Another instant classic for the Canucks and Bruins and another "fell asleep during the 3rd period due to excessive yardwork" for me. I'm beginning to feel like former Yankee's broadcaster Phil Rizzuto...I'll have to give myself a "WW" in my scorecard for this one (wasn't watching). [SCOC Recap] [Nucks Misconduct reacap (*With sex appeal)]
The Bruins are in pretty serious trouble here having lost the first two games in heartbreak fashion, this time blowing a one goal third period lead and surrendering the second fastest overtime game winner in Stanley Cup finals history (11 seconds). The good news is they return home now and can even the series if they use home ice advantage the same way the Canucks did. This game marked the return of Manny Malhotra from a serious eye injury. Manny only played 7:26 in the game, but was 6/7 in the faceoff dot. Scary, awful Boston stat: Don LaGreca notes that since winning the Cup in '72, the Bruins are 5-22 in finals games.
We didn't get to links yesterday, so there is a ton of NHL and prospect news to share and some may spill over into tomorrow...so get out yo seat and jump around...jump jump.
Isles News:@Eric Hornick: Konopka to the KHL? (wild a** speculation...our favorite kind)
RAKHSHANI REFLECTS ON ROOKIE CAMPAIGN - SoundTigers.com
All-Star forward talks about adapting to pro hockey, excitement for 2011-12 season
@BDGallof:Per TSN Zibanejad visiting LI
The Prospect Park: No Tweeting Allowed
Notes on Kabanov at the end. It looks like Kabanov is going to a good spot in Montreal where former Islander and Garth Snow teammate Joel Bouchard is an assistant coach.
Mike Bossy Interview - AskMen
Scorer of two Stanley Cup-winning goals, Mike Bossy is the definition of a clutch player. He spoke to us about his legacy.
"The Birth of the Islanders" on MSG's The Vault - New York Islanders - News
Al Trautwig hosts this in-depth look into the beginning of the New York Islanders...Sucks that it's Trautwig.
NHL News:
Unbelievably believable: Flyers lose rights to top prospect Joacim Eriksson - Broad Street Hockey
Several NHL Teams Suspect The Rangers "Massaged" NHL System to Steal Erixon from the Flames - Matchsticks and Gasoline. (The source link appears to be the paywalled "ESPN Insider". This may be more "wild a** speculation.)
Burke planting seeds for a potential draft-day deal - 2011 NHL Draft Combine Presented by Reebok. (Burke wants to trade up. If you're the Isles, do you do it? His picks are later first round, do you ask for a roster player instead?)
True North reaches goal for selling 13,000 season tickets for Winnipeg NHL team - The Globe and Mail
Online sale for season tickets hit target in less than an hour (Which is only a little misleading...they had already sold 5000, but getting from 5k to 13k that fast is amazing. You wonder if that helps Charles Wang's stance for the arena...or changes his mind about moving.)
Mark Parrish: 2010-2011 Report Card - Die By The Blade. (I haven't read it, but because he's a former Isle, I linked it...I liked pre-lock-out Mark.)
Prospecting:
Just to note, "Buzzing the Net" is a great Yahoo prospect site (available only on the Canadian Yahoo apparently) run by Neate Sager that has a ton of info all of the time...go there often at this time of year and you will not be disappointed. For local stuff, Jess Rubenstein does a fantastic job at "The Prospect Park" covering Islanders and Rangers prospects equally and seemingly without preference (it is weird right)...He (I'm almost positive it's "he") is a wealth of knowledge as well!
Nugent-Hopkins fitness test Video - NHL VideoCenter
In case you ever wanted to see what it looks like, here it is. It is a bit creepier than the Amac/Bailey in chains video.
Adam Larsson, Gabriel Landeskog produce solid showings at 2011 Draft Combine | ProHockeyTalk
Gabriel Landeskog and Adam Larsson kept themselves in the discussion to become the top pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft with strong workouts during the 2011 Draft Combine. Read this post for more on them and other workout warriors.
TSN-Give Huberdeau a break.. Somebody didn't bench press much...which means that if he's coming to Long Island, he at least better work on the "Tan" and "Laundry" part of his game or he's never going to fit in here.
QMJHL: Nathan MacKinnon skates in Omaha on draft day - Buzzing The Net - Junior Hockey Blog - Yahoo! Sports
The next Crosby or Lindros?
Down Goes Brown: The other former star players interviewed for Colin Campbell's job
Bitter Leaf Fan Page: I Hate Your Team*Bitter Leaf Fan - A Toronto Maple Leafs Blog
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!