Tag Archives: #PHN

Stoever blanks Stars as Cardiff score 3

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Cardiff Devils started their weekend home double-header against Dundee Stars with a victory at a sold-out Vindico Arena on Retro Night.

Cole Sanford opened the scoring with 15:26 played, banking the puck in off the back of Emil Kruse from below the goal line to put the Devils ahead. Just over two minutes later, Ryan Barrow blocked Kristoff Kontos’ shot and then slotted home the loose puck to double that advantage.

Brett Perlini made it three on a rebound after a good passing play involving Evan Mosey and Riley Brandt.

The scoring ended there, giving Christian Stoever a 29-shot shutout, his third as a Devil.

Cardiff killed off two penalties in the final period as the Stars had opportunities to get on the board, but couldn’t.

Cardiff Devils – Dundee Stars 3:0 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars

Photo: James Assinder

Full EIHL schedule on Saturday as Giants edge closer to title

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After the drama of the 2026 Challenge Cup Final and the first trophy of the season awarded, it’s a full slate of league games across the Elite Ice Hockey League this evening.

Belfast Giants could clinch the league title this weekend, but will need to win both of their games and hope for results elsewhere to go in their favour to do so. They play at home on Saturday night against Glasgow Clan in the first of a home-and-home between the two teams. The Giants have beaten Clan in all four meetings between the teams this season in league play. Clan could spoil the party, as a defeat for the Giants tonight would remove any possibility of winning the title on Sunday.

The Giants will be watching Sheffield very carefully when the Steelers host newly-crowned Challenge Cup champions Nottingham Panthers at the Utilita Arena. The Panthers must win both games this weekend against the Steelers to keep their outside hopes of a league title alive, while Sheffield can only get back in the hunt if Belfast start dropping multiple games. The two teams are separated by two points in the Panthers’ favour as they look to secure better playoff seeding.

Cardiff Devils, in fourth, are mathematically still in the title race but are realistically playing to finish as high up the table as they can ahead of the playoffs. They host Dundee for a double-header this weekend, with the Stars already out of playoff contention.

Outside of the title race, another game to keep your eye on is Manchester at home to Guildford. The teams are separated by just a point in the middle of the table as Storm try to hold on to fifth place ahead of the playoffs. Manchester have two games in hand, but have seen their cushion reduced over the past two months.

Ending the day are beaten Cup finalists Coventry Blaze, who have very little time to get over the heartbreak of an overtime defeat before they take on Fife Flyers. The Blaze are three points outside of the top six, but only two above Glasgow in eighth, as they play for seeding. Fife are aiming to avoid finishing last for the second straight season

Photo: William Cherry

ECHL Today – March 21

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ECHL Today text with today's date

Wheeling Nailers (37-16-6) at Trois-Rivières Lions (28-25-5)                  3 p.m. ET

  • Wheeling’s Blake Bennett notched a hat trick in his Nailers’ debut last night.
  • Trois-Rivières’ Isaac Dufort has eight points (3g-5a) in his last five games.
  • Nailers are 22-7-3 when outshooting their opponent.
  • Lions are 21-1-2 when leading after two periods.

 

Rapid City Rush (24-30-5) at Kalamazoo Wings (27-25-6)                       4:30 p.m. ET

  • Rapid City’s Ryan Chyzowski is tied for 10th with 24 goals.
  • Kalamazoo’s Colin Bilek is tied for third with nine power-play goals.
  • Rush are 15-2-3 when leading after two periods.
  • K-Wings are 20-6-6 in one-goal games.

 

Worcester Railers (26-25-7) at Maine Mariners (34-16-8)                       6 p.m. ET

  • Worcester’s Drew Callin is tied for seventh with eight power-play goals.
  • Brooklyn Kalmikov leads Maine against the Railers with 15 points (5g-10a).
  • Railers are 15-5-7 in one-goal games.
  • Mariners are 13-1-1 in their last 15 games.

 

Allen Americans (32-22-5) at South Carolina Stingrays (39-18-3)          6:05 p.m. ET

  • Allen’s Danny Katic has nine points (6g-3a) in his last seven games.
  • South Carolina’s Casey McDonald had two points (1g-1a) in his pro debut last night.
  • Americans are second with 33.61 shots per game.
  • Stingrays are 23-4-2 when scoring first.

 

Utah Grizzlies (23-29-9) at Indy Fuel (29-21-9)                                         7 p.m. ET

  • Utah’s Danny Dzhaniyev leads rookies, and is second overall, with 63 points (23g-40a).
  • Indy’s Jason Ahearn scored his first pro goal in his pro debut on Friday.
  • Grizzlies are 15-2-2 when leading after two periods.
  • Fuel are second with 25.83 shots-against per game.

 

Reading Royals (30-20-8) at Adirondack Thunder (33-17-8)                   7 p.m. ET

  • Ben Meehan leads Reading against the Thunder with seven points (3g-4a).
  • Adirondack’s Brannon McManus is tied for seventh with 54 points (23g-31a).
  • Royals are third with one shorthanded goal against.
  • Thunder are 13-2-8 in one-goal games.

 

Orlando Solar Bears (24-32-5) at Florida Everblades (40-13-8)              7 p.m. ET

  • Orlando’s Tyler Bird is on a four-game point streak (3g-2a).
  • Tarun Fizer leads Florida against the Solar Bears with seven goals and 13 points.
  • Solar Bears are second on the power play on the road at 23.8 percent (24-for-101).
  • Everblades are 18-5-5 at home, outscoring their opponents 81-57.

 

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (23-27-8) at Savannah Ghost Pirates (29-26-4) 7 p.m. ET

  • Greenville’s Ryan O’Hara has three goals in his last five games.
  • Bryce Brodzinski leads Savannah against the Swamp Rabbits with five goals and six points.
  • Swamp Rabbits are tied for fourth with four shorthanded goals against.
  • Ghost Pirates are 21-8-2 when scoring first.

 

Greensboro Gargoyles (17-36-6) at Norfolk Admirals (25-29-4)             7:05 p.m. ET

  • Blake Bondi leads Greensboro against the Admirals with three goals.
  • Norfolk’s Brandon Osmundson is on a five-game point streak (5g-3a).
  • Gargoyles are 13-2-1 when leading after two periods.
  • Admirals are tied for sixth with nine shorthanded goals.

 

Jacksonville Icemen (24-28-8) at Atlanta Gladiators (37-19-3)                7:10 p.m. ET

  • Jacksonville’s Adam McMaster is on a three-game goal streak (4g).
  • Alex Young leads Atlanta against the Icemen with five goals.
  • Icemen are league’s second least-penalized team with 8.70 penalty minutes per game.
  • Gladiators are 26-0-1 when leading after two periods.

 

Tahoe Knight Monsters (29-26-5) at Toledo Walleye (37-14-8)               7:15 p.m. ET

  • Tahoe’s Sloan Stanick has multiple points in four of his last seven games.
  • Toledo’s Riley McCourt is tied for third among defensemen with 46 points (6g-40a).
  • Knight Monsters are second with 3.57 goals per game.
  • Walleye are one of two teams to have not allowed a shorthanded goal.

 

Fort Wayne Komets (35-15-9) at Cincinnati Cyclones (29-26-4)             7:35 p.m. ET

  • Fort Wayne’s Blake Murray is tied for third with seven game-winning goals.
  • Cincinnati’s Jake Johnson has five points (2g-3a) in his last four games.
  • Komets are fourth on the power play on the road at 23.7 percent (27-for-114).
  • Cyclones have gone to overtime or a shootout in three of their last five games.

 

Iowa Heartlanders (19-34-6) at Bloomington Bison (29-26-4)                  7 p.m. CT

  • Max Patterson leads Iowa against the Bison with four goals.
  • Bloomington’s Grant Porter has four points (2g-2a) in his first four pro games.
  • Heartlanders are 13-3-3 when leading after two periods.
  • Bison are 17-5-0 when scoring first.

 

Tulsa Oilers (20-35-5) at Idaho Steelheads (37-19-5)                                7:10 p.m. MT

  • Tyler Poulson leads Tulsa against the Steelheads with three goals.
  • Idaho’s Nick Young and Morgan Winters scored their first pro goals last night in their pro debuts.
  • Oilers are one of two teams to have not played a shootout this season.
  • Steelheads are 21-4-5 when scoring first.

 

Kelly Cup Playoffs Update

South Carolina can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Saturday if:

South Carolina wins OR South Carolina loses in overtime/shootout OR Greenville loses

Kansas City can clinch the Mountain Division title on Saturday if:

Idaho loses in regulation

Recap of NHL from 20 March 2026

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Nathan MacKinnon potted yet another three-point game as the Avalanche became the first team to 100 points this season, and in the process became the first club to clinch a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado’s nine consecutive postseason appearances are tied for the NHL’s longest active streak.* Carolina withstood two game-tying goals from Toronto before rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin’s 10th goal of the season won the game in overtime and helped the Hurricanes rebuild their two-point lead on the Sabres atop the Eastern Conference.

* The Eastern Conference playoff race will be front and center on ABC – when the Red Wings and Bruins clash – and Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada during Saturday’s 11-game slate.the

FIRST IN: COLORADO CLINCHES NINTH-STRAIGHT POSTSEASON APPEARANCE

After leading the League standings for 127 of the 141 game days this season and each of the past 117, the Avalanche (45-13-10, 100 points) became the first team to clinch a berth into the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This postseason will mark the ninth straight to feature Colorado – tied with Toronto for the League’s longest active run. The Avalanche became the first team to clinch a postseason berth for the third time in franchise history, following 2000-01 and 1996-97.

* Helping Colorado clinch its postseason berth Friday were Nathan MacKinnon (0-3—3), Martin Necas (1-2—3) and Cale Makar (0-1—1). MacKinnon recorded his 18th three-point game of the season and moved into a tie with Nikita Kucherov (114) for second in the Art Ross Trophy race; Necas extended his road goal streak to seven games and matched Joe Sakic (7 GP in 1990-91) for the second-longest run in franchise history; and Makar joined Erik Karlsson (5) as only the second active defenseman with at least four career 50-assist campaigns.

* The Avalanche (45-13-10, 100 points) also became the first team in 2025-26 to reach 100 standings points, a feat they achieved three times before (2021-22, 2000-01 & 1996-97) – the past two instances saw the club lift the Stanley Cup at season’s end.

* Click here for more on Colorado’s ninth consecutive berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NIKISHIN NETS OVERTIME WINNER TO BUILD CAROLINA’S LEAD ATOP CONFERENCE
The Hurricanes scored a power-play, penalty-shot and shorthanded goal in the second period before rookie Alexander Nikishin lifted the club to victory in overtime with his 10th goal of the season. Carolina (44-19-6, 94 points) reclaimed its two-point edge over idle Buffalo (43-20-6, 92 points) atop the Eastern Conference standings. Overall, the Hurricanes and Avalanche are the only teams to sit in a playoff position throughout every game day in 2025-26.

* Sebastian Aho (0-2—2), who assisted on the overtime winner, reached the 70-point mark for the fifth time in his career with the Hurricanes. He became the ninth Finnish player in NHL history with 75 career multi-assist games while his 178th career multi-point game broke a tie with Olli Jokinen (177) for the sixth most by his fellow countrymen in League history.

* Nikishin (10-17—27 in 68 GP), who joined Matthew Schaefer (21-29—50 in 69 GP) as the second rookie blueliner with a double-digit goal total in 2025-26, became the first rookie defenseman in Hurricanes/Whalers history to score 10 goals in a season when he potted his first career overtime goal. Only three other rookie blueliners have netted an extra-time tally for the franchise: Jamie McBain (2), Sylvain Cote (1) and Justin Faulk (1).

DUCKS RALLY AGAIN TO BOLSTER LEAD ATOP PACIFIC

Ryan Poehling (1-1—2) tied the game and rookie Beckett Sennecke (0-1—1) assisted on the go-ahead goal as the Pacific Division-leading Ducks (38-27-4, 80 points) posted their 22nd comeback win of the season and tied the Canadiens for the most among all teams. Anaheim’s total is tied with 2007-08 for the third most in a single campaign in franchise history, behind 2013-14 (26) and 2014-15 (24).

* The Ducks are one of two current division leaders that missed the playoffs last season (also BUF) and eye a return for the first time since 2018 after missing out by 16 points in 2024-25. Anaheim can become the sixth team since 2005-06 to win its division after missing the playoffs by 15-plus points the season prior (something they achieved in 2012-13; the others: 2013-14 COL, 2011-12 FLA, 2007-08 WSH & 2005-06 CAR).

QUICK CLICKS

* Capitals host 13-year-old Make-A-Wish kid for day

* Ryan Johansen retires, to be honored by Predators

* NHL EDGE stats: Nikita Kucherov building strong case for Hart Trophy

* Frank Mahovlich’s magnificent NHL career had memorable opening act

* Pavel Zacha putting together career season to help fuel Bruins playoff chase

EAST RACE GETS PRIMETIME SPOTLIGHT ON ABC, HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

The Eastern Conference playoff races are heating up – all eight playoff berths, seeds and division winners are still to be clinched – and will take the Saturday primetime spotlight when the Bruins (WC1) and Red Wings (WC2), who hold the two wild card positions in the Eastern Conference, face off on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. Hockey Night in Canada’s four-game broadcast will also be key to the East postseason push with the Islanders (first team outside playoff line) visiting the Canadiens (A3), the Senators (5 points outside playoff line) hosting the Maple Leafs and the Lightning (A2) looking to gain ground on the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres (also in action Saturday).

* In total, nine of the 10 teams either in an Eastern Conference playoff spot or within five points of one will be in action on Saturday (Carolina is idle). The race received a shakeup on Thursday when the Blue Jackets (M3) pushed their point streak to 11 games (7-0-4) and jumped into a playoff spot for the first time since Nov. 17.

* The Bruins (last: 2023-24) and Red Wings (last: 2015-16) are both aiming for a return to the playoffs after missing last season and will meet in one of the most pivotal games between the Original Six rivals in years (8 p.m. ET on ABC). The two historic franchises, who enter with identical records in 2025-26 (38-23-8, 84 points), have not qualified for the postseason in the same campaign since 2013-14, which was also the last time they met in a playoff series (BOS: 4-1 W in R1).

* The Islanders will look to jump back into a playoff position on Hockey Night in Canada – they had held a postseason spot since Dec. 5 until they were bumped out of the bracket by the Blue Jackets on Thursday – when they face the Canadiens in a showdown of two of the game’s young star defensemen: rookie Matthew Schaefer (21-29—50 in 69 GP) and 2024-25 Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson (11-58—69 in 68 GP).

* Schaefer reached the 50-point benchmark with a goal on Thursday, one season after Hutson recorded 66 points in his Calder Trophy-winning campaign. That marks the first time a rookie blueliner has posted 50 or more points in consecutive seasons since Nicklas Lidstrom (1991-92 w/ DET) and Vladimir Malakhov (1992-93 w/ NYI). Of note, Cale Makar (w/ COL) and Quinn Hughes (w/ VAN) each reached the 50-point mark as rookie blueliners in the same season over that span (2019-20).

* For the first time, Gen Z accounts for nearly 60% of NHL players. That group includes 18 players who have played as a teenager this season (10 that were NHL regulars) – with Schaefer the youngest of five in that group who will still be teenagers when the 2026-27 campaign begins. Find out more on the rising stars with the latest delivery from #NHLStats: Young Stars of the 2025-26 NHL Season.

Admirals Erupt for Nine Goals in Rout of Greensboro

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Norfolk, VA – Coming off a three-game road trip, the Norfolk Admirals returned to Norfolk Scope for a three-game series against their division rivals, the Greensboro Gargoyles. The Admirals delivered one of their most complete offensive performances of the season, exploding for nine goals in a dominant win over Greensboro at Scope.RECAP | Admirals Erupt for Nine Goals in Rout of Greensboro

Isaac Poulter made his 33rd appearance in goal for the Admirals and finished the night with 17 saves out of 21 shots faced in the victory.

The Norfolk Admirals delivered one of their most complete offensive performances of the season, exploding for nine goals in a dominant win over Greensboro at Scope.

Norfolk struck almost immediately, as Jaydon Dureau (14) opened the scoring just 53 seconds into the game off a feed from Brody Crane. After Greensboro briefly tied things, the Admirals regained control late in the first with Marko Reifenberger (6) finishing a play from Carson Musser and Nathan Noel to give Norfolk a 2-1 lead after one.

The second period was all Admirals.

Kristóf Papp (19) extended the lead early, finishing a setup from Dureau and Crane before Grant Hebert (10) buried another just over two minutes later off a pass from Brady Fleurent. The offense kept rolling as Brandon Osmundson (19) scored shorthanded to make it 5-1, showcasing Norfolk’s dominance in all situations.

Greensboro found the net once in the period, but Norfolk answered emphatically. Jack Pascucci (1) notched his first of the season, and just 34 seconds later, Osmundson (20) struck again for his second of the night, pushing the lead to 7-2 heading into the third.

Norfolk didn’t let up.

James Hardie (6) added a power-play goal early in the third, his first as an Admiral, before Greensboro added another. Just 13 seconds later, Hebert (11) answered with his second of the night off a strong passing play from Fleurent and Osmundson, capping off the nine-goal performance.

Sentara Three Stars of the Game

1. NOR – J. Dureau (1 goal, 3 assists, +4)

2. NOR – B. Osmundson (2 goals, 1 assist, +2)

3. NOR – G. Hebert (2 goals, 1 assist, +1)

Homecoming Spoiled in Loss to Kansas City

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WICHITA, Kan.  – Wichita returned home on Friday night for the first time in over a month, falling to Kansas City, 5-2, at INTRUST Bank Arena in front of a lower bowl sell out of 6,001. Homecoming Spoiled in Loss to Kansas City

Jay Dickman led the way for the Thunder with a goal and an assist. Roddy Ross suffered the loss in a relief effort, stopping 15 shots.

Dickman opened the scoring near the midway point of the first. Wichita won a battle behind the Kansas City net. Kirby Proctor fired a shot from the high slot and Dickman redirected it past Logan Terness.

Jack Randl tied it at 17:09. He walked around a Thunder blueliner and beat Matt Davis for his 21st of the season.

At the start of the second, Davis didn’t return to the Thunder crease and Ross came into the game.

Bates connected at 1:38 of the second on a pretty passing play to make it 2-1. Dickman was denied on a breakaway but fed a pass from the right circle to Bates. He slipped a backhand through Terness for his 17th of the year.

Lucas Sowder tied the contest at 10:23 when he blew by two players at the Wichita line and beat Ross for his ninth of the season.

At 15:02, Bobo Carpenter picked the pocket of a Thunder defender at the red line, skated down on a breakaway and beat Ross to make it 3-2.

Kansas City tacked on a late power play goal after Michal Stinil was called for a high stick. Justin Janicke salted the game away at 19:10 after he was left all alone in front of the net and made it 4-2.

Hudson Wilson added an empty netter at 19:51 to close the scoring.

Dickman reached the 20-goal mark for the fifth-straight season. Bates has points in four straight and netted his first goal since February 18. Stinil appeared in his 300th ECHL game.

Wichita went 0-for-2 on the power play. Kansas City was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

The two teams play once again at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at INTRUST Bank Arena.