MINOR LEAGUES ARE MAJOR!

A silly name for this blog, I know, but it’s true. There’s nothing “minor” about minor league hockey. It’s an amazing, exciting and MASSIVE place where, if you’re a hockey fanatic like me, you can spend hours upon hours and not spend your entire paycheck going to one game like you do in that other league.

There are so many individual leagues all around North America, Europe, Asia and yes, Australia & New Zealand, it would be hard to write about all of them, but over the coming weeks and months, The Bulls Sheet will be doing our best to do just that.

Little by little this blog will turn towards not only covering the San Francisco Bulls our first love, but will also write about other teams, games and countries. So, stay tuned for that!

Now, there are some very exciting things happening in the ECHL. The league is right in the middle of the second round of the playoffs and the eight teams playing are so close skill-wise, but it’s getting closer to see who will pull away with wins this time around.  

Reading Royals vs Florida Everblades  in Florida. Blades are ahead 2-1 games

Gwinnett Gladiators vs Cincinnati Cyclones in Cincinnati. Cyclones are ahead 2-1 games

Ontario Reign vs Idaho Steelheads in Boise. Ontario are ahead 2-1 games

Alaska Aces vs Stockton Thunder. Stockton leads this series 2-1 games

Listening to or watching online any of these battles is a real treat. This is prime hockey, so try and catch a game if you can. I’ll give more of an opinion after the fourth game in all.

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This season was a good one for most of the ECHL teams. According to ECHL attendance numbers, many showed an increase over last year. Sure, much of this has to do with the lock out, but also because I think hockey as a sport is on the upswing.

It was a surprise to me that the Fort Wayne Komets has the best attendance numbers. This certainly has nothing to do with the NHL lockout! Fort Wayne is over 200 miles from both Chicago and Columbus. The Komets had crowds all of their first season averaging 7,583 fans. Hockey is GOOD in Indiana!

The Ontario Reign also increased in attendance by 20%, totaling over 1 million fans in five years. People in the Inland Empire know that good hockey is to be had for less than the price of parking at a Kings game.

In fact, all of the new teams had great attendance during their first years. This is a positive sign. The Bulls had eighth highest attendance at 4,164 fans average per game. In a big city with lots of other diversions and ways to spend one’s money, these are excellent numbers.

Not all of the teams did great. The Trenton Titans announced this week they will cease operations in the 2013-2014 season. The team drew just over 3,000 per game and dropped to 2,500 at one point. They’re hoping to come back for the 2014-2015. My best wishes to them, it sucks losing teams.

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Las Vegas Wranglers announced Mike Madill as new general manager and head coach. Seeing that they lost to Florida in the finals last year and got bumped by the Stockton Thunder in the first round this season, I guess the owners want to try something new. Madill played for the Wranglers and this is his first professional coaching job. Madill holds the record for all time games played with the Wranglers at 336, scoring 131 points. He was no slouch as a player. Good players don’t always make the best coaches, so I hope this works for the Wranglers.

The spring weather is warming up in most places so go out and enjoy the weather and outside!

KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND

The Bulls are out of the playoffs, but there are a handful of other teams left fighting for the dwindling spots available.

Here are the results for the Quarterfinal games:

Florida Everblades advance, winning their series over Elmira Jackals 4-2 games

Reading Royals advance, winning their series over Greenville Road Warriors 4-1 games

Cincinnati Cyclones advance, winning their series over Toledo Walleye 4-2 games

Gwinnett Gladiators advance, winning their series over South Carolina Stingrays 4-0 games

Ontario Reign advance, winning their series over Utah Grizzlies 4-0 games

Idaho Steelheads advance, winning their series over Colorado Eagles 4-2 games

Stockton Thunder advance, winning their series over Las Vegas Wranglers 4-3 games

Alaska Aces advance, winning their series over San Francisco Bulls 4-1 games

Most of the wins in the First Round were predictable, but there were a couple surprises. One of them was Stockton’s ability to overtake the Wranglers coming from two games behind and win the series. That was some battle of a First Round for them; one the Thunder fans won’t soon forget.

San Francisco fought hard and surprised Aces fans who may have thought the games would be easy wins.

The Utah Grizzlies battled but in the end were overtaken by the stronger Reign, my favorite to win the west.

Gwinnett swept South Carolina. I expected them to win, but sweeping the Stingrays surprised me a little.

Reading won their series, even with a major change in team ownership and switch over NHL affiliation (they’re now affiliated with the Washington Capitals). I’m impressed with their ability to maintain their focus to get the job done.

Toledo kept up with Cincy as much as they could, but the Cyclones won in overtime in the Sixth game.

The Semifinals start Friday night:

Florida Everblades vs Reading Royals in Reading

Gwinnett Gladiators vs Cincinnati Cyclones in Gwinnett

Stockton Thunder vs Alaska Aces in Anchorage

Idaho Steelheads vs Ontario Reign in Ontario

My favorites to win this round are Ontario, Alaska, Florida and Gwinnett, but anything can happen! This is hockey at its best. Every team, every player, every coach deserves to be there. They’ve worked hard for their place and I commend them for it. Good luck to all! Hockey is the greatest team sport there is. Thank you for making it even better!

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!!!