The chemistry between Chris Gratton and Scott Young has really helped carry the Jets the past few weeks. Scoring 2 ppgs maybe a sign that the power play is starting to come together. Markus Pahlsson’s first CPHL goal is a game winning goal.
Negatives:
Losing Matt Cooke may really hurt the Jets, especially if he is out any length of time.
Player of the Game:
Veteran center man Wes Walz is POW tonight. Wes had 1 goal and has been a pleasant surprise to the Jets. Wes is on a 7 game point scoring streak.
Turning Point:
Just under a minute remaining in the 2nd period Chris Gratton set up behind the Wild net, he centered a beautiful pass to Markus Pahlsson who one timed his first ever CPHL goal to put the Jets up 4-2, a lead they would never let go.
The Wild lost their 2nd consecutive game to the Jets on Wednesday to continue their free fall down the standings.
After the game Wild GM Grant Farhall had few words for the media before closing the doors and unleashing a verbal tirade on his players.
After the tongue lashing it was announced that Dan McGillis has been stripped of the captaincy and that Rob Blake is going to be wearing the C from now. Jason Spezza will remain assistant captain while Mats Sundin was awarded the other A.
Is this a minor change or a sign of larger things in the works?
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to lose games they should be winning. GM Goffie has to find a way to get them motivated or the team will continue to fall. Tonights 6-3 thrashing at teh hands of the Stars was a prime example of a team wanted it more . If the Pens don't start performing we could see some major changes on the way in Pittsburgh.
Chicago, Illinois - The Los Angeles Kings outlasted the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday night to come away with a gritty 5-3 road victory in the windy city. The game was a hard fought affair which saw a seesaw in terms of the scoreboard.
The game was highlighted by young up and commer Ryan Getzlaf who was voted as the games first star, recording 2 goals and 3 points on the night. The play of Getzlaf was intrical in securing the game as he scored the game winning goal in the last half of the second period.
"I am starting to feel really comfortable here in Los Angeles. I am getting used to my linemates and want to thank both GM Sra and Mr. Heffner for their guidance and advice. I am looking forward to establishing myself as a top player in the game." said Getzlaf during the postgame press conference.
First Star Rookie Getzlaf during post game press conference
Noteable Notes: The Kings play their archrivals San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Goalie Statistics Martin Prusek (KIN), 25 saves out of 28 shots, W, 15-13-2
Ed Belfour (HAW), 0 saves out of 0 shots
Michael Leighton (HAW), 29 saves out of 34 shots, L, 0-2-1
Power Play Conversions
KINGS 1 for 6
HAWKS 2 for 5
Game Stars
1 - Ryan Getzlaf (KIN)
2 - Alexander Steen (KIN)
3 - Jarret Stoll (KIN)
I never thought I was going to be able to say that again. After going 9 games without a win I'm a bit disappointed that the team couldn't hit double digit's. Johan Hedberg got the start and again made Sean Burke look like he should be playing in Chicago. The struggling power play showed signs of life going 3 for 5. After the game the team learned Eric Belanger had re injured his muffin and for the 2nd time in as many days will be sent to the IR.
Holy Crap!!! A prime example of the might the Stars have when they play a focused game. OK, so we played a team starting their backup goalie and pounded them. Who woulda thought Blair Betts would have more goals than Todd Bertuzzi? Nice game from Tellqvist. He's looking better and better as the season goes on and will look mighty fine as our backup next season. The lack of production lately from Alex Perezhogin, however, is concerning to say the least. Once thought of a cornerstone of the franchise, Perezhogin's play of late has his GM exploring trade possibilities.
Caps catch Sharks in fishing Net, turned into Chunk light
A Solid game from John Grahame in his last as a Cap, and strong overall team defence paced Caps to a 4-1 victory over the Sharks.
The Caps outstanding play of late has many fans thinging big things for the rest of the season, especially with the acquisition of Manny Legace to boost the team in net.
It is unsure where GM Hesla is going to take this team at this point, as his team draws closer and closer to playoff spot, and farther and farther away from being a seller come trade deadline time.
Bush Backs Team:
The Capitals strong play has even garnered support from President George W. Bush, who had this to say: "Me love steak" when asked about the recent excellent play. The democrats responded by blaming the Capitals for the war in Iraq and then proceeded to weep uncontrollably. I am not really sure how this relates to hockey, but at least hockey is getting noticed in Washington.
Rangers and the Canucks have a tight game today not allot of shots the game was 2-2 going into the third and the Rangers were able to score two to gain a victory. For whatever reason the Rangers have not been getting top goaltending. Usually the Rangers hold the opposing team to very few shots but Roloson is not able to get the job done.
Game Stars
1 - Ray Whitney (RAN)
2 - Mike York (RAN)
3 - Jason Chimera (RAN)
The Calgary Flames quickly corrected their recent loss with a tight win over the Tampa Bay Lightening.
The win didnt come easy though as Tampa held Calgary to only 20 shots in the game. It took until the second period for Calgary to solve Mathieu Garon and even then, the young goaltender played exceptionally well.
With the win Flames move into 6th position in the overall standings. Richard Zednick, once again led the Flames with a goal and an assist in this game, bringing his points total to 11 since being acquire 9 games ago.
Flames GM is becoming highly disappointed wiht the play of jeff Oneill on the first line and jeff is about to get a change of scenerio with his linemates. Mathieu Schneider played exceptionaly well with a goal and an assist and fellow ole timer Stevie Yzerman threw in two helpers.
Tonights tilt is against the New Jersey Devils. NJD were once termed in the NHL as being a Mickey Mouse organization. This accurate analogy came courtesy of none other than Wayne Gretzky. Now in todays CPHL, the organization is clearly better however, the Devils GM is just plain Goofy!!
Catch ya on the flip side.
Goalie Statistics
Mathieu Garon (LIG), 17 saves out of 20 shots, L, 4-6-0
Miikka Kiprusoff (FLA), 24 saves out of 25 shots, W, 22-9-6
Power Play Conversions
LIGHTNING 1 for 5
FLAMES 0 for 3
Game Stars 1 - Richard Zednik (FLA)
2 - Miikka Kiprusoff (FLA)
3 - Mathieu Schneider (FLA)
__________________
I'll come up with something witty later!
Oil end four games in four nights with eight points, as the Oil downed the Islanders 6 – 2 in Edmonton.
Martin Brodeur stopped 21 of 23 shots on the night to post his thirty-fourth win. The Islanders came out skating early until back up goalie Huet allowed three goals in the first period on twelve shots. Down three – one after the first seemed to take the sails out of the Ilse’s this evening, as they only posted six shots in the second period and seven in the third.
Offensively for the Oil, five players registered two point nights: Morozov Hossa, Rachunek, Doan and Zherdev. While “The machine” contributed with three assists again pushing him past Iggy by two points for the scoring title and gives him a 1.54 PPG pace. “The machine” is on pace to destroy the previous CPHL bench mark of 116 points set by some retired guy.
The Oil are off for two whole days before we host Marty Turco and the Sens. Ten games ago the Sens handed us our last loss. A 2 – 1 win for the Sens in their building. Now the re-match in Edmonton.
Location: I ain't playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defence
Exp:
Well unbelievably......we have a goalie controversy in New Jersey. Mike Dunham has stunk the joint out big time since coming back from injury allowing 5 goals and getting pulled in 3 straight games. Jani Hurme who is keeping up his New Years no more smoking resolution came in and was so damn dazzling that they gave him second star. Andy Delmore had 2 points and was +1!!!!!! I think it's the first time since minor hockey when he was a 12 year old playing against 7 year olds that he was a plus player in a game.
Wednesday Game Scores
First Star Rookie Getzlaf during post game press conference
