TOKARSKI RISING: It didn’t take long for G Dustin Tokarski, one season from juniors, to pass Riku Helenius and earn the No. 1 job for AHL Norfolk.
“I expected that,” organizational goaltenders coach Cap Raeder said. “He makes it simple. He has an economy of motion, and he has the ability to play a lot of games.”
Tokarski, 20, who helped Canada to last year’s world junior championship, is 2-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.
“There are going to be some bumps in the road,” Raeder said. “But he’s a good one.”
BTW, I am totally looking into getting an Admirals jersey. Yes, I love Toka that much.
This post has no organization or transitions because I have a cold and the medicine is making me loopy.
So, Sean Avery has a new website. And he was so kind as to have some saucy pictures up for our viewing pleasure. Let’s look. Click to view full size;
I’LL BE IN MY BUNK.
Also sexy: former Spokane Chief Michael Grabner scored his first NHL goal. Grabby has been racking up the minutes with the Canucks playing on the top lines.
Can someone help me fix my fantasy hockey team?
As for the Leafs? I’d really rather not talk about it.
And what sucks is YouTube won’t let me embed the real version. The delicious version with Gaga making out with Alexander Skarsgard. So yes, Lady Gaga happens when five girls are in one car with miles and miles ahead of them. We loudly sang along to Paparazzi. Among other tracks. Making our way through a catalog of classic 90s pop songs. Some were doing homework in the car. Yeah, we love our hockey and this our dedication. We made our journey to Everett with intentions of taking in the Coyotes/Lightning preseason game. Though my intentions were to see Dustin Tokarski in net, and not in a Chiefs sweater.
Alright let’s get down to business. Thank you so much to everyone who posted in my absence. Y’all are amazing and I really appreciate you lending your time and creativity. ILY. In the event you ever need vaycay coverage; call me. I owe you. Thanks to the commenters too. No lamps were broken and you left me some booze! It’s going to be a bit of an information overload, so I’m tucking it under a jump.
Tokarski, who turns 20 on September 16, had an outstanding season in 2007-08 for Spokane of the Western Hockey League. He went 30-10-3 in the regular season with a 2.05 goals-against average and .922 save percentage then led the Chiefs to the Memorial Cup Championship.
The Saskatchewan native topped it last season, winning 34 games in the regular season with a 1.97 goals-against average and .937 save percentage. He then led Team Canada to the World Junior Championship Gold Medal.
Now, he’s a pro.
“This is the hardest step of them all,” Raeder said. “There are a lot better shooters and more of them. But he’s got the make up for it.”
Raeder likes Tokarski’s instincts for the position and the economy of motion he uses to get the job done.
“He’s got a pro style, where it’s positioning and blocking,” Raeder said. “His demeanor is perfect. He’s going to be fun to work with.”
Both Helenius and Tokarski should get plenty of playing time in Norfolk, which often has one of the toughest travel schedules in AHL.
I’ve been reading nothing but glowing things about Dustin. Some reports figure he could be the starting goalie for the Norfolk Admirals by Christmas. The fans in Tampa seem to be loving him too;
If there’s one person who’s thoroughly enjoying himself at the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Young Guns camp these days it has to be goalie Dustin Tokarski.
Every time I’ve seen him, from the team’s hotel to the rink to a post-scrimmage autograph session, the kid, a 2008 fifth-rounder, has had a milewide grin.
My guess? He’s just soaking up the experience, even if winning MVP honors in Canada’s 2008 WJC gold wasn’t enough, and looking forward to training camp. If it’s anything else, it’s only because he’s a goalie.
So Google Alerts are truly wonderful. I suggest you set some up. I have some set up for some of the Chiefs. Including former Chief Dustin Tokarski. My heart just broke typing that. The other day my alerts directed me to The Prairie Puck and really, I need to move to Saskatchewan and find me a good ol’ prairie boy. They must just grow wonderful and strapping hockey players there. Between bales of hay or something. Some of my favorite boys come out of this province; Tokarski, Jared Cowen and Luke Schenn. That’s just a trifecta of awesome right there.
I’m in the process of putting together a survey for a project I am working out. I’d like to take a look at how hockey effects relationships and how relationships effect hockey and all that. I’ll need a slew of people willing to participate. Participants are welcome to remain anonymous. Email me if you’re interested.
I am always amazed by the people in far away parts who read my little blog of mine. Yesterday, I got this wonderful email from some lovelies in Tampa. They are watching the Lightning do their summer camp practicing and of course, keeping an eye on my goalie. And guess what? We have pictures! I am sticking this all under a post jump. Thanks you so much for all the awesome pictures, seriously. And thanks for telling him he has peeps in Spokane missing him like whoa.
I totally love that if I forget some news item about the Chiefs, you amazing commenters will tell me what’s up. Such as this article about Dustin Tokarski’s amazingness. That is seriously what the article is about. Toka’s been busy training and visiting his former high school to give speeches. Precious! I hope there is a video so we can all coo. And count the “you knows…” Look! He suited up for the occasion;
was this taken on a cellphone?
It’s always strange to see him not in goalie gear. Like my brain can’t comprehend it. It’s a bit like Clark Kent/Superman. OMFG, how amazing would it be if he wore glasses? Man I love a dude in glasses. It’s all about the naughty professor scenario from all the years of my watching Buffy. Giles in the stacks with his tweed and his books, pouring over texts, furrowing his brow and drinking tea. Mmmm nothing like a thinking man. Oh where was I;
DUSTIN PLZ COME BACK WE ALL MISS YOU. AND YOU LOOK AMAZING IN YOUR SUIT.THANK YOU FOR NOT CUTTING YOUR HAIR TOO SHORT.CAN I BUY YOU A MILKSHAKE?
That needed caps because he is far away and I wanted him to hear me. Guhhhhh is it hockey time yet? Is it September? Instead I’ll waste the time away by deciding who I like better; Chris Pine or Zachary Quinto.
For Brady Calla, Trevor Glass, and captain Justin McCrae, their junior hockey and Chiefs careers came to an end as they graduate after this season. For Ondrej Roman, he will move on as a 20 year old to play in the Dallas Stars system next year. For Dustin Tokarski, he will do the same in the Tampa Bay Lightning farm system, and for Drayson Bowman, his NHL career is already underway, as he was called up the day after the loss to play for the Hurricanes.
Well, I have an answer. It’s not the one I wanted. My babycakes is leaving me for Norfolk, Virginia. Lori, you better keep tabs on my boo. I feel like crying and throwing a hissy fit. YOU CAN’T LEAVE ME. WHAT ABOUT MY FEELINGS, HUH? I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME. It’s been lovely, darling and I will absolutely miss you. You smashed the record books for the club and I couldn’t be more thrilled with your unreal saves. I’ll miss your obsessive compulsive routine, your awesomely painted mask, the occasional protesting a call, popping your jersey and pointing at the scoreboard with swagger as well as the countless “you knows” in your interviews while wearing the construction hat.
I’ll miss you Toka. We all will. Don’t be too surprised when a bunch of us turn up in Norfolk or Tampa or wherever you are in the pipes, we’ll be screaming MVP! in our Tokarski Saves shirts. You truly are a fantastic goalie and I hope you kill them in the NHL and your name ends up on the Stanley Cup. And if the Chiefs know what to do, they won’t let another player wear 34.
Most epic game ever. The panel was expanded to included many of the lovelies who frequent here. Instead of a liveblog we decided we needed to watch the game at the Onion. This probably jinxed everything. The game went into four goddamned overtimes. This post will become longer tomorrow when I decide to uhhhh lengthen it?
This is me thinking of making this longer. I am drinking some tea while watching The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, which, interesting tidbit right here; has no effing plot. The WHL site is all confused because the game ended after midnight, so according to them the game was 17 hours long. And you know, it felt about that long.
Getting on the board first was Evander Kane who I will not have a rational opinion about until after playoffs. Then (Spokane’s own!!!!) Tyler Johnson tied it and I was happy. No action the second period. There was an Ondrej Roman interview but since in the restaurant there was no audio, we had no idea what he said but it was probably lovely and charming. Hardy Sauter’s beard is just unreal. I am surprised he didn’t dye the grey out of it.
Dr Dray scores in the third and game stays tied so, overtime. I can’t handle overtime. It’s too much. I stress, I can’t sit still and I say about every two and a half minutes, “I’m gonna die…I’m dying…why are you killing me?” Perhaps it was for the best there was no audio. We could make up what the announcers were saying. What was there to say “hey it’s still overtime and still no one has scored…”
It really became a goalie battle and Toka is just clutch in OT. There were just some really tremendous saves. I just wanted the game to be over because the boyos were tired. I was tired and exhausted from watching. At one point I didn’t know when they were showing highlights and when it was the actual game.
And then, in the forth overtime with the Rookie Line; Blake Gal scores. I don’t even remember the details of it. But it happend. He was interviewed after the game and was so drained he couldn’t even put a sentence together to tell the peeps how he made the goal happen. It just…did.
This could all be wrapped up tomorrow.
Now the real question; Tri or Kel? The classic rivalry or Bowman vs Bowman…
I think that might have been the cutest game ever. It was filled with moments that made me go AHWWWWWW. The lone goal was scored by Tyler Johnson in the first. You’d think after that it would be totally dull. AU CONTRAIRE. What a great game. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished when the boyos stay out of the penalty box.
Tyler Johnson after scoring his goal in the first.
During the second period Drayson Bowman’s mouthguard fell out. And onto the ice. And he kept looking around waiting for the right moment to rescue it. He tried to like pick it up with his stick. And then decided to just flop over the boards and snatch it. He held it out for the trainer, “water.” And then put it back in his mouth.
I dropped my mouthgaurd. will you get it for me plz?
Then during the second it was getting a bit hectic in Tokarski’s crease and at one point Reddington just shoved the puck to Toka so he could cover it. It was pretty much “here you hide this!”
Reddington and Tokarski.
I should probably talk about the goalie. He did get a shutout, stopping an insaneeeee 41 shots on goal. Cupcakes, amirite or amirite? It wasn’t like it was a light workload either, he was everywhere and on point, go go gadget arm style. It was like, “Hey babe it’s ok I got this, I am Dustin FRIGGEN Tokarski. ” He was the first star, obvs. I wanted to give him all three stars. Apparently you aren’t allowed to do that. Second star of the night was Trevor Glass who was in beast mode. He broke two sticks and was a complete animal landing hits. Glasser, I love you darling. I love the beard too. It reminds me of last year. Fuzzy, warm, metal memories…
oh hey wassup, i'm trevor glass. i'm in beast mode.
It was a brilliant effort by the Chiefs and I was proud of them. The arena atmosphere was ridiculous. Despite the small numbers, it was just unreal. Standing ovations for saves and screaming triumphantly at the hustle the Chiefs were showing. There was a buzz like there would be on sold out game night with Tri. Kids, we are in post season. This is playoffs, welcome and thanks for joining us.
the Chief celebrating the win.
The Chiefs will be on the road Friday. Can you handle that? And the home Easter Sunday. Wear your Sunday best to the game. Please believe I will.
Sorry about that last double post. I was posting from my phone and each time it said there was a program error so I figured it didn’t even go through. Surprise! They did.
Anyways, the Chiefs found some chemistry. And to demonstrate said chemistry I am going to link a Girls Aloud vid, Biology from their album Chemistry. You see what I did there? Pretty sneaky, sis.
The Chiefs seeme to have gotten back into the swing of things and I didn’t have to throw a temper trantrum. I did however kick the seat in front of me in the first period. Which was a bad idea, because I scuffed my new heels. Que sera. Brady Calla was a sexy sexy plus 3 on the night. Our darling Dr Dray was plus 4. Man I think I need to bring back the Bowman Post Season Point Watch.
The Chiefs win 5-2. There were chalupas. But as usual I forgot to grab my coupon. Whatevs. I was really happy with the effort the boyos put on tonight. They made it clear this is OUR house and were actually playing like ohhhh I dunno, defending Memorial Cup champs. Dustin Tokarski had a light workload, stopping 16 of 18 shots, but that is a good thing. Guys! Baldwin wasn’t in that green shirt! I was soooooo confused. The Panel told me other things to note here and I am totally blanking. Argh. They will remind me.
Tomorrow is game four. It is CRUCIAL that the Chiefs carry the momentum from tonight into tomorrow. And it is crazy important that peeps show up to the game. Tonight’s crowd was totally weaksauce. Not even 5,000. Tell all your friends it’s hockey night in Spokanada and the arena needs people who are excitable and into super enthusiastic high fiving. Like meeeeee.
Lettsy’s parents, thanks for the deep fried Oreos!
Many apologies. An impromtu Jason Statham movie bloc (The Bank Job and Crank) delayed my posting. Anyways I think it’s perhaps safe to say the Chiefs got their swagger back. Or perhaps Levko Koper was worried I forgot his name and tossed up two goals and two assists. OW OW OWWWWWW. Oh look, Drayson Bowman isn’t the only one putting up post season points. And I laiiiiike it, I laiiiiiike it a lot. Tyler Johnson put up two goals and not to be left out of the fun Stefan Ulmer was like “you think defensemen can’t score? try me.” Levko Koper posts a saucy plus 3. So CUPCAKES FOR KOPER. He can have some of the salted caramel ones I baked yesterday. Dustin Tokarski stopped 32 of 33 pucks, rawr. The return of Trevor Glass and Ryan Letts was the kick in the ass some of the boyos needs. I love you, Chiefs. And you were 100 percent on the power play! Alright all of you can have some cupcakes, but Lev gets firsties.
FOR THE FUCK OF SHIT, please stop moving games. I would really like to know if the Chiefs can do something such as mess with a playoffs schedule for something trivial. Yes, I referred to this Gonzaga game as trivial. Moving games because of food poisoning? Yes, that was pretty much needed. Games being shuffled becausee most of the region was a state of emergency, buried in snow? Yep, it had to be done. But moving a playoff game for Gonzaga? Ehhhh no, that is not a must happen scenario. Choose where you want to be. It’s cake or pie. You can’t have both. And what’s with this caring about Gonzaga when it’s only convienent/money/brackets involved? Look, I think it’s great people support the Bulldogs since they’ve won shit. Perhaps it will put more bodies in the arena, but still it means shoving the Chiefs into the background.
Whatevers. All I can say to the boyos, y’all better come out with some swagger. Use the extra time to come out swinging. The swinging is figurative because I don’t want any more injuries, suspensions, etc.
Oh and filed under HAWTNESS;
"...if they hate then let em hate and watch the money pile up."
Stick tap to Scotty Wazz for sending me that clipping from Prospects Magazine.
The WHL awards were announced and I can’t say that I am entirely happy with the results. But at this point in time I am pretty much used to Dustin Tokarski being snubbed. He’s made his young career out of being skipped over and showing everyone what’s what.
Rather spout vemon because that accomplishes nothing, ragging on someone isn’t attractive either. Instead I focus on the wonderful; the lean and mean under 2.00 goals against average that is currently sitting at 1.97. Tokarski notched seven shutouts this season includes two back to back perfect games. He has seen many minutes in the pipes which I have been critical of but he still stands tall facing the most shots in the league. The boyo meets the challege and is like “it’s cool babe, I got this.” On top of that there is his super hottttt saves percentage that was often league leading. A crisp goalie who has the power to shake up the future of Tampa. It’s ok if he didn’t win this one; there is bigger and better hardware waiting for him. It’s truly unknown whether Toka returns to the Chiefs next season to set more records or starts his journey to the NHL. Clearly, a goalie worth swooning over. But in the meanwhile, it’s PLAYOFFS!!!!1.
Rally in the Red. Mark it, dude. Wear Chiefs colors or go home.
The game was quite dull. I felt bad for the kittens. The awards were presented before the game and I only remember a few. Scholastic went to Kuhn. MVP went to Toka. Spurgalicious picked up defensemen and the lockerroom awards. Johnson picked up a few as well. I saw a dude in a Luke Schenn Rockets jersey. <33333
As for the game…well then. I can’t be mad at the boys, they really tried. Drayson Bowman I think is the one Chief who never slacks off. I don’t think he has it in him to phone it in. Perhaps he wasn’t out late with the Thursday poker shenanigans and wasn’t ill…Tokarski was really crisp and I wasn’t disappointed. Mitch Wahl on the other hand was a bit of a mess. Was he delirious with a fever or something? He has having problems staying on his skates and was just not in typical form. The team was just out of it, but I like to think they were actually trying. I suppose on the bright side the game wasn’t a bloodbath since the Chiefs lost 1-0…
I spent the game twittering with The Canadian, one of my favorite people. Then she wrote this ahhhhmazing post you better read. She started to pull music picks for a theorhetical Chiefs movie. That obviously Emilo Estevez has to play coach in. I mean honestly, what is he doing these days?
Anyways it wasn’t the regular season finale I was hoping for, but I can live with it. I have some picture to edit and sort through before I toss them up. Post season action starting Friday and Saturday.
Enjoy the Stereophonics. ♥
Take a look at me now.
Oh and I have to say it’s really great that when I come home after a game there are a bunch of comments. Thanks lovelies. Have a great St Patricks Day.
If you have any tips, phone numbers, mayhjah issues, Mustache Monday submissions or don't like the flavor of Haterade; wraparoundcurl@gmail.com
On the docket;
Toronto: Spring Break. The TO could use a dame of my caliber.
hockey boyfriend power rankings.
1. Dustin Tokarski, you will probably always occupy the number one slot. Nice job ninjaing the starting goalie slot for the Admirals.. 2 Kyle Beach, we are just like John Bender and Clare Standish in the Breakfast Club and I sorta love you. 3. Milan Lucic, babe I think I am suffering from Lucic Lust... 4. Sean Avery, you scored two goals on the Leafs and all I could do was giggle.
