Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Streak ends at eight,Trade following the game..


The New Jersey Devils winning streak ended at eight,as the Devils came out flat against the Washington Capitals and dropped a 5-2 decision.
Washington roared out to a 3-0 lead before the Devils trimmed the lead to 3-2 behind goals by Brian Rolston (Powerplay 9) and Jamie Langenbrunner (Shorthanded 15).
The Devils are off until Friday when they visit Atlanta to kick off a 3 games in 4 days swing.

Hell Raisers

1) The key play in this game was made by the striped shirts.
With the game at 3-2 and Washington on their heels,Mike Rupp charged the net with the puck for a one on one with Jose Theodore,who made the save.
Rupp was clearly tripped on the play,but instead of Washington being called for tripping,Rupp was called for interference.
Washington then scores on their undeserved powerplay-game over.

2) This game was important as the Devils battle for second place in the Eastern Conference and yet the Devils came up so listless and what is with Scott Clemmensen being so lazy with his puckhandling?
For the second time in three games,a Clemmensen miscue turned into an opponent goal....

3) Jamie Langenbrunner's shorthanded flip over Jose Theodore's shoulder was a pretty play,but other than that,there was little to like from the Devils first two periods of play.

4) Stat of the night?
Washington 4 power play opportunities,3 goals....

5) Sorry,if I still am not a Washington believer despite a great performance last night.
They still strike me as a soft team come playoff time.
Think the Ottawa Senators without the defensive depth-(Thanks Ryan)

Bullpen Notes

After the game,the Devils shipped seldom used defenseman Sheldon Brookbank to the Anaheim Ducks for the rights to Colgate center David McIntyre.
The Devils wanted to give Brookbank a shot at more playing time,which he wasn't getting as the 8th defenseman and the Devils would have likely lost him on the waiver wire,if they would have attempted to send him to Lowell.
McIntyre is leading Colgate in points with 30 and has scored 13 goals for the Red Raiders.
Best wishes to the always hustling Brookbank!

Two of my favorite college basketball teams have joined forces to honor one of my favorite coaches as Wake Forest and Xavier have agreed to a 10 year contract to meet in a home and home series to honor the late Skip Prosser.
The Skip Prosser Classic will begin next season at Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem.
Hopefully someone from the two areas will get together and create a unique trophy to passed between the schools..

On the signing front.
Just two additions,but one is huge to me.
Ebay adds "The Horse" Dan Issel to the collection in his Kentucky Colonels uniform!
The Colonels were my favorite team in the defunct ABA and Issel was my favorite player,so this is a big deal to me.
Issel only signed 70 Colonels cards for Upper Deck as the majority of the cards he signed was in his Denver Nugget togs.
Also Devils prospect Anssi Salmela signed through the mail.

I am hoping to be back later with the first installment of "What If".

Photo Credits
Hockey:AP Photo
Issel:Previous Owner,but its mine now!

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