It's Begun

The Broncos Hockey Club continues preparation for the weekend set in Regina to get the 1st round playoffs underway. There's no doubt you can tell it's the post-season. There is a different mood, a vibe if you will. The players, coaches and staff are upbeat and excited about getting at it with the Pats.

I like what I'm seeing so far. The players haven't worked themselves into a frenzy or state of nervousness. Everything is just right. They are confident, yet realize the task at hand.

The morning skate today was quick and up-tempo. The coaching staff kept them on the ice for about a half-hour. Included in the skate were young prospects Cody Eakin and Justin Dowling. It's expected forward Scott McAuley from Winnipeg will join the club sometime later today.

Also, American draft pick Eric Ferber is with his family doing a scouting mission to Notre Dame. He could be another goalie of the future. The Arizona product impressed at training camp and is looking to take his game to Canada in the near future. He's expected to put in an on-ice session with goaltending consultant Kevin Swanson this weekend.

The guys are being well taken care of off the ice. We are at a hotel which features former Eagle 94.1 morning news girl Trina Taylor as the Sales Manager. Everything has been great so far. Trina may also host a night out for us . . . we'll see how the game goes first!

At least I know I have one loyal reader. Guess who tracked me down at the rink during the pre-game skate? Pats Head Coach Curtis Hunt. In his hand he had a copy of my blog comments following our last game in Regina. He was steamed. He said if I had a problem with the way he conducts an interview that I was to take it up with him. I knew full well he would eventually see the blog, I wasn't going to run and hide. I told him I appreciate his concern, but that us media folks don't appreciate getting "big-leagued" by WHL coaches. I said we (radio broadcasters) are all part of the process too, and he agreed. I said I respect him as a coach and his abilities and if he wants to send out Assistant Coach Terry Perkins in the future that's fine by me. He said no, it's fine, but he wanted to clear the air before game-time. I appreciate that. I was expecting that reaction I guess. Like I said before we all have to be accountable for our actions, what we say, or blog. I shook his hand and left it at that. I couldn't help but think back to all that great footage on TSN or ESPN of the coaches or players blowing up on reporters for stupid questions or articles they took offense too.

The little meeting caught the attention of the Bronco players. They overheard it. They think I would make a good agitator. Call me the Sean Avery of broadcasters, haha. Dean C. was chuckling about it. A few guys told me he came into the room and was laughing pretty good. Glad to see it provided some entertainment. We'll see how the pre-game interview goes tonight with Curtis. I hope we're cool.

We're on the air at 6:30pm with the pre-game show, play-by-play with myself and Ryan Switzer at 7pm.

I'll try to have a recap sometime after the game.

Let's get'r done.

Jon