The Colts Stampede into Round 2!

The latest on the Colts.

Round 2 will begin on Thursday night.

The Colts defeated Brampton in all six games in the regular season, out-scoring their division rivals 23-10.

ROUND 2 SCHEDULE

Game 1 Brampton @ Barrie, Thursday, April 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 Barrie @ Brampton, Sunday, April 4th, 2:00 p.m.
Game 3 Brampton @ Barrie, Monday, April 5th, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4 Barrie @ Brampton, Wednesday, April 7th, 7:00 p.m.
Game 5 Brampton @ Barrie, Friday, April 9th, 7:30 p.m.
Game 6 Barrie @ Brampton, Sunday, April 11th, 2:00 p.m.
Game 7 Brampton @ Barrie, Monday, April 12th, 7:30 p.m.

Colts play Thursday - New Leaf! - UPDATED

The Colts continue to wait;

The Barrie Colts will find out tonight who their opponent for the second round of the playoffs will be. Kingston and Brampton play a big game 7 this evening... with the winner facing Barrie.

A New Leaf;

Following last year's trend, Brian Burke has secured a College Player. Brayden Irwin was signed to a two-year entry-level contract.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward led his NCAA team with 34 points. Irwin was set to practice with the club today, and lace-up for the team later this week.

Irwin went to the same college (Vermont) as Viktor Stalberg, and even played on the same line. We will have to see whether the chemistry carries over to the NHL game!

Update;

I have found a little more info on Irwin's game.

Although he is a big guy, Brayden's game is not that of a fighter. He is great on the boards, and has decent hands for a guy his size.

Some similarities have been drawn between Irwin and Hanson, although Irwin seems to me more like a Blake Wheeler type player. Big body that will score a few goals as well.

Brian Burke has pegged the new acquisition as a top 6 forward, but only time will tell if he fits into that role, or sits on the 3rd/4th line with Hanson and Mitchell.

Some Awards for the Colts!

Every year, the coaches of the OHL vote on 12 different categories of who are some of the best players in the league... and the results are in!

A few notes...
The number in the brackets are the votes awarded.
Red are Barrie Colts.
Blue are Leaf prospects. There are not many!


EASTERN CONFERENCE

Most Underrated Player
Ken Peroff, Brampton (23)
Luke Judson, Belleville (19)
Andrew Agozzino, Niagara (18)

Most Improved Player
Christian Thomas, Oshawa (30)
Cody Lindsay, Ottawa (25)
Luke Judson, Belleville (13)

Smartest Player
Cody Hodgson, Brampton (23)
Alex Pietrangelo, Barrie (22)
Cameron Gaunce, Mississauga (15)?

Hardest Worker
Alex Friesen, Niagara (21)
Kyle Clifford, Barrie (19)
Casey Cizikas, Mississauga (14)

Best Playmaker
Luke Pither, Barrie (41)
Ryan Spooner, Peterborough (16)
Cameron Gaunce, Mississauga tied Calvin de Haan, Oshawa, tied Cody Lindsay, Ottawa

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area
Bryan Cameron, Barrie (40)
Christian Thomas, Oshawa (17)
Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa (12)

Best Skater
Shawn Lalonde, Belleville (32)
Alex Hutchings, Barrie (27)
Scott Tanski, Brampton (12)

Best Shot
Bryan Cameron, Barrie (34)
Christian Thomas, Oshawa (19)
Cody Hodgson, Brampton (13)

Hardest Shot
Erik Gudbranson, Kingston (24)
Christian Thomas, Oshawa (22)
Cody Hodgson, Brampton (13)

Best Stickhandler
Alexander Burmistrov, Barrie (35)
Cody Hodgson, Brampton (17)
Christian Thomas, Oshawa tied Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa tied Ryan Spooner, Peterborough

Best on Face-Offs
Alex Friesen, Niagara (27)
Casey Cizikas, Mississauga (22)
Cody Lindsay, Ottawa (10)

Best Body Checker
Matt Clark, Brampton (39)
Zac Rinaldo, Barrie (13)
Luke Judson, Belleville (11)

Best Defensive Forward
Kyle Clifford, Barrie (24)
Thomas Nesbitt, Ottawa (21)
Dustin Ekelman, Mississauga (16)

Best Penalty Killer
Alex Hutchings, Barrie (36)
Luke Judson, Belleville (16)
Thomas Stajan, Brampton (15)

Best Offensive Defenceman
Nick Crawford, Barrie (27)
Shawn Lalonde, Belleville (25)
Calvin de Haan, Oshawa (18)

Best Defensive Defenceman
Matt Clark, Brampton (36)
Dalton Prout, Barrie (20)
Brett Flemming, Mississauga (12)



Western Conference:

Most Underrated Player
AJ Jenks, Plymouth (24)
Justin Shugg, Windsor (21)
Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound (20)

Most Improved Player
Greg McKegg, Erie (23)
Josh Shalla, Saginaw (19)
Brett Thompson, Sault Ste. Marie (15)

Smartest Player
Tyler Seguin, Plymouth (24)
Ryan Ellis, Windsor (23)
Jeff Skinner, Kitchener (14)

Hardest Worker
Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound (23)
Eric Wellwood, Windsor (15)
Jordan Szwarz, Saginaw (14)

Best Playmaker
Tyler Seguin, Plymouth (30)
Jordan Skellett, Saginaw (16)
Joey Hishon, Owen Sound (15)

Most Dangerous in the Goal Area
Taylor Hall, Windsor (27)
Jeremy Morin, Kitchener tied Tyler Seguin, Plymouth (22)
Taylor Beck, Guelph (16)

Best Skater
Taylor Hall, Windsor (39)
John Moore, Kitchener (18)
Nazem Kadri, London (14)

Best Shot
Ryan Ellis, Windsor (29)
Jeremy Morin, Kitchener (28)
Peter Holland, Guelph (11)

Hardest Shot
Jacob Muzzin, Sault Ste. Marie (37)
Ryan Ellis, Windsor (20)
Sam Lofquist, Guelph (10)

Best Stickhandler
Nazem Kadri, London (33)
Tyler Seguin, Plymouth (26)
Michael Latta, Guelph (8)

Best on Face-Offs
AJ Jenks, Plymouth (31)
Scott Timmins, Windsor (24)
Tyler Murovich, Saginaw (17)

Best Body Checker
Leigh Salters, London tied Jacob Muzzin, Sault Ste. Marie (20)
Mike Halmo, Owen Sound (18)
Marc Cantin, Windsor (10)

Best Defensive Forward
Scott Timmins, Windsor (41)
Tyler Murovich, Saginaw (27)
Joe Gaynor, Plymouth (7)

Best Penalty Killer
Scott Timmins, Windsor (35)
Joe Gaynor, Plymouth (21)
Garrett Hunter, London (8)

Best Offensive Defenceman
Ryan Ellis, Windsor (39)
Jacob Muzzin, Sault Ste. Marie (23)
Steven Tarasuk, London (16)

Best Defensive Defenceman
Jacob Muzzin, Sault Ste. Marie (26)
Dan Kelly, Kitchener (25)
Leo Jenner, Plymouth (15)

Tonight's game + was the Race Card played?

Digging into Sunday's suspensions, allegations are coming out about racism on the ice...

Sudbury Wolves forward Kain Allicock is accusing Colts forward Stefan Della Rovere of using racial slurs. The OHL says they have no proof of any racial comments.

Allicock

Here is what the Colts had to day;

"It has been reported by some media outlets, on both the regional and national level, that a racial slur by Della Rovere brought on the attack. In fact, there is no foundation that any type of racial comment was made. It is the position of the Barrie Colts that no such comment was ever made and the incident was one of frustration during a heated game.

“We are concerned that some media have chosen to report on the incident without any foundation of fact. We are talking about a young man’s reputation and career here,” stated Jim Payetta, Co-owner of the Barrie Colts.

“Any playoff hockey game can get heated and there is always a certain level of talk on the ice between opposing players. Stefan Della Rovere is not only a top quality player; he is a top quality person who has represented the Barrie Colts and our country well, in two appearances at the World Junior Tournament. He receives lots of media attention and always handles himself in a professional manner. It is unfortunate that some sensationalism has been applied to the incident in question. The league has ruled on the issues of the game, resulting in suspensions to Staal and Allicock of Sudbury and our player, Zac Rinaldo. We accept the leagues rulings and now want to focus on the rest of the series and the rest of the playoffs,” added Payetta. "


Game 4 tonight!

The skinny; Sudbury hosts Barrie. Game time is 7:30. BAR Zac Rinaldo, SBY Kain Allicock, and SBY Jared Staal are suspended and will not play.

The game will be on Rogers TV (check your local listing)

Rinaldo's hit!

Here is a clip of Rinaldo's hit from Sudbury...

Do you think it is worthy of a 12 game suspension?

Suspensions! - UPDATED

After a fight filled game on Sunday... here is the latest news from the OHL....

I will add more info as it becomes available...

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of its review of separate incidents which occurred in the game played in Barrie on the 21st of March, 2010 involving the Colts and the visiting Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club.

Player Zac Rinaldo:

The incident reviewed was a 5 minute major and game misconduct for interference assessed to player Zac Rinaldo of the Barrie Colts Hockey Club.

In reviewing the incident, it is the position of the League that a player must at all times respect his opponent, especially when the opposition player is in a vulnerable position on the ice.

As a result of his actions, player Zac Rinaldo shall be suspended for twelve (12) games.

Rinaldo received a five-minute interference major and a game misconduct for a hit on Wolves forward Marcus Foligno on Sunday.

Player Jared Staal:

The incident reviewed was a bullying action by player Jared Staal of the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club and his involvement with player Alexander Burmistrov of the Barrie Colts Hockey Club.

As a result of his actions, player Jared Staal shall be suspended for five (5) games.

Staal received slashing and cross-checking minors following his stickwork on Colts forward Alexander Burmistrov on Sunday.

Player Kain Allicock:

The incident reviewed was a game misconduct assessed to player Kain Allicock of the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club for his bullying actions.

As a result of his actions, player Kain Allicock shall be suspended for five (5) games.

Allicock jumped Colts captain Stefan Della Rovere in the third period and was assessed seven minutes in penalties, including two game misconducts, for being the aggressor in a fight and for abuse of official.

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/news-s10840

Cameron is Player of the Week!

Congrats to Bryan Cameron!

The Barrie Colts forward has been named player of the week....

He has 5 goals and 3 assists in Barrie's first round playoff series versus Sudbury...

Barrie Colts Playoffs

Watch this blog for updates on the Barrie Colts!

The OHL team is currently up 3-games-to none in the first round series vs Sudbury.

I will be following the Colts through the playoffs... and try to throw a blog up before the games!

Kyle

Shoe is in!

The Leafs face New Jersey tonight... and the word on the street is that Fredrik Sjostrom will be back in the lineup.

Freddie is an interesting player. He was a first round pick (11th overall in 2001). Touted as a speedy winger, with good hands, he never really put it together in the NHL.

He reminds me of a couple other players the Leafs gave up on...

I have really liked his game, since the putting on the Blue and White. He is very quick, and is great on the Penalty Kill.

Notes for Tonight:

Brodeur is in net for the Devils, Giggy for the Leafs.

D Paul Martin returned from injury last night, and will play again tonight for the Devils.

Quick Hit - Drop the Gloves!

Another Battle of Ontario tonight

A couple of changes for the Sens... Chris Campoli and Nick Foligno will be in.. Mike Fisher and Filip Kuba are out with injuries (I am guessing one is upper body, and one is lower body!)

Fight night?

And of course, the Battle of Ontario wouldn't be complete without the "Orr vs. Carkner" billing. Here is how it has gone so far this season...

By my count... Orr has won 3/4 fights.

The Champ!

March 6th WINNER: ORR




Feb 6th WINNER: ORR




Dec 14th WINNER: CARKNER




Nov 17th WINNER: ORR




For a full list of Orr's fights... check out http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1483/fightcard/reg2010

Stempniak

Many players seem to have their best years, either before they come, or once they leave Toronto.

For example, Tukka Rask, Brad Boyes, Freddy Modin, Aki Berg. Even Big Nik Antropov is doing well in Atlanta. The list could go on and on.

But should we be adding Lee Stempniak to that list?



He was just traded to Phoenix, but is already lighting it up!

3 games played, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, and a plus 6!

Pro-rate that for a season it makes 82 goals, 21 assists, 103 points, plus 164 (ok, maybe he wouldn't hit these stats...)

This is a player that scored 27 goals in 06/07.


Did we give up on Lee too soon?

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Buds play Tampa Bay tonight... watch for Stamkos he has been on fire lately. A GTA native, who I am sure will have friends/family in the stands.

I predict a hat trick!

A baby Stamkos!

Playoff Race

Well... the Leafs may be out of the playoffs, but there is still a good race for the last few playoff positions in the East.

A fellow blogger will be tracking the teams... check it out here.

PLAYOFF TRACKER!

It is a good way to see who may make that 8th spot!

Leaf Fans - They're Everywhere!

We all know that the Toronto Maple Leafs are a very popular team.

Any time the Maple Leafs are on the road, a host of fans appear in Blue and White. "Go Leafs Go" echos through the arena.

But how far across this sphere we call Earth does Leaf Nation stretch?

A friend of mine is currently touring Asia... While walking the streets of Vietnam she met this friendly character.

Thanks Dawn for the picture!

That's right. Leaf fans are even found in Vietnam.

Granted, this guy has likely never seen the Leafs play (or any hockey team for that matter), but he is a welcomed member of Leafs Nation none the less.

GO LEAFS GO!

Trade Deadline = Lame = A long couple of weeks...

Well.... that was lame.

A lot of players moved this trade deadline day.... most of them being of 3rd line/4th line/AHL quality.

No big names. No blockbusters. Just a lot of TV analysts (ok, Internet analysts as well) killing time.

---

Tonight's game is in Boston. Sounds like Caputi, who the Leafs got for Poni, will play with Mitchell and Hanson.

Kulemin will be on the top line with Kessel and Bozak.

After trading away Stempniak and Poni , it is time for some of the young guys to step up and provide offence (the pair provided a large chunk of our goal scoring, with 34 goals and 38 assists).

Watch for Kulemin to score more often, as he steps into Poni's position on the first line.

The Hanson (Height: 6-3 Weight: 202lbs), Mitchell (Height: 6-1 Weight: 182lbs) and Caputi (Height: 6-2 Weight: 184lbs) line could be fun to watch, as all three are big guys that like to cycle the puck, and drive to the net!
---

By the way Calgary.... Toskala, Stajan, White, Hagman, Mayers.... We tried that combination. It didn't work. Thanks for Phaneuf!

Trade Updates

For your trade deadline updates... check the Blog below!

I will be updating it as the Leaf deals happen!

Subscribe to the RSS feed for the quickest updates!

UPDATED Your pre-trade Deadline TML Guide

Updated

Poni Traded - For Martin Skoula and forward Luca Caputi.
Martin Skoula traded to New Jersey for a late pick... 5th round?
Stempniak sent to Phoenix for a 4th and a 7th.

Are you ready? It is going to be an exciting couple of hours.

The trade deadline is today (March 3rd) at 3pm, and it looks like Brian Burke is going to be a busy man.

There are several players in the Blue and White that are on the chopping block... going to the highest bidder.

The good news is that it is a sellers market. A lot of teams are still in the playoff hunt, and looking for something to push them over the edge.

Ponikarovsky - TRADED

Ponikarovsky was sent to Pittsburgh for defenceman Martin Skoula and forward Luca Caputi.

Skoula is only a salary dump, to allow Pittsburgh to fit Ponikarovsky under the cap. He has been traded to New Jersey.

Luca Caputi is the big piece here. He is 21 years old, and was playing in the AHL. His last year in the OHL(07/08) he had 51 goals and 60 assists. This year in the AHL, he had 23 goals, 24 assists in 54 games.

Caputi fits the "Burke Mold". A power forward type player who can get garbage goals.

The player most likely to go, is Alexei Ponikarovsky. Poni is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, making him a cheap rental player for a team looking to make a playoff push. The 6'4 220 pound Ukrainian will put up points, and is a great fit for most team's first or second line.

Rumoured destinations include Pittsburgh and Nashville, both who are looking for some secondary scoring.

I wouldn't be surprised if a bidding war drove up the price of Poni. If they are lucky, the Leafs may get a first round pick, but a second rounders is more realistic.

Lee Stempniak - TRADED

Sent to Phoenix for a 4th and a 7th round pick

Lee is also a UFA at the end of the season. Although Burke will likely move him, the price won't be as high as Poni.

Remember, this is a player we gave up to first round picks to get (Steen, and Coliacovo).

Stempniak could garner a second round pick, but a 3rd is more likely. He will provide some scoring depth as a third/second liner.

Garnet Exelby/Jeff Finger

Martin Skoula has been traded to New Jersey... Sounds like a 5th round pick back.

Exelby and Finger are the victims of a numbers game. The Leafs have too many defence men... meaning someone needs to go. Earlier in the season Exelby had requested a trade, to a team where he can receive more ice time. Finger could also go, but with a more expensive contract, he may be harder to move.

Either could go, but I wouldn't expect a significant return.

Wayne Primeau

A veteran player that can play on your fourth, or third line. He could even jump to the second line if injuries occur.

Primeau may get a 3rd round pick.

Tomas Kaberle

Don't hold your breath. Kaberle may be moved, but I expect it won't happen until the season is over, and Kaberle's no trade clause is lifted.



I will keep you update on any trades that happen over the next few hours... so keep checking back, or subscribe to my RSS feed!

The Legend of Sid the Kid and Olympic Thoughts

Post Game Analysis

What a game!

A couple of players really stood out. Toews seemed to be everywhere on the ice. Creating chances, backchecking. Between Toews and Kane, adding Seabrook and Keith, I can see why Chicago is one of the top teams in the west!

Nash also played extremely well. Not only did he have several great chances offensively, but was also able to play the shut-down game as Canada got the lead (Hitchcock's fingerprints all over that one).

On to Crosby

Time to retire Sid. Stanley Cup, and Olympic Gold Medal in less than a year! Congratulations!

But does anyone else think he is a little over-rated?

Crosby was invisible for most of this game, and really most of the tournament. A couple of offensive flashes, a couple of defensive plays, and a couple of shoot out goals.

Nash was better. Toews was better. The San Jose line (most games) was better. I would even say Iginla was better.

BUT THE LEGEND OF CROSBY GROWS.

Everyone will remember this goal, not his lacklustre performance.

Much like everyone will remember Crosby hoisting the Stanley Cup, but not Sid the Kid (or Sid the Baby) sitting on the bench, injured for most of the game (I am sure he was crying, but I may have made that up). Malkin was the real star of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup run....

But the Media spotlight will shine on... Crosby will continue to be the face of the new NHL... And Gary Bettman will continue to sit diabolically behind the scenes...

Final Olympic Leafs Stats

Just a quick note...


Here are the FINAL stats for Leaf players in the Olympics...

Nothing fantastic. Kessel (on a Silver Medal winning team) is really the only player of note.

Although have a look at Kaberle's shot total. Where are these shots for the Leafs?



*For those of you who don't know the name Korbinian Holzer, he is a Leafs prospect in Germany.