Buchanan nominated for FIHL Humanitarian Award

Buchanan help homeless people on the streets of Boston

Ratz star Jim Buchanan and some of his charity work

Bonny River, NB - At a hastily called press conference over the weekend, FIHL representative Matty Walsh announced one of the 2011 FIHL Humanitarian Award nominees, Jim Buchanan. Walsh said, "Buchanan is being recognized as one of  the pioneers for his charitable deeds. As Buchanan along with sidekicks Joe Stevens and Mark Taylor weaved their way through the streets of Boston, Buchanan took time out of his busy schedule to help the homeless. He's definitely a humanitarian in my books."

Buchanan, when reached by phone later, expressed "shock and disbelief." Buchanan added, " I always preach to everybody to have a cold beer and forget about it and that was the basis for my generous act. Even though he was wearing a Bruins hat, I put aside my differences and helped the poor guy out. I didn't really think I'd be recognized for this, but it's truly an honour. We had to make a bit of a hasty exit after the deed as the police pulled in and I didn't want to create a big fuss over a little bit of charity."

Russ Buchanan "Paying the Price"

Buchanan sidelined "indefinitely"

Russ Buchanan visits Ratz dressing room

Bonny River, NB - An injury that captain Joe Stevens described as "unfortunate" could see Ratz forward Russ Buchanan out of the line up for an extended stint. Buchanan collided with teammate Jim Buchanan in Sunday's game versus the Milltown Moose.

Buchanan stated that all of the "bejesus" had been knocked out of him now and is following team doctor's orders to drink plenty of fluids and eat a truckoad of grub over the holidays. "I never really had any swelling until I blew my nose and under my eye puffed up. It's an injury to my nasal cavity and yes, I plan to keep my nose in my own business for awhile at least," noted the rugged Ratz star.  

Ratz get back on track

Ratz Down Bears 10-3 

Gregg Buchanan - Ratz Cap Player of the Game

Blacks Harbour, NB - The Bonny River Ratz posted a 10-3 victory over the Charlotte County Bears Tuesday night and got back on the winning track. Gregg Buchanan's 4 goal performance paced the Ratz who also got markers from Kyle Leslie, Carl Chambers, Mark Taylor, Greg Justason, Jack MacNeil and Shane Lee. Goaltender Warren Giesbrecht was solid once again for the Ratz and was up to the task when called upon. Taylor's scrambly goal from behind the goal line was his 898th and edged him closer to his next milestone.    

The win brought the third place Ratz up to 8-6-1 for 17 points on the season. Meanwhile, the first place Blacks Harbour Timberwolves downed the St. George XXX 6 - 4 in the other FIHL game.

The league now breaks for Christmas but gets right back to business on Tuesday, the 27th with the Bears tangling with the Kingfishers at 7:40 and the Ratz playing the XXX at 9:10.

Walsh: "Ratz are the gentlemen of the FIHL"

Ratz are the cleanest team in the league

Kingfishers GM Matty Walsh

Blacks Harbour, NB - It's not often that another team's management has good things to say about one of their arch rivals but on Monday Matty Walsh was full of accolades for the Bonny River Ratz. The Kingfishers GM noted, "They play on the edge of the rules and that makes them hard to defend against. Bar none, they are the cleanest team in the league. I have played with most of them and I'd have to say they are absolute gentlemen; the pillars of the local hockey community if you will."

This assessment seems to be in contrast to some of Walsh's cohorts and associates who have long been critical of the Ratz style of play. Walsh added, "I know that not everybody may agree with me, but they exemplify what we want our league to be. Peace out baby."

Ratz fall to Moose in a toenail biter

Hyslop Backs Stops Moose to Victory

Milltown Moose Star Goalie JJ Hyslop

Blacks Harbour, NB - After falling behind 4-1, the Bonny River Ratz clawed back to within one goal but couldn't get the equalizer. The Ratz fell 4-3 to the Milltown Moose in Sunday night FIHL action. Eric McDonald netted a pair including the winner and Jeremy Leavitt and Chris Nelson got singles to pace the visiting Moose. Jack McNeil, Joe Stevens and Jim Buchanan replied for the Ratz. 

The win put the Moose within a whisker of the Ratz who are in 3rd place. The Moose are 7-7-1 for 15 points while the Ratz are 7-6-1 for 15 points but played one less game.

The Fundy Kingfishers downed the Charlotte County Bears 9-5 to tie the Blacks Harbour Timberwolves with 26 points for top spot but the Wolves have played less games.

The league resumes Tuesday night with the aforementioned Timberwolves taking on St. George XXX at 7:40 and the Ratz playing the Bears at 9:10.

Walsh receives promotion at Hockey Voice

Hockey Voice VP of Entertainment Joe Walsh

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - The Hockey Voice is pleased to announce that with the re-launching of the site, they were able to retain the services of their entertainment director Joe Walsh and has been promoted to VP of Entertainment. Walsh will continue to deliver insightful and hard-hitting stories covering the whole entertainment scene whether it is music, TV or the big screen.



A very elated Joe Walsh said in a telephone interview that it marked the start of a new era. "I have been a fan of the Voice since it was mere e-mail phenomena that Mark Taylor used to do in his spare time. I am happy with my appointment and the re-launching of this site. I got my Christmas present early."

Timberwolves at the top of the pack

Blacks Harbour, NB - Although all the stats have not been submitted, it is known that the Blacks Harbour Timberwolves sit atop the FIHL standings with an impressive 13 win and 1 loss record for 26 points. The club is 2 points up on the Fundy Kingfishers who sport a 12-3 record for 24 points. The hot Bonny River Ratz are in third with a 7-5-1 record, good for 15 points. The St. George XXX are fourth with a 7-7 record for 14 points. The Charlotte County Bears were 6-9 for 12 points but the results from last Thursday's game with Milltown are not known. NBCC is last with a 0-14 record. The record for the Milltown Moose is not known at this time.

Stevens "Taylor is not on the trading block"

Ratz spend to the cap "finally"

Team Captain Joe Stevens shows off team's cash during recent meeting

Bonny River, NB - Now that the Bonny River Ratz have turned things around, the stories of Mark Taylor being moved have gone away. Joe Stevens said he felt the heat during the 2-5-1 star more than anybody. "I had fans coming to me right on the street saying they were disappointed with the team and I took that personally. I didn't want to even talk about moving Taylor but guys like Matty Walsh kept calling me wanting to make a deal but I'm glad I didn't now. I went to the owners and told them we needed help and they wanted to see what my plans were and I laid it all out there.We juggled some things around and brought in Jim O'Halloran and it has changed our fortunes. The D has been solid and our goaltending has been stellar. Any time you start talking about a deal that involves guys like Mark Taylor, you know things must be bad. Then again, Wayne Gretzky was traded so anybody is available on this squad. The boys should be aware of that if they're not already." 

Justason out of Ratz line up - denies rumours

Justason "I know my role"

Ratz star Greg Justason avoiding reporters after last Sunday's game

Bonny River, NB - It is not known if perennial all-star Greg Justason will be in the Ratz line up tonight VS the Milltown Moose. Suffering from what the team is calling "an industrial type injury," Justason has been forced to the sidelines. 

Justason has been the source of some rumours circulating lately, all of which the rugged forward denies. The recent signing of Jim O'Halloran has sort of put Justason down the pecking order and appears to be the end of him being on the BIG Line with Mark Taylor and Joe Stevens. The team has gone on a 5 game winning streak since the signing.

Justason spoke briefly with reporters on Saturday. "I know my role on this team. Sure, I'd like to stay on the BIG Line but there comes a time when I have to put the team ahead of my own success. I'm not mad or disappointed and would appreciate it if people could just give me my privacy during this very tough time in my career. By the way, where the hell has the Hockey Voice been when things were going good around here?"   



Ratz now on a roll after a very rocky start

Dewar Ratz Cap Player of the Game

Matt "Nick" Dewar

Bonny River, NB - After what some experts called a disastrous beginning to the 2011-2011 FIHL season, the Bonny River Ratz have righted the ship. There was talk to the team shopping around their marquee player Mark Taylor which did not happen and it now appears that it was the right move.

Last Sunday, the Rodents downed the St. George XXX in a thrilling shootout with rookie sensation Matt "Nick" Dewar scoring the winner. It put the club 2 games over .500 at 7 wins and 5 losses and one shootout loss. Dewar met with reporters just after the victory and noted that "he's living out his hockey dream." Dewar was signed last summer after travelling to Portland with the sqaud and proving his worth by playing alongside 897 goal scorer Mark Taylor and former NHL-er Gary McAdam.

The Ratz take on the Milltown Moose in Blacks Harbour Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9:10 and some seats are still available for that one. The Fundy Kingfishers take on the Charlotte County Bears at 7:40.