offensively, not much for Oklahoma City. Jason Murfitt played well in his first period in the playoffs and Ted Vandermeer set up Eric Przepiorka late in the period for the best scoring opportunity for the Blazers.
Maybe biggest shock is three combined penalties. Oklahoma City had two PP chances while Mississippi had one.
The Blazers have done a great job of outshooting opponents, but it’s been neck-and-neck when it comes to that stat vs. Mississippi.
After the first, edge goes to the RiverKings by an 11-8 count.
All the nerves (if there were any) should be out, and the next two periods (maybe more?) should have both teams settled down.
In other action, Corpus Christi has scored twice after being down 1-0. Jereme Tendler has both goals while Mark Tobin has a couple of assists.
In Bossier, Rocky Mountain has tied it up after the ‘Bugs had an early 1-0 lead. Rocky Mountain is pressuring Ken Carroll tonight after only 19 shots in Game 1. The Rage already have 10 in the first 15 minutes.
Be updating sporadically throughout the rest of the night from now on.
5:55 – Been a busy day so far on the blog, and we’re not letting up tonight. It’s all been appetizers for the main course as we’re just over an hour away from Game 1 between Oklahoma City and Mississippi from the DeSoto Civic Center.
I’m going to give nifty another shot tonight, but my desktop hasn’t been too compatible with it in the past. If nothing else, definitely going to have Jim Byers tuned in.
And might do a little scoreboard watching as all three games tonight start at 7:05. Is it possible Bossier-Shreveport will be done after tonight? That would be the biggest upset possible with these 10 teams in the playoffs, IMO.
Check back with you when we get closer to faceoff. In the meantime, going to act like a kid again and play some Blades of Steel on the Wii.
Fleck video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Now less than five hours away from the Game 1 between Oklahoma City and Mississippi.
I don’t think this will be the swan song for Tyler Fleck. He looks/feels rejuvenated with the way this season turned out, and he nowhere near the point where he doesn’t contribute.
After Monday’s practice, here’s what he had to say about being back in the playoffs.
Also, hope you got a chance to read the Fleck story in today’s paper. The whole story could have just been quotes from other players on Fleck’s leadership.
Everyone I talked to said something different that they admire about Fleck, and it gave the story life (now if only we had a beat writer smart enough to call him a defenseman, my fault).
AHL possibility update…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Now six hours away from the start of the CHL playoffs for Oklahoma City and Mississippi.
But before that, Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett did get in touch with me about the latest news as it regards to the AHL.
He said, as of right now, there is no deal in place.
The frequent visits by Edmonton representatives make you read between the lines that something is incredibly close to being done, but Cornett did set the record straight that it’s not official.
Other interesting tidbits from Cornett:
- He is not playing one league against another. He’s happy with either league but as spelled out in the lease with the city, the goal is to obtain the highest quality level of hockey. He said he would support whatever decision is made by the Blazers.
- If at all possible, he strongly favors a local ownership group for the team. He said that type of support is important.
- Cornett said interest from NHL teams and its affiliates have been a very consistent thing. He wouldn’t say it’s a monthly thing, but it happens often. He’s met with a lot of different franchises, so much that he doesn’t necessarily remember all the one he’s met with.
- He believes this is a great market, being proven by the NBA’s Thunder.
The numbers speak for themselves. I would be shocked if we weren’t in the conversation (when it comes to expansion or teams moving). When teams are looking, they’re going to come here. We have one of the better facilities to offer and a terrific fanbase.
***
Also had a chance to trade e-mails with both Springfield beat writer Ron Chimelis and Edmonton Journal columnist Dan Barnes. Looking to set up conversations with both for sometime next week.
The Matchups…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Less than nine hours away from Game 1 between Mississippi and Oklahoma City. The Blazers and RiverKings is one of three games tonight as both of the mini-round serieses also continue.
Rocky Mountain has a 1-0 lead on Bossier-Shreveport as the teams head to Bossier while Rio Grande Valley has the same edge on Corpus Christi going to CC tonight.
If the series was played on paper (it’s not), how would it play out?
Matchups
Goaltending
Mississippi: No better workhorse than Kevin Beech. I’ve written a lot in the last few days about his durability and Ironman-esque numbers. But it really is true. How he’s survived healthy while in the thick one of the best division races in recent memory was something to see.
His only downside is he is coming off back-to-back losses. Backup Tyler Sims was 9-5-0. The question I have is Mississippi has a pretty good history of getting on an early run, and then the goaltender can relax. What will happen if every game is nip and tuck to the end?
Oklahoma City: An injury put G Doug Groenestege into the spotlight. His play has kept him there. Groenestege and Andy Franck are two guys that thrive and learn off of each other. Two completely different personalities, but they mesh extremely well.
Head coach Doug Sauter’s play the “hot goaltender” makes me wonder if either net-minder will find a rhythm. It’ll be interesting if Sauter sticks with his plan throughout.
Edge: Push
Mississippi Offense vs. Oklahoma City Defense
RiverKings: Definitely adding Martin Gascon was THE move before the trade deadline, but the health of Bobby Chaumont is what I’m wondering the most about.
Since February 6, he’s only played six games and has been on IR twice. Mississippi is going to need a healthy Chaumont.
And if Ted Vandermeer is Mr. Clutch for Oklahoma City, that honor goes to Jeff Nelson for Mississippi. He’s got seven game-winners, including a couple against the Blazers.
Blazers: The loss of Oriel McHugh, if only for a couple of games, has left a big question mark. Do you throw amateur Matt Harris out there? Like everyone says, you can duplicate anything in practice, but nothing can replace a real game.
Justin Sawyer was -8 from February on until a late +3 surge in the final weekend. Still hard to bet against a defense led by Tyler Fleck, though.
Edge: Slight nod to Mississippi (healthy McHugh changes nod)
Mississippi Defense vs. Oklahoma City Offense
RiverKings: David Simoes is not someone you want to mess with. Less than 200 PIM, but 30 majors.
If you combine Derek Landmesser and Jeff Alcombrack’s point totals, add up to 100. Pretty good for a defensive combo.
But maybe the strength of both teams’ D is the lack of shots. Mississippi and Oklahoma City gave up 26.5 shots per game. In fact, Mississippi faced 1,702 shots this season. The Blazers faced 1,701.
Blazers: While The Rock Pile Line (Simon Lambert, Jason Murfitt and Josh Patterson) has been efficient and fun to watch, the key is the top line.
You go through part of the regular season hoping guys will step up. In the playoffs, hey, rely on what you know. And for Oklahoma City, that’s D.J. Jelitto, Bill Vandermeer and Chad Hinz.
They were the top three scorers by far and were +34 as a group. This is their moment.
Edge: Slight nod to Mississippi
Special Teams
Neither team really sticks out on the Power-Play. Mississippi is ranked fourth while the Blazers are ranked ninth.
Penalty kill is a little different as the Blazers have been among the best all season and finished second in the league. Mississippi, though not great, is solid at No. 6 with an 84.39 kill pct.
If you’re looking for a short-handed goal, look no further than Louis Dumont of Mississippi (6 SH goals) and Simon Lambert for the Blazers. Though only with two, Lambert has the best SH goal possibility because of his speed.
Edge: Blazers
Intangibles
RiverKings: Been knocked out in the first round last two times. After all the great moves coach Kevin Kaminski has made, feels like this should be the year.
If it’s not, then what?
Blazers: Back in the playoffs is one thing. But I think there’s a certain amount of pride that comes when you’re in the middle of a playoff run, and some of the attention is being diverted to AHL talk. That would fire me up, at least.
Edge: Blazers
