SUTHERLAND CUP ROUND ROBIN

[hockeyjockey]

Here you go:

Friday, April 11: Tecumseh @ Thorold

Sunday, April 13: Thorold @ Elmira

Wednesday, April 16: Elmira @ Tecumseh

Friday, April 18: Elmira @ Thorold

Saturday, April 19: Tecumseh @ Elmira

Sunday, April 20: Thorold @ Tecumseh


Thorold home games are 7:30 pm.
Tecumseh home games are 7:00 pm.
Elmira home games are usually 7:00 pm. That could change as they're scheduling around a church tournament.

[tool]

Good Luck Blackhawks
Bring it Home for the GHL!

[oldcoach]

Should get some road trips going. Maybe team up for the drives.

[groulxisright]

oldcoach said:

Should get some road trips going. Maybe team up for the drives.

...because it's a good idea to take a long car ride with someone you don't know but have talked with on an internet message board

[guru]

groulxisright said:

oldcoach said:

Should get some road trips going. Maybe team up for the drives.

...because it's a good idea to take a long car ride with someone you don't know but have talked with on an internet message board

Like internet DATING!! LOL!!

[rocketgirl]

Kick some Tecumseh a$$!

[groulxisright]

Except with an internet date you can meet at a donut shop or someplace public. You'd hate to be half way between London and Windsor and have an almost total stranger pull over, open his trunk........... and the next thing you know you're praying to God that he really is a goalie........

(Yes, that was a Jason reference)

[rocketgirl]

Format leaves little room for error; Fast start imperative in Sutherland Cup round-robin play

It appears all three teams vying for the Sutherland Cup have their sights set on the top prize.

The Golden Horseshoe champion Thorold Blackhawks, along with the Tecumseh Chiefs of the Western League and the Mid-West League champion Elmira Sugar Kings, all qualified for the provincial junior B champions round-robin playoffs by winning their respective league championships.

But a league title won't mean much if it's followed by a quick exit in the round-robin.

"We've talked about this all year and we had three goals," Thorold coach Rob Hubbert said. "Our first goal was to finish in first place, our second was a Golden Horseshoe championship, and our third is to go after a Sutherland Cup."

The Sutherland Cup round-robin playoffs begin Friday when the Chiefs visit the Thorold Blackhawks. Game time at Thorold Arena is 7:30 p.m.

The top two teams from the round-robin advance to a best-of-seven final.

The Hawks, who knocked off the defending Golden Horseshoe champion St. Catharines Falcons with a dramatic 4-2 win Monday in a Game 7, took Tuesday off before returning to practice Wednesday.

When the players arrived at Thorold Arena, they were greeted with a simple message on the blackboard in the dressing room: May 1.

"That's what we put on the board because we want to be competing until May 1, not April 20," Hubbert said. "That's what we've instilled in them."

The Elmira Sugar Kings, who have a pair of Sutherland Cups to their credit in 1997 and 2001, were swept in the Mid-West finals last season by the eventual champions from Cambridge.

"I know from last year how nervous we were just to be there and it showed because Cambridge kicked our asses," Elmira general manager Keith Stewart said. "This year it's a bit different. We have nine of those guys back and they know what it takes to win. I think they were a bit humiliated last year.

"We're not done yet, that's the attitude this year."

The Chiefs are making their inaugural appearance in the round-robin, but that doesn't mean they expect to be in awe of the situation.

"We believe we have a chance to win," Tecumseh general manager and director of hockey operations Kevin McIntosh said. "We're certainly happy to be there, but not happy just to be there. We've worked hard to achieve this goal.

"This is our first experience but as we've told our players, we don't want to pull out a picture of this year's team and say we could have done better if we'd have beared down or stayed home.

"We want them to leave it all on the ice."

The Sugar Kings finished first in the regular season with a 30-7-8-3 mark. They led the Mid-West League with 196 goals and were tops in goals against as well, permitting 124. They also spent the most time in the penalty box of any team in the league, averaging over 25 minutes per game in the sin bin.

"We're not overly big but we're a hard-working team," Stewart said. Captain John Lunney paced the Sugar Kings with 59 points in 48 games during the regular season and was the club's top point producer in the playoffs. Jeremy Hilliard, Brock Zinken and Garrett Rank are other forwards with offensive skill.

Trent Brown, younger brother of former Thorold defenceman Tyler Brown, anchors Elmira's defence while goaltender Dan Morrison was the league's regular season most valuable player.

The Chiefs finished first in their league with a 34-12-2 mark, narrowly edging out St. Mary's by three points. Tecumseh led the Western circuit with 235 goals while permitting a league-low 128, 15 fewer than the defensive-minded Blackhawks.

"We come from a blue-collar area so our kids work very hard," McIntosh said. "We use all four lines and six defencemen."

Forward Garrett Wilson, who had just 11 goals in 46 regular season games, led the Chiefs in playoff scoring with 13 goals in 14 games. Ryan Viselli paced the team with 34 goals in the regular season while Travis Ouellette added 32.

Matt Paltridge in Tecumseh's top offensive rearguard while Jonathan Hunter played goals in 11 of their 14 post-season games.

With just four games in the round-robin - a home-and-home versus each team - each contest takes on added importance.

"Every game is a Game 7," Hubbert said. "There's no margin for error."

[e-mail]

The Scoop

Thorold Blackhawks

Golden Horseshoe champions

Sutherland Cups: 1 (2004/05).

Regular season record: First place with a record of 30-12-6-1. Defeated the St. Catharines Falcons 4-3 in best-of-seven final.

Coach: Rob Hubbert.

Top offensive players: Ryan Bellows, Shane Davidson, C.J. Dickson, Zach Graham, Jay Aucoin.

On the blue-line: Captain Kevin Ward, Drew McAvoy, Danny Williams, Chris Eyles.

In goal: Rick Scarsella earned playoff most valuable player honours with a 2.66 GAA and .915 save percentage.

Quote: "We want to be competing until May 1, not until April 20," Hubbert said.

Elmira Sugar Kings

Mid-West champions

Sutherland Cups: 2 (1997, 2001).

Regular season record: First place with a record of 30-7-8-3. Defeated Cambridge 4-2 in best-of-seven final.

Coach: Geoff Haddaway.

Top offensive players: John Lunney, Jeremy Hilliard, Brock Zinken, Brent Freeman, Garrett Rank.

On the blue-line: Trent Brown (brother of former Thorold rearguard Tyler Brown), Patrick Shantz, Troy Murray, Scott Lepold.

In goal: Dan Morrison played in 35 of Elmira's 48 regular season games and was named league MVP. He started all 16 playoff games posting a 2.73 GAA and .923 save percentage.

Quote: "We were just happy to be there (league finals) last year and it showed because Cambridge kicked our asses," Elmira general manager Keith Stewart said.

Tecumseh Chiefs

Western League champions

Sutherland Cups: None.

Regular season record: First place with a record of 34-12-2. Defeated London 4-1 in best-of-seven final.

Coach: Jim Hunter.

Top offensive players: Garrett Wilson, a draft pick of the Windsor Spitfires, Ryan Viselli, Travis Ouellette, Dan Reaume, Justin Smith. On the blue-line: Matt Paltridge, Matt Rehman, Jeff Broderick, Travis Brown.

In goal: Jonathan Hunter started 29 games in the regular season and 11 of 14 in the playoffs posting a 2.43 GAA and .921 save percentage.

Quote: "We're happy to be there, but not happy just to be there," Tecumseh general manager Kevin McIntosh said.

[rocketgirl]

This article was sent to me, but it's from the St. Catharine's Standard. The 3 teams talk about how great it is to be in the Sutherland Cup and about wanting to win it and what they need to do to win it.

Now, if you've read the Western board, you all know I am not a fan of the Tecumseh Chiefs and I want to see their a$$ handed to them in this round robin. Strickly it's because they're way too cocky for their own good and need to be taken down a notch or two.

Some advice, Ouellette Viselli and Wilson are on the same line. Viselli is crap without Ouellette. He can put the puck in the net, but generally it's with the help of Ouellette, or vice versa. Wilson was our league's play-off scoring leader.

Travis Brown is supposedly their resident tough guy. Now, I didn't see him play a lot during play-offs because he's also a Spitfires draft pick and they were still playing, so they'd call him up. With the Spits out of the play-offs, Tecumseh may use him.

A few of the Chiefs, when they hit you, they tend to slightly jump. They also dive when you hit them, hoping to draw the penalty. I'm hoping that the other refs will catch it, because our's don't.

Jonathan Hunter is their starting goalie. David Blair is their back up. Both are good goalies and can do the job and can steal the game. Their defence does a lot of the work for them though. They give their fair share of big rebounds, but the D are very skilled and pick those up before you get a chance to.

Blair has an on-ice ritual that is very OCD. It's very intriguing to watch. He does it every stoppage of play. And he's one of those goalies that if he doesn't have enough time to complete his ritual, he's crap until the next stoppage of play. So in short, keep the face-offs quick, so he doesn't have time to do it.

That's all my advice for the moment. You can take it for what it's worth, but remember, I'm trying to help you out to advance to the finals.

If you want to know about Elmira, you'll have to ask Probert24.

Good luck! Go Hawks Go!

[pettione]

Hello Rocketgirl----I am have missed the posting on this question if I did sorry asking again but----I do have the Mid-West posting board----but I do believe that the Western Posting Board has escaped me----so if you do not mind----what is the URL for the posting board in your region??

Your help will be much appreciated---as has all of your postings to this date!!!!!!!!!!!

I can only hope that your advance scouting is taken to heart by our Blackhawks----I know they read the boards so any advanced scouting info is much appreciated----we will see how the Hawks handle Chiefs top line----hoping for a total shutdown!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your help is required Rocketgirl-----Keep up the great Work!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rocketgirl]

The West is www.westernjrbhockey.com

The Mid-West is www.midwesternontariohockey.com

Right now, there's not much going on, on the Mid-West, but it just opened on Monday. Plus, there's more West posters than Mid-West posters, but hopefully that'll change soon.

One more thing that I forgot to mention. In Tecumseh, the zamboni goes a different direction each period when cleaning the ice. We figured it was to lay down more water at the visitor's end than their end for each period.

[rocketgirl]

RG's been outted! Somebody who posts on our board has also been reading your board and noticed my 'scouting report' on the Chiefs and decided to post it on our board. Most likely so the Tecumseh 'fans' know what I've been saying about their team. I've made it very clear that I'm not a Tecumseh fan and will never be a Tecumseh fan, so I don't really care what they think.

GO HAWKS GO!!!!! Kick some Tecumseh a$$!

[pettione]

Hello Blackhawks----!!!!!

I realize that this posting could be a little late----but better than never----

Guys, you have help from others around the province wanting to encourage you to victories and the opportunity to make to best out of 7 round----

Here is the overview of Elmira posted by a Midwest Fan----!!!!!

Hope it helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get your butts in gear guys----!!!!!!

Opportunities like this only come around once!!!!!!



Ok I will let you know about Elmira.
The Midwest was weak this year with many teams in a rebuilding year which Elmira took full advantage of. Elmira had a lot stronger team last year and could have had 3 league leaders back (Brenner, Vos and Amyot) but for some reason the players went elsewhere. A rookie laden team from Cambridge outplayed and outchanced Elmira in the Midwest final but the young Hawks didn't have the pure scorers this year and their goaltending let them down or they easily would have made their 3rd straight Suthy appearance.
Elmira has decent forwards and like to crash the net to score their goals. They work very hard which makes up for the skill they might lack. Their best players in the playoffs have been Hillard, Myerscough and Freeman. They will forcheck hard and get in the opposing goalies faces. Hated players are Lunney and Rank who both wear visors and like to talk a lot.

Elmira has a terrible defence and isn't very mobile. If you get on them they will give up the puck when pressured. Their goaltending has saved their butts most of the year and is very good down low and gives you the glove side and then takes it away. Teams scored a lot of goals high to the blocker side as he like all goalies drops to his knees every shot. He is a bit cocky but trying to get in his face doesn't faze him. Just get the D men to back in a shoot high blocker side and he never gets it. Cambridge's scored a lot of goals on him from the top of the circle.
You would think with Elmira playing such a small rink they would have the advantage but is actually the opposite. The arena doesn't hold many fans so they are really a non factor and with the small ice surface the Elmira D are pressured a lot more quickly and have numerous give aways.
I think a team like Tecumseh could pick them apart if they play smart and with their natural scorers they will score a lot on Morrison.

[scoutsrus]

Where in heck did the best Defense in the GHL go?? They are surrendering copius amounts of shots on goal.....0-2 in round robin...must win the next two to even have a chance.

[zantimisfit]

Apr 13, 2008 22:12:43 GMT -5 scoutsrus said:

Where in heck did the best Defense in the GHL go??

They didn't go anywhere. They are finally facing teams that are way better than what they've experienced in the 'Shoe this year. Elmira was all over them tonight, especially in the first period, outshooting them 23-9 and scoring three goals. The Hawks had their heads on a swivel all night as the Kings kept pounding them and finishing their checks every chance that they had. The Hawks had trouble getting the puck out of their own end and coughed up the puck several times. It's a must win for the Hawks on Friday, and frankly, I don't like their chances.

[hockeydoc]

Well i didn't see the game but looking at the game sheet looks like Thorold gave up to PP goals and Sh goal in the first period ..Then 2 more PP goals later .That has to be a concern staying out of the box..

[rocketgirl]

Just because I'm having so much fun with this, Tecumseh are whinny little b**ches as well. I've seen it where their losing a game and they start arguing and fighting with each other on the ice. Their coach loses it too.

In game 3 against us, every penalty called against them in the 1st period was a 5 min. debate with the ref. Provost actually had to go to their bench and explain pretty much every call that he made.

In game 4, they had somebody running the clock that had no idea how to do it. She would put up the coincidental minors on the clock. In the last 2 min. of the period, Tecumseh got a penalty and she put that time on the clock, rather than for the penalty, which inevitably took off about 30 seconds. Then when it was figured out what she did, which was with about 40 sec. left in the period, it was a 5-10 min. debate about how much time should be left in the penalty.

[rocketgirl]

RG's been outted again! They really don't like what I've been writing on here about their precious Chiefs. Who knew my postings could get them so bent out of shape.

[rocketgirl]

Apr 10, 2008 10:41:34 GMT -5 @rocketgirl said:

Travis Brown is supposedly their resident tough guy. Now, I didn't see him play a lot during play-offs because he's also a Spitfires draft pick and they were still playing, so they'd call him up. With the Spits out of the play-offs, Tecumseh may use him.

I've been corrected. Apparently Brown quit the Chiefs. He was never a member of the Spits. I'm sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

*There, are you happy now bigpaws*

[charger]

The Hawks have to win Friday to keep any hopes alive.

[rocketgirl]

I just wanted to apologize to all of you 'old faithfuls' who read this forum every day for my posts in the last week or so regarding Tecumseh. I realize that some of my posts have been completely pointless and dumb and I just wanted to apologize for that and for interrupting your regular posts/chat.

[sphinc]

Dumb and pointless generally fits in pretty good here, no worries.

[leafsfan]

Thorold still has a chance. They are playing a slow Elmira team at home. Elmira lost to Tecumseh last night 6-2 on big ice and were outshot 49-26. Thorold has to win in order to be in contention. A Thorold win on Friday and an Elmira loss on Saturday will set things in motion for a big game in Tecumseh on Sunday. Good luck Hawks.