Leafs Don't allow Wilcats to claw their way back! 6-5 Leafs win!

In another test against a PW A team, the Leafs battled back from 3-1 down, then hung on and needed an empty net off a smart steal by Noah to seal the victory! Photos and video highlights will follow, but another thrilling game for the team that never gives up, and will not back down against anyone!

May the New Year bring all of you more exciting games from this special team!

Anatomy of a goal Celebration!

Jack was as happy for (2Live)Kroo as he would have been had he scored one himself! That is why we are never out of a game, and never quit, we work hard and pull for each other! BEAUTIFUL!

"We are the greatest line ever!" Well, better than the Wildcats on that shift anyhow!

"Dude--let go..here comes Noah, make room!"

"Here comes Toma--he's a D, and scores all the time, but let him in for a hug!"

Steven makes it look easy, Kevin makes a hit, Jack takes a hit, and Kevin finds the back of the net and the celebration begins!  Check it out!

Good stuff--Leafs on the attack!

Leafs stand up to Ducks A team before falling 4-3

A thrilling battle, with our kids not backing down one bit. The Ducks battled back to win, but we gave them all they could handle. We have stood up to the challenge of the next level competition, which we should commend the boys for.

It was one of the most exciting games I can recall watching in a long time--and Jack clobbered big #89, Chandler Dittola, former in-house superstar who used to score like 3 goals a game when Blake used to play with him! Anyhow, great experience any way you look at it!


Reporting (A)live from Valencia, Blogger Bill on the road, over and out!

Tournament update Anaheim Ice

In a rematch of the epic 1-1 battle on Halloween at Paramount, the Jr Ducks (1) Pee Wee B team skated past the short-handed Leafs on Sunday 4-0. Just not our day, as Steven and Taylor were ill, and Sean is on vacation, so Jack and Kevin got some extra ice time. Chris' brother Alex was the linesman, and did his part by deftly deflecting a puck to #9 for a scoring chance--easily a highlight! Photos will follow..

JACKSON JAILED IN (his new) JERSEY!

Yes, it is Jack in the BOX!!

Shockingly, although it happened over and over, we were never whistled for "Too many Bisnieks" on the ice!

On Monday, the Jr Gulls Pee Wee A juggernaut was the opposition. They are 9-0 in regular season play, with a 62-9 scoring differential. They average about 9 goals a game, have shutout their opponents in 7 of 14 games, and gave up 1 goal in 6 others! Only once did they give up more than 1 goal in a game! Crazy..but I noticed the coach of the Anaheim Ducks PW A team, watching our game, and he was impressed that we held the score down. His team lost 7-1 recently to this team of ladies and giants! Bring it on--a third Ducks team to dislike--OH BOY!!

PW Leafs Storm past OC 5-1 or more!

The Pee Wee Leafs came to Aliso Viejo Ice Palace for a Sunday morning battle with OC Hockey, coming away with a 5-1 victory. Not a perfect performance, a bit sluggish at times, but the better team did end up on top.

In a strange play early in the 3rd, Jack and Danny combined for a nice goal up into the net under the bar, but since Toronto was not filming the game, and I could not get the refs attention, play continued up the ice as we celebrated! That was nearly a three minute between whistles play, and Chris with Steven and Noah started the shift, then Danny, Jack and Kevin came on, they scored, and like a weird tag-team play, Chris scored after an Andrew deke and hard low shot. A smart OC kid kept going, nearly getting a breakaway chance, until David gave Hayden some company in the net..CRAZY STUFF!

One play, two goals for LEAFS!

We bloggers are sort of like lounge acts, taking requests for something Sinatra, maybe Manilow, Van Morrision, you know, all over the map. Well, by request, here is some Holiday Hittin', some Goonin' with Van Heuven, sit back and enjoy a little....

Bangin' Around with the Bespectacled BEAST!

Don't forget to tip your waitresses! Anyone else??

Anyhow, here are some more clips to view. First goal for number 16, some nice work on the cycle by Chris and Noah and Steven, and some other tidbits. Enjoy!

More Action from Aliso Viejo

PW Leafs bash Lady Reign at Paramount

In a non-checking exhibition game, the Maple Leafs of Pasadena battled the Lady Reign at Paramount on Sunday December 12th. The game did not count in the standings, so the game sort of had a slow, quirky start to it.

Once everyone got their feet moving and broke a sweat, the Leafs dominated and relentlessly fired shots at and around the Lady Reign net. Here are some highlights by period. After the first, the score was 4-1, the shots were at least that!!

Chills and thrills from Period One

Perhaps it was 9-2 after two periods..

Goings on from the 2nd period

And some gems from the final stanza--

Third Per doings and stuff like that thar!


I just wanna say that was the least I have enjoyed one of the Leafs PW games, even though it was fun watching Jack get some nice shifts. I guess for me the team has a certain identity, and when they don't play that way, it leaves me wanting more. Like a good book that becomes a movie and loses something in the translation, I enjoy watching Kevin, Sean, Taylor and Danny get into people, and to see Andrew avoid checks and skate back to ride people off the puck with skill and power. When those elements aren't there, I feel a little short-changed. I need to remember that when Blake and the Bantam team plays the Lady Reign next level team in the after Christmas tourney in Valencia coming up..

Questions to be answered going into the Sun game

Okay, so this week was a little off, with no Wednesday clinic, and a Monday practice without the Peter and Chris show. Nothing against Kevin, but he is more the corporate, old school type, not the rock star, super-hero bling-bling the Armenian connection brings. No biggie--we'll get to see them at the clinic--oh, no, clinic cancelled for private party. Inquiring minds want to know--

So, the question must be asked! Where have Peter and Chris been? What did they do this week, especially Mon and Wed nights? As the teams roving reporter at large, I have no first hand knowledge of their activities, but I can theorize, well, because I can log in to the blog.

Maybe, just maybe, they were making some sort of TV show, like one of those reality shows, focusing on Peter the newlywed, and Chris the man about town with the lovable personality we all are charmed by. Who do they hang with--do they cook, are they in a band maybe??

Or, are they joining the WWE, some sort of Armenian tag team wrestlers, and they are practicing before they make their official debut? They are agile, fast, strong--does anyone doubt they could hold their own in the ring?

I got it--they are becoming the new modern day Green Hornet and Kato, working on who will be who. They will shoot pucks at criminals, and use skate blades to free themselves when the bad guys try to tie them up. I hear comic books, kids show in at least three or four languages, and if the deal is right, a movie deal for the off-season! Totally could see it--need an agent to do the deal? I go standard 60/40 with exclusivity on the figurines and marketing campaign..

Anyhow, the real question is, come Sunday, what will they say instead of "Body! Body!" since it is a non checking game against young ladies? (In this day and age, hollering that from the bench could get you a 2 and 10, as in years not minutes!!!) Work, Pressure, Hustle, something like that? The suspense is killing me. Maybe they will practice the new word during the Saturday practice so they don't say the other one by accident..

Don't miss the next update, same Bat time, same Bat channel!!

Leafs Pummel Jr Reign 6-0 at Paramount

In a game where the outcome was never really in doubt, the Leafs struggled in the first, firing a bunch of good shots high or wide of the net. I don't know the actual number, but I would guess the shots were like 40-10, and it could have been more like 50 for the PW Leafs. It is important to remember to keep the shots low so we can get to the rebounds, especially on the power play.

(Enough coaching, now I can be a fan. I figured out how to use the titles features on the new software version, so I can add some comments to the video footage. Hope you like it.)

Of course the usual suspects contributed, Andrew all over the ice, leading the rush, hustling back to break up plays. Chris weaving around the defense, crashing to the net for rebounds, Danny working hard along the boards, setting up nice scoring chances, Steven, getting to loose pucks and pressuring the defense. David and Aaron did the usual steady hard work, holding pucks in at the blue line and clearing the front of the net, moving the puck up to the wingers to get the play started.

But in addition, Taylor played tough and physical, as well as set-up his line various times, Sean moved the puck and caused trouble with his hustle, Kevin broke up some plays and kept moving forward, Jack had a nice rush up the wing with a shot off the bar, and he had two follow up chances out front, Noah was effective getting open and moving the puck up, and Alex and Teddy got a chance to get involved. Oh, and Jonathan was solid in net, turning aside all that came his way!

Oh, not a perfect game, but I did get some nice comments from a Jr Reign father about how well coached we were and that we played a high quality game of hockey. Why, thank you!!

Anyhow, relive some thrilling moments with some cute little text tidbits from the bloggin', video titlin' machine!

Leafs PW vs Jr Reign at Paramount

Next week, the big sisters will come to town trying to avenge this one, as the Lady Reign will be here for an "exhibition" of the non-hitting variety!

Highlights of the Express game

This was my favorite game of the tournament, and although they out-shot us, we hung in there against a bigger, more experienced PW A team. Our one goal lead in goal differential allowed us to be awarded a spot in the finals with just a 2-2 tie, and we all recall how that happened, don't we?

Here are some fun moments from the start of the game to the goal Valencia scored early in the second period.

Hayden smacks a kid in front of HIS net, Hayden makes a nice save in a crowd, Chris (early on) and Andrew (nice rush, 71 style) get chances, David stands up at the blueline, Danny bumps a big D man, Noah takes a header, Hayden makes a couple nice saves, and Valencia goes up 1-0 early in second period.

Highlights up thru Valencia goal early 2nd period

The PW Leafs battled back--nice rush by Andrew, rebound, nice pass and a goal. Big hit by Danny, second goal by Express A team, and then the short version of the tie/winner! I can watch it over and over, and I smile as big every time! 

Pee Wee B Leafs Ink top draft choice

Noah Speizer (sp) has officially signed on with the Maple Leafs to finish up the regular season.

A gifted player, not to be cliche, but he sees the ice well, is a good two way player, a fine skater, he moves the puck well, can play on the PP, the PK, will improve our SOG's, while not adding PIM's, he will be a + player, has a "heavy shot", is good in the corners, is good 4-on-4, has a high hockey IQ, and from early reports, he rarely swears or spits!

A player from a team in our division spoke with anonymity to a PML parent:
"Holy BLEEP!! They got that guy--now they are gonna crush us by 13 goals instead of 10--I so am being sick when we play them!"

A high ranking official with the organization summed up Noah this way:

"When I see this kid play, I see a kid with all the tools, and it appears all of the equipment. He has two skates, a stick, helmet, two gloves, shoulder pads, real hockey pants, all the right stuff! In terms of Chemistry, he is bright so he should get an easy A, as well as add to the team chemistry!"

WOW!  High praise--welcome aboard Noah!

And lastly, to the rest of the league, as Shakespeare once said in one of his lesser known works--

Nee-ner, nee-ner, nee-ner, we got Noah and you didn't!!!

GO LEAFS!

Photo Review of the final game vs Wildcats

Ilona lost her left arm, and Peter has a left arm and no hand, so they helped each other find their missing arms and fingers and stuff--Chris looks on, worried for his friend who used to have two perfectly good arms and hands!

When the camera was on, no one could touch the charm and charisma of 99!

Pee Wee Leafs Battle like Future Champions in Valencia

History tells us that rarely does a team storm in and conquer an existing champion. They must first endure the realization that they are not yet ready to wear the crown of the ultimate victor. In 1983 the Islanders blew the Edmonton Oilers out in 4 games straight, winning their fourth Stanley Cup in a row. The next year, Gretzky, Messier and the young Oilers blasted the seemingly unbeatable Islanders in five, on the way to four Stanley Cups in five years. In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings were blown away in the finals by the New Jersey Devils, but they returned to take the Stanley Cup in 1997 and 1998, each series a sweep!

The competition was strong, we toppled a real Pee Wee A team, and we left it all out there on the ice. We saw the celebration, and how the Wildcats enjoyed their accomplishment, and we know how hard we tried. Our time will come, boys, indeed, it will! Runner up at a strong tournament like this is a terrific achievement! Be proud, but be ready to work twice as hard going forward..

Leafs take "Express" lane to the Finals Sat Night

Sometimes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and because of that a 2-2 tie against a legitimate PW A team has taken the little team that could, the Pasadena Maple Leafs PW B team, to the PW A Championship game. In that, there is victory enough to take back to Paramount and enjoy.

But, since we do have a game to play, we might as well give them all we got, huh? You never know. A hard fought, take no prisoners type of game like this makes teams come together, and as Noah, Jack, Sean, Kevin and even Hayden can attest, this one left more than a few bruises. We fell down, but we got up, and kept coming and coming, and they could never deliver the knockout punch.

There is a new member of the Leafs family, not a rostered player, no nothing like that, but a vital part of the operation nevertheless. The blogging operation has partaken of an upgrade, a HD camcorder. At the request of the fans of the blog, I am attempting to see how the first game came out and put some thrilling clips up. It is 10pm now, and I will leave this for now so I can try and bring it into the Mac and get them to you, my adoring public. Don't wait up..check them out with your morning beverage if you like.

Chris with the shot heard all over Santa Clarita!

Practice gets kicked up a notch--Armenian style!

Coach Peter had the kids hold off on putting on their practice jerseys, and came out with some ultra-cool Russian jerseys of various colors. Practice turned into an international "Wide World of Sports" setting, like we were some sort of travelling team skating in an exhibition in Austria or some far off locale. For added realism, Hayden added his touch with the black goalie beanie..

Kids, parents and coaches seem giddy as we ready for the upcoming tournament. WAY COOL--damn--Jack's doesn't fit me..

Dear Santa..

I am not asking for much this year, but as you know, both boys are playing club hockey now, and if you could, could you find one of those cool jerseys like the Pee Wee team has? I can send you a photo if you want me to..

Your friend,

Bill

PS  I have been really good this year, I brush my teeth and am good at at showering at least a couple times a week...

Scimmage with LA Hockey Sun 11/21 Paramount

This blog entry is virtually sponsored by Phunk Fotography, where "we put the Funk into your Photos"!

Phunk Fotography, where Kenny says,

"Why just take one or two when you can snap off many!!"

The coaches were looking dashing as always:

Coach Peter brings game intensity to warm-ups

Goalie mirror--who's the fairest of them all??

Dude--isn't there a weight min for PW A?

3, 6, 9 12, who do we like besides our.....coaches??

The boys were ready to roll. If you do not see your child in these, my apologies. If you can't tell who the kid is in one of the pictures, congratulations--he's yours! And for the record he is adorable and played skillfully!

And remember, if you don't want your photos to end up as junk in some trunk, give Kenny a call and he will FUNK UP YOUR FOTOS!