The Halifax Mooseheads just returned from one of their longest road trips of the season.
Six days, 3 games, more than 2,200 km, 1 shootout win. I kept a log during the trip and here are some of my entries and conversations.
Wednesday – 10:30 pm at the Longhorn Steak House in Auburn, Maine.
It was a spacious but relatively quiet restaurant as we were escorted to our reserved tables. The room quickly filled with lively banter as the team was relieved to have the 8 hour bus ride over. Garrett Clarke was cutting into his 8 ounce tenderloin and the red juice oozed onto his place. He knew he would be a target tomorrow night for his old teammates and the fans as this was his first trip back to Lewiston since demanding a trade. To cap off the night, a huge sundae was presented to birthday boy Travis Randall who turned 19. He shared with linemate Tomas Knotek and Clarke. (Editor’s note: Thursday night, Clarke battled fiercely all game long in a 6-5 shootout win. He finished with 3 points and was named the game’s 2nd star.)
Friday – 5 pm at the Quebec Pepsi Colisee
Peter Delmas was ready for his first game back against his former team. After the pre game skate in the morning, he took white tape and covered the two red Remparts logos on his mask. Now he was trying to get in the “zone’ with a crowd of 13,000 coming. He was quietly going through his pre game routine. He was focused. It showed as he was very sharp in a 3-1 loss. Plenty of trash talking with old teammates but Peter says “all in good fun.”
Saturday – 11:45 at the entrance to the Pepsi Colisee.
He looked like a movie star. He stood tall looking very distinguished, suave and debonnaire. He then leaned up against the 61 year old building where he once brought crowds to their feet. Dressed in a black felt hat and a classy trench coat, he reminded me of the handsome but rugged Marshall who brought peace and order to the Wild West. Instead of reaching for his gun, he thrust out his hand and smiled. We exchanged a handshake.
“Where’s Cam?”
I shook my head, “Not here. Left us yesterday. He’s in Wilcox, Saskatchewan on a 5 day scouting trip.” After a couple more minutes we were ready to close the bay doors to the bus for our 2 hour ride to Shawinigan.
“Be sure to give him my regards.”
“I certainly will,” As I boarded the bus, one of the players asked, “Who is that guy?”
I paused thinking – this player is to young to know who it is. “An old teammate of coach Russell’s. One of the most underrated players to play in the NHL.”
(Michel Goulet scored 50 plus goals in 4 straight seasons with the Nordiques and over his career averaged more than a point a game. He left the Colorado Avalanche to join Hockey Canada this year).
Saturday – 3:30 pm in the Press Gallery of the Bionest Centre in Shawinigan.
The Pre Game warmup was about to begin as I weaved my way through the throng of scouts to my broadcast location. I had never seen so many teams represented at any of our other games this season. There may have been 20, I chatted with a half dozen – Simon Nolet (Flyers), Bill Dandy (Oilers), Pierre Rioux (Leafs), Claude Carrier (Devils), Michel Boucher (Canadians) and Central Scouting’s goaltender guru Al Jensen. They were all there to view Mathieu Corbeil and Konrad Abeltshauser. Many of these scouts might not get a chance to see them again live as the team won’t visit Quebec the rest of the season, except for a pair of games in Rimouski..
Jensen is very impressed with Corbeil. “Size, quickness and control make him unique,”says Jensen, who is in his 9th season with Central Scouting. Its his 6th viewing of the 18 year old, currently ranked 3rd among goalies in North America. Corbeil stopped 3 breakaways that afternoon in a 3-2 loss. His stock was rising.
Saturday -7:30 pm in the Courtyard Marriott Hotel
I stood alone in the hotel lobby waiting for the elevator to arrive after returning from Shawinigan following a 3-2 loss.. I glanced across the lobby to an open door where a meeting was about to begin. A hand waved. It was Patrice Cormier. He stood up and slipped past a couple of his Rouyn teammates and joined me in the lobby.
He broke into a wide grin and offered an outstretched hand. “How are you?”
All of the events of the last two weeks came flooding at me as I stood before him. I’ve known the family for 7 years. “I’m fine, but the better question is….. how are YOU?
“I’m okay. I ‘m surrounded by my team. The coaches and the players, they’re my support group.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I got to go, our team meeting is about to start. We play Quebec tomorrow.” He disappeared. The elevator door opened. I stepped aboard full of unanswered questions.
See you Friday when the Moose host the CHL # 1 ranked Saint John Sea Dogs.
