Through the Ice - Blues @ Wings

Blues @ Red Wings

The St. Louis Blues (9-5-3) entered this game having lost 4 in a row, and through the first 40 minutes of this one, looked as if they would be able to end that slide. The Blues poured on the offense, but Jimmy Howard stood tall, stopping 23 of 26 shots through the second period. Drew Miller scored first for the Wings on a freak accident with Jaroslav Halak accidentally putting the puck in his own net. The Blues netminder was average through two allowing 3 goals on 17 shots. Meanwhile, Howard stopped 21 of 24 shots through two keeping Detroit close, and stopped 33 out of 36 shots launched by St. Louis to earn his tenth win on the season. Though the game was tight on the scoreboard, the Blues were the better team. But, that's why they play

the game! Detroit (12-3-1) came flying out of the gates in the third and final frame scoring 4 goals in less than 4 minutes! Cleary, Zetterberg, Stuart, and Holmstrom netted goals (2 with the man advantage), and led their team to a convincing win over a Central Division rival. Howard stopped all 12 Blues shots in the period, while Halak allowed 4 goals on the 14 shots by the Wings.

Brad Boyes, Brad Winchester, and Andy McDonald scored for the Blues (once on the man advantage). McDonald's goal came quickly after Cleary gave the Wings the 3-2 lead; only 37 seconds to be exact. Franzen threw the puck out in front of Howard, and it

deflected behind the net. Boyes picked up the puck quickly, and sent it out in front of the net where McDonald handled it nicely and tucked it behind the Wings netminder. The teams went to the lockers tied 3-3 in what seemed to be a game slowly tilting in St. Louis' favor. Frustration set in for the Blues, who were put a man short 4 times in the third period alone. Detroit capatilized twice, but one of their 5 on 4 PP's looked more like even strength given the effort the Blues PK's showed. All in all, the Blues looked good. The bounces didn't go their way, but credit the Wings with their ability to find a way to win again. Good game in the Joe, lot's of excitement!


STAR SELECTIONS

1st Danny Cleary
GOALS: 2 | PTS: 2
ASST: 0 | SOG: 3
+/-: 2

2nd Brian Rafalski
GOALS: 0 | PTS: 3
ASST: 3 | SOG: 2
+/-: 2

3rd Justin Abdelkader
GOALS: 1 | PTS: 2
ASST: 1 | SOG: 2
+/-: 2

Notes:

*Dan Cleary scored his 8th and 9th goals on the year. He also brought his goal scoring streak to 6 games. He is currently Detroit's top goal scorer.

*Red Wings defenseman, Niklas Kronwall, was blindsided by Cam Janssen in the third period. Kronwall didn't appear to be injured on the play, and Janssen was not penalized for the hit. But, since these types of hits are being targeted by Gary Bettman, the NHLPA, and all GM's, expect the League to address this hit in some way.

*Quote of the game: "What an explosion, four goals in three minutes in the third for Detroit!" - Mickey Redmond, Fox Sports Detroit

NHL Recap

Through the Ice - 11.16.10

Flyers @ Canadiens

Anyone looking at this evening's game schedule would have thought that the rematch between the last year's Eastern Conference finalists would be the most exciting one to watch. It was extremely fun to watch for all the Montreal fans in the Bell Centre, but excruciatingly painful for Flyers fans to see their team get beat. And, they did get beat. Between Carey Price's masterful control of the crease, and the highly skilled offense skating all over the ice in front of him, the Flyers had absolutely no answer. Philadelphia fired the puck on Price a whopping 41 times, yet they still could not find a way to put the rubber behind the young keeper.
Besides struggling to net a single goal, the Broad Street Bullies also tallied up a total of 40 penalty minutes. This is not to say that Montreal played as angels, they spent 31 minutes in the box. No, the biggest difference tonight was the ability to score goals. Montreal scored twice with the extra man. Things couldn't be hotter between these two teams, unless we went back in time to last year's playoffs. Expect this rivalry to continue to grow as Montreal (12-5-1) now move within one point of Philadelphia (12-5-2). Lots of hockey to play, but for now great game of domination for the Habs.

Game Summary
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Predators @ Maple Leafs
GAME OF THE NIGHT!!!

The Toronto Maple Leafs (6-8-3) have been riding a league-worst slump over the past ten games, and were looking to change that this night while hosting the Nashville Predators (7-6-3). Toronto found themselves down early, and were losing 4-1 at one point in this tilt before hero Kris Versteeg began making a statement. He scored back to back power play goals that brought the Leafs within one and plenty of time on the clock midway through the 2nd period. Grabovski scored the tying goal with over 5 minutes to go in the 2nd, and Kulimen scored the eventual game-winning goal on the power play helping push his team on for a miraculous 5-4 win over the Preds. Kulimen's was the 4th goal for Toronto on the man advantage on the night, and was scored after he gobbled up the loose puck at the top of the crease. Versteeg's work ethic was obviously contagious as was most evidenced by a hard fought penalty kill late in the 3rd that helped seal the victory. The win ended an 8-Game losing streak, and showed Toronto fans what their team is capable of game in and game out. The Predator's Shea Weber unloaded shot after shot from the point during this pivotal kill for the Leafs, most of which were blocked wide of the net. The Leafs were carried from behind on the backup goaltending of Jonas Gustavsson and Giguere's 28 stop night. Tremendous come from behind thriller in Toronto, and a great way to end the sour streak.

Game Summary
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Ducks @ Stars

Dallas (8-7-0) has a team worth watching in the West once again. And, the rival Ducks(10-7-2) are just what the doctor ordered for this late night in the NHL. After a solid half period of hockey Hiller allowed the first goal of the game on a powerplay shot fired off by Steve Ott. And, Kari Lehtonen made a pair of stellar saves late in the 1st to help carry Dallas into the lockers with a 1-0 lead. Corey Perry scored the tying goal on a powerplay assisted by Teemu Selanne midway through the 2nd period. The atmosphere, as was expected, began to heat up between the bitter rivals, and big man Parros recorded to fighting majors. With all the equipment collected and statements made, Dallas went back on the offensive in the final frame. Brad Richards scored his eighth goal of the season that was barely upheld after video review. His goal at even strength put the Stars ahead for good. A frustrated Selanne was sent to the "sin bin" twice in the 3rd period after being penalized only four times in the previous 19 games. His was an awfully painful final twenty minutes of hockey, as Dallas defensemen worked extra hard to keep Finn from scoring chances. He was checked hard with a little over five minutes remaining and was penalized for his boarding retaliation. All in all, Dallas played a hard fought game, and earned a quality win at home against a high caliber team. Good for the Stars who improved to 9-7-0 after tonights win.

Game Summary

Rangers & Penguins

What an exciting 3rd period and quality OT in Pittsburgh, with Crosby and Co. sending the home crowd away with questions still unanswered. Questions like, "where's the skill and confidence to hold a lead for 120 seconds?"


The Rangers, on the other hand, leave the ice with an exhilarating win. And, the faithful fans that continued to watch, after Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke scored 38 seconds apart to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead late in the 3rd, were rewarded with a thrilling OT finish by the "Boys in Blue". Lundqvist returned to his throne from his short stay in the doghouse, after watching from the bench as Marc Staal roofed a shorthanded and tying goal over Fleury's right shoulder. Set in his net, looking somewhat relieved, Lundqvist dialed in and shut down a few more quality chances by the Pens before watching Dubinsky and Callahan skate off on a 2-on-1 game winning drive up the ice. Dubinsky showed all in the building (and those watching their TV) how to be patient on a heal drag and pass to Callahan for the game winning goal. From the looks of the scene on the ice, one would've thought the Rangers had just won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.


Disappointment has been relatively routine for the home crowd in Pittsburgh this year. And, after all the hype surrounding this year's new arena and team, Penguins fans can be excused for being upset with their team. After a loss like tonight's, expect backlash...





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