Marian Gaborik was held to one shot on net and was a -1 in Slovakia's 3-1 victory over Swtizerland in the IIHF World Championships.  Slovakia will face Canada in the Semifinal round on Saturday.

Former University of Wisconsin Badger Dany Heatley proved hero once again for Team Canada, scoring the OT goal to send Antti Laaksonen and the Fins home in the IIHF World Championships. Nick Schultz had two shots on net, including one in the extra session and was a -1 in the game.  Willie Mitchell went even on the night.  Laaksonen was held to one shot and was scoreless in the game.

Team USA will face Sweden late game Saturday and will be the home team despite finishing lower than Sweden in the rankings.  The US and Sweden met once already in the tournament and with Sweden as the home team so according to IIHF statutes and by-laws the USA will be the home team for the Semifinal round.  Sweden topped the US in the previous game 3-1 and will have the services of Peter Forsberg in this round as he joined his national team after the Avs were eliminated from the playoffs.

Richard Park dropped into seventh in scoring in the tournament thanks to great games by Finland's Ville Peltonen and Canada's Dany Heatley.  Peltonen now tops all scorers with 10 points on 4 goals and 6 assists.  Heatley is second with 9 points, 7 goals, 2 assists. Thomas Vanek remains tied for 10th in scoring despite Austria being knocked out of the tournament in the second round.

Reg Berg and the Florida Everblades are hoping to use a 5-day layoff, courtesy of Disney On Ice's Monsters Inc show, before their next Eastern Conference playoff game to regroup.  The Blades took a 2-0 best-of-five series lead into Reading but dropped two games in a row to return home tied with the Royals. The Royals have won four elimination games since the Kelly Cup Playoffs began April 5, starting with a 2-1 win over Johnstown in the Northern Division wild card game as the No. 5 seed. The Everblades never have won a playoff series elimination game in their six-year history. Reading's line of Graig Mischler, Kent Davyduke and Judd Medak combined for five goals and eight assists in the last two games

Rick Mrozik and the Rochester Amerks have jumped to a 2-0 series lead in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs against the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Amerks took game two on Thursday by a score of 4-1.

Jordan Leopold wore the Calgary Flames Green Hardhat as the team's unsung hero only once during the regular season, after the Flames' 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild February 15th.  The hat is only awarded after wins and the player who is awarded the hat keep it at his locker or in his bag if the team is on the road. Anytime he has a media interview, he is to wear the hat.

Wyatt Smith had two assists in the Milwaukee Admirals 5-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Friday night.  He also added a fighting major in the game which basically broke down into a melee in the last 30 seconds after Milwaukee scored an empty net goal, with no less than 14 players involved, including Milwaukee goaltender Wade Flaherty.  Libor Pivko was the star of the game scoring a hat trick and adding two assists, meaning he was involved in every goal for the Ads.  The Ads now hold a 2-game advantage in the series.

The University of Minnesota Blueline Club is presenting the 31st annual John Mariucci Golf Open, to be held at Majestic Oaks Country Club on Monday, June 14.  The tournament raises money exclusively to benefit the Golden Gopher Hockey program.  The golf entry fee is $150.00, $50 of which is tax deductible. Following golf will be a social hour and dinner buffet for all participants. Awards and prizes will be presented throughout the evening and Coach Don Lucia will make brief comments at the dinner. Tee and hole sponsorships are available and the tournament will have a maximum field of 200 paid registrants. Please contact Gary Heinrich at (651) 739-9676 for more information or an entry form.

Coleraine native Chis Tok has been the assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Warterloo Blackhawks USHL club for three seasons.  The former UW Badger helped his club celebrate the USHL Championship Clark Cup after defeating the Tri-City Americans 2-1 in the Championship game.  Tok retired from professional hockey in 2000 after playing with the UHL Missouri RiverDogs. He and his wife Melissa live in Iowa with their baby son Easton.  Blackhawks Head Coach PK O'Handley is a native of Superior, Wisconsin and coached successfully at North Iowa and with the ECHL Florida Everblades before taking the helm at Waterloo.  Minnesotans on the Clark Cup Champion team include:  Jay Cascalenda (West St. Paul), Josh Duncan (Rochester), Adam Dunlap (Minnetonka), Andrew Guyer (Coleraine), Joel Hanson (Elk River), Tim Madsen (Elk River), Garrett Regan (Hastings) and Aaron Johnson (Haywood).

Toby Petersen's Baby Penguins lost 3-2 in overtime to the Philadelphia Phantoms on Friday.  Toby was -1 with three shots on net.   The series is now tied at one game a piece.

ESPN's four-year deal with the International Skating Union starting in November averages $5 million a year. That is down from the just expired ABC contract that averaged $22 million a year to show figure skating.   Gary Bettman and the NHL might want to take note of those figures as the same networks are involved in the broadcast rights for the hockey league.

Goalie coach Warren Strelow hasn't been eble to watch in person his two goalie proteges, Evgeni Nabokov and Mikka Kiprusoff.  The 70-year-old Sharks coach is home in St. Paul, Minn., recovering from a kidney transplant he underwent last September. Strelow stays close to his players. He speaks to Nabokov over the phone at least every other day, discussing everything from technique and strategy to Strelow's memories of a trip to Moscow in the 1970s. Strelow hopes to be able to attend a game if the Sharks make it to the Stanley Cup finals. (some info from AP)

The Dallas Stars downsized their staff by 12 on Thursday, citing the uncertain climate for a new collective bargaining agreement as one of the reasons for the decision.  Stars president Jim Lites said he doesn't expect any more cuts between now and training camp but that the club would evaluate and make decisions based on how the negotiations were going this summer. Lites added that if part of the season is lost, every upper-level manager would take a pay cut. That includes Lites, general manager Doug Armstrong, coach Dave Tippett and his staff and even broadcasters Ralph Strangis and Daryl Reaugh. Officials said the team employed about 85 people before the layoffs. Lites was adamant that eliminating the positions was not motivated solely by the possibility of a work stoppage. He said they were also a result of natural attrition and financial shortfall from a shorter than expected season. Lites said the Stars budgeted for six home playoff games and took a sizeable monetary hit when only two were played. (Dallas Morning News)

Montreal Canadiens prospect Alexander Perezhogin, a Kazahk forward for the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, was banished for the remainder of this year's playoffs and the entire 2004-2005 season after a horrifying slashing incident in a game on April 30th. The ban amounts in all to about a year and is an AHL record. During a the playoff game Clevland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford struck his stick on the back of Perezhogin's helmet and Perezhogin responded with a forceful, two-handed baseball-like swing to Stafford's face.  The blow left Stafford unconscious and suffering convulsions on the ice .  Footage of the gruesome hit was replayed on television news and sports programs throughout North America. Perezhogin was assessed a match penalty on the play and immediately suspended indefinitely, pending league review. Stafford's role in sparking the incident brought him a six-game banishment that will be served at the start of next season since Cleveland was ousted from the playoffs by Hamilton. (AHL)

“It's a pretty special feeling in that room right now,” said winger Judd Medak, “and when we get into (must-win) situations like this everyone believes in each other. We don't think too much about it. We just go out and play. We can just kind of feel the aura in the whole dressing room. It's pretty neat.” - Former UMD Bulldog on his ECHL Reading Royals forcing a deciding game 7 against the Florida Everblades in the Eastern Conference Finals of the Kelly Cup playoffs. (Reading Eagle)

``He was -- he is -- a huge part of what we've achieved in this locker room.  Sometimes you're talking to him and you can just hear in his voice that he wants to be here. I made a joke: 'Somebody said that you're going to cheer for Kipper.' He took it seriously. He said, 'You know that I'm going to cheer for you guys.''' - San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov on Warren Strelow (AP)

With Russia falling to Finland in the IIHF World Championships on Monday, Team USA is guaranteed a spot in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, without having to play a qualification tournament.  The US wholloped Denmark on Tuesday 8-3.  Denmark jumped to an early lead in the first, scoring just 28 seconds into the game.  Denmark went ahead again scoring two goals within 23 seconds after which USA netminder Ty Conklin was pulled and replaced by Alex Westlund.  Erik Westrum scored a goal in the first period.  Matt Cullen had two goals and an assist and Richard Park had a goal and an assist in the game.  Chris Drury, Bates Battaglia, Jeff Hamilton and Jeff Jillson were the other goal-scorers for Team USA.  Defenseman Keith Ballard and Brett Hauer were both held scoreless in the romp.  Aaron Miller finished with a team-high +4 rating.  

On Wednesday The US upset the host Czechs in a shootout victory.  The Czechs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead until Richard Park got the US on the board with a sharp-angle shot in the second on a pass from Matt Cullen.  Erik Westrum evened the score in the third period on one of his team-high five shots on net in the game.  The score remained tied through a 10-minute overtime period so the game went to a shootout.  Cullen whistled one off the crossbar,  Park was stoned by Thomas Vokun and Ryan Malone shot wide; it was Andy Roach who scored the only goal of in the shootout, sending the USA to the semi-finals and the Czechs out of the tournament altogether. The US has not medalled in the IIHF World Championships since 1996 when they rode the back of former Minnesota Moose netminder Parris Duffus to a Bronze.

Richard Park has moved into third place in scoring in the IIHF World Championships with 4 goals and three assists in 7 games. 

Jordan Leopold was on the ice more than any other member of the Calgary Flames on Monday night as they closed out the Western Conference Semifinal series against the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in overtime.  Leopold had a team high 30:32 minutes of ice time in 46 shifts and tallied three quality shots on goal. 

Leopold, whose Flames had a few days break after clinching the bid for the conference finals, came home to visit his newborn daughter Jordyn, and to celebrate his recent joy with the purchase of a shiny new yellow Corvette.  Leopold must have had a playoff bonus clause in his contract with the Flames.

Not everyone has noticed but following the game the Flames give the player they determine to be the "unsung hero" a green hard hat with Flames decals.  The player must wear the hat during post-game interviews.

Former Gopher Ken Gernander ended the marathon game 4 of the AHL Atlantic Division final for the Hartford WolfPack, scoring, unassisted, 7:49 into the third overtime, completing their sweep of the Worcester IceCats.  Gernander, the Wolf Pack's 34-year-old captain, took a shot from the left-wing circle that IceCats goaltender Curtis Sanford got a piece of, but it trickled over the goal line to end the 10th-longest game in American Hockey League history, and the longest for either Worcester or Hartford.  It was the second overtime tally of Gernander's professional career.  He scored the first on May 2, 1994, when he was playing with Moncton.  Worcester had taken the lead in the third period but gave up the equalizer with 34.5 seconds left in the game.  Hartford now awaits the winner of the East Division final between Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins won Game 1 on Wednesday. John Pohl was scoreless in the only three playoff games he suited up for.  He was skating a line with fellow WCHA alums Peter Sejna and Jeff Panzer. Pohl is expected back in the Twin Cities on Monday.

Worcester head coach Don Granato wasn't a stranger to an unlikely comeback, hand it looked like the IceCats might pull out the win on Wednesday.  As coach of Green Bay in the USHL he lead his team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the St. Paul Vulcans. Unfortunately for Worcester, Granato wasn't able to pull of such a feat again.

The Chicago Wolves had twelve days between the time they eliminated the Grand Rapids Griffins and Wednesday night, when they faced the Milwaukee Admirals in the West Division finals of the AHL.  They can be excused for being a little rusty.  Wyatt Smith scored early in the second period for the Milwaukee Admirals.  Smith scored from his knees in the left faceoff circle. The Chicago Wolves' Karl Stewart answered less than six minutes later to tie the score.  Former UND Fighting Sioux and Hobey Baker award winner Tony Hrkac scored the game-winner for Milwaukee 9:20 into the second overtime to clinch the win.  The Wolves' Kari Lehtonen stopped 56 shots in their first loss of the post-season after sweeping the Grand Rapids Griffins in the preliminary round.  Smith skates a line with rookie Timofei Shishkanov and Libor Pivko .

Toby Petersen notched an assist to help his Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins record a 5-4 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in game 1 of the AHL East Division final.

Rick Mrozik was a +1 in the Rochester Amerks' 2-0 shutout of the Hamilton Bulldogs in game 1 of the North Division Final.  Mrozik has one goal and one assist for the Americans this post-season.

Kevin Constantine's Everett Silvertips' season came to an end on Wednesday as they were defeated by the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-2 to sweep the Tips 4-0 in the series and clinch the WHL title and berth to the Memorial Cup tournament. 

According to the Buffalo Sabres' Michael Gilbert there is nothing new to report on the Thomas Vanek front.  When asked if Buffalo planned on offering the Gopher star a contract for next season, the response was "he's still in school.  We still control his rights.  There is nothing new there.  Can that change in the next couple of months?  Yes, but we'll have to wait and see how things pan out. At this time he is still in school and there is nothing to report."  The Sabres have not yet contacted Vanek or his family advisor.  When asked for comment on Vanek's performance in the World Championships the reply was "traditionally we do not comment on players or prospects that are not under contract with the Sabres."    Sabres' GM Darcy Regier and other Buffalo scouts are still in Prague attending the World Championships.

Steve Griggs, vice president of sales and service for the Minnesota Wild says that ticket sales for the World Cup of Hockey are brisk and that the Wild expects them to pick up once the rosters for Team USA and Team Canada are announced this July.

Mark Coyle, Assistant Athletics Director for the University of Minnesota reports that the U is looking at upgrading the video displays at Mariucci Arena.  They are currently in negotiaion with multiple companies about video boards.  Look for the University of Minnesota to install flat-panel LED displays, similar to those at Xcel Energy Center, as well as a new center-ice scoreboard and video display.

Darby Hendrickson was a -1, Dan Hinote was even and Kurt Sauer was a -1 for the Colorado Avalanche in their series and season-ending 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.  Tom Preissing was a scratch for the first time for the Sharks, he was replaced by Jim Fahey who hadn't played since March 9 against the Wild.

Former Gopher Erik Westrum's wedding is scheduled for June 26th.  He and his fiancee Kelly Seidl are registered at Marshall Field's.

Ben Clymer has played only three minutes of one game in the post-season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The coaching staff is reportedly disappointed that Clymer has not been playing his physical and agressive style that earned him a position with the Bolts the last two seasons.  Speculation is that the concussion Clymer suffered in November has been the primary reason for the change.

Don't rule out the Buffalo Sabres trading the rights to Thomas Vanek to another team this summer.

Howard Baldwin, who is moving an AHL team to Des Moines, has still not given up hope of returning NHL hockey to Hartford.  The Hartford Courant has confirmed that Baldwin is exploring relocating an NHL franchise to Hartford.  The speculation is that Baldwin will become involved with the Pittsburgh Penguins and bring them to the former home of the Whalers. 

With former Edina resident Brian Burke looking for work several teams have surfaced as possible final destinations for the former Canucks GM.  The best bets are for Burke to end up in Chicago or possibly even New York with either the Islanders or Rangers with both Mike Milbury and Glen Sather rumored to be on the chopping block.  Chicago would benefit the most from Burke's GM skills, and his sometimes caustic personality would be appreciated by Chicagoans.

There are several coaching vacancies in the NHL.  Look for Kevin Constantine's name to come up as a candidate for more than one of them.
Daktronics produced the Minnesota Wild's video scoreboard and "ribbon" displays for Xcel Energy Center in 2000.  The Xcel Center was the first arena to integrate multiple high-resolution video displays, a 360-degree full-color fascia-mounted display, and other large full-color displays to give fans the most entertaining game experience possible. The displays use Daktronics full-color ProStar(R) and ProAd(R) LED technology inside the arena as well as on the exterior of the building. 

In a recent USA Today article it was reported that Dallas' American Airlines Arena, whose investment in Daktronics displays was a reported $6 million when they opened the building in 2002, was paid for by the second season in use.  The Minnesota Wild's original investment has been estimated at $6 million as well.  The Minnesota Wild and Daktronics refuse to disclose exact amounts.  

If Dallas has already seen their system paid off, one can assume that the Wild's original investment has been more than just paid off.  With a sold out building every night the speculation is that the Wild pockets at minimum $2 million a season in advertising revenue from the systems and that figure could realistically be as high as $4 million or more. 

According to the NHL, that revenue is not included in calculations of expense/revenue figures reported by Arthur Levitt, the man commissioned by the NHL to analyze the financial health of the league, which is a major bone of contention with the NHLPA.  The NHLPA has repeatedly refuted the NHL's figures stating that revenue, such as the LED screen advertising revenue, or luxury suite revenue, has been under-reported or not disclosed at all.  Levitt's report is available on the NHL's CBA website.

"It was exciting to watch what those other teams, Carolina, Anaheim and Minnesota, did in the past.  Before the season starts that's motivation. Teams went from not being in the playoffs to making great runs. We said 'Why can't it be us?' - Calgary Captain Jarome Iginla on inspiration for the Flames' push for the playoffs this season. (Calgary Herald)

"Most everything has gone our way," captain Ken Gernander said. "We had a fresh Jason MacDonald and Jeff Heerema coming into this round that gave us a little experience. And when Mac didn't play [in Game 2], we brought in [Ryan] Cuthbert, who is an energy player and gave us one of the biggest goals for a two-goal lead. Those things have been going in our favor, which is good because you need that. Then you keep the game close and need a big goal from somebody, and who do you kind of expect to get it? Jozef. And he does. ... At times we've had to lean on goaltending. You don't want to have to rely on it, but we knew going in we had solid goaltending. That's what I mean about things going our way." - Hartford Wolf Pack Captain Ken Gernander on his team's readiness before Game 4 of the Atlantic Division title and chance to play for the Eastern Conference Championship in the AHL. (Hartford Courant)

When the Calgary Flames scored two goals 18 seconds apart on Thursday night is broke a 14 year old record for fastest two playoff goals.  The previous record was set by Minnesota's Joel Otto and Paul Ranheim who scored 22 seconds apart against Los Angeles.  The Flames lost that game too, by a score of 12-4. 

As previously mentioned by Quick Facts, Edina's Brian Burke will not return as General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks.  The Canucks announced that they will not renew his contract.  Burke was hired by Vancouver in 1998.

John Pohl's Worcester Ice Cats are on thin ice in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.  After Sunday's overtime loss to Captain Ken Gernander's Hartford Wolf Pack they are down in the series 3-0.  Only two teams in AHL history have rallied from the same deficit. Rochester came back to beat Cleveland in a first-round series in 1959-60.  Adirondack came back against Hershey in 1988-89 and went on to win the Calder Cup. Saturday, Pohl played his first game of the playoffs since suffering facial injuries after taking a slapshot in the face on April 10.  The Cats were shutout by AHL MVP Jason LaBarbera 3-0 with Ken Gernander scoring an empty net goal at the end of the game.  Pohl tallied an assist in the 4-3 overtime loss on Sunday night.  Mike Stuart has not played for the IceCats since January.

Karl Goehring, Tim Jackman, Joe Motzko and Mark Hartigan saw their season come to an end over the weekend.  Their Syracuse Crunch fell to the Rochester Amerks in overtime of Game 7 by a score of 4-3.  Syracuse became the 12th team in AHL history to blow a 3-1 series and the fourth to lose the seventh game on home ice.  Rick Mrozik will help the Amerks in their attempt to topple the Hamilton Bulldogs, who won their series against the Cleveland Barons.

Casey Hankinson's 5th seed Cincinnati Mighty Ducks came within one game of upsetting the top-ranked Milwaukee Admirals but the Ads proved too strong, coming back from 2-1 and 3-2 series deficits to win the deciding game 7 on Sunday 5-1.  Wyatt Smith was scoreless for the Ads.

Erik Westrum is posting a journal of his experiences with Team USA competing in the World Championships in Prague.  The journal is available on the Phoenix Coyotes website.  Westy's Team USA held off Russia 3-2 with two controversial goals late in the third.  Ryan Malone, Chris Drury and Dustin Brown scored for the US.  Matt Cullen had an assist in the game adn Westrum racked up 2 minutes in the box on a roughing call.  

Westrum is planning his June wedding via conference call from the Czech Republic.  He is rooming with fellow Minnesotan Matt Cullen.

The US fell to Sweden 3-1 on Sunday.  Keith Ballard earned a high-sticking minor and Westrum chalked up another roughing minor.  Bates Battaglia scored the lone goal for the US, shorthanded.  The US faces Denmark tomorrow. 

There is a nice Q&A with Ballard here: http://live82.ihwc.net/english/article/qa/index.ihwc?&artId=1676

Team USA now has 3 points, good for third in Group F, and remains ahead of Russia and Denmark so has a good chance to finish in the top 8 in the tournament, securing a berth to the Olympics in Turin.

Thomas Vanek had 5 goals and 2 assists for Team Austria, good for second in the tournament and only one point behind top-ranked Jaromir Jagr.  However, Vanek was scoreless and held to just one shot on net in Austria's 5-2 loss to Latvia Monday.  Vanek had two shots in Austria’s 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic, Friday, and registered one shot in Austria’s 3-1 loss to Germany. Reinhard Divis, Martin Ulrich, and Gerhard Unterluggauer were named Austria's top players of the tournament.Sergei Zholtok scored a goal and an assist for Latvia.  The Austrians are eliminated from Quarter-Final contention with the loss, which will send Vanek home in time for finals at the University of Minnesota.  Reinhard Divis, Martin Ulrich, and Gerhard Unterluggauer were named Austria's top players of the tournament.

Jordan Leopold is the 17th ranked defenseman in the playoffs in points with 4 assists, he ranks 14th in ice time averaging 25:41 minutes a game, but tops the list with Dan Boyle in +/1 with a +7 rating all in 12 playoff games for the Flames who are on the verge of a berth to the Western Conference Final.

Kevin Constantine's Everett Silvertips dropped the opener of the WHL Championships on Saturday by a score of 4-1.  The Tips face the Medicine Hat Tigers in game two on Tuesday.

Marian Gaborik had a goal and an assist in Slovakia's 7-0 victory over Denmark on Sunday. He now has 4 goals and 2 assists in the tournament.

Reg Berg's Florida Everblades lead their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Reading Royals two games to none.  Florida has won its last six playoff games, outscoring opponents by a 25-11 margin.  Berg is tied for the Kelly Cup Playoffs lead with 10 assists and is second in scoring with 14 points (4g-10a). Reading's Mat Snesrud is tied for the lead among defensemen in the postseason with two game-winning goals and is tied for second among defensemen with three goals.

NHL rules require a player to have performed in at least 40 regular-season games and at least one game during the championship series in order to have their name engraved on the Stanley Cup.  Ben Clymer played 63 regular season games for the Tampa Bay Lightning but has suited up for only one game in the playoffs, and was on the ice for less than 4 minutes.  However, The NHL has softened its standards in the past.. After the 1994 season, the New York Rangers fought hard to get the names of Eddie Olczyk and Mike Hartman on the Cup even though they fell short of the standards. Detroit got Vladimir Konstantinov's name on the Cup even though he hadn't played a game all season, his career ended in an auto accident a year earlier.  Dallas Stars Brent Severyn, Doug Lidster and Brad Lukowich had their names included in 1999 though they didn't skate in the finals.  There could be an exception made for Clymer if the Bolts win the hockey holy grail because each club is allowed a maximum of 52 names including players, coaches and front office staff.  We'll have to wait and see if Tampa can go that far and whether the former Gopher suits up if they do.

"Keith is really an up and coming defenseman for the Coyotes and he has high expectations with himself and also with his play for Team USA.   I think Keith was a little nervous at first, but Paul [Mara] is a great teammate and has helped Keith at certain times.  Keith is the type of kid who is willing to take advice from players that have played a lot of games in the National Hockey League, but at the same time Keith has showed a lot of poise in the tournament. "  - Former Gopher Erik Westrum on future Coyotes' teammate Keith Ballard in his online journal from the World Championships. (phoenixcoyotes.com)
 

Ottawa Senators scout Ken Williamson died this week of a stomach aneurysm. He was 64.  Williamson died in a Minneapolis hospital Wednesday, the Senators announced Friday.  The Winnipeg native joined the team in August 1999 as the western United States amateur scout. Prior to joining the Sens, he scouted for the St. Louis Blues. Ken is survived by his wife Gale, three children and six grandchildren.  The funeral will be held Monday in Lakeville. (CP)

Kurt Sauer got his first start of the playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.  Sauer replaced injured defenseman Robert Blake on the Avs blueline and played over 13 minutes in the Avs first win of the series.  Dan Hinote was stopped cold on two breakaways in the game.  Darby Hendrickson's faceoff prowess continued.  The game marked the first time of the postseason all three Minnesota members of the Lanche were suited up together.

Minnesota's Ben Clymer has played only 3:12 of one playoff game for the Tampa Bay Lightning who will play in the Eastern Conference Final. 

Barry Melrose, ESPN analyst, finally seems to have noticed Jordan Leopold's play with the Flames.  Melrose gave Leo props during intermission of the Lightning game on Thursday night, mentioning how well the Golden Gopher from Minnesota was playing, especially given the absence of several key blueliners for the Flames.

Prior to Friday's game against the Czech Republic Thomas Vanek of Austria was tied on the top scorers list for the World Championships with Martin Rucinsky.  Rucinsky and Vanek went into their head-to-head battle Friday tied with 7 points each. Vanek is listed as hockeysfuture.com's 5th best prospect currently in the NHL system.  For the first time in the tournament Vanek was held without a point when the hometown Czechs defeated Austria 2-0, both goals coming on the power play.

Not wanting to mess with a winning formula Worcester IceCats head coach  chose not to play John Pohl despite the former Gopher being cleared to play after suffering facial injuries after being hit in the face by a slapshot.  The Cats had been victorious in two playoff series without Pohl in the lineup but that formula didn't prove enough against Ken Gernander and the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night.  The Pack jumped to an early lead in the first and added another shorthanded tally in the second while AHL Player of the Year Jason LaBarbera turned away all but one of the IceCats 28 shots.  Hartford took the game by a score of 3-1.  Worcester went 0-for-8 on the power play.
 

Casey Hankinson and his Cincinnati Mighty Ducks faced the AHLs best regular season team the Milwaukee Admirals, including Hankinson's former Gopher teammate Wyatt Smith.  Hankinson scored a power play goal in the first to put the Ducks up 2-1 but Smith answered shortly after with a tally of his own to knot the score at 2. Milwaukee took the lead in the second with two goals.  Cincinnati answered with a goal before the end of the second stanza but was unable to come back and Milwaukee skated away with the 6-3 win outshooting the baby Ducks 35-23.  Despite their goals both Hankinson and Smith ended up with minus ratings.

Tim Conboy signed a contract with the San Jose Sharks last week.  On Friday Conboy tallied two assists on the Cleveland Barons' first and third goals on their way to a 4-0 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs Friday night.  The game dizzolved into a melee at the end of the third period with even the goalies getting into the act.  22 different penalties were assessed in the third period alone. The victory helped get the Barons back into their Conference semifinal series against the Bulldogs.  Cleveland staved off elimination to set the series at 3 games to 2 with Hamilton holding the advantage.

The NCAA on Wednesday granted a waiver allowing 17- and 18-year-old hockey players at Division I schools to enter the NHL draft in June.  The players would retain college eligibility as long as they don't play for a professional team or hire an agent.  NHL teams can keep draft rights until 30 days after a player graduates from college. The league recently changed its draft eligibility requirements to include players who turn 18 on or before Sept. 15, and those who turn 19 between Sept. 16 and Dec. 31.  Under current NCAA rules, players under 19 would not be eligible for the June 26-27 draft.  The waiver, approved last week by the NCAA's Division I Management Council administrative review subcommittee, applies only for the 2003-04 academic year. The possibility of extending the waiver beyond this year will be discussed at a meeting of a Division I subcommittee on agents and amateurism in June.  NCAA officials believe the waiver will affect fewer than a dozen players for this year's draft. The agreement will not affect any of the Gophers as they are all older than 18. (AP)

Kevin Constantine's Everett Silvertips did it again, against all odds, and down in the series, his expansion WHL club came back from a 3-1 game deficit against the Kelowna Rockets, winning three straight games to earn a berth to the Western Conference Finals and a chance to compete in the Memorial Cup.  If successful, the Tips will become the first expansion team in the history of the CHL to make it to the Memorial Cup. Everett will face the Medicine Hat Tigers for the WHL championship. Constantine was recently named WHL coach of the year.

This isn't the first time Constantine has broken records with a new club.  He founded the Pittsburgh Forge,  Junior A team competing in the North American Hockey League.  As the team's general manager and co-coach, Kevin helped build the Forge into a national power. The Forge finished their first season becoming the first expansion team ever to make the national tournament where they finished as runners-up. In the second season, the Forge set a national Junior A record with 43 wins and won the NAHL's regular season championship.

Don't know if anyone caught the irony but the WHA franchsie that was initially headed to Minneapolis before negotiations with Target Center were terminated following a management change, may be headed to Dallas.  No word on if a team would head for Winnipeg too.

Hockey Gladiator tickets are on sale now but the expected windfall for event entrepreneur Darryl Wolski will come from revenues earned from Pay-per-View TV coverage and sales of DVDs of the two night events.  Wolksi was quoted as saying he has sunk at least a million dollars of his own money into the event.  (Winnipeg Sun)
 

"Magic, I think.  If you wrote a movie and said a team is going to be down 3-1 in a series and win three overtime games, it makes for nice movies, but it's not real life. The fact we actually did that is kind of mystical a little bit. We think we did some good things during the year that gave us that opportunity, but we're kind of shaking our heads in disbelief that we did it the way we did it at the end."  - International Falls native and Everett Silvertips head coach Kevin Constantine on his expansion club earning a chance to compete for the WHL title.

"We could have been more productive on the power play.  We had some chances but couldn't score." - Former Wild Forward Sergei Zholtok on his Team Latvia's shutout loss to the Canadians on Friday. (IHWC.net)

"I don't mind gambling at all, and this is the biggest gamble of my life. It's going to be great or I'll have a gun in my mouth -- it'll be one of the two."  - Hockey Gladiators founder Darryl Wolski on whether he thinks his event at Target Center will be a success.

It's a girl!  For former Gopher and current Calgary defenseman Jordan Leopold and his wife Jamie.  Jordyn Maria was welcomed to this world Sunday morning in Minneapolis.  Just like daddy, Jordyn had perfect timing because the Flames had a two-day break between playoff games against the Red Wings allowing Leopold to be in attendance for the birth of his first child. Leo has 4 assists and is a +6 in the playoffs this season but is scoreless against the Wings.

John Pohl has been cleared by doctors to resume play after missing two series of playoff action for the Worcester IceCats due to facial injuries suffered when he was struck in the face by a slap shot in the final weekend of the regular season.  Pohl's return to action will depend on his level of conditioning according to Cats coach Don Granato. (Worcester Telegram Gazette)

Erik Westrum scored a goal in a 3-3 tie for Team USA against Slovakia Monday.  Westrum put away a rebound on a tip-in shot by Hal Gill.  Ryan Malone scored the third goal for the US.  Chris Drury was given a controversial and reportedly questionable cross-checking major and game misconduct early in the first period of the game.  Richard Park of the Wild scored the opening goal for the USA and earned an assist on Malone's tally.  Marian Gaborik was held scoreless in the game for Slovakia.

On Wednesday, the US trounced Ukraine 7-1 in IIHF World Championship competition in Prague.  Keith Ballard scored his first goal of the tournament in the third period, assisted by Chris Drury and Erik Westrum to put the US up 6-0. Westrum tallied 2 assists in the game.  Richard Park scored a power play goal and Ryan Malone also got on the board with the second goal in the rout.  Matt Cullen notched a helper.  The US let Ukraine get on the board with a power play goal with 38 seconds remaining in the game, destroying Mike Dunham's shutout bid. The US finishes the preliminary round with a 1-1-1 record and will not play again until Saturday when they face Russia.

Canada, with Wild defensemen Willie Mitchell and Nick Schultz, faced Switzerland Wednesday , the Canadians coming out on top 3-1.  Former UW Badger Dany Heatley scored twice, neither Schultz nor Mitchell has a point in the tournament.

Latvia defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 on Tuesday with former Wild forward Sergejs Zholtoks netting the game-winner on the power play.  Latvia faces Canada on Friday.
 

Thomas Vanek and Austria played Switzerland Tuesday in IIHF competition. Vanek, the leading scorer of the tournament with 7 points , had a goal and an assist in the 4-4 tie.   The Austrians once again blew a multi goal lead in the third period, this time allowing the Swiss to score three times, including the game-tying goal with 22 seconds left in the third period.  Vanek is ranked third amongst all competitors in the tournament in +/- with a +4.   Also playing for Austria is Oliver Setzinger whom Matt Koalska may be competing with for a spot on the Nashville Roster next season.  The Austrians face the home team Czechs on Friday.

There is a nice profile of Vanek on the IIHF's World Championships website here: http://live82.ihwc.net/english/article/spotlight/index.ihwc?&artId=1702

Marian Gaborik scored twice for Slovakia in their 5-2 victory over Wild teammate Antti Laaksonen and Team Finland on Wednesday.  The victory gave Slovakia first place in Group B.  The Slovaks face off against Russia on Friday in the Qualifying round.

Ken Gernander scored a goal and an assist in the Hartford Wolf Pack's 4-0 victory over the Portland Pirates on Wednesday.  The victory knocked the Pirates out and gave Hartford the opportunity to play the Worcester IceCats for the Eastern Conference title. There may be a problem scheduling games between the two teams, however, as the circus is in town in Worcester and as soon as it leaves next week it moves to Hartford.

After the Manchester Monarchs were eliminated from the playoffs Adam Hauser became a free agent.  Despite losing to the Worcester IceCats Hauser showed scouts two solid games with back-to-back shutouts.  Hauser, under contract with the Kings' AHL team, started the year in the ECHL before earning steady work with the Monarchs.  The Kings have Roman Cechmanek, Cristobal Huet and Matthieu Chouinard (club option for next year) in the system.  Both Hauser and Milan Hnilicka are free agents.  It is unknown whether the Kings plan to offer Hauser or Hnilicka deals.

Casey Hankinson scored a goal, his second of the playoffs, just as a power play was expiring but his Mighty Ducks fell to the Milwaukee Admirals in overtime 4-3 Monday night.  The Mighty Ducks took a gamble and asked for a stick measurement on Ads forward Vernon Fiddler with just over 7 minutes remaining in the third period.  Fiddler's stick proved illegal but the Ducks were not able to convert on the resultant power play, they were 0-5 on powerplay opportunities on the night.  Wyatt Smith earned an assist on the first goal of the game by Tony Hrkac for the Admirals.  The best-of-seven series is tied at two games each. 

Tom Preissing is part of the San Jose Shark's top defensive pairing with Brad Stuart.  Preissing, an NHL rookie who signed as a free agent with the Sharks, plays between goalie Nabokov and the Sharks' top unit of Damphosse, Marleau and Dimitrakos.

Two of the best goalies in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year are Mikka Kiprusoff of the Flames and Evgeni Nabokov of the Sharks.  Both are pupils of Minnesota's Warren Strelow and work with him in the off-season.

The Sharks shared hotel with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Florida Marlins while in Denver.  All three teams were facing Denver's pro sports clubs making their hotel "Enemy Central."

"I graduated from when I was 18 and went to the University of Minnesota. I looked at a bunch of places, and Minnesota just seemed like the best fit for me. They have good coaches and players there, so it was an easy decision.” - Thomas Vanek on choosing the U of M. (IHWC.net)

"Their camp is in September and school starts in September. If Buffalo gives me a fair offer, we'll see about this year. I haven't heard from them yet." - Thomas Vanek on possibly foregoing the remainder of his college eligibility. (IHWC.net)

"It's sure an exciting time. It's pretty neat. It's my first experience with that and special, something I'll treasure the rest of my life. Being in playoffs, too, has been great. It's been awesome, the city, the fans, all of Calgary has been absolutely great. She looks a little like me, with reddish-brown hair. I did fine. It was a neat experience.  I wouldn't want to have missed it. She doesn't have a jersey yet but I think one's on order."  - Jordan Leopold on the birth of his first child, a girl, during the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Calgary Sun)

Gopher forward Thomas Vanek got four assists in the first day of competition of the World Championships as his Team Austria topped France 6-0 and led all skaters in point.  A good test for Vanek and his NHL prospects came with Austria's second matchup against Canada on Sunday. Team Canada is made up of players who all have NHL experience and despite losing coach Joel Quenneville were expected to dominate the Austrians.  Quenneville was taken to hospital Friday night for tests and evaluation for what has been reported as "exhaustion" after being unable to sleep for three days.  Mike Babcock has replaced Quenneville as bench boss for the Canadians.  However Vanek and his teammates stunned the Canadians by jumping to a 2-0 lead after two periods on Sunday, Vanek tallying the second goal of the game.  Wild foe Matt Cooke got Canada on the board with a shorthanded tally when Austria made a bad line change just over halfway through the third period and Dany Heatly tied the game for Canada with just under five minutes left in the game.  The game ended in a 2-2- deadlock.  Wild forward Cristoph Brandner was named to the Austrian team but was unable to participate due to injury.

Marian Gaborik had the game-winner in the first period as Slovakia blanked Ukraine 2-0.

Hardly anyone noticed but Gopher defenseman Keith Ballard was a late addition to the Team USA blueline in Prague. He was there in time for the US loss to Finland wearing #31.

Former Wild Forward Sergejs Zoltoks (the Latvian spelling) didn't hesitate to join his National Team in the World Championships after Nashville was eliminated from the playoffs. He opened the scoring for Latvia against Germany on Monday as the two teams skated to a 1-1 tie and was named Player of the Game for Latvia. Latvia dropped their opening game against the Czechs 3-1.

Antti Laaksonen bested Wild teammate Richard Park and Team USA as Finland won the first game of competition in the World Championsips 4-2.  Laaksonen had a pair of assists, Park one assist.  No Minnesotans had a point in the loss. Matt Cullen was a -1 with 2 PIMs, Hauer went even, Westrum a -1 and Ballard even.

The US faces a tough Slovakian team Monday in the tournament.  After Ottawa exited the playoffs Zdeno Chara. Marian Hossa and Peter Bondra were added to the squad that already included Marian Gaborik, Josef Stumpel, Vladmir Orsagh, Miro Satan, Lubos Bartecko and Pavol Demitra.  In Group B both Slovakia and Finland have one win, the Ukraine and US one loss each.

Edina's Brett Hauer was named an assistant Captain for Team USA.

John Pohl will have a chance to return to the Worcester IceCats lineup as his club defeated Adam Hauser and the Manchester Monarchs 6-1 on Saturday winning their playoff series 4 games to 2. Hauser, who has back-to-back shutouts in the series stopped just 11 of 16 shots on Saturday.  IceCats captain Jeff Panzer had a goal and a pair of assists and former Wild forward Scott Pellerin scored a goal. Pohl suffered facial injuries after taking a puck to the face in a game just before the end of the regular season.  According to the Cats he is likely to return to the lineup in the next round for Worcester.  Mike Stuart, however, remains out with a persistant groin injury. Dan Welch did not play for the Monarchs.  Worcester will meet the winner of the Portland-Hartford series.

A recent auction for a John Pohl bobblehead given away at the last home game of the season for the Worcester Ice Cats garnered $34 as the highest bid.

Casey Hankinson's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks earned a 2-1 series lead against the AHL's best regular season team, the Milwaukee Admirals by virtue of a 1-0 victory on Saturday, rebounding from a 6-0 shelling Friday night. Wyatt Smith has been scoreless for the Ads.

The Chicago Wolves ended the run of Travis Richards and the Grand Rapids Griffins in the race for the Calder Cup in a four-game sweep. The Griffins fell to the Wolves, helmed by former North Star Steve Maltais, 8-2 on Saturday. Richards tallied a power-play marker late in the third for the Griffins but it was too little too late. Chicago moves into the Western Conference semifinals.

Ken Gernander and the Hartford Wolf Pack jumped to a 3-1 series lead over the Portland Pirates Sunday night.  The Pack dominated from the opening face-off scoring four goals in the first, including a converted penalty shot. Mike Pudlick had two goals and an assist but it wasn't enough for the Pirates as Hartford won 5-3 as the game ended in unpleasantries with 7 players earning game misconduct penalties with less than a minute remaining.  Sunday's game saw Captain Gernander play his 60th playoff game for Hartford tying the Wolf Pack record held by Brad Smyth, it was also his 105th career AHL playoff game. It was a nice follow-up to game two on Friday night when the Pack were victorious in double overtime winning 2-1. 

Apple Valley's Justin Eddy signed with the Washington Capitals and was assigned to Portland to practice with the AHL Pirates. Eddy played 4 seasons with Quinnipiac 4-6-3 with a 2.52 goals-against and .924 save percentage this season. Eddy was a two-time Honorable Mention All-State pick at Academy of Holy Angels in 1998 and 1999 and was a two-time All-Conference selection.  He led Holy Angels to the Section 5 championship in 1998-99 and was a four-year letter winner in baseball and hockey.

Ryan Kraft and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers played game seven against Toby Petersen and the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins on Sunday. Kraft registered an assist on the Tigers' first goal of the game in the first. The Pens went up one until the Tigers scored again in the third to tie the score at 2 which is where it stayed until the end of regulation. Pens forward Konstantin Koltsov scored at 11:05 of the first overtime period to send Kraft and the Tigers home for the season, securing the 3-2 victory. Luke Curtain was scoreles for the Tigers and Petersen pointles for the Pens. Dieter Kochan, who last year helped the Houston Aeros win the Calder Cup took the loss for Bridgeport.

Karl Goehring and the Syracuse Crunch were crunched themselves by the Rochester Amerks 6-0.  Rick Mrozik was a +2 for Rochester. Joe Motzko, Mark Hartigan and Tim Jackman were all shut out by Amerk goaltender Tom Askey with Motzko going -3.

"Our main objective before the game was to play a trap game and stay solid defensively" - Thomas Vanek on his Team Austria's plans for facing Canada in the IIHF World Championships. (Henrik Lundqvist)

"You're always hoping to win, but these were two very even teams, so I would say it was a fair result. The problem for us is now we have to win our next game." Sergei Zholtok on the Latvian/German matchup in Prague (Lukas Akroyd - IHWC.net)

"We're going to have to go into Bridgeport. We'll have a lot of fans there and it will be a good atmosphere, but they have home-ice advantage. We don't have a lot of experience with game 7, but we've faced elimination for two games. They're facing elimination for the first time. It's old hat for us." - Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins forward Toby Petersen before going into Game 7 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the Calder Cup playoffs. (TimesLeader)

Tim Conboy of St. Cloud State has signed with the San Jose Sharks. Tim flew into Cleveland to join the AHL Barons for the playoffs but he hasn't played a game since being eliminated by the Gophers so will not likely see any game action.

Kevin Constantine's Everett Silvertips lost 4-3 victory to the Kelowna Rockets Thursday night. With the win, the Rockets take a 3-1 series lead in the Kal-Tire Western Conference Finals.

Ryan Kraft and his wife Angie welcomed thier first child, 7 pound, 20 inch Kayla Nicole Kraft into the world Monday at 4:54 am. Congratulations to the lucky couple!

Three companies were vying for management rights to the new Wells Fargo arena and facilities in Des Moines, Iowa. The three companies were Global Spectrum, part of Comcast; SMG, a joint venture between Hyatt and ARAMARK and Iowa Sports & Entertainment, a group affiliated with the Minnesota Wild. According to Bill Robertson, VP of Communications and Broadcasting for Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, "MSE and Des Moines Hockey LLC entered into a 120 day exclusive negotiating period out of which no formal letter of intent was developed."  Robertson also added, "We are very happy with our current primary developmental affiliate franchise in Houston which we own and operate."  Iowa Sports & Entertainment "didn't have the depth of experience that a Global or SMG or Compass proposals had," said Carl Hirsh, a sports industry consultant hired by the county. Polk County supervisors unanimously approved Gobal Spectrum as the managing group for the facility on Thursday.  (some info from Des Moines Register)

Howard Baldwin wants back into hockey and he's planning on doing it with the dormant Louisville Panthers AHL franchise and moving them to Des Moines. Global Spectrum has already entered into an agreement with Baldwin for him to place an AHL franchise at the Iowa Events Center's Wells Fargo Arena. Chicago, Dallas and Calgary are all looking for an AHL team to house their prospects.  Logistically it would be more beneficial to see Des Moines become the primary affiliate of Chicago as there is sufficient media overlap to enable cross promotion and develop fan loyalty and recognition of players.

The WHA is moving full steam ahead for next season with seven franchises. The ownership groups are represented by the following individuals or groups: Jean Paul Boily – Quebec; Gino Naldini-John Marshall – Toronto; Rick Munro-Ricky Smith – Vancouver or Dallas; Jay Patel–Detroit (Pontiac); Dan Krusz-Tim Lovell – Miami; John Tyson-John Marshall - Halifax; Mario Frankovich – Hamilton.  The WHA has also stated they are close to an agreement with a franchise group in Montreal.  Advanced lease negotiations are proceeding in the following venues: Le Colisée Pepsi in Quebec; SkyDome in Toronto; either GM Place in Vancouver or Reunion Arena in Dallas; the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan; Miami Arena; and the Metro Centre in Halifax. In the case of Hamilton, representatives of Copps Coliseum have terminated late stage negotiations, alleging notice from the Hamilton Bulldogs exercising their right to exclusive use of the building. The WHA is in the process of referring the matter to the Competition Bureau of Canada.  (WHA)

Aaron Gill, the captain of Notre Dame, signed a PTO and played six games with the Cleveland Barons after being eliminated from the NCAA tournament by the Gophers. Gill has agreed to terms with the Sharks but has returned to Notre Dame to finish school.

With the Binghamton Senators knocked out of the AHL playoffs former Gopher Captain Grant Potulny has returned to finish his classes at the U of M and will graduate in May.

The Chicago Wolves are one game away from knocking Travis Richards' Grand Rapids Griffins out of the playoffs. The Wolves have won three straight games in the best-of-seven series.

Casey Hankinson's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks topped the best team in the AHL, the Milwaukee Admirals 5-4 in overtime in the opening game of the series Wednesday night. The series pits Hankinson against former teammate Wyatt Smith, who scored a power play goal for the Ads in the second period.

The Hartford Wolf Pack led by Ken Gernander evened their series against the Portland Pirates at one game apiece with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday.  Gernander earned an assist on the only goal of the night scored in the first period by Josef Balej.

Karl Goehring got his first start for the Syracuse Crunch and stopped 32 shots Wednesday night for the 3-2 win in game three of their series against the Rochester Amerks.  Mark Hartigan scored a goal and Tim Jackman had an assist for the the Crunch who hold a 2-1 lead in games. Joe Motzko was scoreless on the night for Syracuse and Rick Mrozik had three shots on goal and no points for the Amerks.

The Worcester IceCats finally found a way to solve Adam "Brick Wall" Hauser Thursday night, but it took them more than two overtime periods to do it.  In a game that lasted 4 hours and 31 minutes Worcester posted a 3-2 win over Manchester on Thursday night to take a 3-2 series lead in their Atlantic Division semifinal series. Hauser had blanked the Cats the Monarchs' two victories and was greeted by Worcester fans with a standing ovation but Brendan Brooks put home a rebound six minutes into the third overtime to give the Cats the win. Former Wild forward Scott Pellerin tallied one of the Cats goals, assisted by Jeff Panzer. Pellerin was later ejected after receiving an agressor game misconduct for roughing up Pavel Rosa.   Both John Pohl and Mike Stuart remain out of the Cats lineup with injuries. Pohl, however, is likely to return should Worcester make it to the next round.

Ryan Kraft's Bridgeport Sound Tigers dropped game five to Toby Petersen's Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins in overtime 2-1. Kraft tallied an assist on the first goal of the night. Luke Curtain was held scoreless for the Monarchs. Toby Petersen had no points and had three shots on net. The Sound Tigers lead the East Division best-of-seven semifinal series, 3-2.

The USHL Danville Wings will relocate to Indianapolis for next season. The Wings lost more than $500,000 last season, according to owner Lou Mervis, who made the losses known in a statement announcing the team's move.  This is the first time since the 1987-88 season that Indianapolis will not be home to professional hockey since the Indianapolis Racers, and an underage kid named Gretzky, came to the city.  The USHL sends more than 100 players annually to NCAA Division I colleges, the most of any league in the world. The USHL has also produced more than 500 professionals, including 40 in the NHL this past season. (Indianapolis Star)

"The guy is a lunatic.  What worried me is he had a cult-like attraction for him.  I have never in my history seen anything like that. The kid totally did everything that Frost said. It was shocking."  - Sarnia Sting co-owner and brother of Dino, Rob Ciccarelli, on Mike Danton's agent David Frost.

He obviously had a big impact on the game. He stayed ready. He stayed positive. He had a good experience from last year, and it paid off for him." - Colorado head coach Tony Granato on Darby Hendrickson's first game of the playoffs. (Denver Post)

"I'm not a hero. This club has a lot of depth. You've got to contribute when you can, everybody did in this one. We didn't sit back on our heels. We've played on our toes." – Darby Hendrickson on his play and that of his Colorado Avalanche as they knocked off the Dallas Stars on Saturday. (Denver Post)

"He came here knowing that if he got into any trouble on or off the ice, he'd be let go right away. There would be no talking, no change of plans. He knows that he is going to have to get himself in the right emotional state to be a good citizen. He did help us in his time here when we were short with injuries.  He worked hard for the team, but he did break the team rules."  - Houston Aeros GM Tom Lynn on Billy TIbbetts (Houston Chronicle)

Jordan Leopold and the Calgary Flames advanced to the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals by virtue of their overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks. Leopold has been called upon to take a greater role on the blueline due to injuries to Dennis Gauthier and Tony Lydman. The Hobey Baker winner tallied an assist on Jarome Iginla's power-play goal midway through the third period.  That was close to being the game-winning goal until Iginila tripped over his stick with seconds left to play in the game, springing Matt Cooke who tied the score with 5.7 seconds in regulation. Martin Gelinas tallied the game-winner less than two minutes into overtime to send the Flames to the next round where they will face the Detroit Red Wings.

There is a nice profile story of Leopold currently on nhlpa.com.  In it Leopold is said to want to coach when his playing career is over.

Thomas Vanek and his Austrian team will face Team Canada first on Sunday in the opening game of the IIHF World Championships. Contrary to reports out of Austria Vanek has not begun negotiations with Buffalo, maintaining his NCAA eligibility, and in all recent indications are that he will return to the Gophers for one more season.

The University of Minnesota Men's Hockey class of 2004 have founded their own summer hockey camp. Back-2-Back Players Camp features instruction from Grant Potulny, Joey Martin, Jon Waibel, Matt Koalska and Troy Riddle with special guest Paul Martin.  Week-long camps run June 7 through July 2 for boys and girls at pee-wee, mite and squirt levels.  The camps will be held at Fogarty Arena in Blaine, St. Thomas Academy Arena in St. Paul and Braemar Arena in Edina and include on-ice instruction in skating, passing, shooting and stick-handling and off-ice chalk talks and plyometric excercises.  St. Thomas Academy sessions will include weight training with a certified University strength coach.  Sessions start at $200 and include an autographed camp jersey. For more information send an email to mart0989@umn.edu.

Paul Martin will not be joining Team USA for the World Championships because he is having surgery for a minor ankle injury.

Going into Tuesday night's game the Worcester IceCats have dropped seven of their last nine postseason outings at their home ice Centrum Centre, and were 0-3-3 this year against Adam Hauser.  Hauser pitched a shutout against Worcester in Sunday night's AHL matchup, his first AHL playoff start at the Centrum Centre and Tuesday's result wasn't much different.  Hauser got his second straight shutout against the Cats, stopping 17 shots to remain undefeated against Worcester.  Against the Blues' farm team Hauser has a goals against average of 1.52, and save percentage of .943. Dan Welch has been a repeated healthy scratch.  The series is now tied at two games apiece. John Pohl and Mike Stuart remain out of the Worcester lineup with injuries.  Pohl will skate for the first time since the injury tomorrow.  A team spokesman said that if the Cats find a way to solve Hauser and move on it is likely Pohl will return to the lineup.
 
Hauser picked a really good time to play the part of a brick wall.  Not only was Andy Murray, LA Kings coach, in attendance, but so too was Larry Pleau, GM of the St Louis Blues, LA Kings GM Dave Taylot, AHL President Dave Andrews, NHL executive Rick Dudley, and Blues assistant Keith Allain. Look for Hauser to get a renewed contract with the Kings next season and if there is an NHL season, a shot at a big-league recall. (some info from Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

Ken Gernander's Hartford Wolf Pack dropped the opening game of  their series against the Portland Pirates on Tuesday night 3-1. Gernander got the only tally for the Pack shorthanded midway through the second period.  THe Pack pulled goaltender Jason LaBarbera to go for the tie but the Pirates scored into the empty net to give them the insurance goal and the victory.  Mike Pudlick missed the game for the Pirates with the flu.

On Monday morning at 4:54am Ryan Kraft and his wife welcomed a new baby girl into the family. On Tuedsay night he scored twice for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as they beat the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins 4-2 to take a 3-1 series lead in the East Division semifinal. Toby Petersen of the Penguins was held without a point in the game.

With the Canucks' loss it is very likely that Edina's Brian Burke, General Manager of the Canucks, will not see his contract renewed with the team.  It's the third time in four years Vancouver has been knocked out in the first round, they made it to the second round last year only to lose on home ice to the Minnesota Wild in Game 7.

The Eisbären Berlin was upset by the Frankfurt Lions in the DEL Championships last weekend.  The Lions defeated the Polar Bears 3-4 in game 5 of the best-of-five series to claim the title.  Bears players included Minnesota's Kelly Fairchild, former Minnesota Moose Yvon Corriveau and several ex-NHL and IHL players.  Frankfurt was coached by Rich Chernomaz and captained by Paul Stanton who won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Ian Gordon was the hero for Frankfurt, stopping golden chances by Fairchild and Corriveau to hold Berlin at bay and claim the deciding game.

After legal trouble a mediocre performance this season former Moose Corriveau is expected to retire and return to his home in Canada.

Gopher coach Don Lucia is attending a Coaching Conference this week.

On 4/21/2000 Chris Kenady scored four goals and assisted on two others as Hartford
beat Springfield, 7-2, in the deciding Game 5 of their conference quarterfinal in the AHL. (AHL)

"We only lost a single game at home in the playoffs. But a good team also has to get a win on the road. We didn't have luck on our side. We played very well in Game 1, but played pretty bad in Game 2. We bounced back in Game 3, but Frankfurt got some lucky bounces. They were the better team in the first two periods tonight." Eisbaren Berlin head coach Pierre Page on losing the DEL championship to the Frankfurt Lions. (prohockey.de)

"It's not like we limped into the playoffs, barely earned a spot and are going to have to change things if we're going to go anywhere.  I think we're comfortable with the personnel we have in the room and comfortable with the systems. Now the biggest thing is to bring that playoff element to our game, some of the intangibles such as intensity and the things you associate with what makes playoff hockey so special." - Ken Gernander on his AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. (Hartford Courant)

"It’s been said so many times before, but you have to work hard every day and you can’t give anything less than your all each time you take a shift.  Each time you play, you have to expect more and want more.”  - Calgary Flames defenseman Jordan Leopold (NHLPA.com)

Paul Martin scored his first career playoff goal for the Devils on Monday night.  With the Devils on the power play Martin skated in from left point to attack a loose puck in front of a scramble in the crease and snapped a backhander past Robert Esche at 4:55 of the second period to tie the score 2-2.  It was his only shot of the game. The Devils went on to win 4-2 with Martin also getting his first playoff assist on the Devs final goal, also on the power play.  Unfortunately Martin didn't get the puck as a souvenir of his first playoff tally, no one grabbed it for him. According to Martin, he had no idea he'd be playing this much. Martin is now averaging over 20 minutes a game and is part of the top defensive pairing with interim Captain Scott Niedermayer, plays the point on the power play and is called upon to kill penalties.

Jeremy Roenick scored the first goal of the game for the Flyers at 8:49 with Martin in the box for interference. Martin had two minor penalties all season long, with only one being costly.  He has been in the box twice for the Devils during the playoffs, once has it cost the Devs a goal.

Erik Rasmussen was moved to center in Monday's game to place him into a head-to-head matchup with the Flyers' Keith Primeau. Rass was much heralded for the work he did to contain Primeau, who had been a human wrecking ball in the first two games of the series.  The move also freed up the Deviled EGG line of Elias, Gomez and Gionta, to score three goals in the game.  The EGGs had previously been contained by the Flyers' physical captain.

John Pohl has been on a terrible unlucky streak after a slow start to the season Pohl struggled to rediscover his scoring touch with the IceCats. When it looked like he had, he was clubbed in the face with a stick by an opponent and knocked out of the lineup again with a jaw injury.  Returning from that injury Pohl once again was on a hot streak going into Johnny Pohl bobblehead night on Saturday in Worcester.  At 4:41 of the second period of the game Pohl was struck in the face by a Jon Coleman slap shot.  Pohl reportedly was on the ice for several minutes and needed to be helped to the bench after leaving a pool of blood on the ice.  The only good luck for Pohl seems to be that he wears a visor which deflected the impact of the puck.  According to IceCats PR Manager Mike Thornton, the impact of the puck drove Pohl's visor into his face, creating a marked line from the edge of the shield, and causing the bloody nose.  The former Gopher was at practice on Tuesday but did not skate. His left eye is swollen and black & blue like Rocky Balboa, said Thornton, though there were no obvious lacerations Pohl was scheduled to visit two specialists Tuesday, an opthalmologist and a specialst to evaluate facial Xrays for damage. It is unlikely official word will be released as to the exact diagnosis considering the norm during the playoffs.  Pohl is expected to miss games, though his time out of the lineup is indeterminate. Pohl and the IceCats were to start the best of five qualifying round of the playoffs against Adam Hauser and the Manchester Monarchs on Thursday.

The Worcester Ice Cats have had terrible luck on bobblehead promotion nights, when Terry Virtue's doll was released he was also knocked out of the lineup with an injury. 

Ben Clymer of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Darby Hendrickson and Kurt Sauer of the Colorado Avalanche were all healthy scratches on Monday night.

Tom Preissing played just over 14 minutes for the Sharks on Monday, taking one shot on goal and earning an even rating despite San Jose's 4-1 loss against the Blues. He mirrored that ice time on Tuesday and had a +1 rating as the Sharks skated past the Blues 4-3 to take a 3-1 series lead.

On average, a regular-season hockey game, excluding player salaries, costs $210,569 per team, according to an NHL study. Teams spend about 23 percent more for the playoffs, and each of the 105 postseason games last year cost about $258,427 per team. (Dallas Morning News)

Dan Hinote played almost 15 minutes but was held without a shot or a point for the Avalanche in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday.  He went even on the night.

Former Minnesota Moose goaltender and fan favorite Parris Duffus is a firefighter in Fort Wayne, Indiana and plays for the firefighters' hockey team where he plays both goalie and forward. His teammate is a fellow former IHL player Kelly Hurd. Duffus has 4 goals and 4 assists in 3 games as forward this season according to the Fort Wayne Firefighters website.

Ken Gernander was named the AHL's Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award for sportsmanship before his game with the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday. Following the game he was also named the Bob Girouard Character Award and the Fan Favorite Award and is the WolfPack's nominee for the AHL man of the year award in recognition of community service.  Gernander scored the game-winning goal, on the power play, over the Providence Bruins in the regular season finale for the WolfPack. Gernander ripped a low slapper to seal the victory with just over 5 minutes remaining in the third period.

Center Brad Tapper, one of the leading scorers for the Binghamton Senators, will be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a third concussion in a year, his second in less than a month.  Tapper's absence provides Grant Potulny a greater chance to play for the Sens. Bingo starts the playoffs tonight against the Norfolk Admirals.

Josh Langfeld was sent down from Ottawa to help out the B-Sens  Langfeld had been a healthy scratch for Ottawa the last three games. Josh went to Ottawa management to ask to play in Bingo. He wanted to help team and Coach Paddock. It was his idea to make the request and he made the decision to join his AHL teammates and left Ottawa on Tuesday. However, Ottawa has only 2 recalls left on any player so if Langfeld goes back to Ottawa after playing with the B-Sens now, there will be only 1 recall remaining which Ottawa could use if Binghamton bows out of the playoffs early or in the event of injury with the O-Sens.

It isn't exactly a deal with the devil but it is close. The Houston Aeros, the AHL franchise owned by the Minnesota Wild, have signed a secondary affiliation agreement with the Dallas Stars, yes those Dallas Stars.  The Stars will place at least three players with the Aeros next season. 

Gord Dineen who spent parts of two seasons in the late 80s with the North Stars had his jersey retired by the Utah Grizzlies with whom he played his final seasons of professional hockey before retiring in 2000. 

Last week the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks shut out the Houston Aeros 4-0 in the second to last game of the regular season.  After enduring a season of what he characterized as "dirty play" by Eric Reitz that escalated during the dominant game by the Ducks, Casey Hankinson decided to drop the gloves against the prospective Wild defenseman. 
 
According to Hankinson, when the fight was over and they were rolling on the ice they both tried for a few extra face washes and eye gouges after which Hankinson said he tried to just hold Reitz' hands away from his face until the refs broke things up.  It was at that time the former Gopher said he felt the Aeros defenseman bite down on his finger. 
 
Hankinson said he didn't think much of it at the time, especially as Reitz fell awkwardly after the fight was broken up and was apparently hurt.  It wasn't until unlacing his skates that the Ducks Captain noticed blood and realized that Reitz' bite pierced the skin.  Hankinson reported the incident but the linesmen moving in to break up the pair blocked any view of what happened on game tape so no disciplinary action is likely.  Casey didn't require stitches but did have to take a full course of antibiotics to prevent infection from the bite.
 
In response to Hankinson's allegations the Houston Aeros stated that Hankinson jumped Reitz, instigating the fight, and that during the skirmish, Reitz tied up Hankinson and Hankinson cut himself on Reitz's teeth.  Reitz has claimed that he did not bite Hankinson.
 
The incident should make for an interesting best-of-three qualifying playoff series between the two teams.  They meet again beginning Thursday in Houston.

"We obviously know that the Primeau line is going to be matched up against the Gomez line as much as possible. If we can take that away and lay some hits on [Primeau], that kind of opens up the game for Scotty and Patty a little bit." – Erik Rasmussen on his role for the Devils. (Bergen Record)

"You hate to put yourself in a position of thinking like that. Obviously when you're in the box and they score, you feel bad. You have to come out and play a little better." - Paul Martin after Jeremy Roenick scored with Martin in the box and then scoring himself on a Devils power play. (Star Ledger)

"It was very nice.  It's pretty neat to represent this group because I'm very proud of them."  - Captain Ken Gernander on winning several awards for the Hartford WolfPack. (Hartford Courant)

Neither Sean Hill nor Craig Johnson were able to participate in this spring's IIHF World Championships in Prague due to previous obligations.  Brett Hauer and Matt Cullen are currently the only Minnesotans named to the squad. Richard Park and Ryan Malone will also participate.  Bret Hedican is still an option for the team on the blueline.

Ben Clymer was a healthy scratch for the Tampa Bay Lightning in their 3-0 victory in the opening game of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders.

Darby Hendrickson has been a healthy scratch for the Colorado Avalanche in both their Stanley Cup playoff games against the Dallas Stars.

Some Golden Gopher men's hockey players with hospitality industry experience could make guest bartending appearances at Harvey's Bar & Grill in Minneapolis this summer.

Erik Rasmussen and Jamie Langenbrunner showed no signs of recent injuries that kept them out of practices for the Devils. Rasmussen was perhaps one of the best players for the Devils in their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Flyers

Paul Martin played over 25 minutes for the Devils in his Stanley Cup playoff debut. He was paired with interim captain Scott Neidermayer. Martin was a -1 with two shots on goal in the first game.

In game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs the Flyers scored their first goal while Neidermayer and Martin were on the ice.  Both defensemen tried to shoulder blame. "I know he's going to put it all on himself," Martin said. "But I was with a guy behind the net and then went with the play and got trapped in the corner, when I should have gone back to the net." Neidermayer countered "[Martin] has handled himself very well," Niedermayer said. "I just want to do my job out there. It was just a little bit of a split-second decision and I got caught too far over when I should have been protecting the net." (Star Ledger)

Jason Blake was supposed to miss a month with a high ankle sprain, but could be back as early as today, two weeks after suffering the injury. With a history of coming back quickly after being hurt, the high-energy winger will try out the ankle this morning before any lineup decisions are made.  (NY Post)

The National Hockey League named the St. Louis Blues' current "retro" marketing and advertising campaign as the League's Outstanding Club Marketing Campaign for the 2003-2004 season. The honor marks the second time in three seasons the Blues have won the League's top club marketing award. The "Bleed Blue" campaign won the inaugural award in 2001-2002. Runner-ups for the 2004 Award included: the Minnesota Wild's "Team of 18,000"; Phoenix Coyotes' "A New Breed"; the Atlanta Thrashers' "Are You True Blue?" and the Toronto Maple Leafs' "Leafs Nation."  The Blues' retro campaign featured a humorous 1960s spoof, using graphics and language from that decade to promote affordable ticket prices and communicate a value-driven message. The approach was selected following the club's decision to reduce ticket prices in many areas of Savvis Center at the start of the season. (St Louis Blues)

Tonight is John Pohl Bobblehead night in Worcester, Mass! (Image courtesy of Worcester Ice Cats)

Grant Potulny was credited with five shots on goal in his second AHL game with the Binghamton Senators but the Sens were shut out by the Norfolk Admirals 3-0.  The loss means that the Sens need to win tonight to clinch a playoff berth.

In what turned out to be a playoff preview the Cincinnati, Mighty Ducks posted a 4-0 win over the Houston Aeros.  Since San Antonio lost in Grand Rapids both clubs clinched their playoff positions and will face each other in the first round.  Ducks captain Casey Hankinson tallied an assist on the 4th goal. He also received an instigator penalty, fighting major and 10-minute misconduct at 13:51 of the third period for dropping the gloves with Houston's Eric Reitz. Reitz is purportedly one of the dirtiest players in the league, a careless young player.  During last night's tussle Reitz, a highly touted Wild prospect, bit Hankinson, not quite imitating Mike Tyson, but close. (Image Courtesy of Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, photograph by Rick Middaugh)

Former North Dakota Fighting Sioux Curtis Murphy now with the Milwaukee Admirals has been named the winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman for the 2003-04 season, as voted by AHL players and members of the media in each of the league’s 28 cities. (theahl.com)

Former St. Cloud State teammated Joe Motzko and Mark Hartigan are now teammates again and roomates while playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

"It all starts with him. He is vocal in his own way and if something needs to be said in the room, he gives it to us. On the ice, he leads by example. And he stays positive, which you have to do at this time."  - Paul Martin on blueline partner and current Devils captain Scott Neidermayer. (Star Ledger)

"Obviously this was a frustrating season. I came off a good playoffs and had a pretty good start to this season and then there was the injury. It's been a battle for a while. Unfortunately, that's hockey. I'd be lying if I said the knee wasn't a factor, whether mental or physical. That's the one part of the body you feel with everything you do. I think I'm just getting over it."  - Jamie Langenbrunner on just hitting his stride with the Devils. (Star Ledger)

Beginning in 2006, women will have a world junior championship similar to their male counterparts. That was the word from the IIHF on Saturday at this year's World Women's Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (eurohockey.net)

The USA Women once again advanced to the Gold Medal round of the IIHF World Championships, facing Canada yet again, tonight at 7pm ET.  Cammi Granato, sidelined with an injury earlier in the tournament returned to the ice for the game against Sweden and had two assists. The US defeated Sweden 9-2. Natalie Darwitz tallied her second hat trick of the tournament, Krissy Wendell had a goal and an assists and Jenny Potter had a goal and an assist and was named USA Player of the Game.

Brett Lievers scored a goal in overtime in game five to lead his Kärpät team to the Finnish Elite League finals against Mikko Koivu and TPS Turku. TPS and Kärpät were the favorites after regular season.

By virtue of their performance to date in the IIHF Women's World Championships the US Women have secured a berth to the 2006 Olympics in Turin. The top four ranked teams in the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Ranking get an automatic entry to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Host Italy (pre-determined ranking 8) will get a direct entry to the Preliminary Round while the remaining three teams will be determined following the Olympic Qualification Tournaments in November 2004. Canada and USA, currently first and second in the IIHF World Ranking, also secured Olympic participation after winning Group A and Group B respectively.  (Eurohockey.net)

Employees in the Calgary Flames front office have been warned that their work week will be cut to three days and their salaries slashed by 40 percent. The Edmonton Oilers set up a program to help their staff find additional work or new jobs entirely once the team cuts back to a four-day work week. And the Toronto Maple Leafs have promised their personnel pay cuts of between 25 and 35 percent.(ESPN.com)

When asked if the Minnesota Wild had any contingency plans in place for their personnel in the event of a work stoppage next season, Bill Robertson, Vice President of Communications said that the all official statements must come from the NHL and that the Wild cannot discuss CBA labor issues. "At this time, it is business as usual for the Minnesota Wild organization. We are preparing for the NHL Entry Draft, summer hockey camps, the World Cup of Hockey and other hockey-related matters" said Robertson.

Rookie defenseman Paul Martin and Tom Preissing cannot be reassigned to the AHL next season in the event of a lockout without first having to clear waivers and it is a certainty that neither would.  By virtue of their age and the number of games they played this season they must first clear waivers before being sent to either Cleveland or Albany, the farm clubs of the Sharks and Devils respectively. Several teams held rookies out of the lineup down the stretch so they did not reach the games-played threshold, but Martin and Preissing proved too valuable to sit. 

The Kevin Contantine-coached Everett Silvertips are down two games to one against the Vancouver Giants in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series between the Major Junior teams. 

Scott Meyer who abruptly retired from professional hockey this March, leaving the Charlotte Checkers with whome he now holds several goaltending records, will be the St. Cloud State goaltending coach next season. Meyer's retirement was attributed to his desire to be home with his wife and 4-year-old son being more than his desire to stay with the minor league game in hope of a return to the AHL or eventual NHL call-up. He now back in Minnesota and is working with Wealth Spring Mortgage in St. Paul.

Two St. Cloud State Husky womens' hockey players will be the feature of TLC's A Makeover Story. They began filming last week and the episode will air later this fall.  There are far too many Gopher fans who will relish the chance to make fun of that.

Matt Hendricks made his professional hockey debut with the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday. He went pointless on the night but had one minor penalty. 

Wyatt Smith returned to the Ads' linuep Saturday after bring out with an injury and scored a goal, his 7th of the season with Milwaukee. Smith and the Ads beat Casey Hankinson's Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 4-2.

Casey Hankinson was named Mighty Ducks winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the greater Cincinnati community and charitable organizations during the 2003-04 season.  He volunteered make community appearances at schools, libraries and sponsor-related events and helped coordinate player appearances as well as being involved in several charitable events, including "Evening With The Mighty Ducks" and "Get Fed By The Ducks" which helped raise in excess of $20,000 for the American Cancer Society and Special Olympics. Hankinson will receive an crystal trophy in recognition of his efforts during an upcoming home game.  He is also the Ducks' nominee for the Yannick Dupree Memorial Award honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. (Cincinnati Mighty Ducks).

The signing of Matt Hendricks and recently Richard Stehlik could affect whether former Gopher Matt Koalska joins the Admirals or Predators this spring. Milwaukee already has an abundance of spare players so that playing time is sparse.

San Diego left wing and St. Paul native Brian Gornick is the InGlasCo ECHL Player of the Week for March 29-April 3. The 24-year-old Gornick scored three game-winning goals, eight points (4g-4a) and was +5 while helping San Diego go 4-0-0 to clinch the Brabham Cup, the trophy awarded annually to the regular season points champion in the ECHL.

"The argument that there would be a significant loss of fan base from not having a season is exaggerated. In markets like Detroit, Toronto and Minnesota, fans would line up for miles to see that first game and I don't think it would affect us much either."  - Carolina Hurricanes' GM Jim Rutherford speaking on possible fan erosion due to an NHL work stoppage. (ESPN.com)

Though the Dallas Stars had fought hard to get the 2006 NHL All Star Game for their American Airlines Arena, the Phoenix Coyotes' new facility will play host instead. Dallas had originally wanted the 2005 mid-season spectacular, but withdrew the bid over fears there wouldn't be a game next year with the impending labor woes.  Atlanta is scheduled to host next year if there is an All Star Game.  Phoenix' new facility in Glendale is very similar to the Xcel Energy Center, considered the model NHL building. The big difference?  The Glendale arena has free parking. The Coyotes won only five of 28 games in the $220 million building..

Jeff Taffe returned to the Coyotes' lineup for their season finale. He had been a healthy scratch for 4 games. The Coyotes weren't disappointed in his performance, rather they were trying to keep him from reaching the threshold for rookie eligibility to be reassigned to the AHL in the event of a work-stoppage next season. Players above the threshold  may not be able to be reassigned, a disasterous proposition for teams trying to maintain development of their prospects.

While Jon Waibel was drafted by a UHL club, the Quad Cities Mallards, don't look for him to sign a pro contract this summer. The former Gopher is likely ready to hang up the skates.

Matt Koalska may sign yet this season as both the Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals are in the post-season.  Negotiations are reportedly underway.

Steve Martinson's San Diego Gulls have won the Brabham Cup, the trophy awarded each season to the regular season point champion in the ECHL. San Diego finished with 108 points and a 49-13-10 record.

Tim Jackman was reassigned to Syracuse after the Columbus Blue Jackets finished their regular season. The Crunch still have a week remaining in their season and still may make the Calder Cup playoffs.

The Worcester IceCats clinched a Calder Cup playoff berth in an 8-2 rout of the Lowell Lock Monsters on Sunday.  John Pohl, who has been hot since returning from a jaw injury, had three points including a pair of goals scored in less than three minutes.

Former Denver netminder Wade Dubielewicz of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers has been named the winner of the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2003-04 season, as voted by AHL players and media in each of the league’s 28 member cities.

Wild prospect Christoph Brandner was suspended two games by the AHL as a result of a match penalty he received while playing for the Houston Aeros in a March 27, 2004 AHL game versus San Antonio.

The NJ Devils set an NHL record allowing only 164 goals, the fewest allowed in an 80-game plus season. St. Louis had the oldmark, 165 in 1999-2000. They captured the Jennings Trophy as a result. (AP)

Paul Martin finished his first NHL regular season with 6 goals, 18 assists a +12 rating and only 4 PIMs. Two of his goals were game-winners and 10 of his points came on the power play. He played all but 12 games this season and hasn't missed time since before the All-Star break.

The Nashville Predators will compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history. That means that former Wild players Jeremy Stevenson, Sergei Zholtok and Brad Bombardir will have another chance at the trophy. Zholtok and Bombardir, however, have been repeated scratches for Nashville.

Buffalo Sabres center Daniel Briere became the first player since Cloquet's Derek Plante in 1996-97 to play a full season in Buffalo and outscore Miroslav Satan. Briere won Buffalo's 2003-04 scoring title with 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points. Satan led the team with 29 goals but had 28 assists, his third fewest with the club.  (Buffalo News)

Don't think Sabres' staff wouldn't want to see Thomas Vanek skating with Briere, Satan, Chris Drury, JP Dumont, Ales Kotalik and Jochen Hecht next season, if there is one.

Venerable linesman Ray Scapinello skated his 2,500th and last regular-season NHL game April 2nd. His first game was the Buffalo Sabres against the Minnesota North Stars in Buffalo on Oct. 17, 1971. Scapinello holds the NHL record for regular-season games officiated, including referees. He is tied for second in playoff games with 406. He has skated in 19 Stanley Cup finals series. (Buffalo News)

Trent Klatt signed a three-year deal with the LA Kings this summer. He became the only member of the Kings to play all 82 games this season. Ravaged by injury, the Kings' end-of-season 11-game losing streak took them out of playoff contention.

"It was sore. It was a mutual decision to sit. No sense in going into the playoffs hurt."  - Devils' forward Erik Rasmussen on sitting out the season finale against the Bruins with an injured knee. (Newark Star Ledger)

''We should be looking at the Carolinas, Minnesotas and Anaheims, because going into the playoffs, no one gave them a chance.  There's always a Cinderella team, so why not us?''  - Nashville PRedators coach Barry Trotz on his club making their first-ever trip to the playoffs. (Nashville Tennesseean)

"There's always one or two teams every playoff that step up and defy the odds, that capture people's imagination because they're considered underdogs. Look at Anaheim last season. And Minnesota. Where's the law that says the we can't be one of those teams this year?'' Dennis Gauthier of the Calgary Flames (Calgary Herald)

"Every Canadian seems pretty knowledgeable. When I go back to Minnesota some people don't understand the logic of the game as much as Canadian fans." -  Calgary Flames defenseman and former Gopher answering an online question about what he thinks of Canadian fans. (calgaryflames.com)

"It was certainly strange [what happened]," said right wing Trent Klatt, the only King to play all 82 games. We battled through a lot of adversity through the season and then ran out of gas. The last couple of weeks have been very hard on everybody. It hasn't been an easy thing to digest."  - Trent Klatt of the woeful circum-stances this season for his LA Kings. (LA Times)

Paul Martin is going to be buying another dinner for a teammate. Earlier in the month he hit teammate Brian Gionta in the face with a slap shot in a game against Tampa Bay.  Again this weekend against the Islanders Martin's powerful shot struck a teammate. Turner Stevenson was the victim this time. Stevenson left the game, likely to ice the foot that endured the shot, but returned later.

Both Erik Rasmussen and Jamie Langenbrunner have missed practices and games for the Devils lately.  The official word from the Devils that they were both getting time off to "rest." Rasmussen was slightly injured in a fight, a minor neck twinge, while Langenbrunner may have aggravated a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup earlier in the season. Both were expected in the lineup against the Rangers.

Wild prospect Derek Gustafson is 27-13-0 and ranks second in the ECHL with a 2.04 goals against average.
Alaska-Anchorage's Cam Keith signed a tryout agreement with the Hartford Wolf Pack, he became just one of the patchwork lineup Ken Gernander has had to lead.  Due to injuries and call-ups the Pack even signed former BU netminder Ari Shocket, who hadn't played professionally for 5 years, to an emergency contract.

The top-seeded Berlin Eisbären are only one win away from the finals in the DEL playoffs. Pierre Page's team is up 2-0 on ERC Ingolstadt in the best-of-five series. Taking a page from Jacques Lemaire's book Page said "I'm rotating goalies in the playoffs for the first time in 32 years."  Kelly Fairchild continues to score for the Caps, leading the team in scoring.

Former Minnesota Moose gnat Andy Schneider leads all skaters in the DEL playoffs with 9 points for the Hamburg Freezers.

Dan Bjornlie is signed with Kölner Haie of the DEL through the 2006 season.

The reason Zach Parise signed with the Devils is rumored to be less about the money and more about his game. Parise felt he was ready to make the jump to the pro game rather than return for another season in the WCHA. It has been reported that Parise's contract has a signing bonus in the $900,000 range and he will be paid $600,000 if he plays in the NHL and $50,000 if in the AHL. Though he could play with the Devils, who are in need of some offensive help, his most likely destination eventually, at least for a time, is Albany.

Shjon Podein has returned to his home in Minneapolis after playing most of the previous season in Sweden in the Allsvenskan.

Matt Hendricks of St Cloud State has signed a tryout contract with the Nashville Predators and was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.

Look for Troy Riddle and perhaps Matt Koalska to be tapped to play for Team USA in Prague at the World Championships this spring.  Both excel on the larger surface and could be assets with their skills in International rules, which are similar to college rules. Craig Johnson is almost a sure bet to represent his country and Trent Klatt is also likely now that the LA Kings have been eliminated from playoff contention.

As for the immediate professional future of the five Gopher seniors, teams sometimes sign college athletes whose seasons are over, to tryout contracts for the remaining games of the season and playoffs.

Nate DiCasmirro from St. Cloud State is one player who signed right away after his Huskies bowed out of the NCAA playoffs. He played a few games for the Oilers' AHL affiliate under the tryout contract and signed a full contract for them next season.

Matt Koalska may be headed for Milwaukee for the last few games of their season, but they may play him selectively, if at all, as the Admirals are at the top of their Division and Conference and few teams mess with the chemistry of well-performing clubs in the playoffs.  Wyatt Smith was recently reassigned to Milwaukee by the Predators as well.

Troy Riddle could end up in Worcester playing with former linemate John Pohl in the IceCats' fight for the Calder Cup.

Grant Potulny would be playing Bingo, if he signed a contract with the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton. The Norfolk Admirals have already signed Jeff Miles from Vermont to an amateur tryout but Blackhawks Assistant General Manager Dale Tallon said they are undecided on whether to sign Joey Martin.

Blake Wheeler of Breck is currently ranked 46th overall by NHL Central Scouting.

"``You don't want to be looking over your shoulder. You want to be looking ahead to the playoffs. At this point in the season, you can't help but look at the standings and who's behind you and who's in front of you.''  - Mark Parrish on his Islanders' fight to move up the standings going into the playoffs (AP)

"I want our fans clear on this. I think this is a great game. I don't think a handful of incidents should change that fact. It's a wonderful game. It doesn't need a complete overhaul"  - Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke responding to comments made by Ken Dryden. (CP)

Every NHL contract signed by rookies has an area called "A" bonus clauses, which include six categories: Goals, assists, points, ice time, plus-minus and points per game.  Achieving set marks in these categories can trigger millions in additional income for entry level players whose salary is capped. Doug Risebrough of the Minnesota Wild uses team achievement along with individual statistics to determine qualification for bonuses. It is largely accepted that Joe Thorton's contract with the Bruins set a new mark for entry-level rookie contracts because of the extensive bonus clauses.

Paul Martin and Tom Preissing, both rookie defensemen, can in all liklehood expect bonus payouts this season. Categories they have likely met criteria in include ice time and plus-minus and perhaps points.

Curtis Glencross routinely delivers big checks. Now, he'll also be cashing big checks. The punishing, goal-scoring winger, who just completed his sophomore season at UAA, on Wednesday signed a three-year contract with the NHL's Anaheim Mighty Ducks that will be worth at least $1 million and perhaps as much as $2.55 million. He signed his contract at the Kinko's at the corner of Northern Lights Boulevard and Lake Otis Parkway and faxed it back.  Several teammates were with him at the time. His agent (then just a family advisor) Ben Hankinson was contacted by representatives of the Ducks, Wild, Rangers and Leafs during the WCHA Final Five last weekend all with interest in the power forward. UAA's coaches jokingly gave Glencross the nickname "Boo Boo'' this season because Glencross' physical play also left him with an assortment of aches and pains. Now, Boo Boo is going bye-bye. (Anchorage Daily News)

Ben Clymer of the Lightning has been a healthy scratch off and on as of late. He has played only five out of the last eight games for the Bolts. He may be in the lineup tonight against fellow former Gopher Paul Martin and the New Jersey Devils. Both players wear #7 on their sweaters.

In a recent jersey auction held by the UHL Rockford IceHogs, Dave Paradise's sweater garnered $1,600 and Chris Paradise's went for $1,200.  All proceeds from the Auction went to benefit the local MDA Chapter in Rock River Valley.

Though undrafted by an NHL team, in the recent UHL amateur draft, Jon Waibel was chosen in the second round by the Quad City Mallards. The Mallards, known to have an affinity for Minnesota college players also chose Ryan LaMere and Colin Peters of St. Cloud State and Beau Geisler of UMD.

Jeff Antonovich scored a hat trick on March 20th against the Richmond RiverDogs of the UHL. He plays for the Kalamazoo Wings. Antonovich has 7 goals and 4 assists in 15 games for the K-Wings and holds a shooting percentage of 24.1. Antonovich began the season with the Macon Trax of the WHA2.

Also playing for the K-Wings is former Gopher Pat O'Leary who has 15 goals, 19 assists in 46 games and has 65 penalty minutes. He has a shootout percentage of .25.

The Hockey Company has signed an agreement to be the exclusive supplier of on-ice equipment for the AHL. A similar deal was signed with the ECHL last year. The Hockey Company, with brands such as Jofa and CCM, will be the official provider of sticks, helmets, gloves, pants, jerseys and socks to 26 AHL teams. This edges Mission, a Naegele company, out of the market, but they can still make inroads with their skates.

"This is a league where you can knock someone's block off with a clean bodycheck, and to me that's payback rather than using a stick or a knee or an elbow." - 16-year NHL veteran Tom Fitzgerald of the Toronto Maple Leafs (CP)

"We need a complete, thorough, ambitious and fundamental review of all aspects of the game and we need it now." - Ken Dryden on the state of the NHL (CP)

"Today is a day of jubilation over one of our players signing a professional contract. I think it's great for Curtis, but it also tells kids they can play for us, and be scouted and be noticed. I'm thrilled for him, Curtis wanted to be a professional hockey player when he set foot on our campus. He has fulfilled a dream. If Anaheim is patient, I think they're going to be very happy with him.''  - UAA coach John Hill on Curtis Glencross signing with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. (Anchorage Daily News)

"I have no memories of here. Seriously, you always remember it. Any time you get hurt, you remember where. I remember Scotty's (injury during the playoffs) here, too. It's one of those things you have to get over mentally. It's like a baseball player who gets beaned. The next couple of times, he's still thinking about it and he doesn't want to stand in there."- Brian Gionta when asked about his memories of the Devils' last visit to Tampa, when he was hit in the face by a Paul Martin slap shot.  (NJ Star Leger)

Troy Riddle moved ahead of Grant Bischoff for 11th place on the Gopher career goal scoring list. He needs one goal to tie Peter Hankinson for 10th all time. 

Travis Richards is the Captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. He is the only remaining member of their inaugural team. The Griffins play in Utah while the his alma mater battles for a berth in the Frozen Four in his home rink.  The Griffins are battling the Milwaukee Admirals for the top spot in their division. The Admirals assistant coach is Travis' brother Todd, another former Gopher.

Erik Westrum scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, securing a 1-1 tie for the Coyotes who have been held winless in 15 games. Westrum is getting an opportunity to showcase his talents with the Coyotes eliminated from playoff contention. He is seeing time on the PK and PP units.

Josh Olson reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL by the Florida Panthers. 

The Finnish Elite League playoffs have begun. The second round of playoffs will be a best of seven between TPS-Blues, Kärpät-Jokerit, HIFK-Ilves and HPK-Lukko. Mikko Koivu's TPS and Blues played eight times against each other in the regular season.

There'll be about 100 friends and family (at that game)." - Erik Westrum on his first appearance in Minnesota as a pro. (Arizona Republic)

Mark Parrish and Matt Cullen, former teammates at St. Cloud State University both scored goals in the Panthers-Islanders game last night.  Parrish scored for New York, Cullen for Florida but it was Cullen's Panthers that were victorious by a score of 6-4.  The victory keeps slim playoff hopes alive for the Panthers as they moved within 7 points of the Islanders.  With nine games remaining NY holds the 8th playoff spot.

Former St. Cloud State standout Steve Martinson has been suspended 5 games as head coach of the San Diego Gulls of the ECHL as a result of administrative violations of the league's salary cap. He also received an undisclosed fine for the violation. Martinson will miss San Diego's vs. Fresno (Mar. 19), at Fresno (Mar. 20), vs. Bakersfield (Mar. 21), vs. Long Beach (Mar. 23) and at Idaho (Mar. 26). The ECHL is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the salary cap to ensure compliance and to protect the interests of all ECHL members. Monitoring is conducted on an ongoing basis and sanctions are handed down from time to time. Sanctions are made public only in those instances where coaches, executives or employees are suspended. (ECHL)

After six seasons in which the price of season tickets has doubled, the Edmonton Oilers are contemplating cutting the cost of season-ticket packages for the 2004-05 NHL season. Pending approval by the team's board of directors at a meeting, the Oilers are expected to announce reductions in packages that could be as high as five per cent next week (Edmonton Journal)

Greensboro General Geno Parrish ranks second among ECHL defensemen with 49
assists.

Tim Jackman was reassigned to the AHL Syracuse Crunch from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has played 17 NHL this season with 1 goal, 2 assists and 12 penalty minutes with a -5 rating.

Former Gopher Charley Wasley made it to the semifinals of the Red Bull Crashed Ice competition at Spirit Mountain last month.  He was in the same semifinal heat as eventual first place champion Jasper Felder and third place finisher Hroboje Applet so they eliminated him from reaching the finals.  Last year Wasley placed fourth in the ice cross event.

Friday's Avalanche/Coyotes game had a decidedly Minnesota flavour. Playing for the Avs were Darby Hendrickson, Kurt Sauer and Dan Hinote.  Hinote returned to the lineup for the first time in over a month after suffering a concussion during a game.  The Phoenix roster featured Erik Westrum and Jeff Taffe with Tom Kurvers behind the bench with David Tanabe in the stands in street clothes still on injured reserve for the Coyotes.

Erik Westrum played his fourth NHL game and saw his ice time increase dramatically, up to 18:36, more than fellow Gopher Jeff Taffe who was on the ice for only 17:42. Westrum also got his name on the scoresheet getting his first two penalty minutes in the NHL, a  two-minute roughing call at the end of the second period.

With one goal and three assists in Friday's game against St. Cloud Troy Riddle moved ahead of Erik Westrum for 13th place on the Gopher all time career point list. He ties Jeff Nielsen for 14th place in career goal scoring and into 23rd place in career assists.

Matt Koalska's goal moved him into a tie with Todd Okerland on the Gopher points list.

"He wants to play. It's tough not to play when you're a competitor and you're healthy." - Gopher coach Don Lucia on Ryan Potulny's decision to return to the Gopher lineup instead of taking a redshirt for his freshman season.

"It feels awsome!  It is nice to be able to produce right away."  - Gopher freshman Ryan Potulny on scoring his second and third goals of his Gopher career in Friday's game.

"This time of year if you don't play well, you're done" - Gopher coach Don Lucia

"Jeeze, tomorrow could be the last game at Mariucci as seniors. It's a little emotional." - Troy Riddle on the final home game he will play as a Gopher.