USA HOCKEY REGISTRATION

Everyone will have to have a current USA hockey Registration starting Monday. If you don't you will not be allowed to play. It is a simple process even a caveman can do it.

Blazers vs Ice Dogs

http://picasaweb.google.com/fredwalters46/BlazersVsIceDogs?feat=directlink

This link will take you to my Picasa page feel free to download the pictures you want. I should keep them on the site for a month or two. I hope to get better with the camera. Enjoy. Can't wait til the Doc clears me to skate again.

Spot Light On....The Senators

Spot light on visits with a team who feels it's turn to drink from the keg has arrived....the Bronze league Senators

Team History?

In November of 2008 after playing a few games for the cupcakes Jeff Bohl (who was heading up the I League at the time) asked me to coordinate the team. First thing I asked was if we could change the name, he said yes, and so I said lets go with the Sens since Ottawa is my favorite NHL team. I asked the old coordinator for an email list or phone list, and got no response, so I decided to start from scratch. I grabbed a couple guys that had been doing the weekly stick and puck classes with me over in the west rink, and starting building the roster. Fred Walters wanted to jump from the Jags to the Sens and bring with him like 6 guys, those 6 guys had a couple friends and girlfriends who cam with them as a package deal. I picked up five guys from Euless, and a couple of my friends from Dallas, and at our first practice we had 22 skaters. We had to spread the wealth around the league, and when it was all said and done the Sens. I ordered jerseys and helmet stickers, and snagged Bill Ivey to coach. Ivey was behind the bench for only our first game which we lost 8-1 to the mighty Stingers. After that Steve Hall came in to coach for a season and a half, and then he brought Jay Waters in who has been our coach ever since. We are at the tail end of our 4th season together and still in search for our first Stanley Keg.

Team Philosophy?

Play hard, have fun, drink beer, eat pizza.

Dud to Stud award (team member who skills have gone from zero to 60 fastest)

This is a good question. Probably would have to give that award out to Jamie Welton

You’ve got one bottle of fabreze to give away, which team mate earns it?
The stinkiest gear belongs to Mac Donovan who played with us our first two seasons. His gear you could smell 8 miles away.

Most vocal on the bench?

CJ aka the Green Monster. He never shuts up, hes got more energy than a red bull factory. The guy is screaming at teammates, screamming at the other team, or screamming at the ref non stop. He is classic, he brings the energy level up, and is great to be around.

Team High Point?

Beating the Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs a couple seasons ago. The Hurricanes gave everyone fits during the regular season, and it was a big win for us to get past them in the first round.

Team Low Point?

Losing our captain on that ugly play earlier this season against the jags.

Our team loves to face off against?

Anyone really, we love to play, doesnt matter who we are going against, we love to be out there.

Biggest Rivalry?

Probably the Keller Indians. We have lost to them three times in overtime. A couple seasons ago we were up one goal going into the final minute of our semi final playoff game when Les Kelly put one in from the blue line. Then in the first minute of overtime we gave up a breakaway that resulted in the end of our season. Then this season their big ringer Kyle Kelly stole a game away from us in overtime. He never came off the ice the entire overtime, and tossed in a dirty game winner with 5 seconds left.

Some guys on the team would argue that our biggest rival is the stingers, but when they beat 8-1 everytime you play them its hardly a rivalry. Use to be the Ice Gators, we would always have some spirited games with them. I think there was a fight or two, and it was pretty much always a close game.

Why you will win the keg this season…..

This is our time, we have been close before but now we feel we are ready to go on a long playoff run and cap it with a keg hoisting.

From Chad the first Senator

Bronze Playoff Preview

As we inch closer to the playoffs the leaders are starting to get interesting. Over in the Ranger Division the Jags are sitting on 14 points with the next closest team being the Stingers at 10. However, as we take a look at the schedule the Jags have one game left and the Stingers have 4, so if the Stingers win all four that would leave them at 18 points and first.

Over in the Texan division we have two teams deadlocked in first with 11 points, Los Jets HC, and the Fort Worth Bandits. Now the Bandits only have one game left and the Jets have two, so obviously the Jets just need to win their final two games to wrap up the divison. The Sens are sitting with 9 points and three games left, so technically they have the same opportunity as the Jets, their is just more road to travel for the Sens.

Looks like the #4 seeds are pretty locked in. Over in Texan the Whalers are sitting on 3 points, so no matter what happens they will face the #1 seed in the first round of the playoffs. In the Ranger Division it looks like the Spider Monkeys are singing the same tune. SO who will they face?

Its hard to bet against the Stingers in the Ranger Division, however looks like the Texan division is a coin toss. The Keller Indians will have to face whoever loses the race for first in Ranger.

Regardless my money is on the Stingers coming out of the Ranger and either the Bandits, Jets, or Sens in the Texan Division it is so close its impossible to tell.

Word on the Street is that the Keg is getting a facelift for this new decade of hockey at Nytex. Also looking past this session the league will expand to ten teams, names will be announced soon.

Spot Light On....Ivana #5 Jags

While not the largest animal in the jungle, the female Jaguar is pound for pound one of the fiercest. Spot Light On catches up with our favorite predator on ice, Ivana of the Jags.

Home town?

Fort Worth, Tx

Hockey experience?

I've only been playing hockey for over a year now. Still learning some things but slowly improving.

Current/Past teams?

Started playing hockey with the Cupcakes, subbed a few times with the Ice Gators and other teams, currently cordinating the Jaguars

Hobbies?

Play hockey, drink, hang out with my man (sorry fellas!)

Pre game ritual?

Smoke a cigarette

Hockey Hero?

Nicklas Lidstrom

Hockey Nemesis?

Hossa and anyone from the Pittsburgh Penguins

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility

Ginger or Mary Anne?

umm.....i'm not a lesbian! lol!

Your message to the NYTEX Hockey community is?

It's I-league! Not the NHL! This league is to have fun, learn and play some hockey, not to start any drama!

Save of the Year?

Brian Elliott of the Ottawa Senators robs Marian Hossa of the Hawks, is this the save of the year so far?

Weekend Bronze Recap

This weekend we saw some exciting games in the Nytex Bronze League. The Stingers started the day off by dismantling the Fort Worth Bandits 8-1. Bandits have looked strong this season so far, but fell flat against the Bronze League Powerhouse Stingers. Stingers had a light bench, and saw scoring from nearly everyone. Roland Widemann had a hat trick, and coach Dan Fenili had a pair of helpers as the Bees continued their march to the post season.

The second game of the evening has been already mentioned on the blog, but we will revisit here for a second. The Jags and Sens squared off in the second of the two matinee games on the day. Jags win this one 4-1, but of course the most talked about thing that happened in this game was the late game collision that sent Jamie Welton of the Senators to North Hills Hospital. For more details read the blog post below about the tough guy of the week.

The two late games were both interesting as they both were decided by a shootout. The Spider Monkeys and Jets played their hearts out in a friendly game that ended up with both teams deadlocked after four periods of play. The MVP of the game for the Jets was Ethan Turner, whose third round shootout goal gave the Jets a much needed win.

Finally we had the Indians of Keller going against the TD Ameritrade Whalers. Whalers came into the game without a win on the season. Indians came into the game having already played in three overtime contests this season. The game was deadlocked after four periods sending the teams to a shootout. Indians fell short despite both Kyle and Les Kelly shooting. #11 for the Whalers puts the puck in the back of the net past Tribe netminder Kacy Bird.

That is the quick recap, now your thoughts.

Spot Light On....Bill Ivey

When he's not between the pipes, he's throwing out nuggets of hockey wisdom on the bench as a coach. Spot Light On catches up with coach Ivey, a guy who has a extensive hockey background and a passion to share it.

Home town? Albany, Ga Grew up in Jacksonville, Fl. Went to Philly when I got out of the Army in 1970..

Hockey experience? Started playing goal in 1974 in Philly where the Flyers practiced. Played on several A and B level Mens leagues and industrial leagues.. Spent 2 summers with the U of Delaware Hockey team as their summer practice goalie. Great experience. Went to Tampa after several years off the ice and I started back. I haven't been off the ice since. Came to DFW in 1998. Played at Blueline (Now NYTEX) from it's first days and all over the Metroplex.

Played with the locals against some ESPN and collage players between Stanley Cup finals games at the old Reunion Arena. Fantastic time. Participated in the first DFW Goalie camps of Mitch Korn and Billy Pye and have been coaching goalies ever since.

Current/Past teams? Only fill in when teams are very desperate now. VERY DESPERATE...

Hobbies? HOCKEY and coaching goalies of ALL ages...

Pre game ritual? Wishing I was somewhere else..

Hockey Hero? Bernie Parent Hall of Fame Goalie for the Flyers and Wayne Stephenson also with the Flyers

Hockey Nemesis? Any team playing the Flyers...

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility I like to watch...

Ginger or Mary Anne? Mary Anne of course. Ginger can't cook.

Your message to the NYTEX Hockey community is? This is a great sport. Learn it and you will have something to enjoy for the rest of your life. Stop worrying about winning games and play to get better so you can enjoy the game itself.

Try to remember that the GAME of hockey is more than just scoring goals. Think, what other sport gives the same value to the person assisting on a goal as to the one that makes the goal...



To really win at this sport especially at the amatuer level you have to not be selfish. Winning is only part of the reason we play.

With all the upheaval we have faced lately this ice is still a place we can come to and escape it all...I know this game has changed me as I have gotten older. Knute Anderson gave me the best compliment. He said I have a passion for the game and all that is involved in it... Some folks find that a fault but a lot more of you have shown me that you also have a passion for the sport. That is why I come out and coach.

Last little gem for you... All who think goalies have an easy job need to play it once. (I will be glad to help find you some gear to use)All that think it is easy need to remember this. (I tell all my goalies and their parents) A goalie never wins the game but he is always the one to lose it... The goalie is the only player on the ice that can not make a mistake... Other than that there is no pressure....

Thanks for playing.

Tough Guy of the Week

Bronze League Tough Guy of the Week

Quick shout out to Senators Captain Jamie Welton who suffered a horrific injury Saturday afternoon at Nytex in the Sens/Jags game. A collision between Welton, Michael Hvidston and the Jags goalie resulted in a broken ankle and fibia for Welton. Big props to Welton who took it like a man, and remained cool as a cucumber while awaiting transport to North Hills Hospital. Welton was first examined by Brahmas Trainer, Tom Hart and Brahmas doc Tony Brozak whose quick actions helped ease the pain while North Richland Hills’ finest arrived to transport. Obviously Jamie will be out the remainder of the season, and probably most of the next season as surgery is most definitely required. Jamie is the Nytex tough guy of the week for having his handling what had to be an immense amount of pain.

Initial reports say the Jags goalie could possibly have a broken clavicle or shoulder as well. The Jags won the game 4-1, all the injuries occurred with less than a minute to go.

More to come in our weekend recaps.

Silver League Game of the Week

The Game of the week up in the Silver League this season pits the 2-9 Ice Kings vs the 0-9 Green Leaf. These two teams are at the bottom of the standings, and have a long way to go to climb out of the cellar. Kyle Saylor leads the Kings with a very respectible 18 points this season so far. Michael Hvidston leads the Kings in PIMS with 1o.

Over for the Green Leaf, Chris Gent is the main point scorer with 7, and they have a whopping four people with double digit PIMS.

Leafs need a win in the worst kind of way, but the Kings do as well. Its going to be a battle of who wants it most.

Killer's prediction-Ice Kings 15 Green Leaf 16 Overtime Win!

Spot light on...Mike Lee

In this week’s “spot light on” we catch up with longtime fixture at NYTEX Mike Lee. As a member of NYTEX management, Mike can be found behind the desk, scheduling scorers and refs, or laying down a sweet sheet of ice between games AND he finds time to play. Also a student at North Texas, this busy bee stopped down long enough to answer our questions. One question we need not ask is “boxers or briefs”….







Home town?

Conroe, TX



Hockey experience?

Played a couple years of inline in Watauga, then moved to ice for 4 years, quit playing for 6 years, and have been playing again for almost 2 years



Current/Past teams?

Keller ISD from 1997 - 2001, Adult Gold/Silver on the Borrachos/Furious



Hobbies?

I drink



Pre game ritual?

I drink



Hockey Hero?

Mario Lemieux



Hockey Nemesis?

Anyone who plays on Detroit



If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Predict the future



Ginger or Mary Anne?

Both, at the same time.



Your message to the NYTEX Hockey community is?

I am completely different on the ice, an idiot, ignore me.

Bronze League Weekend Recap

Jets and Jags started the night off. Jets needed to win or push it to overtime to stay on top of their division, while the Jags were looking to continue rolling. Close game, but the Jags roll on 4-3. Solid efforts from both teams in this one, but in the end the Jags were too much for the Jets to handle. A Bronze League record was set, so a congrats goes out to Brandon Suits for accumulating 26 penalty minutes in this one game. Two for Cross Checking, Two for Checking, Two for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Ten Minute Misconduct, and a Ten Minute Game Misconduct. Congrats Brandon that mark will be hard to beat. The bottom of the scoresheet contains a full paragraph from the ref describing the incident. This writer has never before seen a full paragraph from a ref on a scoresheet. Wow!

Next game of the night was sort of like the Cowboys game over in Arlington, with the Stingers taking on the role of the Cowboys and the Whalers playing the part of the Eagles. 7-1 Stingers who played with just seven players. Whalers still looking for that first victory at nytex.

Third on the docket we had the Spider Monkeys taking on the Senators. Sens take this one 4-2, one of the Monkeys goals came right as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first period. An embarrasing moment for Sens Goalie Andrew Busboom as the puck was dumped from center ice, and bounces in right as the buzzer goes off. Lots of penalties marked this game. But in the end the Sens walked away with the win, and moved up into second place in their division one point behind the winner of the final game which was the Bandits.

Bandits beat the Indians in a tight game, 1-0. Indians equalizer Kyle Kelly did not steal this show, and the Bandits squeeked out a win. Bandits have won 4 of 5 games this season, not bad for a team who barely got two points last season, way to go Bandits. For the Indians this has been a frusterating season, four games decided by one goal, a far cry from the team a couple seasons ago that could blow people out of the water by four or five goals.

Silver League Point Leaders

Here are the current top ten point leaders in the Silver League:

GP G A P Points Per Game
1 Josh Self Crank It Up 8 22 8 30 3.75
2 Braiden White Ice Dogs 10 18 8 26 2.60
3 Tom Malinoski Ice Dogs 10 18 6 24 2.40
Knute Anderson Crank It Up 8 12 12 24 3.00
5 Hunter Harvell Crank It Up 11 15 8 23 2.09
6 Mac Donovan Blazers 11 14 7 21 1.91
7 Mike Lee Borrachos 8 15 5 20 2.50
8 Dan Stuckeman Borrachos 6 12 7 19 3.17
Josh Ball Crank It Up 10 8 11 19 1.90
10 Kyle Saylor Ice Kings 11 12 6 18 1.64
Rj Pike Chupacabra 9 9 9 18 2.00
Phil Taylor Ice Dogs 10 3 15 18 1.80


These are the top scorers in the Silver League. Josh Self is scorching this season with a wicked 3.75 points per game. He has tallied 30 points in only 3 games. Mac Donovan of the Blazers should be second in goals scored this season, but two of the Blazers games were forfeited which resulted in the loss of his and his fellow Blazers stats for two games. Interesting note here, the only Chupacabre on the list is RJ Pike with 18. The Cupacabres have been a force so far this season dismantling team after team, you would think that more of them would be in the top ten. The Boss Knute Anderson has a well balanced 24 points with a dozen goals and a dozen assists. Who will finish the season on top? My money is on Josh Self, if he keeps playing like he has been and plays plenty of games coming down the stretch he wont be passed.

Ideal Goalie Warmup

Warmup is Not...

Blocking practice
Shooting practice
Poaching your goalie
Impressing your goalie with how hard you can shoot

Warmup is...

Loosening up the muscles and joints
Connecting & exercising the control circuits
Reviewing the movements
Starts out slowly & cool; gets faster & hotter

How to Piss Off your Goalie during the Warmup...

Take shots on him while he’s setting up the net.
That’s just dangerous.
Take his water bottle and drink all the water out of it.
That’s just rude.
Start the warmup with blistering slap shots to his head.
That’s rude and dangerous.
Practice your latest breakaway move first thing when the goalie gets to the net.
Wait until he’s done his basic shots. Yes, it will be more challenging for you to do a breakaway on a goalie who’s warm, but that’s the point, isn’t it?
Take wild slap shots that don’t go anywhere near the net.
That’s a waste of time. Learn to aim your shots usefully.
Shoot on the goalie while he’s facing another shooter.
There’s only one puck on the ice during a game, and the goalie’s attention is focused on it. If this is the only way you can score a goal, you should pick a different sport.
Cheer whenever you get a goal.
Goals scored during warmup don't count.
Shoot on your goalie when his back is turned.
That is a sure way to make sure you don't have a goalie for the game.
Shoot on the referee while he’s checking the net.
That’s just dumb.

Spot Light on....

As a public service to our NYTEX community and to get to know your fellow hockey participant, we are adding "Spot Light On..." featuring a player/coach/team at NYTEX where each week will pose some standard questions for you to get to know your team mate, hockey Nemesis on a more intimate basis.

This week we get started with Jag#66. You love him, you hate him, but everyone's got an opinion regarding this league ligtening rod.

Q. Home town?

A. Fargo, ND

Q. Hockey Experienc?

A. Played hockey from 3rd grade up to junior high school. Then was a swimmer in junior high and high school. Started back up in hockey at age 20 to 35. Took 11 years off and started playing again Sep 2008 with the Spider Monkeys.

Q. Current/Past teams?

A. Public Park recreation, grade school hockey teams in Fargo, Men's league in Fargo ND, Crookston and Anola MN, Bronze and Silver in NYTEX (Warriors, Arch Angles, Ice Kings, Jags)

Q. Hobbies?

A. Golf, VW Beetle classic car shows, NASCAR, Fantasy football, computers, acting in haunted houses.

Q. Pre-game ritual?

A. Bash and smack talk on the blog.

Q. Hockey hero?

A. Everyone knows the answer to this one, Wayne Gretzky!

Q. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

A. To play hockey as good as the great one.

Q. Ginger or Mary Anne

A. Ginger

Q. Your message to the NYTEX community?

A. I hope to help others improve their hockey skills while getting exercise and having fun myself.

Last nights Spider Monkey vs. Bandit game.

Last night the Spider Monkeys from the Ranger division met the Fort Worth Bandits from the Texan division. This was always slated to be a well matched game and in reality, no-one was dissappointed.

Both teams had equal numbers on the bench, Bandits coached my Ivey and the Monkeys coached by the toothless Upton. I think a total of 10 players and one goalie for each team.

Greg Perry, tended the pipes for the Bandits and Mike Best was between them for the Monkeys.

The Bandits took an early lead against the Monkeys in the first period from a shot from the right wing that took a nasty double deflection and wobbled and dipped past Bests shoulder for the opening goal.

The score stayed that way until the second, when the Bandits shot and missed, got a lucky rebound of the back boards, landing right on the stick of the left wing who had an open net to shoot on. The Monkeys grabbed one back on a shot that caught Perry standing up and snuck it past him and the post. The third goal from the Bandits came from a save from Best, that rebounded straight to the defense stick, which got hit from behind and snuck in past Best.

The fourth goal was stopped by Best and any goalies nightmare, rolling up Bests shoulder as he scrambled on all fours to stop it rolling into the net unsuccessfully.

The Monkeys now had to work to bring this game from the brink of disaster.

The third period was truely an exciting one, Best was a stone wall and let nothing in and the Monkeys snuck two past Perry as he stood proud on his post, sneaking underneath him making it a 4-3 game.

The last four minutes became a frantic effort on the part of the Monkeys, the goalie got pulled at 45 seconds to go and the Bandits kept the Monkeys away from their end and were rewarded for the win.

This was a well matched, well mannered game and could have gone either way.

Lady luck was on the side of the Bandits.... this time!

Early Report on the Bronze League

The first season with the bronze league split into two division has been moving along. With the crazy schedule with all the weekday games some teams have played more games than others, but here is the initial report:

Over in the Texan Division the Jets are on top of things with 7 points. The Senators are hot on their tail with 5 points. Interesting note about the Sens is that their last two games have been decided inthe extra frame. The Bandits are sitting in third with 4 points, but look for them to make a strong showing this season. The Bandits are a much improved team this season. The addition of Brandon Decker and Kent "Flash" Gordon have beefed up the blue line big time. At the bottom of the division we have the expansion TD Ameritrade Whalers sitting with one point. Whalers are having a hard time finding their legs at Nytex. They have been outscored 12-21 in the first four games, but will surely turn things around here in the second half of the season. I guess the competition is a little stronger at Nytex than over at the Starcenter.

In the Ranger Division things are interesting. The Jags are sitting on 8 points. It actually would have been 10 points had the Jags not broken a rule and used a gold league player on their roster against the Spider Monkeys early on in the season. Keller is in 2nd with 6 points. Keller has played in three overtime affairs so far. The last game played on Tuesday night was ten seconds away from a shootout before Kyle Kelly threw one past Senators netminder Andrew Busboom. Tied for last we have the Stingers, yes the Stingers, and the Spider Monkeys. Stingers have only played three games though. The monkeys look dramatically different this session. Bill Ivey is behind the bench, and they have several new players who hvae been coming on board and making and immediate impact.

Killer's prediction: Senators win the Texan Division, Jags win the Ranger Division, playoff prediction, who knows...

Goalies of the Silver League!

From a goalie perspective, this league is such a blast so let's keep it that way!

Whether you are on the best or the worst team, it really doesn't matter, here is why...

The Best Team scenario...

You get to assist in the team staying at the pinnicle of their play and keep them going in their rise to the top. You still have to be on your game or the slippery slope downward slide starts to happen.

The Worst Team scenario...

You are going to get a ton of rubber fired at you and this can only be good for your improvment as a goalie, so long as you don't let it get at you in the head during the game and remember, it is only a game, we don't get paid to be bruised every week...

Either way, the goalies all are very respectfull of each other during and after the game...

Stats...

Crank it Up - Bruno - total shots - 229 - save percentage - 79%
Chupacabra - Anderson - total shots - 174 - save percentage - 82%
Ice Dogs - Joyce - total shots - 341 - save percentage - 88%
Indians - Kelly - total shots - 309 - save percentage - 90%
Ice Cracks - Tyler - total shots - 273 - save percentage - 87%
Blazers - Rector and Buening - total shots - 258 - save percentage - 85% (Avg)
Hornets - Bryan and Crawford - total shots - 307 - save percentage - 84% (Avg)
Borrachos - Taub - total shots - 179 - save percentage - 78%
Ice Kings - Best - total shots - 379 - save percentage - 81%
Green Leaf - Westbrook - 230 - save percentage - 83%
(goalies picked from the main goalies and not subs)

So, the save percentage averages out to be 83.7% overall...

So all you players out there that look incredulously at your goalie when the puck is sitting in the back of the net, remember, it becomes a math game...

30 shots on goal will probably result in 4.89 goals...
40 shots on goal will probably result in 6.52 goals...
50 shots on goal will probably result in 8.15 goals...

If you are not scoring that many then you will lose... simple math!

And let me tell you, the higher the shots, the harder they are to save! It is tiring out there past 40 shots!

So give a goalie a hug now and again, let them feel the love!

This should be fun

Just wanted to say hello to all and looking forward to help make this blog fun and entertaining. So let the bitching, complaining, and the laughing begin.

Silver League Game of the Week January 4th- January 10th

The Silver League Game of the Week this week is between the Borrachos and Hornets. The game is slated for 11:30 on Friday the 8th. Borrachos come in at 4-2-1 while Hornets are sitting on 5-4-1.

In fewer than 10 games this season, these teams each have a player with a hefty number of penalty minutes. The Hornets have Donny Wills who has 25 pims so far, and the Borrachos are led by Dan Stuckeman who not only has 19 points this season, but 19 pims as well.


The Borrachos are the reigning Champs of the league. They have already had one brawl this season (vs. Chupacabre).

Killers prediction, Borrachos 7-Hornets 3

BLOG TRANSITION

This blog which has never really gotten up and running is about to change. We have new posters coming on board, and plan to use this blog as the official blog of the Bronze and Silver Leagues at Nytex.

Expect more game reviews and previews, player profiles, shannanigans, and general blog bafoonery.

LOGOS

The following should be all the Silver League and Bronze league logos for blogging purposes.