Ryan Ellis Bound to be a Star for the Nashville Predators

When Predators captain Shea Weber missed games with a concussion last month Predators fans feared for what the repercussions of this could mean for the team.  Very few people realized that the repercussions of not having Weber in the lineup would be the emergence of a future NHL star on the Predators blue line.  Predators fans and those who have seen Ryan Ellis play throughout his junior career and his times with Team Canada at the World Juniors knew it was just a matter of time before Ellis cracked the NHL lineup on the consistent basis, but no one could have predicted it to happen as soon as possible. 

Ellis stepped up right away proving that his lack of size is not going to affect his play in the NHL.  Ellis has been a player who thrives on the power play, much like Weber, his whole career and he fit into that role in Nashville right away.  Through six games this season for the Predators he has produce two goals and two assists for four points including a two game goal streak Ellis is currently on.  However Ellis’ offensive production is not the only thing that has allowed him to stay in Nashville even after Weber was reinserted into the lineup.  Ellis has proved to be solid in the defensive end of the ice holding a +2 rating through his first six games.  

During a season when Predators fans have to worry about whether or not their top two defensemen will return next season(Suter and Weber), Ellis is proving to be a bright spot of hope for the future for Predators fans.  Ellis has been a dominate player at all levels he has played at whether it was the OHL, or World Junior Championships, or even the AHL.  Ellis was named an AHL All-Star for the 2012 All-Star game proving his dominance at even the AHL level.  Predators fans everywhere can be thankful for this first round draft pick as potential changes loom in the background throughout the rest of this season.  Ryan Ellis has all the makings to become the next big defenseman to wear the sabre tooth tiger logo, and represent the city of Nashville.  So Predators fans be thankful and enjoy watching Ellis through the years because he is bound for greatness. 

- Isaac Berky

             

Sheffield Steelers Hit Coventry Blaze For 6.

More GB hockey action for our readers !!

The only Elite League game to be played on New Years Day saw the Sheffield Steelers regain 4^th spot in the Elite League with a fine 6-3 win over the Coventry Blaze.

Coventry started the opening 2 minutes looking menacing but a defensive lapse saw Colt King give Sheffield the lead at 2.33. He fired the puck high over the net but it took a funny bounce to come straight back infront of the net and with the Blaze defence asleep King stole in to fire the puck past Hirsch.

The Blaze levelled at 8.34 as Barry Jurynec was the beneficiary from a Matt Stephenson mistake as the puck found him open infront of the net and he fired past John De Caro. Stephenson was less than impressed with himself, smashing his stick on the crossbar as he realised he should have controlled and cleared the puck.

Sheffield were to take a 2-1 lead into the 2^nd period though as ex Blaze star Luke Fulgham got on the score sheet with a clinical finish at 17.46.

2 quick goals at the start of the 2^nd period saw Sheffield take a commanding 4-1 lead as Fulgham scored his 2^nd of the game at 21.48 and Jeff Legue fired  a one timer in off the bar as Colt King fed him the perfect pass on a 2-1 breakaway.

It then turned into the Peter Hirsch show as the Blaze netminder started to stand on his head to keep the score down. He pulled off some jaw dropping saves from Legue, King and Finnerty – the latter the most upset as he slammed his stick into the plexi after being denied on his chance.

The Blaze did pull a goal back in the midst of all these Steelers chances as Owen Fussey scored a powerplay goal at 5.53.

Hirsch was still on top form at the start of the 3^rd period as he again denied Finnerty a certain goal but he was finally beaten for a 5^th time as Matt Stephenson atoned for his earlier error and managed to force the puck in behind the Blaze netminder.

Coventry weren’t finished yet though and brought the game back to within 2 as Greg Owen scored at 9.32 of the third, firing the puck in off De Caro’s skates from just behind the goal line.

However, Mike Ramsay finished off the scoring at 11.45 of the period as he was put clean in on Hirsch and this time the netminder couldn’t pull off the big save as Ramsay deked round him and fired it into the net.

A superb game from both teams but Sheffield proved they are a force on home ice and got back to winning ways after 2 disappointing games over Christmas.

My man of the match awards go to Peter Hirsch in the Blaze goal who certainly stopped the Steelers scoring 10 in this game. There were at least 5 / 6 one on ones where he pulled of miraculous stops and he kept his team in the game in the 2^nd period.

For Sheffield, Colt King really impressed me. Having a reputation as more of an enforcer type of player he is certainly a lot more than that. A great power forward display and his passing was excellent throughout the game. 1 + 1 on the board and was one of the ones that Hirsch stoned otherwise would have scored more.

- Adam Yates

Bruins Should be the New Spelling for Dynasty

The Bruins are on a tear of historic proportions.  The Stanley Cup champions have not lost in regulation time in the last 14 games.  The boys from Bean town crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday which showed the entire NHL that they are intent on repeating as league champions.  The complete turnaround from the disastrous start to the 2011-2012 campaign is complete for Boston.  Claude Julien's squad is firing on all cylinders.  The offense is scary good and Tim Thomas is playing like he is  in the post season.  To every teams chagrin, Boston's back up netminder (Tuukka Rask) is playing as well as Thomas.

The effort on scoring has made all the difference for the Bruins in November's run.  Goals are flying past the opposition at an amazing rate and the Bruins team dominates the league leaders in plus/minus.  Tyler Seguin is the king of plus/minus in the NHL and he is proving to be the number one hope for a Bruins powerhouse going forward 5-10 years.   There is a real winning psychology in Boston.  The Red Sox and Patriots led the way for years and now it looks like the Bruins are ready to the mantle from those two great sports franchises.  Boston is fast becoming the center of the hockey world and the real reason for the resounding success is that everyone on the Bruins plays for the guy next to him.  These guys are the epitome of team play and other NHL squads should be paying attention.

There is no guarantee that Boston will keep up this pace for the rest of the season but we are sure they will rise to the occasion come playoff time and send opponents packing.  The Bruins look great for the Cup this year and many years to come.  These guys could gel as one of the best NHL teams since the glory days of the Detroit red Wings.  Detroit was a great team but these guys could become better.  Time will tell but we like the odds.

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

Ray Trenton of GetRealHockey Scores an Exclusive Interview with Eric Nystrom of the Dallas Stars

To say the 2011-2012 Dallas Stars season has been a rollercoaster would be the understatement of the year. With ownership changes finally done and a young core building the Stars back into a powerhouse, it's easy to get excited about the future.. something that was frankly scary a year ago. One of the key elements to the on-ice success is the Stars checking line. Eric Nystrom, Vernon Fiddler, and Radek Dvorak have been pressuring opponents up and down the rinks of the National Hockey League.

The son of the NY Islander's 4 time Stanley Cup winner Bob Nystrom, Eric has big shoes to fill. A veteran of the Michigan State Wolverines, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild, Nystrom brings an energy to the Stars locker room that is both welcomed and embraced by his fellow players.

Starting the season with the Minnesota Wild, Nystrom was unexpectedly waived on October 6^th, but quickly picked up by the Stars. With something to prove and a newfound energy, Nystrom has excelled. With 9 points, a positive +/- score, and more hits than I can count, Nystrom's contributions to the team have been immediate.

Recently I sat down with left winger Eric Nystrom who was kind enough to answer a few questions about the success of the NyFidRak line (I know, I need to come up with a better nickname), how he's adjusting to Dallas, and a few other questions including one that may settle an age-old dispute!

1) A lot has been made about the Stars 'youth factor' this season, especially with Glen Gulutzan in charge. Is there a noticeable energy in the locker room/on the ice?

Nystrom: There's definitely a noticeable energy both on the ice and in the room! The coaching staff is very positive and that rubs off on us as players. Everyone has a lot of enthusiasm. It's awesome!!

2) Since coming to the Stars, you've already started out on a career-best season. Any special factors leading up to this? Line chemistry?

Nystrom: My linemates have been awesome. We definitely read well off each other. Also, i have a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I'm super motivated to prove myself!!

3) Speaking of line chemistry, it's not often that a checking line is the talk of the league. Any keys to success? I think it's a blessing in disguise that you were picked up on waivers because you've made an immediate impact. Was there much of an adjustment period from being released to being picked up? Did that motivate you even more to put up the strong numbers you have already posted this season?

Nystrom: Devo (Radek Dvorak, RW) Fids (Vernon Fiddler, C) and I all play a pretty straight line, predictable game. Because of that, we know what's on each others minds and we're not guessing! Plus those guys have great speed on the forecheck which is tough for opposing d to handle. I'm very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with these guys. It has definitely made the adjustment really smooth. With us its a lot more than putting up points, theres so many small details we pride ourselves in!

4) Since I'm also participating in Movember I'm curious about this one.. on December 1st, are you going to shave or have you and your teammates grown attached to your staches?

Nystrom: I always have the scruff going. I hate shaving!! I'll prob just trim it up since my beard grows so quick.

5) I know you're sick of getting this one but... having lived in both Calgary and Dallas.. settle the score for us. Alberta beef or Texas beef?

Nystrom: I go grass-fed, so wherever that's comin' from is my choice of beef!!

GetRealHockey.com thanks Eric Nystrom for his time. Nystrom's Movember page can be found at http://us.movember.com/mospace/1503814, and you can keep up with him on Twitter, @enystrom23. I'm also on Twitter, @txhockeyroundup should you want to say hi!

November 26^th, 2011
Trenton Ray

Rangers to skate with the same lineup against the Ducks

Sean Avery has returned to the New York Rangers roster, but will not skate with the team as they take to the ice to take on the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, as head coach John Tortorella announced on Wednesday that he will go will the same lineup used in the 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Tortorella explained that the veteran forward hasn’t skated for a couple of days prior to Wednesday’s practice as the reason why Avery will not be in uniform for the game against the Ducks.  The 31-year-old was impressive with his first practice back with the team on Wednesday, alternating in with the line of Artem Anisimov, Erik Christensen and Andrew Deveaux during drills.

New York still has two more home games at Madison Square Garden, so it is likely that the forward will make his return to home ice very soon.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Inconsistency the key for Rangers in loss to Leafs

The stage was set for the New York Rangers (3-3-2) to have a magical night. It was the home opener of a renovated Madison Square Garden, as the hallowed venue was packed with the Blueshirts faithful.  Everything seemed to be going the way of the home team, with the exception of the results.

Inconsistency was the key as the Rangers fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs (6-2-1) in hockey action on Thursday night. New York had good puck movement early on, gaining the 1-0 lead at the 6:23 mark.

Dan Girardi (1) tallied the first goal at MSG off a strong move from Marian Gaborik to get the Garden rocking.  New York continued to swarm the Toronto cage throughout the first, recording a whopping 16 shots in the frame.

Leading the energetic charge was Captain Ryan Callahan, who showed his blue collar attitude throughout the course of the game. ‘Cally’ hustled to the point to where the Toronto players were ‘nudging’ him into their keeper to cause two interference calls by the referees.

Sadly for the fans of the Rangers though, those two calls, cost the teams two goals in what was a momentum-changing moment for the fans in attendance.  As the horn sounded to start the second period of play, the Leafs started to tilt the ice in their favor scoring four goals in two periods of play.

Michael Del Zotto did respond with one final tally for the Rangers at the 15:26 mark of the third period but time ran out on any comeback attempt for the home team, as the Leafs skated away with their sixth victory.

For New York, who had the right idea to start the night tossing every puck they could at the Leafs cage, wound up outshot by Toronto by a tally of 26-14 in the final two periods. The loss also continues a disturbing trend for Rangers’ fans-as victories at Madison Square Garden have been a rare occurrence.

The Rangers will look to reverse that trend on Saturday as they will square-off against the Ottawa Senators. The game is scheduled to air on the MSG network, with the face-off slated for 3:00 p.m.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/