Tag Archives: Kurylo

Esso Cup pic #4 – Frederique Maringer

Québec’s LHFDQ Nord won the province’s first-ever national Midget AAA title, coming from behind to beat Ontario 5-2 in the gold medal game of the 2013 Esso Cup.

Frederique Maringer readies a wrist shot during the 2013 Esso Cup. Québec Nord took the gold medal with a 5-2 win in the final game. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Frederique Maringer readies a wrist shot during the 2013 Esso Cup. Québec Nord took the gold medal with a 5-2 win in the final game. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Podcast: Leafs & Habs & Midgets, oh my!

Jason & Chris examine the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and somehow wind up talking about Derek Roy and the Canucks. Along the way, they utilize as many metaphors as you can shake a dead horse at. Or something.

Episode 52: Leafs & Habs & Midgets, oh my!

• Intro
• Sofa Surfer Girl / Regularity
• Ovi’s back
• 2013 Esso Cup in Burnaby
• NHL Eastern Conference playoffs
• Time for a Change
• Thanks for Listening

Esso Cup pic #3 – Alyson Matteau

Representing Québec in this year’s Esso Cup, and may I add appearing in Saturday’s gold medal game at 6pm, is LHFDQ Nord. Anchoring the blueline is the tournament’s tallest player, Alyson Matteau. The native of Blainville, QC stands 5’11” before she laces up the skates. Considering female skaters at the Midget level who top 5’7″ are considered a power forward — Nord teammate Valérie Audet leads the tournament in scoring with 12 points in six games, and she’s listed at just 5’4″ — Matteau is hard to miss when she’s on the ice.

In five preliminary round games, Matteau had a goal and two assists, and has been dominant in defensive play in front of her goaltenders. (And yes, in case you’re wondering, mademoiselle Matteau’s father just happens to be named Stéphane, and yes, he’s that Stephane Matteau, the one with the Stanley Cup ring.)

Alyson Matteau anchors the Québec blue line, dominating the front of her own net with her physical play and threatening opposition goaltenders with a hard point shot. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Alyson Matteau anchors the Québec blue line, dominating the front of her own net with her physical play and threatening opposition goaltenders with a hard point shot. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

 

Esso Cup pic #2 – Hailey Smyl

In British Columbia, there aren’t many hockey names more recognizable than that of Smyl. Stan ‘the Steamer’ won back to back Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins before settling into a 13-year career that defined Vancouver Canucks hockey for a generation. His brother Harvey Smyl may not have had quite as much impact on the ice, but has become one of the top junior coaches in the game, and still helms the BCHL Junior A Chilliwack Chiefs.

Fraser Valley Phantom captain Hailey Smyl skates to the bench after consulting with the referee in Esso Cup action. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Fraser Valley Phantom captain Hailey Smyl skates to the bench after consulting with the referee during a break in Esso Cup action. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

So it should come as no surprise that Hailey Smyl, daughter to Harvey and niece to Stan — a hard-working, emotional player who leads by example — finds herself wearing the captain’s C for the Fraser Valley Phantom, one of the region’s top midget teams.

2013 Esso Cup schedule and results

More after the break.

Continue reading Esso Cup pic #2 – Hailey Smyl

Esso Cup pic #1

We at Pucked in the Head have long flicked nose candy at lamestream media pundits and “personalities” who seem to think they should be above reporting anything less than the very highest level of sport. These are the Vancouver hockey writers who huff and puff when asked to cover hockey that doesn’t involve teams named ‘Canucks’. These are the radio pundits who whinge and rant when (rightly) informed that their job is, in fact, to report on all sporting events that happen in the area, not just the ones with the most impressive pre-game meals.

What these small-minded folk don’t realize is that the biggest and best in the country, like Bob McKenzie, Ron MacLean and Jeff Marek, for instance, still follow the ranks of minor pro, college, junior, and — gasp — even women’s hockey. The Esso Cup features the best young female hockey players in Canada, and the 2013 tourney is being held in Burnaby, BC this week. Look for pics and a feature or two over the next few days, and let’s hope certain local sports talk blowhards get over themselves long enough to give the tournament some love as well. These young ladies are the next Wickenheisers, the next Pounders, the next Spooners. They’re the next generation of Olympic Gold Medallists and World Champions. They work hard out there on the ice, and gosh darn it they deserve the attention.

Regina Rebels forward Teah Anderson readies to take a 20-foot wrist shot in preliminary round action at the 2013 Esso Cup in Burnaby. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Regina Rebels forward Teah Anderson readies to take a 20-foot wrist shot in preliminary round action at the 2013 Esso Cup in Burnaby. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

And hey, while we’re spotlighting pictures of women in sport — Ms Anderson above, and yesterday’s post about tennis phenom Eugenie Bouchard — let’s give a gander at Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna, who let loose with a wicked slap shot during a post-game shootaround at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre last month. I swear to Gaustad, she put this one-timer top cheese, off the far post and in. Badass.

Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna Bruce Lees a one-timer off the post and in during a post-game shoot around at the AESC. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat ice crew member Chyna Bruce Lees a one-timer off the post and in during a post-game shoot around at the AESC. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Sunday Quickies

A few things before this weekend officially draws to a close:

Canadian Tennis is on the Rise

Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard helped earn a berth in the Federation Cup World Group II for 2014. Photo borrowed unceremoniously from the CBC.
Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard helped earn a berth in the Federation Cup World Group II for 2014. Photo borrowed unceremoniously from the CBC.

Canada beat Ukraine 3-2 this weekend to qualify for World Group II play in 2014. Number 93-ranked Eugenie Bouchard and #125 Sharon Fichman both beat #71 Lesia Tsurenko for two of Canada’s wins, but #90 Ellna Svitolina was perfect for the weekend, earning both of Ukraine’s points. Canada won the deciding doubles match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to record the win. Bouchard, of course, made headlines last year when she won the junior women’s singles title at Wimbledon. Canada will compete with Sweden, Japan, Serbia, Argentina, France, Poland and the loser of Australia and Switzerland in the 2014 World Group II; four of those teams will play for the right to enter the top World Group in 2015. It’s a fabulous result for the Canadian women, and comes on the heels of the men’s team advancing to the Davis Cup final four with consecutive wins in Vancouver against Italy and Spain. (The Fed Cup structure is complicated to explain, but relatively easy on the eyes. Check out this link if you’d like more enlightenment in this area.)

More, including BCHL and AHL hockey, and MLS soccer, after the break.

Continue reading Sunday Quickies

Portland Winterhawks on the march

Portland Winterhawks captain Troy Rutkowski scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in a 4-1 win to open the Western Conference final against the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Portland Winterhawks captain Troy Rutkowski scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in a 4-1 win to open the Western Conference final against the Kamloops Blazers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Entering the playoffs this season, many thought it a foregone conclusion that the Portland Winterhawks were a lock to represent the west in the Memorial Cup. They had racked up a ridiculous .812 winning percentage during the regular season and featured the top three scorers in the Western Hockey League. To make matters worse for opposing teams, their defense was led by World Junior Gold Medallist and possible #1 NHL Draft pick Seth Jones, and their crease was manned by Mac Carruth, who only put together the second-best collection of GAA and SV% stats of any goaltender in the WHL this season.

So it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the Hawks picked up their sixth win in a row to open the Western Conference Final series, a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday. It seems they have corrected the feeling of overconfidence that saw them lose twice to the lowly Everett Silvertips, who by all rights shouldn’t have made the post-season at all. Next to the massive 117-point campaign of the Hawks, the Silvertips’ 57 points in 72 games was downright cute in comparison.

More after the break.

Continue reading Portland Winterhawks on the march

Abbotsford Heat 3, Toronto Marlies 1

Abbotsford Heat defenseman Mark Cundari has four assists and 13 penalty minutes in just two games since being acquired in the Jay Bouwmeester deal. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Abbotsford Heat defenseman Mark Cundari has four assists and 13 penalty minutes in just two games since being acquired in the Jay Bouwmeester deal. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Hockey fans in Abbotsford were treated to another Hall of Famer at centre ice as the hometown Heat beat the Toronto Marlies 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. Two days after legendary forward Darryl Sittler opened the curtain on a 3-0 Heat win, goaltender Johnny Bower was in attendance to shake hands with Abbotsford goaltender Barry Brust, who earlier this season broke Bower’s AHL record for consecutive shutout minutes. Brust went 268:17 without allowing a goal, eclipsing Bower’s mark of 249:51, set with the 1957 Cleveland Barons.

Brust was called upon to relieve the injured Danny Taylor in the second period, and stopped all but one shot to record the win for Abbotsford.

Mark Cundari was again impressive for the Heat. He earned three assists, two minor penalties and a fight in his second game since being traded to the Calgary Flames organization in the Jay Bouwmeester deal. Cundari has quickly become a fan favourite in Abbotsford, leading many to lament the fact that he was not in the lineup earlier in the season when the team floundered through a series of “must-win” games.

In addition to the Bower / Brust tête-a-tête, fans witnessed the Heat’s franchise-best 23rd home victory in the final game at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre this season. Sadly, those 46 points gained at home did not add up to a playoff spot for the Heat, whose road record leaves much to be desired. The team sits in 12th spot in the Western Conference and were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs despite the back-to-back wins this weekend.

More after the jump.

Continue reading Abbotsford Heat 3, Toronto Marlies 1

Abbotsford Heat 3, Toronto Marlies 0

Danny Taylor posted his third shutout of the season, and Tyler Ruegsegger scored the winning goal eight minutes into the game as the Abbotsford Heat blanked the Toronto Marlies 3-0 on Friday night.

Danny Taylor stopped  25 shots for his third shutout of the season as the Abbotsford Heat beat the Toronto Marlies 3-0 on April 12, 2013. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Danny Taylor stopped 25 shots for his third shutout of the season as the Abbotsford Heat beat the Toronto Marlies 3-0 on April 12, 2013. Vancouver Giants defenseman Brett Kulak saw action in his second professional game in the win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

All but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the Heat played a looser brand of hockey than they have in weeks. The Marlies, sitting five points clear atop the North Division, looked as if they were saving themselves for post-season play in 10 days’ time. The result saw Abbotsford score once in each period, including power play goals in the second and third. By the time Toronto mounted pressure, their main goal seemed to be spoiling Taylor’s shutout.

More after the jump.

Continue reading Abbotsford Heat 3, Toronto Marlies 0

Abbotsford Heat 3, Grand Rapids Griffins 2 (SO)

The Abbotsford Heat and Grand Rapids Griffins split back-to-back games this weekend, as the Heat avenged a 4-1 Friday night loss with a 3-2 shootout win on Saturday night. The Griffins are running away with the Midwest Division, sitting 10 points up on the second-place Chicago Wolves, while the Heat at this point are a longshot to make the Western Conference playoffs.

Members of the Abbotsford Heat youth hockey program celebrate receiving game-used sticks from the home team during a pair of games against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Members of the Abbotsford Heat youth hockey program celebrate receiving game-used sticks from the home team during a pair of games against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Krys Kolanos scored his team-leading 16th goal

More, including game highlights, after the jump.

Continue reading Abbotsford Heat 3, Grand Rapids Griffins 2 (SO)