Wolves drink from sweet silver, Wilkes Barre Pens take to the Links

Last night the Chicago Wolves put the 2008 Calder Cup series to bed winning game 6, 5:3 in close intensive play. Jason Krog named Series MVP scored his second hat trick of the series showing just why he was named the winner of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy.

I will refer readers to my partner in crime and hockey, Patrikc Kissane at "Sit Down and Shut Up" linkage at right for an in depth analysis of the game I'll just give you the visuals...






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Do or die for the Chicago Wolves, Hogs win in the Wolves Den

There was no joy in Mudville Friday night when the home team lost in a blowout involving some of the prettiest goals ever seen in a playoff game.

What does this photog know after looking through 1200 odd images this morning? The stats may not show it but Joe Motzko, Joey Crabb and Kevin Doell are hustling for all their lives are worth. Game 6 is going to be a ring tailed tooter and Kissane and I will be there!

Here are a few images of the game.




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The Battle of Chicago Hockey,Game 1, Wolves- 4 Rockford -1

If there is one thing I love about playoff hockey it is the weather, often the biggest question of the day is do you dress for the weather outside the arena 70-80 degrees or the 60+ degrees inside? Ah, playoff hockey where even Chilly Willy is wearing only a tee shirt or a camisole under her jersey. In this playoff series pegging the Rockford Ice Hogs against the Wolves, jersey? Which jersey? That was the second question, as long time readers of this and it's sister blog Patrick Kissane's "Sit down and Shut Up" will know we have been loyal followers of the UHL Rockford Ice Hogs for several years. What sweater indeed, Wolves or Hawgs? Kissane in his usual diplomatic way had the answer, he would wear the classic Hogs "Hammer" sweater and I my Wolves. I can tell you we got some reactions that ran the gamete from surprised to hostile from the Wolves boosters that had no idea we were of mixed loyalties. However the usual suspects from Rockford in attendance who for the last few years had partied, cheered and loved the UHL Hogs with us did not seemed troubled at all. In fact we have an invitation for a pre game dinner on Sunday- Thanks Elvis and Elvis Fan! Somehow I doubt pork will be on the menu though.

The game itself started without any of the predicted fisticuffs in the pregame skate, just the usual photo ops and warm ups. During the first period both teams stayed on their own games and seemed very well matched. Smart money says this series will hinge on just a few things, the stat whores have been analyzing feverishly and basically these teams are beautifully matched with the Wolves having a slight edge on the PP. It will come down to in my humble opinion staying out of the penalty box,heart and a bit of dumb luck. Last night the Wolves showed more discipline in the second and third periods earning them more goals and less time in the box. The sole Rockford goal came late in the third period as part of a last ditch effort to avoid a shut out. This series is going to be a long one, game 2 is 7:00 Saturday night at the Allstate. All I wish for is great hockey, with no injuries. If Rockford wins good, if Wolves win better!




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Wolves -v- Peoria Rivermen, another game in hand for the hungry Wolves.

I'm a bit under the weather these days due to rotator cuff surgery on Tuesday,therefore my words will be brief for a couple of weeks. Believe it or not I'm looking forward to becoming just a fan again while my arm rests in a sling and not watching the game through the lens as I have become accustomed. A view wider than a wide angle lens can only improve my perspective. Keep checking for blog entries, for I will continue to post, current game photos will be courtesy of Patrick Kissane, however, I plan to be back shooting in plenty of time for the Wolves and Hogs playoff runs.

Now, for some images of the Rivermen game....




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02/16/08 Chicago Wolves down Rockford Ice Hogs

Is this the taste of things to come for these two teams, in sold out a arena of just over 6,000, 1,000 were Wolves fans that braved the weather forecast of an ice storm to see a regular season contest between two teams a mere hour by interstate. The rivalry is in full glorious bloom and making ready for the playoff run that one or both of these teams will make. The shooting is going to be great and the roller coaster ride for Chicago fans is going to be remarkable.

It is past time to come out of the closet so to speak. I have been a fan of the Rockford Ice Hogs for several years, I fell hard on St. Patrick's Night looking out on the ice and seeing Hammy in the spotlight shamrock in his hat, holding the flag for a local school choir singing the anthem. It was over, I became a total fan as they scored moments later and the crowd got up and danced, a hockey crowd dancing you say? Yes, I was hooked. My dual loyalties existed quite peacefully since the Hogs were a UHL team and the Wolves were AHL, when the Wolves were out of town we went to Rockford and had a great time, it helped that somehow Rockford seemed to bring out the best in me artistically. Then last spring the Hogs made the move to the AHL, would we be able to deal? I struggled, finally in the last month I decided to just give up, I still love both teams and yes, I know this set of "Hogs" are really from VA. The most important thing to me is that the "Hawg soul" is still there. The front office staff remains the same,the crowd spirt is still there. The faces on the ice may have changed but the intangibles that make going to games in Rockford such a good time have transitioned to the AHL nicely.

So there is, I deal, so now you can deal, I love two AHL teams within a few miles of each other. Life is good!

Now some images showing Wolves -vs-Hogs, great hockey, two good netties last night. IMHO the difference was the Wolves defense was far more consistant. No team will ever win a game unless there is someone waving his fanny in the goalies face,ready to score, Hogs are you listening?




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Less said the better...

As per usual I will refer readers to my partner Patrick Kissane at "Sit Down and Shut up, Read the Blog" and his blog for a full blow by blow report on the Wolves/Admirals game of last night, linky at right.

Last night the Milwaukee Admirals shut out the Chicago Wolves 4:0 at home after a lack luster game. A small crowd mainly of season ticket holders got to see that it's not just those of us that have "day jobs" phone it in sometimes. Last night everyone associated with the Wolves bench seemed to be in a fog. As crowd dispersed we all murmured prayers that it was a single game hiccup and motivation will return tomorrow night. The Rockford Ice Hogs will not give any quarter to wimpy Wolves at the Metro,we will see what tomorrow brings.

Not everyone took the night off, here are a few images of the game caught by yours truly...


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If it's Sunday it must be a day off....

Friday morning dawned bright and sunny, the weather forecast couldn't have been more gloomy, 6-8" of snow was to fall between us and the game in Milwaukee. Still we planned to make it, the van was gassed,bags were packed "in case" an overnight stay was needed, the Kissane/Rickard Hockey press team left for the Wolves -Admirals game hours early on a wing and a prayer.

Yes the driving was not pleasant but we made it with time to spare for dinner and to settle into the BC for the nights festivities. It was to be a tough game for both teams with a stellar example of imaginative work by referee Chris Ciamaga. As per usual for a technical wrap of of both games I will refer readers to the capable hands of Patrick Kissane at "Sit down and Shut up", the linky you will find at the right. The outcome of the game? The Wolves won in a challenging game. Kissane and I ended up spending the night in Milwaukee as did many of the Chicago fans. Thank you wireless connections and Travelocity.

Here are a few images from the game.





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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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