#18

Biscuits and Breezers

 

       Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! In this blog we are going to be talking about the major feud between the LA Kings and the New Jersey Devils in Game 4 and Game 5. Starting off with Game 4. Apparently, the brooms are not coming out as early as we thought as the Devils claim Game 4 3-1 and move the series into an unwanted and definitely unexpected Game 5. Feeling the pressure of another sweep from the Kings, the Devils were backed into the corner liked a caged animal and fought back like a devil. The first goal Jonathan Quick was unready for came in the THIRD period. The Devils were putting their best skate forward with 24 shots on goal and some of the best defense/offense in the playoffs and Martin Brodeur being the support of the team, saving them basically from elimination. In the third period, the first goal of the game was scored by Devils' Czech left wing and alternate captain Patrik Elias at 7:56 assisted by Canadian defenseman Bryce Salvador and Lithuanian right wing/center Dainius Zubrus. Shocked by the goal, Kings' Canadian defenseman Drew Doughty broke one past Brodeur exactly a minute later at 8:56 assisted by Canadian defenseman Mike Richards and Slovene center and alternate captain Anze Kopitar. Obviously, Brodeur didn't think that the Kings deserved anymore chances at continuing their grand sweep. At 15:29, Devils' Canadian center Adam Henrique scored a goal against Quick assisted by Canadian right wing David Clarkson and Ukrainian Canadian left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky. Just to show the Kings that they are going to have to fight harder to win the Cup,  Devils' Russian left winger and alternate captain Ilya Kovalchuk squeezed one in at 19:40 assisted by American defenseman Andy Greene and Canadian defenseman Bryce Salvador. Personally, I want the Kings still to sweep the Devils, but let me know what you think!! Leave your questions and comments in the comments below!

      Now for Game 5. The Devils are on a roll, forcing a Game 6 and threatening to take the whole series coming from behind, taking Game 5 2-1, the Kings are definitely sweating now. American captain and left winger Zach Parise took things into his own hands by scoring an unassisted goal at 12:45 on a power play just sneaking it in past Quick in the first period to start things off for the Devils like a jump start. In the second period, Canadian right wing Justin Wiliiams scored the only goal for the LA Kings at 3:26 assisted by American defenseman and alternate captain Matt Greene. Then seeing their possible comeback slipping away, Canadian defenseman Bryce Salvador made a goal at 9:05 that Quick couldn't even stop assisted by Ukrainian Canadian left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky and Canadian center Travis Zajac. Can the Devils come from behind and sweep the Kings or will the Kings win Game 6 tonight at the Staples Center in LA on home ice? We will find out tonight!

     Now for the "Players of Today". For the European player we have Järfälla HC J20 Elit player Emil Sundstrom. For the Prospect player we have Moose Jaw Warrior of the WHL Morgan Rielly. For the goalie pick we have NHL goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers Ilya Bryzgalov.

   Starting off with the European pick. Emil is 5ft. 7 in, 141lbs, and is from Stockholm, Sweden. In the 2011-2012 season, Emil had 2 goals in 24 games played, 5 assists, 7 TPs, 32 PIMs, and a +/- of 6. In Kval in the post season he had, 1 goal in 4 games played, 0 assists, 1 TP, and 0 PIM. Sundstrom has commited to play with the Queen City Steam in the NA3HL in Cincinnati, Ohio for the 2012-2013 season. Emil is a very good defenseman who has quick skates, great on-ice vision, and can control the puck like no other. He is not an angry pylon but a joyous sniper!  Good luck with the Steam and with your future hockey career!

     Now, we have the prospect player. Morgan is 6ft. 0in, 170lbs, and is from West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In the 2011-2012 season, Morgan played with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL and has 3 goals in 18 games played, 15 assists, 18 TPs, 2 PIMs, and a +/- of 6. In the playoffs, he had 3 goals in 5 games played, 3 assists, 6 TPs, 0 PIMs, and a +/- of -1. It is unclear where Morgan is going for the 2012-2013 season, but he is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and is expected to go to the Winnipeg Jets. He has great on-ice vision and sharp skills on the ice. Good luck Morgan in the draft and in the WHL and in your future hockey career!

     Finally, we have the goalie pick. Ilya is 6ft. 3in, 213lbs, and is from Togliatti, Russia. He was drafted in the 2nd round 44th overall to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He spent 6 seasons with the Ducks, 4 seasons with the Coyotes, 3 times with the Russian Olympic team, and this is the first year with the Flyers and earned the nickname Universe. In the 2011-2012 season, he had 33 wins 16 loses and 0 ties in 59 games playes, 7 overtime loses, 6 shut outs, 141 goals against, 1,554 shots against, .909 save percentage, 2.48 goals against average, and 3,415 minutes played. Ilya can cover the net well and has great puck vision. Good job with the Flyers and good luck in your future NHL career!

   Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every episode will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next, 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 lfestyle not just a sport!