5-10-2009
Finding ways to NOT lose
Is better than laying down and taking a beating

Macomb - You know capping off a dismal season with a pair of ties, pretty much sums up the whole season.  It's how we played and things have gone for us all year, not quite together enough to make wins happen when they possible, and losing more than we should.  But ending the season with 4 ties and only 3 wins means that we still lost more games than we won or tied.

Last night's game was different though, we played as a unit, our passing was strong and showed promise as we stepped up and created chances.  We back checked and forechecked when it was necessary, and although there were the typical breakdowns, we did not fall apart in the final 5 minutes.

Norm Schmelzle played one of his best games and gave the scoring lines a chance to score and ultimately preserved a tie, stopping numerous breakaways and covered up the puck when he realized it was necessary.  The forwards were spread out and passing quite nicely and although even I made some mistakes, in the end we gelled together to preserve a tie.

So why am I making something out of tying a game?  Simple, because a tie in regulation during the playoffs means we still have a chance, a chance that we gave to ourselves.  Whether we win or lose the game, is not indicitive to our determination to give ourselves every chance to win.

By the way, you should all check out the playoff tree, not what I expected, but true to their word, Al and Steve are giving everyone a chance to win in the playoffs.

5-3-2009
There's no place like home
as long as you have directions to get there

Macomb - In a game featuring plenty of promise but delivering little result, an unlikely line and a familiar tandem provided enough to salvage a tie in what could have been a complete disaster closing out the regular season.

Dan Fornarola received a pass from Jason Bagnall and slipped and dipped defenders to tie the game with less than 1:45 remaining in the third period.  Backup Goalie Mike stopped 19 shots, and the Hurricanes saved defeat trying to show grit as they look forward to the final game next week and move towards the playoffs.

Darin Ode scored the opener for the Hurricanes with 1:15 left in the second period tying the game after the breakdown in the first minute had the boys scratching their heads.

Just as significant, was the line that was on the ice at the time, was Joe Slayton, Joe Grusling with Ode.  "They were able to produce, and that's all that mattered, it's good to see that they all contributed on the score as well" Coach Al Atwood commented after the game.  "We were short certain players and we needed to shift players around, and they scored a big goal for us" 

There is no discounting the fact that the Hurricanes have struggled this year, production has been limited to a handful of guys, it will need to spread out even more as well as consistency from the production line if this team wants to make any impact in the playoffs.

4-26-2009
We are dialed in for the playoffs. 

Just a reminder for anyone offended by my bantering.  This site is meant to bring a few things; stats, information and laughter.  If you came here for something else, well first of all, you came to the wrong place, secondly don't take anything too serious.

4-19-2009
The next rounds of cuts
No one is safe anymore

Macomb - Rumors have been reported that long standing traditions could be broken in the coming months. 

In what is shaping up to be a disappointing regular season, one can only wonder what the next episode in this soap opera of a hockey team will look like.  "The core" as it has always been referred to could be shaken from the foundation and a few familiar faces may bid a fond farewell.

Since no love interests are in this script we have to turn the page to other interesting sub plots and storylines that will not only entertain, but keep the plot thickening and evolving.

Last nights game was without a doubt a repeat of almost every single game this season.  We are up or down, we tie, and in the third period, more specifically late in the third period... we collapse like a house of cards.  Now this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something that we need to... wait.. screw that, it's horseshit and you and I both know it.  We have never been that team and we are not going to continue to be that team for long... THAT I GUARANTEE.

So "the dick" lobbies for another round of cuts, the coach puts himself on the chopping block and the interim coach remains to have a perfect 1-0 record.  The real question that will unfold is how strong is your hold to the glue that bonds...

In closing, the thing to always remember is that whether you can or you can't, you're right.

4-5-09
Cardinals 4, Hurricanes 1
a few good beers

Macomb - Well what else can be said for this game except... oh****I don't know... sloppy?

First period started off fast paced right from the faceoff, both sides moved the puck well, opening scoring chances.  The Cardinals struck first with a slipshot that made its way past Norm Schmelzle.

The Hurricanes battled hard but did not find and answer to the 1-0 deficit until the and of the first period when Bob O'Connor raced his gurney down the ice, with IV in tow, knocking on death's door from the ferrocious elbow he took last week.  Either that or the haircut... you decide. Anyway he scored the only goal.

But that was not for lack of effort, there were many chances, but no execution.  The boys will have to re-group over the next 2 weeks to get ready to play a very tested Blue Bellies team that is hitting their own stride preparing for the playoffs.

3-29-2009
Missing persons, injuries and a much needed sub 
But we win again!

Macomb - It took Dan Fornarola almost 15 minutes to score his first goal initiate a takeover in Saturday night's game against the Chief's, but his teammates will tell you, it was well worth the wait.

Fornarola scored the tying goal with 1:03 remaining in the first period, his 7th straight game with a goal, to help the Hurricanes to a 4-3 victory over the Chiefs on Saturday extending their unbeaten streak to 3 games.

“He’s a go-to guy,” said Hurricanes winger Darin Ode, “He always wants those big goals, and he got it again. It’s definitely two huge points for us.”  Actually it's three if you count the assist Dan got :40 after his goal.

Jason Bagnall had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who are finding their groove in the second half of the season. All one has to do is check the stats and it is easy to see the difference.  In the first 7 games the Hurricanes were stifled in only scoring 14 goals.  They have equaled that total over the last three games.

Darin Ode also scored for the Hurricanes after taking a redirected slap shot, "Darin had his stick on the ice and put himself in the right place".  Jason Bagnall commented.

“I think as a team we’ve been playing well these last few games, and we just need to continue playing well over the next five games and into the playoffs,” said Ode, who had only two points in his previous 9 games. “That’s the most important thing, to get on kind of a hot streak going into the playoffs.”

Center Rob O'Connor took an ugly hit in the beginning of the third period that sidelined him for the rest of the game. "Bobby is a tough loss for us in the game, you could tell we were affected as we didn't have his speed out there when we needed it"  Forward Scott Jakey said.

The Canes were also without father and son combo Gerry and Gosh Theim who were out on family business.  Also missing was Jay Girling who needed to be with family as his son had a high fever and required medical attention.

"We are finding ways to score goals, and we have found a way to preserve a win, but these close games get real scary and we could sure use a convicing win to shake the remainder of the rust off."  Jakey said after the game, who filled in as  coach for regular coach Atwood,  as he was out on family matters.

"Scotty, did a good job, called lines in the lockerroom, made up the power play line, and gave instruction to what he wanted to see in certain situations, plus we won which makes us undefeated with him as coach."  Dan Fornarola pointed out at the after game.