Linkopings/Lulea Game Four

Submitted by pete on March 17, 2006 - 18:17

Lulea spanked Linkopings 5-2 today to knot the two team's opening round playoff series at 2 games each. Linkopings outshot Lulea a remarkable 48-18 but were unable to capitalize on their opportunity to seize a near insurmountable series lead. Goaltender Fredrik Norrena allowed 4 goals on just 17 shots faced before Lulea's Lubos Bartecko scored an empty net shorthanded goal to seal the game. Andreas Holmqvist and Shane Willis were held scoreless in the game. Holmqvist has been playing on the first pair with Mikko Luoma while Willis is playing on Linkopings' second line with Fredrik Emwall and Jussi Tarvainen.

Doctors had to Re-attach Lundin's Finger

Submitted by chad on March 17, 2006 - 10:56

Mike Lundin will make his return tonight to the Maine Black Bears lineup after missing two weeks with a lacerated finger. According to a report today from the Bangor Daily News, Lundin's right pinky finger was slashed after making a pass in a game vs. Merrimack. The cut was so bad doctors had to actually re-attach the finger after the game. Lundin also suffered a fractured bone. He will wear a soft-cast on his hand tonight in the Hockey East semifnal vs. Boston College.

Lundin is Maine's second-leading scorer among defensemen with two goals and 12 assists in 32 games.

"Mike is a difference-maker for us," Maine coach Tim Whitehead told the Daily News. "He logs more ice time than any other defenseman.

CHL Tonight: 3/16

Submitted by pete on March 16, 2006 - 23:20

QMJHL

There were no games scheduled in the QMJHL tonight.

OHL

Radek Smolenak had an assist in Kingston's 6-2 loss to Brampton. He was even in the contest.

WHL

There were no games scheduled in the WHL tonight.

Cey Named ECHL Goaltender of the Week, Recalled to Springfield

Submitted by pete on March 16, 2006 - 17:26

Goaltender Morgan Cey was named ECHL goaltender of the week. He stopped 88 of 89 shots faced last week helping the Chiefs to clinch a playoff spot.

In addition, due to Sean Burke's injury at the NHL level, Cey has been recalled to Springfield of the AHL. Right wing Andre Deveaux was also sent down to Johnstown of the ECHL in the transaction.

Coleman Recalled After Burke Breaks Finger

Submitted by pete on March 16, 2006 - 17:19

According to TSN.ca the Lightning have recalled goaltender Gerald Coleman to serve as John Grahame's backup due to Sean Burke's indefinite absence due to a broken finger. The move will likely necessitate Morgan Cey's recall to Springfield leaving Johnstown with Mike Betz between the pipes for a crucial portion of the stretch run.

Superleague Opening Round: Day Three

Submitted by pete on March 16, 2006 - 16:01

Anton But scored Yaroslavl's lone goal in today's 3-1 loss against Novosibirsk. Loko still leads the series 2-1.

Dynamo shut out Lada 2-0 today to win their first playoff game of the series. Vasily Koshechkin took the loss. Dimitry Kazionov and Albert Vishnyakov were scoreless for Dynamo in the game. They still trail Togliatti 2-1 in the series.

Khimik MO defeated Nizhnekamsk 2-0 to take a 2-1 series lead. Alexei Glukhov was scoreless in the match.

Cherepovets was shut out 1-0 by CSKA. Alex Polushin was a scratch for Severstal. CSKA takes a 2-1 lead in the series.

Avangard Omsk defeated SKA St Petersburg 3-1 to complete the sweep of their opening round series. Nikita Alexeev was again a scratch for Omsk.

CHL Tonight: 3/15

Submitted by pete on March 15, 2006 - 22:42

Prospects

QMJHL

There were no Lightning prospects in action tonight in the QMJHL.

OHL

Chris Lawrence was scoreless and -1 in Mississauga's 3-1 win over Belleville.

WHL

Kootenay shut out Kelowna and Justin Keller 1-0. Keller was even in the game.

SM-liiga Regular Season Ends for HPK

Submitted by pete on March 15, 2006 - 22:33

In Finland, today was the final match for HPK in the SM-liiga regular season. Miika Wiikman suffered a 4-1 loss to first place Karpat as HPK will now prepare for the postseason. The club finished third on the league table with 102 points and will await the outcome of the four team play-in round before knowing who their first playoff opponent will be.

Lightning goaltending prospect Karri Ramo finished 5th in Finland's top league in save percentage at .929. His 2.16 goals against average was 8th in the league amongst goaltenders with 20 or more appearances. He also had 2 shutouts this season to go along with his 9-8-3 record.

Karri Ramo, 9-8-3, 2.16 GAA, 2 SO, .929 sv%

Linkopings/Lulea Game Three

Submitted by pete on March 15, 2006 - 22:30

Prospects

Fredrik Norrena pitched a 33 save shutout to help Linkopings defeat Lulea 4-0 today. The victory stakes his club to a 2-1 series lead in the opening round of the Elitserien playoffs. Norrena also recorded an assist in the contest on Ulf Soderstrom's empty net goal with 2 seconds left in the game. Defenseman Andreas Holmqvist recorded his second assist of the playoffs on a third period marker while Shane Willis tallied his second goal of the playoffs in the match's final frame.

Tarnasky Back With Falcons

Submitted by chad on March 15, 2006 - 14:45

(Falcons Release) Nick Tarnasky has been reassigned to the Springfield Falcons by their National Hockey League affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tarnasky is expected to join the Falcons on Thursday as they prepare for back-to-back home games on Friday and Saturday.

Tarnasky has played in 12 games for Tampa Bay this season collecting one assist and four penalty minutes. In 52 games with the Falcons this season, Tarnasky has nine goals and six assists for 15 points and 74 penalty minutes. Tarnasky collected a natural hat trick, including the game-winning marker in overtime, on March 4 at Bridgeport earning the gameâ€™s first star. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound native of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta appeared in 80 games with Springfield last season, recording seven goals, 10 assists and 176 penalty minutes. Tarnasky was selected in the ninth round by the Lightning at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.