2003 Preseason Game Commentaries

Bucs Beat Cedar Rapids 4-3 in Shoot Out

Urbandale, IA (9.6.03): Even the record heat and drought that we are experiencing in central Iowa can not hold back the cool nights and the changes in light and sound that signal the coming of hockey season. Yes, the season was approaching but many Buccaneer fans were wondering if the Bucs were going to be playing. I can only imagine how the players and families were taking it.

The local media (like all secular media) loves a negative story, so the Bucs got some press coverage this summer when GDMISA's (Greater Des Moines Ice Sports Association) financial problems with the new arena came to a critical point. It is interesting now that everything is worked out how the press has dropped their coverage on the Bucs. Only the paper mentioned that the season was beginning. No matter, hockey has a long and rich tradition in Des Moines, and the fans stuck by the Bucs and were ready for the game. It is interesting to note that this summer less than 10 people asked for a refund on their season tickets. That is team loyalty. Enough of that, let us move on.

My wife and I met my daughter (Sarah from Sarah's Rant - remember?) and her new husband Adam to feast on some BBQ, then on to the game. Everyone has been asking me the same question: "Did we lose anyone? Is the team any good this year?". A little bird told me that we have some great talent this year, but that we lost Tomas Jasko to a European Pro team in Austria. We are excited for Tomas and wish him the best of luck. The Slovakian connection came through again as an agent who knows coach Ferguson offered us Samir Saliji (pronounced Sallyaye - the aye sounding like a long A). He is a big guy who should light the lamp for us. Samir is from Nidra, Slovakia and played for HKM Nitra last season. Last night in Cedar Rapids Samir got a goal and assist. Adam Miller comes to us from Detroit Little Caesars and Livonia, Michigan. Adam also got a goal and an assist and seems to have a knack for getting by the defense. I am not going to get too excited about who scores in pre season games as it does not always translate into goals in the regular season - maybe I should call it the "Dingle Syndrome".

We arrived at the game and began to put faces with names and numbers on the roster. The crowd began to arrive and when the game began the arena was half full. The fans that were there were ready for hockey, and so was I. I had heard that Cedar Rapids had a new logo, and as a college graphic design teacher I can say that their logo is really lame. Of course, our 80's something logo is nothing to talk about, especially when you think of all the great things that can be done with the "pirate" theme.

How did the Bucs look?

On the power play not to good. They were all bunched-up around the puck and seemed unable to pass to set the play up. They were 1-4 on the night, scoring the first goal 2 minutes after Cedar Rapids had scored a power play goal. The Cedar Rapids power play goal came on a slap shot from inside the blue line that must have been screened. Brian Papcun just does not miss shots like that. The Bucs power play goal was scored by Brian Boulay, a 6' 1", 205 pound defenseman out of Auburn, Mass. He had skated up during a pile-up in front of the net and jammed it in to make it 1-1. The assist went to Ryan Raven from Tacoma, Washington.

On defense the Bucs seemed to be a bit more disciplined. They had a lot of time to practice as Cedar Rapids kept it in the Bucs end most of the night. One thing I noticed was that the defense did not just wildly clear the puck but controlled and then skated out with the puck. Rory Farrell (6' 4", 198 lbs, Westfield, Massachusetts), Brian Boulay, (6' 1", 205 lbs, Auburn, Massachusetts), Travis Anderson, 6' 1", 190 pounds, from Coon Rapids, MN, and Chris Kane, (6', 190 lbs, Irvine, California), Joe Piskula (6' 3", 205 lbs, Antigo, Wisconsin) all kept things from getting out of hand. At 7:55 of the second period, Joe Piskula and Mike Franks got into a gloves-off fight. When Mike played for the Bucs he said his favorite movie was Slapshot, so he was probably relating to all the guys that got beat-up in that movie. As the auctioneer says, "Fair Warning", don't pick a fight with Piskula or you will pay.

On offense the Bucs struggled to get any organized play going. They were great breaking out and you could see that individually they are talented, but the whole passing and team thing isn't quite working yet. Not to panic - they just started playing together 4 days ago. Coach Ferguson is a teaching coach and it shouldn't take long for the team to come together - if the players listen and work. Former Buccaneer Marty Mjelleli (6' 2", 200 lbs, Faribault, MN) was really working hard and had some great chances but was unable to score. During the shoot-out Adam Miller, Samir Saliji, and Mike Erickson all scored for the Bucs. Des Moines (Johnston) native Chad Costello missed as the puck went over the crossbar.

Goaltending needs only 2 words: Brain Papcun. Brian is a veteran who faced more shots last season than most do in three. Brian is experienced and will keep the Bucs in every game he plays. I have not seen Dan Tormey (Syracuse, NY) so I am unable to comment on his play.

Excitement factor. If last night was any indication of the heart of the team, we are going to have a great season. The team did not give up and scored with just 14 seconds remaining in the game. The coach had pulled the goalie, and Cedar Rapids had several chances to hit the open net but could not get it done. They kept at it and scored to send the game into overtime - no, wait, a shoot-out. It is pre season, what the heck!

In summary, like every year we as fans are looking for the team to win and win the cup. That is not a bad thing, but we do need to remember the real goal is to get these players to the next level, something Coach Ferguson and the Bucs have been very good at. But I too am hoping for another 1994-95 season from coach Ferguson and the team. Written by Steve Bendy

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