Monday, November 24, 2008

Lethbridge goalie Juha Metsola stops 31 shots vs. Red Deer for his 3rd shutout of the season


Lethbridge goaltender Juha Metsola stopped all 31 shots in a 3-0 win over Red Deer on Saturday night. Metsola is currently in his second season for the Hurricanes, currently ranks 12th in the WHL with a .906 save percentage and his 3 shutouts are tied for the league lead. Last year, Metsola led the Hurricanes to the WHL finals with stellar postseason play. Metosla and the 'Canes take on the Brandon Wheat Kings Friday night at the Emmax Centre in Lethbridge.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Alexei Morozov's 5 goals lead Ak Bars Kazan over Barys Astana


Alexei Morozov scored 5 goals in Ak Bars Kazan's 7-0 win over Barys Astana tonight. Morozov, who has led the Russian Super League (now known as the KHL, or Continental Hockey League) in scoring two of the previous three seasons, has now moved into a tie for 2nd in scoring in the KHL with 35 points (20 G, 15 A) in only 20 games. In May, Alexei was a key member of Russia's Gold-Medal winning team at the 2008 World Championships in Quebec., where he scored 5 goals in 8 games. During his days in the NHL, Morozov was given the nickname "The Devil Killer," for his success against the New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur in particular. Ak Bars Kazan hits the road to take on St. Petersburg on Tuesday.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Khabibulin makes 38 saves, makes the highlight reel in a 2-1 shootout loss to Boston last night

November 13, 2008, 1:46 pm

The Morning Skate: Oooooh Khabibulin!

By Stu Hackel

There was another great goalie duel in Chicago, where Nikolai Khabibulin continues to rehabilitate his game and make life difficult for the Blackhawk capologists. Khabi and the Bruins’ Tim Thomas battled it out to a 1-1 tie as well, with the B’s snagging the bonus point in the post-game skills competition. Khabi was great in OT, as Boston outshot Chicago, 8-1, and it seemed every Boston shot was a great scoring chance, including these two…

…and it’s too bad we can’t give you the Blackhawks’ TV call on this one, not that Jack Edwards on Boston TV isn’t appreciative of Khabi’s stop, but Pat Foley, marveling at that second glove save on Marc Savard, could only manage to utter at the straining top of his vocal register, “Oooooohhh Khabibulin!” and say no more.

Savard even came over and gave the goalie a tap on the pads.

See video here: http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,226&event=CHI689

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Alexei Cherepanov, you will forever be in our hearts







When I received the word from one of my associates in Russia telling me that Alexei Cherepanov had passed away, I was absolutely devastated. This happened to be the most horrifying piece of news I have ever received. I was literally stunned, I felt like I was going to faint.

Having said that, I want to make it known that Alexei Cherepanov, despite our sizable age difference, was one of my best friends, one of the people closest to me. After all that happened, there was no doubt in my mind, even for a second, that I had to make this long trip to his burial city of Omsk, to visit his family and friends, and pay a tribute to his life.

Although three weeks have passed since this horrible tragedy occurred, Alexei is still alive to me; I can still hear the “adorable” tone of his voice. He had a very soft and gentle way of communicating with people and that aspect of his personality is what I admired most about Alexei. I went with Jay Grossman to Omsk and we got together with Alexei’s family, his father, his teammates and close friends. The most difficult part of the trip was attending the ceremony where Alexei was laid to rest. The burial site could best be described by a mountain of fresh flowers and very somber messages scattered all around.

After attending this ceremony, I told myself that I will do anything in my power to help prevent a tragedy similar to that of Alexei’s from happening. I will gladly join his father and the rest of his family in their efforts to open a foundation in Alexei’s memory. Alexei, your life provided us with nothing but great memories. You will forever be in our hearts.

-Ilya Moliver