Every day from Monday to Saturday, The Ice Sheet will take a look at the biggest stories in the league that happened on the ice and elsewhere the night before.'Twas the Ice Sheet before Christmas and all through NHL FanHouse, nothing was stirring except J.P.'s keyboard and mouse.
With no stand-out performances last night (the Rangers were able to hold an opposing scorer under five goals for the game) and no big news as the Christmas roster freeze is ine effect, let's dive right into...
Friday Finals:
- Blue Jackets 2, Kings 1. A good ol' fashioned pitchers duel in C'bus saw the Kings' Jason LaBarbera and the Jax' Fredrik Norrena each stop 33 shots, but since the hosts took one more shot on the night, well, you do the math.
- Sabres 3, Flyers 2. Daniel Briere (and Martin Biron)'s return to Buffalo was marked by jeers for the former. I'd ask Sabres fans why they were booing Danny when it wasn't his fault that management dropped the ball on locking him into a long-term contract when they had the chance, but I'd be willing to bet that the fans that were booing aren't the kind who use computers (or eating utensils or indoor plumbing, for that matter).
- Islanders 4, Penguins 2. A week ago, Chris Simon stomped on Jarkko Ruutu's leg with his skate and subsequently started serving his 30-game suspension, thus sparing him a vengeful beatdown from the Pens' new enforcer.
- Avalanche 4, Rangers 3 (OT). Milan Hejduk only managed to score twice on Henrik Lundqvist, but a Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth-less Colorado squad still beat the struggling Blueshirts. On a sidenote, having played the Wild and Avalanche these past two nights, if the Rangers had the Lightning next up on the schedule, they'd hit all three of the League's teams whose nicknames don't end in "s" in a row (sidenote: you just don't get that kind of critical, in-depth analysis in the mainstream media, do you?).
- Devils 3, Oilers 1. Two goals in a 35-second span in the third period ruined an otherwise exceptional night for Oiler netminder Mathieu Garon. John Madden added an empty-netter and sent Jersey off to Calgary -- where the Flames and Devils will battle for control of Hell itself -- with a win.
- Stars 3, Flames 2 (OT). The Flames were 30-9-2 at home last season and are 7-7-5 at home thus far this season. If you're a little slow this morning, that means they have more home losses before Christmas than they had all of last season. Kudos, Iron Mike!
Here's the best of a busy Saturday 'round the League as many teams play their last game before the Christmas break:
- Blues @ Bruins. These two teams are a combined 35-24-6, but the real story, of course, is the return of Brad Boyes to Boston. You'll recall last year's trade that read like a NAMBLA personal ad ("Wideman for Boyes"), and while Dennis Wideman is performing very well for the B's (4G, 10A, +9), they sure could use a center like Boyes (especially in Patrice Bergeron's absence), who already has 20 goals on the year.
- Blackhawks @ Senators. Speaking of reunions, Martin Havlat returns to Ottawa. Yawn.
- Sabres @ Flyers. Buffalo and Philly complete their pre-Yule home-and-home.
- Red Wings @ Wild. Here's tonight's main event as two top teams in the West battle it out with all eyes on Marian Gaborik to see how he follows up a five-goal night. My guess? With a groin injury.
- Ducks @ Sharks. A Pacific Division match-up with both teams trying to keep pace with Dallas.
It's not exactly hockey, but it's close enough. Happy Holidays, everyone, and I'll see you here next week for the last Ice Sheet of '07:
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Hi J.P.
Can't go wrong with Bob and Doug - the 12 Days of Christmas sung by Bob and Doug is the best carol of the season for my money!
Posted at 2:03PM on Dec 22nd 2007 by PB
2. I'd ask Sabres fans why they were booing Danny when it wasn't his fault that management dropped the ball on locking him into a long-term contract when they had the chance, but I'd be willing to bet that the fans that were booing aren't the kind who use computers (or eating utensils or indoor plumbing, for that matter).
Well, since you asked....
Booing in my opinion is about a whole lot more than the player being booed. As a Buffalonian, a computer user, an occasional fork user, and a habitual user of indoor plumbing, I had to chime in on this one.
Posted at 6:24PM on Dec 22nd 2007 by Katebits
3. Sorry, I meant to include a link to the post I wrote on this subject this morning in my last comment. I'm sure you're all dying to hear what I have to say about this. :P
http://willfulcaboose.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/i-heart-booing/
Posted at 6:25PM on Dec 22nd 2007 by Katebits
4. Briere was booed (after the puck was dropped) because he no longer plays for the Sabres & worse yet he now plays for the Flyers (still the 2nd most hated team in Buffalo). He probably has had lunch with Bobby Clarke (EEch!!!) Phooey on the Flyers FOREVER!!!
Posted at 6:25PM on Dec 22nd 2007 by chris Ignasiak