Tag Archives: Hockey

Hurricanes won’t reveal starting goalie ahead of Game 3 vs. Bruins

Staring down a 2-0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes have opted to keep their starting netminder a secret for Game 3.

Although head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed Tuesday a decision had been made, he wasn't willing to share the information.

"I can't be that guy that does that, right? I know who we're starting, but I guess you'll have to wait and see. Sorry," Brind'Amour said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

The goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney have been at the core of the Hurricanes' success all year, and with Mrazek allowing 10 goals on 52 shots through the opening two games of the series, it's possible McElhinney gets a shot between the pipes.

McElhinney made 17 saves after replacing Mrazek in Game 2 against the New York Islanders to capture the victory. The 35-year-old followed up the strong relief performance by allowing just four goals on 58 combined shots through Game 3 and 4, helping the Hurricanes complete the four-game sweep.

"We're 100 percent on board with anybody that goes in the hockey nets," Hurricanes forward and captain Justin Williams said Monday. "I have zero qualms about anybody going in. Whoever is going to go in is going to do a great job and we're going to have a great game."

The Hurricanes faced a 2-0 series deficit in their opening-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. The team ultimately stuck with Mrazek and were able to complete the comeback and take the series in seven games.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stone’s buzzer-beater gives Canada win over Slovakia

Mark Stone ripped a power-play goal with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to help Canada escape with a 6-5 win over the host Slovakia in their round-robin clash at the World Championship on Monday.

The late game-winner made quite a birthday present for Stone, as the Vegas Golden Knights forward turned 27 on Monday.

Special teams proved to be the difference in a highly competitive contest; Canada finished 3-for-4 on the power play while Slovakia failed to score on five attempts with the man advantage.

Anthony Mantha, Shea Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, Anthony Cirelli, and Troy Stecher all scored for Canada, which came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to hold a one-goal lead after two periods.

With the raucous home crowd behind it, Slovakia controlled play for long stretches in the third frame before finally notching the equalizer off the stick of Matus Sukel. But Erik Cernak took a penalty seven minutes later, setting up Stone's dramatic winner.

Canada played much of the contest with only five defensemen. Dante Fabbro suffered a cut near his mouth in the first period and didn't return, and Brandon Montour also departed with an undisclosed injury.

With two wins and one loss, Canada sits tied for second in Group A with 6 points. Slovakia is fifth with three points after playing international juggernauts Finland, the U.S., and Canada.

Slovakia will face Germany on Wednesday while Canada has two days off before playing France on Thursday.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stone’s buzzer-beater gives Canada win over Slovakia

Mark Stone ripped a power-play goal with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to help Canada escape with a 6-5 win over the host Slovakia in their round-robin clash at the World Championship on Monday.

The late game-winner made quite a birthday present for Stone, as the Vegas Golden Knights forward turned 27 on Monday.

Special teams proved to be the difference in a highly competitive contest; Canada finished 3-for-4 on the power play while Slovakia failed to score on five attempts with the man advantage.

Anthony Mantha, Shea Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, Anthony Cirelli, and Troy Stecher all scored for Canada, which came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to hold a one-goal lead after two periods.

With the raucous home crowd behind it, Slovakia controlled play for long stretches in the third frame before finally notching the equalizer off the stick of Matus Sukel. But Erik Cernak took a penalty seven minutes later, setting up Stone's dramatic winner.

Canada played much of the contest with only five defensemen. Dante Fabbro suffered a cut near his mouth in the first period and didn't return, and Brandon Montour also departed with an undisclosed injury.

With two wins and one loss, Canada sits tied for second in Group A with 6 points. Slovakia is fifth with three points after playing international juggernauts Finland, the U.S., and Canada.

Slovakia will face Germany on Wednesday while Canada has two days off before playing France on Thursday.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kesler unlikely to play in 2019-20, could resume career after hip surgery

Ryan Kesler might not play in 2019-20, but his career may not be over.

The Anaheim Ducks center underwent hip resurfacing surgery on Thursday, a procedure that makes continuing his career possible following a lengthy recovery, the club announced on Monday.

"While it's unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said.

In April, Kesler's career appeared in jeopardy when he was mulling hip-replacement surgery.

The 34-year-old missed Anaheim's final 14 games of this season and was limited to 60 contests in 2018-19.

He's battled through hip issues for years, missing 60 games over the last two campaigns.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Finnish defenseman Kaski to sign with Red Wings after worlds

Oliwer Kaski intends to sign a contract with the Detroit Red Wings after the conclusion of the World Championship, the Finnish blue-liner's agent, Todd Diamond, told TSN's Darren Dreger on Monday.

Kaski notched an assist in Finland's overtime loss to the United States on Monday.

The 23-year-old posted 51 points in 59 regular-season games with the Lahti Pelicans in the Finnish Liiga in 2018-19. He added four points in six playoff contests this spring.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Report: Ducks to interview Islanders associate coach Lambert

Barry Trotz's right-hand man could be in line for a head coaching job of his own.

Lane Lambert will interview for the Anaheim Ducks' vacancy, reports Sportsnet's John Shannon.

The New York Islanders associate coach previously served on Trotz's staff with the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.

The 54-year-old former forward also has head coaching experience at the AHL level with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Anaheim is one of four NHL clubs without a head coach at the moment, including the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, and Ottawa Senators.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray took over behind the bench after firing Randy Carlyle in February.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.