Tag Archives: Jason Kurylo

Photo Gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Milwaukee Admirals

Abbotsford Heat - Ben Walter - 400
Abbotsford Heat all-time leading scorer Ben Walter gets his stick on a point shot during a 2-0 win over Magnus Hellberg and the Milwaukee Admirals on January 20, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The Abbotsford Heat won their fourth game in a row with a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon. Barry Brust, fresh off being named to the AHL All-Star Game being played in a week’s time, collected his fourth shutout of the season.

It was a good end to a 10-game home stand for the Heat, who had at one point fallen from first overall in the American Hockey League to eighth in the Western Conference. With the perfect weekend against the Nashville Predators farm team, the Heat now have 49 points in 40 games, good for fifth in the West. They are tied in points with the North Division leading Toronto, but have played two more games than the Marlies.

The Heat got goals from forward Krys Kolanos and blueliner Brett Carson, the same two goal-scorers from the previous night’s 2-1 victory over the Admirals. Below you can listen to Carson’s post-game reaction from that game. It marks two goals in two starts for Carson, who took 34 games to score that many in the AHL last season. Both players were on the bubble of making the opening night Calgary Flames roster, but were late cuts in the shortened training camp once the NHL lockout ended 10 days ago.

More pictures and video after the jump.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Photo Gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Milwaukee Admirals

Goalie controversy in Vancouver? Nah.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider leans against the wall post-practice at UBC's Thunderbird Arena. He's entitled, after a 20-hour commute, a morning workout and a full practice with his NHL teammates. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider let in 5 goals on 14 shots in his first game as the #1 goaltender in Vancouver. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Coming into the 2013 season, Cory Schneider looked forward to his first action as an NHL starter. Halfway through his first game as the #1 guy in Vancouver — a game that was essentially a pre-season game, just with points that count in the standings — he had let in five goals on 14 shots, and the guy wearing #1 on his back was taking over the crease.

Immediately, people all over Twitter, on radio call-in shows and even in the booth on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada started talking about goaltending controversy in Vancouver. What they didn’t talk about was the invisibility of Alex Burrows, the ineffectiveness of the second and fourth lines, or the shakiness of the “deepest defensive corps in the NHL”.

But yeah, goalie controversy, right? We thought we’d look at each goal one at a time to determine just who the goat and/or goats were. Here it is, right after the jump.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Goalie controversy in Vancouver? Nah.

Alex Edler signs extension

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler readies to take part in a two-on-two scrimmage during a practice on January 8, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler readies to take part in a two-on-two scrimmage during a practice on January 8, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The Vancouver Canucks signed Alex Edler to a six-year, $30-million contract extension on the eve of the shortened 2013 season, according to General Manager Mike Gillis.

The move means two big things for the Canucks: 1) the team medical staff is confident that Edler’s back is 100%, despite spasms and pains that kept him out of a number of games over the past two seasons. And 2) Vancouver will continue to have one of the deepest bluelines in the league for the foreseeable future.

More after the jump.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Alex Edler signs extension

Photo Gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Chicago Wolves

The Chicago Wolves won back-to-back games against the Abbotsford Heat this weekend, including a 1-0 shutout win on Saturday night. Here’s a collection of images from that contest, for your ogling pleasure. All photos by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Abbotsford Heat all-time leading scorer Ben Walter races up the wing with seconds left in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Wolves on January 13, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat all-time leading scorer Ben Walter races up the wing with seconds left in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Wolves on January 13, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Check out the rest of the pics after the jump. Continue reading Photo Gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Chicago Wolves

A Little Bit of Id Salad, by Kennedy Goodkey

Abbotsford Heat forward Brett Olson was sprung for this shorthanded breakaway in the first period, but it was Brad Hunt and the Chicago Wolves who would win this game 1-0. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat forward Brett Olson was sprung for this shorthanded breakaway in the first period, but it was Brad Hunt and the Chicago Wolves who would win this game 1-0. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Pucked in the Head is happy to have the one and only Kennedy Goodkey guest posting for us this evening. Please hold your applause until the end of the introductory paragraph. Mr Goodkey has joined us for a couple of podcast episodes in the past, most notably in Top 7 Canucks Nicknames, Part I & Part II.

This marks the first time he has trekked up the road to an Abbotsford Heat AHL game, and it happened to be on the very day that NHL hockey was officially announced to be coming back from the lockout. He decided to record a running commentary of the evening as he went, warts and all. By ‘running commentary’, I mean just that. He goes from folk rock to sports aha-moments to popcorn in, dude, mere seconds. And by ‘warts and all’, I mean ‘complete with double spaces after periods, like some retired receptionist who still thinks Robert Goulet is just the dreamiest. I can say that because I am, in fact, Robert Goulet.

Not to take anything away from Kennedy’s usage of the word ‘antipodal’ — which is awesome, by the way, my favourite part is when he writes, “I must be some kind of elitist hockey-jerk.” But don’t let me spoil everything for you. Have a gander after the jump, and enjoy! Just remember that Mr Goodkey’s opinions are entirely his own, and with the exception of his loathing for the song Cotton-Eyed Joe, they do not reflect the deep, inner love and respect for all human life levels of hockey that Chris Withers and I hold dear.

— Jason Kurylo, who is, like, totally bogarting Kennedy’s opening

Continue reading A Little Bit of Id Salad, by Kennedy Goodkey

Defcon Luongo

Saturday morning’s skate was full of drama and speculation. As per Cam Charron (@camcharron on the mighty Twitter), “We are at Defcon-Luongo. He is NOT on the ice at UBC.” Spotting a meme in the making, I quickly jumped on the interwebs — well, okay, on the Photoshop — and confirmed that Bobby Lu has indeed spawned a red alert:

When Roberto Luongo wasn't on the ice for Saturday morning's team skate at UBC, @camcharron tweeted, "We're at Def-Con Luongo." Chop job by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
When Roberto Luongo wasn’t on the ice for Saturday morning’s team skate at UBC, @camcharron tweeted, “We’re at Def-Con Luongo.” Chop job by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Vancouver Canucks Practice Photo Gallery

Vancouver Canucks forward Maxim Lapierre skates against his defensive teammate Andrew Alberts during two-on-two drills during a January 8, 2013 practice at UBC's Thunderbird Arena. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Canucks forward Maxim Lapierre skates against his defensive teammate Andrew Alberts during two-on-two drills during a January 8, 2013 practice at UBC’s Thunderbird Arena. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

I was at a Vancouver Canucks practice earlier this week, and got a few good shots I’d like to share.

But first, why not support some other teams around town this weekend? (Well, any weekend, really,  but I’m posting this on January 11, 2013.)

Friday, January 11:
• The Abbotsford Heat host the Canucks farm team, the Chicago Wolves, tonight at the AESC. At last check, a few tickets were still available.
• The UBC Lady Thunderbirds host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at Thunderbird Arena (the very place the Canucks have been skating throughout the clusterbleep lockout.)

Saturday January 12:
• The Vancouver Giants host the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday, January 12 at the Pacific Coliseum.
• The Lady Thunderbirds go against the Pronghorns for the back half of their weekend double-header.
• The Heat host the Wolves again in Abbotsford, but that game is sold out.

Photo gallery after the jump.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Vancouver Canucks Practice Photo Gallery

Cory Schneider, world traveller

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider leans against the wall post-practice at UBC's Thunderbird Arena. He's entitled, after a 20-hour commute, a morning workout and a full practice with his NHL teammates. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider leans against the wall post-practice at UBC’s Thunderbird Arena. He’s entitled, after a 20-hour commute, a morning workout and a full practice with his NHL teammates. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Cory Schneider was exhausted yesterday morning. He came off the ice at UBC’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena, leaned against the wall, and said so. “Wow,” he exhaled, “I’m exhausted.”

He didn’t look tired at all. He looked pretty fresh, actually, considering his commute to practice was upwards of 20 hours long. With a tentative agreement between the NHL and NHLPA still fresh news, Schneider had ended his brief stint in the Swiss Elite League, spent a calendar day in airports and commercial jets, hopped to the gym for a workout, then participated in a practice in full goalie gear with his Canucks teammates. Hell, I’m winded after writing that paragraph.

But as tired as he professed to be, Schneider looked good. And he gamely answered questions for reporters — some of those questions several times — for nearly 30 minutes before they allowed him to hit the showers. There were the obligatory queries about the Roberto Luongo saga. He was asked about the lockout, the potential end to it, and his thoughts on fan revolt. And he took questions on the Swiss League, European travel and Italian food.

One TV reporter asked him if he’ll soon be taking over the @strombone1 Twitter account.

Some of those answers, and a few more pictures after the jump.

Continue reading Cory Schneider, world traveller

Is this man happy? Jason Garrison edition

Jason Garrison sports a healthy smile during a practice at UBC Thunderbird Arena on January 8, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Jason Garrison sports a healthy smile during a practice at UBC Thunderbird Arena on January 8, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Jason Garrison is happy to be skating with his new teammates. Or at least he looks like he is. The man wore a permagrin through Tuesday’s practice at Thunderbird Arena, even when getting slapped with a stick across the ribs during puck protection drills courtesy of Andrew Alberts.

Garrison, of course, signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks on Canada Day of 2012. (That’s July 1 for our non-Great White Northern readers.) The White Rock native had a career highs of 16 goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Florida Panthers last year, and added three more points in four games during a first-round playoff loss to the Stanley Cup finalist New Jersey Devils.

Two more pictures of Mr Garrison after the jump. Look for pictures of his teammates throughout the week.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Is this man happy? Jason Garrison edition

Photo gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Rochester Americans, part two

Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Kirsten goes deep into her hockey stride during a break in play on January 5, 2013. She plays intramural hockey at BCIT, and is in her third year of scraping the ice at Heat home games. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Kirsten goes deep into her hockey stride during a break in play on January 5, 2013. She plays intramural hockey at BCIT, and is in her third year of scraping the ice at Heat home games. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The Abbotsford Heat earned a split in their back-to-back set against the Rochester Americans with a 3-1 victory on Saturday night. After the jump, grab a gander at some images from the contest. Or just read about it here.

Either way, give a guy a hand with some fundraising for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading Photo gallery – Abbotsford Heat vs Rochester Americans, part two