Hockey News

OTTAWA - The last time Yann Sauve listened for his name to be called in a draft, his wait was nowhere near as long as this.

Sauve, a former first-overall pick in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, had to wait well into the second round of the NHL draft Saturday before the Vancouver Canucks scooped the Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman up with the 41st selection.

The native of Rigaud, Que., admitted it was getting a bit tough hearing all the names go before his. When it did go, however, it was music to his ears on a day Canucks staff honoured the memory of deceased defenceman Luc Bourdon by wearing lapel pins in the shape of electric guitars - one of Bourdon’s passions.

(more…)

PITTSBURGH - Win or lose, taking his team to the Stanley Cup final has been big for 20-year-old Sidney Crosby.

The Cole Harbour, N.S., native has been a leader on and off the ice for the young, talent-stacked Pittsburgh Penguins, even while struggling to score early in the best-of-seven final against the Detroit Red Wings.

“It’s pretty much everything I expected,” Crosby said hours before Wednesday’s Game 3 of his first experience in the final. “I tried not to think about it coming in and just tried to prepare the same way.

(more…)

PITTSBURGH - Henrik Zetterberg was a little sheepish when asked about some extended shifts he worked in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final.

“Sometimes if you’ve been out there 30 seconds and you have a chance to go for another rush, it’s hard to go to the bench,” the Detroit Red Wings star said Thursday. “Sometimes you want to create some more offence.

“And sometimes, you get caught out there and you pay for it in the end.”

Detroit coach Mike Babcock blamed himself for over-using Zetterberg and linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom in a 3-2 loss Wednesday that put the Pittsburgh Penguins back into a series the Red Wings had been dominating.

(more…)

DETROIT - The Pittsburgh Penguins are new to this whole trailing business.

Down 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final, all eyes are on the young Penguins to see how they respond in Game 2 Monday night.

They went up 3-0 in all three previous series, never once feeling like there weren’t in control. They trailed for only 115:37 out of 847:10 of total playing time before the Cup final, down in the score just 13.6 per cent of the time. Being behind the eight-ball is unchartered territory.

(more…)

DETROIT - The Pittsburgh Penguins are new to this whole trailing business.

Down 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final, all eyes are on the young Penguins to see how they respond in Game 2 Monday night.

They went up 3-0 in all three previous series, never once feeling like there weren’t in control. They trailed for only 115:37 out of 847:10 of total playing time before the Cup final, down in the score just 13.6 per cent of the time. Being behind the eight-ball is unchartered territory.

(more…)

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed 2005 first round draft pick, T.J. Oshie and 2007 first round pick Lars Eller.

“I am happy that the Blues have been patient with me over the past couple of years,” said Oshie. “I am now ready and proud to wear the Blue Note next season. I would like to thank my family, who have supported me all these years. I would also like to give a special thanks to all the programs, coaches, and all of my teammates who have made an impact on my life and hockey career.”

(more…)

HOUSTON, Texas - The Milwaukee Admirals recorded goals in each period as they go two points up on the Houston Aeros after a 3-2 final in front of 10,303 fans at Bradley Center Friday night. Houston (43-29-2-4) falls to fifth place in the West Division as Milwaukee (44-28-4-2) and San Antonio win as each team has two games remaining before they head into the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Aeros playoff tickets are already on sale so order yours today to get your choice of seats by calling 713.974.PUCK!

(more…)

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The first deadline for the 2008-09 Binghamton Senators’ season ticket contest is Friday, April 11. Fans that wish to be eligible for the first prize, two tickets to a 2008-09 Binghamton Senators game in Syracuse including limousine transportation, must make a deposit for half of the 2008-2009 season ticket price by the end of business on Friday, April 11.

Fans that pay the full balance for their 2008-09 season tickets by Friday, April 11, will be entered to win all weekly prizes plus both grand prizes. The season ticket contest prizes are as follows:

(more…)

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The Binghamton Senators, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, announced today that defenseman Lawrence Nycholat has been named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team.

Nycholat, 28, has played in three AHL All-Star Classics, but the Calgary native earns his first postseason All-Star berth in 2007-08 with a stellar season in Binghamton. Nycholat, a member of Hershey’s championship team in 2006, is tied for second on the Senators and ranks third among AHL defensemen with 48 points on the season, and his 12 goals are one shy of his career high.

(more…)

NEW YORK - Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is the NHL’s first star of the week for the second time in three weeks.

He scored his 60th goal of the season last week and led all scorers with seven points in three games.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala is the second star and Philadelphia Flyers centre Daniel Briere is the third star.

Ovechkin notched one goal and two assists in a 4-2 victory over Nashville last Tuesday to become the fastest NHL player to reach 300 career points since Peter Forsberg in 1997-’98.

(more…)