Donuts let Niagara Fall, Day 111

In the middle of a 3 day/3 game series the stop this time was in Niagara. The players wondered a bit where they where when they landed on the airport.

For the second straight game the Donuts where off at the buzzer! There have been quite a few games the they haven't been able to score first. But last game they scored 2 in the first 3 minutes. This time it was 2 in 6 minutes, with Jagr (31) and Sharp (10). Jagr again pulling ahead in the scoring race against Straka with a score after 6 seconds! Zubov (10) added a power play goal around mid period got a short handed on a mistake to make it 3-1 after the first. 21-6 in shotting first period and Biron looked a little rusty.

Straka (31) pulled even with a goal to 4-1. Mid period Thunder responded with 2 gaols to come close at 4-3. Then Donuts added another 2, by Jovanovski (11) and Langkow (24) to make it 6-3 with 2 min to go. The game should be over but Sturm scored before the end to make it 6-4. Donuts continued shooting 22-8 in this period but 3-3 in scoring. Biron let in 4 goals on 14 shots and must have been awfully close to being pulled.

Third period showed another 3 goals Umberger sandwiched between Niedermayer (15) and Straka (32). Straka again taking the lead in the Donut king race. Game ends 8-5 to Donuts.

Donuts out shot the opponent 64-21 almost 3-1, and had possession a massive 15:17 in offensive zone. In passing Donuts had the "edge" with 157-59 with a completion of 89%. This game should in reality never have been so close. Niagara should thank Biron for keeping them in the game! Lehtinen left the game late in the period with a sprained knee. 3 out of 8 goals came from defensemen.

First star: Jagr, 1G 3A, 5 SOGs and 11-0 in passing.
Second star: Gomez, 3A, 13-2 in FO and 9-0 in passing.
Third star: Niedermayer, 1G, 7 SOGs (second after Rolstons 11!) and massive 19-0 in passing.

Tomorrow game in Stockholm, Lehtinen out and maybe Doan back. then back on the plane to Hawaii for a days rest before a new away game on island fellow Hawaii.