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 win key game in Kitchener

from: http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

TEAM EFFORT BEATS DUTCHMEN

The Guelph Hurricanes proved that old adage last night in Kitchener…”Play as a team. Win as a team.” Already missing 2 of their top defensemen Cayle Creen(out for the season-knee injury) and Zach Dion (suspension) the Canes lost Daniel Cotroneo when he left the game in the 1st period. The Canes eventhough they were outshooting the Dutchmen fell behind 2-0 before a Wade Pfeffer(2) point shot found the net to cut the lead in half.

In the break Coach MacEachern and his associates reminded the team of the game plan and how important this game was. They responded by scoring the next 4 goals. The line of Mike Iacocca, Martin Kudla and Jake Weidner continued to shine offensively. Iaccoca(18), Weidner(8) and Kudla(17 – empty net) all scored. Canes leading scoreer Tyson Theaker added his 18th while Blair Goss, Cam Jude, Iacocca, Kudla, Connor Ste. Marie and Nic MacEachern(2) contributed assists.

After backing up Brandon Foote on the Storm’s northern trip Drew Pegrum returned to shut down the Dutchmen after the 1st period to record the win. Pegrum made his best save of the night late in the 3rd with the score 3-2 and the Dutchmen pressing. Theaker scored right after that to put the game away. In all he stopped 26 shots many of the difficult variety.

Final Score Guelph 5, Kitchener 2

The Hurricanes last home game of the regular season is Thursday, February 25 at the Sleeman Centre when the Cambridge WinterHawks are the visitors. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The Play-offs will either Wednesday(Waterloo) or Thursday(Brantford) depending on the final standings.

Trade Rocks the (GOJHL) Hockey World

from http://www.listowelcyclonesjrb.com

Cyclonic Trade Rocks The Hockey World

It’s been a busy week for the Cyclone and Guelph Hurricane Management. These 2 teams pieced together a deal, the like that we haven’t seen in years. Probably the closest one to this was when the Edmonton Oilers dealt Wayne Gretzky to L.A. Several players involved and lots of great players and people involved.

For the Cyclones, we say goodbye to some very good young talent with Jake Weidner, Drew Pegrum, and Blair Goss all going to play in Guelph. These 3 players are not only talented but also have several more years of Junior eligibility. They are also great guys and their families are tremendous people and great supporters of hockey. We wish Jake, Drew, Blair, as well as their families all the best with their new team.

Now here’s the excitement for Cyclone fans. In return, we have acquired Guelph’s leading scorer, Dan Mohle, and their 3rd scorer, Ken Rolph. This is huge news for the Cyclone offence. Although they were kept off the score sheet last night, with their speed, skill, and determination, the points will come.

View the rest of the article here: http://www.listowelcyclonesjrb.com/Welcome/home.html

Building for the Future: Analyzing the trade

Experienced Junior hockey fans recognize the strategy.

Successful junior hockey teams across the country have been using it for a while now.

Why? Because it works!!!

In leagues where players regularly come and go, entering the league at age 16 or 17 and graduating at 20 one of the keys to building a successful franchise and winning team is to maximize your assets.

How do you they do that?

They do that by setting up their team to take a run for the championship in a certain year.  Some call it a 3 year plan, sometimes it becomes a 4 or 5 year plan.

Here is how it works:

Step 1: Teams will choose the year they want to compete for the championship.

Step 2: They will try to acquire players that will mature in that year.

Step 3: If they are in the lower half of the standings before the trading deadline, they will trade away some of their star players to teams in the upper half of the standings in order to acquire top quality rookies that will mature in the year that they will make a run for it.

Step 4: In a year or two when they are competing for the championship they will add top players from the teams in the lower part of the standings in exchange for their future stars.

This is the strategy that we witnessed Jason Brooks and the Guelph Storm use when they traded away Thomas McCollum last year.

Veteran Dan Mohle now a Cyclone

And that is the strategy Guelph Hurricanes GM Matt Mullin used when he traded two of their top players in Forwards Ken Rolph (1989 birth year) and leading scorer Dan Mohle (also 1989 birth year) to the Listowel Cyclones for two rookie Forwards Blair Goss (1992 birth year), Jake Weidner (also 1992 birth year) and Future considerations.

According to Mullin, “Not only did we give Ken and Dan a chance to compete for the Sutherland Cup, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add 2 quality kids that will set us up nicely for the next couple of years.”

Blair Goss played the last 2 years with the Fergus Devils (Jr. C), scoring 76 pts. in 79 games, but is a big power forward 6’0″ 205 lbs. He was Listowel’s first star, scoring 2 goals in his last game.

According to the Listowel Cyclones website, “Blair Goss lead the Cyclones scoring attack with two solid strikes and did his best to help his team win with timely scoring and an energetic effort. The Fergus native is just getting his game back on track after suffering a broken ankle in summer lacrosse action.”

Jake Weidner (6’2″ 175) played AAA Midget in Grey-Bruce and is described as an excellent face-off guy and penalty kill expert.

Here was the description of how he played in his last game as a Cyclone, “Rookie forward Jake Weidner who put in another solid game on the PK and in the face – off circle. Make no mistake hockey fans; this young forward will be a dandy player in this league for seasons to come.”

And the best part is that instead of watching two senior players graduate in the next few months, we will be able to watch these two players develop over the next few seasons.

 Now that is what I call maximizing your assets.

*Note: You can see the new players Thursday night (Dec. 3rd) when the Hurricanes host the league leading Brantford Golden Eagles at the Sleeman Centre. Game time 7:45 pm.

You won’t have to wait too long to see Dan Mohle and Ken Rolph as the Listowel Cyclones play the Hurricanes in a home and home series. Friday night in Listowel and Saturday Dec. 5th in Guelph. Game time at the Sleeman Centre is 7:30 pm and remember Saturday night is “Kids Get in Free Night”, where 4 kids can get in free with every paid Adult admission.

Thursday Nov. 26th vs. Waterloo: University of Guelph Night

Guelph Hurricanes announce that University of Guelph students will receive 1/2 price entry to this Thursday’s game vs. Waterloo Siskins.

The Hurricanes have several U of Guelph students on the team and this would be a great (and economical) way for students to support the team.

Location: The Sleeman Centre

Game Time: 7:45 pm

Welcome to the new Guelph Hurricanes Blog

Welcome to the new Guelph Hurricanes Hockey Club Blog.

The purpose of this blog is to talk about what is happening with Guelph’s new hockey club, the Guelph Hurricanes.

Now as some of your know the Guelph Dominators were purchased and re-named the Hurricanes.

They have also moved into the Sleeman Centre for 19 of their 24 games.

The Sleeman Centre is a much more comfortable building to watch a game from.

Stay tuned for more information about the Guelph Hurricanes.