The Yorkton Terriers opened the Sherwood Conference final over the weekend by blowing out the Kindersley Klippers 7-2 and 7-0 to take a 2-games-to-none lead in the best of seven series. The Terriers surpassed, even my, lofty expectations in dismantling the Klippers. When I look at this team, I see four of the most exciting players the SJHL has had in the league over the last ten years in Justin Buzzeo, Jeremy Boyer, Robbie Ciolfi, and Clarke Breitkreuz. If you like hockey, you really need to make sure you start coming out to see this because I don't know when we'll ever see this again. The Chris Korchinski days were fun because the team was so good, but they were good in a two-way, tough kind of way that isn't at all like this club. And, I know the 2011 Terriers haven't won anything yet; but even if they don't I would say they have entertained us and given the fans their money's worth.
Two Terrier players that don't get a lot of press, but should: Brant Remenda and Brenden Poncelet. Remenda is the team's best defenseman right now. He blocks shots, punishes players with solid body checks, has an underrated shot from the point, is very skilled at keeping cleared pucks inside the opposition's zone, and can drop the mitts with the best of them. I hope some important scouts take notice. Poncelet is a two-way forward that can play any role a team asks of him. He's a third line centre at the moment, but he'll be a first liner on this team someday and I suspect will wear the captain's 'C' too.
The Yorkton Harvest named Jeff Odgers their new head coach over the weekend in the wake of Graham Garrett's announcement that he would be leaving the club in favor of full-time employment in a non-hockey related industry. Good things have been happening with the Midget AAA club for a few years already and putting Odgers at the helm only figures to continue that trend. As far as developing players, the Harvest have sent the likes of Davis Vandane, Damon Severson, Tayler Thompson, and John Neibrandt to the major junior ranks in recent years. Levi Cable looks like he could be the latest to go that way, even though he's eligible to return next season. Sure, the Harvest haven't had the desired results in the standings; but that's partially because the players have developed so well they never stay around long enough to play here as veterans.
Sometimes a person can bring more to the table than what the job description entitles. Jamie Fiesel is a prime example. The Melville Millionaires coach suited up in a benefit game for the Prairie Fire's Melissa Mish over the weekend and was, pretty much, a Harlem Globetrotter on skates. People may suggest I have a love affair with Fiesel because I always seem to say good things about him, but I can't think of another Junior 'A' coach who does some of the things he does in their respective communities. That's not a slight against anyone, but rather high praise for Fiesel. The Mils should never ever fire him and, hopefully, he never leaves on his own accord either. He's great for that community, which by the way, deserves a huge pat on the back for raising a ton of money in that benefit game. Melissa is in a real tough battle right now against Hodgkin's Disease and needs our prayers and support.
Is it just me or are there more potholes on city streets and local highways than ever before? The weather has really done a number on the pavement. The Yorkton to Esterhazy trip is a nightmare. Within city limits, Broadway looks like it has really taken a beating. I suspect we'll see crews out before long to patch things up and they deserve our patience if it slows us down a little. I noticed some city workers out on Broadway on Saturday, trying to make life a little better for our vehicles.
I know this sounds like a broken record, but we continue to demonstrate no clues on how to park at the Gallagher Centre. Saturday night, there was no end of the line. People just parked in a row all the way to the snowbank in front of the race track. The more I think about it, the more I think the best way to solve all of this is to have parking attendants direct us into appropriate places to park when we are going to larger events such as hockey games, concerts, and banquets. Who pays for this? Well, we should as taxpayers because we continue to prove we can't park without them. The worst part? I haven't met a bad parker yet. Everyone tells me how ridiculous it is out there, but not a single person will admit to being an offender. Please help us!
Nice person mentions this week to Clarence Mundt, Barry Butler, Alita Stevenson, Larry Wells, and Jeff Sedor.
