Both teams looked short in warm up. Rupert with a couple skaters out and Hazelon looked to have brought 14 players total.


Puck drop after the anthem.

Its 0 to 0 in Smithers after one.
We had an update of 5 to 0 for williams lake half way through the first.

Rupert 4, Hazelton 0

Both teams are running short benches. With the short benches Rupert has Millar back on a line with the Stava's and it didnt take long for the unit to click. Rob Millar (G Sheppard, T Davis) put the home side ahead in the opening minute.

A real good shift from this weeks 'Grind Line' (Kendall Stace-Smith, Johnny Hunt, Mike Coolin) saw Rupert spend more than a minute working the boards in the Hazelton end. On the shift after Chris Brlecic swatted a puck back to Brett Stava (G Sheppard) extended the lead. Brett (Kendall Stace-Smith, J Hunt) put another in the board at the ten minute mark.

Jeremy Boot (C Woodrow, J Meers) one timed a sick feed to make it 4-0.

Hazelton has yet to generate much in the way of chances. Rupert's Keith Movold has only handled the puck a couple of times. One penalty a piece so far.

I wish I was at the game Big Trav. It's the first one I've missed this season.

Kevin Movold and Mimmo Ciccone are there to do the play-by-play, but I am not there to run the camera, so unfortunately this one won't be going into the video archives. Nor will there be any highlight reels.....

I'm at work, and it sucks! Couldn't get out of it, or find anyone else to run the camera.

Please keep us posted as often as you can - there are a few other Rampage team members here with me as well.

Phil

Rupert 5, Hazelton 0

Brett Stava (R Millar, C Stava) with the hat-trick.

Derek Baker was ejected for questionable kneeing call on Phil Morrison.

The hitting picked up in this period. Hazelton generated a couple good chances. Hopefully, we can play run time in the third and get this over without an incident.

0 to 0 Kitimat Terrace after 1 as well.
Big-Trav... any updates?

0 to 0 in Smithers after 2.
And we hear that its 8 to 2 for Williams Lake.

Rupert 7, Hazelton 2.

Rupert off to the second round for the first time in franchise history.

houston smithers in OT 0 0 still

Thanks for all the updates Trav.

Round 2 away in _________ next weekend?

Hazelton's Keegan Jack (B Russell, R Muldoe) scored early in the third while Rupert's Forrest Shale was serving Derek Baker's penalty for kneeing. Brett Stava continued his hot hand and put a powerplay marker on the board for the homeside (R Millar, T Davis). Captain Colt followed that up with another powerplay goal (B Stava, R Millar) to extend the Rupert lead. Hazelton scored another on a 5-on-3 powerplay late in the game.

This one was definitely not the prettiest of Rupert wins. Rolling three solid lines and four defenceman (Forrest played spot duty for much of this game), Rupert gutted one out. I know that sounds strange considering the score, but that's how this one felt. Rupert surged in the first, spending a majority of the first twenty minutes deep in the Hazelton zone. The concerted effort paid off with a big lead, which likely eased the difficulties of a short bench.

Hazelton was better in the final forty, but just didn't have the guns to make this one close. It's hard to pick standouts in this one, as Rupert got solid performances from pretty much everyone in the lineup. Obviously, Brett Stava stood out on the score sheet, driving his big frame to the scoring areas with purpose tonight. The rest of the Big Line, Rob Millar and Colt Stava weren't as noticeable as some nights, but still caused fits in the Hazelton zone. Another solid performance on the back end for the "out of position" Jared Meers, this time paired with Greg Sheppard. Keith Movold, while not busy, was solid especially as the game went on and Hazelton started getting some scoring chances.

I hear that Kitimat won their series, so it would appear that the Rampage's first trip to the second round will feature a matchup at Tamitik next weekend. Shoud be a good one.

I hafta say I was pretty impressed with the reffing of this game. It was a refreshing change. The game actually had flow to it, felt like there were more too many men calls than other penalties. The kneeing call really was the right one, when a player blatantly sticks a leg out, and someone has to be attended to in the dressing room, thats a major as far as Im concerned. The fact that he was able to return in the third probably makes it a bitter pill to swallow I suppose.
I was also impressed by this ref using his linesmen to make some tougher calls, and waving players away. Seemed like he was willing to admit that he wasnt perfect and could listen to his 'team mates' but wasnt going to listen to the players plead their cases. The times he went to his linesmen the right calls were made so cudos.

I was also impressed with how both teams handled the game. In the second half of the third rupert had many chances to run up the score and chose not to, and hazleton kept their cool and composure with no dirty stuff going on. Hazletons goalie especially deserves alot of credit. He let in the first shot, and then played an outstanding game despite being left out to dry. This game could have easily been out of control if he hadnt played so well.

I wasnt very impressed with the fans around me who couldnt win with the same level of dignity as the players on the ice tho. Definately makes it hard to want to watch more games this playoffs when I feel so bad for kids learning from such awful role models off the ice.

The two clowns that were yelling "Fight, Fight, Fight" at the top of their lungs for pretty much the whole third period?

I don't know who those two idiots were, but I've never seen them at a game before. At least not in that location (they were a few rows behind me). Obnoxious is far too nice a word to describe them, and if that is who you are refering to, please do not think that all Rupert fans are like that. Some of us do go to watch some hockey and enjoy the show for what it is.

No, I didnt hear a fight fight fight chant. I had one gentleman sitting near me encouraging a large group of kids to chant take a seat over and over again to one of hazletons players, and another calling hazletons goalie a dummy every time the puck was in their end, and im not even paraphrasing. So I guess I should congradulate him for not swearing in front of the kids?

I brought this up today with someone and they mentioned that they refuse to go to rampage games anymore because of all the name calling and childish behavior. It really is sad that a few bad apples can ruin a bunch because you're right, Rupert does have sell out, energetic crowds.

Maybe some playoff success will give the fans more pride!

It is too bad when some bad apples spoil the reputation of a town's fans during the CIHL games.
Prince Rupert is one of the best places to play hockey in and people from Hazelton have always appreciated and enjoyed their respect for the visiting team and their fans.
It is a shame that the bad apples cant fathom what it takes to provide this kind of entertainment. Perhaps they should lace up the skates and give it a go and then take a little of their own medicine.
Could I suggest that the security at home games be advised of people in the stands who need a warning to be positive, or else quiet. They do spoil the fun and are the worst example for our kids. There is always the option of asking people to leave the rink as well. Almost every arena should follow this rule if possible, even if it is just for the young fans who are watching, and not the players themselves.
An honest assessment of this game is appreciated and recognizing those players on both teams for good sportsmanship and effort demonstrates the true spirit of the Rupert fan. Thanks for that.
The Hazelton team enjoyed being there and were treated very well.

For the most part have been good. At least in my eyes. Sure, there may be a little razzing of opposing players in the penalty box, but it's harmless fun for the most part. Lots of kids around and it is a pretty family friendly event. There always seems to be a contingent of away fans that sit close to my regular seats and there are for the most parts no issues at all.

Like I said, I did notice that there were a few clowns this past weekend. The ones that sat behind us were definitely not regulars to that section of the arena. Like I said, we're not all like that.

look I can see where you're coming from because you shouldn't act like that in front of kids but I mean come on... This is hockey not figure skating. Fans pay money to watch an exciting game and heckling is apart of any game of hockey I've ever been to. Its not like the players care they know its apart of the game. So what someone calls the goalie a dummy waaaaaaan waaaaaaan... Look all I'm saying is I know the CIHL is a family-working mans league or whatever but lets not go too hardcore and start handing out crayons and colouring books at the door. I agree some fans take it too far and thats where event staff should come in to the mix but a little heckling doesnt hurt ANYONE

By Martina Perry - The Northern View
Published: February 01, 2011 11:00 PM

The Rupert Rampage gave a perfect example of why they are number one in the CIHL western conference at Saturday nights playoff game by beating the Hazelton Wolverines 7-2 to sweep them out of the playoffs.

The Rampage started off on fire in the first, with Rob Millar scoring the teams first goal within the first minute. Brett Stava, who was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, scored the teams second goal at 10:43, then scored again under a minute later bringing the score to 3-0. Jeremy Boot got into the action at 15:15, scoring the fourth goal for the Rampage to give the team a 4-0 lead through 20 minutes.

In the second period, although trailing, Hazelton did not give up, playing fierce defensively. The puck spent a majority of the time in Hazeltons zone, and the Rampage eventually overpowered the Wolverines defensive efforts when Brett Stava scored another goal 9:09 into the second to complete the hat trick. Although the Rampage were ahead of the Wolverines they still were very testy in period two, with most of their penalties being given out during the frame.

Hazelton finally found some offense with their first goal of the game being scored by Keegan Jack just over a minute into the final period. But the Rampage didnt let that goal slide and netted their sixth goal of the evening with Brett Stava scoring again 4:14 into the third period. Around nine minutes later, brother and team captain Colt Stava scored the Rampages seventh and final goal of the evening. Hazeltons Michael Beeker helped the Wolverines put more of a dent into the scoreboard 15 minutes into the final period scoring the teams second goal, but it was too little too late.

With the win the Rampage move onto the western conference finals for the first time in team history, where they will meet a determined Kitimat Ice Demon team that swept the Terrace River Kings out of the playoffs with a win on Saturday night as well. The first game of the series will take place this Saturday in Tamitik, with game two and, if necessary, game three back in Prince Rupert next weekend.

In the eastern conference, both the Williams Lake Stampeders and Smithers Steelheads advanced to the final on Saturday night, sweeping their series against the Burns Lake Braves and the Houston Luckies.

Published: February 02, 2011 8:00 AM

The Hazelton Wolverines season has come to an end after falling 7-2 to the division leading, Prince Rupert Rampage on Saturday.

Despite the score, head coach Fred Hudson said the team never gave up.

We got down four nothing right off the hop and had to try and fight our way back which was hard, he said. The guys worked hard and created lots of scoring chances but couldnt get the puck in the net.

The Wolverines were down 4-0 after one period and 5-0 after two before they managed two goals in the final period off power plays.

Keegan Jack cashed in on a feed from Brandon Russel and Ryan Muldoe and defenceman, Michael Becker found the twine off a set up from Phil Morrison and Lou Parent Jr.

I am very pleased with the core group of guys that were dedicated that came out and practised and you could see a huge improvement in all those guys, he explained. I know we arent quite where we wanted to be but we are close and they competed hard.

Despite the two win season, Hudson said there was only one thing that was disconcerting.

For me the only disappointment from some of the guys was if we had more of a commitment it would been a lot nicer for everyone, he said. Next year, either [players] commit or we will find someone that will.

As for the players who finished the season with their team, Hudson said he saw a big change in the players.

If you look at the positives, there was a huge improvement in conditioning and skill and I think the core group should be really happy with what they accomplished, he shared.

Hudson said he hopes to be back on the Hazelton bench next year and is grateful for the opportunities this year.

I would like to thank all the executive and players, he said in closing. I pushed them hard but that was my job so I want to thank everybody for putting up with me and letting me do just that, my job.

I understand the nature of sporting events. People pay money to cheer and jibe and thats all good. But an entire F*cking period of the same nonsense line, grow up and act like an adult. I know the players on the ice dont care, I know the players on the ice cant hear you. But I can and it isnt fun, funny, or amusing. And this isnt the first, or even the worst thing I've witnessed.
The worst would have had to be the last game Terrace came to town. On the away side there was a group of girls, very loud Terrace fans. Every time Terrace did something exciting they would cheer, and this kid, who was no older than 12, would stand up, turn to them and yell at the top of his lungs 'Terrace F*cking Sucks' as if to try and deafen them out. His parents or guardians.. sitting right beside him laughing their asses of as if their kid was the most creative ever.
Now okay a 12 year old that swears isnt that uncommon these days, but it got even better. At the second intermission the kid went to go to the concession or something, and he walked behind the group of girls, hit one in the back of the head, leaned forward and repeated his brilliant line as if to make sure they heard him in case we had all missed it for 2 periods.
When I talk about bad fans setting bad examples he must have learned that somewhere, and it was disgusting to watch.

Hey,

I am going say a couple of things here....The fact that fans boo and jeer at the visiting team as well as the refs...Well that's part of the game...The swearing and calling for a fight (especially when it was not needed in the Hazelton game)...Now that's just stupid, plain and simple. I do not agree to the swearing in front of children. People should not act like idiots and remember that there are children around. And that's all............If you smmmellllllllll what the Doc is cooking.

Give your head a shake. What are a bunch of internet sheeple going to do about it unruly fans here. Instead of coming on here and bitching about 3 Rupert fans (out of 900), how about approaching one of the 30 or so security personnel (in bright yellow) at every game and ask them to take care of it at that moment. Who cares if people are yelling 'fight fight fight', that is going to do f-all, because the Rampage have been in a whole 5 fights in 3 years...so not going to happen. Oh and Terrace does suck. HAHAHA