Mooseheads Keep Rolling

The entire season has been better than expected for the Halifax Mooseheads. They were expected to be better than the weak teams that have graced the Metro Centre ice in recent years, but with a core of young players it was supposed to have some significant growing pains. Instead the team ended up securing home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, and not only are the 16 year-old contributing, they’re leading the way.

It’s not surprising that Halifax would be ahead in the opening round series with the Moncton Wildcats. What is surprising is the ease at which they have gotten out to the 3-0 series lead following Mondays 8-2 victory. I figured Halifax would get past Moncton, but it was going to be much tougher. After all, the Wildcats had a 5-3 record against the Herd in the regular season. But in the first three games of the playoffs the Moose have got themselves one win away from the next round on a combined 17-4 score.

Sixteen year old Nathan MacKinnon is amongst the top scorers in the playoffs with five goals and 2 assists through the first three games. Co-team MVP and Rookie of the Year, along with being named QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Zach Fucale has not been overly busy, but has made a number of key saves when called upon and sports a 1.33 GAA and 0.944 SV%.

And it should be noted Halifax is missing key veterans Darcy Ashley (suspended following final game or reg. season) and Konrad Abeltshauser (suspended following game 1).

There will obviously be tests for this young squad as they attempt to go deeper. It will be interesting to see how they deal with some adversity; when things aren’t coming so easily. One of those tests will be finishing off the Wildcats. Proven or mature teams have the ability to finish teams off when they get them down and don’t even give a hint of hope for comeback. The Moose can take another step by continuing their strong playoffs and bouncing Moncton on Tuesday. Of course it’s never that easy.

Frk-y Friday

The Mooseheads will have Frk in the lineup to open the QMJHL playoffs against the Moncton Wildcats. (photo credit: Richard Lafortune)

The Mooseheads kick-off their playoff run Friday night against the Moncton Wildcats and they will likely have one of the top performers back in the lineup. Martin Frk looks ready to return after missing time following a hit on the final weekend of the regular season. It’s understandable that the team would take their time with Frk as he missed considerable time already this season following concussion issues coming out of training camp.

The Herd may also welcome back defenseman Sawyer Hannay who has been out since early February with concussion issues as well. Hannay remains day-to-day, but no decision has been made as of yet. The moves could help bolster the teams depth, as defenseman Steve Gillard recently returned from the injured list, also with concussion issues, and will help relieve some of the pressure on the backend.

Concussions have been a major for the Mooseheads all year. There is three cases mentioned above, plus the case of goaltender Anthony Terenzio has been out since late October with a concussion and there is no firm timetable for any return.

While the team is beginning to get some good news from players potentially coming of the injured list, they were dealt a blow with the suspension of Darcy Ashley. Ashley, the team’s fourth leading scorer, received a four game suspension from the league following a cross-checking incident in the final game of the season.

Games 1 and 2 of the the opening round series against the Wildcats go Friday and Saturday at the Metro Centre. A team and city that has hungered for meaningful hockey in Spring should produce a strong energy in the building.

NBL Season to Open October 29th

The National Basketball League of Canada release its official schedule for the 2011-12 season.

The announcement comes on the heels of a busy week in which the league finalize the operaitng agreements for its four expansion franchises in Oshawa, London, Summerside and Moncton. The schedule was likely prepared, but awaiting confirmation fo these franchises.

“We are excited to kick off our inaugural season with a 36 game schedule,” said National Basketball League of Canada President & CEO, Andre Levingston. “The schedule has been designed with our fans top-of-mind, and has been built to ensure an even spread of games between all seven teams.”

The majority of games will be played between Thrusday and Sunday. Hopefully this will allow for greater fan turn out as people are looking ot get our for fun closer to the weekend. This must have taken some fancy scheduling as five of the seven franchises share facitilies with Major Junior hockey teams that also play a bulk of their games on the weekend.

In the NBL Canada’s inaugural season, the teams will play under one division and will play each other six times, with three home games and three away.

Moncton Rounds Out NBL Roster

Moncton Coliseum, Home of the Moncton NBL Franchise

The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce that the city of Moncton, New Brunswick, has been approved and accepted to begin play for the 2011-12 season. Moncton represents the seventh and final franchise to being accepted for the inaugural season.

“Moncton is a city I’ve had my eye on for a long, long time now, and I’m absolutely thrilled that the franchise has finally come to fruition,” said National Basketball League of Canada President & CEO, Andre Levingston. “Everyone knows what a great event city Moncton is, and we are confident that professional basketball will be no exception.”

Levingston’s excitement is understandable. Gaining Moncton as a franchise city is huge after having difficulty with two of the originally proposed franchises in Barrie and Kingston, ON. Adding Moncton will enhance the Maritime rivalries between the exisitng Halifax Rainmen (owned by Levingston) and the Saint John Mill Rats, as well as the new PEI franchise.

Oshawa Gets Top Pick in NBL Draft

The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce the details of its inaugural pre-draft combine and the NBL Canada Draft 2011.

“The NBL Canada pre-draft combine and draft will be groundbreaking for the country,” said National Basketball League of Canada President & CEO, Andre Levingston. “The events will mark a new beginning of Canadian basketball talent, and will inspire and encourage the next generation of young Canadian athletes. We’re excited that young Canadians can now dream about being a basketball player in their own country.”

The inaugural NBL Canada Draft will be held on Sunday, August 21 at 7:00 pm at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

The draft will consist of three rounds. The first round will draft free agent players only, while the second and third rounds will draft Canadian players only. Only those players who attend the combine will be eligible for the draft.

The NBL Canada Draft 2011 selection order is as follows: