14 December 2009

From the Headlines...


Tollefsen, Giroux, Powe, Kalinski and van Riemsdyk posing during their tour of Fenway.

Members of the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins took a tour of Fenway Park this weekend, and were able to get a look at the ice construction and their locker rooms.  The legendary Green Monster was a large topic of conversation for the boys, as they wondered about 'getting one out of it.'  "I don't know, that looks pretty tough," James van Riemsdyk said. "We might have to get a shooting gallery out here and try to bomb some pucks out there and see what happens."  NHL.com has posted a webcam where you can watch the progress of the construction as it happens.

Former Detriot Red Wing, Slava Fetisov, played this weekend for CSKA Moscow.  The 51-year-old defenseman hadn't played in a competitive game in 11 years, and after the game, said this would be his last.  Now a member of the Russian Parliament, Fetisov expressed doubts about his abilities before the game.  "I skate fairly often, but this is a different game," he said. "It's not a show, it's a real game, so naturally I have worries."  Fetisov played on the Soviet team that lost to the U.S. in the semifinals of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

Antti Niemi posted another shutout to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.  Niemi, who has only had three starts since Nov. 7, has stopped eighty shots and allowed just one goal, posting two total shutouts.  After the game, he talked about his stretch and how confident he feels.  Niemi seems fairly comfortable, saying, “We had it pretty easy today. It was not too hard for me.”

Earlier in the game, Patrick Kane took a nasty fall after being tripped by Lightning defenseman Matt Smaby.  The injury isn't as bad as it appeared, however, and Kane is looking to play Wednesday against the Blues.

Jonas Gustavsson could be back in net as early as Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.  Gustavsson has missed six games recovering from his second heart ablation procedure this season.  The Leafs are waiting for an incision in his groin to heal before he returns.  Gustavsson is 6-5-5 this season with a 3.14 GAA and .900 save percentage.

Referee Wolmer Edqvist saved the life of a Swedish skater on Sunday.  Niklas Lihagen collapsed after a seemingly normal hit against the boards.  Edqvist administered CPR after Lihagen fell unconscious.  “I knew we had about four minutes to bring him back to life,” the referee told Expressen.  Lihagen was hospitalized and is now in a serious, but stable condition.  The game was suspended; there will be an announcement today with details for when it will be replayed.  See a video of the incident here.

Former NHL goalie Martin Gerber has been hospitalized with a severe neck injury.  The netminder, who currently plays for Atlant Mytischi of the KHL, was taken off the ice by stretcher after a collision with Vityaz Chekhov.  His injury has been primarily diagnosed as a compression fracture of the third or fourth cervical vertebra, and Gerber could be in the hospital for two months.  Other reports indicate that his injury is not as serious, however.  In 30 games, Gerber is 19-9-6 with a 2.19 GAA and .914 save percentage.

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