Sunday Night Hockey: Viktor Tikhonov and Pat Quinn

Early this week the hockey world lost two of the greatest coaches who've ever coached.

Viktor Tikhonov

Before becoming a coach, Tikhonov did play as a defenseman in Russia. He played with VVS Moscow and Dynamo Moscow, winning 4 championships during his playing career.

As a head coach, Tikhonov started with Dinamo Riga in Latvia before eventually becoming the bench boss for CSKA Moscow and the Soviet national coach. On a domestic level, he won 12 straight titles (1978-1989). It will be his international career that will he will be lauded for. Tikhonov would win Olympic Gold three times (1984, 1988, 1992) and silver once (1980), the 1981 Canada Cup, and numerous World Championships (eight in total).

For a better understanding of Tikhonov's contributions and his coaching style, check out Dmitry Chesnokov's piece over at Puck Daddy.

Rest in peace, Viktor Tikhonov

Pat Quinn

As a player, Quinn had a respectable career. He played in 606 NHL games between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames, racking up a stats line of 18-113-131 with 950 PIMs as a defenseman. Probably his most memorable moment was when he leveled Bobby Orr.

It was as a coach that Quinn became more known. In his first full season (he had a half-season before) as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers he took them all the way to the Final. After a couple more seasons with the Flyer and an unsuccessful stint with the Kings, Quinn would go on to coach (and manage) the Canucks. It was there that he started to build them into contenders. He was responsible for drafting Trevor Linden and Pavel Bure, and lead them to a Final appearance in 1994. Quinn also pulled off one the greatest steals in NHL history, trading Alex Stojanov for Markus Naslund. Quinn would again pull double duty for the Leafs in the late 90's-early 2000's. It became a common occurrence to see his Leaf teams make the second round of the playoffs every year (only once pre-[full season] lockout did Quinn's Leafs get eliminated in the first round). He was fired after the 2005-06 season - the only one of his Leafs tenure that didn't result in a playoff appearance. His last season as an NHL head coach was during the 2009-10 season with the Oilers. As an NHL head coach, Quinn won the Jack Adams twice (1980 with the Flyers, 1992 with the Canucks).

While he did not win the big one as an NHL coach, Quinn did collect hardware on the international stage. He coached Team Canada to Olympic Gold (2002), the World Cup (2004), U-18 Gold (2008) and U-20 Gold (2009).

For their part, the Canucks and Leafs both honoured Quinn with pre-game videos and patches (Leafs on their jerseys, Canucks with decals on their helmet).

Rest in peace, Pat Quinn.

Saturday Night Hockey: November 29, 2014

Nothing tonight since I ran out of time. Will post something tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy tonight's games.

Lineup Notables

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens

Snow-falo: Cody McCormick (concussion), Drew Stafford (lower body), Josh Gorges (lower body), Andrej Meszaros, and Matt Hackett (torn ACL) are out. Jhonas Enroth gets the start.
Montreal: Michael Bournival (shoulder) is out.  Dustin Tokarski is in net.

Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Washington: Brooks Laich (shoulder), Aaron Vopatti (neck), John Erskine, and Dmitri Orlov (wrist) are out Justin Peters will start.
Toronto: Roman Polak (lower body) is questionable. Jonathan Bernier is in net.

Ottawa Senators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Happy Retirement Daniel Alfredsson: Marc Methot (back) is out. Robin Lehner will be in net.
Tampa Bay: Matthias Ohlund (knee) is out. Ben Bishop is expected to start.

Calgary Flames vs. Arizona Coyotes

Calgary: Mikael Backlund (abdomen), Joe Colborne (upper body), Matt Stajan (knee), Mason Raymond (upper body), and Sam Bennett (shoulder) are out. Karri Ramo is going to start.
Arizona: David Moss and Brandon Gormley are out. Devan Dubnyk will start tonight.

Game Recap - Rimouski Oceanic vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Rimouski Oceanic vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Rimouski - 2
Halifax - 8

Goalscorers
Rimouski: Anthony DeLuca, Frederik Gauthier
Halifax: Nikolaj Ehlers, Timo Meier (2), Jesse Lussier, Samuel Leblanc (2), Danny Moynihan, Kelly Bent

Goalies
Rimouski: Philippe Desrosier (L), Olivier Tremblay
Halifax: Zach Fucale (W)

Moosehead Player of the Game

Nikolaj Ehlers. He got a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Thing That Annoyed Me

Know what, a win like this I ain't saying anything negative.

Game Notes

• As is tradition, the game became overly physical with multiple fights once the goals piled up.
• Desrosier was replaced after allowing 4 goals in 13 shots. Not a good night for him to say the least.
• Rimouski had a goal disallowed in the second as Fucale was interfered with. This set off a scrum afterwards in which I think the Ehlers fight took place.
• Gotta give credit to Bent on his goal. He was nailed in the corner by Gauthier, got up (after a few seconds), went back at Gauthier, took advantage of a bad D-to-D pass, skated in and beat Tremblay.
• I don't know why, but guys were chanting "Annn-drewwww" at Picco on Rimouski. I know that treatment is usually reserved for the goalie. Skater on the other hand sort of puzzled me.
• Found it funny that both of Leblanc's goals happened on a 2-on-1 (also, that I was present for all of Leblanc's 4 goals so far this season)

Game Pics

Only when it's a 2-man advantage can the Mooseheads set up a 1-3-1 powerplay. Also, kind of cool that its all forwards on the ice (D. Moynihan down low, Fortier-Gadoury-Meier in middle, Ehlers at the point)



Leblanc's first goal

Basically the first couple minutes of the third

Videos

Ehlers and DeLuca go at it:

Kelly Bent scores a breakaway goal:

Saturday Night Hockey: World Cup of...NHL?

Oh, there are so many things I could talk about this week

• Phil Kessel blows off media after a tough loss (it's justified, will say - overall that is - he probably should speak a bit more, no matter how little he actually says).
• Actually, anything Leafs-related this week is hilarious and a non-story.
• Jack Johnson filing for bankruptcy (horrible parents, hope Jack is able to sort out the mess he was dragged in to).
• NHL responding to the concussion lawsuit against them (errr, maybe not the best reply there, NHL).
• Gordie Howe's condition getting worse (keep hanging in there Gordie).
• NHL expanding to Las Vegas (this I wouldn't mind talking about another time)
• Voynov having charges pressed against him (what he allegedly did was wrong)

But the one thing that stuck with me this week and yes, something I've tackled before*), the NHL (is about to) bring back the World Cup!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

So, whose going to be all in it? The Top Six (Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, USA) area given. I suspect Slovakia and Switzerland will get some love. Maybe a random country like Netherlands. I mean, they did have a nice Olympic qualifying run, and there is a guy with the nickname "Dutch Gretzky" in the NHL. From Chris Johnston:

The eight-team event is now expected to include two all-star entries along with the top six hockey nations — Canada, U.S., Sweden, Finland, Russia and Czech Republic — when it returns in September 2016, according to multiple sources.

The first all-star team is expected to feature the best players from the remaining European countries: Slovakia, Switzerland, Latvia, Germany and Slovenia, among them.

The makeup of the other mixed squad is still to be determined, although one idea being considered is bringing together all of the top young stars in the sport.

Hmmm, so we get a Rest of World team and a team of young rejects...I mean stars. Another idea is a North American B Team, which basically means the eighth team doesn't have an age limit for its rejects...sorry, stars.

I'm fine with the Rest of World team as the eighth team. The NHL really needs an actual country for the seventh though. Having a team of players (North American I might add) defeats the purpose of having "World" in "World Cup" (and as a side note, Future Swiss Superstar™ Joe Thornton gets snubbed either way).

Just a simple plea to the NHL. Do the right thing, have eight actual (or at least seven actual and one RoW) countries participate in this tournament.

*Sorry for the tables in that post, it was from when this site had a black background.

Lineup Notables

St. Louis Blues vs. Ottawa Senators

St. Louis: The Blues are healthy. Brain Elliot might start.
Ottawa: Marc Methot (back) is out. Robin Lehner starts this afternoon.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins

Montreal: Michael Bournival (shoulder) is out. Carey Price is in net.
Boston: Marc Savard (concussion), Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara (knee), Adam McQuaid (thumb), David Warsofsky (groin) are out. Tuukka Rask is expected to start.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Detroit: Pavel Datsyuk (groin), Brendan Smith (hand), and Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder) are out. Jimmy Howard starts.
"Get away from me": Joffrey Lupul (hand), David Booth (foot), and Brandon Kozun (ankle) are out. Jonathan Bernier might be in net.

New Jersey Devils vs. Calgary Flames

The Cory Schneiders: Ryane Clowe (concussion), Bryce Salvador (lower body), and Jon Merrill (arm) are out. At this point, it would be a shock if Cory Schneider didn't start.
Calgary: Mikael Backlund (abdomen), Joe Colborne (upper body), Matt Stajan (knee), Mason Raymond (upper body), and Sam Bennett (shoulder) are out while Kris Russell (lower body) is questionable. Karri Ramo starts tonight.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Chicago: Patrick Sharp (lower body), Andrew Shaw (upper body), Trevor van Riemsdyk (leg) are out. AAnnttii RRaannttaa is in net.
Edmonton: The Oilers are healthy. Ben Scrivens might start.

Saturday Night Hockey: November 15, 2014

Mailing it in this week. Enjoy tonight's games.

Lineup Notables

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

Philadelphia: Chris Pronger (concussion), Kimmo Timonen (blood clot) and Andrew MacDonald (lower body) are out. Ray Emery is in net.
Montreal: Michael Bournival (shoulder) is out. Carey Price is going to start.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres

Toronto: Joffrey Lupul (hand), David Booth (foot), and Brandon Kozun (high ankle sprain) are out. Carter Ashton is suspended. James Reimer is expected to start.
McDavid's: Matt Hackett (ACL) is out. Michal Neuvirth will start.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators

Winnipeg: Anthony Peluso (upper body) is out. Ondrej Pavelec is in net.
Nashville: Mike Fisher (achilles) and Viktor Stalberg (knee) are out. Pekka Rinne might start.

Ottawa Senators vs. Calgary Flames

Stay Strong Bryan Murray: Marc Methot (back) is out. Craig Anderson starts tonight.
Calgary: Mikael Backlund (abdomen), Joe Colborne (upper body), Matt Stajan (knee), Mason Raymond (upper body), Sam Bennett (shoulder), and Michael Ferland (concussion) are out. Karri Ramo is in net.

Saturday Night Hockey: Talking Goalies

The Un-retiring (for 1 Game)

(Image via @msitkoffNHL)

Yes, with Frederik Andersen already injured and John Gibson injured during the warmup, the Anaheim Ducks were in need of a goalie in their game against Colorado on Sunday.

Enter Dwayne "I'm too old for this s***" Roloson.

Yes, Roloson filled in as the emergency backup as Jason LaBarbera was bumped up to starter. Now, it's not right to wish harm on anyone, but who didn't want to see LaBarbera stretch just a little to far so Roloson had to play.

David Leggio? More Like David Loophole

By now everyone has seen the smartest move a goalie can make on a multiple-on-0.

Three things:
1. It's a shame this hasn't happened in the NHL yet, just to see the immediate reaction on that scale.
2. Loved how Leggio called the penalty shot before the ref did.
3. I obviously applaud Leggio for the removing-the-net move. Stopping Dana Tyrell on the penalty shot though? tsk tsk.*

It is reported that the AHL might amend the rule to include a game misconduct for the goalie who tries this tactic. This actually brings up another question: what happens if both goalies do this? Can't eject both goalies. Now I want to see both goalies that teams dress for a game to do this. Dammit, why wasn't this rule in last week and Labarbera pull this stunt against Colorado? We could've seen Roloson play!

*I may have played hockey with him at one point, so rooting interest.

Brust Be Gone, Mark Takes Over Da Park

Bit of sad news out of my favourite non-NHL team: KHL Medvescak Zagreb. The Puck Daddy-described world most entertaining goalie, Barry Brust, has left the team. He is rumoured to be going across-conference to Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk.

In his two seasons in Zagreb, Brust appeared in 47 games and posted pretty good numbers: 2.10 GAA and a 93.1 SV% (his playoff numbers of 4.57 GAA and 0.877 SV% in two games are a different story). He was awarded Goalie of the Mouth in October 2013.

Brust's leaving comes on the heels of the Bears giving a tryout to Mark Owuya. So far, Owuya has not played for his Swedish club Lulea HF. Last year with the club, he played good in a backup role, posting a 1.91 GAA and 0.924 SV% in 13 games. Currently, Owuya has appeared once for the Bears, coming-in in relief and stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced.

I gotta say, Zagreb loves to get entertaining goalie, both on and off the ice.

14 Minutes of Pissed Off Goalies

This is a year old, but it wouldn't be right to wrap up the goalie talk without this video.

Lineup Notables

Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers

Calgary: Mikael Backlund (abdomen), Matt Stajan (knee), Joe Colbourne (upper body), Mason Raymond (upper body), and Sam Bennett (shoulder) are out. Karri Ramo starts this afternoon.
The Luongo's: David Bolland (lower body) and Brandon Pirri (concussion) are out while Sean Bergenheim (lower body) is questionable. Al Montoya might start.

Minnesota Wild vs. Montreal Canadiens

Minnesota: Zach Parise (concussion), Matt Cooke (lower body) and Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) while Keith Ballard (flu) is probable. Darcy Kuemper will start.
Is it time to overreact? I feel it's the time to overreact: Michael Bournival (shoulder) is out. Carey Price starts.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Ottawa Senators

Atlanta Thrashers: The Jets are healthy. Ondrej Pavelec might be starting.
Ottawa Silver Sevens: Marc Methot (back) is out. Craig Anderson will be in net.

New York Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Tomas Kaberle?: Ryan McDonagh (shoulder) and Dan Boyle (hand) are out. Cam Talbot starts.
Toronto: Joffrey Lupul (hand), David Booth (foot), Daniel Winnik (upper body), and Brandon Kozun (high ankle sprain) are out. Carter Ashton is suspended. Jonathan Bernier is in net tonight.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Not Luongo's: Tim Sestito (leg) is out while Radim Vrbata (lower body) and Zack Kassian (lower body) are questionable. Ryan Miller starts tonight
Los Angeles: Justin Williams (eye) and Robyn Regehr are questionable. Slava Voynov is suspended. Jonathan Quick is in net.

Game Recap - Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Saint John - 4
Halifax - 2

Goalscorers
Saint John: Adam Marsh, Justice Dundas (2), Nathan Noel
Halifax: Nikolaj Ehlers, Samuel Leblanc

Goalies
Saint John: Sebastien Auger (W)
Halifax: Zach Fucale (L)

Moosehead Player of the Game

I really don't know who. Maybe Samuel Leblanc? He did miss the third period but did score, was positive (+1) and was an assist away from a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Thing That Annoyed Me

A few things, but one thing in particular was the rotating of centers. Now, this was early on so it petered out later on, but it doesn't seem productive to have guys be center one shift and winger the next.

Game Notes

• It was DND Appreciation Night. This year's jerseys were nice looking, although very similar-looking to Cape Breton's (the black and yellow combination makes it look that way).
• It was a real Jekyll and Hyde game for the Mooseheads. At times they looked like the Harlem Globetrotters, and others the Washington Generals.
• Great read by Meier on the first goal. In the slot, he slap-passed to Ehlers, who redirected it past Auger.
• The set up to the Leblanc goal was a bit fluky. Bent tried to dump it in but the puck either hit a stanchion or bounced off a Sea Dog player and right to a streaking Leblanc.
• Scary incident in the first, as Marsh and Hardie crossed paths after a whistle, with Marsh ending up on the ice for a few minutes. He was clearly shaken up, but did come back soon after.
• I found something the Sea Dogs did intriguing (even if it was completely by accident). Set up for an O-zone faceoff, the right winger was angled behind center with the defenseman behind him. Sea Dogs won the faceoff to the winger, he whiffs on the shot so the puck trickles past him, and the defenseman takes the shot instead. It did look like the puck jumped past the winger, but if it was a set-play then kudos to them.
• After a few back-and-forths to start the second, Halifax ended up being pinned in their own zone for minutes at a time.
• With a pair of goals in the second, you could say the Dundas really delivered *puts on sunglasses* Justice...YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
• Had a few fights near the end of the period, as Bent and Leblanc received game misconducts to go along with the fighting major (Bent for staged fight, Leblanc for second fight in that altercation).
• Things didn't get better for the Mooseheads in the third, as Ehlers was penalized, choked out, and ejected from the game in just over a minute. For the record: he was given a misconduct for getting after the ref, which along with his original penalty, was enough minutes to cover the rest of the game.
• Auger did his best Mike Smith impression, leading to a penalty for Meier. Saint John scored just seconds into that powerplay.

Game Pics

A 3-on-0 in 3 Pictures:

Gadoury get the pass from Fortier

He fakes and passes to Hardie

HARDIE ROOFS IT...OVER THE NET!!!

Sadly, there were a few of these

This is just after Van Boekel (#7 on the left) put a sleeper hold on Ehlers (sitting on ice)

Game Recap - Moncton Wildcats vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Moncton Wildcats vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Moncton - 2
Halifax - 3

Goalscorers
Moncton: Jacob Sweeney, Stephen Johnson
Halifax: Danny Moynihan, Philippe Gadoury (2)

Goalies
Moncton: Alex Dubeau (L)
Halifax: Zach Fucale (W)

Moosehead Player of the Game

Philippe Gadoury. 2 goals will get a guy in this spot.

Thing That Annoyed Me

It's official, the once-known elbowing penalty is now extinct. Gadoury's penalty in the third period was call charging. He lifted his elbow to attempt a reverse-check, and it was called charging. I'm not disputing that there wasn't a penalty. As stated, the Moncton player was rushing hard to finish a check on Gadoury and he raised his elbow pretty high in anticipation for the hit, but CHARGING?!?! If anything  Gadoury did the opposite of a charge. I could understand calling it roughing instead...BUT CHARGING?!?!

Game Notes

• Gotta hand it to Dubeau, he kept Moncton in the game.
• I can see why the Oilers wanted to sign Vladimir Tkachev. He did show flashes during the game. One thing he did a little to often though was trying to take on too many players at once. He would usually beat the first and/or second guy, but was stopped immediately after.
• Garland Watch: He played a pretty good game. Set up multiple plays but only got one assist. He was also a pest at times.
• Fucale played a good game as well, stopping 23 of 25 shots (both goals by Moncton were on the powerplay).
• Vuic had a shift were he just wanted to hit everything. Sadly, it ended with a checking to the head penalty. He's been back for a few games but it seems like his off-ice activities are still affecting him. The flashes he showed early in the season isn't there.
• I'll give Lussier a break as it was his first game bad from injury. He was ok but did make a few questionable decisions. He should be fine after another game or two.
• Per usual, Ehlers and Gadoury lead the way in zone entries. One thing that has stood out for me so far is Murphy getting carry-ins. It's nice to know that there is a defenseman who can create offense like that.
• As usual, things got rough during the game. It was a bit of a surprise though that most of the scrums happened later on in the game

Game Pics

Saturday Night Hockey: Bad Bills Of Health

Gordie Howe Suffered a Stroke

Sad news over the weekend as the legendary Gordie Howe suffered a stroke on Sunday. On Wednesday, the family issued a statement saying that his condition is improving.

It's always sad when someone suffers a stroke. When it happens to a legend of the game it is heartbreaking. Mr. Howe has done basically everything you could do at the highest level of hockey. From breaking scoring records, to his longevity, jumping from one league to the other, playing with his sons, and having his own hat trick. This man has definitely deserved the moniker of Mr. Hockey. We hope you have a speedy recovery Mr. Howe.

Maatta Thyroid Surgery

Olli Maatta will be out for a while, as he's going to have thyroid surgery to remove a tumour. The tumour, which was deemed potentially cancerous, was discovered in the preseason. The surgery is expected to keep him out for a month. We wish Olli a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

On a Lighter Note...

Marian Hossa got his 1000th NHL point! The 1000th point came on a goal against his former team, the Ottawa Senators.

On twitter, Jen LC (@RegressedPDO) posed the question what is your favourite Hossa moment? While there are a few, the one which tops my list might be more myth than true because

1. I looked through what game events sheets I could and did not find said event (blocked shot) and;
2. I could not find video of it
3. I'm basing this all on memory, so the player might no have been Hossa

Here it goes: There was a Senators vs. Flames game (sometime between 1999 and 2003) where the Sens goalie was either down or pulled (net was basically empty) and Hossa made a glove save to stop a goal. Again, this is all based on memory, so I might have gotten the Sens player wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was Hossa.

Lineup Notables

Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins

Ottawa: Marc Methot (back) is out while Mark Borowiecki is questionable. Craig Anderson might be in net.
Boston: Marc Savard (concussion), Zdeno Chara (knee), Kevan Miller (upper body) and Torey Krug (finger) are out. Tuukka Rask starts.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Chicago: Dan Carcillo (knee) is out. Corey Crawford might start.
Toronto: David Booth (foot) and Brandon Kozun (high ankle sprain) are out while Joffrey Lupul (hand) is questionable. James Reimer is expected to start.

Winnipeg Jets vs. New York Rangers

Winnipeg: Anthony Peluso (upper body) is out. Ondrej Pavelec might start.
New York R: Derek Stepan (fractured fibula) and Dan Boyle (hand) are out. John Moore is suspended. Henrik Lundqvist is in net.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver: The Canucks are healthy. Alexandre Burrows is suspended. Ryan Miller will start tonight.
Edmonton: Nikita Nikitin (back) is questionable. Ben Scrivens is in net.