Stick back: New York's Henrik Lundqvist blocks a shot from Washington in the third period of Game 5 on Monday night. The Rangers beat the Capitals 3-2 and lead the series 3-2. APThey celebrated in typical fashion: grinding out another victory.This one, though, will take them somewhere they've never been before: the Western Conference finals.Relying again on their grit and the superb goaltending of Mike Smith, the Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Monday night to earn their first trip to the conference finals in 33 years as an NHL franchise."It feels great right now, a lot of hard work," Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle said. "It's been a battle the past few years, but it's a lot of fun and we're blessed to be where we are right now."The day started off with news the Coyotes and their fans had been anticipating for three years.Speaking as players from both teams warmed up in the hallway, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that a tentative deal had been reached to sell the Coyotes to former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.Phoenix paid it no mind. The Coyotes had spent the previous three seasons with the uncertainty hanging over them and had learned to keep their focus on the ice, not what happens off it.Playing its usual counterpunching style, Phoenix withstood an early flurry by Nashville and followed with goals from Derek Morris and Martin Hanzal in the second period.And, as usual, the Coyotes gave up a late goal to make it interesting, this one by Colin Wilson with just under 6 minutes left.Phoenix has become accustomed to seat-of-their-pants victories, though, and they pulled out another one, nearly getting an empty-net goal by Smith before setting off a raucous celebration on the ice rink surrounded by desert.Next up for the Coyotes are the Los Angeles Kings, the first No. 8 seed to knock off Nos. 1 and 2 in the same playoffs. Rangers 3, Capitals 2 (OT)In New York, Marc Staal scored a power-play goal 1:35 into overtime after Brad Richards tied it in the dying seconds of regulation to lift the Rangers to a stunning victory over Washington in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.With goalie Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker, the Capitals' Joel Ward took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Carl Hagelin with 21.3 seconds left in the third period.Richards tied it on the first half of the power play with just 7.6 seconds to go, and Staal won it with a drive that appeared to deflect off a Washington player before beating goalie Braden Holtby.The top-seeded Rangers can advance to the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday in Washington.With the crowd still buzzing over the shocking tying goal, a din that held up through the long intermission, John Mitchell won a faceoff in the Capitals' end to start the winning play.Staal corralled the puck at the right point, glided to the center of the zone, and fired the drive that set off a wild celebration on the ice and in the seats at Madison Square Garden.John Carlson, who had given Washington a 2-1 lead in the third period, couldn't keep the puck out after he got in behind Holtby as a last line of defense.
Showing posts with label continue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label continue. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Coyotes continue surge, close out Predators in Game 5
GLENDALE, Arizona — An hour before one of the biggest games in franchise history, the Phoenix Coyotes learned a deal was in place for a new owner, one they hoped would end three years of uncertainty.Stick back: New York's Henrik Lundqvist blocks a shot from Washington in the third period of Game 5 on Monday night. The Rangers beat the Capitals 3-2 and lead the series 3-2. APThey celebrated in typical fashion: grinding out another victory.This one, though, will take them somewhere they've never been before: the Western Conference finals.Relying again on their grit and the superb goaltending of Mike Smith, the Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Monday night to earn their first trip to the conference finals in 33 years as an NHL franchise."It feels great right now, a lot of hard work," Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle said. "It's been a battle the past few years, but it's a lot of fun and we're blessed to be where we are right now."The day started off with news the Coyotes and their fans had been anticipating for three years.Speaking as players from both teams warmed up in the hallway, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that a tentative deal had been reached to sell the Coyotes to former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.Phoenix paid it no mind. The Coyotes had spent the previous three seasons with the uncertainty hanging over them and had learned to keep their focus on the ice, not what happens off it.Playing its usual counterpunching style, Phoenix withstood an early flurry by Nashville and followed with goals from Derek Morris and Martin Hanzal in the second period.And, as usual, the Coyotes gave up a late goal to make it interesting, this one by Colin Wilson with just under 6 minutes left.Phoenix has become accustomed to seat-of-their-pants victories, though, and they pulled out another one, nearly getting an empty-net goal by Smith before setting off a raucous celebration on the ice rink surrounded by desert.Next up for the Coyotes are the Los Angeles Kings, the first No. 8 seed to knock off Nos. 1 and 2 in the same playoffs. Rangers 3, Capitals 2 (OT)In New York, Marc Staal scored a power-play goal 1:35 into overtime after Brad Richards tied it in the dying seconds of regulation to lift the Rangers to a stunning victory over Washington in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.With goalie Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker, the Capitals' Joel Ward took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Carl Hagelin with 21.3 seconds left in the third period.Richards tied it on the first half of the power play with just 7.6 seconds to go, and Staal won it with a drive that appeared to deflect off a Washington player before beating goalie Braden Holtby.The top-seeded Rangers can advance to the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday in Washington.With the crowd still buzzing over the shocking tying goal, a din that held up through the long intermission, John Mitchell won a faceoff in the Capitals' end to start the winning play.Staal corralled the puck at the right point, glided to the center of the zone, and fired the drive that set off a wild celebration on the ice and in the seats at Madison Square Garden.John Carlson, who had given Washington a 2-1 lead in the third period, couldn't keep the puck out after he got in behind Holtby as a last line of defense.
Stick back: New York's Henrik Lundqvist blocks a shot from Washington in the third period of Game 5 on Monday night. The Rangers beat the Capitals 3-2 and lead the series 3-2. APThey celebrated in typical fashion: grinding out another victory.This one, though, will take them somewhere they've never been before: the Western Conference finals.Relying again on their grit and the superb goaltending of Mike Smith, the Coyotes beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Monday night to earn their first trip to the conference finals in 33 years as an NHL franchise."It feels great right now, a lot of hard work," Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle said. "It's been a battle the past few years, but it's a lot of fun and we're blessed to be where we are right now."The day started off with news the Coyotes and their fans had been anticipating for three years.Speaking as players from both teams warmed up in the hallway, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that a tentative deal had been reached to sell the Coyotes to former San Jose Sharks CEO Greg Jamison.Phoenix paid it no mind. The Coyotes had spent the previous three seasons with the uncertainty hanging over them and had learned to keep their focus on the ice, not what happens off it.Playing its usual counterpunching style, Phoenix withstood an early flurry by Nashville and followed with goals from Derek Morris and Martin Hanzal in the second period.And, as usual, the Coyotes gave up a late goal to make it interesting, this one by Colin Wilson with just under 6 minutes left.Phoenix has become accustomed to seat-of-their-pants victories, though, and they pulled out another one, nearly getting an empty-net goal by Smith before setting off a raucous celebration on the ice rink surrounded by desert.Next up for the Coyotes are the Los Angeles Kings, the first No. 8 seed to knock off Nos. 1 and 2 in the same playoffs. Rangers 3, Capitals 2 (OT)In New York, Marc Staal scored a power-play goal 1:35 into overtime after Brad Richards tied it in the dying seconds of regulation to lift the Rangers to a stunning victory over Washington in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.With goalie Henrik Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker, the Capitals' Joel Ward took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Carl Hagelin with 21.3 seconds left in the third period.Richards tied it on the first half of the power play with just 7.6 seconds to go, and Staal won it with a drive that appeared to deflect off a Washington player before beating goalie Braden Holtby.The top-seeded Rangers can advance to the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday in Washington.With the crowd still buzzing over the shocking tying goal, a din that held up through the long intermission, John Mitchell won a faceoff in the Capitals' end to start the winning play.Staal corralled the puck at the right point, glided to the center of the zone, and fired the drive that set off a wild celebration on the ice and in the seats at Madison Square Garden.John Carlson, who had given Washington a 2-1 lead in the third period, couldn't keep the puck out after he got in behind Holtby as a last line of defense.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Reysol, Vegalta continue to impress in season of unpredictability
An impressive start from the less-fancied teams while the big guns struggled gave the early J. League table something of an upside-down appearance. Few expected it to last, but with almost a third of the season played, the underdogs continue to bark the loudest.Kashiwa Reysol lead Vegalta Sendai by two points at the top of the table going into Saturday's games, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Yokohama F. Marinos snapping at their heels.Kashiwa's 3-0 humbling at home to Jubilo Iwata on Wednesday could be read as evidence that the bubble has finally burst for last season's second-division champions, but the impressive nature of its campaign so far suggests it may have been simply the exception rather than the rule.Sendai also continues to confound the critics, maintaining the league's last unbeaten record despite the disruptions caused by the March 11 disaster, and also the fact that the club finished last season just three points clear of relegation.But although Reysol and Vegalta have led the way for most of the season, quality has been evident throughout the division. Jubilo's demolition of Kashiwa on Wednesday night illustrated the depth of competition in what is already one of the world's most even leagues, and this year's championship is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever."Our opponents did to us what we wanted to do to them," said Kashiwa's Hidekazu Otani after the Jubilo defeat, and that could be a familiar refrain around the league as teams continue to take points off each other and prevent a leader from breaking clear of the pack.There are signs that the heavyweights are beginning to rouse themselves from their slumber, but for now, at least, the underdogs are having their day.* * *Kawasaki Frontale beat Omiya Ardija 5-0 to post the biggest win of the midweek fixtures, but then scoring has hardly been Frontale's problem in recent weeks.Ten goals in the four games leading up to Wednesday's match were offset by a failure to keep a clean sheet since May 3, and manager Naoki Soma was as satisfied to be leaving Nack5 Stadium without conceding as he was with the goal rush at the other end."The players never eased up for 90 minutes and never lost their concentration, and because of that we got this result," the former national team defender said. "But when you have a run of games it can be difficult after a big win like this. To play like this again would be difficult, but we'll at least try to win the next one."* * *Kashima Antlers returned to Kashima Stadium for the first time since it was damaged in the March 11 earthquake, but Ventforet Kofu's 1-0 win courtesy of a Mike Havenaar injury-time goal ensured the former champions were hardly in the mood to celebrate.For Ventforet forward Atsushi Katagiri, however, the occasion was a memorable one."Ten years ago, when I was playing for Nagoya, I came to Kashima Stadium twice," Katagiri said. "At that time we were only allowed 16 players in the matchday squad and I was No. 17, so I had only ever watched games at Kashima Stadium from the VIP room. This was the first time I have ever stood on the pitch at Kashima Stadium, and it felt great."* * *Nagoya Grampus' season has been hampered by an injury list that has bordered on comical at times, but Wednesday's 4-0 hiding of Albirex Niigata suggests Dragan Stokjovic's fit-again side is returning to its fearsome best.A run of three straight wins has seen the champions jump from 12th to seventh in the table — and triple their goal tally from five to 15 in the process -with Keiji Tamada moving into second in the goalscorer's chart on seven behind Gamba Osaka's Adriano."We're playing well in attack and defense, and everyone is pulling their weight," said Tamada, who has scored in each of those three wins. "I think we're moving in the right direction. We're not paying any attention to what the other teams are doing, we're just focusing on what we're doing ourselves."* * *"We weren't able to win today, but to get our first point means we have taken half a step forward." — After losing the first nine games of the season, Avispa Fukuoka manager Yoshiyuki Shinoda savors Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Vissel Kobe.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Red Wings continue mastery over Coyotes
PHOENIX — The 17,000 fans in white T-shirts made the inside of Jobing.com Arena look like the inside of a popcorn popper. Fueled by the energy, the Phoenix Coyotes issued a series of board-rattling hits on the Red Wings.Detroit's response?A shrug and two spirit-crushing goals.Ruslan Salei and Drew Miller had goals 44 seconds apart in the first period to squelch Phoenix's initial flurry, and the Red Wings scored early in each period to push the Coyotes to the brink of elimination with a 4-2 win Monday night."We came out and weathered their storm," Miller said. "They came out hitting and we got two big goals quick. From there, we just kept going. Every time they came hard, we found a way to push back and keep going."Detroit leveled the Coyotes in its last playoff game in the desert, eliminating them with a 6-1 win in Game 7 of last year's first round. The Red Wings put the lights out on Phoenix's whiteout this time with the two goals in the opening 2:41, another by Valtteri Filppula nearly as quickly in the second period and Johan Franzen's score 45 seconds into the third.Jimmy Howard made it stand with some spectacular saves, giving Detroit a chance to complete the sweep Wednesday in Phoenix.Flyers 4, Sabres 2In Buffalo, Brian Boucher stopped 35 shots as the Flyers' new starting goalie in helping Philadelphia grab a first-round playoff series lead with a win over the Sabres.Danny Briere and Nikolay Zherdev keyed the victory by scoring second-period goals as the Flyers bounced back with two straight wins after a 1-0 series-opening loss Thursday. Bruins 4, Canadiens 2In Montreal, David Krejci and Nathan Horton scored first-period goals to lead Boston over the Canadiens as the Bruins won on the road after dropping the first two games of their first-round series at home.Tim Thomas stopped 34 shots for Boston and Rich Peverley scored in the second. Penguins 3, Lightning 2In Tampa, Tyler Kennedy put Pittsburgh ahead early in the third period and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 25 shots, helping the Penguins edge the Lightning.Maxime Talbot and Arron Asham also scored for Pittsburgh, which took a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference best-of-seven playoff series and regained home-ice advantage.
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