Road warrior Isles beat Sabres: 2-1

The New York Islanders (7-11-4) ended the month of November on a strong note, with their second straight road victory 2-1 over the Buffalo Sabres (13-10-1) on Tuesday night hockey action. Since the 23 of November, when Al Montoya took control of the cage-the Islanders have become a different team.

The Isles are starting to reflect the fiery temperament of their keeper, unafraid to grind out a full three periods of play. New York is also more willing to crash the cage in order to get a scoring opportunity. For their energy and effort the Islanders are now finally seeing the results they have hoped for from the beginning of the season.

Matt Moulson (8) opened up the scoring for the Islanders, tallying a slap shot on a power play opportunity at the 6:47 mark of the first period of play. For Moulson this is the second game that the forward has opened up the scoring for New York.

The game featuring nine total penalties also had a fight at the 13:27 mark of the first, when Matt Martin and Zack Kassian exchanged blows.  It was a fast and furious fight, as several fists were exchanged between the two combatants.

In the second period the Isles defense was the key, as New York was able to protect their 1-0 lead.  Buffalo however found the equalizer in the third when Jochen Hecht (2) recorded a wrister at the 1:54 mark to tie things up at 1-1.

New York responded with plenty of scoring opportunities, starting with a beauty of a chance by Kyle Okposo at the 6:18 mark that hit the crossbar. Brian Rolston (3) had two golden opportunities later on, recording the game-winner at 9:23 on a backhander shot that went five hole of the Sabres keeper.

Recording back-to-back points in the Rolston goal was Josh Bailey (4) with the secondary assist. Earning the primary assist was David Ullstrom, who recorded his first NHL point in the game.  New York keeper Al Montoya (30 saves) took the game from here, making several key saves to help the Isles win their second road game.

The ‘Big Cubano’ lived up to his nickname, making the saves of the game on a 5-on-3 penalty kill. The combo of Montoya along with some huge blocked shots by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald helped lead the Isles to the victory.

New York will now continue this road stretch with a trip to the Windy City on Friday, as the Isles will take on the Blackhawks. The game between the Isles and Hawks is scheduled to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Nottingham Panthers Leads a Pack of Winners in UK Hockey Action

There was no action at the top of the elite league as the Sheffield Steelers were still away in Denmark with their Continental Cup campaign and their scheduled game with table toppers the Belfast Giants was therefore postponed.  Fellow contenders Nottingham were in action but in the Challenge Cup. Sheffield’s Continental Cup campaign though ended in misery as the Elite League Champions finished without a win at the bottom of the group whilst Italian side HC Asiago head to France for the final.

Challenge Cup

Nottingham Panthers 5 Coventry Blaze 5

Coventry knew that they must avoid defeat to keep any hope of qualifying for the semi finals. Whilst the Panthers knew that they were already in the next round before their final group game. If soccer can be a game of 2 halves this was a game of three periods. It was the home side who shot out of the blocks in the first period with 5 goals in the first period from 5 different scorers including twice scoring two in a minute. It was almost an exact reversal in the second as Nottingham hit back first through Corey Neilson then two minutes of wonder at the end of period brought the Panthers back into the game. Levers brace and a goal from Francis made it a one goal game at the second break. The third in stark contrast was a tight affair and the only goal in the period was from Corey Neilson who levelled the scores with just over a minute remaining. That meant that as per challenge cup rules the game ended in a tie and Coventry will have to win their remaining two games to stand any chance of qualify for the semi finals alongside the Panthers who have already qualified.

Elite League

Dundee Stars 5 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Edinburgh headed back over the Forth Bridge with two points from last night’s game against Fife and a further 2 points tonight against their Scottish rivals would boost their chances massively of making the end of season playoffs. On the hand a victory for the visitors would be needed to keep the Stars in touch with playoff pack. The bottom it was that made the going scoring quick fire 4 goals in the first period whilst limiting an uncharacteristic defence made limited any of the Capitals chances. There was no chance in that in the second period as Hutchins added to his goal in the first period. The final period did see the Capitals much improved but they could not break down the Stars and the Stars took the game 5-0 and limited the home team to only 17 shots.

Braehead Clan 3 Hull Stingrays 2

Both teams had lost the previous night to title contenders but tonight’s game was all about the maintaining their pushes for ranked places come April. It was a close contest throughout but it was the Clan that made the most of the early chances taking the lead in the first period through Bayrack. That goal was cancelled out by Silverthorn’s goal in the second but a late goal by MacPherson kept the away side ahead at the second intermission. That lead was doubled in the third by Galbraith but not for long as Osman kept the Stingrays in the game but it was not enough for the Hull team that suffered their second loss of the weekend.

Fife Flyers 1 Cardiff Devils 5

It was a match up that echoed days of old on paper as the Flyers travelled to the south of Wales. Cardiff had picked up a valuable 4 points last weekend but missed out in midweek to a struggling Hull side and knew that whilst Fife maybe be struggling they are more than capable of causing an upset if they are not taken seriously.

Cardiff found it tough going in the first two periods as the Flyers disciplined approach made it hard for the Devils to break them down. But goals from Pierce and MacRae did give the Devils a lead through two. The third saw the game open up as Fife got back in the game through Cohen then the Devils took over with goals from Birbraer, Pierce and Matzka to secure the win continue their push towards the top four.

Premier League

With the top two both in action both Slough and Guildford knew only a win would do. Slough went up to Altrincham to face a resurgent Manchester side which had been playing much better of late. On the other hand Guildford were facing a Swindon side that had pushed them all the way the weekend before. In Manchester it was Slough who put last weekend’s loses behind them and showed the rollercoastering Phoenix why they are at the top. The Jets taking a 5 goal lead before the Phoenix found their feet and hit the night three times in the third.

Meanwhile in Guildford, the Flames were matching the Jets by also taking a 5 goal lead against the Wildcats running out 6-2 winners in the end and remaining in top spot by virtue of their better head to head record with the Jets.

Elsewhere Peterborough’s woes continued with another home lose at the hands of the Lightning who continued their good run of form.  But the Phantoms remain of the bottom as the Telford Tigers could not hold off against the Steeldogs.  In the nights other game the Bison left the weekend without any points as they travelled to Berkshire to face the Bracknell Bees. The Bees showing they are not the pushovers they may have been last seen by winning 3-1.

Results

Slough Jets 5 Manchester Phoenix 3

Swindon Wildcats 2 Guildford Flames 6

Milton Keynes 4 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Sheffield Steeldogs 6 Telford Tigers 4

Basingstoke Bison 1 Bracknell Bees 3

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Continental Cup Day 3 – HC Asiago And Donbass Donetsk Qualify!!

The afternoon games in both Group D and E didn’t equate towards the outcome of the qualifiers as Both HC Asiago of Italy and Donbass Donetsk finished off the evening games with the wins that they needed.

Dunaujvaros Acelbikak of Hungary could still qualify from Group D if they beat the Sheffield Steelers of Great Britain in the afternoon face off and they put the pressure on the Italians to win the evening game as they won their game 6-3. Sheffield ran into penalty trouble again towards the end of the 1^st and at the start of the 2^nd. The Hungarians capitalised and scored 6 times before Sheffield pulled 2 back in the 3^rd to make the scoreline more respectable.

This meant Herning couldn’t qualify whatever the outcome of their final game but HC Asiago needed at least a point and they got it despite losing in overtime against their Danish Hosts.

It seemed over the 3 game weekend that HC Asiago had the tougher games but pulled through when they needed to. Their games weren’t decided by refereeing decisions and they fully deserve their place in the Super Finals come January.

Joining them from Group E are the hosts Donbass Donetsk of the Ukraine as they won their evening decider against Rubin Tyumen 3-1. It looked a close game as the 3^rd goal came on an empty net with just 5 seconds left. That means the line up for the Super Final will be Donetsk, Rouen, Asiago and Minsk and will be played over the weekend 13^th – 15^th of January.

Cracovia beat Liepaja 3-1 in the afternoon game of Group E, meaning the Polish team gained some pride and bragging rights against their Latvian counterparts.

- Adam Yates

Milan Lucic: The Big Bad Bruin!

Milan Lucic might not be the flashiest player on the ice, he will never lead the league in scoring, and he will never challenge for any of the major awards in the NHL. However, that does not change the fact that he can completely take over a game as good as anybody, and that he is one of the most dominant players in the NHL in his own right. That statement will be a very tough pill to swallow for many NHL fans, as Lucic is far from one of the most popular players in the league. In fact, he is probably one of the most hated. The reason for that is simple, he is a player that any team would love to have, but hate to play against because of how dominant he could be.

If you aren’t sold on him yet, and don’t want to take my word for it then let’s look at the stats. Last year Milan Lucic was the leading goal scorer on the Bruins netting 30 goals on the season, and was tied for the team lead with 62 points as well. Leading a team might not be all that impressive as some teams aren’t that great, however, he happened to be the leading scorer of the Stanley Cup Champions! What makes his 30 goals even more impressive is the fact that 25 out of his 30 goals came at even strength, while only 5 came on the powerplay, showing his ability to dominate the game while 5 on 5. More importantly 7 of his 30 goals happened to be game winning goals, showing his ability to score at the right times. With his 8 goals and 16 points thus far this season, he is on pace to match last season’s goal and point totals, so consistency isn’t a problem.

As impressive as Lucic’s goal scoring and point production isn’t what makes him one of the most dominant players in the league, what does that is the physical aspect he brings to the game. Last season, he had 121 PIM’s ranking him 30^th in the league in that category. However, only 1 player on the list above him in penalty minutes had more than 15 goals (S. Hartnell). Most of the league’s top “pests” aren’t able to produce at that high of a level offensively. Of those PIM’s Lucic served, not many of them were dumb penalties, in fact many of them happened to be fighting majors or misconducts. These might sound like bad penalties, but almost every single time Lucic is involved in a fight or an altercation, it translates into a gigantic momentum shift in the Bruins favor. We all remember when he fought Mike Komisarek and essentially ended his run of dominance on Montreal’s blueline, or his countless other fights that have been on the highlight reels. But even in a moment like the “collision” with Ryan Miller a few weeks ago, which result in opponents coming after him, he still finds a way to turn it into the Bruins favor. Gaustad attempted to drop the gloves with Lucic to teach him a lesson, but what ended up happening was him getting a beatdown himself. That’s the kind of player Lucic is, he does what he wants, and doesn’t really care if the opponents like it or not, because he knows that he is tough enough to take on their biggest and toughest. Milan Lucic has had 38 career NHL fights in the regular season and playoffs, and according to fan voting on www.hockeyfights.com his record in those fights is 26-8-4. That means he has convincingly won almost 70% of his fights. If you watch hockey then you know, that the more convincingly you win a fight the more momentum your team is given. Lucic manages to change the momentum of a game not only by dropping the gloves, but also by laying the body on people. One of the most important aspects of his game is his hitting. Lucic ranked 50^th in the league last year in hits with 167. Now although that number might not seem all impressive, it isn’t the number of hits he has that stands out, it is the power of each and every one that matters. Lucic uses all of his 6’4, 223 pound frame when he lays his body into an opponent, and when he does they go to the bench feeling it every time, trust me…just ask Mike Van Ryn about the time he put him through the glass.

The bottom line is every time Lucic laces up his skates and goes out onto the ice, he makes the Bruins a better team. It’s not a coincidence that he has found success at every level of his career. There is a reason that he won the Memorial Cup in 2007, and won the tournament MVP. There is a reason that he was named Captain of the Team Canada Juniors in the Super Series. There’s a reason he made the Bruins at the age of 19 despite being a 2^nd round pick, and there is a reason why he has won a Stanley Cup as well. The reason is simple, Lucic does all of the things that you can’t teach or practice. He has that x-factor, and it comes naturally to him, he has done it at every single level and is showing no signs of slowing down. Milan Lucic might not be the most talented NHL player, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is one of the most dominant. Every time he drops the gloves, crashes the net, hits someone, or even gets under the skin of an opponent… his teammates and the Bruins fans in attendance rally around him and are given an instant boost of energy. Lucic might not show up on any awards, or at the top of the stat sheet every single night, like most other superstars, but every single opponent that the Bruins face take notice of him you could count on that.You could hate him all you want or call him a Gutless piece of **** like Ryan Miller did, but as the Sabres learnt it’s not that easy to teach Lucic a lesson. As long as the Bruins continue to win with that style of play or until somebody is able to physically stop them, Lucic and the Bruins will continue to play the physical in your face brand of hockey that they have become famous for. So like him or not, Milan Lucic is a name we should all get used to, because neither him nor the Bruins are slowing down any time soon!

Grant Robinson

Follow me on twitter (@thesportsgrind) or check out my podcast www.grantrobinson.podbean.com

While the Steelers Away the Cats Need to Play - Belfast Giants Lead the Winners

UK Round Up 26^th November

Elite League

With the champion Sheffield Steelers away in Denmark in their Continental Cup the rest of the Elite League looked to make some ground over them in the title race.

Braehead Clan 4 Belfast 6

With the Steelers missing from the Elite League this weekend the Belfast Giants knew that a 4 point weekend would pile the pressure on the reigning championships. It almost did not go to plan early on  Saturday. After an even first period in the Odyssey the Giants took control in the second through Doucet and Pelle and with a 4-2 lead at the second break Belfast looked in control. But third period goals from McPherson and Bayrack levelled it up with 8 minutes to go. But Craig Peacock put the home side back on track with the winner with 2 minutes to go and Mike Garside’s empty netter sealed the victory.

Belfast’s win means they keep the pressure up on the rest of the Elite League and stay in control at the top. Whilst the loss for Braehead means they lose ground on Cardiff in the table.

Hull Stingrays 1 Nottingham Panthers 6

Nottingham like Belfast knew that this weekend was crucial in their title hopes. With Sheffield away the Panthers knew they had the chance to consolidate second sport. With first period goals from Fox and Beauregard the Panthers never looked like they would miss this opportunity. Even when the Stingrays tied the second period the Panthers didn’t look back with third period goals from Beauregard and Benedict and a final nail in the Hull coffin from youngster Robert Lachowic. The win for the Panthers means they put some daylight over the Sheffield Steelers in third place but with the Steelers having 5 games in hand the Panthers need to continue their winning ways to maintain second and keep the pressure on the Giants at the top.

Coventry Blaze 3 Dundee Stars 0

With no win in four games the Stars needed a victory to put their playoff hopes back on track. Whilst a pointless weekend last week for Coventry meant a win tonight was just as important. It was the visitors that looked the more confident as Dustin Wood gave them the advantage within the first 5 minutes. Despite matching the Blaze for shots the Stars couldn’t break through and a second period goal from Park doubled the Blaze advantage. The game was put beyond the hosts in the third period through Great Britain forward Robert Farmer. The win puts the Coventry Blaze back on track but the wins need to keep coming after an up and down start to the season. The loss for the Dundee Stars though puts them six points behind the Stingrays in the race for the playoffs but they do have 3 games in hand.

Edinburgh Capitals 4 Fife Flyers 2

The final game on Saturday night was the Forth derby at the Kirkcaldy ice rink with Fife seeking their second victory and in form Capitals side. It was the Capitals that got off to the flying start though as they took two goals in seven minutes though Zembergs and Mackenzie. A third goal for the visitors from Menton sparked a comeback from the home team as Gunn made it a 2 goal game going into the third.But the three goal lead was restored soon after the interval as Menton got his second of the game. Gunn’s second did reduce the deficit back to 2 for the Fife Flyers but was not enough. Edinburgh keep in control of a playoff spot by winning their third game in four whilst Fife’s spirited performances cannot seek out a second victory.

Premier League

Manchester Phoenix’s injury woes continued as they travelled south to Basingstoke with the news that player coach Tony Hand would need further X-rays on his injured foot. However the return of defenseman Jarek Spelda was a welcomed boost and the Phoenix came home with 2 points after a dominating second and third period saw them win 5-1. 

Slough failed last weekend to get a point and lost top spot but returned to winning ways with a solid performance against Bracknell; running out 7-2 winners at the Hanger. With those 2 points the Jets move level at the top with Guildford.

Milton Keynes rise up the table continued with a hard fought victory over the high flying Steeldogs at Planet Ice. Whilst Swindon keep in touch with the pack by winning at home against a Peterborough team that only one point of the foot of the table.

Results

Manchester Phoenix 5 Basingstoke Bison 1

Sheffield Steeldogs 2 Milton Keynes Lightning 3

Bracknell Bees 2 Slough Jets 7

Peterborough Panthers 2 Swindon Wildcats 5

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Continental Cup Day 2 Round Up - HC Asiago, Rubin Tyumen, Donbass Donestsk all Notch Wins

HC Asiago took control of Group D as they got their 2^nd win of the weekend so far. They let their Hungarian opponents, Dunaujvaros take a 2 goal lead – just like they let the Steelers in the 1^st game but this time came back and won the game in regulation 3-2. It was hat trick hero from game 1, Bentivoglio who got the game winning goal with just 1.38 left in the 3^rd period.

Hosts Herning Blue Fox kept their campaign alive with a 3-0 win over the Sheffield Steelers in the evening game from group D. The British team held their Danish hosts in the 1^st period but ran into penalty trouble for the rest of the game as they took numerous 2 minute minors and 10 minute misconducts. Sheffield had to fend off numerous 5 on 3’s but already short benched compared to their opponents they eventually succumbed to the Danish teams pressure and couldn’t get back into the game.

HC Asiago need to win against hosts Herning Blue Fox to secure their place in the Super Finals on Sunday evening. If they lose in overtime or on penalty shots I believe Herning would go through on the same points but with having beaten their opponents. This, of course depends on how Dunaujvaros have done in the afternoon game against Sheffield. If the Hungarians win they can still go through but would need Herning to win in regulation. All very complicated stuff but none the less exciting.

Group E saw both teams who won Friday pick up their 2^nd wins of the weekend on Saturday as well. Rubin Tyumen left it late to beat Liepajas Metalurgs 4-3, with the game winning goal coming from Bezrukov with 37 seconds left. Liepajas had held 2-0 and 3-1 leads in this game but allowed the Russian team back into the game and eventually had their campaign ended with that cruel late goal.

Hosts Donbass Donetsk won their evening game against Cracovia Krakow 3-1 and set up a Sunday showdown against Rubin. It will be the evening game from the group to finish the weekend and it will be whichever team can hold their nerve and get the win that will go through to the Super Finals in Rouen come January.

- Adam Yates

Detroit Red Wings v Nashville Predators - Detroit on a Roll !!!!

Fillpula gave Detroit the lead in this one with just over 6 minutes left as Detroit continued their good run on the powerplay. Bertuzzi looked like he had buried the puck into the net from a move close in but somehow he put it across the goal line and off the post. The big forward even thought it had gone in as he raised his arms but Fillpula continued the play and picked up the puck to backhand it into the roof of the net.

The previous 13 minutes had been a tame affair with neither team really creating any outstanding chances. Both teams seemed to be feeling each other out but yet again it was Detroit who had managed to get the first goal of the game to settle themselves down.

This seemed to wake Nashville up as they created their best chance of the game shortly after the Red Wings goal but Brad Stuart somehow managed to clear a puck off the goal line back into the body of Howard as the Predators looked to tie the game back up quickly.

Detroit however continued to dominate possession and went into the 1^st intermission with that 1-0 lead, having outshot the Predators 14-3.

Zetterberg had Detroit 2-0 up at the start of the 2^nd as he came round the back of the net, looked to shoot on the backhand and take the puck forehand, hold on to it for what seemed an eternity and then shoot it past Rinne who had been fooled by the delay in the shot and was swimming around in the crease.

Detroit took a 3-0 lead with 11 left in the 2^nd as Jakub Kindl made a smart play, firing a puck low across the ice towards the front of the net and Hudler tipped it first and then Fillpula as he got his 2^nd of the night.

Less than 5 minutes into the 3^rd and Detroit had a 4-0 lead as Helm lifted a stick, stole the puck and then made a no look pass to Cleary who wired the puck one time past the glove of Rinne. Nashville got one back quickly as they finally put a puck past Howard. Hillen tipping the puck in off a Wilson feed across the crease at 5.34 of the 3^rd.

 

Detroit had done enough through the opening 2 periods however and Nashville couldn’t get anything else back quick enough to make a final challenge in this one. They had 2 late powerplay chances but even then it was Darren Helm who had the best chance on the shorthand. He couldn’t finish off a move that saw him clear in on Rinne and the score remained 4-1.

With only a couple of minutes left a Josi shot caught Patrick Eaves in the head  and the Detroit forward had to be stretchered off the ice. The puck seemed to turn on its end just as the rookie fired it and Eaves could do nothing to get out of them way as he took it at full pace to the side of the head.

Detroit were superb defensively all game, giving up only 19 shots – 8 of the through the first 2 periods. They have a knack of getting themselves into the lead at the minute and very rarely are they allowing teams back at them. This takes their winning streak to 5 games as they remain in hot form.

- Adam Yates