Saturday, May 11, 2013

Brossoit outstanding in Oil Kings OT victory


Four games into the 2013 Western Hockey League Final between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winterhawks, we had yet to see a game that rivaled their classic seven game series from a year ago. That all changed on Friday night, as the two sides combined to put on as good a performance as anyone could ever want to see in a championship setting.

Schultz picks up two more points in Canada's routine win over Belarus


A combined seven point outburst from Team Canada's top line of Steven Stamkos, Claude Giroux and Andrew Ladd did the vast majority of damage in Canada's 4-1 victory over Belarus in Group S action at the 2013 World Championship. Edmonton Oilers blueliner Justin Schultz picked up a pair of assists, while netminder Devan Dubnyk registered his third straight victory, making just nine saves on the night.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Canada rollover Sweden in marquee matchup


In what was easily their most impressive performance of the World Championship, Team Canada powered their way past the host nation with a 3-0 win over Team Sweden in Group S action at the 2013 IIHF World Championship. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos continued to carry the hot-hand upfront, scoring his third goal of the championship and moving into a tie for the tournament scoring lead, with seven points in four games.

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Oil Kings on the ropes following pivotal Game Four loss




On the strength of a twenty-nine save performance from netminder Mac Carruth and another solid all round team effort, the Portland Winterhawks moved to within one win of the Western Hockey League Championship, edging the Edmonton Oil Kings by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night. Captain Troy Rutkowski scored the winner midway through the second, leaving the Winterhawks on the verge of qualifying for the 2013 Memorial Cup.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Carruth stands tall in Winterhawks win over Oil Kings


On the strength of a three goal first period and a thirty-eight save performance from netminder Mac Carruth, the Portland Winterhawks took a 2-1 series lead over Edmonton Oil Kings, with a 3-1 victory in Game Three of the Western Hockey League Final.

Hall nets a pair in Canada's thumping of Norway


Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos had himself a four point night in leading Team Canada to an easy 7-1 victory over Norway at the 2013 IIHF World Championship. The trio of Matt Duchene and Edmonton Oilers forwards Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall combined for six points, with Hall scoring twice, despite once again seeing limited minutes.

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.