2022-2023 PLAYER & GOALIE OF THE WEEK #8

 

EASTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
Matthew Tkachuk JAG 6 4 7 11 9 4 18 22%
                   
EASTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Jake Oettinger POR 5 11 2.22 153 .933
                   
WESTERN SKATER TEAM GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS PM  +/-  SOG S%
Nikita Kucherov TOL 5 7 6 13 2 2 35 20%
                   
WESTERN GOALIE TEAM GP GOALS AGAINST G.A. AVERAGE SAVES SAVE %
Igor Shesterkin LGD 4 2 0.53 96 .980
                   

Pittsburgh Miners
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Can the Miners ge tout of last place this week?
GAME #1: TOLEDO WALLEYE@ PITTSBURGH MINERS Miners come back in the third to take a 4-3 lead but another third period collapse has the Miners get zero points as the Walleye score with 1:05 to go in the third period to take the 5-4 win.
WEEKLY SUMMARY: Miners can’t close the game.
Bucks County Bobcats
WEEKLY PREVIEW: 4 game home stand prior to the Christmas break as the Ice Capades take over all the rinks in the MWHL.
GAME #1: CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA@ BUCKS COUNTY BOBCATS Chicago gets out to a 4-1 lead only to have BC close the gap to 1, but 2 empty net goals for the Mob gives them the 6-3 win.
GAME #2: ALAMO DEFENDERS@ BUCKS COUNTY BOBCATS Bucks County snapes a 9 game winless streak as Conner McDavid breaks a 3-3 tie with a PP goal at 8:25 of the 3rd period and the Bobcats tack on another goal to secure a 5-3 win over the Defenders.
GAME #3: PORTLAND STORM@ BUCKS COUNTY BOBCATS Portland ‘Storms’ out to a 4-0 lead after 2 periods and things look dismal for the Bobcats. But then, Bucks County catches fire and score 4 unanswered goals to tie the game. However, Ryan Graves, who was without a goal entering the game, scores his 2nd of this game with 36 seconds left in regulation to deliver a gut punch to the Bobcats and give Portland a 5-4 win.
GAME #4: GILBERT SHARKS@ BUCKS COUNTY BOBCATS Bucks County responded to their tough loss in the previous game by playing their best game on home ice this year as they controlled play and defeated Gilbert 3-1. The Sharks only goal came with 52 seconds left in regulation as the Bobcats scored in all 3 periods.
WEEKLY SUMMARY: 4 home games, 4 points. Not good enough for a contender but given how the season has gone for the Bobcats this season, a bit of a positive. The good news is that Conner McDavid seems to be heating up, as in the 4 home games plus 1 road tilt this week he had 6 goals and 4 assists.
Jagr Mullets
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Dos juegos.
GAME #1: PITTSBURGH MINERS@ JAGR MULLETS 5-4 win. We tie it up with 50 seconds left, then win it in the shootout.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
2 13:52 PP PIT Garland (6), assisted by Schenn (8) and Gostisbehere (9)
2 15:29 SH JAG Lazar (5), assisted by Lindholm (12) and Letang (22)
2 17:45 EV PIT Garland (7), assisted by Sergachev (12) and Hartman (9)
2 18:20 EV PIT Cirelli (8), assisted by Sergachev (13) and Kaliyev (3)
3 9:11 EV JAG Matthews (30), assisted by Kaprizov (22) and Svechnikov (14)
3 10:32 EV JAG Lindholm (16), assisted by Tkachuk (22) and Hedman (21)
3 13:17 PP PIT Norris (20), assisted by Thomas (21) and Kadri (18)
3 19:10 EV JAG Tkachuk (13), assisted by Svechnikov (15) and Toews (19)

Star 1: PIT Garland 2 G
Star 2: JAG Lindholm 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 3: JAG Tkachuk 1 G, 2 Pts

Notables: PIT Bobrovsky 45 saves
JAG Matthews 29 faceoffs won, Letang 7 blocks, Bergeron 18 faceoffs won

GAME #2: BATHGATE RANGERS@ JAGR MULLETS 3-1 victory.

Scoring Summary
Per Time Str Team
1 5:17 PP JAG Toews (3), assisted by Bergeron (17)
1 9:28 PP BGR Buchnevich (9), assisted by Vrana (4) and Zibanejad (22)
1 18:31 EV JAG Miller (3), assisted by Carter (3) and Hedman (22)
2 18:48 EV JAG Matthews (31), assisted by Toews (20) and Kaprizov (23)

Star 1: JAG Kuemper 40 saves
Star 2: JAG Toews 1 G, 2 Pts
Star 3: JAG Matthews 1 G

GWG: J.T. Miller

Notables: BGR None
JAG Bergeron 21 faceoffs won, Kuemper 40 saves

WEEKLY SUMMARY: A pair of wins, Santa delivers on our wish.
Charlotte Buzzards
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Make no mistake about the identity of the Charlotte Buzzards. It is all about the defense. This squad (14-13-2 headed into this latest week) was ranked second defensively and just 14th offensively as it got set for the latest six-game stretch (including four games in its own arena). There are signs this frozen-in-its-tracks offense is starting to dethaw, however (Ovechkin for one is starting to catch fire). The Buzzards need a good showing in this home-heavy part of the schedule to avoid slipping into irrelevance. It’s become apparent that each game matters this season – similar to last year when yours truly was furiously counting goals AND head-to-head results to see if my Buzzards or the Cincinnati Inferno would be clinching the Atlantic and the lone playoff spot (it was that razor thin before Charlotte won out on the final day).
GAME #1: CINCINNATI INFERNO@ CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS As alluded to, this Atlantic-division rivalry between Charlotte and Cincinnati has been a spirited yet friendly one for the ages with the teams duking it out the past several years. The rivalry reached such proportions that the Buzzards completely altered their auction strategy and jumped into a late bidding war with John to desperately overpay for Ovechkin in the offseason (recognizing the Inferno with Ovie would totally leave Charlotte gagging in the dust all season long – yes the respect runs that deep).

Both teams predictably entered the week neck and neck, tied for second in the Atlantic with 30 points, and this game in Charlotte’s building against the Inferno lived up to the hype. The Inferno had grabbed the 2-1 lead by early in the second, with Ovechkin accounting for the only goal for Charlotte to keep it close. From there however, Charlotte’s less-heralded players rose to the surface. Fourth-liners Blake Coleman and Alex Iafallo each scored goals along with Ryan Johanssen and Alex Pietrangelo also adding goals and the Buzzards rallied and fought off Cincinnati 5-2. Iafallo’s empty netter in the last minute padded the final result.

Filip Forsborg and Teuvo Teravainen accounted for the Cincinnati goals in the first and second period respectively. Cam Talbot played admirably in nets for Cincinnati (saving 29 against four goals) and shut out the Buzzards completely during its seven power play opportunities. Ilya Sorokin also saved 29 shots for Charlotte in improving to 11-5-2.

Three stars:
1. CHA Coleman 2 G
2. CIN Forsberg 1 G 2 Pts
3. CIN Teravainen 1 G 2 Pts

Notable: Johansen, perhaps the surprise of the MWHL (15 goals entering the week, among the league leaders), got the game-wininng goal in this one with 7:30 left in the second which put the Inferno ahead 3-2. It hasn’t hurt Johansen’s performance that he’s been centering a first line of Ovechkin on the left and Mitch Marner on the right for most of the season.

GAME #2: BRENTWOOD BANDITS@ CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS Charlotte choked away a late lead in the third period against Brentwood: it held a late 4-2 advantage only to watch it evaporate. With the Buzzards on the power play up 4-2, disaster ensued when with 3:05 left in Trevor Moore scored an unassisted shorthanded goal, closing the deficit to 4-3 for the Bandits. Then with 45 ticks left and Brentwood goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy pulled, center Jack Roslovic found the tying goal on assists from Jake Guentzel and Roman Josi.

Both teams remained deadlocked through the three-on-three overtime so it went to a shootout where Troy Terry, who scored both of the Bandits’ first two goals in regulation also found a shootout goal here in overtime. Joe Pavelski also scored in the shootout as Vasilevskiy blanked Charlotte in the shootout, and Brentwood’s rally was complete in a 5-4 victory.

Three stars:
1. BWB Terry 2G
2. CHA Kevin Shattenkirk 1 G, 2 Pts
3. CHA Ryan Johansen 1 G

Notable: Charlotte held a 3-1 lead after the first period following goals by Shattenkirk, Johansen and Bryan Rust. Mikhail Backlund accounted for the other Charlotte goal midway through the third period that had put the Buzzards ahead 4-2 before the lead slipped away. Pavelski won 16 facoffs. Ilya Sorokin in defeat saved 38 for Charlotte and Vasilevskiy saved 29 for the win.

GAME #3: CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA@ CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS Can someone hold down the fort in the third period please? In this one, the Buzzards after rallying back from a 3-0 hole earlier in the game, yield two goals with a 4-3 lead in the final minute to fall in devastating fashion to a rejuvenated Cosa Nostra squad, 5-4.

With Chicago on the extra-man attack and empty net, Andre Burakovsky scored with 49 seconds left to tie things up at 4-4 and then just 14 seconds later Michael Bunting was the hero with a game winning goal on an assist from Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Jeremy Swayman saved 33 for Chicago to collect the win. Sorokin saved 29 in defeat.

Three stars (all Chicago):
1. Bunting 1 G, 2 Pts
2. Dubois 1 G, 2 Pts
3. Jordan Kyrou 1 G, 2 Points

Notable: Goals by Kyrou, Dubois and Alex DeBrincat staked Chicago out to an early 3-0 lead and four unanswered goals by Carter Verhaeghe, Jonathan Marchessault, Marner and Backlund propelled the Buzzards to a 4-3 lead in the third period before the last-minute collapse ensued

GAME #4: LA GREAT DANES@ CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS This is likely a first in MWHL: in this contest Charlotte scored the first six goals (all in the first period to chase Anton Forsberg) and then the Great Danes proved why they were the top team in the league – rallying dramatically with six unanswered goals of their own the rest of the way to force overtime! The astonishing comeback was capped by a goal from Great Dane winger Adrian Kemp with 59 seconds in regulation. And the rally was also sparked by Great Dane goalie Igor Shesterkin (14 saves), who once he relieved Forsberg proceeded to shut down the Buzzards for two whole periods.

Shesterkin stayed hot in the five minute overtime with five saves and Ville Husso, who had let in three goals in the second and three more in the third, also saved all five of the shots he faced in extra time.
The game progressed to the shootout, where the first three shots were all stopped before Marner snuck a shot past an otherwise flawless Shesterkin; Husso then shut down William Nylander in the third round to redeem himself and officially lift Charlotte to the 7-6 win it thought it had sewn up after a six goal lead after the first intermission.

In another rarity in a game filled with them, the Great Danes claimed all three-star selections despite being defeated (first time I’ve seen). Its three stars Roop Hintz, Aleksander Barkov and Hintz each collected two Great Dane goals apiece. Suffice to say, the one point LA was able to salvage was well deserved.

Three stars (all from LA)
1. Hintz 2 G 4 Points
2. Barkov – Two consecutive goals in the third period that narrowed Charlotte’s lead to 6-5.
3. Kempe – Two goals including the tying goal in dramatic fashion with 59 seconds remaining

Notable: there were lots of them:
LA outshot Charlotte 41-24; Barkov won 19 faceoffs while losing just nine (quite a busy night). Husso finished with 35 saves. The other starting goalie, Forsberg let all six goals in while facing 15. He was yanked at the 19:49 mark of the first period after a goal from Charlotte’s Sam Bennett.

WEEKLY SUMMARY: Charlotte will settle for five points out of eight in four games played at the Bojangles Arena, where it can’t protect a lead to save its life. With an additional win on the road reported (and one other away contest at hand), the Buzzards are guaranteed a winning record of no worse than 17-15-3 entering the new year The Buzzards self-destructed in the waning moments of contests against Brentwood and Chicago or the home results would have been better, but hey, gotta give props to both these teams
Grosse Pointe Griffins
WEEKLY PREVIEW: 4 games before the holiday break with Grosse Pointe looking to stay in the playoff hunt
GAME #1: CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA@ GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS Andrei Burakovsky scored a pair, leading the Chicago squad to a 3-2 victory. The Griffins outshot the Cosa Nostra 36-16 but another weak goaltending performance by Samsonov made the difference. Grosse Pointe had 20 SC against Saros to only 9 by the visitors.
GAME #2: FLIN FLON BOMBERS@ GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS Jonathan Bernier comes out of the press box to make a rare start for the Griffins and all he manages to do is stop all 29 shots he faced, as Grosse Pointe prevails 5-0 over Flin Flon. Kyle Connor fueled the Griffin offense with 2G+2A.
GAME #3: PITTSBURGH MINERS@ GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS Grosse Pointe surged to a 4-0 lead over the Miners after 2 periods, including a pair from Aho and a SHG from Boyd. The visitors’ offense came alive in the third period, to make it a one-goal contest, including 2 by Thomas. But Mason Raymond ended any chance of a Pittsburgh comeback with an ENG, making the final score a 5-3 Griffin victory.
GAME #4: JAGR MULLETS@ GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS The Mullets trimmed the Griffins 6-2, Kaprizov and Bergeron each beating a shaky Samsonov twice.
WEEKLY SUMMARY: A split of 4 games at home. This club would be higher in the standings with more consistent goaltending.
California Regulators
GAME #1: GILBERT SHARKS@ CALIFORNIA REGULATORS California wins 9-5
GAME #2: PITTSBURGH MINERS@ CALIFORNIA REGULATORS California wins 3-1
GAME #3: FLIN FLON BOMBERS@ CALIFORNIA REGULATORS California wins 5-4 in OT
WEEKLY SUMMARY: Cali wins 3 at home.
Portland Storm
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Portland hosts division rivals Flin Flon, Charlotte, Cincinatti and Alamo in a 4 game homestand
GAME #1: FLIN FLON BOMBERS@ PORTLAND STORM Division leading Flin Flon visits Portland

Portland jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st period on goals from Lindgren (1), Eberle (7) and Keller (15). Flin Flon finally responds in the 3rd period on a goal from Bjorkstrand (5) but Portland’s Granlund (4) ices the game as the Storm win 4-1

GAME #2: CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS@ PORTLAND STORM Charlotte visits Portland in another crucial division game

Portland gets a goal from Rasmussen (2) 2:07 into the first period to take a quick 1-0 lead. In the 2nd Period Eberlee (8) scores on a power play but Charlotte’s Bennett (11) draws the Buzzards to within 2-1 as the period ends

In the 3rd period the Buzzard’s get a game tying goal from Coleman (3) but Portland’s Rasmussen (3) responds 2:40 later to give Portland back the lead 3-2. Empty netters by Eberle (9) and Puljujarvi (6) gives the Storm the 5-2 win

Jake Oettinger has 36 saves in the win

GAME #3: CINCINNATI INFERNO@ PORTLAND STORM Cincinnati opens the scoring in the 1st period on a goal from Malkin (4) but Portland responds on a Dunn (3) goal to end the period 1-1. Afte a scoreless 2nd period the Storm’s Farbee (6) gives Portland a 2-1 lead and an empty netter by Rasmussen (4) with 12 seconds left lifts Portland to a 3-1 win

Jake Oettinger survived an onslaught of shots as the Inferno pulled the goalie but managed to save 41 shots and Cincinnati outshot Portland 42-23

GAME #4: ALAMO DEFENDERS@ PORTLAND STORM Portland outshoots Alamo 41-30 but ends up on the losing side 3-1 as the Defenders get goals from McAvoy (2), Draisaitl (31), and Wheeler (5). Portland gets a late goal from Hathaway (2)
WEEKLY SUMMARY: In a crucial week against 3 division rivals Portland goes 3-1 at home and picks up 6 much needed points
Flin Flon Bombers
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Cincy and Brentwood come to town
GAME #1: CINCINNATI INFERNO@ FLIN FLON BOMBERS Drake Batherson puts the Bombers up on the power play at 8:13, but MacKenzie Weeger scores shorthanded for the Inferno and the score stays tied after 1. At 7:34 Braydon Point puts the Inferno up 2-1 and it stayed that way until Oliver Bjorkstrand ties it up for the Bombers. The Bombers would go on the power play but Terevainen would gets Cincinnati’s second short handed goal of the day to put them ahead at the second intermission. The Inferno would put the clamps on the Bombers and add an empty netter by DeBrusk to take the game 4-2 for the Inferno
GAME #2: BRENTWOOD BANDITS@ FLIN FLON BOMBERS If this was a baseball game it would be a 1968 one between Bob Gibson and Denny McLain. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Logan Thompson would dominate this one with van Riemsdyk beating Thompson mid way through the second for the only goal until Guentzel would add an empty netter for the Bandits 2-0
WEEKLY SUMMARY: 0-2
Toledo Walleye
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Grosse Pointe and Bucks County for some divisional play, and then the powerhouse that is Jagr, plus the Regulators from California come to town to see if the stumbling Walleye are as bad as they smell on this 6 game losing streak. The home fans hope the reactivation of Kucherov will kick things up.
GAME #1: GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS@ TOLEDO WALLEYE Kucherov celebrates his return to action with 2 goals in the first period. Grosse Pointe manages only 6 SOG and fails to tally. Its 2-0 after 1.

The Griffins crank it up with 16 shots in the 2nd. Aho and Eichel get goals early, while the Walleye fail to get any action going. Toledo kills off one minor late. A dejected crowd goes to fill their beer mugs for what they hope will be a better 3rd. Tied 2-2.

Mangiapane breaks the tie early. Yamamoto adds one at the 10 minute mark. Griffins get stymied by Stolarz and pull the goalie late. They are unable to break through, but Pageau adds an empty netter late to make the final 5-2.

1st star – Kucherov 2G
2nd – Mangiapane 1G
3rd – Pageau 1G

GAME #2: BUCKS COUNTY BOBCATS@ TOLEDO WALLEYE The Walleye run into a brick wall on this night, as Anderson stops 40 of 41 shots. Mangiapane is the lone scorer on this night.

For the Bobcats, McDavid, Hyman, Carrier and Suzuki tally through the game to make this a real impressive stomp by Bucks County.

1st star – Anderson 40 saves
2nd – McDavid 1G 2pts
3rd – Hyman 1G 2 pts

GAME #3: JAGR MULLETS@ TOLEDO WALLEYE Tentative first period sees just one score, and its Mangiapane. Walleye up 1-0 after 1.

A Mullet minor lets Robertson toss in his 21st of the season early in the period to make it 2-0. After that, the Jagr stars come to life. Matthews, Bergeron and Tkachuk silence the arena and flip the lead over to a 3-2 Mullet advantage. Just before the end of the 2nd, Kucherov brings some life back to the crowd, and his goal ties it at 3 going to the final period.

Early in the 3rd, the crowd erupts when Trocheck puts the Walleye up 4-3 with 17 minutes to go. The joy lasts only 5 minutes of game time as Tkachuk scores again and we are tied at 4, 12 minutes to go. Team play exciting hockey the final 12, but nobody can score. A Svechnikov minor carries over to OT.

Walleye with a 4 on 3 to start the Overtime, but unable to score. Just as Svechnikov comes out of the box, now 4 on 4, Kucherov blasts a midrange shot into the net and the fans go home happy. 5-4 Walleye.

1st star – Kucherov 2G 4pts
2nd – Tkachuk 2G 3pts
3rd – Robertson 1G 2pts

GAME #4: CALIFORNIA REGULATORS@ TOLEDO WALLEYE Walleye get the upper hand in the 1st. A PP goal by Trocheck early and a last second drive by Saad are the only goals, and Toledo is up 2-0.

California shows up in the 2nd and match the home team goal for goal. Schmaltz for California early, and Kucherov for Toledo in the middle keep the lead at 2. Its 3-1 Walleye after 2 periods.

The 3rd period sees both teams double up their effort. The Regulators add one more goal from Compher. The Walley add goals from Trocheck, Kucherov and Mercer to make the final 6-2.

1st star – Kucherov 2G 4pts
2nd – Trocheck 2G 3pts
3rd – Saad 1G

WEEKLY SUMMARY: 3 wins in 4 home games is a good rebound for the Walleye to stay in contention in the division. Kucherov very strong with 6 goals and 10 points.
Gilbert Sharks
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Gilbert with 2 games at home this week versus Grosse Point and Cincinatti
GAME #1: GROSSE POINTE GRIFFINS@ GILBERT SHARKS Stamkos scores twice in the 3rd period to laed Gilbert to a 4-2 come from behind win
GAME #2: CINCINNATI INFERNO@ GILBERT SHARKS Cincinatti blows out Gilbert in this one 5-2. Jake Debrusk scores twice and John Carlson has a goal and 2 assists to lead the Inferno
WEEKLY SUMMARY: 1-1 this week. That will lose ground to red-hot LA
Alamo Defenders
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Alamo plays host to LA, California, Charlotte, and Bathgate.
GAME #1: LA GREAT DANES@ ALAMO DEFENDERS No scoring in the 1st period. In the 2nd, Fast scores his 4th to put LA up. In the 3rd, Girard scores his 2nd.

Crosby prevents a shutout by scoring with 46 seconds to go.

LA 2 Alamo 1

1-Shesterkin
2-Girard
3-Fast

GAME #2: CALIFORNIA REGULATORS@ ALAMO DEFENDERS Alamo tosses a shutout as Quick earns the win. Draisaitl scores his 31st and Bratt scores his 13th and 14th.

Alamo 3 California 0

1-Quick
2-Bratt
3-Draisaitl

GAME #3: CHARLOTTE BUZZARDS@ ALAMO DEFENDERS Only 1 goal scored in this game. Ovechkin scores in the 1st on a power play. Husso tosses the save.

Charlotte 1 Alamo 0

1-Husso
2-Ovechkin
3-Quick

GAME #4: BATHGATE RANGERS@ ALAMO DEFENDERS No goals in the 1st. Kreider scores his 24th goal in the 2nd. Draisaitl responds in the 2nd and ties it.

In the 3rd, Tavares scores his 7th, which is the game winner.

Bathgate 2 Alamo 1

1-Georgiev
2-Kreider
3-Tavares

WEEKLY SUMMARY: There were four low scoring games at Alamo. Alamo wins 1 of 4 to fall in the division standings.
Bathgate Rangers
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Rangers close out calendar year 2022 with a tough week, 2 at home against Brentwood and Jagr – then a road game at Jagr and finally Chicago and Alamo on the road! Jagr twice in the same week??
GAME #1: BRENTWOOD BANDITS@ BATHGATE RANGERS Bathgate and Brentwood are fighting for 2nd right now – Rangers actually seem to love 2nd place, you can go places from there! What’s different about these teams this year is neither one of their defenses seem up to their usual stingyness, both teams ranked in the leagues lower half in goals against. So then, why not a high scoring game!! Sit back and enjoy the onslaught!

The barn doors open early as Heinen scores in just less than a minute into the game and then scores again about 4 minutes later! 2-0 and with less than 5 minutes Then Zibanejad and Strome strike back a few minutes later and before half the first period is gone it’s 2-2. Then with 7 to go the Rangers head into the Brentwood zone on a 2 on 1 rush. Reilly is trying to fend off Strome and Tatar – Tatar with the puck and the shot and Reilly drags him down – PENALTY SHOT! Tatar skates in on Vasilevskiy – he shoots – HE MISSES THE NET!! Ugh. So after the flurry of the opening 10 minutes, neither team scores in the final 10 (including the botched Penalty shot).

The 2nd period sees only 2 goals – and they are within 13 seconds of each other. Heinen gets his hat trick when he beats Georgiev 6 minutes into the period, 3-2 Bandits. Then Tavares wins the center ice faceoff and he stickhandles into the Bandits end and dumps it to the corner. There Hertl recovers it, to Panarin to Tavares – shoots a low slapper for the GOAL and it’s tied again, now 3-3. Those 2 goals were it for the 2nd period. Each team failed on their only PP opportunity in the last half of the period – and there were no more penalties in the game!

So onto the 3rd – remember this is a high scoring game! So the 3rd period consists of just about as many goals as were scored in the 1st 2 periods combined and it starts with Caufield beating Georgiev 2 minutes into the period, 4-3 Bandits as they try to steal this one. Then just over 2 minutes later Anders Lee scores for the Rangers to tie it up again, 4-4. Then with 7 to go, Kreider scores his 24th to give the Rangers their 1st lead of the game, 5-4. So with the game clock ticking down, Vasilevskiy heads to the Brentwood bench and Tavares gets an EN goal (his 2nd goal of the game) and the Rangers grab a two goal lead 6-4 with 43 seconds to go. However, Brentwood doesn’t give up and Vasilevskiy stays on the bench. And the Bandits connect again when Rielly scores his 1st of the year with 30 seconds left and pucker factor rears its ugly head as the score is now just 6-5 Rangers. After the faceoffs won by the Rangers it almost becomes 7-5 as Tavares takes aim again on the empty net, but Reilly blocks it and Brentwood controls it, but they can’t mount anymore attacks and the Rangers hold on for the 6-5 win in regulation! Whew! Fairley close statistically with the only real advantage going to Bathgate on faceoffs – 62-38%

STARS
1. BWB – Heinen – the hat trick!
2. BGR – Tavares 2 goals
3. BGR – Zibanejad 1 goal, 1 assist

GAME #2: JAGR MULLETS@ BATHGATE RANGERS Oh man – this one disappoints. We get Jagr and we get a great chance to put them away – AND DON’T!!

Jagr gets on the board first – but how? Tkachuk gets nailed for slashing – for 5 minutes at 7:30 of the first!!! So the Rangers get 5 minutes to beat up on the Mullets, except, well Lindholm decides to score a SH goal! At least the Rangers find a way to regroup and Kreider gets not 1 BUT 2 PP goals during this 5 minute span and Bathgate gets the 2-1 lead after 12:30 minutes go by. So, does that mean we own the 1st period? NO! This is Jagr afterall and Bergeron scores with just over 2 to go in the period and then with 28 seconds left that Matthews guy tips one in off a Svechnikov shot and the Mullets go into the locker room with a 3-2 lead!

The Bathgate players huddle during the intermission and come out in the 2nd seemingly possesed – Kreider scores 5 1/2 in for a hat trick to tie the game. Then with 13 to go Hertl, Panarin and Tavares team up on neat play to make it 4-3 Rangers when Tavares puts the slap shot past Markstrom. But the Rangers aren’t done yet – 9 minutes left in the 2nd and Tatar delivers a sweet pass to Hagel who shoots and scores, 5-3 Rangers and that’s how it ended in the 2nd.

So can the Rangers keep up the intensity for 20 more minutes or will Jagr show their class? Well as we start the 3rd it’s looking tough, but then Goodrow is called for a tripping penalty and Jagr makes the Rangers pay when Svechnikov scores the PP goal to make it 5-4 Bathgate and 14 big minutes left. Then the teams get tough, pretty much stuffing each other. Late in the game, Letang gets the puck deep in ther Mullets zone. He clears and Sheary takes it over the line. He gets it to Carter, to Miller – oh they are controlling it, it doesn’t look good. To Hedman, back to Carter, he drives the net, shoots, Skinner gets a piece but the puck deflects off the glove and into the net SCORE – TIE GAME! 4:38 to go. Jagr fights back to tie it, but neither team can score again in regulation so it’s off to OT.

OT – Rangers win the opening draw and get off a shot that is stopped by the blocker. Then Jagr skates up and Matthews misses the net. Then each team tries to set up the winning shot and finally Tavares gains control with 1 minute gone and he and Panarin skate in for the kill, Tavares, back to Panarin – shoots! High, Markstrom kicks it away. Toews gets control of the rebound to Mathews, through the neutral zone, they’re going in, to Tkackuk over to Toews – he slides it to Mathews. They circle for the shot, he feeds Tkachuk – he fires it on Skinner – GOAL right over the shoulder. Jagr wins on Tkackuk’s OT goal 6-5!

Great game – but Jagr shuts down the Rangers for the last 30 minutes of the game to come back and snatch victory from the clutches of defeat. That’s why they sit atop the division and in the top 3 of the league. They were outshot (45-35), out face offed (54-46%) but they managed to win!

STARS
1. BGR – Kreider 3 goals
2. JAG – Matthews 1 goal, 1 assist
3. JAG – Lindholm 1 goal, 1 assist (that SH goal started things off).

Markstrom besides giving up 5 goals STOPPED 40 shots! Panarin gets 3 assists

WEEKLY SUMMARY: Rangers facing the best of the Metropolitan and come away with 3 points out of 4 – not bad, but they still lose a point to Jagr. Now to see how the road fares!!
LA Great Danes
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Gilbert, California, and Portland head east to visit the bayou in LA this week.
GAME #1: GILBERT SHARKS@ LA GREAT DANES Three straight losses to Gilbert this season makes this is a big game for LA heading to the holiday break. Seems that we can beat every team not named the Sharks.

The first 5 shots of the game are from Gilbert and LA’s first SOG comes 7 minutes in, but Jesper Fast opens the scoring 15 minutes in and the Danes lead 1-0 after one.

In the second, Brad Marchand evens the score for Gilbert on the power play. Later in the period, LA fails to convert on the PP but 8 seconds after the penalty ends, Roope Hintz beats Jarry as LA retakes the lead and is up 2-1 after two.

Barkov puts LA up 3-1 with 8 minutes to go with a PPG, scoring just before the penalty expires. Gilbert then takes a late penalty, and Miro Heiskanen gets an empty-net power play goal. And in the last minute, Jesper Fast converts a 2 on 1 for his second goal of the game.

Final score, LA 5 Gilbert 1, although it was a much tighter game than that. Scandanavian night at the SDA – Fast is the #1 star with the 2 goals, and Hintz and Barkov are the other stars with 1G-1A each.

GAME #2: CALIFORNIA REGULATORS@ LA GREAT DANES Anton Forsberg in net for this one, and a Brock Nelson deflection goal puts CAL up early at the 3:19 mark. But goals from Barkov, Nylander, and Stephenson put the Danes up 3-1 after one.

Once again CAL starts on time in the period with goals from Huberdeau and Gaudreau in the first 6 minutes to tie the score. But once again, LA responds, this time with goals from Kempe and Staal in the period’s final 3 minutes. The Great Danes lead 5-3 after two.

California turns on the pressure in the 3rd, getting 17 of their 36 SOG in the game in the 3rd. LA takes a late delay of game penalty, and the Regulators make LA pay with a Barzal PPG with 2 minutes left to make it a one-goal game. But the Danes control the puck at the end and CAL can’t get their goalie off the ice, so the Danes hold on for the 5-4 win.

It was somewhat of a rough outing for LA, but 4 players with 1G-1A each give the Danes enough scoring to pull out the win.

GAME #3: PORTLAND STORM@ LA GREAT DANES Feels like a potential trap game to close out the homestand before the holiday break, and Barkov and Heiskanen start their break early, getting some extra rest with the night off.

But this game was never in doubt. Mark Scheifele, promoted to the first line with Barkov out, scores 29 seconds into the game, and that was the game winner.

Adrian Kempe completes the hat track with 10 seconds left in the game, Scheifele has 2 goals on the night, and Shesterkin has a relatively easy game with a 25 save shutout, 13 of the saves in the 3rd.

5-0 Great Danes win.

WEEKLY SUMMARY: Probably can’t finish the homestand better than this, with the final game ending with chants of IGOR, IGOR shortly after the hats were cleared off the ice from Kempe’s hat trick. Shesterkin so far this season has lived up to his historic NHL performance of last season. In 20 games this season for LA, he has 5 shutouts, a 1.69 GAA, and .946 save %. And backup Anton Forsberg is among the league leaders as well, sporting a 10-2 record so far.

But a long, long way to go, and the Great Danes next will prepare for their usual long MWHL road trip in January.

Cincinnati Inferno
WEEKLY PREVIEW: The Cincinnati Inferno get ready for the holiday break with a pair of home games against division leaders, as Jagr and Chicago come to town.
GAME #1: JAGR MULLETS@ CINCINNATI INFERNO Cincinnati 6, Jagr 5 (OT)

MacKenzie Weeger’s goal at 2:58 of overtime, lifted Cincinnati to a 6-5 win over Jagr. The goal rescued the Inferno from a shocking turn of events, as Jagr scored twice in the final minute of regulation to force the extra session.

Kirill Kaprizov was the offensive hero with a hat trick and a four-point night. Kris Letang had the other two goals for the Mullets. John Carlson had three assists for the Inferno.

GAME #2: CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA@ CINCINNATI INFERNO Cincinnati 5, Chicago 1

Connor Hellebuyck turned away 30 shots as Cincinnati claimed the 5-1 win against Chicago. Fillip Forsberg and John Carlson both had two-point games to give the Inferno the win.

WEEKLY SUMMARY: Cincinnati gets a pair of wins from two division leaders. Happy Holidays to everyone in the MWHL and their families.
Brentwood Bandits
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Three home games. Still not sure what this group of guys are. Contenders or pretenders.
GAME #1: PITTSBURGH MINERS@ BRENTWOOD BANDITS The inner-city rival Pittsburgh Miners take route 51 South to Brentwood. It’s tied 1-1 late in the 3rd when Guentzel (10) scores to make it 2-1 with 31 seconds left.

FOUR seconds later, Pavelski buries it in the empty net to make it 3-1!! That’s how it would end.

GAME #2: GILBERT SHARKS@ BRENTWOOD BANDITS The #2 team in the league, Gilbert, is up 3-0 late in the 3rd when Kopitar (5) scores to make it 3-1.

With Comrie pulled, Pavelski (12) scores… but it’s with 6 seconds left. So the Sharks swim to a 3-2 victory to send the crowd home miserable.

GAME #3: LA GREAT DANES@ BRENTWOOD BANDITS The #1 team in the league, the LA Great Danes, descend upon Brentwood and take a 2-0 lead quickly in the 1st. The Bandits manage to tie it 2-2 but the Great Danes get two quick goals back in the 2nd to make it 4-2. Moore (6) makes it a one goal game in the 2nd… 4-3 LA.

With time running down in the 3rd and Vasilevskiy pulled, Barkov (16) scores the empty netter to make it a 5-3 LA win.

WEEKLY SUMMARY: STILL unsure who these guys are! They beat division and city rival Pittsburgh, and hang tough with the top two teams in the league. We’re gonna need a little more time to figure this out.
Chicago Cosa Nostra
WEEKLY PREVIEW: Two home games at the Capone Center this week to end the year.
GAME #1: FLIN FLON BOMBERS@ CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA Chicago outshoots the Bombers but ends up on the wrong side of the goals stats.

Final Score: Flin Flon 5 – Chicago 2

Labatts 3-Star Selection:
Star 1: FFB – Ryan O’Reilly 1G, 2Pts
Star 2: FFB – Marc-Andre Fleury 38 Saves
Star 3: FFB – Kevin Fiala 1G

Game Winner: – Drake Batherson

Notables:
FFB – Jaccob Slavin 5 Blocked Shots, Ryan O’Reilly 16 Face Off Wins, Marc-Andre Fleury 38 Saves
CHI – None

GAME #2: BATHGATE RANGERS@ CHICAGO COSA NOSTRA Chicago scores 2 in the 1st. Neither team scores in period #2. Bathgate scores 4 in the 3rd and walks away with the “W”. Bathgate more than doubled up Chicago in Shots on Goal in this one.

Final Score: Bathgate 4 – Chicago 2

Labatts 3-Star Selection:
Star 1: BGR – John Tavares 1G, 2Pts
Star 2: BGR – Chris Kreider 1G
Star 3: BGR – Jakub Vrana 1G

Game Winner: Chris Kreider

Notables:
BGR – John Tavares 15 Face Off wins
CHI – Dylan Larkin 15 Face Off wins, Juuse Saros 45 Saves.

WEEKLY SUMMARY: Chicago stunk it up to end the year at the Capone Center. They can only hope the road is better for them.