Preseason Woes

(AP) Denver, CO

So far this preseason the Spurs are not playing like the 2008 defending Cup Champions. Actually more like a basement dweller. It appears the Spurs have partied a bit too hearty over the summer and have a ways to go to get in game shape.
After 4 preseason games the Spurs are a woeful 1-3, having lost to Havana 5-2 on home ice, then losing 3-2 at Thunder Bay, winning at Niagara Falls 3-2 with Steve Valiquette in net and losing the 4th game of preseason at the Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs to the visiting Karlstad Killers 5-1. Pitiful performances for a CCHL Cup winning club.
As if the losses weren't bad enough, what's even more of a concern is the mysterious woeful play of Marty Brodeur between the pipes who was instrumental in the Spurs winning the Cup a scant 6 months ago.
In the three games he started he is 0-3 with a 4.04 gaa and .859 SvPct. Certainly not Martin Brodeur numbers. More like Hardy 'the Swedish Sieve' Aastrom of Colorado Rockies and Don Cherry lore.
Add to that the scoring average of 2 goals per game for a team that led the league in goals scored per game last season and there's a lot to be concerned about. Granted, the defense is not exactly the same as last year with some player changes at forward positions also, but the core of the club is still intact.
Dasher Notes
It could be that not retaining Captain Joe and his $10M contract was a big mistake. Right now it certainly appears that he WAS the heart and soul of this club. There's little management can do at this point player-wise. Hopefully the coaching staff and players can turn it around come the start of the regular season. In the meantime Marty is in the process of placing a person to person call to Dany Sabourin. Marty said, "Hey I need all the help I can get. SHHHHH...mums the word. Bill Corfield and Paul Canosa don't need to know a thing. My family needs the paycheck and I can't afford a suspension. Hey, you don't really think I've been putting up those eerily similar numbers the past few season without a little help do you? Come on!"
This just in: The Spurs have also lost the 5th and final game of preseason with Marty between the pipes, 4-2 at Victoria. One was an empty netter. The puck away didn't arrive in time for the game. An overnight FedEx shipment is being expedited.

Preseason News

(AP) Denver, Colorado, USA

The CCHL 2008 Champs participated in the annual waiver draft recently.

To fill out the roster the Spurs selected role players Craig MacDonald, Cody McCormick and Cody McLeod. MacDonald is a center, McCormick is a right wing with McLeod completing the MAC ATTACK on left wing.
With the expected injuries the Spurs are expected to sustain due to the hearty partying with the CCHL Cup, as it made it's way around the Spurs' organization, coupled with the lack of training over the summer, they are expected to eventually fill some vital rolls on the club this coming season. Possibly beyond.

At press time the current starting lineup shakes out to be:
1st Line Lecavalier Tkachuk Hossa Liles McCabe
2nd Line Stastny Smyth Svatos Sauer Finger
3rd Line Peca Guite Laperriere Malik Staios
4th Line Hlinka Lucic, Parrish
Goal Brodeur, Valiquette

Whether those lines get shuffled or guys on the bench inserted, will depend upon performance and the aforementioned injuries.

The club is excited to see what rookie portsider Milan Lucic can bring to the table along with Czech import Jaroslav Hlinka. Backup netminder Steve Valiquette was picked up in the free agent draft earlier this year.
Lucic is known for his gritty style of play with Hlinka being more of a playmaker. Valiquette shoould be more than adequate backing up Marty Brodeur.

Dasher Notes:
During the offseason GM & Coach Richard 'Dick' Poelker was elected to the CCHL Hall of Fame!!!
In accepting the award Mr. Poelker said, "I am humbled and honored in accepting this award. I will forever cherish this and the CCHL Cup. This award is for the entire Denver Spurs' organization. From management, to the players to the concession vendors in the Coliseum. Well done Denver Spurs' organization. It's all due to the support of the greatest fans in the CCHL."