Crosby, Chinook beat Thunder 3-1

Crosby, Chinook beat Thunder 3-1

CALGARY – Sidney Crosby had his first goal of the season and Carey Price stopped 17 shots as the Calgary Chinook extended the home winning streak to three games with a 3-1 victory over the Niagara Thunder on Tuesday.

The Chinook continue to gain momentum at home by staying perfect so far this season.

Carey Price was not as busy as the previous two games, he only faced 18 shots the whole game, Coach Eugene Yip stress that defense plays a key part in this game.  “The Calgary Chinook was always a defensive first team.  You can see this trend in the previous years as well.  Pricey was a huge part of why this system works in every season, but this season he gets more help with addition of Weber.  I will take a 3-1 win than a 7-6 win any day.”  Price has improved his save percentage an impressive 0.935. Bidding for his first shutout of the season, Price was finally beaten at 11:38 of the third when Giordano mishandled the puck in front of his net and Toews whipped it past the surprised goaltender.

Panarin and Silfverberg also scored for Calgary (3-0-0). 

Notes: Flames LW Gaudreau left the game in the second period when Orpik slashed his hand.  Gaudreau should be ready to play the next game.  Thunder’s Haley had a game misconduct when he crossed checked Crosby from behind, Crosby was checked for concussion symptoms but returned to play at the end of the first period.

UP NEXT: The Calgary Chinook hosts the Wisborg Donuts which are also undefeated so far this season on Thursday. 

Dayton Falls to Lakers, 6-2...

Derek Stepan of the Lakers set up four goals and netminder Cam Talbot stopped 34 of 26 shots as the Lakers beat the Musicmen 6-2 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex last night.

Despite outshooting the Lakers 36-22 over all, the Musicmen couldn't solve the sharp goaltending of Talbot nor could they stay out of the penalty box. Giving the hosts five power plays, the Lakers scored on three of them.

"Those penalties probably decided the game," said GM Bill Corfield in his post game press conference. "Larkin's a young kid - he's going to get caught out of position and he'll improve in time. A veteran defenseman should know better."

Corfield was likely referring to 34-year-old blueliner Fedor Tyutin, who has been whistled three times this season for minor penalties. "I don't think my legs are where I need them to be just yet. I thought I felt good during training camp and the pre-season games. Frankly, it may be the work load the coach is expecting of me. Before the trades, I was averaging about 8 to 10 minutes a game, when I played. Now, everything's different of course and I'm doing my best. I played 20 minutes tonight after Matty went out early in the game. Beauchemin played over 30 minutes tonight and he's older than I am - I don't know how he did it. He's a pro, that's for sure..."

Matt Irwin played 3 shifts in the game and then pulled himself from the lineup after seemingly spraining his right knee after colliding with Marc Methot during warm-ups. "It was a freak thing, Marc and I just ran into each other out there near the end of the warm-ups and I felt something pop in my left knee. Doc says I'll need about a week to be back to normal."

Center Sean Monahan continued his productive early season play as he set up both Musicmen goals in a 12 minute stretch in the second period.

"Mac made a great play to beat their winger by the point and once he slid me the puck, Jake was wide open for the tap-in. Vanek's goal was pretty, he fooled Kulikov on the outside and then walked right in on Talbot and beat him too. Tom's been around awhile - he can make you look silly if you're not careful..." said Monahan.

Three Stars: 

1st- Stepan
2nd-Talbot
3rd- Hall

News & Notes: 

Corfield was unsure if he would sign a free agent defenseman to help get through Irwin's injury. "We're looking into our options. We may reach out to a free agent or we may see if there's a blueliner who's available from somebody else. Not sure right now..."

Jonathon Drouin was a healthy scratch last night but has been told he will play Saturday night when the Musicmen have their home opener. Dylan Larkin is expected to watch from the press box that night.

Up Next:

Dayton returns home for their home opener against the Parry Sound Orrsmen this Saturday night.

Springfield’s #1 Center is helping in other ways...

Ryan Getzlaf - Isotopes Captain

Seventeen points in 20 games is nothing to complain about but it was a somewhat unique pre-season for Ryan Getzlaf of the Springfield Isotopes.  Getzlaf was acquired in the offseason to step in and be the new first line center for the ‘topes but things didn’t go as expected.  In 20 games Getzlaf scored a total of 0 goals, there are no complaints on the assists department as he led the league with 17 assists but obviously, the team was expecting more goals.

“I feel like I have contributed but honestly the puck is just not bouncing my way”, said Getzlaf, “I am just glad that the preseason is over and everything kind of restarts.”

Getzlaf said he is aware of the betting in Vegas about how many games he will go without scoring a goal in the regular season.  The consensus is that he could go thirty games before he will light the lamp.

“30 games?? There is no way I won’t score in that time.  Arv (Viktor Arvidsson) and Sadsy (Brandon Saad) are there to help me out, I am sure one of them will set me up with a sweet pass soon enough”, concluded Getzlaf.

I guess we will only know what happens once the season starts, place your bets folks!

By Kenny Brockelstein

*** UPDATE ***

Getzlaf scored in the first game of the season as the Isotopes scored nine in the 9-1 win over the Long Island Express.  I lost $1500 but I am betting he won’t score again.

Springfield next plays Victoria, Bobrovsky should get the start and the expected lines are:

Saad	Getzlaf	Arvidsson	Gogligoski	Muzzin
Tkachuk	Turris	Williams	Fowler	Braun
Grabner	Anisimov	Hornqvist	Russell	Zaitsev
Berglund	Brodziak	Burrows

No one is expecting Getzlaf to score.

Dayton's Kids Respond with 7-3 Win in Seattle!!!

Dayton's Jake Guentzel posts a 5 pt. night vs. Reign

After an embarrassing 9-1 opening night defeat in Fort Erie, veteran Thomas Vanek called out his fellow forwards for "not playing smart."

Apparently, the younger Musicmen were listening...

Led by Jake Guentzel's five point night (2+3) and three point efforts from both Alex Barkov (1+2) and Nate MacKinnon (0+3) Dayton clobbered the Seattle Reign 7-3.

The first period was a sluggish affair as both teams combined for just 13 shots on goal as Seattle led by a 2-1 score at the first intermission.

While the stats suggest that Seattle actually dominated in offensive zone time (11:18 minutes to just 7:38 for Dayton) the game seemed mostly even with shots after two periods in SEA's favor 16-14.

"It wasn't the greatest game ever played by both teams, that's for sure," said Guentzel." I think Seattle has some issues like we do, so it wasn't the sharpest hockey I've seen, lol..."

Regardless of the quality, the Musicmen slowly took control of the game, outscoring the Reign 6-1 from the second period on. The Monahan, Guentzel & MacKinnon line seemed especially effective. That trio combined for ten points and ten shots on goal in the game.

Seattle's Corey Crawford, who was reportedly ill prior to the game with the flu, stopped just 16 of the 23 Dayton shots on net.  "If I'd been feeling a little bit better, I'm sure I would've played better. It was that crap GM McUrdy made for us to eat in the pre-meal. Nobody knew what it even was and it smelled like a rotting shoe or something. But, when the GM says "here you go boys - try this," you try it...ugh..."

Three Stars of the Game:

1st: Guentzel
2nd: Barkov
3rd; MacKinnon

News & Notes: 

Jonathon Drouin skated yesterday and reportedly could've played but was held out as a precautionary measure. Drouin is expected to dress for Tuesday's game. Defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka is expected to be in the press box.

Up Next:

Dayton travels to Dartmouth for their next game Tuesday night...

Calgary Chinook beat the Falcon in OT 7-6 in a wild game...

CALGARY, September 3^rd - Pietrangelo scored his first goal of the season at 3 minutes 38 seconds of overtime as Chinook rallied to beat the Fort Erie Falcons, 7-6, tonight and get their second win in a roll in as many games.

The Falcon, who overcome a 4 goals lead by scoring 4 unanswered goals in the third period (in a span of 10 minutes and 24 seconds) sent the game into overtime on Blake Wheeler’s first goal of the season assisted by ex-Chinook Zach Werenski at 14:25 of the third.

“We can’t get complacent especially having four goals in the third period. “said Yip “We almost lost the game. We are lucky to get 2 points out of this game. The Falcons have shown they are for real this season and we need to be ready the next time we face them. “

Pastrnak had a hat trick and an assist, which was the top performer of the night. Backlund also scored in his first game of the season. Backlund replaced Vermette on the 4^th line.

Three Stars of the Game

Pastrnak 3 goals 1 assists

Crosby 3 assists

Wheeler 1 goal 1 assist

UP NEXT: The Calgary Chinook will face another powerhouse in the Corfield conference as the Niagara Thunders visits the Calgary Chinook. “The Thunders are another team that will be challenging for the conference title. “Said Captain Crosby, “You don’t win games if we let in 6 goals all the time. Our defense must be ready. “

The Chinook double up the Reign in home opener, Falcons up next!!!

Howard in nets tonight?

The Chinook double up the Reign in home opener!
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The Calgary Chinook start off the season with a win in front of a 19678 sold out crowd on Friday night at the Scotia Bank Saddledome.

Pavelski had 2 goals (both unassisted) and an assist in this game.  Ferland also scored for the Chinook with only 6 minutes of ice time.

"It's important to start the season with a win. " Said captain Crosby.  "Although our line (with Gaudreau and Pastrnak) got shut out tonight, it's great to see that all four of our lines can contribute equally.  That tells how much depth we have on our team."

Giordano, Weber, Letang, Pietrangelo, and Shattenkirk all logged 20 minutes or more ice time.  "All six of our guys at the back are equally talented. " Said Alternate Captain Shea Weber.  "We are still experimenting with the pairs, hopefully in a couple more games, we will create some chemistry among us. "

The Chinook despite having 51 shots on Crawford, only scored 4 goals.  "We have to give credit to Corey for the Reign. "  said GM Eugene Yip "It's difficult when a goalie has to work the whole game, especially facing 24 shots in the 2nd period."

On Sunday, the Chinook will host the Fort Erie Falcons which beat the Dayton Musicmen 9-1.  Burns has 1 goals and 3 assists against his former team.  Ex-Chinook Werenski and Gibson returns to Calgary hoping to spoil the party.  Gibson and Werenski were traded to the Fort Erie in the off season for Drouin and two 1st round pick.  One of the picks ended up selecting highly trouted Defenseman Cale Makar and Drouin was traded again to Dayton in a package of getting the now captain Sidney Crosby.

"The Falcons are a dangerous team. " said Yip " They are good in  all 3 zones and I am sure they will come at us hard."

Rumour is that Howard will get the start for this evening.

Falcons GM Admits to Hiding Player in Niagara Falls...

GM Matt Young claims to have "hid" Tyler Bozak in Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls last Friday...

September 3, 2017 -- Calgary, AB

In life, many people talk about doing things but often fail to fulfill that bucket wish list.  Luckily for hockey fans in Fort Erie, Matt Young isn't amongst those people.  

In his press conference the morning of opening night, Young said Gustav Nyquist had requested a trade and the team would do their best to accommodate that wish. He also expressed a desire to obtain a center that can upgrade the 3rd line on his Fort Erie team.  

At the time of those comments, it appeared the cerebral GM had a plan but little did we know how fast that would actually happen.  

Just a few hours after that statement, Nyquist was sent packing along with a couple of prospects for UFA to be Tyler Bozak from Parry Sound.  

It seems Young was pulling the wool over our eyes the entire time.  After morning skate today, the stealthy, yet handsome General Manager elaborated on the details of the trade.  

"stealthy, yet handsome"

 "Listen, guys, I wasn't actually trying to hide anything from anyone on Friday.  We had the trade done and Tyler was sitting on Clifton HIll in Niagara Falls while we waited for the trade to be approved.  I couldn't just tell you guys about it before the league approves of the deal or I get fined" said Young.  

While Bozak is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, it's a fact that the team isn't concerned about.  

"We all know what his contract is and that our preference is to get a deal done with Brent (Seabrook) at the end of the season but you never know what can happen.  We anticipate Dylan Strome and Vadim Shipachyov will be in our lineup next season but you never know what can happen.  Tyler likes the fact that he joins a good group and has a great chance at a big year before hitting the market.  Having the words "CCHL champion" behind his name could also help his value next summer" added the Falcons architect. 

 Although Young concluded by saying he doesn't have any other moves on the horizon, it's not always easy to believe him given his track record for transactions.  

Fort Erie appears to be in great shape both for now and in the future but if an opportunity to improve exists, you can never count out Fort Erie.  

The club has a tough game against Calgary Chinook tonight.  While you never want to say the second game of the season is critical, this game is a chance to see how the Falcons' measure up against one of the franchises favored to win it all this season.