June 15, 2011
by Jeff Ponder
After a 107-game season, the Boston Bruins proved that they are the best team in the NHL.
The Bruins, who played in three game-sevens during the 2011 playoffs, took control of game seven of the Stanley Cup Final and beat the Vancouver Canucks in their own building to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972.
Tim Thomas recorded his second shutout in the series, recording 37 saves in the 4-0 victory. Thomas only allowed eight goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
"It still hasn't kicked in, if I'm completely honest," he said after shaking hands with the Canucks. "I can't believe it's over. We've had our battle meter up so high for so long, it feels like we're moving onto the next series or something."
Thomas’ efforts were noticed by the NHL Writers Association, as he received the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.
"If they got any chances, Timmy was there," Bruins forward Mark Recchi said, "and it was just scary how good he was."
Thomas was not alone in his efforts. Though being the backbone of his team, he had to get some goal-scoring up front to ensure victory.
That’s where Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand came in.
After losing the face-off in the offensive zone, Marchand, in his first NHL season, snuck in and took the puck away from the Canucks. He circled a few times and slid it in front to Bergeron who one-timed the puck from the slot, beating Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stick-side at 14:37 of the first period.
The rookie Marchand was not finished there. At 12:13 of the second period, Marchand received the puck on his stick after a scramble in front and wrapped it around the net to stuff it in past a sprawled-Luongo.
That goal seemed to deflate the Canucks, as Bergeron added a goal on the breakaway and Marchand added his second of the game into an empty net with less than three minutes left to play in the game. Marchand ended his rookie season with three points on the evening and 11 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs.
Vancouver finished the 82-game season with the best record in the NHL but fell short by one game in the playoffs.
Henrik and Daniel Sedin were Vancouver’s go-to-guys in the regular season, but their point-production saw a strong dive in the final seven games of the playoffs. The twins combined for five total points against the Bruins. Ryan Kesler, who scored 41 goals in the regular season, added just one assist in the seven-game series.
Mark Recchi, who turned 43 in February, played in his last NHL game Wednesday night. He took home his third Stanley Cup, adding an assist on Marchand’s first goal of game seven.
Vancouver Head Coach Alain Vigneault could not help but praise the Bruins on their game-seven victory.
"Boston played a real strong game," Vigneault said. "They got great goaltending and they were able to score a couple of tough goals around our net. They deserved to win."
"They don't give up much and when they do they're goaltender makes the save," Luongo said.
"It's unbelievable," Bergeron said after the victory. "Words are hard to describe right now the feeling we are having."
"Winning the Stanley Cup is huge," Thomas said. "It's the biggest accomplishment of my career so far.”
Quotes courtesy NHL.com.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Chicago Blackhawks - 6 St. Louis Blues - 3
January 2, 2010
Jeff Ponder
Davis Payne could not make an immediate impact on his new hockey club.
Hours after Blues President John Davidson announced that the team had relieved Andy Murray of his head coaching duties and replaced him with AHL coach Davis Payne, the Blues felt the sting of yet another home loss. Chicago lit up the scorecard in this game, winning 6-3. The loss gives the Blues a 6-14-3 record at home, which ranks as the worst home record in the NHL.
"There's work to be done," said Payne. "It hurts in any language, in any league. It's disappointing."
Tomas Kopecky opened the scoring early, deflecting in a Brent Seabrook shot from the point. He would add another just over three minutes later on a wrist shot that he used Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo as a screen. Later, the Slovak added an assist, giving him his first three-point game in his four-season NHL career.
"It always feels great when you score," Kopecky said. "It helps the team especially when you win. It was a great feeling."
The Blues had quite the scary moment late in the third period, when forward T.J. Oshie took a high slap shot from the blue line. The puck traveled through traffic, and found the face of veteran Keith Tkachuk. After striking the player, it squirted through the pads of Chicago net-minder Cristobal Huet, who immediately called for the medical staff despite the goal being scored. Keith got up and skated straight to the bench, trickling blood all along the way. There is no word on his condition.
Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald also added goals for the Blues, both coming in the first period. Brian Campbell and Kris Versteeg also had goals for the Blackhawks, and Patrick Sharp added two goals in the third period to seal the deal for Chicago.
The Blackhawks still control the Central Division, adding to their superfluous record of 28-10-3. The Blues remain teetering around the .500 mark, ranking fourth in the Central with a 17-18-6. Chicago returns home on Sunday to face the Anaheim Ducks, while the Blues will have a three-day break before doing a West Coast swing starting Wednesday in San Jose.
Jeff Ponder
Davis Payne could not make an immediate impact on his new hockey club.
Hours after Blues President John Davidson announced that the team had relieved Andy Murray of his head coaching duties and replaced him with AHL coach Davis Payne, the Blues felt the sting of yet another home loss. Chicago lit up the scorecard in this game, winning 6-3. The loss gives the Blues a 6-14-3 record at home, which ranks as the worst home record in the NHL.
"There's work to be done," said Payne. "It hurts in any language, in any league. It's disappointing."
Tomas Kopecky opened the scoring early, deflecting in a Brent Seabrook shot from the point. He would add another just over three minutes later on a wrist shot that he used Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo as a screen. Later, the Slovak added an assist, giving him his first three-point game in his four-season NHL career.
"It always feels great when you score," Kopecky said. "It helps the team especially when you win. It was a great feeling."
The Blues had quite the scary moment late in the third period, when forward T.J. Oshie took a high slap shot from the blue line. The puck traveled through traffic, and found the face of veteran Keith Tkachuk. After striking the player, it squirted through the pads of Chicago net-minder Cristobal Huet, who immediately called for the medical staff despite the goal being scored. Keith got up and skated straight to the bench, trickling blood all along the way. There is no word on his condition.
Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald also added goals for the Blues, both coming in the first period. Brian Campbell and Kris Versteeg also had goals for the Blackhawks, and Patrick Sharp added two goals in the third period to seal the deal for Chicago.
The Blackhawks still control the Central Division, adding to their superfluous record of 28-10-3. The Blues remain teetering around the .500 mark, ranking fourth in the Central with a 17-18-6. Chicago returns home on Sunday to face the Anaheim Ducks, while the Blues will have a three-day break before doing a West Coast swing starting Wednesday in San Jose.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
St. Louis Blues - 5 Carolina Hurricanes - 2
October 28, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The Blues were happy to receive some southern hospitality in RBC Center Wednesday night.
After losing to the Dallas Stars on home ice 4-1 Saturday night, the Blues came into Carolina with some vengeance. The visiting team notched 3 goals in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the struggling Hurricanes, who extended their winless streak to seven games.
David Perron opened the scoring in the game, getting the goal on a hard-nosed effort from line-mate Patrik Berglund. The Swedish forward took a hard shot from the face-off circle, then stayed with the puck and shoved it in front of the net where Perron poked it behind Hurricane net-minder Cam Ward.
Minutes later, center Yan Stastny, just recalled from Peoria of the AHL, scored on his first shot of the season after teammate Cam Janssen caused a turnover with a big hit in the offensive zone. The third goal came just :16 later, when Perron sent Jay McClement on a breakaway who lifted it over Ward for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Blues also got a goal from Andy McDonald and an empty-netter from Perron, marking his third point of the night and sixth point in three games. Perron attributes his success Wednesday night to his teammates' willingness to win puck battles..
"I think it's just working harder than the other team," Perron said. "Even though we got outshot, the two points is what we needed to get. We just have to keep playing like that."
Blues goalie Chris Mason stopped 34 of 36 shots, improving to 3-3-1 on the season.
"He's the main reason we came back last year and made the playoffs," Perron said about his goaltender. "He's gotten off to a great start, and he's our best player every night. We've got to have him like that all year."
The Hurricanes received goals from Joe Corvo and Scott Walker, both coming on the power-play.
"You can't break down defensively the way we did," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of his team after the loss. "We haven't respected the defensive part of the game."
The Blues will return home Thursday night to take on the Phoenix Coyotes, who are 1-2-0 in their last three games and 7-4-0 on the season.
Jeff Ponder
The Blues were happy to receive some southern hospitality in RBC Center Wednesday night.
After losing to the Dallas Stars on home ice 4-1 Saturday night, the Blues came into Carolina with some vengeance. The visiting team notched 3 goals in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory over the struggling Hurricanes, who extended their winless streak to seven games.
David Perron opened the scoring in the game, getting the goal on a hard-nosed effort from line-mate Patrik Berglund. The Swedish forward took a hard shot from the face-off circle, then stayed with the puck and shoved it in front of the net where Perron poked it behind Hurricane net-minder Cam Ward.
Minutes later, center Yan Stastny, just recalled from Peoria of the AHL, scored on his first shot of the season after teammate Cam Janssen caused a turnover with a big hit in the offensive zone. The third goal came just :16 later, when Perron sent Jay McClement on a breakaway who lifted it over Ward for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Blues also got a goal from Andy McDonald and an empty-netter from Perron, marking his third point of the night and sixth point in three games. Perron attributes his success Wednesday night to his teammates' willingness to win puck battles..
"I think it's just working harder than the other team," Perron said. "Even though we got outshot, the two points is what we needed to get. We just have to keep playing like that."
Blues goalie Chris Mason stopped 34 of 36 shots, improving to 3-3-1 on the season.
"He's the main reason we came back last year and made the playoffs," Perron said about his goaltender. "He's gotten off to a great start, and he's our best player every night. We've got to have him like that all year."
The Hurricanes received goals from Joe Corvo and Scott Walker, both coming on the power-play.
"You can't break down defensively the way we did," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of his team after the loss. "We haven't respected the defensive part of the game."
The Blues will return home Thursday night to take on the Phoenix Coyotes, who are 1-2-0 in their last three games and 7-4-0 on the season.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Columbus Blue Jackets - 4 Edmonton Oilers - 6
October 22, 2009
Jeff Ponder
Mathieu Garon did not get the homecoming that he was hoping for.
The Blue Jackets, who signed Garon over the summer as a backup for starter Steve Mason, fell to the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place 6-4 Thursday night. Garon, a former Oiler, made 26 saves and surrendered 5 goals against in his first game in Edmonton since being traded in January of last season.
The Blue Jackets also seemed to have trouble with their special teams. The Central Division team took two late-third period penalties to help thwart their chances of a comeback. They allowed Edmonton to score 3 power-play goals on 7 total opportunities.
They also added just 1 goal on 4 power-play chances of their own, when former Oiler Raffi Torres connected on a nice pass from R.J. Umberger from behind the Edmonton net late in the first period. The goal started a flurry of chances for the Blue Jackets, who also saw Jason Chimera score, along with two goals from winger Kristian Huselius to take a demanding 4-1 lead in the middle of the second period. But the Oilers came roaring back and took the game late, getting goals from Ales Hemsky, Lubomir Visnovsky and two goals from Dustin Penner. Robert Nilsson added the empty-netter. Sam Gagner also scored the first goal of the game for the Oilers.
The game included five-point performances by Hemsky and Penner for the Oilers squad, who now find themselves one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the Northwest Division lead.
"I was trying to set small goals first, I wasn't expecting to see my name up with the league leaders," Penner said, now seeing his name in fourth in the NHL point-scoring race with 14.
"That would have to be the best game of my career, certainly statistically. The stars lined up for me and my linemates tonight. It feels really good. I don't know the last time I was on a team that bounced back from down as much as we were. That's one of the games where you know the true meaning of momentum."
"We really shot ourselves in the foot," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said about the blown three-goal lead. "We had that game, up 4-1 on the road. We should definitely have won that. Our power play wasn't very good. We have to get over this one quick. We'll move on. It's a long season."
The Blue Jackets will head to Anaheim to take on the Ducks Saturday night at 10:00 EST in the second game of a three-game road trip.
Jeff Ponder
Mathieu Garon did not get the homecoming that he was hoping for.
The Blue Jackets, who signed Garon over the summer as a backup for starter Steve Mason, fell to the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place 6-4 Thursday night. Garon, a former Oiler, made 26 saves and surrendered 5 goals against in his first game in Edmonton since being traded in January of last season.
The Blue Jackets also seemed to have trouble with their special teams. The Central Division team took two late-third period penalties to help thwart their chances of a comeback. They allowed Edmonton to score 3 power-play goals on 7 total opportunities.
They also added just 1 goal on 4 power-play chances of their own, when former Oiler Raffi Torres connected on a nice pass from R.J. Umberger from behind the Edmonton net late in the first period. The goal started a flurry of chances for the Blue Jackets, who also saw Jason Chimera score, along with two goals from winger Kristian Huselius to take a demanding 4-1 lead in the middle of the second period. But the Oilers came roaring back and took the game late, getting goals from Ales Hemsky, Lubomir Visnovsky and two goals from Dustin Penner. Robert Nilsson added the empty-netter. Sam Gagner also scored the first goal of the game for the Oilers.
The game included five-point performances by Hemsky and Penner for the Oilers squad, who now find themselves one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the Northwest Division lead.
"I was trying to set small goals first, I wasn't expecting to see my name up with the league leaders," Penner said, now seeing his name in fourth in the NHL point-scoring race with 14.
"That would have to be the best game of my career, certainly statistically. The stars lined up for me and my linemates tonight. It feels really good. I don't know the last time I was on a team that bounced back from down as much as we were. That's one of the games where you know the true meaning of momentum."
"We really shot ourselves in the foot," Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash said about the blown three-goal lead. "We had that game, up 4-1 on the road. We should definitely have won that. Our power play wasn't very good. We have to get over this one quick. We'll move on. It's a long season."
The Blue Jackets will head to Anaheim to take on the Ducks Saturday night at 10:00 EST in the second game of a three-game road trip.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
St. Louis Blues - 1 Pittsburgh Penguins - 5
October 20, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The Penguins Offense Clinic is now open for business.
Evgeni Malkin led the way with 12 shots on goal as the Penguins blasted 43 shots toward St. Louis goaltending. Both Blues goalies Chris Mason and Ty Conklin faced a grueling 5-1 route at the hands of the red-hot Penguins.
The defending Stanley Cup Champions improve to 8-1-0 on the season, placing them first in the Atlantic Division with a 2-point lead over the New York Rangers.
“When our four lines are going and everybody’s clicking and playing well together, we can be a tough team to beat,” Penguins defenseman Jay McKee said after his first game against his former club. “I think most teams, probably for good reasons, focus on Sidney and Geno (Malkin), and I think that’s playing to our advantage. We’re not just getting production from them; it’s everybody.”
Tyler Kennedy notched the first goal of the game at the 11:19 mark of the first period. It was a perfectly placed slap shot that found its way over goaltender Chris Mason's shoulder for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Not too shabby for a player projected to be on the third line all season.
The Penguins were clicking on all cylinders, as Evgeni Malkin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Matt Cooke and Alex Goligoski all had goals of their own. Paul Kariya had the lone goal for the Blues, which came after the Penguins already had a 4-0 lead.
“Unfortunately it took four (goals against) before we started playing real hockey,” Blues forward David Backes said after the game.
The Penguins' strong play seemed to be a surprise to the Blues lineup. The team skated all over the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, blanking the California team 5-0 Saturday night.
“For us not to be ready to play the defending Stanley Cup champions is unacceptable,” starter Chris Mason said, who saw 35 shots come his way in the first 2 periods before sitting the third. “We come off a good second and third period in Anaheim against a very good team. I don’t know if we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves and getting a little cocky and thinking that it should be easier than it really is. … To come out like we did against these guys, this is what’s going to happen.”
Even with the loss, Backes graciously gave credit to the Penguins' dominating play but still had some harsh words for his team.
“You give up 20 shots in the first period and 45 in the game with a team that has as much talent, skill and drive that the Penguins have, it’s going to be tough road to hoe,” Backes said.
The Blues will return home Friday night to take on the Minnesota Wild at 7:00 CDT. Tickets are still available for the Western Conference match-up.
Jeff Ponder
The Penguins Offense Clinic is now open for business.
Evgeni Malkin led the way with 12 shots on goal as the Penguins blasted 43 shots toward St. Louis goaltending. Both Blues goalies Chris Mason and Ty Conklin faced a grueling 5-1 route at the hands of the red-hot Penguins.
The defending Stanley Cup Champions improve to 8-1-0 on the season, placing them first in the Atlantic Division with a 2-point lead over the New York Rangers.
“When our four lines are going and everybody’s clicking and playing well together, we can be a tough team to beat,” Penguins defenseman Jay McKee said after his first game against his former club. “I think most teams, probably for good reasons, focus on Sidney and Geno (Malkin), and I think that’s playing to our advantage. We’re not just getting production from them; it’s everybody.”
Tyler Kennedy notched the first goal of the game at the 11:19 mark of the first period. It was a perfectly placed slap shot that found its way over goaltender Chris Mason's shoulder for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Not too shabby for a player projected to be on the third line all season.
The Penguins were clicking on all cylinders, as Evgeni Malkin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Matt Cooke and Alex Goligoski all had goals of their own. Paul Kariya had the lone goal for the Blues, which came after the Penguins already had a 4-0 lead.
“Unfortunately it took four (goals against) before we started playing real hockey,” Blues forward David Backes said after the game.
The Penguins' strong play seemed to be a surprise to the Blues lineup. The team skated all over the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, blanking the California team 5-0 Saturday night.
“For us not to be ready to play the defending Stanley Cup champions is unacceptable,” starter Chris Mason said, who saw 35 shots come his way in the first 2 periods before sitting the third. “We come off a good second and third period in Anaheim against a very good team. I don’t know if we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves and getting a little cocky and thinking that it should be easier than it really is. … To come out like we did against these guys, this is what’s going to happen.”
Even with the loss, Backes graciously gave credit to the Penguins' dominating play but still had some harsh words for his team.
“You give up 20 shots in the first period and 45 in the game with a team that has as much talent, skill and drive that the Penguins have, it’s going to be tough road to hoe,” Backes said.
The Blues will return home Friday night to take on the Minnesota Wild at 7:00 CDT. Tickets are still available for the Western Conference match-up.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Vancouver Canucks - 1 Edmonton Oilers - 2
October 19, 2009
Jeff Ponder
The Canucks gave it a valiant effort; but it was too little too late.
The Canucks lost a nail-biter in front of a packed Rexall Place crowd Monday night, 2-1. Edmonton got some key goals and flashy goaltending in their fifth win of the season. After a rough start to the first, the Oilers turned it on and got what they set out for.
Just 6:32 into the first period, Oilers' defenseman Denis Grebeshkov had the puck slip off his stick, going right to Canucks' forward Kyle Wellwood. The 26-year old forward got it in front to Steve Bernier just before pounding it past Oilers' goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin for the early 1-0 lead.
"I don't think we started too well in the game," Khabibulin said. "But from the second period on, I thought we took it to them and played pretty well.” Khabibulin stopped 39 of 40 Vancouver shots.
Patrick O'Sullivan scored his second goal of the season for Edmonton just 0:26 into the second period, and Sam Gagner added his third of the season in the middle of the third period after a huge Vancouver giveaway behind their net for the game-winning goal.
But the real excitement came late in the third, when Vancouver kept pressing for the tying-goal. It seemed that all hope was lost for the Vancouver club when the Oilers cleared the zone with a little over 0:08 left, but Kyle Wellwood danced around the Oilers' blue line and skated in with a head of steam past the Edmonton forwards. He made a nice move around defenseman Tom Gilbert and then stuffed the puck past Khabibulin and immediately threw his arms in the air for celebration. After an official review of the play, it was deemed that the puck crossed the line well after the final horn had sounded.
Oilers' coach Pat Quinn did not seem to enjoy the late-game heroics by the Canucks.
"It was a six-on-three attack and our defense looked up and saw the bodies coming and just decided to back in and pray, it looked like," Quinn said. "But four seconds, it is in the net."
Vancouver drops to 3-5-0 with the loss, while Edmonton improves to 5-2-1 on the season. Edmonton's next game will be Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home before leaving for a two-game road trip in Calgary and Vancouver.
Jeff Ponder
The Canucks gave it a valiant effort; but it was too little too late.
The Canucks lost a nail-biter in front of a packed Rexall Place crowd Monday night, 2-1. Edmonton got some key goals and flashy goaltending in their fifth win of the season. After a rough start to the first, the Oilers turned it on and got what they set out for.
Just 6:32 into the first period, Oilers' defenseman Denis Grebeshkov had the puck slip off his stick, going right to Canucks' forward Kyle Wellwood. The 26-year old forward got it in front to Steve Bernier just before pounding it past Oilers' goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin for the early 1-0 lead.
"I don't think we started too well in the game," Khabibulin said. "But from the second period on, I thought we took it to them and played pretty well.” Khabibulin stopped 39 of 40 Vancouver shots.
Patrick O'Sullivan scored his second goal of the season for Edmonton just 0:26 into the second period, and Sam Gagner added his third of the season in the middle of the third period after a huge Vancouver giveaway behind their net for the game-winning goal.
But the real excitement came late in the third, when Vancouver kept pressing for the tying-goal. It seemed that all hope was lost for the Vancouver club when the Oilers cleared the zone with a little over 0:08 left, but Kyle Wellwood danced around the Oilers' blue line and skated in with a head of steam past the Edmonton forwards. He made a nice move around defenseman Tom Gilbert and then stuffed the puck past Khabibulin and immediately threw his arms in the air for celebration. After an official review of the play, it was deemed that the puck crossed the line well after the final horn had sounded.
Oilers' coach Pat Quinn did not seem to enjoy the late-game heroics by the Canucks.
"It was a six-on-three attack and our defense looked up and saw the bodies coming and just decided to back in and pray, it looked like," Quinn said. "But four seconds, it is in the net."
Vancouver drops to 3-5-0 with the loss, while Edmonton improves to 5-2-1 on the season. Edmonton's next game will be Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home before leaving for a two-game road trip in Calgary and Vancouver.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
