#16

Biscuits and Breezers

      Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! In this episode we will be talking about the Stanley Cup finals and Nicklas Lidstrom retirng. Starting off with the Stanley Cup Finals. Way to go Anze Kopitar!! Scoring the overtime winning goal against Devils' goaltender, Martin Brodeur, Kopitar has become one of the most loved players for Kings fans. At 8:13, the Slovene center brought a whole new meaning to dangle, snipe, and celly.This possible series directing goal was assisted by Canadian right wing Justin Williams and Canadian defenseman Drew Doughty. For awhile American goaltender for the LA Kings, Jonathan Quick, was really living up to his name. Blocking shots left and right, constantly watching the puck, Quick certainly was ready for this game having a save percentage of  .944 and making 17 saves. The first goal of the game was scored at 9:56 by Canadian center Colin Fraser assisted by Canadian center Jordan Nolan for the Kings. Then for much of the game after that it was back and forth between the neutral zone, the Devils' zone, and the Kings' zone. Then finally at 18:48 the Devils trying to tie up the game in the second period, Russian defenseman Anton Volchenkov made a geno past the unstoppable Jonathan Quick, assisted by Czech left winger and alternate captain Patrik Elias and Canadian right wing David Clarkson. There was no scoring in the third and then the amazing goal by Anze Kopitar in overtime at 8:13. Way to go Kings and capture Game 1. Personally, I want the Kings to sweep the Devils just like the Blues and Coyotes, but thats just my opinion. Lets go Kings and good luck to the Devils in trying to keep up with the swiftness of the Kings and their drive to raise the cup! Who do you want to win the cup? Let me know in the comments below!

     Now we have the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom. After playing in 20 seasons, voted into 11 NHL All-Star games, winning 4 Stanley Cups, 7 James Norris Memorial trophies, and 1 Conn Smythe trophy, being the first European born and trained Captain to raise the Stanley Cup and playoff MVP, and also being a leader in NHL games played and games played by a European player, Swedish defenseman and Captain of the Detroit Red Wings, Nicklas Lidstrom will be announcing his retirement on May 31st at a press conference in Detroit. Now, it isn't set in stone, but he will most likely be announcing it. He is a surefire candidate for the Hall of Fame. Playing with the Red Wings all of his NHL career and becoming the captain and one of the greatest defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom will go down in hockey history alongside Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. This is a major moment and best of luck to whatever he chooses to do whether it's to stay one more season with the Red Wings or it is to retire. Good luck Nicklas in your decision and to your future hockey career!

   Now, we move onto the "Players of Today". For the European pick we have Swiss Lugano NLA player Dario Simion. For the prospect player we have Sarnia Sting OHL player Alex Galchenyuk. then for the junior player we have Rochester Ice Hawks MNJHL player Tyler Beasley.

    Starting off with the European player. Dario is a 6ft. 1 in, 187lb left/right winger from Locarno, Switzerland. Playing with the Lugano NLA team, Dario had 3 goals in 35 games played, 3 assists, 6 TPs, and 8 PIMs. He played at the 2012 World National Men's Junior Hockey Championship for Team Switzerland and had 2 goals in 7 games played, 0 assists, 2 TPS, and 2 PIMs for the U18 competition. For the U20 portion, he had 2 goals in 3 games played, 3 assists, 5 TPs, and 0 PIMs. Dario is a very well rounded player with sharp skills and senses that could change on a dime. He has great on ice vision and can really wrap his tape around the puck. He is signed with Lugano NLA and Lugano U20 Elit Jr. A for the 2012-2013 season. Good luck Dario in your future hockey career and with the Lugano team!

    Next, we have the Prospect pick. Alex is a 6ft. 1 in, 185lb center from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He was drafted first overall in the 2010 OHL priority selection to the Sarnia Sting. Alex had in the 2011-2012 season 0 goals in 2 games played, 0 assiss, 0 TPs, and 0 PIMs, but in the 2010-2011 season he had 31 goals in 68 games played, 52 assists, 83 TPs, and 52 PIMs. He is one of the top prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft along with team mate Nail Yakupov and is expected to go to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alex is a very well-rounded player who can make quick decisions and who can take charge of a play and use it against his opponents. Good luck Alex in the NHL draft and in your future hockey career!

    Last, but not least, we have the junior player. Tyler is a 5ft. 10in, 185lb forward from Indianapolis, Indiana,USA playing for the MNJHL USA hockey tier 3 junior team the Rochester Ice Hawks. In the 2011-2012 season, Tyler had 31 goals in 47 games played, 66 assists, 97 TPs, and 74 PIMs. It is unclear where Tyler is going for the 2012-2013 season. Tyler is a very strong player who will use his speed and agility to get the puck and who will fight for it. He has great on-ice vision and will use everything he has got to be able to win the game. Good luck Tyler with the Ice Hawks and in your future hockey career!

   Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember. it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle, not just a sport!