Articles by Doug Stolhand

DALLAS – As strange as it sounds, the Dallas Stars might have preferred staying on the West Coast even though they are coming home with a 2-0 series lead.

PHILADELPHIA – It has been a challenging year for Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Ryder.
The 28-year-old from Bonavista, N.L., struggled with just 14 goals in the regular season and was a healthy scratch for a fifth straight playoff game Monday.

PHILADELPHIA – It has been a challenging year for Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Ryder.The 28-year-old from Bonavista, N.L., struggled with just 14 goals in the regular season and was a healthy scratch for a fifth straight playoff game Monday.

QUEBEC – The waiting game is on for Alex Ovechkin.The NHL’s leading scorer has joined Russia ahead of the IIHF World Hockey Championship but isn’t yet able to practise or play with the team because he hasn’t been insured.

QUEBEC – Russia is adding some big guns to its roster for the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championship.Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin has joined the team along with teammates Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin.

MONTREAL – Guy Carbonneau watched forward Tom Kostopoulos deck Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Kimmo Timonen with a left hook and wondered what all the fuss was about.

A quick look at Sunday’s games:Rangers 0 at Penguins 2First PeriodNo Scoring.Penalties – Whitney Pgh (interference) 2:57, Gomez NYR (holding) 4:25, Ruutu Pgh (hooking) 10:41, Mara NYR (roughing), Letang Pgh (unsportsmanlike conduct) 13:34, Tyutin NYR (holding) 13:54, Ruutu Pgh (high-sticking) 16:38.

Movements in the world of hockey Sunday:
 
American Hockey League
AHL-Suspended Syracuse LW Tom Sestito for three games for his actions in a game at Manitoba on April 25.

Movements in the world of hockey Sunday:American Hockey LeagueAHL-Suspended Syracuse LW Tom Sestito for three games for his actions in a game at Manitoba on April 25.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Pavelski collapsed like a kid on rented skates, nudging the puck straight to Brad Richards as he fell. Richards, who has a few big playoff goals in his past, turned that turnover into the Dallas Stars’ tying score before the Sharks even knew they were doomed.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars probably don’t want to leave the Shark Tank. At least they’re doing it with a two-game lead in a second-round series that’s turning into a rout.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Defenceman Sergei Zubov returned to the Dallas Stars’ lineup Sunday night after missing more than three months with a sports hernia.

ARNPRIOR, Ont. – The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves are at the top of the minor hockey world, with gold medals around their necks following an inspired 6-4 win over the Winnipeg Thrashers in the final of the Telus Cup on Sunday.

TORONTO – The Toronto Marlies couldn’t close the deal.San Antonio’s Josh Tordjman stopped 38 shots while Chad Kolarik and Dylan Reese each scored as the Marlies lost Game 6 of their North Division semifinal series 3-0 to the Rampage on Sunday , ensuring there will be a seventh and deciding game.

DENVER – The fiery rivalry has fizzled.Usually a hotly contested, physical tussle, the Colorado-Detroit series hasn’t lived up to its past.Then again, the Red Wings have thoroughly dominated the series, leading 3-0 heading into Game 4 on Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.

DENVER – Just two weeks ago, Jose Theodore sheepishly was fending off comparisons to Hall of Famer Patrick Roy that were coming at him fast and furious like so many shots from the Minnesota Wild.

PITTSBURGH – The New York Rangers got the kind of game they wanted, but not the result.Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots for his second career playoff shutout as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Rangers 2-0 on Sunday to take a 2-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.

MONTREAL – It was Martin Biron’s night to shine in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Biron made 34 saves and his good friend Daniel Briere got the game-winner as the Flyers downed the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the NHL playoffs on Saturday night.

MONTREAL – Daniel Briere scored in the second period and Martin Biron had a brilliant game in goal as the Philadelphia Flyers held off a 36-shot Montreal attack to defeat the Canadiens 4-2 Saturday in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.