Kiprusoff and Flames snuff out Ducks
I'd like to start by sending my thanks to Coach Carlyle for yanking Ilya Bryzgalov after letting in 2 goals, and replacing him with Giguere to start the second period. Not only did you destroy every Fantasy Hockey team's goaltending stats with your lack of patience last night, but your plan to erradicate every shred of confidence in the keeper who carried your team to the Western Conference Finals last season is almost complete. That being said, I'm glad you lost last night.
Congratulations to the Calgary Flames and to the reigning Vezina Trophy Winner Miikka Kiprusoff for making 37 saves and helping defeat the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 for the shutout win. The loss was the first (of many to come for the Ducks until Carlyle is fired) for the Ducks in regulation time this season. Langkow and Tony Amonte (who's apparently rediscovered his nose for the net in the last few games) opened the scoring, and Lombardi sealed the deal with an empty net goal.
Despite the loss the Anaheim Ducks still lead the NHL with 28 points and have a 4 point lead over the Dallas Stars in the Pacific Division (Dallas, as you know, is one of the finest coastal cities in the country).
Quick Shave:
Well, my bid for Jaromir Jagr to join the NHL Hat Trick Club last night was not to be, but the New York Rangers captain did offer three assists, 2 of which were on Nylander scores during the 5-2 spanking of the Atlanta Thrashers last night. The Rangers power play unit is finally starting to click and they have now scored 7 goals in the past three games on the man advantage. Dominik Hasek is still the man. Hasek made 21 saves last night against the Nashville Predators to lift the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 and his second straight shutout. Hasek hasn't allowed a goal in 153 minutes and 28 seconds. The Red Wings look like their old selves again....unbeatable. Even without Ryan Miller, the Buffalo Sabres are going to be a chore to defeat as the Florida Panthers discovered last night. Martin Biron who was less than average in net allowed 4 goals to Florida, but the Sabre rallied from 2 goals down to force OT and take the game 5-4. The Sabres defense of late hasn't been great (even when Miller was in net) and they seem to be starting games behind the 8-ball lately. Playing from behind may be working so far, but I think it may bite them hard later. The Ottawa Senators got of their losing streak by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 last night, and the Edmonton Oilers did likewise by defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1. What happened to the Blue Jackets? I thought this team was gonna make a playoff push? They are only pushing one thing right now....and it stinks. Come on NASH! Let's go guy.
Game of the Night:
Montreal at Toronto 7:00 PM
Calgary at Vancouver 10:00 PM
How about an all Canadian evening? Maybe if we're lucky NHL Center Ice will give us the French broadcast of the Habs / Leafs broadcast. Maybe if I'm not too drunk, I'll still be concious by the second game? Maybe? Enjoy the games my soup catching friends!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
I told you Carlyle HATES Bryzgalov!!!! Thank God I had Hasek going as well last night in the fantasy realm. One goalie got me a shutout; the other gave up 2 goals on 3 shots.
That said, I stand by Bryzgy as a good goalie. I mean hell, if you're standing down there over a twenty minute period and you only see the puck three times isn't that a lot harder to get in a groove than facing 20 shots in a period?? I say yes. And to not give him a chance to redeem himself when he's only two down to the freaking FLAMES (who you know aren't going to get more than three goals on a team even if I'm in net) is a slap in the face. They need to trade him right now. Obviously the real problem last night for Anaheim was at the other end. Maybe if their offense could've solved Kiprusoff then Ilya wouldn't have had to shoulder the blame. Again. Grrr...
Also big "Grrr" to the Penguins lack of effort last night. I saw highlights and they weren't pretty (though Malkin and Talbot's goals were). Defense was standing around and giving up turnovers. Remember this name: Mark Eaton. You don't know who he is but he makes a HUGE difference to this team defensively. One could say the same for Henrik Tallinder in Buffalo.
Anyway, on to what matters: tonight. I'm feeling it now and think I got it. Markus Naslund. Hat Trick Club. Tonight. Against Calgary.
So it is written, so it shall be done.
Posted by: Stache | November 11, 2006 10:59 AM
All I was thinking about was your article Stache! I still can't believe he did that. Carlyle must want Brygalov gone. The first goal wasn't even his fault, Kunitz deflected it in....so why not bench him? Hopefully he gets dealt to a solid team.
Naslund pick is good one....no props on my Jags 3 assist night?
Ok NHL Hat Trick Club will welcome Joe Thornton, and Jonathan Cheechoo (for a second time) as they play the Coyotes tonite! Sharks 18- Yotes 2
Posted by: Captain Bosh | November 11, 2006 12:32 PM
Bosh that 18-2 score might actually happen, with Marleau also joining Joe and Cheechoo.
I'll go with Koivu in Toronto tonght to join the ever growing hat trick club.
Posted by: Paul | November 11, 2006 01:36 PM
18-2??? Good Lord! The Coyotes suck, but come on. I'll say it'll be more along the lines of 27-3.
I like the Koivu pick Paul (he's another fantasy member), but Toronto seems intent on winning even though conventional wisdom and Darcy Tucker's general assholishness suggests they shouldn't. I hope you're right though.
And Bosh, sorry, but no one throws hats on the ice when someone gets three assists. With that in mind, I think it's high time someone came up with a term describing a three assist performance. It needs to respond to something people can throw on the ice, as well.
How about "sock trick"?
Posted by: Stache | November 11, 2006 02:23 PM
as an avid fan of tony amonte, i am just so happy that is he back with so much confidence and on form!
Posted by: kelsey nightingale | November 11, 2006 03:03 PM
Stache remember Aubin is in net for the Leafs tonight.
Posted by: Paul | November 11, 2006 05:09 PM
ok...just a few seconds before most opening faceoffs....I'm throwing one more out there...
Pomminville joins the NHL HTC tonight against Philly.
KN- ditto on the return of Amonte...he has been quiet for far too long, and the Flames need consistent scoring from him!
BOSHIMUS
Posted by: Captain Bosh | November 11, 2006 07:02 PM