2016-2017 PLAYER & GOALIE OF THE WEEK #20

Vladimir_Tarasenko Marc-Andre_Fleury Keith_Yandle Braden_Holtby

EASTERN SKATER	TEAM	GP	GOALS	ASISSTS	POINTS	PM	+/-	SOG	S%
Tarasenko, Vladimir	CRK	3	2	6	8	2	6	9	22%

EASTERN GOALIE	TEAM	GP	GOALS AGAINST		G.A. AVERAGE		SAVES	SAVE %
Fleury, Marc-Andree	BWB	3	5		1.62		81	.942

WESTERN SKATER	TEAM	GP	GOALS	ASSISTS	POINTS	PM	+/-	SOG	S%
Yandle, Keith	CRK	4	1	6	7	2	3	9	11.1

WESTERN GOALIE	TEAM	GP	GOALS AGAINST		G.A. AVERAGE		SAVES	SAVE %
Holtby, Braden	CAL	3	5		2.04		65	.929

Thunder Bay Nor’Westers
Weekly Preview:	Three on the road and just a single home game. With just 11 games remaining and only 4 of those at home the Nor’Westers continue to rest their starters with Barkov, O’Reilly and Eberle resting at home. The defense remains solid and has been one of the best in the league since we traded for Larsson. His addition allowed the other defender to be slotted properly – especially DeKeyser and Jones.
Game #1:	Corktown (1) Thunder Bay (2) A playoff intensity game with tough defense and great saves by both goalies. The 1st period ended with no scoring. Thunder Bay scored first with Cody Eakin stepping up from the 4th line to the 2nd line. It was Eakin’s 9th of the season. The 2nd period ended 1-0. Corktown tied the game when Methot scored his 11th of the year. With OT likely two Thunder Bay rookies teamed up to score the winning goal at 19:35. Andreas Athanasiou scored his 7th of the season assisted by Jacob Slavin. Big win and a key 2 points even though they rested 3 key offensive scorers.To explain how big both goalies played each team had 12 scoring chances and just 2 (16% scored).
Weekly Summary:	The Nor’Westers will have to have a major collapse to be caught by New Jersey who they play one more time and that will be a very big game.

Jagr Mullets
Weekly Preview:	Two home games this week – first against Wausau, then division rival Lakeland.
Game #1:	After a recent heavy string of divisional games, it was a nice change of pace to play Wausau. Or was it? The Mullets couldn’t stay out of the penalty box in the 1st period, but was somehow rewarded as Abdelkader (20) scores a short handed goal to open up the scoring. But the luck ran out late in the 1st when the Lumberjacks finally score on their 4th PP, with Duncan Keith potting his 10th on the season.10 seconds into the 2nd period, Corey Perry gets a little to chippy and is called for tripping. Phil The Thrill Kessel quickly makes him pay, scoring his 15th on the year. But Wausau just kept coming, keeping the Mullets off their game. Giroux (23) scores at 14:02 to tie it up, and then Tanev (5) scores a back-breaking goal with only 6 seconds left in the 2nd to put the Lumberjacks up 3-2. But the Mullets dominate the 3rd period, outshooting Wausau 16-7. The Big Pavelski scores his 41st of the season at 4:26 of the 3rd to tie it up, then defenseman Alec Martinez puts in his 15th on the year at 15:23 to give Jagr a 4-3 lead. Ben Bishop stands tall and secures the thrilling victory — his 30th on the season. Scoring Summary Per Time Str Team 1 4:02 SH JAG Abdelkader (20), assisted by Vlasic (32) 1 14:14 PP WLJ Keith (10), assisted by Zucker (12) and Brown (15) 2 1:17 PP JAG Kessel (15), assisted by Carter (38) 2 14:02 EV WLJ Giroux (23), assisted by Chara (27) 2 19:54 EV WLJ Tanev (5), assisted by Kopitar (45) 3 4:26 PP JAG Pavelski (41), assisted by Martinez (23) and Kessel (26) 3 15:23 EV JAG Martinez (15), assisted by Hagelin (25) and Kessel (27) Penalty Summary Per Time Team 1 2:42 JAG Braun (40), 2:00 – holding 1 7:58 JAG Smith (40), 2:00 – hooking 1 12:36 JAG Carter (24), 2:00 – holding 1 18:10 JAG Pavelski (39), 2:00 – holding 2 :10 WLJ Perry (53), 2:00 – tripping 2 7:57 JAG Vlasic (65), 2:00 – holding 3 3:33 WLJ Holland (28), 2:00 – tripping SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3 Wausau 9 10 7 Jagr 4 12 16 WLJ JAG SOG 26 32 FOW 21 39 FO% 35.0 65.0 Hits 22 34 Blocks 11 14 Missed Net 10 19 Shot Attempts 50 62 Scoring Chances 5 14 PIM 4 10 PP 1-5 2-2 TOA 5:22 3:17 Star 1: JAG Kessel 1 G, 3 Pts Star 2: JAG Martinez 1 G, 2 Pts Star 3: JAG Abdelkader 1 G GWG: Alec Martinez Notables: WLJ None JAG Pavelski 20 faceoffs won Wausau GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Howard -L 4 28 .875 59:12 8 3 1 6.5 (+0.5) Jagr GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Bishop -W 3 23 .885 60:00 30 18 5 8.1 (0.0)
Game #2:	Lakeland comes to town with a chip on their shoulder, and keeps the Mullets off balance for much of the game. We go scoreless through one, but the big blow for Jagr is a 5 minute major and game misconduct for Nazem Kadri. With our 2nd line center out of the game, we’re forced to juggle lines and gasp for air as we somehow survive the 5 minute penalty and first period scoreless.In the 2nd, the floodgates open a bit. Jordan Staal scores his 18th at 6:05, but then Lakeland quickly strikes twice with goals by Weise (11) and Belesky (10) at 9:28 and 10:11 respectively. Can the Mullets rise, when down a man? They certainly can! Jordan Staal scores again (19) at 13:33, and then Pickles Vlasic (9) blasts one in the net at 19:12 to give the Mullets a 3-2 lead. In the 3rd, the ice is tilted heavily in Jagr’s favor as they out-shoot Lakeland 20-6. Phil Kessel (16) and Joe Pavelski (42) tack on goals to win it 5-2 for the home crowd. Scoring Summary Per Time Str Team 2 6:05 EV JAG Staal (18), assisted by Jokinen (15) and Stralman (28) 2 9:28 PP LAK Weise (11), assisted by Pirri (9) and Lowry (6) 2 10:11 EV LAK Beleskey (10), assisted by Weise (8) and Vatanen (32) 2 13:33 EV JAG Staal (19), assisted by Vlasic (33) 2 19:12 EV JAG Vlasic (9), assisted by Pavelski (41) and Cullen (5) 3 1:59 PP JAG Kessel (16), unassisted 3 9:25 EV JAG Pavelski (42), assisted by Smith (13) and Staal (17) Penalty Summary Per Time Team 1 8:19 LAK Henrique (40), 2:00 – hooking 1 11:51 JAG Kadri (49), 5:00/GAME – checking from behind/misconduct 2 6:19 LAK Gudbranson (50), 2:00 – roughing 2 6:19 JAG Smith (42), 2:00 – roughing 2 9:14 JAG Vlasic (67), 2:00 – hooking 3 1:00 LAK Domi (55), 2:00 – interference 3 9:44 LAK Seabrook (38), 2:00 – hooking 3 14:03 LAK Weise (23), 2:00 – tripping SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3 Lakeland 9 12 6 Jagr 11 14 20 LAK JAG SOG 27 45 FOW 29 37 FO% 43.9 56.1 Hits 23 29 Blocks 14 8 Missed Net 11 20 Shot Attempts 46 79 Scoring Chances 7 11 PIM 10 19 PP 1-2 1-4 TOA 4:37 4:59 Star 1: JAG Staal 2 G, 3 Pts Star 2: JAG Pavelski 1 G, 2 Pts Star 3: JAG Vlasic 1 G, 2 Pts GWG: Marc-Edouard Vlasic Notables: LAK Quick 40 saves JAG Kadri 15 PIM, Staal 16 faceoffs won
Weekly Summary:	4 of 4 possible points at home – playoff tickets on Stubhub jump 23% as the Mullets are gearing up for a post-season run.

Long Beach Ice Dogs
Weekly Summary:	Long Beach splits their 4 home games.

Chicago Cosa Nostra
Weekly Preview:	Chicago has only one home game schedule this block for the Capone Center. Columbus skates into town playing for just about the same thing as the Cosa Nostra, Not Much!
Game #1:	Chicago gets on the board early but Columbus strikes back with two in the 2nd period & one early in the 3rd. Chicago gets one with the extra attacker on the ice with 13 second left, but can’t even get a shot off in the final 13 & Columbus takes this one with a Final Score of 3-2.
Weekly Summary:	Chicago is the worst offensive team by far in the Mid-West Hockey League, somethings will change in the off season.

Lansing Capitals
Weekly Preview:	Lansing comes into the week 33-28-0-8, 3rd place in the Central Division, and 2 points out the last playoff spot in the conference. New Lansing coach Mike Borzenski plans on resting some very tired players, Bryan Little and Travis Hamonic, and says we will see some new faces with Erik Johnson and Tobias Rieder. Also between the pipes he plans on giving the workhorse Dubnyk some rest by alternating him with infrequently used Connor Hellebucyk.The announcement that the team will be moving from Lansing across the border to Toledo has stirred up the local fanbase. Ticket sales are up 50% as ticket holders try to give the owners a reason to stay in the capital city. Michigan Avenue has seen many storefronts starting to display Capitals banners and signs in support of the team. Coming into town this week for the 2 home games are the Bathgate Rangers 27-40-0-5 and the Second City Chiefs 30-35-0-5.
Game #1:	Lansing 2, Bathgate 1 A very even game up and down the stats sheet. Lansing opens up the scoring early in the 1st with a deflection goal by Stafford. Early in the second Kane evens it up for Bathgate. A very tense 3rd period stays tied until nearly the end when Stafford tallys his 2nd goal of the game for the win. Hellebucyk and Rinne with 34 saves each. 1st star Stafford 2 goals 2nd star Hellebucyk 34 saves 3rd star Kane 1 goal
Game #2:	Lansing 2, Second City 0 Hellebucyk follows up the earlier win by pitching a shutout against 22 shots for Second City. Lansing survives 12 minutes of penalties going from the middle of the 1st to the middle of the second, 5 penalties in all. Then the whistles turn the other way and Lansing gets 2 powerplay goals, one in the 2nd and one in the 3rd. Barrie and Backstrom with the Lansing goals. 1st star Hellebucyk 22 saves – shutout 2nd star Backstrom 1G 1A 3rd star Barrie 1G
Weekly Summary:	Two wins give the Lansing Caps playoff hopes a boost. Hellebucyk takes advantage of the increase in ice time and saves 65 of 66 at home this week with 2 wins and a shutout.

Alamo Defenders
Weekly Preview:	Alamo has one home game against New Jersey.
Game #1:	New Jersey at Alamo Early in the first, Wheeler scores his 8th of the year. Three minutes later, Marchand scores his 35th for Alamo. Its 2-0 after 1. Late in the second, Ryan makes it a game with his 18th for New Jersey. But, in the 3rd no one scores, and Alamo preserves a 2-1 win. SOG: Alamo 34-26.1st: Marchand 2nd: Wheeler 3rd: HammondAlamo 2 New Jersey 1
Weekly Summary:	Alamo 2 New Jersey 1.

Indiana Sycamores
Weekly Preview:	One home game for the desperate Sycamores as they try to hang on in the playoff race
Game #1:	TB(3) @ IND(2) Frustrating game for the home team…they carried play in the first period and absolutely dominated the second..only to find themselves tied 2-2 after two, thanks to stellar work from the Nor’Westers’ Reimer. In the third, TB got a PP and didn’t waste time, their second extra-man goal of the game. Indy pressed the attack, pulled their goalie for the last 2 minutes..a semi-breakaway by Krejci with 3 seconds left was denied, and Thunder Bay escaped with the 3-2 win. We’ve seen a lot of this around Indy lately..they outshot TB 38-18, attempted shots were 66-41, and they spent more than twice as much time on the attack. STARS: #3 Athanasiou(G), #2 Reimer (36 sv) #1 Tatar (1+1) With all but one game on the road from here, it looks like the clock is striking midnight for the Indy franchise. The dispersal draft complete and the gap in the standings widening, fans were seen sobbing as they realize they only will have one more game ‘Back home again in Indiana’ before the team moves East.
Weekly Summary:	Crushing loss.

Indiana Sycamores

Weekly Preview:

One home game for the desperate Sycamores as they try to hang on in the playoff race

Game #1:

TB(3) @ IND(2)

Frustrating game for the home team…they carried play in the first period and absolutely dominated the second..only to find themselves tied 2-2 after two, thanks to stellar work from the Nor’Westers’ Reimer.

In the third, TB got a PP and didn’t waste time, their second extra-man goal of the game. Indy pressed the attack, pulled their goalie for the last 2 minutes..a semi-breakaway by Krejci with 3 seconds left was denied, and Thunder Bay escaped with the 3-2 win.

We’ve seen a lot of this around Indy lately..they outshot TB 38-18, attempted shots were 66-41, and they spent more than twice as much time on the attack.

STARS: #3 Athanasiou(G), #2 Reimer (36 sv) #1 Tatar (1+1)

With all but one game on the road from here, it looks like the clock is striking midnight for the Indy franchise. The dispersal draft complete and the gap in the standings widening, fans were seen sobbing as they realize they only will have one more game ‘Back home again in Indiana’ before the team moves East.

Weekly Summary:

Crushing loss.

Hampton Blizzard
Weekly Preview:	Hampton has three tough home games this week against division rivals New Jersey, Thunder Bay and Corktown.
Game #1:	A few greased palms goes a long was as the refs dug the New Jersey Grizzlies a hole they couldn’t climb out of with six consecutive minor penalties that led to three Hampton power play goals and an eventual 7-3 win in a pretty much defenceless game on both sides. Forsberg got the scoring started midway through the 1st for his 31st of the season on a rebound that Cory Schneider couldn’t control. Eckholm (12) added to the Hampton lead late in the period with a slapshot from the point that beat Schneider low stick side. Hampton opened the 2nd period on consecutive power play goals by Demers (9) and Backlund (18), but NJ made it interesting when Salomaki (10) tipped one past Brian Elliott just 8 seconds into the first Grizzlies’ power play. Unfortunately, trading goals isn’t a good idea when you’re down 4-1 which is what Hampton and New Jersey did the rest of the way. Burakovsky (22) closed out the 2nd with a wrist shot over the shoulder of Schneider and that was it for Mr. CS. In came Kincaid who fared little better allowing goals to Neilsen (17) and Backlund (19) on the 12 shots he faced. Hampton netminder Elliott was less than sharp allowing three goals on 22 shots himself (although to be fair the defence kind of collapsed on him a few times). Ryan (18) and Sedin (13) rounded out the scoring for NJ who were outshot 44-22 in the game.
Game #2:	Hampton is once again saved by its pacifism and bribed refs as they blew a close 2-1 game open in the 2nd period with a couple of power play goals to defeat Thunder Bay 5-2. The refs continued to dole out penalties almost exclusively to the visitors for the first half of the game and then once the Hampton lead was established they started calling basically only Hampton players. Neilsen (18) and Trocheck (23) gave Hampton a 2-0 lead after the 1st period. Eakin (9) dug a puck loose in the crease early in the 2nd to make it a close 2-1 game, but then the Thunder Bay penalty box hinges nearly were broken off by the constant swinging back and forth as the refs sent five straight Thunder Bay players to the box. Hampton defence responded with two power play blasts from the point off the sticks of Ekblad (20) and Sekera (6) to stretch the Hampton lead to 4-1 during that span. Hertl (16) added an insurance goal midway through the final period and Tater closed out the scoring for Thunder Bay with a great one-timer in the slot for his 22nd of the year.
Game #3:	The Corktown Suds took advantage of the Hampton Blizzard’s love of beer by not only getting the home team drunk, but also the referees burying the Blizzard in waves of goals and penalties. Corktown was up 4-0 on Hampton only a minute into the 2nd period on goals by Virtanen (1), Hartnell (23), Kesler (16) and Neal (21) with little to know protest by the Blizzard who spent with first 30 minutes of the game killing penalties. The one bright spot for Hampton was a breakaway short-handed goal by Paul Stastsny. Hampton got a chance to claw back late in the game thanks to a hooking penalty handed out to Stone, but Tarasenko sunk the USS Slim F-ing Hope with an empty netter to end it at 5-1. Niemi didn’t face a lot of quality chances in net for Corktown, but he played well making 30 saves. Meanwhile, Hampton starter Elliott played like a sack of shit allowing 3 goals on 8 shots.
Weekly Summary:	Hampton comes away with four of six possible points against division rivals with a disturbing drunken letdown against Corktown and some really crappy play by goalie Brian Elliott heading into the home stretch.

New Jersey Grizzlies
Weekly Preview:	This week had playoff implications written all over it. NJ vs Indiana could get any better.
Game #1:	In a heated division rivalry, New Jersey will host Indiana. New Jersey was lead by stalwart Shea Weber who gave NJ the lead 1-0 on his 18th of the season. Brandon Davidson quickly evened the game at 1 with his 8th. On the powerplay again, NJ had the ever dangerous Dustin Byfuglien netting his 25th of the season and opening the lead up again for NJ. Early in the third it was Tommy Wingels scoring his 8th goal to expand the lead to 3-1 Grizzlies. Again a penalty burned Indiana and allowed Big Buff to score his second of the game and put NJ further ahead. Like the game started Weber added another goal all but sealing the victory for NJ 5-1. Penalties to Indiana and excellent special teams helped NJ to victory.
Weekly Summary:	NJ is in the middle of the race trying to stay in the playoff hunt. Holding down the 4th and final spot will be a tough road to run but we will have to wait and see.

Brentwood Bandits
Weekly Preview:	Brothers gotta hug…
Game #1:	Jagr comes in and plays a great game as both teams play to win. 2nd Period Smith scores his 12th to give Jagr a 1-0 lead. It would hold until 18:58 of the 3rd where Crosby would score on a PP (37) to tie it up and send it to OT. No winner in OT which leads to a shootout. Pavelski scores, Crosby scores, Smith scores, Malkin is stoned by Bishop… Carter beats Fleury for the win in a shootout.Great game which deserved a better write-up but I’m too distraught to do so. 😉
Weekly Summary:	One home game against division leader Jagr… Now Brentwood wonders if they can even make the playoffs?

Ripon Rockets
Weekly Preview:	Ripon has Thunder Bay and Scottsdale.
Game #1:	March 6 2017 Galaxy Centre 03-07-2017 1 2 3 4 SO F 2016-17 Thunder Bay 41-26-0-5 1 2 0 0 0 3 2016-17 Ripon 35-29-0-7 2 0 1 0 2 4 Scoring Summary Per Time Str Team 1 :49 EV RIP Versteeg (11), assisted by Ehlers (18) and Suter (25) 1 9:48 EV TBN O’Reilly (15), assisted by Saad (27) and Nyquist (19) 1 17:43 EV RIP Scheifele (31), assisted by Emelin (14) 2 13:32 EV TBN Eberle (16), assisted by Tatar (21) and Barkov (23) 2 17:37 PP TBN Tatar (22), assisted by Jones (23) 3 19:32 EV RIP Brodin (3), unassisted Penalty Summary Per Time Team 1 5:53 TBN Smith (30), 2:00 – roughing 1 5:53 RIP Brodin (18), 2:00 – roughing 1 10:18 TBN Athanasiou (10), 2:00 – hooking 1 13:43 TBN Nyquist (42), 2:00 – roughing 1 13:43 RIP Nurse (50), 2:00 – roughing 2 3:57 RIP Larsson (22), 2:00 – hooking 2 10:01 TBN Tatar (43), 2:00 – roughing 2 10:01 RIP Hall (48), 2:00 – roughing 2 10:51 TBN Larsson (61), 2:00 – hooking 2 13:55 RIP Ehlers (24), 2:00 – interference 2 17:19 RIP Duchene (22), 2:00 – interference 3 :34 TBN Slavin (18), 2:00 – roughing 3 :34 RIP Suter (30), 2:00 – roughing 3 1:22 TBN Eberle (28), 2:00 – hooking Shootout: Thunder Bay 0-Ripon 2 Shooter Goaltender Result TBN Barkov Gibson X RIP Duchene Reimer G TBN Saad Gibson X RIP Toffoli Reimer G SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3 SOG 4 Thunder Bay 4 16 6 7 Ripon 16 5 11 3 TBN RIP SOG 33 35 FOW 37 41 FO% 47.4 52.6 Hits 17 21 Blocks 17 12 Missed Net 9 13 Shot Attempts 54 65 Scoring Chances 7 14 PIM 14 14 PP 1-3 0-3 TOA 3:21 5:24 Star 1: TBN Tatar 1 G, 2 Pts Star 2: RIP Scheifele 1 G Star 3: RIP Versteeg 1 G GWG: Matt Duchene Notables: TBN Reimer 32 saves RIP Gibson 30 saves Thunder Bay GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Reimer -OL 3 32 .914 65:00 19 12 3 7.7 (+0.2) Ripon GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Gibson -W 3 30 .909 64:03 17 15 4 7.0 (-0.5)
Game #2:	March 11 2017 Galaxy Centre 03-07-2017 1 2 3 F 2016-17 Scottsdale 31-37-0-3 2 1 1 4 2016-17 Ripon 35-30-0-7 1 0 2 3 Scoring Summary Per Time Str Team 1 1:58 EV SXM Dubinsky (10), assisted by Bouwmeester (13) 1 2:21 EV SXM McDavid (16), assisted by Voracek (41) and Josi (34) 1 18:07 EV RIP Scheifele (32), assisted by Ehlers (19) and Suter (26) 2 9:56 PP SXM Giordano (20), assisted by Voracek (42) and McDavid (43) 3 :33 EV SXM Kane (11), assisted by Stepan (31) 3 9:24 PP RIP Kuznetsov (20), assisted by Toffoli (20) and Hall (49) 3 15:14 EV RIP Scheifele (33), assisted by Ehlers (20) and Versteeg (21) Penalty Summary Per Time Team 1 9:04 SXM Kane (67), 2:00 – roughing 1 9:04 RIP Galchenyuk (16), 2:00 – roughing 1 14:33 SXM Lucic (54), 2:00 – roughing 1 14:33 RIP Versteeg (38), 2:00 – roughing 2 2:30 SXM Voracek (33), 2:00 – roughing 2 2:30 RIP Emelin (49), 2:00 – roughing 2 4:00 RIP Nurse (52), 2:00 – interference 2 9:38 RIP Suter (32), 2:00 – interference 3 8:47 SXM Colborne (45), 4:00 – roughing SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3 Scottsdale 9 9 4 Ripon 16 11 17 SXM RIP SOG 22 44 FOW 29 39 FO% 42.6 57.4 Hits 20 14 Blocks 23 9 Missed Net 9 10 Shot Attempts 40 77 Scoring Chances 9 14 PIM 10 10 PP 1-2 1-1 TOA 1:33 4:20 Star 1: RIP Scheifele 2 G Star 2: SXM McDavid 1 G, 2 Pts Star 3: SXM Kane 1 G GWG: Evander Kane Notables: SXM Giordano 5 blocks, Greene 5 blocks, Markstrom 41 saves RIP None Scottsdale GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Markstrom -W 3 41 .932 60:00 9 16 1 7.4 (+0.5) Ripon GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate G Gibson -L 4 18 .818 58:40 17 16 4 8.1 (+0.6)
Weekly Summary:	Another week another week at 0.500

California Regulators
Weekly Summary:	California beats Hampton 2-1, and Ripon 8-6.

Minneapolis Deep Freeze
Weekly Preview:	Minneapolis enters the week struggling to stay on top of the Central division, with a narrow 2 point lead over 2nd place Wausau. Unfortunately, the Deep Freeze will be resting some of their star players to stay under the usage limits, so we could see some unusual line combinations.
Game #1:	Brentwood Bandits (4) @ Minneapolis Deep Freeze (2) Brentwood’s powerful offense strikes early and often in the first period scoring on their first shot of the game and adding 3 more before the period ends, for a 4-0 lead at the first intermission. Minneapolis stops the bleeding in the second period but fails to get onto the board, and Brentwood still leads 4-0 through 2 periods. Minneapolis finally finds the net in the third period but it’s too little too late. They get two goals to make it respectable, but Brentwood holds on for the easy 4-2 win. BWB MIN SOG 34 26 FOW 37 28 FO% 56.9 43.1 Hits 18 25 Blocks 15 13 Missed Net 14 17 Shot Attempts 61 58 Scoring Chances 14 11 PIM 7 13 PP 1-4 0-1 TOA 3:38 3:58 Star 1: BWB Crosby 1 G, 2 Pts Star 2: BWB Fiddler 1 G Star 3: BWB Ekman-Larsson 1 G GWG: Vernon Fiddler Notables: BWB None MIN Lundqvist 30 saves
Game #2:	Lansing Capitals (3) @ Minneapolis Deep Freeze (7) Michal Neuvirth gets the start in net for the Deep Freeze in relief of Henrik Lundqvist. This time it’s Minneapolis starting the game strong. After Lansing rang one off the crossbar on the first shot of the game, Minneapolis responds by taking it the other way and Datsyuk (15) got the Deep Freeze on the board early. They would get another goal under 5 minutes later, but a couple of penalties later in the period would cost them as Lansing added a goal of their own. Minneapolis leads 2-1 at the end of the first period. The second period is disappointing for the Deep Freeze, who are unable to score despite 18 shots on goal, including 6 during one 2-minute powerplay. Lansing makes Minneapolis pay for another penalty adding another powerplay goal to take the 3-2 lead. The Deep Freeze offense explodes in the third period, scoring 5 goals on 19 shots to earn Minneapolis the 7-3 win. LAN MIN SOG 28 50 FOW 23 49 FO% 31.9 68.1 Hits 21 24 Blocks 18 9 Missed Net 12 15 Shot Attempts 49 83 Scoring Chances 7 22 PIM 4 6 PP 2-3 0-2 TOA 3:08 3:56 Star 1: MIN Datsyuk 2 G, 3 Pts Star 2: MIN Brassard 1 G, 3 Pts Star 3: MIN Sharp 1 G, 3 Pts GWG: Dan Boyle Notables: LAN Dubnyk 43 saves MIN Getzlaf 15-8 on faceoffs, Datsyuk 18-6 on faceoffs
Game #3:	Wausau Lumberjacks (2) @ Minneapolis Deep Freeze (4) The Lumberjacks come to The Pond for what could be one of the biggest games of the season for the two neighbors and division rivals. Neuvirth gets his second consecutive start in net for the Deep Freeze after a strong showing against Lansing last night. Minneapolis scores on their first shot of the game for the second night in a row, as Schenn (19) beat Halak off a beautiful feed from Sharp only 23 seconds into the game. Boyle (13) would add a second goal for the Deep Freeze, and Neuvirth would stand tall to keep Wausau off the board by making 14 saves, including killing off 2 penalties. Minneapolis leads 2-0 after one period despite being outshot 14-3. Minneapolis turns the pressure up in the second period by adding 2 more goals, including 1 with the 2-man advantage, to extend the lead to 4-0. Wausau ruins Neuvirth’s shutout 3 minutes into the third period when Kopitar, Palat, and Perry got loose for a 3-on-2 rush and Kopitar (18) beat Neuvirth high on the glove side. The Lumberjacks add another goal with the 2-man advantage to bring the score to 4-2, and coach Larry Murphy is starting to get nervous on the Deep Freeze bench. Minneapolis would get a couple powerplay chances of their own but fail to extend the lead. Neuvirth stops everything else that comes his way to steal the win for Minneapolis, holding on for a 4-2 win in a key divisional matchup. WLJ MIN SOG 30 21 FOW 21 31 FO% 40.4 59.6 Hits 26 26 Blocks 14 21 Missed Net 12 13 Shot Attempts 63 48 Scoring Chances 7 13 PIM 8 12 PP 1-5 1-3 TOA 5:41 2:55 Star 1: MIN Getzlaf 1 G, 3 Pts Star 2: WLJ Kopitar 1 G, 2 Pts Star 3: MIN Hoffman 1 G GWG: Mike Hoffman Notables: WLJ None MIN Datsyuk 15-8 on faceoffs
Game #4:	Chicago Cosa Nostra (1) @ Minneapolis Deep Freeze (4) After finding their stride again in the last 2 games, the Deep Freeze host what should be a winnable matchup against division bottom-feeder Chicago. Minneapolis thought they had taken the lead almost 12 minutes into the opening period when Richards managed to get a shot on goal while falling down, but after further review it was determined that the puck never crossed the line. Minneapolis gets a 2-minute powerplay instead. Chicago kills off the penalty and then Horvat (15) gets the Cosa Nostra on the board first on a slapshot to the top corner. Chicago leads 1-0 at the end of the first period. Minneapolis ties the game at 1 on Brassard’s 29th of the season halfway through the second period. Then try their best to give the lead back to Chicago with the gift of a 5-on-3 for almost 2 whole minutes, but Lundqvist came up big to keep the game tied. We’re tied at 1 going into the third period. For the second time this week, the Deep Freeze offense finds it’s groove in the third period – this time putting 3 shots past Condon to earn Minneapolis the 4-1 victory. CHI MIN SOG 26 32 FOW 20 33 FO% 37.7 62.3 Hits 18 28 Blocks 25 16 Missed Net 8 18 Shot Attempts 50 75 Scoring Chances 11 20 PIM 6 8 PP 0-3 0-2 TOA 4:46 3:19 Star 1: MIN Sharp 1 G, 2 Pts Star 2: MIN Eriksson 1 G, 2 Pts Star 3: MIN Hoffman 1 G, 2 Pts GWG: Patrick Sharp Notables: CHI Gudas 6 blocks MIN Sharp 5 takeaways
Weekly Summary:	Minneapolis enters the week holding on to a narrow 2 point lead in the division and not playing their best hockey, but finishes the week strong with the offense firing on all cylinders and manages to win 3 out of 4 at home.