It's Summertime, That means Player Valentines!

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One of the advantages of following minor leagues is that players can be followed from age 16 or 17 until they make it to the big show with the National Hockey league. One such player that that has has been under the gaze of my camera lens has been 22 year old Chad Denny. He first came to my attention at Traverse City during the Red Wing Rookie Tournament along with another big guy Boris Valabik. Unlike Valibik who was of age and started immediately with the Wolves Denny was 18 and returned to his Major Junior team the Lewiston Maineiacs for another year of seasoning.

What sets this 6'3” Canadian apart from the heard is not his killer wrist shot it is his spirit. He plays with the heart of a kid on a back yard pond. After bouncing between the East Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League for two years he still plays with his heart on his sleeve. One can only hope he will never loose it to the hard knocks of the game. This will be his last year of his rookie contract with Atlanta, so far he seems to have spent most of his time with the Gwinnette Gladiators rather than with the Wolves. When he has been in Chicago he has been left warming the bench rather than seeing regular ice time. It begs the question just what is Wolves Coach Granato thinking keeping such an aggressive player muzzled. Were I to bump into the coach tonight at his favorite haunt that is exactly one of the questions I would ask him.

Chicago Wolves Win last game of Season5:2 over IceHogs

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A year ago when the last post of the Wolves season was made made it was full of exclamation points and happy chatter regarding the winning of the Calder Cup. This year although having won their last game the boys from Rosemont will be cleaning out their lockers on Monday and calling for tee times on Tuesday. Meanwhile their counterparts with every team within a hundred and fifty miles will be packing their gear and looking to see who will be their first playoff opponent.

In last nights win over the Rockford IceHogs the Wolves played the role of spoiler beautifully. With this loss the Hogs are no longer in control of their own destiny. They will find out who and where they will play next after today's game in Houston. Will it be in warm sunny Texas? Or will da Hogs face powerhouse Milwaukee having fallen into 4th place? This is what happens when you don't play like you mean it boys.

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The game started out with discipline enough then got a bit out of hand when at 1:50 the first period Rockford enforcer and Ex-Wolf Sean McMorrow received a double minor (4:00) for "attempted head butting" and Mike Brennam 2:oo for interference. This set up a rocket of a Chad Denny Special assisted by Martins and Sterling at 3:39. By the 14:51 the score was 5:0, Referee Dan Banfield (44)was beginning to add up the PIMs on Rockford including a game misconduct on Kyle Beach for boarding which resulted in a facial injury to Alex brooks. In the end it would be 31 min/10 inf for Rockford and 13min/7inf for Chicago. The low penalty count possibly could be attributed to the "playoff style" of calling penalties by Referee Branfield, which kept this important game for Rockford flowing and let the guys play.

Both Rockford goals were scored by Akim Aliu a BlackHawks prospect who like the Wolves Danick Paquette is fresh up from the Major Juniors. Like Paquette he arrives with a killer check and reputation for a nasty temper. Unlike the Wolves prospect Aliu is over 19 yeas of age and will be in either wear a Rockford or a Blackhawks uniform this fall. It will be most interesting to see how accurate the years of observations and mixed scouting reports on this talented young man have been. No one doubts his ability to put the puck in the net or take an opposing player out of play, but can he remain cool when the ice gets hot?

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As Kissane and I left the arena last night talking about where we might go for playoff games in the next weeks. We also talked about season ticket plans for next year. Things seem to of changed for many of the long term season ticket holders, bless our reps, they are still there for us. The ushers in our sections are people we depend on weekly to keep order. But something has changed. There is something different and altered to the point that most of the long term season ticket holders we talked to are going to have a long thought process over the summer as to downgrading their packages. It's not the loosing season, it's something else, times are tough we all are making hard choice as to how to spend our hard earned and disappearing dollars. The easy way would be to say on "Fan appreciation night" we just didn't feel appreciated. I'd go back a bit farther...

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Two years ago I covered the Colonial Cup series between the then UHL Rockford IceHogs and the Kalamazoo K-Wings. After the series ended in Rockford the on ice celebration went on for over an hour. But it was very different than the one we observed at the Allstate last year after the Wolves won the Calder. The IceHogs constantly made an efforts to engage the crowd, the fans were as much of a part of the celebration as the team. Look at the photos the Hogs are facing the crowd the Wolves are facing each other and forming a circle closing the fans out. Management teams change, decisions are made to keep sports franchises alive during difficult times that often season ticket holders don't understand the logic of. However, as one who has a voice, I feel the need to express the murmurs of discontent. As one of the true faithful expressed it"we felt as if our hockey family left us". These are tough times, discretionary funds are drying up in family budgets, now may be the time for the front office to turn outward and listen. Sometimes all it takes is giving the impression that you are listening, give a damn and embrace the odd new idea. Now that may help make for a happier " fan appreciation night" that has nothing to do with a winning season.

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But what do I know? I'm not an expert, just an observer, photog and I comment on what I see and record of the game I have loved and followed most of my life. In the end the pond never leaves your heart.

Here are some images of the last nights game. Not to worry my kit is still out and I will be covering the road to Lady Calder. The Wolves may be cleaning out their lockers but the second season is just starting for my partners and I. There are the playoffs, rookie camps and hopefully Traverse City to cover. Let's not even think about what arena my Canon and I might be ensconced in come October.

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Wolves Win one for Pride, Slay Lake Erie Monsters 5:0

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Last night those of us who ventured out to the Allstate to see a game that meant nothing statically were rewarded by decent hockey. Don Granato sent out a mix of kids and vets that simply played 60 minutes of hockey and with the exception of Jordah LaVallee stayed out of the penalty box. It begs two questions, why didn't he do this all year and is a taste of next year? I for one hope it is the latter, Pollianna here is going to focus on the positive , on the ice last night were two stand outs. Earlier this week Atlanta signed RW Danick Paquette still a bit wet behind the ears, fresh from the Lewiston Maineiacs the same Major Junior team that brought us Chad Denny. However due to his age unless he is judged ready for the Threashers Paquette will have to return to Liewston for next season and his 19th birthday. Paquette played like his hair was on fire, he hits like a train, finishes his checks and although not listed on the score sheet I can tell you he was in on the scrum for each one. The only negative in his background is a marked propensity for aggression. Under present coach Don Granato they might not be the best of mixes unless Paquette has learned to control his temper.

A second high note was the performance of Andrew Kozek, who has played a handful of games with the Wolves. Last night he did impress, with two goals and did his best for hat trick in the closing seconds. As Kosek was born in 1986 there are no age problems with this young man. If team management sees something they like hopefully he will be back.

The Wolves play for the last time this season on Saturday night facing rivals the Rockford IceHogs. The Hogs failed to clinch a playoff birth losing to the Quad City Flames last night 3:2. Saturday night it will be do or die for the boys for Rockford. As I look into my crystal ball I'd say it is going to be a "physical" game, more sensitive types might want to stay home and watch a DVD of " Slap Shot".

Can you hear Brunhilde Warming Up?

Ok, the time has come to introduce the smelly elephant in the room, the Chicago Wolves were beaten by the Milwaukee Admirals last night 3:2. Ending their mathematical chances at the playoffs the this season. Atlanta had chimed in earlier in the day calling goalie Ondrej Pavelec to Atlanta leaving Wolves with Brett Khran and Dan Turple. Now, that hurts, when the parent club takes it's crown jewel and run to play spoiler in the NHL since it's own playoff chances are over. So sad, too bad for the Wolves who started out well this season raising fans hopes with their new coach then struggling in December, flaming out in January then nose diving in February. Then calling it in for the rest of the season. A few stand out players did on a regular basis attempt to play with heart and stood out like sore thumbs. Chad Denny, Captain Jamie Rivers, Joey Crabb, Spencer Machacek gave and never stopped giving to their team, bravo to all of them! Steve Martin played well most nights but also fell into the the funk affecting the team on occasion.

Now that the math has been done the collective belly aching and predictable calling for Coach Granato's head has begun. Wolves fans are accustomed to playoffs yearly and a season that ends before the middle of May is practically unheard of for Wolves faithful. Well this year if those of us who are the usual residents of of the Allstate Arena wish to see playoff hockey we will have to travel to see it. Making the trek to the lovely Bradley center in Milwaukee, Rockford with it's world class hockey fans, or Peoria celebrating their first time in the playoffs since joining the AHL. It will be great hockey, enjoyable but not quite the same thrill as watching the home team win.

Whether or not there is a wholesale carnage in the Wolves locker room is a decision which will be made by persons with more experience and hockey smarts than I. However, Coach Granato does seem to have one policy that looks like it is producing a toxic residue. As many of us in the stands have noticed every time a a player has entered into a fight that has garnered penalty minutes that player is benched for several games afterward. This policy has hit enforcer Mike Hoffman especially hard, to penalize a player for enforcing the code just poisons the ice. If Granato wants to bench a player for stupid penalties he should start with Brett Sterling and his always ill timed hooking calls. Although I am in no way a supporter of gladiator style hockey the surgical style of a true enforcer is something I see the necessity of and respect in the North American game.

What I do know is that many of us are going to make serious decisions regarding season ticket packages on the basis of those front office decisions in the coming weeks and months . Every off season is an interesting time to study team personality and politics. This off season is going to be absolutely fascinating for those of us who watch the Wolves.

Oh Canada! Hamilton Wins 3:2 in Shoot Out!

Chicago Wolves played markedly improved hockey against the Hamilton Bulldogs and were rewarded for their efforts by taking it to a shoot out and pocketing a point for the weekend. Giving the Wolves 74 points or tying them for 4th place with Rockford and 2 points out of second. Rockford has three more games to play on the schedule than the Wolves against the Aeros, Peoria, Iowa and San Antonio all teams which are contenders or would love to play spoiler. The Wolves have a comparably easier schedule playing Milwaukee 3 times Peoria,QC and closing against Rockford. Using the schedule as a crystal ball the Wolves are looking to the rest of the division to bloody themselves in a chicken fight over 2-4th . Meanwhile Milwaukee sits pretty and secure only to think about who they will meet in the first round. The Wolves meanwhile need to stick to the basics, stay out of the penalty box, 60 minutes of hockey, play hard or it will be tee times for Chicago on April 12th.

It's always a good time when the Bulldogs come to town. Several years ago their booster club followed the team on a weekend swing and a bus load of fans filled a section of the Allstate. Including several great road ambassadors like the "Cookie Lady" who baked hundreds of graham cracker dog biscuit cookies for the Chicago fans. I got to meet her in Chicago and in Hamilton of the Calder Cup Semi Finals two years ago. The Hamilton boosters are a great group of hockey first fans, they were missed last night and not just for the great cookies. Maybe next year when the economy is a bit better and we all are traveling more.

Hamilton drew first blood with a goal by Mike Glumac at 4:30 in the first. Chicago answered with a PP goal by Chad Denny at 18:25 a boomer that put the crowd on it's feet,he was assisted by Jamie Rivers and Spencer Machacek. Brett Skinner put Chicago ahead at 2:35 in the third, assists by Clay Wilson and Joe Motzko and at 3:44 Hamilton's Yannick Webber would tie the game and overtime became a reality. Hamilton's nettie Marc Denis did a great job between the pipes turning away 38 SOG. During the SO he did some amazing work, none more than his reading of Clay Wilson stopping that goal attempt cold. So many SO are simple skill competitions last night's was cut above thanks to Denis and Wilson they were both totally focused in that moment.

Here are some images of the game.





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Wolves Gored by Manitoba Moose 6:3

It was a game that started out with the of roar three goals in three minutes. Two for Chicago's Spencer Machachek at 1:44 and 3:33, Manitoba got into the action with Mark Cullen striking first only .33 seconds out of the gate. The crowd smelled excitement, hard hitting and dare I say it a hat trick? Well, there was hard hitting a plenty, but Chicago just seemed to run out of legs mid way in the second period against the Moose. For a game that started with such promise it ended in a whimper of a lopsided score.

There were a couple of bright spots during the pre-game warm ups I had a chance to watch Moose Assistant Captain skate. Not only does Nolan Baumgartner have a great presence on the ice he managed to pass a puck to every kid in the mid section with a smile and a wink. Nice work he made several kids nights by his actions, that's another example of leadership on ice all be it a softer one.

Chad Denny got out for a few shifts when he hit the ice for his first he introduced himself to Manitoba in his typical manor with two resounding hits. The kid plays like he is fighting for a roster spot, although Denny does not appear on the "Clear Day Roster" for the playoffs he can play in the event of an injury to a player on the clear day. Since it is likely that an injury is possible, it seems a shame a check and a shot like Denny's should be black aced. Since people with more hockey smarts than I make these roster decisions can they explain it to me? It seems there is so much talent warming the bench like this every year and that's this photog's rant on the subject.

Here are some images of the game.





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Chicago Beats Milwaukee Admirals 5-4 in Shoot Out!

Leaving the game last night I had already had this entry written in my head, little did I know that when arriving home a computer glitch would cause the photos that would be needed to be lost and along with it most of the power of the argument. Oh well, it is one of the prerogatives of the blogger to be blatantly biased on this bright Sunday morning I am going to embrace a bit of that purgative.

The job of the linesmen and the referees are difficult the amount of physical training necessary for the position is almost equal to that of the players. Then there is the confidence and the poise necessary to know the rules, understand the application and the gray areas to know when to let something slide, swallow the whistle and when to step in. There is a season ticket holder who sits by us, Kieth, who is a retired linesman. Talking to him at games has increased my understanding and respect for these watchers and shepards of the game. However, I also have a lowered tolerance for shall we say the referees that have been with the AHL, a development league for players and referees for two or more years and just don't seem keep up with the learning curve. Mores the pity when lack of control of the tone of the game results in players injuries. Injuries happen at any time but seem to happen with more frequency when players either seem to sense a loss of control or lack of confidence in the referee.

Last night the Chicago Wolves hosted the Milwaukee Admirals, historically these teams have always had physical encounters. Historically even their fans have had physical encounters, in short it's an exciting atmosphere at most Wolves/Admirals games. Last night was no exception , first period started out with a bang Riley Holsapfel scoring first for Chicago at 1:33. Mike Santoreli answered for Milwaukee at 2:18. The first penalties were awarded to Milwaukee's Cal O'Riley, and Kelsey Wilson involving an incident where Wilson stood over Chicago's Scott Lehman as he lay prone on the ice and as he attempted to rise Willson struck him across the shoulders with his stick three times. Referee Terry Kohraski awarded Willson 2 minutes for roughing and 2 for cross checking. Cal O'Riley 2 for unsportsmanlike conduct for adding his opinion on the matter. It is possible the treatment of this incident and the light penalty could of contributed to the general roughness of the game? That is this simple photographers musing.

The following minutes of the game were no doubt exciting, both teams pushed each other to the limit and I have some stunning images to show it. Stevie Martins Chicago's #26 played like his hair was on fire and showed us just why so many fans hope he plays as long as he wants in a Wolves uniform. SOG Drew McIntire for Milwaukee faced 31 for 27 saves and Ondrej Pavlec for Chicago 34 for 30 saves. In total for the night Penalties were evenly handed out, Milwaukee 24 minutes for 12 infractions and Chicago 29 minutes for 9 infractions. However neither team acted like angels on skates, linesmen Al Stensland and Brian Panchic did a great job separating and escorting players to opposite corners.

Enough of thee words, on to the images!





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What Chad Denny Did on His Day Off!

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Today a group of children on the north side at the American Indian Center got to hear Chicago Wolf Chad Denny share with them a common heritage ,that of being of a Native North American . Chad Denny current player of the Wolves came into the city not only to sign autographs, eat lunch with a group kids on their day off from school. But also to share time and a common culture despite the difference in urban and rural, basketball and hockey, Chicago and Mi'Kmaq of Eskasoni First Nation of Nova Socita.
The Chicago school children asked many questions about life in the American Hockey League and what it takes to become a professional hockey player. “Hard work, it doesn't come over night” said Denny, hard work indeed he then told about skating coaches, long practices and studying the game.

The American Indian Center is located at 1630 West Wilson Ave , between Ravenswood and Ashland, in the site of an old Masonic Temple. It has lofty spaces, lovely light and plenty of space to accommodate the dreams of Special Events Coordinator Cyndee Fox-Starr. Who proudly told me Chicago is the center of the third largest urban Native American population in the country. We also have the only urban cultural center in the country, all of this makes for frequent and rich calendar of events. Members also told me of a theatre of the third floor which they also hoped would someday open producing works produced by members of the community and their children. The sign on the front door tells the opener to pull gently but firmly. Somehow it seems to fit this place, a strong heritage gently but firmly moving into the future. For more in formation on the center or a full calendar of future events call 773.275.58.71 aic-chicago.org .

The next major event is a Pow Wow at the Joilet Junior College on March 14th , for details of the event contact Fred Harris at (815) 280-2566 fharris@jjc.edu
www.jjc.edu/Clubs/NAC/pow_wow.htm

Something to feel good about- Some ice Time for Chad Denny.

Right now things are a bit dire for the Chicago Wolves. The first pair of goalies in the harness Ondrej Pavlec and Brett Khran are down with injuries Pavelec may even face knee surgery according to some rumors. Last night Joe Motzko the Wolves most prolific scorer this year was having a very bad night. Mr. reliable missed shot after shot making us all in the stands wonder if he had become the latest victim of the flu galloping around the Allstate ice this year. That's when I saw one of my favorite subjects hit the ice, Chad Denny, I just love to follow this kid with the camera, a great line on the ice and a booming wrister of a shot. So with all the negativity blowing around this week I'm going to post a valentine, this one is for the Denny family and a more dedicated group of hockey fans you will never meet. Happy belated Christmas!



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Chad Denny, Will his third time at TC be the charm?

This will be Chad Denny's third year at the rookie tournament. When Kissane and I first got a look at this forward 2 years ago he knocked our socks off. Denny seemed to have the entire package, he scored, skated well and even stood up for his line mates when necessary. But alas since he was only 18 he went back to the OHL and spent another year in Leiwston Main. Last year he arrived in camp looking very different, he seemed slow and unable to concentrate. In October Chad and his very impressive wrister were sent to Gwinnette to be nurtured by Coach Pyle. Over the course of the o8' season he moved up a few times but spent the majority on the year in Georgia and not with the Wolves.

This year is his third year out of the gate, who is going to carry his gear into Traverse City? The 18 year old who blew the doors off the place or the kid who looked like he was playing with the flu last year? OK, will the real Chad Denny stand up, it takes more than a wicked shot to succeed in the NHL, come show us what ya got !

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Red Wings-vs- Thrashers Opening night!

Opening night of the Red Wings Rookie Tournament for the second year featured a matchup against the Atlanta Thrashers. This years Atlanta team had several pre tourney interesting prospects, Chad Denny(a year older and bigger after impressing us at the 06' camp), Spencer Anderson (son of Chocago Wolves coach John Anderson),Bryan Little (after a great year with in Gwinette) and the goalies, Dan Turple(the big guy from Kitchner) and Ondrej Pavelec (The hot Fin of 07'). This years crop of rookies was notiable for size most were over 6' only one, Jonathan Duchesneau stood a diminuitive 5'8". Last year the starting line up for the camp looked like the chorus line Munchkin Land, most were well under 6'. A second difference, all were invited to the camp, none were tryouts. Last year several, like goalie invitee Dave Caruso were there to strut their stuff for a shot at the big time. Lastly none were college boys but this time grads of one of the devlopenent leagues.Proving grounds like MooseJaw,Rigina and Swift Current (WHL) Flint Generals (UHL)and the always tough QMJHL were well represiented. Yes it looks like this years class will be bigger,tougher and more aggressive by a quick look at their backgrounds.

With the same gleam in our eyes usually reserved for four year olds on Christmas morning Patrick Kissane and I found our seats. Grasped our hot drinks and waited for the Thrasher prospects and the Wings babes take the ice. Our first taste of hockey in months, the new boys were about to take the ice...here is a bit of what we saw on opening night!









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