All-Star Game Day

The All-Star teams hit the ice together for the first time this morning, but it wasn't too much of a practice as each squad was out there for maybe half an hour and didn't do anything all too complicated.

Both head coaches seem confident that their teams carry enough talent for things to click during the game tonight, and for the most part, all the guys seem to be having fun.

"They really are a good bunch of kids," Coach Ruskowski said. "They're out there working hard, and doing what they have to do. We had a good practice today, and I'm looking forward to them coming back and playing hard tonight. They came here for a reason, to make their cities and their team proud of them, so I'm hoping they'll do that the right way and we'll come out victorious."

I do have to note, though, that the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees players on the South Texas team don't seem to be bonding with their teammates the way everyone else on both teams are.

After practice, the Killer Bees guys came out of the dressing room in groups of teammates to go to lunch while everyone else was mingling and cracking jokes, and it was something that a Bucks employee I'm not sure would want to be identified and I talked about noticing earlier.

Should be interesting to see how that plays out on the ice tonight, but Jesse Bennefield, the South Texas alternate captain from the Killer Bees, expects things to go well.

"It's fun playing with these guys, getting to know them," he said. "Playing on the same team for one night should be fun. It will be interesting. We'll just go and try to have fun, and hopefully we'll get a win tonight."

Ruskowski said he is considering playing the South Texas skaters with their teammates, forward lines and defensive pairings combined, but to start the game, he'll mix things up a bit.

"We talked about it in my office, and we changed up a couple things," Ruskowski said. "We feel pretty confident with what we have. It's subject to change after the first period or the second period, we might move things around a little bit. We're probably going to start (Andy) Franck in goal, and (Kevin) Nastiuk will end the game. We seem pretty positive on the guys up front and their defensive partners. If we do change, the only thing we're going to change is maybe the Corpus guys line will play with their defense, Laredo forwards will play with their defense and Rio will play their defense. I was thinking about it last night, actually, maybe because they're more familiar with their tendencies and what they do and don't do, so maybe it would be a good, but for now we're going to keep what we have - a little mixture, with different players playing with different guys. I think it's healthy that way; they look forward to playing with each other."

CHL Coach Kevin McClelland doesn't have similar plans.

"They’re going to be set in stone, and they’re not going to change," he said of his lines. "This is a game for the fans in Laredo and all the CHL fans at home, to watch these guys, and there will be a lot of skill and a lot of excitement out there."

Finalizing his lines was McClelland's top priority today, and he mentioned something he had already noted to me yesterday about the advantages of having a few forwards from the same teams in his lineup.

"I just wanted to get them used to each other," he said. "We formed our lines, did a couple odd-man rushes, 3-on-2s. It doesn’t give them a lot of time to get prepared, but at least they’re a little familiar. The big thing is that the top two lines, I have (Riley) Nelson and (Kevin) Ulanski who are used to playing with each other and (Bruce) Graham and Bowers who are used to playing with each other, so there’s some familiarity already. But these guys have so much skill, they’re the cream of the crop in the CHL, it doesn’t take long."

He, Coach Chris Brooks and Coach Brent Hughes all played a part in conducting their team's practice, with each running at least one drill, and after practice, Ruskowski joked about his assistant's roles.

"I think that they're here for a reason, and they obviously do a great job," Ruskowski said. "I have a whole lot of respect for them, but I do have to say, if we lose, it's their faults and if we win, it's my victory. Their names and credibility are on the line, and mine's pretty much set in place right now in a positive way."

All-Star Games are usually fairly high-scoring, obviously, and almost everyone I talked to today seemed to think tonight would be the same case.

"I hope so," Mississippi RiverKings defenseman Derek Landmesser said. "I think All-Star Games, fans want to see a whole lot of goals, there's not a whole lot of defense played. They like to see the pretty passes and stuff like that, so I don't expect any defense tonight. It'll be a lot of run-and-gun and a lot of goals and entertainment for the fans."

Added McClelland, "Yeah, but you've got some quality goaltenders in there, too. There will probably be a lot of odd-man rushes and a lot of guys cheating the zone, so I imagine seeing quite a few goals. But that's exciting, to come and watch a really free-skating game and lots of goals."

Ruskowski, on the other hand, hopes to see at least some defensive effort out there.

"We talked about that," he said. "I told them I've been fortunate and blessed enough to be in this situation a few times as a head coach, and the thing that really disappoints me is the effort that people put it into the game. I told them they're representing their team and their city, so I'd like to have a really close-checking, good defensive game. Obviously, there will be a few goals, but if we only give up what we have to, the other end will take care of itself."

I asked IceRays forward Justin Quenneville, an alternate captain for the South Texas squad, if he thinks they have the scoring power to keep up with the CHL team that features the league's top five point leaders, and he, of course, said yes.

"No question," he said. "It'll be a lot of fun. We have some offensive players on the team, and I think with the three strong lines we have, it's no question we can put together a good offensive front. I think we'll do okay tonight."

Colorado Eagles defenseman Aaron Schneekloth, one of the guys who helped the Eagles hold the CHL All-Stars to four goals last season, said he doesn't know what to expect tonight as far as scoring goes.

"You know, it's tough," he said. "We've only played Laredo and Rio once, and we haven't played Corpus, so I don't know how they're going to play together or what they're game plan wwill be. But I'm sure everyone will play hard, and I'm sure the goalies will want a tight, defensive game, too."

Speaking of goalies, the South Texas team will only be using two in Jean-Philippe Levasseur's absence, with Franck starting and Nastiuk taking over later in the game as noted previously.

Ruskowski has seen a lot of both of these goalies, who each have wins against his Bucks this season, and he expects only good things tonight.

"It didn't really matter who we chose to start or finish because they're both excellent players," he said. "They've got great work ethic, they're the type of guys who have a lot of fun, and they're both coming in here with a lot of confidence. That's a nice way to have goalies coming into any kind of games, with the confidence and work ethic they have."

McClelland expects to see a strong work ethic from everyone on his team and thinks their experience with winning has given them the competitive nature needed to take even games that are meant to be shows seriously.

"These guys have been playing this game since they were five years old," he said. "They have that winning attitude, so I think they’ll be ready."

Though they didn't get much practice time together, Landmesser expects things to click and knows the effort will be there.

"These games, it’s a lot of offense and a lot of run-and-gun," he said. "We’ll do our best, and we’ll work hard at putting on a good show for the fans."

Goalies for the CHL team are Joel Martin of the Odessa Jackalopes, Ken Carroll of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and Danny Battochio of the Rapid City Rush - three guys who have been very tough to score against this season.

All the players who got letters for tonight's game shared similar sentiments, noting that everyone selected to the teams is qualified to wear one, but I'd kind of think that would make it more of an honor.

As mentioned yesterday, Bucks player/assistant coach Jeff Bes will be the South Texas captain, getting his third All-Star Game 'C', and he said he's "proud to be a part of" the game and be a leader for it.

Colorado Eagles forward Riley Nelson will be the captain for the CHL team.

For South Texas, Bennefield and Quenneville are the alternates, while Schneekloth and Landmesser each got an 'A' from McClelland.

Here are the thoughts the other guys shared on being selected:

Quenneville: "It's a huge honor for me, not only to be selected among my peers, but to be a starter is an incredible honor and to be alongside guys like Jeff Bes and Darryl Smith, who have been key, marquee players in this league, it's just going to be a lot of fun. With that said, we'd like to represent our team, and I've been fortunate enough to do that a couple times, so I'm looking forward to it."

Bennefield: "There are a lot of great players here and a lot of leadership in the dressing room, so it's nice to wear the 'A' for the team and even be here for everything."

Nelson: "Everybody here is a leader on their own team, so it's an honor to have it on your jersey, but realistically, you have how many captains in this room... so everybody's here to work hard and have fun, so hopefully we'll put a good show on. It's just nice to be able to sit in the room and meet some new guys and tell some stories. After the weekend's over, we'll go back to business."

Landmesser: "To be named alternate captain is definitely an honor. There are a lot of good players in both of these rooms, and a lot of leaders; I'm fortunate enough to have been around for long enough in this league, so it's a nice honor. I'm sure it was Kevin McClelland who made this choice, so I'm obviously happy."

Schneekloth: "It's an honor to play in the game to begin with, and to play with the top-end guys in the league and be recognized as a leader is a real honor. Probably every guy in that locker room has one on their jersey, so it probably could have been given to anyone, so just to have it is a real honor, especially playing in the league for a handful of years now."

I had hoped to talk to each of the Bucks who are playing in tonight's game, but birthday boy Jarred Mohr managed to sneak out of the arena behind everyone's backs, so here are some thoughts from everyone else about playing with their rivals and what they hope to see tonight:

Bes: "It's going to be a great experience. You battle against these guys all year, and you know what kind of players they are and what kind of heart and desire they have, as well, because you play them so many times. To be able to play on the same team as them and show what South Texas is all about with Corpus and Rio and Laredo and show what our league's all about, show what we're about down here and go out there with the pride and the passion that we have for hockey to show that and prove that to the rest of the CHL."

"That's what professional sports is all about, in a situation like this, to be able to come together for a couple days, enjoy the festivities that are going on, get to know each other on a personal level and bond to go out and play together. That's going to be a lot of fun, it's something I think each and every one on the team is looking forward to, and then of course, back to reality after that. When the weekend comes, we'll go back to the heated rivalries we have with both Corpus and Rio. But for the next couple days, it's going to be a lot of fun and a very enjoyable time."

"I'm hoping to see a sold-out crowd. That would be phenomenal. I've always said we have the best fans in the CHL, the most passionate and the most supportive, and I think with the fans from Corpus and Rio also coming, it's going to be a great crowd out there, and we're going to put on a good, entertaining hockey game and hopefully prove to the rest of the CHL what we're all about."

"It's up to the coaching staff, of course, but I'm sure they're going to put some players who play on the same team together, and the CHL team has a couple players from each team that play together. It's going to be a fun, entertaining game, and I think it's going to be very enjoyable to watch, and it's something I'm proud to be a part of."

Rivet: "Hopefully we'll put on a good show. The guys are excited, and they've been enjoying the affair so far with last night and just getting together and some guys getting reacquainted and some meeting guys for the first time. All in all, I think it's going to be a good show, and the other team, as well, will want the same thing. It should be an exciting game, an offensive-style game, I imagine, as most All-Star Games are, but we're looking forward to going out there and having some fun."

"I think one of the good qualities about hockey players is that everything is left out on the ice. You go out there and grind it out, then after the game, a lot of the guys are buddies and will go out and have a beer together. That's just the way the game is played, it's always been that way; we're all teammates here for this game, and guys are getting along and enjoying it, then after tonight, it's back to the grind. That's just the way the game goes."

Forward Evan Schwabe: "It's a huge honor, and it's kind of sunk in a little more today being out there with all the good players we have, not only on this team, but in the league. It's definitely an honor and a privilege to be a part of it."

"For the past few days, it's been kind of nice to see what type of guys they are and have a little fun with them, go out there and pass the puck around a little bit and laugh and joke."

"I'm hoping we can put on a good show for our fans and the fans in the league, too. My understanding is we're going to be on TV all over the place, and we have to promote this league as best we can and prove it's a great league and we have great players."

Forward Darryl Smith: Obviously, it's a huge honor to be recognized not only by your team but by other teams in the league, especially to be voted in as a starter, so that's a big accomplishment that I'll look back on."

"Obviously it's a little different, we're not going to be hitting them tonight. Everybody seems to be getting along pretty well, getting to know each other. They're not that bad. It's been a lot of fun, so tonight's game should be a lot of fun."

"An All-Star Game is something really special, and to be able to play it on your home rink in front of your home fans is something you can really look back on for years. It's a great honor, and I'm pretty sure there will be a good crowd out there tonight."

Obviously the "not that bad" line was delivered jokingly, mostly for the sake of Quenneville, who will be playing on a line with Smith and was listening to his answers during the interview.

Quenneville also shared his thoughts on playing alongside guys he's usually trying to score against:

"It'll be fun," he said. "These kind of events, it's for hockey players, we all pull together. Times like this when we're fortunate enough to play together for a few shifts, we'll take advantage of it. It'll be fun, too, because we can razz each other a little bit out there and start with some plays that we might not otherwise try in a real game. It's more or less for fun, for the fans, and we look forward to putting on a good show. But with that said, at the end of the game, we're back in a Corpus Christi IceRays jersey, and we look forward to playing against them this weekend."

But as much as all the South Texas guys talked about how nice it is getting to know their rivals, the CHL players are also spending time with some people who are usually their enemies on the ice, and they're enjoying it, too.

"We’ve had a great couple days here, pretty much stuck together as a whole the whole time," Schneekloth said. "It’s fun to get to know guys on opposing teams, and we had a good skate here this morning, had some fun, so I think it will be a good game. I think we’re doing all right."

Would you believe I still have more quotes left over? Well, I do, but I think I'll give you some time to recover from this post before sharing them. All of the quotes on here, except the ones from Bes and Nelson, are from today, while the ones I haven't transcribed yet are from yesterday's media luncheon.

Some of yesterday's quotes are featured in the preview story in the special All-Star Game section in today's Times. Hope you guys enjoyed that; we had to put it all together yesterday, so it was a lot of work, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and would like to say thanks to designer extraordinaire Tanya Ramirez for putting the inside pages together in addition to handling three other sections last night.

A few more of yesterday's quotes were used for my story in today's daily, which is a more in-depth look at the coaches for tonight's game, with a focus on McClelland and Ruskowski's relationship, which dates back to their NHL playing days.

They both talk about each other with a lot of respect, as all the coaches did, and it's always fun to hear thoughts from guys who play/played at the highest level, as McClelland, Ruskowski and Hughes all have.

The All-Star banquet was also held yesterday, and I had to step out before comedian Jerry Rocha did his show, but I hear I didn't miss much.

I did, however, get to see something very exciting:




















And I of course took some photos of some names that I'm very happy to see where they are:



















I don't even want to know how long this post is right now, so I'm going to end it, but I'll be back to live blog from a different spot in the LEC press box tonight.

Here are a couple links before I close this one out: Pointstreak pre-game notes, Brian Sandalow's All-Star feature on Chris Garbutt and Sean Muncy.

And, one more time, here's the broadcast information for tonight's game; hope some of you will be at the LEC to check it out yourselves.