Wednesday's Minor and Junior Hockey Results

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 06:14:00 -0400

Results Monday:

IIHF Men's World Championship

Qualifying Round

Group E

At Quebec

Denmark 3 Belarus 2

Russia 5 Switzerland 3

Group F

At Halifax

Canada 6 Finland 3

Germany 5 Latvia 3

U.S. 9 Norway 1

End of Qualifying Round

AHL

Calder Cup Playoffs

Conference Finals

(Best-of-7)

Western Conference

North Division

Toronto 3 Syracuse 2

(Toronto wins series 4-3)

ECHL

Playoffs

Conference Finals

(Best-of-7)

National Conference

Las Vegas 5 Utah 2

(Las Vegas leads series 1-0)

IHL

Turner Cup Final

IHL Championship

(Best-of-7)

Fort Wayne 3 Port Huron 2 (3OT)

(Fort Wayne wins series 4-3)

Ontario Hockey League

J. Ross Robertson Cup

OHL Championship

(Best-of-7)

Kitchener 4 Belleville 1

(Kitchener wins series 4-3)

Marlies advance to Calder Cup semifinals with Game 7 win

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:36:00 -0400

TORONTO - The comeback is complete.

Brent Aubin doubled his playoff output with a pair of goals as the Toronto Marlies became the 14th team in American Hockey League history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, dropping the Syracuse Crunch 3-2 in Game 7 of the North Division final.

As if playing in a Game 7 wasn't motivation enough, Aubin got some big news on the eve of the contest that served as a little extra incentive.

"It's a great day for me, I just found out I'm going to have a little daughter, just right before the game, so it cannot be a better day for me right now," said the 22-year-old Aubin, who will become a father for the first time.

Aubin's linemate Alex Foster chipped in two assists and John Mitchell got what turned out to be the game-winner in the third to send a raucous crowd of 4,753 at the Ricoh Coliseum home happy.

Gilbert Brule and Derek MacKenzie answered for Syracuse, which dropped a third straight one-goal decision to the Marlies.

Scott Clemmensen turned aside 23 shots in the Toronto goal.

The Marlies, now 4-0 when facing elimination this post-season, have advanced to the Calder Cup's final four and will face either the Chicago Wolves or Rockford IceHogs in the Western Conference final.

Aubin, whose team also won a Game 7 in Round 1 versus San Antonio, believes Toronto never lost its confidence or focus despite being pushed to the brink of elimination by the Crunch.

"I think what's helped us is we always stayed calm, never panicked," said Aubin, adding the rowdy crowd helped spur his team on to victory. "When we were down 3-1 we just said, 'Hey guys, we've got character, just don't panic, go out there and do what we have to do' and we showed tonight again, when we play our game, I think nobody can beat us."

Adding to the Marlies pleasure was the fact Crunch captain Zenon Konopka was quoted in a Syracuse newspaper as saying his team would win Game 7 after losing Game 6 on home ice.

"It was on the board, so everybody read it before the game," said Aubin with a big grin. "Thanks to Konopka I think we responded pretty well. I was pretty pumped for that game knowing Konopka spoke those words."

Marlies coach Greg Gilbert was pleased with how his club responded to the adversity of having its backs firmly planted against the wall.

"It's a credit to the guys in the dressing room, they're the ones who gutted it out and won the battles, scored the goals at the big times," he said. "We're real proud of our guys, but we're only half way to where we want to go."

Aubin's two first-period goals gave Toronto a 2-1 advantage midway through the opening frame. The Marlies carried the bulk of the play, but Syracuse goalie Karl Goehring made 31 saves to keep his team one shot away from squaring the affair.

However, Mitchell lobbed a seeing-eye shot from the side boards that floated through a crowd and over Goehring's shoulder to give Toronto a two-goal cushion 7:20 into the third.

"I'd say that was more of a change-up than anything, you know let it go up real high and then just die right at the very end," Mitchell said about his eighth goal in the playoffs. "We'll take them anyway we can get them. I was just trying to throw it at the net."

As it turns out, the Marlies needed that buffer zone as Brule one-timed a shot past Clemmensen with just over eight minutes remaining in the game.

There were some tense moments including a late Toronto penalty kill and some incredible shot blocks by defenceman Jamie Sifers the rest of the way, but the Marlies managed to hang on and complete their improbable comeback.

The game opened with 10 frantic minutes that saw three goals scored and numerous solid bodychecks levied.

Aubin got his first of the night just 2:47 into the game after a careless giveaway by Syracuse defenceman Marc Methot. Foster picked Methot's weak clearing attempt along the side boards, threw the puck on goal and Aubin tipped it home.

But MacKenzie, who had four goals and 10 points in the series, answered back just 41 seconds later, whipping a backhander over Clemmensen's glove and just under the crossbar.

Both teams continued to generate chances and the Marlies broke through again when Aubin got the puck in the slot on his backhand, pivoted and ripped a shot to the back of the net. The chance was created by the aggressive forecheck Aubin and his linemates Foster and Stefano Giliati threw at the Crunch every time they hit the ice.

The Marlies now await the winner of Game 7 between Chicago and Rockford on Tuesday night. If the Wolves win, they will have home-ice advantage in the West final. If Rockford prevails, the Marlies will enjoy home ice.

Notes: Neither team scored a power-play goal in seven combined opportunities. ... The Crunch have lost five straight Game 7s. ... The three-game losing streak was Syracuse's first since October.

Montreal Canadiens sign prospect Ryan White to three-year deal

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 -0400

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens have signed Calgary Hitmen forward Ryan White to a three-year contract.

White, 20, recorded 28 goals and 44 assists with the Hitmen during the 2007-08 season and led the team in scoring the past three seasons.

The Brandon, Man., native was selected 66th overall by the Canadiens in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Red Wings one win away from Stanley Cup final

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:44:00 -0400

DALLAS - Pavel Datsyuk scored twice in the first period then again with 2:41 left, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 5-2 Monday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

This was Detroit's ninth straight win, its most ever in a single post-season and the longest in the NHL since Montreal won 11 in a row in 1993. More importantly, the Red Wings will go into Game 4 in Dallas on Wednesday night with the chance to skate into the Stanley Cup finals for the fourth time in 11 seasons.

It was Datsyuk's first career hat trick.

Jiri Hudler also scored for Detroit, while Nicklas Grossman and Brad Richards replied for Dallas.

Regina Pats GM Brent Parker diagnosed with cancer in back, shoulder

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:38:00 -0400

REGINA - Regina Pats GM Brent Parker has been diagnosed with a form of soft tissue cancer in his upper back and shoulder.

"To this point I have undergone one procedure and will undergo further tests and procedures in the coming days and weeks that will determine the extent of what lies ahead," Parker said in a statement Monday.

Parker, 42, has been the general manager of the Pats for 13 seasons. The Pats finished the regular season second in the Eastern Conference with a 44-22-4-2 record. They were eliminated in the first round of the WHL playoffs by the Swift Current Broncos.

Rangers finally put Bulls away in Game 7 of OHL final

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:20:00 -0400

KITCHENER, Ont. - The Kitchener Rangers proved they're champs, not chokers.

The Memorial Cup-host Rangers finally put Belleville away in the Ontario Hockey League final Monday night before 6,754 at the Aud, beating the Bulls 4-1 to claim the OHL playoff crown in seven games.

It sure wasn't easy.

The Rangers let a 3-0 series lead slip away but turned in a commanding performance in Game 7 to ensure they enter the Memorial Cup through the front door as both hosts and OHL champs.

Rangers top gun Justin Azevedo was named OHL playoff MVP after leading the league with 36 playoff points.

Brandon Mashinter, Nick Spaling, Mike Duco and Nazem Kadri scored for the Rangers, who open the four-team Memorial Cup tournament against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Gatineau Olympiques on Friday.

The Bulls also advanced to the national championship tournament as the second Ontario entry. They play the Western Hockey League champion Spokane Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.

Belleville showed much heart in beating the top-ranked club in Canada three straight times to force Game 7.

But the Rangers dominated Monday night in winning the franchise's fourth OHL playoff title, including crowns in 1981, 1982 and 2003.

Belleville goalie Mike Murphy, the OHL netminder of the year, kept the Rangers from blowing the game open in the first last night.

Murphy made several outstanding stops as the Rangers outshot the Bulls 21-8. The playoff debut of Bulls star centre Shawn Matthias, who hadn't played since March 14 due to mono, had little effect out of the gate.

The Rangers struck in the 18th minute, when Scott Timmins carried an Eric Tangradi giveaway to the Belleville net. While a delayed penalty call caused the Bulls to let up, Mashinter swept in the loose puck to make it 1-0.

In the second, Murphy couldn't locate a rebound. A diving Spaling swept it home from the slot to make it 2-0.

Matthias gave the Bulls life with a power-play goal mid-way through the game. His snap shot beat Rangers goalie Josh Unice to the blocker side.

Six minutes into the third, Murphy blocked a Kadri drive but the puck flipped high and bounced in as the net was knocked off. After a lengthy video review, the goal stood and a nervous Kitchener crowd exhaled a little.

Duco added an empty-netter.

Unice flung his mask and stick in the air in celebration as time expired.

The Rangers were without blue-liners Yannick Weber (ankle) and Robert Bortuzzo (shoulder). Forward Scott Tregunna filled in on defence.

Heatley, Doan pace Canada past Finland at World Hockey Championship

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:51:00 -0400

HALIFAX - Nothing less than perfection will do now.

If Canada is to leave the IIHF World Hockey Championship with another gold medal, it's going to do so with a perfect 9-0 record for the second straight year.

Shane Doan and Dany Heatley each scored twice Monday as the Canadians defeated Finland 6-3 in a matchup of unbeaten teams. It will take three more wins in a row for O Canada to be played after the gold medal game this weekend in Quebec City.

"You never want to back your way in," said Doan. "I think it's a big thing to go the way that we've done it. We want to keep going."

The Canadian team seems to be gaining confidence with each passing game.

The players looked extremely comfortable and relaxed from the drop of the puck against Finland. The Finns sensed that and figured they would need some perfection of their own.

"First of all, they are a better team," said forward Teemu Selanne. "I think they had better energy and that combination is tough to beat. They really took advantage of their scoring chances and we made too many mistakes and it cost us goals. We know against Canada we can't do those things.

"There are a lot of good things in our game too but not good enough to beat a team like Canada. You have to play an almost perfect game to beat them and we didn't get that tonight."

Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Sharp also scored while Pascal Leclaire made 24 saves in goal for Canada, which has now won 15 straight world championship games dating back to last year.

This win was particularly important because it gave them a weaker opponent in Wednesday's quarter-final. The Canadians will face Norway, which advanced after Latvia was beaten 5-3 by Germany on Monday night.

Antti Pihlstrom scored twice while Tuomo Ruutu had the other for the Finns, who will face the speedy Americans in the quarter-finals.

The U.S. outplayed Canada when the teams faced each other earlier in the event so the home side was happy to avoid them.

"We know how good the Americans are," said Doan. "We didn't want to have to play them again. In a sudden death game anything can happen."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among an announced Metro Centre crowd of 9,178. He had to call Doan during last year's world championship in Moscow after the captain had been drawn into a debate by politicians on Parliament Hill.

It's a reminder of how little controversy has followed this team so far.

Canada had tight games early in the tournament against the U.S. and Norway but has had no off-ice distractions. On top of that, their last two games have been the best two of the tournament.

"We wanted to play well through our first six (games) and get better every night," said Heatley. "I think we've done a pretty good job of that. Now we've got do-or-die here the next couple days."

There's no one better than Heatley.

He has a tournament-leading nine goals so far and is only two behind the modern day record Eric Lindros set in 1993. That's well within reach if Canada ends up playing three more games.

As a team, the Canadians lead the tournament with 35 goals through six games. If they can keep scoring at a pace of roughly six a game, they will be awfully tough for anybody to beat.

"We're not going to score seven goals to beat a team like Canada," said Finnish coach Doug Shedden.

The Finns were playing for the second consecutive day and were without forward Olli Jokinen and defenceman Anssi Salmela, who were each suspended after receiving match penalties during a 3-2 win over the Americans on Sunday.

A rematch of last year's gold-medal game was as physical as any Canada has played so far in this tournament, particularly in the first period when Finland was strong on the forecheck.

"We got pushed harder in this game than we've gotten pushed all tournament," said Canadian coach Ken Hitchcock. "There were times when the game was a bit unnerving for us becuase we had a lot of pressure on us."

The Canadians couldn't have asked for a better start.

The prime minister had barely sat down in his seat before Getzlaf got him out of it. The team's top centre beat two defenders and lifted the puck over Niklas Backstrom just 33 seconds into the game.

Pihlstrom and Doan traded short-handed goals before the period was over and Finland came out strong after the first intermission. Hitchcock identified that as a key moment in the game because his team was able to weather the pressure until Heatley made it 3-1 at 10:17 of the second period.

"Finland was really taking it to us at the beginning of the second, their quickness on the puck was a handful for us," said Hitchcock. "I thought once the third goal went it, we started to stabilize our game and it was a good sign."

Sharp all but put it away with Canada's second short-handed goal of the game. He showed great speed in blowing past Finnish defender Ville Koistinen along the wing before beating Backstrom at 18:12 to make it 4-1.

"We scored key goals at key times," said Heatley. "Doaners goal was huge for us short-handed and Sharpie's was as well. Special teams and the short-handed guys have done a great job all tournament."

Hitchcock was unhappy that the team allowed Finland to score twice in the third period when the game was out of reach and says his team still needs to get better.

That said, it's hard to ignore the fact that Canada is probably the team to beat in this event.

"I think that's the confidence that we have right now," said Hitchcock. "We know if we play the right way we can beat anybody."

In other games Monday, Russia defeated Switzerland 5-3, Denmark upset Belarus 3-2 in overtime and the U.S. beat Norway 9-1.

Georges Laraque making key contribution to Penguins' success

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:46:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH - A year ago Georges Laraque would have never been on the ice with two minutes left in a big playoff game. In fact, he probably would have been in the press box.

That's the difference between the 2007 version of Georges Laraque and the slimmer, quicker and more motivated 2008 model.

"In 2007 I was a whale at 270 pounds," said the Pittsburgh Penguins tough guy. "And now I'm in better shape at 255. It's much easier to skate at 255 than at 270."

It's a testimony to his off-season dedication that the former Edmonton Oilers fan favourite has become a regular in the Penguins lineup, helping set up the winning goal in Game 2 of the NHL's Eastern Conference final on Sunday night and taking a shift late in the game on his fourth line to help preserve the lead.

"I don't remember the last time that's happened with a fourth line and I'm glad to see the coach have confidence in us," Laraque said Monday after practice at Mellon Arena. "We just have to keep playing the same way and he'll give us the ice time if contribute like that."

The performance of Laraque's line along with Gary Roberts and Maxime Talbot is the kind that are needed for teams to have a chance to win championships. Star players alone can't deliver a Stanley Cup.

"You can't win without it," said Penguins GM Ray Shero. "We said that before the playoffs. We knew about Hossa and Crosby and Malkin and Gonchar and those guys but in order to start winning in the playoffs, we knew we needed contributions from the role guys."

It's just the latest example of a Penguins team rolling on all cylinders. They're 10-1 in these playoffs and lead the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0 in the conference final, and a win Tuesday night at Wachovia Centre (7:30 p.m ET) would leave them only a win away from the Stanley Cup final.

Laraque is trying not to think about that. But deep down he is relishing a chance at undoing the most painful hockey memory in his NHL career. The 31-year-old drops his ever-present smile when recalling a seven-game loss to Carolina with the Oilers in June 2006.

"It was the worst feeling, losing Game 7," said Laraque. "When you're a kid you always dream of scoring the winning goal in Game 7, not losing it. To be honest, most guys would rather not make the playoffs than lose in Game 7. It was the most heartbreaking loss in our lives."

He wasn't very happy last April either when he dressed for only two of five playoff games in Pittsburgh's first-round exit to Ottawa. But the message was clear from Shero and head coach Michel Therrien - get in shape.

"I like him a lot better this year than last year, quite honestly," said Shero. "And we had a conversation after last season with Michel Therrien, myself and Georges. Coming from Phoenix, he wasn't in the shape he needed to be in or that we wanted him to be in. He wanted to play a certain role but Mike made it clear to him that 'Unless you improve as a player, you'll have a hard time getting that ice time here.' So to Georges' credit, he really took last summer seriously, trained hard. We told him what we wanted him to come back at and he did.

"From Day 1, he was serious about playing and having a role on this team. I think he's had a great year for us and he's fit in very well, protecting his teammates. On the ice he's been a good contributor at both ends. It's a nice story for him."

Laraque arrived at the trade deadline last season from the Coyotes - overweight.

"I came here and I could barely move," said Laraque.

Therrien was surprised.

"Well, if there's someone who knows Georges really well, it's me, because I coached Georges in junior," said Therrien, who coached him in Granby 12 years ago. "I know what he's capable of. We won a Memorial Cup together. He was an impact player on our team. ... But the Georges Laraque that I saw last year was not the Georges Laraque that I knew.

"I told him at the end of the year that he needs to be in much better shape. He could be an impact player, and he took care of himself over the summer... He's capable of playing, he's capable of a forecheck. And guys like that are always going to bring some respect from your own team and I'm more than satisfied with the way Georges handled himself this year compared to last year."

Laraque has one goal and two assists in 11 playoff games this spring. And don't be fooled, he remembers why he's here. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin need protection.

"Last night I went after (Flyers defenceman Derian) Hatcher when it was 4-2 near the end," said Laraque. "I said, 'Listen, you wanted to be tough against Malkin? Show me how tough you are. You're 6-5, 230? I said let's go.' I wanted to fight him because I can't let a big guy like that go after our star players and not do anything about it. At least I let my message through to him."

Talbot says all his teammates appreciate having one of the NHL's most feared players on their side.

"Georges is the toughest guy in the league," said Talbot. "But he's just not a tough guy, Georges can play. I've been playing with him most of the year and he's great. It's fun having him on the line. ... But when you have the toughest guy in the league on your team, it's kind of scary. He gives us all a little more space out there, even a guy like me who plays on his line. It's great to have him on our side."

San Jose Sharks fire head coach Ron Wilson after second-round exit

cp.org — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:38:00 -0400

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks fired coach Ron Wilson on Monday after the team's latest disappointing early ouster from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Wilson, hired by the club in December 2002, is the Sharks' leader in wins and winning percentage, but San Jose only advanced past the second round of the post-season once with him behind the bench.

The Sharks were the No. 2 seed in this year's Western Conference playoffs, but were eliminated in six games in the second round by the Dallas Stars after falling into a 3-0 hole.

San Jose earned two Pacific Division titles, including this season when the Sharks went 49-23-10, under Wilson and reached the Western Conference finals in 2004 before falling to upstart Calgary.

In four-plus seasons, Wilson - the sixth coach in team history - went 206-134-45 in 385 regular-season games.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting, regular-season performances," general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team.

"We are proud of what we've accomplished as an organization, but we feel that this team is capable of achieving greater success."

Wilson is the franchise leader in post-season games, posting a 28-24 mark in 52 games. In addition to the appearance in the conference finals, Wilson also led the Sharks to the second round in his final three seasons as coach.

Flyers' defenseman Coburn likely out for Game 3 after taking puck in the face

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:49:00 -0400

VOORHEES, N.J. - Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn is doubtful for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals after taking a puck in the face on Sunday night.

Coburn's left eye was swollen shut after a deflected puck hit him early in the Flyers' 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday. There was no structural damage to his face, but the blow opened a cut that required over 50 stitches to close.

The Flyers sent Coburn to an ophthalmologist on Monday for tests, though they don't believe his left eye was damaged.

"He is doing better, and we have no reason to think that there is anything wrong with the eye itself," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "Our doctors who were at the game thought he was fine. We just wanted to get it checked out by an actual ophthalmologist.

"Assuming there is no issue there, we'll just wait for the swelling to go down. I would say for the game (Tuesday) he is probably doubtful."

Holmgren said Coburn's flight home Sunday night was quite unpleasant. The defenceman had lightheadedness and vomited, but had gotten over that by Monday.

If Coburn can't go in Game 3, when Philadelphia will try to avoid dropping into an 0-3 hole, Ryan Parent is expected to take his place in the lineup. Parent is a speedy defenceman who played 22 regular-season games and dressed for the playoff opener at Washington.

"I was hoping he was OK, but in the back of your mind you know you have to be ready," the calm, 21-year-old Parent said. "It's part of my personality. I don't really get excited about too much."

Coburn's injury is just the latest blow to the Flyers' defence corps. Philadelphia lost top defenceman Kimmo Timonen on the eve of the series against the Penguins because of a blood clot on his ankle.

Without Timonen and Coburn, the Flyers are without two key players who not only defend well but also help on the power play and the transition game to offence.

"Surprisingly, I don't feel that bad," said 35-year-old Derian Hatcher, who played 28 1/2 minutes in Coburn's absence Sunday. "We will all do what we have to do back there. It's tough with Kimmo being out, and if Cobey doesn't play, obviously it's going to be that much tougher."

Americans satisfied after goal judge gets fired for mistaken goal

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:07:00 -0400

American coach John Tortorella thinks the IIHF did the right thing when it suspended the video judge who mistakenly allowed a goal that never went in.

The play happened on Sunday night when Finland's Ville Koistinen was credited for a third-period goal that the U.S. said went through the side of the net. It was reviewed by a judge in the Metro Centre and ruled a goal, even though replays supported the Americans' claim.

Finland went on to rally and beat the Americans 3-2. The IIHF acknowledged the mistake after the game and said the judge was out for the remainder of the tournament.

"Something like that shouldn't happen," Tortorella said Monday. "The person that is responsible should be out."

The American coach doesn't think his team deserved to win the game but felt bad for the players who had to see it decided like that.

The guy who was in net for the phantom goal didn't seem too upset a day later.

"That's a big goal to mess up on," said Robert Esche. "If it's a mistake, it's a mistake. We make a lot of them as players."

The IIHF has a team of goal judges that it uses at big events like this one. They each have access to four or five different angles of each goal, plus anything the TV broadcasters shoot.

IIHF President Rene Fasel declined comment.

BIG DOUGH: Robert Esche is in no rush to get back to the NHL.

The 30-year-old goaltender spent the year with AK Bars Kazan in the Russian Super League and has already come to a verbal agreement on a new two-year contract to play for St. Petersburg in the new league that will start in that country next season.

It's no mystery why - money.

Esche says his verbal deal is worth US$1.8 million per year and includes incentives that could push it beyond that. The team will also pay most of his taxes.

"I'm just hoping they send the paperwork over," said Esche.

The St. Petersburg team is owned by billionaire oil tycoon Alex Medvedev, who is the brains behind the new league. Medvedev will play in an alumni game in Quebec City on Thursday.

Esche had a good season in Kazan, where he put up a 15-2-2 record with four shutouts in the regular season.

He appeared in 186 career NHL games for Phoenix and Philadelphia before moving to Russia.

ILYA THE GOON: Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk is known for scoring goals, but his tussle with Swedish defenceman Anton Stralman at the IIHF world hockey championship this week was not his first on-ice altercation.

Hockeyfights.com lists three fights in Kovalchuk's NHL career - all judged by viewers as wins.

He scored a knockdown win over Buffalo's Drew Stafford this season and got the edge on Sean Avery of the New York Rangers in 2007. He also got a decision against Mike Comrie in 2003. Not bad for a player who scored 52 goals this season.

Asked in jest if he would drop the gloves again at the worlds, Kovalchuk said with a smile: "We'll see. Maybe after the final, after the last whistle."

The bout with Stralman was more of a wrestling match, but Kovalchuk ended up on top. Kovalchuk was grabbed by Stralman as he rushed in after teammate Alexei Morozov was levelled by a hit from Sweden's Douglas Murray. All three players were ejected from the 3-2 Russian win.

HALL OF FAME: The IIHF will induct seven new members to its Hall of Fame on Thursday at the Pepsi Colisee in Quebec City, including the first three women players - Canada's Geraldine Heaney and Angela James and American Cammi Granato.

Also going in are Mario Lemieux, Russian great Igor Larionov and Philippe Bozon of France, as well as American builder Art Berglund. Lemieux is unlikely to attend with his Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Eastern Conference final.

Nashville Predators sign Martin Erat to seven-year contract

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:44:00 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Predators are locking up forward Martin Erat to a long-term deal.

The NHL team says it has signed the restricted free agent to a US$31.5-million dollar, seven-year contract. Erat had 23 goals and 57 points this season. The 26-year-old is currently playing for the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Erat has 253 points (85-168) in 407 career regular-season games.

He was selected by Nashville in the seventh round (No. 191) of the 1999 NHL entry draft.

Russia defeats Switzerland 5-3 to set up quarter-final rematch

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:31:00 -0400

QUEBEC - Unbeaten Russia got first-period goals from Dmitry Kalinin, Alexander Ovechkin and Maxim Sushinsky and went on to defeat Switzerland 5-3 on Monday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Russia finished first in its group and dropped Switzerland to fourth place, so the two teams will meet again in the quarter-finals. The second-place Czech Republic will meet third-place Sweden in the other quarter-final in Quebec City on Wednesday.

Switzerland, which did not get a shot on goal until 10:07 into the game, trailed 4-0 going into the third period, but then got early goals from Rafaele Sannitz and Julien Vauclair to keep it close.

The Russians dazzled with their quick puck movement and precision passing for two periods, penetrating a Swiss defensive wall that often had five players clogging the neutral zone. Russia had a 37-22 shot advantage overall before 8,286 at the Pepsi Colisee.

Kalinin crept in from the point to convert a nice cross-ice feed from Danis Zaripov at 15:21. Ovechkin tipped Ilya Kovalchuk's point shot in from the slot on a power play at 17:49 and Sushinsky breezed past defenceman Beat Forster and beat Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller at 18:45.

Sergei Fedorov scored with Alexander Semin standing in Hiller's crease 10:27 into the second frame.

The Swiss played a more aggressive game in the third and Sannitz scored on his team's first power play chance 32 seconds in on a point blast that sailed past Evgeny Nabokov. Then Vauclair made an end-to-end rush short-handed and beat Nabokov with an off-wing wrist shot at 5:30.

Hiller was pulled for an extra attacker with three minutes left to play and Sushinsky got his second of the game into the empty net at 17:25. One minute later, Romano Lemm banged in a goal for the Swiss on a feed from Andres Ambuhl.

United States 9 Norway 1

At Halifax, the United States wrapped up its qualifying round schedule with a 9-1 rout of Norway.

New York Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky had a hat trick as the Americans scored three times in each period to bury the overmatched Norwegians.

With the win, the U.S. (3-2) locked up third place in Pool F while Norway fell to 1-4.

United States wraps up qualifying round with 9-1 rout of Norway

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:25:00 -0400

HALIFAX - The United States wrapped up its qualifying round schedule with a 9-1 pounding of Norway at the IIHF World Hockey Championship on Monday.

New York Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky had a hat trick as the Americans scored three times in each period to bury an overmatched Norwegian team.

With the win, the U.S. (3-2) locked up third place in Pool F. The Americans had already earned a quarter-final berth prior to the game, and will next play the loser of Monday's matchup between Canada and Finland.

Norway (1-4) must hope Latvia loses to Germany in regulation on Monday night to earn the last quarter-final spot for Group F.

The U.S. dominated the opening 20 minutes against Norway and was rewarded with three goals, including a pair just 63 seconds apart.

Dubinsky, with his first of the tournament, opened the scoring at 11:12 as he took a pass in the slot from Adam Burish and fired the puck underneath Norwegian netminder Pal Grotnes.

Just over a minute later, Brown potted his fourth of the tournament as he skated into the slot and drilled a shot glove-side past Grotnes.

In the final minute, the U.S. found the back of the net again as Patrick Kane tallied his third of the tournament on the power play. Zach Parise set up the Calder Trophy nominee with a perfect pass across the crease.

Six minutes into the second period, Dubinsky scored his second of the game as he made good on a rebound attempt from in close.

Norway finally found the scoresheet midway through the period during a two-man advantage. Defenceman Mats Trygg blasted a bullet shot high over the glove of American goaltender Robert Esche.

The U.S., which struggled to hold leads in its last two games, wasn't fazed by the goal, as Paul Martin responded with his first of the tournament on a nice individual effort three minutes later.

Just 59 seconds later, Patrick O'Sullivan found Parise in front for a power-play marker and a 6-1 lead.

In the third, Brown notched his second of the game as he came out from behind the Norwegian net and went five-hole on Grotnes.

Three minutes later, Kane set up a highlight-reel goal, as the 19-year-old skated out from his own end, deked two Norwegian players then found Phil Kessel in front with a beautiful backhand pass.

Midway through the third, Dubinsky scored his third of the game on a shot from the right faceoff circle that beat backup netminder Ruben Smith during a U.S. power play. Smith replaced Grotnes shortly after the eighth goal for the Americans.

Esche, making his second start in as many games for the Americans, stopped 17 shots. The Americans fired 48 pucks at the Norwegian net.

Penguins edge Flyers to take 2-0 series lead in Eastern Conference final

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:41:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH - Maxime Talbot's pre-game nap Sunday afternoon included a wishful thought. The Pittsburgh Penguins checker was back in the lineup after missing three games with a foot injury and wanted to return with a splash.

"I was in bed this afternoon thinking, 'It would be nice to score a goal and make a big comeback,"' Talbot said. "You think about stuff like that and sometimes it happens. It's a great feeling."

Talbot, who was unable to stop smiling after the game, scored the winning goal 8:51 into the third period Sunday night to lift the Penguins to a 4-2 win over the Flyers, handing Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference final.

"At the NHL level it's definitely my biggest goal," said Talbot. "I'm going to remember it for a long time."

His second career NHL playoff goal was a biggie, putting the Penguins just two wins away from their first trip to the Stanley Cup final in 16 years.

"It's pretty amazing," said Penguins centre Jordan Staal, who was three years old when the Penguins last lifted the Cup in 1992. "I still feel like I'm a little naive right now. But no question I'm excited about it. I want to win."

Marian Hossa, Sidney Crosby and Staal, into an empty net, also scored for the Penguins, who won their 15th straight home game and improved to an impressive 10-1 overall in the NHL playoffs. They also knew the Flyers would be desperate to try and get a road split.

"They split their first two games in their first two playoff series," said Staal. "We didn't want to give them any life. So we're happy to get this win and hopefully we'll win two in their building."

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter had the goals for the Flyers, who limp back to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Tuesday night now missing Braydon Coburn as well as Kimmo Timonen from their blue-line corps. Those are huge holes to fill.

"Well, obviously it's tough. Coby is an all-situation player for us," said Flyers head coach John Stevens. "He plays big minutes, but I thought the group of five did a heck of a job tonight."

The game was only 1:51 old when Coburn left a trail of blood behind him after taking the puck in the face from Hal Gil's point shot. Coburn did not return, reportedly needing more than 40 stitches. Timonen went down before the series with a blood clot in his leg.

"My left eye is swollen shut right now. I will keep the ice on it and get the swelling down and see what happens tomorrow," said Coburn in quotes distributed by the Flyers, adding he may be available for Game 3.

"We'll have to re-evaluate him when we get home," said Stevens.

The Flyers aren't getting any breaks on the injury front and feel they're just as unlucky with the officiating. Pittsburgh got six power plays to Philadelphia's three Sunday night.

"I'd just like to see some consistency," said Stevens. "We got a couple of stars on our team. too."

Philadelphia could help itself by making fewer mistakes. The Flyers had talked about limiting their turnovers after coughing up the puck over and over again in Game 1. The winner Sunday night came when both Steve Downie and Derian Hatcher failed to get the puck out of their own end. Eventually Gary Roberts got it in the corner and fed Talbot all alone in front.

"Max is a real communicator out there and that's one the reasons I passed the puck out in front to him because he yelled for it," said Roberts. "It was a great goal by him."

Downie had the first shot at clearing the puck and missed.

"(That) turnover can't happen," said Stevens. "Move your feet. I'd like to see them roll into that puck instead of putting his butt on the ledge, now we got to reach across and get that puck. But that's just, it is a learned skill, and it is a costly turnover there. But he's a good kid. He will rebound from it."

The sellout crowd of 17,132 at Mellon Arena was on its feet 3:49 into the game as Penguins winger Tyler Kennedy and Flyers forward Scottie Upshall exchanges blows at centre ice in a violent bout. That set the tone for a more physical and emotional game than the series opener, with both teams finishing their checks with authority.

Crosby opened the scoring on a power play at 10:48 when his pass attempt in front delfected off Flyers defenceman Lasse Kukkonen and past Martin Biron. The Flyers goalie had moved off his post anticipating the pass to Ryan Malone in the slot.

It appeared as though the Penguins had gone up 2-0 with 3:19 left in the first period but a video review came back negative on Crosby's tap-in.

"Since video review of the play proved inconclusive as to if the puck crossed the goal line, the call of no goal on the ice stands," the league said in a statement.

The call seemed to spark the Flyers, who came back strong. Carter tied it 1-1 5:46 into the second period, one-timing a nifty Joffrey Lupul pass from the corner.

Biron then made a series of solid saves to keep the game tied, notably a sparkling pad save on Kennedy.

Hossa put the home side back up a goal at 13:43 on another power play, fishing out a rebound in front and backhanding a shot past a sprawled Biron.

Richards, Philadelphia's best player early on in this series, pulled the Flyers back into a tie at 2-2 when he stole a pass attempt from Evgeni Malkin at the Flyers blue-line on a Pittsburgh power play and broke in alone on Marc-Andre Fleury, beating the Penguins goalie top corner on the glove side with 24 seconds left in the second period.

Notes - Veteran Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine was in attendance. He's an avid hockey fan and a former Los Angeles Kings draft pick in 1984 ...The Flyers inserted agitator Steve Downie into the lineup at the expense of forward Patrick Thoresen ... Talbot replaced Adam Hall in the Penguins lineup ... Pittsburgh's last home loss in regulation was Feb. 13.

Switzerland pounds Denmark at World Hockey Championship

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:03:00 -0400

QUEBEC - The Swiss are starting to look comfortable among the top eight in international hockey.

Once a B-pool regular, Switzerland displaced Germany in 2003 as the No. 8 team in the world behind the long-established Big-7 - Canada, Russia, the Czech Republic, the United States, Sweden, Finland and Slovakia, in no particular order.

And Slovakia's failure to get past the preliminary round at the IIHF World Hockey Championship this week will see the Swiss move at least a spot or two higher in the next world rankings of hockey-playing countries.

"To pass Slovakia is a monumental step," said Ralph Krueger, the Winnipeg native who has coached Switzerland since 1997. "It's something I thought I'd never see in my time as coach."

A 7-2 drubbing of lowly Denmark on Sunday guaranteed at least third place in their qualifying round group, thanks to an upset 4-2 victory over Sweden earlier in the tournament.

In other games Sunday, Latvia beat Norway 4-1, Finland beat the United States 3-2 in Halifax and Sweden downed the Czech Republic 5-3 in Quebec City.

Switzerland plays its last round robin game Monday against Russia.

The Swiss were coming off a deflating 5-0 loss to the Czechs and stormed out against Denmark, taking an early 2-0 lead then outshooting them 54-20 enroute to a lopsided win.

"We had a few days to regroup and I'm really pleased with how we started," said Krueger. "We're excited to be back in the quarter-finals.

"It's great for our program. It could have ruined the week if we had a bad game today."

Switzerland's rise as a hockey power has come through strong youth programs and a good national pro league.

Only one player on the world championship team, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native Paul DiPietro, was developed outside the country, and the former NHL forward plays for Zug in the Swiss league and has had Swiss citizenship for several years.

What is surprising about this year's team is that they are winning without a handful of long-time national team stalwarts, including their only full-time NHL skater - Montreal Canadien Mark Streit.

Streit, who had 62 points playing forward and defence for Montreal, is out with a back injury.

"It was a huge challenge for us when Mark couldn't come," said Krueger. "He averaged 30 minutes of ice time.

"But we had young players step in. And we don't think about players who aren't here, only the players we have."

Krueger also initiated a youth movement, leaving veterans like former Edmonton Oiler Michel Riesen, ex-Chicago Blackhawk Reto Van Arx, Martin Pluss and Patrick Fischer off the team.

Changes were in order after the team barely managed to finish eighth at last year's world championship in Moscow.

As well as adding young players like defencemen Philippe Furrer and Raphael Diaz, Krueger also got his team out of its long-standing defensive shell and allowed his players to go on attack more.

"We play a very simple game," said Furrer. "We play as a team and we know we're strong when we do that and that we'll get our chances.

"Each guy does his job and we trust each other. And we've got good goaltending."

With Ottawa Senators starter Martin Gerber and Anaheim Ducks back-up Jonas Hiller, Switzerland doesn't even need former NHL goalie David Aebischer.

Long-time Swiss hockey writer Klaus Zaugg jokes that Krueger introduced "glasnost" by lightening the team's defensive-oriented hockey after the Moscow tournament.

"He had to do something because Switzerland will be host (of the world championships) next year and because of the poor performance in Moscow," said Zaugg. "I think last year was the most boring Swiss team ever."

This year's side looks a little bigger and lot more poised than past Swiss teams.

Their 2-0 victory over Canada's best at the 2006 Winter Olympics, which needed a 49-save effort from Gerber, remains the country's biggest win ever, but beating a top team is not quite as huge an upset as it once was.

They'll shoot for another against Alexander Ovechkin and the Russians, although with a quarter-final spot secured, Krueger said he will rest some players who are playing with minor injuries, who of course he didn't name.

"We respect teams, but we're a good team, too," added Furrer. "We're top-8.

"We want to beat the Russians. It doesn't matter if their players are from the NHL or from Norway or anywhere else, we just want to win the game."

Andres Ambuhl, Sandy Jeannin, Marc Reichert, Thierry Paterlini, Paul DiPietro, Philippe Furrer and Beat Forster scored for the Swiss against Denmark before an announced crowd of 8,338 at Pepsi Colisee.

With Switzerland leading 6-0 in the third period, Denmark scored twice. Morten Madsen scored on a shot that went in off Swiss defenceman Goran Bezina's leg and Kim Staal beat Gerber on a penalty shot.

Denmark plays Belarus on Monday looking for a win and a chance to finish 10th, which will allow them to play host next year to the qualifying tournament for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

In Halifax, Mikko Koivu's goal with 3:50 left in regulation capped a wild comeback as Finland rallied for three third-period goals in a 3-2 win over the U.S.

The Americans took a two-goal lead to the third after scoring twice in the second. But in the final period it was all Finns, as they scored three times on 25 shots. With Finland enjoying a power play, Koivu took the puck from the end boards, came out front and stuffed the puck past American netminder Robert Esche.

In a night game before 7,864 in Quebec City, Patric Hornqvist broke a tie with 4:53 left to play to give Sweden the 5-3 victory over the Czechs.

After a scoreless first period, the Swedes took one-goal leads in the second period on tallies by Anton Stralman and Marcus Nilson only to see the Czechs tie it each time on power-play goals by Patrick Elias and Ales Kotalik.

Mattias Weinhandl gave Sweden another lead 1:14 into the third period, but Tomas Fleischman, playing on the top line after Patrick Elias suffered an unknown injury, got it back at 9:41 as he shated out from behind the net, spun and beat Henrik Lundqvist with a wrist shot.

But Hornqvist's fifth goal of the tournament on a rebound from the slot at 15:07 gave Sweden the decisive lead and Nilson got his second of the game into an empty net with 26 seconds left to play.

Czech coach Alois Hadamczik said Elias suffered a sore knee when he crashed into the net. He said the injury did not appear to be serious and he expects Elias to play in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The Swedes, who had Niclas Wallin back from a two-game suspension but were without suspended blue-liner Douglas Murray, killed a 1:06 two-man Czech advantage in the first period.

Jamal Mayers has pregnant wife in thoughts this Mother's Day as he chases world title

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:46:00 -0400

HALIFAX - Under normal circumstances, Natalie Mayers would be at the IIHF World Hockey Championship watching her husband Jamal play for Team Canada.

Her Mother's Day would have included a brunch with all the other players' families and an afternoon tour.

Instead, she's eight months pregnant and back home in St. Louis looking after the couple's two-year-old daughter Langley. She's also on her husband's mind.

"She got flowers yesterday and I already called today," Jamal said after practice on Sunday morning. "It's another example of all the sacrifices that mom's make. Being a hockey wife isn't an easy job."

Mayers seriously considered taking a pass on the world championship with his wife due to give birth in June. He was part of the Canadian team that won gold in Russia last year and had Natalie join him in Moscow for the final few days of that event.

When he received another invitation from GM Steve Yzerman this year, the couple talked it over and decided that the opportunity was too good for him to pass up.

"I had some apprehension at first with my wife being eight months pregnant," said Mayers. "I knew she would be supportive regardless but I wanted to let her really think about it. ...

"We have a pretty good support system at home with her mom and family around so we're pretty lucky that way."

It's something all professional hockey players can relate to. Most of them owe some of their success to devoted parents who helped with their early development in the game and many continue to rely heavily on family to help keep things in order while they're away from home.

Hockey Canada understands that and runs an enviable family program during this event.

"You feel bad for the other countries because when they see what they do for us, they get jealous," said captain Shane Doan. "They talk about, 'Wow, look at what Hockey Canada does. Look at what the extent of what they go to.'

"Last night, it was as simple as making sure everyone has flowers. Making sure all the moms have flowers, all the wives have flowers. If you're here and you wanted flowers shipped back to your mom somewhere else, they'd ship them back for you."

It sounds like a small gesture but it's the kind of thing that helps the team succeed. Everything a player might need is taken care of so that he can focus on the task at hand.

The Canadian team has won all five of its games here and is entering an important stretch starting with Monday's game against Finland (TSN, 3:30 p.m. ET). The playoff round follows that.

"When you get in competitions that are this long, a lot of times the teams that win are the ones that just don't want to go home," said Canadian coach Ken Hitchcock. "They want to keep going, they want to stay together. Our team has that feel about it right now.

"They enjoy each other's company, they're having a great time together."

That's another thing the families help with.

Cam Ward brought childhood friend Steve Kelly to Moscow a year ago and has his parents and wife with him here. One of the turning points for the 2007 team was when all the guests arrived.

"It seemed like when the parents came and the family came, the team brought it to another level," said Ward.

In many ways, these trips can be a once in a lifetime experience for everyone involved.

"Going to Moscow (last year) didn't really sound like a great family trip and my kids had a blast," said Doan. "They got to go to the Kremlin, Red Square and do all that. Here we've been down to the ocean and walked at the harbourfront, Peggy's Cove.

"They're doing all these fun things."

That helps builds continuity in the program.

It was less than 10 years ago that Hockey Canada practically had to beg players to come to the world championship. Now it's finding that players are being urged to come by family members who want to join them at the tournament.

"I think if it was just work and if it was just a job and just business, I don't think you'd get the players coming back," said Hitchcock. "I think if you don't include the families you (won't) have any hope of bringing the players back again."

Rick Nash's grandpa has become a mainstay at international tournaments. The 23-year-old forward is playing in his third world championship and was also a member of the 2006 Olympic team and the 2002 world junior squad. He always brings his grandpa along for the ride.

His mother Liz was also in Moscow a year ago but couldn't make it this spring. She celebrated a birthday on Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday and will excuse her son for his absence from those events if he can bring home another gold medal.

"That would be more than enough for sure," said Nash.

Mayers can relate.

The best part about winning gold in Russia wasn't hearing the national anthem after the game or spraying his teammates with champagne in the dressing room - it was having his wife Natalie there to witness it.

"It only means something when you have someone to share it with," said Mayers. "Family's the most important thing."

In Sunday's on-ice action, Switzerland routed Denmark 7-2, Latvia beat Norway 4-1, Finland beat the United States 3-2 and Sweden defeated the Czech Republic 5-3.

Flyers' defenseman Coburn struck in face by puck, leaves Game 2

cp.org — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:33:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH - Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn was struck in the face with a shot by Pittsburgh's Hal Gill early in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night.

Gill took a shot from the left point that apparently deflected off Evgeni Malkin's stick and struck Coburn near the left eye less than two minutes into the first period. Coburn dropped to the ice, bleeding, but soon got up without assistance and went to the dressing room with a towel held to his face.

The game was delayed for about a minute to wipe the blood from the ice.

The Flyers are playing the series without their top defenceman, Kimmo Timonen, who has a blood clot on his left ankle that developed in Game 4 of the second round against Montreal.

Altercation over, but feelings remain for Red Wings and Stars

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:14:00 -0400

DALLAS - Really, it's hard to imagine that Chris Osgood is completely correct in his assessment.

"Just a little altercation that's over with now," the Detroit goalie insisted Sunday, a day after the Red Wings' 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars was marred by an ugly ending.

But don't expect the fracas to be forgotten.

In the closing seconds of Game 2 of the Western Conference final, Osgood used the handle of his stick to poke Dallas' Mike Ribeiro, who responded from behind the net with a two-handed stick slash across the goalie's chest.

"He actually tries to do it. It's not like he accidentally hit me," Ribeiro said, defending himself Sunday after not being around for post-game interviews. "He kind of was bent down, raised up and clipped me in the face."

There was no word Sunday from the NHL about any suspensions resulting from the actions of both players. So it appears that Ribeiro and Osgood will both be on the ice Monday night for Game 3 when the best-of-seven series shifts to Dallas with the Red Wings holding a 2-0 lead.

Ribeiro said he was only retaliating.

"If he doesn't do that, I don't think I react, I have no reason to do what I did," Ribeiro said.

Osgood obviously disagreed, saying, "By no means was I trying to hit him in the face with my stick."

What can't be debated is that Dallas is already in a deep hole in its first conference final appearance since 2000. The Stars returned home with 2-0 series leads in each of the first two rounds of this year's playoffs, but wasn't able to duplicate that success against the top-seeded Red Wings.

Detroit will be going for a 3-0 series lead and its ninth straight win, which would be the franchise record for a single post-season. It would also be the longest in the NHL since Montreal won 11 in a row on the way to winning the 1993 Stanley Cup.

"You're not going to rattle us. We've got too much experience for that," Detroit's Darren McCarty said.

While the stage appears set for things to get even more feisty when the series resumes, Mike Modano believes the Stars can't be focused on what happened at the end of Game 2.

"That's probably the most you're going to see of it (Saturday) night, hopefully," Modano said. "They're not a very physical team by any means, but they do play the game. ... And for us to try to get into some street fight ain't going to work. You have to play the game of hockey and right now, they're doing it better than us."

The Red Wings did so in Game 2 without Johan Franzen, who was scratched from the lineup because of concussion-like symptoms. He's had recurring headaches since early in the previous series, and will miss Game 3 as well.

"It caught me by surprise," coach Mike Babcock said. "We'd love to have him. he's a good player. But we've got a good team and we can go on with or without him."

Dallas Drake twisted his knee late in the third period of Game 2, but came back to skate another shift for the Red Wings.

Stars forward Jere Lehtinen left Game 2 with a leg injury, which coach Dave Tippett said was not sustained on the play when he was hit by teammate Brenden Morrow. The coach described Lehtinen's injury as "just soft-tissue stuff" and said the team would see how he feels at the Monday morning skate.

After three power-play goals in the 4-1 series opener, Detroit had only one in Game 2.

"We took a step forward in getting ourselves back into the competitive issues of the series last game, but it will still have to go up another step," Tippett said. "I thought we had much better jump. Our legs looked like they were back to normal a little bit. Now we need some more execution."

Dallas is back home for the first time since its four-overtime, nearly 5 1/2-hour series-clinching victory over San Jose that ended in the early morning hours last Monday.

Finland rallies to beat U.S. at worlds

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:02:00 -0400

HALIFAX - The United States lost its lead Sunday - and then, it lost its cool.

Mikko Koivu's goal with 3:50 left in regulation capped a wild comeback as Finland rallied for three third-period goals in a 3-2 win over the U.S. at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

After the goal, American forward Adam Burish was tossed for a butt-ending a Finland player. Then, just as the final horn sounded to end the game, American forward Dustin Brown drilled a Finnish defenceman into the boards with a hit to the head. The play led to a post-game melee, and featured a fight between David Backes of the U.S. and Finland's Amsso Salmela.

With the loss, the Americans (2-2) can now finish no better than third in its preliminary pool. The U.S. has already qualified for a spot in Wednesday's quarter-final.

Finland (4-0) moved to within a point of the idle Canadians atop the Group F standings. The teams face off Monday in the qualifying round finale for both teams.

Tom Gilbert opened the scoring for the Americans 90 seconds into the second period. The Edmonton Oilers defenceman skated in from the blue-line and scored on a loose puck from just outside of the Finland goal crease.

Gilbert's first goal of the tournament came one second after Olli Jokinen's five-minute checking-from-behind penalty had ended. Jokinen, the captain of the Florida Panthers, drilled American blue-liner Tim Gleason into the boards from behind to earn the match penalty.

Both teams had numerous chances to score with the man-advantage after Gilbert's marker, but the score held until the 19:15 mark. American forward Phil Kessel drilled a shot far corner from the right faceoff circle that cleanly beat Finland netminder Nicklas Backstrom during a U.S. power play.

Just seconds before Kessel's goal, netminder Esche made an incredible glove stop on Koivu. On a short-handed breakout for Finland, Saku Koivu fed the puck up to his younger brother Mikko, who deked right but had his back-hand attempt go into Esche's outstretched glove.

Two minutes into the third, Ville Koistinen scored on a one-timer during a two-man advantage to get Finland on the board. The Americans disputed the goal, claiming the puck went through the mesh on the side of the net. The play was reviewed and the goal was allowed.

A minute later, and with Finland still on the power play, Esche made another highlight save, as he stuck out the glove while laying on his chest to deny Finland's Janne Niskala of a sure goal.

Midway through the third, Finland scored the tying goal as Saku Koivu made a nice cross-ice pass to Teemu Selanne, who made no mistake from the side of the net.

Gale and Nelson help Broncos edge Kodiaks 1-0 to win RBC Cup

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:54:00 -0400

CORNWALL, Ont. - The Camrose Kodiaks may have been the stingiest team at the RBC Cup, but Taylor Nelson and the Humboldt Broncos one-upped them when it counted most.

Nelson stopped 31 shots and made Edward Gale's first-period goal stand up in Humboldt's 1-0 win Sunday over Camrose at the national junior A hockey championship final.

"I'm just basking in the moment while I can," said Nelson. "This team is like a big family, everyone has been great. I don't think I can find the words to describe how it feels right now.

"I just want to enjoy this while I can."

Gale's power-play goal at 16:39 of the first period was all the Saskatchewan team would need. He walked out of the right corner and tucked the puck behind Camrose goaltender Allen York.

The Alberta club had allowed just four goals while amassing a record of 5-0-0 prior to the final. Humboldt, meanwhile, led the five-team tournament with 24 goals coming in.

Both teams turned up the intensity in the third period and Mike Connolly had Camrose's best scoring chance when he ended up with the puck alone in the slot, but was stopped by Nelson.

Not even a late power play, coming with 59 seconds left after Jordan Shindel hooked Camrose star Joe Colbourne, helped them put a puck past Nelson.

The Kodiaks pulled York for an extra attacker, but despite steady pressure, ended up frustrated when Nelson made a game-saving stop with one second remaining.

"He is phenomenal," said Humbolt captain Russ Neilsen. "That save at the end, I don't think anyone in the rink will ever forget that one."

Humboldt missed a glorious opportunity to pick up some insurance in the second period when forward Laurent Benjamin was awarded a penalty shot.

He stole the puck inside the Camrose blue-line and was pulled down by Jesse Todd, but fired wide on the penalty shot.

Camrose head coach Boris Rybalka was left to lament his team's own missed chances.

"In a one-game shot, you get hot goaltending, you don't capitalize," said Rybalka. "If you don't capitalize, there's the difference in a one-goal game."

Michel Therrien, John Stevens have had their run-ins before in the AHL playoffs

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:49:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH - Before the NHL's Eastern Conference final is over and done with, there's a chance John Stevens and Michel Therrien will rekindle their personal rivalry.

Or perhaps, as they've tried to spin it to the media over the last week, they've left all that personal animosity behind them in the AHL and they're above that now.

"Coach Therrien and I had dinner together," Stevens, Philadelphia's head coach, said jokingly Sunday when asked about Saturday's day off.

Both coaches have downplayed their past run-ins.

"Thanks for reminding me," Therrien, Pittsburgh's head coach, said this weekend when asked about their AHL battles. "He's doing what he has to do to be successful. And I have to do what I have to do to be successful for our own team. He's a good coach. He had success in the American Hockey League. What he did this year coming up from a tough year last year with the Flyers, he deserves a lot of respect. ...

"But the focus is not on the coaches."

R.J. Umberger remembers when the coaches were very much front and centre. It was the 2005 AHL playoffs and for the second straight year Therrien's AHL Penguins were battling the AHL Phantoms coached by Stevens. There's the story of both coaches trying to get each other with only the glass dividing both benches keeping them apart.

"Yeah I remember that," chuckles Umberger, who played for the Phantoms that year. "It's definitely two coaches that aren't afraid to get into it. It's fun to watch, it makes us get extra emotional, too. ...

"It's always been pretty heated between the two of them," added Umberger. "They're pretty competitive. It's always been intense, and I think it will probably stay intense this year. This is probably something they both take personally against each other."

Former Penguins winger Colby Armstrong played for Therrien in those AHL playoff battles with the Phantoms and doubts the two coaches have grown fond of each other.

"Maybe hate is a strong word," Armstrong told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Maybe it's not a strong word for Michel and John. I'm not sure where they stand."

Water under the bridge, insists Stevens.

"That's when I was a lot younger. I'm a little older now," Stevens said. "I said this the other day. I think if everybody likes you, you're probably not very good. I think a lot of teams liked us last year. They liked playing us last year. I think when you dislike each other, or there's emotion involved, it's probably because you have the other team standing in the way of where you want to go. I think that's the case here."

Therrien and Stevens have at least one thing in common - they deserve a lot of credit for both taking over struggling clubs and picking them up off the mat.

The Penguins were last in the Eastern Conference and 29th in the overall NHL standings in 2005-06, Therrien taking over behind the bench in December that year. The next season, Therrien's first full year, the Penguins improved by 47 points to finish fifth in the East. This year, the Penguins have taken another step from playoff team to contender, Therrien convincing his offensive stars to buy into a defensive system that has worked wonders in the playoffs.

Similarly, Stevens took over in late October last season with the Flyers on their way to a 30th overall finish in the NHL. A 39-point improvement in the standings this season left the Flyers sixth in the conference. Upsets over Washington and Montreal saw Stevens get the upper hand against fellow coaches Bruce Boudreau of the Capitals and Guy Carbonneau of the Canadiens - both finalists for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

"Besides having their teams in a conference final, which by itself speaks to their accomplishments, all of the young players on both teams have taken dramatic steps forward in their development," said former NHLer and longtime hockey analyst Bill Clement. "So they've provided not only for the present but for the future as well and that is genius."

Canadian coaches bring grit, work ethic to foreign hockey programs

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:36:00 -0400

QUEBEC - Canadian coaches are becoming a hot commodity on the international hockey scene.

At the IIHF World Hockey Championship, six of the 16 coaches are Canadian in addition to Team Canada's Ken Hitchcock.

Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, and Switzerland all have opted for a little Canadian influence at the helm.

Other countries employ Canadian assistants as fledgling hockey nations try to add some Canadian flavour and toughness to their own game.

"It's a great experience, coaching in Denmark, and maybe we might be able to add some things from the Canadian game that could help Denmark get to the next step," says Denmark head coach Mike Sirant, a Winnipeg native who spent 13-years as head coach at the University of Manitoba before taking over Denmark's hockey program.

"I recognized that Denmark is a fast-developing hockey country and to play some small role in helping continue their development was a challenge and an honour," said Sirant, who now lives in Denmark full-time.

Coaches have found different routes to their international jobs. France's Dave Henderson, for example, was born and raised in Montreal before moving to France nearly 33 years ago to play professionally and ended up working his way through the ranks.

It's a similar story for Ralph Krueger, a Winnipeg native who played in Europe before turning to coaching. He has run the Swiss national team since 1998.

Others, like Finland head coach and Wallaceburg, Ont. native Doug Shedden was recruited by Finnish general manager Jari Kurri to teach his team how to win.

But while Shedden's bosses expect a medal at his final tournament at Finland's helm, the goals for the others are to continue providing the building blocks for the long-term development of the hockey programs in their respective countries.

"I worked 27 years coaching hockey at the University of Ottawa, and now I'm teaching the Italians to embrace the Canadian style of hockey," says Michel (Mickey) Goulet, head coach of Italy and a native of Ottawa.

"In Italy, to improve the level of hockey, we have to improve coaching and get more kids to play hockey. That's the only way forward for Italy, because we don't have the money nor do we want to bring in "italos" like Roberto Luongo, like Italy did in the past, with for example, goalkeeper Jim Corsi," Goulet said.

Incidentally, it was Corsi, an Italian coach and fellow Canadian, who brought him to Italy.

Not to say that Goulet thinks the Canadian content needs to be weeded out of the Italian system. But he figures it takes a few decades to produce a homegrown world championship calibre player.

"I think you have to have a balance," Goulet says.

"You want the good ones that will play for Italy and the name on the front of their jersey, not the name on the back - it's the only we can have success."

It is a similar mantra in Denmark, which is beginning to export some of its homegrown talent to play in North America.

"You look at Denmark and for a country with only 19 ice rinks, I think all of Denmark can be proud of the effort of our team," said Sirant, who says he's learning valuable lessons from Dane coaches and players also.

"We do have a lot of young guys on our team and the future looks good for us."

In the case of former Washington Capitals coach Glen Hanlon, it was the Belarusian embassy in Washington D.C. that came knocking during the NHL lockout.

"The president of the hockey federation really liked Hockey Canada and they just wanted to change their direction and wanted a North American style coach," said Hanlon, born in Brandon, Man., and serving as an assistant coach at the world championships under Canadian-American head coach Curt Fraser.

Hanlon oversaw the young Belarus team in a number of tournaments and saw an amazing turnaround in that country before handing over the reins to Fraser, a friend who'd been cut loose by the Atlanta Thrashers.

Hanlon hopes to one day return to the NHL coaching ranks.

But the former NHL goaltender is happy to be replacing Shedden behind the bench for Jokerit, a Finnish hockey club, and credits Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson for developing the coaching program that has made Canadians so respected on an international level.

"The biggest thing Canada has going for it is Bob Nicholson and what he's done with the Canadian programs that are so well organized and so well run that it's paved the way for us to go abroad and its given us credibility as coaches," Hanlon said.

Certainly, many countries look to Canada for a blueprint for hockey success.

Goulet says when he arrived in Italy, the initial game plan had always been to look good on the ice. Not good enough, says Goulet, who has added a Canadian competitive spirit to the Italian squad.

"I just wanted to see if we could change the attitude," says Goulet, adding that he thinks he's succeeded in teaching his players to love the game.

"Hockey is not a 9-to-5 job, it is a 365-day-a-year job ... a passion ... it's a way of life."

Red Wings defeat Stars 2-1 to take 2-0 lead in NHL Western Conference final

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:45:00 -0400

DETROIT - It was a huge win for the Detroit Red Wings and what surely will turn out to be a costly loss for the Dallas Stars.

The Red Wings surprised everybody just before the second game of the NHL's Western Conference final Saturday night by announcing that Johan Franzen, the leading goal scorer of the NHL playoffs, wouldn't play because he's out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms, but the setback didn't stall their drive for the Stanley Cup.

Rookie Darren Helm, with his first big-league goal, and Henrik Zetterberg scored Detroit's goals and goaltender Chris Osgood again was outstanding in a 2-1 victory that gave the Wings a 2-0 series lead going into Game 3 in Dallas on Monday night.

The Stars lost veteran forward Jere Lehtinen to a leg injury early in the second period of Game 2 and, given what happen at the end, they'll probably lose Mike Ribeiro, too.

Ribeiro was assessed a match penalty as time expired. Ribeiro was behind the Detroit net, raised his stick and slashed Osgood across the chest. Osgood crumbled to the ice. The trainers rushed out to tend to the fallen goalie, but he as eventually able to get up join his teammates to the dressing room and was uninjured.

That wasn't all. With five seconds left, Steve Ott went after Kris Draper from behind and punched the Wings' veteran centre in the head. Ott got roughing and misconduct penalties.

"I'm fine with that," Draper said of the Ott assault. "He threw a punch at me.

"No harm done. You get up and you go. But something like (the slash on Osgood), that's right out of Slap Shot. (Ribeiro) just literally . . . intent to injure on our best player. I couldn't believe it when he did it."

Colin Campbell, the NHL's discipline czar as director of operations, was in attendance and saw it all.

"It's an intense series," said Draper. "There's a lot on the line and it's physical but . . . that's just crossing the line.

"The league's been great all year about stepping in and taking care of this stuff. If it's not a goalie and he two-hands, it could hit a player in the throat, face, teeth, whatever. You kind of shake your head at what he was thinking. It's up to the league to step in and do what they have to do."

Some of the Stars were complaining that Osgood butt-ended Stephane Robidas during the scramble around the Detroit net with two seconds left. Osgood said he stuck out an arm to try and ward off a hit against one of his teammates and didn't try to butt-end anybody.

"If it did, it was an accident," he said. "I don't think it justifies a two-hander over the top of the net."

Detroit's latest win was its eighth in a row - all since Helm was inserted into the lineup and Osgood took over from Dom Hasek in the nets.

"This is as good as we played as long as I've been here," said captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who earned Stanley Cup rings in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Joe Louis Arena remained a chamber of horrors for Dallas goalie Marty Turco, whose career winless streak grew to 11.

"We played a lot better," Turco said. "We've got no doubt we can win some hockey games at home.

"We're disappointed we're down 2-0, but it'll be a totally different atmosphere when we get home."

Helm, summoned from the AHL farm in Grand Rapids, Mich., in March, opened the scoring with his first NHL goal at 5:56. The 21-year-old from the Winnipeg region, who was on Canada's victorious 2007 world junior team, took a pass from Jiri Hudler and fired in a wrist shot from the circle to Turco's right.

Robidas tied it when he slammed in a cross-ice pass from Ribeiro on a power play at 10:41. Lidstrom had been penalized for flipping the puck over the glass in his own zone.

Referee Marc Joannette disallowed what at first appeared to be another Detroit goal. Pavel Datsyuk lifted the puck past Turco, but Joannette had seen Zetterberg touch it with a glove, and it was ruled a hand pass.

Zetterberg made it 2-1 on a power play at 15:13. With Tomas Holmstrom creating havoc in front of Turco, Zetterberg fired in a slap shot from a distance. Sergei Zubov was off for hooking Valtteri Filppula.

Detroit outshot Dallas 12-4 in the first period.

After only two penalty calls in the first, there were eight in the second - five against Detroit - and that created a mishmash of fruitless manpower advantages for both teams. Detroit had a 9-8 shots edge.

The Stars had outscored opponents 17-9 in third periods during their 13 previous playoff games so held out hope they could win this one in the third, but the Wings weren't fretting. They allowed the fewest goals in the NHL all season so they knew how to protect a lead.

It was the Red Wings' period. They outshot Dallas 13-6. It would end 2-1, and with Ott and Ribeiro losing their cool.

Lidstrom said he and his teammates knew it'd be a rougher game than Game 1.

"They were going to come out hard, and they did, too," he said. "They had the puck a lot more in our end and created some chances."

Surviving three consecutive manpower disadvantages in the first 10 minutes of the second period was a key to the win.

"Ozzie made some big saves again for us," said Lidstrom. "We were short-handed four times in the second period but we played real well in our own end.

"We kept them to the outside and didn't give them chances in front of our net."

Turco heard second-hand that some of his teammates were accusing Osgood of butt-ending Robidas.

"If that's the case, a butt-end to somebody's face at any time is pretty gutless," said Turco.

This series might be far from over.

Osgood seemed no worse for wear as he pulled off his gear.

"I do have a lot of padding up there but it got me in the side where I didn't have much," he said of the Ribeiro slash. "It did hurt a bit.

"It was kind of a full swing right to the side. But I'll be fine, I'm sure. A little sore, but I'll be fine."

Notes: The overall shots count was 34-18 in Detroit's favour . . . Detroit was 1-for-6 and Dallas was 1-for-5 on power plays . . . Detroit won 71 per cent of the faceoffs (39-for-55) . . . McCarty got the lineup opening created by Franzen's absence . . . Dallas also made one change by sitting down D Mark Fistric and inserting Matt Niskanen . . . Dallas is 0-10 in the post-season in Detroit. The last win in Joe Louis Arena in franchise history was by the Minnesota North Stars in 1992 . . . Detroit has outscored opponents 32-12 in its 12 playoff games (10-2) this spring.

Detroit Red Wings sign Ville Leino of Finnish Elite League

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:22:00 -0400

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings signed forward Ville Leino to a one-year entry level contract on Saturday.

The 24-year-old played for Jokerit of Finnish Elite League in 2007-08, leading the team in scoring with 77 points (28 goals and 49 assists) in 55 games.

Leino recently received the Oskanen Award, given annually to the league's best player in the regular season. He finished second in league scoring (77 points), second in plus-minus rating (plus-34) and third in goals scored (28).

Bulls win third straight to force Game 7 of OHL final against Kitchener

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:21:00 -0400

BELLEVILLE, Ont. - The Belleville Bulls scored three unanswered goals in the third period to beat the Kitchener Rangers 6-3 on Saturday night and push the Ontario Hockey League final to the limit.

The Rangers had led the series 3-0, but it's now tied 3-3 after three straight Bulls wins, with Game 7 set for Monday night in Kitchener.

The Bulls got two goals from captain Matt Beleskey, including an empty-netter, before a crowd of 3,707 at Yardmen Arena.

The are attempting to become only the third team in OHL history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The 2005 Windsor Spitfires and 1988 Ottawa 67's previously turned the trick.

Justin Azevedo scored twice for Kitchener in a losing cause.

Both teams go to the Memorial Cup starting Friday night in Kitchener but only one will enter the tourney as OHL champs.

Eric Staal comes alive as Canada crushes Germany

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:16:00 -0400

HALIFAX - When the puck finally started going in for Eric Staal, it simply didn't stop.

The big centre broke out in a big way Saturday by scoring his first four goals of the IIHF World Hockey Championship. Staal also added an assist as Canada routed the helpless Germans 10-1.

"We were just trying to get Staal as many goals as possible," said linemate Derek Roy. "We said he was on pace for six. We were just trying to feed him in the third period, he had the hot stick going.

"He's a great player."

That greatness hadn't been realized early in this tournament as Staal managed just two assists in the first four games and didn't seem to have his usual deft touch around the net.

Part of that can be chalked up to the fact that he was sometimes being used in an unfamiliar position on the wing but coach Ken Hitchcock thinks there was more to it than that.

"I feel like Eric was carrying too much stress with him," said Hitchcock. "He just needed to continue to work and play. He did that today and he had a lot of success.

"I think sometimes the burden of expectations, when you carry it and you don't carry it the right way, it can really be heavy."

The weight was certainly lifted Saturday.

Staal is the first Canadian player to score at least four goals in a world championship game in 15 years. Eric Lindros had five against Italy in 1993 and no one else has more than three in the time since.

The 23-year-old Staal is playing in his second straight world championship and was able to remain patient when it started slowly.

"Obviously you want to help out as much as you can," said Staal. "I felt like I was working hard and getting to those areas but just not getting enough wood on it.

"It was just a matter of time."

Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Patrick Sharp, Mike Green, Jamal Mayers and Roy also scored for Canada while Martin St. Louis picked up five assists.

Frank Hordler spoiled Cam Ward's shutout bid by scoring for Germany midway through the third period.

This game could have used a mercy rule. At the end of the second period, the Canadians had almost as many goals (nine) as the Germans had shots (10).

"Our team was outmatched in just about every aspect of the game," said German coach Uwe Krupp. "I think it was a sobering experience for everybody. Thank god you don't have too many days like this."

Added captain Marco Sturm: "They're just too big, too strong, too good in all areas."

The German team has been surrounded by scandal during this event and simply didn't have any life against the Canadians, who skated as well as they have all tournament.

Canada has a 5-0 record here but it's hard to gauge exactly where the team is at because it's yet to face one of the other big powers. Monday's game against Finland could be an important one as it will likely dictate who will play Norway in the quarter-finals.

"Today was hopefully the start of putting together the total package," said Hitchcock. "We're going to need it."

In other matches, the Czech Republic edged Belarus 3-2 and Russia nipped Sweden 3-2 on a late goal from Alex Ovechkin. In relegation play, Slovakia beat Slovenia 4-3 and France won a high scoring game 6-4 over Italy.

Staal is one of the Canadian forwards who will be needed to provide secondary scoring in the big games.

He and St. Louis became the sixth and seventh Canadian players in the modern era to record five points in a game at this event. Lindros holds the record with six - a feat he accomplished twice back in 1993.

"You got to have your players play their best," said St. Louis. "If we can get all our guys with confidence and feeling good about themselves, I like our chances."

Perhaps the most notable thing about the victory over Germany is that Canada didn't need much from the top line to get it. Heatley, Rick Nash and Ryan Getzlaf had carried this team early but only combined for a single point on Saturday.

This one got ugly in a hurry.

Spezza opened the scoring at 5:14 of the first period when he skated in off the wing and outwaited Dimitrij Kotschnew before sliding the puck between the German goalie's legs. He was dropped to the fourth line early in the event after struggling to find his rhythm and celebrated his first goal here by pumping his fist enthusiastically.

A familiar figure extended the lead to 2-0. Heatley scored his tournament-leading seventh goal after beating a defender and knocking his own rebound by Kotschnew at 13:35.

Staal's first of the night came 30 seconds later and Sharp made it 4-0 with 22.9 seconds left in the first period when his centring pass went in off a skate.

"After a few, they looked like it was tough to come back for them," said Staal.

Krupp sent in goalie Robert Mueller to start the second period but there was nothing he could do to stop the onslaught. Staal scored two goals in the first 8:20 of the second period to complete the hat trick before getting a fourth at 15:30.

Roy and Mayers also had goals in the frame to make it 9-0 after 40 minutes, prompting some of the 9,182 fans at the Metro Centre to head for their cars early.

Green scored a power-play goal at 1:47 of the third period to go along with two assists.

Hordler was the last German to touch the puck before Canadian defenceman Dan Hamhuis inadvertently knocked it into his own goal at 8:40. It was the only piece of good fortune for the German team, which was officially eliminated from quarter-final contention.

The mood around the team has been especially good for the past couple days and Hitchcock sensed a game like this was coming.

"Everything we shot went in the net," he said. "We played a very powerful game today. We had a lot of people on top of it."

Marlies erupt for three third-period goals to force Game 7 with Syracuse

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:39:00 -0400

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Toronto Marlies erupted for three goals in the third period to beat the Syracuse Crunch 3-2 on Saturday in Game 6 of their American Hockey League second-round series.

Derrick Walser broke a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal for the Marlies, who have climbed out of a 3-1 hole to even the North Division final at three games apiece. Toronto will host its second Game 7 of this playoff year Monday at the Ricoh Coliseum.

Alexandre Picard initially gave the Crunch a 1-0 lead at 17:46 of the first period, with assists going to Gilbert Brule and Duvie Westcott.

The Crunch nursed the one-goal advantage through the entire second period and into the early part of the third.

But the Marlies pulled even at 3:10 of the final stanza when Peter Tsimikalis scored unassisted for his first career AHL playoff goal.

Walser put Toronto on top at the 6:56 mark, and Bates Battaglia made it a 3-1 game at 10:53. David Ling assisted on both scores, giving the former Syracuse forward nine points over the first six games of the series.

Battaglia's goal would prove big, as Westcott cut the deficit to 3-2 with 6:15 left in regulation. But the Crunch could not find the equalizer.

It marked Battaglia's second game-winning goal in as many days, as he scored in overtime on Friday to give Toronto a 4-3 victory in Game 5. Marlies goaltender Scott Clemmensen earned the win Saturday with 30 saves on 32 shots.

Toronto, which posted a Game 7 victory over San Antonio at Ricoh Coliseum in the division semifinals, is now 3-0 this post-season when facing elimination. The Marlies will enter Monday's tilt seeking to become just the 14th team in AHL history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-1.

Humboldt advances to RBC Cup final beating Cornwall

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:25:00 -0400

CORNWALL, Ont. - There's always water close by, whenever Camrose and Humboldt meet with a national crown on the line.

It'll be a prairie battle on the shores of the St. Lawrence River Sunday in Cornwall, when the top-seed Camrose Kodiaks square off with the Humboldt Broncos (No.2) in the RBC junior A national title game.

The Broncos dominated the host Colts 6-1 Saturday to earn their first trip to the finals since 2003 when they beat Camrose 3-1 in the title tilt at Charlottetown.

"A coach can't ask for much more from his team," Humboldt's Dean Brockman said after his team improved to 5-0 when facing elimination this playoff year.

"That was our best game of the tourney. We were responsible all over the ice, and we buried our chances."

The Colts squandered a lot of their opportunities, going 0-for-8 on the powerplay.

"We just ran out of steam tonight, and our (lack of) execution on the powerplay didn't help," said Cornwall head coach Ian MacInnis, whose club was a surprising 2-2 in the round-robin.

"Overall I thought we did a helluva job this week. We weren't expected to win hockey games."

Said Colts captain Darcy Findlay, of Shawville, Que.: "We had the community behind us. It was nice, a lot of fun. But (losing is) kind of hard to swallow right now."

Cornwall got a shorthanded goal from Alain Joanette to tie the game 1-1 at 11:55 of the opening period. But Joanette was assessed a roughing penalty on the play when he crashed into goalie Taylor Nelson, and the Broncos had a two-man advantage for 61 seconds. The Colts killed off the first penalty but not Joanette's - Humboldt went back in front on Tory Allen's power-play goal at 13:15.

The Colts had a rare spurt of offensive pressure in the second period just before Humboldt went up 3-1 when Laurent Benjamin scored on Jordan Schindel's feed across the slot to conclude a two-on-one break at 10:45.

Tanner Vandesype extended the lead to 4-1 with a powerplay marker 58 seconds into the third period, and Edward Gale scored his second of the night midway in the period. Matthew Rintoul closed out the scoring at 16:12.

Lehtinen leaves Game 2 vs. Red Wings with leg injury

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:44:00 -0400

DETROIT - Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen was sent off the ice because of a leg injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

Lehtinen started Saturday night's game against the Detroit Red Wings, but didn't finish. He played 6-plus minutes in the first period and just nine seconds in the second.

He has four goals and four assists in the playoffs and had 37 points in 48 regular-season games, playing his 12th year in Dallas.

Franzen out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:05:00 -0400

DETROIT - Johan Franzen, who leads all NHL playoff scorers with 12 goals, is out of the Red Wings lineup indefinitely.

Franzen sat out Game 2 of the Western Conference final Saturday night with concussion-like symptoms, and his team since he would not make the trip for Dallas and Game 3 Monday night.

"He is scheduled to remain in Detroit to undergo testing on Monday," the Wings stated in a news release.

The six-foot-three Swede has been experiencing headaches since early in the second-round sweep of Colorado.

"The Red Wings medical staff has recommended that, as a precaution, Franzen not play until further testing and evaluation is completed," the release stated.

Franzen's goal in Detroit's 4-1 Game 1 triumph extended his post-season goals streak to five games, tying a longstanding club record he now shares with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. Franzen erased Howe's record of most goals in a four-game series - 8 - when he scored nine in four games against the Avalanche.

Franzen's forte has been obscuring the view of opposition goalies and deflecting in shots and passes from teammates. Including the regular season, he had scored 27 goals in his last 27 games.

The 29-year-old winger had been skating on a line with Valtteri Filppula and Mikael Samuelsson.

"It caught everybody by surprise," teammate Darren Helm told CBC during a first-intermission interview. "I don't know if anyone really knew what was going on. We have to give him his rest and hopefully he recovers as soon as possible."

With Franzen out, coach Mike Babcock kept his top line of Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Tomas Holmstrom intact and moved Dan Cleary up from the third line to join Filppula and Samuelsson.

Kris Draper, Dallas Drake and Kirk Maltby comprised the third line.

Darren McCarty, who sat out Thursday when Babcock decided to reinsert Maltby who'd recuperated from a hamstring injury, got the lineup opening created by the deletion of Franzen. He joined Jiri Hudler and Darren Helm on the fourth line.

Rookie forward Darren Helm surprise contributor in Red Wings' playoff march

cp.org — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:50:00 -0400

DETROIT - The possibility that he might get his name etched on the Stanley Cup as a member of the Detroit Red Wings this spring blows Darren Helm's mind.

The 21-year-old forward from St. Andrews, Man., had never played an NHL game before March 13, yet, here he is strapping on the pads in the Western Conference final.

"I didn't think I'd be in this spot, so I'm pretty happy I'm here," he said after pulling off his practice sweater and before unlacing his skates.

While some Red Wings fans are still wondering who's wearing No. 43, they were on their feet celebrating Helm's first NHL goal Saturday night. Helm took a pass from Jiri Hudler, skated into the circle to the right of goalie Marty Turco fired in a wrist shot 5:56 into the game and raised his arms as he circled behind the net

Helm played seven regular-season games but sat out when the playoffs started. He was inserted into the lineup April 18 for the fifth game of the first-round series against Nashville.

Helm has jumped the queue in a talent-rich organization, and coach Mike Babcock was asked after the morning skate prior to Game 2 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday how this has happened.

"We didn't have expectations of him whatsoever," Babcock said. "The first time we called him up, I was scared to play him and he was scared to play.

"Then when we called him up again he played really, really well. Now, in the playoffs, he's a player that can play against anybody. He's flat-out fast. He's gritty. Finishes checks. Smart. Good defensively. Good in the faceoff circle. A real good player."

The same night he made his playoff debut, Chris Osgood took over from Dom Hasek in the nets. Thus began a seven-game winning streak that the Wings rode into their game Saturday.

"I'm playing pretty well and, hopefully, we can keep things rolling," Helm said.

Helm and Osgood both played major junior hockey in Alberta for the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Helm skated on the fourth line with Jiri Hudler and Kirk Maltby during the 4-1 win over Dallas on Thursday.

"Just using my speed," he replied when asked what he's concentrating on. "It's my biggest asset so I've got to use my speed to be effective.

"Finishing checks, trying to be strong in the faceoff dot, being alive in our own zone, trying to create energy for the team - that's pretty much it."

Helm was on Canada's victorious 2007 world junior team and helped the Tigers win the WHL title to get to the Memorial Cup tournament and those experiences helped him mature as a player.

"I've been in a few big games," he said. "If you've been in a couple, you kind of realize you don't have to do anything different to prepare.

"You come in and prepare pretty much the same. You know the level of intensity is going to be a little bit higher but it's still another game to be ready and focused as soon as the puck drops."

In other words, he doesn't get rattled, which impresses Babcock.

Helm's dad, Gary, works in a meat processing plant. His mother, Coriene, works as a cook. They were in Joe Louis Arena on Thursday, had tickets for the Saturday game, and fly back to Winnipeg on Sunday. Helm has two older brothers and "about 24 cousins" in Manitoba.

"They think it's awesome," he said of his parents' outlook during their visit. "They're extremely excited, for sure.

"They can't stop talking about the game, the crowd and how loud the fans were. They're loving the playoff atmosphere at The Joe. They were talking about never-in-a-thousand-years did they ever think I'd be playing here now, and thrown into the lineup for the Cup run."

The six-foot, 180-pound forward was a fifth-round draft pick, 132nd overall, in 2005. Two years of rapid development with the Tigers followed.

He had 16 goals and 15 assists in 67 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins before being called up in March. Veterans such as Dallas Drake know little about him, but their appreciation of his contributions has been instant.

"He'll go into high-traffic areas and finish his checks," says Drake. "I've been real impressed by him.

"I didn't know much about him until a few weeks back. He's stepped right into the fold here. He looks to me like he's been here all year."

The Wings are strong down the middle with Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula, Kris Draper and now Helm.

Tigers coach Willie Desjardins gets a heartfelt thanks from Helm for guidance through the years in Medicine Hat.

"I went in there and I didn't really know what to expect," Helm said. "He gave me a really good opportunity.

"He gave me ice time and he pushed me along and showed me what I had to do to be successful. He always kept me positive and on the right track. He's a great coach and a great guy to talk to."

Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire to return for eighth season

cp.org — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:35:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS - Jacques Lemaire has 11 Stanley Cup championship rings, 500 victories as a coach and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL.

Yet despite all he has done as a player, executive and coach, Lemaire still needed a little reassurance from Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough before deciding to return for an eighth season behind the Wild bench.

"I wanted to talk to Doug and see what he thought," Lemaire said during a teleconference Saturday to announce he will be back next season. "I got a good response."

For the first time in his seven seasons with the Wild, Lemaire seriously considered stepping down. He called last season, in which the Wild won their first Northwest Division title but struggled at times to play as a team, his toughest as a coach.

"We went for a little while there where we were not playing as a team," Lemaire said. "That really affected me because I feel my forte is to get them to play as a team. ... I felt I'm not doing my job. This is my job to get them to play good and make my boss happy with how his team is playing also. I didn't have that satisfaction."

So at his annual meeting with Risebrough in Florida, Lemaire needed to hear that Risebrough still wanted him around.

"I go back and I want to know what he thinks of me," Lemaire said. "I want to know if he's satisfied. I want to know what I can improve in the tough times. Give me some ideas. Give me some feedback on what he sees."

Lemaire has a career record of 500-381-168 over 14 years, including 60-52 in the playoffs.

But with the Wild, he's 11-18 in the post-season. The Wild were ousted in the first round last month by the Colorado Avalanche.

"I had no doubt he was the best coach to coach this team," Risebrough said. "I told him, 'You've got us this far and you're the best coach to take us to the next level."'

Lemaire called this off-season meeting with Risebrough the best he's had in the seven years he's been in Minnesota and the 62-year-old coach sounded invigorated as he talked about coming back.

"Really after the meetings I had with Doug, I do really feel comfortable," he said. "And I do really feel excited to come back and coach."

The coach's status was the first of several big questions the Wild will need to answer this off-season.

Star winger Marian Gaborik is entering the final year of his contract and will likely be looking for a significant raise after scoring a franchise-record 42 goals last season. So Risebrough has to decide this summer whether to sign him to a big-money, long-term deal or trade him.

The team also has 10 unrestricted free agents, including veteran leader Brian Rolston and Pavol Demitra, one of Gaborik's best friends.

With all that uncertainty hanging over the team, Lemaire's decision to return and provide some continuity and stability is a big one for the Wild. He is the only coach this franchise has employed and is a beloved figure in this hockey-crazed state.

"This is a sport where there's more potential for change than ever before," Risebrough said. "You need that stability. It's hard to find continuity now. There's so many variables out there."

Now the two of them have to figure out how to get the Wild out of the first round of the playoffs after two straight early exits.

Lemaire wouldn't speculate on how long he will continue coaching, but he said it would be a dream to win the Stanley Cup with the franchise he helped start.

"You look at it, when I was in Montreal, we won a few cups there," Lemaire said. "I went to Jersey and we won a cup there. For us it would be great to start with a brand new team and bring it there. It would be a great, great achievement that any person would dream of."

Injured Penguins centre Talbot could return on Sunday

cp.org — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:59:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Penguins centre Maxime Talbot, sidelined with a broken right foot for three games, may play Sunday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Philadelphia.

Talbot broke his foot while blocking a shot in Game 3 of the second-round series against the Rangers. He returned to practice Saturday, and coach Michel Therrien said he will be evaluated following Sunday's pre-game skate.

"He looked pretty good," Therrien said. "We're going to sit down with him and see how he feels."

Talbot has one goal and an assist for two points in seven playoff games and is a plus-1.

Vrbata, Kotalik score in shootout as Czechs edge Belarus 3-2

cp.org — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:28:00 -0400

QUEBEC - Radim Vrbata and Ales Kotalik scored in shootout as the Czech Republic survived a scare from plucky Belarus to post a 3-2 victory on Saturday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Only Dmitri Meleshko was able to score in the shootout for Belarus, which was coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to Russia on Friday. Tomas Rolinek and Ales Kotalik scored in regulation time for the Czechs, who outshot Belrus 43-18, while Yaroslav Chupris and Andrei Kostisyn scored for Belarus.

Later Saturday at the Colisee Russia takes on Sweden.

Belarus didn't get a shot until the 10:00 mark of the opening period against thorough Czech checking, but got some late pressure and turned it into a goal as Milan Hnilicka lelt a big rebound on Meleshko's shot. Two Belarus players fanned on it, but Chupris trailed in to slap it in at the 18:12 mark.

The Czech tied it at 16:53 of the middle period on a disputed goal as Zbynek Irgl's shot was pushed into the net by Rolinek's left skate. Video review upheld the goal, even though Rolinek appeared to reach with his skate to make sure the puck went in. Officials ruled that Rolinek's momentum carried the puck into the net.

But Belarus got a break 9:50 into the third period as a clearing attempt went off the skate of a Czech player heading to the bench and stayed in the zone, so Kostisyn could blast a shot from the high slot that went through Hnilicka's legs.

Kotalik tied it at 13:38 and he converted a feed from the corner by Tomas Plekanec.