Green men at the Woodstock Slammers games

The Woodstock Slammers games have had some special guests in green lately.

These mysterious adolescents have been attending some of the Slammers games recently dressed in green morph suits. 

It is unclear who they are. But they are similar to the green men that attend the Vancouver Canucks' home games and taunt those from the opposing teams who visit the penalty box. Woodstock's version of the green men cheer for the Slammers and socialize amongst the crowd. 

Vancouver Canucks Green Men

Woodstock's Green Men waiting for the Slammers to go out on the ice on Friday night.

Getting right into the game

Sitting in the crowd

One of the green men posing for a picture with The Shiretown Blogger (Nathan DeLong).

Here are a couple of You Tube videos of the green men in action

Slammers salute troops, clench Timberwolves, fall to Ramblers

The Woodstock Slammers got a victory in support of the troops on Friday night.

The home game held on November 25th was 2011 Slammers Military Appreciation Night. Over twenty troops from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown came in uniform on Friday night and cheered as the Slammers defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves 5-2.

The scoring was opened by Bradley Greene of Woodstock at 4:02. Greene scored once again in the first period on the power play at 12:06.

Mackenzie Brown of the Slammers scored his first home goal of the 2011-2012 season at 18:17 in period two.

Mackenzie Brown (right)

Woodstock's winning goal was scored by Andrew Langan at 8:19 in the third period.             

                     

Friday night's match-up began with a ceremonial face-off at centre ice. Three troops were escorted to centre ice by Woodstock's military expert, Aaron Bouma. 

 Aaron Bouma (right) poses for a picture with the troops he escorted to centre ice for a ceremonial face-off. 

 Aaron Bouma posing with a few of the approximately 20 troops who attended Friday night's game. He is holding a game-used puck retrieved by The Shiretown Blogger.

The troops cheering for the Slammers. This group of troops could be heard taunting Miramichi Timberwolves goaltender Tyler Piercy during the second period.

 A face-off.

 Slammers' goaltender Matt Murphy prepares to take a drink of water.

Tyler Piercy was a target for taunting from the troops in attendance during period two of Friday night's contest.

The Slammers visited the Amherst Ramblers on Saturday, November 26th. It was against the Ramblers that they received their first regulation loss of the season. The Slammers fell to Amherst 4-1. 

The Woodstock side had many regular visits to the sin bin, collecting 22 penalties, totalling 155 penalty minutes. This made for a tough night for the Slammers. 

The Slammers' next home game is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. They will face the Amherst Ramblers. 

Second session of the 57th legislature began today

Photo courtesy of http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca

The New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton was the site of more than just political gatherings today.
The second session of the 57th New Brunswick Legislature was opened today with the Speech from the Throne, delivered by New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas.

Communications New Brunswick quoted a part of the throne speech:

“This throne speech marks the beginning of the legislative year and the continuation of your government’s work to support a stronger economy and enhanced quality of life while living within our means,” said Nicholas. “The last few years have seen significant and difficult changes which have impacted the people of New Brunswick. It is no longer business as usual.”

New Brunswick Premier David Alward told Communications New Brunswick that "today’s speech from the throne lays out a new foundation for rebuilding our province. This foundation will be built on an economic development strategy that will move our workers from ‘hope wanted’ to ‘help wanted,’ with investments in job opportunities. It will be built by supporting families with renewed programs and services to help overcome poverty, increase access to primary health care and provide quality education for our next generation. This foundation will be supported by a government that is innovative, equitable and sustainable." 

The throne speech highlighted investments in job creation, healthy families and an enhanced quality of life and government renewal. 

Some major issues the government will take on during this session include a reestablishment of electoral boundaries and reforms to local government. A total of fifteen new pieces of legislation will be introduced during this session. 

Protesters braved a snowstorm and flocked to the front lawn of the Legislative building in the province's capital city to voice their opposition to the exploration and development of shale gas in rural New Brunswick. A teepee was set up on the lawn on Saturday where protesters have been camping out.

A copy of the Throne Speech is available online at http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/Promos/Throne-2011/PDF/SpeechThrone2011.pdf. 

Sixteen-hour Dash for Deals set for Friday

The Greater Woodstock area will be home to huge discounts for a limited time on Friday.

There is no need to cross the border for Black Friday when you can stay right here in Woodstock and shop locally. On Friday, November 25th, up to twenty Woodstock businesses will be participating in the Second Annual 16-Hour Dash for Deals.

Most participating retailers will open for business at 6 am on Friday, and remain open until 10 pm, with the exception of Canadian Tire, which will open at 7 am and close at 11 pm.

Dash for Deals will offer much more than just large savings. Shoppers at participating retailers can enter to win prizes. Prizes also will be randomly awarded to lucky shoppers.

Participating merchants include:

• McLellan's Countrywide Furniture & Appliances
• Sobeys
• Canadian Tire 
• Stewart's Home Hardware
• Fashion Today
• Wal-Mart 
• Duane's Furniture and Appliances 
• Connell Chrysler
• Creative Framing 
• Hudson Jewellers 
• Currie's Audio Video Unlimited
• Currie's Ace Hardware 
• Dave's Sports Centre 
• Miss Fancy Pants 
• Newnham & Slipp Pharmacy
• Home Zone Electronics 

Prizes have been donated by: 

• River Valley Vision
• Miss Fancy Pants 
• Home Zone Electronics 
• Currie's Audio Video Unlimited
• Currie's Ace Hardware
• Clark Oil
• Wal-Mart
• Canadian Tire 
• McLellan's Countrywide Furniture & Appliances
• Bugle-Observer 
• CJ 104 
• Kojax Convenience 

Carleton County Historical Society Christmas Concert this weekend

The Carleton County Historical Society presents the 23rd Annual Victorian Christmas Concert at the Old Carleton County Court House on Saturday, November 26th, 2011 from 7 pm to 9 pm. No tickets are being sold, as admission is by donation only.

Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen walking alongside of Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp during the ceremonial parade at the RCMP Musical Ride in August 2011. 

The concert will feature performances by Amanda Lloyd accompanied by Jennifer Muir, Jennifer Muir accompanied by Marjorie Husen, Martin and Ypie Shaver, Kimiye Gamblin playing the fiddle along with John Thompson playing the harp, Leah Jones accompanied by Amy Anderson, pianist Leonard Orser, soloist Tracy Anderson, Corner Studio Choir directed by Jennifer Muir and more.

Hot apple cider and homemade cookies will be served during the intermission. 

Woodstock Slammers gain two more wins and first loss

The Woodstock Slammers won two games and lost their first game of the season over this past weekend.

On Friday, November 18th, the Slammers doubled the Summerside Western Capitals with a final score of 6-3.

The scoring was opened in Friday night's game by Summerside forward Matt Myers at 18:10. Myers also scored the first goal of the second period nearly seven minutes in. The Slammers' first goal was netted by Robert Visca at 12:24 in the second period. Woodstock's Bradley Greene put the rubber past the line twice in period three--the first one was just over three minutes into the period, while his second goal was a shorthanded goal scored at 13:32. The Slammers' winning goal was netted by Evan Carmody sixteen minutes into the period.

Friday night's game was host to a unique shootout competition held after the game as a fundraiser for Movember. Every player on the Slammers' roster and the coaching staff participated in a shootout where every participant was allowed two shots each on both Slammers goalies. In order to advance to the next round, the participant had to score at least once. If they failed to score, they were eliminated. Spectators could bid on players in a silent auction, and the highest bidder won the player. The winner in the silent auction received $750 and a game-used autographed sweater.

If the goaltender won by a spectator in the silent auction made the most saves in the shootout, the fan would receive $250 and a game-used autographed sweater. If the player won by a fan in the silent auction was a finalist in the shootout, the fan would receive a game-used autographed sweater and other merchandise.

50/50 tickets were also sold, with half of the money going to the winner, while the other half of the proceeds would go to the Slammers' Movember fundraising campaign. The Slammers' decision to focus their fundraising efforts on cancer this year was influenced by the loss of assistant captain Ben Miller's father to the disease earlier this year.

On Saturday, November 19th, the Slammers visited the Truro Bearcats. The Slammers topped the Bearcats 4-1. The scoring was opened by Truro forward Paul Thompson at 7:36 in period one. Woodstock's first goal was scored by Connor Tresham at 8:12 in period one. The only goal in period two was scored by Nick Huard of the Slammers at 7:41. The Slammers' winning goal was scored in the third period by Robert Visca on the power play at 14:08.

The Slammers played the Summerside Western Capitals on Sunday, November 20th. They lost their first contest of the 2011-2012 season in a shootout with a final score of 2-1. The first period remained scoreless. Connor Tresham scored the first goal for Woodstock on a power play at 3:31 in the second period. Stephen Anderson of Summerside scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.

The Slammers' record now stands at 22-1-0-1. Their next home game is scheduled for Friday, November 25th at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre.

#17 Tim Rose

Connor Tresham 

Chris Rygus

Sam Renault in action between the pipes

Andrew Schriver

Brett MacLean (#12) and Andrew Schriver (#2)

Zach Shannon

Sam Renault prepares to put the mask back on after a sip of water

Ben Miller

Chris Rygus (left) and Nick Huard

Celebrating after a third-period goal

Woodstock Slammers preparing for the Shootout for Life competition

Connor Tresham (left) and Justin O'Reilly prepare for the shootout

Sam Renault taking a quick break before the shootout

Brandon Leonardo

Mackenzie Brown

Philip Fife

Jake Logan

Slammers associate coach Kyle Adams participated in the Shootout for Life competition

Brayden Wood

Colton Stairs (#71), head coach Jason Tatarnic, Philip Fife (#18) watch the Shootout for Life competition with some teammates.

Wes Corey was the Shootout for Life announcer. He is seen here at centre ice with goalies Sam Renault (left) and Matt Murphy before they participated in their own unique shootout. 

Photos were taken Friday, November 18th, 2011.