Over the past 5 years there has been one constant with the Portland Winterhawks, starting in net #35 Kurtis Mucha. Muchs has seen his share of the highs and lows with this franchise, and to many it would have been no surprise to see Kurtis not in net with Portland, rather playing with an AHL or ECHL affiliate to Edmonton. Kurtis showed very well in camp, and with Portland not knowing what kind of team they were going to have, it would have been completely understandable to see #35 moving on before the season began.
Instead, something different happened, Kurtis and his family decided to head back to the WHL and Portland to finish out Kurtis' junior career with the one team he had grown up with... In the last PWHBC Hawkey Talk Newsletter, Lee-Ann, Kurtis' mom wrote a heart warming and very emotional piece about what the last 5 years have been for them as a family. How they sent their son to Portland to follow his dream to play professional hockey.
So, today many are outraged that Portland has moved Kurtis to another team. Personally Mucha has been a stalwart with this team, time and time again saying he didn't play well enough to win, when it would have been easier to just throw his team under the bus saying how can he win seeing 50 to 60 shots a night. Kurtis is that kind of person. I will miss seeing that last 4 or 5 months of Mucha playing hockey. I am sure many will have the #35 jerseys on for January 20th in the MC and again on February 3rd when Mucha comes back to Portland. We can give him the kind of thank you he deserves.
Now we have what's next with the changing of this team. Moving Mucha for a pick is one thing, heck Seattle got a pick and a player for DeSerres going to Brandon. So, while I like many are frustrated that Mucha was moved, I also ask what is next? If Portland makes this deal, is it to make room for a different overage player? So, before I completely rip the team for making this move, I say, what's next and what is the overall impact. Is someone like Travis Ehrhardt coming back to Portland?
So while I say, good luck to Kurtis, and we'll see you soon, and hopefully for years to come in the NHL, I also say, hey Coach Johnston, what's next?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Monday Minute 11 - 09
The Hawks had an exciting finish to the annual dash for cash game on Saturday Night. I am pretty sure this was the biggest crowd of the season, and many Hawk fans went home happy, well, some I guess were more relieved then happy, but never the less it was a fantastic finish. This was one game that if you left early, you missed out.
The Hawks were not playing all that great at home over the past couple of games. November really did not start out as well as October and September were.
After not playing well on Nov 1 against Spokane, the Hawks moved into the Garden for their first game of the season on the larger ice. I thought this would open up the game for Portland and allow more open ice for their puck control offense. How ever, Portland was not better then Vancouver on that night and were shut out at home. Vancouver is a good team, however a couple of things were big let downs for me...
First, why is it that not once did someone step up and protect Muchs? Time and time again he got ran or slashed and not once did someone step up and smack a Giant, or run their goalie? I know that fighting is not going to be the same, but dang it, Ponich needs to quit talking about it and hit someone. Teams are going to keep slashing, hitting, bumping and running Muchs if not one Hawk is going to push back. Protect the goalie.
Second, the big ice did not help, in fact it most likely helped out Vancouver and they seem to be getting the puck in the open ice and had better puck and player movement. If Portland is going to keep playing on the big ice, they need to do a better job.
Portland did have a better game on Saturday, but Portland is tremendously better then Seattle and to have to scramble at the end to win in a Shoot Out... big excitement, but I am sure the Coaches and players themselves would like to play better.
Parents weekend is coming up this weekend... It is always nice to see the Parents come in to Portland and see their young men play. Come out and see a couple of good games against BC teams, WHL Champion Kelowna at the MC on Saturday and Chilliwack on Sunday in the Garden.
The Hawks were not playing all that great at home over the past couple of games. November really did not start out as well as October and September were.
After not playing well on Nov 1 against Spokane, the Hawks moved into the Garden for their first game of the season on the larger ice. I thought this would open up the game for Portland and allow more open ice for their puck control offense. How ever, Portland was not better then Vancouver on that night and were shut out at home. Vancouver is a good team, however a couple of things were big let downs for me...
First, why is it that not once did someone step up and protect Muchs? Time and time again he got ran or slashed and not once did someone step up and smack a Giant, or run their goalie? I know that fighting is not going to be the same, but dang it, Ponich needs to quit talking about it and hit someone. Teams are going to keep slashing, hitting, bumping and running Muchs if not one Hawk is going to push back. Protect the goalie.
Second, the big ice did not help, in fact it most likely helped out Vancouver and they seem to be getting the puck in the open ice and had better puck and player movement. If Portland is going to keep playing on the big ice, they need to do a better job.
Portland did have a better game on Saturday, but Portland is tremendously better then Seattle and to have to scramble at the end to win in a Shoot Out... big excitement, but I am sure the Coaches and players themselves would like to play better.
Parents weekend is coming up this weekend... It is always nice to see the Parents come in to Portland and see their young men play. Come out and see a couple of good games against BC teams, WHL Champion Kelowna at the MC on Saturday and Chilliwack on Sunday in the Garden.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Monday Minute 11 - 02
The first quarter of the Hawks season has come and gone, with the Hawks going 13 - 5 - 0 - 0 for 26 points and tied with the Americans a top the US Division. (Of course the Hawks have played 3 more games total then the Americans and sit at 13 - 6 for the season). Over all this has been a great start to the season. It is interesting to see fans get upset with a loss now, compared to the past few season. Heck the Hawks won 11 games total two years ago and what 19 last year. I guess it is nice to see fans upset instead of just taking the norm of previous years as what to expect.
As far as the first quarter, this may be the toughest quarter of the season. Portland spent a ton of time on the road and has the long central swing out of the way. In looking at the team play I would rate the offense as an A- and the defense as a B- / C+. I am not referring to the forwards and defensemen, rather overall offense and defense. Portland has been scoring (Ok not last night) but has also been allowing too many goals. In looking at the stats Portland has scored 78 goals, but also allowed 59. Portland's current style of pushing the puck and controlling the puck in the attacking zone will leave the defense a bit weak at times. Earlier in the season Portland was doing a better job of containing their opponents in neutral ice, but now seem to be playing more in the defensive zone. If Portland keeps playing this attacking style (which they are good at, and the fans enjoy watching) they will need to get back to neutral ice containment.
Overall this team has surprised many in Portland as well as across the WHL. We fans get 4 more games at home before the team hits the road again, and get to see them in the Garden both Wednesday and Saturday. The big ice should be a bit different for Portland as they can use the wide open space to move the puck and get quality scoring chances. Come on out and watch.
One other note, Taylor Peters had a great game on Saturday for the Vees, way to go TP.
As far as the first quarter, this may be the toughest quarter of the season. Portland spent a ton of time on the road and has the long central swing out of the way. In looking at the team play I would rate the offense as an A- and the defense as a B- / C+. I am not referring to the forwards and defensemen, rather overall offense and defense. Portland has been scoring (Ok not last night) but has also been allowing too many goals. In looking at the stats Portland has scored 78 goals, but also allowed 59. Portland's current style of pushing the puck and controlling the puck in the attacking zone will leave the defense a bit weak at times. Earlier in the season Portland was doing a better job of containing their opponents in neutral ice, but now seem to be playing more in the defensive zone. If Portland keeps playing this attacking style (which they are good at, and the fans enjoy watching) they will need to get back to neutral ice containment.
Overall this team has surprised many in Portland as well as across the WHL. We fans get 4 more games at home before the team hits the road again, and get to see them in the Garden both Wednesday and Saturday. The big ice should be a bit different for Portland as they can use the wide open space to move the puck and get quality scoring chances. Come on out and watch.
One other note, Taylor Peters had a great game on Saturday for the Vees, way to go TP.
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