Ennis on Fire / Media Gloves Come Off!

Tyler Ennis can be unstoppable at times... last night seemed to be one of those times.

Ennis scored three goals to give him seven in the series a 5-3 win. The Tigers victory evens the best-of-seven series 2-2 with game five tomorrow night here in Swift Current.

Every time Ennis was on the ice something happened. Maybe not a goal, but a chance, a post... something. In fact he should have had four goals as he tapped a loose puck home in the third period only to have the play blown down on a quick whistle.

The bright spot in this series continues to be the Taylor Vause line featuring Mike Brown and Dillon Wagner. All three scored goals on the powerplay accounting for the Broncos offense.

The Broncos PP clicked at 3/5 and is now a playoff best 36.4% through four games in this series.

So here we are all tied 2-2 after four games. It's pretty much where most thought this series would be. Game five tomorrow night at the Credit Union i-plex.

The Broncos lost Eric Doyle early in the first period after what appeared to be a high hit from Tigers D Matt Mccue. Doyle stayed on the ice for a few minutes before being helped off. He didn't return.

Broncos Assistant Coach Tim Kehler thought the hit was a "forearm shiver" blow to the head. There was no penalty on the play. The Broncos were on the powerplay as Doyle gained access inside the Tigers line up the right-wing.

A look at the video this morning via webcast confirms Tim's thoughts. It was no doubt a forearm leading hit to the head. Exactly the type of hit the league is trying to eliminate. I would assume the league would review the incident, although it would be up to the Broncos to initiate the process. Stay tuned.

Doyle's status for game five is unknown. He was very durable in the regular season playing in 70 of the 72 games.

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Now to some fun stuff......

After the game, Tim Tisdale and I were leaving the broadcast booth when I heard someone say.

"Jon Keen"

I looked over and it was the very professional and talented Rhonda Carlson of CHAT-TV Medicine Hat. Rhonda anchors the news and is also the News Director at CHAT.


She continued....

"According to your blog, I see you weren't a big fan of my attire on the air today..."

I replied..."not you Rhonda, I was watching the two guys in the late night 11pm cast... the other one anchoring the news.... what's his name."

Rhonda was referring to these comments made early yesterday on this blog:

"Playoff orange is visible in parts of the city. Last night on the CHAT TV local news all the anchors were wearing Tiger jerseys on the air. Although I like the idea of getting behind the team, there's something to be said about a serious news anchor telling you a story on crime and murder while donning an orange and black hockey jersey in the process."

She explained to me they bleed black and orange in Medicine Hat and that they are 100% behind their team. She also said it's the first time someone complained about her attire, adding usually they talk about her hair.

(Your hair looked lovely by the way, Rhonda.)

I didn't see her wearing the Tiger jersey on-air but I can only assume she made it work.

It was an interesting discussion post-game. I'm flattered she reads Keen's Korner.

The moment reminded me of the scene in Anchorman when the big media brawl is about to begin and Ron Burgundy proclaims to the rival media members:

"Before we do this let's go over the ground rules. Rule number one, no touching of the hair or face...and that's it! Now let's do this."

The other sidenote to this and it's a big one. Rhonda is the wife of Medicine Hat Tigers Head Coach/GM Will Desjardins.

In the words of the late Paul Harvey.... now you know the rest of the story.

Also if I'm not mistaken, she grew up around Swift Current as well... I want to say Gull Lake perhaps?

I say let's have some fun with this. Here's what I'm proposing:

If the Broncos win the series, Rhonda wears a Broncos jersey on a future supper hour newscast.

If the Tigers win, I will put on the orange/black combination sweater for a radio morning show and post photos on this blog. To sweeten the pot, I will also wear it in the first head-to-head meeting next season between the two teams.

Fair?

I should of known it was coming when Will asked me pre-game..." I thought all you media types stayed together?"

Game five tomorrow night..... 7:30pm face-off from the Credit Union i-plex.



Jon