In the first game action for the 2 clubs this pre season, the Blues and Saints squared off at the MTS Iceplex before a pretty good crowd.
The Blues came out with their first shift banging anything with skates on, but the Saints were the ones who struck first on the scoreboard just 2 minutes in when Matt Hannibal tee'd one up from the point and found it's way under the arm of Blues netminder Benn Plitt to open the scoring.
The Blues answered with a pretty 2 on 1 midway through the first when Liam Bilton fed a perfect pass to Tarren Jones who made no mistake and tied the game up at one.
That was short lived as Shane Gingera would get his first of 3 on the night just 21 seconds later, and the Saints would begin to run away with it after that.
Three goals in 1:25 second span of the second put the Saints up 6-1, and when the smoke cleared at the end of the night, the Saints skated away with a 10-2 win.
Both teams used 3 different goalies in the game, all playing a period.
These 2 teams will meet again on Friday night.
Next action for the Blues is this coming Thursday when they'll welcome the Selkirk Steelers. Puck drop is set for 7:30.
In other exhibition action, the Dauphin Kings beat Swan Valley 5-2.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Winnipeg Blues: The Week That Was and The Week Ahead
Every Monday i will be letting you know what's coming up for the Blues in the upcoming week, and what happened in the previous week.
The Week That Was
The Blues opened up their Rookie Camp just over a week ago, and then went to work on their regular camp which opened up this past Saturday.
Close to 70 players came out vying for a spot on the Blues roster for the 2010/11 season. By Monday, the player count had been reduced to around 50.
The Week Ahead
The Blues coaching staff will continue to make decisions as to who will be suiting up for the team when the regular season opens up on September 17th.
The Pre Season schedule kicks off Tuesday for the Blues, when they'll welcome the Winnipeg Saints. It'll be the first meeting between the 2 clubs since the Saints swept the Blues in in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Then on Thursday the Selkirk Steelers visit the Iceplex for the first time, as they visit the Blues.
On Friday the Blues once again lace it up against the Saints.
And on Sunday, the Steelers and Blues renew aquaintances for the 4th exhibition game of the week, this time in Selkirk.
That's the week ahead for the Blues.
The Week That Was
The Blues opened up their Rookie Camp just over a week ago, and then went to work on their regular camp which opened up this past Saturday.
Close to 70 players came out vying for a spot on the Blues roster for the 2010/11 season. By Monday, the player count had been reduced to around 50.
The Week Ahead
The Blues coaching staff will continue to make decisions as to who will be suiting up for the team when the regular season opens up on September 17th.
The Pre Season schedule kicks off Tuesday for the Blues, when they'll welcome the Winnipeg Saints. It'll be the first meeting between the 2 clubs since the Saints swept the Blues in in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Then on Thursday the Selkirk Steelers visit the Iceplex for the first time, as they visit the Blues.
On Friday the Blues once again lace it up against the Saints.
And on Sunday, the Steelers and Blues renew aquaintances for the 4th exhibition game of the week, this time in Selkirk.
That's the week ahead for the Blues.
Blues Camp Day 3
Day 3 of Blues camp was quite a bit more intense than days 1 and 2. Five scraps in the morning session set the tone for the day as the players continued to try and impress the Blues coaching staff.
Head Coach Don Macgillvray really liked the competitveness of Day 3 compared to days 1 and 2.
"As soon as guys start seeing other guys being sent home, it kind of sends the message throughout the dressing room that the time is now to show what they've got" says Macgillvray.
The camp started on Saturday with close to 70 guys, and was pared down to close to 50 by the time Day 3 rolled around.
And with only 11 returning players, there are still many spots available.
Macgillvray adds that they're keeping things in perspective and know that when they hit the ice tomorrow night for their first exhibition action against the Winnipeg Saints, they'll have a few more answers.
The Blues also announced that they've completed a 3 way deal that sent Troy Smukowich to the Yorkton Terriers at last seasons trade deadline for future considerations.
The Blues traded those futures to Swan Valley, then the Stamps sent 1991 defenseman Paul Bonar to the Terriers, who then sent Bonar to the Blues to complete the futures deal. The Stampeders then acquired forward Clark Byczynski from the Terriers.
Bonar had 9 goals and 30 assists in 55 games for the Stamps last season, with 6 of his 9 goals, and 20 of his 39 points coming on the power play.
Again, don't forget to head out to the MTS Iceplex Tuesday night to see the Blues face off against the Winnipeg Saints in their first pre season action.
Puck drop is set for 7:30.
Head Coach Don Macgillvray really liked the competitveness of Day 3 compared to days 1 and 2.
"As soon as guys start seeing other guys being sent home, it kind of sends the message throughout the dressing room that the time is now to show what they've got" says Macgillvray.
The camp started on Saturday with close to 70 guys, and was pared down to close to 50 by the time Day 3 rolled around.
And with only 11 returning players, there are still many spots available.
Macgillvray adds that they're keeping things in perspective and know that when they hit the ice tomorrow night for their first exhibition action against the Winnipeg Saints, they'll have a few more answers.
The Blues also announced that they've completed a 3 way deal that sent Troy Smukowich to the Yorkton Terriers at last seasons trade deadline for future considerations.
The Blues traded those futures to Swan Valley, then the Stamps sent 1991 defenseman Paul Bonar to the Terriers, who then sent Bonar to the Blues to complete the futures deal. The Stampeders then acquired forward Clark Byczynski from the Terriers.
Bonar had 9 goals and 30 assists in 55 games for the Stamps last season, with 6 of his 9 goals, and 20 of his 39 points coming on the power play.
Again, don't forget to head out to the MTS Iceplex Tuesday night to see the Blues face off against the Winnipeg Saints in their first pre season action.
Puck drop is set for 7:30.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 1 of Blues Camp
Well hockey season is officially underway as the Blues opened up Day 1 of their Training Camp in their brand new digs at the MTS Iceplex.
68 Players are vying for a spot on the Blues and they suited up on 4 separate teams and played 2 separate mini games each.
The Blues will be boasting a young squad this season with
Five “90” born players, Thirteen “91” born players, Thirty “92” born players, Twelve “93” born players, Five “94” born players, Three “95” born players all looking to crack the roster.
The mini games had a bit of everything, some highlight reel goals, some great saves, big hits, and lots of physical play, and you can bet Day 2 will be even better as it’s the players last chance to show the Blues braintrust why they deserve a roster spot.
Day 2 of Camp goes tomorrow (Sunday)
10:00am – 11:15am Team A vs Team C
11:30am - 12:45pm Team B vs Team D
4:30pm - 5:45pm Team A vs Team D
6:00pm - 7:15pm Team B vs Team C
After the last session the rosters will be reduced.
Training Camp is taking place at the MTS Iceplex and is open to the public.
I will have more from Day 2 of the Blues Training Camp tomorrow
68 Players are vying for a spot on the Blues and they suited up on 4 separate teams and played 2 separate mini games each.
The Blues will be boasting a young squad this season with
Five “90” born players, Thirteen “91” born players, Thirty “92” born players, Twelve “93” born players, Five “94” born players, Three “95” born players all looking to crack the roster.
The mini games had a bit of everything, some highlight reel goals, some great saves, big hits, and lots of physical play, and you can bet Day 2 will be even better as it’s the players last chance to show the Blues braintrust why they deserve a roster spot.
Day 2 of Camp goes tomorrow (Sunday)
10:00am – 11:15am Team A vs Team C
11:30am - 12:45pm Team B vs Team D
4:30pm - 5:45pm Team A vs Team D
6:00pm - 7:15pm Team B vs Team C
After the last session the rosters will be reduced.
Training Camp is taking place at the MTS Iceplex and is open to the public.
I will have more from Day 2 of the Blues Training Camp tomorrow
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blues Camp Opens This Weekend
Looking outside you wouldn't know it, but hockey season is right around the corner. In fact, it began last weekend for the Winnipeg Blues.
The Blues held their Rookie Camp last weekend at their brand new home, the MTS Iceplex, and this weekend they'll welcome back the veterans as well as quite a few new faces when training camp officially opens up on Saturday.
The camp is open to the public, so not only is this is a great chance to see the talent the Blues will have at camp, but it's also a chance to see the new rink and check out the state of the art facility the Blues will call home this season.
Camp Times
Saturday, August 28th
2:00pm - 3:15pm Team A vs Team B
3:30pm - 4:45pm Team C vs Team D
5:00pm - 6:15pm Team A vs Team B
6:30pm - 7:45pm Team C vs Team D
Sunday August 29th
10:00am - 11:15am Team A vs Team C
11:30am - 12:45pm Team B vs Team D
4:30pm - 5:45pm Team A vs Team D
6:00pm - 7:15pm Team B vs Team C
Camp Rosters will be reduced before the remaining players take to the ice and wrap up camp on Monday.
Monday August 30th
10:00am - 12:45pm
4:30pm - 7:15pm
If you need directions to the MTS Iceplex just click on the link below.
http://www.mtsiceplex.ca/?page_id=12
Check out my blog throughout the season as i will keep you updated on everything Winnipeg Blues, as well as what's going on throughout the MJHL.
As well check out the brand new Winnipeg Blues webpage at http://www.winnipegblues.ca/.
See you at the rink.
Bill Burfoot
The Blues held their Rookie Camp last weekend at their brand new home, the MTS Iceplex, and this weekend they'll welcome back the veterans as well as quite a few new faces when training camp officially opens up on Saturday.
The camp is open to the public, so not only is this is a great chance to see the talent the Blues will have at camp, but it's also a chance to see the new rink and check out the state of the art facility the Blues will call home this season.
Camp Times
Saturday, August 28th
2:00pm - 3:15pm Team A vs Team B
3:30pm - 4:45pm Team C vs Team D
5:00pm - 6:15pm Team A vs Team B
6:30pm - 7:45pm Team C vs Team D
Sunday August 29th
10:00am - 11:15am Team A vs Team C
11:30am - 12:45pm Team B vs Team D
4:30pm - 5:45pm Team A vs Team D
6:00pm - 7:15pm Team B vs Team C
Camp Rosters will be reduced before the remaining players take to the ice and wrap up camp on Monday.
Monday August 30th
10:00am - 12:45pm
4:30pm - 7:15pm
If you need directions to the MTS Iceplex just click on the link below.
http://www.mtsiceplex.ca/?page_id=12
Check out my blog throughout the season as i will keep you updated on everything Winnipeg Blues, as well as what's going on throughout the MJHL.
As well check out the brand new Winnipeg Blues webpage at http://www.winnipegblues.ca/.
See you at the rink.
Bill Burfoot
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