NAHL Scouting Combine

This weekend I went to a scouting combine for a tier 2 junior hockey league . I wasn't eligible for being drafted because the minimum age is 16. Anyways this was very fun playing against the brightest 2002 born kids around California. The even took place in Simi Valley, and here's how it worked: it was a tournament between red team, blue team, grey team, and white team. I was blue, and we finished third place with a 2-2 record. Basically you played two periods of twenty three minutes. We were being scouted by personnel from different NAHL teams. I was scouted by a team called the Springfield Jr. Blues. Anyways, we learned about how junior hockey worked, and how to get to college hockey at the NCAA level. I found it very odd how the minimum GPA you had to achieve is 2.1. That is very bad, and I don't know how anyone can do that. This was a very fun combine playing against kids my age, and I hope to be back next year.

Michael Neuvirth Amazing Play

   The Philadelphia Flyers had lost 6-1 to the Washington Capitals, and now had to attempt to overcome a 3-0 deficit. They decided to turn to Michael Neuvirth between the pipes to maybe save their season. That was probably the best decision the Flyers had made the whole series. The whole series Neuvirth stopped 103 out of 105 shots. The Flyers offense, and defense were disastrous, but at least Neuvirth gave them a fighting chance. They won 2 games, and forced game 6 in the powerhouse at Philadelphia. The Capitals fired 44 shots in game 5, and all were stopped by Neuvirth. Then in game 6 the Flyers offense in my opinion was terrible. Neuvirth made 29 saves out of 30 shots against.  It was an upsetting loss, but at least Neuvirth gave the Flyers a big chance.

Blues vs Blackhawks

It finally ended yesterday. It was a hard fought series between the Blues, and Blackhawks that took seven games for the two teams to solve each other. I was going for the Blues, so I was all smiles after the game had ended. Anyways the Blackhawks were eliminated by the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Brian Elliot who played amazing the whole series, played lights out as he had before. The crowd went wild when Jori Lehtera scored one minute into the game. Than the Blues scored again, but after that the Blackhawks wouldn't go down without a fight. The Blackhawks scored twice to tie up the game at two. Later in the third period Troy Brouwer scored to give St. Louis the 3-2 lead. Towards the end of the game the Blackhawks came very close to tying the game when a shot from the blue line hit both posts and came out. After that missed opportunity it was all over.

La Kings Eliminated From Playoffs

After a terrific season the Los Angeles Kings have been eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs. They were eliminated by the Sharks in 5 games. What really frustrated me was the Kings could not contain Joe Thorton, Joe Pavelski, and Brent Burns. Another frustrating factor was how much the Kings had amazing opportunities, and they missed the net. Personally I don't think that Martin Jones the Sharks goalie, did very well, I think the Kings just played bad in the series. Jonathan Quick did not play as good as he is able to play. In my opinion the Kings were not intense enough, they weren't determined, and they were cocky. It was a good series by the Sharks, but I think the Kings should be ashamed of their play. I'd like to say congratulations to the Kings on a great season, and I can't way to see the redemption next year.

My Favorite NHL Goalie

My favorite NHL goaltender is Brayden Holtby of the Washington Capitals, who leads the NHL with wins. I like because he plays the style I want to play when I grow up. He is the hybrid goalie who plays the butterfly, and stand up positions. He catches very well, and has almost perfect rebound control. His team is number one in the NHL, and won the presidents trophy for best record in the regular season. The Capitals have no problem scoring, but Holtby has to make a lot of big saves most of their games. With the injury of allstar goalie Carey Price can secure Brayden Holtby the Vezina trophy. The Capitals got off to a big lead in the standings in November, and they never turned back, but the last few games they've had a problem. Since they've secured the playoff position, they haven't been playing as intense as they're capable of. They have been losing to some below average team. But anyways thanks for reading!

Hockey Playoffs

The playoffs are coming on April 11th, and this year will be quite exciting in my opinion. After a disappointing season last year the Kings own the number 1 seed in the Pacific Division, and are red hot this season. They have clinched a playoff spot, and are playing their best brand of hockey. A shocker is the Philadelphia Flyers own a wildcard spot despite their terrible start to the season. I think that they have come together as a team, and became way more confident. My favorite player on their team is rookie Shane Gostisbhere. Anyways the first round disappointments I expect are the Ducks being eliminated by the Sharks, the Blies taking an early exit out of the playoffs, despite their good season, the Blackhawks I feel will be eliminated also. The reason I think the Blackhawks will exit the playoffs earlier than usual is their bad performance lately. Their goalie has been ok, their team is just playing a bad style of hockey right now. I think the Kings, and Capitals will battle in the playoffs.

Between the Pipes

Hey guys I decided to right a story about the overall atmosphere of being a goaltender for a hockey club. You walk into the rink on game day, and you could just feel the adrenaline in your body, ready for the action ahead. You start your warmup routine, and you stay silent, and visualize in your head all the shots being stopped by you. You visualize your team coming out victorious, and you with a big smile on your face. You walk into the lockeroom to start getting dressed, and there is a certain seriousness from your hockey club. You lead your team onto the ice for the upcoming battle. All of a sudden the puck has dropped, and the game has started. You make the first few saves, and you can already feel comfortable, and relaxed. But if you let in an early goal, the night ahead will be unpleasant for you, and your team. You may let in a goal, or more, but you must stay calm because if your nerves get the best of you you will get scored on even more. The last few minutes of the third , and final period seem like years. You must survive the storm of attack from your enemy, or else your team will lose by more, or lose their lead. Once you have weathered the storm, you celebrate with your team, and you feel a warm feeling inside.
                    By Michael Gilerman