NHL. Regular Season
“SE” represents the five main events of the day’s play in the NHL.
TICKETS ON HOCKEY – BEST GIFT
“Winter Classic”, a traditional New Year game outdoors, traditionally confined to the attention of the majority of sports fans, including those who are not always interested in hockey. “Tickets for the match,” Washington “and” Chicago “became the best Christmas present. We were at the game” capital “on the Heinz Field in 2011, the year when the” Washington “beat” Pittsburgh “with a score of 3: 1. And now promised each other that necessarily converge on the “Classic” for the third time, if the “Capitals” will take part in it “- said the 14-year-old fan of Justin Fox, looked at the match from the stands in the company of relatives.
Total tribune “Neshnlz Park” raised a little more than 43 million viewers, which is inferior record last year, when “Michigan Stadium” meeting “Detroit” and “Toronto” was visited by 105,000 fans. Bright sunshine and comfortable weather (about 5 degrees) contributed to the festive mood came in, and the team gave the audience an exciting hockey.
At the “capital” was in doubt part in the match the lead defense counsel Brukas Orpika, received on the eve of injury knee, and did not participate in the pre-game workout. “The decision to accept Orpika directly before the match. If he tells me that he is ready to play, he will come on the ice. It feels better, but to risk his health, we will not,” – said the coach, “Washington” Barry Trotts. As a result, Orpik took part in the game and become a team leader in the number of game time (24 minutes and 44 seconds).
Alexander Ovechkin. Photo AFP.
MAGNIFICENT Ovechkin
The game itself is beginning to live pace, which contributed to the quality of the ice remained satisfactory, despite the warm weather. “Washington” the best debut was a success, and in the eighth minute the hosts opened the scoring thanks to a solo passage veteran Eric Fehr: Defender “Blackhawks” Seabrook lost the puck in the opponent’s blue line, which made it possible to escape Feru alone and effectively beat Corey Crawford.
Five minutes later, the tribune “Neshnlz Park” pestrevshie jerseys with the name “Ovechkin” exploded with delight – the captain of “capital” marked his second in the career of goals in the “Winter Classic”. Successfully selected position, the Russian waylaid rebound from the goalkeeper after shot of Mike Green, and smuggle the puck with his snout was not difficult.
After securing the advantage of two goals, “Washington” somewhat slowed down, which allowed the “Black Hawk Down “back in the game. Even before the first break long-range shot Patrick Sharp in most reduced the lead, and in the second period of “Chicago” had already tangible competitive advantage. Sloppy play at the gate defenders Carlson and Orpika led to a goal scored Brandon Saad, and lost the initiative could cost “Capitals” very expensive. One of the few who continued to constantly sharpen the game was Ovechkin, from which the second period turned luck: twice after it throws the puck hits the woodwork, not wanting to fly into the net.
And yet, in the most the end of normal time Ovechkin did it. 13 seconds remaining in the third period, the activity of Alexander allowed Troy Brouwer put a cool shot for a reversal in the majority, and the victory went to “Washington”.
“The whole day was just incredible, the atmosphere on the ice was amazing. It the experiences of the experience that we will remember for a long time. I am sure that then I’ll watch this game in the replay. I always get a fun game, but it was a very special case. I just love to play against the great bands, especially at such entourage. I remember that before the match Brower told us that it is time to show the audience a good show. He showed “- smiling, shared his opinion Ovechkin after the game. “We do not doubt that Alex would be a good match. It’s always great to play in such meetings,” – said defenseman Mike Green.
“The more complex and demanding task, the greater Ovechkin approach. In this league a lot of players who want to be stars, but when they are brought to the attention of all, they fade and lose Alex – one of the greatest players of his generation. When the task is difficult, then you know what he can do, “- said the head coach “Washington” Barry Trotts.
BRANDED BY Endings “King”
The second match of the day’s play was the meeting between the “Vancouver” and “Los Angeles” vying with each other for second place in the Pacific Division. Last season, “Canucks” scored only 2 wins in 14 matches against teams from California, which was one of the key factors of missing the playoffs. “If we want to get into the playoffs, especially given the new format, you need to beat the direct competitors. We must go to the level of 50 per cent or higher set points. Before that, we played well with the” San Jose “won” Anaheim “, and now it’s time to show good hockey and with these guys, “- said before the game forward,” Vancouver “Alex Burrows. This season, “Los Angeles” met “Canucks” once, and on the ice “Kings” without problems defeated the opponent with a score of 5: 1.
The words about Burrows had a real good hockey confirmation until the last minutes of the third period, when the “Vancouver” in the lead in the long run, could not hold the desired numbers on the scoreboard. Efforts Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll “Los Angeles” made firm “comeback”, which became the hallmark of “Kings” during last year’s Stanley Cup. At intervals of 53 seconds at the gate Ryan Miller flew two goals, put paid to hopes “Vancouver” to get at least one point.
“I had to close the near corner, it is my responsibility. These lesions are always annoying: get up to 57 minutes, and in the end to miss everything, “- said Miller upset. “It was one of our best games of the season, especially if we take into account the guest of the game. Hopefully we can use this as a springboard to a successful small game on the road,” – said after the match Stoll.
VASILEVSKY AGAIN to the farm club
The goalkeeper, “Tampa” Andrei Vasilevski, recently won his third win in the NHL again sent to the farm club. 20-year-old Russian has used his chance to show themselves, reflecting in four matches for “Lightning” 93.7% of the shots, but the recovery of the main goalkeeper, “Lightning” Ben Bishop had no choice team’s coaching staff.
“I could easy to train, and even play a match against the “Buffalo.” But a little pain still remained, so we decided it would be better to sit out one game in hand, “- said Bishop, recovered from a lower body injury. “We have no plans again to” raise “Vasilevsky, if Bishop and Nabokov will be healthy,” – said the head coach of “Lightning” John Cooper.
As for the other Russian newcomer Nikita Nesterov, it remains in the “Tampa “After a successful debut in the same match against the” Sabres “. “We had some players worthy of being” lifted “from the farm club, but the choice fell on Nesterov, who looked the most prepared. In the match on Wednesday I had never noticed on the ice – it’s a great sign for the defense novice . He played professionally, very reliable, “- said Cooper.
Malkin missed training
Forward” Pittsburgh “Evgeni Malkin missed the last training team. Fortunately for the “Penguins” bruised injuries of key players, we are not talking about the damage or disease – the lack of Eugene was due to personal reasons. “Gino has not been in class for personal reasons, defender Kris Letang was a day of rest to get needed medical care. We have close to returning to the system forward Steve Downie. In addition, a few days should resume training with the group defender Paul Marty” – said the head coach, “Pittsburgh” Mike Johnston.
1 Thursday, January
“Washington” – “Chicago” – 3: 2 (2: 1, 1: 0, 1: 0). Goals : Fer – 11, 7:01 – 1: 0. Ovechkin – 18 (Green Hill) 11:58 – 2: 0. Sharp – 7 (pp., Kate Kane) 13:36 – 2: 1. Saad – 9 (Toews, Hossa), 23:15 – 2: 2. Brouwer – 11 (pp., Ovechkin, Green), 59:47 – 3: 2. Goalkeepers : Holtby – Crawford (59:47). PIM : 14 – 10. Our : Ovechkin (19: 32/4/1 +), Kuznetsov (13: 44/3/0).
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