NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE RINKS

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds/DUBNetwork MJ Warriors Beat Writer

Was always gonna happen: Canada, USA, women’s hockey Olympic gold…has anything been more inevitable in hockey? Wednesday night is the game, and I wonder if there is any hotter rivalry in sports, especially in terms of two teams being so clearly at the very top. No, I don’t think they should cancel women’s hockey at the Olympics because Canada and USA bull rushed their way to the gold medal game – it’s critical for young girls around the world to have women’s hockey to watch at this level of exposure – but it sure seemed easy for those team countries…
Shout out Oakville: I used to work for the Oakville Blades Junior A, and the amount of hockey talent hanging around the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville is absolutely insane; so while what Sarah Fillier has done at the Olympics (eight goals, 11 points in six games) is impressive, I’m not surprised that she’s an Oakville Hornets alum. I definitely miss the family feeling that Blades organization gave me, and the success it had as well. Anyways, great for Sarah!
Canada-Sweden: The Canadian men will face the Swedes in the quarterfinal on Wednesday morning, and they are likely the underdogs. Lucas Wallmark, the former Carolina Hurricane, Florida Panthers, and Chicago Blackhawks forward has been excellent, and this is a very deep Swedish squad with gold medal aspirations. Two games in a row against China will also likely not have prepared the Canadians for this match-up, so if they get past tomorrow, I will be pretty impressed…
The “Chinese” were fine: Speaking of China, “their” men’s team, replete with Canadians, Americans, and Russians, were predictably fine. Sure they would have gotten smashed by NHL stars, but against European pros and juniors, this KHL club team was at least not embarrassed, and I’m not surprised. They played hard, and even got a couple of goals from California native and former Boston Bruins farmhand Cory Kane, but how has this advanced Chinese hockey? I’m not sure.
On Flames: So the Calgary Flames have won seven games in a row, the longest such current streak in the NHL, and it’s just another example of how heavy, defence-first, low mistake hockey is the best way to win. They always say hockey is a big-time copycat sport, but how long until we just decide that this, and maybe not Corsi, is the right way to go? Playing defence, winning board battles in the Dzone, it’s hard work, not fun for everyone. But the Flames have figured it out, with enough skill to score enough goals. How about Andrew Mangiapane’s crazy stats? 24 goals, eight assists…that’s crazy. Kudos to the likes of him and Johnny Gaudreau – they have found a way to thrive under Darryl Sutter.
The Spy?: An interesting, if jaded, perspective on the out-of-left-field hiring of Marty St. Louis as the Habs new coach is that he is simply there as the spy of new GM Kent Hughes and President Jeff Gorton…to gather information on who is the right fit to keep, cut, sell, or trade moving forward. I mean, the Habs have been so bad this year, who cares if they win one or two, isn’t it all about the future anyway. When times are bad, Montreal fans are pretty negative, but I’m sure St. Louis will do his best for his childhood favourite club.
Well done Del: What a job Notre Dame U18AAA coach Del Pedrick has done with that squad. First place in Sask, a squad that looks like it can handle anyone, a consistent Top 10 ranking in Canada, and a real workmanlike group. They’re getting contributions from everywhere, and while I don’t think they’re perfect, there isn’t any perfect squad in the league. I especially like that D-Corps, led by ND Junior A hounds commits Sam Borschowa, and Vinny Palmarin, and Brooks Bandits hopeful Luke Marshall – and if they can get consistent goaltending from either Joey Rocha or Wilson Maxfield in net, they could go all the way! Hope they take me for the ride at least a little bit!
Rabid Wolves: To the SJ and the hottest club around is the La Ronge Ice Wolves. I’ve talked at length in different venues about the passion and intensity that their coach Kevin Kaminski can bring out in this group, and with a reinforced D-Corps from trades, and an elite goaltender in Xavier Cannon, this team will be no fun for anyone come playoff time. Probably the captain of the SJHL all-underrated squad is Wolves’ centreman Gavin Mattey, and there are so many weapons up front…so if they finished 6^th or a 7^th, then a top team in this league better beware. The Mel Hegland Uniplex is a very real home-ice advantage as well. Huge, huge Aaron Greyeyes fan over here too.
ND update: On the ND Hounds Junior A side of things, it’ll be a fight for their playoff lives the rest of the way, and I’ve seen them play the right way, the way they need to to make it in before…I just wish they’d do it more often. There is a lot of great enthusiasm, and character in that room, and recent wins over Flin Flon and Estevan prove they can slay some giants – so we’ll see! A few coaches around the league have texted me saying “you guys will be fine!”…I hope so! It really is up to the boys, only so much Coach Brett and Mitch can say.
Monobob: I do love the Olympics, really awesome. Say what you want about Canadian-turned-American Kaillie Humphries, but her dominant performance in the new-fangled Monobob was so impressive. When someone can crush everyone as she did at the top of a game, I have to simply tip my cap. Do I care that she did it with an American flag on her helmet, even though she’s from Calgary? Not really, but maybe I care less about a games in general without NHLers…call me crazy if you want.