My Favorite Spots to Grab a Bite in the North Division

By: Joey Battaino

When you're a broadcaster on a trip with the fellas, you can only prep and gather content so much before there is a bit of down time. Sometimes you might take a dip in the hotel pool or have an "off the record" with coach, but even then, a mans gotta eat. Today I take you around the North division and tell you my favorite spots to snag some grub.

For breakfast, it has to be Frank's Place in beautiful Sault Saint Marie. Frank's is small diner located on Portage right across from the Soo Locks. The people there are great. The breakfast spread is unbelievable and always fresh. French toast and pancakes or fresh fruit, if that's your forte. All you can eat buffet style, so you always get your money's worth, at least I do. You go ahead and try to get between Coach Mantha and the sticky buns from Frank's, I wouldn't do it.

Pre-game meal is a special time for the players, coaches, and myself. Players chat it up before the game, in a final moment before they lay it all on the line for 60 minutes. Coaches talk about final lineup adjustments. Who's in and who's out? What goalie should we go with tonight? For me, it's a chance to revisit some notes I have before the game. Pre-game meal is important for the broadcaster because this is our chance to avoid the dreaded, "Concession stand food" With the departure of Jamestown, I will take you to Janesville, WI and the, "Like Grandma used to make" taste of The Italian House. This has been the host spot for the Janesville Jets for as long as I have been in the league. The restaurant embraces it's relationship with visiting teams by having all the players sign a plate from the restaurant, and hanging it up on the wall. Now me, being full blooded Italian, may be a tad biased, but this food is the closest I've tasted to Olga's (my grandma) pasta. The chicken parm sandwiches are excellent as well. No need for a concession stand trip after a meal at The Italian House.

There you have it. If you are even in Janesville, WI or the Soo, make sure you check out these locations when you need to replenish. Enjoy.

Michigan Warriors Off-Season Update

By: Joey Battaino


The NAHL draft is complete, the tender list is filled, and it is almost time for main camp at Flint's Iceland Arena. Yes, another season of Warriors hockey is drawing near. After last seasons disappointing finish, the Warriors look to have the roster that could return them to their glory days of 2010-11.

Lets start with an injury update on Zack Szajner. I exchanged text messages with Szajner about a week ago. He had just taken his first skate since he tore a muscle in his groin on March 15th in Janesville. All signs point to Szajner being ready for camp on July 16th.

Warriors draft pick D David Hopfer (94) is participating in Muskegon's open camp, this week. Making that team could be a blessing for Hopfer, as the Warriors are set to return all seven defenseman from last season. However, defensive depth is not something the Warriors have had in the past two seasons. The coaching staff is very high on Hopfer and will certainly give him playing time, if he earns it.

The one guy that I can't wait to see play is Scott Cuthrell. Sure, the numbers are gaudy (88 points in 46 games last season in Cleveland) but the question that everyone wants to know is will he be able to have that same success at the tier II level? Most tier III players don't, however I don't think the Warriors coaches are banking on 50+ points from Cuthrell this season. Returners like Colin Larkin, Connor Lyons, and Zack Szajner will help carry the scoring load along with a maturing A.J Marcinek, and a healthy Brad Pizzey.

I'll have updates for you throughout the off-season. Thanks for reading!
     

NAHL Playoffs: North Division Play-in Picks

Since my Warriors are out of the playoff picture for the first time since moving from Marquette, I can give you my non-biased picks for the 1st round of the NAHL Robertson Cup playoffs. Unlike other writers, I'm only going to make picks on the teams I watch.

North division Play-in (Best of 3)

3 Kalamazoo (35-19-6) vs. 6 Springfield (26-30-4)

If you're Kalamazoo, there's only one thing you have to worry about in this series. Brett Skibba. If he catches fire, Springfield has a prayer. Kalamazoo will light up Springfield goaltending so they'll need Skibba to keep pace. This will be a short series as Marc Fakler will give em the "Win it for Fozzie" speech. K-Zoo in a 2 game sweep.

4 Port Huron (32-24-4) vs. 5 Johnstown (27-21-12)

This should be a good match-up. Port Huron won the season series, 6-2 and they finished the year on an 8-game winning streak. Like it or not, the winner of this series may be determined by who gets the officiating duties. If Johnstown is allowed to play their rough and tumble style with no consequence, this may frustrate Port Huron's stars. I like Port Huron in 2. Johnstown just doesn't have enough scoring punch to fly with the Falcons. 

The Life of a Junior Hockey Broadcaster

By: Joey Battaino

Many people look at junior hockey as a game. A sport, played by 16-20 year old men from all around the world. The truth is, it's a lifestyle. This goes for the coaches (who most likely played junior hockey themselves) all the way to the bus driver. When you're a fan of the game, you choose to watch the sport. You like it, so of course you want to watch. When you work in the game, it seems like hockey chooses you. It's your calling. That's how I feel about the game. I feel like I was put on this earth to describe the action on the ice to as many people as there are that want to hear it. It's almost a spiritual feeling when you walk in that rink, whether at home or on the road, and you feel it. There's just something in that rarefied air that says something unbelievable is going to happen here tonight. Something that you've never seen before, and may never see again. That's the beauty of the game. You're guaranteed that the exact same thing that happened one night, will not happen the next. No goal is scored the same. No fight ends with the same amount of bloodshed. No shot ever comes off the stick the exact same way. The lifestyle is hard to understand for people who don't work in hockey. Missed birthdays and holidays, time spent on the bus, sometimes for hours at a time. Distance away from your loved ones. It can certainly take a toll.

How do you explain it?

I don't because I can't even begin to try.

People ask me all the time if it's worth it. I always say, "Is it worth it to chase your dream?"
 

     

Michigan Warriors Alumni Update

By: Joey Battaino

Robert Tadazak- The 2010-11 NAHL MVP registered his first win with the Army Black Knights after a 5-2 win against Sacred Heart on October 19th. Robert has a 1-2-1 record this season with a Goals Against Average at 3.95. The Black Knights take on former Michigan Warrior, Pat Gregory and Niagara this weekend.

Ryan Trenz- Ryan is a true freshman playing for Northern Michigan University. Other NAHL alum's at Northern include Reed Seckel and D.J Vandercook.

A.J White- True freshman A.J White has appeared in three games this season for UMass-Lowell. He has one assist so far this season.

Joey Ferriss- True freshman Joey Ferriss has been held without a point in three games this season for the UConn Huskies.

Kevin Gibson- Sophomore Kevin Gibson has two points in three games this season for University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Mike Szuma- Sophomore Mike Szuma should see more playing time this season on Red Berenson's defense. 0 Points in 1 game played this season.

Justin Hoomaian- Sophomore forward Justin Hoomaian looks for a good year for Sparty after an injury laden freshman campaign. Hoomaian already has an assist in two games for the Spartans this season.

Even After 2-5 Start, Don't Sleep On The Michigan Warriors

By: Joey Battaino

After a 23-32-5 campaign and a quick first round exit of the playoffs at the hands of the Port Huron Fighting Falcons, expectations were high for the brand new cast of characters that made up the 2012-13 edition of the Michigan Warriors hockey club. Since the trade of defenseman Derek O'Flynn, the Warriors have only four remaining players from last seasons roster. (Martin Gruse, Brad Pizzey, Luke Fiegl and Trevor Gorsuch) But before we chalk this year up as a disappointment, already (some have) lets take a look at the Warriors first seven games and break them down.

In the 10th annual NAHL Showcase, the Michigan Warriors played the top two teams in both the West and the South division. Wenatchee, who beat the Warriors 3-0, are 8-0 to start the 2012-13 campaign. Texas, who beat the Warriors in day 1, 7-1 is 5-0 this season. Topeka (5-0-1) suffered their only loss of the season to the Warriors in a shootout on day 2. And Fairbanks, who beat the Warriors, 5-4 is second behind Wenatchee in the West division.

Many will read this post and say that i'm a typical P.R spin artist who will do anything to make my team look good. Well, you'd be right. But also remember that this is my personal blog and I don't have to spin anything. Take a look at Massey's Ratings (the same guy who scores the BCS) Yeah, he does it for the NAHL, too. According to Massey, even after a game with the Soo and two with the Johnstown Tomahawks, the Warriors strength of schedule ranks 3rd in the 24 team NAHL Statistically, only Bismarck (Central) and Springfield (North) have had a tougher go through the first month of the regular season.

Injuries: Every team gets them, not every team gets four of them in the first game of the season. Brad Pizzey and Sean Reynolds both sustained separated shoulders. Reynolds has since returned. Pizzey is still on the shelf. Top forward Jon Farkas came down with Mono of all things, and Luke Rendino was sidelined with a rib injury. There's no time table for when Farkas or Pizzey will return to the lineup but when they do, it is the certain the Warriors will have a much easier time scoring goals. The Warriors have made having the man adavntage look about as easy as quantum physics. Their 1 for 26 start on the PP this season has them looking up to see bottom to start the season. This is a category Jon Farkas will help immensely in. His knows for the net was obvious last season, even when it was overshadowed by the god-given skills of players like Sean Murphy and Eric Rivard last season in Traverse City. Brad Pizzey is a stocky forward who "Plays the game the right way" He's not a afraid to get dirty in the corners, through a big check, and he'll even score you a few goals. His game is something the Warriors are lacking right now. It's energy.

Long story short, the Michigan Warriors will be fine this season. Look for an above .500 team, who gets in the playoffs, and hey, for the first time since year one of the franchise, a team that's not afraid to mix it up. The Warriors are 5th in the eight team North division in PIMS. The Warriors have a nice mix of talent with players like Brock Labelle, Zach Szajner, Jake Hopfner, and A.J Marcinek but also provide some snarl from players like Zach Mudge, Garret Prochazka, Paul Sorenson, and Martin Gruse. And for only $7 a ticket, you get one hell of a show at the Perani Arena & Event Centre.


This is my personal blog and in no way reflects the opinions of the Michigan Warriors, the NAHL, or any of it's franchises. 

A Locked Out NHL Could Resurrect Hockey in Flint

By: Joey Battaino

If you're entwined in the hockey world or you are even a casual fan of the NHL, you are probably aware that this year is a contract year in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement with the Players Association. It's already August and the two sides seem as far apart as ever. Especially after today when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the NHL owners will lockout the players if a new CBA is not agreed to by September 15th.

Now that you're up to speed, lets talk hockey in the city of Flint, MI. The NAHL's Michigan Warriors are heading into their 3rd season of existence. They have made the playoffs in each of their first two seasons, including a birth in the 2011 National Championship game of the Robertson Cup Tournament. The problem in Flint has never been a lack of on-ice talent. The problems in Flint have come from poor marketing execution and a mostly apathetic target market dealing with the hardships of the current economic depression.

In 2004, the NHL lost a full season to a work stoppage. At that time, the "AA" United Hockey League was in Flint and the Generals were in their 12th season as the current Generals. The Generals went 33-33-14 and missed the playoffs for the third time in the past five seasons after winning the Colonial Cup in 1999-00. However, that season the friendly confines of Perani Arena hosted an average of 3,099 people per night in the 4,021 seat arena. The rink was alive. Whether it was cheering a goal from local hero Bobby Reynolds or watching fiery youngster John DiPace put up 229 penalty minutes, the fans were back and they came out in droves to watch the Generals not make the playoffs. They did because they didn't have their beloved Detroit Red Wings to cheer on. The Joe was silent for all 82 games of the NHL regular season and the UHL and other minor pro leagues were loving it. They were making NHL dollars on a sub-par but entertaining product.

I feel the that a lockout could work in the favor of the Michigan Warriors the same way. As much as it pains me to admit it, the Warriors take a distant back seat to High School Football and Basketball in the city of Flint. However, without the convenience of seeing the game of hockey by turning on your television, the Warriors could cash in on hockey fans starving just to feel the chill of the ice in the air or the sound of a stick slapping the puck. Especially since the Warriors ticket prices are at an all-time low. For just $7 you can enjoy the stars of tomorrow in your hometown. That means a family of four can get in for under $30. That's a down, out-right steal.

No one is debating that the caliber of the NAHL is as good as the UHL or the reincarnation of the IHL. You can't. It's apples and oranges. At this point, it's also hard to explain the reasoning of why Flint hockey fans have stayed away for so long. But when it comes down to it, Flint is still a hockey town and believe it or not, I think an NHL lockout could do wonders for the future of hockey in Flint, MI.