GONZO HOCKEY

One of hardest things for hockey fans to get used to in the ECHL is the constant shuffling of players. As soon as you like a player, perhaps even meet them at a public function and admire the way they play the game, they’re traded for a known or even an unknown reason and the fan is left in the dust.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this feeling. My favorite player was traded by the Bulls today. The Bulls have a lot of outstanding players. Many fan favorites are Team Captain Scott Langdon, Peter Sivak or Dean Ouellet. All for great reasons. They’re great players and incredible guys.

Alex Tuckerman was my very favorite Bulls player. I remember him being a constant scratch at the beginning of the season, and working his way onto a regular spot in the lineup. When he broke into the top line, I was so happy and proud of him.

So it’s very disappointing to hear today that he was traded, along with Martin Lee, to the Utah Grizzlies for future consideration, Calgary Flames prospect Bryan Cameron.

(photo courtesy of the SF Bulls)

First, let me say I know the team has very good reasons for doing this and are doing it for the betterment of the team. I support the Bulls and I have faith that this will help them. But, that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.  

Some players have distinct styles of skating. Eastern Europeans tend to skate so cleanly, with such grace and agility, it looks as if they’re flying on the ice. Tuckerman’s skating is the exact opposite. He’s a very fast skater, but he charges the ice, and if you get in his way, too bad for you he’ll take you into the net with him! That’s why I named his skating style Gonzo Hockey. There’s no other way to describe it.   

With the Matadors Club, I had the chance of sharing a spot next to him at a dinner last November we held for the players and I’ve been able to chat with him a few times since. Alex has always been a terrific guy to fans and a great player.

This is only the first step in what I hope to be for him a long professional hockey career. There is much more for him to learn and many more horizons to meet. I wish him the very best in his hockey career and know that so much awaits him; I look forward to reading more about his play in the weeks and seasons to come.

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Next two games start Friday in Boise against the Idaho Steelheads. New player Cameron will join the team for these games. Let’s see what he can do.

GO BULLS!

BULLS BEATEN BY STOCKTON BUT WELCOME DOGS TO THE BARN

In the 60s, The Big Valley put Stockton on the map. More recently, Sons of Anarchy has done the same thing. Not in a positive way, like the Big Valley, but in a violent, nasty, murderous way. It’s a great show, I do watch it, but it certainly does not show the San Joaquin Valley in the best light. The Stockton Thunder even use a modified version of the SofA logo in their game introduction. I have no idea why they would want to associate themselves with a television show about a drug dealing, murdering biker gang, but there you have it.

Downtown Stockton

The Stockton Thunder have been around as a team for eight years. They started in 2005 and according to the team’s website, didn’t even win a game for the first two weeks. . ("Two weeks later, Stockton got another landmark: its first win in team history.") http://www.stocktonthunder.com/history-of-the-thunder/ Also during that first season, they didn't make the playoffs. So, right off the bat the Bulls are off to a much better start than the Thunder. I say this because some Thunder fans have the tendency to be quite arrogant when it comes to how great their team is compared to the Bulls. OK, Stockton has a better record this season, true, but this is the Bulls first year and we're doing better than the Thunder did. So just wait, Valley fans, just wait...

(Photo: Ray Ahner)

Stockton swept the Bulls in a two-game series this weekend. They were ugly nasty, fight-filled games. At least the first one was.

The first game took place in Stockton and ended with a 10-man brawl where a whole line from each team was ejected from the game. The Thunder won the game 4-0. It was such an ugly game; I'll leave it at that, not much to say expect it was as ugly as a junk yard in Stockton.

Pucks & Paws (Photo: Ray Ahner)

Yesterday was Pucks and Paws day at the Barn. Fans could bring their dog to the game if they had one. This is a popular event in not only minor league hockey but baseball. The San Francisco Giants do this as well. It worked out great. Both the dogs and owners had a great time. The only glitch I noticed was one very vocal dog barked the entire game. 

(Photo: Ray Ahner)

The game itself was exciting, even though the Bulls lost 3-1. Through the 1st Period there was no score. Lots of action and the team kept it tight. But the Thunder scored first. Heemskerk did a really good job on the net, but in spite of that, couldn't stop Stockton from scoring to win the game. Jordan Morrison got one goal in the 3rd Period and San Francisco tried to make a comeback but it fell short. The Thunder scored one empty netter and the lid was closed.

Thomas Heemskerk (Photo: Ray Ahner)

Even with the loss it was a fun game. I thank my friend Ray Ahner for joining me at the game. Many years ago, I published an underground metal magazine called BAST magazine for 15 years until I couldn't afford to any longer. It never made money, but I had a blast doing it. Ray did lots of photographs for it. He can usually be found in the nearest concert photopit. This was his first hockey shoot but I know it won't be his last. Thanks for the great pics! Check out his website at: www.raymondahner.com

The Bulls go on a long road trip starting February 22nd with two games in Boise, Idaho. If you remember, they beat the Steelheads the last time these two teams played, so hopefully, they'll do it again!

GO BULLS!

BULLS PRIVATE IDAHO

It’s 639 miles from San Francisco to Boise, Idaho. At 60 miles per hour, it’s about a 10½ ride. Given that there will probably be a stop or two and if you’re riding a fully loaded bus with your teammates, once that big bus hits the mountainous elevation, it will slow down a bit, so let’s say about 12 hours. That’s a long time to spend on a bus. You get to know your mates really well on a trip like that. You get to know who has holes in their socks, who’s a chocolate fiend and who snores the loudest. But you also become closer as a group, especially if the ride back includes an amazing come-from-behind-win.

Boise, Idaho

The Bulls played two games against the Idaho Steelheads. Idaho is a great team. They are fast, talented and capable. At 69 points, they have the third best record in the Western Conference behind Ontario and Alaska.

The first game was a loss, 3-2, though the Bulls tried their hardest to overcome throughout the game.  New Captain Scott Langdon lead the team with the first goal of the game, but a few seconds later, Idaho scored to even it up. Then the Steelheads got another goal and were up 3-1. Jordan Morrison in the last five minutes of the game, but San Francisco wasn’t able to tie it up.

In the second game, The Steelheads scored first.  They actually scored twice, taking a 2-0 lead. But then, 59 seconds after Idaho’s second goal, Alex Tuckerman scored San Francisco’s first, making it 2-1. It was Tuckerman’s trademarked Gonzo Hockey style, fighting to get the puck past the goalie and into the net. It’s not artistic, but effective.

Idaho scored once more, but Peter Sivak also scored, making it 3-2, with the Steelheads still in the lead. In the third period, Rob Kwiet scored, tying the game. The Kwiet scored again, allowing the Bulls to lead for the first time in the game. Kris Belan snagged the puck into the net and the game was 5-3. Sivak, after a few tries, hammered the nail in the proverbial coffin with an empty-net goal, making the final score 6-3.

It was a long, tiring ride home for the team, but a happy one. Captain Langdon brought his guitar and tunes wafted from the back of the bus keeping sleepy heads positive all the way back to California.

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Michael Tam & Jason Lockhart

Because the team’s bus arrived from Boise early in the morning, it prompted a last minute Bulls Weekly at Pedro’s Cantina this evening. Jason’s guest was defenseman Michael Tam. This was a great chance to hear from a player who has spent time in both the ECHL and AHL.

I urge all of you Bulls fans to go to Bulls Weekly at Pedro’s, even if it’s only once. They’re a lot of fun. You get to listen to Jason’s broadcast and a hear from a Bulls player, as well as meet them and hang out with other Bulls fans. Plus, the food and drinks are great.    

Marlon Mendieta, Michael Tam & Arlene Empleo & the kids! 

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Next home game is Sunday, February 17th. It's also Pucks & Paws Day, where fans bring their dogs, so it should make for an interesting evening.

GO BULLS!

NEW BULLS CAPTAIN NAMED

In a move most fans knew was coming, it was announced today that defenseman Scott Langdon is the new San Francisco Bulls Captain.

Scott Langdon (pic courtesy of Amy Snow)

 I give my full support and congratulations and am very happy for him and the team. Langdon is a great player and leader. Scott has never once hesitated to step up and represent the team during a game. He’s fought any opponent when necessary, given the hardest, nastiest hits if that was what it took and went to the Sin Bin proudly if it could motivate a win. At +12 his defense record is at the top of the Bulls. According to Coach Curcio, he’s shown leadership ability since the beginning of the season. I have no doubt he’ll be a very good leader for the team at a time when they really need one.

Because Langdon is leaving his Alternate Captain status, Dean Ouellet has been chosen as the newest Alternate Captain. This is excellent and Bulls fans should be pleased. He has superb leadership qualities that will shine through.

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As I stated in Saturday’s blog, the auctions and raffles of the one-time only teal jerseys benefited charity. Two charities were involved. The money will be divided up between the San Francisco USA Hockey Association and the Oakland Bears Hockey Club.

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Also, have you seen the amazing new BLACK jerseys that will be available next season? Season ticket holders will get one and I’m hearing they will be the team’s new Third Line jerseys. This is exciting indeed! So, I can only assume they will also be available for purchase next season. Summer will be hard to get through.

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Bulls have two games in Boise with the Idaho Steelheads beginning Tuesday through Wednesday nights. As always, listen in at www.knbr.com

Note: The website says Tuesday night’s game starts at 7:10pm, but it is one hour ahead so I would tune in at 6:00pm just in case it starts an hour earlier. You wouldn’t want to miss anything.

BULLS LOSE SUNDAY GAME TO CONDORS

Today marked the second game in the Bulls-Condors series and the last day of the special Sharks Throwback series. The special jerseys were designed to honor the Sharks first two seasons at the Cow Palace. More on that in a bit. First about the game.

Dean Ouellet

San Francisco lost 4-2 to Bakersfield. Peter Sivak scored both goals for San Francisco.

The Bulls have one major problem. They're not consistent. They run hot or cold. One night they can be magnificently brilliant and the next they’re just not together. Such was this afternoon’s game. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t good enough to win. It wasn’t one player’s fault. It was a collection of miscues, lost passes and slow defense. This isn’t taking anything away from the Condors goalie Brian Stewart, who, with 40 saves, did a great job.

It was a good game for the most part. But the little things hurt the Bulls. Not taking advantage of power plays hurt the Bulls. Not protecting the net at crucial times hurt the Bulls. And communication, always the big question mark, misfired today. Noting that one player, Sivak, scored BOTH San Francisco goals shows how off they were as a team.

There was a good sized crowd for the Sunday Family Day game. I like these afternoon games. It gives everyone enough time to get home, make dinner and a good start for the week. Amy Snow, writer at Fearless in the Fog, also hosts a radio show and promotes Gong Show Gear, was visiting from Southern California this weekend and I had the chance to meet and talk with her. That was a treat! I'll post a link to her writing at the end of this blog. You do need to read it. 

Amy Snow

This was Day Two special Teal Throwback Jerseys, so the those that weren't won yesterday were up for auction today, minus two, which were raffled off. 

The special teal jerseys are nice but, no they are not the Bulls team colors. No, the Bulls are NOT changing their team colors or even thinking about it. No, the Bulls are NOT the baby Sharks. (Someone on Facebook called them that.) What a condescending name! They are their own entity who happen to be an Affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. They are NOT owned by the Sharks.

Rob Kwiet

There are so many misunderstandings caused by these jerseys that I thought it was best to write a little about them here. The jerseys were only available yesterday and today by silent auction or raffle. 

Many San Francisco Bulls fans are not San Jose Sharks fans. You can see plenty of other NHL and other league jerseys at Bulls games. I regularly see Flyers, Canadien, Kings, Bruins, to name a few, at Bulls games. I myself love the New York Rangers. It’s a huge mistake to automatically think that every Bulls fan loves the Sharks. I happen to also like the Sharks, but that doesn’t mean that everyone does. I know several who aren’t and were not excited to see the Orange & Black Bulls in teal.

The crowds this weekend were large but many were not Bulls fans. I certainly hope they weren’t there just to spend money on the teal jerseys. To think that those jerseys went to Sharks fans who don’t care about the Bulls and not to the real Bulls fans would be a shame, in my opinion. I only wish they had placed more jerseys in the raffle, rather than auctioned.

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The Bulls need to push back today’s loss and quickly. They take off on the road later tonight to Boise, Idaho, via bus travel for two games versus the Steelheads, starting Tuesday the 12^th and Wednesday the 13^th. Then it’s one of two games against the Thunder in Stockton, Saturday the 16^th and back at the Barn on Sunday the 17^th finishing the series.  

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To read Amy's great writing, go to: http://www.gongshowgear.com/blog/author/a-snow

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I hope to see you next Sunday, should be a great game!

GO BULLS!!!

BULLS TRIUMPH OVER CONDORS ON THROWBACK JERSEY NIGHT

The Bulls had complete control of tonight’s win over the Bakersfield Condors. Before a large crowd, San Francisco played the way we always want them to play, with strength, communication, great scoring and defense.

It was also the first night of their special Teal Throwback Jerseys. This was done to honor the Sharks’ first two years playing at the Cow Palace. The jerseys are being worn by the Bulls players only for the weekend and then they’ll go up for either auction or raffle. Most, except for four, I believe, will be up for auction.

Peter Sivak

I thought maybe I’d bid on Tuckerman’s jersey but then I saw the starting bids were the top bid I could afford, so it wasn’t for me, obviously. And the raffle tickets were $1.00 each, so I only bought a couple of those. The money goes to charity, I’ll have the specific organizations it goes to on my blog tomorrow, so I understand why the amounts are so high.

And to be honest, I like their normal team colors better. The teal was nice, something different, but orange, black and gold are in tribute to the SF Giants and SF 49ers. And the Bulls are a San Francisco team. In fact, I can see them doing something to honor the Giants and Niners in future seasons. Who knows?

Alex Tuckerman

After getting over my sticker shock of the silent auction, I ran into Rich & Nick who had an extra seat where they sit on the glass on the North End.

Taylor Nelson was on the net tonight and did an incredible job, making 34 saves. There were no scores in the First Period. It was a real battle, both sides pushing hard. But then in the Second, the Bulls broke it open with Rob Kwiet scoring the first goal for San Francisco. Marek Viedensky is back with the Bulls and let his presence be known by scoring the second goal in the Third Period. The Condors then got one puck past Nelson, but that was it for Bakersfield. Taylor shut it down tight. Jordan Morrison scored a third point for the Bulls and the team carried it to the end.

Face Off

Some other highlights were Kwiet’s continued defensive leadership and Alex Tuckerman’s impressive hit on a Bakersfield player in the Second Period. Tuck’s becoming a lot more aggressive in his play, being more eager to give it out, rather than take it. And this is a good thing, because he’s strong enough to make an impact. Cody Carlson also did well both on defense and assisting on goal, picking up a point.

Hans Benson, Me & Alex Tuckerman 

The two teams repeat tomorrow in an afternoon game. Puck drops at 2:15pm. Be there!

GO BULLS!!!

BULLS LOSE CLOSE ONE TO REIGN

After being down 0-3 to the Ontario Reign in Southern California, the Bulls hoofed it back to tie up the game only to lose in a Shoot Out last night, Friday, February 8^th. This was the exact opposite of Wednesday’s game and a prime example of what the team can do when they set their sights to winning.

Hans Benson had received a one-game suspension for fighting in the last five minutes of Wednesday’s game, so he was out. This is standard ECHL procedure and to be expected. Peter Sivak was also scratched due to flu-like symptoms. I only hope he’s back very soon. During the game, Jordan Clendenning and Scott Langdon ran into each other and Langdon left the game for a while, but returned, fortunately.

Dean Ouellet, Jordan Morrison and Chris Carlson all scored for the Bulls. Ouellet and Carlson were also able to score in the Shoot Out, though the Reign got one more past Taylor Nelson, who, in spite of this, did a great job.

The one thing that did drag the team down, especially in the beginning, were penalties. They simply must do a better job at disciplining themselves. Games with the Reign are always filled with emotion, so I know this isn’t always easy. The two teams dislike each other intensely. Need I say there’s more hatred towards these two teams than any rival team with the Bulls? Jonathan Lessard broke a pane of glass out with his stick in the Third Period, as an example. However, their heads have to be in the right place, and thank goodness this is the two teams final match up until the playoffs when we may be playing them again.

On the upside, they’re playing like a team once more, which is what they need to do for the remainder of the season. They won’t have any more of those nasty six-day breaks any longer; they seem to hurt more than help.

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The Bulls play two games against the Bakersfield Condors starting tonight, Saturday at the Barn. This weekend the team wear special jerseys in Sharks’ teal, which will go on auction or raffle. So be there for your chance to purchase them!

GO BULLS!