Thursday, March 22, 2012

Slammers lead Meek final series 2-0 after dropping Western Capitals

The Woodstock Slammers have continued their playoff winning streak with a defeat over the Summerside Western Capitals, putting them another step closer to claiming the Meek Division Final.

The Slammers defeated the Western Capitals 5-1 on Wednesday, March 21st on the island. As a result of the game two victory, the Slammers now lead the series against Summerside 2-0.

Slammers captain Andrew Langan led the Woodstock squad with two goals. Bradley Greene, who led the Slammers in scoring and points throughout the regular season, had one goal and one assist in last night's contest on PEI. Tim Campbell added two assists.

Langan opened the scoring at 12:03, scoring an unassisted power play goal on Landon Noel. Only fifteen seconds into period two, Langan increased the Slammers' lead to 2-0.

Harrison Wood got the Western Capitals on the scoreboard, scoring on a power play at 5:42. Wood's goal was the only one for Summerside.

Ben MacSwain restored the Slammers' two-goal lead at 9:37.

Bradley Greene scored nearly two minutes into period three, increasing the score to 4-1 in favour of the Slammers. Ryan Purvis rounded out the scoring with a power play goal nearly twelve and a half minutes into the third frame.

Matt Murphy stopped 35 of 36 shots faced for the Slammers' win, while Landon Noel said no to 33 of 37 shots he saw in the losing effort.

Woodstock was presented with four power play opportunities, utilizing on half of them. Summerside went 1 for 7 on the power play.

The Slammers will return home for game number three, scheduled for tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre.

The Shiretown side will be missing two regular members of their roster, and will be welcoming a new face to the lineup for game three.

Slammers forward Philip Fife will be serving his second game of a two-game suspension tomorrow night. The Slammers will also be missing their 6'5" enforcer, Colton Stairs. Stairs received his ninth game misconduct last night in Summerside, along with a fighting major and slashing minor at 16:12 during period three.

"At the end of the day, Colton communicated to Jordan Costello to calm down, and Brandon Carter stepped in and did his job," Slammers head coach Jason Tatarnic stated in a press release on the team's website.

First round draft pick Noah Zilbert is expected to make his Kent Cup playoff debut tomorrow night.

"We're excited to have [Noah] Zilbert in the line-up," Tatarnic said. "He skates well and plays a physical game, and this provides him with playoff experience at our level."

WIth files from www.themhl.ca and www.slammershockey.ca.  

102 Years Ago Today


This postcard of Carleton County's first hospital was postmarked over a century ago today.

The postcard of the Carleton County Hospital (Miles Moore House) was postmarked March 22, 1910. The building, which served as the residence of Miles Moore, stood at the corner of Broadway, St. Gertrude, Union and Division Streets. It served as a hospital from 1902 until 1911, when Woodstock's health care facility was relocated to the former residence of the late L.P. Fisher, Woodstock's first mayor. Fisher had stated in his will that his home was to be converted to a hospital. The will also outlined that a part of Fisher's fortune was to be spent on converting the structure to accommodate a health care facility and on continued maintenance.

The L.P. Fisher Memorial Hospital was in operation until the mid-1950s, when the Carleton Memorial Hospital was erected on the same site. The Carleton Memorial Hospital was closed in 2007 to make way for the current Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. It sat dormant for two years, and was demolished in 2009.

This postcard can be viewed on The Shiretown Blogger's History at a Glance page. 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Young hockey player/adult linesman altercation a case of bullying?

Last week, it was announced that an adult hockey official was charged for assault in connection to a post-game incident earlier this season.

Reports in the Woodstock-based newspaper, the Bugle-Observer, and on CJ 104 radio stated that James Langille was charged with one count of assault dating back to an altercation following a high school hockey game in Florenceville-Bristol on December 7, 2011.

Langille was working as a linesman in the contest between the Carleton North High School Stars and Woodstock High School DQ Thunder. Witnesses from the WHS team say that Langille was making rude comments directed at Woodstock's bench throughout the game.

CNHS and WHS are already bitter rivals, so was Langille's two cents worth really needed?

During the third period, Craig Cluff, a member of the Woodstock team, was sent to the penalty box and assessed a two-minute minor penalty for crosschecking. Cluff and Langille are alleged to have exchanged words around that time.

Craig Cluff
At the game's conclusion, both teams shook hands. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Or was there?

Langille was allegedly waiting by the door where the WHS squad would exit the ice surface. Traditionally, referees leave the ice in a separate area, away from any players.

Langille allegedly followed the WHS team off the ice, shoving his way through players and seeking out Cluff. He is then said to have grabbed onto Cluff's face mask on his helmet.

Cluff is believed to have suffered minor head injuries as a result of the incident.

Cluff was suspended for ten games for his involvement in the melee. The decision by the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association (NBIAA) to suspend Cluff was controversial. Concerned citizens voiced opinions in letters to the editor of local newspapers. Basically, the feedback sent the message that Cluff was targeted and bullied by Langille and was penalized for it with the ten-game suspension.

Cluff's punishment--sitting out for ten games--is actually minor. Abuse of an official could lead to a suspension of up to one year. That would mean that Cluff, a 17-year-old, grade twelve student at WHS, would never be able to play high school hockey again.

Whether or not Cluff should have been sidelined for ten games is questionable.

The Shiretown Blogger's attempts to get Cluff's feedback went unsuccessful.

Logan Schofield, the WHS DQ Thunder's assistant coach, disagreed with the NBIAA's decision to suspend Cluff.

"Craig should never have been suspended," Schofield told The Shiretown Blogger via Facebook.

Schofield is no stranger to the world of hockey officiating, serving as an official at many minor hockey games in his hometown of Woodstock. Schofield was able to point out many faults in Langille's behavior as an on-ice official, and felt that Langille had targeted Cluff.

"As a referee, he did a lot of things wrong," Schofield explained. "He should have still been on the ice. Players were still shaking hands."

"[Officials] can't go off the ice [with] players. He should never have been in the situation for anything to happen. So in my mind, [it] shows he was going after Craig."

Schofield added that whether the incident is a case of bullying is debatable.

"Unless every case of assault is bullying, I don't think this is bullying," Schofield said. "To me, this [was] a one-time thing. If the two of them have had issues in the past, then maybe."

"To me, 'bullying' would have to be more than a one-time thing."

As is the case with most issues, one must find the facts before forming their own opinion. I will leave it up to you, the readers, to decide whether you feel it is a case of bullying.

Note: The Blogger Speaks is traditionally a way for the blogger to express opinions and feelings about certain issues. However, I made every effort to leave my own personal opinion out of the story. This story is one that I feel had to be told in its entirety, without reflecting my thoughts or feelings. 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Slammers dump Caps in game one of Meek final

It may not only be the weather outside that is hot.

The Woodstock Slammers were also hot, opening the Meek Division Final series yesterday afternoon against the Summerside Western Capitals on home ice.

The Slammers dumped the Western Capitals 7-2 on Sunday, March 18th at the Carleton Civic Centre in Woodstock.

Slammers captain Andrew Langan led the Slammers in points in Sunday's contest. Langan racked up two goals and one assist yesterday against the Western Capitals. Bradley Greene chipped in with one goal and two assists.

Langan opened the scoring at 8:12. Nick Huard slipped a shot past Landon Noel at 14:07, increasing the Slammers' lead to 2-0. Noel was replaced by Jared Kelly after playing just over 29 minutes of the game. Kelly played nearly 31 minutes in Noel's relief.

Summerside defenseman Harrison Wood scored on a power play at 16:44, getting the Western Capitals on the board and bringing the score to 2-1.

Ryan Kelly scored an unassisted goal for the Capitals at 18:50, tying the game at two.

With one second left in period one, Tim Campbell scored, getting the Slammers back in the lead at 3-2 at the end of period one.

Bradley Greene wasted no time getting back into action in period two, scoring on a power play at 2:13, increasing Woodstock's lead to 4-2. Andrew Langan scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal six minutes later, giving the Slammers a three-point lead.

Connor Tresham scored another shorthanded goal just over twelve and a half minutes into the second period. With Tresham's help, the Slammers were leading 6-2 at the end of period two.

Evan Carmody scored the game winner for the Slammers on a power play at 19:11 in period three.

Matt Murphy faced 23 shots in the contest, stopping 21 of them. Landon Noel faced 33 shots in just over 29 minutes of playing, refusing 28 of them. Jared Kelly kept 19 shots out out of 21 faced in Noel's relief.

Summerside went 2 for 9 on the power play, while Woodstock scored only once, despite being presented with nine power play opportunities.

The Woodstock Slammers will cross the Confederation Bridge to play game two of the 2012 Meek Division Final on Wednesday, March 21st. The game will begin at 7:30 pm at the East Link Arena at the Credit Union Place in Summerside. Game three will be played on Friday, March 23rd at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Slammers face Summerside in round two tomorrow

Round two of the 2012 Kent Cup Playoffs begins tomorrow for the Woodstock Slammers.

The Slammers have ended up facing their rivals, the Summerside Western Capitals. The Western Capitals defeated the Dieppe Commandos 3-1 on Thursday, March 15th, in Dieppe. Therefore, Summerside claimed the series 4-2 and will advance to the Meek Division final.

The Slammers and Western Capitals have an interesting history, getting rough on many different occasions during the 2011-2012 MHL regular season.

Slammers head coach Jason Tatarnic expressed excitement to begin the new series in a press release on the Slammers' website.

"We're looking forward to starting," Tatarnic stated in the press release. "We know what the reward is. A berth in the league final and they know it too, so we're expecting them to come to play hard."

"We have to concentrate on what we do well and go from there."

For the third consecutive year, the Meek Division final consists of a seven-game series between the Slammers and Western Capitals. Last year, the Western Capitals claimed the Meek title in a hard-fought, seven-game series, where five of which went to the visiting team.

In 2009-2010, the Slammers defeated Summerside in five games for the division final. Woodstock and Summerside also met in 2005-2006, with the Slammers winning the division title four games to two.

The Shiretown side faced their rivals from across the Confederation Bridge seven times in 2011-2012, winning six of those games, and losing only once in a shootout. The Slammers also outscored Summerside by a combined total of 31-14.

Both of Woodstock's netminders, Matt Murphy and Sam Renault, boast shutouts against Summerside.

Matt Murphy
Sam Renault
Murphy and Renault also have posted exceptional numbers against Summerside. Murphy has three wins and a tie, along with a 1.52 goals against average and a .951 save percentage and one shutout against the Western Capitals. Renault started three games and finished a fourth, leading the Slammers to three wins. The Tide Head, New Brunswick native, like fellow goaltender Murphy, has one shutout against Summerside.

Bradley Greene scored five goals against the Western Capitals. Greene led the Slammers in scoring and points during the regular season with 39.

Bradley Greene

Nick Huard, Connor Tresham, and captain Andrew had four goals each against their PEI rivals. Greene was shutout in the Meek Division semi-final round against the Campbellton Tigers, however, Huard had three goals, while Tresham and Langan pitched in with two goals. Ben MacSwain had three goals during that series as well.

In MHL regular season play, Summerside forward Colton Parsons was led the Western Capitals with two goals against the Slammers. In post-season action, Brock Morrison has scored four goals against the Dieppe Commandos in the semi-final round, while Steven Brazil scored three in the semis.

Summerside's goaltending situation has fared less than stellar against the Slammers. Landon Noel started in five of seven meetings between the Western Capitals and Slammers, losing four and tying one. Noel's goals against average was 3.15 and save percentage was a mere .915. Jared Kelly started the other two contests against Woodstock. Kelly lost both games, finishing with a 5.83 goals against average and .847 save percentage.

Game one of the Meek Division final begins tomorrow, March 18th. The contest will begin at 2 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. 

Local RBC branch celebrates 125 years, helps library expansion project

Woodstock's Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) branch celebrated 125 years in Woodstock on Wednesday, March 14th.

Woodstock branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, located on the corner of Main and Connell Streets in 1959

Woodstock's RBC branch today

Old photos and advertisements of the bank through the years were on display during a special ceremony held on Wednesday to acknowledge the milestone. Current and former staff members, along with Woodstock's mayor, Art Slipp, and Doug Graham, assistant to Premier David Alward's Woodstock constituency office gathered to celebrate the century and a quarter of service to the Woodstock area.

During the ceremony, the RBC Foundation, on behalf of local RBC staff, presented a cheque of $1,000 to the Town of Woodstock and the L.P. Fisher Public Library to assist with the library expansion project. Mayor Slipp and L.P. Fisher Library manager Jon Tait were on hand to accept the donation.

L.P. Fisher Public Library. Summer 2011

Other Town of Woodstock news


In other Town of Woodstock news, the town council has recently purchased a parcel of land behind the L.P. Fisher Public Library, which will provide extra space for the building's expansion.

According to a report in the Bugle-Observer, the town council has approved a motion to purchase 106 Chapel Street for $50,000, plus legal fees.

This property includes the white building behind the library.

The town has also selected a design firm to oversee the design of the expanded Carleton Civic Centre and L.P. Fisher Public Library and the retrofitted Woodstock High School theatre.

According to a press release on CJ 104's website, Mayor Art Slipp said that the project's steering committee has chosen Perth-Andover firm Hatchard Consulting to work with a Fredericton-based company, Goguen & Company Limited and Nadeau & Soucy of Edmunston on design and construction work for the project.

In the near future, the town will consult with user groups and area local service districts, along with interested citizens. 

Snowmobile season dying down


Upham Creek in Bedell



Road deterioration means spring is here

Judging by the amount of breakup occuring on the Bull Road in Bedell, its a good thing there are spring weight restrictions on New Brunswick's rural roads.

50 km/h is the posted safe speed for this curve on the Bull Road in Bedell. However, motorists must travel at slower speeds than that in order to avoid damaging their cars by hitting the frost heave and potholes in the curve.




It may be hard to see, but dips in the roadway such as this are caused by movement linked to frost in the ground.

Water laying in existing potholes may contribute to further deterioration of the roadway. In the thaw and freeze cycle, water seeps beneath the roadway, and it freezes upon drops in the temperature, busting the pavement. 
One of the few minor potholes in the Bull Road

If all of these cracks lead to breakup, then this section of the Bull Road will become a goatpath. There are already two minor potholes right in a row.



Friday, March 16, 2012

Carleton Manor in Woodstock to benefit from province-wide bed increase

The Carleton Manor in Woodstock, built in 2007, is expected to see an increase of 30 beds in the near future.
The New Brunswick provincial government recently unveiled a plan to increase the number of beds in nursing and special care homes across the province.

On Thursday, March 15th, the government announced that they will create 704 special care beds and 354 nursing home beds. This means a total of 1,054 beds being created.

Minister of Social Development Sue Stultz, who is also responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations, announced the creation of the beds and shared a review of a nursing home replacement and refurbishment plan, which was released in December of 2009.

"Creating hundreds more specialized care beds will enable more seniors to move from hospitals into long-term care," Stultz said in a press release which was published on the CJ 104 website. "These beds will help alleviate waiting lists and meet the needs of seniors who do not need full-time nursing care."

The review carried out was done using a three-step process which included a study of the province's aging population for the next decade, along with the condition of special care facilities and a review of design standards.

The population study determined that the need for long-term care appears to be the highest in the Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton areas. The need for services for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia is also increasing.

The 704 specialized care beds will be created over a five-year period, and they are to be created by the private sector. These beds will be designed to address the need for care for patients with Alzheimer's and dementia. As the need for services for people living with Alzheimer's and dementia continues to increase, the amount of services will increase to keep up with the need.

In the midst of financial troubles, the provincial administration, led by Premier David Alward, has been able to find ways to replace aging facilities and increase the number of beds in a cost-effective manner.

The report carried out to determine the need for upgraded facilities and/or increased services was used to find $110 million in efficiencies and cost-savings in building construction. Stultz mentioned that implementing this plan will cost over $300 million.

"We will proceed with a nursing home renovation and replacement plan at an estimated cost of $329 million," Stultz said. "Our review has produced substantial savings for taxpayers while meeting the needs of our seniors and the long-term care system. This is an outstanding accomplishment on both fronts."

Woodstock's manor was not left off the list of twenty facilities to be improved or replaced. The Carleton Manor will receive an extra thirty beds.

The Shiretown facility currently boasts 80 beds. An extra thirty beds will bring the total number of beds in Woodstock up to 110.

It is currently unclear when work will begin on the Woodstock facility. 

Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp plans to re-offer for mayor in May municipal election

Mayor Art Slipp braved the wet weather during the Dooryard Arts Festival in August 2011 and came out with his camera, taking pictures of the festivities. Slipp plans to re-offer for the title of Woodstock's top dog in the municipal election scheduled for May. 

In less than two months, New Brunswickers will head to the polls to elect new municipal leaders or re-elect incumbent ones.

It looks like Woodstock's mayor, Art Slipp, will be one of those re-offering.

CJ 104 published a news release on their website today announcing that Art Slipp will re-offer for the position of Mayor of Woodstock in the municipal elections scheduled for sometime in May.

A former Woodstock High School teacher, Slipp is no stranger to Woodstock town council. He served as a councillor for three years, along with another three years as the town's deputy mayor and a four-year term as mayor.

Slipp told CJ104 that the town's top priority is the Carleton Civic Centre expansion and upgrade. The project is in partnership with the Woodstock Rotary Club and various local service districts (LSDs).

He told CJ 104 that he expects more people may move to the Woodstock area following the upgrade of the facilities.

The second thing Slipp would like to be involved in is the development of the Carleton Memorial Hospital property, which has been dormant since the demolition of the hospital facilities in 2009.

According to the CJ 104 press release, Slipp said that "work with the Department of Supply and Services and Department of Education has been completed to provide access through the hospital property to the new site of Woodstock Centennial Elementary School, and the town is continuing to work with government to relocate Southern Carleton Elementary School within municipal boundaries."

Slipp admits that there are other things to consider down the road as well, such as working with area LSDs to determine how to oversee the new District 11 regional service commission. The town plans to work with the LSDs to figure out ways to increase economic development for the Woodstock area. Regional policing will be held high on the priority list also.

Slipp's other area of focus if he becomes mayor again is to find a developer for the lot at the corner of Main and Queen Streets in Woodstock's downtown, which has been vacant since the demolition of the MacLauchlan Building in January 2009. The lot has been graded and landscaped since then.

Vacant lot in downtown Woodstock. Fall 2011 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Slammers confirm round two schedule

According to a press release on their website, the Woodstock Slammers have confirmed the dates of three home playoff games for round two of the 2012 Kent Cup Playoffs. Round two will serve as the Meek Division Final.

The date and time of game number one will vary, depending on the conclusion of the series between the Summerside Western Capitals and the Dieppe Commandos. The Western Capitals dropped the Commandos 5-1 on March 13th. Summerside is currently leading the series 3-2.

The current dates and times for the Slammers' round two home games are as follows:   
  • Game 1 - Sunday, March 18th (if the Dieppe/Summerside series goes to Game 6) 
  • Game 1 - Monday, March 19th (if the Dieppe/Summerside series goes to Game 7) 
  • Game 3 - Friday, March 23rd - 7:30 pm 
  • Game 5 - Wednesday, March 28th - 7:30 pm 
  • Game 7 - Sunday, April 1st - 2:00 pm 
Box office operating hours and ticket information will be posted on The Shiretown Blogger as the information becomes available on the Slammers' website. 

Newly-established community magazine preparing to release issue number two

A Woodstock-based community magazine is preparing to hit newsstands in the coming weeks.

ageless NB, launched in December 2011 by Theresa Blackburn, is currently in the process of finalizing its second issue.

ageless NB's motto is "Sharing stories of the people, places and history of western New Brunswick." The publication consists of all local, human interest stories which are "ageless," appealing to all ages.

The magazine's founder, Theresa Blackburn, is no stranger to the world of media. Blackburn is a journalism instructor at the New Brunswick Community College campus in the Shiretown. Blackburn also is an active member of Woodstock's town council.

The Spring 2012 issue of ageless NB will feature Premier David Alward's parents, Rev. Ford and Jean Alward. The upcoming issue will also include stories of Andrea Seeley, a Woodstock Middle School teacher who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the fall of 2010; and Terry and Suzanne Hunter, a Stickney couple who have learned a lot after experiencing depression.

ageless NB has a website. Visit www.agelessnb.ca. Multimedia from the magazine can be viewed on the site. It is available for purchase at a variety of different locations across the Saint John River Valley. The locations are as follows:
  • Clark's Save Easy - Perth-Andover 
  • Carleton Co-op - Florenceville-Bristol 
  • Irving Mainway - Florenceville-Bristol 
  • On The Run Esso - Florenceville-Bristol 
  • Centreville Irving - Centreville 
  • Upper River Valley Hospital Coffee Shop - Waterville 
  • Kojax Petro Canada - Hartford (outskirts of Woodstock)
  • Shoppers Drug Mart - Woodstock 
  • Newnham and Slipp Pharmacy - Woodstock 
  • Connell House - Woodstock 
  • Woodstock Farm Market - Woodstock 
  • Murray's Irving - Beardsley Road (outskirts of Woodstock) 
  • Johnson Settlement Esso - Canterbury turn-off 
  • Ryan's Pharmacy - Nackawic 
  • Shoppers Drug Mart - Fredericton (Prospect Street location) 
  • Picaroons Beer Store - Fredericton (located on Queen Street) 
  • Fredericton Co-op - Vanier Highway 
  • Shoppers Drug Mart - Oromocto 

Snowstorm in Woodstock on March 14th, 2012





The Woodstock area has had its fair share of unusual weather this winter. Though it is not officially spring yet, the Shiretown has received another snowstorm, despite the fairly mild weather lately.

But don't let this snowstorm get you down. Even today's weather forecast (highs of +2 C and lows of -4 C) wasn't unbearable, but warmer weather is in the forecast for the remainder of this week and the weekend.

Source of forecast: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/canb0109

Wednesday: Highs of +2 C, lows of -4 C
Thursday: Highs of +2 C, lows of -7 C
Friday: Highs of +5 C, lows of -1 C
Saturday: Highs of +9 C, lows of -6 C

Four-day outlook posted as of Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 at 8:11 pm Atlantic time 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Slammers sweep game four, advance to round two

The Woodstock Slammers are preparing for round two of the Kent Cup Playoffs.

The Slammers downed the Campbellton Tigers 6-2 on the road on Friday, March 9th. As a result of the game four victory, the Slammers will be advancing to the second round of the 2012 Kent Cup Playoffs.

Round two will serve as the Meek Division Final round. The Slammers will face the winner of the Bent Division Semi-Final series, currently being played between the Dieppe Commandos and the Summerside Western Capitals. The winner of that series has still not yet been decided, but the Commandos are leading the series 2-1 as of last night.

In the Woodstock/Campbellton contest, Ben MacSwain scored two goals for the Slammers, while Jake Logan chipped in with one goal and one assist. Connor Tresham assisted three goals.

The scoring began with an unassisted shorthanded goal netted by Christopher Caissy at 4:16. Ben MacSwain responded four minutes later, getting the Slammers on the scoreboard and tying the contest at one.

Francis Bernier restored the Tigers' lead at 10:26, however, Ben Miller deadlocked the score at 2-2 at the end of period one.

Just over nine and a half minutes into the second period, Andrew Langan increased the score to 3-2 in the Slammers' favour. Langan's goal was the only goal scored during period two.

Ben MacSwain wasted no time getting the ball rolling in the third period, scoring only thirteen seconds in. Two minutes later, Robert Visca increased Woodstock's lead to 5-2.

Jake Logan slipped a shot past Tigers netminder Julien Daigle nine minutes into the period. This goal was the Slammers' game winner, sealing Campbellton's fate.

The Slammers were presented with only one power play opportunity, but failed to take advantage of it. The Tigers had five power play chances, but they did not score on any of them.

Matt Murphy faced 31 shots in the contest, refusing 29 of them. Raphael Roy played a total of 42 minutes and 13 seconds, stopping 23 of 28 shots faced during that time. Roy was replaced by Julien Daigle, who tended the Tigers' net for the remaining 17 minutes and 47 seconds. Daigle saw ten shots, and stopped nine of them.

The date and time of the Woodstock Slammers' next challenge will be announced on The Shiretown Blogger as soon as possible. Stay tuned for details.

With files from www.themhl.ca 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Premier Alward's popularity decreased in recent poll

Premier David Alward
The popularity of New Brunswick's premier has reached an all-time low.

According to a survey released by Corporate Research Associates on Wednesday, March 7th, only 31 per cent of New Brunswickers want David Alward as their premier.

Alward, who also serves as MLA for the Woodstock riding, had a popularity level of 32 per cent in August 2011, the last time his popularity had reached a low.

In February 2011, 42 per cent of people surveyed in the poll preferred David Alward as New Brunswick's leader.

There was a 10 per cent decrease in the amount of people satisfied with the work Alward is doing, while the amount of people unhappy with Alward increased to 41 per cent.

The poll's only positive outcome was that 45 per cent of people surveyed said that if a provincial election were to be held today, they would vote for the Conservatives. That number was the same in November 2011.

With files from CJ 104 News 

Slammers prowl Tigers in narrow 2-1 victory; lead series 3-0

Jake Logan and Tim Campbell hold two Campbellton Tigers players against the boards, while Connor Tresham reaches for the puck in game three of the Meek Division semi-finals last night.

The Woodstock Slammers were able to heave a huge sigh of relief after narrowly clinching game three last night.

The Slammers edged the Campbellton Tigers 2-1 in the third game of the Meek Division semi-final round of the 2012 Kent Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, March 7th. The Slammers can now boast a 3-0 lead in the series.

Tim Campbell, the MHL's top defenseman, opened the scoring in Wednesday night's contest just over two minutes into the game. The Woodstock assistant captain gave his squad an early 1-0 lead.

Nick Huard scored on a power play at 13:44, increasing the Slammers' lead to 2-0. Huard's power play goal would serve as the game winning goal for the home side, as Christopher Caissy got the Tigers on the scoreboard at 8:44 in period two, reducing Woodstock's lead to one. Period three remained scoreless.

The contest was not without entertainment. Jake Logan and Dylan Desmeules worked their problems out on the ice with 3:52 remaining on the clock in the first period. Both received five-minute majors for fighting, despite the pleasing of the crowd of 664 people from the incident.



The Slammers were presented with two power play opportunities, scoring on both of them, while the Tigers had four power play chances but failed to score on any of them.

Of 25 shots he faced, Matt Murphy stopped 24 for the Slammers' win, while Raphael Roy refused the same amount of shots faced, despite facing one extra shot from the Slammers.

Game number four is scheduled for tomorrow night, Friday, March 9th. Game time is at 7:30 pm at the Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre.


Matt Murphy made many key saves in last night's game

Zach Shannon

Chris Rygus and Nick Huard can be seen here shoving a Campbellton Tigers player into Woodstock's net, knocking the net off.

Tim Campbell and Matt Murphy

Jake Logan

Ryan Purvis taking a face-off

Tim Campbell and Nick Huard



Zach Shannon (#23). Matt Murphy can be seen minding the posts in the background

Andrew Langan and Andrew Schriver

Ben MacSwain watches as Tim Campbell carries the puck

Ben Miller

Nick Huard

Phillip Fife

Andrew Langan

Ben Miller chatting with Campbellton's captain, 


Chris Rygus being sent to the penalty box to serve a two-minute minor penalty for roughing 

Matt Murphy

Colton Stairs returned in time for game two after serving a three-game suspension for his involvement in a post-game scrum on February 22nd.

With files from www.themhl.ca.