Tag: San Francisco Bulls

Larry Levitt on Sharks and Bulls hockey

Published on by lleonardbwLeave a comment

 

by Larry Levitt

SAN JOSE–The Sharks who brought a winning streak into Dallas on Thursday night lost a tough one in overtime during a shootout 4-3. The Sharks didn’t play their brand of hockey. They got a little sloppy and they really didn’t recover in this one. In the past when you saw them making a mistake they would clean it up between periods and they would come out fresh.

However on Thursday in Dallas they weren’t really clean and the puck wasn’t bouncing their way they had a lot of bad bounces. They also lost their captain Dan Boyle on a brutal head injury on Tuesday night in St. Louis and it’s not so much the hit that happened it’s the visual of seeing him laying there knocked out like a prize fighter on the ice.

Boyle had his jaw popped and it knocked him out which is kind of scary and we’ve learned that Boyle is doing well, he left St. Louis on Wednesday and flew back to the Bay Area and was looked at by doctors on Thursday in San Jose. Boyle’s prognosis is going to be alright but to see the injury face to face that has a weight on you and that’s the lasting impression the team had as he was carted off the ice on Tuesday night.

The hit on Boyle wasn’t a dirty hit but it was a bad penalty and it was a boarding call and it wasn’t an intentional dirty hit. The fact that the actual boards where a piece of the glass it bounced and he got pushed into the dashboards which was a penalty. It wasn’t a bad illegal hit but it just hit him the right way where his jaw hit the dashboard where it sticks out.

Blues forward Maxim Lapierre didn’t even know that Boyle was laying there and he was knocked out and as you see the replay he was skating off watching the puck and finishing the check, yeah it was illegal check there’s no if, ands and buts about it and Lapierre has to take responsibility for what he did but it could have been much, much worse.

Bulls talk about home opener on Nov 8th: The San Francisco Bulls the minor league affiliate of the Sharks start their regular season home schedule on November 8th at the Cow Palace after an eight game road trip starting tonight (Friday) and it’s should be an exciting second season. The Bulls actually start on the road because of the Grand National Rodeo at the Cow Palace.

The Bulls open their season against the Alaska Aces for the first of two game series. It’s interesting because it’s a 7PM game time but because it’s in Alaska it’s really 8PM there because of the time difference. The Park 77 in San Francisco is hosting a viewing party for Bulls fans and their going to be doing that all weekend.

A lot of the Bulls players stay in that location and it will be an interesting season and their coming up for their second year and head coach Pat Curcio is in his second year with the Bulls. There are eight players returning from last year so he’s got some people who know Curcio’s system and his terminology already it’s not going to be just two guys starting a new thing.

Hockey is a great sport and the more you play together the easier it is to play as a team. The Aces knocked the Bulls out of the playoffs to end their season last year and opening up in Alaska this year it’s going to be interesting at first and like I said it’s a new team and there are some returning players but Alaska has got a new team too.

The benefit for the Bulls on this road trip they go in October before the snow hits Alaska and it will allow the Bulls to get accumulated to the weather easier and get comfortable with what’s going on and starting a road trip can be a plus and it could be a good bonding thing for the guys. It’s not like their going to have a lot of time on their hands to go sightseeing and do other things their going to have their minds strictly on hockey.

Larry Levitt does weekly commentary on San Jose Sharks and San Francisco Bulls each week

Bulls lose to Condors 4-3, winless in preseason

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

By Kahlil Najar

BAKERSFIELD – In their final preseason game, the San Francisco Bulls lost to the Bakersfield Condors, 4-3. Jordan Morrison, Brett Parnham, and Josh Kidd had goals for the Bulls and J.P. Anderson was able to turn away 28 shots.

The Condors got on the board first with a goal from Gary Steffes at 5:35.The Bulls answered back as Jordan Morrison scored his first goal of the preseason on a nice tip-in play with assists going to Rowe and Belan. Parham contributed his goal of the night when he beat Bunz stick-side with 10:21 gone in the first and made it a 2-1 Bulls lead. Not to be outdone the Condors scored less than two minutes later on a Brett Lutes goal to tie it up at 2-2 at the end of 20 minutes.

Forty seconds into the second period, Nicholas Tremblay gave Bakersfield the lead with an unassisted goal bringing the score to 3-2. After some roughhousing on both sides, the Bulls Josh Kidd tied the game on a liner from the blue line for a score of 3-3. With just over three minutes remaining, Tyler Brenner  scored the game winner with a little over three minutes left in the second to make it a final score of 4-3.

The regular season begins next weekend on October 18 in Alaska, where the Bulls will take on the Aces for the first of a two-game set.

Bulls lose to rival Thunder in shootout 4-3

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

by Kahlil Najar

Screen shot 2013-10-12 at 8.31.05 PM

SAN FRANCISCO –

The San Francisco Bulls renewed their fierce rivalry with the Stockton Thunder tonight and came up short losing in a shootout, 4-3. Ryan McDonough scored twice for the Bulls and Curcio stand-out Dale Mitchell contributed with his first goal of the preseason.

Stockton jumped on the board first when Alex MacLeod put the puck past Beskorowany with assists coming from Escobedo and Noble. The Bulls answered back when Dale Mitchell tipped in a shot that Captain Scott Langdon launched from the blue line. The Thunder retook the lead on a Corey Trivino goal that went in right after a Bulls penalty had expired to make it a 2-1 Stockton lead. With only 2.2 seconds left in the first period Bulls Center Ryan McDonough found the back of the Thunder goal after receiving a pass from Forward Chris Crane to tie the game at 2-2 going into the first intermission.

The second period saw both teams score a goal a piece to get the game tied at three. James Henry of the Thunder scored on a power-play goal early in the period and Ryan McDonough tied the game on his second goal of the night when he received a nice pass from returning All-Star Dean Ouellet.

After a heated third and overtime period which saw both teams grinding and putting bodies into the boards, the game headed into a shootout. Trivino and Henry were able to score for the Thunder while only Brett Parnham was able to put one past Milner and gave the Thunder the 4-3 victory.

“I hate losing when you play like that. You get 40 shots and you go into the shootout. This team has to find confidence in order to put teams away,” said Head Coach Pat Curcio on the loss.

Even with the loss, the Bulls found new players like Dale Mitchell and Ryan McDonough coming through and shinning for the team as well as vets like Dean Ouellet and Jordan Morrison. On Ouellet and Morrison, Curcio said,”It was nice to have people you’ve trained for a while to come in and make a difference. You need those gamers, they’re going to be great for us.”

“I think we played good as a team and we did a lot of the stuff Coach wanted us to do. We’re moving forward pretty well,” said McDonough on the team tonight. Addressing the rivalry, he said, “I haven’t had a rivalry like this since junior league. It’s pretty exciting.”

Dean Ouellet, who played in Kazakhstan this off-season said “It feels good to be back. It was a good fit for me to be back and I feel really happy to be here. Our team this year is going to be a really good and the boys are hanging out together and getting along.”

The Bulls play their final preseason game on Sunday when they travel to Bakersfield to take on the Condors at 4 pm.

Late goal sinks the Bulls, Condors win 3-2

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

By Kahlil Najar

SAN FRANCISCO –

The San Francisco Bulls started off their second year in the ECHL with a tough preseason loss against the Bakersfield Condors 3-2. The Condors scored the their third and deciding goal with less than 30 seconds left when Gary Steffes put a rebound in after a tilt-a-whirl shot from Nick Wheeler was stopped by J.P. Anderson.

“You try to do everything you can to end up winning but you can’t. We made a lot of mistakes and so did they but we’re just going to learn from it.” said Head Coach Pat Curcio on tonight’s loss. “We wanted to give some of the young guys a chance and it’s a process and that’s the way it goes. You start slow.”

Returning players Dylan King and Kris Belan scored for the Bulls and OHL alum J.P. Anderson was between the pipes and was able to turn away 30 shots against an active Condor offense.

Defenseman Dylan King got the Bulls on the board first when he received a nice pass from Christian Ouellet from behind the next and he was able to beat Condor’s goalie Tyler Bunz top shelf. A little over 30 seconds later, Kris Belan was able to get a nice shot past Bunz from in between the circles in the Condors zone and make it a 2-0 Bulls lead. The Condor’s answered back with two consecutive goals in the second by Daniel Sobotka and Blair Maccaulay to tie the game at two a piece. The second goal being a short-handed masterpiece by the Condors stellar penalty kill line. The Condors sealed the victory with a nice rebound goal by Gary Steffes who shoved the puck under the sprawling Anderson.

The Bulls have a 22 man roster and a lot of them are young guys trying to earn a shot on the team. On putting the young players in the game, Curcio said “We want to see what their abilities are and who can do what.” Curcio continued and called out the play of Right Winger Dale Mitchell and said that he was” very good tonight. He’s going to be a good player for us.”

Also on the roster tonight was Anthony Taylor who earned a spot on the roster after wowing Curico and the Bulls staff at last month’s Open Tryout’s at the Cow Palace. “It was a great experience and it was very good hockey. I really liked the fans, they seemed really cool” said Taylor on stepping onto the Cow Palace ice for an official game. Curcio commented on Taylor’s and gave us a look into his future, “I thought he’s done a good job through training camp. We’re going to get him assigned to a Southern Professional team or Central League team where he can get his feet wet. He’s a young player and if he does well, we’ll give him another opportunity.”

The Bulls return to action on Saturday to host the Stockton Thunder at 7:30 pm at the Cow Palace.

Larry Levitt on Sharks and Bulls hockey

Published on by lleonardbwLeave a comment

 by Larry Levitt

DALY CITY–The San Jose Sharks who opened up their first three games at SAP Arena and won all three there’s nothing like home cooking that makes a big difference. The team is well rounded they have strength throughout all four lines now. The fourth line is a little weaker than what I would have expected but surprisingly their coming through really strong probably the biggest surprise obviously is just analyzing the guys individually it looks like Joe Pavelski has taken his game to another level too.

Pavelski is one of those players that’s out on the ice a lot and does a lot of the little things that doesn’t get noticed by most people and it’s really exciting to see him have a good year. For Tomas Hertl scoring four goals on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers he doesn’t speak much English so maybe when the fans are yelling at him he doesn’t get too excited and doesn’t realized what he’s done or what he hasn’t done and he’s a 19 year old rookie.

Hertl is exciting the best part he puts the fun back into the game he’s always smiling and on the other hand you have to feel sorry for the Rangers they were playing on back to back nights coming from Los Angeles where they played the Kings the night before and it was a tough game. They really didn’t have their legs and were always slow to the puck and there have never been more pucks that have bounced the right way than that night.

Everytime the puck went off something it went right to a Shark and Joe Thornton got a lucky bounce it was a clearing pass it went off the end of a stick that was laying on the ice that was broken and went right to Thornton so he was able to pass it right up to Hertl and there was a goal. Every bounce seemed to go right for the Sharks that night to a Shark player.

The Rangers goalie Hendrick Lundquist was pulled from the game and sometimes when you pull the goalie to make a statement to your team because they’re not playing well and sometimes you pull the goalie because he’s not playing well. It was a combination of both but the team didn’t really support him at the beginning the Rangers did get the first goal of the game but it was on a five on three power play but after that they really didn’t support him. They were really slow to the puck and when they were shooting it and getting the puck they were trying to knock it off the boards and it would bounce right to the Sharks players.

The Sharks win that one 9-2 and played the Canucks on Thursday night and continue their winning streak now at 4-0 after winning their first road game in Vancouver.

San Francisco Bulls update: Bulls head coach Pat Curcio is quite a head coach and he’s really helped a lot of players and one of the players actually made it to the NHL playing for Toronto they see that Curcio has a lot of heart he’s put a lot into the team and therefore their going to try and benefit from that and make their career better for that reason.

The Bulls are an exciting club to watch in their first year they did very well they made the playoffs their expectations were set any lower. The thing is just keep that exciting brand of hockey going and keep it out in the neighborhood that their playing well and playing hard and the people who are really enjoying the sport will come watch them.

The longest part of travel for the Bulls are when they make their long trek to Alaska to play the Aces which they have on tap for the first week in April. The Bulls will miss the freezing ice and snow and the beginning of April will work for them. The players love to play the sport it’s just a matter of the travel and once your in the ice rink and skating it’s all just a game.

As far as the travel when your in a minor league set up like the ECHL your going to have the buses your going to have the long drives not as much luxury but that’s part of paying your dues to get in the Big Boy league.

The Bulls have a long eight game road trip to open up the season with the rodeo coming to the Cow Palace which takes precedence so they’ll melt the ice after these two pre season games at the Cow Palace. The Bulls will go on the road and sometimes being on the road forces a team together more and maybe be more solid of team players. There’s no where to hide when your own the road. Your so close to each other and that might be a benefit if they play their cards right they make it a benefit.

Larry Levitt does weekly commentary on San Francisco Bulls and San Jose Sharks hockey for Sportstalk Radio

Morrison and Ouellet back with the SF Bulls

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

By Kahlil Najar

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Bulls announced today that forwards Jordan Morrison and Dean Ouellet have agreed to terms. Morrison and Ouellet join last season’s other core members, Scott Langdon, Kris Belan, Dylan King and Christian Ouellet.

“It’s great news for the organization and the fans to get Jordan and Dean back for this season,” said SF Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “Their return from Kazakhstan shows their desire to reach the next level in North America. Dean is an all-star and Jordan is a proven leader.”

Calling Ouellet an All-Star isn’t just a euphemism, it’s a fact. Last year, Dean Ouellet was the lone Bulls player to represent San Francisco in the ECHL All-Star game. Jordan Morrison on the other hand, may not have been voted an All-Star but he was definitely deserving of the title. Not only did he contribute 16 goals and 25 assists but he was one of the key players to help get the Bulls into the first round of the playoffs. In the playoffs, Morrison played in all five games and had two goals an assist.

On returning to the Bay Area, both players are looking forward to being back and bring the same kind of intensity to the ice that they did last year.

Dean Oulette said, “Coming back to the Bulls this season feels really good. San Francisco is like a second home for me. It’s going to be a great season.”

“It’s good to see so many familiar faces back with the Bulls,” said Morrison. “San Francisco became a home away from home last season. There were great fans and it was a great city. I’m looking forward to a productive season and doing better than last year.”

Defenseman Steven Tarasuk Assigned by Worcester To SF Bulls

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

steve-tarasuk

By Kahlil Najar

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Bulls announced today that their AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, assigned defenseman Steven Tarasuk to the Bulls. He’s the first Sharks prospect to be assigned to San Francisco this season.

Tarasuk, 23, enters his fourth season as a professional having spent last year with the Lausitzer Foxes in Germany, totaling 32 points in 43 games. Tarasuk has skated in 135 games in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings, Ontario Reign, and Idaho Steelheads, recording 63 points and has also played three games in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

The Bulls seem to be on a roll of stacking up on big bodied Defensemen this off-season as they just added Andrew Eastman a few weeks ago. With this addition, the Bulls appear to be almost ready for the season to begin as they have already addressed their need for some solid forwards with some new signings and getting some veterans back in the mix.

SF Bulls pickup Mitchell and reunite Parnham with Curcio

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
 By Kahlil Najar
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Bulls announced today that center Brett Parnham and right wing Dale Mitchell have agreed to terms and will join the Bulls’ Training Camp roster. Mitchell and Parnham, both 24 and come from solid backgrounds in hockey with Mitchell starting with the Oshawa Generals in 2005 and ending most recently with the Dornbirn EC in Austria and Parnham who was also on the same Oshawa Generals team in 2005 and last playing for the Arlan Kokshetau in Kazakhstan.
“Dale is an effective goal-scorer and a high NHL pick,” said SF Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “He’s a proven winner with two Memorial Cups. Brett is a very skilled leader that will provide offense and leadership to our team.”
On playing in San Francisco, Mitchell said, “I’m excited to get back to North America and give myself an opportunity to play here. I want to succeed with San Francisco and hope to get a call up to the AHL. I’ve never played anywhere that’s warm during the winter, so I’m interested in experiencing that.”
Parnham, who played under Curcio in Utah said, “I’m looking forward to playing under Pat again. I know a handful of guys from playing in Oshawa and from my area: Belan, Mitchell and Josh Kidd. Belan has told me nothing but good things about the organization and city.”Both men will be intimidating on the ice as they are both 5’9″ and weigh a combined 392 pounds and have their fare share of penalty minutes. Parnham leads both men in penalty minutes lifetime with 319 minutes.
Check out one of Parnham’s awesome fights below:

SF Bulls pick up big defenseman Andrew Eastman

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

by Kahlil Najar

 eastman
The San Francisco Bulls announced today that they signed defenseman Andrew Eastman. The 5’11” Aurora, Ontario native spent the last two seasons playing for the University of Western Ontario where he lead them to the University Cup championship game in 2012. in 25 games in the 2011-2012 season he notched three goals and 14 assists for the Mustangs which landed his first in points for defensemen on the team. Over his two years with Western Ontario he tallied a total of 27 points in 51 games. Eastman has also spent time playing in Germany and in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Moncton Wildcats.

“It’s exciting to start my North American professional career,” said Eastman. “I have some experience playing pro in Germany, but it’s a different test here. Talking with Pat, I liked what he wants to do with the team, so it intrigued me to come here. I’ve never been to the West Coast, but it shouldn’t be as big of a culture shock compared to going over to Germany.”

On his latest acquisition, Bulls President/Head Coach Pat Curcio said, “Andrew is a skilled smooth-skating defenseman. He should contribute in the offensive department from the blue line. I was familiar with his play in the OHL and Germany. There have been a lot of players that made the jump from CIS and made an immediate impact at this level, so we’re optimistic Andrew will do the same.”

Right Winger Christian Ouellet Returns With SF Bulls

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

by Kahlil Najar

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francsico Bulls announced on Tuesday that they have resigned talented right winger Christian Ouellet through the 2013-2014 season. He’ll begin the season at the Bulls’ AHL affiliate’s Training Camp in Worcester, Massachusetts.

IIn 2012, he split time between both the Gwinnett Gladiators and the San Francisco Bulls racking up 17 goals, 20 assists and 46 penalty minutes. For the Bulls, Ouellet grabbed three assists in five games during their first ever playoff run against the number one seed Alaska Aces.

“Christian is a player that does everything well,” said Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “He’s got offensive skills and is responsible in the defensive zone. He’s going to be a star. We wish him all the best at Worcester’s Training Camp.”

On his return, Oulette said, “I’m happy to be returning. I want to have a good season, since I had a great time with the team and in the city last year. I’m excited to be back playing with Scotty (Langdon), Kris (Belan) and Dylan (King) if I don’t make Worcester.”

Ouellet will be a welcome spark to Bulls who have already resigned Brett Findlay, Nick Czinder, Scott Langdon, Dylan King and Kris Belan back to the roster.

2013-9-10-ouellet