Month: January 2009

Movements in the world of hockey:ECHLELMIRA JACKALS-Announced Binghamton (AHL) assigned F Josh Aspenlind and D Geoff Waugh, and recalled F Derek Couture and F Chaz Johnson.

MONTREAL – Alexei Kovalev desperately wanted to win MVP of the all-star game in front of a home crowd, and accomplishing that is not the only thing he hopes to give Montreal Canadiens fans this season.

MONTREAL – Roberto Luongo was on the hot seat when the NHL all-star game went into overtime and then a shootout.It didn’t work out as planned for the Vancouver Canucks goaltender, who was beaten by Montreal’s Alex Kovalev and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, while Boston’s Tim Thomas stoned both Western Conference shooters in 12-11 loss to the Eastern Conference.

MONTREAL – A report card look at the 2009 NHL all-star game:Eastern ConferenceGoaltenders – B. Home team goalie Carey Price set a nice tone allowing only two first-period goals, but Henrik Lundqvist was bombarded in the second and let in six.

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens couldn’t have asked for a better ending to all-star weekend.A sellout crowd at the Bell Centre was roaring as the teams traded chances in overtime of the all-star game on Sunday and absolutely exploded when Habs forward Alexei Kovalev scored what turned out to be the shootout winner.

Jean Beliveau has fond memories of taking part in the various NHL all-star game formats that spanned his Hall of Fame career with the Montreal Canadiens.

WORCESTER, Mass. – The PlanetUSA team won six of eight events to continue its recent mastery of the AHL All-Star Skills Competition, posting an 18-12 win over the Canadian squad Sunday afternoon.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Cedrick Desjardins made 32 saves and Kyle Chipchura and Ben Maxwell had a goal and an assist each as the Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Binghamton Senators 5-3 in American Hockey League action Saturday.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Shaun Heshka scored the overtime winner as the Manitoba Moose topped the Syracuse Crunch 3-2 in AHL action Saturday.The win ended a five-game road trip for Manitoba (32-13-0-2), extending their winning streak to six and putting them one point above the Grand Rapids Griffins for first place in the North Division.

MONTREAL – Alex Ovechkin didn’t even need to score a goal to author his latest signature moment. This one came on style points alone.The flashy Russian brought some props to the NHL all-star skills event on Saturday night and was voted the winner for a second straight year.

TORONTO – Staffan Kronwall scored the go-ahead goal early the third period as the Toronto Marlies beat the Chicago Wolves 3-1 in American Hockey League action Saturday.

MONTREAL – Boston Bruins rookie Blake Wheeler didn’t know what all-star weekend would be like when Air Canada lost his sticks on the trip to Montreal this week.

PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia Flyers minor league enforcer was discharged from a hospital Saturday, a day after having a seizure following a bloody fight – and weeks after the death of a Canadian senior amateur who hit his head on the ice while fighting.

MONTREAL – The NHL is ready to seriously examine the role of fighting in hockey.It’s not a process that commissioner Gary Bettman has shown much eagerness to oversee during his 16 years on the job, but times are about to change.

MONTREAL – Mike Babcock always makes a stop at his alma mater McGill University when he visits Montreal.This week, the Detroit Red Wings coach took time out to play in an alumni game at McGill, then helped out head coach Martin Raymond at a Redmen practice Friday.

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens fans attending the NHL all-star weekend festivities are getting a glimpse of their team’s past power-play glory.

DALLAS – Already faced with the disappointment of heading back to the minors, Dallas Stars rookie James Neal didn’t even know where he would play his next game.

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:National Hockey LeaguePHOENIX COYOTES-Announced the resignation of chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Shumway.

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Phantoms forward Garrett Klotz was taken to hospital Friday after suffering a seizure during a first-period fight against Manchester Monarchs forward Kevin Westgarth.