Versus Firmly Has Eye On The NHL Playoffs

I like this commercial for Versus. It reminds us during the Olympic break that the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is fast approaching. April 15th is when the 2009-10 playoffs begin.

Wearing Your Country's Uniform ~ USA

Patrick Kane, Brian Rafalski, Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner discuss wearing the uniform of the United States in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The U.S. Mens Olympic Hockey team faces Switzerland TODAY at 3pm eastern standard time. Goalie Ryan Miller is pretty much the key to their success or failure this time around as the US ices a relatively inexperienced team - but do not count the US out.

On defense, they have Rafalski, Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh Penguins), the Johnsons - Jack (L.A. Kings), 23, and Eric (St Louis Blues), 21. Ryan Suter (Nashville Predators) is 25, Ryan Whitney (Anaheim Ducks), 26 and Tim Gleason (Carolina Hurricanes), 27.

Up front, although the US are a little sparce compared to the Russian and Canadian teams, they do possess some great firepower with Kane, Langenbrunner, Parise, Bobby Ryan (Anaheim) and Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs). There's also Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Ryan Callahan (also from the Rangers), Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay Lightning), Dustin Brown (Kings), and Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks). Lots of "Ryans" on the US team - five in all.

Miller will be important and tough and the backup is Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins) who has struggled of late, but will do well if called upon.

The Canadian Olympic Hockey Team Roster

Here's the Canadian Olympic Mens Hockey Team roster if you are unsure who actually made the team.

Highlights From Thursday February 11th, 2010

Washington 5 at Ottawa 6
Buffalo 3 at Carolina 4 in overtime
Boston 5 at Tampa Bay 4
Vancouver 3 at Florida 0 Luongo gets 4th shutout of season
San Jose 3 at Detroit 2 shoot out
Dallas 3 at Calgary 1
Edmonton 3 at Los Angeles 2 shoot out

Mike Ribeiro's Between the Legs Goal Against Calgary

Check out Dallas Stars Mike Rebeiro's goal against Calgary Flames netminder Miikka Kiprusoff. Rebeiro missed a ton of games earlier this season and it's good to see him back in action. The goal started a three goal comeback by the Stars as they took the game 3-1. Rebeiro had an empty-netter to close out scoring and assisted on Jamie Benn's game winner.

2010 Winter Olympics Hockey Schedule

For those of you who are wondering who plays who and when, here's the schedule for all the 2010 Winter Olympics hockey games (mens & womens).

February 13, 2010
Sweden vs Switzerland 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 1
Canada vs Slovakia 17:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 2

February 14, 2010
United States vs China 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 3
Finland vs Russian Federation 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 4

February 15, 2010
Switzerland vs Canada 14:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 5
Sweden vs Slovakia 19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 6

February 16, 2010
United States vs Switzerland 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 1
Russian Federation vs United States 14:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 7
Canada vs Norway 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 2
Finland vs China 19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 8
Russian Federation vs Latvia 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 3

February 17, 2010
Finland vs Belarus 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 4
Canada vs Sweden 14:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 9
Sweden vs Germany 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 5
Slovakia vs Switzerland 19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 10
Czech Republic vs Slovakia 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 6

February 18, 2010
United States vs Norway 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 7
United States vs Finland 14:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 11
Switzerland vs Canada 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 8
China vs Russian Federation 19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 12
Slovakia vs Russian Federation 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 9

February 19, 2010
Belarus vs Sweden 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 10
Czech Republic vs Latvia 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 11
Finland vs Germany 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 12

February 20, 2010
Norway vs Switzerland 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 13
14:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Classifications - Game 13
Latvia vs Slovakia 16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 14
19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Classifications - Game 14
Germany vs Belarus 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 15

February 21, 2010
Russian Federation vs Czech Republic 12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group B Game 16
Canada vs United States 16:40 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 17
Sweden vs Finland 21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Preliminary Round - Group C Game 18

February 22, 2010
12:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Play-offs Semifinals - Game 15
14:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Classifications - 7th/8th - Game 16
17:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Play-offs Semifinals - Game 17
19:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Classifications - 5th/6th - Game 18

February 23, 2010
12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Qualifications - Game 19
16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Qualifications - Game 20
19:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Qualifications - Game 21
21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Qualifications - Game 22

February 24, 2010
12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Quarterfinals - Game 23
16:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Quarterfinals - Game 24
19:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Quarterfinals - Game 25
21:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Quarterfinals - Game 26

February 25, 2010
Medal Event 11:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Bronze Medal Game - Game 19
Medal Event 15:30 - Ice Hockey - Women's Gold Medal Game - Game 20

February 26, 2010
12:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Semifinals - Game 27
18:30 - Ice Hockey - Men's Play-offs Semifinals - Game 28

February 27, 2010
Medal Event 19:00 - Ice Hockey - Men's Bronze Medal Game - Game 29

February 28, 2010
Medal Event 12:15 - Ice Hockey - Men's Gold Medal Game - Game 30

So, the Gold Medal game will be at 12:15 on February 28th. Who do you predict will in that game? Canada? Russia? The U.S.A? Sweden?

Rumour Is Wayne Gretzky May Be Torch Bearer At Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Ultimate Gretzky 4-disc Special EditionThere's a rumour spreading like widefire that NHL great Wayne Gretzky may be tagged as the torch bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics which open in Vancouver tomorrow. The Great One is in Vancouver, but nothing official has been stated yet. Personally, I have no problem with Gretzky being the one who lights the fire for the opening ceremony and like everyone else, I'll be watching ~ mostly waiting for the hockey to start.

Sure I'll be watching the other sports, but being a Canuck myself, there is only one real event I'll be waiting for and that's seeing the Canadian hockey team taking the gold medal. It is not a foregone conclusion, especially when you consider the competition. The Russians, Finns, Americans and the Swedes will all be gunning for the home squad and all will have very good teams at the Olympics. Hopefully if Gretzky does carry the torch into the stadium some of his excellence at the international level will rub off on the Canadians.

Just a question, but who do you think will take the gold this year? Let me know in the comments.

Predators Take Out Rangers 2-1 at MSG

GOAL SCORERS:
NSH: Tootoo, J. (17:45 in 1st), Wilson, C. (PPG, 16:10 in 2nd)
NYR: Prospal, V. (PPG, 09:48 in 2nd)
GOALIES:
NSH: D. Ellis (W)
NYR: H. Lundqvist (L)

The Nashville Predators won on the road for the first time in six games as they beat the New York Rangers in another low scoring game for the Blueshirts. Without the goaltending provided by Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist who stopped 3 Nashville breakaways and faced 36 shots, the Preds might have run away with this as New York's offense sputtered. Vinny Prospal was the only Ranger to get one by Nashville's Dan Ellis. Newly acquired Olli Jokinen assisted on Prospal's 12th goal of the season, giving Jokinen a goal and 2 assists in the 4 games he's been in a Rangers uniform.

The loss drops the Rangers 4 back of the improving Philadelphia Flyers who have 2 games in hand on New York. The Rangers have collapsed with 2 wins in their last 10 games. The New York Islanders lurk just 3 points back of the Rangers but they've been just as woeful with a 2-8-0 record in their last ten. Nashville remains solidly in 2nd place in the Central Division, with the division leading Chicago Blackhawks 14 points up on the Preds.

Habs Over Caps In OT Thriller

GOAL SCORERS:
WSH: Laich, B. (06:23 in 1st), Backstrom, N. (01:11 in 2nd), Green, M. (PPG, 00:16 in 3rd), Laich, B. (09:02 in 3rd), Laich, B. (19:41 in 3rd) MTL: Gomez, S. (00:36 in 1st), Pyatt, T. (00:41 in 2nd), Metropolit, G. (PPG, 12:45 in 2nd), Lapierre, M. (12:57 in 2nd), Plekanec, T. (18:56 in 2nd), Plekanec, T. (04:52 in OT)
GOALIES:
WSH: J. Theodore (L), M. Neuvirth
MTL: C. Price (W)

The Montreal Canadiens built, then blew a 5-2 lead by the end of the 2nd period over the streaking Washington Capitals, but the Caps stormed back in the 3rd period with 3 goals forcing overtime. Tomas Plekanec beat Washington netminder Jose Theodore with eight seconds left in the extra frame to give Montreal the win.

The loss snapped Washington's winning streak at 13 games, the longest by any team since the 1992 season. Alexander Ovechkin was all over the ice in the game, delivering thunderous checks, but although he had 8 shots on Habs netminder Carey Price, he couldn't score. He did have one goal called back, but you can see that in the video. Ovechkin managed 2 assists to pad his lead in the NHL points race.

Caps center Brooks Laich had a great night scoring a hat trick, including Washington's last 2 goals to tie the game at five. Carey Price won for just the first time since January 14th, to improve to a still so-so record at best of 12-17-4. Montreal's win puts them 3 points up on the Boston Bruins, but still trail the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres by 8 in the Northeast Division. Washington's one point from the contest keeps them 2 points up on the San Jose Sharks for the NHL points lead.

Martin Brodeur Steals a Goal From Scotty Hartnell

Take a look at this one. Philadelphia Flyers Scotty Hartnell gets robbed by New Jersey Devils netminder Martin Brodeur in the game eventually won by the Flyers 3-2 in overtime. Looking at the video shows the puck definitely was in, but the ruling of no-goal stood because you cannot see that the puck completely crossed the goal line. I think it should have been counted as a Flyer goal, but that's why I'm in the stands and not in the NHL Front Office for Officials.

Ovechkin's Big Hit And No Goal

Alexander Ovechkin's big hit drops massive Hal Gill and the puck skips behind Habs goalie Carey Price, but it's ruled no goal. Earlier Ovechkin dropped a Montreal forechecking while in mid-stride while heading into the Canadiens zone. He is no small boy, he is a force on the ice with or without the puck.

Do you think the goal should have counted? Yes or no.

Video: Mike Green Slap Shot Hits Josh Gorges in the Head - Feb 10th 2010

Ouch! I was watching this game between the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens and saw this play. Mike Green took a shot from the point that caught Habs Josh Gorges. Gorges took it in the head trying to block the shot.

Good to see him get up. He didn't return of course, and word was passed down that Gorges was in stable condition. As a side note, the Canadiens won 6-5 in overtime snapping Washington's win streak.

Lightning Beat Canucks 3-1, Stamkos Gets 33rd Goal

GOAL SCORERS:
VAN: Kesler, R. (PPG, 19:53 in 2nd)
TBL: Stamkos, S. (PPG, 08:00 in 1st), St Louis, M. (SHG, 02:52 in 3rd), St Louis, M. (15:40 in 3rd)
GOALIES:
VAN: R. Luongo (L)
TBL: A. Niittymaki (W)

Martin St. Louis had 2 goals along with one assist on Steven Stamkos' 33rd goal of the season to give the Tampa Bay Lightning their 4th straight victory. This was the first time since 2007 that Tampa has been able to put together a four-game winning streak. Ryan Kesler got the only marker for the Vancouver Canucks with his 15th this year. St. Louis' 2nd of the game was a shorthanded goal that beat Roberto Luongo early in the 3rd.

The Canucks were all over the Lightning as far as the shot clock goes, outshooting Tampa Bay 40-19, but Luongo was outplayed by Antero Niittymaki. This makes Niittymaki's 4th straight win as well.

The Canucks remain in a tie with the Colorado Avalanche for the lead in the Northwst Division, while the Lightning are watching the Washington Capitals disappear over the horizon as the Caps lead Tampa Bay by 25 points in the Southeast.

Versteeg's Shootout Goal Puts Blackhawks Over Stars

GOAL SCORERS:
DAL: Ribeiro, M. (PPG, 08:27 in 1st), Neal, J. (18:03 in 1st), Eriksson, L. (16:10 in 3rd)
CHI: Kane, P. (13:54 in 1st), Kane, P. (19:31 in 1st), Brouwer, T. (06:13 in 3rd), Versteeg, K. (00:00 in SO)
GOALIES:
DAL: M. Turco (L)
CHI: A. Niemi (W)

Shootout:
Brad Richards DAL Miss
Jonathan Toews CHI Miss
Loui Eriksson DAL Save
Patrick Kane CHI Save
Mike Ribeiro DAL Miss
Patrick Sharp CHI Save
Matt Niskanen DAL Save
Marian Hossa CHI Save
James Neal DAL Miss
Kris Versteeg CHI Goal

The game went back and forth with the Dallas Stars getting a goal and then the Chicago Blackhawks responding. Patrick Kane potted a couple of goals, and Dallas left winger James Neal had one goal plus a couple of helpers, but it was Kris Versteeg's shoot out goal in the 5th round that sealed the deal for the Blackhawks as they took the game 4-3.

Bruins Beat Sabres In Shootout At Buffalo

GOAL SCORERS:

BOS: Paille, D. (04:51 in 1st), Paille, D. (11:58 in 1st), Krejci, D. (00:00 in SO)
BUF: Roy, D. (PPG, 04:35 in 2nd), Myers, T. (18:35 in 2nd)
GOALIES:
BOS: T. Rask (W)
BUF: R. Miller (L)
Two quick goals by former Buffalo Sabres left winger Daniel Paille put the Boston Bruins up 2-0 but Buffalo crept back with goals by Derek Roy and rookie defenseman Tyler Myers, but David Krejci beat Sabres netminder Ryan Miller to sink Buffalo who have now gone just 2-7-2 in their last 10 games.

The Bruins seem to have finally rebounded after a terrible 10 game losing streak and are now 2-1-3 in their last six. Goalie Tuukka Rask won his 2nd in a row after shutting out the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Sunday to end the losing streak. It looks like Rask may be taking on a heavier workload as Tim Thomas (13-15-7) hadn't won since January 14th against the San Jose Sharks. Rask has allowed just four goals in his last 4 starts.

Flames Drop 3-2 Decision to Senators

GOAL SCORERS:
CGY: Hagman, N. (16:51 in 1st), Stajan, M. (03:18 in 2nd)
OTT: Kovalev, A. (PPG, 17:10 in 1st), Ruutu, J. (09:36 in 2nd), Spezza, J. (16:37 in 2nd)
GOALIES:
CGY: M. Kiprusoff (L)
OTT: B. Elliott (W)
Jason Sezza popped in his 13th to put the Ottawa Senators up 3-2 towards the end of the 2nd period and that goal stood up as the game winner. Former Toronto Maple Leafs Niklas Hagman (21st goal) and Matt Stajan (18th goal) scored with assists to Jarome Iginla, but the Calgary Flames couldn't get the equalizer past Ottawa's Brian Elliott.

The Senators moved into a tie for the lead in the Northeast Division with the Buffalo Sabres (who dropped a 3-2 game to the Boston Bruins) with 72 points each ~ although the Sabres have a couple of game in hand on the Senators. Calgary slips to a 3-4-3 record in their last 10 games after a horrendous January losing streak to remain in 3rd place in the Northwest Division.

Top Ten Plays For The Week (Week 18)

Lots of great saves by the goalies this past week or so and Alexander Ovechkin's 500th point on a goal against the Rangers was pretty sweet. Wondering also about the Habs giving up on Guillaume Latendresse as he has 16 goals in his last 33 games with the Minnesota Wild. Looks like he might have a career year with the Wild as 16 goals was his highpoint with Montreal. He might end up with 25 or maybe 30 this season.