Recap: Preseason Blades vs. Bears

Recap: Preseason Blades vs. Bears

When I guest recap I usually bring you five of my highlights from the game. Whether it’s the long summer or an over abundance of entertainment, Friday’s preseason game yielded 10 gems.

1. Bobby Raymond’s Ever Changing Number
In the 2010-11 season, his first with the Everblades Raymond sported the number five. Fans and jersey collectors alike snapped up the d-man’s jersey and squirreled it away for hockey seasons to come. Then in 2011-12 to the horror of his fan club he switched over to number 19. 

The fan club was reassured that this was Bobby’s preferred number so they buckled down and started once again collecting Raymond #19 merchandise. 

To the agony of his fans Raymond has done another switch. Sporting #21 in the preseason. Everblade newcomer Peter Kopecky is rocking the coveted #19. If Raymond stays with #21 you will see an abundance of mismatched Raymond paraphernalia sure to confuse fans for years to come. 

2. Athletic Republic

Athletic Republic is the official training center of the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. They supply the team with the best conditioning in the league and in a pinch a few players. Sports performance coordinator Todd Pococke suited up for the Everblades in their preseason contest. A graduate of Ferris State University, Pococke played hockey for the division I Bulldogs, but hadn’t played competitively for a year and a half. 

“It (playing minor pro) wasn’t part of my plan,” said Pococke. “but I’m happy to get the opportunity and the chance.”

Pococke was essentially neutral in the game having three shots on goal, but more importantly helping to fill out the roster. It’s likely that the Everblades will have a few more players sent to down in the coming weeks from their AHL affiliates. 

3. A Hat Trick- Almost
Two Everblades had multi-goal nights. David Rutherford and Corey Trivino. Rutherford a fan favorite, joined the Everblades after the NHL lockout forced an influx of players into the Checkers system. 

Trivino, is looking to rehab his image and career after an unfortunate incident during his time at Boston University. Trivino was a 2008 draft pick of the New York Islanders. If you can earn forgiveness by scoring goals, Trivino knocked two off his list.

4. Money Money Money
Winning the Kelly Cup has brought many things to Germain Arena, including sponsors. This years ice is decorated to the max with sponsorship logos. Some of the dasher board ads are creative and definitely got a laugh from me.

5. The Solar Bears
There was much speculation about the newly resurrected Solar Bears team. A team built with several large and gritty players delivered what you’d expect. I’d say they were reminiscent of the 2010-11 Road Warriors to make a comparison. 

While pesky, the Everblades are no slouch in the grit department so not too much to worry about. However, the Solar Bear uniforms are fantastic. Not as garish as years past the designers managed to incorporate teal accents and the distinctive solar bear sun burst into the primarily purple jersey. I give the jerseys two thumbs up.

6. McLanget
Longtime Everblades fans may remember red heads passed, Steve McJannet and Ryan Lang. McJannet was a feisty man known for his scrapping and was affectionately dubbed “Trouble” by the Swamphockey staff. 

Lang, showed flashes of brilliance, but eventually his time with the Everblades came to an end. 

Enter Brandon MacLean. MacLean earned his way into the Everblades memories scrapbook with his overtime winner that sealed the Kelly Cup for the ‘Blades. He’s not a scrappy as McJannet and has more talent then Lang, so McLanget may not be a fair moniker, but GWG doesn’t roll off the tongue in the same fashion.

7. Unsung Hero
Josh Martin, a defenseman on tryout with the Everblades had a big night with zero points. Martin, blocked shots and helped make chances. He was a +4 for the game and was probably the biggest unsung hero. With a shortage of d-men on the current Everblades roster (forward Matt Marquardt subbed into defense for the game) there is a very good chance that Martin will make the opening day roster. 

8. A Sense of Familiarity with a Twist

Pat Nagle was returned to the Everblades from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. The net-minder spent the 2012-13 season with the Everblades and helped them hoist the Kelly Cup. 

While, John Muse is credited with much of the playoff success, Nagle was instrumental in getting them there, offering a solid option for call ups and injuries. While seeing new goalies is an exciting learning experience, Nagles presence was a soothing influence, until it wasn’t.

While I often say preseason is a time for experimentation, Nagle’s decision to be a puck playing goalie almost made my heart stop. I love a puck playing goalie, and Nagle recovered from a few missteps with the three goals against coming from more traditional errors.

I’m not complaining, like I said, I LOVE puck playing goalies, but next time give a girl some warning.

9. Shut up. Be cool.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m not your traditional hockey writer or fan. I like nothing more than to pick out the useless, but entertaining pieces and mix them with some actual hockey knowledge. 

So in that spirit the quote of the game goes to none other than the lovely Swamphockey.   “Shut up. Be cool.” was uttered to Caity Kauffman and me as the game began and really set the tone for the night.

Shutting up isn’t our style and led to chants of, “Baker you STILL suck.” 

Look for a white board in the stands next weekend. That’s all I’m saying. 

10. Celebrity Look-A-Likes

We missed it last year, but usually there is a “Seeing Stars” post. I can’t resist making the comparison so I’m jumping the gun. Greg Poss your celebrity look-a-like is Patrick Swayze. 

A pictures worth 1,000 words so I’m leaving you with two to compare.

Recap: Everblades vs. Kalamazoo (05/03/12 & 05/04/12)

Here’s the skinny...

The Everblades won on Wednesday (7-0) and Thursday (7-3). Yes, I know you were expecting at least part of this news yesterday, but I was totally slacking (not really mydaywasterribleandifitcouldgowrongitdid). However, the bright sunny patch was the Everblades win.

On the plus side you now get a double helping of recap and a fun surprise at the end.

Everblades vs. Kalamazoo 05/02/12

7th Man
Big props to the Everblades fan base for uniting and showing support. While attendance was only in the 3,000’s (1,000ish more than in KZoo) it was a good showing for weekday games. Also, the fan participation is superb and the creativity keeps on flowing. 

 

Becca? 
I try not to be too harsh, but Matt Beca's name was misspelled again. This happened at the beginning of the season, but was corrected after the first game. Apparently someone forgot to delete the file. While not chronological, Mike Ratchuk also suffered some name butchering on the jumbotron with an added e.

Middle frame madness
The Everblades had a ridiculous second period. I’ll say it again: Brayden Irwin. Irwin scored three goals on five shots. The man was on fire. Hat’s off to you Mr. Irwin.

Muse-ic to my ears
I’m going to continuously make muse-ic puns, you’ll just have to deal. John Muse recorded his first post-season shutout, stopping all 28 Kalamazoo shots. 

Gator Showers
As number one indicates the fans have been a huge part of this years playoff push. They have spawned a new tradition: after wins, tiny plastic alligators sprinkle onto the ice. The players have even adopted it as a hashtag on twitter #gatorshowers. 

*honorable mention: I only ever list five officially, but Mathieu Roy’s goal was highlight reel worthy. 

For the score sheet click here

Everblades vs. Kalamazoo 05/03/12

Roy is a boss
There is a serious reason he is the captain. Everyone likes a player who is willing to sacrifice their body. Mathieu Roy is that man. There was a time during the game after he blocked two shots that all I could say was, “the marks on that poor mans body”. However, Roy is well Roy and whether it be his fearless shot blocking, penchant for fisticuffs or love of cats Everblades fans rightly love him.

Blood in the water
Kalamazoo’s Nick Sirota delivered a high stick that caused blood to pool on the ice. For that he earned himself a nice double minor. His teammate Mike Matczak added a cross check to give the ‘Blades a five on three opportunity. David Fischer quickly cashed in.

Brayyyyyyyden Irrrrrrwinnnnn
Brayden Irwin once again put on a show. Selected as the first star of the game, Irwin was a +3 with four points (1g, 3a) on the night. All the haters can officially suck it.

You scored! 
Charles Landry’s face was priceless. As was his interaction with Cedric McNicoll as McNicoll assured Landry it was his goal. The first period tally was Landry’s third all time as an Everblade and first of the playoffs.

Please don’t stop the Muse-ic
Yes, another poor pun. In all seriousness Muse was definitely interesting from a stats perspective. He shows up all over the score sheet in some unexpected (not really it’s Muse. Expect the unexpected). He was penalized for tripping, earned a secondary assist on the final goal and stopped 28 shots for the second night in a row. What’s the goalie equivalent to a hat trick?






Honorable mention: David Rutherford played like a beast. His speed was essential and his two goals are nothing to shrug off. 

For the score sheet click here

Alright, now it’s time for your surprise. Swamphockey and I braved Breakaways to secure you guys some autographed pictures. 8 x 10 photos are gorgeous and signed by the individual player. 

Now I’m sure you’re asking yourself “how do I get one?”. Well, it’s pretty easy... just be the first person to answer the trivia question in the comments section correctly (hint: the answers in the blog).

Question: Who do I claim has an “Ovi inspired goal celebration”?

Interview: David Rutherford

David Rutherford (@rutherford91) was kind enough to sit down for a quick chat after Tuesday's practice. You can follow him on twitter @Rutherford91 (he's looking to hit 5,000 and he's great about responding).

Without further ado: David Rutherford on....

David Rutherford home town: Ladner, BC.

Learning how to skate
"I would have to say my father. I was lucky enough growing up, we, on our property have an ice arena that's blue line in. So I was very fortunate during the young years to play hockey whenever I wanted. I mean in our backyard we had a blue line ice arena. Not many kids have an ice arena in their house but that's why they always say I was pretty good from the blue line in. Maybe not so much in the d-zone but for the most part that's where it started."

RT @Rutherford91My
 bulldog looks bored to hell #BobbyTheBulldog

Man's best friend
"I have an English bulldog, Bobby the bulldog. He's overly fat. He'd have diabetes if he was a human for sure. But no, he's pretty beastly. Right now he's back in Vancouver because at the beginning of the year I wasn't sure if I was going to be in Portland in the American Hockey League or here. So when we found out I was going to be here we tired to fly him down, but over the summer three or four bulldogs died in transfer because they struggled breathing and when they had to do the lay overs I guess on the tarmac was too hot... So I think that if I end up back here next year we'll have to drive him down which will be a fun drive for him."

First pro goal
"I do. I do. Weirdly enough it was in Gwinnett when I was playing with the Charlotte Checkers. I remember it was a big relief putting it in. I actually forgot to celebrate because I didn't really know what to do. And celebrating is like my favorite part of hockey. So it was a big moment at the time but I've been lucky enough to have a few more since then."

#Heverblades
"yeah everyone keeps asking about that, that's a big thing going on right now. It's on out playoff shirts too. It's kind of almost funny. We have alot of French guys on our team, so the French guys always have accents so with it being "Everblade" we're always say "h-ever" like a French guy. It's a thing to do with the French people and I don't know it's just kind of stuck and it's been good luck."

Having a winning spirit
"yeah I've been fortunate enough to be on some good teams. I've won five championships which isn't too bad for a junior career and I was lucky enough to be in my first pro championship last year. So it's uh, I don't know if it's ... As a kid I hated losing. Period and I think that's translated to everything between hockey to monopoly to anything. I can't even play wii bowling with my girlfriend because I get too physical. So it's not a good thing in a sense but it is who I am. And people want winners so hopefully it keeps going especially here in this playoff run. "

Personal goal song
"This is the first year I haven't actually. It's quite funny you said that. For the last two years I had "Magic Stick" a little bit of an old school song. So everytime I scored they'd play "I got the magic stick" so it's stuck with me and it's been good luck. If I could go back I'd definitely put that in there."

Best playoff beard
"other than myself- I would have to say.. Well Wahzee's (Mathieu Roy pronounced Wah) had a beard all year so it doesn't really count. I'd say Becs (Matt Beca) is up there for sure. He can grow a good beard but I'd have to go me or Becs for sure because we shaved during the year quite a bit so I don't even think the guys know I could grow facial hair."

Worst playoff beard
"Ohhh Kevin Quick (no hesitation) for sure.  It's weird his comes into like, a goatee. He can't even grow it on the sides.. It's embarrassing. It's kind of funny we chirp him about it everyday."

Giant hamster or tiny rhino?
"tiny rhino for sure. Yeah I don't know it's just hamsters.... Rhinos are mean and angry. They'll go through anything. But I don't... if I was anything I'd stick as the honey badger."



Big thanks to David for answering my silly questions. If you have your own questions for him feel free to ask via twitter!