Monday Morning

The office has a silence about it this morning.  Phones are quiet and the door isn't swinging.  The loss last night was hard to take after such an exciting regular season.  But like all good things, it comes to an end eventually.  Knowing last night very well could be the last WHL hockey game in the old barn made everything seem to be a little bit more special.  Walking through the hallways, listening to the crowd, waiting outside the tunnel for the players to come off the ice-- all for the very last time. 

The building has been good to us.  The season had its ups and downs like any sporting team.  Some of the highs for me:

• Inducting Theo Fleury into the Hall of Fame along with Scott Thomas
• Welcoming the Stanley Cup to Moose Jaw
• Having the last home opener vs. the Swift Current Broncos
• Having the first Men's Cancer Fundraiser-- and tieing on blue ties for the cause
• Raising money for Crohn's and Colitis while Spencer Edwards and Quinton Howden attempt to speed skate and Dylan Hood & Jesse Paradis eat the hottest wings in Moose Jaw at Center ice
• Quinton Howden making the World Junior team
• Having an awesome road trip... 5-2 with some big wins
• Winning the Mayor's Cup vs the Pats... only one recorded loss to them all season
• The first ever Skill's Competition.... Edwards strikes a pose, Rielly takes fastest skater and McFaull's stellar trick shot
• The Year End Banquet... even though I missed it...
• The last regular season game of the Crushed Can.  A shoot out win vs. Brandon while the first captain was in attendance.
• The last game with the Regina Pats... another shoot out win.
• Game 3 win at home in the playoffs... 4-0 shut out.  Crowd was electric
• Spencer Edwards being named Humanitarian of the Year in the Eastern Conference
• The Moose Jaw Warriors being nominated for the MJBEX awards for Community Involvment and Marketing
• Putting over 500 volunteer hours into the City.... hours of school visits, autographs, hospital visits and countless other appearances.  Way to go players.
• Morty's birthday party... and welcoming back the infamous Puck Head and Tommy Hawk

It's been one heck of a season with a group of 23 very special young men.  Hat's off to them all and to all the fans.  The season has been a great one and one filled with history.  I couldn't think of a better Captain to be the very last in the Civic Center. 
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The playoffs will continue on without the tribe.... the West is ready to go with Portland taking on Kelowna and Spokane vs Tri City.

The East has three winners determined... but who they play is still unknown.  The Blades defeated the Raiders in OT Sunday.  The Rebels, Blades and Ice are through.  Medicine Hat and Brandon will battle for the last position.  If the Tigers win, they will take on the Rebels while the Blades and Ice will battle.  If Brandon wins, the Blades and Wheaties will battle it out and the Rebel's and Ice will meet up. 

The Blades are the only Saskatchwan hopeful for a ticket to the Memorial Cup.
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The hockey world lost two strong women this past weekend to cancer.  Shannon MacLachlan, wife of Assistant Director of Hockey Operations, Rob and Warriors long time Billet Coordinator.  Shannon was a special lady filled with love and kindness.  She will be greatly missed by all. 

Mandi Schwartz, hockey player and sister of Jaden lost her battle with cancer.  Heaven recieved two special ladies.  Thoughts are with both families.