The Heritage Weekend That Was

The pomp, the circumstance, the hand-warmers. The weekend that was in Calgary couldn't have been better done, even though the organizers couldn't control the weather-- one day, but not yet. From the Saturday practices and alumni game, to the big show of the Heritage Classic, followed by the WHL Outdoors game-- the festivities were something that many Calgarians and Canadians will remember for some time, especially if they can't get to another one.

The stadium was full of rabid fans, packed shoulder to shoulder and full of spirit(s). It showed that it was a game that was very much in demand and something that was needed for the city of Calgary. Granted, the revenue from sponsorships surpassed the Winter Classic's in the past shows that Canadian companies love hockey and will put their money to not only get their name out there, but to support something they strongly believe in. Of course, the outcome made it even better for more than half the crowd dressed in scarlet-red and yellow-- looking like a Fixin' Bar at a Roy Rogers from 1986.

When it came to the WHL game, it was so underground-- it didn't even have a proper name; it was just called WHL Outdoors. Even so, 20,888 showed up, which surprised me only because of the fact that it was a cheaper alternative and turned out to be a better day on a Holiday Monday. It also turned out to be a good game, with Regina scoring the game-winner with 36.2 seconds left in the third period and while they did set a CHL and Junior Hockey record single-game attendance-- it could have been so much more. Regardless, it was a success in terms of getting people out to see the two worst teams in the WHL in a thrilling game.

There has been little criticism when it comes to the Heritage Classic-- mainly with the scheduling of the game; and to that I agree. When this first outdoor game happened in 2003, it was in November and just as teams started to get their legs underneath them. The fact this game is with about a quarter of a season left and teams in dogfights-- it's something you really don't want to risk; having an outdoor game screw up things because one thing or another go wrong because of conditions. If you're playing this late and already playing catch-up, it's just puts you deeper in the hole if you can't win.

In any case, it was about the fans. The gauge I got from some of my friends that were there was this was an amazing event and well done by the league and Flames organization. The temperature didn't affect too many people, mostly due to the availability of booze and chicken soup-- or both into one. Fans enjoy the company of the rival, with little to no complaints being put out there to my knowledge. The weekend earlier was Hockey Day in Canada, but Sunday was a best encore you could have hoped for over-- then the hangover Monday sealed a great weekend of hockey in Calgary.

Would it be wise for the NHL to do two or more outdoor games a year?? If they want to go for the gimmick while it's hot-- then yes. However, with not many Canadian teams and few American locales you can have it at; it creates a difficult conundrum. You'd love to have this kind of exposure, but if you over do it-- the vibe of having that one game a year kind of gets a bit diminished. You have the Winter Classic and if there should be a Heritage game to be had, then go for it-- but you don't force it. Maybe have the Heritage every other year and build the hype that, but if you go over two for an NHL season-- it just becomes another game.

Semantics aside, the final product delivered beyond the lack of true hype it got. The people came out in droves and lapped up every bit they could. It was great for the city, the teams, and the league. It did what it's exact task and got interests from those who wanted to take interest in it. The setting was stellar, the weather was as many remembered when playing on that pond, and it will be a lasting memory for all who participated in it.

Friday Five: Reviews, Returns, and Removed

This blog really is turning into a Monday-Tuesday-Friday blog. If I wasn't so lazy or wanting to do something different, I could actually have some staying power. Anyway-- time for the Friday Five, so enjoy the end of the week stuff.

1. The Caps/Pens 24/7 thing premiere with rave reviews from the viewing public. How much staying power does this have for the future??

I've always said that there needs to be some kind of reality show for the NHL because it would be something that could be great. The NFL has NFL Films and have guys always mic'd up, the MLB has had some stuff in the past-- this could be the thing that makes the NHL realize this is a good idea and this could market the league better than anything else.

Plus, it tells the tale of how it is in the Show, which is something that many people may never get close to experience and really get inside the player's lives. Of course, hockey players are the most accessible athletes out there-- but this just extent of that.

2. Dion Phaneuf made his awaited return to Calgary to mixed reviews. Should he (or any player) get heckled for a decision they may have not had a hand in??

There were a lot of Flames fans who had given up on Phaneuf well before he got traded, so if they're bitter-- they have a right to boo. Plus, it depends on what story you believe when the fallout happens after the trade. If you believe it was for the good of a team, then you won't feel so bad; but if you believe he was a mess in the locker room and caused havoc and feel slighted-- boo away.

I don't think that it's particularly right to boo someone unless they ask publicly to be traded for one reason or another-- that's when all fans have a right to be bitter about it because that player is basically saying that your favorite team stinks.

3. There was something on Twitter about Steve Mason being the most frequently pulled goalie since the start of the 2009-10 season. After his rookie campaign was fantastic, the ultimate question is....whahappen??

Mason fell into JonnyP's "Hedberg Effect" method, where a goalie comes out of nowhere to be good, only because shooters haven't seen him and couldn't solved him quick enough. Now, guys know his weakness and he's getting beaten like the Gimp. Mason is still young though and could get some adjustments made in order to get back into form physically. The mental issue could be the thing that could be the hardest for Mason to overcome.

4. The Southeast Division could be one with the sparsest of attendances for most of the teams, but three of them have playoffs spots and Carolina is in the 9th spot. Could this be the time that the Southeast gets its due??

It seems that the Southeast always has these glimmers of hope when it comes to teams being in the playoff and shaking the moniker of being the weakest division in the NHL, but this could be yet another mirage. The Caps seemed like a sure thing, but their seven-game losing streak has halted the runaway season; the Thrashers a great young team, but will they be able to keep the pace they've set?? Tampa Bay will get better with Vincent Lecavalier in the line-up.....if their goaltending holds up and Carolina could be the most bi-polar team out there, so who knows.

That said, I don't know if this moniker will be shaken this year, but it seems to be on the horizon. The talent is too good on these teams to keep them down....if they can stay together for the long haul.

5. There were 23,096 stuffed animals thrown to the ice at the Calgary Hitmen game on Sunday. Is there any better promotion in juniors/minors than the teddy bear toss??

The TBT is a staple for many teams-- Calgary included-- and most people only go to the TBT game to witness and to contribute. I've been to a couple of Calgary's TBTs and it's a sight to see. Just going from the puck in net and just bears all over the place. It's like a toy store exploded--
very awesome to see. If you have the chance, I highly suggest you take in a TBT game. Best part, it won't cost you an arm and a leg like an NHL may cost.

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That's it-- another week in the books. Any suggestion for topics, I'd greatly welcome them-- Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com is the place to send them and odds are; if you submit something; it'll be put on here.

Hitmen Hit With Junior Hockey Reality

This past May, the Calgary Hitmen were on top of the WHL, winning the Chynoweth Cup for league champions and on their way to the Memorial Cup. Right now, they sit in last place in all of the WHL with a 4-11-0 record. They are on the verge of not making the playoffs for the first time in the 13 years. And GM Kelly Kisio is irate.

Thus is the life of Junior Hockey, where the turnaround and the roster shuffling is almost as bad as constant free agency. The Hitmen felt it hard with the loss of goaltender Martin Jones and scorers Brandon Kozun, Ian Schultz, and Joel Broda to the professional ranks, as well as Zak Stebner to a trade earlier in the year; but they have had big losses before and been able to transition easily, but this year seems to be the breaking point for them. While it could be the early season woes, it may take some drastic moves. If the Hitmen don't make the playoffs, they'd be the first WHL team who was the previous year champion to not make the playoffs the next season (so long as the WHL website and Wikipedia hasn't swayed me wrong).

To put it in perspective, Jones won the WHL Goalie of the Year, Top Goalie in the Memorial Cup, WHL Playoff MVP, and was on the Canadian World Junior team-- how do you think a team would play without someone like that?? Kozun and Broda combined for 71 goals in 65 games last season and Kozun added 71 assists, as well. Schultz was a heart and soul guy with 150 PIMs along with 24 goals in 70 games. Plus, their defense is depleted with Giffen Nyren, Tyler Shattock, and Stebner all off the team for one reason or another (trade or pros). That drastic of a turnover is something that may not be seen again...or could be, depends on the team.

This shows how rough and how loyal junior fans have to be in terms of dealing with all of these turnarounds and the uncertainty of a dynasty kind of ordeal. Plus, it also goes to show how hard it is to manage one of these teams-- dealing with getting a solid roster year-in and year-out, plus making the moves to deal with import players (only two per roster) and dealing with overage players who haven't caught on with the pros (only three 20-year-olds to each roster). It's a taunting task to get everyone a taste of some playing time so they're not left in the lurch a few years down the road.

Sure, the option of trading away prospects to an awful team for their star player could work-- but there's going to come a time where that'll bite you in the ass because there's going to come a time where the prospects wash up. With a team doing well, they won't have priority in the bantam drafts, thus won't have the talent others get to replenish their system.

Like I said before, the Hitmen have been able to bounce back with the losses of many big players, but that's because they were able to get ice time to the younger guys and get a lot of their role players-- doesn't seem to be the case this season for one reason or another. Luckily, the season is still young, there's moves to be made, and there's a chance that other teams can lose some players to injury-- but as it looks right now, the Hitmen are about to make history for all the wrong reasons.

Better Know Your Memorial Cup Team: Calgary Hitmen

The Memorial Cup, which crowns the best in major junior hockey, starts on May 14th and as a (dis)service to you folks out there; I'll do my best to breakdown the teams you may or may not know. As a note-- I'm a hack and probably won't get all the facts or anything like that straight, so bear with me.

It was 11 years to the day after their last WHL championship, the Calgary Hitmen hope their trip to the Memorial Cup this year ends up much better than their trip back in 1999, where they came up one goal short of the Memorial Cup. This year's team was determined after their WHL Finals loss last year to the Kelowna Rockets and got over that hump by winning it this year. Now, with the top goalie and top scorer from the WHL's regular season and playoffs on their side, the Hitmen now set their eyes on the ultimate prize in Major Junior hockey.

Starting in net, Martin Jones (Los Angeles, free agent) has been nothing short of stellar for the Hitmen this season and playoffs. Crowned with the Goaltender of the Year and Playoff MVP honors, Jones is the main cog in the Hitmen's success. With a calm demeanor, Jones won't get rattle easily from the offense. Luckily for him, his team often gives him an early lead. The only issue is what his team in front of him will do if they get down early. Much like other goalies, Jones can only do so much before support needs to come into play. However, if Jones does falter; it could spell a demise for the Hitmen's hopes.

In front of Jones, the Hitmen have a very potent offense; headlined by WHL top scorer in the playoffs (8g, 22a) and regular season (32g, 75a), Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles, '09). Kozun is at a distinct size disadvantage, but his speed and smooth skating will what makes up for his size. The size is brought by Joel Broda (Washington, '08), who lead the playoffs in goals with 13. Broda has a quick release and laser-like shot. While he's not too much for speed, if he gets room-- he's deadly. The surprise for the playoffs is Mischa Fisenko (UFA), who put up 8 goals and 11 assists for the playoffs; which wasn't too much off his pace from the regular season where he has 12 goals and 32 assists. Late-season pick up Tyler Shattock (St. Louis, '09) and role guys Cody Sylvester (Eligible 2010) and Kris Foucault (Minnesota, '09) have also chipped-in here and there. The biggest intangible is the block-party the Hitmen have when they're on the defensive, as this is a team who isn't afraid to get in the way of pucks.

Defensively, the Hitmen are just as good in their own zone as they are in the offensive zone. Leading with Eastern Conference Defenseman of the Year, Michael Stone (Phoenix, '08)-- the Hitmen have a lot of guys who contribute offensively as they do defensively. One guy who has come into his own has been Giffen Nyren (UFA), who came over from Kamloops during the year and was able to find his game while with the Hitmen. Youngster Ben Wilson (Eligible 2010) and Matt MacKenzie (Eligible 2010) have come into their own this year and most importantly, these playoffs.

Coach Mike Williamson had a chance with both teams in the WHL Finals and may or may not have been the cog to push the Hitmen ahead, but the players have bought into the system. GM Kelly Kisio built a team around last year's team with not many drastic changes, which kept the team chemistry there. They also have a nice blend of experience and youth for their team to keep building for years to come. It has been a while since their last trip, but the structure is still the same for these Hitmen as it was in 1999. It's been 15 years since the Hitmen came to be in the CHL landscape and they hope that the end of their 15th year will have a Memorial Cup to make it even more memorable.