MID SEASON PLAYER REVIEW

First, I need to take care of some business. I do THE BULLS SHEET for a couple of reasons. One, I love the Bulls! I want to show others what a great team the Bulls are and I hope at least a few people will get it. I also do it because it’s fun. I love writing about hockey. Sometimes I have to do my blogs late at night or when I’m pressed for time. I have many responsibilities in my life, so mistakes do happen. I do not mind at all if you email me or point out on Facebook or Twitter that I’ve made a mistake. I appreciate it! So, if I get a score wrong or make a typo or the like, feel free to let me know. I have a thick skin, I can take it. And I thank you in advance for keeping me on the right track. Now, if your criticism is purely because of my opinion, that’s fine, I’ll talk it out with you. Have at it.

Also, I want to thank Misty for putting together last weekend’s road trip to Stockton. It was awesomely great fun! I should have mentioned it in my last blog, but it was done quickly after I got home, so a perfect example of a not-perfect blog. So without further ado….

It’s time for my Bulls Player Review and with so many changes it will help all of us to go through the list of who’s in and how those on the Bulls Roster RIGHT NOW are doing. As a reminder, this is a POSITIVE review, I’m not here to bash anyone or criticize. THE BULLS SHEET is all about supporting the Bulls!

PAT CURCIO – Coach

Pat is a great coach. With the NHL lockout, he’s had to deal with a revolving door of players up and down the scale and he did this with professionalism and thought. He made trades as soon as the first hints of problems popped up rather than waiting until they were overwhelming. The most recent trade with the Gwinnett Gladiators is the perfect example. The team is faster, more skillful and better prepared to take on the rest of the ECHL than they were beforehand.

#6 – JOE SOVA – Defense

Sova is a fast skater and good with the puck. I expect him to continue stepping up his game and improving in future performances.

#8 – COLIN REDDIN – Center

Reddin is a fast skater. He only played two games that I saw when he was brought up from the SPHL as a fill-in player before the big trade with Gwinnett was made. The SPHL is a single A league, as opposed to the ECHL which is double A, so he may need a bit more refining before getting more playing time. With his spirit and attitude, expect to see more of this young forward.

#9 – JORDAN MORRISON – Forward (Alternate Captain)

With the trade of Justin Bowers, Morrison is on the Short List to be the next Captain. He certainly deserves this. He has 24 points; 11 goals and 13 assists. When he’s on the ice, Morrison has the instincts to keep the line together and battle towards the net.

#10 – SEBASTIEN TRUDEAU – Forward

Trudeau was part of the big trade, but he’s seen action this past weekend. He’s fast and smooth and helps rev the team’s speed up, which is vital to compete in the ECHL.  He scored his first goal with the Bulls Sunday, Jan 20^th in Stockton against the Thunder.

#14 – JONATHAN LESSARD – Right Wing

Lessard was with the Bulls at the start of the season but had to be let go because of the lockout and the movement of players down to make room for NHL players. This was a shame because the team didn’t want to lose him, he’s a great player. He’s fast, aggressive and isn’t afraid to get into a scuffle. In fact, he had his first fight of the season this past weekend when he clearly out boxed his Thunder opponent in a few seconds, knocking him roundly to the ice. Lessard can score, he can block, and he’s fast! He’s a valuable asset to the team.

#17 – ROB KWIET – Defense

If you’ve read my blogs before, you know how much I admire Kwiet’s game performance. When Tam was sent back to Worcester and Guimond was traded to Gwinnett, he helped fill the void. Kwiet is a leader and I would be more surprised if he wasn’t a captain on a team in the future. Get your shades out, the future’s sunny.

#18 – ALEX TUCKERMAN – Forward

Tuckerman has 4 goals and 6 assists, totaling 10 points, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. He’s gritty and fast. His style definitely shows where he’s from, the East Coast. He’s not afraid to attack the net and take people with him. He’s one of the most entertaining players to watch because there is no fear within. He can block and stand up to defensemen who try to intimidate. That’s just not possible!

#22 – RYLAN GALIARDI – Forward

Galiardi scored his first SF score this past Sunday in Stockton. He’s speedy and brings tons of energy to the Bulls lines. I look forward to watching him the rest of the season.

#24 – SCOTT LANGDON – Defense (Alternate Captain)

Langdon’s come a long ways from the awkward, hot headed defenseman he once was. OK, he still has the temper, but he can handle the puck so much better now. He’s very capable at guarding the net and he doesn’t hesitate to take an extra shove in the back of an over-anxious forward who takes a cheap shot at one of our players. He’s proven himself to be a leader and will continue to do so.

#25 – SIMON DANIS-PEPIN – Defense

Few have improved their game as much as Danis-Pepin. My friend keeps asking “why isn’t he using his size more?” Not every large player mimics their game like Zdeno Chara. But to Danis’ credit, he’s developed his method of playing so much this season. He’s protective of the net, quicker to get to the puck and yeah, he pushes his 6’ 7” height around much more than he used to. I’ve seen him in one fight with a confused Colorado Eagle player who challenged him, not sure why, the dude was nearly a foot shorter. The lesser guy lost, badly. He’s also a good puck handler, one of the better we have on defense and that makes him very useful close to the crease.

#26 – CHRISTIAN OUELLET – Forward

Christian Ouellet (no relation to Dean Ouellet) was part of the trade to Gwinnett and has only played a couple games. He’s fast and smooth and I want to wait to see him in action more before I write about him.

#29 – TAYLOR NELSON – Goalie

With Thomas Heemskerk’s appendectomy, Nelson had to fill in as the main goaltender. He has done so better than anyone could have expected. He’s done a great job. Sure, there have been a few burps, but, nothing out of the usual, and this was before the big trade. Before, when he was the back-up goalie, he only had a couple chances to fill in and his play was spotty. But now, with some great games in the win column, his confidence should be stronger than ever, which, more than nearly anything else, is needed in a great goalie.

#30 – BRYAN HINCE – Goalie

If you’re a goalie and you wear #30, you have a lot to live up to. At least you do in my eyes. Hince was brought in as a back-up for Nelson while Heemskerk was out. He’s done a good job at this. We’ve only needed him in a couple games, but when we did, he succeeded.

#32 – HANS BENSON – Left Wing (Alternate Captain)

Benson wasn’t playing for most of the first half of the season. He played the first couple of games or so and then for reasons unknown, he was scratched. That’s how it goes sometimes. Well, he’s back. I’m very happy to see him. He’s a good player and adds an intimidation factor that was missed while he was away. He could be mistaken for a defenseman. The PA announcer did that at a recent game. Make no mistake, he can handle a puck. Lest you forget he can fight too, so don’t get in his face.

#33 – THOMAS HEEMSKERK – Goalie

Just before New Year’s, Heemskerk had an appendectomy. He’s been out since. I was fearful of the Bulls going without him and yes, they have missed him. Thankfully, with Nelson, they’re doing well, but I am looking forward to having our main goalie back on the ice again.

#43 – KRIS BELAN – Left Wing

Kris keeps his point count going with 17 total, 7 of which are goals. He’s an all-around great player. He can score, obviously, he can protect, he can fight. What CAN’T he do? His PIMs is 105 and I’m sure that will get much higher before season’s end.

#44 – CODY CARLSON – Defense

Taking the number and part of the place of Sacha Guimond, who was part of the big trade, Carlson is still fresh, yet has already made an impact. He’s already scored a goal in one of the two games he’s played. His style is head-on, power hockey. I can’t wait to see more from Carlson.

#45 – DEAN OUELLET – Forward

One of our two best players (Sivak being the other, see below), Ouellet’s ability to score is near legendary. His skating isn’t smooth, and it doesn’t have to be. All he has to do is set his sights on the goal and it happens. He’s the lone Bulls player to make it to the ECHL All Star game and we’re darn proud of him. Expect many more goals from this superstar!

#47 – DYLAN KING – Defense

King has always been a good defenseman. He doesn’t get a lot of points; that’s not his focus. He protects the net and stops offensive players from scoring. He has improved and even though his -12 doesn’t show it, he’s one of the better defenseman we have. And yeah, as I said in my first review, he’s a brick wall.

#49 – JORDAN CLENDENNING – Center

Clendenning continues to be a well-known and long, last name in ECHL hockey. If he’s on the ice, he’s going to let you know it. I’m glad to have him on our team; he’s very aware of puck presence, what’s needed and when, whether it be a check or a fight or extra coverage. He’s a very valuable part of the Bulls.

#91 – PETER SIVAK – Right Wing

With moves smoother than should be illegal, Sivak, can weave the puck past a series of opponents. His skating ability comes from years of European experience. He’s just getting better and better. He’s on a six-game scoring streak and I don’t ever want it to end!

The Bulls have three tough games against the Conference leaders, the Alaska Aces up north. Games start tomorrow 8pm Pacific time. Listen at www.knbr.com The first game back at the Barn is January 31^st with Thirsty Thursday and plenty of drink specials!

GO BULLS!

GREAT DAY FOR THE BAY!

One year ago, I met Coach Curcio and the Bulls new mascot Rawhide at Park 77 Bar in the Park Merced area on San Francisco. Curcio talked about the new hockey team he was bringing to San Francisco. I had been reading and hearing about it since July of the previous year, 2011, but this was the first time I got to hear about it from the man himself.

Warm Ups

It was also the day the Forty Niners lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. On that rainy, dreary, and very cold day, the Giants dashed all hopes for the Niners. Sometimes good things come from not-so-good things, and the dreams of having a San Francisco hockey team came closer to reality that day.

At noon today, I was on BART going to Castro Valley to meet other SF Bull devotees ready to watch the Bulls take on the Thunder in Stockton in the last of a three-game series. Each team had won one game so this was the deciding and most important contest.

Rob Kwiet

As we waited in line to get in to the shiny and nice Stockton Arena, (we love the Cow Palace, but let’s face it; it’s “rustic”), the Forty Niners game was ending. The Niners WON and would go to the SUPERBOWL!!!! WOOHOO!!! So one year made all the difference. It was a beautiful day, almost warm, and the wonderful 49ers were off to New Orleans. We were all smiling, regardless of whether we followed football or not, it was good news for the Bay Area and for all of Northern California. It brought Bulls fans and Thunder fans together.

Jonathan Lessard

There were about 10 of us in the group. It was a great, energetic group, complete in our orange jerseys and t-shirts. We first went to the warm up area to get pictures and let the team know we were there to support them. How could they NOT know with our loud voices and bright orange colors?

Our seats were also really nice, and to their credit, the Thunder fans were very cool. It was on a Sunday, Family Day and much more sedate than what I've heard about Friday night games anyway. 

Kris Belan

The Thunder are a good team. Playing against them is not easy. But the Bulls were the better team today. The team was switched on. They communicated successfully, were well prepared, and on those rare occasions when the refs called penalties, they got through the PKs without giving away any points. I don’t have any stats, but if the last two games are any indication, the Bulls will not be last in the Penalty Kill much longer. They’ve been doing an excellent job at getting through them without any damage. Much of the credit has to go to Scot Langdon, Rob Kwiet and Cody Carlson. The team suffers without Langdon, his ability to fight off attacking forwards is missed greatly when not there. Kwiet is such a leader, especially at the set-up. He has a grace, even in the face of seeming chaos, he can settle down the lines until they get into the right positions, and Cody has some greatly needed energy on the defense that the team lost with the Guimond trade. But all the defensemen have been doing well in the last two games.

Scrimmage right in front of us!

And please, keep Dean Ouellet and Peter Sivak skating together! They skate so well in one line. Peter kept his goals scored to six games. He also saluted us Bulls fans as he skated past!!! With the addition of Galiardi or Trudeau, that line may be the best one the Bulls have. Lessard could potentially be strong enough to carry another line with Tuckerman, they seem to skate in a similar fashion; smash em up hockey! In fact, today Lessard fought and pounded his opponent into the ice in five seconds!

Once again Taylor Nelson did an outstanding job at the net.

The Bulls scored quickly and often. Even the lack of penalty calling didn’t stop their goal drives. Tuckerman was given a free shot, which unfortunately, he missed, but the score was already 5-1 at that point.

Here’s the scoring:

1^st Period: Rylan Galiardi scores 1-0, Peter Sivak scores 2-0

2^nd Period: Berglund (Stockton) 2-1, Sebastien Trudeau 3-1, Cody Carlson 4-1

3^rd Period: Alex Tuckerman 5-1, O'Neill scores 5-2

I would love to make a trip like this again during the season and hopefully do this a lot more next season!

The Go Bulls Gang

 Also happening today, the Sharks won their first game of the short season against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, beating them 4-1. A great start for the Sharks!!!

There is no Bulls Weekly until Feb 20^th and the next Bulls home game is January 31^st against Ontario, which is a 50% off beer night!

GO NINERS! GO SHARKS!

GO BULLS!

BULLS SNAP LOSING STREAK WITH WIN OVER THUNDER

It was Orange Cap Giveaway Night at the Barn, so there was a sea of orange heads watching this great game last night. The Bulls were on fire in an exciting and fast game against Stockton. Nothing was easy in this battle, but the Boys got us a great win, with a final score of 5-2, that included an empty net goal in the last minute.

Peter Sivak, robbed of a place in the All-Star game, got the first goal of the game. This is his fifth game in a row he has scored. He is indeed on fire! Jonathan Lessard got the second goal, his first professional goal and his first as a San Francisco Bull. Kris Belan scored the third goal of the game.

Alex Tuckerman in the foreground Simon Danis-Pepin in the background

Jordan Morrison

The game was not without some bad refereeing. Dean Ouellet was called four minutes for high sticking, which was sheer nonsense. And, even though the team is last in the PKs, they held off all of them last night, which is something they should be very happy about. Then, in the Third Period, Stockton hit the puck which dinged the Bulls goal post. It NEVER went in! A few minutes later, the refs conferred and called it a goal! We in the stands didn’t really know what was going on because it was never explained over the PA. So we looked at each other and wondered what happened.

Anyway, it was a moot point minutes later when Belan scored and cemented our win.

It was exciting seeing the new guys playing. I have been very impressed with Jonathan Lessard especially. I also liked watching Christian Ouellet and Rylan Galiardi.

Also, I want to add how proud I am of Taylor Nelson's goaltending. He did a fantastic job last night. Also, not to be forgotten, Rob Kwiet has stepped up as a true leader in defense.

The two teams face each other in a third game in Stockton this afternoon. I’ll be going to this game with a few members of the Matadors Club. Because the Forty Niners playoff game is a few hours beforehand, we’ll be listening to it on the radio on the way up.

With the energy from last night’s victory, the team can win today. Listen to the game online at www.knbr.com

After today, the ECHL takes a break for the All-Star game then the Bulls have three grueling games against the Alaska Aces in Alaska starting next weekend.

GO 49ers! GO BULLS!

BULLS WEEKLY WITH ALL-STAR DEAN OUELLET

The ECHL All-Star game takes place in Loveland, Colorado January 22nd and 23rd. The All-Star team, made up of the best in the ECHL will take on the host team, the Colorado Eagles in a fun and competitive game. Along with the game, there will be the skill challenges such as shooting efficiency, skating speed and a few others.

Dean Ouellet & Jason Lockhart

The only Bulls member to be chosen to the All-Star game was Dean Ouellet. I personally think that Peter Sivak should have also been chosen, but as a new team, I guess that's the way it goes. We'll have more next year. 

At last night's Bulls Weekly, held at Pedro's Cantina, Jason's guest was Mr. Ouellet, who being very friendly and fun made for a great show. 

We at THE BULLS SHEET hope Dean has an awesome time in Loveland. Enjoy every moment of it! 

Because of the hectic game schedule, there won't be another Bulls Weekly until February 20th. 

Remember, the Bulls play three games against the Stockton Thunder this weekend. First, tonight in Stockton, then Saturday at the Barn, so I hope you'll be there. Then the team goes back to Stockton Sunday for the final round. I'll be in Cowtown for that game, so if you see me, say hi!

GO BULLS!

Yours Truly with Dean & Jason

 

IT’S THE TEAM NAME ON THE FRONT….

Not the player number on the back…..

The NHL Lockout caused havoc for every team. I don’t care if you’re concern only goes as far as the Bulls, it affects EVERY team, so if you care about the Bulls, you should care how the aftermath of the lockout affects every team in not just the ECHL, but the AHL. Because, let me tell you, the changes will help and or hurt every hockey team in the minors.

Just today there were more changes. I for one am VERY happy we have a pro-active coach and management team! I’ve never been pleased with the lassez-faire attitude of some hockey teams, content to just ride things through, regardless of whether games are won or lost.

Coach Curcio and company traded Captain Justin Bowers and top Defenseman Sacha Guimond to Gwinnett Gladiators for three young guns: Cody Carlson, Ryland Galiardi and Christian Ouellet. Same last name, I know, but no relation that I know of. But that is TJ Galiardi of the Sharks' brother! And while this will make all of us sad to lose them, it should also make us excited to have some young, good players to give us a not only the change to stay OUT of the basement and get INTO the playoffs.

The reality is Guimond will probably not come back to San Francisco and instead stay in Worcester with the Sharks and Bowers, while being a great player is not as young or as speedy as we need.

And if you’re crying why couldn’t we trade someone else? You have to trade quality if you’re going to get quality. It’s nice to see Curcio isn’t afraid to make a good trade. He knows what the team needs and he’s looking far more forward than most fans. He knows that for the team to survive in San Francisco, it is vital that we make the playoffs and not wind up last.

This should be apparent to fans, but unfortunately, I see it is not. I see that to many, having their favorite players is the most important thing, even if it means losing every game to keep them.

WAIT!!!! THINK ABOUT THIS PLEASE!!!

If you fans want the Bulls to stay in San Francisco, if you want a team to root for, to go to games, to have fun enjoying, then people must attend games. They will NOT come to games if the team continues to lose and falls behind Bakersfield as the worst team in the West. Be realistic! This could easily happen, especially if management did not make any trades and allowed the continued slide downwards. The Condors are getting better. They’re rising phenomenally quickly. Curcio saw this and reacted just as quickly. Thank goodness he did and didn’t wait for us to lose six or ten games or until it was too late.

If you are more used to following an NHL team, then you need to pick up the pace. Player changes happen much faster here. It’s the way it is. I did write in the beginning of the season that the minor leagues switch members more often. This is a fact and will always be so. If you can’t handle that, then tennis is nice.  

I hope you will all welcome the new guys to the team and to San Francisco. Root for the team, hand out team calendars, talk about the Bulls to everyone you know and don’t know, and have faith and trust in Curcio; he knows what he’s doing.

Remember, Bulls Weekly is this Thursday, January 17^th, 6pm at Pedros. Next home game is Saturday the 19^th against Stockton. And check out the Bulls new ad, it’s way cool!

GO BULLS!!!

BULLS LOSE TO THE CONDORS & THE BULLS SHEET SALUTES THE 49ERS!!!

Long title, I know, but my blog today serves two purposes so I'll get straight into it. First, let's take care of business.

Today's matinee was against the once-lowly Bakersfield Condors. But they are lowly no more. This is a new Condors hockey team. They're tough, strong and fast. They have many new players and the chemistry between players works great. They've won their last few games and the Bulls had better watch their backs because this last place team is knocking on their door.

We really needed to win today's game and we nearly tied it in the last period. Instead, we lost 4-2. It was a great game, exciting to watch, fast with some great plays and good scoring, but in the end the Condors outplayed us.

The Bulls have new players as well as I've previously written about. But is it enough? I'm not so sure. We got the chance to see the new guys play today. I was most impressed first with Collin Reddin. The guy can skate! He had some nice flow going down the ice, reminding me of Tarasov who we miss so badly right now. Jonathan Lessard I also really like. He's a tough, gritty player, more in the style of Alex Tuckerman. He's not afraid to make a good hit when needed or plunge through a line with the puck.

Rob Kwiet is also standing out as a leader on the defense. He's grown so much since joining the Bulls, and we really need him and the rest of the defense to protect the net. This was the first game goal tender Taylor Nelson was pulled, after giving away two goals. The first goal wasn't his fault. The defense allowed a puck to get past them, so the help wasn't there for him, but on the second goal perhaps Nelson didn't react quickly enough. Whatever the case, Coach Curcio felt the need to change goalies and it was our first chance to see alternate goalie Bryan Hince, who, with the exception of one early goal, held the net well.

The last two games have been very close, so it's only a matter of time until the team pulls it all together. Do they need a couple more players to do this? It wouldn't hurt. But we'll see what the Coach does. I'm sure he'll think of something.

Now there's a couple issues I have to address and I hope the Bulls management reads this. The first is the in-game announcer. Is he a friend of someone? A relative of the team owner? Why is he there? He mispronounces players' names, forgets what team the Bulls are playing, doesn't read penalties, gets players positions wrong; the guy can't get through a game without messing up a dozen times. He's an embarrassment, to be honest. Sorry to be so blunt, but if there's an ongoing complaint I get from people, it is him. I'm sure there's a dozen people more qualified who could do his job. He's had his fun for four months, now can we please get someone who knows how to announce hockey games, pretty please???

The second problem only started two games ago. Whoever is in charge of getting the visiting team ready either needs a new watch or we need a new person doing that job. It's INEXCUSABLE that the visiting team is NOT on the ice for the singing of the National Anthem. Tonight, they were barely on the ice on time, so either wait and make sure they are ready, or get them prepared earlier.


OK, business is done. Now for the fun part....because I love our San Francisco sports teams and I've been a San Francisco 49er fan my entire life, I'm VERY happy they beat Green Bay yesterday. I thought the BULLS SHEET would have a tribute to this great football team by showing pictures of Bulls fans Kaepernicking! What is Kaepernicking? Exactly what 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is doing below! So, without further ado, here is a collection of SF Bulls fans KAEPERNICKING!!!

Don't forget! Bulls Weekly is Thursday, January 17th, 6pm at Pedros. Next home game is January 19th versus Stockton. There is NO GAME on the 16th!

GO 49ers! GO BULLS!!!!

BULLS SIGNING AT SERRAMONTE SHOPPING MALL

The Bulls did a public signing at Serramonte Mall in Daly City today. Here's some pictures from the event. This is a quickie blog today as the FORTY Freakin NINER game is in about 40 minutes and I'm too stoked to write anything!!!

The team plays the Bakersfield Condors at 2:15pm tomorrow, Sunday, hope to see you there!

Enjoy the photos and GO 49ers! GO BULLS!!!

Signing Line 

Line of anxious fans moved quickly 

Keep those pens handy, Guys! 

The new guys Colin Reddin & Joe Tolles

Jonathan Lessard

Dean Ouellet & Jordan Morrison

Taylor Nelson

Alex Tuckerman

Justin Bowers

Scott Langdon, Dylan King & Peter Sivak

Peter Sivak