What Did You Miss Sunday?

 

Picture: Tony Playter

--After being rained out in their first two games, the Regina Red Sox finally got on the field Sunday.   They were down 4-0 after one, but they scored nine times in the 5th en route to an 18-8 win over the Swift Current 57's.  David Modler and Riley Hickerson each had 4 RBI's for the winners. 

-- Michael Wacha came close, again.The St. Louis righty lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning for the second time in his career, denied when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single Sunday in the Cardinals’ 5-0 win over Pittsburgh

--The Riders took their show to Humboldt Sunday.  As you have seen in  a previous post, they are dedicating their June 30th home game to the victims and families of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

--Bryson DeChambeau won the PGA's Memorial Tournament with a 72 hole score of 15 under 273. Tiger Woods was tied for 23rd six shots back. 

--Steph Curry hit nine three-pointers which is an NBA final record.  His 33 points led Golden State to a 122-103 win and a 2-0 lead over Cleveland in the best-of-seven. 

Riders Announce Plans For Humboldt Strong Game

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced plans for their June 30^th home game versus the Montreal Alouettes. The gameday will be themed ‘Humboldt Strong’ in support of the Humboldt Broncos, the community of Humboldt and all those affected by the tragic accident that occurred April 6^th.

“Roughriders home games have long been a place where the people of our province can rally together,” stated Craig Reynolds, Saskatchewan Roughriders President & CEO. “Dedicating a gameday to Humboldt Strong is an opportunity to give the people affected by the tragedy a chance to gather as they continue to heal. It also allows our Club and all of Rider Nation a chance to show their ongoing support.”

“We are so grateful for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ ongoing support and partnership as the Humboldt Broncos continue to navigate this tragedy, and as we begin to move forward and rebuild,” said Kevin Garinger, President of the Humboldt Broncos. “The Rider game on June 30^th will provide our families with yet another precious opportunity to further their healing process by coming together – to remember, to celebrate and to be buoyed by the love and support of Rider Nation.”

Working in conjunction with the Broncos organization, the Roughriders have invited the families of the 29 occupants of the bus, the first responders who provided care and comfort and Humboldt community leaders to attend the June 30^th CFL contest. In all, the Riders expect to host approximately 250 guests at Mosaic Stadium.

Pre-game activities will include a video dedication to the Humboldt Broncos and the community of Humboldt, as well as on-field participation by Broncos representatives in the anthem and coin toss ceremonies.

Canadian country music group, Hunter Brothers will sing the national anthem and will provide halftime entertainment with a three-song set. Originally from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Hunter Brothers comprise siblings Luke, J.J., Ty, Brock and Dusty Hunter.

Rider fans can show their support and help raise funds by purchasing a commemorative Humboldt Strong pin. The pin is now available at all Rider Store locations, with 100 per cent of all proceeds going to the Humboldt Strong Community Fund.

(Riders PR) 

What Did You Miss Saturday?

--Game 3 goes to the Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin scored the 60th playoff goal of his career as Washington defeated the expansion Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup final. Evgeny Kuznetsov added a goal and an assist for the Capitals. He was a game-time decision after suffering an injury in Game 2.

--After staging their green-and-white game and having a fan day in Saskatoon on Saturday, the Riders will spend their day in Humboldt Sunday.  They will hold a practice and an autograph session at Glenn Hall Park as they try to help with the healing that the community is going through in the wake of the April accident that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos organization. The Roughriders have announced plans for a “Humboldt Strong” game day on June 30, when they’ll pay tribute to those affected by the crash prior to and during a home game against the Montreal Alouettes.

--Catastrophe averted.  REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell says Trevor Harris will be the team's starting quarterback when they open the regular season June 21 against Montreal.  Harris had to leave a pre-season win over the Alouettes after suffering a lower-body injury that had some thinking at the time may be season-ending. 

--The NLL season will go down to a one game winner take all next weekend in Saskatoon.  The Rochester Nighthawks beat the Saskatchewan Rush 13-8 to even the best of three at one. 

--Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a broken nose during a charity softball game when he was hit in the face with a batted ball.  The injury required surgery to repair. 

--Bryson DeChambeau finished off a 6-under 66 with birdies on two of the toughest holes, giving him a one-shot lead going into a final round at the P-G-A Memorial in Ohio. Tiger Woods is in the mix at Muirfield Village for the first time in six years. Woods was briefly tied for the lead until three-putt bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes. He's five shots behind.

June 2 Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

Game 3 Officials

The referees for today’s game are Marc Joannette (#25) and Wes McCauley (#4). The linesmen are Matt MacPherson (#83) and Jonny Murray (#95).

Game 3 Trends

* When the Final has been tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 ultimately has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 77.8% of the time since the series went to the best-of-seven format in 1939 (21-of-27 series). However, the loser of Game 3 in the past three such instances (2004 TBL, 2013 CHI and 2015 CHI) has rebounded to win the championship.

* Teams winning Game 3 of the Final – regardless of series score – have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup 65.4% of the time since 1939 (51-of-78 series). Again, the loser of Game 3 ultimately has captured each of the past three Stanley Cups (2015 CHI, 2016 PIT, 2017 PIT).

 * The Capitals are 17-29 in 46 all-time Game 3s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (4-13 at home), including a 2 1 record this year (0-1 at home). The Golden Knights are 3-0 in Game 3s, including a 2-0 record on the road.

 Home vs. Road

* Washington enters Game 3 with a 4-5 record at Capital One Arena this postseason, outscoring opponents 30-27. Overall, the team is 68-71 in 139 all-time home playoff games (0-2 in Stanley Cup Final). The Capitals last hosted a Stanley Cup Final game on June 16, 1998, when the Red Wings clinched the series with a 4-1 victory in Game 4.

* The Golden Knights own a 6-2 record as visitors during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, outscoring opponents 18-15. Only one other NHL team has earned as many road wins in its first postseason appearance: the Wild, who went 6-4 as visitors in 2003 (their 3rd NHL season).

 Put the Brooms Away

With Washington’s Game 2 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 Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939) was seven straight series, from both 1953-59 and 1961-67.

Teams Combine for 15 Goals Through Two Games

The Golden Knights (8) and Capitals (7) have totaled 15 goals through 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).

Overall, the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 5.9 goals per game (477 G in 81 GP), the most since 2010 (6.0 G/GP).


Game 1 Sets Stanley Cup Final Record

The Golden Knights and Capitals traded the lead four times in Game 1 of 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.


It 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).

 Overall, there have been five lead changes through the opening two contests of the series.


Capitals Notes

* The Capitals – who fell behind 2-0 in the First Round vs. CBJ, 1-0 in the Second Round vs. PIT, 3-2 in the Conference Finals vs. TBL and 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Final vs. VGK – are attempting to become the second team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup despite trailing in all four playoff rounds. The 1991 Penguins also faced a series deficit in each round, eventually defeating the North Stars in the Stanley Cup Final (4-2 W).

* With their Game 2 win at VGK, the Capitals improved to 9-3 as visitors this postseason, outscoring opponents 43-28. Only four teams in NHL history have earned more road wins in a single playoff year, 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 L vs. TBL).

 * Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 13th goal of the postseason in Game 2 (21 GP), moving within one of John Druce’s single-year franchise record established in 1990 (15 GP). Ovechkin, who ranks second in the NHL in points this postseason (13-11—24), 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).

* Ovechkin has collected 10-13—23 in 18 career Game 3s, his highest assist total and second-highest goal and point totals of any game. That includes 1-3—4 in three Game 3s this postseason, in which the Capitals are 2-1. Despite Ovechkin averaging 1.3 points per game in Game 3s, the Capitals are just 7-11 in those contests (1-3 at home).

 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 has registered 32 goals in 54 career games (regular season and playoffs) against Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. That includes 21 goals in 38 games during the regular season, and 11 goals in 16 contests during the playoffs.


* Forward Lars Eller posted 1-2—3 in Game 2 after teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov, the League’s top postseason scorer (11-14—25 in 21 GP), left the contest 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 forward Nicklas Backstrom earlier this postseason, collecting 2-3—5 during his four-game absence May 7-15. Eller has 6-11—17 in 21 playoff contests this year, nearly matching his 50-game total prior to 2018 (6-17—23).

 * Overall, the Capitals are 26-6-2 in games in which Eller has scored (regular season and playoffs) during his two seasons in Washington. That includes a 6-0 record during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Goaltender Braden Holtby made a spectacular stick save to preserve the Capitals’ Game 2 victory. He owns a 42-37 record in 79 career playoff appearances, compiling a 2.04 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and six shutouts. That is the second-highest save percentage and fifth-best goals-against average in NHL postseason history among goaltenders with at least 50 outings.

 * Holtby, who posted shutouts in Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Final vs. TBL, had his shutout streak snapped at 166:42 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. He 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.

 * Defenseman Brooks Orpik snapped a 220-game goal drought (regular season and playoffs) – the longest active such streak in the NHL – with his winning tally midway through the second period of Game 2. Orpik, the only Washington player with Stanley Cup Final experience entering the series, went 181 regular-season and 39 playoff games between scoring goals (last, 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.

* John Carlson scored his 17th career playoff goal in Game 1 (all w/ WSH), 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 97 GP), third on the Capitals’ all-time list for defensemen behind Calle Johansson (12-42—54 in 95 GP) and Scott Stevens (9-44—53 in 67 GP).



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 have not lost consecutive games during the playoffs, last doing so in their final two contests of the regular season (April 5-7). They are 3-0 following a loss during the playoffs, outscoring opponents 12-7 in those games.


* Forward Jonathan Marchessault has registered half of his team-leading eight playoff goals in games following a loss, scoring in each of those three contests for a total of four goals and seven points. In the Second Round vs. SJS, Marchessault collected 1-2—3 in Game 3, including an assist on William Karlsson’s overtime goal that gave Vegas a 2-1 series lead. In Game 5 against the Sharks, he posted 1-1—2, including a late insurance goal to give the Golden Knights a two-goal advantage. Marchessault then scored twice in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final at WPG, including the winning goal, as the club rallied for four straight wins to clinch the series.


* Marchessault collected one assist in Game 1 vs. WSH, giving him 8-11—19 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (17 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 and one assist in Game 2, moving into a tie with Marchessault for the team lead in playoff scoring (3-16—19 in 17 GP).


* The line of Marchessault (8-11—19), Smith (3-16—19) and William Karlsson (7-8—15), featuring Vegas’ top three point-producers, has combined for 18-35—55 and five game-winning goals during the playoffs (17 GP).


* Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his 17 postseason appearances this year, compiling a 13-4 record with a 1.88 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and four shutouts. That includes a 6-2 clip on the road, where he has a 1.86 goals-against average, .943 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 Tomas Nosek (2-0—2) registered the first multi-goal game and 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. 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.

* Nosek became the 10th Golden Knights player with a game-winning goal in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one shy of the NHL postseason record last accomplished by the 2017 Predators.

 * Defenseman Nate Schmidt, who was acquired from Washington in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, returns to Capital One Arena for the second time with Vegas. Schmidt, who totaled 8-35—43 in 200 regular-season games and 1-4—5 in 21 playoff contests with the Capitals from 2013-17, collected one assist in the Golden Knights’ lone regular-season trip to Washington – a 4-3 victory Feb. 4.

What Did You Miss Friday?

--Johnny Manziel made his CFL debut Friday.  He was 9 of 11 for 80 yards in a 36-18 loss to Toronto.  Manziel took 23 snaps in all.

--Former CFL quarterback Drew Tate has retired.   The former Calgary and Ottawa signal-caller who came to the CFL after a stellar career with the University of Iowa is leaving football behind to pursue a career as a coach at Coastal Carolina.

--Pats forward Jake Leschyshyn has an NHL contract.  The Vegas Knights signed Leschyshyn to a three year entry-level contract. He was the Knights 2nd round pick in the 2017 draft.

--Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee is facing a charge of second-degree harassment. He's accused of inappropriately touching and making lewd comments toward a hotel shuttle driver while in Buffalo for the N-H-L's scouting combine. Lee is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

--Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar was back on the mound Friday. Joined by teammates, family and medical caregivers, Farquhar threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch.  Farquhar suffered a ruptured aneurysm after pitching in a game in April.  It was the first time he had been back on a baseball diamond.  While Farquhar won't pitch again this season, doctors believe he can make a comeback.

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.

 

Photo: Keith Hershmiller

--Some believe the Regina Pats won't be a playoff team in 2018-19.  You can believe that if you want to, but it may be a mistake.  Max Paddock is undoubtedly the starter as he tries to build off a 17-year-old season that should see him get drafted somewhere in the mid-to-late rounds of the NHL draft.  On defence, Aaron Hyman, Brady Pouteau and Cale Fleury are all 20 and one has to think one if not two will be back.

Up front you have Jake Leschyshyn, Nick Henry, Austin Pratt and Robbie Holmes to start off with,  Jared Legien could be a 20 year old forward.  If Cole Dubinsky does as a 16 year old what he did in his short stint with the team this past season, he will become a fan favourite in no time.

Make no doubt about it, what you have seen the last two years with the likes of Brooks, Steel, Hobbs, Mahura and Wagner have come to an end, but the situation isn't as dire as one might think it is.   It is far too early though to determine just where the Pats could be in the Eastern Division.  It is one that some believe Prince Albert could have the inside track on, but one has to believe Brandon will be right there again.

-Now that his days done as a Pat, let the debate start.  Where does Sam Steel fit when it comes to all-time greats for the team.  The book can't be closed when it comes to that because of where his professional career will take him. However, if you take a look at his accomplishments in junior where does he fit?  There is no doubt he is top 10, but did he have a better junior career than Jock Callander, Dale Derkatch or Jordan Eberle?  I know what my answer would be.

--One regret from Memorial Cup week.  I did not have the chance to meet Dennis Sobchuk. He was the man when I first started going to Pats games at the Exhibition Stadium in the 70's.  I've had the opportunity to shake hands and speak with Ed Staniowski and Clark Gillies a number of times, but I've never had the chance to meet Sobchuk.  He looked great!   Another time!

--The Stanley Cup Final is even at one heading back to Washington.  That shouldn't surprise anyone.  Game 2 may not have had the same excitement level as Game 1, but the two teams are giving us a treat in these finals to cap off a playoffs that have been one of the more enjoyable ones in years.

--Is your popcorn ready? Johnny Manziel makes his CFL debut tonight as the Ti-Cats take on the Argos. I'm more interested in whether or not Noah Picton gets a chance to play  If he is going to have a CFL snap, this will be the game.

--Uh oh!! What do the Ottawa REDBLACKS do if Trevor Harris is done for the year?  I think it is safe to say he won't be starting the season unless he has amazing recuperative powers because that hit looked nasty.  At best, it's a knee sprain that keeps him out for 4-6 weeks like Mike Reilly a few years ago. Do you stick with Dominique Davis? Do you call Darian Durant who I believe is still property of the Bombers.  Do you call Marquise Williams?  Here's one---do you see what the asking price is for Brandon Bridge?  The medical report will be key on what direction Rick Campbell and Marcel Desjardins take!

--What happened to the CFL in Halifax?  It would seem to me as if that issue has been put on the backburner.  Halifax will host next year's Memorial Cup.  I asked one of their organizers if he knew enough about the situation to comment or if he cared.  He said he didn't, but there is a lot of excitement about the potential of the league coming, but there are still far too many question marks.  I think we may be a couple of years away.

--It's been asked again, it will be asked before.   Why don't Regina drivers like using their signal lights?

--The Regina Red Sox begin another season tonight.  The home opener will be Sunday and the Red Sox have asked this guy to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. This guy played a lot of ball in his younger years, but due to age and a bad shoulder (from playing ball), I haven't stepped on a diamond in quite a while.  That arm has one more toss in it doesn't it?  I guess we will find out Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The question I have is will there be more chirps for yours truly from the 1st base stands, the 3rd base stands or behind the plate.

--The Toronto Blue Jays aren't winning this year. That has been established.  Fans want Vladimir Guerrero Junior.  Why?  Yes, he is hitting the cover off the ball in double A, but that's double A and not the majors.  He still has some work to do in the field by the sounds of it and while there is no doubt he will be in Toronto come September when rosters expand, the need is not there to bring him up now. Patience is the key.  Bringing him up will mean that Ross Shapiro and Mark Atkins have pushed the panic button.  You're not going anywhere with him in the lineup or not.  Just continue the development and make room for him next season.  Plus, if you bring him up now, you lose a year of service which could be huge moving forward.  If Toronto fans are so desperate to see him, then call him up to Triple A Buffalo and watch the convoy head across the border.

--The Bryan Colangelo story is just one of pure fascination.  You don't think that could happen, but it might be.  Is he the only one?

--When the NHL playoffs start, you have many different teams that can win the Stanley Cup. 16 in fact that have a legitimate argument as to why they could win.  Let's face the facts in the NBA.  While there are pretenders (Houston, Toronto etc. etc. etc), you can just pencil in the Cavaliers and Warriors.  Seeing the same team in the cap era in four straight finals hurts your overall product doesn't it?  Would you want to watch Nashville and Pittsburgh for four straight years in the Cup final?

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

What DId You Miss Thursday?

--The Ottawa REDBLACKS will be awaiting a medical report on quarterback Trevor Harris.  He went down with a knee injury early in the first quarter of their CFL pre-season win over Montreal.  The REDBLACKS don't think the injury is serious and is a short-term thing and not a long-term one.

--Pats forward Emil Oksanen is heading home. Oksanen has signed a contract with SaiPa in the Finnish elite league. Oksanen spent one year in Regina collecting 48 points in 58 games.  The fact he is heading back to Finland means he likely won't be getting selected at the NHL draft.

--Capitals coach Barry Trotz says Evgeny Kuznetsov is questionable for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday with an upper-body injury. Kuznetsov was injured in the 3-2 Washington win in Game 2.

--The WMBL season started on Thursday.  The Regina Red Sox play their first game in Weyburn on Friday night.. The Red Sox are home to Swift Current Sunday at 2 in the home opener.

--Lebron James had 51 points in Game 1 of the NBA Final, but it wasn't enough as the Cavaliers lost 124-114 in overtime to Golden State.  The Cavs had a chance to win in the dying seconds.  George Hill missed a foul shot with the game tied.  JR Smith grabbed the offensive rebound, but instead of taking a shot, he ran it out.  Smith could be seen telling a confused James "I thought we were ahead".