May 31st Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

WEDNESDAY’S RESULT

Washington 3 Vegas 2

Braden Holtby made 37 saves, including a sensational stop in the final minutes of regulation, to help the Capitals earn their first-ever win in the Stanley Cup Final and even their series against the Golden Knights at 1-1.

Teams winning Game 2 have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup 74.4% of the time since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939 (58-of-78 series), but only five times in the past nine years.

CAPITALS NEAR NHL RECORD WITH ANOTHER ROAD WIN

The Capitals improved to 9-3 as visitors during the postseason, outscoring opponents 43-28. Only four teams in NHL history have earned more road wins in a single playoff year:

* Washington has gone 20 games (regular season and playoffs) without consecutive losses as visitors, last doing so Feb. 22 – March 8 (0-4-0).

* The Capitals handed the Golden Knights their second loss on home ice this postseason (7-2) and first in regulation at T-Mobile Arena since March 28 vs. ARI (3-2 L).

 * ICYMI: Nearly 14,500 fans packed Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., to watch Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.


ORPIK ENDS DROUGHT WITH WINNING GOAL

Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik snapped a 220-game goal drought (regular season and playoffs) – the longest active such streak in the NHL – with his tally midway through the second period. Orpik, the only Washington player with Stanley Cup Final experience entering the series, went 181 regular-season and 39 playoff games since scoring his last goal (Feb. 26, 2016 vs. MIN).

 Orpik recorded his third game-winning goal in 1,128 career NHL appearances (982 in the regular season, 146 in the playoffs). His two other such tallies: May 11, 2013 at NYI (w/ PIT) and Feb. 20, 2016 vs. NJD.


ELLER STEPS UP IN KUZNETSOV’S ABSENCE

Washington forward Lars Eller registered 1-2—3 after teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov, the League’s top postseason scorer (11-14—25 in 21 GP), left the game due to injury. It marked Eller’s third career three-point performance in the playoffs (71 GP), all in Game 2s this year (also SR vs. PIT: 0-3—3 and CF at TBL: 1-2—3).

 Eller also stepped up in place of Nicklas Backstrom earlier this postseason, collecting 2-3—5 during his four-game absence May 7-15. He has 6-11—17 in 21 playoff contests this year, nearly matching his 50-game total prior to 2018 (6-17—23).

OVECHKIN MOVES WITHIN ONE GOAL OF FRANCHISE RECORD

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 13th goal of the playoffs (13-11—24 in 21 GP), one shy of the single-year franchise record established by John Druce in 1990 (14-3—17 in 15 GP).

Ovechkin, who ranks second in the League in points this postseason, paces all players with 9-8—17 on the road (12 GP), the most by anyone since 2016 (Brent Burns: 6-11—17 in 12 GP).


WASHINGTON VICTORY GUARANTEES LACK OF SWEEP

With Washington’s victory, there will not be a sweep in the Stanley Cup Final for a record 19th consecutive season (since 1998 DET: 4-0 W vs. WSH). The longest prior such streak (since the Stanley Cup Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939) was seven straight series, from 1953-59 and 1961-67.



TEAMS COMBINE FOR 15 GOALS IN OPENING TWO GAMES

The Golden Knights (8) and Capitals (7) totaled 15 goals in Games 1 and 2, the most combined goals in the opening two contests of the Stanley Cup Final since 1982 (21 – NYI: 12, VAN: 9).


GOLDEN KNIGHTS AGAIN SCORE EARLY

The Golden Knights scored the opening goal of the game – all in the first period – for the ninth time in as many contests at T-Mobile Arena this postseason. Six of those have been recorded in the opening 8 minutes of the game:


First Round

Game 1 vs. LAK: 3:23 of 1st (Shea Theodore)

Game 2 vs. LAK: 14:47 of 1st (Alex Tuch)


Second Round

Game 1 vs. SJS: 4:31 of 1st (Cody Eakin)

Game 2 vs. SJS: 17:59 of 1st (William Karlsson)

Game 5 vs. SJS: 19:57 of 1st (James Neal)


Conference Finals

Game 3 vs. WPG: 0:35 of 1st (Jonathan Marchessault)

Game 4 vs. WPG: 2:25 of 1st (William Karlsson)


Stanley Cup Final

Game 1 vs. WSH: 7:15 of 1st (Colin Miller)

Game 2 vs. WSH: 7:58 of 1st (James Neal)

(NHL Media)

What Did You Miss Wednesday?

--The Stanley Cup Final is even at one.  Washington held on to beat Vegas 3-2 in Game 2 of the series. Game 3 goes Saturday in Washington.  The Capitals played most of Game 2 without Evgeny Kuznetsov who left with an upper-body injury

--Swift Current will be the host centre for Scotiabank's Hockey Day in Canada in 2019.  The announcement was made Wednesday by Sportsnet.  Ron McLean will host the 12 and a half hour special that features a Hockey Night in Canada tripleheader on February 9 with other events also being planned.  Swift Current joins Shaunavon and Lloydminster as Saskatchewan centers that have hosted HDIC

--Speaking of Swift Current, they will go into next season without Alexsi Heponiemi. The 19 year old Finnish product has signed a contract with Oulu of the Finnish Elite League. He had 204 points in his two seasons in Swift Current. One other WHL note.  The Blades hired Mitch Love to be their new head coach.  Love spent the last seven seasons as an assistant in Everett.

--Several Riders didn't make it to practice on Wednesday due to injury.  Cameron Judge, Dariusz Bladek, Devon Bailey and Makana Henry were not on the field while defensive back Chris Lyles started the day, but didn't finish it.  The Riders finish the pre-season June 8 at home against Calgary.

--Max Scherzer pitched eight innings of two-hit ball as Washington beat Baltimore 2-0.  The win was the 150th in the career of the Nationals righthander who has won eight in a row. 

Former NFL RB Tre Mason Joins Riders

Courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders 

The Riders have signed another former NFL running back who is looking to resume his career.

On Wednesday, the green-and-white announced they have signed running back Tre Mason.

The 24-year-old has not played football since the end of the 2015 season.

He spent two years with the St. Louis Rams after being taken in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the club in 2014.

During those two years, he ran for 976 yards and two touchdowns.

Mason joins another former Ram, Zac Stacy, trying to hook on with the football team.

(620 CKRM)

May 30th Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

Game 1 Sets Stanley Cup Final Record


The Golden Knights and Capitals traded the lead four times in Game 1 in the Stanley Cup Final. Washington overcame a 1-0 deficit to go ahead 2-1, Vegas responded by taking a 3-2 advantage. The Capitals then rallied for a 4-3 lead, but the Golden Knights scored the final three goals for a 6-4 victory.

 This marked just the third game in NHL postseason history – and first in the Stanley Cup Final – to feature four lead changes. The others: Game 2 of the 1936 Quarterfinals (NY Americans 4 at Chicago 5) and Game 2 of the 1992 Division Semifinals (Edmonton 5 at Los Angeles 8).


Game 2 Officials

The referees for today's game are Chris Rooney (#5) and Kelly Sutherland (#11). The linesmen are Derek Amell (#75) and Greg Devorski (#54).

Game 2 Trends


* Teams winning Game 2 have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup 74% of the time since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939 (58-of-78 series), but only at a 56% clip over the past nine years (5-4).



* The Golden Knights are 2-1 in Game 2s during the playoffs (1-1 at home); the Capitals also are 2-1 (1-0 on the road).



* The team winning Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final also has won Game 2 in 10 of the past 12 years, including the Penguins last season against Nashville. The only splits in that span: 2013 (Chicago won Game 1, Boston won Game 2) and 2015 (Chicago won Game 1, Tampa Bay won Game 2).



* Fifty-one teams have taken a 2-0 series lead since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939. Of those clubs, 46 (90%) have gone on to claim the Stanley Cup.



* The all-time series record of home teams sweeping Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is 36-3 (.923), but two of those losses have come in the past decade: the Red Wings won the first two games at home in 2009 before ultimately losing to the Penguins in seven games, while the Canucks won the opening two games at home in 2011 before eventually falling to the Bruins in seven contests.



Golden Knights Notes



* The expansion Golden Knights are seeking to become the first NHL, MLB, NBA or NFL team to win a championship in its inaugural season – excluding the first year of a league’s existence – since the 1950 Cleveland Browns captured the NFL Championship. The NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49) and Baltimore Bullets (1947-48) also won the title in their respective first seasons.



* The Golden Knights are the first expansion team in 50 years from the NHL, MLB, NBA or NFL to even reach the championship series or game in its inaugural season. The 1967-68 Blues were the last to accomplish the feat, emerging from the NHL’s all-expansion West Division to advance to the Stanley Cup Final (where they ultimately lost to the Canadiens in four straight games).



* The Golden Knights enter Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final with a 13-3 record in the postseason. Only six other teams in NHL history have won at least 13 of their first 16 games of a playoff year: the New York Islanders in 1981 (14-2), Edmonton Oilers in 1985 (13-3), 1987 (14-2) and 1988 (14-2), Buffalo Sabres in 1999 (13-3) and Los Angeles Kings in 2012 (14-2). The Islanders, Oilers and Kings went on to win the Stanley Cup.



* The Golden Knights improved their playoff record at T-Mobile Arena to 7-1 in Game 1, outscoring opponents 31-16. Their lone loss came in double-overtime in Game 2 of the Second Round vs. San Jose (4-3 L). During the regular season, Vegas shared third in the NHL with 29 victories on home ice (29-10-2). That included an eight-game winning streak from Oct. 15 – Nov. 24, matching an NHL record for a team in its inaugural season.



* Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his 16 postseason appearances, compiling a 13-3 record with a 1.81 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and four shutouts. That includes a 7-1 mark at T-Mobile Arena, where he has a 1.78 goals-against average, .941 save percentage and two shutouts.



* Already a three-time Stanley Cup champion (w/ PIT), Fleury is the 19th goaltender in NHL history to represent multiple teams in the Final. The last netminder to do so was Dominik Hasek, who backstopped the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup win in 2002 after playing in the Final with the Blackhawks (1992) and Sabres (1999).



* Fleury, who registered every win during Pittsburgh’s championship run in 2009, can become the 11th goaltender in NHL history to have his name on the Stanley Cup at least four times – and the fourth of that group to win with multiple clubs. He also can become the first goaltender in League history, and eighth player regardless of position, to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive years with different teams and first since Cory Stillman did so in 2004 with the Lightning and 2006 with the Hurricanes.



* Forward Jonathan Marchessault collected one assist in Game 1, giving him 8-11—19 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (16 GP). That established a record for a player with a franchise in its first-ever postseason, surpassing the Islanders’ Jude Drouin in 1975 (6-12—18 in 17 GP) and Sharks’ Igor Larionov in 1994 (5-13—18 in 14 GP). Teammate Reilly Smith added 1-1—2 in Game 1, moving within one point of Marchessault for the team lead in playoff scoring (3-15—18 in 16 GP).



* The line of Marchessault (8-11—19), Smith (3-15—18) and William Karlsson (7-7—14), featuring Vegas’ top three point-producers, has combined for 18-33—51 and five game-winning goals during the playoffs (16 GP).



* Forward Tomas Nosek (2-0—2) registered the first multi-goal game and game-winning goal of his NHL career in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Nosek was skating in his 97th NHL contest (regular season and playoffs). Vegas acquired the 25-year-old Pardubice, Czech Republic, native from Detroit in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. He originally signed with the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent in 2014.



* Nosek also provided the heroics in Game 1 of last year’s Calder Cup Final, scoring the winning goal for the Grand Rapids Griffins with 13.9 seconds remaining in regulation (vs. Syracuse). He led the Griffins, and ranked third in the AHL, with 10-12—22 in the playoffs en route to winning the Calder Cup.



* Nosek became the 10th Golden Knights player with a game-winning goal in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one shy of the NHL playoff record shared by many clubs. The most recent team that featured 11 players with a GWG in one playoff year was the 2017 Nashville Predators.



Capitals Notes



* The Capitals look to even the series in Game 2 as they aim to become the second team in NHL history to win the Cup despite trailing in all four rounds. The 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins faced a series deficit in each round, eventually defeating the Minnesota North Stars in six games in the Final.



* Washington owns an 8-3 record as visitors this postseason, outscoring opponents 40-26 in those contests. Only four teams have won more road games in a single postseason, three of which captured the Stanley Cup: the 1995 Devils (10-1), 2000 Devils (10-2) and 2012 Kings (10-1). The 2004 Flames (10-4) also won 10 road games, but ultimately lost in the Stanley Cup Final (4-3 vs. TBL).



* Captain Alex Ovechkin scored the winning goal (at 1:02 of the first period) in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final at Tampa Bay. It marked the second-earliest decisive goal in a Game 7, behind only Montreal’s Jean Beliveau (0:14) in the 1965 Stanley Cup Final vs. Chicago. Ovechkin enters Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final with 58 total goals in 117 career postseason outings. His average of 0.50 goals per game in the playoffs ranks ninth in NHL history among players with at least 100 games.



* Ovechkin, who eclipsed 600 goals and 1,000 games during the regular season (607-515—1,122 in 1,003 GP), is making his Stanley Cup Final debut in his 13th NHL season. Only one player has scored more regular-season goals prior to making his Stanley Cup Final debut: Dave Andreychuk, who had 634 goals when he played for the Lightning – and ultimately won the championship – in 2004.



* Ovechkin, who registered a League-high 49 goals during the regular season to capture his seventh career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, paces Washington with 12 goals in the playoffs (12-11—23 in 20 GP). That is two shy of the franchise record in a single postseason, set by John Druce in 1990 (14 in 15 GP).



* Ovechkin has scored 31 goals in 53 career games (regular season and playoffs) against Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. That includes 21 goals in 38 games during the regular season, and 10 goals in 15 contests during the playoffs.



* Forward Evgeny Kuznetsov tallied an assist in Game 1, extending his franchise-record postseason point streak to 11 games (6-10—16), the longest by any player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2010 and fifth-longest since 1997. Kuznetsov leads the NHL with 11-14—25 this postseason (20 GP), a single-year franchise record.



* In the Second Round vs. Pittsburgh, Washington dethroned the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions courtesy of a Kuznetsov goal at 5:27 of overtime in Game 6 at PPG Paints Arena. In doing so, he became the seventh player in Capitals history to register a series-clinching goal in overtime. Six of those goals have come on the road.



* During the regular season, Kuznetsov posted career highs in goals (27) and points (83), raising his point total by 24 compared to last season to become the first Capitals player other than Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom to reach the 80-point milestone since 2009-10 (Alexander Semin).



* Goaltender Braden Holtby, who posted shutouts in Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay, had his shutout streak snapped at 166:42 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Holtby became the 27th different goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in a Game 7 and the fifth to do so to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. Of those five, Harry Lumley and Dominik Hasek also posted shutouts in Game 6 of their respective series.



* Overall, Holtby owns a 41-37 record in 78 career playoff appearances (2.04 GAA, .929 SV%, 6 SO). Among netminders with at least 50 postseason outings, Holtby ranks second in NHL history in save percentage (.929) and fifth in goals-against average (2.04).



* John Carlson scored his 17th career playoff goal in Game 1, moving past Kevin Hatcher (16) for the most by a defenseman in Capitals history. Carlson leads NHL blueliners with 4-13—17 this postseason, franchise records for assists and points by a defenseman in one playoff year.



* Carlson has recorded 52 career playoff points (17-35--52 in 96 GP), third on the Capitals' all-time list for defensemen. He needs one point to tie second-place Scott Stevens (9-44--53 in 67 GP) and two points to match first-place Calle Johansson (12-42--54 in 95 GP).

What Did You Miss Tuesday?

--Nick Henry was one of many Pats to walk up the stairs and out the door at the Brandt Centre Tuesday as the team held exit meetings and cleaned out their lockers.  For many like Sam Steel and Josh Mahura, it was the last climb up those stairs they would take as Pats.  Both are expected to be in the American Hockey League with Anaheim's affiliate in San Diego.  When asked if he was going to remain the coach, John Paddock was very tight-lipped saying he didn't want to talk about it, but he did say he was not pursuing any opportunities.  Many in the hockey world at the Memorial Cup believe Paddock is ready to move upstairs allowing Dave Struch to take over.

--Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final goes Wednesday in Vegas.  Much of the talk the day after the Knights 6-4 win over the Capitals was whether or not a hit delivered by Washington's Tom Wilson on Vegas's Jonathan Marchessault was dirty and whether or not he should be suspended. Wilson will play in Game 2.

--Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones wasn't sugarcoating anything Tuesday as the green-and-white got back to work after taking Monday off following a 23 point loss in Edmonton. Jones said “Once we watched the film, it was the same thing: Penalties and turnovers were the difference in the game".  Jones had players doing burpees when someone committed a pre-snap penalty.

-- Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo has denied using Twitter accounts that have posted tweets responding to and criticizing 76ers players and executives around the NBA, that surfaced in a report by The Ringer on Tuesday. Of the five, only four of them were active sending tweets and replying to other postings on Twitter.  In a statement to The Ringer provided by the 76ers, Colangelo admitted to using the dormant account, while disavowing any knowledge of the other four.

May 29th Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

MONDAY’S RESULT

Down 4-3 early in the third period, the Golden Knights scored three unanswered goals – including the winning and insurance tallies by Tomas Nosek – to defeat the Capitals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

* Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has won Game 1 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 78.2% of the time (61 of 78 series) – including each of the past six years. The Bruins were the last team to rally for a series victory after losing Game 1 of the Final, winning in seven games in 2011 (vs. VAN).

GOLDEN KNIGHTS, CAPITALS ENGAGE IN RECORD SEESAW AFFAIR . . .
The Golden Knights and Capitals traded the lead four times in Game 1. Washington overcame a 1-0 deficit to go ahead 2-1, Vegas responded by taking a 3-2 advantage. The Capitals then rallied for a 4-3 lead, but the Golden Knights scored the final three goals for a 6-4 victory.

This marked just the third game in NHL postseason history – and first in the Stanley Cup Final – to feature four lead changes. The others: Game 2 of the 1936 Quarterfinals (NYA 4 at CHI 5) and Game 2 of the 1992 Division Semifinals (EDM 5 at LAK 8).

. . . COMBINE FOR 10 GOALS TO CONTINUE PLAYOFF SURGE

The Golden Knights and Capitals contested the ninth Game 1 in Stanley Cup Final history with 10 or more combined goals – and third since 1983 (also 2000 and 2010). Overall, it marked the most combined goals in any Stanley Cup Final contest since Game 4 of the 2013 series (CHI 6 at BOS 5, OT).

* The 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 5.9 goals per game (468 G in 80 GP), the most since 2010 (6.0).

NOSEK PLAYS UNLIKELY HERO IN GAME 1

Golden Knights forward Tomas Nosek (2-0—2) registered his first multi-goal game and game-winning goal while skating in his 97th NHL contest (regular season and playoffs).

* Vegas acquired Nosek from Detroit in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. The 25-year-old Pardubice, Czech Republic, native originally signed with the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

* Nosek recorded 7-8—15 in 67 regular-season games with the Golden Knights in 2017-18, followed by 1-2—3 in 12 playoff contests entering Game 1. Overall, he had 9-10—19 in 96 NHL appearances prior to Game 1.

* Nosek also provided the heroics in Game 1 of last year’s Calder Cup Final, scoring the winning goal for the Grand Rapids Griffins with 13.9 seconds remaining in regulation (vs. SYR). He led the Griffins, and ranked third in the AHL, with 10-12—22 in the playoffs en route to winning the Calder Cup.

MARCHESSAULT SETS RECORD FOR FIRST-YEAR PLAYOFF TEAM

Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault collected one assist, giving him 8-11—19 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (16 GP). That established a record for a player with a franchise in its first-ever postseason, surpassing the Islanders’ Jude Drouin in 1975 (6-12—18 in 17 GP) and Sharks’ Igor Larionov in 1994 (5-13—18 in 14 GP).

Teammate Reilly Smith added 1-1—2, moving within one point of Marchessault for the team lead in playoff scoring (3-15—18 in 16 GP).

GOLDEN KNIGHTS PICK UP ANOTHER WIN AT T-MOBILE ARENA
The Golden Knights improved to 7-1 at T-Mobile Arena during the playoffs, outscoring opponents 31-16. Their lone loss came in double-overtime in Game 2 of the Second Round vs. SJS (4-3 L).

During the regular season, Vegas shared third in the NHL with 29 victories on home ice (29-10-2). That included an eight-game winning streak from Oct. 15 – Nov. 24, matching an NHL record for a team in its inaugural season.

DID YOU KNOW?
Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves scored the tying goal 1:31 after the Capitals took the lead in the third period. It marked the fifth time in the last six games that Vegas has responded to an opponent’s goal with one of its own within 2 minutes.

KUZNETSOV, CARLSON STAY HOT FOR CAPITALS

Capitals teammates Evgeny Kuznetsov (0-1—1) and John Carlson (1-0—1) each found the scoresheet to pad and set franchise records:

* Kuznetsov extended his franchise-record postseason point streak to 11 games (6-10—16), the longest by any player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2010 and fifth-longest since 1997:

* Carlson scored his 17th career playoff goal (all w/ WSH) to move past Kevin Hatcher (16) for the most by a defenseman in Capitals history. Carlson leads NHL blueliners with 4-13—17 this postseason, franchise records for assists and points by a defenseman in one playoff year.

What Did You Miss Monday?

--In a highly entertaining affair, Vegas beat Washington 5-4 to take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Tomas Noesek had the winner midway through the third.  Game 2 is Wednesday.  The team that takes Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final has gone on to claim the prize 78 per cent of the time (61-17) in NHL history. Game 2 goes Wednesday night.

--The frosty silence over the building of a new NHL arena in Calgary thawed a little Monday.
City council voted to form a committee that will attempt to re-engage the Calgary Flames in talks on a new sport and concert venue."If we are going to say we are still at the table, let’s act like we’re at the table," Coun. Jeff Davison said.

A Flames spokesman said the team had no comment.

--The Edmonton Oil Kings need a new head coach and general manager.  The Oil Kings, who had the worst record in the WHL this year, relieved head coach Steve Hamilton of his duties while saying GM Randy Hansch was taking a job as an amateur scout with an NHL team.

--The Riders did not practice Monday after their 32-15 defeat in Edmonton Sunday. They don't play again until June 8 at home against Calgary.  The season opener is on the 15th against Toronto

--It will be Cleveland vs Golden State in the NBA final for the 4th straight year.  After Cleveland won in Boston Sunday night in Game 7 to advance, the Warriors beat Houston 101-92 to advance. The Rockets, who were up 11 at the half,  were 7 of 44 from 3-point range.

--Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping announced his retirement from mixed martial arts Monday. Bisping’s lengthy career culminated in a knockout victory over Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 — a fight the British fighter took on 17 days’ notice after original challenger Chris Weidman dropped out due to injury — which earned the MMA veteran the UFC Middlewight Championship.

Riders Release 4

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the following roster moves:



RELEASED:

International defensive lineman Justin Horton
International running back Josh McPhearson
International quarterback Marquise Williams
International defensive back Sam Williams

(Ryan Pollock/Rider Media)

May 28th Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

HISTORIC STANLEY CUP FINAL BEGINS TONIGHT IN LAS VEGAS
History will be made tonight when the Golden Knights and Capitals face off at T-Mobile Arena for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final (5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).

* Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has won Game 1 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 78.2% of the time (61 of 78 series) – including each of the past six years. The Bruins were the last team to rally for a series victory after losing Game 1 of the Final, winning in seven games in 2011.

* The expansion Golden Knights are seeking to become the first NHL, MLB, NBA or NFL team to win a championship in its inaugural season – excluding the first year of a league’s existence – since the 1950 Cleveland Browns captured the NFL Championship. The NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49) and Baltimore Bullets (1947-48) also won the title in their respective first seasons.

* The Capitals are playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history and first time since 1998, when they were swept by the Red Wings (4-0 L).

KEY CONTRIBUTORS: 2018 STANLEY CUP FINAL

Goaltenders Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury each carry strong stat-lines into Game 1, while forwards Alex Ovechkin and Jonathan Marchessault are on the brink of record-breaking totals.

* Holtby enters his first Stanley Cup Final with an active shutout streak of 159:27 dating to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. It is the longest such run of his playoff career and 9:45 shy of matching his personal-best during the regular-season (169:12 from Jan. 5-9, 2017).

* Fleury gets set for his fifth Stanley Cup Final having not allowed a goal against in a Game 1 on home ice this postseason, following shutouts against the Los Angeles Kings (30 saves) and San Jose Sharks (33 saves). He can become the first goaltender in League history, and eighth player regardless of position, to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive years with different teams.

* Ovechkin sits two goals shy of matching the franchise record in a single postseason, set by John Druce in 1990 (14). Ovechkin, who has 607 goals in his regular-season career (1,003 GP), ranks ninth in NHL history with an average of 0.50 goals per game during the playoffs (58 in 116 GP) among players with at least 100 games played.

* Marchessault (8-10—18) has tied the NHL record for point by a player with a franchise in its first-ever postseason, pacing Vegas in both goals and points, with linemates Reilly Smith (2-14—16) and William Karlsson (6-7—13) not far behind.

LOOKING BACK AT OTHER FIRST-TIME PLAYOFF TEAMS IN THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

The expansion Golden Knights are the sixth team in NHL history to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their first trip to the playoffs, and just the second to do so in their inaugural season.

* The 1917-18 Toronto Arenas captured the Stanley Cup in the NHL’s first season, defeating Pacific Coast Hockey Association’s Vancouver Millionaires in a best-of-five series (3-2).

* The 1925-26 Montreal Maroons became the second NHL team to win the Cup in its first-ever playoff appearance, ending their second season in the League by winning a best-of-five series (3-1) against the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League

* The 1926-27 Boston Bruins reached the Final in their third season, losing to the “confident” Ottawa Senators in a best-of-five series (2-0-2).

* The 1967-68 St. Louis Blues defeated the Minnesota North Stars to emerge from the all-expansion West Division to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately lost to the Canadiens in four straight games.

* The 1995-96 Florida Panthers were the last NHL club to reach the Final in their first trip to the postseason, falling in four games to the Colorado Avalanche.

(NHL Media) 

Something To "Mitch" About

PHOTO: Keith Hershmiller 

--The Acadie-Bathurst Titan spoiled the party. Did they ever!  It was like the cops showing up to break up things before everyone came to the house.  Right from the opening puck drop, the Quebec champs seized control of the Mastercard Memorial Cup final not allowing the Pats to do anything.  If it wasn't for Max Paddock, one can only imagine how bad it might have been as the Titan dominated Regina for the first half of the game.  At one point, they were outshooting them 16-0 in the 2nd and 28-5 for the game.  The sold-out crowd kept waiting to explode and had the Pats tied it, one wonders what might have happened.  It didn't meaning Pats fans had to for a second year in a row watch a different team skate around with the hardware.  Chances are they won't get the opportunity to see that for a 3rd year as the likes of Steel, Mahura, Hebig, Bradley and Hajek are done.  While guys like Max Paddock, Nick Henry, Jake Leschyshyn and Robbie Holmes will be back, the run we saw this team take for the last two years won't be happening

--What a great week of hockey.  The Broncos, Pats, Bulldogs and Titan treated fans to what some are saying has been the most entertaining Memorial Cup in years.  Those are from ones who have followed the tournament along.  It was a treat to watch.

--Is it just me or was it nice to see the Pats not get moved to the backseat as they were the focus of many on the same day the Riders played. Has that ever happened before?

-- Are we ready for the Stanley Cup? As Sportsnet's Ian Mendes said last week, it is a final which will feature a morally bankrupt city that is built on corruption, greed & deceit against Las Vegas. The Knights have been the story of the sports world and they are four victories away from completing something that few thought could happen at this time a year ago.  I'm taking Washington ( although I did take SJ and Winnipeg) in earlier rounds.  The Saskatchewan connection of Trotz, Stephenson, Holtby is what I'm going with.  At the end of the day, I could care less about who is hoisting the Cup as it isn't my team, but I'll take the Capitals to do it in 6.

--I think it is safe to say Marc-Andre Fleury is the Conn Smythe favourite at this time. If the Capitals do hoist the Cup who have ya got.  I think it could still be open as to who gets that, but Alexandre Ovechkin may be the favourite.

--I wonder what NHL GM's think of Evander Kane getting seven million a year for the next 7 years in San Jose.  I bet Kevin Cheveldayoff is happy seeing he has all of those young forwards he needs to sign to new deals at some point along with guys like Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey.

--The Riders lost 35-12. Who cares? Three quarterbacks played that if all goes well won't hit the field this season. Over 20 regulars were left at home.  If the Riders lose to Toronto in the season opener, you can start asking questions.  I'm sure Chris Jones didn't like the way things went down as he doesn't like to lose at checkers, but pre-season games are evaluation games.  They don't matter when all is said and done.

--Lebron James is in the NBA finals again. Did anyone really think that wasn't going to happen? I am guessing Golden State joins them there tonight.

--That's all I got. Have a great week!

What Did You Miss Saturday?

-The Acadie-Bathurst Titan will try to spoil the plans of the Regina Pats to win the 100th Memorial Cup in their 100th Anniversary Season.  The two teams meet at 5 o'clock Sunday in the final in what will be the biggest hockey game ever played inside the Agridome/Brandt Centre.  With the Riders game on CKRM, the Mastercard Memorial Cup final will be on the WOLF 104.9 starting with the pre-game show at 4. The game will also be on Sportsnet starting with their pre-game show at 430.

--Alex Barre-Boulet is the CHL Player of the Year.  The Blainville-Boisbrand Armada forward led the Quebec league in scoring with 116 points in 65 games. Barre-Boulet belongs to the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Everett goalie Carter Hart was named the CHL goaltender of the year for the second straight year, Swift Current's Alexsi Heponiemi was named the sportsmanlike player of the year while Jayden Halbegewachs of Moose Jaw was recognized as the CHL's top scorer,

--Are you ready for some football?  The CFL pre-season starts Sunday with the Eskimos home to the Riders in a game that comes just one week into training camp  Kickoff is 3 o'clock with 620 CKRM's pre-game show starting at noon.  The Riders aren't taking a lot of their regulars with them as Zach Collaros, Jerome Messam, Zack Evans, Charleston Hughes and Ed Gainey are just some of the veteran players who won't be making the trip

--The Josh Freeman experiment is over.  The Alouettes quarterback retired Saturday.  The 30 year old was at the bottom of the Alouettes depth chart.

--Leafs coach Mike Babcock and Colorado coach Jared Bednar are helping out the Humboldt Broncos as they hold a three-day camp in an attempt to restock their roster after last month's bus crash that killed 16. The two helped run on-ice sessions in Saskatoon.  The Broncos are in need of a new head coach as Darcy Haugan was one of the 16 killed.

--Quite the day for Canadian P-G-A Tour rookie Corey Conners. The Listowel, Ontario native had eight birdies over his last 12 holes for a career-best round of 63, matching Ted Potter junior for the best of the day. Conners is 8 under, six shots back of leader Justin Rose.

What Did You Miss Friday?

--The Regina Pats are heading to the Mastercard Memorial Cup final.  Jake Leschyshyn's empty-net goal in the dying seconds sealed a 4-2 win over Hamilton in the semi-final. The final goes at 5 on Sportsnet and the WOLF 104.9.

--The Vancouver Canucks have signed Elias Pettersson to an entry-level contract. Pettersson, taken 5th overall in the 2017 NHL draft, won the regular season scoring title and was named playoff MVP after his Vaxjo team won the championship and he again was the top scorer.

--The B.C. Lions have acquired defensive lineman Davon Coleman from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Lions also received a sixth-round pick and will send a fourth-round selection to the Tiger-Cats in the deal. Both picks are in the 2019 draft. In his rookie campaign with Hamilton last season, the six-foot-two, 295-pound Coleman collected 41 tackles and five sacks in 17 games.

--Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein insists his team has not engaged in trade talks, despite speculation about a potential deal for Baltimore Orioles superstar Manny Machado. Epstein wouldn't comment on reports that the Cubs could be a landing spot for the slick-fielding slugger. He says there are ``zero trade talks'' at the moment. He also says the Cubs have enough to win the World Series for the second time in three years.

---A Derek Jeter rookie card has sold for $99,100, the highest price ever paid for a modern-day baseball card.

Brent Huigens, CEO of PWCC, which conducted the eBay auction, confirmed to ESPN on Friday that winning bidder Adrian Proietti had paid the company for the card.

Oilers Make It Official -- Gulutzan, Yawney, Viveiros Join Coaching Staff

President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Peter Chiarelli, announced the Edmonton Oilers have hired Glen Gulutzan, Trent Yawney and Manny Viveiros as assistant coaches.

Gulutzan, 46, spent the past two seasons as head coach of the NHL's Calgary Flames. Gulutzan helped the Flames reach the playoffs in 2016-17 and accumulated a record of 82-68-14 in 164 games as Calgary's bench boss.

Prior to joining the Flames, Gulutzan was an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14 and served as the head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2011-2013. Gulutzan also coached the American Hockey League's (AHL) Texas Stars from 2009-2011 and led the Stars to the Calder Cup final in 2009-10. Gulutzan also coached the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers for six seasons, receiving ECHL Coach of the Year honours in 2005-06.

The Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan native played seven seasons of professional hockey in the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) for the Fresno Falcons as a player/assistant coach, winning the championship in 2002. He also spent one season playing for Vassan Sport in Finland. Gulutzan played junior hockey for the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades from 1987-1992 and two seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

Yawney, 52, brings 17 years of coaching experience with him, most recently serving as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks for the past five seasons. In 2017-18, he helped guide Anaheim to a 100-plus point season for a fifth straight year and an 83.2 penalty killing percentage, ranking fifth in the NHL.

Yawney served as the Chicago Blackhawks head coach from 2005-2007 and served as an assistant coach for eight NHL seasons with three organizations (Chicago, San Jose and Anaheim). He also served as a head coach in the American Hockey League (AHL) for eight seasons with Norfolk and Syracuse, including being named "Minor Pro Coach of the Year" by The Hockey News in 2003-04.

A native of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, Yawney played 593 career NHL games with Chicago, Calgary and St. Louis, posting 129 points (27G, 102A) and 783 penalty minutes. Yawney also served as captain for Team Canada at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The Chicago Blackhawks originally drafted Yawney in the third round (45th overall) of the 1984 NHL Draft.

Viveiros, 52, led the WHL's Swift Current Broncos to a championship this season, defeating the WHL's two conference leaders (Moose Jaw, Everett) on route to capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup and advancing to the Memorial Cup. Viveiros led the Broncos to a 48-17-7 record finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference and boasting a League best 29.4 power play percentage.

The St. Albert, Alberta native brings 11 years of experience with him, most recently with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos for the past two seasons, posting a record of 87-40-17. Viveiros coached in Europe from 2006-2016, leading Klagenfurter AC to an Austrian Hockey League championship in 2009. He also coached Austria's National Team for three years, including the 2014 Winter Olympics. After the Olympics, Viveiros coached ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) as an assistant coach in 2014 and head coach in 2015.

Viveiros was originally drafted by Edmonton in the sixth round, 106th overall, in the 1984 NHL Draft and spent three seasons with the NHL's Minnesota North Stars (1985-1988), appearing in 29 games and posting 12 points (1G, 11A) and six penalty minutes. He spent 16 seasons in Austria, playing with Villach VSV, Lustenau EHC, Vienna and Klagenfurter AC. He also spent two seasons with SERC Wild Wings in the DEL. Viveiros played his junior hockey with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, capturing the 1986 Memorial Cup.

(Edmonton Oilers)

May 25th Stanley Cup Finals Morning Skate

FIRST-TIME WINNER GUARANTEED AS VEGAS, WASHINGTON REACH CUP FINAL
After each winning their division during the regular season, the Golden Knights and Capitals will meet in a best-of-seven showdown to determine which club will win its first-ever Stanley Cup. Game 1 is set for Monday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).

* This marks the sixth Final in NHL history – and first in 11 years – to feature two clubs each chasing their first-ever Stanley Cup. Either the Golden Knights or Capitals will become the 19th active franchise to win the Cup.

* The Golden Knights and Capitals each earned their three series-clinching victories on the road, marking the first time in NHL history that two clubs reached the Final in that fashion. Vegas posted its last such win against the team with the best home record from the regular season (WPG: 32-7-2), while Washington clinched series on the road against two clubs that ranked among the top five in home wins in 2017-18 (PIT: 30-9-2 and TBL: 29-10-2).

* Including Vegas and Washington, 11 franchises in NHL history have won at least three consecutive series by clinching each on the road (17 total streaks). The Golden Knights are the sixth franchise in NHL history to earn each of its first three series-clinching victories while on the road, and the first to do so in one postseason.

* There are only two instances of a team clinching four series on the road in one postseason to win the Stanley Cup, and they occurred in consecutive years: the 2008 Red Wings and 2009 Penguins.



VEGAS CONTINUES REMARKABLE JOURNEY INTO STANLEY CUP FINAL

After eight months of unforgettable moments and uplifting performances for fans in a grieving city, the Golden Knights will aim to end their historic inaugural season by lifting the Stanley Cup. Vegas is the sixth team in NHL history to reach the Final in its first playoff appearance – and the third to do so in its inaugural season.

* The expansion Golden Knights, who had only one player under contract when the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs began, look to become the second team in NHL history to close their inaugural season as champions. The Toronto Arenas ended the first postseason in League history by winning the Cup on home ice, clinching the best-of-five series on March 30, 1918, with a 2-1 victory against the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.

* In addition to the Golden Knights and Arenas, only one other NHL club has reached the Final in its inaugural campaign: The Blues were swept by the Canadiens in 1967-68, when an expansion team was guaranteed a spot in the championship series.

* This marks the third straight year that a first-time finalist will compete in the Stanley Cup Final. The preceding 28 franchises to debut own an all-time series record of 11-17, including only one victory in the past seven tries – by the 2004 Lightning.

* Vegas is the 25th team in NHL history – and 13th since the four-round, best-of-seven format was introduced in 1986-87 – to win at least 12 of its first 15 games in a single postseason. Of the previous 24 teams to do so, 14 went on to capture the Stanley Cup (including four since 1986-87).



OVECHKIN AIMS TO ADD STANLEY CUP TO ALREADY IMPRESSIVE RESUME

Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (11-11—22), who ranks second in playoff scoring behind teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov (11-13—24), looks to cap a milestone season by winning the Stanley Cup in his first trip to the Final.

* The 2017-18 regular season saw Ovechkin achieve career milestones in goals (600) and games played (1,000). His 13th NHL campaign also saw him reach the 40-goal mark for the ninth time – outdoors at the 2018 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series in Annapolis, Md., on March 3 – en route to capturing his seventh Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.

* Ovechkin aims to become the third player in NHL history to score 600 career regular-season goals before hoisting his first Stanley Cup. Luc Robitaille won the Cup with the Red Wings in 2002 after compiling 620 goals, while Dave Andreychuk captained the Lightning to a championship in 2004 after scoring 634 times.

* Additionally, Ovechkin can become the 16th player in NHL history to play at least 1,000 career regular-season games before winning his first Cup – and second to do so with the team for which he has played at least 1,000 games (Steve Yzerman w/ DET). He also seeks to become the ninth player to have 1,000 career points before capturing his first Cup.

* If the Capitals win the series, Ovechkin (Moscow, Russia) would become the first Russian player to captain a Stanley Cup champion. Only two European-born and trained players have done so: Nicklas Lidstrom (Vasteras, Sweden) in 2008 with the Red Wings and Zdeno Chara (Trencin, Slovakia) in 2011 with the Bruins.


FLEURY CHASING FOURTH STANLEY CUP IN FIFTH TRIP TO FINAL

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, is set to become the 19th goaltender in NHL history to represent multiple teams in the Final. The last netminder to do so was Dominik Hasek when he backstopped the Red Wings to a Cup win in 2002 after playing in the Final with the Blackhawks (1992) and Sabres (1999).

* Reaching the Final for a fifth time, Fleury owns a career playoff record of 74-54, including a 9-7 mark over the previous two postseasons to help the Penguins win back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017.

* Fleury, who registered every win during Pittsburgh’s championship run in 2009, can become the 11th goaltender in NHL history to have his name on the Cup at least four times – and the fourth of that group to win with multiple clubs.

* The 33-year-old netminder has played every second of every game for the Golden Knights this postseason, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of 15 outings (12-3, 1.68 GAA, .947 SV%, 4 SO). Only three netminders in the past 18 years have been the lone goaltender of record during the postseason for a Cup-winning team: Boston’s Tim Thomas in 2011, Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick in 2012 and Chicago’s Corey Crawford in 2013.



McPHEE REACHES FINAL IN FIRST SEASON WITH TEAM (AGAIN)

Architect of what is already the most successful expansion team in NHL history, George McPhee of the Golden Knights now sits four wins away from his first Stanley Cup, with only the Capitals in his way – a team for which he served as general manager for 17 seasons.

* McPhee was hired by Vegas on July 13, 2016, after serving as GM of the Capitals from 1997 to 2014, a tenure that saw him select 12 of 25 players who have played for Washington this postseason, including Andre Burakovsky – who scored twice in Game 7 on Wednesday – with his last first-round pick with the club (23rd overall in 2013).

* McPhee led Washington to seven division titles, one Presidents’ Trophy (2009-10), 10 postseason appearances and their only other Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1998 – his first campaign with the club. Only one other general manger in League history has reached the Final in his first season with different clubs: Bobby Clarke, in 1985 with the Flyers and 1991 with the Minnesota North Stars (losing both times).



STANLEY CUP FINAL GEOGRAPHY: DID YOU KNOW?

Nevada will become the 16th different U.S. state to host a Stanley Cup Final game since the NHL was founded in 1917-18, joining California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.

The District of Columbia and four Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec) also have hosted Stanley Cup Final games since the League’s founding.

This and That

Welcome to Friday.  Here are the usual weekly thoughts running through my muddled mind. As always, they come in no particular order.

--Will the 100th anniversary season of the Regina Pats come to an end with the team winning the Mastercard Memorial Cup?  If Sam Steel has his way, the answer is yes.

\

Courtesy: Keith Hershmiller 

  I don't know about you, but if you have watched the tournament this week, the Pats captain in what is his last week as a member of the team has been the best player amongst the four teams.  He has taken his game to the next level and to some may be NHL-ready.   While next year is a long ways away, there are many reasons as to why the Sherwood Park, Alberta native could very well be a member of the Anaheim Ducks next season.  You can't tell me that Ducks scouts are grinning from ear-to-ear with the way Steel has played.

--The attendance or lack of attendance chatter at the Memorial Cup has been tiresome and truthfully it has been overblown.  At the end of the day, if you can't come up with the money for one game at the country's marquee sporting event that's up to you.  All I know is those inside the Brandt Centre have had a blast and despite what it has looked like on TV, 90 percent of the tickets have been sold which is a success in my books.

 What amazes me is the fact Queen City Sports and Entertainment knew they would take a financial hit and were fine with it.  Co-owner and tournament host committee chair Shaun Semple said even with a sellout in every game they would still lose money.  It makes you wonder then just why they would even consider bringing the event here because many would not have.  They paid a highly inflated price to get the Memorial Cup here because they were not going to be denied in bringing the 100th Cup to end the Pats 100th anniversary season.  They are thanked by people bitching, moaning and complaining.  Its laughable.  At the end of the day, you do what you want but organizers aren't bemoaning what has gone on or what's been said.  They know what they were getting into and they are happy with the way everything has gone down.  If it ends Sunday with Sam Steel getting the Memorial Cup, they'll be ecstatic and whether you have been inside the Brandt Centre or not, so will Pats fans.

  I completely understand those who say it's tough to bring their kids and yes, there should be a price for a kids ticket.  That being said, there aren't many places anymore that sell a kids ticket at a discounted price. Is that right? It isn't if you truly want to grow the game, but they aren't doing it at many other places in many different leagues so it's not a Regina thing.

  It has been great seeing people from across the country enjoying the hockey much like people enjoy a Grey Cup.  They aren't complaining about what they've been seeing, what they've been doing or what they've been spending either.    Once again, the moral minority speaks the loudest.

--Sportsnet has done a fantastic job with the tournament.  From Jeff Marek to Rob Faulds to RJ Broadhead and Sam Cosentino, they have put on a first-class show as one would expect.  However, I can't help but wonder if the Canadian Hockey League needs to go to TSN to get their product the exposure it would need.   Those who wonder about the weird start times can look no further than the Toronto Blue Jays.  In fact, there were many across the country who did not see the first period of the Pats-Swift Current game because for whatever reason they didn't have SN360 on their cable package.  That's a you-thing by the way.

The Jays and the NHL are Sportsnet's meat-and-potatoes.  There is no doubt about that.  However, a game in mid-May involving the Blue Jays should take a back seat to Canada's marquee junior hockey championship.  If you can put other Jays games on SN360 or SN1, you could have put the games they played against Oakland and the Angels this week at home on those channels as well.  With the Jays playing Thursday in the afternoon, it would have meant a 6 o'clock start time for the tie-breaker game had Swift Current beat Regina.  With the Jays game starting at 5 in Philly today, it means the semi-final starts at 8.   That problem wouldn't exist with TSN.

Considering the fact TSN does a great job with the World Juniors, this would be a natural tie-in.  Again, the production of Sportsnet and the job they do is not the issue.  It's the getting the game into your living room that is the problem.  That needs to be fixed because Sportsnet isn't doing the Canadian Hockey League any favours thanks to the Jays.

--The Stanley Cup was in town on Wednesday.  Many had their picture taken with the Cup and why not? Derek Meyers asked me on the Sportscage how old I was when I first saw the Cup.  I truthfully don't know the answer to that, but I know I have seen it many times and was in the building when th Oilers won their first Cup in 1984.  Whenever you see it, you get that warm, fuzzy feeling being a Canadian that has grown up on hockey with many of our heroes being guys whose name is on that trophy and who have skated around a rink with it held high.  I don't know if it will ever change for me and many others when you see it with your own two eyes.

--Rider training camp continues in Saskatoon. With the Memorial Cup happening, my focus has been on here and not Saskatoon but that will obviously change soon.   This "he has been impressive" and "he looks great" chatter is nice, but let's see you what you do when you're hitting someone in a different colour uniform and you are actually playing the game and not running a drill.  Until then, I wait to see who survives and who doesn't.   That being said, yes I am excited for the pre-season home game against Calgary on the 8th and you know I'm amped (like many of you) for the home-opener on the 15th against Toronto.

--When the Argos play the Ti-Cats in their first pre-season game, you could see Johnny Manziel against Noah Picton in a quarterback battle featuring a Heisman Trophy winner against a Hec Crighton Trophy winner. I would take Noah in that showdown right now because he knows the Canadian game and Johnny Football is just learning it.   I can't get into the Manziel-hype,  I still think those who believe he will turn the game upside down are wrong.  We will see.  What has been great though is seeing NFL'ers talk about the CFL and how it isn't a Mickey Mouse league.  Cris Carter said Manziel had better be prepared to eat some humble pie because it won't be a breeze.  He is right and he should know seeing he has watched his kid play for many years in the league.

--Washington and Vegas in the Stanley Cup final.  I didn't have that. Did you?  It still is hard to believe that a team that wasn't even in existence a year ago is competing for the Stanley Cup.  Can Ovie get his first or will the Knights complete this Cinderella story.  We will find out.  While I want to see Washington win because I'm not a fan of the Knights and the fact they were handed a competitive team right off the bat, I think they win. It just seems to be destined for that to happen.  If Washington wins, that monkey will be off of Ovechkin's back and he will officially go down as one of the best to play because he will have that Stanley Cup on his resume.  It will also be nice to see Washington win because of the Saskatchewan connections that they have with the likes of Braden Holtby, Barry Trotz and Chandler Stephenson.

--It has been interesting this week to hear the narrative surrounding Steven Stamkos and why he doesn't get more heat for not getting it done.  Stamkos has not gotten it done in Game 7's getting zero points in seven career games.  If that was Ovechkin, he would be roasted for it.   Truthfully, one has to look at Stamkos and ask why he isn't getting it done either.

--As an Oilers fan, you know I like what is being announced today.  The team will announce Saskatchewan boys Glen Gulutzan and Trent Yawney are joining another Saskatchewan boy--Todd McLellan--as assistant coaches with a 3rd assistant coach being Swift Current Broncos head coach and GM Manny Vivieros.   I have heard about Viveiros leaving since just after the WHL final started and was wondering when it would be announced.  Now that the Broncos are out, there is no better time.   That's a huge loss for Swift Current.  What he did in his time with that team is something well-known.  It will be tough to fill his skates.

--That's all I got.  It's going to be a great weekend of hockey at the Brandt Centre. Hope to see ya down there!

What Did You Miss Thursday?

 

--A poll of CFL media personalities believe the Edmonton Eskimos will do what the Riders did in 2013 and win the Grey Cup on their home field. 23% of respondents picked Edmonton to win followed by both Calgary and Saskatchewan at 22 %.  Someone even believes the Montreal Alouettes will win the Grey Cup this year.  38 % of those asked say the Riders made the best off-season moves.   67 % say the Riders enjoy the biggest home-field advantage


--If Zach Collaros is playing for the Riders Sunday in Edmonton, he is not telling anyone.  Collaros would not say if he will be under center for part of the team's first exhibition game against the Eskimos when asked.  All he would say is its the coaches decision as to whether or not he will play.  620 CKRM's game-day coverage Sunday starts at noon with kickoff at 3. 


--What did you miss in the world of hockey?  Nothing!  The Stanley Cup Final doesn't start until Monday and it was a day off at the Mastercard Memorial Cup.  The host Regina Pats will play Hamilton tomorrow night in the semi-final. Acadie-Bathurst awaits the winner in Sunday's final.


--Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. The commissioner's office says he tested positive for E-P-O. It's a hormone that stimulates the red blood cell production and often has turned up in the test results for cyclists. 

-- Police took veteran N-F-L guard Richie Incognito to a Florida mental hospital after he allegedly threw weights and tennis balls at gym employees and another patron and told officers the government is spying on him. Boca Raton police released a report today detailing officers' interaction with Incognito after the incident. Incognito announced earlier this year that he was retiring from football after 11 seasons, the last three with the Buffalo Bills.

May 24th Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

WEDNESDAY RESULT

Washington 4   Tampa 0


CAPITALS WILL FACE GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN STANLEY CUP FINAL
After 16 teams competed across three rounds, 79 games and three Game 7s – including Washington’s win on Wednesday to advance from the Eastern Conference Final – the Metropolitan Division champion Capitals will face the Pacific Division champion Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final which begins on Monday, May 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

* This marks the sixth Final in NHL history to feature two clubs each chasing their first-ever Stanley Cup. Either the Golden Knights or Capitals will become the 19th active franchise to win the Cup.

* The Golden Knights and Capitals each earned three series-clinching victories on the road, marking the first time in NHL history that two clubs reached the Final in that fashion.

* The Golden Knights, backstopped by three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury (1.68 GAA, .947 SV%, 4 SO), became the third team in history to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural NHL season and the first to require three series wins to do so. No team outside of the Toronto Arenas in the NHL’s first season (1917-18) has won the Stanley Cup in the franchise’s inaugural campaign.

* The Capitals have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history (also 4-0 L vs. DET in 1998). They have been led offensively by the duo of Evgeny Kuznetsov (11-13—24) and Alex Ovechkin (12-10—22), who sit first and second in League scoring during the 2018 postseason, respectively. 


* Vegas (2-0-0) swept the two-game season series between the clubs (WSH: 0-2-0). Fleury stopped all 26 shots he faced in a 3-0 W on Dec. 23 and the Golden Knights rallied from three separate one-goal deficits, led by 2-0—2 from Reilly Smith, in a 4-3 W on Feb. 4.

CAPITALS BLANK LIGHTNING IN GAME 7, PUNCH TICKET TO STANLEY CUP FINAL 

Alex Ovechkin’s goal 1:02 into the contest stood as the game-winning tally and Braden Holtby stopped all 29 shots he faced to record his second straight shutout as the Capitals won Game 7 to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history (also 1998).

* The Capitals improved to 5-11 in Game 7s, including a 2-3 mark on the road. Washington played in its 11th Game 7 since the beginning of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most among all teams in that span.

* Washington became the eighth team to overcome a 3-2 deficit to win a Conference Finals/Semifinals series (since 1974-75) after splitting Games 1-4. The Penguins were the last team to do so, rallying past the Lightning in 2016 en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

* The Capitals improved to 8-2 as visitors in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, outscoring opponents 36-20 in those contests. Washington moved within two road wins of matching the NHL record for most in a postseason.

* Evgeny Kuznetsov assisted on Ovechkin’s opening goal to extend his point streak to a franchise-record 10 games (6-9—15). He is just the seventh player in the last 20 years (since 1998) to register a playoff point streak of at least 10 games and the first since 2014, when Anze Kopitar recorded an equal run en route to capturing the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles (4-11—15 in 10 GP).

OVECHKIN AMONG ELITE PLAYOFF SCORERS
Alex Ovechkin, who eclipsed 600 goals and 1,000 games in 2017-18, will be making his Stanley Cup Final debut in his 13th NHL season. He aims to become the third player in NHL history to score 600 career regular-season goals before hoisting his first Stanley Cup (also Luc Robitaille in 2002 w/ DET and Dave Andreychuk in 2004 w/ TBL).

* Ovechkin scored his 58th career goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (116 GP). His 0.50 goals per game average in the postseason ranks ninth in NHL history among players to appear in at least 100 contests – all eight players ranked higher are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

* Ovechkin (12-10—22 in 19 GP), who captured his seventh Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2017-18 after leading the NHL with 49 goals, moved within two goals of tying the Capitals franchise record for most in a postseason (John Druce: 14 in 1990).

* A key contributor to Washington’s 8-2 record on the road this postseason, Ovechkin leads all skaters in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 15 road points (8-7—15 in 10 GP).

* Since his postseason debut in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ovechkin ranks third in goals with 58 (116 GP), behind only Sidney Crosby (63 in 155 GP) and Evgeni Malkin (62 in 153 GP) over that span.

* In career Game 7 appearances, Ovechkin boosted his totals to 4-3—7 (11 GP). Only two active NHL players have scored more career Game 7 goals: Justin Williams (7) and Patrice Bergeron (5).

* Ovechkin opened the scoring at 1:02 of the first period, tied for the ninth-fastest goal to begin a Game 7 in NHL history. His tally was also the second-earliest winning goal in Game 7 history, behind only Montreal’s Jean Beliveau (0:14) in the 1965 Stanley Cup Final vs. CHI (4-0 W).

HOLTBY JOINS RARE COMPANY WITH SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, who also blanked the Lightning in Game 6 to avoid elimination, became the second netminder in franchise history to record consecutive shutouts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He joined Olie Kolzig, who did so in Games 4 and 5 of the 1998 Conference Semifinals against the Senators.

* Holtby became the 27th different goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in a Game 7 and just the fifth to do so to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. Of those five goaltenders, Harry Lumley and Dominik Hasek also recorded shutouts in Game 6 of their respective series.

* Holtby improved to 3-4 in seven career Game 7 appearances (1.81 GAA, .934 SV%, 1 SO). Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (6-2) is the only active NHL goaltender with more career Game 7 appearances.

* Holtby also improved his record to 8-5 in elimination games (1.73 GAA, .937 SV%, 1 SO) and his sixth career playoff shutout (all w/ WSH) moved him into a tie with Kolzig for the most in franchise history.

BURAKOVSKY SCORES FIRST TWO GOALS OF POSTSEASON
Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky scored his first two goals of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (8 GP) to become just the second player in franchise history to score twice in a Game 7, joining Dale Hunter in the 1988 Division Semifinals vs. PHI.

* Burakovsky, who was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) by Washington in 2013, recorded 12-13—25 during the 2017-18 regular season, his fourth with the Capitals. Among his eight career postseason goals (44 GP) are three multi-goal performances: 2-0—2 vs. NYR in Game 4 of the 2015 Second Round and 2-0—2 at PIT in Game 6 of the 2017 Second Round.

* From a hockey pedigree, his father, Robert, was drafted 217th overall by the Rangers in 1985 and appeared in 23 regular-season games for the Senators in 1993-94 but never made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What Did You Miss Wednesday?

 

Photo: CHL Images/Marissa Baecker

--It was the Sam Steel show at the Brandt Centre.  The Regina Pats captain tied a Mastercard Memorial Cup record with 5 assists as the Pats beat Swift Current 6-5 to avoid a tiebreaker.  The win eliminates the Broncos from the tournament and sends Regina to a semi-final against Hamilton Saturday night. Nick Henry had a hat-trick for the winners.

--The Washington Capitals are headed to the Stanley Cup Final.  The Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final.  Andre Burakovsky had a pair for the winners while Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots to record his 2nd straight shutout. The Lightning, who were the NHL's highest scoring team, did not score a goal in just under 160 minutes against the former Saskatoon Blade netminder.  The Capitals have not been in the Stanley Cup since 1998.  The Stanley Cup Final will start Monday in Vegas.

--The New York |Rangers have a new head coach.  51-year-old David Quinn coached Boston University to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons.

--The SJHL's Kindersley Klippers and Notre Dame Hounds are in need of a new head coach.  Geoff Grimwood resigned in Kindersley while the Hounds are looking for a new bench boss after Clint Mylymok stepped down to take a position as Head Coach and GM of the Maryland Black Bears of the North American Hockey League. The vacancies mean four teams are looking for head coaches as the Battleford Stars and Humboldt Broncos are also looking for new personnel.

--The NFL draft is heading to  Music City.
NFL team owners approved the Tennessee Titans bid to host the 2019 NFL Draft  in Nashville. The 84th NFL draft, which takes place April 25-27, 2019, will span across multiple landmarks in Nashville's historic downtown district.

-- Olympic curler Cheryl Bernard has been named the new president and chief executive officer of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Bernard, who skipped Canada to women's silver at the 2010 Winter Olympics, takes on her new job next month.
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is located in Calgary at WinSport's Canada Olympic Park.
It houses 100,000 artifacts in a dozen galleries and features 657 inductees across 66 sports.

May 23 Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

STANLEY CUP FINAL BERTH ON THE LINE IN GAME 7
The Lightning and Capitals will face off in Game 7 tonight at AMALIE Arena in Tampa with the winner crowned the Eastern Conference champion and earning the right to face the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. Tampa Bay and Washington have never met in a winner-take-all contest and neither club has required a Game 7 this postseason.

* This marks the 33rd time in NHL history that a Game 7 will be required to determine a Stanley Cup finalist. Home teams own a 21-11 edge in the previous 32 such contests.

* This is the fourth consecutive year that the Eastern Conference Final has required a seventh and deciding game.

GAME 7 HISTORY: LIGHTNING

The Lightning hold a 5-2 record in Game 7s including a 3-0 mark on home ice. They will contest a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in the past four years, having defeated the Rangers 2-0 in 2015 and lost to the Penguins 2-1 in 2016. In fact, the Lightning have required all seven games in each of their five appearances in the Conference Finals.

* The Lightning roster has a combined 78 games of Game 7 experience, including six players with at least five career victories in the winner-take-all scenario: Anton Stralman (7-1), Ryan McDonagh (6-1), Dan Girardi (6-2), Chris Kunitz (6-3), Braydon Coburn (5-2) and Ryan Callahan (5-2). All have recorded Game 7 wins over the Capitals with other teams.

* Four Lightning players have tallied a game-winning goal in a Game 7: Coburn, Girardi, Kunitz and Alex Killorn.

* The Lightning won the franchise’s only championship with a 2-1 victory in Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final against the Flames. In that contest, Ruslan Fedotenko – who tied for the team lead with 12 goals that postseason – scored both goals and captain Dave Andreychuk, now Tampa Bay’s Vice President of Corporate and Community Affairs, was the first to hoist the Stanley Cup.

GAME 7 HISTORY: CAPITALS

The Capitals hold a 4-11 record in Game 7s including a 1-3 mark on the road. Washington will play in its 11th Game 7 since the beginning of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most among all teams in that span.

* The Capitals roster has a combined 67 games of Game 7 experience with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin set to make their 11th career appearance, one shy of Boston’s Zdeno Chara (12) for the most among active NHL players. Patrick Roy and Scott Stevens (13 apiece) have the most Game 7 appearances in NHL history.

* Ovechkin and Backstrom have played each of their 10 prior Game 7s together, the most Game 7 appearances as teammates in NHL history.

* Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov, who enters the contest on a nine-game point streak (6-8—14), tallied the game-winner in the Capitals' most recent Game 7 victory, a 2-1 decision over the Islanders in the 2015 First Round.

GAME 7 TRENDS

Of the 171 all-time Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

* The team that scores first is 127-44 (.743), including a 1-1 mark in 2018.

* Home teams own a 100-71 (.585) advantage, including a 1-1 record in 2018.

* Forty-one have required overtime (24.2%). Home teams have a 21-20 edge.