The Express scored a big win Friday night against the Outlaws. The second in as many nights, and most importantly, they won both games in regulation. 4 points in the standings for the good guys, and 0 points for the other guys. Had these two games gone the other way, the Express could have been relegated to 3rd place in the standings, but now they have opened up a 7 point lead over the Outlaws. Unfortunately, the 1st place Bismarck Bobcats also won twice, and still lead our favorite junior hockey team by 4 points. However, the Express have 5 games in hand on the Bobcats and actually have a better winning percentage. I'll have more to say about the Bobcats in the next couple of days.
Next up for the Express is a Saturday match up with the beleaguered Albert Lea Thunder. (If you're not up to speed on the Thunder situation, read down a few posts and catch up.) The Thunder organization had until midnight Friday evening to pay the $400,000 fine imposed by the NAHL, or possibly get the death penalty. This article from americanjuniorhockey.com, makes it sound like Saturday night's game will be played no matter what happened at the midnight deadline:
http://www.americanjuniorhockey.com/2009/11/commish-to-thunder-coach-circle-wagons.html . So grab your horns and cowbells, and come cheer the Express to another victory and a 6 point weekend.
The Thunder situation should probably be settled before next weekend. From what I have gathered, these are the possible outcomes:
1. Thunder owner Barry Soskin gets out the checkbook and scribbles out a number with quite a few zeroes behind it. The Thunder continue to play, and a search for new ownership starts. My take: Whether or not Soskin pays the fine, there is no way the league should allow him to remain as the owner of the Thunder (or any other team for that matter). Big Kahuna's probability: 5%
2. The league swings the death penalty ax, and disbands the team. The current Thunder roster is broken up via a dispersal draft, and the season goes on without the Thunder. My take: This option would have to be viewed as a last resort for the league. The ramifications of disbanding a team mid season are far-reaching. It's not fair to the opponents still on their schedule, it's not fair to the people of Albert Lea, and it's not fair to the Thunder players who earned their spot on the roster the right way. Not to mention that it is a big black eye to the NAHL as a whole. I don't like this option at all, but there is a few Thunder players I wouldn't mind seeing in an Express sweater. Big Kahuna's probability: 30%
3. The NAHL kicks Soskin to the curb, and takes over the Thunder organization for the rest of the season. My take: Probably the most appealing solution for everybody involved. I am not a great NAHL history mind, but it's my understanding that this has happened before. This would allow the players to finish out the season, and buy some time for a local ownership group to get organized. Big Kahuna's probability: 65%
Anyway you slice it, if the Thunder franchise has any hope for success in Albert Lea, they need to completely clean house, and start over. Let's hope the league finds a way to do that. To the fans of the Thunder and the people of Albert Lea: Keep your chins up, put your heads together, and fight to keep junior hockey in your town. Junior hockey in Owatonna was in dire straights a year and a half ago, but we fought and persevered, and are now beginning to reap the fruits of our labor. Off the ice, I'm rooting for you. On the ice, step off the tracks, because the Express train is coming through!!
See you at the rink.
--Big Kahuna
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Brian Schack Article from the Star Tribune
There is a nice little article on former Southern Minnesota Express player Brian Schack in Friday's Minneapolis Star Tribune. You can read it here: http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/70578992.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr .
Schack was a member of the expansion Express team back in 2005-06, and a big contributor during the run to a third place finish at the Robertson Cup.
--BK
Schack was a member of the expansion Express team back in 2005-06, and a big contributor during the run to a third place finish at the Robertson Cup.
--BK
Roster Movement Today
The Express made a couple of roster moves today. Forward Chris Westin was released, and his roster spot (along with his jersey number) were filled by the addition of defenseman Patrick Borer.
Borer comes to the Express after spending the early part of this season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. He is 5'8" and 170 lbs, a 1990 birth year, and is from Golden Valley, Minnesota. He played high school hockey at Benilde-St Margaret's, and is already committed to play his college hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The Express have been a little shorthanded defensively this season. Injuries to Ben Montgomery and Joe Schmitz have limited Coach Cullen's options on the blueline to the point that forward Jordan Tredinnick has been playing as a defenseman recently.
Welcome to Owatonna Pat, I look forward to seeing you in action this weekend.
--BK
Borer comes to the Express after spending the early part of this season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. He is 5'8" and 170 lbs, a 1990 birth year, and is from Golden Valley, Minnesota. He played high school hockey at Benilde-St Margaret's, and is already committed to play his college hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The Express have been a little shorthanded defensively this season. Injuries to Ben Montgomery and Joe Schmitz have limited Coach Cullen's options on the blueline to the point that forward Jordan Tredinnick has been playing as a defenseman recently.
Welcome to Owatonna Pat, I look forward to seeing you in action this weekend.
--BK
The Excrement has hit the Ventilator in Albert Lea - **Updated**
To begin with, I realize it has been almost a month since I have updated the blog. Quite honestly, I have become really bored with the whole process, and there really hasn't been anything worth writing about...................Until last night!!
First of all, read the following articles to get up to speed:
http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2009/nov/19/league-finds-albert-lea-thunder-allowed-pay--play/
http://www.americanjuniorhockey.com/2009/11/minnesota-meltdown-nahl-roster-spots.html
There have been whispers of improprieties swirling around the Thunder franchise since their inception early in the summer of 2008. Anybody that was paying attention knew that something wasn't right with our neighbors to the south. So, it's not a surprise that this happened, but what is a surprise is the NAHL's response. The league is throwing the book at the Thunder, and I would speculate the future of the franchise is in grave danger.
This story broke less than 24 hours ago, so I'm sure plenty more details will come out in the coming days.
My take: I just don't see a scenario where this gets resolved in a way that keeps the Thunder in Albert Lea. I hope I am wrong, but I think it's just a matter of time until the team folds. Do they make it through the rest of this season, or have we seen the last of the Thunder??
By the way, the Express are scheduled to play the Thunder Saturday night in Albert Lea. Should be an interesting night at the rink.
The article from the Albert Lea Tribune has been updated with a bunch more information, so click on the link above and re-read the article. It names the players involved, and the parents who blew the whistle to the league officials.
I am not sure what was more idiotic, instituting a pay-for-play system, or actually putting it in writing in the form of a contract. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but this looks like a pretty cut and dried case.
We have had a lot of fun at the Thunder's expense over the last year and a half, but I really feel bad for everyone not directly involved in this scandal: The fans of the Thunder, the people of Albert Lea, Coach Brad Zangs, and the players who earned their spot the correct way. You deserved much better than this. If the hammer falls, and the Thunder fold, feel free to jump on the Express bandwagon, we'll make room. Wouldn't it be nice to root for a winning team for a change, plus we have one big thing in common: a dislike for the North Iowa Outlaws.
I hope to see the Express get a win Saturday night in Albert Lea, but I will be disappointed if any of the pay-for play guys are in uniform.
--BK
First of all, read the following articles to get up to speed:
http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2009/nov/19/league-finds-albert-lea-thunder-allowed-pay--play/
http://www.americanjuniorhockey.com/2009/11/minnesota-meltdown-nahl-roster-spots.html
There have been whispers of improprieties swirling around the Thunder franchise since their inception early in the summer of 2008. Anybody that was paying attention knew that something wasn't right with our neighbors to the south. So, it's not a surprise that this happened, but what is a surprise is the NAHL's response. The league is throwing the book at the Thunder, and I would speculate the future of the franchise is in grave danger.
This story broke less than 24 hours ago, so I'm sure plenty more details will come out in the coming days.
My take: I just don't see a scenario where this gets resolved in a way that keeps the Thunder in Albert Lea. I hope I am wrong, but I think it's just a matter of time until the team folds. Do they make it through the rest of this season, or have we seen the last of the Thunder??
By the way, the Express are scheduled to play the Thunder Saturday night in Albert Lea. Should be an interesting night at the rink.
The article from the Albert Lea Tribune has been updated with a bunch more information, so click on the link above and re-read the article. It names the players involved, and the parents who blew the whistle to the league officials.
I am not sure what was more idiotic, instituting a pay-for-play system, or actually putting it in writing in the form of a contract. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but this looks like a pretty cut and dried case.
We have had a lot of fun at the Thunder's expense over the last year and a half, but I really feel bad for everyone not directly involved in this scandal: The fans of the Thunder, the people of Albert Lea, Coach Brad Zangs, and the players who earned their spot the correct way. You deserved much better than this. If the hammer falls, and the Thunder fold, feel free to jump on the Express bandwagon, we'll make room. Wouldn't it be nice to root for a winning team for a change, plus we have one big thing in common: a dislike for the North Iowa Outlaws.
I hope to see the Express get a win Saturday night in Albert Lea, but I will be disappointed if any of the pay-for play guys are in uniform.
--BK
Sunday, October 25, 2009
You had to see it to believe it!!
From the you had to see it to believe it department, I bring you Saturday night's shootout victory over the Outlaws.
For the fourth straight game, the Express lead the game, and for the fourth straight game, the Express blew that lead, giving up the equalizer with just over a minute left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime period, the Express were trailing the Outlaws by one goal entering the fifth and final round of the shootout. In a must score situation, Express captain Cory Thorson picked up the puck at center ice and skated towards Outlaw goalie Paul Moberg. As Moberg skated out of the goal to cut down the angle, he tripped and fell to the ice. As he struggled to get back to his feet, Thorson quickly accelerated around the left side and deposited the puck in the empty net to tie the score. The Outlaws still had a chance to clinch the victory, but Express goalie Mike Shibrowski stoned Markus Gander to force a sixth round. Chris Darnell immediately scored to put the Express ahead, and Shibrowski stopped Cory Belisle to give the Express the win and the all important 2nd point.
What can you say but "wow"? It looked like our favorite junior hockey team was going to lose their second straight game, but the hockey gods intervened. A win is a win, but the boys in blue need to start holding onto a lead when they have one.
Next up for the Central Division leading Express is a Friday night rematch with the Outlaws. It will be a special night at the rink as the Express "Join the Fight" against breast cancer. The Express will be wearing pink jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game. Don't miss out on your chance to buy a piece of Express history.
--BK
For the fourth straight game, the Express lead the game, and for the fourth straight game, the Express blew that lead, giving up the equalizer with just over a minute left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime period, the Express were trailing the Outlaws by one goal entering the fifth and final round of the shootout. In a must score situation, Express captain Cory Thorson picked up the puck at center ice and skated towards Outlaw goalie Paul Moberg. As Moberg skated out of the goal to cut down the angle, he tripped and fell to the ice. As he struggled to get back to his feet, Thorson quickly accelerated around the left side and deposited the puck in the empty net to tie the score. The Outlaws still had a chance to clinch the victory, but Express goalie Mike Shibrowski stoned Markus Gander to force a sixth round. Chris Darnell immediately scored to put the Express ahead, and Shibrowski stopped Cory Belisle to give the Express the win and the all important 2nd point.
What can you say but "wow"? It looked like our favorite junior hockey team was going to lose their second straight game, but the hockey gods intervened. A win is a win, but the boys in blue need to start holding onto a lead when they have one.
Next up for the Central Division leading Express is a Friday night rematch with the Outlaws. It will be a special night at the rink as the Express "Join the Fight" against breast cancer. The Express will be wearing pink jerseys that will be auctioned off immediately following the game. Don't miss out on your chance to buy a piece of Express history.
--BK
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Express vs Alexandria - 10/17/2009
We did a live chat during the game tonight, and will probably do it again in the future. Check back the next time the Express are on the road.
Gutty performance by the Express tonight to recover from a late Blizzard goal in regulation, and win the game in the shootout. Dan Cecka and Schyler Adams scored for the Express in the shootout, and Mike Shibrowski stopped 4 out of 5 Blizzard attempts, and our favorite junior hockey team picks up 2 important points in the standings.
One more game to go Sunday night against the Bobcats. Can the Express make it a 6 point weekend??
See you at the rink.
--BK
Gutty performance by the Express tonight to recover from a late Blizzard goal in regulation, and win the game in the shootout. Dan Cecka and Schyler Adams scored for the Express in the shootout, and Mike Shibrowski stopped 4 out of 5 Blizzard attempts, and our favorite junior hockey team picks up 2 important points in the standings.
One more game to go Sunday night against the Bobcats. Can the Express make it a 6 point weekend??
See you at the rink.
--BK
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Big Kahuna's NAHL Power Rankings - 10/13/2009
Now that we're a ways into the season, I figured it was time to take a stab at some NAHL power rankings.
1. Wenatchee Wild
2. St Louis Bandits
3. Topeka Roadrunners
4. Marquette Rangers
5. Owatonna Express
6. Traverse City North Stars
7. Alaska Avalanche
8. Texas Tornado
9. Springfield Jr Blues
10. Alexandria Blizzard
11. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
12. North Iowa Outlaws
13. Motor City Metal Jackets
14. Bismarck Bobcats
15. Wichita Falls Wildcats
16. Janesville Jets
17. Alpena Ice Diggers
18. Kenai River Brown Bears
19. Albert Lea Thunder
Do you agree?? Do you disagree?? Do you think I'm an idiot?? Do you think I have too much time on my hands?? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
See you at the rink.
--BK
1. Wenatchee Wild
2. St Louis Bandits
3. Topeka Roadrunners
4. Marquette Rangers
5. Owatonna Express
6. Traverse City North Stars
7. Alaska Avalanche
8. Texas Tornado
9. Springfield Jr Blues
10. Alexandria Blizzard
11. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
12. North Iowa Outlaws
13. Motor City Metal Jackets
14. Bismarck Bobcats
15. Wichita Falls Wildcats
16. Janesville Jets
17. Alpena Ice Diggers
18. Kenai River Brown Bears
19. Albert Lea Thunder
Do you agree?? Do you disagree?? Do you think I'm an idiot?? Do you think I have too much time on my hands?? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
See you at the rink.
--BK
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