Ducks take 2-1 lead over Blackhawks

CHICAGO — Frederik Andersen made 27 saves, helping Anaheim kill off five power plays, and the Ducks beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 2-1, Thursday night for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Defenseman Simon Despres scored his first career playoff goal in the second period as top-seeded Anaheim bounced back quite nicely from a triple-overtime loss at home in Game 2. Patrick Maroon had a power-play goal and Ryan Getzlaf added two assists.

Ryan Kesler’s two holding penalties contributed to more than nine power-play minutes for the Blackhawks, but the Ducks’ penalty killers kept most of Chicago’s opportunities to the outside and Andersen stood his ground during a couple of goalmouth scrums.

‘‘Yeah, we just sharpened up on the PK,’’ Andersen said. ‘‘We weren’t satisfied with what we did the last game. That was huge for this group coming off a tough loss where we gave up two goals on the PK. We wanted to be better today.’’

Patrick Kane scored his eighth playoff goal for Chicago, and Corey Crawford made 25 saves. The teams were tied at 1 before Despres drove a pass from Getzlaf past Crawford from the right wing with 55 seconds left in the second.

‘‘It’s been a good run so far,’’ Despres said. ‘‘We haven’t done anything yet. We want to get to the top. It’s a team game and the team has been playing very well so far.’’

The Blackhawks outshot the Ducks, 10-5, in the third, but couldn’t get the tying goal. The 25-year-old Andersen has allowed just 23 goals in 12 games this postseason.

Two days after Chicago’s grueling 3-2 victory in Anaheim, the Blackhawks shuffled their lineup while the Ducks went with the same group for Game 3. Forwards Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom were active, replacing Antoine Vermette and Teuvo Teravainen in a bit of surprise.

The move added two fresh players to Chicago’s lineup, but Vermette is a strong performer in the faceoff circle, and Teravainen is one of the team’s most promising young players. Versteeg and Nordstrom were mostly quiet in their first action since the first round against Nashville.

While the Blackhawks struggled on the power play, the Ducks capitalized on their only chance with the man advantage. With Marian Hossa in the box for holding, Maroon tipped Hampus Lindholm’s long slap shot past Crawford at 12:55 of the first for a 1-0 lead.

Coach decision tops priority list for new Bruins GM Don Sweeney

Time has been on Don Sweeney’s side. The ex-Bruin, named general manager of his former team on Wednesday, has been busy in his role as assistant GM since Peter Chiarelli’s firing on April 15. Sweeney has been thinking about the most significant decisions he’ll have to make as GM.

1. Determine Claude Julien’s future
Julien’s new contract becomes active in 2015-16. He will be one of the highest-paid coaches in the league. Last month, CEO Charlie Jacobs and president Cam Neely said the next GM will make the decision on Julien. If it’s truly Sweeney’s call, Julien could stay. If it’s Neely’s decision, Julien is out.

2. Prepare for the combine and draft

The combine starts on May 31 in Buffalo. The first round of the draft is on June 26. The Bruins have the No. 14 pick.

3. Gauge the trade market for Milan Lucic

Sweeney has to listen to offers on the left wing. Lucic will be entering the final season of his contract. This could be the Bruins’ best window to acquire assets for Lucic instead of letting him walk after 2015-16. According to one agent, Lucic could command $8 million annually on the free market.

4. Re-sign Dougie Hamilton

The defenseman will be restricted on July 1. Hamilton’s asking price will be high. He will also be eligible to sign an offer sheet. The Bruins will match at any price.

5. Acquire a backup goalie

Malcolm Subban will be a third-year pro in 2015-16. He’s not ready to be Tuukka Rask’s No.

Scott Veneziale talks about his World Juniors experience

Scott Veneziale was named Tournament Most Valuable Defensman in the U18 division. His team brought home the bronze medal from Slovakia. He sits down with us to talk about his experience..

1)  What was it like during the build up to the tournament at the camp?

The build up to the camp was a lot of hard work, running, practicing, playing as many games I could, eating healthy and traveling to tournaments to play with teammates so we can get the feel of playing together.

2) How did the coaches coach you guys up at the camp?

The coaches worked with us on systems, drills, power play lines, breakouts and individual structure.

3) What was the feeling overall when you left camp for the airport?

I had many mixed emotions, excited and nervous to step on a big stage for a sport I love and not know what to expect but what I did know is I had a whole team of greatness behind me.

4) The first game against Slovakia, powerhouse team, what did you guys tell yourselves?

We kept telling ourselves to play our game, move the ball , run them down and keep it a simple game.

5)  After the first game, how did you feel?

I felt good after the first game we stayed with them but we still needed work on our small breakdowns in the defensive zone.

6) What was it like to beat Canada in the bronze?  Describe your emotions.

To beat Canada was an amazing feeling knowing they were going home with nothing and we were leaving with the Bronze was a huge accomplishment.

7) What did you see on your goal from the blue line in that game?  Why did you rip it?

My goal was because my team moved the ball so well and when they passed it back to me I had the open shot so I took it with my hopes of my team screening the goalie or them getting the rebound.

8) What about ASHI in general as far as getting two teams over to Slovakia for this tournament. What do you think about the job they did?

Chris Banks and Ricky Laperrire were exceptional in leadership, organizing and communicating from planning the trip to the end, along with equipment and uniforms we couldn't ask for two better people to run it.

9) Talk about the job your coaches did all week.

We had 3 coaches who each played a part and had their own position on the bench. Each coach had to know what lines had to go out, who to play, the better players on the other team for match ups, and how to boost our confidence and get us psyched for the games.

10) Last question, Scott Tarzy was instrumental in this entire process.  What are your thoughts on how Scott handled this process considering you are the first ever U18 team to go?

Mr. Tarzy showed great leadership and management, the time and dedication he put into this team was very appreciative. He was always on top of things and anything we needed he helped with. Also during the trip he looked out for each player as they were his own.

I would like to thank the American Street Hockey Institute organization for all their hard work, dedication and giving us the opportunity to play the game we love and to represent our country. I would like to thank the coaches for their time and hard work for bringing us together and making us a team. To all the parents who made the trip thank you for all your support and looking out for us. To all parents, family and friends who supported us from home thank you for believing in us. Lastly, to my team thank you for becoming a "family".

source: American street hokey insitiute

Matt Caron talks about his World Juniors experience

Matt Caron was an Assistant Captain on the team that brought home the bronze medal from Slovakia. He sits down with us to talk about his experience...1.  What was it like during the build up to the tournament at the camp?The build up during our Team USA camp in New Jersey was great. Our team started to build chemistry since day 1, through the team BBQ's and the practices we had. Everyone bonded so well and were excited to start a brotherhood with the rest of the players, weather you were from MA, PA, NJ, or NY it didn't matter we just had a connection.


2.  How did the coaches coach you guys up at the camp?The coaches were great at the camp. It was kind of cool having younger coaches because everyone looked up to them knowing that they've been in our shoes only a few years ago. They were kind of like big brothers to us; we could go to any one of them if we had anything to talk about, whether it was about hockey or just everyday things in life. They would stick around after all the practices and games and we'd all crack jokes with each other and just have a good time. Unlike other coaches that would usually go hangout among themselves. They just really connected with us.
3.  What was the feeling overall when you left camp for the airport?The feeling when we left for the airport was awesome. After a great weekend of playing together and getting to know one another, everyone was just so anxious to be in Slovakia and ready to play the Czech Republic in the opening game.
4.  The first game against Czech, a long time powerhouse team, what did you guys tell yourselves?Well we knew the Czech's were going to be a tough game, but we were ready for them. There wasn't one person on the team who wasn't amped up and ready to go. We came out flying and the energy throughout the team was through the roof.
 5.  After the first game, how did you feel.?I felt amazing after beating the Czech's 5-2. Like I said the energy of our team was through the roof and I had no doubts in my mind about our team. After we had won the game they couldn't find our national anthem and all the boys came together and we sang it. That feeling alone was indescribable.
6.  Going into the 1st Canada game, win and you're in.  You lost by 1.  Why do you think you lost that game?I think we lost that game because of a few bad penalties that I didn't really agree with, but once the refs make the call there's no taking it back. It kind of screwed us, almost like we spotted them 4 points before we actually started to play. Honestly though the way our team came together in the 3rd period was insane, we made it 4-3 and almost tied the game with only seconds left on the clock. Not one person gave up on each other and it was great to know that we all left every bit of energy we had on the rink. It really goes to show how much heart we had as a team.
7.  Rebounding and beating the team that knocked you out of gold contention for Bronze had to feel good.  Describe your emotions.It felt great to beat team Canada after they knocked us out of the gold medal game. We weren't leaving Slovakia with nothing and even though our medal wasn't gold the friendships and memories we all made really made it seem like it was.
8.  What was Coach Gregory's theme going into the medal game?Steve had a good theme going into the medal game. Our objective wasn't so much to go out flying like every other game, it was more or less to play lock down D and attack on every mistake they made and it worked really well. After the first goal we got they just kept on coming.
9.  What about ASHI in general as far as getting two teams over to Slovakia for this tournament. What do you think about the job they did?Chris Banks and Ricky Laperriere did a great job getting both US teams to Slovakia. Without them none of it would've happened. We thank them very much for giving us the experience we had. They're both great guys.
10. Scott Tarzy the GM.  He had final say on the roster and was instrumental in making sure you guys were as organized as you were.  Talk about the job Scott Tarzy did.Scott Tarzy did a phenomenal job organizing. At first it sucked seeing some of my friends who I thought should've made the team get cut, but after meeting everyone who made the team and playing with them I realized that they were all there for a reason and sure as hell deserved their spot.
11.  Any closing words?I want to thank everyone who helped put these teams together and made it all happen. I will never forget our team and it was great to make a brotherhood with all the boys. The memories we made will never be forgotten!
source: American street hokey insitiute

Boston Globe covers USA Women's Team

The story covered by Brian O'Conner of the Boston Globe writes:

"Wilson is now captain of a Team USA squad that will compete in the 2015 ISBHF World Ball Hockey Championships in Zug, Switzerland, June 19-28. The 25-member squad has nine other women from Massachusetts: Melissa Tetreau and Samantha Rush Tetreau, both of Wakefield; Eleni Aidonidis and Amber Cornwall of Leominster; Chelsea Deloge of Gardner; Mari Creatini of Swampscott; Kelly Foley of Boston; Alessandra Ciambra Glista of Winthrop; and Kara Reeves of Dracut."

"The collection of women representing the United States is a study in diversity. Some have been playing ball hockey since they were in kindergarten, while others are relative newcomers.

Many have an ice hockey background, but not all."

Sarah Wilson, Mari Creatini and Karen Levin are also hosting a 3 on 3 Iron Man Tournament that will benefit ASHI Hockey.

Source: Boston Globe Article

2016 Master's Team Evaluations Announced!

The United States will have two representing again in the 2016 Master's World Cup. There will be a Team USA and Team DC (District of Columbia). Head coaches will be Jay Machin for Team USA and Richard "Rock" Stefan for Team DC. More information and details about the tournament is still pending with the ISBHF. We will provide more information as it becomes available to us.

The objective of the 2016 evaluations is to select two teams and staff to represent the United States. The commitment required is players must attend three mandatory camps on different weekends and a week long for World Championship. Players will be responsible for the costs and we will actively be fundraising to cut as much of the final cost as wel can.

Players are expected to fully commit and come to each camp in peak condition. Playing time will be earned through the camps

Nation team expectations are to display conduct of a National Team on and off the rink. This aspect of the commitement is as important as your play.

Evaluation Information: 

Location: The Hockey Dek, 1440 Wallingford Road, Springfield, PA 19064
Cost: $660 Per Team (4 game guarantee)
Attire: Each player will be provided a tshirt
Team: Teams must be formed from the general area players reside in (Exceptions must be approved by GM)
Rosters: 11 Players Max
Games: One 30 minute period

source: American street hokey insitiute