The Rage dropped to 3-6-1 on the season after losing two of three games to the Kenai River Brown Bears this weekend.
One night after posting an emotional 5-4 overtime victory off the stick of Brett Zarazun, the Rage jumped out to a 2-0 lead last night against Kenai, but a second period goal by B. Murphy and two third period tallies, one by Chris Rial on a partial breakaway cutting in on the left side and tucking it five-hole through Edward Dyson, then Carter Wright sent in clear on a breakaway by Brett Lubanski going forehand, backhand and shelf gave Kenai a 3-2 victory.
The Rage will now head out on an 11-game road trip with stops in Alaska, Kenai, Fresno and Wenatchee before returning to host Fresno on November 12th.
Meanwhile, the DC Jr. Canucks had two close games this weekend, edging the GP Wheelers 5-4 on Friday and getting edged in turn by the Beaverlodge Blades on Saturday by a score of 4-3. With the FSJ Huskies leading the league with three straight wins and six points, the Canucks will look to snap that streak this Friday at the DC Memorial Arena at 8pm, you can catch the action on Peace FM (dot c-a).
Monday, October 4, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Kenai River Brown Bears v Dawson Creek Rage Pre-Game
This is the second of a three-game set between the Kenai River Brown Bears and the DC Rage. Last night Kenai edged the Rage 3-2. Both teams started out flat in the first period and got a fortunate couple of goals in an affair that definitely did not see the fast past action from last week's set of games against the Alaska Avs, and you can look for both teams to come out with a stronger start in tonight's game.
Assistant coach for the DC Rage, Matt Hughes, definitely feels as though the momentum was sucked right out of the Rage last night with Kenai's patient play in the neutral zone.
Meanwhile head coach for the Brown Bears Oliver David admitted that both teams were a bit flat coming out of the gate but that his team was able to control the pace and use their speed and skill to their advantage. When asked whether he anticipates his club will change anything with 60 more minutes of familiarity with the Rage, he said he doesn't plan on adjusting his team's game.
Keys to the Game:
Rage:
1. Establish the home-ice advantage. They opened the scoring last night but had the momentum sucked out of them five minutes later on Daniel Turgeon's goal. They need to get a quick one or two goals and keep the pressure.
2. In that vein, they need to re-establish the physical presence that forced turnovers in the series against Alaska, which was totally absent last night.
3. Outlet pass. Last night they had trouble exiting their zone cleanly and breaking into the offensive zone.
Kenai:
1. Keep the Rage to the outside, force shots from the point. Benton didn't see a lot of second chances last night and I thought at times he looked a bit out of position, and they'll want to keep that support for their netminder.
2. Win the cycle. The chances that the Rage did get last night started largely on their cycle game and freeing up space in front by forcing the Bears to commit too long to the cycle and bring the extra man in. They need to win the cycle early and break out.
3. Transition. Kenai had a great transition game last night when they did win the cycle early, and that'll be key for them to get a couple quick goals.
Officials:
Referee: Kevin Lindsay
Lines: Brent McLean, Michale Van
Starting lineups:
Rage: Jared Crema and Bobby Turnbull manning the blueline, Dakota Mason centering Nolan Rossiter and Derek Johnston.
Kenai: Erik Persson and Chris Rial on defense, Brett Lubanski between Matt Tompson and Doug Beck.
Starting goalies:
Rage: Andrew Walsh, 0-4-0-0, 2.5.2 gaa, .938 sv
Kenai: Josh Benton, 3-2-0-1, 2.26 gaa, .917 sv
Assistant coach for the DC Rage, Matt Hughes, definitely feels as though the momentum was sucked right out of the Rage last night with Kenai's patient play in the neutral zone.
Meanwhile head coach for the Brown Bears Oliver David admitted that both teams were a bit flat coming out of the gate but that his team was able to control the pace and use their speed and skill to their advantage. When asked whether he anticipates his club will change anything with 60 more minutes of familiarity with the Rage, he said he doesn't plan on adjusting his team's game.
Keys to the Game:
Rage:
1. Establish the home-ice advantage. They opened the scoring last night but had the momentum sucked out of them five minutes later on Daniel Turgeon's goal. They need to get a quick one or two goals and keep the pressure.
2. In that vein, they need to re-establish the physical presence that forced turnovers in the series against Alaska, which was totally absent last night.
3. Outlet pass. Last night they had trouble exiting their zone cleanly and breaking into the offensive zone.
Kenai:
1. Keep the Rage to the outside, force shots from the point. Benton didn't see a lot of second chances last night and I thought at times he looked a bit out of position, and they'll want to keep that support for their netminder.
2. Win the cycle. The chances that the Rage did get last night started largely on their cycle game and freeing up space in front by forcing the Bears to commit too long to the cycle and bring the extra man in. They need to win the cycle early and break out.
3. Transition. Kenai had a great transition game last night when they did win the cycle early, and that'll be key for them to get a couple quick goals.
Officials:
Referee: Kevin Lindsay
Lines: Brent McLean, Michale Van
Starting lineups:
Rage: Jared Crema and Bobby Turnbull manning the blueline, Dakota Mason centering Nolan Rossiter and Derek Johnston.
Kenai: Erik Persson and Chris Rial on defense, Brett Lubanski between Matt Tompson and Doug Beck.
Starting goalies:
Rage: Andrew Walsh, 0-4-0-0, 2.5.2 gaa, .938 sv
Kenai: Josh Benton, 3-2-0-1, 2.26 gaa, .917 sv
Friday, October 1, 2010
DC Rage lose 3-2 to Kenai River Brown Bears
Couldn't get the pre-game up, internet at the rink wasn't letting me access blogger, so here's the post game.
My keys to the game were:
Rage:
1. Stay out of the penalty box. That's what got them into trouble last weekend with the Avs and if they have hopes to get out of this series with a positive record, they need to worry less about their PK and more about 5-on-5 hockey.
2. Keep physical. The American game is stressing speed in this league and the Rage can force turnovers by getting to pucks first on defenders and pressure them with hits.
3. Strong goaltending: right now it would be a huge lift for the Rage to get a massive performance from one of their goalies. They aren't struggling in the crease, but it'll help build momentum.
Kenai
1. Box out. The Rage so far have shown that they like to pressure the slot and crash the crease. They'll have to be big in front of their goaltender and force the Rage to play on the outside.
2. Utilize the wings. If Keenai has the same speed the Avs showed, they should be able to turn defenders by breaking wide.
3. Win special teams. Right now the Rage are operating pretty well when one-man short, and a powerplay goal can swing the ice the other way.
Rage succeeded in staying out of the box, only allowing three man-advantages compared to the basically five per game minimum last weekend, and they didn't allow a PP goal against, but their physical play was lacking and Dyson unfortunately got caught with a poke-check that missed and essentially allowed the third goal. Dyson was otherwise very strong through the game.
Kenai did a great job of cutting off all angles to the net, and started to use the wings in the second period and really controlled most of the possession after losing the majority of the draws in the first. They overall lost the special teams battle, allowing one PPG on two opportunities but otherwise controlled the pace.
Dakota Mason notched both goals for the Rage, one in the first period that was responded by Bears' forward Daniel Turgeon five minutes later. Doug Beck put the Bears up early in the second frame. Eventually Mason would find a fortuitious bounce off a Nolan Rossiter shot that caromed off the stick of Trent Wohlers, leaving Mason with a wide-open net on that netminder Josh Benton had no chance on. But late in the third, Zack Capozza found an equally fortunate chance off a scramble behind the net that gave Kenai the win.
DC was outshot 36-31 in the game. The second match of the three-game set is Saturday night at 7pm, with the third at 2pm on Sunday.
My keys to the game were:
Rage:
1. Stay out of the penalty box. That's what got them into trouble last weekend with the Avs and if they have hopes to get out of this series with a positive record, they need to worry less about their PK and more about 5-on-5 hockey.
2. Keep physical. The American game is stressing speed in this league and the Rage can force turnovers by getting to pucks first on defenders and pressure them with hits.
3. Strong goaltending: right now it would be a huge lift for the Rage to get a massive performance from one of their goalies. They aren't struggling in the crease, but it'll help build momentum.
Kenai
1. Box out. The Rage so far have shown that they like to pressure the slot and crash the crease. They'll have to be big in front of their goaltender and force the Rage to play on the outside.
2. Utilize the wings. If Keenai has the same speed the Avs showed, they should be able to turn defenders by breaking wide.
3. Win special teams. Right now the Rage are operating pretty well when one-man short, and a powerplay goal can swing the ice the other way.
Rage succeeded in staying out of the box, only allowing three man-advantages compared to the basically five per game minimum last weekend, and they didn't allow a PP goal against, but their physical play was lacking and Dyson unfortunately got caught with a poke-check that missed and essentially allowed the third goal. Dyson was otherwise very strong through the game.
Kenai did a great job of cutting off all angles to the net, and started to use the wings in the second period and really controlled most of the possession after losing the majority of the draws in the first. They overall lost the special teams battle, allowing one PPG on two opportunities but otherwise controlled the pace.
Dakota Mason notched both goals for the Rage, one in the first period that was responded by Bears' forward Daniel Turgeon five minutes later. Doug Beck put the Bears up early in the second frame. Eventually Mason would find a fortuitious bounce off a Nolan Rossiter shot that caromed off the stick of Trent Wohlers, leaving Mason with a wide-open net on that netminder Josh Benton had no chance on. But late in the third, Zack Capozza found an equally fortunate chance off a scramble behind the net that gave Kenai the win.
DC was outshot 36-31 in the game. The second match of the three-game set is Saturday night at 7pm, with the third at 2pm on Sunday.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Rage Drop Mini-Series 2-1 to Avs
Landon Peterson earned his first shutout of the season for the Alaska Avs, stopping all 32 shots he faced en route to a 2-0 win over the Dawson Creek Rage.
The Avs took the first game 3-1, and lost game two 5-2 but rebounded strongly, shutting down the Rage's slot presence all game long to preserve the goose egg for Peterson.
Hometown netminder Andrew Walsh faced 47 shots in net for the Rage. Jake Williams put the Avs on the board with six minutes to go in the first period with a point blast that caromed off a leg in front and under Walsh's blocker. Seven minutes into the second, Andy Pearson jammed home a loose puck in front of Walsh on his third crack at the biscuit to put the Avs up 2-0.
Andrew Walsh dropped to 0-4 on the season while Landon Peterson improved to 4-4. The Rage are now 2-4-1 on the season and the Avs 4-5-0.
The Rage went 0-for-10 on the powerplay while the Avs were 2-for-12. Action resumes for the DC Rage on Friday at the Encana Events Centre as they host the Kenai River Brown Bears.
The Avs took the first game 3-1, and lost game two 5-2 but rebounded strongly, shutting down the Rage's slot presence all game long to preserve the goose egg for Peterson.
Hometown netminder Andrew Walsh faced 47 shots in net for the Rage. Jake Williams put the Avs on the board with six minutes to go in the first period with a point blast that caromed off a leg in front and under Walsh's blocker. Seven minutes into the second, Andy Pearson jammed home a loose puck in front of Walsh on his third crack at the biscuit to put the Avs up 2-0.
Andrew Walsh dropped to 0-4 on the season while Landon Peterson improved to 4-4. The Rage are now 2-4-1 on the season and the Avs 4-5-0.
The Rage went 0-for-10 on the powerplay while the Avs were 2-for-12. Action resumes for the DC Rage on Friday at the Encana Events Centre as they host the Kenai River Brown Bears.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Pre-Game for Game Three Between Avs and Rage
Getting set for the third game of a three-game set, a rubber match between the Alaska Avalanche and the DC Rage. Alaska took the first game of the series in large part thanks to the Rage being unable to stay out of the penalty box, going to the sin bin for a total of 10 times, allowing the Avs to score two powerplay goals. Last night however the Rage got their revenge. Both teams started out a bit slow but the action definitely picked up in the second period as the Rage notched three tallies to take a 4-0 lead in the game. In the third period, the Avs were able to eke themselves back in the game off the back of Brandon Broissot who scored both goals for the Avs in a 5-2 loss, with Jon Johannesson getting the empty netter for the Rage.
Scott Robinson, head coach of the Rage, said the play was definitely better for the Rage in the second game but he wanted to see more determination out of his club in the third period and not allow the Avs back in the game.
Travis Irving, a 20 year old from Maple Ridge BC is a man of few words but a man of poignant words. The 6'5", 210 winger got into a heated discussion with Avs defender Joe Schmitz at the end of last night's tilt and said that he wouldn't be surprised if the two players dropped the gloves tonight. He thinks 5-on-5 the Rage are the better club but need to stay out of the box against a decent Avs PP.
Onto the Alaska Avs. It was clear after going down 4-0 and calling a timeout, head coach Brian Huebel of the Avs was not impressed with the play of his club and he had a few choice words on the bench no doubt to help settle his team. And it worked, as the Avs cut the lead in half and had opportunities in the third period to get even closer to tying the game up.
Keys to the Game:
Dawson:
1. Stay out of the box. In game one, that's exactly how the Avs defeated the Rage and many of the players feel that if they could've stayed out of penalty trouble that they would've beat the Avs 5-on-5.
2. Utilize the width of the ice. The Avs do a great job clogging up the middle, and if the Rage can find the cross-ice pass or make two or three passes to open up the wings, they should have an easier time getting entrance.
3. Be physical. The Avs have a lot of speedy forwards and defence willing to jump up into the play. They have to contain that speed with physical presence.
Alaska:
1. Establish speed. Huebel feels as though the strength of his team's game is in the speed.
2. Get on the forecheck. Especially with Whitehill and Broissoit, the Avs have a strong cycle game and can get the Rage out of position to open up opportunities in the slot.
3. Don't allow second chances on Peterson. When he sees the puck, he's an athletic goaltender and can usually even make the second stop.
Scott Robinson, head coach of the Rage, said the play was definitely better for the Rage in the second game but he wanted to see more determination out of his club in the third period and not allow the Avs back in the game.
Travis Irving, a 20 year old from Maple Ridge BC is a man of few words but a man of poignant words. The 6'5", 210 winger got into a heated discussion with Avs defender Joe Schmitz at the end of last night's tilt and said that he wouldn't be surprised if the two players dropped the gloves tonight. He thinks 5-on-5 the Rage are the better club but need to stay out of the box against a decent Avs PP.
Onto the Alaska Avs. It was clear after going down 4-0 and calling a timeout, head coach Brian Huebel of the Avs was not impressed with the play of his club and he had a few choice words on the bench no doubt to help settle his team. And it worked, as the Avs cut the lead in half and had opportunities in the third period to get even closer to tying the game up.
Keys to the Game:
Dawson:
1. Stay out of the box. In game one, that's exactly how the Avs defeated the Rage and many of the players feel that if they could've stayed out of penalty trouble that they would've beat the Avs 5-on-5.
2. Utilize the width of the ice. The Avs do a great job clogging up the middle, and if the Rage can find the cross-ice pass or make two or three passes to open up the wings, they should have an easier time getting entrance.
3. Be physical. The Avs have a lot of speedy forwards and defence willing to jump up into the play. They have to contain that speed with physical presence.
Alaska:
1. Establish speed. Huebel feels as though the strength of his team's game is in the speed.
2. Get on the forecheck. Especially with Whitehill and Broissoit, the Avs have a strong cycle game and can get the Rage out of position to open up opportunities in the slot.
3. Don't allow second chances on Peterson. When he sees the puck, he's an athletic goaltender and can usually even make the second stop.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Three-Game Series Knotted at 1-1 Between Rage and Avs
A 3-1 defeat the night fueled the Rage in game two of a three-game series with the Alaska Avs to give Dawson Creek their second win of the season with a 5-2 victory.
The Avs dropped to 3-5 on the season, still good enough for six points and third overall in the West division of the North American Hockey League while the Rage sit a point back with 2-3-1 record.
Nolan Rossiter opened the scoring for the Rage on the powerplay, depositing the garbage off a Kevin Swales shot from the point that netminder Landon Peterson kicked out to a waiting Rossiter. In the second, Lucas Recknagle converted a 2-1 with Derek Johnston to put the Rage up by two. Carter Page and Josh Hartley added second period tallies for a 4-0 Rage lead.
In the third however, Brandon Brossoit converted two goals, one on a turnover from behind the net early in the period and another with 6:49 remaining to pull the Avs within two. But Jon Johannesson would add a short-handed empty-netter to send the series tied into tomorrow night's rubber match. You can catch it live on Peace FM tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with the pre-game starting at 6:45 p.m.
Captain Blaine Bokenfohr will return for the Rage tomorrow night after serving a one-game suspension for his boarding of Blake Huppert in the second period of last night's game. Still no word on when Huppert will return but he's done for the weekend.
Alaska outshot the Rage 32-23, going 0-7 on the powerplay while the Rage converted two of their eight man-advantage opportunities.
The Avs dropped to 3-5 on the season, still good enough for six points and third overall in the West division of the North American Hockey League while the Rage sit a point back with 2-3-1 record.
Nolan Rossiter opened the scoring for the Rage on the powerplay, depositing the garbage off a Kevin Swales shot from the point that netminder Landon Peterson kicked out to a waiting Rossiter. In the second, Lucas Recknagle converted a 2-1 with Derek Johnston to put the Rage up by two. Carter Page and Josh Hartley added second period tallies for a 4-0 Rage lead.
In the third however, Brandon Brossoit converted two goals, one on a turnover from behind the net early in the period and another with 6:49 remaining to pull the Avs within two. But Jon Johannesson would add a short-handed empty-netter to send the series tied into tomorrow night's rubber match. You can catch it live on Peace FM tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with the pre-game starting at 6:45 p.m.
Captain Blaine Bokenfohr will return for the Rage tomorrow night after serving a one-game suspension for his boarding of Blake Huppert in the second period of last night's game. Still no word on when Huppert will return but he's done for the weekend.
Alaska outshot the Rage 32-23, going 0-7 on the powerplay while the Rage converted two of their eight man-advantage opportunities.
Avs vs Rage, Second Match of 3-Game Set: Pre Game
Getting set for the second game of a three-game set between the Alaska Avalanche and the DC Rage. Last night in the Rage's home opener, DC got on the board first courtesy of a powerplay goal from Carter Page in the first period, but that's all the Rage put on the board as hometown goalie Andrew Walsh faced 38 shots in net while the Rage fired 40 the way of Landon Peterson. Tyler Briola evened the score for the Avalanche in the second period, Seth Johnson put the Avs ahead and Wehebe Darge sealed it with an empty net marker. A scary moment in the second period as Blaine Bokenfohr of the Rage drove Blake Huppert into the end boards, luckily not quite head first otherwise the damage could have been a lot more serious for the Avs forward. Huppert is not expected to play in tonight's game, and talking to last night's referee Kevin Webinger, he and assistant coach Matt Hughes both confirmed that Bokenfohr will be suspended for tonight's game.
Avs vs Rage, Second Match of 3-Game Set: Pre Game
Getting set for the second game of a three-game set between the Alaska Avalanche and the DC Rage. Last night in the Rage's home opener, DC got on the board first courtesy of a powerplay goal from Carter Page in the first period, but that's all the Rage put on the board as hometown goalie Andrew Walsh faced 38 shots in net while the Rage fired 40 the way of Landon Peterson. Tyler Briola evened the score for the Avalanche in the second period, Seth Johnson put the Avs ahead and Wehebe Darge sealed it with an empty net marker. A scary moment in the second period as Blaine Bokenfohr of the Rage drove Blake Huppert into the end boards, luckily not quite head first otherwise the damage could have been a lot more serious for the Avs forward. Huppert is not expected to play in tonight's game, and talking to last night's referee Kevin Webinger, he and assistant coach Matt Hughes both confirmed that Bokenfohr will be suspended for tonight's game.
Game One for the DC Rage at Home a 3-1 Loss
After going 1-2-1 in the North American Hockey League Showcase, the Dawson Creek Rage hosted the Alaska Avalanche in their home opener last night, dropping a 3-1 decision.
Carter Page opened up the scoring for the Rage in the first period at 13:05 on the powerplay, an easy tap-in courtesy of a backdoor pass from Evan Ripley at the opposite point.
The Avs tied it up early in the second as Tyler Briola cashed a D-to-D pass with a one-time blast that eluded Rage netminder Andrew Walsh.
A scary moment in the second period halfway through the frame as the Rage's Blaine Bokenfohr got the elbow up high on Blake Huppert of the Avs and rode him into the end-boards. It appeared at first as though Huppert went in head-first, but luckily it was his shoulder that made first contact. Huppert did not return for the game.
The Avs went up 2-1 in the third period with their second powerplay goal, Seth Johnson depositing a rebound after Andy Pearson drove to the net for the initial shot. Wehebe Darge added an empty net goal.
Shots were 40-38 in favour of the Rage, who went 1-for-4 on the powerplaly while the Avs were 2-for-10.
Action resumes tonight between the two clubs at 7pm at the Encana Events Centre.
Carter Page opened up the scoring for the Rage in the first period at 13:05 on the powerplay, an easy tap-in courtesy of a backdoor pass from Evan Ripley at the opposite point.
The Avs tied it up early in the second as Tyler Briola cashed a D-to-D pass with a one-time blast that eluded Rage netminder Andrew Walsh.
A scary moment in the second period halfway through the frame as the Rage's Blaine Bokenfohr got the elbow up high on Blake Huppert of the Avs and rode him into the end-boards. It appeared at first as though Huppert went in head-first, but luckily it was his shoulder that made first contact. Huppert did not return for the game.
The Avs went up 2-1 in the third period with their second powerplay goal, Seth Johnson depositing a rebound after Andy Pearson drove to the net for the initial shot. Wehebe Darge added an empty net goal.
Shots were 40-38 in favour of the Rage, who went 1-for-4 on the powerplaly while the Avs were 2-for-10.
Action resumes tonight between the two clubs at 7pm at the Encana Events Centre.
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