2018-2019 PLAYER & GOALIE OF THE WEEK #1

Patrice_BergeronSergei_BobrovskyAnze_KopitarPhilipp_Grubauer

EASTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASISSTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
Bergerson, Patrice CLE 4 3 3 6 2 5 15 20%
                   
EASTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Bobbrovsky, Sergei CIN 2 1 0.5 57 .983
                   
WESTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
Kopitar, Anze GUE 4 1 8 9 0 5 10 10%
                   
WESTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Grubauer, Philipp CAL 2 0 0 85 1.000
                   

Yellowknife Braves
Weekly Preview: Here we go!!
Thunder Bay NorWesters @ Yellowknife Braves Malkin gets one in the first. Morrissey in the second.
Muzzin scores for the Norwesters with 4:40 left in the game to make it 2-1 Braves.
ThunderBay pulls the goalie in the final minute and swarms the net. They can’t, however, get another one past Fleury. Final 3-2 Yellowknife.
Goals- YEL Malkin(1) assisted by Erickson(1),Monahan(1)
YEL Morrissey(1) assisted by Malkin(1),Aho(1)
THB Muzzin(1) assisted by Couturier(1),Anathiseu(1)
Gilbert Sharks @ Yellowknife Braves The Braves get one in the first.
The Sharks get 2 in the second.
Yellowknife ties it and takes the lead with 1:14 remaining.
Final score Yellowknife 3 Gilbert 2
Goals- YEL Morrissey(2) assists Malkin(2)Aho(2)
GIL Keller(1) unassisted
GIL Brassard(1) assists Klefbom(1)Voracek(1)
YEL Monahan(1) assists Malkin(3)Aho(3)
YEL Forbort(1) assists Williams(1)Kuznetsov(1)
Weekly Summary: Yellowknife wins to close games against 2 good teams
Chicago Cosa Nostra
Weekly Preview: Chicago opens up with two home games & one of those is with new Division rival the Guentzel Gunners.
Guentzel Gunners @ Chicago Cosa Nostra The Gunners score one goal in each of the 3 periods of play. Chicago can only muster one for the game. Guentzel plays like saints & receives no Penalties. Chicago gets four penalties, allowing one Power Play Goal. Guentzel’s last Goal is an empty netter with 20 seconds left on the clock.

Final Score: Guentzel 3 – Chicago 1

3 STAR SELECTION:
Star 1: GUE – Anze Kopitar 3 A
Star 2: GUE – DUstin Brown 3 A
Star 3: GUE – Mike Smith 30 saves

Columbus Brew Jackets @ Chicago Cosa Nostra Chicago played the Brew Jackets tough in this one & at the end of 3 Periods of play the score was knotted at 3 each. Neither team scored in the overtime period. Shootout went the way of Columbus who scored 2, while Chicago only put 1 in the back of the net.

Final Score: Columbus 4 – Chicago 3 (Shootout)

3 STAR SELECTION:
Star 1: CHI – Olli Matta 2 G
Star 2: COL – Jamie Benn 2 G
Star 3: COL – Matt Calvert 1 G, 2 Pts

Weekly Summary: Chicago looks to put week #1 behind them grabbing only 1 point at home.
Cincinnati Inferno
Weekly Preview: The newly formed Cincinnati Inferno begin their inaugural season with a pair of home games against fellow newcomers Lafayette and the always crafty Chicago.
Lafayette Homesteaders @ Cincinnati Inferno The Inferno take a 5-0 victory over the Homesteaders, thanks in large part to a four-goal second period effort. Cincinnati jumped to a 2-0 edge with goals 62 seconds apart early in the middle frame. William Karlsson netted his first of two on the night, a power play goal at 1:38. Matthew Tkachuk netted his first at 2:40 to push the lead to a pair. A Vladislav Namestnikov man-advanateg lamplighter at 9:55 extended the lead to three. Karlson collected his second marker of the period, re-directing a Justin Faulk shot with 5.4 seconds left in the stanza to put the game away.

Tkachuk’s second goal on the power play at 9:04 closed the scoring and sent the fans at The Incinerator home happy. Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 28 shots in giving Cincinnati the victory. Bobrovsky was the game’s first star, Tkachuk (2-0-2) was the second star and Karlsson (2-0-2) was the third.

Chicago Cosa Nostra @ Cincinnati Inferno The Cincinnati Inferno made it back-to-back home wins with a 4-1 triumph over Chicago. Bobrovsky was once again the hero in stopping 29 shots in the victory.

Following a scoreless first period, the teams exchanged goals. Brock Boesser netted the game’s first goal for the Inferno, working around a defender to slip a shot past Ryan Miller at 9:48. Pierre Luc-Dubois levelled the scores for the Windy City visitors at 14:36.

The third period was where the Inferno caught fire with a three-goal explosion. Zdeno Chara collected his first goal of the campaign at 8:15 with a drive from the point. Brayden Point scored on a shorthanded breakaway off a turnover in the neutral zone by a Paul Byron hit in the neutral zone at 12:24 to extend the lead to 3-1. Darnell Nurse closed the scoring at 14:11, scoring seconds after a Mark Stone penalty had expired.

Bobrovsky was again named the number one star of the game, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced–and adding an assist. Point was the second star with a goal and an assist and Nurse was the third star with the nail-in-the-coffin final goal.

Weekly Summary: Cincinnati finishes its first week in the league, 2-0 at home. The Inferno outscored the opposition, 9-1 and had four special teams goals (three on the power play). Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 58 of 59 shots and had an assist in these games.
California Regulators
Bathgate Rangers @ California Regulators BGR – 0
CAL – 3Stars: Grubauer(45 saves), Huberdeau (1 G), Barzal (1 G)
Alamo Defenders @ California Regulators ALA – 0
CAL- 3Stars: Grubauer (40 saves), Komarov (1 G), Barzal (1 G)
Weekly Summary: California wins two home games to kickoff the 2018-19 season.
Charlotte Buzzards
Columbus Brew Jackets @ Charlotte Buzzards Two power play goals and solid goaltending from Anti Raanta proved to be the difference as Charlotte wins its first home game as an MWHL participant. Charlotte Defenseman Erik Johnson (1 G, 2 A) had a hand in both goals that staked Charlotte to a 2-0 lead early in the first. He assisted on Henrik Zetterberg’s goal 4:19 into the game and then just over 5 minutes later, hammered home a goal from the point, in earning the first star. The Buzzards never trailed. Columbus was led by second star Ryan Strome, who scored the Brew Jackets’ first goal and then assisted on Kevin Connauton’s goal with about eight minutes left in the game, that completed the scoring. Charlotte capitalized on 2 power play goals in 4 opportunities to account for its last two goals.
Bucks County Raccoons @ Charlotte Buzzards Spectacular goaltending by first star Anti Raanta (28 saves) shut out the Raccoons and a couple of goals by third-liner Michael Grabner was enough to lift Charlotte to its second home victory, 4-0. Bucks County only managed 13 shots on goal during the first two periods of play. Grabner’s two goals sandwiched an Anders Lee goal. The second star’s latter goal game with just two seconds left in the second period and provided a 3-0 cushion that proved to be a back breaker. Bucks County was hindered by five penalties (one which led to Tyler Myers’ power play goal that closed out the scoring in the third period). Four players, including Connor McDavid each had three shots on goal for Bucks County but none of them found the net. The Raccoons had three power play chances but failed to convert.
Weekly Summary: Grabner leads Charlotte with two goals in its two home victories and Dylan Larkin has a team-leading three assists to spark the Buzzards. Antti Raanta is off to a sizzling start with a .968 save percentage.
LA Great Danes
Weekly Preview: After a successful inaugural season resulting in a league-leading GAA and a playoff berth, the Danes ran into salary cap issues and lost key players such as Benn, Suter, and Kesler. So it looks like a rebuild year for the Great Danes. The core Denmark contingent remains – Frederick Andersen, Nicolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, and Mikkel Boedker. Two home games in week #1, including one against newcomer Yellowknife Braves – welcome to the MWHL!
Brentwood Bandits @ LA Great Danes Brentwood scores on their first 2 chances of the game, Backes at 3:56 on a deflection and Marleau at 11:17 on a rebound. The Bandits then take 4 straight penalties over the first 2 periods – the Danes control much of the play and pepper goalie John Gibson with 30 shots, but Gibson stops them all and Brentwood takes a 2-0 lead into the third period. Brentwood then takes a 4-minute high sticking penalty, and this time the Danes convert – twice. PPG goals by Janmark and Pietrangelo tie the game 5 minutes into the 3rd. No scoring the rest of the way, and we go to OT. Lars Eller, fresh off his NHL cup winning goal, wins it 3:52 into OT to cap off LA’s comeback 3-2 win. Big night for LA’s captain and leader, Alex Pietrangelo, with 1G-2A, and newcomer Mike Hoffman contributed 3 assists as he figured in all of LA’s goals. No 5-on-5 goals for LA, but the Bandits lack of discipline with 6 penalties to none for LA resulted in 50 SOG for LA and an 18-8 scoring chance advantage.
Yellowknife Braves @ LA Great Danes The Braves top two lines look very dangerous, they have a deep defensive core, and Marc-Andre Fleury in goal, so they look like a tough opponent. The Danes go to backup Casey DeSmith in goal for this one. The Braves strike first on a Kuznetsov goal at 11:35 shortly after they kill of a penalty. The Danes get even after 1 on a late goal by Mike Hoffman, his 4th point of the 2-game homestand. It’s another scoreless 2nd period, and the Braves take a 2-1 lead 6:46 into the 3rd on a Rantanen goal off a delayed penalty. A few minutes later, Brayden McNabb takes a bad penalty for checking from behind. He comes out of the box and he and fellow D Ryan McDonagh lead a 2 on 1. Surprise-surprise, low-scoring McNabb beats Fleury to tie the game at 2 midway through the third. Then it’s deja-vu from game 1 – no, not another OT, but a 4-minute high sticking penalty by the visiting team, by Jonathan Ericsson at 16:35. 20 seconds later, Mark Scheifele converts the PPG to give the Danes their first lead of the game. The second part of Ericsson’s penalty ends with a minute to go, and the Danes do a great job of puck possession and the game ends with Fleury in net and the puck in the Braves defensive zone. Another 3-2 win for the Danes. The Braves Kuznestov earns the #1 star with 1G-1A, but it’s another come-from behind win for the Danes. Once again they dominate the stat sheet with a 47-26 SOG advantage and outhit the Braves 25-13.
Weekly Summary: A great start at home for the Danes, with 2 come from behind wins. They played with a lead for all of 3 minutes in total over the 2 games but come away with 2 wins. The Danes may stuggle to score this year and don’t have the dominant D they had last season, but it was a strong team effort with 97 SOG over the 2 games, and the power play was big, going 3 for 8.
Jagr Mullets
Weekly Preview: Two home games to open the season, vs Long Beach and Lafayette.
Long Beach Ice Dogs @ Jagr Mullets Long Beach and Jagr have a rich trade history, so there were a lot of familiar faces on both sides of the red line.

The Mullets draw first blood, on what should be a dominant power play all year — Patrik Laine collects his 1st, with assists by Auston Matthews and TJ Brodie.

But then Long Beach gets to work, scoring three unanswered goals – with the third (and eventual GWG) by ex-Mullet Zach Parise.

Nazem Kadri pots one late in the 2nd to make it close, but Raffl scores at 17:22 of the 3rd to ice the game for the visitors. Varlamov stops 43 shots in the victory.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 10:59 PP JAG Laine (1), assisted by Matthews (1) and Brodie (1)
2 2:29 PP LBD Bjugstad (1), assisted by Marner (1) and Teravainen (1)
2 7:43 EV LBD Marner (1), unassisted
2 9:58 PP LBD Parise (1), assisted by Matheson (1)
2 16:26 EV JAG Kadri (1), assisted by Radulov (1) and Ovechkin (1)
3 17:22 EV LBD Raffl (1), unassisted

Star 1: LBD Marner 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 2: LBD Varlamov 43 saves
Star 3: LBD Bjugstad 1 G

GWG: Zach Parise

Notables: LBD Varlamov 43 saves, Savard 5 blocks
JAG Letang 5 blocks

Lafayette Homesteaders @ Jagr Mullets Next up is Lafayette, with a dynamic young forward group led by Eichel and Forsberg.

The Homesteaders strike first, with a goal by Dadonov just 1:57 into the game. But this game belongs to Ovie, as he scores just 3 1/2 minutes later to knot it up at 1.

Lafayette gets a late goal in the 1st by Forsberg, then another early in the 2nd by Kuraly to take a 3-1 lead — but the powerful Mullet PP takes over. First it’s Kadri at 15:53 of the 2nd with his 2nd goal of the year, then Ovechkin scores his 2nd PP goal of the game at 13:35 of the 3rd to tie it up at 3 apiece. Just 2 1/2 minutes later, #8 scores again for the HAT TRICK — and he’s assisted on all 3 goals by Alexander Radulov; clearly these two have found some chemistry on the 2nd line/2nd PP unit (yes, that’s correct – Ovie can’t crack the top units on the Mullets thanks to the presence of Taylor Hall… but that may change with performances like this).

Elias Lindholm scores an empty netter at 19:47 to put the game away 5-3.

Martin Jones stops 42 shots in the defeat, while Vasilevskiy lets in 3 of 33 shots. In the early going, it’s clear that the high-flying Mullets are going to put the puck on the net… but they’ve got to plug up some of the leaks on defense.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 1:57 EV LAF Dadonov (1), assisted by Hanifin (1) and Forsberg (1)
1 4:23 PP JAG Ovechkin (1), assisted by Radulov (2) and Kadri (1)
1 16:02 EV LAF Forsberg (1), assisted by Dadonov (1) and Gostisbehere (1)
2 3:27 EV LAF Kuraly (1), assisted by Gostisbehere (2) and Ristolainen (1)
2 15:53 PP JAG Kadri (2), assisted by Ovechkin (2)
3 13:35 PP JAG Ovechkin (2), assisted by Radulov (3)
3 15:51 EV JAG Ovechkin (3), assisted by Ekholm (1) and Radulov (4)
3 19:47 EN JAG Elias Lindholm (1), assisted by Hall (1) and Ellis (1)

Star 1: JAG Ovechkin 3 G, 4 Pts
Star 2: JAG Kadri 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 3: JAG Radulov 3 A

GWG: Alex Ovechkin

Notables: LAF Jones 42 saves
JAG Vasilevskiy 30 saves, Ovechkin hat trick, Radulov 3 assists

Weekly Summary: A disappointing loss in the opener, but Jagr rebounds to collect two points in the 2nd game to avoid an early hole. The fans are excited to see where this team’s offense can take it, especially after a rebuilding year last season.
Bathgate Rangers
Weekly Preview: New season, new faces, old faces – maybe new results. Opening week, Rangers have 1 home game and hope to continue their fortunes from the last part of the season – tight defense and timely scoring …. youth! (Mostly)
Toledo Walleye Toledo comes out firing in the opening period 13-8 lead in shots, but the Rangers defense stood the test. Lots of hits, lots of blocked shots and Rinne stopped everything that got through. So, with the score still knotted at 0-0, the Rangers finally got things going. Less than 4 to play in period 2 – Staal wins faceoff in the neutral zone, feeds it in. Then digs it off the boards, feeds to Ferland who steers it back to team captain Hornqvist to young stud Provorov, to Ferland who passes it back to Hornqvist and he winds up and blam – fires it past Dubnyk! 1st Rangers home goal of the season. Defense keeps it scoreless for Toledo through 2.
Toledo has been playing it pretty clean, but Anisimov is called for a 4 minute penalty for roughing when he knocks Zadorov off the puck. Near the end of the first 2 minutes, Subban picks up rebound and sends it to Ferland who slaps it home for a PP goal and 2-0 Bathgate lead. Rangers end the game 1 for 2 on the PP and stop all 4 PPs for Toledo. With 1:38 to go, Toledo sends on the extra attacker – but the Rangers defense and Rinne are up to the task and game 1 ends as a 2-0 shutout for Rinne and Bathgate!
STARS (all BRG)
1. Rinne – 36 saves
2. Ferland 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Hornqvist 1 goal
Weekly Summary: Bathgate gets 1 for 1 with shutout over Toledo.
Columbus Brew Jackets
Weekly Preview: Brew Jackets missed the Stanley Cup finals by 20 seconds – giving up the tying goal in game 7 then losing in OT. Some off-season changes, new main starter in goal, high powered offense and we’re ready to rock and roll again. Columbus hosts the team from southern Denmark (LA Great Danes) and newcomer Guentzel.
LA Great Danes @ Columbus Brew Jackets Opening period looks like old times and the Brew Jackets score 3 of the 4 goals in the 1st. Johnson (1) gets things going in just under 3 minutes when he takes one away from Eller with a check in CBJ ice, he and Kempe then get a 2 on 1 advantage working up ice and Johnson takes a quick flip from Kempe and beats Anderson low on the stick side. Season is underway 1-0. Hayes gets a PP goal to make it 2-0 before the Great Danes get their 1st goal of the year scored by Carlson with 9 to go. Teams changed lines, Ehlers got the puck, sent it to Nash, to Scheifele to Carlson who rips it past Bishop. A minute and a half later, Staal gets one to give Columbus the 2 goal lead again and that ends the 1st period scoring, Columbus up 3-1.
Then period 2 rolls into action and Schenn decides to put LA back into the game scoring 2 goals – the first a PP goal. The first one was scored at 14:07 on a wrist shot. He then wins the ensuing face-off at center ice. Gets it to McDonagh, who passes it back to Shenn who fires off the low percentage shot and it sneaks in there to tie the game 26 seconds apart. Kucherov then scores with a minute and a half to go to regan the lead and period 2 comes to a close 4-3 Columbus.
Tight play in the 3rd, but Columbus keeps working for insurance and they get it when Burns gets the Brew Jackets 2nd PP goal of the game with 3 to go. Danes don’t give up! Anderson is pulled with a minute and half to go and Janmark comes through with a score with 18 seconds left. Jackets don’t like this, but they hang on for the final 18 seconds to win the game 5-4. Schenn had an assist on that last goal.
STARS
1. LGD – Schenn 2 goals, 1 assist
2. CBJ – Kucherov 1 goal, 1 assist
3. CBJ – Johnson 1 goal, 1 assist
Guentzel Gunners @ Columbus Brew Jackets Brew Jackets come out firing hard and often at Smith with 16 shots in period 1 and then 19 in period 2. But the Gunners and Smith held them scoreless in the 1st. Combination of hits, blocks and good glove work. Smith is aided by offense from Dumba and Zucker who both scored even stregth goals with in the opening 4 minutes.
Zuccarello gets called cross-checking as period 2 gets underway and Kunerov makes Guentzel pay with a PP goal. BUT the Gunners come back with blazing barrels and put two more between the Columbus pipes. Kopitar gets his first and Haula his 2nd and it’s 4-1 Guentzel just past the midway point. However, the Jackets aren’t giving in and Johnson scores his 2nd a minute after Haula. Then Strome gets the Jackets within 1 with a late scores and period 2 ends 4-3 Guentzel.
PERIOD 3 – Tough start for Columbus, Benn gets nailed for tripping. The Gunners take advantage when Brown puts one in for a PP goal and it’s 5-3 Gunners. Back at full strength, the Jackets get 1 back a minute later when Johnson (3) scores. Guentzel putting up a tough defense, closing in on the win, but after a Haula turnover and mutual line change, Hayes get the puck to Staal who shots it and Calvert gets his stick on it to deflect it past Smith to tie the game 5-5! Regulation winding down and Pelech is called for hooking with 2:18 to go! Gunners clear the puck out of their end with 2 to go, but then the Jackets regain the zone – Been- Couture – Kucherov, they keep firing away and with 1:18 to go, Kucherov fires and lights the lamp, the cannon fires, OH-Oh-OH-OH!! And it’s 6-5 Columbus. Gunners pull the goalie for the last minute, but Columbus holds on to win the high scoring affair.
STARS
1. CBJ – Kucherov 2 goals
2. CBJ – Johnson 2 goals
3. GUE – Brown 1 goal, 2 assistsNOTABLES: Smith 39 saves
Weekly Summary: Brew Jackets get 2 wins at home – lots of offense. Benn is melding well with Kucherov and Couture. Defense not so good!
Long Beach Ice Dogs
Clearfield Bison @ Long Beach Ice Dogs Clearfield jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals by Bergeron, Orlov & Doughty. Long Beach scrambled back into the game on 2 goals by Heinen to make the score 3-2 heading into the last period. Palmieri pushed the lead to 4-2 with a goal 4 minutes into the period. With 4 minutes to go, the Ice Dogs pulled their goalie and peppered Luongo with shots. He stood tall until Iafallo cut the lead to 4-3 with :48 left. They continued the pressure but couldn’t get the tying goal past Luongo and lost the home opener 4-3.

1st Star: Heinen
2nd Star: Palmieri
3rd Star: Bergeron

Bathgate Rangers @ Long Beach Ice Dogs This was a 1-1 game heading into the 3rd period when Bathgate exploded for 4 goals and won easily 5-1. Staal scored the last 2 goals to put the game away.

1st Star: Staal
2nd Star: Karlsson
3rd Star: Hischier

Game #4 – Visiting Team: California Regulators
Game #4 – Home Team: California Regulators
Weekly Summary: Long Beach gets off to a slow start at home dropping both games
Gilbert Sharks
Weekly Preview: Gilbert Starts the season with two home games
Bucks County Raccoons @ Gilbert Sharks Derrick Brassard opens the scoring in the first period. Philip Danault and Nathan Mckinnon add goals in the 2nd period to give Gilbert a 3-0 lead. Zach Hyman gets a score early in the 3rd for Bucks County but Brassard scores goal # 2 to give the Sharks a 4-1 victory. Tuuka Rask makes 31 saves in the victory.
California Regulators @ Gilbert Sharks Roman Josi rips a slapshot past Markstrom to put Gilbert up 1-0 in the 1st period. Jakob Silfverburg scores early in the 2nd to tie the game at 1 but Gilbert comes back with another Derrick Brassard goal late in the period to get a 2-1lead in the 3rd. Cam Atkinson scores 26 seconds in to the 3rd period to give Gilbert a 3-1 lead. California gets another Silfverburg goal with 13 seconds left but Gilbert hangs on for the 3-2 victory.
Weekly Summary: Gilbert goes 2-0 at home in the 1st session.
Alamo Defenders
Weekly Preview: Its the home opener for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Alamo. The Defenders take on Yellowknife and Toledo.
Yellowknife Braves @ Alamo Defenders The Defenders have a great opening period and score 3 goals. Wheeler scores, then Marchand scores on a power play. Upshall closes the scoring. Its 3-0 after one period.

There is no scoring in the 2nd period.

In the 3rd, Glendening scores on a goal and is assisted by Beagle. On a power play, Malkin scores for the Braves to avoid a shutout. Alamo wins 4-1.

Alamo 4 Yellowknife 1

SOG: Alamo 32-24

1st – Marchand 1 goal 1 assist
2nd – Wheeler 1 goal 1 assist
3rd – Stalock 23 saves

Toledo Walleye @ Alamo Defenders Toledo starts out by dominating Alamo in shots on goal. They have a 17-6 lead after 1. But, the Defenders score 2 goals on a Marchand power play and a Seguin even handed goal.

In the 2nd, Seguin scores his 2nd of the game. But, Toledo gets going and scores 3 of their own to tie it. Daley, Backstrom, and MacDonald tie it.

Late in the game, Jason Pominville nets a goal for the Defenders. Also, Nordstrom scores one to make the final score, 5-3.

Alamo 5 Toledo 3

SOG: Toledo, 37-33.

1st-Seguin 2 goals, 1 assist.
2nd – Marchand, 1 goal, 1 assist.
3rd – Pominville – game winning goal.

Weekly Summary: Alamo starts their home stand by winning, 4-1 over Yellowknife, and 5-3 over Toledo. Seguin with 5 points and Marchand has 4 points.
Bucks County Racoons
Weekly Preview: Raccoons open the season hosting two Pacific division foes in Alamo and LA
Alamo Defenders After giving up a 2 goal lead with Alamo scoring 3 times in the 2nd period, Evander Kane tied the score with 4:57 left and Ryan Suter followed with the game winner with only 1:44 left in the thrid period as the Bucks County Raccoons opened their home season with a thrilling 4-3 win over the Alamo Defenders. The Racs out shot Alamo 40-24, but Max Pacioretty almost singled handedly led the Defenders to victory notching 2 goals.
LA Great Danes The ice seemed to be tilted down towards the BC end of the rink as the Danes had 19 shots in the first period thanks to 3 penalties, including a 5 minute major, but they only count when they go over the goal line and Brian Elliott was brilliant as the Bucks County Raccoons defeated the LA Danes by a score of 3-1. Elliott stopped 36 of 37 shots to garner first star of the game recognition, and the Racs found their sea legs after the first and manager to put 21 shots on goal over the 2nd and 3rd period to the Danes 19. Wilson, Schwartz and Perry notched goals for the home team with only a Vladimir Sobotka goal ruining the shut out late in the 3rd for the visitors.
Weekly Summary: Pleasant results for the Raccoons as they notched 7 goals in 2 home games and had their goalie play brilliantly in game 2 to come out with 4 out of 4 possible home points.
Toledo Walleye
Jagr Mullets @  Toledo Walleye Jagr 4, Toledo 3 – Toledo opens play with home games against Jagr and Thunder Bay. The games starts as if there were no goalies in net, Toledo netting 2 (Vanek, Anisimov) and Jagr 1 (Hall) before things settle down. Goalies take control the final 14 minutes of the 1st, no goals, and the period ends 2-1 for Toledo. The second period opens up the same way as the teams trade goals in the first 3 minutes (Laine and Anisimov). Jagr adds another midway (Ekholm) and the teams battle evenly the rest of the period with no scores, going to the 3rd at 3-3.

3rd period is a good close contest until late when Mantgha gets called for hooking, and Jagr capitalizes on the powerplay (Ellis) with only 49 seconds left. Toledo is unable to get much of an attack in the last seconds and see this one slip away to Jagr 4-3.
1st star – Anisimov 2g
2nd star – Hall 1g1a
3rd star – Ellis 1g1a

Thunder Bay NorWesters @  Toledo Walleye Thunder Bay 3, Toledo 2 – Thunder Bay takes an early 2-0 lead with goals by Connor and Nyquist, while Toledo never gets much of a threat together. In the 2nd, the offense for Toledo starts clicking and van Riemsdyk gets one on a power play early in the 2nd before the defenses take over. 2-1 going to the 3rd. Thunder Bay capitalizes early in the 3rd on overlapping penalties by Toledo and a powerplay goal by Muzzin. Toledo closes to one with 10 minutes left on a blast by van Riemsdyk, but the NorWesters are up to the task and play some fine defense down the stretch to preserve the 3-2 win
1st star – van Riemsdyk 2g
2nd – Connor 1g
3rd – Nyquist 1g1a
Weekly Summary: A couple near misses means 0 points at home the first week of the season in Toledo.
New Jersey Grizzlies
Weekly Preview: NJ looks to start off the season strong with 3 games on home ice.
Cincinnati Inferno @ New Jersey Grizzlies Cincy comes into Jersey for the Grizzlies home opener. Kinkaid looking to be the main man in goal gets the start. In the end it was Kinkaids strong play in the net to hold off the barrage of shots by Cincy giving NJ a 3-1 win.
Game #2 – Home Team: New Jersey Grizzlies
Jagr Mullets @ New Jersey Grizzlies Game 2 was similar as far as shots were flying everywhere but former Grizzlies player Hampus Lindholm tied the game late for Jagr and Taylor Hall scored in OT giving Jagr a 3-2 win.
Bathgate Rangers @ New Jersey Grizzlies New Jersey cam into game 3 of the home stand looking to get after the Rangers quickly. Kinkaid who as always had problems with the goal held to fashion by giving up the first goal in the first minute. After that New Jersey and Kinkaid settled in and closed out Bathgate with a 5-1 score.
Game #4 – Visiting Team: New Jersey Grizzlies
Game #4 – Home Team: New Jersey Grizzlies
Weekly Summary: New Jersey looked to get out behind new starter Keith Kinkaid. Its a long season and there are very good teams in this league so the mission of “Brotherhood” will be paramount throughout the season and the Grizzlies run.
Clearfield Bison
New Jersey Grizzlies @ Clearfield Bison Clearfield blows 2-goal lead and loses the home opener.
Cincinnati Inferno @ Clearfield Bison Clearfield again blows a 2-0 lead, but manages to pull out a shootout win.
Weekly Summary: Clearfield escapes with 2 points in 2 games.
Guentzel Gunners
Weekly Preview: Guentzel with 2 home games to start under new ownership.
Charlotte Buzzards @ Guentzel Gunners Charlotte comes to town, and the Gunners give them a rude welcome by jumping out to a 5-1 lead after 2. They hold on for a 6-3 win.
Brentwood Bandits @ Guentzel Gunners A couple rebuilding teams tangle…

back-and-forth game, defense optional, Brentwood’s power play keeps them in the game. Guentzel finally ekes out a 5-4 win in the third.

Weekly Summary: Guentzel surprises even themselves with a 2-0 home start.
Brentwood Bandits
Weekly Preview: Season opening home series at Brentwood. Coach Tom Atkins has been quoted as saying that although we aren’t expected to win anything this season, we sure can win some key games and spoil things for the rest of you all.
Gilbert Sharks @ Brentwood Bandits Tavares scores the first goal of the season for the Bandits in the first for a 1-0 lead.

No scoring in the 2nd. Even game thus far.

7:24 into the 3rd, Gilbert ties the game on the PP when Keller rips one from the face off circle. 1-1.

Then at 18:19 Brentwood gets the game winner from “Old Man” Marleau to send the locals home happy on opening night!

1 2 3 F
2018-19 Gilbert 0-1-0-0 0 0 1 1
2018-19 Brentwood 1-0-0-0 1 0 1 2

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 13:21 EV BWB Tavares (1), assisted by Dumoulin (1) and Kessel (1)
3 7:24 PP GIL Keller (1), assisted by Josi (1) and Stepan (1)
3 18:19 EV BWB Marleau (1), assisted by Phaneuf (1) and Eberle (1)

Penalty Summary
Per Time Team
1 10:27 GIL Nemeth (2), 2:00 – hooking
1 15:23 BWB Backes (2), 2:00 – interference
1 17:55 GIL Brassard (2), 2:00 – charging
2 :17 GIL Giordano (2), 2:00 – holding
2 3:45 BWB Team, 2:00 – too many men on the ice
3 4:55 BWB Hainsey (2), 2:00 – tripping
3 6:28 BWB Team, 2:00 – too many men on the ice
3 11:50 BWB Tavares (2), 2:00 – holding

SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3
Gilbert 10 14 12
Brentwood 9 12 9

GIL BWB
SOG 36 30
FOW 29 24
FO% 54.7 45.3
Hits 17 22
Blocks 17 12
Missed Net 24 18
Shot Attempts 72 65
Scoring Chances 11 14
PIM 6 10
PP 1-5 0-3
TOA 4:23 5:00

Star 1: BWB Gibson 35 saves
Star 2: BWB Marleau 1 G
Star 3: BWB Tavares 1 G

GWG: Patrick Marleau

Notables: GIL None
BWB Gibson 35 saves

Gilbert GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate
G Rask -L 2 28 .933 58:49 0 1 0 7.8 (+0.8)

Brentwood GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate
G Gibson -W 1 35 .972 60:00 1 0 0 7.6 (-0.3)

Charlotte Buzzards @ Brentwood Bandits Charlotte comes to town with the Bandits being undefeated at home (1-0). Let me enjoy it while it lasts?

Bandits come out firing scoring 49 seconds in as Krug scores with a slapper from the point. Bandits up 1-0 early.

Just 2:11 later, Hainsey scores on wrister from the point with traffic in front. 2-0 good guys in the 1st.

Local Pittsburgh guy Trochek scores at 11:42 to cut the lead in half. 2-1 Bandits.

2nd period, only one goal scored and it was by Lee to tie the game at 2-2.

3rd period – Lee gets his second to give Charlotte their first lead 3-2.

With 1:15 left, and right before Brentwood pulls the goalie, Joe Pavelski scores the stunner to take a 4-2 lead and eventual win as pulling the goalie does nothing.

Charlotte wins in Brentwood 4-2 despite the Bandits outshooting them 45-27.

1 2 3 F
2018-19 Charlotte 1-0-0-0 1 1 2 4
2018-19 Brentwood 1-1-0-0 2 0 0 2

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 :49 EV BWB Krug (1), assisted by Galchenyuk (1) and Kessel (2)
1 3:00 EV BWB Hainsey (1), assisted by Niederreiter (1) and Backes (1)
1 11:42 EV CHA Trocheck (1), assisted by Hamonic (1) and Hamilton (1)
2 5:50 EV CHA Lee (1), assisted by Johnson (1) and Ekman-Larsson (1)
3 7:58 EV CHA Lee (2), assisted by Smith (1) and Pavelski (1)
3 18:45 EV CHA Pavelski (1), assisted by Ekman-Larsson (2) and Larkin (1)

Penalty Summary
Per Time Team
1 13:27 CHA Trocheck (2), 2:00 – hooking
2 7:44 CHA Larkin (2), 2:00 – high sticking
2 14:29 CHA Hamonic (2), 2:00 – charging
3 2:10 BWB Kessel (2), 2:00 – hooking
3 11:22 BWB Dumoulin (2), 2:00 – roughing

SOG 1 SOG 2 SOG 3
Charlotte 9 5 13
Brentwood 19 17 9

CHA BWB
SOG 27 45
FOW 37 31
FO% 54.4 45.6
Hits 14 20
Blocks 20 10
Missed Net 17 21
Shot Attempts 54 86
Scoring Chances 15 11
PIM 6 4
PP 0-2 0-3
TOA 3:51 7:24

Star 1: CHA Lee 2 G
Star 2: CHA Raanta 43 saves
Star 3: CHA Pavelski 1 G, 2 Pts

GWG: Anders Lee

Notables: CHA Raanta 43 saves, Pavelski 18 faceoffs won
BWB None

Charlotte GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate
G Raanta -W 2 43 .956 60:00 1 0 0 9.0 (+0.7)

Brentwood GA SV Save% TOI W L OL Rate
G Kuemper -L 4 23 .852 58:44 0 1 0 7.2 (+0.3)

Weekly Summary: One win, one loss. That pretty much sums up how we feel our season will go. Being in the same division as Powehouse Jagr, we aren’t gonna win anything anyway. Building for the future, which means EVERYONE is on the block.