Cunningham reacts to Ratz loss

Cunningham: "I can't believe it!"

Geoff Cunningham after receiving word of the Ratz elimination from the playoffs

Itchybag, FL - Geoff Cunningham was trying to enjoy a winter vacation when reportedly an ESPN reporter caught up with him at a 7 to 11. The reporter informed Cunningham that the Bonny River Ratz had been eliminated from the FIHL playoffs in the first round again. "I feel like I've let them down. I feel so horrible. I really thought they'd be okay until I got back. I know Taylor and Stevens will probably never speak to me again but I hope time will heal this huge gap in our friendship. I was supposed to go to the games and rally the troops and I let them down," said Cunningham as he fought back the tears.

Old rap song surfaces that proves Jay Z rip off

This is proof that Jay-Z ripped this one off

Twisters and Kingfishers lock horns in FIHL semi-finals

Kingfishers stars Jamie Harris and Matty Walsh discuss strategy

Twisters Ryan Weatherby issues warning about missing star Tom Van Wagoner

Blacks Harbour, NB - Now that the men's Olympic Gold Medal match for Canada seems to be at least a possibility, Sunday's game 1 between the Blackland Twisters and the Kingfishers may be moved to another time. The Twisters were near or at the top all year but dropped off late in the season. They had received stellar goaltending and were leading the league in GAA. The Kingfishers can never be counted out and the lineup they have or lack of may tell the tale for them. As the playoffs wear on and teams are more intense, sheer numbers become important in order to maintain the intensity for the whole game. The ability to roll two or three lines can be very beneficial.

"Game of the New Millenium" deals Ratz a huge disappointment

XXX downs Ratz 5-4 in exciting shootoutXXX second star Matt Hall

Head coach Braden Hatt and series MVP Nick Ganong with gold medal
Nick Ganong expresses disbelief with MVP award

It couldn't get much closer and it couldn't get much more exciting on Tuesday night at the Fundy Arena. One hockey insider called it the "most exciting game at the Fundy Arena in 10 years." The St. George XXX and the Bonny River Ratz put on a show of all shows and the XXX ended up on the winning end by virtue of a 5-4 shootout.

Gregg Buchanan, Ryan McDonald, Scott Matheson, and Brandon Hawkins all scored for the XXX in regulation and Jamie Ross provided the icing on the cake by potting the winner in the shootout. Jason McFarlane scored two for the Ratz and Andrew Moffitt and Jack McNeil scored singles for the Rodents.

XXX goalie Nick Ganong was awarded the series MVP award and was given a $5,000 gold medal for his efforts. Matt Hall was also given the second star medal for his stellar play on the blueline. Newly hired head coach Braden Hatt was on hand for the ceremony. Ratz goalie Lorne Grant played terrific and held them in the game after the XXX jumped to a 4-1 lead after 2 periods.

After the game, Nick Ganong was philosophic in his approach to the huge media scrum at the post game press conference. "We really felt the Ratz coming on the third and fully expected it. I thought they played hard and could have easily been here in the winner's circle. I never expected to win a sold gold medal for playing in this league, but it goes to show that the people here are serious about making Industrial Hockey work in this market," noted a jubilant Ganong as he fought back the tears.

Walsh meets briefly with press after win on Sunday

Weekend FIHL Playoff Hockey Preview

Kingfishers in tough with NBCC St. Andrews Whalers

Former Kingfishers GM and Goaltender Jamie Harris

Kingfishers GM Matty Walsh

Blacks Harbour, NB - Round one will be over Sunday night for at least one team and who it will be is anybody's guess. The Fundy Kingfishers have been pushed to "a game 3 winner take all" and the series has been way to tight to pick a winner. The Kingfishers won game 1 over the Whalers in overtime and last at home earlier this week.

The first game Sunday night will feature the Bonny River Ratz and XXX in game 2 of their best of three. In a Hockey Voice exclusive interview, XXX GM Jason McGrattan acknowledged it could very well be the best series of the playoffs and indicated it may very well be necessary to play all three games. The XXX will need to win Sunday night in order for that happen. The XXX really couldn't ask much more from Nick Ganong who made several key saves in Thursday's game.

Action gets under way Sunday at 7:40 p.m. (Ratz & XXX) and 9:10 (Kingfishers & Whalers).

Ratz post 5-4 overtime win in Game 1

Kyle Leslie won honourable mention Ratz player

Jack MacNeill was Ratz Cap Player of the Game

Jack MacNeil scored 54 seconds into overtime to propel the Bonny River Ratz to a 5-4 victory over the St. George XXX in a rare Thursday night FIHL game. The hotly contested match was as close as one could possibly be, with the lead changing throughout. Nick Ganong showed no rust as he backstopped the XXX and gave them a chance to win. Lorne Grant was solid in the Ratz cage and grabbed the W.

Jason McFarlane, Kyle Leslie, Carl Chambers and Andrew Moffitt scored the other Ratz markers. Jason McGrattan bent the twine twice and Darryl Cook and Kris Van Horne added singles.

Game 2 goes Sunday night at 7:40.

Ganong expected for XXX in Game 1 VS Ratz

XXX Star Goalie Nick Ganong (R)

Stevens reveals secret to Ratz financial success

Ratz Captain Joseph D. Stevens

Sweeney a calming force on the Whalers

Whalers Head Honcho and FIHL's top coach Justin Sweeney

As the GM & Coach for the Whalers, I do not sanction the previous comment left by "Whalers." The Kingfishers played a great game and took the loss in stride. Chirping on the ice stays on the ice boys. While it is a monumental victory, the first over the Kingfishers during the "Sweeney era" at NBCC, the series is not yet over as Sunday will be the capper to a great playoff series.

If any "Whalers" want to comment, leave your name boys.

We got one, could've had two, but still have a tough road ahead...game face

Signed,

Justin Sweeney

Walsh issues rebuttal to Whalers' comments in Hockey Voice

Kingfishers GM Matty Walsh

Blacks Harbour, NB – Kingfishers General Manager Matty Walsh took issue with remarks posted on the Hockey Voice this morning. The Hockey Voice invites and encourages reader comments unless they are malicious in nature. In this case, a comment was posted by an anonymous NBCC St. Andrews Whalers player that read, “your mouth ain’t so big after that loss there Walsh, quit crying!”

Walsh says he has no problem taking abuse from people but feels that they should identify themselves and wrote in the comments section and signed his name, “Great game last night, we are lucky to even have won the first one, NBCC is playing a great series and I tip my cap to them. I always lose with class unlike a lot of players and teams in this league. Also I don't go around calling people big mouths and cry babies unless I am man enough to put my name to it, but hey, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one."

Matt Walsh

Editor's note: Once again, readers are encouraged to post comments on stories or pictures in the Hockey Voice as long as they are not hostile or mailicious in nature.

Cunningham analyzes Canada's win at Olympics

Cunningham: "Rick Nash is the Mark Taylor of Team Canada"

Hockey Voice staff member Geoff Cunningham

Bonny River, NB - The Canadian men's hockey team crushed the Norwegian team 8-0 and hockey insider Geoff Cunningham noticed a great similarity between the team and the Bonny River Ratz. "Rick Nash is the Mark Taylor of the Olympics in my books. He is big and fast and can cause problems around the net. Nash wears Taylor's #61 and obviously has heard about how Taylor plays the game and moulded his game after the legend," added Cunningham.

Taylor said he was "flattered" by Cunningham's statements. "Rick is a good friend and we talk all the time but to say he has copied me is a little much but nevertheless, it ain't bragging if it's true," added a very humble Taylor.

Walsh rips Borthwick, Borthwick rips Walsh

Kingfishers point fingers after diappointing loss

Jared Borthwick (R) and Kingfishers president Betty Lou Thelma Liz

Blacks Harbour, NB -The Fundy Kingfishers fell 7-5 to the NBCC Whalers Tuesday night and team GM Matty Walsh has placed the blame solely on the shoulders of newly hired Head Coach Jared Borthwick. “I was against the hiring of Borthwick from the start, more so the timing than just him. You don’t hire coaches going into a playoff run but it happened. This guy seemed happier than a butcher’s dog, but I don’t think he could count his balls twice and get the same number,” noted a very frustrated Walsh.

Borthwick said that “if Matty Walsh wants to be the man, he has to beat the man.” He added, “I am relatively new here but have been around the Blacks Harbour hockey scene all my life. I know my stuff. I also know bullshit when I see it. Bullshit is like butter and it doesn’t do you any good until you spread it around. We have too much in one place and I’m not saying where it is. You draw your own conclusions,” noted Borthwick.

Game 3 goes Sunday night. It is not known if Borthwick will be behind the bench when the puck drops.

Dirty window a great place to get message out

Mark Taylor photograph taken Feb. 13 in Saint John

Hockey Voice Director of Photography Matty Walsh applauds the latest photography work of editor Mark Taylor. Walsh noted, "This picture is destined to be a classic for sure. This is right up there with the greatest photographers of our time like Shakespeare and Trudeau. I don't like to say anything, but this one has Golden Partridge Award written all over it."

The Golden Partridge Awards are handed out annually to all Charlotte County publications for excellence in journalism and photography.

Matheson on baked beans diet in preparation for Ratz

Scott Matheson blasting off

St. George, NB - Although he says he "doesn't want to start a big stink," XXX star Scott Matheson indicated he is more than ready to go this Thursday night against the Ratz. "I have been eating strictly baked beans for a week and let me tell you, if Taylor, Stevens or Buchanan go into the corner with me, they will be in for a surprise," noted a very confident Matheson.

Kingfishers edge NBCC Whalers 5-4 in Overtime in Game 1

Kingfishers Star Chris Hoffman

St. Andrews, NB - The Fundy Kingfishers grabbed game 1 of the best of three series versus the NBCC Whalers Monday night in FIHL action. Chris Hoffman scored the winner in overtime to pace the Kingfishers.

Kingfishers GM Matty Walsh was philosophical at the post game press conference. "Their goalie was spectacular. It reminded me of Taylor or Stevens when they put up the big curtain. We play Tuesday night and I'm hoping we can step it up a notch but I'll have to check the tank to see if there's any gas left in it. I put ten bucks in the tank just to get it topped up."

Editor's Note: An obvious Tragically Hip reference from "Locked in the Trunk of a Car."

Series Set for 2009-2010 Playoffs

Ratz VS XXX - they split the season series and is being billed as the closest series in the first round. If Nick Ganong can play up to his potential, this gives XXX a boost. The Ratz will be without Warren Giesbrecht and have called on Lorne Grant to shut the door. Grant has proven himself as a bonafide #1 goalie and should provide solid play. The XXX will have to key in on the Bonny River BIG Line of Taylor, Stevens and Buchanan. Stevens is coming off a hot finish to the regular season and will be counted on to take some of the offensive load off Taylor.The Ratz will need to shut down Matheson, McGrattan, and Ross in order to be successful.

Kingfishers VS NBCC Whalers - has all the makings of a surprise series IF the Community College can get all of their big wheels in the line up. NBCC is the best coached team in the FIHL. Walsh, Jean, Groom, Heelis, Harris and Ross and the rest of the cast have all been down this road before many times and experience will play a big factor. You can never underestimate experience but if it will depend on what Kingfishers squad shows up.

Pirates VS Twisters - The Twisters have faded a bit at the end after challenging for and being at the top of the heap most of the year. Nobody is counting them out despite the unfavourable finish. The Pirates will need to have all hands on deck in order to pull off the upset. The Pirates have several young legs that can put the puck and all will be counted on to provide defensive help as well.

Walsh wins 2010 Charlotte County Big Wish Contest

Walsh gets to wear Ratz Cap of the Game

Matty Walsh - Ratz Cap Player of the Game

Bonny River, NB - Although the entries were countless, Matty Walsh won the Charlotte County Big Wish Contest for 2010. Entries were accepted from any Charlotte County resident and judging was based on originality and how much the wish cost. Here is Matty's winning entry;

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have always been a big fan of the Bonny River Ratz and have even had a chance to skate with them in the past. My favourite players are Mark Taylor and Joe Stevens. I was wondering if I could get a shot at wearing their Ratz Cap Player of the Game and get my picture in the Hockey Voice. It would mean so much to me and my family. My Dad is a big Ratz fan too. He goes to some of their games when he get tickets. Anything you can do for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Matty Walsh

Taylor subject of identity theft sting operation

RCMP Officer Eric Jean and Mark Taylor

Blacks Harbour, NB - The local police are working with the public to put a stop to identity theft in the area. To illustrate this, local officer and Kingfishers third liner Eric Jean attempted to pass himself off as one of hockey's most celebrated stars. Jean donned the #61 Bonny River Ratz jersey and skated around the Fundy Arena to show how easily it can be done.

Although at first it caught the guys off guard, Jean's cover was blown when he was continuously shut down. Matty Walsh was there to see it first hand and noted, "I was fooled at first but when this guy was foiled over and over again, I knew it wasn't Taylor."

The Story of Wayne Barrett and Family in Sports Illustrated

The saga of a local hockey Dad and his love for the game and the overwhelming support took another unexpected turn this week. Wayne Barrett of Back Bay, who passed away last summer after a valiant and brave fight with cancer, had his story told again by a different source. This time it was arguably the world’s biggest sports magazine Sports Illustrated telling the tale in their Olympic Preview edition that showcased fellow Maritimer Sidney Crosby on the cover.

As the clock ticked down on Wayne in the summer of 2009, he became aware that perhaps this might be a battle he wouldn’t win, he made plans to take his family to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia when Crosby was bringing the Stanley Cup there. Unfortunately, this story didn’t have a happy ending and Wayne succumbed to the horrible foe after an extensive and courageous battle.

Wayne’s Mom June tells the tale of how Wayne’s wife Allene and her daughter Brooke and son Brandon made the trek to see the Cup live and in person. During the extensive wait, a man came along and struck up a conversation with them. Lo and behold, he was a writer for Sports Illustrated named S. L. Price from Washington, D.C. “The man was taken by the story and was genuinely interested in it,” added June.

He was there to do a story on Sidney Crosby and his massive appeal and Price’s path ended up crossing with the Barretts and now a brief account of their journey is in the 2010 Winter Olympics Preview edition. It is not hard to pick out; it has Canada’s biggest hockey hero Crosby on it, sporting his Team Canada uniform.

Although Wayne never got to fulfill his dream of seeing Hockey’s Holy Grail in person, his spirit was felt as it passed by them. Wayne’s legacy has been documented and re-told many times and this latest chapter once again shows the power of sport and the way it brings people together. Politics and religion divides us, but we can all find a common ground when it comes to sports. Whether it’s an entire nation watching their team and cheering them every step of the way or a little community in New Brunswick, sport is the glue that bonds us altogether.

Stevens makes 2009-2010 goaltending debut

Ratz captain Joe Stevens backstops NBCC Whalers in FIHL action

When NBCC St. Andrews Whalers head coach Justin Sweeney's goalie came down with second period injury, he looked no farther than Ratz star Joe Stevens to fill the void. "We were down 7-1 and I had heard about Stevens' heroics and figured we would pull out all the stops. It is my duty as coach to make sure we have the very best and he was the best available at the time," noted Sweeney.

The FIHL introduces its smallest fan

Avary Florence Richardson

Avary Florence Richardson was born February 3, 2010 at 2:52 am in Fredericton, NB and she is the daughter of Chris and Melissa Richardson and sister of Thomas Richardson. She weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and a length of 19 3/8 in. all is good for Avary and her Mom. Good stuff.

Cunningham presents the latest funny

You see, Grandpa smoked too much and must have gotten cancer or something right after this picture was taken eh? Of course, there's the outside chance that maybe he got a gunshot blast to the head too. Hard to say, not knowing, eh?

Chiller: Bring on the Ratz!

XXX Star Chris Hill

St. George, NB - While some of the FIHL playoff match-ups are still up in the air, the St. George XXX are focusing on the their opponents, the Bonny River Ratz. One player in particular, Chris Hill, says he's more than ready for the Rodents. "I don't live in a cave and I know the damage that a guy like Taylor can do if you let him roam around unchecked. We will have at least two guys on him all the time and more if necessary. We're not too concerned about the rest of them. If we can stop Taylor, we can stop the Ratz," noted a very confident Hill in a Hockey Voice interview late Sunday.

McMullin out of XXX line up but still likes to have fun

Former XXX star and former FIHL ref Matt McMullin

Ratz set to unveil new jerseys

Playoff picture getting clear - McGrattan "I'll pound the Ratz"

XXX Star Jason McGrattan

As the FIHL season winds down, the playoff picture is clearing up as the number of games decreases. The St. George XXX are aligned with the Bonny River Ratz and will meet for certain in the first round. XXX GM Jason McGrattan has made it clear he relishes the thought of getting on the ice against the Ratz. "If Stevens and Taylor and the rest of that crew think for a minute that they will beat us, think again. I'll pound them guys silly; with or without my pink undies. Bonny River BIG Line, what a bunch of crap that is," noted a very confident McGrattan in an exclusive interview.

Cunningham Releases New Cartoon

Hockey Voice Head Funny Guy Geoff Cunningham

You see, there's all these blind people and they're on a "school for the blind" bus, eh? The dog is a seeing eye dog and that's what makes it funny, plus he probably doesn't have a license.

Just thought I'd tell everybody, eh?