BACK ON TRACK

January 27, 2009

We really needed that one... and we got it!  It was a huge win over Tulsa last night, after dropping the last three games, we needed to rebound. The win came via a total team effort with every Maverick playing for the team and contributing. We are ooking forward to this weekend, its going to be tough, but we can do it as a team.

I am hearing that the IEC will be sold out or nearly sold out for both games this weekend. I feel the term "best home fans" is over used in sports, but if we don't have them, our fans are pretty close.  On the subject of "fans," like the President said in the State of the Union address, "Let's clear up a few things." Of course we hear all the rumors and junk posted by "fans" of other teams on the Internet, so , Tulsa "fans" for the record , I have never "charged a teammate for a ride to the rink." This is the latest rumor on a fan forum that myself and a few players had a good laugh about.

One of our biggest Maverick supporters asked me tonight, "is it true that you will for sure not be playing next year?" My standard answer to this has been ," I'm listed as day-to-day because of my age." But, to be clear, I have every intention of playing next year if I feel I can maintain a high level of play. Of course, no one can predict the future. I asked our fan, "where did you hear that?"  She said, "A story on the Internet." Unless it' s is posted in this blog, take everything you read on the Internet, posted by "fans", regarding any of the Maverick players, with a grain of salt.  Thank you, Maverick fan, for not stooping to this level of gossip of "Fan Forum" and staying classy.

The Internet is a great place for people to get some attention while hiding their identity. To be completely clear.  I love the Mavericks from the players to the staff, I love being here in Independence. It has been a great move for me to come here, and I am grateful for the opportunity the Mavericks have given me to continue to play.  This is a very professionally run organization and we are cementing the building blocks for a solid future of Maverick hockey. I give my best every night and I expect my teammates to do the same. Every player in our locker room knows he is accountable to the guy sitting next to him. We have a saying in our locker room, "Expect to work. Expect to Win."  The people of Independence have embraced the Mavericks beyond all expectations and we, as players, are thankful for your support, win or lose. I invite any questions you may have. Of course there are items of team business that must remain private (like injury reports and strategy), but keep the questions coming.

See you at the rink this weekend for more exciting Mavericks hockey!

-Jeff

BIG COMEBACK

January 10, 2010

A comeback for the ages! Ok that might be a little over-the-top, but it was a great comeback. Down 5 to 1, in front of a sold out crowd, Saturday night at home, in a "must have" game, the comeback got started with a goal from new Maverick Braden Walls who scored from behind the net. Then a great effort from Jeff MacDermid shorthanded and the snowball was rolling downhill. The next goal came when Nick Sirota and I went 2-on-1 shorthanded. Nick took a shot off the goalie's far pad and the rebound came right to me for a tap in, empty net goal. We actually work on this play in practice and Simon Watson recently scored a goal similar to this in Mississippi. That goal made it 5 to 4. I got another lucky bounce on a 5-on-3 powerplay. I tried to pass it to Bill Vandermeer (who played another strong game) in front of the net. The puck bounced off of him and right back to me for our fifth goal.

We lost in the shootout, but like coach Scott Hillman said after the game, "It may be the point we need down the stretch to get into the playoffs."

For the fans that couldn't make it to the game Saturday night, you missed a great fight between Carlyle Lewis and Cedric Bernier. Both are super heavyweights and Carlyle actually knocked Bernier out. It is alittle scary to see someone hurt like that on the ice, but I spoke with Arizona's coach after the game and he told me Bernier is ok.

All in all, just a great comeback effort from our team..showing we will never give up or stop fighting. As for me, I'm off to the All-Star Game in Laredo, Texas to represent the Mavericks and the city of Independence. Its a privilege to go to these games and I owe a lot of the credit to my teammates. All the players will be asking me what it's like in Missouri and I'll tell them its great and we are building something special here!

See you at the rink

- Jeff

TURNING THINGS AROUND

December 15, 2009

We got things turned around...in a hurry.

After an embarrassing 9-2 home beating last Tuesday, the Mavs showed a lot of heart and character in Laredo. We fought every minute for a huge 1-0 road win against a very good Laredo Bucks team.  Karl Sellan scoring the game's only goal while playing in his 200th career game. After the win, we bused to Corpus Christi and battled for a shootout win. Doug (Groenestege) played very well during in net for us during both games.

So whats next? Our chance to redeem ourselves versus Rapid City Tuesday. Make no mistake, they are a very good team. We will need to play as good or better than we did this weekend, but I believe in our guys and our team and I know we can do it. It's going to take every player committed to our system and sacrificing for the team...whatever it takes. Our guys are focused and ready to go!

See you at the rink.

-Jeff

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

December 7, 2009

Another pretty good weekend. Two wins out of three. Of course we were disappointed about the loss in Mississippi with only 10 seconds left to play. The home games went well and we were pleased with that.

All in all, we played a pretty good game in Mississippi with the fact that it was our third game in three nights and we travelled all night. We don't believe in excuses. The lesson to be learned is that we have to close out games and get points. But with the recent moves that we've made, the Mavericks are playing stride for stride with any team in the CHL.

Looking ahead to Tuesday... We played Rapid City the first two games of the season. They are hot right now (winning their last six games). We are not the same team the Rush saw and beat twice. We love to win at home, so it's going to be a big test for us, and we owe them.

I know its a Tuesday night and the weather might not be the best, but we are hoping for a big crowd and an awesome show.

See you at the rink.

-Jeff

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND RECAP

November 30, 2009

It was a good weekend. Disappointing finish, but a good weekend.
Beating Tulsa in Tulsa was a good start. They have a good team and had not been beaten at home. Alexandre Vincent,our new goalie, played very well and got the win. Another new player, defenseman Mike Burgoyne had a huge impact. Mike is the "powerplay QB" that we ve been looking for. Any team in the CHL would love to have him on their team.

Coming home to a sold out crowd Friday really helped us versus Wichita. I would like to thank the Mavericks for the jersey presentation before the game. The Mavericks are a first class organization and I appreciate everything they have done for me.

Busing to Bossier overnight for the third game in three nights is not fun. Our guys played their hearts out and we had the lead most of the game. But the bounces went against us late and we lost. After a terrible 0 in 5 start the Mavericks are improving. We feel we can compete with the best of the CHL on a nightly basis.

As always thanks for your support. I welcome your comments and questions about all things Mavericks. Two big home games this weekend. See you at the rink.