Gallery: IceHogs come out on top in shootout with Wolves
Photos by Patrick Gorski
Sharks Fall Short in Comeback Over Flames
(photo: Jack Lima Photography)
Hoping to build off their win at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night, the San Jose Sharks faced the visiting Calgary Flames Saturday night.
The air was sucked out of the Tank rather quickly though, as the Flames got on the board first – and fast. Defenseman Dennis Wideman wristed one from 52 feet only 40 seconds in. The Sharks would try and get that one back as Jiri Hudler took a trip to the penalty box. Near the end of the power play, it was a shorty by Joe Colborne, who also assisted on Wideman’s goal, that would sink the Sharks two in the hole. Rounding out the first with only four shots on net, this was a period the Sharks wished they could get back.
“Just a poor first twenty minutes. When you dig yourself a hole, you get frustrated, and we weren’t able to find our way out completely,” commented Tommy Wingels after the game. On the other end, Flames head coach Bob Harley stated that “it was one of our best first periods of the season.”
The Sharks decided to come out into the second in the same fashion as the Flames did in the first. Only 12 seconds in, Logan Couture sniped one in and cut the Flames’ lead in half. Shortly after, the Flames headed to the sin bin again and the Sharks got another chance on the man advantage. Joe Thornton redeemed first period’s dismal power play, which had only one shot, and tied the game on this one. Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau got the assists on Thornton’s goal, each of whom registered two assists on the night – and it was Marleau’s 46th time in his career that he’s had a two-assist night. His first assist on the night was on Couture’s goal.
Building off the scoring momentum, it was Melker Karlsson who got the go-ahead goal, a deflection from Pavelski (number 2 assist on the night), to make it 3-2. Karlsson has been phenomenal in his rookie year, as this was his seventh goal in 17 games. Six of those goals have all come in January, with a franchise rookie record streak of 5 goals in 5 games earlier in the month.
It wouldn’t take long for the Flames to tie it up. A wrister from Hudler made this an even game once again, almost halfway into the second. This tying goal led to a (shortened) overtime. Twenty four seconds into the extra period, Sean Monahan backhanded a shot in past Antti Niemi, winning the game for Calgary.
Some positives on the night for the Sharks included their comeback from a two-goal deficit. That’s the quality of their character that they must be consistent with. Also, they were perfect on the penalty kill in this game, with two, and the previous three games, killing off all 11 penalties in the last four games.
Coach Todd McLellan said it best though, in a post game interview:
“We got what we deserved. And we’re probably fortunate we got that. The start was unacceptable…And sometimes it’s only half a team, but tonight it was a full team. So we’re fortunate to have a point. We need to realize that. And yes, we did come back. Yes, we pushed. All good signs. The start itself was unacceptable.”
For their third home game on this seven-game homestand, the Sharks will face the New Jersey Devils Monday night and the all-important division rivals Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, followed by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. With aggressive opponents ahead, the Sharks have their work cut out for them. Consistency and the ability to come from behind seem to be the common themes in the Sharks’ play as of late. And even though they lost in overtime in this one, I think that they do have the confidence needed to earn W’s for the tough schedule ahead.
Rangers, Marc Staal Agree to 6-Year, $34.2-Million Contract Extension
(Photo: NHL)
The New York Rangers and defenseman Marc Staal have agreed to a six-year contract extension. Staal, 28, will receive $34.2 million over the next six seasons and will continue his career with the Rangers through 2020-2021. The deal also includes a full no-movement clause for the first three seasons and a modified no-trade clause for the remaining three.
Staal would have entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, but both sides have made it clear that New York is where he belongs. Staal has spent his entire eight-year career with the Rangers since being drafted 12th overall in the 2005 draft. He currently has 2 goals and 6 assists this season, including the Rangers’ first goal in their 2-1 win over Columbus on Friday night, and he is carrying a +6 rating. He is also averaging 22:00 of playing time per game on the blue line.
With Staal locked down for the foreseeable future, the Rangers must now consider their other pending UFAs and RFAs. Pending UFAs are Martin St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello, Lee Stempniak, and Matt Hunwick, and pending RFAs are Derek Stepan, Jesper Fast, Carl Hagelin, and John Moore. With approximately $20 million remaining in cap space and several players due a raise and/or extension, the Rangers will most likely need to say some goodbyes and make some sacrifices before next season begins.
Bruins Show Disappointing Effort
The Bruins, hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday evening, January 17, came into the game riding a five-game winning streak that had everyone on the bench wearing smiles, which had been missing for much of the season before they strung the five together. However, after having been tied since 11:34 of the first the Blue Jackets Matt Calvert got the go-ahead goal with just 3:03 remaining in regulation.
Despite the Boston Bruins having the layers that are apparent when they are playing their game, Brandon Dubinsky was able to gain the offensive zone, though Torey Krug did angle him into the corner. Dubinsky managed to find enough space to squeak a pass to Boston College alumni Cam Atkinson who deked around Adam McQuaid with a shot that hit Tuukka Rask’s heel before Calvert, who was just sitting there at the crease, knocked it in.
And with that the energy in TD Garden from fans and players alike evaporated as a scene that had become all too familiar this season played itself out. The final insult to the night’s action on the ice would also be scored by Calvert, who would pot the empty net goal at 19:22 of the third for a final score of 3-1.
“I am disappointed. I’m gonna be honest here. I’m disappointed,” head coach Claude Julien said after the game. “I don’t care, six wins in a row, whatever, we just can’t afford to have those kind of outings. Disappointed that we didn’t come to play harder than we did tonight and we wanted to take the easy way out.”
Patrice Bergeron
Despite a slow start in the first and the fact that the Blue Jackets were on the board first with a power play goal by Ryan Johansen, the Bruins showed resilience and perseverance by tying the game just about three-and-a-half minutes later from a shot off the stick of Carl Soderberg. Unfortunately that was where the good things seemed to begin tapering off for the Bruins.
“We were making some strides forward. We talked about making sure we were keeping that,” assistant captain Patrice Bergeron explained. “Definitely we need a lot more. We have to sustain that [effort] and find ways to do that. Tonight was definitely not the result and the effort that we wanted.”
The question begs to be asked though if they know they need to bring the effort why is it not happening? Sometimes it may get chalked up to a particular team just being in the head of the Bruins. Other times it is the result of unknown injuries—though this scenario is usually seen only during playoffs.
Saturday’s loss was handed to the Bruins not only by the same team who trounced them on December 27, with a resounding 6-2 victory in Columbus after the Christmas break, but by the same goalie, Curtis McElhinney. And for the Blue Jackets, Saturday’s win was a much-needed one for their team—ending their own four game losing streak. McElhinney and the Blue Jackets have served the Bruins their only two regulation losses since coming out of the Christmas break.
Curtis McElhinney
“Well it feels good. I think obviously the last game that we played against them, it was tough after the days off. We scored quite a few goals,” McElhinney told reporters. “This one was a little bit tighter of a game. You know, they played a solid game tonight, but we were able to hang on and come out with a win.”
Just as the coach of a college team who recently came out lackluster and was then commended for his team’s effort said about the reporter’s comments during a post game interview, perhaps McElhinney was being overly kind to the Bruins. The reality of the situation is that the Bruins did not play a truly solid game, at least not for the full sixty minutes of regulation.
“Yeah, we definitely didn’t play tonight like we have in the last bunch of games. It’s unfortunate we got away from the things that were making us successful and that got us on a five-game win streak,” Milan Lucic said after the game. “It just goes to show you can’t let your guard down or you can’t be sleepy or anything like that heading into the game no matter who you’re playing.”
It was unfortunate, but it was avoidable. The Bruins know what they need to do. They know how they need to play. However, apparently they are struggling to break out of some possible bad habits that have contributed to some of their past losses.
“You know it’s one of those lessons and hopefully the last time we have to learn it.” – Milan Lucic
The Bruins have two more games before they enter the break for the All-Star festivities that will take place in Columbus. While most of the team will have that time off, Bergeron will be representing the Bruins during the All-Star weekend. However, right now their focus needs to be on what they must do to get a full sixty minute effort from each man on the bench.
Sharks and Leafs Recap: California Sweeps The Leafs
(photo: Dinur Blum)
The San Jose Sharks hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night at SAP Center. The Leafs began their California road trip this week in Los Angeles on Monday and played the Anaheim Ducks the night before this one, both resulting in shutouts. Although hoping to get off the schneid against the Sharks and round out their California road trip on a high note, the Leafs would come up short in this one as the Sharks started their 7-game homestand with a win.
Notable lineup changes for the Sharks included Tyler Kennedy‘s return to the ice to replace Andrew Desjardins who has been out due to the birth of his son. Also for this line included Tomas Hertl at center, flanked by Tye McGinn and Kennedy. This change happened for the previous game on Tuesday at Arizona where Hertl scored. He had been on an eleven-game drought and once put on the fourth line, things started to change. It seems he is most comfortable at his familiar center position. Linemate Kennedy, who scored the first goal of this Leafs game at 11:05 in the first, noted the difference as well:
“Our line is clicking a little bit right now. I think we have to focus on the little things to be successful. And I think that’s what we’re doing right now. It’s just two games, and we have to keep moving on and get better.”
Thirteen seconds after Kennedy’s goal, Patrick Marleau scored, giving the Sharks a two-goal lead very early. Nearly three minutes later though, defenseman Roman Polak snapped the lead, and snapped the Leafs’ scoreless streak, in half. It was a weird goal, but a goal nonetheless: Polak shot wide and the puck bounced off the boards behind Antti Niemi and back to the side of the net, where Niemi was there a split second too late. So the Leafs wouldn’t leave California without a goal after all.
Besides a very late empty-netter with 44 seconds left in the third period by Tommy Wingels, that was all the scoring in this one.
The lack of goals weren’t for lack of trying, though. There were myriad close calls with weird bounces and rolls of the puck just inches from crossing the goal line on more than one occasion. San Jose had 42 shots on goal and Toronto had just over half that amount at 25. In fact, in the second period they only managed four shots and an additional eight in the third. On the other hand, some of the Sharks’ top guys really shined in the shot department – Marleau got 6 and Logan Couture got 7. Kennedy, on that good ol’ fourth line, got in 4 looks as well.
Joe Thornton credited a quick start for the win in this one, commenting in a post-game interview that “[the quick start] was probably one of our keys…We scored 2 within the first ten minutes. That won us the game.”
It’s worth noting that Niemi, although only faced with 25 shots in which he saved 24, was also a huge factor in the Sharks ability to win this one because of all those weird bounces around the net.
The Sharks face the Calgary Flames in game two of their seven at home in a Saturday night on ice showdown.
Taking a Gamble on Bringing the NHL to Vegas
The Sin City could be getting its very own NHL team soon. Rumors that have been circulating for years have turned into talks and meetings about a potential expansion. Today poker star, Canadian native, and hockey fan Daniel Negreanu tweeted out:
While the contents actually discussed at the meeting remain a mystery, the fact there was even a meeting with potential owners is a good sign for those hoping for the expansion to move a step closer to becoming a reality, unless, of course, this is a repeat episode of John Spano and the New York Islanders.
Whether or not the NHL would be successful in Las Vegas is obviously one of the big questions that needs to be answered before the expansion can move forward. While there may be plenty of talent to go around, financial success is the biggest factor in whether or not Vegas gets a team.
The Sin City is not a stranger to hockey. The Las Vegas Thunder, a former team in the International Hockey league was active in the desert beginning in 1993 and eventually folded in 1999. The Las Vegas Wranglers, an ECHL team, began operations at rink under the New Orleans hotel during the 2003-2004 season. The Wranglers experienced considerable success in Las Vegas up until the 2014-2015 ECHL season when they voluntarily suspended operations while in search for a new place to call home ice.
Unlike the Wranglers, the new Vegas NHL team already has an arena secured for a new NHL team to call home should they decide to go all the way. With home ice already in place, the expansion faces one less obstacle. Still though, outside of generating profits and revenue, building a brand new arena, and ownership, there’s a lot of skepticism surrounding the idea of making Vegas the permanent home for an NHL team.
However, former hockey star and analyst Jeremy Roenick seems to think it’s a good idea. In a conversation with Sports Illustrated on Monday, January 12th, Roenick reaffirmed his position on the Vegas expansion. He stated:
“I think it’ll happen, I think it can work,” and “there’s a lot of money there, and I think a lot of people would love to go to Vegas to watch their favorite team play. It wouldn’t be bad to be the first pro sports team in Vegas. I think the NHL likes to be the pioneers in that aspect.”
But what would the fanbase of that team look like? This is the question that’s been pestering me the most since the NHL Las Vegas expansion went from being speculation to a reality. The location of the new Las Vegas Arena would be right behind Monte Carlo and New York New York casinos on the Strip. I am sure that when all the details are sorted out and they break ground on the construction of the project, the Arena will be every bit as extravagant and over-the-top as the rest of the Vegas Strip, but it’s who will be attending games at that arena that I am not so sure about.
From what I know, Vegas locals tend to avoid the Strip as much as they can. This means that a good number of the attendees at the games would be out of towners or those coming to visit Vegas for a short period of time. A team there seems doomed to a rowdy crowd of outsiders looking for something to do before a night of partying. The way I see it, without a consistent fanbase, a lot is lost. There’s a sense of permanence that’s lost without a consistent fanbase on home ice.
Maybe I’m wrong, maybe an NHL team in Vegas is just what they need to bring locals to the Strip to watch their team play. Maybe it’ll be the opposite of an inconsistent fanbase and instead be a team with diehard fans who come to watch their team play, which would be great for Las Vegas.
Of course, it’s not like they’re not taking the fanbase into consideration. According to an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, Bill Foley, current chairman of Fidelity National Financial and potential owner of the future NHL franchise in Las Vegas, devised a plan that would kill two birds with one stone. Foley wants 10,000 people to commit to season tickets for the new hockey team in Vegas and starting in early February, they’ll have the chance to put down a deposit for those tickets. The ticket drive will determine whether or not there is a market for professional hockey in Vegas while simultaneously determining if there are fans willing to commit to supporting a team and building a lasting fanbase.
In his interview with Sports Illustrated, Roenick also stated that the NHL would like to be a pioneer in Vegas’ journey into professional sports teams, and I am inclined to agree with the great JR. If the numbers add up, there is a market and the talent is there, then it would be great for the NHL to bring a professional sports franchise to Vegas, but if not, it may only confirm for the rest of pro-sports that Vegas just might not be the place to build a lasting, successful franchise. In the end, I suppose that, like most everything else in Sin City, bringing an NHL team to Vegas is just going to have to be a gamble.
Coyotes End 6 Game Home-Stand On Bad Note
(photo: Dinur Blum)
The Arizona Coyotes gave up yet another game at home to the Calgary Flames Thursday night. The 4-1 loss with Mike Smith in net didn’t come as much of a surprise to the loyal fans, but it was yet again a painful fall.
The game was pretty evenly played for the first two periods, but the Coyotes still struggled with building on a lead. Not being able to generate offense to increase a lead has been one of their continued issues all season, and it just isn’t getting any better.
Boedker heating things up
A second period goal from Mikkel Boedker earned him a new personal record of a 4 game goal streak. He leads the team with 14 goals, the past 5 of which have been on his past 6 shots on goal. Pretty good shooting percentage for the young forward.
“It’s not worth talking about one person when you’re losing or when you’re winning. We are a team in here and everybody has to contribute.It just happens to fall on my stick right now and go in the back of the net.” Boedker said when asked about his goal streak. “We are a team and it’s a team first mentality when Tippett is behind the bench, so that’s the way we play here.”
Fresh face brings good playing style
Recent call-up from Portland, Philip Samuelsson (acquired in a trade for Rob Klinkhammer to the Penguins), played in his first game with the Coyotes on Thursday. He seemed to be fitting in well with the team, and was even a key piece to their penalty kill. #25 was thrown out on the ice for both of the Coyotes penalties.
“It felt pretty good. Obviously it’s nice having good linemen that are steady, and you know exactly what to expect out of them.” Samuelsson commented about his first game. “That surely helps my confidence, and for me it is getting a couple passes early that connect. From there it goes pretty solid.”
Dave Tippett, Coyotes head coach talked about Samuelsson saying, “I thought Philip played solid, very steady. He played hard and moved the puck all right. I thought that was a very good first game for him.”
Did the Coyotes make the wrong move?
Obviously, Dave Tippett is going to get questions about the sudden trade of goaltender Devan Dubnyk to the Minnesota Wild. After a shutout on his first game playing with Minnesota, it might have looked like a questionable choice for Arizona.
In hindsight, Dubnyk has the potential to be the #1 goaltender for a team. Factoring in the right elements, such as a strong offense and defense, makes a huge difference in any ‘tenders game play. Coyotes have lacked in both areas this season, there’s no other way to put it. Sending Dubnyk to Minnesota for a potentially beneficial young prospect is honestly a good idea for them in the long run.
GM Don Maloney wants the team to be youthful, and really make the necessary changes for the to be the best, and considering Dubnyk’s contract with the Coyotes was set to expire in the off-season, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Coyotes were able to get a third-round draft pick, and if youth is the direction that they want to go in, then it is highly beneficial for them to make those moves.
“I think it says a lot about what players maybe have been thinking about is going to happen… We’re going to look to do something for the future of the franchise.” Said Tippett on the Dubnyk trade. “Whenever it happens, it takes you back a little bit and that one seemed it happened pretty quick because Minnesota wanted to do something quick. That’s probably the first move in moving some assets to improve the franchise.”
Thoughts from the coach
“There are some psychological (challenges), some frustration, but there is some good in it too. You see some young players really progress and we’re making strides, but over this next part of this season, all of those emotions will be tested. Believe me.” – Dave Tippett
Jean-Paul “J.P.” Parise Gone but Not Forgotten
With the funeral service of J.P. Parise held on Friday, January 16, 2015, the final public moment of his passing—which took place on January 7—has taken place. The Celebration of Life service was a wonderful way to recognize not only an amazing hockey player but also more importantly an amazing individual. And now that the official responses from the organizations to which Parise had been attached have been shared and the Minnesota Wild—the team his son Zach plays for—have paid their respects, the hard part begins for the Parise family.
J.P. Parise (Photo: FindAGrave.com)
During that public mourning phase the family had things to occupy their time. Details of the service and the final resting place had to be attended to. Words of kindness from friends and work associates were acknowledged. However, the world continues at its fast pace, moving beyond this one incident. For the family though, the mourning continues as daily reminders come unbidden in the sight of a cup or the strains of a song or even the sounds at the hockey rink bringing memories of a vivacious Parise to mind. It is hoped that the family will find comfort from these reminders and that, instead of tears stinging their eyes, a grin may tug at their lips for the true legacy this man left behind in every aspect of his life.
The obituary that was published in the Star Tribune on January 11 offers a glimpse into the man his family saw and describes the kind of person that anyone would be proud to call “Dad.”
“The joy and laughter you brought to each day is immeasurable. Picture after picture showing love and tenderness, compassion and kindness, pride and modesty, is a constant reminder that we lost the best man we will ever know. We watched in awe as you treated everyone with respect, dignity, and thoughtfulness, always making sure that the people who surrounded you walked away better people after being with you.”
If Parise had never become a “famous hockey player” his legacy would be as meaningful, but perhaps it is more so because his life in the public eye might easily have changed a weaker man. Parise lost his fight to cancer, but he did not lose his fight of what it means to be a good person and his example has left its permanent mark on his sons.
Zach Parise (Photo: Minnesota Wild)
When son Zach Parise elected not to re-sign with the New Jersey Devils and instead elected to move closer to home and, with his best friend Ryan Suter, sign with the Minnesota Wild in the summer of 2012, he had no idea how important that decision would ultimately become.
Because of his decision to move back to where he grew up, he was closer to his father, who at one time captained the Minnesota North Stars (now the Dallas Stars). This allowed Parise to be around more and have the opportunity to spend quality time with his father before the end came.
And while it was a nice that Parise chose number 11 on the Wild—the number his father wore when he was on the North Stars—perhaps going forward it will mean even more. For Parise, he will always have a little piece of his father with him out there on the ice when he plays.
For those who enjoyed watching J.P. Parise on the ice or behind the bench, perhaps the best thing you can do to thank this man for the efforts he exerted in his hockey career, the family he raised, and for the many players he helped mold during his years at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, is to give a donation is his honor to Defending the Blue Line, a cause that was important to Parise. Through such donations Parise’s involvement in hockey can continue in a lasting tangible legacy.
Reign 3 – Condors 2 (SO) – 1/14/15
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