BULLS NEARLY DEFEAT THE ACES & BULLS WEEKLY

None of us in the stands were really sure how Wednesday’s first match against the Alaska Aces would go. We hoped, we crossed our fingers for the best, but there had been so many trades recently that the team hardly had a chance to play together or even remember each other’s names.

Mark Isherwood

It was a fierce, close game. Alaska won 2-1, but the Bulls were never out of it. I was amazed at the team’s new symmetry. There is chemistry in this new line-up that the team hadn’t had before. Of course there have been moments of brilliance with all of the past members, but never anything like this. The team continually won face-offs, and not just when Jordan Morrison, the Bulls Face Off King, was in the circle. Yes, it’s true. It was also the smoothest I’ve ever seen them in line transitions. Offense was great, defense was sharp and Thomas Heemskerk was tight. No one could expect them to play perfectly, but I was very impressed with how well they did.

Rob Kwiet

A couple things I took note of from Wednesday’s game. Yanni Gourde is a speedy skating machine! He can zip up and down that rink faster than the speed of light! He scored his first home goal, which was the only one the Bulls would get in the game. But I watched some of the other new players and was quite impressed with Kory Falite’s skating, as well as Mark Isherwood. There are so many new Bulls members, it will take a few games to study them and get to know their style, so I’ll let you know what I think in future blogs.

Alaska has 94 points. The closest team in points is Ontario with 88. The Aces are the top team in the ECHL. The next two games against them will be tough, they will be battles. I’m so happy the Bulls are prepared to give Alaska a taste of their sharpened horns!

Next two games to finish the series with Alaska are Friday night and Saturday night.

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Today was, (THANKFULLY!!) the deadline for ECHL trades, so NO MORE trades for the Bulls. And with the deadline, they completed their transaction with the Gwinnett Gladiators by acquiring Nick Walsh (F). He has some decent numbers, so we’ll see how he does.

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Earlier tonight was the return of Bulls Weekly. Jason’s guest was Alternate Captain Jordan Morrison. Jordan was a great guest, smart, quiet but meaningful, determined and fun. We had a good time at Pedro’s tonight.

Jordan Morrison

Next Bulls Weekly is next Thursday, March 14^th. BE THERE!!!

Hope to see you at a game soon! Remember, the season is nearing an end you do NOT want to be left behind!

GO BULLS! 

BIG TRADE BEFORE DEADLINE

Three events sparked the huge trade occurring yesterday, Thursday, March 5^th. First, Kris Belan was promoted by his mother team the LA Kings to the AHL Manchester Monarchs. Second, the Bulls were swept by the Las Vegas Wranglers and Third, the ECHL trade deadline looms ahead on March 7^th.

Belan was like the Bulls superglue. He held the team’s offense together when he was on the ice, while never forgetting to check the defense. He had the most penalty minutes, but most of the time kept the thoughtless ones to a minimum. Belan is a smart player and this is what will take him to great places. When the Bulls lost him, a huge void in the team could not be filled by anyone present.

This was made painfully aware in the two Las Vegas games.  The offense was sluggish and penalties overtook everything else.

The window is closing quickly for trades to happen. Tomorrow is the last day. There are 13 games left in the regular season for the team. Add to this that San Francisco is only slightly ahead of Bakersfield by eight points, and it’s easy to see our eighth (and last) position in the playoffs is tenuous.

The Bulls traded four players yesterday to the Utah Grizzlies for three of their top players. One of the Bulls players traded, Jordan Clendenning, was very popular with the fans and he will be missed by many. Let me say that I do understand it’s very hard to lose a player that you like. The fans go see them play every home game. They get pictures taken with them; maybe talk to them a bit after the game or at a social event. And the players are cool people!  

However, something had to be done, and if you take a look at the numbers of the three new players, they are exciting. Kory Falite, Mark Isherwood and Ian Shultz should bring some good energy to the Bulls lines.

The upcoming series with Alaska starting tonight should make all Bulls fans aware that the team needs to play better than they did against the Wranglers.  Let’s hope this latest round of trades brings the Bulls success and leads us straight into the playoffs!

Tonight, Friday and Saturday the Bulls play the Alaska Aces at the Cow Palace. Sunday, the Bulls play Las Vegas at the Cow Palace.

Thursday is Bulls Weekly at Pedro’s Cantina at 6pm!

GO BULLS!

I HAVE A FAVOR…

…to ask of Bulls fans.

The Bulls will be playing three games against the Alaska Aces, starting this Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Bobby Hughes of the Aces (no relation)

This means that Thursday all day and night they’ll be free. They may get a morning skate in and then a nap that afternoon and then have the evening free.

Nick Mazzolini of the Aces 

The team will probably want to see some of our fairly more touristy areas, so, because we are such an awesome city filled with friendly, warm, welcoming people (OK, I’m stretching it, but you get my point), if you San Francisco inhabitants happen to run into any visiting Aces players, invite them to the nearest Watering Hole and buy them a drink, or three. Don’t be shy or stingy, this is your DUTY as a Bulls fan to help out the Bulls!  

Do a few shots of Jaeger with them, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Set up some inviting Pedron glasses, who could resist? Consider your hangover on Friday as taking one of the team.

These three games are most likely going to be what the playoffs will be like, so it’s important for us to get whatever edge we can, seeing that our penalties can be wild and our offense tame.

(And yes, this was written tongue planted firmly in cheek so please take it as so.)

Wednesday is 2-for-1 hotdogs, so be there when the Bulls take on the Aces!

GO BULLS!!!

BULLS DROP TWO IN SIN CITY

Friday, March 1, 2013

The Bulls lost to the Wranglers 2-1. Penalties littered the Friday night game against the Las Vegas Wranglers like the morning after a hippie jam fest. It was ugly.  

True, Michael Tam was suspended for a questionable Boarding call. He was suspended through Sunday. From what I understand it was a terrible call.

Yanni Gourde scored the one Bulls goal in the First Period.

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Sunday March 3, 2013

The team seemed tired through this afternoon game and again, it was overloaded with penalties.

The Bulls lost 6-2 and couldn’t get any offense going until the Third Period, but by then it was too late. At least they made an effort, getting in two goals. Defensemen Dylan King and Simon Danis-Pepin scored the two Bulls’ goals.    

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If you see a pattern in the games the Bulls lose and the amount of penalties they receive in those lost games, you’re not alone. The more penalties they receive, the more likely they are to lose. This is because the Bulls have been hurting their own chances of winning with penalty-laden games as of late as much as any other opponent has beaten them.

Along with the penalties, sometimes it seems, as this weekend, that the Offense is tired. They need to pick up speed, to kick it into overdrive. The lines have been changed a lot recently. I think that the offense will find its’ energy after the team gets to know each other a bit more.  

I have written about the penalty problem on more than one occasion. The Bulls are a passionate and young team. Emotions can flare, it happens.

All is not lost. I’m not a doom and gloom person. Even if nothing is being said in public, even if nothing seems to be happening on the outside, I believe this is being worked on and will be taken care of by the Playoffs. I still have faith in the Bulls and know that great things are happening. We are a FIRST YEAR team and it will take time for all things to gel.

The Bulls come home to the Barn Wednesday (thank goodness!) to play the Alaska Aces for three games through Sunday. Be there!

GO BULLS!

A LOSS & A WIN IN THE MOUNTAINS

This week we’ve seen the Bulls play two games. Both have been exciting matches bringing out the best in the players.

The first was in Salt Lake City against the Utah Grizzlies. It was the team’s first view of former teammates Alex Tuckerman and Martin Lee. The Bulls lost to the Grizzlies 2-1, but it was a close game. Dean Ouellet scored with an assist from new player Yanni Gourde. It was Gourde’s first game and his first point.

This was also the first time we were able to hear from Tuckerman after being traded. Jason Lockhart interviewed him during the Second Intermission and I dare say my eyes were a little watery.

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The second game was in Loveland, Colorado versus the Colorado Eagles. In this game, every team member gave something, though there is no question that Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk was the Number One Star of the night. Without his 35 saves in regulation time and incredible effort during the shootout, the Bulls would not have won.

The Eagles scored first, but the Bulls tied it back up with a goal from Bryan Cameron. Unfortunately, Jordan Clendenning’s tripping penalty led to a Colorado goal that making it 2-1. Simon Danis-Pepin tied it back up (his third goal of the season). The Eagles took the lead once more, but Peter Sivak saved the day by tying it back up in the last four minutes of the game.

Neither team scored in the Overtime Period, so it went into a Shootout. Heemskerk was able to stop the five Colorado shot attempts. Dean Ouellet scored the only San Francisco one, which was enough for the Bulls to win the game 5-4 final score.

This win puts the Bulls eight points ahead of Bakersfield in the Playoffs run.

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Friday March 1^st and Sunday March 3^rd, the Bulls play the Las Vegas Wranglers in Las Vegas. Listen to both games online at knbr.com

The Bulls are back at the Barn next Wednesday, March 6^th versus the Alaska Aces.

GO BULLS!

GRIT, TALENT AND HARD WORK = KRIS BELAN

It was announced today that Kris Belan is headed to the AHL. To the Manchester Monarchs, to be exact. Kris was one of the first players to be added to the newly formed team back in the Fall, and he has never disappointed. When Belan (pronounced Bell-in according to Kris) is on the ice, things happen.

At the first Bulls Weekly

Kris can do nearly everything. He can score, he skates relatively quickly, though not with the lightning speed of Peter Sivak, but he can hold his own, he blocks and he fights. Oh yeah, Belan can fight. I remember him sporting a shiner last month, which, when I asked him about it, he smiled that crooked (and dare I say handsome?) grin of his.

Kris Belan at the SF Zoo 

When asked if his mother minded Kris’ fighting, he said she didn’t like it much, but she probably knows there’s not a lot she can do about it, Belan’s going to rumble. He had a total of 130 PIMs since the season started. But he’s a thoughtful fighter. He knows when to throw down and doesn’t get careless or commit many stupid penalties.

Kris Belan with Jordan Clendenning at Union Square, SF

At 26, he has a little more experience than many of the other Bulls players, and this is why he’s such a valuable member of any team he’s on. Last season he spent with the Toledo Walleyes, where he scored 10 goals with a total of 24 points. He’s done quite well with the Bulls, having 8 goals and 20 points.

Kris Belan with Jordan Morrison next to him

It is a shame losing him so close to the Playoffs; we could really use his muscle, however, the magical word to remember is PLAYOFFS. Coach Curcio is doing everything he can to make sure we have the best team possible as we move closer to April. If moves are made now, there’s still plenty of time for the new members to gel with the more experienced team members. Belan being called up to Manchester was out of the team's hands, but Curcio can handle it. 

I had questioned last week’s moves, I will refrain right now from questioning Curcio’s judgment; I believe he knows the best thing to do.

I will be very sad not seeing Kris in warm-ups, however. He always acknowledged my presence with a glance, his head deep in the game to come. I remember going to the first Bills Weekly (I have not missed one since they started) where he was Jason’s guest. There is not a more intelligent or selfless athlete to be found.

Kris, you have the greatest future at your doorstep. And even though we're losing you, this is a terrific promotion for you! Be your brilliant self and you’ll shine. We in San Francisco will miss you, of that you can be certain. Think about us from time to time, OK?

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Also released today was Colin Reddin. Colin is a terrific player and awesome guy. He came to the Bulls from the Southern Professional Hockey League, so I’m sure he’ll find another team to play with quickly. He’s a California native with an optimistic attitude and a great spirit. Go do amazing things, Colin!

Colin Reddin

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Moving down to the Bulls from Worcester is Yanni Gourde. This season, he had 7 goals with 10 points so far. He’s fast and will be a welcome addition to the team.

Yanni Gourde

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Bulls play the Utah Grizzlies in Salt Lake City tomorrow, Tuesday night. Listen at knbr.com as usual.

Next home game in March 6^th when the Bulls have a home stand of three games against the Alaska Aces. You need to check out at least one of these!

GO BULLS!

BULLS WIN SHOOTOUT THANKS TO THE NEW GUYS

I’ll admit it, I had doubts. If you read my last blog, you’ll know that I wondered if the latest big round of trades would work. Tonight, they did masterfully.

The Bulls not only kept up with the Idaho Steelheads, but beat them in a Shootout 4-3.

Three big factors contributed to this.

First, not enough can be said about Taylor Nelson’s goalkeeping. He was great tonight, one of his best efforts.

Second, the new players Bryan Cameron and Tristan King scored and helped a lot with the offensive effort. It made a huge difference.

But the third contribution and probably one that won’t be discussed, was the lack of penalties. Jordan Clendenning did get one tripping call, but fortunately, this didn’t lead to any scoring by Idaho.

Tonight we saw how great the team can be if they work together with the immense talent they have without all those nasty penalties that plagued them Friday night. Keep it up!

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The next game is in Utah against the Grizzlies this Tuesday, February 26^th.

GO BULLS!