Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Looking Ahead

With the summer season just a little more than a month away, the excitement of the Shockers is intensifying and is definitely creating a whole lot of positive energy in the locker room.

"We're looking forward to game one, that is going to be big papillions point com right there," Alain Godard, the team captain, said a the pre-season press conference.

"It's going to be a big season for us all, that's for true!" exclaimed defensive work-horse, Francois Hamelin.

The team has been holding regular team practices every week trying out new strategies and ways to work out the lines, however, the team has been keeping quiet as to what the lines will be come game time. Another item of discussion that the team is keeping quiet is who in fact will get the start in nets.

Preliminary reports suggested that Giancarlo Capaz would get the start for game one, however, due to his contract clauses with the division one Blues, he will not be able to play games on consecutive days. That being said, if the Blues do make a return for the summer season and game days are held on consecutive days, we might see Capaz on the sidelines for most of the season. With Capaz's status in question, who will take on the responsibilities of carrying this team to the cup? There are some speculations that the Shockers will look into some goaltending options from the minors. Charles "Chuck" Ghazarian is a promising candidate the Shockers look to evaluate in the coming weeks. He is posting excellent numbers in the minors including a whooping 2.03 GAA. Some rumors, which were quickly denied by the Shocker's management, had Jaroslav Whiffen, the backup goaltender for the division one Blues, joining the team.

Some online sources are rumoring that a trade involving Capaz for another goaltender who the team can count on and not have to worry about contract stipulations. When Capaz was asked about his future with the Shockers, he simply said: "we'll have to see what my agent says, if the contract negotiations go well, I'll be more than happy to take this team to the top."

To avoid another Ray Emery situation, Godard cleared the air by this statement, "[Capaz] has got to look out for himself and his better interests. Obviously, his family is number one and he's got to do what is best for them. We want to see him between the pipes for us this season, right on, right there, on the spot."

As the dust will soon settle on both sides of those fences, the team looks to solidify its defensive pairings of Marc Boucher, Greg Emmanuel, Jeff Jasmin and Francois Hamelin. "We have a good balance on defense, they know when to jump into the attack and they know when it is time to play smart defense. Boucher will be our go-to guy on the powerplay. Emmanuel has good speed and can play the man well. Jasmin is definitely going to be a tough dude to get around. Hamelin, he's like the [Patrice] Brisebois of the gang, he'll put in the key goals in tight game situations and he'll stick with the team for years to come, y'est franchise buddy," Godard boasted.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Not Feeling the Blues Anymore!

Alain Godard, Andrew Stevens and Giancarlo Capaz who are currently finishing off their season with their division one team, the Blues, are sitting back with big smiles today as they played a huge role in last night's 4-3 victory over the Outlaws.

Godard notched his 14th goal of the season to put his team ahead early in the third only to have it taken away moments later when a defensive breakdown caused the tying goal. With time winding down, Stevens jumped on the rinque with 1:06 left in the game to setup a Daniel Balenzano game-winning goal. Capaz was stellar making the huge key saves in the dying minute of the game where the Outlaws poured on the attack and even pulling their goaltender to give them an edge. Capaz notably made the biggest save of the game late in the third where a three on one attack was shutdown by a sprawling Capaz who was able to get a hand on the ball.

"The guy stuttered a step and it threw me off, I was expecting the shot and then he cut in through the middle. I was already down and out but somehow I got my blocker hand on it and didn't give out a rebound," added Capaz.

Godard, who has a howitzer of a shot, has been expected the shoot more and it paid off in last night's game where he blasted one past the goaltender in the third. When Godard was asked if the fans can expect more of these kinds of goals, he simply replied: "probably so."

Stevens who has been trying to stay consistent on the score sheet has been setting up plays that have been turning points for the Blues and last night was no exception where he setup the game-winner. "I just got out there and next thing I know the ball is on my stick. I looked to take the shot but something told me to dish it to Varano. I usually don't play with Varano and Danny so I'm not used to their passing plays, but next thing I know is Varano passes it to Danny for the one-timer and it was in the net. It all happened really fast!" describes Stevens of the winning play.

It is no secret that the Shockers will have great potential this upcoming season with Godard, Stevens and Capaz on the team but we cannot ignore last minute additions, Steve Diabo and Jonathan Sante upfront. However, look for the defense to jump in the play where we might expect Marc "The Butcher" Boucher and Jeff "Get Out of the Way" Jasmin to show up on the score sheet.

"Watch out for the black guys!" exclaimed Jasmin referring to himself and defensive partner Greg Emmanuel.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

New Beginnings

With just two games left in the regular season of the NABHL Winter season for the division one team, the Blues; Andrew Stevens, team Captain, Alain Godard and star goaltender Giancarlo Capaz are excited to enter a new chapter in their ball hockey careers.

"I'm really pumped up to see how we measure up in division two after playing a season in division one," Stevens mentioned in pre-game interview.

"I know the summer season isn't too far away and I have to keep my head on straight for the Blues but to feel the energy from the guys who are part of the Shockers and being involved in the building process of the team, I feel a lot more part of [the Shockers]," added Stevens.

Stevens and Godard who are paired on the "Flying Frenchmen" line for the Blues, have shown great numbers throughout the winter season combining for 19 goals and 25 assists in just 14 games. However, the numbers are expected to be greater when they drop down to division two, Godard added, "we're just looking for the 'W' and it doesn't matter who puts the ball in the net, those are just stats...for hockey pools and stuff like that."

The Blues will look to snap a three game losing streak when they take on the rough and tough Outlaws today at 7:30pm at Le Rinque. They will then cap off their season on Sunday, May 25th, against a team breathing in new life, the Pelicans, who the Blues have struggled against as of late posting two losses that come in the way of a shootout.

"We're struggling really bad defensively lately and we'll need to snap out of this rut before we get in the playoffs," noted Capaz, whose performance has been stellar despite his 7.66 goals against average in the past three games.

As the remaining Shockers sit on the sidelines for now, the team has still be holding regular practices to keep everyone conditioned for the upcoming season.

"We want to get in shape because the summer season is a new ball game and we want to be ready for whatever the teams are going to throw at us," states Godard.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Shockers Team is Complete with Final Deal Inked

Shockers will be ready to hit Le Rinque with full force this upcoming summer season in the NABHL. With the team finally established and inking the latest addition to the roster, Steve Diabo, the Shockers look to be a force to be reckoned with.

Captain Alain Godard noted in yesterday's press conference when acquiring Diabo, the 24 year old power forward, "I'm excited to see what this team is capable of, we have strong players up front, solid defense and as for [Giancarlo Capaz], he never disappoints in his performances."

Despite the excitement in the Shockers dressing room, it is with regret that certain players will not be joining the roster in this summer's campaign for the cup. Rod "the Rocket" Tremblay will be out for the season suffering with a high ankle sprain that will keep him in extensive physiotherapy. Also, during the first phases of the team's conception, Giancarlo Capaz was still on the Blues day-to-day list with flu-like symptoms and was questionable about taking on additional responsibilities with other teams, however team doctors have since cleared him of any ailment and will be expected to perform at 100%.

"We see the potential in this guy, he puts his heart into every save and I do not question his ability to play the game, regardless of how many teams he wants to play for," Godard said of Capaz at yesterday's team press conference.

So, here are the Shockers of the 2008 Summer season of the NABHL:

Forwards:
Alain Godard
Ben Ducharme
Nick Sullo
Andrew Stevens
Steve Diabo
Jon Sante
Kosta Kastrounis

Defense:
Francois Hamelin
Jeff Jasmin
Greg Emmanuel
Marc Boucher

Goaltender:
Giancarlo Capaz