Alumni In The Playoffs - 2011

[Josh '99]

Ben Scrivens and the Toronto Marlies finished fifth in the North Division and missed the playoffs.

In the past couple of days, Ben was sent down to the Reading Royals of the ECHL...Since Reading is still playing, I'm guessing that's to get him some more ice time...

Oh, thanks.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the Royals' second-round series.  Scrivens is presumably the highest on the Leafs' organizational depth chart of the goalies currently with Reading, given that he spent much of the season with the Marlies, but incumbent starter Matt Dalton allowed just one goal on 67 shots in the Royals' last two games of their first-round series.  The Royals take on the Kalamazoo Wings in a best-of-seven starting tomorrow night.

[redice]

Ben Scrivens and the Toronto Marlies finished fifth in the North Division and missed the playoffs.

In the past couple of days, Ben was sent down to the Reading Royals of the ECHL...Since Reading is still playing, I'm guessing that's to get him some more ice time...

Oh, thanks.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the Royals' second-round series.  Scrivens is presumably the highest on the Leafs' organizational depth chart of the goalies currently with Reading, given that he spent much of the season with the Marlies, but incumbent starter Matt Dalton allowed just one goal on 67 shots in the Royals' last two games of their first-round series.  The Royals take on the Kalamazoo Wings in a best-of-seven starting tomorrow night.

Yeah, I had considered a trip to Reading to watch the game Saturday..But, a four hour trip (one way) to NOT see Ben play would be a bummer.  I'll explore other hockey possibilities this weekend.

Isn't Matt Dalton the Bemidji State goalie who bounced us from the NCAA's a couple of years ago?

[RatushnyFan]

Douglas was a force last night.  Loved that hit on Dustin Brown (he may be from Ithaca, but he's still the enemy!!) and how tough he was on the boards.  I thought after that hit from behind on Ian White that Douglas might drop the gloves but clearly everyone is afraid of him.  7 hits in the game and he pinched in and almost scored once.  Great game.  27 minutes played.  Dan Boyle played 35 minutes, that's not sustainable.

EDIT - I fell asleep for a few minutes on the Kings second goal, I'll cut Douglas some slack on that.  Can't let that happen too often though!

[Josh '99]

Ben Scrivens and the Toronto Marlies finished fifth in the North Division and missed the playoffs.

In the past couple of days, Ben was sent down to the Reading Royals of the ECHL...Since Reading is still playing, I'm guessing that's to get him some more ice time...

Oh, thanks.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the Royals' second-round series.  Scrivens is presumably the highest on the Leafs' organizational depth chart of the goalies currently with Reading, given that he spent much of the season with the Marlies, but incumbent starter Matt Dalton allowed just one goal on 67 shots in the Royals' last two games of their first-round series.  The Royals take on the Kalamazoo Wings in a best-of-seven starting tomorrow night.

Yeah, I had considered a trip to Reading to watch the game Saturday..But, a four hour trip (one way) to NOT see Ben play would be a bummer.  I'll explore other hockey possibilities this weekend.

Isn't Matt Dalton the Bemidji State goalie who bounced us from the NCAA's a couple of years ago?

*sigh*...  yes.

[ugarte]

Byron Bitz spent the 2010-11 season on injured reserve; his Florida Panthers finished last in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs.

Coindidence? I think not.

[Josh '99]

AHL

Shockingly, Matt Moulson and the Islanders did not qualify for the playoffs.

So you count the Islanders under AHL and the Panthers under NHL?  I'm pretty sure the fishsticks have been in the playoffs 3 times in the last decade to Florida's zero, and have won four cups to Florida's zero overall.  Am I missing how the Panthers are so much more deserving to be under the NHL heading?

And I'm not even an Islanders fan.

If you've read any of my previous NHL-related posts, I think my reasons for doing so should be clear.  :-}

[Josh '99]

NHL

As RatushnyFan mentioned above, Douglas Murray had a solid game for the Sharks in their 3-2 overtime win in the first game of their series against the Kings.  In addition to 7 hits, Murray blocked 4 shots, assisted on the Sharks' second goal, and was +1 on the night.  The series continues in San Jose on Saturday night at 10pm EDT; game 2 will also be televised on Vs. (and TSN, for those who are lucky enough to get that instead).

AHL

Raymond Sawada and the Texas Stars lost the first game of their first-round series 5-2 in Milwaukee last night.  Sawada assisted on the Stars' second goal, which cut the Admirals' lead to 4-2 early in the third period, and was even in +/- on a night when many of the Stars were minus.  Game 2 will be played in Milwaukee tomorrow night.

Riley Nash and the Charlotte Checkers won 5-4 in Hershey last night to take a 1-0 series lead.  Riley had no points or shots on goal, nor was he on the ice for any of the game's goals (time on ice information is not readily available for AHL games to see whether this was just a coincidence or whether he wasn't playing much), and took a roughing minor in the second period.  Game 2 will be played in Hershey Sunday afternoon.

Colin Greening and the Binghamton Senators lost 2-1 in Manchester last night and trail 1-0 in their series.  Greening had no points and was not on the ice for any of the scoring, but did have six shots on goal.  However, during a particularly rough stretch in the third period while the Senators were initially up 1-0, Greening first took an interference penalty which the Senators successfully killed, then took a hooking penalty about a minute after coming out of the box, during which the Monarchs scored the tying goal.  

Brendon Nash and the Hamilton Bulldogs held serve in the first game of their series against the Oklahoma City Barons, winning 5-2 in Hamilton last night.  Nash had no points, shots or penalties, and was -1; he was also on the ice for the third of the Bulldogs' three power play goals in the game.  The series continues in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon.

ECHL

Evan Barlow and the Idaho Steelheads start their conference semifinal series against the Alaska Aces tonight in Anchorage at 11:15pm EDT; the Aces will be well-rested, having earned a first-round bye as the team with the best record in the ECHL's Western Conference.

CHL

The Odessa Jackalopes beat the Allen Americans 3-2 last night in the first game of their conference semifinal; David McKee did not dress for the Jackalopes.

PC Drouin and the Fort Wayne Komets start their conference semifinal series against the Rapid City Rush in Rapid City tonight.

By the way, I think a lot of the minor league games have free online audio streaming, so that might be worth a look if you find yourself at home while they're going on.  Oh, and in case you thought I was making this up yesterday:

[dbilmes]

United Kingdom

Jon Gleed played for the EIHL's Belfast Giants in 2010-11, where he was the top-scoring defenseman with 39 points in 57 games; the Giants finished third in the ten-team league, one point back of the first-place Sheffield Steelers.  The Giants beat the Coventry Blaze in the first round of the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Cardiff Devils in the semifinals.  By the way, if you've ever wanted to buy yourself an ugly replica jersey for a Cornell alumnus playing in Europe, you really owe it to yourself to pay a visit to the Giants' online store; those things are hideous.  This is Gleed celebrating a goal in their home jersey; the road ones are ALL teal.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00485/GIANTS_30_485065a.jpg

Sports Illustrated had a story about the Belfast Giants a few weeks ago. According to SI, it is one of the few places in Belfast where Protestants and Catholics can mix for a leisure activity. Fans aren't allowed to wear soccer jerseys to the arena because different professional teams are linked to different sides in the sectarian strife which is still simmering under the surface in Northern Island.
"The Giants are neutral ice, the only team in the city where a fan can simply be a fan."

[Rita]

United Kingdom

Jon Gleed played for the EIHL's Belfast Giants in 2010-11, where he was the top-scoring defenseman with 39 points in 57 games; the Giants finished third in the ten-team league, one point back of the first-place Sheffield Steelers.  The Giants beat the Coventry Blaze in the first round of the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Cardiff Devils in the semifinals.  By the way, if you've ever wanted to buy yourself an ugly replica jersey for a Cornell alumnus playing in Europe, you really owe it to yourself to pay a visit to the Giants' online store; those things are hideous.  This is Gleed celebrating a goal in their home jersey; the road ones are ALL teal.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00485/GIANTS_30_485065a.jpg

Sports Illustrated had a story about the Belfast Giants a few weeks ago. According to SI, it is one of the few places in Belfast where Protestants and Catholics can mix for a leisure activity. Fans aren't allowed to wear soccer jerseys to the arena because different professional teams are linked to different sides in the sectarian strife which is still simmering under the surface in Northern Island.
"The Giants are neutral ice, the only team in the city where a fan can simply be a fan."

It was a good article. I read it while being tortured at the dentist a few weeks back. They are also operating on a small budget and they did mention the this year's preseason game involving the bruins.

[judy]

AHL

Shockingly, Matt Moulson and the Islanders did not qualify for the playoffs.

So you count the Islanders under AHL and the Panthers under NHL?  I'm pretty sure the fishsticks have been in the playoffs 3 times in the last decade to Florida's zero, and have won four cups to Florida's zero overall.  Am I missing how the Panthers are so much more deserving to be under the NHL heading?

And I'm not even an Islanders fan.

If you've read any of my previous NHL-related posts, I think my reasons for doing so should be clear.  :-}

I think the fact that you're a Rangers fan explains it much more clearly

[French Rage]

EDIT - I fell asleep for a few minutes on the Kings second goal, I'll cut Douglas some slack on that.  Can't let that happen too often though!

If we have to put up with one Boyle-Murray misstep that leads to a goal per playoff year, I'm glad this year it was the very first game and not in overtime. :-P

[Josh '99]

AHL

Shockingly, Matt Moulson and the Islanders did not qualify for the playoffs.

So you count the Islanders under AHL and the Panthers under NHL?  I'm pretty sure the fishsticks have been in the playoffs 3 times in the last decade to Florida's zero, and have won four cups to Florida's zero overall.  Am I missing how the Panthers are so much more deserving to be under the NHL heading?

And I'm not even an Islanders fan.

If you've read any of my previous NHL-related posts, I think my reasons for doing so should be clear.  :-}

I think the fact that you're a Rangers fan explains it much more clearly

Well right.  My point was that my previous posts would reveal that I'm a Ranger fan.  (Ranger fan after two playoff games: ::bang:

[Josh '99]

Sports Illustrated had a story about the Belfast Giants a few weeks ago. According to SI, it is one of the few places in Belfast where Protestants and Catholics can mix for a leisure activity. Fans aren't allowed to wear soccer jerseys to the arena because different professional teams are linked to different sides in the sectarian strife which is still simmering under the surface in Northern Island.
"The Giants are neutral ice, the only team in the city where a fan can simply be a fan."

That's an excellent article, thanks for linking it.  Incidentally, there are a LOT of former NCAA players on the Giants (and also throughout the EIHL, given that guys have the opportunity to play abroad professionally without a language barrier).  Gleed's teammates this season included:

Tim Cook (Michigan)
Brett Hemingway (UNH)
Colin Hemingway (UNH)
Mike Hoffman (UConn)
Simon Lambert (RIT)
Jeff Mason (Providence)
Josh Prudden (UNH)
Colin Shields (Maine)
Dan Welch (Minnesota)

[ugarte]

(Ranger fan after two playoff games: ::bang:

Still, that's two more than you're used to.

[Josh '99]

Happy Tax Day!  It was a weekend to forget for most of the Cornell alumni playing in the playoffs, but I suppose it should be recapped anyway.

NHL

Douglas Murray and the Sharks laid an egg in game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal against the Kings, losing 4-0 in front of an unhappy home crowd.  Murray had no points, but had a shot on goal, a blocked shot, five hits, and was not on ice for any of the goals against.  His one penalty on the night was late in the third period, long after the game was over as a contest.  Game 3 will be in Los Angeles tomorrow night at 10:30pm EDT, to be televised on Vs. (presumably after the conclusion of the Canucks-Blackhawks game starting at 8:00pm EDT also on Vs.).

AHL

Raymond Sawada and the Texas Stars rebounded from a game 1 loss to tie their series against the Milwaukee Admirals at 1-1; the series is now headed down to Texas for the middle three games, to be played tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday nights.  Sawada had two assists, both on power play goals, in the Stars' 3-1 win; he also had one shot on goal and a cross-checking minor.  

Riley Nash and the Charlotte Checkers fell to the Hershey Bears 4-2 in the second game of their series, but, like the Texas Stars, return home tied 1-1 with a chance to win out on home ice.  Nash was -1 with a roughing minor in the loss.  Greening was -1 with a shot on goal in Friday's win, and scored a goal on three shots in Sunday's loss.  Greening's goal, scored late in the first period, put the Senators up 3-0, but the Senators were unable to hold the lead.  Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in Charlotte tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday nights.

Brendon Nash's Hamilton Bulldogs are, as far as I can figure, the only team with a Cornell alumnus that's currently winning their playoff series; the Bulldogs won game 2 over the Oklahoma City Barons in front of their home crowd and hold a 2-0 lead headed to Oklahoma for game 3 tomorrow night.  Nash had the primary assist on Andreas Engqvist's goal at 19:57 of the first period that tied the game at 1-1, and was +1 with two shots on goal.  Like the above series, games 3, 4 and 5 will be played tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday nights.

ECHL

Evan Barlow and the Idaho Steelheads trail 2-0 in their conference semifinal series against the Alaska Aces after losing 2-1 on Friday night and 2-0 on Saturday night.  Barlow was -1 in each game and had two shots on goal on Saturday.  The series heads to Idaho for games on Wednesday, Friday and (if necessary) Saturday nights.

Also in hot water are Ben Scrivens' Reading Royals, who trail 2-0 after losing to the Kalamazoo Wings at home on Friday and Saturday nights.  On Friday, Scrivens came in to replace Matt Dalton after the Royals were down 4-0 at the end of the first period, faring somewhat better but still surrendering 3 goals on 22 shots as the Royals went on to lose 8-3.  Scrivens got the nod as the starter on Saturday but probably didn't cement that role for himself, stopping 31 of 36 shots in a 5-4 loss.  The Wings will now have the opportunity to win the series on home ice with games in Michigan on Wednesday, Friday, and, (if necessary) Saturday nights.

CHL

The Odessa Jackalopes beat the Allen Americans 5-2 last night, and return home with a 2-0 in their best-of-five series, which continues tomorrow night.  David McKee again did not dress for the Jackalopes.

PC Drouin and the Fort Wayne Komets trail 2-0 in their series against the Rapid City Rush; they lost 5-2 on Friday night and 4-3 Saturday night, and return to Fort Wayne for Wednesday's game 3 with their backs against the wall.  Drouin had an assist, 3 shots on goal and a slashing minor in Friday's game, and another assist, 7 shots on goal and a high-sticking penalty on Saturday.