2018-2019 PLAYER & GOALIE OF THE WEEK #14

Claude_GirouxCorey_CrawfordConnor_McDavidBrian_Elliott

EASTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASISSTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
Giroux, Claude CLE 4 3 6 9 2 6 9 33%
                   
EASTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Crawford, Corey CIN 2 2 1 77 .975
                   
WESTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
McDavid, Connor BCR 4 4 4 8 5 1 13 31%
                   
WESTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Elliott, Brian BR 3 6 2.49 81 .931
                   

Yellowknife Braves
Weekly Preview: The Braves have one home game against Connor McDavid and the always tough Bucks County Racoons.
Bucks County Raccoons Yellowknife doubles up Bucks county 6-3
Stars#1 YEL Panik 1G 3pts
2 YEL Turris 1G 3pts
3 BCR McDavid 1G 3pts
Weekly Summary: The Braves defend their TeePee winning their only game
Bucks County Racoons
Weekly Preview: One home game this week, but it’s a tough one against division leading California.
California Regulators @ Bucks County Racoons The Bucks County Raccoons were able to stay with the visiting California Regulators for 64 minutes, but Johnny Gaudreau scored with 44 seconds left in OT to lift California to a 4-3 victory. Try as they might to contain the top line of the Regulators, that trio (Stone, Guadreau,Stall) had 3 goals which was the difference in the game. Bucks County did get the ‘thanks for coming’ point but left the arena disappointed.
Weekly Summary: Tough OT loss to a very good team, but moral victories don’t count in this league….
California Regulators
Brentwood Bandits In a tough match-up, California loses a close one 3-2.
Yellowknife Braves Another tough match-up, another 3-2 loss, this time in OT.
Weekly Summary: California loses two close ones to two very good teams.
Thunder Bay NorWesters
Weekly Preview: Thunder Bay hosts Clearfield, Bathgate and Chicago. The Nor’Westers are not playoff bound.
Clearfield Bison @ Thunder Bay NorWesters Clearfield wins 3-2 getting 17 scoring chances on 26 shots while Thunder Bay can only manage 12 scoring chances on 46 shots. Bison Goals by Giroux(10), Berglund(4) and Neal(14). Nor’Wester goals by Barkov(15) and Connor(23)
Bathgate Rangers @ Thunder Bay NorWesters 2nd 1 goal loss of the week Rangers 3 Nor’Westers 2
Bathgate goals by Hischier(17), Subban(7) and Buchnevich(7)
Thunder Bay goals by Couturier(15) and Tatar(2)
Chicago Cosa Nostra @ Thunder Bay NorWesters Thunder Bay 4 Chicago 2 – Finally a win at home.
Chicago goals by Chabot(2) and DeBrincat(15)
Thunder Bay goals by Barkov(16), Athanasiou(9), Connor(24) and Saad(16)
Weekly Summary: Two tough 1 goal losses followed by a solid win.
LA Great Danes
Weekly Preview: After a rare winning record last week, the Danes face the top 3 teams in the tough Atlantic Division along with Lafayette – all 4 teams ranked near the top of the MWHL power rankings. The home games are against two elite teams, New Jersey and Cincinnati.
New Jersey Grizzlies @ LA Great Danes Malcolm Subban’s strong play on the road last week earns him a home start against the division-leading Grizzlies. The Danes’ Mattias Janmark opens the scoring just 54 seconds in. The Danes throw their weight around in the 1st with a 10-3 hit advantage, and Subban is solid with 9 saves as the Danes take the 1-0 lead into the 2nd.

It’s a very tight, defensive 2nd period until Rick Nash scores late in the period to put the Danes up 2-0 after 2. Only 5 SOG and no scoring chances for the Grizzlies in the 2nd.

The Danes strong defense continues in the 3rd, and it pays off offensively when low-scoring D Robert Hagg converts a 2 on 1 to put LA up 3-0 with 11 minutes remaining. Jesper Bratt spoils the shutout for Subban with a goal with 1:39 left, but the Danes outshoot NJ 17-6 in the 3rd to close out a solid 3-1 win at home over the Grizzlies. 26 Hits in the game for the Danes, led by 6 from Brayden Schenn and 5 each from Hagg and 4th liner Lehkonen.

Cincinnati Inferno @ LA Great Danes Dane favorites Carlson, McNabb, and Toffoli return to LA for the first time since they were traded away to shed salary and start the rebuild process. They receive a warm welcome from players and fans alike before the game, but then it’s game time and the Danes will try to build on their improved play recently. Casey DeSmith gets his first start in over a month for LA, and maybe he’s a bit rusty early, giving up a Zucker goal just 2 minutes in. But DeSmith settles down and the Danes stay within 1 until a back-breaking shorthanded goal in period 2 by Mikael Backlund. The 2nd period ends 2-0 Cincy. The Danes get an early PP in the 3rd, but Crawford makes a few big saves to keep LA off the scoresheet. But the Danes get a 2nd PP opportunity, and a Joe Thornton PPG gets the Danes within one with 6:36 to go. The teams trade scoring chances after that, but DeSmith and Crawford are solid, and Cincy is able to hold the lead into he final minute when Crosby puts the game away with an empty-netter with 23 seconds left. The Inferno come away with the 3-1 win, with Corey Crawford’s 41 saves earning him the #1 star.
Weekly Summary: 1-1 at home against 2 of the Atlantic’s best. The Danes combine solid goaltending from their backups with some tight defense and physical play to be very competitive in the 2 games. Now we’ll see if they can replicate that on the road this week, with #1 goalie Frederick Andersen getting his job back in net for the road games. He’ll have to step up or his backups will start getting more playing time as Subban and DeSmith start competing for a contract for next year.
Bathgate Rangers
Weekly Preview: Just as the Rangers were starting to show up in the top 7 Power Ratings and their defense was stiffening up, they host 3 games in one week and give up 5 goals in each game. They win one of them! Barely in a shoot-out and get blown out in two others.
Jagr Mullets @ Bathgate Rangers Blowout alert – 5-0 Jagr. Ovechkin scored his 28th 8 minutes in and Hall his 25th a couple of minutes later. Gibson was stellar between the pipes stopping all 36 shots he faced and that got him #1 star of the game. Matthews gets star 2 with 2 goals and Hall 1 goal and 2 assists for star 3.
Chicago Cosa Nostra @ Bathgate Rangers In the Deputy Commissioner’s Cup game, the Cosa Nostra and Rangers did not disappoint the fans wanting to see goals. 10 goal through regulation and overtime and then a shoot-out.
Rangers like a variety of goals and they start early with a Provorov SH goal 6 minutes in. Then 2 minutes into the 2nd Zibanejad scores a PP goal for a 2-0 lead. Chicago wakes up with Butcher scoring a half minute later. Then DeBrincat scores 2 minutes later to tie it up. Krieder then gets Chicago up 3-2 on a PP goal midway through 2, but Zibanejad scores his 2nd to tie it up about a minute later.We go to the 3rd tied up 3-3 and Chabot puts one through the pipes two minutes in to give Chicago the edge. But P.K. Subban decided he’d get things squared when he deflects one in at 7:10 to tie it. Home team crowd then groans when Marleau scores for Chicago with a minute 7 to go up 5-4. Faceoff after the score – Rangers win the faceoff Halak skates off. They work it in for shot, Bernier saves. Faceoff to Pionk to Subban, shots SCORES. TIE GAME with 41 seconds to go. OT – nothing. We go to a shoot out and there are 6 shots taken – and final one by Donskoi beats Bernier and the Rangers win the game 6-5 (SO)!
Stars
1. BGR Zibanejad 2 goals
2. BGR Subban 2 goals 1 assist
3. CHI Kreider 1 goal, 1 assist
Game #3 – Visiting Team: Alamo Defenders
Game #3 – Home Team: Bathgate Rangers
Game #3: Rangers need to de-adjust whatever changes they made on defense this week as it hasn’t been good and this game is no different. Alamo comes and scores 2 in the 1st (Marchand PP and EV strength goal -nice start for him). Second period 2 more goals – Seguin 37 seconds in and Hinostroza and it’s 4-0 after 2. Pominville notches a PP goal early in the 3rd and the Rangers felt that they were finally at their max for giving up goals now down 5-0. McCann then spoiled Lehner’s bid for a shutout when he scores with 6 and a half to go. Final 5-1 Alamo.
STARS (all ALA)
1, Marchand 2 goals, 1 assist
2. Lehner 36 saves
3. Hinostroza 1 goal 1 assist
Weekly Summary: 3 games 2 points – not thrilled.
Alamo Defenders
Weekly Preview: Alamo plays host to Cincinnati and Jagr.
Cincinnati Inferno @ Alamo Defenders This was a good defensive game. No one scores in the 1st period.

Early in the 2nd, John Carlson scores for Cincinnati. In the 3rd, Hinostroza scores for the Defenders to tie the game. With 11 minutes to go, Tkachuk scores his 12th for the Inferno, and it turns out to be the game winner. Crawford with a big 36 saves in the win.

Cincinnati 2 Alamo 1

1-Crawford 36 saves
2-Tkachuk 1 goal
3-Carlson 1 goal

Jagr Mullets @ Alamo Defenders The high powered Mullets come to Alamo. In the 1st, Seguin scores for the Defenders. Its his 22nd of the year. In the 2nd, Hinostroza scores for Alamo, and its 2-0.

In the 3rd, its interesting as Schultz scores for Jagr, and the lead is narrowed to one. With 42 seconds to go, Alamo gets an empty netter from Yandle to put the game away.

Alamo 3 Jagr 1

1- Anderson 33 saves
2 – Hinostroza 1 goal and 1 assist
3 – Yandle 1 goal

Weekly Summary: Alamo split as they lose narrowly to Cincinnati, 2-1, but come back to beat Jagr, 3-1.
Cincinnati Inferno
Weekly Preview: The Cincinnati Inferno enter the week in third place in the Atlantic Division, sitting just outside the playoffs.
Gilbert Sharks @ Cincinnati Inferno Cincinnati raced out to a 2-0 first period lead with goals by Tyler Toffoli (third) at 2:37 on a tip-in and William Karlsson (1th) at 7:06 after stepping past a defenseman.

Andrew Cogliano’s (third) power play goal in the second at 4:19 cut the deficit in half. The Sharks outshot the Inferno, 12-3, in the middle stanza–but could get no closer.

There was no scoring in the third period, but Cincinnati dominated play in the Gilbert end, outshooting the Sharks, 16-3. For the game, the Inferno held a 35-24 shots advantage.

Cincinnati had 14 scoring chances to Gilbert’s three. Tuuka Rask knocked away 33 shots in the effort, while Carter Hutton re-routed 23. Gilbert was one-for-three with the man-advantage, while Cincinnati was one-of-two.

Charlotte Buzzards @ Cincinnati Inferno Once again, Tyler Toffoli scored early, tipping in a Matthew Tkachuk shot just 13 seconds in. It was Toffoli’s fourth goal of the year. It was also the only goal of the opening term.

In the second, Charlotte started things with Anders Lee’s 26th goal–getting loose on a defensive breakdown at 1:20 to tie things up. At 7:35 John Carlson re-established the Cincinnati lead with his seventh goal beating Henrik Lundqvist low to the stick side. Before the frame ended, at 12:51, Lee collected his second of the night and 27th of the year with a power play marker. Lee, grabbed the second rebound of a Carter Hutton save to knot things up at two apiece. The Buzzards held a 17-5 shots advantage in the period.

An evenly played third period was disturbed at 17:58 when Tkachuk netted his twelfth goal of the campaign faking past a defender and slipping the puck past Lundqvist. A frantic finish ensued, with no scoring occuring.

For the game, Charlotte held a 38-32 shots edge and was one-for-three on the power play, while Cincinnati was zero-for-three. Hutton took the win with 36 saves, while Lunqvist absorbed the loss with 29 stops. Sidney Crosby had assists on all three Cincinnati goals.

Weekly Summary: Cincinnati wins both home games to maintain its position in the playoff picture, but again–is on the outside looking in. The road to the postseason does not get easier, as road games at Guentzel and Brentwood loom next week–along with home contests against Columbus and Bucks County.
Jagr Mullets
Weekly Preview: A pair of home games this week against struggling teams that are far better than their records.
Thunder Bay NorWesters @ Jagr Mullets First up is Thunder bay, and this young team jumped all over the Mullets, going up 3-1 at the end of two. But never doubt the power of the Mullet – Jagr got their flow on and goals by Matthews (23), Radulov (9), and Granlund (12) about 5 minutes apart in the late 3rd turned a pending 3-1 loss into a 4-3 victory.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 16:30 EV TBN Nyquist (10), assisted by Couturier (29) and Landeskog (23)
2 9:28 EV TBN Landeskog (19), assisted by Nyquist (16) and Slavin (13)
2 11:11 EV JAG Nash (9), assisted by Rielly (37) and Ekholm (10)
2 15:41 EV TBN Saad (16), assisted by Bertuzzi (1) and Nielsen (3)
3 11:18 PP JAG Matthews (23), assisted by Schultz (1) and Hall (53)
3 12:23 EV JAG Radulov (9), assisted by Kadri (17)
3 16:11 EV JAG Granlund (12), assisted by Parise (4) and Brodie (14)

Star 1: TBN Landeskog 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 2: TBN Nyquist 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 3: JAG Matthews 1 G

GWG: Mikael Granlund

Notables: TBN Reimer 30 saves
JAG Matthews 16 faceoffs won, Brodie 5 blocks

Gilbert Sharks @ Jagr Mullets Jagr wastes no time, getting a goal from Taylor Hall (26) just 49 seconds into the game. But Gilbert responds with a pair of goals by Keller and Voracek to take the lead about halfway through the first. Seldom used Justin Schultz (2) scores at 14:49 to tie it up heading into the locker rooms.

In the 2nd, Giordano (8) pots one for Gilbert to take the lead 3-2.

But much like the first game, Jagr saves their best for last, and outscores Gilbert 3 goals to 1 in the 3rd to steal the game 5-4.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 :49 EV JAG Hall (26), assisted by Letang (27) and Matthews (29)
1 6:28 PP GIL Keller (21), assisted by Josi (20) and Stepan (11)
1 11:29 EV GIL Voracek (8), assisted by Nemeth (2)
1 14:49 EV JAG Schultz (2), assisted by Elias Lindholm (7) and Nash (9)
2 11:48 EV GIL Giordano (8), assisted by Keller (24) and Scandella (12)
3 2:08 EV JAG Ekholm (8), assisted by Radulov (46) and Ovechkin (18)
3 7:33 PP JAG Ovechkin (29), assisted by Letang (28) and Radulov (47)
3 9:39 EV GIL Atkinson (20), assisted by Panarin (32)
3 14:02 EV JAG Laine (28), assisted by Matthews (30) and Hall (54)

Star 1: JAG Ovechkin 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 2: JAG Hall 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 3: GIL Keller 1 G, 2 Pts

GWG: Patrik Laine

Notables: GIL None
JAG None

Weekly Summary: We’ll take the hard-earned 4 points at home. The team’s been scuffling a bit as of late, but we look forward to having our “best” lineup on the ice pretty much the rest of the year. The early season scratches should hopefully bear fruit down the stretch.
Brentwood Bandits
Weekly Preview: The Bandits continue to trail Jagr for first place in the Metro, but are still firing on all cylinders. Let’s see what this week brings?
Yellowknife Braves @ Brentwood Bandits The Central leading Yellowknife Braves come to town with the hopes of cutting the Bandits down to size. With the likes of Malkin, Monahan, Aho, Rantanen, and Kuznetsov, Brentwood has their work cut out for them.

The Bandits mix things up a bit. Resting big hitter David Backes and playing Jamie McGinn, who had some early season success. They also moved Lars Eller to the 3rd line in an attempt to jump utilize his accurate shot more, and dropping Derek Ryan to the more defensive minded 4th line to better utilize his strengths.

1st Period
Off the opening faceoff Tavares wins it. Hornqvist dumps it in, Kessel goes and gets it, turns and fires it on net, redirected by Patric… GOAL! His 17th of the season. Bandits lead 1-0.

Midway through the first, Bandits on the PP… 2nd unit out. Eberle with possession in the offensive zone, stops on a dime and finds Lindholm with a shooting lane… he shoots… SCORES!!! #5 on the season for Lindholm. 2-0 Bandits

30 seconds later McGinn with the forecheck, comes away with the puck, passes to Kerfoot who passes to Eller, back to McGinn and right back to Eller… SCORES!!! 3-0 Bandits. Some serious tic-tac-toe passing by this newly built 3rd line. We’re liking what we see so far!

Bandits dominate that period out-shooting the Braves 21-8.

Go to the 2nd…

Sharp skates it into the zone for the Braves. He stops, passes to Stastny, over to Colin Miller to Seabrook who shoots, Sharp with the deflection… GOAL!!! That is Sharp’s 1st of the season! Braves pull within 2 as it’s now 3-1 Bandits.

2 minutes later… Turris loses control of the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line and Eberle pounces on the puck and is off to the races as he jets past Ericsson and is all alone from the neutral zone on in! Eberle with all day to pick a spot… he glides in and decides to rip a slapper that goes right by Miller! He never saw it! Goal number 15 for Eberle as the Bandits reclaim the 3 goal lead, 4-1.

Tavares to Kessel, to Vlasic who winds up and fires… SCORES! Free Vlasic Pickles for everyone!! Goal #3 for Vlasic assisted by MWHL scoring leader, Phil Kessel (62) and Captain John Tavares (32). 5-1 Bandits lead.

Fleury now in goal for the Braves to try to stop the bleeding. He wouldn’t fare much better. Out of respect for Flower, I won’t go into any details, but the Bandits go on to score 4 more goals and keep the Braves off the scoreboard to win it by an uncomfortable score of 9-1!

Bandits 4-6 on the PP and with 46 shots.

Stars of the game:

Star 1 – Eller 2G, 1A
Star 2 – Eberle 1G, 2A
Tavares – 1G, 1A

Notables:
YEL – None
BWB – Kessel 3 assists, Vasilevskiy 33 saves

GWG Hampus Lindholm

Toledo Walleye @ Brentwood Bandits Toledo comes from the middle of the pack in the Central to see if they can fare any better than the Central’s leader, Yellowknife, who got run out of town with a 9-1 loss.

Matt Murray gets a rare start in net for the Bandits. Devan Dubnyk is his counterpart for the Walleye.

1st period…
Off a solid hit by Trevor Daley, van Riemsdyk grabs the loose puck and is off to the races on a breakaway! He bares down on Murray, waits… then dekes tot he backhand… SCORES!!! That’s his 24th of the season and the Walleye lead 1-0. So far so good for Toledo! Bandits, not so much.

That’s all for the 1st… we head into the 2nd with the Walleye leading 1-0.

Midway through the period, Bandits on the PP. Dubnyk has stood tall thus far, saving all pucks thrown his way in the first (18) and a good bit in the 2nd thus far. Until Hornqvist takes a shot, blocked by MacDonald, but Patric gets the puck back and fires a pass over to Maatta who shoots a lazer by Dubnyk! SCORES! His 1st of the season! About time! Game is tied 1-1.

16:29 – Eberle and Niederreiter on a 2 on 1. Eberle holds… last second saucer pass over the stick of the defender, on Nino’s tape… he SCORES!! 2-1 Bandits lead for the first time this game! El Nino’s 22nd of the season.

With seconds remaining, Alexander Kerfoot kerplunks a puck past Dubnyk on a one-timer from the face-off circle off a beautiful feed by Krug! 3-1 Bandits lead with 7 seconds left in the 2nd.

To the 3rd…
Bandits on the PP… Kessel carries it over the line. He controls it and looks over the ice. Vlasic skates backwards and drifts across the blue line waiting for the feed, Kessel obliges… Vlasic fires! FREE PICKLES FOR EVERYONE! Vlasic with his 4th of the season. Kessel adds to his league leading points total with his 64th assist of the season. Bandits lead 4-1.

Bandits Power Play… Tavares shoots it around the boards. A weird bounce puts the puck right on the stick of Kessel who one-times it… SCORES! #23 on the season for Phil the Thrill! 5-1 Bandits lead.

Bandits Power Play (again!)… Kessel feeds it over to Maatta who rips in his 2nd of the night (and season)! Bandits lead 6-1 which will be our final score.

Bandits PP is on fire! Going 4-8 this game. Also did not commit a single penalty? Hey, we’ll take it! A disciplined team… or are the refs paid off?? 😉

Star 1 – Maatta 2G
Star 2 – Kessel 1G, 2A
Star 3 – Vlasic 1G, 1A

Notables
TOL – Dubnyk 50 saves, Brouwer 12 PIM
BWB – Hornqvist 3 assists, Murray 27 of 28 shots saved

Weekly Summary: At this point, we are finished using the narrative of “riding out the luck” and have realized that our team has been constructed rather well to put pucks in the net, and keep them out of our own net. The tweaks this week worked very well, and may continue until it’s time to tweak again.

Your move Mullets…

Columbus Brew Jackets
Weekly Preview: Columbus fighting to stay alive in the tough Metropolitan playoff hunt hosts 2 teams from the left coast – California and Long Beach.
California Regulators @ Columbus Brew Jackets Brew Jackets are for a hard game against the team from California that brings in their own regulations on how to play – and so for those rules have California in the top spot in the Pacific. Things go south for Columbus when Hayes is flagged for boarding MAJOR 6 minutes into the game. Regulators respond with not 1, but 2 PP goals. Huberdeau and Reinhart the recipients of the goals. California has the gold in PPs when the get their 3rd PP goal midway in the 2nd and it’s 3-0.
Light went on behind the Brew Jacket bench after that and Couture scores with 5 to go in the 2nd. 20 minutes later Edmundson scores to make it 3-2 CAL and then a minute and a half later Kucherov gets a PP goal to TIE it up.
Into the last minute and both teams fighting hard. New Regulator Filpupula wins the faceoff in his own end. Works it up ice, then recovers it in the corner, to Huberdeau to Barzal – shoots, scores with less than 1 to go. And the Regulators hold off to win 4-3 in a tough loss for Columbus.
STARS – all from CAL
1. Barzal with a goal and 2 assists
2. Huberdeau goal and assist
3, Reinhart goal
Long Beach Ice Dogs @ Columbus Brew Jackets 2-2 after two in this one. Early Miller goal in the 1st countered by goals from Iafallo and Gallagher for Long Beach. Then Hayes scores in the 2nd for the tie.
Gallagher scores his 2nd of the game just under 9 minutes into the 3rd but Kucherov responds 30 seconds later to re-tie the game. Then Matheson shocks the home team fans by scoring for Long Beach less than a minute later and give the Ice Dogs the 4-3 lead. That’s how it is going into the final minute when Miller gets his 2nd of the game after bringing on the extra attacker. 4-4 less than 1 – even strength and Columbus gets it into the Long Beach end, Benn, to Kucherov – oh he shovels it to Edmundson – one-times GOAL. Columbus scores with 16 seconds to go and hangs on for the win. 5-4.
STARS
1. CBJ Miller 2 goals 1 assist
2. CBJ Kucherov 1 goal, 3 assists
3. LBD Gallagher 2 goals
Weekly Summary: Tough loss to CA cost 2 points – 2 of 4, hard to keep pace the way Jagr and Brentwood are going.
Guentzel Gunners
Weekly Preview: Guenzel has two games this week and needs these 3 points back but has two teams two points back on him one of them is Toledo who they play this week.
Toledo Walleye @ Guentzel Gunners They are looking to beat toledo and hold playoff position. Guenzel goes up by 4 looking clear until toledo respondes with two in the last of the first. Guenzel scores two more and gets up to 6 but toledo can only get to 5. Haula lead the gunners to another big win with a hat trick.
New Jersey Grizzlies @ Guentzel Gunners Not much to write about other than guenzel picked one up in the first one in the second. 2-0 is the final Guenzel up to 58 points. 1 point ahead of Yellowknife.
Weekly Summary: Gunezel goes 2-0 with Haula big week 8 total goals in the week avarage of 4 7 givin up 3.5 averafe per game.
Charlotte Buzzards
Weekly Preview: In this latest stretch, the Charlotte Buzzards desperately need wins to stay in the playoff race but also try to reconcile that with monitoring its usage and giving several starters needed rest. The expansion team hosts the Long Beach Ice Dogs and Lafayette Homestead.
Long Beach Ice Dogs @ Charlotte Buzzards January 26 Long Beach at Charlotte
The Ice Dogs blitz the Buzzards and knock goalie Henrik Lundqvist out early en route to a 6-4 win. In the first 23 minutes of play, the Ice Dogs take just 12 shots but five of them find the net. Lundqvist was subsquently yanked for Carey Price who in his first game of the season played briliantly and registered 19 saves while giving up no goals. Five different Ice Dogs account for their five goals that lifted the team to the early 5-1 lead (David Savard, Danton Heinen, T.J. Oshie, Mitch Marner and Mike Matheson). Charlotte, playing in front of Price, valiantly attempted to rally with three unanswered goals from Bryan Rust (his first of the season), Anders Lee and Dylan Larkin, cutting the lead to 5-4. But Marner’s second goal, an empty netter with 29 seconds left in regulation, sealed the deal.
Lafayette Homesteaders @ Charlotte Buzzards Martin Jones saves 33 without giving up a goal as the Homestead shuts out Charlotte 3-0. Lafayette capitalized twice in its four power play opportunities and Evgeni Dadonov’s power play goal 17:01 into the first period proved to be the only goal that the Homestead would need. Matt Duchene and Shayne Gothisbehere added later third period goals when the game was still tight, Gothisbehere’s coming when Lafayette had the extra man with 7:31 left in regulation. Charlotte failed to capitalize on 65 shot attempts and missed the net 17 times. Jones was quite impressive; all 18 of Charlotte’s skaters registered at least one shot (Tyler Myers led with four), yet none of them were able to score.
Weekly Summary: Charlotte’s decision to finally address usage and rest several players during this window backfired. Top performers including Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Grabner, Jon Marchessault, defenseman Erik Johnson and goalie Anti Raanta all sat out both home contests. The Buzzards hopeful to steal a win or even two, instead come away with zero points in both home games — a blow to any hopes of a late-season bid for the playoffs.
New Jersey Grizzlies
Charlotte Buzzards @ New Jersey Grizzlies Ryan Johansen and the new physical New Jersey Grizzlies defeated Charlotte by a score of 4-1. In a game that was very physical Johansen was able to find the net and make some key passes to lead New Jersey to victory.
Columbus Brew Jackets @ New Jersey Grizzlies Game 2 of the week had New Jersey pitted against a Brew Jackets team that was angry like Charlotte but it seemed the goalies were not present. Ryan Johansen got the game started Nikitia Kucharov tied it up and then all broke loose. New Jersey was able to post 4 straight goals to get out to a commanding lead. Cory Schneider then fell asleep at the wheel and allowed Columbus a chance to make it interesting. Final score 6-4, New Jersey
Weekly Summary: Ryan Johansen, Jake Debrusk led the scorers for New Jersey and some decent work in net by the two goalies Braden Holtby and Cory Schneider. The physical play was much of a surprise but with 3 road games this upcoming week it should get interesting to say the least.
Chicago Cosa Nostra
Weekly Preview: Chicago with two home games at the Capone Center take on division rivals Bucks County & Yellowknife.
Bucks County Raccoons @ Chicago Cosa Nostra The Raccoons score one midway through the 3rd period & beat the home town team by one goal.

Final Score: Buck County 3 – Chicago 2

Three Star Selection:
Star #1 – Brian Elliott – 41 Saves
Star #2 – Duncan Keith – 1 Goal
Star #3 – Josh Bailey – 1 Goal, 2 Points

Yellowknife Braves @ Chicago Cosa Nostra Down two to one heading into the 3rd Period Chicago scores one, but still comes up one short

Final Score: Yellowknife 3 – Chicago 2

Three Star Selection:
Star #1 – Mikko Rantanen – 1 Goal, 2 Points.
Star #2 – Marc-AndreFleury – 40 Saves
Star #3 – Kyle Turris – 1 Goal

Weekly Summary: Chicago comes up with zero points for the week at home, falling in both games by the score of 3-2. Chicago fans are not happy, but area already thinking about next year.
Lafayette Homesteaders
Weekly Preview: The Steaders take on two tough teams in LA and Guetzel this week
LA Great Danes @ Lafayette Homesteaders LA dominates from beginning to end. Anderson stands on his head to shut out Lafayette including a 27-8 shot differential in the 3rd in favor of the home team. Rick Nash puts in 2 PP goals and that all LA needs

LA 6 LAF 0

Guentzel Gunners @ Lafayette Homesteaders Just as bad in game one the Steaders were that good in game too crushing the Gunners 7-1. Martin Jones stopped 41 shots and Duchene and Forsberg each had 2 goals

LAF 7 Guetzel 1

Weekly Summary: 1-1 is about how the season has gone for Lafayette. Very happy with their first year in the league.
And excited about rookie Carter Hart tearing up the minors
Toledo Walleye
Weekly Preview: Toledo (24-23-2) hosts Columbus (27-19-5) and Bucks County (22-25-3). Tyson Barrie returns to the lineup after injury.
Columbus Brew Jackets @ Toledo Walleye Toledo 5, Columbus 4, OT – A clean well played game with only 4 penalties split evenly between both teams. Brouwer draws first blood early and Columbus answers later in the period with a goal by Benn. 1st period ends tied 1-1.
2nd period sees Columbus tally 2 (Miller and Couture) while the home team can only counter with 1 (Daley) on the power play. Period ends 3-2 Columbus.
3rd period starts with Toledo evening the game on a shortie from MacDonald. Columbus answers and takes the lead on a goal by Hayes, only to see Toledo tie it up again on a goal by Mantha. Regulation ends tied 4-4.
Toledo takes the game in overtime on a faceoff followed by 3 passes and a blast into the net by Anisimov.1st star – Couture 1g2a
2nd – MacDonald 1g1a
3rd – Benn 1g1a
Bucks County Raccoons @ Toledo Walleye Toledo 5, Bucks County 4 – The fans will talk about this one for a while.
In the first period McDavid sets a record in the arena for goals scored in shortest time, 0:17 seconds apart. The rest of the period is fairly boring and the period ends 2-0 Raccoons.
Toledo changes see Krejci score early to cut the lead in half. But the momentum dies and the teams play to a standoff the rest of the period. 2-1 Racoons at end of 2The Raccoons continue their penchant for scoring early, netting 2 before the clock ticks off 360 seconds, Meier even and Johansson on the power play. The crowd goes quiet as the scoreboard reads 4-1 Raccoons. Things turn quickly as Krejci scores with 13 minutes left to cut the lead to 2. MacDonald follows suit 4 minutes later to make it 4-3. The Raccoon defense stiffens until Krejci completes his hat trick just past the 2 minute mark. And the comeback is complete when van Riemsdyk nets one 21 seconds later. The Raccoons pull the goalie trying to steal the win back, but are unable to make it happen.1st star – Krejci 3 goals
2nd – McDavid 2 goals
3rd – van Riemsdyk GWG
Weekly Summary: First time in quite a while for 2 wins at home in Toledo.

The Krejci hat trick was the highlight this week.

Gilbert Sharks
Weekly Preview: Gilbert has two home games versus Lafayette and Clearfield
Lafayette Homesteaders @ Gilbert Sharks Cam Atkinson and Nathan Mackinnon each have a goal and an assist as Gilbert wins 4-1.
Clearfield Bison @ Gilbert Sharks Claude Giroux and Dustin Brown each score 3 points as Clearfield beats Gilbert 4-3.
Weekly Summary: Gilbert goes 1-1 at home and continues the mediocrity.
Clearfield Bison
Weekly Preview: 2 games in clearfield this week
Alamo Defenders @ Clearfield Bison clearfield jumps out to 4-0 lead and holds on to win 5-2
LA Great Danes @ Clearfield Bison clearfield blows 2-0 lead in 1st period but scores 3 straight after letting la tie the game at 2 and win 6-3.
Weekly Summary: sorry about poor write ups, havent been feeling well. on the plus side, 2 wins for the surging bison.