(photo credit: Jack Lima Photography)
The Stockton Thunder took on the Ontario Reign for a late afternoon matchup at Stockton Arena. The Thunder have had trouble getting a win over the Reign in their home building, but not tonight as they put up a solid offensive effort against the second place Western Conference team besting them 3-1.
The Thunder welcomed back forward Ryan Hayes to the lineup, who has missed 39 games with a shoulder injury and Coach Kromm was pleased to see him back. “Its been a long time for him and coming back takes a while to get into it,” said Kromm. “He dropped to block a shot which was huge at the end there which made a big difference for us. It shows his commitment to the team and doing what he has to to win games, first and foremost. I thought he made some plays, had a couple quick shots on the side of the net that almost found their way in. He’s pretty creative in those situations where goaltenders aren’t expecting him to release a shot and where most guys won’t but he finds ways to do that and he’s dangerous all the time.”
Kromm said that Hayes worked extremely hard to get himself ready for an early comeback and that they didn’t really expect him back in the lineup until right near the playoffs.
“It felt great to be back. I’ve been waiting for this since I got my surgery and we got a win so it’s a successful night for the team,” Hayes commented after the win. “The first couple periods I was a little sluggish but finally our line started clicking in the third period.”
Hayes’ new linemates are Corey Trivino and Adam Brace, filling in for Joey Martin who got called up to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers earlier in the week. The line had already generated some buzz around the net during the series with the Colorado Eagles and the addition of Hayes’ offensive talent around the net with the speed and skill of both Brace and Trivino bodes well for Stockton as they finish out the season.
Riley Wetmore tallies a shorthanded goal off a pass from Adam Brace
The first period of play was dominated by the Reign as they fired 9 shots on net to the Thunders’ 5, but remained scoreless until halfway through the second period. The Thunder were called for a penalty, putting Ontario on the power play. Stockton tallied a beauty of a shorthanded goal off a broken play along the boards. Riley Wetmore and Adam Brace came in 2 on 0 and Reign netminder Olkinuora couldn’t stop the puck from finding the back of the net.
“The two of them executed perfectly. It was unselfish,” Kromm said of the shorthanded goal. “They moved it twice in order to get the goal and there wasn’t much the goaltender could do. It was a huge goal for us and momentum swing.”
Riley Wetmore, who put the puck past Reign defenseman Cameron Burt to get the play started said, “I saw Brace going to the net so I gave it to him early so if he wanted to shoot he could. He had me going to the net as well and he gave it back to me and the goalie was in a split and I got lucky, the puck went between the pad and the glove.”
The Thunder would score again in the third, this time Adam Brace would collect a goal in a passing clinic set up by Michal Spacek and Ryan Hayes, who one-touched it at the hashmarks to Brace and it was 2-0. James Henry would then add to the Thunder lead, taking the pass from Garet Hunt, walking into the slot and putting the puck through the 5-hole on Olkinuora.
A late power play goal from Reign captain Derek Couture, playing in his first game back since January 18th, denied Thunder goaltender Parker Milner a shutout. Stockton Mike Keenan received a delay of game penalty after a scramble in front of the Thunder net sent bodies to the ice and the puck batted away by Keenan, who leaned into the net as he reached for the puck, causing the net to come off its moorings.
“The guys did a great job on that play getting back,” said Milner about the scramble. “If they want to knock the net off and prevent a goal that’s fine with me.”
Milner has been a solid, steady force in net for the Thunder. Each game he improves and Kromm said, “There is no panic to his game, he’s been covering up all the rebounds, and there isn’t a lot laying around in front of him which makes it easy for our defense for sure.”
Milner stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced to get the 3-1 win for the Thunder, while Reign netminder Jussi Olkinuora made only 14 saves.
The Thunder head to Bakersfield on Tuesday to face the red-hot Condors while the Reign head to Colorado for a three game series with the Eagles next weekend.
(photo credit: Bakersfield Condors)
By Hayley Musashi
With avalanche-like momentum, the Bakersfield Condors scored goals on five of their first seven attempts Sunday afternoon and the Idaho Steelheads could never recover, accepting a 7-1 defeat at Rabobank Arena.
The seven goals allowed and six-goal differential were season-highs for the Steelheads (29-20-7).
The Condors’ (26-22-5) piled on the pressure early, scoring on its first shot, a George Hughes rocket from the top of the left-wing circle at the 1:16 mark that would ultimately set the tone of the game, and from there Bakersfield would not relent. The Condors piled on goals at 2:35, 5:26, and 9:49 to make it 4-0, putting an end to Josh Robinson’s time in the net for Idaho.
The first shot replacement goaltender Pat Nagle saw also slipped past him at 10:14 of the first, making it a 5-0 game in the first ten minutes of play.
“This doesn’t happen much in anyone’s career actually so when it comes you’ve just gotta take it in an enjoy it,” said the Condors’ Jordan Knackstedt who posted a pair of goals for the evening. “…but at the same time you can’t look past it; you’ve just gotta keep playing the right way and I think we did that tonight.”
Scoring in the second period was limited to one goal, but the Condors laid claim to it at the 15:02 mark, offsetting a barrage of scoring opportunities that were turned back by Laurent Brossoit.
The Steelheads were forced to continue play without rookie defenseman Matt Walters after he was boarded by the Condors’ Ryan Little at 6:52 of the second. Idaho was already playing shorthanded without captain Patrick Cullity, suspended by the ECHL prior to the game, leaving the Steelheads with just four natural defensemen for over half of the hockey game.
After Bakersfield extended their lead to 7-0, Idaho would finally put a tally on the board and break up the shutout bid with the team’s ninth short-handed goal of the season. Rob Linsmayer carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped the puck to Luke Judson, who rocketed a blast past Brossoit at the 9:52 mark of the third period. Judson’s offensive prowess was on showcase as he picked up his tenth goal of the season, six of which came in 14 games since joining Idaho in early February.
“Right now we’re just chasing points and want to climb the standings, so every game is important,” said the Condors’ Ryan Watson who also notched a pair of goals. “Especially against a team like Idaho who is just in front of us, so to get the two points, that’s huge. And obviously we did it in a nice style tonight.”
Robinson suffered the loss in net for Idaho, allowing four goals on six shots. Nagle stopped 13-of-16 in relief as Idaho held the Condors to just 22 total shots on net. The Steelheads only managed 17, tying a season-low.
Neither team scored on the power play, Idaho going 0-2 and the Condors going 0-4 in a virtually whistle-free game.
Coming into the matchup, this game was only the second time all season that the Condors played host to the Idaho Steelheads, although they have traveled to Boise for seven games during the campaign. Although the home ice advantage has belonged to the Steelheads, Idaho has only picked up three wins thus far including two in a row back in mid-February.
The Steelheads will make another trip to Bakersfield in two weeks’ time, with a two-game series at Rabobank Arena that will wrap up the season series.
(photo credit: Pioneer Press/Ben Garvin)
By Hayley Musashi
Former ECHL and current Minnesota Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been named the MeiGray Group ECHL Alumnus of the Month for February.
The Meigray Group is the leading distributor of game-worn jerseys—selling more than 6,800 jerseys since it became “The Official Game-Worn Jersey Source of the ECHL” in 2002-03.
The 23-year-old keeper goalie went 4-0-1 in five appearances during the month of February with one shutout, a 1.55 goals-against average and a save percentage of .942. Following a 5-4 overtime loss at Calgary on the first of the month, Kuemper ended February on a four-game winning streak, allowing two goals or less in each of the four matchups.
He made 34 saves in a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 4, turned back 16 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory against Nashville on Feb. 6, didn’t allow a shot to go through as he saved all 21 attempts in a 3-0 victory over Edmonton on Feb. 27, and had 30 saves in a 2-1 overtime win at Vancouver on Feb. 28.
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Kuemper is 10-3-2 with two shutouts, a 2.20 goals-against average and a save percentage of .924 in 17 appearances this season. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 12, 2013, sharing the honor of being the 500th former ECHL player to reach to NHL.
A sixth-round selection (161st overall) by the Wild in the 2009 NHL Draft, Kuemper appeared in 11 ECHL games during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 season with the Ontario Reign and Orlando Solar Bears posting an overall record of 7-3-1 with a 1.97 goals-against average and a save percentage of .937.
He also appeared in 61 career American Hockey League games with Houston and Iowa going 28-25-4 with six shutouts, a 2.23 goals-against average and a save percentage of .928.
In the world of the ECHL, lines are a constant shuffling of the deck, as players come and go. Some players are traded, others called up, some sent down from the AHL and the coaching staff is forced to re-evaluate the lines, searching for that chemistry that creates goals. Some teams in the ECHL remain fairly steady in their line-up, others, due to the pile-up of injuries on an NHL affiliate, may have more roster moves due to the trickle-down effect.
The New York Islanders have had their fair share of injuries. When Evgeni Nabokov missed three weeks, out with a lower body injury, the goalie shuffle began, with Anders Nilsson heading up from AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Stockton Thunder tender Parker Milner getting the call-up. Nabokov is now back in net with Nilsson in as a backup for this weekend’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Milner has returned to Stockton, and his strength in between the pipes shows the impact playing at the AHL level can make on a player’s game.
With the Sochi games came injury to Islanders Captain John Tavares, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a partially torn MCL in the game against Latvia, two games before Canada took gold. Forwards Frans Nielson and Matt Martin are also sidelined with injury which left a hole in the Isles’ offensive line and created opportunity for Sound Tigers top performing line of Ryan Strome, Anders Lee, and Mike Halmo. The call-up was as much based on the need to fill the offensive line as it was merit-based for the three. Strome-Lee-Halmo have led the Sound Tigers to six straight wins, playing a major role in the team’s second half surge.
In their first game up with the Isles on February 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anders Lee got to work on the power play in the third period and tied the game 3-3. When the Leafs Joffrey Lupul got the go-ahead goal late in the third it would be Lee again off a feed from Strome that would knot the game up 4-4 and force overtime, with the Isles winning in OT on Visnovsky’s goal and snapping a six game home winless streak for the team.
The Sound Tigers, with their top line called up, made some moves, bringing in Stockton Thunder forward Joey Martin, Bakersfield Condors Captain Joel Broda and Iowa Wild, former ECHL Idaho Steelheads Captain Justin Mercier to the roster. Joey Martin has been a consistent performer for the Thunder this season, whether it be scoring goals or generating chances, the points leader (51pts), he led the team both in goals (17) and assists (35) after the departure of forward Andrew Clark, also up with the Sound Tigers. Before his call-up, Martin had an impressive weekend in games against the Colorado Eagles, netting 3 goals in 3 games, the chemistry with his linemates Corey Trivino and Adam Brace coming through loud and clear.
In his debut with the Sound Tigers on Friday night against the Providence Bruins, Joey Martin put a puck past Svedberg after intercepting a breakout pass to Bruins David Warsofksy, with just 3 seconds left in the opening period. Andrew Clark continues to make an impact with Bridgeport, his goal gave the Sound Tigers a two-goal lead late in the second. Clark garnered the first star of the game and Martin, in his first game skated away with the 3rd star.
With all the shifts at both the NHL and AHL level, the Stockton Thunder had adjustments too. Right before Martin’s call-up to Bridgeport, Greg Miller, the Thunder’s other solid scoring forward was involved in a trade with the OKC Barons and the Sound Tigers, bringing Nicholas Tremblay to Stockton from Bakersfield. Forward Riley Wetmore was also sent down from Bridgeport and added an instant spark during the Colorado series with his linemates. Prior to last Sundays matinee game with the Eagles, Thunder Head Coach Rich Kromm said of the line combination, “Wetmore is a natural center, so we put him with J.P. Burkemper and Alex MacLeod. I thought they played a pretty steady solid game. They had good puck possession in the offensive zone.”
photo credit: John Babitz
Thunder Ben Rosen in a foot race with Eagles Jesse Mychan
The Stockton Thunder will take on the Ontario Reign in a Sunday late matinee match-up with some new line combinations, given the call-ups and injuries. Coach Kromm had paired up Martin-Trivino-Brace, with tremendous success so it will be a wait and see as far as who fills Martin’s slot. Matt Bergland, James Henry and Garet Hunt have been a solid line for the Thunder, with Henry racking up goals and assists. Ryan Hayes, who had shoulder surgery earlier in the season, is making a recovery and although he is still not ready for gameplay showcased his scoring touch during the team’s Bulletproof Energy Drinks Skills and Drills Challenge earlier this week. Nicholas Tremblay has yet to make his debut for the Thunder as he is still working through injury sustained during his time with the Condors.
Defensive line pairings may also get the shuffle for the Thunder. Shawn Boutin, a solid two-day defenseman for the Thunder, collided with the boards during last weekend’s Colorado series and although he finished the game with a goal did not return to the lineup on Sunday and has since been placed on the 21-day IR. Ryan Constant, the Thunder top D-man on the power play, was forced to block a shot in Sunday’s game and did not finish. During the Skills and Drills Challenge, Constant was wearing a boot but hasn’t been put on IR, so he may be in the lineup come Sunday with the Reign. Mike Keenan, recently returned from the Sound Tigers, was paired with Constant and Coach Kromm liked the chemistry between the two during the Colorado series. Finally, Ben Rosen has flipped between forward and defense for the Thunder. He played defense in college and put together a solid defensive unit with Landon Oslanski in last weekend’s series.
The Stockton Thunder meet the Ontario Reign on Sunday March 2nd at 4:00 at Stockton Arena before traveling to Bakersfield for a mid-week matchup with the Condors on Tuesday night.
Look up cake in the dictionary, you’ll see a smiling photo of yours truly. Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that my idea of a perfect food pyramid would have cake as the primary nutrition source. Alas, that’s not a reality. While I spend my days dreaming of the worlds best food, I also try to make healthy nutritional choices and if I can incorporate the cake batter flavor too, all the better.
I’ve learned, that adding dry cake mix to things can easily be the greatest remedy to my sweet tooth needs.
Now, this recipe makes a decent amount of frozen yogurt. Once made, I store it in a sealed plastic container in the freezer (duh, it’s frozen) and drag it out for a small bowl. But I’ve also found that throwing a few heaping spoonfuls into a cup of almond milk in the blender, is a quick way to make a delicious smoothie with minimal preparation since it’s ready to go.
***Of note, in theory this should be white, but I use hemp protein powder because of allergies and it’s green. So, my cake batter frozen Greek yogurt semi-resembles a ninja turtle — I’m cool with it. Perhaps not the prettiest in nature, but taste trumps looks.
Cake Batter Greek Yogurt Smoothie
1-1 1/4 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt (I used two of the individual Greek yogurt cups)
1/2 cup Almond Milk
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Banana
6 tablespoons dry Funfetti cake batter mix (You can also use vanilla mix and throw 1-2 tablespoons sprinkles in at the end, I’ve made it both ways and it has the same effect. I do strongly suggest using Funfetti though.)
Directions:
Dump all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If it needs a little more liquid to achieve a smooth texture, don’t be afraid to add almond milk sparingly to help your blender mix it. It will have a thick consistency almost like pudding and that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Empty mixture into the container you’ve chosen and pop it in the freezer.
Once frozen, enjoy!
Tip: If you’re finding it hard to scoop once frozen, throw it in the microwave for 10 seconds or run your spoon or ice cream scoop under hot water prior to scooping.
(Photo: Washington Post)
After falling 4-3 to Buffalo in OT on Wednesday, the Bruins looked towards the win during their first home contest since the Olympic break. The Washington Capitals skated into town following a 5-4 win over the Panthers on Thursday. Both teams looked to keep their energy going into the weekend contests. That momentum will need to continue or be found as the Bruins play in New York for a 7 pm start against the Rangers tomorrow. The Capitals face the Flyers tomorrow afternoon as well.
Boston looked towards Finland bronze medalist Tuukka Rask to man the pipes, the game marked his first start post Olympic break.
“I felt pretty good, I felt pretty good,” said Bruins Rask. “A little rested. Afternoon games are always different, your preparations a little bit different but I felt good.”
Braden Holtby, aimed to protect the crease for the Capitals, with an 18-13-2 record on the season thus far.
Despite falling short in Sochi for his native Russia, Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has been an offensive powerhouse, leading the NHL with 41 goals just past the midway point of the season.
A slow start for both teams, albeit heavy with penalties, Washington had a chance to strike first when Bruins Soderberg hit the sin bin at 4:13 for holding Fehr’s stick. Next up, Capitals Beagle, holding and Wilson, high stick at 6:57. Despite numerous opportunities on the power play, the Bruins couldn’t convert the score from zero. Bruins Kelly took an interference penalty late in the period at 18:12, allowing Capitals Ovechkin to tally his 42nd goal at 18:39 from Carlson and Backstrom, giving his team a 1-0 lead heading into the second.
Ovechkin has proven problematic for opponents and goaltenders across the league, the Bruins are no exception to the challenge of Washington’s captain.
“Well, I mean, if he gets those one timers with a half empty net, you’re pretty much going to score. You have to recognize that he’s out there and I don’t think we did a very good job today with that,” said Bruins Rask. “He had that shot in the first period before he scored and then he gets that goal and the next one I was almost positive he was going short sided but he kind of knuckled and he stalled and it went in. But if you keep giving him those one timers he’s going to find the back of the net.”
The second began with Boston on the penalty kill, Bartkowski for tripping just 47 seconds in. The penalty gave Ovechkin the chance to net goal 43, further proving his capabilities. The goal, from Johansson and Ward, marked his 800th career point, effectively putting the Capitals up 2-0.
“That’s not a milestone,” said Capitals Head Coach Oates. “You know what for him he’s a focal point of our league, he’s the face of the franchise, it’s important he does well for all of us, but in saying that he knows that he’s still one of twenty that lines up and plays every night so he’s got to do his job. We obviously cater to him and favor to him a little bit, but he’s also got to contribute.”
It was an unassisted goal from Ward at 10:13 that sent Boston into an already apparent tailspin and gave the Capitals a 3-0 close to the halfway point. With another chance to rally on the power play given at 10:37 after a tripping call on Capitals Chimera, Bergeron was golden at 10:54. Fresh off his gold medal win in Sochi, he netted his 17th of the season from Smith and Hamilton. The goal gave the Bruins a burst of life that was so desperately needed.
In a game laden with penalties from both sides, Capitals Fehr was called for high sticking at 14:11. The Bruins have proven time and time again this season, that their power play is lacking the most important component, power. They were again unsuccessful with Fehr’s penalty expiring. What felt as though mere moments had passed, the Bruins were able to grind the puck to the back of the net at 17:32, Thornton marked his 5th of the season, from Campbell and Paille. The goal pulled Boston within one of the previously commanding Capitals. But the high ridden was quickly cancelled, when yet again, the penalty kill was upon the Bruins shoulders. Marchand found himself subject to a tripping call. The call was almost instantaneously cancelled out and the strength evened two seconds into the kill as Capitals Backstrom took a slashing penalty at 18:29 — making it 4 on 4 hockey for the final minute and change of the second.
The effort for Boston wasn’t lacking, but the luck was. As the team missed the back of the net repeatedly in the third periods opening minutes. Marchand, with his second penalty of the game, went off for high sticking at 5:04. The penalty forced the Bruins to put the brakes on a powerful Capitals unit. While the power play for Boston has been dismal, the penalty kill usually thrives — although the Ovechkin factor proved greater than the kill during today’s contest. Washington found a way to stay out of the box in the third, as Fehr sealed Boston’s fate with his 10th of the season from Chimera, making it 4-2. With the Capitals managing to stay out of the box, the Bruins were unable to manage the same feat, Soderberg went off at 16:06 for a high stick on Green.
With a final of 4-2, Bruins Rask stopped 27 of 31 shots faced, while Capitals Holtby stopped 36 of 38 on the opposing end. The win put Washington at four consecutive, Holtby’s performance between the pipes greatly aided the success for his team. Generally, Boston is a good team, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed coming into the game.
“We obviously knew what they were capable of, they are a very strong team,” said Capitals Holtby. “Throughout the year actually we have played a lot better against good teams so that’s a good sign, and tonight we did too.”
It was a team loss for the Bruins, who look to right two consecutive losses at the glove and blocker of both their goaltenders. The play over the past two games is non-reflective of the solid end previously put forth prior to Olympic break. The underlying cause of the apparent collapse unknown, placing blame will get them nowhere.
“Well I mean, I know this team well enough — you know, they’re not gonna hang their hats and say well, it’s because of this, it’s because of that. We’ve always taken responsibility for, you know, our actions, and that’s not going to change,” said Bruins Head Coach Julien. “I think they all know in there that we have to work and compete a little harder. I think the emotion of our game has to be a little better. You know, I’m not sure after the first period — you know, I look at our stat sheet — we’ve got five hits. That’s not good enough for us. And you know, I think a lot of that is putting more emotion into your game, and we need to pick it up and get better starts. That way, we won’t be battling from behind. ”
Faced with a hectic March ahead, the rust that has built over break needs to be fixed, quickly.
[tubepress video=”74uaChKL45k”]
Sometimes, I have the urge to wear a skirt. It rarely happens, but the girly girl in me wrestles down the tomboy within –today, was one of those days. I would also like to point out that the desire to rock a skirt is a strange one, when the temperature outside surely makes the arctic tundra feel like Mexico. It’s cooooooooooold, and windy. So instead of wearing a skirt and a thin blouse and blazer, I opted for a cozier top layer — never be afraid to pair things that you initially wouldn’t think would work.
Breakdown:
Cream sweater, Target, gift, price unknown (The same sweater I wore back in December for another cold contest vs. Ottawa!)
Black long sleeve, TJMaxx, $7.99
Gold and black sequin skirt, Sears Outlet, clearance, $2.50 (yes, $2.50 because the store is liquidating their winter stock!)
Nude tights, Target, $5.99
Black ankle boots, Aldo, clearance, $19.99
Media Tip: Always pack a pen and a small pad of paper in your bag. You never know when you may need it and taking a few notes the old fashion way may be easier than using the app on your iPad!
(photo: USATSI)
The St. Louis Blues have acquired outstanding goaltender Ryan Miller, and tenacious forward Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres, in exchange for goaltender Jaroslav Halak, forwards Chris Stewart, and William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a (conditional) third-round pick in the 2016 draft. The trade was announced at 6:30 PM (CST), and the trade deadline is on March 5th.
Ryan Miller and Steve Ott are expected to join the team in Phoenix when the Blues take on the Coyotes at 7PM, on Sunday. All players involved in the trade were scratched for their respective Friday night games.
Miller has played 11 NHL seasons, all with the Buffalo Sabres. In the 2009-2010 season Ryan Miller won the Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender in the NHL. His save percentage of .923 is 10th overall this season , and he is averaging 2.72 goals against. Miller’s achievements reach beyond the NHL, he has appeared in the last two Olympic games representing team USA.
Steve Ott was the captain of the Buffalo Sabres, but he is willing to sacrifice his captain’s role in order to achieve the ultimate goal: winning the Stanley Cup. Ott has also been a part of the NHL for 11 seasons, playing for the Buffalo Sabres and the Dallas Stars. His previous playing experience in Dallas means he is already familiar with Blues player Brendan Morrow, who signed with the Blues in September, but played for the Dallas Stars from 1999 until the 2012-13 season. Morrow expects Ott’s addition to be very positive for the Blues, who are pushing for the Cup this year and sitting in second place in the Western Conference.
The Blues gained a lot from this trade, they received a goaltender at the top of the league and a hard-working, hard-hitting forward. Miller will be a great addition as the Blues go into the playoffs and hunt for the Stanley Cup. He is able to make those spectacular saves that make you watch the replay over and over again, and still be left wondering how the puck did not end up in the back of the net. This trade shows how much the Blues are pushing for the Stanley Cup this year. Steve Ott will contribute up front by providing an extremely physical presence with the ability to be a first line skater.
(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Blues were shut out for the second time in a row, and haven’t been able to score since returning from the Olympic break. The number one ranked Anaheim Ducks defeated the number two ranked St. Louis Blues 1 to 0.
The Blues did not give up, they fought hard throughout the whole game trying to break their two game scoring drought. It was a very physical game, with David Backes and Corey Perry at the heart of most of the battles. The game held the first hints of a possible playoff series to come, and held on to a playoff level pace and intensity.
Brian Elliot stepped in net for the Blues and stopped 18 of 19 shots. The lone goal of the game came 3:39 in the first period by Anaheim’s Andrew Cogliano #18, with a forehand backhand move that beat Elliot, assisted by Saku Koivu #14, and Cam Fowler #26. The Blues had plenty of chances to score and had a total of 18 shots on net but could never find a way to ignite the goal light.
This was a preview of two strong Western Conference teams that will not meet again, unless they meet in the playoffs. These two power houses could very well be on a collision course for the playoffs and we could see more of this heated west coast rivalry.
The Blues finish their current series of west coast games in Phoenix on Sunday at 8PM (ET) against the Phoenix Coyotes, where they are expected to meet new players Ryan Miller and Steve Ott, recently acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres
By Mckenzie Lavoie
Four years ago I left the big and bright lights of NHL Broadcasting, because I wanted to make a difference. I was told, that one person couldn’t change the world.
I’m writing today, because I need your help.
Police dogs risk their lives every day working with law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In most cases, departments are not given funding to provide the K9’s with the potentially life saving vests.
To their handlers and their fellow officers, K9’s are so much more than equipment. They are officers, they are best friends, they’re often the reason their handlers make it home safe to their families. They live together, train together, work together, and a K9 will give his life, without hesitation to protect his officers. In January alone, four K9’s in the United States gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice.
Thanks to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts based non-profit; Police, Sheriff , and Departments of Correction throughout the United States will be receiving ballistic protective vests through a nationwide GROUPON (donations of $10.00, $20.00 or $50.00) event that has raised upwards of $280,000.00. The event, with all donations, is dedicated to fallen K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department, an eight year-old German Shepherd who was fatally injured in a stabbing on January 29th 2014. The campaign runs through March 5th at 11:59pm Eastern Standard time. Groupons may be purchased here!
Vesting these four legged K9 officers is as much for the handler as it is for the K9. I could write pages to detail the bond between an officer and his K9, but words words would never do it justice. When you witness something so powerful, you are often left powerless to speak.
What I can explain is that Police Officers are often under appreciated. They work holidays and weekends. The victory championship parades we so greatly enjoy – we enjoy because they are there keeping order. Keeping our families safe. They do not come out to flashing lights or applause. And you will most likely never ask one of them for their autograph. Now you have the opportunity to give an officer and his K9 the protection they so greatly need and deserve.
You may not be able to change the world. But to one officer, you can save his.
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“The guys did a great job on that play getting back,” said Milner about the scramble. “If they want to knock the net off and prevent a goal that’s fine with me.”
