Live Blog: Blades vs. Royals (4/17/10)

The Blades return home in a perilous position. They're down 2-0 in the series to the Reading Royals. They've had a lot of good things happen, but they just can't seem to overcome the Jackals offense. Is tonight the night the Blades crack the Royals? Lucky cat's ready, are you?

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Blades didn't have a very good first period. I'm hoping this means the other two will be better. They seemed very disinterested for most of the period. Thanks to some great saves by goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu, the Blades are only down 1-0 so far this game (which is pretty good compared to the last two games is pretty good). It's only the first period, the Blades have plenty of time to come back.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The Blades couldn't have played a better period. They dominated for most of the period. Unfortunately, they didn't get any reward for their hard work. This is has almost become a duel between Becks and Dalton. Both goalies have been making awesome saves, and the score at the end of the period showed. Both teams left the ice to the Royals up 1-0 on the Blades.

The Blades need to keep it up. They have an entire period to work with, and they love to have third period comebacks.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Blades worked harder than I can ever remember them working. Kevin Baker was able to tie it up with about six minutes to go. It was a well earned reward for their hard work. Unfortunately, the Royals were able to get a puck past Becks with 3 minutes left in the period (which totally sucked after he had such an awesome game). The Blades couldn't find a way to even it up again. The final score was 2-1, and the Royals took a 3-0 lead in the series.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Blades played the way they needed to against the Royals. It's a shame they couldn't be rewarded for their hard work. I have honestly never seen a team that has the Royals particular combination of skill and luck. Hopefully, this is a real wake up call, and the Blades find whatever it is they have been missing. It's no fun to play with your back against the wall, but, the Blades have put themselves here and now they have to get themselves out.

Friday Links

The Blades lost to the Royals 5-4 last night. Unfortunately, I missed most of the game, and I hate writing a re-cap from the game sheet and the teams press release. Because of that, I'm going to be lazy and just leave those links for you.

Although I doubt you guys even noticed the lack of links last Friday, I still feel bad about missing it. To make it up to you I'll post this funny picture of Ernie.

Since I know I'm forgiven now, on to the links!

- Your Wikipedia hockey page- "One Timer"

- I really want this shirt, might order one next pay day...

- Some random hockey anecdotes, at least read down to the one about Bobby Hull's toupee.

- You can own an authentic, signed, game worn, Olympic hockey jersey. The problem? It's for Norway, and you have to have it shipped from England. Still, it says Norge on the front which is cool. I wish someone would put the team Finland jerseys up, they were cool.

- I was trying to see where Ross Carlson's goal 11 seconds into the second period Wednesday stood record-wise, but I couldn't find anything. I did find all the different records for the ECHL. I also found Danny Sabourin (one of my least favorite Penguins goalies) actually set a record.

The Blades will be back in town tomorrow night to take on the Royals. As always, check back for the live blog!

Live Blog: Blades vs. Royals (4/14/10)

The Puck is about to drop on the first game of the second series of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Blades have a big fight on their hands. Here's hoping they play their best, they can do almost anything when they do.

----------------------------------------

Would you believe 4-2 is the score at the end of the first period? It is. Chris Beckford-Tseu was pulled after the second goal (in the opening minutes of the game) for Adrien Lemay. The Blades were able to narrow the lead thanks to a power play goal from Milan Gajic. The Royals answered back thanks to a turnover to make it 3-1. Another goal from Mike Bayrack narrowed the Royals lead once again, but the Royals got it back to make it 4-2.

Hopefully, they wake up. There hasn't been terribly sloppy play, and they did dominate for the closing minutes of the period, but they can't sit back and let this team come to them.

They better get a good, loud, yelling from Cameron, and they better wake up.

----------------------------------------

I guess if the Blades were going to (finally) have a great period that was the best time to have one. Captain Ross Carlson started the period of right, notching a goal 11 seconds into the period to make it 4-3. Ryan Lang (who is now the ginger wonder) tied it up 4-4, and the sound of angry Reading fans over the radio was awesome. A power play goal by Mike Bayrack with 50 seconds to go in the period made it 5-4. That goal gave him two goals and two assists and officially made him the beast of the game (new thing, get used to it)!

The Blades compleatly dominated the Royals in a way they haven't all year. It would be amazing to see them keep this up. Right now they have momentum on their side, they just have to keep it up.
----------------------------------------

Holy crap the third was more nuts than the second. The Blades were able to convert on the power play early in the third to make it 6-4, and give Mike Bayrack the hat trick. Unfortunately, the Royals battled back quickly scoaring three goals to make it a 7-6 game. Although Lemay was pulled for the extra attacker the Blades just couldn't force overtime, and the Royals won game one of the series. Blame lucky cat...

(must be lucky for Bayrack only)

Overall it was a good game for both teams.The Blades had an amazing second period, but they couldn't stop the Royals. If they can play the way they did the second period consistently they really could dominate. They just can't let Reading battle back. The Royals really can't be underestimated, they know how to come fast and furious.

------------------------------------------

They take the Royals on tomorrow, but I have a class I can't skip. So, I'm expecting you guys to update me for once (at least until I get out). Also, the final game sheet is here.

Round 2 Links

The Blades begin the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs tonight against the Reading Royals. To get you ready I'm tossing some links your way. But first, a little Ramones to get pumped up!




- You can find the series schedule here. Four games at home woohoo (I miss the first one though, boo)!

- Here is Woody's series prediction, which I definitely stand behind. If you haven't read it yet, you really should, the numbers are very interesting. By the way, some people are total comment buzz kills, sheesh.

- (I love how fast Wikipedia is, even on minor league hockey stuff) Here is the Wikipedia link for the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs. And here is their awesome playoff brackets to help break everything down.

-----------------------------------------------

I avoided this last time, but I guess I'll throw out a prediction. Remember I'm not a sports journalist, a hockey expert, and I'm a terrible Everblades homer (see #4).

I'm calling a Blades win in 7 games. It's going to be a nasty, dirty series. At least one game will go to OT, and at least one player will be fined and suspended for a game. This is going to be a tough series for the Blades. If they can find what they had last game, and keep it up, they will win this series by the skin of their teeth. Of course, I'm silently praying the Royals have a playoff implosion (think the Hurricanes last season).

------------------------------------------------
For tonight's game you can listen on your radio, AM 1200, or you can check out these sources.

- The Fox Sports feed, Hopefully,  it doesn't cut out during the last minute of a really intense game (why yes, I'm still mad about that).

- To watch the game live, you can check out the B2 Network. You will have to pay, although it's only about $8.00 for a game, not too bad. If only I had better Internet...

- You can also follow me on Twitter, for up to the minute updates, and my usually snark.

- This is the ECHL's daily schedule and scores page where you can check out the score sheet and game summary.


As always, check back here for the live blog, where I'll re-cap each period.

YouTube Tuesday

You guys know I love my Everblades alumni. Check out this awesome goal by Chad Larose from last Thursday.