Jan 2000

Mills lose in OT to begin new year
by Kevin Parnell
January 5, 2000
Needing every point they can get, the Quesnel Millionaires let one slip away Sunday afternoon in Quesnel, losing a two goal third period lead and dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to Penticton.
The overtime loss gave the Millionaires a single point, shaving the deficit that they trail Prince George by to 18 points.
Penticton didn't do Quesnel any favours by dropping a Saturday night game 4-2 to the Spruce Kings.
On Sunday, Penticton scored two power play goals in the third period to even the score at three, before winning the game in overtime.
Penticton forward Steve Sigaty ended the proceedings when he burned rookie defenseman Brett Gilmour with a shifty move, taking Gilmour wide and putting a forehand past a sprawling Jason Montgomery in the Quesnel net.
Despite losing the two goal lead, the coaching staff was pleased with the club's effort. "We were happy," said assistant coach Ross Crawford. "That's been the first time in a few games the guys have all worked their butts off. There were mistakes, but they made the mistakes working hard."
The turning point in the game came with the Mills up 3-1 and shorthanded. Forwards Paul Kelley and Nick Udovicic found themselves in alone on Panthers' goalie Sean Fields. Kelley dropped the puck to Udovicic, who looked to put it over the fallen goalie when Fields threw up his glove hand and robbed Udovicic.
About 20 seconds later, 17-year-old Penticton forward Chuck Kobasew netted his second goal of the game, and league leading 36th of the season, to cut the lead to 3-2.
"I definitely thought that was the turning point of the game," said Udovicic. "I thought we worked hard but had some tough breaks."
The overtime loss came on the heels of last Thursday's 5-3 win over a shorthanded Merritt team, missing several regulars at the Viking Cup.
"I thought the Penticton game was a lot better," said Udovicic. "We battled hard."
With less than a week before the BCHL trading deadline, the Millionaires had yet to make any moves as of Tuesday afternoon. But the team still has two cards left and is looking to make improvements, both for now and the future.
"Things are in the works, but nothing is definite," said Crawford on Tuesday. "We're still looking to get a little younger."
One player that likely won't be on the move is Udovicic, the 20-year-old team captain, who was named this week's Interior Division Player of the Week, his second weekly award this season.
"Players from other teams were calling me and telling me I was getting traded," said Udovicic. "It started to affect my play, so finally I had to talk to Dale and he said he would only move me if I wanted to leave. I told him I wanted to stay here and get a scholarship. Some guys who are 20 might want to make a run for it all. I feel I'd be missing out on too much learning if I left."
Up Next:
The Mills have two home games this weekend, hosting Trail on Friday night and Vernon on Saturday. Both games take place at 7:30 at the Quesnel Twin Arenas.

Millionaires trade Simnor, cut Shiel
by Kevin Parnell
January 9, 2000
The Quesnel Millionaires didn't wait for Monday's BCHL trading deadline to arrive, before continuing to retool for next season.
The team broght in two new players last week, and sent two others on their way.
On Wednesday, Mills' Coach and GM Dale Marquette shipped 20-year old forward/defenseman Rob Simnor to Penticton for 19-year-old Brad Hefflick.
Simnor was in his third full season with Quesnel and had seven goals and 14 assists in 37 games.
"Although I had a good time playing for the Mills, I thought it was a wise decision, for myself and the team, to play elsewhere," said Simnor, in a letter to the Observer.
The Millionaires also purchased 19-year-old defenseman kendall Smith from Burnaby last weekend.
The addition of the two players forced the club to release forward Chad Shiel, who was brought in for his toughness as part of the Adrian Paolinelli deal, but was a disappointment, racking up just 31 penalty minutes in 21 games.
In 19 games with Penticton, the six-foot-one, 200 pound Hefflick had 12 goals and 10 assists. He had left the team and requested a trade.
Hefflick skated on the top line with Nick Udovicic and Paul Kelley during practice last week. "That's probably where he will fit in," said Marquette. "He brings us size, makes us younger, and he's got good hands. I think we helped our overall size and picked up a guy who's capable of scoring."
As for Smith, Marquette expects the six-foot-two, 205 pounder to add a physical dimension to the blueline.
"He's a guy that is going to play a physical role for us," said Marquette. "Attitude and work ethic are two other things that spring to mind."
Smith, a native of Edmonton, had racked up 73 penalty minutes in 27 games with Burnaby this year. "I'm excited," Smith said. "I heard Quesnel was an up and coming team and purely developmental. That's what I want to get out of hockey. I want to learn something and it sounds like Dale is the coach to be around."
Along with adding size and toughness, and hopefully some scoring, Hefflick and Smith are both expected to be back as 20-year-olds next season.
"We released a 20-year-old and got a 19-year-old which helps us out," said Marquette. "It does put us at eight 19-year-olds, but we have a long time until the puck drops next year." Under BCHL rules, teams can carry six 20-year-olds, so there will no doubt be more player moves in the off-season.

Mills take out Vernon and Trail
by Kevin Parnell
January 12, 2000
The Quesnel Millionaires have picked up seven of a possible eight points since the Christmas Break, but have only been able to gain a single point on the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Mills are coming off one of their most impressive games of the season Saturday night, a convincing 5-2 win over the Vernon Vipers.
That followed a 5-3 win over Trail on Friday night.
But Prince George also earned wins over the same teams, 5-3 over Vernon and 11-2 over the Smoke Eaters and has now won five games in a row. The Mills still trail the Kings by 18 points for the final playoff spot.
Assistant coach Ross Crawford says the team has been playing well for the past several months, except for the last couple of games before Christmas when they dropped both games of a home and home with the Kings.
"Those last two games we didn't play too well," he said. "But for the month-and-a-half before that, we played really well. Having a younger team, it's harder to concentrate the last games before Christmas. But coming back, the guys are relaxed and ready to play."
Against Vernon on Saturday night, Quesnel got a brilliant goaltending performance by Jason Montgomery to earn the win, their second in a row at home against the Vipers.
Motgomery made 42 saves, many of the spectacular variety, as he earned his eighth win of the season.
The Vernon game featured a couple of Millionaire firsts, as newcomer Brad Hefflick scored his first goal as a Mill. His powerplay goal was assisted by fellow newcomer Kendall Smith.
Seventeen-year-old Troy White also netted his first career BCHL goal.
As far as Hefflick and Smith are concerned, both were nice additions to the club "I think they've added some size and toughness and a little bit more energy," said Crawford. "For some of the yunger guys, it means a little less responsibility. We're very happy with them and we're looking for more from both of them as they get more comfortable."
Quesnel has two home games this weekend, Friday against the Vipers and Saturday against Penticton.

I'm sad to leave Quesnel
January 12, 2000
Editor:
I am writing this letter to say goodbye to the people of Quesnel. During my time in Quesnel, I met a lot of new people, made a lot of great friends, and learned a great deal.
Although I had a good time playing for the Mills, I thought it was a wise decision for myself and for the team to play elsewhere.
I would like to thank the Millionaires organization, Dale Marquette, and the City of Quesnel. A ver special thank-you to the Schultz family, Ron and Gayle Campbell, and Blair and Judy Cunningham for their great hospitality.
I would like to wish my coaches, and most importantly, my teammates, the best of luck in the rest of the season.
Rob Simnor
Former Quesnel Millionaire

Night of shooting All-Stars
by Kevin Parnell
January 16, 2000
Although the Interior All-Stars went down to defeat in a shoot-out in Wednesday night's BCHL all-star game, the Mills' Jason Montgomery came out smelling like roses. Montgomery beat out Victoria's Jordan Sigalet as the match's top goalie.
The Mills' Nick Udovicic and Ryan Bremner also made a strong showing with three and two assists respectively in the come-from-behind second period and exciting final period.
Over 1200 fans crammed into the Chilliwack Coliseum for the action-packed 30th annual BCHL All-Star game.
The Coastal conference jumped out to an early lead before finishing up the first period with a 7-2 lead. The flood gates opened for the Interior conference in the second, as they combined for 7 goals of their own to make the score 9-8 heading into the third period. The red light got an extra workout in the final stanza as well, as both teams traded goals and ended in a 14-14 tie.
For the first time in league history, the game came down to a shootout. South Surrey's Jared Dumba capped off a five goal performance and sealed the deal for the Coast, giving the Coastal Conference All-Stars a 15-14 victory, and earning himself the Coastal Conference MVP honors.

Mills to host 2001 BCHL All-Stars
by Kevin Parnell
January 16, 2000
Mark your calendars and hold your breath! Quesnel has won the opportunity to host the 2001 BCHL All-Star Game.
"We were really happy to get it," said Millionaires president Kit Collins. "We know it's a lot of work, and we know we're ready."
Collins said that the event, planned for Wednesday, January 17th, 2001 - will attract not just fans and top players from teams across the province, but also league managers, and the media, including BCTV. Collins expects a crowd of more than 400 to descend on the Gold Pan City for the big event.
As well as local and provincial media coverage of the game, Collins said the Mills hope to broadcast the game live on the internet.
League managers will also hold meetings in Quesnel around the time of the all-star game.
Collins encourages anyone interested in helping out with next year's all-star game to contact the Mills office. "It's a lot of fun," she said.

Mills drop two on home ice
by Betsy Trumpener
January 19, 2000
Two weekend losses have put the Mills' comeback hopes on ice.
Still stinging from the previous weeks' loss to Quesnel, the Vernon Vipers took an early first period lead Friday night, and kept up the pressure, helped along by Jace Digel's hat trick.
The Mills battled back in the third period, but a goal by Viper's captain Kori Davison in the final seconds of play clinched a 6-5 win.
"We worked very hard and got robbed with just 9 seconds left," said Mills' coach Dale Marquette. "It was a tough one after working hard against a good team."
Just 24 hours later, the Penticton Panthers made easy work of their Mills prey, knocking in two goals within the first five minutes of play. Chuck Kobasew added a third in the final period to round out his hat trick, while Panthers goalie Sean Fields held his own against 28 Millionaire shots. Kobasew and Fields were rewarded with Interior Division Player of the Week Honorable Mentions.
The second period was a lacklustre back and forth, punctuated by a late-flurry of shots against Quesnel and an audience rumble over a stick in the C section.
Although the Mills put out a manic burst of energy in the final minutes, their shots on goal were shots in the dark, not co-ordinated play.
Still, the flailing team did manage to please the crowd - and celebrate Minor Hockey Week - with a couple of gloves-off fisticuff exhibitions.
"We played like a team that didn't really want to be there," said Marquette. "We had some players bail out on us when we needed them and we played like we were intimidated. We basically let them decide the tempo of the game."

Mills fell mighty Spruce Kings
by Betsy Trumpener
January 23, 2000
The Mills took an axe to the Prince George Spruce King's seven game winning streak in an exciting Tuesday night match-up on home ice.
Playing aggressively and with a co-ordination missing from Saturday night's disastrous tussle with Penticton, the Quesnel players more than held their own Tuesday night against the Hottest team in the league.
"The guys worked really hard, and moved the puck really well," agreed Mills assistant coach Ross Crawford. "Our guys were better mentally prepared, and we were ready for them."
Despite 13 first period shots on Quesnel's goal, the Kings didn't score until the final seconds of the round.
Quesnel's Brad Hefflick answered with a goal early in the second, but John Hopson pulled the King's back into the lead with a late second period goal.
Still, the Mills didn't take the 2-1 tally lying down. Rob Lommer waited less than two minutes before knocking one into the Kings' net and tying the score early in the third.
Just minutes later, Mills' rookie blueliner Kendall Smith slid into the net during a defensive play and crumpled to the ice.
Flat out and complaining of neck pain, the 205 lb defenseman was carried off the ice on a backboard and rushed to hospital by ambulance. Although the 19-year-old Smith has been on the team for just two weeks, the Mills and local fans gave their fallen comrade a stick-banging, foot-stomping sendoff. From his stretcher, Smith managed to respond with a double thumbs up.
Fortunately, Smith's injuries proved to be minor. He was released from hospital that night and was back on the ice Wednesday.
"Taking him out on a backboard was a precautionary move, since his neck hurt," explained Crawford. "We're very careful with these sort of thngs. Fortunately it was just jarred muscles."
Smith's untimely departure only spurred on the Mills. Jason Montgomery deflected 16 third period shots on goal, while the others kept up the offensive pressure, ending the third period with a 2-2 draw.
The Mills took control in sudden death overtime, playing a cat-and-mouse game around the King's net.
With help from Kelly Riou, it took Mills assistant captain Ryan Bremner just two and a half minutes to knock one in the royal goal and win the game for Quesnel with a score of 3-2.

One out of three ain't bad
by Betsy Trumpener
January 26, 2000
You win some, you lose some.
That just about sums up the Mills' weekend road trip through the Southern Interior.
Quesnel's shooters spent a frustrating Friday night in Penticton, as the Panthers recorded their third straight shutout. Panthers' goalie David Rathjen handled all 28 shots fired his way, leading his team to a 4-0 victory over Quesnel.
It was a happier story Saturday night in Trail, where the Mills trounced the Smoke Eaters 6-3.
The Mills sent a whopping 48 shots at Trail's goal. Travis Jeck popped in a pair for the Mills, with Brad Hefflick, Rob Lommer, Reid Litster, and Kevin Nelson each adding to the tally.
Things turned ugly again Sunday in Vernon, however, where the Vipers wiped out the Mills 8-1.
Paul Kelley knocked in the Mills' lone goal.
A number of fights in the final minutes of play led to a single game suspension for both Mills' coach Dale Marquette and Vipers Coach Troy Mick.
Coaches earn a game suspension for every fight over three in the final ten minutes. "There were two fights at the same time," said Marquette, "and they were the third and fourth fight. Our players weren't too happy with their performance and stood up for themselves, which I thought was okay."
Marquette said he was happy with the Mills' overall weekend performance. "We worked pretty hard and did lots of good things."
"Still, we didn't play very well in Vernon," conceded Marquette. "But the score was worse than the game itself. We made lots of mental mistakes. Our goaltending was very average and we made some key mistakes that put us in the hole."

Whether you chalk it up to a full moon, a tight points race, or the need to please blood-thirsty hockey fans, in the slap happy BCHL
Saturday night's alright for a fight!
by Betsy Trumpener
January 26, 2000
GLOVES OFF.
DUKES UP.
Violence may be on the wane in our city streets, but if last weekend was any indication, it's making a comeback on the ice.
On Monday, the BC Hockey League (BCHL) issued a page long list of suspensions after three nights of boxing on ice.
Among the casualties was Quesnel Millionaires' coach Dale Marquette.
Marquette was handed a single game suspension "for four fights at the end of the Sunday game versus the Vernon Vipers."
Viper's coach Troy Mick will also sit out a game, after the Mills' Kendall Smith, Troy White, Paul Kelley, Brent Gilmour, and Reid Litster tangled with a whack of rattling vipers.
"Our players weren't too happy with their performance and they stood up for themselves," said Marquette. "We're not about to roll over for anyone."
Under league rules, coaches take the biggest hit for sustained fighting during the last ten minutes of a match. If there are more than three dustups in the dying moments of a game, the coach sits out one game for every extra fight.
"The point is that the coach takes responsibility for the kids not scrapping," explained BCHL president Ron Boileau.
So when the Mils face off against Langley Thursday night, Marquette will have to lay low."
"The suspended coaches have to be out of the arena from an hour before the game until an hour after," said Boileau. "In the past we have had some coaches try to pass notes from the bleachers and silly stuff like that."
The Mills were certainly not the weekend's only pugilists. A punch up in the stands on Saturday night between Nanaimo Clippers' staff and fans and Cowichan Valley fans, and an alleged sucker punch after the Friday evening Prince George at Merritt game are both under BCHL investigation.
Langley's Jordan Landry was also handed a three game suspension for "kneeing" during a Saturday night match against South Surrey, while Merritt's Colin Kobza earned a three game penalty for checking a Spruce King from behind.
Boileau says it's the league's tight points race - not the full moon - that are to blame for the recent spate of blood on the ice.
"It's a really emotional time right now," he said. "It's a really tight race for the playoffs and everyone's fighting for every point they can get. Sometimes the kids get a little carried away, both on the bench and behind the bench."
Still, Boileau is concerned enough about hockey violence that he's twice tried to ban fighting. "The league governors said no, that we'd lose too much of our crowd. We wish we could get it out of our game. Unfortunately, the fans love it," he said.
"At the junior level, we need to entertain to draw the fans and their dollars. For the marginal fans, the only way to get them to come is to go the extra mile and have the extra entertainment," Boileau said.
"You look at the WWF and their success. All the talk is about fighting, not about wrestling. That's not yet the case in hockey, but it may soon come to that. It's not something we want to get into."
Boileau acknowledges that hockey is one of the last havens for scrappers. "If you fight in football, in basketball, or even on the college hockey teams, you're out of the game. You're dealt with harshly. But in hockey, you just go to the box."
Despite fighting's box office appeal, Boileau maintains it is not premeditated. "Players don't go out ther saying, "I'm going to fight." They're battling for the puck and the next minute they're duking it out," he said. "In some games, they're talking about each others' mothers all night. Finally one says, "You mother wears army boots." Then you fight to protect your mother."

Hands slapped in hockey arena fracas
by Betsy Trumpener
January 30, 2000
They were duking it out in Duncan during last Saturday's hockey game.
Just another average hockey night in Canada?
Hardly. This time, the fisticuffs took place off the ice. Nanaimo Clippers' staff and fans took it to the stands, where they brawled with the hometown Cowichan Valley fans.
The BC Hockey League announced Wednesday that the punch-up won't go unpunished.
The BCHL handed a $200 fine to the Cowichan Valley Hockey Team because their security did not take action against unruly fans.
They also slapped Nanaimo Clipper head coach Bill Bestwick with an immediate two game suspension for joining in the fracas and even throwing a punch. Bestwick was barred from Wednesday's game against Cowichan Valley and Friday night's match against Burnaby.
"The fans are more into the game than ever," said BCHL president Ron Boileau in an interview last week. "Yes, we appreciate the fans getting into it, but the game is on the ice. They need to elave it on the ice," he said.