Dec. 27 Games Cancelled

Please Note!

The FIHL games that were originally scheduled for Dec. 27, 2009 have been cancelled. The games in question involve the Blackland Twisters and the Bonny River Ratz and St. George XXX and the Fundy Kingfishers. The cancellation was necessary to make room for a Blacks Harbour Junior Silverkings game.

Geoff Cunningham and the rest of the Silverkings gang wish to thank the teams involved and they will do their utmost to accommodate them with alternate ice times so they can hold their games at another time.

Joe Walsh takes Player of the Week Award in Toronto

Joe Walsh Accepts Award at Ceremony

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Former Ratz star and Hockey Voice entertainment critic Joe Walsh was named player of the week in the Greater Toronto Hatchet Hockey League. Walsh plays for Tony's Pizza & Pest Control Raiders in the GTHHL and scored 4 goals and 3 assists, ran over 3 goalies, knocked out 12 teeth and spit on 3 fans last week.

"It was special for me to get the award. It's a really big thing as they have ladies with funky hairdos and stuff handing out the awards. I wore my best jean jacket to the show." said a very emotional Walsh at a press conference.

Hockey Voice's Great Christmas Idea

Nothin' Wrong with Doin' Nothin'

Walsh Convinces Eric Jean to Stay with Kingfishers

Taylor Reflects Back on Illustrious Career

Matty Walsh gets his "Moment with History"

Mark Taylor Shows off 800th Goal Puck March 15, 2005

Bonny River, NB - When Mark Taylor scored the Ratz game winning goal last Sunday night, it marked the 873rd time he had done so. The right winger also has 1,224 assists for a total of 2,097 points dating back to 1990-91. Taylor really started to gain some attention when he netted his 800th goal on Gordie Anderson back in 2005. Normally, the player that gets burned with such a statistic is often bitter and resentful. The next time the netminder faced the Bonny River Ratz, he pulled out a commemorative puck that marked the occasion and showed that he too was a fan.

Taylor's longtime teammate Joe Stevens noted, "I think for people to say that Taylor is the Gordie Howe of the FIHL is a very accurate statement. He has put up Howe like numbers and I'm just happy that I got to hold onto the coattails for as long as I have. Taylor still have nine years on his ten year deal so I suspect he will shatter Wayne Gretzky's goal record of 894 possibly by Christmas if not the end of the year. For Taylor to break the Great One's point mark of 2,857 will take some time and for him to get assists means the linemates need to step up. That's where I come in."

Truman Lee Pays the Price for Ratz in Victory

Eric Truman Lee relaxes with beer, puffer and puffs after the win

Taylor Sinks Pirates Ship

Taylor's Late Goal Lifts Ratz

Ratz Cap Player of the Game Mark Taylor

Blacks Harbour, NB - Mark Taylor's 873rd career goal provided the lift the Bonny River Ratz needed to nail down a victory over the Lepreau Pirates in Sunday FIHL action. The Ratz had fallen behind 4-1 at one point in the third period before Taylor pulled off his late heroics.

TJ Matser's pair and singles from Keaton McKay and Mike Archilles paced the Pirates attack. Jack MacNeil had a pair for the Rodents while Mark Johnson, Greg Justason and Taylor provided the punch for the Ratz.

Pirates goalie Chris Blackier came up big for his club but summed it best in the post game handshake when he noted, "I knew Taylor was gonna get one. It was just a matter of whether it would be in the shootout or in regulation."

Meanwhile Ratz captain Joe Stevens noted, "Taylor had been buzzing around the net all night and Doobie came up big. I just knew that a guy with Taylor's credentials was not going to be denied. It was good for him to break his slump. His back might get sore from carrying the team but I hope this prompts everybody else to step up and do their share now."

Stevens Hopes to be in Ratz Lineup Soon

A much bigger Joe Stevens celebrates during hunting season

Vintage Jason McFarlane Photo Surfaces

Jason McFarlane (L) when he was a street musician

Bonny River, NB - Little is known about Jason McFarlane, the musician but a recent photo shows he had a promising career at one time. "I used to do a lot of Run DMC and stuff and wrote some of my own tunes, but when I had to make a choice between touring and hockey, I chose hockey. I guess I'll never know what could have been, but you can't worry about that stuff forever," said McFarlane in a recent Voice interview.

McFarlane hit the Hot 100 in 1989 with his hit "My bitch don't chase cars" and was never heard from again.

FIHL Announces New Cereal for League Sponsor

Ratz Take Pounding from Timberwolves

Rick McFarlane, Corey Spear and Greg Justason share a laugh

Blacks Harbour, NB - The Blacks Harbour Timberwolves hammered the Bonny River Ratz 8-2 in Tuesday FIHL action. John Oliver and Randy Hanley each potted a hat trick, and Dan Levesque and Murray Tucker added singles for the Wolves. Rick McFarlane and Jack MacNeil replied for the Ratz.

The loss was one of many this year so far for the Ratz but the mood afterward was not one of doom and gloom. The same cliches - "lots of hockey left to play, we need to play better in our end, need to help out Warren," and others were all used. As you can see by the picture, it was not the end of the world. We didn't lose everything we owned, just a hockey game. A game. The tunes came on, the beer cracked and everybody laughs. That's what this league should be about. No need to throw sticks or accusations at each other. Have fun and have a smile.

There will be hockey again.

Kingfishers Controversy Threatens to Break Up Team

Chris Hoffman Takes Nasty Blow from Jamie Harris

Blacks Harbour, NB - Team GM Matty Walsh said he was there for the whole thing and it was nothing more than the guys showing off for "a hot chick." Walsh was reacting to a story about members of the Kingfishers fighting amongst themselves late Monday. "Harris has lost a lot of weight and wanted to show Hoffman a thing or two and it just went from there. Having a hot chick on the sidelines seem to ramp it up a bit though. It was nothing more than boys being boys, nothing more. Relax, man."

Justason Makes Huge Fashion Statement

Ratz Star Greg Justason in Funky Style

Johnson Snags Ratz Cap Player of Game Award

Johnson late marker propels Ratz to win
Mark Johnson with Kyle Leslie looking on

Blacks Harbour – Mark Johnson scored with 38 seconds left on the clock to push the Bonny River Ratz to a very close 4-3 victory over the St. George XXX Sunday. The win was the only the Ratz second win of the campaign. Ratz team captain Joe Stevens notched a pair while Jack MacNeil added the other Ratz goal. Scott Matheson also had a pair for the XXX and Ryan Best had the other tally. The game was a typical Ratz-XXX affair with plenty of scoring chances and no shortage of truculence.

After the game, Joe Stevens remarked that the outcome was always in doubt as neither team seemed to be able to haul away and heaved praise on newcomer Corey Spear. “I thought Corey Spear looked great in his Ratz debut. As I’ve noted, he’s not like this because he’s on the Ratz; he’s on the Ratz because he’s like this. Of course, Warren Giesbrecht was solid in net as usual. We need to keep the momentum going now,” added a much winded Stevens.

FIHL to Release Instructional Hockey Video Series

Goaltending Subject of First Video

Unnamed FIHL Goalie Shows how to cover the most net

Scott Matheson Sends in Baby Picture

Scott Matheson at Hooters Birthday Party at age 5

It Happened a Year Ago in the Hockey Voice

Blackier-Lomax says: "The Boys Ain't Done Nuthin' Wrong!"

Buddy Lomax-Blackier


Monday, November 10, 2008

Pirates Fan Comes to Defense of Club

Lepreau, NB - The Lepreau Pirates' biggest supporter Buddy Lomax-Blackier spoke out about their recent controversy in a press conference. He noted, "Trev and Doobie are the pillars of the community. The boys ain't done nuthin' wrong. The league has blue-balled them and that ain't right! I ain't lying through my tooth either."

The outburst was in response to the forfeiting of last Tuesday's victory where it was found the Pirates had used ineligible players in a game against the NBCC St. Andrews team.

Justason Issues Apology to Hockey Voice

Greg Justason at Press Conference

Bonny River, NB - It didn't take long for Greg Justason to realize the error in his ways. The Ratz superstar issued a formal apology for his accusations made yesterday about a story in the Hockey Voice. Justason said, "I should have known that the Hockey Voice wouldn't run stories that weren't true. I found out that my wife took pictures of our son with Leafs clothing and sent them to the Voice. I had accused Mark Taylor and the Hockey Voice of photo shopping the pictures and I now realize it wasn't the case and I apologize."

Ratz Record First Win, Announce Re-Signing

Ratz Cap Player of the Game Warren Giesbrecht

Ratz Captain Joe Stevens

Bonny River, NB - It took a little while for the Joe Steven's blueprint for success to finally reap some rewards, but the Bonny River Ratz finally got a W Monday night in St. Andrews. The short benched Ratz downed the NBCC St. Andrews Whalers 6-4. Ratz Cap Player of the Game goalie Warren Giesbrecht was stellar in net as he stopped key breakaways as the Ratz seemed to be on the ropes a bit late in the game.

Jim Buchanan and Joe Stevens each had a pair for the Ratz who also got singles from Rick McFarlane and Jack MacNeil. Scott Giberson, Satchel Sawyer, Jerome Leblanc and Jeff Merrill replied for the Whalers.

Before the game, VP of Player Development Mark Taylor announced the re-signing of rugged defensean Corey Spear. Spear is exected to be back in the Ratz lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Kingfishers.

Team Captain Joe Stevens praised the new signing, saying, "This seems to be the final piece to this very difficult puzzle. I think it sends a message to the boys that virtually nobody's job is safe. Spear will add some toughness and give us some much needed puck movement ability."

Justason Threatens Legal Action Against Hockey Voice Over Photos

Cole Justason

Bonny River, NB - Greg "Crusty" Justason is fuming mad and is taking his fight to the courts if need be. Justason voiced his concerns on Saturday when he had a meeting with Hockey Voice Editor Mark Taylor. Justason became aware that photos of his son Cole wearing Toronto Maple Leaf attire were going to be run in the Hockey Voice. Justason said, "I am totally convinced that my wife would not send in pictures of my son wearing Leafs crap. Taylor or somebody photo shopped the pictures and I'm not taking that. My wife denies all allegations made by Taylor and his group. My lawyers Dewey, Soakem and Howe are on this one."

Taylor stands by the original story and noted, "Justason must have had a bad bunch of booze on Saturday. Have another one."

Ratz Roll into St. Andrews Minus Moffitt

Moffitt Expected to Miss at Least Two Weeks

Andrew Moffitt Crashes Flying Truck

Bonny River, NB - Ratz team captain Joe Stevens said that although team doctors have not looked at Andrew Moffitt's injuries, all indications are that he will be gone for at least two weeks. Stevens said, "Moffitt has a clause in his contract that prohibits him from taking part in dangerous activities. Whether he will face any disciplinary action, I'm not at liberty to say at this time. He will not play tonight. Our doctors will need to see him and offer the good treatment he needs." "

Vintage Photo of Hoffman Surfaces

Chris Hoffman after disappointing 4th Place finish

Harris and Groom Help Out Batman

Jamie Harris and Greg Groom work on Batman's elephant

Hoyt Hopes to be in Tour de France in 2010

Ratz Star Keith Hoyt Trains for Tour de France

Stevens and Santa Promise "Good Christmas"

Joe Stevens and Santa Pimping All Over the World

Bagley Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Not a Cuban Assassin, but Josh Bagley

Blacks Harbour, NB - Director of Officiating Josh Bagley has been sidelined all week with the flu but vows to be back in action this weekend.

Hockey Voice Offers H1N1 Advice

Bonny River, NB - The Director of Operations at the Hockey Voice, Chris Richardson met with reporters today to talk about the latest flu epidemic. Richardson noted, "Undies are the new way to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. We are recommending skid mark free ones but if you don't have any, then we are recommending the skid marks to be worn on the outside. You can always tell people that you ate a sloppy bunch of melted chocolates."

Hoffman to "give up the donuts"

Chris Hoffman in Uniform Recently

Blacks Harbour, NB - Kingfishers star Chris Hoffman said he has looked at his performance recently and it's time to cut out his favourite snack food donuts. The revelation came to him one night when his team was playing the rival Ratz. "I have always had trouble containing Taylor and Stevens who are speedy, finesse guys. Now that I've put a couple pounds on, everybody is blowing by me and the Boston Creams have gotta go. In fact, when we last played the Ratz, I reached for my radar gun when Taylor went by me."

Ratz Lose in Shootout

Jim Buchanan - Ratz Cap Player of the Game

The winless Bonny River Ratz hung tough Tuesday night in Fundy Industrial Hockey League but eventually lost to the Blacks Harbour Timberwolves in a shootout 4-3.

The Timberwolves held a slim 3-2 lead late in the third thanks to two goals by newcomer Pat McShane and a single by Murray Tucker. The Ratz got their pair from Jim Buchanan and Greg Justason.

The Ratz called a time out with less than a minute on the clock and pulled fill-in goaltender Nick Ganong for the extra attacker. As the team met to discuss strategy, veteran Jim Buchanan pulled himself out of the game and told Andrew Moffitt to hop on in his place. Justason got his second goal of the game for the Ratz with: 33 remaining as he tipped an Andrew Moffitt point shot past goalie Andrew Dugas forcing the shootout. After Jim Buchanan scored in the shootout, Brandon Malloy and Chris McAleenan both scored to seal the victory for the Timberwolves.

Captain Joe Stevens commended his squad for the great effort. "For a future hall of famer like Jim Buchanan to step aside and let Moffitt go on, says a lot about him and a lot about this team. Moffitt assisted on the tying goal and that's what karma is all about boys," said Stevens in a press conference.

Moffitt added, "Did you see the way Stevens won that draw? Right back onto the tape. I could agree more with the player of the game selection."

Harris Hits New Cosmo

Jamie Harris in Cosmopolitan

Stevens to be in "Hip Hop" in January 2010

Joe Stevens on the cover of Hip Hop Magazine

Levesque denies Timberwolves are moving

Wall Street Journal: Timberwolves are on the block

Daniel Levesque with Timberwolves "files" on back

Blacks Harbour, NB - Daniel Levesque met with reporters late Monday to try and dispel rumours about the sale of the Timberwolves. The Hockey Voice obtained a picture of Levesque driving a truckload of gear heading out of Blacks Harbour late Monday.

"This was simply a case of moving some files and things from Blacks Harbour and storing them in Pennfield. Every time something happens, the Hockey Voice is on it and they are not always correct in their reporting despite what they might say. When you are at the top of the heap, everybody is looking to see you fall. The FIHL is a pressure cooker and you can feel it all the time. Most people think that playing industrial hockey is just for fun but this is a little different. The pressure to win and perform is there all the time," said a very weary Levesque.

Moffit's Flying Truck Takes a Detour, New Invention on the Market

Andrew Moffitt Crashes Flying Truck Again

Moffitt's New "Undercap"

St. Stephen, NB - Just because Andrew Moffitt's flying Dodge truck hasn't gone as planned by his own admission, it's not stopping him from trying his hand at another invention. "I had a helluva time steering that truck and will be working on it at a later date. Still, with winter coming, I thought it would a good time to introduce my Undercap and gloves. It will keep your head and hands warm and I want people to know my products are skid mark and peanut free."

Director of Officiating out wth flu

A very sick Josh Bagley attempts to read over rule book