Hurricanes/Siskins game one tonight in Waterloo

from: http://www.waterloocronicle.ca

Siskins finish second in regular season, face Guelph Hurricanes in first round

By Greg MacDonald, Chronicle Staff, Sports, Mar 03, 2010

 

After setting regular season franchise records for wins and goals against, the second-place Waterloo Siskins will start its playoff campaign with a first round matchup against the Guelph Hurricanes.The Siskins fell 7-5 to the Brantford Golden Eagles on Saturday and the victory clinched first for Brantford, the reigning champs.

That set up the Siskins’ matchup with the Guelph Hurricanes, the No. 7 seed.

Before the Brantford matchup, Siskins head coach Dean DeSilva said it was a measuring stick. So how did the team stack up?

“We’re happy where we are,” DeSilva said.

Brantford still has the depth and tenacity that made them champs last year, but the Siskins can challenge, DeSilva said.

“Both teams match up very well with each other,” he said.

Even though the Siskins didn’t clinch first place in the Midwestern Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, they did set a number of team marks.

December’s 17-game-win streak was record setting on its own, but it also lead to the Siskins notching the most wins in a season ever in the team’s 75-year history.

The team also set a mark for the fewest goals-against the club has ever seen.

While those records are nice, they’ve been pushed to the side for now, DeSilva said.

“We reflected on them for about 30 seconds,” he said. “We congratulated the players but also reminded them that all the records mean nothing if we don’t continue the success into the playoffs.”

With their first oppoent set, DeSilva and the coaching staff have two days to get the team prepared for the Hurricanes.

Waterloo won six of the seven games against the Hurricanes this season.

The head-to-record record points to a clear advantage for Waterloo, but DeSilva said it’s important not to look past the Hurricanes.

Coach MacEachern has his boys ready for playoffs

“I know head coach Jim MacEachern and I know how hard he has his guys working,” DeSilva said. “He’s got them playing very well.

“The message for our team is that we have to focus on ourselves.”

There will be a quick turnaround for the Siskins. The team played its final game of the season Sunday — a 2-0 win against the Kitchener Dutchmen — and the playoffs will begin Wednesday.

“We have a few bumps and bruises we’re working through, but I think with it being the playoffs, we can bring the energy and a spark,” the coach said.

The Siskins have aspirations beyond the first round and are looking to play to their strengths.

Goaltending has been a major strength for the Siskins, but the Hurricanes haven’t had as much trouble as other squads getting the puck past netminder duo Colin Breen and Will Sibley.

That means the players in front of the goalie will have to step up to ensure a first-round victory.

All that matters now is the win, DeSilva said.

“The regular season is great individual honours but now it’s all about the team,” he said.

The Siskins take on the Guelph Hurricanes in Game 1 tonight at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex at 7:30 p. m.

Hurricanes drop a close one to Cyclones in OT

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

CANES LOSE IN OVERTIME

The atmosphere inside the Ice Palace was hot for a couple of hours as the Hurricanes and Cyclones put on one of the most entertaining, exciting games of the season. The Cyclones prevailed in overtime 4-3 but were pushed to the limit by the hard working Canes.

Chris McDougall covers the puck

Listowel struck first with former Cane Dan Mohle chipping a loose puck into the net for a 1-0 first period lead. The Cyclones struck again before the Canes went to work. Tyson Theaker(17) scored from Mike McFarlane and Nic MacEachern making the score 2-1 entering the 3rd period.

The Canes came out flying in the 3rd and put pressure on Guelph native Jim Prigione. Prigone made a number of excellent saves before Luca Penzo(5) beat him with a power play goal to tie the game. Martin Kudla and Mike Iaccoca assisted on the goal. Canes kept up the pressure until McFarlane(10) with assists from Theaker and Wade Pfeffer put the Canes up 3-2.

Now it was McDougall’s turn to shine in the Canes net and he did. He made a number of excellent saves to keep the Canes in the lead. But with the Canes in control and less than 2 minutes left lighting struck. Former Hurricane Ken Rolph stole the puck in the offensive zone, walked in on McDougall and scored sending the game into overtime.

An ill-advised retailiation penalty with less than a minute left in regulation gave the Cyclones the man advantage heading into overtime. Fergus resident Eric Dekkers scored right off the face-off with a blast that caught McDougall off guard to send the Listowel fans home happy.

The one point puts the Canes in a dead heat with the Kitchener Dutchmen setting up their upcomng game on Tuesday in Kitchener.

The Canes have 4 games left in the regular season with the lone home game being next Thursday Feb 25th at the the Sleeman Centre vs. the Cambridge WinterHawks. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Brantford Clips Hurricanes 6-1

from: http://www.guelphmercury.com

Canes clipped by Brantford

February 13, 2010, Mercury staff, sports@guelphmercury.com

GUELPH – The Guelph Hurricanes held the Brantford Golden Eagles at bay for a period before the Midwestern Conference leaders pulled away for a 6-1 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League victory Saturday night at the Sleeman Centre.

McDougall looks for help as Brantford celabrates goal

The game was scoreless after the first period before Brantford scored six consecutive goals, four of them coming in the second period.

Jake Weidner ruined the shutout bid by Daryl Borden when he scored a shorthanded goal for the Hurricanes at 14:54 of the third period. Connor Ste. Marie and goaltender Chris McDougall assisted on the play.

Thomas Middup and league scoring leader Josh McQuade scored twice each for Brantford while Joe Vanni and Jeff Lynch added single goals. McQuade also had two assists to give him 61 goals and 80 assists in 48 games.

The win improves Brantford’s record to 39-5-4 while Guelph falls to 13-27-4.

View the rest of the story here: http://news.guelphmercury.com/Sports/article/597440

Former Dominator finding Groove in OHL

from http://www.guelphmercury.com

Guelph’s Cazzola finds a home in Erie

 February 01, 2010, Tony Saxon, Guelph Mercury, tsaxon@guelphmercury.com

GUELPH — It might be a while before Michael Cazzola makes another late-summer sojourn to his homeland.

Cazzola scored 44 pts. for the 2007-08 Dominators

Cazzola, an 18-year-old Guelph native who stars for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters, in part blamed a trip to Italy late last summer for his slow start to this season with Erie.

He had just two goals in his first 10 games this year.

“Right at the end of the summer I went on a trip to Italy. My parents told me it wouldn’t slow me down at the start of the season, but I always thought about taking a week off and how it might affect my game,” Cazzola said on a recent stop in the Royal City.

“Then a couple of weeks into the season I really found my groove and took off from there.”

Since then he has been on fire, teaming up with linemates Zack Torquato and Greg McKegg to form one of the deadliest trios in the league.

Cazzola has 25 goals and 34 assists on the season. He is tied for the team lead in goals, and is second in assists and points.

“I feel more comfortable for sure and the confidence is there. I feel like I contribute a lot more to this team, so it feels a lot better,” he said.

Last season he finished with 11 goals and 27 points. But Otters coach Robbie Ftorek said those less than impressive totals were about a player learning the league.

“I didn’t see him struggling last year, I saw him learning and gaining confidence.”

Cazzola was a 13th-round draft pick in 2007 by the Otters. He spent most of the following season with the junior B Guelph Dominators before Erie came calling with an education package the former Bishop Macdonell high school student couldn’t turn down.

Now he’s one of the team’s go-to guys.

View the rest of the article here: http://news.guelphmercury.com/Sports/article/593442

Note: Cazzola who wears #13 is currently 13th in the OHL in Scoring.

Hockey Pucks and Pink Hammers

from: http://www.snapguelph.com

Hockey Pucks & Pink Hammers

On a Thursday evening in mid-January, the Habitat for Humanity Women Build Event was held at the Sleeman Centre as part of the Guelph Hurricanes / Cambridge Winter Hawks hockey game. The Women Build Event included an auction table featuring signed jerseys and sticks from honorary guests and hockey legends Ray Scapinello & Paul Henderson. Paul & Ray were also on hand for the pre-game ceremonial puck drop. All proceeds from the auction went towards funding the Women Build in 2010. For more information regarding local Habitat activities, please visit http://www.habitatwellington.on.ca. And don’t forget to support your Guelph Hurricanes, the city’s Jr. B hockey team.

You can view the photographs here: http://www.snapguelph.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=142891

Happy Hockey Day in Canada

Today is CBC’s “Hockey Day in Canada”.

If you are looking to catch some hockey action live, why not come out to Victoria Road Arena tonight at 7:30 pm and watch the Guelph Hurricanes take on the Elmira Sugar Kings.

Celebrate Hockey Day with the Hurricanes

The previous three games these teams played were all decided by one goal. (One in Regulation, One in Overtime and One in a shootout.)

So this promises to be an exciting game.

Hockey Legand comes to Guelph Thursday

 

 

Henderson scores goal of the Century

Hockey Legend Paul Henderson will be coming to the Guelph Hurricanes / Cambridge Winter Hawks game this Thursday night at the Sleeman Centre. The game is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

 Here is Paul’s bio:

Paul Henderson, a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, became a Canadian sports legend on September 28, 1972. His goal, with 34 seconds remaining in the final game, lifted Canada to victory in the “Series of the Century”, against the Soviet Union.

Incredibly, Paul Henderson scored the winning goal in each of the last three games of this historic first series between the two superpowers of hockey.

That magical moment in Moscow is still considered the greatest in hockey history. In 1997, on the 25th Anniversary of The Goal, Paul was immortalized on a postage stamp issued by Canada Post and a silver coin by The Royal Canadian Mint.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Sleeman Centre on Game night or at the Rona Cashway store on Dawson Road or Habitat’s Re-Store on Speedvale Road. Ceremonial face-off is at 7:00 pm.

Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser this Thursday

Upcoming Fundraising Hockey Event – Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2010!

As a part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2010 a fabulous fundraiser, which will turn dreams into realities, is a fun filled night out for the entire family! Join our community on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at Guelph’s very own Sleeman Centre for a Hockey event you will not forget!

Paul Henderson, Canada’s Hockey Legend and Ray Scapinello will be on ice and in arena!

Autographed Hockey Jerseys and sticks up for auction.

Details:

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010

Time: 7:00PM (Ceremonial Puck Drop)

Location: Sleeman Centre, Guelph

Cost: $8.00 (proceeds benefitting Habitat – 2010 Women Build)

 Please consider purchasing tickets and sending a child or family that might not otherwise be able to attend! Tickets are available at the Rona Store on Dawson, the Re-Store on Speedvale and The Sleeman Centre in Guelph.

 Hope to see you there.

Pegrum’s 38 saves not enough for Canes

Pegrum stops 38 Waterloo shots

Despite Drew Pegrum’s 38 save performance the Guelph Hurricanes (11-20-4 26 pts.) still lost 5-2 in Waterloo (28-5-0 56 pts.) versus the Siskins Friday night.

Waterloo outshot Guelph (43-23 ) and received a great offensive night  from forward Matt Reid (3 goals + 1 assist) and goalie Will Sibley picked up his 4th win this season against Guelph.

Martin Kudla and Mike Iacocca both scored Powerplay goals for the Canes.

Guelph’s next action is tomorrow night when they travel to Brantford to take on the Golden Eagles, before they return home next Thursday (Jan. 14th) on Habitat for Humanity night vs. the Cambridge Winter Hawks. Game Time 7:45 at the Sleeman Centre

Tough weekend ahead for Hurricanes

The Guelph Hurricanes (11-19-4 26 pts.) have a tough weekend ahead as they first travel to Waterloo to take on the 2nd Place (27-5-0 54 pts.) Siskins Friday night.

Siskins Wil Sibley has beaten Guelph 3 times

The Siskins have been winning with top notch goaltending and tough checking. They have a balanced  attack. In the previous 4 tilts, Waterloo has come out on top, 5-4, 5-3, 8-0 and 4-2. Three key factors that Guelph needs to do to win are:

1. Shoot !(early and often) The Canes have averaged 27.75 shots per game vs. Waterloo.  Waterloo’s goaltenders have a save % of .923. This translates into 2 goals against. So if they want to increase their goals, they need to increase the number of shots.

2. Stay out of the penalty box! Waterloo has converted 18.09% of their Powerplays (6th in GOJHL).

3. Get Solid goaltending! Attention Chris McDougall… pretend we are playing Stratford.

After battling with the Siskins, Guelph travels to the Bell City to take on the take on the 1st Place Brantford Golden Eagles (28-4-3 59 pts.) on Saturday night.

McQuade leads the GOJHL scoring with 103 pts.

 Two Brantford players that have killed the Canes this season are goaltender Daryl Borden (26-4 2.51 GAA) and Josh McQuade, who leads the league in scoring with 103 pts. (40 goals and 63 assists)

The Golden Eagles sport the GOJHL’s leading Penalty Kill with 89.95% , including 20 shorthanded goals.

Two keys to victory in this game are:

1. Hit them, hit them and then hit them again. This is a run-and-gun finese team that the Hurricanes can upset if they keep laying the body on them.

2. Neutralize Josh McQuade. McQuade has scored 7 goals and 2 assists in 3 games vs. Guelph, including 2 hat tricks. How do they do that….read point #1. Oh and when they hit them, do it cleanly, because Brantford also has the #4 PowerPlay in the GOJHL converting on 23.66% of  them.

One more key factor in both these games.

If Guelph remains in 7th or 8th in the standings at the end of the regular season, it is likely that they will either face Brantford or Waterloo in the first round of the playoffs.