There's much more to the Moncton Wildcats organization than playing hockey. While the primary focus is where it should be, on the players and the game they play on the ice, they contribute to the community in many more ways.
I had the opportunity to see the level of that contribution first hand during the recent Reading is Wild program, which is a community project spearheaded by the Wildcats with the sponsorship of RBC, the Times&Transcript and supported by Boston Pizza and Scholastic Books.
Four schools in School District 2 were involved this year. They were Hillsborough Elementary, Claude D. Taylor, Bessborough/Uplands and Magnetic Hill Elementary. The goal for the five week campaign which started the middle of January and ended on February 13th was to have the students at these schools read a total of 47,000 book. They blew the projection out of the water hitting a total of over 148,000 books read.
I visited the four schools and had a chance to interact with the students. It was an absolute delight. The students level of interest in reading was astounding and part of their motivation came from their heroes, the young men who wear the jersey of the Moncton Wildcats. The players visited the schools, spent time with the students and provided a great level of motivation for the Reading is Wild program.
Amy Richard, the Wildcats Manager of Sponsorship,Sales and Activation coordinated the program and deserves a great deal of credit for its success. I was responsible for getting out a weekly media release on the program's progress. Every Thursday was "excitment day" for us, as the numbers from the schools came in. Friday, February 13th was certainly a lucky day for everyone who participated in Reading is Wild. I could hardly wait to get to the office to get the final numbers from Amy and start writing the release. I was thrilled with the totals from each school and to be a small part of a program that touched so many children.
I'll treasure the memory of spending time with the students, reading to them and sharing their excitment about the Wildcats. One particular incident stands out as a perfect example of the way these children see the Wildcats as role models. At Magnetic Hill school, a little boy, I guesseed about seven years old, tugged on my Wildcats jacket as I was leaving the auditorium where I spoke to the students. "Sir," he asked, "Sir, do you know Nicola Riopel?' "Oh yes," I replied, "I know Nicola very well." The child's eyes glowed as he looked up at me, "Sir," he said with only the joy of childhood can hold, "Sir, he's my hero."
There is indeed more to the Moncton Wildcats than playing hockey.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth - Les Stoodley
I'd like to salute the other guy who writes blogs for the Moncton Wildcats, team captain Matt Eagles. Matt skated in his 200th game in a Wildcats jersey on January 28th against Gatineau.
Born into a hockey family, Matt played his first game with the Cats in September of 2005 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst. He was a rookie on that great team that captured Moncton's first Presidents Cup.
Matt grew up in hockey arenas. His father Mike played 853 games in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals. Mike is now the Head Coach of the St. Thomas Tommies in the Atlantic Universities League.
The younger Eagles was learning the tricks of the trade from big names in the show while he was still a youngster. Imagine getting tips from a guy like Adam Graves. Or skating with the Jets or Capitals, no small thrill for any young hockey player.
Here's one of the many stories about Matt's abilities as a youngster. A few years back, Gerard Belliveau, was a minor hockey coach in Frediction, he's now the town manager in Shediac. He tells the story of getting help from Matt at a provincial tournament. Gerard was short a couple of players and one of his coaching buddies suggested he bring up this Eagles kid, who was a couple of years younger than the team participating in the tournament. Gerard says he was doubtful about starting such a small, young player but on his first shift, Matt whipped around three players from the opposing team, gave the goalie a head-fake and backhanded a roofer just under the crossbar. Matt went on to score a bunch of goals in the tournament and Belliveau knew there was a Q player in the making.
The rest as they say is history. Matt made the Wildcats and for the past four years has been a driving force in the teams success. Danny Flynn had no hesitation in giving him the "C" when this season began in September. If leadership is a learned skill, then Matt has learned well.
The best way I know to define dedication is to slip downstairs on an off day and there in the gym, you'll find Matt Eagles, working out, many times alone. He's quiet guy, but don't be fooled by that soft spoken voice or the nice guy image he projects. When the gear is on, so is Eagles.
He's deserves applause for what he brings to the game and the Wildcats.
Born into a hockey family, Matt played his first game with the Cats in September of 2005 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst. He was a rookie on that great team that captured Moncton's first Presidents Cup.
Matt grew up in hockey arenas. His father Mike played 853 games in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals. Mike is now the Head Coach of the St. Thomas Tommies in the Atlantic Universities League.
The younger Eagles was learning the tricks of the trade from big names in the show while he was still a youngster. Imagine getting tips from a guy like Adam Graves. Or skating with the Jets or Capitals, no small thrill for any young hockey player.
Here's one of the many stories about Matt's abilities as a youngster. A few years back, Gerard Belliveau, was a minor hockey coach in Frediction, he's now the town manager in Shediac. He tells the story of getting help from Matt at a provincial tournament. Gerard was short a couple of players and one of his coaching buddies suggested he bring up this Eagles kid, who was a couple of years younger than the team participating in the tournament. Gerard says he was doubtful about starting such a small, young player but on his first shift, Matt whipped around three players from the opposing team, gave the goalie a head-fake and backhanded a roofer just under the crossbar. Matt went on to score a bunch of goals in the tournament and Belliveau knew there was a Q player in the making.
The rest as they say is history. Matt made the Wildcats and for the past four years has been a driving force in the teams success. Danny Flynn had no hesitation in giving him the "C" when this season began in September. If leadership is a learned skill, then Matt has learned well.
The best way I know to define dedication is to slip downstairs on an off day and there in the gym, you'll find Matt Eagles, working out, many times alone. He's quiet guy, but don't be fooled by that soft spoken voice or the nice guy image he projects. When the gear is on, so is Eagles.
He's deserves applause for what he brings to the game and the Wildcats.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth-Les Stoodley
I'm always fascinated by the reaction of fans and the media when the Wildcats hit a rough spot. Since the start of the new year, the team has had more losses than it did in the entire first half of the season and suddenly there's the loud question, "what's wrong with the Wildcats?"
Now here's something to consider. When the team recently rolled off six straight wins, there were no questions or comments. The unofficial website and its team of arm chair coaches were just speculating on game scores, composing their own lineups and making suggestions on who the coaching staff would go after in the trades. Now there's a cry of concern and questions about coaching decisions.
The trading period is over and Danny Flynn and company made a couple of moves to add scoring punch to the lineup. They did not deviate from their plan to continue to build the team through high end draft picks. Joly for Tremblay and some draft picks looks to be ideal given the situation with 20 year-olds and the Wildcats pool of young players. Adam Bezak's return should provide a little more sniper power. Given five days to practice, things should be back to normal when the battle of New Brunswick resumes on Friday night at the Coliseum.
What will be interesting, will be to see how Tomy Joly preforms against his former team mates. He's played his entire Q career with the Titan. It will be an emotional night for him and I suspect the Wildcats will turn up the heat to show their support of the decision to have a proven player like Joly in the lineup.
It will also be interesting to see the improvement in Adam Bezak. He did not achieve expectations last year but his play in Solvakia and at the World Juniors proved he is a quality goal scorer.
One thing I've learned over the years I've known him, Danny Flynn is not given to quick decisions and has stayed true to his own philosophy of building strong teams through draft picks. Danny's record behind the bench proves his great hockey knowledge. The recent trade moves were made following loads of research, using his vast number of hockey contacts and finding, what he felt, was the best fit for the Moncton Wildcats of today and the future.
So lets go back to my question at the start, "What's wrong with the Wildcats?' My response is not much when compared to preseason predictions. Look at the numbers, they're 43 games into the season and still have not had a hundred goals scored against them. They lead the Atlantic Division, they're tied for third in the league, in a season where all of the experts, (fans and media - myself included) predicted they would be middle of the pack in their division, middle of the pack in the overall standings, and re-building for next year.
So they've hit a rough spot during the last three home games but to quote Yogi, "it ain't over, till it's over."
Now here's something to consider. When the team recently rolled off six straight wins, there were no questions or comments. The unofficial website and its team of arm chair coaches were just speculating on game scores, composing their own lineups and making suggestions on who the coaching staff would go after in the trades. Now there's a cry of concern and questions about coaching decisions.
The trading period is over and Danny Flynn and company made a couple of moves to add scoring punch to the lineup. They did not deviate from their plan to continue to build the team through high end draft picks. Joly for Tremblay and some draft picks looks to be ideal given the situation with 20 year-olds and the Wildcats pool of young players. Adam Bezak's return should provide a little more sniper power. Given five days to practice, things should be back to normal when the battle of New Brunswick resumes on Friday night at the Coliseum.
What will be interesting, will be to see how Tomy Joly preforms against his former team mates. He's played his entire Q career with the Titan. It will be an emotional night for him and I suspect the Wildcats will turn up the heat to show their support of the decision to have a proven player like Joly in the lineup.
It will also be interesting to see the improvement in Adam Bezak. He did not achieve expectations last year but his play in Solvakia and at the World Juniors proved he is a quality goal scorer.
One thing I've learned over the years I've known him, Danny Flynn is not given to quick decisions and has stayed true to his own philosophy of building strong teams through draft picks. Danny's record behind the bench proves his great hockey knowledge. The recent trade moves were made following loads of research, using his vast number of hockey contacts and finding, what he felt, was the best fit for the Moncton Wildcats of today and the future.
So lets go back to my question at the start, "What's wrong with the Wildcats?' My response is not much when compared to preseason predictions. Look at the numbers, they're 43 games into the season and still have not had a hundred goals scored against them. They lead the Atlantic Division, they're tied for third in the league, in a season where all of the experts, (fans and media - myself included) predicted they would be middle of the pack in their division, middle of the pack in the overall standings, and re-building for next year.
So they've hit a rough spot during the last three home games but to quote Yogi, "it ain't over, till it's over."
Monday, December 29, 2008
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth - Les Stoodley
There are times when life throws us a gut wrenching surprise. Such was the case when the Donnie Matheson died on December 17th.
I came to know Donnie through his work with the Wildcats. I was impressed with his willingness to help our broadcasts. He never refused to do an interview or share information that could be passed on to the fans.I was deeply honoured when General Manager Bill Schurman asked me to do a tribute before the Friday night game against Lewiston. Several people, who know me well, noticed that as I stood at centre ice, reading what I'd written earlier in the day, my hands shook. That was true because like many people associated with the Wildcats, I had lost a friend.
I felt his loss and like many other friends, will miss him.I thought it would be fitting to share the tribute with those of you who read my blog.
The outstanding contribution of some people can sometimes be lost in anonymity. Such was the case with the Wildcats Director of Recruiting, Donnie Matheson, who sadly left us suddenly in his sleep early yesterday morning at his Halifax home.
Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Donnie moved to Dartmouth in 1974. His scouting began with the Sherbrooke Beavers in the QMJHL`. He moved on to the Ontario Hockey League where he worked with Belleville. His next team was the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds where he scouted for his good friends Danny Flynn and Ted Nolan building three Memorial Cup winning teams.
When the Halifax Mooseheads franchise was established in 1994, Donnie Matheson was named its chief scout.Donnie’s role with the Moncton Wildcats was identifying and recruiting young talented players who would help us build Memorial Cup championship teams.
With a strong sense of his Maritime roots, Donnie had a special place in his heart for local players. Donnie was the highly valued Maritime Provinces scout with the Bruins for 15 years and was instrumental in directing Wildcats and other QMJHL players to the Boston
organization.
Those who had the joy of knowing Donnie came to appreciate his intellect, his hockey knowledge, his ability to spot talent and his persuasiveness in promoting young and developing careers. We also came know his contagious sense of humor and willingness to help all of us make the Wildcats -champions.
On behalf of the Wildcats organization, we extend to his wife Jane, the members of his immediate family and his countless friends from in and out of the hockey world, our deepest condolences.
We ask you to observe a moment of silence to honor, Donnie Matheson, a man dedicated to hockey, the Wildcats and the joy of winning in our game.Donnie Matheson will always be a Wildcat!
I came to know Donnie through his work with the Wildcats. I was impressed with his willingness to help our broadcasts. He never refused to do an interview or share information that could be passed on to the fans.I was deeply honoured when General Manager Bill Schurman asked me to do a tribute before the Friday night game against Lewiston. Several people, who know me well, noticed that as I stood at centre ice, reading what I'd written earlier in the day, my hands shook. That was true because like many people associated with the Wildcats, I had lost a friend.
I felt his loss and like many other friends, will miss him.I thought it would be fitting to share the tribute with those of you who read my blog.
The outstanding contribution of some people can sometimes be lost in anonymity. Such was the case with the Wildcats Director of Recruiting, Donnie Matheson, who sadly left us suddenly in his sleep early yesterday morning at his Halifax home.
Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Donnie moved to Dartmouth in 1974. His scouting began with the Sherbrooke Beavers in the QMJHL`. He moved on to the Ontario Hockey League where he worked with Belleville. His next team was the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds where he scouted for his good friends Danny Flynn and Ted Nolan building three Memorial Cup winning teams.
When the Halifax Mooseheads franchise was established in 1994, Donnie Matheson was named its chief scout.Donnie’s role with the Moncton Wildcats was identifying and recruiting young talented players who would help us build Memorial Cup championship teams.
With a strong sense of his Maritime roots, Donnie had a special place in his heart for local players. Donnie was the highly valued Maritime Provinces scout with the Bruins for 15 years and was instrumental in directing Wildcats and other QMJHL players to the Boston
organization.
Those who had the joy of knowing Donnie came to appreciate his intellect, his hockey knowledge, his ability to spot talent and his persuasiveness in promoting young and developing careers. We also came know his contagious sense of humor and willingness to help all of us make the Wildcats -champions.
On behalf of the Wildcats organization, we extend to his wife Jane, the members of his immediate family and his countless friends from in and out of the hockey world, our deepest condolences.
We ask you to observe a moment of silence to honor, Donnie Matheson, a man dedicated to hockey, the Wildcats and the joy of winning in our game.Donnie Matheson will always be a Wildcat!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth - Les Stoodley
I'm gunning to be the Man of Movember - it's the Wildcats fundraiser in support of prostate cancer research. All the male members of the team, players, coaches, support staff, administration have been involved in growing a mustache this month. It's a great idea and one I totally support. Team Captain Matt Eagles brought the idea to the Wildcats, now Mr. Eagles thinks he's going to get the nod as the winner and earn the title of "Man of Movember. Matt's a great hockey player, he's leading the team in scoring, he shows great leadership skills, he's a very intelligent young man but he is not a mustache grower - I am. That's a bold statement but one that I can back up. Just check out my picture at the Coliseum, you'll see a first class piece of growth under my nose.
Matt went on his blog to ask for your support, $1.00 for every vote. Well if the Captain can do it, the senior member of the team can go one better. I want all of you to support me at Sunday's game, help me raise $200.00 and you can watch as I shave my mustache at the Post Game show.
This appeal is directed at all Wildcats fans over 50, let's show these young guns, support me and give me the title. You can be sure we'll never let the Captain forget it.
I'll look for your vote and your dollar. Catch my conversation with Matt during the second intermission of Sunday's game. The Wildcats can beat the Rocket and the "older" play-by-play guy can beat the Cats with the team's best mustache. Vote Les - he needs more of your support.
Matt went on his blog to ask for your support, $1.00 for every vote. Well if the Captain can do it, the senior member of the team can go one better. I want all of you to support me at Sunday's game, help me raise $200.00 and you can watch as I shave my mustache at the Post Game show.
This appeal is directed at all Wildcats fans over 50, let's show these young guns, support me and give me the title. You can be sure we'll never let the Captain forget it.
I'll look for your vote and your dollar. Catch my conversation with Matt during the second intermission of Sunday's game. The Wildcats can beat the Rocket and the "older" play-by-play guy can beat the Cats with the team's best mustache. Vote Les - he needs more of your support.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth - Les Stoodley
There's much more to the Moncton Wildcats than bringing thrills to the fans with their exceptional hockey skills. The team's involvement in the community over its 13 year history has been the envy of many other sports organizations.
One of the events that has focused on charity support already this season was "Pink at the Rink" which raised over $5,200. 00 for Breast Cancer Research. Now the players and team officials are doing their part to help prostrate cancer research by growing mustaches during the month of November. This coming Friday night is the annual Medavie Blue Cross Charity Bear night. Fans have long supported the Wildcats in this venture by bringing stuffed animals to the game and littlering the ice when the 'Cats score their first goal. Disadvantaged children in our area will get one of the stuffed toys from the Wildcats players during specially arranged visits.
This week I'd like to focus on a Wildcats charity event that was conceived and developed by former Captain Chris Morehouse, was and is a terror on the ice but has a sense of community, that has brought joy to hundreds of kids.
Cats Corner, was started at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season by Morehouse with the support of the Greater Moncton Progress Club. The partnership between the Wildcats and the Progress Club was so successful in its first year; it has been extended to the 2008-2009 season.
The program allows for 20 members of not-for-profit organizations to attend a Wildcats game, receive a Cats Corner T-Shirt from Moncton Chrysler Jeep Dodge along with a food voucher for Cavendish fries, Coke and a Maple Leaf hot dog. The Progress Club provides the game tickets. Groups who have enjoyed Cats Corner include the Moncton Boys and Girls Club, St. Paul’s Church, Ecole Saint Henri and St-Anselm Sunday School class.
To participate in Cats Corner, any member of a not-for-profit, group or school can send an application e-mail to info@moncton-wildcats.com . There are still games available, so groups are encouraged to forward their application as soon as possible to reserve seats.
With their e-mail, groups are asked to tell why they should be part of Cats Corner and asked to leave their contact information. Due to the number of requests, the Wildcats are unable to guarantee seats.
One of the events that has focused on charity support already this season was "Pink at the Rink" which raised over $5,200. 00 for Breast Cancer Research. Now the players and team officials are doing their part to help prostrate cancer research by growing mustaches during the month of November. This coming Friday night is the annual Medavie Blue Cross Charity Bear night. Fans have long supported the Wildcats in this venture by bringing stuffed animals to the game and littlering the ice when the 'Cats score their first goal. Disadvantaged children in our area will get one of the stuffed toys from the Wildcats players during specially arranged visits.
This week I'd like to focus on a Wildcats charity event that was conceived and developed by former Captain Chris Morehouse, was and is a terror on the ice but has a sense of community, that has brought joy to hundreds of kids.
Cats Corner, was started at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season by Morehouse with the support of the Greater Moncton Progress Club. The partnership between the Wildcats and the Progress Club was so successful in its first year; it has been extended to the 2008-2009 season.
The program allows for 20 members of not-for-profit organizations to attend a Wildcats game, receive a Cats Corner T-Shirt from Moncton Chrysler Jeep Dodge along with a food voucher for Cavendish fries, Coke and a Maple Leaf hot dog. The Progress Club provides the game tickets. Groups who have enjoyed Cats Corner include the Moncton Boys and Girls Club, St. Paul’s Church, Ecole Saint Henri and St-Anselm Sunday School class.
To participate in Cats Corner, any member of a not-for-profit, group or school can send an application e-mail to info@moncton-wildcats.com . There are still games available, so groups are encouraged to forward their application as soon as possible to reserve seats.
With their e-mail, groups are asked to tell why they should be part of Cats Corner and asked to leave their contact information. Due to the number of requests, the Wildcats are unable to guarantee seats.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Blogs from the Broadcast Booth - Les Stoodley
We've come to accept video webcasting as part of the media coverage now enjoyed by the Moncton Wildcats and their fans but that wasn't always the case.
When I started doing play-by-play with the Wildcats, we were using the Broadcast News channel on cable TV with audio only. Then we went to the Internet with "audio" and finally in 2005-2006, we provided both audio and video of the Cats home games but road games were still just voice description.
With the playoffs looming in 2006, fan excitement was at a fever pitch and the Wildcats were expected to make it to the finals, so management decided, with encouragement (we begged them) from Brian Fisher and yours truly to do a video webcast on the road. The first place Wildcats were to meet the Victoriaville Tigres in the first round. The opening series had to be played in Victo because of commitments at the Moncton Coliseum.
On March 23, 2006, with computer and camera in the truck with the team's hockey tear, Fish(as he's best known) and Lloyd Kay, our support staff, headed to Quebec to prepare for this new adventure in hockey broadcasting. I travelled with the team. Fish had contacted the local Aliant representative, then got in touch with the Bell people in Quebec to have the proper terminal installed in the arena. The PR director with the Tigres was our contact person but he wasn't quite sure what we really intended to do.
Fish and Lloyd took over part of the press box at the Colisee Desjardins, instructed the Bell tech where to put the connection while I tried to explain to the PR director what exactly we had in mind. Fish got his required IP number from Aliant and we were ready to run a test. We had the folks in the Tigres office log on to the Wildcats website, sure enough, there was the Wildcats logo that Fish had put up. We weren't convinced that was good enough, so we had the Aliant rep in Saint John and the office staff of the Wildcats in Moncton to double check the feed. Everyone gave us a positive response. We were go for launch at 6:45 local time with a pre-game show, then to the action. All afternoon we kept wondering will it work? Greg Turner was to join me to do color commentary and stats, so when we went to air, he called his wife, who was sitting in front of their computer in their home in Moncton to confirm we had pictures and sound and we did.
Some of the other journalists covering the series we upset we were taking so much room in the press box. In fact we were working in an area not more than four feet wide, with a computer under our feet, Fish and his camera just to our right and a pair of Cavendish Farm banners behind us for an intermission backdrop. Lloyd's job as to push a button on the computer when Brian Fisher said so, so a graphic would come up, he could turn the camera around while Greg and I set the game scene. Everything worked! We got through the first period, then Lloyd did his thing with the graphic again, I took off my headset, picked up a hand-held microphone and did an interview with the fathers of Jason Demers and Josh Tordjman, who had switched teams during the Christmas trade period. With two minutes left in the intermission, up went the graphic again and Greg Turner did the period summary while I got the headset back on for the second period. We had a member of the QMJHL staff join us as the second intermission guest.
In short our efforts were a total success, the only problem was the score of the game. The Tigres surprised the Wildcats winning 4-2. The players, the coaches, the owner, the fans and the broadcasters couldn't believe it - what a disappointing start to the playoffs. There was really no need for concern, Moncton took the second game 8-2 in Victoriaville, then came home to win 10-4; 9-4 and 7-2 and take the series 4 games to 1.
What we didn't realize was the interest we had created with webcasting. Fans of the Cats literally around the world were logging on to see and hear the games. You'll recall there were 21 playoff games before the Wildcats claimed the President's Cup for the first time on May 14, 2006 at the crowded Moncton Coliseum.
The numbers watching the games continued to build as the Wildcats continued their historic march to a first ever league championship. By the time the playoffs ended we recorded over 220,000 hits on the website. Aliant had to keep broadening the band in order to accommodate the viewers, from as far away as Japan, Russia, New Zealand, and Cuba just to mention a few.
The greatest disappointment came in game 5 of the final series against Quebec. We knew there would be lots of hits and planned the band to include 25,000 but the game went to overtime and just as we were ready to start the first overtime period, the entire system crashed from overload and no one saw Martins Karsums score the game winning goal 13 seconds into OT, so let me help you relive it. With the face off a centre ice, the puck went back in the Wildcats zone, just inside the blue line, Phil Dupuis picked it up and headed down the left wing, Karsums roared down the right side and just before he crossed the Quebec blueline, Dupuis faked the Rempart defenceman and fed Martins a tape to tape perfect pass. Karsums fired the shot and it rang off the left goal post but came right back to the middle of his blade. There was a split second hesitation as if Martins was saying to himself, "Guess I better put this one away." He fired a shot to the top left hand corner clearly beating Quebec goaltender Cedrick Desjardins. The Cats had gotten redemtion from the gut wrenching loss of the pervious evening and were set to come home with a 3-2 series lead and a home ice victory for the Q championship. Gotta love the memories.
When I started doing play-by-play with the Wildcats, we were using the Broadcast News channel on cable TV with audio only. Then we went to the Internet with "audio" and finally in 2005-2006, we provided both audio and video of the Cats home games but road games were still just voice description.
With the playoffs looming in 2006, fan excitement was at a fever pitch and the Wildcats were expected to make it to the finals, so management decided, with encouragement (we begged them) from Brian Fisher and yours truly to do a video webcast on the road. The first place Wildcats were to meet the Victoriaville Tigres in the first round. The opening series had to be played in Victo because of commitments at the Moncton Coliseum.
On March 23, 2006, with computer and camera in the truck with the team's hockey tear, Fish(as he's best known) and Lloyd Kay, our support staff, headed to Quebec to prepare for this new adventure in hockey broadcasting. I travelled with the team. Fish had contacted the local Aliant representative, then got in touch with the Bell people in Quebec to have the proper terminal installed in the arena. The PR director with the Tigres was our contact person but he wasn't quite sure what we really intended to do.
Fish and Lloyd took over part of the press box at the Colisee Desjardins, instructed the Bell tech where to put the connection while I tried to explain to the PR director what exactly we had in mind. Fish got his required IP number from Aliant and we were ready to run a test. We had the folks in the Tigres office log on to the Wildcats website, sure enough, there was the Wildcats logo that Fish had put up. We weren't convinced that was good enough, so we had the Aliant rep in Saint John and the office staff of the Wildcats in Moncton to double check the feed. Everyone gave us a positive response. We were go for launch at 6:45 local time with a pre-game show, then to the action. All afternoon we kept wondering will it work? Greg Turner was to join me to do color commentary and stats, so when we went to air, he called his wife, who was sitting in front of their computer in their home in Moncton to confirm we had pictures and sound and we did.
Some of the other journalists covering the series we upset we were taking so much room in the press box. In fact we were working in an area not more than four feet wide, with a computer under our feet, Fish and his camera just to our right and a pair of Cavendish Farm banners behind us for an intermission backdrop. Lloyd's job as to push a button on the computer when Brian Fisher said so, so a graphic would come up, he could turn the camera around while Greg and I set the game scene. Everything worked! We got through the first period, then Lloyd did his thing with the graphic again, I took off my headset, picked up a hand-held microphone and did an interview with the fathers of Jason Demers and Josh Tordjman, who had switched teams during the Christmas trade period. With two minutes left in the intermission, up went the graphic again and Greg Turner did the period summary while I got the headset back on for the second period. We had a member of the QMJHL staff join us as the second intermission guest.
In short our efforts were a total success, the only problem was the score of the game. The Tigres surprised the Wildcats winning 4-2. The players, the coaches, the owner, the fans and the broadcasters couldn't believe it - what a disappointing start to the playoffs. There was really no need for concern, Moncton took the second game 8-2 in Victoriaville, then came home to win 10-4; 9-4 and 7-2 and take the series 4 games to 1.
What we didn't realize was the interest we had created with webcasting. Fans of the Cats literally around the world were logging on to see and hear the games. You'll recall there were 21 playoff games before the Wildcats claimed the President's Cup for the first time on May 14, 2006 at the crowded Moncton Coliseum.
The numbers watching the games continued to build as the Wildcats continued their historic march to a first ever league championship. By the time the playoffs ended we recorded over 220,000 hits on the website. Aliant had to keep broadening the band in order to accommodate the viewers, from as far away as Japan, Russia, New Zealand, and Cuba just to mention a few.
The greatest disappointment came in game 5 of the final series against Quebec. We knew there would be lots of hits and planned the band to include 25,000 but the game went to overtime and just as we were ready to start the first overtime period, the entire system crashed from overload and no one saw Martins Karsums score the game winning goal 13 seconds into OT, so let me help you relive it. With the face off a centre ice, the puck went back in the Wildcats zone, just inside the blue line, Phil Dupuis picked it up and headed down the left wing, Karsums roared down the right side and just before he crossed the Quebec blueline, Dupuis faked the Rempart defenceman and fed Martins a tape to tape perfect pass. Karsums fired the shot and it rang off the left goal post but came right back to the middle of his blade. There was a split second hesitation as if Martins was saying to himself, "Guess I better put this one away." He fired a shot to the top left hand corner clearly beating Quebec goaltender Cedrick Desjardins. The Cats had gotten redemtion from the gut wrenching loss of the pervious evening and were set to come home with a 3-2 series lead and a home ice victory for the Q championship. Gotta love the memories.
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