Saturday, February 9, 2008

North Dakota Ibex beats Calgary Chinook 3-2


The Canadian Press

Calgary - Simon Gagne scored twice as the North Dakota Ibex defeats the Calgary Chinook 3-2.

The Chinook put on the pressure early and registered 19 shots on goal but Ryan Miller spectacular goaltending keep them at bay. Alex Tanguay scored to tie the game at two apiece in the third period but that wasn't enough. Simon Gagne scored his 33rd goal of the season which gave the Ibex a 3-2 lead. The two goals scored by Gagne moved him to 3rd place in the goal scoring race. Afinogenov and Huselius has no goal in the past three games despite playing on the first line with Marc Savard. "You will not win many games if your star players aren't scoring. " Said Coach Eugene Yip. "We lost to the special team tonight. We need to have better penalty kill in order to succeed. "

The loss put the North Dakota Ibex ahead of the Calgary Chinook by 4 points.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Second shutouts in a row for both Fleury and Luongo!



The Canadian Press

Calgary - Marc-Andre Fleury earned has second SO in a row as the Chinook and the Mooseheads ended the game in a scoreless tie.

The Calgary Chinooks has 23 shots on net and the Stockholm Mooseheads has 20 shots on net but nothing solved Fleury and Luongo. "They are both amazing goalies. " said Chinook coach Eugene Yip after the game. "They are very well be the future of Canadian hockey in net after Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. We are seeing legends in the making. " All four goalies are from the province of Quebec.

Bondra has game high 6 shots on net. It was the first time playing 20 minutes for the Chinook after his signing this season. "I felt good. I hope I can have the opportunity to play more. "

Meanwhile, Coach Eugene Yip has pointed out that Defenseman Dion Phaneuf has to step up on his game. "He is young but he is among one of the elite defenseman already. He has to play better in order to prove that he is worth the big contracts. "

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Chinook win! Chinook win!


The Canadian Press

Calgary - Marc-Andre Fleury give the Calgary Chinook first shut out of the season against the Hamilton Predator.

Beauchemin scored just 28 seconds into the second period to give the Calgary Chinook first win in seven games. It was only the first SO for both Fleury and the Chinook which improves the record to 19-19-5. "It was a very disciplie game from our side. " said Coach/GM Yip. "Fleury was incredible tonight, have some key saves. He is our goalie of the future and he will develop into a very good goaltender. "

Mara got hit in the second period and didn't not return for the rest of the game. He will be out a week due to twisted ankle.

Next game: Calgary Chinook will take a visit to Zetterberg and the Stockholm Mooseheads on Friday

Monday, February 4, 2008

GM Yip send Holik and Elias packing

To Dayton:

Bobby Holik Patrick Elias

To Calgary:

Claude Giroux


The Canadian Press

Calgary - After the longest winless streak of the season, GM Yip has traded Center Bobby Holik and LW Patrick Elias and Cash to Dayton for prospect Claude Giroux.

"I hate to tell the fans, but the Calgary Chinook has begin their rebuilding period. " said GM Yip on a press conference at the Pengrowth Saddledome. "The team is not performing as expected and changes has to be made. This trade is to ensure we will come back will a better team in the future. I can promise our fans, the Chinook will be a contending team again in within the 3 years time. " Holik and Elias has been with the team for many years and I wish them best in Dayton. Calgary Chinook will be a seller this season and expect more trades to come. "

"I was pretty shocked to get a call from Yip in the middle of the night. " said Elias. "I don't know what to say. "

According to Hockey's Future, Giroux’s greatest talent is his playmaking ability. Boasting excellent hands and great vision, the diminutive winger is able to use his quick skating ability to turn something out of nothing. Giroux, despite his size disadvantage, does not mind getting his nose dirty, and will stand in to take a hit in order to make a play. He does get bodied often, but the shifty winger is agile enough to avoid checks on a regular basis.

He expects to join Kyle Turris, James VanRiemsdyk, Jakub Voracek and Carey Price to be the cornerstone of the Calgary Chinook's future.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

The Chinooks can't buy a win. Cheechoo payback to his former team!


The Chinooks lost to the mighty Sandblasters 7-2. "The feeling is great. " said Cheechoo who scored a hat-trick against his former team after trading away this season. "It's not really a big deal, I just played my own game. " After this lost, the Chinooks are winless in five. Marc-Andre Fleury is healthy again and will be back for the next game. Former Chinook Kovalchuk also scored for the Sandblasters. "We need the third and fourth line contribute as well, we are not going to win many games will just the first line scoring. " said Eugene. Talks is that the Chinook are agressively looking for a 1st line scorer, and has make Voracek and JVR available for the right price. "Anyone on the team is available except Phaneuf."

Next game: The Chinooks will visit the Hamilton Predators on Tuesday

Friday, February 1, 2008

The Chinooks couldn't solve Kolzig in OT, winless in 4 games!


The Calgary Chinook come back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the Winnipeg Ferret 3.3. "It really shows the team's character to come back like this. " said Phaneuf, who has 5 hits for the night. "I can see that we can end this winless streak in the next game. " The Chinook has 7 shots in overtime but they are all saved by the Ferrets netminder Kolzig. Kolzig was particularly good at the end, saving Huselius on a breakaway. Despite winless in four games, the Chinook are still hanging on 0.500. "0.500 is not good enough especially with the Ibex chasing at the back. With their recent acquisition of Joe Thornton, we have to play better. " said Coach Eugene Yip.

Next games: The Calgary Chinook plays the Hawaii Sandblasters, should be a exciting game for everyone!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Chinook got demolished by the Crosby Express!


Crosby scored once and added an assist as the Long Island Express doubled up the Calgary Chinook 6-3. "We blowed yet another lead. " said Fedorov "We didn't show up in the third period again. We got humiliated by them in front of our fans. It is disappointing. " Despite outshooting the opponent 39-20, Fleury and Aebischer let in six goals on that twenty shots. "One of our main problem is goaltending this season. They have to play better or we won't have a chance to win." said Coach Eugene. "With Aebischer becoming an UFA next year, things are not looking good in our goaltending department." The Calgary Chinook is tempted to look for a experienced goaltender as of today while Fleury and Price continued to develop.

- Fleury will be out approximately a week. Aebischer is scheduled to start next game.
- The Chinook has an combined -20 for the night
- Gordon extends has goal scoring streak in just 4 minutes of ice time

Next up: The Chinook are approaching the half way point of the season visiting the Winnipeg Ferrets.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Chinook great on powerplay but failed to win at home

Calgary Chinook and Victoria Ronin is skated to a 4-4 tied on Wednesday. Calgary Chinook was leading by a score of 3-1 after the first period but failed to hold on to the lead. Hecht gave the Ronin the lead near the beginning of the third period and Kubina scored the game tying goal. "From leading 3-1 to trailing 4-3.... It is unacceptable. " said Gordon, who has a goal and an assist in the game. "There's no excuse to give up a lead like that. " Ronin forward Fisher was the 1st star of the night scoring a shorthanded goal and with six hits in the game. Next game is a visit from Crosby and the Long Island Express.



















Sid the kid is coming to town tomorrow!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Crusaders hammered Chinook 4-1


Raycroft has 32 saves as the Crusaders defeated the Chinook 4-1. Savard was the lone scorer for the Calgary Chinook. "We only played 20 minutes of hockey tonight. " said Savard in the post game interview. "We need to be better than this."

GM and coach Eugene Yip has called out a couple players after the game. "We need guys like Maxim (Afinogenov) and Kristian (Huselius) to contribute in night and night basis." Expect Yip to juggle the line a bit on the next game three games later against the division rival Victoria Ronins. "Every game is a must win game especially against the Ronin who has our number this season. "

When asked about comments on the recent Joe Thornton trades to the Ibex. "We have also inquired about Joe Thornton availability as well, but I guess our offer wasn't as good as the Ibex. Joe is a great player and our division just got a lot tougher. That was quite an offer though, I am seeing Timberwolves will become a very competitive team in two or three years."

Friday, January 25, 2008

Chinook back to .500 on home ice with win over the Timberwolves!


Afinogenov scored once and added 4 assists as the Calgary Chinook triumph over the Thunder Bay Timberwolves 7-3. "Our team are very confidence at the moment." said Afinogenov "We are playing outstanding hockey." The 27 years old right winger has only played 28 games this season due to a groin injury that almost sidelined him for 3 weeks, but already has 44 points. Savard has two goals and two assists in the contest. The skilled playmaker also has a unusual 8 shots on net. "I guess shooting at the net does make good things happen." said Savard. "Me and Maxim are having some kind of chemistry right now. " Phaneuf has played 36 minutes in this game. "I love it. I never feel tired out there. I hoped it continues"

Next up the Chinook will get a visit from Kopitar and the Crusaders tomorrow at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The first 1000 fans will get a Dion Phaneuf bubblehead in the entrance.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Tanguay and Pitkanen on the move?


Rumors has that Tanguay and Pitkanen are not playing up the expectation this year and will be expect to get traded before Trade deadline. Pitkanen, 24, will attract most buyer because he has yet to reach his prime. Chinooks also consider moving Voracek but might want a 1st line scorer in return. GM Eugene Yip are unable to reach for comment.

Rare scorers help Chinook win against Renagades!


Boyd Gordon scored has 2nd of the season which eventually become the game winning goal as the Chinook defeat the River Cities Renagades 4-1. "It was a great pass from Tangs." said the 24 years old Saskatchewan native. "It was an open net and I just have to tap it in." By winning tonights game the Calgary Chinook went over .500 for the first time in almost a month. "I hope this is a start of the winning streak." said Savard, who leads the team with 34 assists. "Our goal is not just making the playoff but to win the division title. We have a lot of works to do in order to catch up with the Ronin."



Fun Facts
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Fedorov won 18 faceoffs and lost only 4 in the contest
Holik has yet to score in this season