In my blog Sergei Gonchar: Penguins Power Play Playmaker on Friday, April 4, 2008, I focused on Gonchar's PP control. In the playoff game against the New York Rangers last night, he was at work again getting 2 PP assists. That gives him 4 assists in 7 games, 3 on the PP, and also a PP goal for 5 total points. The Penguins' lead teams in the playoffs with a 27.8 Power Play Scoring Percentage with 10 goals on 36 attempts in 7 games so far. The Penguins' have such great composure on the power-play and hypnotize you with trying to mark forwards Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa. You can see on video that teams can't keep up with the pace and end-up playing a defensive passive box. The either get tired or just become zapped.
4/29/2008 Pittsburgh Penguins 5 @ New York Rangers 3 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2nd Round, Game 3 PIT, 4-3, PPG Evgeni Malkin (5) (Sergei Gonchar, Marian Hossa) 17:35 in 2nd Period
To celebrate the 2008 IIHF World Championship taking place in Halifax and Québec City, Canada from May 2nd to May 18th, Canada Post will issue a domestic rate stamp featuring the sport of hockey.
As Stephen Leacock so eloquently put it, "Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter, we are alive." (1864-1944)
The hunt for hockey's official birthplace remains a hopeless venture, but overwhelming evidence recognizes Montreal's role in establishing the sport of hockey as we know it today. Contemporary newspapers were the first to cite a match in Montreal on March 3, 1875. The game was sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) as the beginning of organized hockey. The McGill Hockey Club was formed in January 1877, and official rules were published the following month. The Montreal Winter Carnival hosted a highly-publicized tournament in 1883, and the founding of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada took place in the city three years later "to improve, foster, and perpetuate the game." From the late 1880s to the early 1890s, hockey fever swept across Ontario and Manitoba, shortly before hitting the American scene. The fervent passion the sport generated in its early days earned it the esteemed role in Canadian culture that continues today.
Creative director Lionel Gadoury and designer Dave Hurds of Context Creative worked with Canadian artist and comic book illustrator Ho Che Anderson to develop the stamp's fresh and energetic design. "Our goal was to come up with a design that would tap into the pulse and excitement of the sport," explains Gadoury. The distinctive horizontal format and tight cropping of the figures combine to express the energy and vigor of world-class competition. The brush strokes and texture within the illustration gives the perception of shredded ice, adding excitement to the noise and fast-paced action. The selective use of special metallic inks and a spot varnish enrich color reproduction, creating a sense of timelessness for Canada's favorite sport.
Hockey Canada unveiled the new Team Canada jerseys that will be worn at the upcoming IIHF World Championship as well. The jersey is a “retro-futuristic” look – combining the innovative and technological aspects of the previous jersey with a traditional and historical design that encompasses the storied past of Team Canada. The unique shoulder blocking is reminiscent of Team Canada jerseys of the past while the all-important Hockey Canada heritage logo has once again been utilized to recognize the history of Canadian hockey.
5/13/2007: 2007 IIHF World Championship Gold Medal Game: Finland 4 @ Canada 2
The playoff beard starts its growth when a player enters the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. He will not shave until his teams is eliminated or wins the Stanley Cup. It is believed that the New York Islanders' started the trend in the 1980's by players such as Denis Potvin, Butch Goring, Garry Howatt, and Ken Morrow to name a few.
I wonder if George Steinbrener the principal owner of the New York Yankees baseball team was an NHL owner - would he let his players implement this tradition? His team has a 'No Facial Hair, No Long Hair Rule'.
Edge Playoff Beard NHL Playoff Beards presented by Edge. Get your Edge.
I found this clip from the 2008 IIHF Junior World Championship where Swede Robin Figren knocked in a 'Zorro' like goal against Denmark. It was before I started my blog and thought you would find it creatively refreshing.
Robin is a New York Islanders' 3rd round choice (70th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He has just finished his second season in North America playing currently with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. Last year he skated with the Calgary Hitmen also of the WHL
"Robin has an honest work ethic that fits the Islanders mold. He plays hard and has a good dimension of skill. Robin is a dynamic skater with superb acceleration and quick hands. His shots are varied and released quickly. Robin moves the puck well and has excellent vision."
-Ryan Jankowski: New York Islanders Chief European Scout
12/28/08 Robin Figren: Zorro Goal Sweden 10 @ Denmark 1: 2008 IIHF Junior World Championship
Here are the groups drawn yesterday at the at the IIHF headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland for the 2008-09 Champions Hockey League. It will be the inaugural season for the best club teams in Europe.
Group A: Oulun Kärpät (Finland), Eisbaren Berlin (Germany), Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia).
Group B: HV71 (Sweden), Espoo Blues (Finland), Qualifier (TBD).
Group C: Salavat Yulayev Ufa (Russia), Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia), Mountfield Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic).
Group D: Slavia Prague (Czech Republic), ZSC Lions Zurich (Switzerland), Linköpings HC (Sweden).
The 12th team will be determined by a qualifier tournament with HC Kosice (Slovakia), SC Bern (Switzerland) and the Sinupret Ice Tigers Nuremberg (Germany), September 12-14. The venue is to be determined.
Group Stage: October 8, 22, 29, November 12,19 and December 3, 2008. Semi-Final: December 10, 2008, and January 7, 2009. Finals: January 21 and 28, 2009.
300,000 Euro per team (appearance fee)
50,000 Euro for each win in the group stage
200,000 Euro for semi-final appearance
1,000,000 Euro to the CHL winner
500,000 Euro for the other finalist
300,000 Euro to each participating league
100,000 Euro to each participating national association
The Colorado Avalanche pulled José Theodore at 1:13 into the second period and sent him to the back to the team hotel, saying he was sick. Theodore let in four goals in just 16 shots against the Detroit Red Wings before getting replaced by Peter Budaj last night in Game 1 of the second-round of the playoffs. The Av's lost 4-3. Game 2 is this Saturday in Detroit.
Avalanche Coach Joel Quenneville said "Jose was sick last night". "Normally, he skates the morning of a game. But he rested all day and he wanted to play. He's not feeling great right."
What would you do if you were coaching last night? Would you have started Peter Budaj who has not played in a game since March 22nd and has no NHL playoff experience? A goaltender who lost both regular season games he played against Detroit? Was it the right move?
4/24/08 Colorado Avalanche 4 @ Detroit Red Wings 3 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2nd Round, Game 1
Team Canada suffered a blow Tuesday when three-time Stanley Cup winning goalie Martin Brodeur decided not to play in the 2008 IIHF World Championships which are being held on his home soil. The Devils were eliminated four games to one in their opening round NHL series by the New York Rangers. I guess Sean Avery of the Rangers really got in to his head!
Here are his reasons for not playing:
Claiming fatigue from the National Hockey League playoffs and regular season.
"I just didn't feel like going," Brodeur said. "There are two young goalies (Cam Ward and Pascal LeClair) who made a commitment to play for Canada."
"It was a chaotic year of travel for us, the last two weeks of the season being on the road. Two weeks in the playoffs being away. It wasn't what I wanted to do."
Why he needs to play:
Brodeur was the best player for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Canada struggled to score and was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
"Definitely the fact that it's in Quebec"
Brodeur, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the best goaltender in the NHL, is once again among the finalists for the award.
Brodeur posted a 2.17 goals-against average and won 44 games this season. His .920 save percentage ranked fourth among goaltenders.
Brodeur has played for Team Canada in:
1996 IIHF World Championship (Silver)
1996 World Cup of Hockey (Lost Final)
1998 Winter Olympics (4th place)
2002 Winter Olympics (Gold)
2004 World Cup of Hockey (Champions)
2005 IIHF World Championship (Silver)
2006 Winter Olympics (Lost Quarter-Final)
Journey to the Cup: Martin Brodeur Martin Brodeur has made a name for himself in the playoffs.
The Russia Super League, considered to be the next league behind the NHL, is continuing to attract top level players from outside of Russia. Swedish club Linköpings HC has decided to loan out two of their top players for one-year next season. Tony Mårtensson will go to AK Bars Kazan while Mattias Weinhandl will go to Dynamo Moscow. They will return to Linköpings HC for the 2009-10 season.
Both Mårtensson and Weinhandl had a stellar regular season with Linköpings, finishing 1-2 in the points scoring race in Elitserien. Weinhandl led the league in goals with 35 in 54 games. He was the New York Islanders' 3rd round choice (78th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons with the Islanders and two with the Minnesota Wild.
RNK
TEAM
POS
GP
G
A
PIM
+/-
TOI/GP
TP
1
Tony Mårtensson
LHC
RW
55
17
50
36
4
21:16
67
2
Mattias Weinhandl
LHC
CE
54
35
27
69
7
18:20
62
In the the SM-Finals they lost to HV71 4-2 in games, but also had a impressive playoff campaign.
RNK
TEAM
POS
GP
G
A
PIM
+/-
TOI/GP
TP
1
Jukka Voutilainen
HV71
CE
17
9
12
12
9
20:08
21
2
Johan Davidsson
HV71
CE
17
8
12
2
7
22:16
20
3
Tony Mårtensson
LHC
RW
16
3
15
4
6
20:37
18
4
Mattias Weinhandl
LHC
CE
16
7
10
8
4
18:10
17
The Russian Super League has a newly infused cash flow from it's team ownerships. Oil, gas, railroad, and other business that the owners are invested in are are racking in huge profits in the world market's. They are pumping in money to attract NHL'ers and European professionals alike. New arenas and training facilities are being built. Advertisers are signing on and fans the are flocking to watch games. It will be interesting to see as the years progress how the Russian Super League will grow and will they be able to be on an even par with the NHL? We shall see.
4/7/08 HV 71 4 @ Linköping HC 6, (1-3, 1-1, 2-2) Elitserien SM-Final, Game 1 0-1, 03:32, Mattias Weinhandl (Tony Mårtensson, Mikael Håkanson) EQ
The Wagington Capitals have retired three numbers since the teams inception to the NHL in the 1974-75 season.
#7 Yvon Labre: Defenseman #5 Rod Langway: Defenseman #32 Dale Hunter: Center
With the play of #8 Alexander Ovechkin thus far, he is way on his way to having his number lofted to the rafters at the Verizon Center by the end of his career. With a big game seven this evening against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, Ovechkin can start to plant the seeds needed to establishing himself as a 'Capital' staple.
Ovechkin's Epic Performance Getting "The Great 8" mad only drives him that much more to being the best.
Martin Brodeur: New Jersey Devils Henrik Lundqvist: New York Rangers Evgeni Nabokov: San Jose Sharks
Brodeur won the trophy for the third time in the past four years last season. It is the eighth time he is a finalist. Lundqvist and Nabokov have never won the award. Lundqvist is a finalist for the third straight season. He was third in 2006 and 2007.
The Vezina Trophy is an annual award given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs.
Leo Dandurand, Louis Letourneau, and Joe Cattarinich, former owners of the Montreal Canadiens, presented the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1926-27 in memory of Georges Vezina, outstanding goalkeeper of the Canadiens, who collapsed during an NHL game Nov. 28, 1925, and died of tuberculosis a few months later.
Until the 1981-82 season, the goalkeeper(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season were awarded the Vezina Trophy.
2008 NHL Vezina Trophy Nominees The history of the Vezina Trophy, along with a special guest announcing this year's nominees.
The Dallas Stars, Finnish right wing, Jere Lehtinen is a 34-year-old trash metalhead. His favorite band is Slayer, the trash metal band founded in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. What exactly is trash metal? It is a sub-genre of heavy metal that is characterized by high speed riffing and aggression. Whatever it takes to get juiced up game in, game out. Lehtinen is a Minnesota North Stars' 4th round choice (88th overall) in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He has been playing with the Stars organization since 1995 and won a Stanley Cup with them in 1999. He is a top caliber two-way forward, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1998, 1999 and 2003 for the 'Top Defensive Forward in the NHL'.
You can catch him tonight in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks. The Stars will look to wrap up the series and advance to the next round.
Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen shows us his love of metal, particularly the band 'Slayer.'
Last night HV71 defeated Linköpings HC, 3-2 at 5:17 of sudden death, to win the 2008 Swedish Elitserien SM-Final. It is the teams third title, the other two came in 1995 and 2004. They won the series 4 games to 2.
In 1971 two rival teams form Jönköping, Husqvarna IF and Vätterstad IF, combined forces to become HV71. In 1979 the team qualified for the top Swedish Elitserien but only lasted one season. Then in 1985 the team qualified for the Elitserien for a second time and has been in Elitserien ever since.
Some names you might recognize that ave played for HV71 over the yeras are: Kari Eloranta, Kari Takko, Ulf Dahlén, Fredrik Stillman, Jonathan Cheechoo, Manny Malhotra, Bryan McCabe, Brian Boucher, Anders Eriksson, Andreas Karlsson, Stefan Liv, and Fredrik Olausson.
Undrafted in the Ontario Hockey League draft, Claude Grioux was picked up in a tryout by the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the 2005-06 season. He quickly moved into the light where the NHL Central Scouting spotted the rookie as he started producing in his rookie season. The Philadelphia Flyers grabbed him in the 1st round choice (22nd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Giroux, a right wing, is a play maker with amazingly quick feet. He can dish out a hit, even with his small size at 5'11", 172 lbs., and is very difficult to nail down. His soft hands and sharp on-ice vision make things happen on the ice that yield positive results. You can hear him talk about his summer training on the video below and see how hard this guy works in the off-season.
This season in 55 games he had 38 goals, 68 points for 106 points to finish second in the QMJHL in scoring. He also had a 40+/- and 37 PIM. His team, Gatineau Olympiques, begin the Semi-Final of the QMJHL Playoffs against the Halifax Mooseheads tomorrow evening. They have already eliminated the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and the Québec Remparts. He leads the league in playoff scoring with 9 goals and 18 assist for 27 points in 10 games thus far. He will be a nice addition to the Flyers lineup down the road.
Pittsburgh Penguins 'Finntastically Creative' Jarkko Ruutu, is at it again. This time with a big time game winner to sweep the first-round playoff series, 4-0, over the Ottawa Senators. This was some sweet revenge as last year the Senators knocked out Penguins in the Conference Quarterfinals, 4-1 in games.
Pen's center Tyler Kennedy picked up a bad Jason Spezza pass in his defensive zone to start the attack. Ruutu received a lead pass from Tyler Kennedy and drove past defenseman Brian Lee towards the net. He spins around and backhands one past Martin Gerber to give Pittsburgh the 2-1 lead.
Ruutu is a panic to watch as you never know what he will do to get the puck up the ice towards net. As I said, his creativity makes him fun to watch, in case you get bored with Crosby and Malkin.
04/16/2008 Pittsburgh Penguins 3 @ Ottawa Senators 1 Jarkko Ruttu (T. Kennedy): SHG, 04:32 in 2nd 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 4
The 25-year-old Minnesota Wild, Finnish center, Mikko Koivu is having a great start in his second NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. He seems to thrive in the third period where he has scored 4 goals in 4 games. Koivu has also won 44 of 85 face-offs for a 51.8% win percentage. He will be a critical asset to the Wild if they can beat Colorado in this round. They are tied 2-2 in games.
Koivu was a Minnesota Wild 1st round choice (6th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Coming from TPS in the Finnish SM-Liiga in 2004, he went to the Wild's AHL affiliate Houston Aeros for a season. Since in the NHL with the Wild he has been getting more confident each year and is the teams Alternate Captain.
In November he cracked a bone in his left leg which sidelined him for 24 games. He returned in January to the ice and has not missed a beat. Let see if he can keep strong and help move the Wild to the next round. I am sure he doesn't want to go play for the Finnish National Team at the IIHF World Championships next month. Not just yet.
Mikko Koivu is the brother of Montréal Canadiens center Saku Koivu (out for the playoffs with a broken foot - so far).
04/15/2008 Minnesota Wild 1 @ Colorado Avalanche 5 Mikko Koivu (K. Carney, B, Rolston): SHG, 16:49 in 3rd 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 4
In yesterdays blog 'Where is Peter Puck When You Need Him?' we took a look at Sean Avery's incident with Martin Brodeur. That same evening in Boston, Montréal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was giving the old 1-2 to Bruins center Petteri Nokelainen who was attempting to screen Price's view. There was no penalty called. Should have there been one? You can read the rules below and try and interpret them. Unlike with Avery, this rule is pretty clear. Isn't it?
National Hockey League Official Rules 2007-2008 Section 6 – Physical Fouls
51.1 Roughing – Roughing is a punching motion with the hand or fist, with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent. Roughing is a minor altercation that is not worthy of a major penalty to either participant. (An altercation is a situation involving two players, including goalkeepers, with at least one to be penalized). 51.2 Minor Penalty - A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who strikes an opponent with his hand or fist.
4/14/08 Carey Price vs. Petteri Nokelainen (2nd Period) Montréal Canadiens 1 @ Boston Bruins 2 OT 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 3
In the 1970's Peter Puck the cartoon character was used by 'NBC's Hockey Game of the Week' and 'CBC's Hockey Night in Canada' to explain the NHL rules to TV audiences. Well, in last night's New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers, 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff, 1st Round, Game 3 we could have used his help.
While on a 5-3 power-play, Rangers forward Sean Avery was being very creative in front of the net trying to screen and distract Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. NHL referee Don VanMassenhoven right on top of the action, but no penalty was called. Should have there been one? You can read the rules below and try and interpret them. I am curious to see what the NHL will respond with as a follow-up to this situation.
National Hockey League Official Rules 2007-2008 Section 9 – Other Fouls 69.1 Interference on the Goalkeeper - This rule is based on the premise that an attacking player’s position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed. Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgment of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review. For purposes of this rule, “contact,” whether incidental or otherwise, shall mean any contact that is made between or among a goalkeeper and attacking player(s), whether by means of a stick or any part of the body. The overriding rationale of this rule is that a goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within his goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player. If an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. If an attacking player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending player so as to cause him to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.
75.4 Misconduct Penalty - Misconduct penalties shall be assessed under this rule for the following infractions: (iii) Any player or goalkeeper who, after warning by the Referee, persists in any course of conduct (including threatening or abusive language or gestures or similar actions) designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.
4/14/08 Sean Avery vs. Martin Brodeur (2nd Period) New Jersey Devils 4 @ New York Rangers 3 OT 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 3
Peter Puck: Penalties, Signs and Fines (Episode 4), 1970's
Boston College's, Nathan Gerbe, had two goals and two assists giving them the 2008 NCAA Ice Hockey Championship. They beat Notre Dame 4-1, finally giving The Eagles the tile where they had been runner-ups the last two seasons. This is their third NCAA title, the other two being in 1949 and 2001. Gerbe was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four Tournament.
At only 5'5" and 160 lbs. and tough as nails, Gerbe was the NCAA's leading scorer this season with 35 goals, 33 assists for 68 points in 43 games. He lost out the Hobey Baker Memorial Award for most outstanding player to University of Michigan forward Kevin Porter. Born in Oxford, Michigan the 20 year-old junior is the Buffalo Sabres' 5th round choice (142nd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Look for him to bolt to the NHL at anytime.
Nathan Gerbe: Boston College, 2008 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist
Last night Alexander Ovechkin scored the game winning goal in Game 1 of the opening round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was the NHL's leading scorers first playoff game and what a workhorse of a goal it was.
With the game tied at 4-4, the Capitals were pressing the Flyers deep in their zone, in a 2-1-2 formation, as they were setting up a breakout. Ovechkin intercepted an errant pass from Flyer defenseman Lasse Kukkonen and lights out! Caps win 5-4 in their first playoff game since 2003. This is where greatness begins.
4/11/08 Philadelphia Flyers 4 @ Washington Capitals 4 Alexander Ovechkin (04:32 in 3rd) 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 1
Rögle BK is back to the Swedish Elitserien by taking second place in the Kvalserien till Elitserien last night. Brynäs IF finished in first to secure a return to the Elitserien for next season. Rögle BK from Ängelholm, Sweden started playing ice hockey for the club in 1950. They have played seven seasons in the highest division. Four of those seasons in Elitserien (formed in 1975) from 1992-93 to 1995–96.
Defensemen Kenny Jönsson, Rögle's team captain, used his leadership and experience to help his team claim an Elitserien spot for next season. Jönsson, a Ängelholm native, started his professional career with Rögle. He played three seasons with them before heading to the NHL. He was a Toronto Maple Leafs's 1st-round choice (12th overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He played two seasons with the Toronto Male Leafs and nine with the New York Islanders. Jönsson returned to Rögle during the 2004-05 NHL lockout to play in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He decided to not return to the NHL and has remained home at Rögle since.
This season he led all defensemen in HockeyAllsvenskan scoring. He played 34 games, had 12 goals, 28 assists, for 40 points. In 9 games in Kvalserien till Elitserien he led defensemen again with 3 goals, 9 assist and 12 points.
Jönsson also has two Olympic Gold Medals that he won with the Swedish National Team in 1994 and 2006.
4/10/08 Mora IK 2 @ Rögle BK 3 (0-0, 1-0, 2-2): Kvalserien to Elitserien 2008-09
In the opening evening of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs we were shown why New York Ranger, left wing, Brendan Shanahan is all class. I am not taking about his 2nd period goal (his 59th career playoff) that opened the scoring in the game against the New Jersey Devils. But rather a simple act on the games final goal.
The Rangers were already on their way to win game one of the first-round series. The Rangers were leading 3-1 with seconds left in the game. The Devils had pulled Martin Brodeur for an extra skater. With any empty net Shanahan took a defensive zone clearing pass form defenseman Fedor Tyutin. Shanahan was joined in the neutral zone by rookie Nigel Dawes playing in his second ever NHL playoff game. Shanahan was clear to put the puck in for his career 60th, but dished off an all class pass to Dawes for his 1st career playoff goal. You can't get any more classy than that!
Shanahan, 40, was a New Jersey Devils' 1st round choice (2nd overall) in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He has played with the Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings (3 Stanley Cups) and now with the New York Rangers. For the Canadian National Team Shanahan won the 1991 Canada Cup, the 1994 IIHF World Championships and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
4/9/08 New York Rangers 4 @ New Jersey Devils 1 N.Dawes (B.Shanahan, F.Tyutin) (00:05 in 3rd) 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 1
Antti Ylönen, Oulun Kärpät's 24 year old defender, scored the 2-1 game winner Monday night at 10:16 of the second overtime. The goal put Kärpät ahead 2-0 in games against the Espoo Blues in the Finnish SM-Liiga Final's best of seven series. The goal, as so many times in overtime, was scored by an unlikely hero. It was only Ylönen's fourth goal in five years as a professional player.
Kärpät plays in Oulu, a city in the northern of Finland. The team has won four league championships: 1981, 2004, 2005 and 2007. You might remember one of their most famous products Reijo Ruotsalainen. He won two Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, in 1987 and 1990 and played with the New York Ranger and New Jersey Devils as well. Ruotsalainen was won of the most beautiful technical skaters of his time.
4/7/08 Oulun Kärpät 2 @ Espoo Blues 1: SM-Liiga Final, Game 2, Antti Ylönen (90.44)
On my blog from two days ago, titled '"O Canada" Where Art Thou?', I had discussed that only 3 of the 6 Canadian based NHL team's were playoff bound. An unfortunate outcome for those fans whose teams are now empty handed. However, the NHL released their 2007-08 regular season attendance records yesterday where all the Canadian based NHL team's won. They sold every possible ticket to every game. The Montréal Canadiens again led in per-game average selling out 41 home games with 21,273 fans per game at Bell Centre. The NHL exceeded 21 million in attendance to mark the third consecutive season of growth. The U.S. based team's that sold out were the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks.
2/5/2008 A Night at the Bell Centre: Ottawa Senators 2 @ Montréal Canadiens 4
For the 31st time in NHL history, the Montréal Canadiens will play the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Les Canadiens have a 23-7 edge over Boston, driving Bruin fans to the verge of post-season insanity. That includes 18 Montréal playoff series wins in a row from 1946 to 1987. Yikes!
Montréal has won the last 11 regular season games against The Bruin's, dating back to a 3-1 victory in Boston on March 3rd, 2007. Both teams missed the playoff cut last season.
Let's get you warmed up for this rivalry with some vintage action. Game seven, 1979 NHL Playoff Semi-Final, Boston at Montreal, overtime.
Boston's Rick Middleton scores with four minutes remaining in the third period to give the Bruins a 4–3 lead.
Approximately a minute and a half later, the Bruins are called for a bench minor for too many players on the ice by linesman Jon D'Amico.
Guy Lafleur, The Hab's legend, scores on the power-play to tie the game 4-4.
The game goes to overtime.
Yvon Lambert scores at 9:33 of OT and gives Les Canadiens the win 5-4.
Montréal goes on to beat the New York Rangers 4-1 in games in the Stanley Cup Final.
5/10/1979 Boston Bruins 4 @ Montréal Canadiens: 1979 NHL Playoff Semi-Final, Overtime
In: Calgary Flames: Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff Montréal Canadiens: Alex Kovalev, Carey Price Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson, Martin Gerber, Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza ------------------------- Out: Edmonton Oilers: Ales Hemsky Toronto Maple Leafs: Mats Sundin, Vesa Toskala Vancouver Canucks: Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin
Even with today being the last day of the NHL regular season the league will be missing three Canadian teams from the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row. This is a tremendous blow to the league not having these major market teams play for Lord Stanley's Cup. The Toronto Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
So what is in store next for these players? The 2008 IIHF World Championships can be a option in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Québec City in May. This is the first time in the competitions history that the tournament will be played in Canada. It will be the IIHF's 72nd Championship for this event.
Countries competing are Belarus,Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The NHL and other North American leagues will still be in their playoffs and will feed players to the tournament as they are eliminated. The rest of the world's leagues will be done with their championships.
The other options may be vacations, expert commentating, celebrity golf tournaments, their favorite fishing hole or try and win the Stanley Cup with NHL 08.
Brett Sterling, left wing for the Chicago Wolves had one of the AHL's best rookie seasons last year and is continuing his magic. The Los Angeles born 23 year old was just named to the 2007-08 AHL Second All-Star Team. Sterling, was a First Team All-Star last season, the 'Willie Marshall Award' recipient for the league's leading scorer and the 'Dudley "Red" Garret Memorial Trophy' for rookie of the year.
The Atlanta Thrashers' 5th round choice (145th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft is 19th in AHL scoring this year (13 games of limited ice time this season with the Thrashers in the NHL). He has played 64 AHL games with 34 goals, 26 assists for 60 points, 0 +/-, and 106 PIM.
His teammates center Jason Krog has been named to the AHL First All-Star team and defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski to the AHL Second All-Star team. Krog leads the AHL is scoring. In 74 games he has 36 goals, 65 assists, 101 points an 9 +/- and 30 PIM.
Sterling is a USA Hockey product who went on to play in the NCAA with Colorado College of the WCHA for four seasons. Another Colorado College defenseman Jack Hillen this past Thursday night went from playing Michigan State in the NCAA West Regional last week to playing defense for the Islanders against such Rangers. Hillen a U.S product as well was born in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Pittsburgh defenseman Sergei Gonchar is currently leading all NHL players with 38 Power Play Assists. Oddly matching his numbers from last season thus far. Last year his teammate Sidney Crosby led the league with 48 PPA. The Penguins have one game remaining this season.
The Russian has become the ultimate setup man for the power play for the Penguins powerhouse forwards and they seem to be on the receiving end his stick. The Penguins have the third Power Play Scoring Percentage with a 20.8% efficiency for 247 goals. He is exhibiting Nicklas Lidström like qualities and will be a major force come the playoffs. Teams need to worry about his ability to score from the point, 12 this season, but more importantly when he dishes off the pass and where it is going for the one-timer.
What a great free agent pickup for the Penguins back in 2005 after the NHL lockout. He has put up solid numbers every year he has been in the NHL. Remember he was Washington Capitals' 1st round choice (14th overall) in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and has been stellar ever since.
4/2/08 Philadelphia Flyers 2 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 4 2-2 (PIT) Crosby, S.(23) (PPG, 06:26 in 2nd) from Gonchar, S (52) and Hossa, M (18)
The Rouen Hockey Elite 76 added their 9th Coupe Magnus for the French Championship in the Ligue Magnus on Tuesday. They beat the Briançon Alpes Provence Hockey Club handily 3-0 in the best of five series.
Located in Rouen, Normandy, France the team was formed in 1982. They have attracted many French-Canadian born players to their roster. This season they have five forwards from the Québec Provence: #39 Olivier Bouchard, #71 Éric Doucet, #15 Éric Houde, #19 Carl Mallette and #24 Marc-André Thinel. All but one of these players are products of the QMJHL. They have played in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA and have decided to go back to their ancestry roots and play in France.
Thinel, Mallette and Doucet all led the Ligue Magnus in scoring in 1-2-3 order. Now that's what I call a 'Hat Trick' by Three Musketeers!
Rank Player GP G A PTS PIM 1 Marc-André Thinel 26 25 35 60 20 2 Carl Mallette 26 29 30 59 34 3 Éric Doucet 26 26 33 59 12
3/28/08 Rouen 7 vs. Briançon 3 (1-1/4-2/2-0): Coupe Magnus Finals, Game 1
The 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four is set for play in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, April 10th with the final game to be played on Saturday.
Michigan (1) vs. Notre Dame (12) North Dakota (3) vs.Boston College (7)
USCHO/CSTV NCAA Division I Rankings Rank Team Record 1 Michigan 31-5-4 3 North Dakota 26-10-4 7 Boston College 21-11-8 12 Notre Dame 24-15-4
With all this set to be a fun college hockey final, there is a disturbing trend brewing. Based on NHL Entry Draft selections since 2000 the NCAA has lost in NHL Entry Draft selections to U.S. Hockey Selections by teams in the following leagues:
In November 2007 the NHL Central Scouting had published the NCAA Watch List with only one 'A Player' ranking: Colin Wilson, Boston University Freshman Forward. He should be a high pick for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft at 6'1" and 215 lbs. Wilson's 37 game, 12 goal, 23 assist and 35 point total are sweet numbers for a rookie campaign. It is sad to see that the NCAA can not attract such talent, as those players are going the USH way similar to Canadian CHL.
There are some genetics at work here as well. Wilson is the Son of Carey Wilson who spent 13 NHL seasons the Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and New York Rangers. Carey Wilson was a Dartmouth College standout who also played for the Canadian National Team.
11/24/07 Boston University 6 vs. Cornell 3 at Madison Square Garden
This past weekend the NHL launched “The Cup Changes Everything”, its biggest advertising campaign of the 2007-08 season, to promote the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
'The Cup Changes Everything" is a dramatic campaign developed from the insight that the Stanley Cup Playoffs feature a heightened level of excitement and intensity, and every game situation is magnified. The campaign features NHL stars Martin Brodeur, Henrik Zetterberg, Jarome Iginla, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Getzlaf, Daniel Alfredsson, Roman Hamrlik and Joe Thornton.
“We felt it was crucial to have the players describe how the Stanley Cup Playoffs are different,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of Marketing, NHL. “It wouldn’t be credible or authentic to have that message delivered by anyone other than players who have actually experienced what it’s like to play in that environment. This campaign gives fans an authentic, player’s-eye view at how the Cup raises the stakes in every aspect of the game.”
The specific ads comprising “The Cup Changes Everything” campaign include: • “Shorthanded” - Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators on penalty killing in the playoffs
• “Tighter” - Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf on the fight for every inch of space
• “City” - Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo on protecting the hopes of an entire city
The other commercials are: • “Walkout” - Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings on playing in front of a hostile crowd • “Faceoff” - Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks on how critical every faceoff becomes • “Check” - Roman Hamrlik of the Montréal Canadiens on delivering a game-changing bodycheck • “Preparation” - New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur on the unique mental preparation required • “Shift” - Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames on going all out for 45 seconds.
Currently I am a consultant and scout for teams in the Swedish Elitserien and HockeyAllsvenskan. I have past Professional Ice Hockey Coaching experience in Sweden with Timrå IK, AIK, IFK Täby. In Finland with Hokki-Salo and in the USA with New York University, Brunswick School and the Greenwich Blues.
In my blog Sergei Gonchar: Penguins Power Play Playmaker on Friday, April 4, 2008, I focused on Gonchar's PP control. In the playoff game against the New York Rangers last night, he was at work again getting 2 PP assists. That gives him 4 assists in 7 games, 3 on the PP, and also a PP goal for 5 total points. The Penguins' lead teams in the playoffs with a 27.8 Power Play Scoring Percentage with 10 goals on 36 attempts in 7 games so far.
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