Donuts throw a wet blankett over River Cities, Day 104

It has been a few years that you have been scared going to meet RIV this year they are tame and calm. Biron got the chance to start this game.

First time in 5 games Donuts strike first, Samuelsson (3) after 2 minutes. Renegades countered to tie at the end of the period with lots of penalties in the peiod, 7. First period 1-1.

Second period started in the same pace as the first Jovanovski (9) after a minute on power play. 1 for 1 on the night. River Cities went 0for 5 while Donuts scored a short handed instead Lehtinen (19). Renegades and donuts exchanged a goal each more Lehtinen (20). After 2 periods 4-2 to Donuts and the ´nuts are now 33-2-1 after 2 period leads.

A goal a piece in the third with Straka (30) scoring in the last minute icing the game, 5-3. Straka now 2 up on Jagr in the internal scoring race.

First star: Lehtinen, 2G, 5 SOGs, GWG and SHG.
Second star: Boucher, 1A, 15-1 in passing.
Third star: Gomez, 1A, 10 SOGs and 8-1 in passing.

Tomorrow game in Copenhagen, no mayor injuries for any team, 2 reserves are just probable for Crusaders.

NHL trade dealine effects on Donuts

Here are the trades involving Donut players:

Brandon Bochenski to Nashville
Brandon has been a commodity lately and going from club to club. Has done well scoring in minors while doing best in Boston with 11 goals in 30 games. Otherwise been used as spare and not getting into the grove. He has had some defensive short comings if he can score and mend the defense he should develop into a top 6. In Nashville Sullivan and Radulov has LW and Bonk is doing time there now. Brandon could be tested as 2:nd liner, hopefully maybe get some tricks in his bag from Bonk as well. At 25 he has to start establish himself or be out. I think he can and should take the chance.

Jan Hlavac to Nashville
Another LW to Nashville a pretty cheap cover for Brandon above if he doesn't work out. Nashville gave up a 7:th rounder for Jan and on contract only this season. Can evaluate and resign if needed. 9 goals so far if he gets up to 15 he could have some value. But Brandon and Jan are surely looking for the same places to play, that is a negative.

David Leneveau to Rangers
Part of the Montoya deal. David has been labeled a starter for Phoenix but not lived up to it. Phoenix get their starter and Rangers a back up with potential maybe. This was probably the key to the deal, in my mind I wonder if Rangers got enough value. Will anyone in the group be of use or would it have been better going for a impact player instead of a band of players.

Andrew Ladd to Chicago
I think Ladd has big potential, remeber big power forwards need time to develop their game. He is only 22 and will get good playing time in Chicago. Ladd has scored 9 goals so far and that will have to be increased for sure. Potentially he could be a hard hitting and scoring winger in the mold of captain Doan on Donuts. I did some waiting on Sharp (picked up in FA draft late rounds) and Chicago has made him bloom. Chicago is a young team that will get better and better and if Ladd could follow onto that he will be great in 2-3 years. I think this is a good move for him.

Alexandre Picard (D) to Tampa Bay
A day before the deadline but I'll include it. Picard made a decent season in Philly last year. Some even call him one of the better defensemen. He hasn't got the chance this year but will probably get some playing time in Tampa so this could work out well.

Summary
There it is 3 wingers (all LW, although Brandon can do both at least offensively), a defenseman and a goalie. For Brandon and Andrew it can work out as good deals. Brandon is more in a rush to show his value of the two. Jan was brought in as a safe guard to Brandon, if it doesn't work out. Hopefully they both will get playing time though. It was not a career move for Hlavac more a sign from Tampa that they aren't interested in continuing with him. Alexandre hopefully get a chance and can prove his value. David is now officially a back up goalie, I guess with potential to be a starter but has to start showing it. Well, stats wise it ain't all bad in Rangers once they get their scoring going and the defense is better than Phoenix. So it could work out well even though it was a decrease in value.

Killers surrender, Day 101

For the 4:th game in a row and 5:th out of 6 games Donuts let in the first goal again! It was a division final and it would be good to win on their turf before the playoffs. It was set to be a low scoring game and Killers did have Gionta, Eaton and Klemm in the jammed press box. Donuts where set on having a though approach to the game, with lots of body contact and pressure.

After the initial scoring by Killers, Donuts found the net twice in the first period by Rolston (20) and Gomez (14) in period where Donut won the shooting by 13-10.

Second period Karlstad scored twice to take a lead 3-2 but crippled by a injury to Modano early in the period. It was a smashing hit by Boucher that made Modano limp of (went to hospital for x-rayon ribcage). Boucher was rewarded with a questionable boarding penalty at the incident. Langkow (23) and Niedermayer (13) pushed Donuts a head into the intermission.

The period started with Boynton in the penalty box and Grier got a break away and scored an equalizer. A minute later on power play on the same penalty Boucher (13) scored the game winner. It was just to tough for Killers to manage the box play without Modano and Boynton on ice. Rest of period Donuts protected the lead, just 14 shots total in the period and no penalties. late in the period Marleau was caught in the net of his own goal behind Giguere and have to limp off as well. Another two injuries for Killers, and both centers. Game ends 5-4 to Donuts.

First star: Boucher, 1G 1A, GWG, 2-0 in corners and 12-1in passing.
Second star: Niedermayer, 1G 2A, lost a lot of corner battle but 10-3 in passing.
Third star: Langkow, 1G, tied for team lead with +2, 5-1 in corners and 7-1 in passing but 1-8 in face offs.

Next games are, in 3 days in River City, Copenhagen the day after and back to Long Island after a few days after that. The squad is healthy and Carcillo is out in River Cities so there should be no fighting. A long road trip after being home for a while, only visiting Stockholm and Karlstad.

Donuts eat Preds, Day 100

So it was a though game against a healthy Predators, we thought, but no...

As usual the opponent takes the lead first, scored the lone goal in the first period for 0-1 lead while Donuts shot 17-6 on goal.

Second period at 18 seconds Niedermayer (11) tied the game and then the scoring continued with Langkow (22), Sharp (9) and Rolston (19). Preds got a gaol at this stage and made it 4-2 but Niedermayer (12) shortly there after scored his second of the night and period to make the game 5-2 at the 2nd intermission.

Third period Straka (29) pulled a head in the internal scoring by doing his 29th on a PPG and Boucher (12) rounded it out to 7-2 late in game. 50-18 in shooting and 1-5 power play for Donut against 0-2 for Preds.

First star: Niedermayer, 2G 1A, tied for team lead with +3 for the night and 15-3 in passing.
Second star: Boucher, 1G 1A, 5 SOGs and 12-0 in passing.
Third star: Doan, 2A, 5 hits and 7-0 in passing.

Next game tomorrow in Karlstad and revenge is needed on Killers (although last game was A Donut win at home in OT). Donuts are healthy and Killers are missing Gionta, Eaton and Klemm. That should even out the odds a bit.

Rolston, Bochenski blows away Chinook!

Last game against Dayton Sharp and Doan where injured. Sharp was back for next game against Calgary while Doan had to guard the press box at least for this game. Instead of Doan coach put Bochenski on the second line, since he has looked hot lately in practice. A good move!

As usual the Donuts let thew opponent get the first goal. Would be interesting to see statistics on how many times that has happened this season and also the outcome of the game. Calgary scored 90 seconds into the game. Bochenski (3) got the tie on power play and Langkow (21) the go ahead, 2-1. That was the only goal Bochenski was not involved in. Calgary came back with 2 goals to make it 2-3 before Rolston (16) tied it before the buzzer. 3-3 in a clean and close game.

In the second period Calgary out shot Donut 21-9 but Donuts won the period by 2-0 after goals from Rolston (17) and Bochenski (4) again.

In the third period it was even statistics wise but again Rolston (18) scored to complete his hat trick with a power play goal. In power play Donuts went 2 out of 4 while Calgary was 0 out of 3.

First star: Rolston, 3G 1A, GWG, 6 SOGs.
Second star: Bochenski, 2G and 3A, 5 SOGs and 10-2 in passing.
Third star: Nabokov, 41 saves and 3 GAA. Busy night for him and he stood the test.

Two interesting games to follow, home against Hamilton who is dangerous when healthy and then the main rival Karlstad away.

Musicians beat Donut

It was a battle of two giants and one of the seasons trading partners, Donuts-Musicmen for a sell out crowd in the bag. It was though to be a low scoring battle, but the teams wanted differently. Statistically a close game with a little edge to Donut but a win in OT for the Musicians. It was a clean fight with only 10 penalty minute sin total.

As usual the opponents drew first blood, Holik in his first of the year. The answer came from Rolston (15) and Jagr (28), the later again taking the lead in the internal scoring race. No penalties in first and ended 2-1 to Donuts.

Second period, Jagr showed of ice twice then came Langkow (20) for 3-1. Filppula the former Donut drew close by 3-2. But Straka (28) not wanting to let Jagr glide away retaliated just 6 seconds after Filppulas goal. Lehtinen (18) scored toward s the end of period to make it 5-2 and the game should be over. But some dazzling moves by Gaborik scored just before the buzzer to make it 5-3.

Dayton pulled to tied by scores from McLaren and Gaboriks second of the night. Stumpel (16) stole the puck from Meszaros (former Donut) at his own blue line for a break away and scored with just minutes left for 6-5, that should have been the game winner! But Sundin scored a goal from in close just a minute later to push the game to overtime.

Once in overtime Datsyuk scored on the first shot of the OT after 30 seconds. Game ends 7-6 to Dayton, Not the goalies big nights..... For Donuts & different scorers to show the talent on the team. Sharp and Doan had to leave for the drssing room during the game for light injuries, they are both questionable before further assessments.

First star: Stumpel, 1G 1A, +0 for the night and 9-0 passing.
Second star: Jagr, 1G 1A, +0 for the night and 10-2 in passing.
Third star: Zubov, 1A, +0 for the night and 15-0 in passing.

Former Musicmen out scored former Donuts by 2+3 to 1+2.

Next game against Calgary, still on the island.

Donuts blanks Moose, 6:th in a row

The Moose didn't take the plane to the island of Gotland they swam and maybe that was why they where tired before the game. It was a fast kill and the Donuts 6:th win in a row.

Donuts scored 3 times in first period to take a 3-0 lead after scoring from Jovanovski (7+8) sandwiched around Straka (27) goal. Both Jova's goal was on the power play (2 out of 9, for the night) and was the third straight game that Jovocop scored , 4 goals in 3 games. Straka once again took the lead in scoring on the team for a short while. The team out shoot Moose with 19-6 in the first period.

Second period, no scoring no penalties just skating and positioning. When Stockholm tied to push in the third Jagr (27) and Gomez (13) stopped the Moose in his tracks. Game ends 5-0! Jagr and Straka are neck and neck on the internal scoring race. Jagr had part in all goals for the night, 5 points! The Moosehead is mounted in the wall in the locker room.

First star: Jagr, 1G 4A for 5 points, team leading 8 shoots, tied for team leading +3 on the night, 2-0 in corners and 16-1 in passing.
Second star: Nabokov, a SO but only faced 16 shoots. Donuts shot 19 themselves in just first period.
Third star: Jovanovski, 2G, GWG, and 2 PPG, ".nd on team with 6 SOG, 2 hits and good corner work and passing.

Jagr´s second straight first star and third in a row receiving a star. Same players received stars in this game as in last game, Jagr, Nabo and Jova!

The team stays on the island with light training. In two days Dayton Musicmen comes to visit. From the trade early in the season between the teams many of the players has something to prove. No injuries reported on either team. Donut would be glad to show the Musicmen a new tune and end their winning streak! Go for lucky 7!

New power ranking released, Donuts now #2!

		2007-2008 CCHL Power Rankings as of February 17th 2008
		by Johan Eriksson, GM Karlstad Killers.
		1 (2) Denver Spurs (37-7-5)
		14-1-0 since last rankings only loss came vs Killers. Marian Hossa running away with the CCHL scoring troph with 101 pts already. Martin Brodeur has been all that Spurs fans hoped for since arriving from Springfield. If this team has a weakness it is depth on the wings.
		2 (1) Wisborg Donuts (36-9-3)
		The Donut keeps outshooting all competition, opponent goalie faces 45.8 shots per game on average which is best in the league as well as 25.1 shots allowed on their own net. Won 12 of the 14 games played since last ranking. Jagr leads league in GWG with 8 game winners and 2nd in shots on goal after Daytons' Michalek.

Former champs Ibex beaten, 5:th in a row

It was a celebrity visit at the bag, North Dakota Ibex visiting. Ibex put up a god fight but Donuts where just to strong to get the game really going. all stats went Donuts way.

As often in the past Donuts let the opponent open the scoring in this case Bieksa in the first period. Niedermayer (10) and Jovanovski (6) the later on power play made defensive goals this evening. Both where set up by Jagr who's form is picking up again. Jovanovski second straight game with a goal.

No scoring in the second but in early third Donuts killed the game by two early goals, Rolston (14) and Jagr (26). Jagr is now tied with Straka again for team top honors.

First star: Jagr, 1G 2A, 5 SOGs, +2 on the night and14-4 passing.
Second star: Jovanovski, 1G 1A, team leading 6 SOGs, 2-0 in the corners and 11-1 passing. +2 for the night.
Third star: Nabokov, 23 shots against 1 goal in. A close game for two periods, 15 shots in that time.

Tomorrow we have a visit from Stockholm a 35 min plane ride for them. The team is healthy and on a 5 game winning streak. From what we heard Stockholm is healthy as well, at least when the game starts.

Donuts thunders past Thunder Bay

The Donuts closed the game late in first with two goals to seal the victory.

Stumpel (15) scored early on the power play. Thunder Bat replied mid first (assisted by Edler and Pavelski, both former nuts). Jovanovski (5) and Jagr (25), the late another power play goal secured the win. Doan (20) scored ni the second period to make it 4-1. Gomez (12) scored in empty net to make it 5-2 for the Donuts.

The Donuts won just about all stats categories. Shooting about 20 shoots a period to keep Nittymaki busy. Also out passes the Thunder by whooping 164-81 with 87% completion rate. Donuts lost FO and hits categories. 10 players on Donuts have double digits in completed passes.

First star: Gomez, 1G 2A, 10 SOGs, team leading +2, 15-9 in FO and 11-1 in passing.
Second star: Jagr, 1G 2A, 5 SOGs, the GWG and 12-0 in passing.
Third star: Stumpel, 1G 1A and 14-0 in passing.

Next game against North Dakota at home, no injuries on the team.

Donut bite Homer

Springfield med the trip to Wisborg all in vain. In a friendly game with only 8 minors Donut won just about every category.

It was easy skating practice in the first, a score by Foster (2) and Belanger for a 1-1 tie and 13-11 in shots. In the second period Donuts out shot homers 15-5 and Straka (26) on the power play which has started to work nicely again. Continuing the onslaught in the third Tjarnquist (2) and Stumpel (14) scored for a game ending 4-1 and out shooting of 45-22.

After having a two game shooting frenzy Rolston with no goals, Rolston in this game off, no shoots, 2 hits and a couple of assist in 19 min. Talk about an easy skating practice. Both d-men replacements scored, both Foster and Tjarnquist both telling the world they want more playing time.

First star: Straka, 1G, GWG, 27 min, 6SOG ans 16-2 in passing. He could at least throw a hit in all that time though.
Second star: Phillipe Boucher, 1A, 10 SOG and a Blocked shot!
Third star: Not an easy season for Nabokov but 21 saves and one 1G is decent.

Next game in 3 days in Thunder Bay, hopefully a bit more serious skating and work. No injuries on the team either.

White scores his 2:nd goal in NHL

Now everybody is gonna come after the big scorer! The photographers can't even catch him shooting on film. Last year Colin didn't score a goal. He better do some scoring since most D-men will have left the team.

Copenhagen falls in a "tight" game

Another home game and it was pretty much the same as against Quebec. Same as against Quebec not much happens in first. Second period open with a score from Copenhagen's Kopitar. But Stumpel (13) put in equalizer before the end of the period. In the third period Gomez (11) and Samuelsson (2) sandwiched another goal by Kopitar, both goals in power play.

Another good work through in power play 2 out of 7 attempts. Otherwise outshot Crusaders 67-17 and out passed 180-71. The negative must be that the game so close anyway.

First star: Rolston, team leader with 10 SOG and 4 hits and +1 for the night.
Second star: Stumpel, 1G and 1A.
Third star: Foster, replaced Zubov for 13 min, 8 SOG, 1 hit and 8-1 passing.

Rolston has now shot 24 SOG in games without scoring will the goals come against Springfield in 2 days, again at home. Maybe Foster get a change to show his stuff again as well.

Dounuts take Quebec

The Remparts are still Blushing from the undressing the Donuts did of them. Donuts out shoot Quebec 70-17 ans out passes 151-87 and the game was about the same. Nothing much actually happened i the first period. Two goals in the second period killed the game, the goals came from Doan (18) and Jagr (24) both on power play. In the third Doan (19) continued in power play until Brunette finally broke Nabokovs zero. Straka (25) scored the donuts 4:th consecutive power play goal. Phillipe Boucher (11) finished off the game with 5-1 score.

Positive that the ´nuts scored on 4 out of 10 power play opportunities. Negative that Zubov is out for some games stopping a shot with his skate. It wont be too long though before he is back.

First star: Rolston with massive 14 SOG, 1A and 12-1 in passing.
Second star: Doan, 2G, 8 SOG and team high 3 hits.
Third star: Gomez, 3A, 6 SOG, 21-7 in FO and 15-4 in passing.

Ronin runs over Donuts

Lidstrom was not the problem the rest of Victoria Ronin was. This was however on away ice but it raises some questions. Let's see what happened.

Lots of penalties in the first period 3 to each team. Clowe started the scoring with the lone goal of the first period. The hot tempers subsided on both teams and the penalties became fewer and Doan (17) scored the equalizer at 14:16. About ½ minute later Staal scored his first of the two goals he scored in the period. This left a 3-1 lead to Ronin going into 3:rd. Havlat made it 4-1 on PP before Jagr (23) tried to catch up. In the end Bouwmeester capitalized on an empty net. Ending the game at 5-2 to Ronin.

There where four injuries in the game, to Donuts White and Lehtinen and for Ronin Foote and Hannan. Lehtinen, Foote and Hannan are class A players so a slight edge should go to Donuts, on the other hand Hannan occurs late in the game.

It sound a bit more convincing then the game logg tells me. First of all the empty net is a give away and should not count on this. Donuts had too many penalties in this game and Ronin cashed in once but at an important time to keep Donuts from within one goal difference. Ronin has a slight edge in SOG, hits and FO:s and Donuts a slight edge at passing.

Lessons to learn: Against a good team like Ronin on away ice you can't afford to give away the first goal or the lead after 2 periods. They are 20-2 after a lead in 2:nd period, Donuts themselves are 24-1. We can also not give up penalties to a team that capitalize, this is however usually not a problem. So on away ice preferably get a lead, hold on to it and don't sit and watch the game in the penalty box. Probably a series with Ronin would go to 7 games as the home ice advantage would be the difference.

First star: Jagr, 1G, 9 SOG:s team leader, +0 for the game, 2 hits and team higfh on completed passes with 16-2.
Second star: Gomez, no scoring, 4 SOG 2:nd on team, +1 for the game, 13-3 in passing and more wins than losses in FO.
Third star: Niedermayer, 1A, 27 min, +0 in the game and 15-1 in passing ratio.

Tomorrow we have visit from Quebec Remparts (if they haven't changed name again) and against Copenhagen the following day. After that a bit rest and then Springfield at home and then Thunder Bay away. Lethinen will be out for the next 2 home games but is probable for the Springfield game while White will probably miss 3 games but join the road trip to Thunder Bay.

Straka stomps on Scorpions

Straka has been bitching the coach for not letting him play on first line even though he is Donuts biggest point producer, top scorer. When Rolston was out with a sore elbow he took his chance. He scored three consecutive Donut goals in three different periods, including the game winner. It will be interesting to see how the coach handles this as Rolston is scheduled next game.

For once the Donuts came out flying(!?) in the start of the game. First period won Donuts with a score 3-1 and out shooting Southwest 17-9. On his first shift Stumpel (12) scored assisted by Doan and Lehtinen. A few minutes later Sedin brother combined for Daniels 25:th goal. Later Langkow (19) scored assisted by Stumpel and Boucher combining on a breakaway while shorthanded. Then started the Straka show with his first of the night, his 22:nd.

The second period was even in scoring and shooting, 1-1 in goals and 12-11 SOG. Ouellet made it 3-2 with his 15:th. With Stumpel in the penalty box Straka was thrown in on the 2:ns PK unit and there he scored his second of the night and 23:rd in total. The second SHG in the game for Donuts!

The period was 4-2 going in and was even in scoring and Donuts protecting the lead letting the Scorpions out shoot them 7-15. McLean put scorpions close until Straka (24) got the hattrick.
The game closed out with Gill getting it close while Zajac (1) got the chance to play a bit more than usual due to the Rolston injury.

First star: Straka, 3G and the GWG, 1 SHG, tied for team lead in shots with 5 SOG.
Second star: Jagr 4A, has played a lot with Straka on the Broadway line earlier assisted him on all 3 goals and Zajac.
Third star: Boucher, 1A played 26 min and was +2 for the game, a BS, a hit and 14-2 in passing.

Next game in 3 days against and in Victoria with newly acquired Lidstrom, should be a defensive battle. Rolston is scheduled to return and we will have to see if the Broadway line is kept as the top line, including Straka. Straka is now the legit top scorer surpassing Jagrs 22 goals while having 24 himself.

Colin White scores in NHL

Now everybody is going to go after him for next season. He has scored his first goal in ages and will probably loose his big zeros in the shooting department.

NJD 6- LA 3

Donut of the month (Jan): Scott Niedermayer

So it is time to figure out which player wins 50 kilos of Donuts as a reward from our sponsor.

It is determined from the Stars in the game where the first get 3 points down to one point on the third star. As a tie breaker most 3´s win and so on.

5 games played:
Niedermayer: 2+3=5 points
Rolston: 3+1=4 points
Gomez: 3 points
Jagr: 3 points
Straka:3 points
Nabokov: 1+2=3 points
Boucher: 2 points
Doan: 2 points
Jovanovski: 2 points
Langkow: 1 point
Stumpel: 1 point
Zubov: 1 point

Note: 12 different players out of possible 15, as only 3 gets stars in two games. Kind of shows that the team work is evenly spread but it could maybe be on an even higher level.

Congrats Scott, you can collect your prize in the kiosk.

Donuts killed Killers cold

A few days ago it was the Spurs and Lawmasters now it was Killers and in two games it is Victoria. It is busy in the donut factory.

The game against Karlstad Killers was no different than it has looked over the last 20 games. Get behind early, come back and loose it and then a come back again.

The new Killer Hemsky made a payback to GM Johan Eriksson with the lone goal in the first period. a soft start for both teams one goal, one penalty and 9 SOG a piece. Late in the period Rolston dished out a hit on Nagy but hurt his elbow in the hammering and rested the rest of the game.

After the now usual hollering in the break Wisborg took control. Niedermayer and Hamrlik showed already after 36 seconds that it was a different intensity, they where high sticking each other and calling each other words enough to be a minor each. When the combatant hit the ice again Hamrlik skate past Niedermayer and gave him a late hit, after some new bad language Donuts where set for power play. It hasn't been much to worry about so the Killers though it would be easy, now without Rolston as well. But after 40 seconds Lehtinen held the shot on Giguere and scored his 17:th. In an odd looking PP-unit with Straka and Sharp. a couple of minutes later Johnsson tried the sin bin and the power play quickly connected again, this time Straka (21). At the end of the period Straka added his (team leading) 22:nd for a 3-1 lead in the break. Eight minors where handed out in the period. The rest should be easy, not for these ´nuts.

Killers didn't let up and Giguere had got hold of his breath again after a busy 2:nd period. Killers scored on 3 of the next 9 shots Nagy (4), Perreault (5) and Nodano (14). So with 4 minutes to go Donuts where now down 3-4. Langkow (18) recently demoted to third line wanted differently with Nabokov out he scored the game tier with 30 seconds to go.

This season Donuts have not lost a game in the 5 OT games they have been in, 2-0-3. Kuba slashed at Straka and prevented a scoring from him but was pointed to the sin bin for 2 minutes. After 40 seconds Stumpel (11) scored the game winner in OT.

An important victory over the rival Karlstad but why do they have to play only every second period?!

First star: Stumpel, game winner, +2 rating and more than half of the face off wins. Looking good on the second line.
Second star: Straka a big 32 minute game when Rolston went away early, 2G 1A, +1 rating and solid passing.
Third star: Langkow for the clutch game tier and good game except for -2 rating while Donuts as a team got -9 rating this game.

In two days we meet Southwest Scorpions for a third straight home game. This far Rolston looks questionable for that game. If so Straka will get his long awaited shot at the first line duty.

Law and order in Wisborg

It was a shock up team entering the game against Beverly Hills Lawmakers. The usual Donut line was broken into pieces on three different lines. The Broadway line was transformed as a first line but Rolston remained instead of high scoring Straka.

Straka was talking about it to media after game that he isn't getting the credit he deserves as the teams top scorer and making a shake up but not letting him move to the first line, is a sign of that.

First period was at best tentative where both teams trying to feel there own strengths and finding their places. Lots of shots but no real big chances and only one penalty. The pace of the game picked up in the second period as the players started to find each other and also the penalty box, 9 minors handed out in the period. Again the Donuts had trouble and was left behind 1-0 when Rivet scored his 4:th on a nifty backhand flip pass across the ice from Forsberg. But Langkow (17) got the immediate face off and started an attack which he himself ended 16 seconds after the Lawmasters score.

The third period started 1-1 and the intensity was still there with 7 penalties in the period. Recchi picked up a loose puck when Ohlund made a weak outlet pass and scored his 15:th unassisted. While playing power play while Jagr and Malkin also where out on coincidental penalty Straka set up Zubov who found Stumpel (10) in the slot, the game was tied 2-2 at 9:17.
A minut later Doan pried the puck loose in the corner to Stumpel who found Niedermayer who has snuck down behind the defense. Niedermayer (9) at 11:03. Donuts held on to the lead the restof the game with some help from the law since the got 3 minors during the rest of the game.

First star: Niedermayer a classy game winner, tied for lead in hits and a great game in all.
Second star: Nabokov, faced 41 shots and let in 2.
Third star: Stumpel found his place on the second line both scoring a goal and setting up game winner.