It’s All On The Line For The Blast Against the Defending Allan Cup Champion Bentley Generals

With the Blast’s 6-2 loss to the Clarenville Caribous yesterday afternoon, the team will have to take the longer route if they wish to keep their dream alive of winning the franchise’s second Allan Cup. The team will face the defending Allan Cup Champion Bentley Generals in the first elimination game of the tournament today at 3:30 at JL Grightmire Arena. It’s simple. Win and you move on. Loss and you go home. Doors open at 2:30 and tickets are available for $20 a person.

The Blast will have to be better than the game against the Caribous yesterday where Clarenville dominated the Blast with their speed and quick transition game to earn the victory.

The Bentley Generals are another tough opponent for the Blast. They haven’t had the success so far at this year’s Tournament, finishing last in their Division with a 0-2 record while getting outscored 9-3. However, Bentley has been known to turn it on in the elimination games. In the 2008 Allan Cup, they lost both of their round robin games but would win their next two games to make it to the Allan Cup Final before losing to the Blast.

The Generals, or The Army as Bentley fans call them, play a physical brand of hockey with lots of shots. During the game between the Generals and South East Prairie Thunder last night, they outshot the Prairie Thunder 30-18 in the first two periods but trailed 2-0. They would eventually go on to outshot SEPT 37-29. This is something they do regularly, taking shots at every opportunity. During the McKenzie Cup between the Powell River Regals the Generals got 30+ shots in all three games in a 3-0 sweep to win the Alberta/BC Championship and earn a berth in the Allan Cup.

To combat the Bentley offence, the Blast will have to play solid D and use their speed, fore-checking and transition game on offense to outwork the Generals.

The Blast will have to win the next three games to win their second Allan Cup. This is nothing new to the Blast, who accomplished this feat in the 2008 tournament, where they beat Whitby, Dundas and eventually Bentley in the three elimination games they played to win the Allan Cup.

Both teams starting goalies are up in the air at this point. Brett Leggat took a puck to the back of the leg during the pre-game warm-up and Anthony Marshall started the game. It’s unknown at this point who will start the game. If Leggat is feeling better, then he should get the start but it will be a game-time decision. Travis Yonkman started Bentley’s first game of the tournament against Dundas but let in six goals on route to a 6-2 loss to Dundas. James Reid got the start last night against South East and lost 3-1. It’s unknown who they will go with in net either.

The Blast line-up will be the same as it was yesterday. Bryan Hamm and Greg Bullock are healthy scratches, while Ryan Tocher has been placed on indefinite suspension for an incident that occurred during Game 4 of the Robertson Cup Finals against Dundas.

ICE CHIPS: Blast forward Joel Prpic, with an assist on Kyle Spurr’s goal yesterday moved within two points of 100 in his Blast career. He would be one of the quickest Blast players ever to reach this milestone as he has only played 54 games. If the Blast beat the Generals, odds are very likely that they will play the Dundas Real McCoy’s in the Semi Final on Friday at 7:30. 

First Round Bye On The Line For Both Teams As Blast Face the Clarenville Caribous

The Blast (1-0) will continue their pursuit of the 106^th Allan Cup this afternoon as they close out the Round Robin portion of play in Game Five of the Allan Cup against the hard-hitting Clarenville Caribous (1-0) at 3:30 at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas. Whatever team is able to pull out the victory, they will receive a bye to the Semi Finals on Friday at 3:30.

The Caribous opened their tournament with a 5-2 victory over the Kenora Thistles yesterday afternoon. They play a brand of hockey that is fast, and very hard hitting and physical. It will be a tough test for the Blast as the Caribous are basically an All-Star Team from out East as they get the choice of many of the East Coast players due to the ability to have 9 affiliate players from other teams.

The Blast also won their first game over Kenora 5-4, in a game that saw the Blast fall behind 4-1 only 14:00 into the game before tying the game before the end of the first period. The Blast never gave up and stuck to their game plan of using their speed and passing to outwork their opponents.

The Blast lineup is expected to be similar to the one that they had on Monday against the Thistles, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet. In that game the scratches were Tocher, Hamm, and Bullock. Brett Leggat, however, is expected to  get the start against the Caribous. Nothing to report on Clarenville’s roster, but goaltender Jason Churchill played well yesterday between the pipes for the Caribous against the Thistles.  

ICE CHIPS: Blast defenceman Dave Russell scored his first ever playoff goal on Monday in the Allan Cup opener, it turned out to be the game winning goal for the Blast. Ryan Healy also had a milestone, as he played in his 200^th game in a Blast uniform, joining the likes of only Tyler Pelton, Chad Spurr, and Jeremy Bloomfield who have accomplished this feat. While the winner of this game will be on Friday in the Semi Final, the loser will play the third seed from Division Two in Thursday’s Quarter Final game (either Bentley or South East). The Caribous have former 8^th overall NHL draft pick Terry Ryan on their roster. He was a healthy scratch yesterday afternoon against Kenora but could draw into the lineup today. He was a former first round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens who went on to play only 8 NHL games, failing to collect a point. His book “Tales of a First Round Nothing” will be on sale all week in the lobby for $20. He will also be signing copies at select times. 

Blast Ready To Kick Off 106th Allan Cup Against the Kenora Thistles

The moment Blast Nation has been waiting for has finally arrived. The Blast are set to kick off the 106^th Allan Cup this afternoon at 3:30 at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas against the Kenora Thistles. This game will become a rematch of last year’s Renwick Cup against the same Kenora team that beat the Blast 2-0 in the best-of-three series. Both teams have gotten faster and stronger since this time last year. It sets the stage for an interesting game.

The Blast will open the tournament and then take part in the Tournament Opening Ceremonies just before the Dundas game tonight at 7:30. The Blast close out their Round Robin portion of the tournament on Wednesday against Terry Ryan and the Clarenville Caribous.

This is the Blast’s second Allan Cup appearance in franchise history. The last time they appeared in the tournament was when they hosted the 100^th Allan Cup in 2008 (and won it!). The City of Brantford in total has 3 Allan Cup Championships (1977 – Brantford Alexanders, 1987 – Brantford Motts Clamatos, 2008 – Brantford Blast). Another interesting fact about Peter Ham led Brantford franchises in the Allan Cup is that when he won in 1977, the Alexanders finished 4^th in their league and won, and in 2008 – the Blast finished 2^nd and won the Allan Cup. Back in 1978 the Brantford Alexanders finished first in their league and made it to the Allan Cup Final but lost. This season the Blast finished 3^rd in their league.

No roster updates have been provided to us, but Brett Leggat should start in goal for the Blast. The lineup more or less should be very similar to the one that beat the Dundas Real McCoy’s in Game Six of the Robertson Cup Final last Sunday. Updates on the lineup will be posted prior to the game this afternoon.

Kenora’s roster can be found here: http://bit.ly/1gvJqBp. The roster features former Blast (2008 Allan Cup winner) and Real McCoy’s defenceman Dan Pitre, as well as former Dundas player TJ Sakaluk.

Tickets are available with a limited quantity at the door (doors at 2:30) for $20 a person this afternoon. Get there early if you’re planning on coming out to make sure you get yours. If you can’t make the game, be sure to follow live via Twitter @BrantfordBlast or on Pointstreak at: http://bit.ly/1iial3Z

The journey is just beginning… GO BLAST GO!

BLAST TO KICK OFF 106^th ALLAN CUP CHAMPIONSHIP IN DUNDAS

TOURNAMENT STARTS MONDAY AT JL GRIGHTMIRE ARENA

BRANTFORD, April 10, 2014 – The Brantford Blast will kick off the 106^th Allan Cup Championship on Monday April 14^th at 3:30 against Northern Ontario based team, the Kenora Thistles in the first game of the tournament. The tournament runs from the 14^th to the 19^th of April, with all games at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas.   This is the team’s second appearance in the last six years, having won back in 2008 when they hosted the 100^th Allan Cup in Brantford. The Blast are the last Ontario based franchise to win the Allan Cup.

The Blast gained momentum heading into the Allan Cup tournament as they beat the Dundas Real McCoy’s in the Robertson Cup Final 4-2 to win their second consecutive ACH League Title. The Blast won three of those games in their “home-away-from-home” at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas on route to the Championship. The arena has become a second home for the team, with their recent success there and great fan support the team receives in Dundas.

The Blast will play in Division One with the Kenora Thistles (Hockey Northern Ontario) and the Newfoundland-based Clarenville Caribous (Atlantic). Division Two will consists of ACH Rival the Dundas Real McCoy’s (Host), joined by the Alberta-based Bentley Generals (Pacific) and the Manitoba-based South East Prairie Thunder (South East). The Blast will play their second and final game of the round robin on Wednesday the 16^th at 3:30 against the Clarenville Caribous.

The Round Robin portion of the tournament will see each team play the respective teams in their division once. The leader of each Division will receive an automatic bye to the Semi Final, while seeds two and three will play in the Quarter Finals on Thursday (3:30 or 7:30). The Semi Final games will then be played on Friday (3:30 or 7:30), with the Final being broadcast on TSN on Saturday the 19^th at 3:00 PM.

The Blast have six remaining players from the 2008 Allan Cup Championship team remaining on their roster. Dubbed “The Silver Six”, Blast Captain and forward Chad Spurr, forwards Bryan Hamm and Ryan Healy and defensemen Jeremy Bloomfield and Dave Russell, as well as back-up goaltender Anthony Marshall were all members of the team that captured the 100^th Allan Cup.

Brantford Blast At the Allan Cup

WHEN: Game #1 Round Robin – Monday April 14^th , Game #5 Round Robin – Wednesday April 16^th

TIME: Doors: 2:30 PM – Puck Drop: 3:30 PM (Both Games)

WHO: Brantford Blast vs. Kenora Thistles – Round Robin Game #1, Brantford Blast vs Clarenville Caribous – Round Robin Game #5

WHERE: JL Grightmire Arena, 35 Market St. S, Dundas, Ontario

Visit our website at www.brantfordblast.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Vine at Brantford Blast

The Blast have momentum on their side heading into the Allan Cup, fresh off their second consecutive Robertson Cup Championship on Sunday in Brantford

Blast Can Clinch Robertson Cup This Afternoon In Front Of Home Crowd in Brantford

Win this afternoon and they are Provincial Senior AAA Champions. The Blast are just one win away from hoisting the J.Ross Robertson Cup and that could happen this afternoon at home for Game Six. The Blast currently lead the best-of-seven ACH Final against the Dundas Real McCoy’s 3-2. The Robertson Cup will be in the house and all the Blast have to do is change that fact that the road team wins for one game and the trophy will be theirs. The Blast are defending Robertson Cup Champions and will look to win their second in a row. It all begins this afternoon for the Blast’s final home game of the 2013-2014 season at 2:00 PM at the Brantford Civic Centre (Doors open at 1:00 PM).

The Blast played  one of their best games of the season on Friday night in Dundas for Game Five. They battled back from a 3-0 second period deficit and an early 4-3 third period deficit on route to a 6-4 victory over the Real McCoy’s to take a crucial 3-2 series lead.

Offense and special teams have become the big story in this series. The two teams have combined for 43 goals in the series so far (8.6 GPG), with the Blast scoring 23 and the Real McCoy’s putting 20 past Brett Leggat. Despite the high level of offense, it hasn’t been for lack of goaltending on either side. Brett Leggat and Mike Mole have had many big saves, but the offensive fire power has been too high to make the games low scoring.

After Dundas dominated special teams through the first three games of the series, the Blast have taken the advantage in that category. The Blast power play is striking at 24.1% (7 for 29), thanks to a big game on Friday where the team went 3 for 5 with the man advantage. Dundas is striking at a 23.5% success rate (8 for 34), just barely behind the Blast. On the penalty kill, the Blast have a 76.5% success rate (26 for 34), while Dundas has a 75.9% success rate.

Goaltenders are expected to be the same for Game Six as they were in Game Five. Brett Leggat should start for the Blast, while Mike Mole will likely be seen between the pipes for the Real McCoy’s. On the Blast side of the roster, the roster will should stay the same from Friday night in Dundas. Greg Bullock, who didn’t play Friday’s game in Dundas could jump back in in Hammer’s place, but expect the rest of the lineup to stay intact.  

ICE CHIPS: If necessary, the Blast and Real McCoy’s will faceoff in Game Seven on Monday night at 7:30 in Dundas. After this series is complete, both the Blast and Real McCoy’s will begin preparations for the 106^th Allan Cup Championship which will take place in Dundas at JL Grightmire Arena from April 14-19. They will join the other four best Senior AAA teams in the Nation to compete for the holy grail, the Allan Cup. The other four teams were finalized as of last night: Clarenville Caribous (East), Kenora Thistles (Northern Ontario), South East Prairie Thunder (Manitoba/Saskatchewan) and the Bentley Generals (BC/Alberta).  The Blast kick off the tournament with the first game on Monday the 14^th at 3:30 against the Kenora Thistles, before playing in the fifth game of the tournament on Wednesday at 3:30 against the Clarenville Caribous. 

Blast Win 6-4 In Game Five To Move Within One Win of the Robertson Cup

Entering Friday night’s Game Five showdown between the Blast and Real McCoy’s the road team had won every game in the series up to this point, as the teams were tied 2-2. They story line held true once again as the Blast were able to come back from a three goal deficit early in the second period on route to a 6-4 win in Dundas to take a 3-2 series lead. The Blast will be back in action for Game Six on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the Brantford Civic Centre.

The first period of play was very slow and chippy with both teams struggling to take control of the puck. Justin Davis put Dundas up 1-0 just over half way through the period at 12:36 and it would stay that way until the end of the period. Dundas lead 11-8 in the shots category in the frame.

The second period didn’t start off well for the Blast, who had 2:56 remaining on a Jon Jankus double minor for high sticking. Nick Smith scored early in the period with the man advantage with assists to Christie and Jason Ward to give Dundas an early two goal advantage. Dundas continued to keep the pressure on the Blast and a Brett Leggat slashing call (served by Josh Domingues) allowed Dundas to score their second of the night on the power play to take a 3-0 lead at the 7:09 mark.

The Blast battled back quickly and Cam Sault scored only 0:25 seconds later to pull the Blast within two goals and make it 3-1. Leveille and Bloomfield drew the assists on the play. The rest of the second period was all Blast, and due to two Dundas penalties, the Blast were able to tie the game 3-3 heading into the third period. Kyle Spurr scored first while former Blast D-Man Steve Hurst sat for a two minute holding call at 15:16 to make it 3-2, with assists to his brother Chad, and Joel Prpic. Player/Coach Mike Burgoyne then made Dundas pay again on the power play (this time with Dave Bowman sitting for two minutes for roughing) to tie the game 3-3. Chad Spurr and Joel Prpic got the assists again. Shots were 10-9 for Dundas in the period.

Although the third period ended up being all Brantford, Dundas did give them a scare as they scored the first goal of the period at the 5:05 mark to go up 4-3. It was a power play goal (Dundas’ third of the night) by Darryl Smith (his second of the night). From there on out it was all Brantford. Jeff Caister scored from the point at 10:45 to tie the game.

Late in the third, former NHLer Jason Ward received a roughing call for unexpectedly grabbing Andew Lackner and giving him a few shots. The Blast would take advantage again of the Dundas penalty as Chris Leveille scored on a beautiful wrister about 15 feet out to put the Blast up 5-4 at 15:38.

Joel Prpic would add an insurance marker into the empty net with assists to Kyle and Mike Burgoyne at 19:21 to seal the deal. The Blast outshot Dundas 17-6 in the  final period on route to the victory.

The Blast now lead the best-of-seven ACH Robertson Cup Final series 3-2, heading into Game Six on Sunday afternoon at 2:00. The Robertson Cup will be in the house for the first time in the series, with the Blast hoping to change the tide of the “road team wins” trend and repeat as Robertson Cup Champions in front of their home crowd. 

Blast and Real McCoy’s Set to Faceoff in Final Weekend of Robertson Cup Finals

Heading into tonight’s crucial Game Five in Dundas (JL Grightmire Arena at 7:30), the Blast hope that the story of the series so far remains the same – the road team always wins. The series is currently tied 2-2, with only road wins coming for each team. The Blast will look to win on the road for the third time this series and for the fifth time in the playoffs. Following Game Five, the Blast will be back at home for their Home Finale of the 2013-2014 season for Game Six at 2:00 PM (Doors at 1:00 PM).

The Blast suffered a tough loss in Brantford on Sunday where Dundas won 5-1 and tied the series back up. In the process Brantford lost defenseman Ryan Tocher for a minimum of 4 games for spearing. Dundas also lost tough guy Adam Deeleuw for one game for slashing Kyle Spurr with :04 seconds left in the game on Sunday.  These suspensions could see long-time Blast defenseman Jeremy Bloomfield draw back into the lineup in Tocher’s place, while a player like Scott Stafford could replace Deeleuw for Dundas.

The series has been as close as one would have imagined. Along with being tied 2-2 through four games, the teams have been almost identical in every other statistical category. The Blast currently have outscored Dundas 17-16, for a total of 33 goals in the series (8.25 goals-per-game). The Blast have 108 PIM, while Dundas has 105, for a total of 213.

Even the Special Teams Situation has become very close. Dundas is striking on 20% of their man advantages (5 for 25), and killing off 83.3% of their penalty kills (20 for 24), while the Blast are firing at 16.7% on the power play (4 for 24) and 80% on the penalty kill (20 for 25).

Even the goaltending stats have been very, very similar. Blast goalie Brett Leggat has gone 2-2 with a 4.00 GAA, 117 saves and a .880 SV%, while Dundas goaltenders (Mike Mole and Darren Machesney) have combined for a 2-2 record, with a 4.25 GAA, 115 saves, and a .871 SV%. I repeat, VERY similar, it’s borderline crazy how closely matched these two teams have been.

Goaltenders are expected to be the same for Game Five as they were in Game Four in Brantford. Brett Leggat should start for the Blast, while Mike Mole will likely be seen between the pipes for the Real McCoy’s. On the Blast side of the roster, the roster will pretty much remain intact to Sunday afternoon’s game.  Ryan Healy – who is nursing a minor injury could draw back in and take part in his 200^th Blast game, but it will be a game time decision. It’s always hard to say about the Dundas roster.

Doors in Dundas open at 6:30, with puck drop at 7:30 at JL Grightmire Arena in Dundas.

ICE CHIPS:  Fans looking to see the Blast compete in the Allan Cup beginning April 14^th are able to purchase Individual tickets (Cash ONLY). The Blast begin the Tournament with their two round robin games on Monday the 14^th at 3:30 against Kenora, and Wednesday the 16^th at 3:30 against Clarenville. Tickets for this round (and the Quarter Final round) will be $20/person. As the rounds progress the prices get slightly higher. If the Blast receive a bye to the Semi Finals (or win their Quarter Final to move on) the prices will be $25, and if they make it to the Finals it will be $30/person.