Samrong _ The Curve Coyotes and BNH Hospital Blades will face off in the Thai-World Hockey League championship after both teams dismantled their opponents on Sunday.

The Coyotes blasted the Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues 8-4 thanks largely to a six-point night by flashy Thai center Tawin Chartsuwan. The Blades demolished the Pelican Flyers 7-0 as the dynamic duo of Todd Switzer and Joe Doan each scored hat-tricks.

The Coyotes dominated from the drop of the puck as cagey vet Walter Konrad burst in on a two-on-one and fed a perfect pass to Tawin who buried a shot 10 seconds into the game. Scott Whitcomb set up three goals with perfect feeds, and Dave Cote scored and added two helpers.

Konrad, captain Scott Murray, Ralf Dittmer, and Arthit Thamwongsin also tallied for the Coyotes. Daniel Greenberg, captain Jamie Marriott, Oscar Sala, and Rob Taylor replied for the Blues.

Switzer got the Blades on the board early against the Flyers after curling out from behind the net and roofing a wrist shot. The floodgates opened late in the second period as Doan and Switzer put on a clinic in the offensive zone. Captain Reine Rauhala rounded out the scoring.

Coyotes hammer Blues; Flyers, Blades draw

Samrong _ The Pelican Flyers battled the BNH Hospital Blades to a 3-3 tie Sunday as the Thai-World Hockey League semi-final playoffs kicked off.

The Curve Coyotes walloped the Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues 6-2 thanks to a third period scoring outburst by Thai snipers Pasit Jirachai and Chantapong Tengsakul.

Down 2-0 on goals by Joe Doan and Todd Switzer, the Flyers fought their way back into the game with three-straight tallies.

Scott Lamont buried a shot from the slot to spark the Flyers rally. Defenseman Zoltan Kosa took off on an end-to-end rush and sniped the top corner after blowing by the defence. Minutes later Robert Kennedy made it 3-2 as he fired a shot five-hole.

But the Blades evened the score as Jouni Heinonen blasted a one-timer in from the side of the crease. The Flyers battened down the hatches in the third period and goalie Warren Rodricks weathered the Blades storm, finishing with 27 saves.

The Coyotes, meanwhile, broke a tight game wide open in the third period of game two with some sensational play-making and big-time shots. All alone in front, Walter Konrad snapped a shot home to ignite his team.

Arthit Thamwongsin blazed down his off-wing and fired a perfect pass to Chantapong who scored his first of two pretty goals. Pasit later unleashed a rocket into the top shelf, his second of the game, after a great feed from Scott Whitcomb.

Both semi-finals continue this Sunday with the winners moving on to the championship. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

Blades finish first; Blues win battle for 3^rd

Samrong _ The BNH Hospital Blades took first place in the Thai-World Hockey League’s regular season after defeating the Curve Coyotes 5-4 with the playoffs kicking off this Sunday.

The Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues beat the Pelican Flyers 4-1 – securing a first-round meeting with Coyotes – thanks to spectacular goaltending by Brian Prestia who made 41 saves.

Joe Doan starred for the Blades with a hat-trick and a helper and won the scoring title with 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 14 games played. Captain Reine Rauhala and winger Chatudej Guptabha also tallied.

Center Jeff Lamantia replied with a hat-trick of his own as the Coyotes fought back in the third period to make a game of it. Norman V. Schwagler buried a pass from the side of the net and also added an assist for the ‘Yotes (5-8-2).

The Flyers, meanwhile, largely outplayed the Blues in game two. Zoltan Kosa unleashed a howitzer that bulged the twine for the Flyers, but that was all Prestia would surrender as he dazzled between the pipes.  

Rob Taylor scored a pair, his first a laser-like backhand into the top shelf on a breakaway. Joe Lamantia hammered a rebound home and Jason White added another for the third-place Blues (5-8-2).

Samrong _ The surging Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues knocked off the first-place BNH Hospital Blades 5-3 in  excitingThai-World Hockey League action on Sunday, as the hunt for play-off positions intensified. In the other match, the Curve Coyotes defeated the Pelican Flyers 5-2 thanks to sensational goaltending by Jason Cotsmire who finished with 30 saves, and the hot hand of Arthit Thamwongsin who scored twice and assisted. Winger David Blomqvist was the offensive hero for the Blues, netting a pair of goals and adding two assists, while netminder Brian Prestia shut down the Blades high-powered offence with 31 saves. Blues captain Jamie Marriott skated through Blades defenders and sent a perfect pass to Arnon Rodprasert who one-timed it home. Rob Taylor broke in alone and rifled a shot five-hole, and Joe Lamantia buried a saucer pass from Oscar Sala on a two-on-one rush.  Joe Doan, Jouni Heinonen, and Jiri Vlk scored for the Blades (11-2-1). Doans goal moved him into a scoring-race tie with team-mate Todd Switzer, each with 27 points. The win snapped the Blades nine-game unbeaten streak. The Blues (4-8-2) square off in the final game of the regular season this Sunday against the Flyers in a battle for third place. The Coyotes, meanwhile, grabbed sole possession of second place with the win over the Flyers. Rugged blue liner Spencer Fowler was a force at both ends of the ice, scoring and assisting while shutting down numerous Flyers chances. Tawin Chartsuwan and Chantapong Tengsakul also tallied for the Yotes (5-7-2). Zoltan Kosa anScott Lamont scored for the Flyers (5-8-1).                                                                 www.leaguelineup.com/twhl



Blues blast Blades; Coyotes beat Flyers

 Samrong _The surging Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues knocked off the first-place BNH Hospital Blades 5-3 in exciting Thai-World Hockey League action Sunday, as the hunt for playoff positions intensified.  In the other match, the Curve Coyotes defeated the Pelican Flyers 5-2 thanks to sensational goaltending by Jason Cotsmire who finished with 30 saves, and the hot hand of Arthit Thamwongsin who scored twice and assisted.  Winger David Blomqvist was the offensive hero for the Blues, netting a pair of goals and adding two helpers, while netminder Brian Prestia shut down the Blades high-powered offense with 31 saves.  Blues captain Jamie Marriott skated through Blades defenders and sent a perfect pass to Arnon Rodprasert who one-timed it home. Rob Taylor broke in alone and rifled a shot five-hole, and Joe Lamantia buried a saucer pass from Oscar Sala on a two-on-one rush.  Joe Doan, Jouni Heinonen, and Jiri Vlk scored for the Blades (11-2-1). Doan’s goal moved him into a scoring-race tie with teammate Todd Switzer, each with 27 points. The win snapped the Blades nine-game unbeaten streak. The Blues (4-8-2) square off in the final game of the regular season this Sunday against the Flyers in a battle for third place.  The Coyotes, meanwhile, grabbed sole possession of second place with the win over the Flyers. Rugged blue liner Spencer Fowler was a force at both ends of the ice, scoring and assisting while shutting down numerous Flyers chances.  Tawin Chartsuwan and Chantapong Tengsakul also tallied for the ‘Yotes (5-7-2). Zoltan Kosa and Scott Lamont scored for the Flyers (5-8-1). www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

Blades slice Flyers; Coyotes bite Blues

 

Samrong _ The high-flying BNH Hospital Blades kept up their winning ways, blasting the Pelican Flyers 9-3 in Thai-World Hockey League action on Sunday.

 

The Curve Coyotes, meanwhile, defeated the Woodstock Bar & Grill Blues 5-2 thanks to some dazzling goals by slick Thai center Tawin Chartsuwan and pair by Pasit Jirachai.

 

The league-leading Blades extended their unbeaten streak to seven games thanks to two hat-trick performances by Joe ‘Roadrunner’ Doan and crafty defenseman Adrian Meyers.

 

The Blades peppered the Flyers with 30 shots on goal and dominated the game from the drop of the puck. Todd ‘the Bod’ Switzer, Jouni Heinonen., and Reine Rauhala also bulged the twine. Robert Kennedy, Struan Robertson and Rick Holdway replied for the Flyers.

 

In game two, Tawin displayed his soft hands with two beauties for the Coyotes. The Thai National Team star weaved his way through the Blues defense before undressing the goaltender with a spectacular backhand deke for his second goal.

 

Coyotes goalie Jason Cotsmire made several outstanding stops in a 29-save performance.

 

Scott Whitcomb added the other goal for the ‘Yotes, and Rob Taylor netted a brace for the Blues. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

 

Former NHL enforcer Crowder turns goal-scorer in unlikeliest of hockey venues

by Roberty Kennedy  Associated Press

1 day ago

BANGKOK, Thailand - Former New Jersey Devil right wing Troy Crowder has come a long way since his days as one of the NHL's most feared enforcers. Last week he came 15,000 kilometres to be precise.

Crowder, whose on-ice scraps with top heavyweight Bob Probert of the Detroit Red Wings became the stuff of legend, made the journey to Bangkok, Thailand - along with some 400 hockey players from around the globe - to contest the "Land of Smiles" international ice hockey tournament.

While ice sport and the balmy Thai climate may seem an unlikely combination, hockey has blossomed in this steamy Southeast Asian nation.

"When I first heard about the tournament, I didn't even think Bangkok had an arena," said the 39-year-old Crowder, who was recruited by former junior teammate Brent Bywater to play for the North Bay Fighting Muskies. "The ice is really soft and it took some time to get used to, but it's been a lot of fun playing here."

Thirty teams from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia participated in the tournament, organized by local company Jamcomb Sports from Oct. 24-27.

Crowder didn't disappoint after assuming the goal scorer's role.

The six-foot-four, 240-pounder showed off his soft hands by scoring two shootout goals to lead his team to the semifinals.

The Fighting Muskies were eventually eliminated by a high-scoring United Arab Emirates team stacked with Belorussians, which eventually went on to win the competition.

Nonetheless, the experience was extraordinary, Crowder said, one he'll never forget. He's vowed to start recruiting as soon as he returns to his home in Sudbury, Ont., and return with a stronger team in 2008.

Crowder's attendance continued a burgeoning NHL tradition in Bangkok after U.S. Olympian Neil Broten brought a team that won the tournament in 2001.

The Bangkok Flying Farangs team - "farang" being the Thai word for foreigner - has hosted the tourney since 1995. Despite many obstacles, the sport has steadily developed and the Thai capital has become Southeast Asia's hockey hub.

The recreational Thai-World Hockey League entered its fifth season in September, boasting a blend of former Canadian junior and U.S. collegiate players, alongside skaters from Thailand, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

The TWHL's marquee draw is former Sweden player Reine Rauhala, who once shared a dressing room with NHL stars such as Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund in the early 1990s.

Hockey has also captured the imagination of the locals. Despite a lack of government sponsorship and interest, Thailand deploys its national team to compete in international play - though sometimes the result is a devastating blowout.

Unranked by the International Ice Hockey Federation, Thailand squared off against world No. 11 Kazakhstan last February at the Asian Winter Games, leaving the ice on the losing end of a 52-1 scoreline as the tournament favourite Kazakhs mercilessly out-shot the Thais 97-7.

Thai-American goaltender Jason Cotsmire, originally from Long Island, N.Y., played half that game.

"I was thinking, 'what did I get myself into?"' he said. "We were oversized and overmatched. It was more of a practice than a game."

But like most Thai players, Cotsmire took the defeat in his stride, and the lessons learned with a smile.

"It was an once-in-a-lifetime experience. How many guys can say they played at that calibre?"

As well as entertaining the bemused locals, the Flying Farangs raise money each year for charitable causes, including some of Bangkok's most disadvantaged children.

One of the team's proudest moments came in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami that ravaged the country in 2004, when Bangkok's hockey players teamed up with the NHL to raise more than US$40,000 for tsunami survivors with a charity game.

On the 'Net

www.jamcombsports.com

Samrong _ Powerhouse BNH Hospital Blades extended their winning streak to four games, destroying the Woodstock Bar and Grill Blues 13-1 at Imperial World Samrong arena on Sunday.

Missing several key skaters in game two, the Curve Coyotes downed the Pelican Flyers 7-5 and moved into second place in the Thai-World Hockey League standings.

Led by captain Reine Rauhala’s six assists, the Blades dominated the Blues from the drop of the puck, jumping out to a 5-0 first-period lead. Returning from a back injury, Finnish rearguard Jari Turunen scored four goals and assisted. Jouni Saarteinen, another member of the Finnish Connection, had a four-point night.

Hard-nosed Czech pivot Jiri Vlk added three goals to his usual agitating game, and Todd ‘the Bod’ Switzer also scored a hat-trick. Joe ‘Roadrunner’ Doan left the ice bloodied after taking a stick to the face and required surgery to repair a badly broken nose.     

Rob Taylor broke the Blades shutout bid midway through the third frame.

The Blades extended their first-place lead by six points and improved to 6-1-0 on the season. 

Meanwhile, the Flyers twice surrendered two-goal leads to the resilient Coyotes led by Thai sniper Pasit ‘Tar’ Jirachai who bagged four goals.

Defenseman Dave Cote unloaded a slapper from outside the blue line to tie the match at five, and ‘Killer’ Kirk Nell buried the puck from an impossible angle for the game winner. The Flyers pressed in the final minutes, but Pasit scored an empty-netter to end it. Krit Rattapong also tallied for the ‘Yotes, 2-3-2.

Flyers left-winger Rick Holdway popped a pair of goals and assisted, and center Guy Black continued his torrid scoring pace with a deuce and a helper. Captain Michael White added another.

The win vaulted the Coyotes into second place past the Flyers, who suffered their third-straight defeat. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

Blades blast Flyers; Coyotes, Blues draw

Samrong _ The BNH Hospital Blades poured on the offense, hammering the Pelican Flyers 8-5 in Thai-World Hockey League play to bolster their first-place lead.

A controversial late goal in game two by the Woodstock Bar and Grill Blues produced a 5-5 final against the Curve Coyotes at Imperial World Samrong arena on Sunday.

The Flyers carried a majority of the play with a heavy fore-check and down-low cycle, but the Blades high-flying offense was simply unstoppable. Captain Reine Rauhala led the charge, scoring two goals and two assists.

Joe ‘Roadrunner’ Doan netted a pair, his nicest a rocket blast off the cross-bar and in. Chatudej Guptabha, Paul Collette, Jouni Saarteinen, and Todd ‘the Bod’ Switzer also bulged the twine.

Flyers captain Michael White and first-line pivot Guy Black provided the offense for the Flyers. White scored a hat-trick and assisted, while Black tallied and added three helpers. Winger Bruce Hodges lifted a rebound over a sprawling netminder.

The Blues, meanwhile, fought back from a 4-1 deficit in match two to tie the Coyotes, who opened up the game in the second period, but wilted in the third.

Krit Rutthapong had a strong game for the ‘Yotes, scoring and adding two helpers. Tawin Chartsuwan netted a highlight-reel goal, splitting the defense and rifling a shot top corner. Chantapong Tengsakul, Pasit Jirachai, and Ralf Dittmer also tallied.

For the Blues, Arnon Rodprasert fired the puck home, Detbodin Jittranon scored and assisted, and Rob Taylor tallied. Big Mickey Switzer was a force, assisting and scoring twice, including the equalizer with a 1:30 to play. 

Controversy struck with time ticking down, as the referee dropped the puck at a face-off catching the laggardly Coyotes out of position. Blues captain Jamie Marriott snapped a shot toward the net and Switzer pumped in the rebound. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

Samrong _ The Pelican Flyers rallied in the third period to defeat the Woodstock Bar and Grill Blues 6-4 in Thai-World Hockey League play.

After being shut out last week, the BNH Hospital Blades offence fired on all cylinders as they skated to a 6-3 victory Sunday over the Curve Coyotes at Imperial World Samrong arena.

The Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by center Scott Lamont and blue-liner Struan Robertson. But the Blues fought back as Thai grinder Chaiyasit Tulwathana and big winger Arnon Rodprasert bulged the twin.

Joltin’ Joe Lamantia sniped a shot top shelf to give the Blues the lead. Playing short-handed, Lamont took a nice pass from newcomer Rob Taylor and buried a shot five-hole on a breakaway to tie it.

Not to be outdone, Lamantia drove hard to the net, fought off a Flyers defender, and ripped a shot home to give the Blues a late 4-3 lead.

But the Flyers refused to die. Captain Michael White worked the corner and centered the puck to Robert Kennedy who shoveled in a backhand to even the score. With time winding down, Taylor took a pass from center Guy Black and hammered a one-timer for the winner.

Rearguard Nattapong Hannaoujchai deposited a 60-footer into an empty net to seal the victory.

Flyers goalie Warren Rodricks made 30 saves, and Blues netminder Brian Prestia stopped 25 shots.

The Finnish Connection dominated the Coyotes in the second match as winger Jouni Heinonen blasted home a pair of goals. Line-mate Jouni Saarteinen was the set-up man with four helpers, and captain Reine Rauhala scored and assisted. Todd ‘the Bod’ Switzer got the Blades on the board early after charging down the wing and unleashing vicious slap-shot. Defenseman Adrian Meyers was solid, scoring and assisting, and blue-liner Jari Turunen also tallied. The Coyotes came to life in the third as Thai speedster Pasit Jirachai blazed in alone and fired a perfect shot just under the cross-bar. Chantapong Tengsakul and Scott Whitcomb also scored. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Sports/09Oct2007_sport28.php

ICE HOCKEY THAI-WORLD LEAGUE

Curve Coyotes bite Blades asBlues pummel Pelican Flyers

Samrong _ The Curve Coyotes shut down the high-powered offense of the BNH Hospital Blades with a 3-0 victory in Thai-World Hockey League action. The Woodstock Bar and Grill Blues busted out offensively in game two, hammering the Pelican Flyers 7-3 at Imperial World Samrong arena on Sunday.

Scott 'the Fury' Whitcomb led the Coyotes charge with a pair of nice goals, and netminder Jason Cotsmire was perfect between the pipes.

Whitcomb corralled a long-bomb pass from Ralf Dittmer, skated in alone, and fired the puck through the goalies legs. He later one-timed a shot home from the top of the crease.

Speedy Thai national team star Chantapong Tengsakul put the icing on the cake, roofing the puck on a breakaway.

Cotsmire made several key saves to preserve the shut-out, his best a huge glove-hand stop on a blast from Blades captain Reine Rauhala with time winding down. Blades goalie Clement Savard was sharp, making 17 stops.

The Coyotes improved their record to 1-2, with the Blades at 2-1.

Hungry for their first win of the season, the Blues attacked the Flyers fast and hard in the second match.

Rugged blue-liner Michael 'the Hammer' Crowley snuck in from the point and fired a pass into the open cage.

Big Thai forward Arnon Rodprasert netted a pair of goals for the Blues, as did David 'Boomer' Blomqvist.

The Flyers showed signs of life in the second period, but the Blues snuffed out any chance of a comeback in the third with strong goaltending by Brian Prestia.

Captain Jamie Marriott and Mickey Switzer also scored for the Blues, 1-2, and rearguard Detbodin Jittranon chipped in three assists.

Captain Michael White, Kevin 'Big Bird' Hall, and first-line pivot Guy Black replied for the Flyers, 2-1. www.leaguelineup.com/twhl