This Weeks Bronze Games

Four games on tap for Saturday, and one coming up this Thursday. The Thursday game features the Stingers against the Whalers. Both of these teams are strong contenders for the lower crown this season, should be a great game. Stingers are surging this season, I think they will take this game in a shootout 6-5.




Saturday we have two matinee games on the schedule. First off it’s the Sens vs the two time defending champs MIB. Sens are off to a slow start this season at 0-2-1. MIB sits at 2-1. Sens are due for a win. 13-11 Sens take it.



Closing out the matinee we will have the Joes and Whalers. Joes have struggled to put wins together this season, so I think this one is an easy pick. Whalers 4 Joes 2.



After the Brahmas and Rio Grande Valley play we will see the

Bandits and Jumpers. Jumpers look real strong this session, but it all comes down to one thing and that is goaltending. If the jumpers have Mike Best in net they will be hard to beat. For the bandits, Perry has to stand on his head and play out of his mind to get the win. Jumpers have lots of guys who can skate, and will be tough to handle. If the Bandits have their Decker, Crouse, and Flash Gordon on D they should be alright. But it will ultimately come down to the keepers in this one. I say Jumpers 3 Bandits 2 in OT.



Finally we have the Mud Ducks taking on the Keller Indians. The Ducks are looking to find their identity this season, and the Indians are looking to reclaim past glory. Ducks could have a shot if the Indians don’t play any of their young players. If the youth shows up not sure if the ducks can skate with them. I think the Ducks will continue to search for their identity, 14-7 Indians.

A Quick Look at the Lower Division

Right now (and I know its wickedly early) there are two familiar foes atop the lower division, the Keller Indians and 5 time Keg winner Stingers.   Whalers and Jets each have 2 points while the Mud Ducks and Joes are the caboose with no points each.  

This season should be a close battle in both divisions for the regular season crown.   Whalers have been strong lately and the Jets made a little bit of noise in last season's playoffs, so things could be real tight in the lower division this season.   Mud Ducks are new, and have many players who are new to hockey on the squad.   Give them a little bit of time, after all it wasnt long ago that their upper division brothers the puddle jumpers were new to the league and couldnt seem to buy a win.   Average Joes will eventually hit their stride.

Who do you think will take the lower division in this innaurgural season?

Countdown to "STINGERS BITCHES" comment in 3, 2, 1...

Indians 4, Whalers 3 OT - 1/29/11

The Whalers and Indians were both 1-0 going into this game. As the regular Whaler goalie heals, Bryon Chesser decides to put on the pads for the first time ever. He does quite well in the first period as the Whalers put 3 on the board and the Indians don't find the twine. Dan Watzke scores his first goal of his hockey career and the big-headed and loud-mouthed Paul Thurston puts one in to feed his own ego. TJ Aarons also scores, but that was not going to be enough. The Indians do not give up and continue to chip away. The Whalers get too comfortable with a 3 goal lead and fail to protect their first-time goalie. The game goes into OT and the Indians seal the deal with 40 seconds remaining. When it all boils down, the Whalers may really regret this one. These two teams may be at the top of the Lower league (sounds kinda stupid), but the Stingers may also have something to say about that since Briscoe and Widmann were seen on the ice Saturday night with a combined 4 points. I thought Silver leaguers were not allowed in the Lower league? Isn't that a two-league jump? Just wondering.

Who is the best Brahmas Fighter of the Nytex Era???

From the 2007-2008 Season we have entry number one, Robin Big Snake.   Robin was the first heavyweight brought in to Nytex specifically to brawl.  



From the 2008-2009 season, Nathan Saunders.   Not the best fight video, but gives you an idea of this guys style.  



From the 2009-2010 season we had former Dallas Star Nathan Perrott.   Now Nathan also played for the Maple Leafs, and in his day was one of the best in the NHL.   Unfortunately he came to the Brahmas at the tail end of his career.  



Also from the 2009-2010 season special nod goes to the two man tandom of James Hiebert and Luke Sellars.  These two were involved in the infamous pre game warm up brawl at Nytex.   No video on them, but they sure were always willing to go. 

Then from this current season we have Roger (Mr. 4400 penalty minutes) Maxwell.   Maxie had played pro since the mid 90's, and at 6'2" 270 lbs he is easily the largest fighter ever to grace the friendly confines of the Nytex Sports Centre.   Maxwell was let loose in this classic pre season tilt, and players around the league collectively shit their pants.  



Special shout out to Maxwell who unfortunately tore his tricep midway through the season, which will most likely be a career ending injury.  

Also from the current season we still have Saunders, but his former roommate, and MMA champion Mike Sgroi deserves a special nod.   He has fought not only Tito Ortiz, but every heavyweight pro hockey has to offer.





There were plenty of other players who mixed it up for the purple and black, but these were the main event type guys.   So who you like the best?

want to be a poster on this blog

Hey if you want to be a poster on this blog, its really pretty easy.   Just email Chad csiewert@brahmas.com, and then he can send you the permission thingy to grant you access to post.   We need more game reviewers, more updates, more previews, more everything.   Highlight a player or coach or ref, do a weekly story about something going on with the league.   Do equipment reviews, or even branch out and blog about the Stars or Kalamazoo Wings.   Hell whatever you want.   Just get more active with the league, and get to blogging.  

Bronze League Rumblings and the Return of the Game of the Week

Mud Ducks made their Lower bronze debut last night falling 4-1 to the Whalers in this weeks Thursday night game of the week. Ducks are new, and might take a few weeks to find their rhythm. Last weekend the Bandits fell 6-1 to MIB, and Rampage beat the Jumpers 2-0. Shoutout to Rampage netminder Devin Nunn for getting the shutout. He is the goaltender of the week. He wins a pat on the back for his performance.






Sweet Leaf set to make their debut in this season’s first installment of the game of the week. Sweet Leaf vs Sens 1/15 10:25 pm. Sweet Leaf are the upper Bronze’s new expansion team headed up by the Nytex Sport Shop’s very own Andrew “Chilly” Palmer. Palmer has played his entire Bronze Career with the Sens. In fact, Chilly Palmer is the Sens all time goals, assists, and (obviously) points leader. Chilly felt the timing was right to head out on his own, and form his very own team called Sweet Leaf. Leaving the Sens and joining the Leaf are CJ Fisher, Chad Lowery, and Tim “the mouth” Krajewski. The departure of these four players leaves the Sens lacking some serious offensive firepower. CJ was always right under Palmer in scoring, and Lowery and Tim were solid contributors as well. Joining the Leafs in net will be Mike Levitz of Ashley Furniture fame. Also on the Leafs will be Glen Fredderick formerly of the Average Joes. Glen led the league in scoring last season.

For the Sens it’s a whole new team. Returning favorites like Sgt. Fred Walters and Chad Siewert, and back from the IR will be Patrick Fogiel who once scored five goals against the two time keg winning MIB. This game should be a high energy volatile affair. Siewert and Palmer have a long standing rivalry. Last time Siewert faced Palmer on opposite teams they blew up and dropped the mitts in the handshake line (pictured below). As TO would say, “Get your popcorn ready” this one should be a fun game to watch. Killer’s prediction Sweet Leaf 6 Sens 4.
In the late night game this weekend we have the Stingers and Jets, two teams who have struggled the past few seasons, but now with the league split these two could be contenders for the championship of the lower.

Division 2 Over 35 Holiday Tourney winners

This past Sunday night, the Division 2 Over 35 Championship game was played between the North Stars and the Penguins.

The Penns showed up in full force with a packed bench. The North Stars, however only had three subs the entire night.

Despite being outnumbered, the North Stars played the Penquins tight and close.

The scoring was back and forth with no one really establishing any clear cut edge. With the score 4 - 4 after two periods this game looked like it could go right down to the wire.

Then, all of a sudden the North Stars cranked out 4 unanswered goals to take a commanding lead. It appeared as if all the wind left the Penquins sails as they gave up 2 more before then final buzzer sounded with the score 10 - 4.

Congratulations to the North Stars!

A new season is upon us....

This coming weekend NYTEX will kick off the new season of Bronze league play. This season I believe there will be an upper and a lower division once again. Who will be back? What will the teams look like? Who will be in what division? What are your predictions?

Will MIB three-peat, on a run to try to equal the Stingers of old?

Will a new team be formed to make a go at a first keg?

Stay tuned to see how this all shakes out!

See you at the rink.........

Jim.

Stanley Keg Championship Game

Last Night MIB and the Puddle Jumpers battled for the Stanley Keg.   Both teams showed up with their full benches and full fan club support.   A record crowd for a Bronze League game was on hand to see these two heavyweights battle it out for the league championship.   Brahmas music man and PA Announcer Brad Bowerman announced the game and got the crowd going with music in between periods and during stoppages in play which added a nice touch to the final game of the season.   Another new feature for the game was the Buffalo Trace MVP Award which was a bottle of bourbon.  

Puddle Jumpers got things going early before MIB roared back.   The first frame ended deadlocked at one a piece, and we had ourselves a good old fashioned goalie battle.   Jumpers jumped back in front making the game 2-1 which is where things ended after the middle frame.   Jumpers netminder Mike Best was on his game stopping shot after shot from a beefy MIB offense.   Referees Greg Niemi and Chad Hale kept things under control this game as both these teams were going full throttle in an effort to capture the keg.   (Quick note as of press time this writer does not have the scoresheet, so those that were there can comment about who did what)  As the third period got rolling it was looking like the Jumpers were going to hold on.   MIB player Eric Johnson (who had his own booster club in attendance) beat Mike Best to tie up the game.   Later that frame there was a little scrum between the two teams that resulted in offsetting minors.   Then with very little time remaining it was Jumper Killer Eric Johnson again with the cup clinching goal, and earning the Buffalo Trace MVP Award.   PJ's pulled Best and brought out the extra attacker, but did not succeed and MIB took home their second straight Stanley Keg.  

Championship Week at Nytex

 After a little Holiday delay the Bronze League will be back in action this Friday night as the Puddle Jumpers take on MIB for the Stanley Keg.   Game time is at 10:25 following the Brahmas and Jackalopes at the Nytex Sports Centre.   This is MIB's second consecutive trip to the Final and the Jumpers first.   After a long holiday break which team is going to come out ready to do battle?  Will Jumpers coach Bill Ivey get a chance to hoist the Keg?   Will MIB win one for Mindo?   

The stage is set for some exciting hockey.   Get here early as this game is expected to sell out.   And by sell out I mean have over 50 people there which for a Bronze League game is alot. 

 

 

And on Thursday of this week at 9:30 pm the Championship of the Over 35 Expansion Six Showcase will be determined.   The California Golden Seals (5-0) led by former Hartford Whaler Cal Brown and former Stick and Puck Teacher Jeff Bohl have been unstopable in their march to the championship game.   The Seals are a team that has played together for a long time and hoisted many a trophy in their day.   The Flyers (4-1) led by Brahmas Coaches Dan Wildfong and Ron Vogel have been equally as difficult to beat as the Seals have this season.   Their only loss came on opening night to the Seals.   Look for a high scoring affair between these two heavyweights.