Alumni in the Pros - April 2008

Shane Hynes has been playing with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL since late February. [www.augustalynx.com] As of Tuesday he had 5 goals in 16 games; -11 on the +/-, 24 PIM. [echl.leaguestat.com]

Ryan O'Byrne had an assist on Brian Smolinski's GWG tonight in the Habs' 3-1 victory over Buffalo.

Unfortunately the Sharks called up Tom Cavanagh (Sucks) instead of Iggulden and he got a point in the first minute of his first game.

When did Shane Hynes get released by the Pirates. He was up in Maine in mid January repreenting them at a fund raiser.

cmoberg
When did Shane Hynes get released by the Pirates. He was up in Maine in mid January representing them at a fund raiser.

He was reassigned by Anaheim (NHL) to Augusta (ECHL) 02/19/2008. [www.portlandpirates.com] Remember that he broke his foot back in October and was out of commission for several months. [elf.elynah.com] I'd guess that this is a rehab assignment.

How's Riley Nash doing with Edmonton?


What? Oh -- never mind.

Some Clit from Clarkson signed a 3 year deal with the CBJ

CM cWo 44
Clitsome from Clarkson signed a 3 year deal with the CBJ

FYP

Dpperk29

CM cWo 44
Clitsome from Clarkson signed a 3 year deal with the CBJ

FYP

It's about time he left. I think he's been with Clarkson since 1999.

As expected, Topher has been included on the Elmira Jackals' playoff roster. Their first round action begins April 11th in Elmira.

[www.stargazettenews.com]

Murray was a +2 in 20:00 in his playoff debut (although the Sharks lost 3-2).

scoop85
Murray was a +2 in 20:00 in his playoff debut (although the Sharks lost 3-2).

The Sharks posted this article about Murray's role on the team and his first playoff run:

[sharks.nhl.com]

Sharks Article
Murray also played in 10 postseason games at Cornell University from 1999-03, scoring eight points.

Where did that number come from?

O'Byrne isn't playing tonight.

[www.cbc.ca]

Chris '03

Sharks Article
Murray also played in 10 postseason games at Cornell University from 1999-03, scoring eight points.

Where did that number come from?

I think that the calculation was made using as a base however many games he did play in.

Murray just scored the third of three quick SJ goals in Calgary...

Dpperk29
Murray just scored the third of three quick SJ goals in Calgary...

Yup, came in down the wing wide open and put it past Kipper. First playoff goal (2nd career goal?) for Douglas.

Dpperk29
Murray just scored the third of three quick SJ goals in Calgary...

And a nice one at that, with Cheechoo giving him the pretty feed from beind the net.

sah67

Dpperk29
Murray just scored the third of three quick SJ goals in Calgary...

And a nice one at that, with Cheechoo giving him the pretty feed from beind the net.

Good, there's some hope of it ending up in video on the net somewhere...

Beeeej

sah67

Dpperk29
Murray just scored the third of three quick SJ goals in Calgary...

And a nice one at that, with Cheechoo giving him the pretty feed from beind the net.

Good, there's some hope of it ending up in video on the net somewhere...

The NHL puts video of every goal on their website. Wait a couple of hours after the game and then go to nhl.com/scores and there should be a link to the highlights.

Yeah Douglas!!

While you are waiting for the highlights, you can listen to the game over the internet through NHL.com.

I got bumped from my flight home, and got to spend the day in Aurora, CO. Actually, it was not too bad a thing; I can catch up on the sleep. I didn't get too much of that these past 4 days.

Lenny has been solid for Hartford down the stretch leading into the playoffs. He played back-to-back Friday and Saturday nights, winning 4-1 and 5-2, before getting today's game (another win for the Wolf Pack) off. Hartford starts their first round playoff series against Portland on Wednesday and I think Dave should get a good chance to showcase his skills in the postseason.

Brian Engblom's quote during the intermission report:
"Murray only scores goals in leap years"

After going down 3-0 three minutes into the game, the Flames fight tooth and nail, come back and win 4-3.

Josh '99
Lenny has been solid for Hartford down the stretch leading into the playoffs. He played back-to-back Friday and Saturday nights, winning 4-1 and 5-2, before getting today's game (another win for the Wolf Pack) off. Hartford starts their first round playoff series against Portland on Wednesday and I think Dave should get a good chance to showcase his skills in the postseason.

And those of us in the crowd wearing Cornell jerseys were quite disappointed. I do have some great photos of him skating to and from the bench, sans helmet. And he looked sharp during warmups.

I considered letting a RED! fly during the anthem, but chickened out. A friend of mine did it at a Phantoms game when JMP was there, and got a stick tap on the ice as a reward.

Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

O'Byrne just mentioned on NESN---but I missed exactly what was said

I believe he is in the lineup....

Yup, he's in the lineup.

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

OB got air time on CBC's 1st period intermission with PJ Stock pointing out how OB made a smart play at the point. OB got the puck at the blue line right in front of the goal. Instead of taking a shot that would have likely been blocked, OB took it wide and made a smart dump in to keep it in the zone.

Still 0-0 with ~ 13 minutes left in the 2nd period.

billhoward

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

You're upset with this reputation? I want Hornby to make the league to solidify it.

Murray just got an assist on a Joe Thorton's deflection to put the Sharks up 3-2 with 7.3 seconds left in the 3rd period. It was a nice shot on net from the high slot, that Thorton tipped passed Kipper.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great game by Murray tonight. He outraced Iginla (yes, he had a headstart) for an icing call with 38 seconds left. The Sharks then kept the puck in the offensive end until Doug's shot was tipped by Thornton for the game winner. Doug also had several other opportunities early in the game including two backhanders on rushes that Kiprusoff had to save. Doug obviously now has the full faith of the coaching staff, as even with seven defensemen dressed tonight, he was out there a lot in the final minutes.

jkahn
Great game by Murray tonight. He outraced Iginla (yes, he had a headstart) for an icing call with 38 seconds left. The Sharks then kept the puck in the offensive end until Doug's shot was tipped by Thornton for the game winner. Doug also had several other opportunities early in the game including two backhanders on rushes that Kiprusoff had to save. Doug obviously now has the full faith of the coaching staff, as even with seven defensemen dressed tonight, he was out there a lot in the final minutes.

I think if you look at the 5on5 minutes he is getting the 2nd most on the team as he is paired with Campbell on the first pairing. It is a nice pairing b/c Douglas stays defensively responsible as Campbell has a bit more offensive flair. On power plays and penalty kills Douglas doesn't get quite as much ice time as other players (pretty much zero on power plays).

He used to get alot of time on PPs or PKs, one of the two but I forget which one. But in the games I've been to he seemed pretty consistently on one (I want to say PP but I'm not sure).

billhoward

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

I'm okay with that. Tough guys with the skill to crack the NHL sound like ideal Schafer players.

ugarte

billhoward

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

You're upset with this reputation? I want Hornby to make the league to solidify it.

Indeed I am upset. My initial desires has always been world peace, an end to hunger, and environmentally friendly lip gloss. Barring that, I was hoping for Douglas (when did it stop being Doug? Or was it always Douglas?) to lead the league in plus/minus, finish off the Stanley Cup with a Bobby Orr style final game goal, and take home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, after which he'd succeed Ed Marinaro on Hill Street Blues: The Movie.

Trotsky

billhoward
Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

I'm okay with that. Tough guys with the skill to crack the NHL sound like ideal Schafer players.

"Wow, he's good. I hope I get the chance to play in the NHL someday, like Douglas Murray. Hey... maybe *I* should be born in Sweden, too!"

billhoward
(when did it stop being Doug? Or was it always Douglas?)

When he publicly stated that he preferred being called Douglas.

ugarte

billhoward

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

Oh, great. Between this and Douglas Murray, Cornell is the Ivy League enforcer NHL feeder college now when some announcer wants a quick characterization.

You're upset with this reputation? I want Hornby to make the league to solidify it.

Honestly, I'm just happy that we might get a reputation as "the Ivy League school that gets players into the NHL".

You know, a couple of hours before that happened (when the Sharks were trailing), I said on USCHO that what they need to do is let Murray shoot the puck more. And Murray shoots the puck and look what happens!

I could totally be an NHL head coach.

Nice article on Douglas from the 4/12 Calgary Herald:
[www.canada.com]

billhoward
I was hoping for Douglas (when did it stop being Doug? Or was it always Douglas?)

It stopped when his mother said so She's been mentioned in several interviews saying that "Doug" with a Swedish acccent sounds like "dog", so she prefers the full name.

amerks127
Reports are circulating that in an effort to put more grit on the blueline for game 4, Guy Carbonneau might put O'Byrne in the lineup for his NHL playoff debut. Nothing confirmed though.

The hosts, analysts, and callers on the Team990 out of Montreal throughout the day and almost without exception were hoping to see O'Byrne in the line up. He was mentioned as a needed change for some toughness to help stand up to the Bruins' intensity.

DeltaOne81

billhoward
(when did it stop being Doug? Or was it always Douglas?)

When he publicly stated that he preferred being called Douglas.

I find it really funny that he comes out and says he wants to be called "Douglas" and still all of the quotes I saw from teammates called him "Dougie".

It's because it's what they're all used to calling him on the ice, in the locker room, etc. Everyone's got their 1-2 syllable quick and easy to shout name (many, actually, ending in "ie" or "y". He'd have to break the habit in order for them to not slip calling him "Dougie". Though that does conjure up some pretty funny mental images of guys yelling "Douglas" across the ice for a pass...

jkahn
Great game by Murray tonight. He outraced Iginla (yes, he had a headstart) for an icing call with 38 seconds left. The Sharks then kept the puck in the offensive end until Doug's shot was tipped by Thornton for the game winner. Doug also had several other opportunities early in the game including two backhanders on rushes that Kiprusoff had to save. Doug obviously now has the full faith of the coaching staff, as even with seven defensemen dressed tonight, he was out there a lot in the final minutes.

He also laid a bone-and-board-rattling body check on Craig Conroy with about 7:30 left in the game.

KateWithThe8
It's because it's what they're all used to calling him on the ice, in the locker room, etc. Everyone's got their 1-2 syllable quick and easy to shout name (many, actually, ending in "ie" or "y". He'd have to break the habit in order for them to not slip calling him "Dougie". Though that does conjure up some pretty funny mental images of guys yelling "Douglas" across the ice for a pass...

Back when he was here it seemed to mostly be "Dougie". Or maybe just for the people around me in the stands.

Lenny got the start and the win (3-1) in the first game of Hartford's playoff series against Portland. He made 32 saves on 33 shots and was named the game's second star. (Probably would've been the first start except that both of Hartford's non-empty-net goals came from the same guy.)

Bitz had the primary assist on Providence's OT winner tonight as the Calder Cup Playoffs officially got under way.

amerks127
Bitz had the primary assist on Providence's OT winner tonight as the Calder Cup Playoffs officially got under way.

after Moulson had scored in the 3rd to tie it for Manchester.

Josh '99
Lenny got the start and the win (3-1) in the first game of Hartford's playoff series against Portland. He made 32 saves on 33 shots and was named the game's second star. (Probably would've been the first start except that both of Hartford's non-empty-net goals came from the same guy.)

Lenny's play tonight was described as "very sharp" by the resident Wolfpack nut on a Rangers board I read. He also said:

Portland's first goal was just - - - - luck. It was a seeing eye shot from the half-boards about 3/4 high on the circle. I think Jessiman was screening LeNeveu.

Portland's first goal was just - - - - luck. It was a seeing eye shot from the half-boards about 3/4 high on the circle. I think Jessiman was screening LeNeveu.

The Dartmouth-Cornell rivalry just wont die, even in the AHL.

Can the Rangers release this pussy already? Biggest waste of a 1st Round pick.

Article in today's Hartford Courant about LeNeveu and the goaltending situation. This is his first playoff action since 2003 (painful mention of Cornell included).

[www.courant.com]

There's also a few photos of Lenny linked on that page. Looks like he has his new Rangers-themed helmet paintjob. The following photo appeared on the back page of the sports section along with the story continuation from Page 1.

CM cWo 44

Portland's first goal was just - - - - luck. It was a seeing eye shot from the half-boards about 3/4 high on the circle. I think Jessiman was screening LeNeveu.

Biggest waste of a 1st Round pick.

Pokulok is really tearing it up in the NHL isn't he?

not all first rounders pan out. I'd love to know the ratio of successful first rounders to unsuccessful ones. I'd be willing to be less than 50% of first round players have long, illustrious careers in the NHL.

That's absolutely true.

The reason Jessiman gets so much flack is because the 2003 first round was the exception to the rule. Just about everyone drafted in that round has become a big player, the Rangers missed in the only first round in twenty years where it seems impossible to do so. Unbelievable. But I guess it's really time to stop complaining, seeing as the organization is both good, and getting younger quite rapidly. Still, hurts to think of what could have been with a Ryan Getzlaf, or a Brent Seabrook, or Zach Parise, or...you get the idea.

Plus hasn't Pokulok had injury problems? Has Jessiman?

evilnaturedrobot
That's absolutely true.

The reason Jessiman gets so much flack is because the 2003 first round was the exception to the rule. Just about everyone drafted in that round has become a big player, the Rangers missed in the only first round in twenty years where it seems impossible to do so. Unbelievable. But I guess it's really time to stop complaining, seeing as the organization is both good, and getting younger quite rapidly. Still, hurts to think of what could have been with a Ryan Getzlaf, or a Brent Seabrook, or Zach Parise, or...you get the idea.

Jessiman is in fact the only player from that first round yet to play in an NHL game. Before that he had Brian Boyle in his company but Boyle got a few games with the Kings this year and looks likely to crack the lineup out of camp there last year. Jessiman may get a shot at the fourth line with the Rangers next year, but I doubt it.

Jacob '06
Jessiman is in fact the only player from that first round yet to play in an NHL game. Before that he had Brian Boyle in his company but Boyle got a few games with the Kings this year and looks likely to crack the lineup out of camp there last year. Jessiman may get a shot at the fourth line with the Rangers next year, but I doubt it.

Everyone from that first round (even goalie Marc-Andre Fleury) has at least one NHL point. Every forward from that first round has at least two NHL goals. Five players drafted after Jessiman in the first round already have at least 100 NHL points, not to mention one who was drafted in the second round (Patrice Bergeron) and one in the fifth (Jessiman's former Dartmouth teammate Lee Stempniak).

But I'm not bitter.

French Rage
Plus hasn't Pokulok had injury problems? Has Jessiman?

Jessiman has mainly had sucking problems.

Jessiman had a bunch of injury problems a few years ago, I recall him missing most of his junior year with an ankle injury.

Us Ranger fans are still bitter over the pick, but it's ok because the remedies are already here, there names are: Brandon Dubinsky, Marc Staal, Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Fedor Tyutin, and Henrik Lundqvist.

What's somewhat funny is that, with the exception of Staal, the Rangers have done poorly in the first round, but they've cleaned up in the later rounds. They've survived the Jessiman pick.

I don't see much of a rangers future for Jessiman, fourth line or otherwise. Renney already has 3 potential fourth line right wings (orr, prucha, sjostrom), all of which he likes for his system.

LeNeveu is starting to get attention though. Again, I don't know that Renney is looking past Valiquette, as he seems to come up relatively big in the small number of games Lundqvist doesn't play. Maybe?

Cactus12
LeNeveu is starting to get attention though. Again, I don't know that Renney is looking past Valiquette, as he seems to come up relatively big in the small number of games Lundqvist doesn't play. Maybe?

I think Leneveu is the type of goaltender that really needs to play a lot of games to be good. He has to feel really comfortable and have his instincts working well since much of his technique is positioning. I'm not so sure he would thrive being a backup to Lundqvist who plays so many games.

Cactus12
LeNeveu is starting to get attention though. Again, I don't know that Renney is looking past Valiquette, as he seems to come up relatively big in the small number of games Lundqvist doesn't play. Maybe?

You never know what free agency will bring.

O'Byrne a healthy scratch tonight after playing the last two and being minus 1.

Maybe he should've played...Boston up 4-3

Game 6 Sharks v. Flames just about to get underway and Douglas Murray is starting.

The note above was the "obligatory Alumni news" item. The real point of this post is to not that the play-by-play announcers for a team should not be growing playoff beards. The playoff scruff does not look good on Sharks TV man Randy Hahn!

Flames win. Game 7 Tuesday.

HF interview w/ Bitz (click)

The Elmira Jackals were eliminated from the ECHL playoffs Sunday. Topher can now concentrate on his studies.

It's been fun to watch him with the Jackals. He dominated in the faceoff circle.

redice
The Elmira Jackals were eliminated from the ECHL playoffs Sunday. Topher can now concentrate on his studies.

It's been fun to watch him with the Jackals. He dominated in the faceoff circle.

He was so close to the puck.

On Vs. during the Habs Bruins game they were talking about the crowd taunting Thomas. They said they asked Thomas and he said he heard worse in his college days at Vermont. The announcer then says "yeah they heard bad stuff at places like Harvard and Cornell Daren Eliot." How the heck did Harvard get mentioned in there? Would've been nice if Eliot reminded them that Harvard has no fans.

redGrinch
HF interview w/ Bitz (click)

I thought that this was the most interesting comment, something that certain other players might have benefited from.

HF: Cornell has a strong hockey program, maybe a little bit different style than here, but what do you think you learned there that helped prepare you to play pro?

BB: I think just the defensive zone aspect of the game. At school it’s something we stressed -- take care of your own end first. We played a pretty rigid system at school. You learn to play in a system -- you’re not just skating around out there freewheeling it. I think learning to play in a system you’re better able to adjust when you come here, even though it is different.

We played a pretty rigid system at school.

Perhaps too rigid?

Barry Melrose had a piece earlier in the year about the Washington Capitals playing in such a rigid system under former coach Glen Hanlon that they weren't able be create goal scoring opportunities. The system changed under Bruce Boudreau to a disciplined system with options for all players on the ice, not just the most skilled, and the Capitals went from near last to making the playoffs.

The game is changing at all levels and the rigid system style of hockey (i.e. NJ Devils during their two recent Cup wins) is making way to the more open yet disciplined approach.

Jacob '06
On Vs. during the Habs Bruins game they were talking about the crowd taunting Thomas. They said they asked Thomas and he said he heard worse in his college days at Vermont. The announcer then says "yeah they heard bad stuff at places like Harvard and Cornell Daren Eliot." How the heck did Harvard get mentioned in there? Would've been nice if Eliot reminded them that Harvard has no fans.

lynah east has lots of cornell fans.

The Rancor

Jacob '06
On Vs. during the Habs Bruins game they were talking about the crowd taunting Thomas. They said they asked Thomas and he said he heard worse in his college days at Vermont. The announcer then says "yeah they heard bad stuff at places like Harvard and Cornell Daren Eliot." How the heck did Harvard get mentioned in there? Would've been nice if Eliot reminded them that Harvard has no fans.

lynah east has lots of cornell fans.

Not when Harvard is playing Vermont, generally speaking, though.

Josh '99

The Rancor

Jacob '06
On Vs. during the Habs Bruins game they were talking about the crowd taunting Thomas. They said they asked Thomas and he said he heard worse in his college days at Vermont. The announcer then says "yeah they heard bad stuff at places like Harvard and Cornell Daren Eliot." How the heck did Harvard get mentioned in there? Would've been nice if Eliot reminded them that Harvard has no fans.

lynah east has lots of cornell fans.

Not when Harvard is playing Vermont, generally speaking, though.

Yeah, Hahvahd hadn't yet introduced their "ticket package" deal when Tim Thomas was still between the pipes for the Cats.

P.C. Drouin is now playing with the Fort Wayne Komets (as buried Ugarte's post in another thread). Drouin had a goal in their game on 4/20/08.

They are playing tonight and you can listen live (and for free!) here.

On one hand, Murray made a bad play there. On the other hand, this isn't soccer.

Cornell representation in the AHL playoffs dwindles yet again. After Moulson and Manchester were swept by Bitz and Providence, LeNeveu and Hartford are easily dispatched by Portland.

LeNeveu didn't play in game 5 though after giving up at least three in the previous 3 games.

amerks127
LeNeveu didn't play in game 5 though after giving up at least three in the previous 3 games.

I'm told that his team was playing pretty poorly around him, but that he also didn't really make any game-changing saves.

The Monarchs/Providence series was an interesting one. Anne(DVM) and I were able to make it to 3 of the 4 games in the series (and watched the first game of the series with our "friends", B2Networks). All of them were really close, 3 ending in OT, one with the GWG with about 3 mins left in the 3rd.

If the series had gone to 7 games the Monarchs would have played the Bruins 10 games in a row because they closed out the RS with 3 games against each other.

I think the P-Bruins were surprised how close the games were. I can't say much about the first game -- I was, after all, watching B2. It's like watching the entire game on the jumbotron -- you miss a lot. But Moulson scored the game tying goal to force overtime. Bitz had the first assist on a really nice pass into the slot from behind the net to give Providence the win in OT.

For the second game the officiating was erratic, so the players never got into a rhythm. We were trying to decide whether the ECACh or AHL reffing is "better", to give you some idea how bad it was. Nobody knew what would or would not get called. The drive from Cambridge to Providence took forever so we missed warm-ups. When they announced the starting lineup Moulson wasn't out with his usual pairing. He came into the game a couple of minutes late and played pretty well, although he took a stick to the face in the second (no call) and went back to the locker room for a bit. (On Monday we overheard someone say that he was injured, though, so that could have been part of it -- more on that below.) Bitz played really well, I thought. He's very strong on the puck particularly in deep in the corners and behind the net. Quick (the goalie) almost saved the Monarchs in this one, though -- he stopped 38 shots, while the Monarchs took about half that many. The GWG came with 3 minutes left, followed by an empty netter.

The third game saw two goals disallowed for the Monarchs. The first of the two really looked like it should have counted... into the top corner over the goalie's shoulder, and then right back out. The goal light came on, but no signal on the ice. There was no video review, but the jumbotron replay looked pretty obvious and it didn't even sound like it hit the posts in the corner, so must have hit the padding just inside. The second one was disallowed for goaltender interference, which seemed probably correct. Moulson tied the game with seven minutes left in the in the third with Bitz in the box for tripping. The game winner for Providence came when a helmetless Hoggan bounced the puck off of the Monarchs goalie from behind the net and it trickled in. Sadly one of the Monarchs players was in the process of interfering with his own goalie at the time.

The final game saw the Monarchs take their first real lead (two goal lead going into the third). But I think their defense just let them down. The Bruins play a really tough game cycling behind the net and in the corners (Bitz's strength on the puck really helps him here) until they can shake someone loose in front of the net with the goalie out of position. I think they just outworked the defense overall, so they forced the game into overtime with two goals in the third. I'm actually not clear really on how the GWG was scored early in OT... just a garbage goal on a rebound in front of the net, but that was the end for the Monarchs season. The final game in the series was a poorly attended affair, probably because (a) playoff tickets are not part of the season ticket package, (b) it was Monday night, (c) the Boston Bruins were playing Game 7 at the same time. That meant that Anne and I unwittingly had a moment of fame on the jumbotron, and that we also ended up sitting in the die-hard fan / comp ticket section. One tidbit from that, though, was that we overheard someone behind us saying that Moulson was injured in game 1 of the series and was playing with two broken ribs, or something to that effect, and could barely lace his skates. Take it FWIW -- it might explain why he was late on the ice for game 2, but we didn't notice any reduced ice time on his part.

LGR!

Chris

The Texas Brahmas with Kevin McLeod and Doug Krantz were eliminated from the CHL playoffs with their game 7 loss to Colorado after being down 3-1 in the series.

Krantz had an assist in game 7 and McLeod in game 6. Colorado started a bit of a melee after game 6, and Krantz (wearing #18 in dark) can be seen tied up with a Colorado player in this


YouTube video.

LeNeveu is the Rangers's third goalie for the playoffs...Did I miss this somewhere?

ebilmes
LeNeveu is the Rangers's third goalie for the playoffs...Did I miss this somewhere?

The Wolfpack are done for the season so the Rangers put together a taxi squad in case of injuries that are still practicing.

ebilmes
LeNeveu is the Rangers's third goalie for the playoffs...Did I miss this somewhere?

I think it just happened after Hartford lost -- I saw it today (well, yesterday, I guess) on the AHL transactions page:

[stats.theahl.com]

I didn't put 2+2 together, though. So could the Rangers technically use him?

(Edit: added quote)

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think one of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

ugarte

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

By used I did mean sitting on the bench. He can't be put on the active roster unless there is an injury.

Jacob '06

ugarte

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

By used I did mean sitting on the bench. He can't be put on the active roster unless there is an injury.

Nah. You just need one injury and for the remaining guy to get absolutely shelled. Fice goals in the first period might do it.

But then, I'm still a Rangers fan. Can't be rooting for that.

KeithK

Jacob '06

ugarte

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

By used I did mean sitting on the bench. He can't be put on the active roster unless there is an injury.

Nah. You just need one injury and for the remaining guy to get absolutely shelled. Fice goals in the first period might do it.

But then, I'm still a Rangers fan. Can't be rooting for that.

KeithK

Jacob '06

ugarte

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

By used I did mean sitting on the bench. He can't be put on the active roster unless there is an injury.

Nah. You just need one injury and for the remaining guy to get absolutely shelled. Fice goals in the first period might do it.

But then, I'm still a Rangers fan. Can't be rooting for that.

I'll gladly take up the cause. I hope to see Lenny this series!

I guess this relates to Cornell hockey in that it took place at the Times Union Center in Albany, but this is just a really interesting hockey story.

Here is a highlight of an article about the game...

Last night, The Philadelphia Phantoms defeated the Albany River Rats, 3-2, in the longest game in the 72-year history of the American Hockey League. The winning goal was scored at 12:39 a.m. EDT on Friday morning, five hours and 38 minutes after the game began. Philadelphia took an incredible 101 shots on goal in the game, and Albany’s Michael Leighton made 98 saves, believed to be an AHL record. The Phantoms’ Scott Munroe stopped 65 of 67 shots to earn the win. The marathon surpassed the previous longest game, a 2003 Calder Cup Final game between Hamilton and Houston that went 14:56 into a fourth overtime (My dad and I were actually at that game). It was also longer than all but three NHL games ever played.

The Rangers signed Hartford goalie Miika Wiikman to an NHL contract today.

Don't really know how this affects LeNevue's future with the Rangers, but I know it means something.

CM cWo 44
The Rangers signed Hartford goalie Miika Wiikman to an NHL contract today.

Don't really know how this affects LeNevue's future with the Rangers, but I know it means something.

For the playoffs, it doesn't mean much, since LeNeveu and Wiikman are clearly #3 and #4 (in some order) and neither would play barring some extreme circumstances.

For next year, with Valiquette and LeNeveu both free agents, I think they wanted to get some depth signed sooner rather than later. If they wanted to keep Wiikman in the system, his previous contract status (AHL-only) might've made it a priority to negotiate with him sooner than the other two.

CM cWo 44
The Rangers signed Hartford goalie Miika Wiikman to an NHL contract today.

Don't really know how this affects LeNevue's future with the Rangers, but I know it means something.

I would expect them to end up with pretty much the same situation next year. Lundqvist taking the vast majority of starts in the NHL, Valiquette backing him up, and Lenny and Wiikman splitting time in Hartford. Valiquette is very well respected in the Rangers lockerroom and is very happy in his role as taking 10ish starts per year, so I expect the Rangers to re-sign him.

ugarte

Jacob '06

crodger1
So could the Rangers technically use him?

I think both of the active goalies would have to be injured for him to actually be used.

FYP. Unless "used" means sitting on the bench, I think it will take two injuries for him to actually play in a game.

FWIW, this situation is exactly how Jason Elliott got a chance to skate the Stanley Cup in 2002:

[www.jamd.com]
[www.detroithockey.net]

Ryan O'Byrne is back in the line-up replacing Patrice Dubois.

According to the VS announcers, Dubois is a "healthy scratch", but one never really knows for sure this time of year.

Bitz scored his first career playoff goal for Providence today.

Rita
Ryan O'Byrne is back in the line-up replacing Patrice Dubois.

He got a Cornell shout out from fellow alumnus Darren Eliot's pbp-mate.