Okay, last week I mentioned that I was working on a Spengler Cup/World Junior post. Well that went to hell since moving and getting ready for school got in the way. So now (possibly) being limited to just the weekly SNHs is now the cause of more important things than my laziness, but I digress.
Spengler Cup
For the fourth time in six years, it was a Canada-Russian Club team final. The surprising part: Alexei Yashin lead a team to the finals. After winning their group, SKA St. Petersburg needed overtime to defeat Geneve-Servette in order to advance to the finals. Canada's road was tougher, since they played for four straight days (the finals made it five in five). After finishing second in the group, Canada needed overtime to defeat - an overall weak - Sparta Praha. The next day they exacted revenged on HC Davos, beating them 4-0. The finals proved to be a bit much for Canada. SKA St. Petersburg dominated the first period, but only managed one goal, Canada wasn't able to do anything with a 5-on-3 powerplay mid-way through the period. In the second, Canada managed to tie the game, but that was as close as they would get. A few costly penalties afterwards gave SKA St. Petersburg a chance that they capitalized on and didn't look back. A late goal in the 3rd gave Canada a chance at tying the game, but SKA St. Petersburg buried an empty netter for insurance. It didn't stop Canada from scoring with two seconds left, but it did stop them from at least tying the game. SKA St. Petersburg is the 2010 Spengler Cup champions.
World Junior Championship
After perfectly predicting the outcome of the groups, it seemed rather easy to tell what was going to happen. That didn't seem to be the case. Canada cruising along to the finals seemed normal (although the U.S. game was surprisingly one-sided), Russia was more content on providing the tournament's drama. After needing overtime to beat Finland, and almost blowing the game to Sweden had it not been for a late goal plus a shootout win, Russia was ready to re-new the rivalry. It's hard to recap the game without mentioning Canada's epic collapse, so I'm just going to type the money quote: "When did the Red leaf turn Blue?".
Line-up Notables
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay: Mike Smith is on IR while Randy Jones is considered questionable. Dwayne Roloson might start.
Ottawa: Jason Spezza and Pascal Leclaire are out indefinitely. Brian Elliott is expected to start.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Boston: Trent Whitfield and Mark Stuart are out. Tim Thomas might start tonight.
Montreal: Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges are out for the season. Carey Price gets the start.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Vancouver Canucks
Detroit: Mike Modano, Dan Cleary, Brad Stuart, and Pavel Datsyuk are out. Jimmy Howard might start.
Vancouver: The "Out Indefinitely" list include Sami Salo, Guillaume Desbiens, Rick Rypien, and Peter Schaefer. Roberto Luongo is starting tonight.
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