BULLS SPLIT 2-GAME SERIES WITH CONDORS, OCTOBER 20, 2012

After a hard fought Saturday night game, the San Francisco Bulls lost in a Shootout to the Bakersfield Condors, 2-1. Even though it was a loss, it was one of the team’s most exciting games. Defense was strong and the entire team played one of their best games.

Bakersfield scored a goal in the 1^st Period and led 1-0 until the 3^rd Period when Team Captain Justin Bowers got the only Bulls goal. Dean Ouellett of the Bulls hurt his shoulder in the 2^nd Period but was back skating in the 3^rd, fortunately.

Friday night’s game was even better. I was only able to catch the end of the game, as it was the same night as the San Francisco Giants’ Game 5. I couldn’t miss watching that, of course, which we won 5-0 against the dreaded St. Louis Cardinals. I got home early enough to catch the end of the Bulls game, with the team winning 5-3. This was also the Bulls first ever Road Victory!

The Bulls have finished three games into a nine-game road trip, the longest of the year. They’ll be making this trip every year due to the Grand Nationals which happen in October at the Cow Palace. It’s one of the biggest rodeos in the country. I remember going to it every year with my dad and having a great time.

If there is one part of the game the team has to work on, it’s Shootouts. There have been only been two, I realize, but they have lost both. It will be a huge milestone for the team to win one. The fact that they are able to keep games tied and into Overtimes and then into Shootouts is a very positive sign.

The online broadcast was much better than previously. It was near-perfect. The volume was high enough. The only complain I have is throughout the game there was a sharp tapping sound that was a bit disruptive. I don’t know what it was, but hopefully, the technical team can smooth it out in time for the next broadcast.

The next game for the team is in Alaska against the Aces. Starting time is 8:00pm. The team will be practicing at Yerba Buena Ice during the upcoming week, but I don’t see the schedule on the Bulls website, so give the team office a call for practice times. Regular practice sessions are free and open to the public.

GO BULLS!

Martha Hughes

Bulls Lose In a Shootout October 17, 2012

There was a lot going on Wednesday night when the Bulls played the first of nine games on the road. The Giants had a rain delay and it just happened that their game restarted at the very same time as the Bulls. So I watched the game on television while listening to the Bulls game online.

The Reign started out getting a score in the first 13 seconds of the game, but then the Bulls took control of the game, eventually leading 4-1. Until the last three minutes of the game, where the Reign scored three times!

Bulls celebrate goal 10/17/12 (Courtesy of SF Bulls)

A five-minute Overtime went with no goals so the Shootout began and the Reign shot the most goals, taking the game. At least the Bulls gained one point.

Bulls fans can listen to every game online at knbr.com. For the first part of the game, the volume was really low. It was difficult to listen to until finally it was turned up. And then, in the last three minutes of the game when the Reign scored enough to tie the game, the connection was lost. So, all of us fans were left not being able to listen at all. We couldn’t hear again until the game ended.

Another thing that is very distracting is that the radio feed is about two to three minutes behind real time. So, if you follow Twitter you will see what happens before it is broadcasted.

This is all new to everyone. It will take time to work all the kinks out. So, be patient, I’m sure all the technical stuff will get better with time.

Next up, the Bulls play two games in Bakersfield.

GO BULLS!

Martha

OPENING NIGHT October 12, 2012

SF Bulls Logo done by Facebook Fansite SF Bulls

    It was a great night. The “Palace” was packed. It was a Sold Out crowd to see the New Team in Town, the San Francisco Bulls take on the Bakersfield Condors in this, the first hockey game of the season. I had been looking forward to this since last summer! Yes, well over a year I had wanted the return of hockey to San Francisco! And here it was, a reality!

   I could not be happier that 8,277 people showed up to watch the Bulls. Most were true hockey fans. Some who were not will hopefully be future hockey lovers.

   The best part of the first game of the season besides the game, of course, are the opening ceremonies. As each Bulls player entered, giant flames shot up out of the ice on each side. We could feel the heat from our seats! 

Chris Frank #22 skates onto ice Courtesy of the SF Bulls

   It was a great night. The “Palace” was packed. It was a Sold Out crowd to see the New Team in Town, the San Francisco Bulls take on the Bakersfield Condors in this, the first hockey game of the season. I had been looking forward to this since last summer! Yes, well over a year I had wanted the return of hockey to San Francisco! And here it was, a reality!

Fireworks!

I could not be happier that 8,277 people showed up to watch the Bulls. Most were true hockey fans. Some who were not will hopefully be future hockey lovers.

   The best part of the first game of the season besides the game, of course, are the opening ceremonies. As each Bulls player entered, giant flames shot up out of the ice on each side. We could feel the heat from our seats!

   Then, after each player was announced, fireworks fell from the scoreboard, which was really cool. Bob Weir and someone else from the Dead band Further were supposed to sing the National Anthem, but for some reason they didn’t show up. Being a big fan, my friend David was disappointed. But me, not caring at all for their music, was just happy to see the game get started.

  The game started at a fast pace. Both teams battled hard to try to get a score. The Condors were the first to do it a little more than halfway through the 1st Period. The defense was strong and the Bulls had a hard time breaking through. Then, with about four minutes left, #45 Dean Ouellet scored and we were tied 1-1. Bakersfield answered shortly after making it 2-1 Condors.

   The 2nd Period was a tough one, but the Bulls didn’t give up. They never do, I’ve found. Bakersfield put two more goals up and was also given a penalty shot. For what, I don’t know because the announcer never told the crowd. The in-game announcer is one of the HUGE shortcomings of the games at the Cow Palace. He doesn’t tell the crowd a lot of what we need to know. Please, let us know WHY things happen. So the score at this time in the game was 4-1 Bakersfield. The Bulls’ greatest enemy during this 2nd Period were penalties. Have to watch some of those, because sooner or later the other team is going to score if the Bulls aren’t careful, like they did here.

   3rd Period started and the Bulls got going. It was a much better session for them. #10 Kevin Baker scored and right after that, it seemed, so did #44 Sacha Giumond. But then, time ran out and the Bulls were never able to catch up to Bakersfield. It wasn’t for lack of trying. The Condors defense was tough; the goalie did a terrific job of manning the net.

   It will take time for San Francisco to pull everything together. They’re doing great and I expect to see wins really soon if they continue playing and improving and working together.

   Now a few notes about the crowd and various observations. As I said earlier, the crowd was mostly hockey fans. There were a few who probably have never been to a hockey game and I love seeing future fans enjoying the game. Lots of kids wearing cute Bulls caps. I love that! And there was no shortage of costumed fans. There was a group dressed as bull runners from Pamplona! And, just as the camera showed them on the big screen, I told David, it’s a legit hockey team now, we have body painters!

Superfans Valerie & Leanne

   However, some of these seem to think a hockey game is the same as a fraternity party. It is NOT! Just because there’s a lot happening on the ice and the crowd is into it doesn’t give you the excuse to act like jackasses. No, you CANNOT stand the whole time during the game! It’s not really MY job to keep telling people to “Sit down!” The ushers don’t seem to be able to handle doing this. Sure, everyone stands up at a big play, but you do not stay standing up. The ushers MUST also do a better job of stopping people from moving into empty seats once they leave the game or if ticket holders don’t show up. It’s always these people who are the biggest trouble makers.

   Another word about the ushers; they need to watch the kids climbing over everything more. There are two kids in our area I told the usher about who were hanging onto a ledge who not only could have fallen off, but they were blocking our view for a lot of the night. The usher said he would do something, and he did nothing. This needs to improve.

   Then there were some guys who thought that by wearing their Chicago Bulls gear that would be the same as San Francisco Bulls gear. Well, it is NOT! Do NOT do this!!!! It labels you as an IDIOT.  I understand that it is the beginning of the season and maybe you can’t afford to purchase something right now. But wearing a Chicago Bulls shirt or hat to a San Francisco HOCKEY GAME just makes you look DUMB. I cannot stress this enough. Wear San Francisco Giants or Niners gear, at least you’ll look local, for goodness sakes.

   The last bit of advice I give you is if you take the MUNI 8BX bus form Downtown San Francisco to the Cow Palace, which is a great way to get there, sit in the front part of the bus. It makes life much easier.

   So have fun, pick up a program while you’re at the game and as always GO BULLS!!!!!!!!

Martha Hughes

PS: Due to problems with Facebook beyond my control, I had to transfer my blog to another address. You can view all earlier blog entries at:  http://sfbullsfan.blog.com From now moving forward, this will be THE BULLS SHEET new home unless things change. I will let you know if they do.