Author Archives: Scott Antcliffe

Gustavsson Backstops Wild to 2-1 Victory Over Hurricanes

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St, PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild snapped a two-game scoring drought with a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night. Filip Gustavsson delivered a stellar performance, stopping 37 of 38 shots, while goals from Yakov Trenin and Vinnie Hinostroza secured the win.

“We watched that game (against Ottawa). It’s hopefully a one-off and it’s never going to happen again because it was kind of embarrassing,” Gustavsson said. “Especially personal for me, I want to go there and really show them that they made a bad trade kind of, and we just didn’t show up at all. And then we bounced back in Boston, showed up, we just didn’t score any goals (3-0 loss Tuesday). Today it was like you felt a little intensity in the room and then we got a goal there from (Yakov) Trenin and you know, got some blood in the water there and the team really got going again and felt like we came back to how we normally play.”

After being shut out in consecutive losses to Ottawa and Boston, Minnesota (32-19-4) responded with a strong defensive performance, holding off a Carolina team that had outshot them 39-24 and was desperate to end a three-game losing streak.

“Whether it’s lifting sticks, shot blocking and not allowing second efforts,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “I thought we also did a good job, if the puck was in those areas or below the goal line, we had five players tight. And then when they did get some looks, because they’re going to, I thought ‘Gus’ really competed tonight. In scrums and battles, and it was going to be one where your goaltender has to compete in traffic tonight and he did a nice job.”

Minnesota wasted little time in taking the lead. Less than three minutes into the game, Marat Khusnutdinov set up Trenin with a centering pass, and the forward made a slick move to his backhand, slotting the puck between Frederik Andersen’s pads to put the Wild up 1-0.

The Hurricanes had a prime opportunity to level the score in the second period when Jackson Blake was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down on a breakaway. However, the Carolina rookie failed to get a clean shot off, and Gustavsson turned the attempt aside with ease.

“That’s what’s gone for us here lately,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Can’t fault the effort. I thought we had a good game. We had a good first period and come down [1-0]. We gave up kind of a weird one where we got skated and then they made a nice play. You got to tip the hat. Second period we were kind of even. I thought it was not much going both ways, and then we made another kind of poor decision on the second goal, and they made us pay. So, tough night.

“We definitely had enough opportunities to get more than one goal, but we certainly deserve to get something out of that, but that’s kind of how it’s gone for us this whole year to be honest with you.”

Minnesota extended their advantage just 49 seconds into the third period. Jared Spurgeon’s point shot rang off the post, and amid the ensuing scramble, Hinostroza was able to poke the puck past Andersen. Initially ruled no goal, the play was reviewed and overturned, giving the Wild a 2-0 lead sending the home fans into raptures.

“I [want to] make a move and then I thought goalie [is going to] play more towards me,” Trenin said. “And I tried to five-hole. And then I did. I had all empty net and put five-hole. And I didn’t see the puck, I thought I didn’t score. Then I see it. Phew.”

Carolina continued to press and eventually broke through late in the third. With Andersen pulled for the extra attacker, Sebastian Aho spun in the slot and fired a wrist shot past Gustavsson at 57:12, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Despite a final push, the Hurricanes couldn’t find the equaliser, allowing Minnesota to close out the win.

“We’re a hard-working team,” Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. “Hopefully there’s no letting off the gas. We knew it was going to come and it was going to be a grimy goal. We gave them too many tonight, so we’ve got to just bear down on the defensive side of the puck and not give them opportunities that they don’t need to have, and that’s typically how the game goes.”

Key Stats & Takeaways

  • Gustavsson’s historic night: With his 63rd career win for the Wild, Gustavsson moved past Dwayne Roloson for fourth-most victories in franchise history.
  • Hurricanes’ powerplay struggles continue: Carolina went 0-for-10 on the power play over their last five games and 1-for-25 in their past 10, a major factor in their three-game skid.
  • Minnesota’s defensive reset: After conceding nine goals over the last two games, the Wild tightened up, limiting Carolina’s quality scoring chances and getting crucial shot-blocking efforts from their skaters.

Use CodePHN15 – Look, you blew it over the holidays and did not order a customized chair. Now you have 7 days to make amends. At least order the chair, print off an image of the design and say “Here you go!”

 Up next

Carolina returns home to face Utah on Saturday, while Minnesota looks to build on this victory when they take on the New York Islanders the same night.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: SCOTT ANTCLIFFE

PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Lemtyugovsteals extra point for Sheffield in OT

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Nikolai Lemtyugov scored an incredible OT winner as the Steelers came from 2 goals down with just 5 minutes remaining to take both points away from the Sky Dome Arena in Coventry.

The Blaze had more than enough opportunities to win the game during the first two periods but the Steelers stuck in there and took the chances when they came.

It was a dramatic ending with Marek Troncinsky scoring from behind the goal and banking the puck off the Blaze netminder with just under 5 minutes remaining.

Then, with Duba pulled to the bench Lucas Sandstrom joined the play and with his first touch rifled the puck into the back of the net.

You thought that was good, well you hadn’t seen anything yet. Davies and Duba will get the assists but the game-winner in OT was all about Nikolai Lemtyugov. A single-handed, individual goal that will be played and played for a long time to come.

Steelers had started the better team and scored in the first shift, Marco Vallerand after just 22 seconds.

The Blaze then hit back with two straight.

First Dillion Eichstadt (6.57) and then Luke Ferrara (8.02) had the Blaze ahead. It was a lead they took into the first-period break and they will have been disappointed that the lead wasn’t bigger.

Steelers did get back on level terms at 29.20, Tanner Eberle on the PP

From then on the Blaze dominated, creating chance after chance. Duba was again outstanding.

Andrew Johnson made it 3-2 at 31.09 and the Steelers responded with Eberle scoring his second at 43.29

Then Evan Bloodoff at 46.11 had the Blaze back in front, Coventry’s lead was then doubled to 5-3 at 47.30 when Bloodoff scored his second of the night.

It didn’t look good for Aaron Fox’s men but a late power-play gave a glimmer of light.

Steelers went to work and Troncinsky scored what proved to be more than a consolation goal, banking the puck off Blaze goalie Motts for a 5-4 scoreline.

The pressure was on and with just over a minute remaining Duba was pulled to the Steelers bench. Sandstrom joined the play with Connolly and Brocklehurst assisting on a one time blast for the equalising goal with 1.16 left on the clock.

Into OT and chances at both ends. With the game looking like it was going into OT, Duba found Davies who found Lemtyugov and the Russian forward dangled like never before and slotted home the winner with just 1.39 of OT played.

Final score: Coventry Blaze 5-6 Steelers.

Canada edge out USA in Charity clash

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SHEFFIELD – A crowd of well over 4000 fans packed into the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield hotly anticipating a great matchup between all-star teams from the USA and Canada all in aid of two great charities.

The Super Series UK game was a big hit in Sheffield.

It’s the first time the event has been held in the UK after previously being called the Ice Hockey Classic. The event, which has been played in Australia, New Zealand and Germany for the past seven years, is the brain child of NHL veteran Keith Primeau and former European professional Kerry Goulet.

Since its inception, the event has raised over $1 million dollars in aid of Stop Concussions Foundation which is designed to educate players, coaches, officials and health professionals on the cause, effects and consequences of concussions and brain injuries, not only in ice hockey but all sports.

After a hard fought, entertaining game, Canada ran out the eventual winners with a 5-4 victory, kicking off the series before it heads ‘Down under’ to Australia in June.

Both teams exchanged early chances, but it was the Canadians who broke the deadlock with Tyler Gron firing a low wristshot past AHL veteran netminder John Muse after just 50 seconds.

Team USA rallied and soon came close with an effort from Brandon McQuinn being thwarted by former Ottawa Senator netminder Chris Driedger in the third minute.

Former Manchester Storm fan favourite Eric Neilson came close after he re-directed a Kevin Bieksa shot over the bar in the fifth minute.

Muse was much the busier netminder in the opening period foiling several attempts including efforts from Kevin Bieksa and Tyler Gron yet again.

Team USA levelled the game at 18:00 with Rob Schremp providing a sublime pass to Coventry Blaze captain Kevin Morris who fired top shelf blocker side past Driedger.

Canada regained the lead just over a minute later when former Belfast Giant David Rutherford saw his effort saved but his rebound fell nicely to linemate Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who made no mistake and fired it home from close range past Muse at 19:04.

Both teams came out firing in the second period, but it was the Canadians who extended their lead when KHL’er Karl Stollery found himself on a breakaway and netted a sublime finish on the backhand, top shelf past Muse to make it 3-1 at 24:03.

KHL star Karl Stollery adds a third for Canada (Image courtesy of Mick Johnson).

With momentum in their favour, the Canadians added a fourth goal courtesy of 752 game NHL veteran René Borque who fired a low wrist shot past Muse just over three minutes later.

At 31:08 the impressive Rylan Schwartz was denied on a breakaway by USA netminder John Muse.

Just 61 seconds later, Team USA grabbed a second goal courtesy of the silky-smooth former Edmonton Oiler, Rob Schremp. The 32-year-old centreman fired a stunning wristshot high past Driedger with an assist on the play going to USA captain Tim Stapleton.

No further scoring followed, ensuring the Canadians went into the period break, the happier of the two sides.

It took just 31 seconds for the Americans to bring the game to within a goal when T.J. Brennan one-timed high past Driedger after a pin-point accurate pass from Schremp.

Canada extended their lead with little over 6 minutes of the game remaining when Rylan Schwartz backhanded from close range past a sprawling John Muse to make it 5-3.

With little over three minutes of the game remaining, Team USA opted to pull netminder Muse in favour of an extra attacker in desperate hope to claw their way back into the game.

At 57:33 David Rutherford picked up the only penalty of the game as he sat for a tripping minor. Rutherford had barely sat down when Brennan netted his second of the night on the powerplay just over 10 seconds later with another exceptional pass from Rob Schremp, who would go on to take the MVP of the game for Team Canada.

Trailing by a goal and with Muse on the bench, USA pressed looking to equalise but it wasn’t to be as the clock ticked down and the buzzer sounded, ensuring the Canadians took the honours and bragging rights on the evening with a 5-4 victory.

Canada netminder Chris Driedger would go on to collect the MVP for his team after an excellent performance in between the pipes, much to the delight of the FlyDSA Arena crowd who applauded the netminding display enthusiastically.

‘Canada netminder Chris Driedger collected the MVP after an outstanding performance (Image courtesy of Mick Johnson).

Team Canada captain Kevin Bieksa, spoke about the result after the game, “The atmosphere was great tonight. It was a very cool arena which looks like it has a lot of history. When you play in a game like this it is for the charity, for a great cause. That is why we are all here to raise money for concussion research. A lot of us have had concussions, and a lot of us have friends who have had careers ended short due to them,” Bieksa explained.

“When the game starts you want to win. You go out there and have fun for a bit, but you get a little bit competitive and want to win so to come out with a win, it feels great,” Bieksa concluded.

Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com

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All images by Michael.Johnson@prohockeynews.com

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Heads up for Canada-USA clash for concussion awareness

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Successful charity game coming to the UK hoping to grow the game, raise awareness and prevent concussions in the process.

Sheffield, U.K. – The EIHL Playoff weekend in Nottingham is the Elite League’s showpiece event and signifies the season drawing to a close when one of four teams are crowned Elite League Playoff Champions. After the hangovers of the weekend have subsided, fans tend to reflect on the seasons highs and lows. After then, supporters begin to get itchy feet and look for their next hockey fix.

The following weekend on Saturday 20th of April hockey fans will get the chance to enjoy a hockey fix, whilst supporting a brilliant cause. The Ice Hockey Super Series will be coming to the FlyDSA Arena (Home of the Sheffield Steelers) in Sheffield where old foes Canada and USA will battle it out on the ice for honours and bragging rights.

The teams will boast a host of experienced players including Stanley Cup winner Brandon Bollig, veteran of over 900 NHL games, Kevin Bieksa and former Winnipeg Jet forward Tim Stapleton, who will captain the USA side.

The teams will consist of players from the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and stars of the EIHL including Dane Byers, David Rutherford, Matt Bissonnette, Zack Fitzgerald, Jordan Smotherman and Coventry Blaze trio, Chris Joyaux, Kevin Morris and Kevin Noble.

It’s the first time the event will be in the UK after previously being called the Ice Hockey Classic. The event, which has been played in Australia and New Zealand for the past five years, is the brain child of NHL veteran Keith Primeau and former European professional Kerry Goulet.

Both men, as well as Keith’s brother Wayne, are co-founders of the charity, Stop Concussions Foundation, which is designed to educate players, coaches, officials and health professionals on the cause, effects and consequences of concussions and brain injuries, not only in ice hockey but all sports.

Various ticket packages are available including VIP meet & greets as well as regular seating online from the FlyDSA Arena website or the ticket hotline on 0114 256 56 56. The game will face-off at 7pm with the doors set to open an hour before.

A face familiar to EIHL fans who will be patrolling the Canadian blueline is Coventry Blaze stalwart Kevin Noble. Kevin also holds a dual role as he has responsibility for player recruitment and will also be one of the alternate captains of the Canadian team.

He spoke about his excitement for the event. “I was fortunate enough 4 years ago to go on tour in Australia to promote the cause. I’ve been able to see all the good that they have done for current and former players who haven’t been able to receive the help that they need when they’ve sustained a brain injury or brain trauma. I’ve made some great friends and connections whilst playing in Australia and I’m happy to be helping out and playing the event now in Sheffield.”

“All the guys who are playing have been generous in giving up their time and playing a game that they don’t get paid to play in order to help raise awareness for future health and to help raise awareness of the game. I suggested that they try the UK because of the great fans and hockey culture that exists here. The goal is to try and raise as much money as possible for Stop Concussions and Headway, who they have partnered with here in the UK.” Kevin added.

“The game itself will be competitive, it won’t be game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, it will be a serious game and more enjoyable and competitive than a testimonial game. The players will have the competitive juices flowing and won’t want to lose,” Kevin concluded.

Blaze defenceman Kevin Noble is one of the organisers of the event (Image courtesy of www.scottwiggins.co.uk).

Previous stars to play in the event include such NHL’ers as Brent Burns, Scott Darling, Ben Scrivens, Adam Cracknell, Bryce Salvador, John Scott, Scott Hannan, and Zenon Konopka.

Further names will be added in the coming weeks from North America and Europe as many leagues are still currently ongoing. With the names already confirmed and the meaning behind the event, the UK Super Series is set to be a great spectacle, one in which the fans won’t leave disappointed whilst raising money for some excellent, worthwhile causes.

If you want to find out more about the event head on over to www.stopconcussions.com or the Super Series UK Facebook page.

Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com

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Follow the author on Twitter – @cliffy94

Too little too late for the Steelers

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SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers failed to make it four wins on the bounce after suffering a narrow 5-4 loss to fierce rivals the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday evening.

photo credit Andy Burnham

The Panthers were missing Jason Williams and Jeff Dimmen whilst the Steelers were missing defenceman Zack Fitzgerald.

Both teams exchanged early chances, with Stephen Schultz coming close for the hosts, and Colton Fretter seeing his wraparound backhand attempt turned aside in the fourth minute.

The hosts soon took the lead at 05:45 with 317-NHL game veteran Brian McGrattan netting a rebound after an initial Robert Farmer shot fell nicely for him after a Steelers turnover in their own zone to make it 1-0.

The visitors were gifted an early powerplay opportunity with former Steeler Chris Lawrence sitting out a 2-minute slashing minor.

Suprisingly, it was the hosts who took advantage and netted a shorthanded goal courtesy of Stephen Schultz whose rocket of a shot flew past Steelers netminder Ervins Mustukovs to make it 2-0.

The Steelers offered chances of their own, with Rob Dowd forcing a great glove save from the Panthers outstanding netminder Miika Wiikman at 15:09.

The Panthers pressed and soon added a third goal with Brian McGrattan firing home his 17th goal of the season with a well-taken one-timer at 17:17.

With little over a minute in the period remaining, the Panthers netted a fourth goal past a shell-shocked Sheffield side with Captain Brad Moran finding the back of the net with a one-timer from the left wing slot at 18:57.

A resurgent Sheffield came out for the second period with fire in their bellies and had the hosts on the back foot with a string of early chances.

The Steelers soon found a lifeline with Guillaume Desbiens picking up a rebounded effort from linemate Geoff Walker and firing low past Wiikman at 25:16.

Just over three minutes later the Steelers halved the deficit after Andreas Valdix showed some good composure, waiting for Miika Wiikman to commit before firing a well-placed wrist shot high past him at 28:39.

The Steelers were handed a four-minute powerplay at 32:45 when Brad Moran drew blood after an accidental high stick on Steelers centreman John Armstrong.

The visitors failed to capitalise on the advantage with any chances being thwarted by the excellent Miika Wiikman.

With just 54 seconds remaining in the period, Sheffield added a third courtesy of a sublime wristshot from Andreas Valdix which struck the crossbar before beating Wiikman 39:06.

No further scoring followed in a much improved second period from the visitors, who at 4-0 down displayed great character and perseverance to rally and reply with three unanswered goals of their own.

The hosts were determined to protect their lead and they did just that by adding a fifth goal just 71 seconds into the start of the period.

Veteran Great Britain forward and Panthers player/Assistant Coach David Clarke fired a one-timer through Mustukovs’ five-hole to extend his teams lead to 5-3.

Just 39 seconds after the goal, the Panthers had a prime opportunity to extend the advantage when Robert Farmer and Brian McGrattan found themselves on a 2-on-1 only to be denied by an outstanding stacked leg pad save from Mustukovs denying ‘BigErn’ of his hattrick.

Just two minutes later the Panthers came agonisingly close once again when Matt Carter backhanded an effort off the crossbar at 44:00.

At 47:02 the Steelers added a fourth with Colton Fretter popping the water bottle with a ferocious wristshot giving his team and the excellent travelling support a boost.

The Steelers gained momentum from the goal but once again couldn’t capitalise and were kept at bay by Wiikman once again. Most notably, a point blank effort from Walker being turned aside by Wiikman.

With just over a minute in the game remaining, Steelers Head Coach Paul Thompson pulled Mustukovs in favour of an extra attacker. The tactical change almost paid off with Walker and Ben O’Connor coming close for the visitors, but the Panthers held on to see the game out and claim a valuable two points.

The Steelers have a chance for retribution on Valentine’s Day as they take on the Panthers in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final second leg after gaining a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Nottingham last month.

Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com

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Steelers bounce back with a four-point weekend

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SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers bounced back from a crushing, empty-handed weekend against Belfast, with a four point weekend over Dundee and Coventry.

The Steelers played host to the Dundee Stars at IceSheffield on Saturday and came away with a hard fought 5-4 win.

Mathieu Roy instrumental this weekend for the Steelers (Image courtesy of Mick Johnson @MickGTA )

Sheffield got off to the perfect start when Mathieu Roy superbly re-directed a shot from recent returnee Jace Coyle past a helpless Joe Fallon after just 38 seconds.

The hosts doubled their advantage at 08:48 with a fortuitous goal from Rob Dowd. The speedy forward banked a cross-crease pass off Joe Fallon’s skate to give his side some breathing room.

Dundee coach Marc Lefebvre opted to make a tactical change by replacing starting netminder Joe Fallon with Craig Holland for the start of the second period.

The visitors came out for the second period flying and stunned the vociferous Steelers crowd with three unanswered goals, courtesy of Kevin Bruijsten (x2) and top scorer Vinny Scarsella, all within a 6 minute spell.

Three minutes later the Steelers were back on level terms courtesy of Levi Nelson with a blistering wristshot from the right wing slot to make it 3-3.

The South Yorkshire side regained their lead at 32:25 with Mathieu Roy netting his second of the game after a good pass from Ben O’Connor.

The visitors restored parity at 33:36 through Joey De Concilys with a great shorthanded effort after a good play from Vinny Scarsella who picked up his fourth point of the night with an assist on the play.

With the short bench playing a part, the Stars began to tire and the Steelers took advantage with Levi Nelson scoring the game winner with just over seven minutes of the game remaining to send the Steelers fans into raptures.

The Steelers travelled to the West Midlands 24-hours-later and came away with an impressive 8-2 win, with Colton Fretter taking the plaudits with a four-goal game.

Guillaume Desbiens and Garrett Klotz drop the gloves in a long bout – Image courtesy of Scott Antcliffe

Fretter opened the scoring at 4:34 with an impressive backhand finish past Blaze netminder Brian Stewart giving the Steelers a 1-0 lead.

The Steelers pressed and almost doubled their advantage when Mike Ratchuk forced a great leg pad save from Stewart on a breakaway in the eighth minute.

The hosts had chances of their own with Robin Bergman forcing a glove save from Ervins Mustukovs at 12:24.

With just 24 seconds remaining in the opening period, Sheffield added a second through Great Britain international Robert Dowd after some good work from linemate Levi Nelson to make it 2-0.

The Blaze got on the scoresheet at 24:10 through Swede Robin Bergman with a neat powerplay finish reducing the arrears to one.

Despite it being a more evenly contested period, the visitors reclaimed their two goal advantage when Rob Dowd recorded his second of the game after a strong forecheck and finishing sublimely on his backhand, low past Brian Stewart at 34:43.

No further scoring followed in the second period, one in which the Blaze outshot the Steelers 14-10.

The Steelers soon added a fourth at 43:25 with Fretter netting his second of the game after some great work from Markus Nilsson who provided a great assist on the play.

With little over nine minutes of the game remaining, the Blaze added a second goal through defenceman Marc Cantin. The 6’1 blueliner recording his fourth goal of the season after putting home a rebounded shot from Russ Cowley.

Less than a minute later, tempers were frayed when rugged Steelers winger Guillaume Desbiens took exception to a hit from Garrett Klotz on Robert Dowd. Klotz and Desbiens exchanged some big blows in a lengthy bout, much to the liking of the Skydome spectators.

Klotz’s post fight celebration fired up Steelers enforcer Zack Fitzgerald who mocked Klotz’s antics, earning the Steelers #28 an early shower.

Two further goals apiece from Colton Fretter and Mathieu Roy added insult to injury for the hosts, after a dominant road performance.

The visitors collected the all-important two points at the final buzzer, giving Paul Thompson’s side a much needed four point weekend.

Steelers and Blaze battle it out along the Image courtesy of Scott Antcliffe

Man of the Match Colton Fretter shared his thoughts after the game, “It was a tight game until it opened up in the third. We stuck to our system and tightened up defensively. Today we turned it around and good defence leads to offence,” Fretter stated.

Fretter spoke about his four goal night, “I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple before, but I’ve not had one in a long time. It feels good to be able to help the team anyway I can. If that’s the outcome then I’ll take it,” Fretter chuckled.

The Steelers next face a resurgent Fife side at IceSheffield who are coming off the back of a 4-3 overtime victory against the Nottingham Panthers.

Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com

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