Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Lack of quality players cost the Canucks not goaltending sideshow


There are those out there that feel just as Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox does, when it comes to the most recent struggles of the Vancouver Canucks. They point to the distraction of the season long goaltending controversy between Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, as the reason behind the Canucks failure to produce in the post-season. With Alain Vigneault's crew on the verge of being swept in the first round by the San Jose Sharks, it is painfully obvious, that is not the case.

Monday, May 06, 2013

Ruff's benching of Taylor Hall is a head scratcher





Despite having the vast majority of his players playing well below their capabilities during Team Canada's first two games of the tournament, head coach Lindy Ruff has decided to make an example of Edmonton Oilers star winger Taylor Hall at the 2013 IIHF World Championship. Why you ask? That's a very good question and one that only Ruff and his coaching staff could answer.

Canada falls to Switzerland in shootout


Two games into the 2013 IIHF World Championship, it is pretty clear this year's edition of Team Canada has a ways to go in finding their overall game. After sneaking past Denmark in the tournament opener, Canada came out with another disjointed effort against Switzerland, falling 3-2 in a shootout. The loss leaves Canada in third place in Group S with four points, one back of the Swiss and two behind Norway. 

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Winterhawks steamroll Oil Kings to even series at one


Twenty-four hours after watching the Edmonton Oil Kings steal away home-ice advantage in the Western Hockey League Championship Final, the Portland Winterhawks responded with another stellar effort in what was pretty much a must-win situation. Goals from Ty Rattie, Brendan Leipsic and Oliver Bjorkstrand paced the Winterhawks to an easy 3-0 win, over an Edmonton side that seemed content leaving the Rose Garden Arena with the split they were looking for.

Saturday, May 04, 2013

Dubnyk solid in Canada's tournament opener


It was far from a masterful performance but it was still more than enough for Lindy Ruff's Team Canada side to squeak by Denmark 3-1, in the 2013 World Championship debut for both sides. Colorado Avalanche sniper Matt Duchene led the charge upfront with a pair of highlight reel goals, while Edmonton Oilers netminder Devan Dubnyk was solid, stopping twenty-four of the twenty-five shots fired his way.

Oil Kings take series opener



A two goal night from Edmonton Oil Kings forward Henrik Samuelsson, coupled with thirty-five stops from netminder Laurent Brossoit, proved to be far too much for Seth Jones and the Portland Winterhawks to overcome in the opener of the Western Hockey League Championship Final. The 4-1 victory allowed the Oil Kings to not only draw first blood in the series but also saw them wrestle away home-ice advantage from the Winterhawks.

Friday, May 03, 2013

2013 IIHF World Championship - Team Canada Preview


The latest edition of Team Canada's entry into the IIHF World Championship are set to kick-off their schedule in Stockholm, Sweden. As always, TSN will be airing the championships in Canada, starting with the opener against Denmark on Saturday morning at 10:15 am (EST).

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Memo to the Edmonton Oilers organization: Taylor Hall is a winger


With the Edmonton Oilers having yet to address their need for some additional size down the middle of the ice, the yearly calls for moving Taylor Hall to centre have started to make their rounds. While he would likely be more than capable of taking on the role, albeit at a rather steep learning curve, why on earth would the organization even consider move?

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Klefbom and the 2013-14 Edmonton Oilers


While Craig MacTavish made mention of defenceman Oscar Klefbom as being part of the solution to the Edmonton Oilers blueline woes, perhaps as early as 2013-14, there is no need to rush the youngster to the National Hockey League. Coming off a shoulder surgery which cost him all but a handful of games during the 2012-13 season with Farjestads BK Karlstad in the Swedish Elite League, Klefbom simply needs to play and adjust to life in North America.