Just wondering times for the Demons-Steelies games this coming weekend. There has been little talk in town, and no advertising, so people are wondering.

Game starts at 8 saturday and 1 pm sunday....

This will be for the Northern Challenge Cup, launched by the Demons in its second year...currently held by Smithers Steelheads, the last time we met in exhibition play. The Demons would like the Cup back. Games are at 8 p.m. Saturday night in Tamitik and 1.00 p.m. Sunday, also at Tamitik. We would have preferred a best-of-three competition, or having had a couple of other teams involved, but it just could not be organized.

Smithers was unable to get home ice for a game in Smithers last weekend, so this will be a two-game total goals contest... So even a split in games will have a winner, if the total scores aren't tied. If they are we'll go for a shootout...to determine a winner.

Admission is $5 to all spectators and the Steelies have a limited arrangement for some low-cost motel rooms in Kitimat for Saturday night for trabelling fans.

Demons are picking up the cost of some rooms for the Streelheads to cut expenses all around with no ice available in Smithers for a home game there.

All in all, it should be competitive and enjoyable hockey...pre-season, but with something at stake.

So come on down. The games have been advertised in the media in Kitimat and in the inter-community Connector. Publicity has been a little short sinc`e I have been away, and also sick.

Sorry fans...

Who is all making the trip for Smithers? Who are all the young kids playin this year? Should be a good couple games to get the hockey legs back..

...for both teams this weekend. Smithers will have G. Luther and Tayler Perrault in goal -- Demons answering with Brett Vilness and Jamie Moran.
Kitimat D will have regulars Jeff Mildenberger, Dave Venman, Adam Buick, Jeff Baker, returning Geoff Morgan and newcomer Terry Helgason. Defensively Smithers will have Ryan Devries, Cody Sutherland, Jeremy Travis, Deven Hayhurst, and Eric and Ian Smith.

Offensively the Ice Demons will have some veterans in the lineup like Derek Wakita, Terry Whelan, Ian Coleman, Greg Sabey, Kyle Boudreault, Steve Venman, Brayden Hason, Scott Macgregor, Jon Aiken, Andre Baldo along with returning Brandon Wakita and Greg Blair. New faces include Ryan Baker, Chris Campbell and Nathan Welsh.

Up front the Steelies will see some veteran added offense from Randall Groot, along with regulars like Dallas Anderson. Ty Koldyk is in the line up along with Darryl Young, Russell Blanchard, Kellin Stredulinsky, Ryan Green and Darren McMillan.

Steelies may be a bit shorthanded on the weekend overall, with only 17 players traveling -- but the Demons are missing some strong regulars like Blaine Marwart, Daniel Mayers, Robb Lafferty, Craig Hewitson, Jeremy Brady and Gerard Baldo -- so all in all it should be a competitive pair of games.

Did he decide to play? I thought he was coaching this year?

Can't believe Steely never filled us in on the addition of Ryan DeVries to the Smithers defence. This guy could very well walk in and be the best dman in the league. Hard to say how a guys success at the junior level will translate to senior, but he was one of the best in the BCHL. Even played for team Canada West at the world junior A championships. This is a giant boost to Smithers.

Go Stamps Go!

just listing him as among the regulars missing from the opening lineup this season...not to mislead. He'll be on the bench...