Month: September 2008

LOS ANGELES – Chris Kunitz scored the deciding goal in the shootout to lift the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 pre-season victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Thornton scored with 3:03 into overtime to give the San Jose Sharks a 4-3 pre-season victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday night.

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueATLANTA THRASHERS-Assigned F Jordan LaVallee, F Junior Lessard and F Joe Motzko Chicago (AHL).

EDMONTON – David Moss scored twice as the Calgary Flames won their fourth pre-season game in a row, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Tuesday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Stephane Veilleux scored his second goal of the game with 23.9 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 3-2 pre-season victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

MONTREAL – Rookie hopeful Max Pacioretty scored in regulation and in shootout as the Montreal Canadiens downed the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in NHL pre-season action Tuesday night.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings acquired defenceman Sean O’Donnell from the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, receiving a conditional selection in the 2009 NHL draft in return.

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced they have declared a strike against the Central Hockey League, effective immediately.
“The economic impact of the PHPA’s comprehensive proposal package, most of which has yet to be countered, is modest by today’s standards,” stated PHPA executive director Larry Landon on the union’s website.

A full year hasn’t even passed since Bruce Boudreau was hired by the Washington Capitals but he’s already well up the seniority list of NHL head coaches.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Jussi Jokinen and Vincent Lecavalier scored in a shootout Tuesday to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over HC Slovan Bratislava in a pre-season game, the first ever for an NHL team in Slovakia.

NEW YORK – Former NFL draft bust Tony Mandarich says he used steroids at Michigan State and faked a drug test before the 1988 Rose Bowl.He also said during an interview on “Inside the NFL” that will air Wednesday on Showtime that he did not use steroids in the NFL but was addicted to alcohol and painkillers.

BERN, Switzerland – The New York Rangers returned to Switzerland after a 49-year absence and easily beat Bern 8-1 Tuesday in an exhibition game.

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks have named goaltender Roberto Luongo as their new captain.Coach Alain Vigneault says Luongo can’t wear the C on his jersey because he’s a goalie but is permitted to be designated the team’s captain.

To get an idea of just how wide open the NHL’s Eastern Conference is this season, all you have to do is start asking those involved about their competition.

Nikolai Khabibulin has cleared waivers, one day after the Blackhawks placed him there.
Trade speculation continues to follow the one-time Stanley Cup champion, who’s future with the club was called into question when GM Dale Tallon signed Cristobal Huet from the free agent market in the off-season.

There is plenty to look for in the 2008-09 NHL season.Chris Chelios will play a 25th NHL season with the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and top draft pick Steven Stamkos will play his first for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Sabres centre Paul Gaustad is expected to miss at least three to four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb Tuesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jeff O’Neill has decided to end his comeback bid with the Carolina Hurricanes.The 32-year-old forward attended Carolina’s training camp on a tryout and appeared in three pre-season games.

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Sergei Gonchar will have surgery on his disclocated shoulder Thursday and miss four to six months of the upcoming season.

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Assigned LW Michal Birner, C Eric Bogunieckie, D John de Gray, G J.