END OF THE FIRST SEASON

When I was a kid, we used to spend part of the summer visiting my father’s family in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This always included at least one day at the amusement park at Salisbury Beach. My uncle worked there, so we kids had free reign of the place. The boardwalk had one of the most majestic wooden roller coasters I’ve ever seen and I loved it.

Waiting in line I got butterflies in my stomach, increasing as the screams drifted down from the top of that mighty beast. The click-clack of the cables pushing up the cars slowly, slowly to the top and then rushing down so fast with hands in the airs, screaming at the top of our lungs were what we lived for! And once off the coaster, we got back in line and did all over again. And again!

San Francisco Bulls games are like that for me. I start to get excited as I leave work or home and get more ancy waiting for the slow shuttle drivers to leave Balboa BART. It crescendos to a high when the Bulls players come out for warm-ups and I can get pictures, and maybe, just maybe snap a great one with my cheap little camera.

The tick tick of skates to ice are like the clicking of the coaster as it jettisons to the first peak. The puck smashing against the boards is the knocking of the coaster cars as they abruptly turn corners.

And taking my seat, I await Rawhide’s Intro and the National Anthem. And then it begins….

The season ended too quickly last night for the Bulls. In a 5-3 loss, San Francisco fell to Alaska in the final game of the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. They fought hard and well. Taking one of the games, the Bulls surprised many by keeping most of the other games close and battling the entire way. I've included a few pictures from last night at the end of today's blog.

The whole first season was an amazing one. Surprising to some, but not to those of us who went to all or most of the games, who got to know the Bulls’ staff, went to Bulls’ events to meet the players and supported the team in every way we could. The Bulls passion of the game captured a city’s heart. They are now part of San Francisco and we love them.

Next year, expect Coach Curcio to work his brilliance and get the Bulls even farther. Big things will happen.

The Bulls Sheet will be working hard this summer, not just in covering the Bulls, but we will be expanding, covering the minor league hockey world in a way that is not currently being done. Keep reading for more news in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, I’m still going to cover the Kelly Cup Playoffs. I’ll write an update about the games tomorrow night. Until then, you have six months to save your money for Bulls tickets next season!

GO BULLS!

Kris Belan from Friday night but had to include it! (Leeanne Ruegg)

TIGHT BATTLE LOST IN GAME 4

I’m not going to get into a long description of last night’s game except that for most of the 60 minutes, it was one of the best, hardest-fought games the Bulls has ever played. Unlike Game 3 on Thursday night, the team didn’t look flat or tired as the team progressed they seemed to gain more energy, more desire to win.

Dean Ouellet

But it was not enough, as the Bulls lost to the Aces 6-5. The team played fiercely in a true war against the top team in the ECHL. I’m so proud of them I can’t express how much in mere words. Tonight is do or die, but no matter what happens, they have all of my respect and love.

Peter Sivak

Be at the Barn TONIGHT! You simply MUST if you’re in the Bay Area and a Bulls fans. This is the time the team needs you MOST! So, get out there and support the Bulls!!!

GO BULLS!!!

Kris Belan

Tommy Grant, Myself & Mikael Tam

BULLS LOSE THIRD GAME AND HASSLING WITH SECURITY

The biggest news is that the Bulls lost the Third game in their playoff round with the Alaska Aces, 4-1. The First Period looked great. But by the Second Period, San Francisco started to lag just a little, not following through on passes and one thing lead to another and Alaska scored. Once the Aces scored, it was all over.

Tommy Grant & Jordan Morrison

Jordan Morrison snagged the Bulls only goal. Tommy Grant left the game early with a slashed hand. I hope he’s OK and back on the ice tonight.

Dylan King & Kris Belan

People have shrugged me off, but when Alaska scores first, their record is 34-0-6. The Aces have NEVER lost a game in regulation team when they have scored first. This must always be remembered. Sure, a miracle can happen and I might get a Municorn (an imaginary MUNI bus that actually appears when you need it to appear) today as well. But, this is not something that should be counted on. The Bulls MUST score first to win!

Bulls Fans

The Bulls tried to keep up with the Aces, but it seemed to wear them down. Alaska never seemed to tire. They continued to attack, to press on. It isn’t that the Bulls gave up, they never did, they’re not that kind of a team, but they couldn’t keep up once the Aces domination could over.

If the team can find a way to continue the energy from the First Period, then they can win.

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The Bulls organization do a really good job at making sure the fans are happy and taken care of. I would say that the one area that does need work is in security. Someone needs to communicate with all the security folks and tell them what they need to know. I cannot begin to say how many times I’ve argued with security at the door about bringing in empty plastic bottles. I will NOT throw my bottle away! It’s empty and allowed in! Why do I know the rules of the Cow Palace better than a security guard? No Bulls fan should EVER be told to throw their EMPTY water bottle away, yet it happens at every game.

Also last night, the security wasn’t told about the new rules regarding picture taking during warm ups. I was worried about this beforehand and with good reason as it turned out. I argued with the head security person and made her call one of the higher ups. Even when it was OK’d for the ADULTS to be there to take pictures, security carded EVERYONE coming into the area, as it’s now part of the larger bar, so kids are still NOT allowed in to take pictures and this was not what I was told. Hopefully, they’ll have that Kids Zone area for them so they’ll have a bigger area. Kids LOVE watching the Bulls players. Blocking them from getting to see them warm up is wrong. I don’t drink, so I don’t care about a bigger bar area, but I’m sure some people enjoy it. I just want fans to have access to seeing the Bulls players. Getting fans closer to the players helps them enjoy the game more.

I know things are being tested and worked out with that whole ice bar situation. But the miscommunication with the security has been an on-going issue for the entire season. If you have had problems in areas I haven’t mentioned, please let me know or add your voice in the comments section. Or if you’d rather it be private, send me an email at bastzine@att.net.

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In other Kelly Cup Playoff matches:

Eastern Conference:

#4 Florida Everblades at #5 Elmira Jackals. Florida leads series 2-1

#3 Gwinnett Gladiators at #6 South Carolina Stingrays. Gwinnet leads series 3-0

#7 Toledo Walleye at #2 Cincinnati Cyclones. Cincinnati leads series 3-0

Western Conference:

#6 Colorado Eagles at #3 Idaho Steelheads. Idaho leads series 3-2

#5 Las Vegas Wranglers at #4 Stockton Thunder. Las Vegas leads series 3-2

Ontario Reign defeated the Utah Grizzlies and will move on to Round 2

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Game 4 is tonight at the Barn. BE THERE!!!

GO BULLS!!!

BULLS TIE UP SERIES AND LOTS MORE!!!

I have lots to cover in today’s blog so keep reading until the very end, you won’t regret it!

Saturday’s playoff Game #2 against the Alaska Aces was a Must Win. It would have been fatal to allow the Aces to get ahead in the series by two games. Because of the Bulls determination, skill and hard, hard work, they SHUT OUT Alaska 1-0. That’s right! Not only was this the team’s FIRST SHUTOUT, but they shutout Alaska on their home ice!

Please take a breath and realize how HUGE of a victory this is for the Bulls. Before Saturday night, only Idaho had been able to shutout Alaska in their home arena. The game was the perfect example of how great things can be if the basics are followed: aggressive offense, tight defense and thoughtful play.

Victory at Park 77

There were several moments when the team could have lost their cool, especially when penalties were not called on Aces players like Chris Clackson. To me, he’s Public Enemy Number One for his goonish behavior on the ice. I will boo and boo LOUDLY (!!) whenever his name is announced at the barn. And Alaska took to diving, a lot. But hey, if this hockey thing doesn’t work out, the Alaska Aces can always join the Olympic Diving Team.

Park 77 with Ian Schultz & the Bulls Crew

A large group of us fans watched the game in the outside garden of Park 77. I want to thank Tom and the club’s most gracious hospitality for making us feel right at home. He had already scheduled a large birthday party months earlier, but for the Bulls, he created space at the last minute. And all the hard work he did to make us feel welcomed was most appreciated.

HORNS OF THE GAME: Even though Falite scored the one and only goal of the game, it was Thomas Heemskerk’s goaltending that won the game for the Bulls. He stopped all 32 shots the Aces fired at him. They were relentless but so was Heemers. So, for this victory in the Second Game of the playoff series, Heemskerk gets the Horns of the Game.

Thomas Heemskerk wins Horns of the Game

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On the way back to San Francisco, the team took overnight flights home Sunday morning, arriving back at the barn, bleary eyed and disheveled. The Matadors Club had a Welcome Home Breakfast of coffee, bagels, pastries and fruit for them if they wanted something before passing out. It was a very thoughtful thing to do for the guys and most appreciated by the team.

Simon Danis Pepin

Taylor Nelson & Christian Ouellet

Kris Belan

 Welcome Home!!! We love you Bulls!!!

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Now I want to recap all of the First Round EHCL series.

Western Conference:

#2 Ontario Reign vs #7 Utah Grizzlies – Ontario swept the series 4-0. Two of the games went into overtime, but in the end, Ontario was the dominant team. Ontario moves on to the Second Round.

#8 San Francisco Bulls vs #1 Alaska Aces – games are tied up at 1-1. They now move to San Francisco for three games starting April 11.

#3 Idaho Steelheads vs #6 Colorado Eagles – Idaho leads series 2-1 games. Games 4 & 5 are Sunday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 9 in Colorado.

#4 Stockton Thunder vs #5 Las Vegas Wranglers – Stockton are ahead in this series 2-0 games. Game three is Monday, April 8 in Las Vegas.

Eastern Conference:

#1 Reading Royals vs #8 Greenville Road Warriors – Reading is leading this series 2-0. Game three is Wednesday April 10 in Greenville.

#2 Cincinnati Cyclones vs Toledo Walleye – Cincinnati leads Toledo 2-0 games. Third game is Wednesday April 10 in Cincinnati.

#3 Gwinnett Gladiators vs South Carolina Stingrays – Gwinnett leads series 2-0 games. Wednesday April 10 is the next game in South Carolina.

#5 Elmira Jackals vs Florida Everblades – Series tied 1-1. Game three is Wednesday in Elmira.

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Game three of the Bulls playoff series against the Alaska Aces is Thursday, April 11. I hope many of you will be there. And if you’re going to the game, WEAR YOUR ORANGE!

BULLieve!

GO BULLS!

TIME TO GET YOUR BIG BOY HOCKEY PANTS ON

The small crowd at Park 77 grew slowly at first but by the end of the Bulls first playoff game, shown straight from Alaska, the bar was filled with orange-clad fans. It was quieter than it should have been, but the Bulls had just been beat 5 to 1 by the Aces in this first meeting in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Park 77

Rawhide, Nicole and lots of Bulls folks were there. They gave away prizes to the crowd and cheered on the team. Ian Schultz was there as well, nursing his broken ankle. It was great seeing so many rallying for the Bulls.  

Park 77

Alaska has lots of experience in the playoffs including winning the Kelly Cup and they were amped and ready for the game. They were forceful and controlled the game from the first few minutes. The Bulls never challenged this control. They were slow on the ice and by the way they played, it didn’t even feel like a playoff game. There was no urgency within the team, with the exception of Captain Scott Langdon who was upset when a couple Aces ran into Goalie Thomas Heemskerk. That was a highlight in the game, but it didn’t get the rest of the team going.

And sure, there were bad calls and a lack of calls, however, that’s not what lost the Bulls the game. They needed to treat this game as THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME THEY’VE EVER PLAYED and they didn’t rise to that level.

Second game is Saturday night, which by the time I write and publish this blog will be later today. I have no doubt the Bulls can come back and win.

These are the Bulls Sheet’s 3 Keys to the Game:

1 – Aggressive Offense

Alaska had 40 shots to San Francisco’s 21 in Friday’s game. This needs to change if the Bulls have any chance of winning the second game. The Bulls must push and push hard on the Aces. Alaska is a very aggressive team and will continue to run San Francisco over if the Bulls do not run over them first. Both times the Bulls beat the Aces they scored first.  

2 – Tighter Defense

There was much of the first game when Heemskerk was alone at the net. He needs more help. If he’s by himself then this leaves his weak spot, anywhere near his legs when he’s horizontal stopping the puck, wide open. This happened twice in tonight’s game. 

3 – Play Smarter

Kris Belan scored the lone goal for San Francisco. However, he also committed a blatant crosscheck right in front of the ref earlier in the game, leaving the team shorthanded, leading the Aces to another goal.  Even if emotions start to rise, they have to settle down and play with their heads not their tempers, because the Aces will be doing so and if the Bulls allow their emotions to guide them they will not win.

As underdogs, the Bulls are on a sharp uphill, made even steeper by this first loss. They will need to pick it up and take that hill like they own it. Because I know they CAN own it if they believe in themselves.

Regardless of how this first playoff series turns out, I love the Bulls and support them! If you’re in The City later tonight, stop by Park 77 and watch the game with us!

GO BULLS!!!

A LOOK AT THE KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS

I know I’m a bit late getting this to you, but we can catch up now and be ready to jump into the ECHL Playoff picture.

The playoffs started Monday and Tuesday nights with the Western Conference. The Ontario Reign hosted the Utah Grizzlies. They won both games at home against the Grizzlies 5-2 and 7-2. I thought Ontario would take this series but I also thought Utah would give more of a fight. There’s still more games to be played and the Grizzlies aren’t out of it yet. They now go back to Utah to battle on the Grizzlies’ home ice.

Idaho defeated the Eagles in overtime in Boise Wednesday night 4-2 in their first series’ game. The two teams play again tonight, Thursday, in the Steelheads home arena. I’ll give Idaho the edge; they’re a little tougher and stronger than Colorado.

All the other matchups start Friday night, including the San Francisco Bulls game against the Alaska Aces. Set in the Aces’ home arena in Anchorage, the Bulls are true underdogs. Nothing about this series will be easy for the Bulls. The Aces are experienced at post-season play and have won the Kelly Cup many times previously. However, San Francisco’s unwillingness to ever give up may help them go far and could bring an upset.

The Stockton Thunder take on the Las Vegas Wrangler in Stockton. I’ll take Las Vegas for this one. They have the experience and went to the finals last year, losing to the Florida Everblades.

In the Eastern Conference, the Reading Royals host the Greenville Road Warriors. As much as I’d love to see an upset for the lowly Road Warriors, I see the Royals taking this series.

Number two seeded Cincinnati Cyclones play the Toledo Walleye. Something tells me if there is an upset in the Eastern Conference, it would be in this matchup. If you compare the numbers of these two teams, Toledo has a good chance of winning this series.

The South is well represented with the Gwinnett Gladiators versus the South Carolina Stingrays. I’ll take Gwinnett on this one. The strength of their players will be too much for South Carolina.

And finally, the Florida Everblades host the Elmira Jackals. Florida will win these games and go far in the playoffs. They won the Kelly last year and could be favorites again this season.

My picks for the finals: As much as I would love it to see the Bulls winning it all, I don’t think that’s likely in their first year. So, realistically, I see Florida vs Ontario in the Finals with Florida winning.

So, now it’s time to sit back and see what happens. And root for your favorite team!

GO BULLS!  

BULLS WEEKLY WITH TOMMY GRANT!

It's the start of baseball season and even though the San Francisco Giants are starting the season down in LaLa Land at Dodger Stadium, the Giants opened up AT&T Park for fans this afternoon to watch the game for free from their big screen. That's pretty cool.

In traditional form, the Giants lost this first game of the season, (as they have for a few years now), and when Bulls Weekly started at Pedro's across from AT&T Park, Giants fans were well on their way drinking off the loss.

Tommy Grant

That didn't slow us down at all. We welcomed the disappointed and tipsy Giants fans to watch the broadcast and have fun with us. Some stuck around and probably had a bit too much fun. Not that they'll remember it in the morning...

The Front Office Crew

Tommy Grant was Jason Lockhart's guest tonight. He was the perfect guest to have tonight with the Playoffs coming up and the team heading to Alaska Wednesday. Tommy spent a few years going to college and playing hockey in Anchorage, so he knows the area well. He shared some secrets about living up north and being on a college hockey team.

Misty, Rocky & Shelly

Jason gave away lots of goodies to the crowd and the good-sized crowd had a blast.

With the Giants schedule coming up, Jason's not sure when the next broadcast will be, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

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The FIRST Playoff game is this Friday from Anchorage, AK at 8:00pm Pacific time.  The SECOND game is Saturday, also at 8pm.

The Playoff games at home start Thursday, April 11th! BE THERE!!!

BULLieve! GO BULLS!