2007-2008 Season Ends - Goodbyes Begin

The 2007-2008 CCHL season mercifully ended last night with a 4-3 loss to the Havana Moon at Eissporthalle Linz. The game was close all night, and tied 3-3 with only 8 seconds to go in the third period when unlikely goal scoring Shane Hnidy scored (his first goal of the season no less) on the power play after Todd Fedoruk took a stupid penalty with less than a minute to go. In the game, Michael Ryder managed to hit the 30 goal mark, and Derrick Walser scored his 9th and Jiri Hudler scored his 2nd.

While some teams get set for the second season, the Black Wings began saying their goodbyes. Tops on the list was Eddie Belfour, who announced his retirement at the end of the season. Other Black Wings that have likely played their last game with the Linz team include enforcers Donald Brashear and Todd Fedoruk and non-scoring centreman Shawn Bates.

The season's best Black Wing was of course Jason Spezza, who with linemates Marty St. Louis and Kyle Wellwood, formed a fearsome scoring line. Spezza managed 38 goals and beat the 100 point mark, a first ever for a Linz Black Wing player (in 2002-2003, Marty St. Louis led the team with 51 points). Kyle Wellwood's 79 points were a happy surprise and leading the team in +/- was a shock considering his well documented defensive liabilities.

Looking to the future, the Black Wings in 2008-2009 will likely see some players providing a much bigger presence while others may fade into the woodwork. Patrick O'Sullivan, Jiri Hudler, Eric Perrin and Scottie Upshall all look to provide more punch next season. They will have to help replace Michael Ryder and Kyle Wellwood who perhaps played beyond expectations this season but will both reutn next year. Pascal Leclaire is the goalie of the future and with Belfour's retirement, Leclaire will look to be the #1 man next year between the pipes. Martin Hanzal also looks to be ready to join the big club full time next season as well.

The Wings would like to thank all their fans for coming out this year, and putting up with a lot of frustration. The team prosmises to be better in the future while maintaining a core of talent that's been with the team for years.