Month: January 2009

PITTSBURGH – The losses are mounting, the confidence is sliding and rumours of a coaching change are swirling.The Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the NHL’s best teams the past two seasons, are going through what lesser teams tend to endure.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Rockford IceHogs goaltender Corey Crawford is the American Hockey League’s player of the week.The 24-year-old Montreal native stopped 95 of 97 shots in three appearances, going 2-0-1 with a 0.

BROSSARD, Que. – If the Montreal Canadiens have any interest in Vincent Lecavalier, general manager Bob Gainey says he’ll be the last one to let the public know.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In early November, Steve Mason was just another promising minor leaguer.Now he’s the hottest goaltender in the NHL.The 20-year-old emerging star also has given hope to the once hopeless Columbus Blue Jackets, the only current NHL franchise to never appear in the post-season.

OTTAWA – With speculation swirling over the future of Ottawa Senators staff and players, general manager Bryan Murray insisted Monday that there will be no quick fix coming in order to save jobs.

According to a report by ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside, the Phoenix Coyotes lost out on 25 percent of the revenue sharing last season after not hitting predetermined goals.

NEW YORK – The Winter Classic drew the biggest American television audience for a regular-season NHL game in nearly 34 years.The Detroit Red Wings’ 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day attracted an average of 4.

TORONTO – Canadian centre John Tavares and Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman are the top draft-eligible skaters from North America and Europe according to the mid-season rankings by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau released Monday.

EDMONTON – A group of 150 Canadian soldiers will be honoured with a tribute video before the Edmonton Oilers take on the Capitals in Washington on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets placed forward Rick Nash on injured reserve Monday and recalled forward Derek MacKenzie from Syracuse of the American Hockey League.

NEW YORK – Colorado Avalanche left-winger Wojtek Wolski was named National Hockey League first star of the week Monday.He had six points (4-2) in three games last week.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets placed forward Rick Nash on injured reserve Monday and recalled forward Derek MacKenzie from Syracuse of the American Hockey League.

Results from other leaguesAHL Manitoba 4 Peoria 3 Rochester 6 Hamilton 5Houston 4 Chicago 1Lake Erie 3 Philadelphia 0 Lowell 5 Providence 2 Springfield 4 Portland 1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 6 Hershey 2 ECHL Cincinnati 6 Wheeling 4Trenton 5 Dayton 0IHL No Games Scheduled.

Detailed summaries from Sunday’s games:Blues 1 at Oilers 2First Period No Scoring.Penalties – Souray Edm (interference) 2:57, Gagner Edm (hooking) 5:41, Jackman StL (hooking) 10:18, MacIntyre Edm (tripping) 16:30.

Movements in the world of hockey Sunday:National Hockey LeagueCALGARY FLAMES-Assigned F Mikael Backlund to Kelowna (WHL).EDMONTON OILERS-Placed F Zack Stortini on injured reserve.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Chris Kunitz scored twice in the third period to help the Anaheim Ducks beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Sunday night.With the game tied at two, Kunitz wrapped around the New Jersey goal and tucked the puck under goalie Scott Clemmensen’s pads 1:36 into the third.

EDMONTON – Sam Gagner scored the game winner and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers snapped a two-game losing skid with a 2-1 victory over the St.

CHICAGO – Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves, and Dustin Byfuglien, Dave Bolland and Martin Havlat scored to help the Chicago Blackhawks snap a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday night.