First Home Win of Season

(AP) Denver, Colorado

The Spurs have finally won their first home game of the CCHL '08-'09 season. While the Spurs are the defending champs as Commish Corfield has so graciously pointed out, they haven't been able to win in front of the home town folks until now. Day 32, over a month into the season, the Spurs defeated the visiting Linz Blackwings 5-0. Brodeur had a fairly easy time of it with having to face and stop 15 shots during the contest. The Spurs launched 40 at Blackwings' netminder Leclaire with 5 lighting the lamp. Amazingly, the Spurs managed this performance without number 1 center Vinny Lecavalier who is sidelined with a strange malady.
It appears the defending champs are snake bit this season. They have a 9-8 record, 18 points, and are in 3rd place in the USA Western Division behind Portland and the division leading Beverly Hills Lawmasters.
After Marty Brodeur's shutout of the Blackwings, he has a record of 6-7-0 in 13gp with a 2.69gaa and .910 SvPct. The shutout has gone a long ways to bring Brodeur's goals against and save percentage numbers into an acceptable range. Acceptable for him, that is.
Time will tell if this shutout can propel the Spurs to better performances here on out.

Spurs trade for Sykora

(AP) Denver, CO

Yesterday the Spurs completed a deal with the Springfield Homers that put winger Petr Sykora in a Spurs uni. Going to the Homers was blueliner Ossi Vaananen and Denver's 2nd round entry draft pick. While Sykora brings with him a hefty salary of $5 mil for this season and next season, he's looked at as an upgrade over Svatos on the 2nd line RW and 2nd power play unit. Whether he stays there will depend upon his performance. He also offers some flexibility in that he can play on the left side also if needed. Vaananen is currently on the inactive CCHL list but returns for another stint next season for the last year of his contract at $800k+ per season. With this move, right winger Mark Parrish is officially on the trading block. While he's a UFA he could help some team in the CCHL this season. All that's expected in return is a 5th round draft pick.

Spurs tied for 1st in the West

(AP) Denver, Colorado

After 4 games the Spurs find themselves tied for 1st in the USA Western Division with the Beverly Hills Lawmasters. Both teams currently sport 3-1 records for 6 points.
The Spurs had the CCHL Cup Champion banner raising ceremonies prior to the home opener. I guess the ceremony was too emotional for the Spurs players because they lost the home opener to the Lawmasters 3-1. The good news is that the Spurs have won all three of their road games to date in posting the current 3-1 record. If not for the home opener loss to the lawmen, they Spurs would be a prefect 4-0.
It appears the dismal preseason was a result of taking the preseason a bit too lightly in light of the start of the Spurs season.
Marty Brodeur is back to his old self in posting a 3-1 record in 4 games with a 2.48 gaa and .918 SvPct. Marty suffered a slightly pulled groin in the last game, a 4-3 win vs. the Ronin at Paul's Place in Victoria. Valiquette was pressed into service for the 3rd period and stopped 13 of 14 sog in preserving the win for Marty.
Keith Tkachuk currently leads the Spurs in scoring with 7 points (2g 5a). A pleasant surprise to date has been youngster Cody McCormick who has 1 goal in 2 games played, a game winner, and sports a +2 in 18 minutes of ice time. Looks like Mr. McCormick has earned himself a few more starts at the 4th line right wing position. The loser in this deal right now is Mark Parrish, who was a primary cog in the march to the Cup last season.
Dasher Notes
On another note, Congrats to owner, GM and Coach Derek Chaiken of the Lawmasters for his recent success in passing the California Bar!
The puck away endorsement by Marty Brodeur has been shelved for the time being as it was roundly frowned upon by the CCHL league officials.
Can't take a joke