Month: December 2009

National Hockey LeagueMONTREAL CANADIENS-Recalled D Yannick Weber from Hamilton (AHL). Released F Ryan Murphy.American Hockey LeagueADIRONDACK PHANTOMS-Reassigned G Michael-Lee Teslak to the Wheeling (ECHL) and G Nic Riopel to Moncton (QMJHL)

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Thornton wanted to avoid another four days agonizing over an extended winless streak. So he took care of business.Thornton scored twice to help the San Jose Sharks snap a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night

CALGARY – After getting a night off, Miikka Kiprusoff was back at for the Calgary Flames on Thursday.Kiprusoff made 34 saves, including 15 in the third period, as Calgary hung on to beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1

EDMONTON – Down 2-0 early in the first to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, Nashville coach Barry Trotz knew the next goal was going to be key

PHILADELPHIA – The streaking Pittsburgh Penguins left the Philadelphia Flyers behind – again.Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby scored in a shootout to give Pittsburgh its fourth straight victory and 10th in 13 games, 3-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings won another game but lost another player.Jimmy Howard made 30 saves for his first NHL shutout in Detroit’s 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night

ATLANTA – Ondrej Pavelec, Rich Peverley and the Atlanta Thrashers didn’t give up after allowing a devastating tying goal to the Dallas Stars at the end of regulation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shane Doan didn’t want to talk so much about what his 1,000th career game meant to him. Besides, winning meant more to his team

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens improved in a lot of statistical areas, just not the one that counts.Niklas Backstrom stopped 30 shots as the Minnesota Wild sent the Canadiens to their fifth straight loss with a 3-1 victory Thursday

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – For one night, the New York Rangers’ roster shake up worked.Playing without benched veterans Wade Redden and Ales Kotalik, the Rangers responded to coach John Tortorella’s heavy hand and broke out of their offensive woes

DETROIT – Detroit centre Henrik Zetterberg left the Red Wings’ game Thursday night against Tampa Bay late in the first period because of an upper-body injury

New York Rangers coach John Tortorella benched defenceman Wade Redden and forward Ales Kotalik for the rematch Thursday night against the New York Islanders after his club dropped its fifth straight a night earlier

VANCOUVER, B.C. – When the Washington Capitals visit the Vancouver Canucks Friday, the game will feature a star forward who’s second in league scoring and a viable Hart trophy candidate

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Thornton’s parents have figured he’s a good bet for Team Canada since receiving an endorsement from Don Cherry.The host of “Coach’s Corner” said last month that the entire Sharks line of Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau should receive invitations to Vancouver because of their solid play and familiarity with one another

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Saku Koivu’s power-play goal at 15:48 of the third period gave the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday

CHICAGO – Known for its speed and skilled young offensive stars, the Chicago Blackhawks are winning with defence and goaltending.Cristobal Huet made 27 saves for his second shutout of the season, and Patrick Kane assisted on all three Chicago goals to match a career high in the Blackhawks’ 3-0 victory over the St

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Anaheim Ducks winger Joffrey Lupul is due to undergo back surgery and will miss six to eight weeks.Ducks coach Randy Carlyle confirmed Lupul’s lengthy absence to reporters Wednesday before the Ducks met the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs had a rough second period on Wednesday night and the surprising Phoenix Coyotes took advantage.Petr Prucha scored twice for Phoenix and Keith Yandle and Martin Hanzal each chipped in with three assists as the Coyotes scored four times in second to double up the Maple Leafs 6-3

SUNRISE, Fla. – Late Atlanta goals have proved problematic for the Florida Panthers this season. On Wednesday night, the Panthers found a way to turn the tables

OTTAWA – With the depleted Ottawa Senators scrambling just to put together four forward lines, goaltender Brian Elliott helped bail them out with another big game