Battle Of Hudson

After nearly two years of uncertainty with the Devils’ ownership situation, there was finally a resolution today when current majority owner Jeff Vanderbeek was able to complete a refinancing of the team’s approximately $78 million debt and purchase the parts of the franchise he didn’t previously own, from Brick City (headed by Michael Gilfillan and Ray Chambers) as well as Peter Simon‘s minority share.  According to Tom Gulitti in his Fire on Ice blog, the NHL’s Board of Governors voted two weeks ago to approve Vanderbeek as the sole owner of the Devils, ending a long period of speculation over what would happen to Vanderbeek and the franchise after Brick City put their shares in the team up for sale.

Despite the seemingly never-ending NHL lockout – which still has the season very much in jeopardy – the Prudential Center (which Vanderbeek already owned in full) has been able to thrive thanks to their success in bringing in high-profile shows and concerts such as Bruce Springsteen, The Who and The Rolling Stones, in addition to a deep playoff run last year that helped pay down the debt.  With Newark becoming a viable destination for the country’s top performers, it only serves to strengthen the Devil owner’s current position and hopefully will see the Jersey native be able to pay down the debt in full over time and continue a successful tenure.

Here is Vanderbeek’s statement (e-mailed to all season ticket holders as well as published in various newspaper articles):

“Today’s announcement is good news for Devils fans though I fully recognize fans’ frustration with the work stoppage. Our future is now secure and we can be confident of continued on-ice success. Our team has gone to the Stanley Cup Final 5 times in the last 17 years and following the most recent run to the Stanley Cup Final last year, we are excited about our future — for Jersey’s team and Prudential Center, home to the 2013 NHL Draft.

I am grateful to Mike Gilfillan and Brick City Hockey for our former partnership. Together we shared a passion that led to the building of the Prudential Center – truly a shining jewel of a facility and in my view one of the best arenas in the entire world. The Rock is a great legacy for which we will always be proud.”

Speaking of the NHL draft – currently scheduled for this June 28-29 at the Prudential Center – according to Gulutti, it’s likely to be pushed back a few days given the anticipated later ending of a season (assuming there is one).  One thing’s for sure, assuming this draft does get held I wouldn’t want to be Gary Bettman.  Not only are all hockey fans liable to boo him regardless of the outcome of this CBA, Devil fans are going to be especially hard on the commisioner after his role in the Ilya Kovalchuk contract penalty two years ago.

At least today saw some unexpected good news for the Devils themselves.  Hopefully there’ll be good news coming for all NHL fans by the end of next week.

1st Period

-Gaudreau with near miss off backhand.
–Jake McCabe tallies twice in period.
-Great traffic in front on both American goals.
-Subban stops Tyler Biggs with pad stop trailing 1-0.
-McCabe takes a Rocco Grimaldi pass and nets second.
-Canada came on late but missed chances including captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
-No penalties.
-USA 12-8 SOG.
-3 odd-man rushes.

2nd Period

-Canada applies early pressure but can’t solve Gibson.
-crazy shift sees back and forth action. Odd-man rushes for each side.
-Gaudreau comes the other way and toe drags Ryan Murphy and beats Subban high glove for his 6th goal in 3 games.
-Gibson robs Strome point blank.
-Canada gets another great chance but Jonathan Drouin misses over the net. Gibson seems to be in their heads.
-Canada takes first penalty.
-Canada doesn’t register a shot on first power play.
–Jim Vesey tallies USA’s fourth of the night from Johnny Hockey and JT Miller.
-USA 4 Canada 0
–Jordan Binnington replaces Subban.
-Binnington robs McCabe of a hat trick on 3-on-1. Grimaldi made a no look pass but Binnington sprawled across.
-Gibson dives on top to smother another chance.

End of 2nd USA 4 Canada 0

3rd Period

–Ty Rattie scores shorthanded to break Gibson shutout. A nice follow up.
-Canada dominates the first half, drawing penalties and coming close to making it 4-2.
-Gibson stoned Strome again and made unreal saves on a Canadian power play. He also made a glove stop on Nathan MacKinnon that had him shaking his head and stared down Nugent-Hopkins.
-Binnington plays very well in relief, making several big stops to give his team a chance
-After all the pressure, Johnny Gaudreau ends Canadian hopes with a breakaway goal top shelf. It’s his fifth goal in two and seventh in last three.
–Philip Danault loses cool. Runs at Ryan Hartman with dangerous knee and then slashes him. Goes to box for kneeing minor.
-It’s all over.

Final Score: USA 5 Canada 1 #WJCSemis

GAME NOTES

–Johnny Gaudreau scores twice. Breakaway goal finishes Canada. Seven in last three games.
–Jake McCabe also had two goals. He is the team captain. Buffalo’s second round pick with a strong game. Former Badger trying to do what Stepan did in 2010. Captain USA to gold in U20 WJC.
-Gaudreau needs one goal to tie Jeremy Roenick’s USA WJC record (8).
-USA outshot Canada 42-34.
–John Gibson outstanding again. If not for Ty Rattie’s shorthanded goal after a whistle counted, he gets another shutout. Always seems square to the shooter. Gibson made 33 saves.
–Malcolm Subban allowed four goals on 16 shots. Replacement Jordan Binnington was outstanding, finishing with 25 saves.
–Jim Vesey also scored from Gaudreau and Miller.
-USA Top Line combined for 7 points: Gaudreau 1-2-3 Miller 0-2-2 Vesey 1-1-2
-McCabe selected as Star Of The Game.
–Scott Harrington earned the honor for Canada.
-USA’s fast start and forecheck keyed victory, avenging 2-1 loss on 12/30.
-They went 2-2 in Group play but have won all three elimination games, including play in against Slovakia (9-3).
–Riley Barber set up first goal with nice pass. Rocco Grimaldi set up second.
–Boone Jenner was Canada’s best forward.
–Ryan Strome was robbed twice.
-Strome and Jonathan Huberdeau went a combined minus-seven.
-Game Two is 8 AM with Russia/Sweden winner advancing to gold medal game against Team USA
-Canada takes on the loser for the bronze.

1ST PERIOD

-The Czechs create a 3-on-2 but don’t test Gibson.
-Vesey nearly sets up Miller whose shot goes wide.
-Grimaldi is playing. He didn’t take a shift vs Slovakia. Gostisbehere is suspended for a hit.
-The USA D continues to look shaky. Slovakia comes close.
-Hartman takes the first penalty. He has been undisciplined.
-Biggs draws a slash on Sidlik to even it up. Four on four.
-Trouba slapper is stopped.
-Before Trouba chance, Galchenyuk taken out by two Czechs.
-Miller playing with Gaudreau during four-on-four fires a shot wide.
-Back to even strength still scoreless.
–EJ Hradek loves the Russian cheerleaders. He’s not alone.
-Biggs hits a Czech from behind. To the box for boarding. The defenseman turned funny, helping the call. Foolish. The Czechs get a roughing minor. So, the teams skate four on four with 13:14 left.
-Bardreau misses a two on one. His backhand sails wide. His momentum carried him into the Czech goalie for one of those dreaded goalie interference calls. Ugh.
-It’s 4-on-3 for Czech. Sidlik is dangerous with that shot.
-Huge block in front to deny a Frk one-timer.
-Gibson gets a piece of a shot. Big save.
-Biggs with solid board work to kill it off. USA’s PK has been strong all tournament.
-USA is now on the power play. Gaudreau nearly split the D but couldn’t get a shot. He is slippery.
-USA a bit sloppy setting up. Just as I say that, an offside.
-Reilly can’t keep a puck in. Where is Seth Jones? He really has disappointed.
-Another penalty for Czech gives USA a brief 5-on-3.
-Finally, they cash in! Johnny Gaudreau gets a good bounce and buries it for his third of the tournament. That’s three goals over the last two. I like this kid. He’s a good player for BC.
-USA 1 Czech 0
-USA remains on the power play. Another could really be huge.
-Gaudreau sets up Trocheck who’s denied by Bartosak. The Czechs have done a solid job blocking shots.
-Back to 5-on-5 with 6:26 remaining.
-Gaudreau’s goal is his 3rd from Trouba and Jones.
-USA doing a nice job in the neutral zone. They force a turnover and then Devil prospect Blake Pietila is denied from the left circle.
–Jacob Trouba’s Dad is celebrating a birthday. You know Trouba wants to make it memorable. He already has been outstanding with four goals.
-Czech looks dangerous here. They nearly tie it but Gibson with a huge kick out. He reminds me of Richter. Anaheim has a good one.
-Then, USA nearly makes it 2-0 but a diving block by Hertl makes the save.
-Blocks are 5-4. Devil buddy Rob is pulling for the Czechs due to his grandparents “Czech roots.” Of all the things.
-Some good forechecking by Gaudreau, who’s had a great period.
-Trouba working hard defensively against Faksa, who draws a penalty on our best defenseman. Faksa is a guy to watch. Power play Czechs.
-The two minutes are identical to the clock. How odd.
-Some excellent sticks keep the Czechs at bay. Gibson then denies Hertl.
-Strong defensive play by Pietila, who breaks away shorthanded but is denied. He draws a slash on Musil. This kid definitely looks like a steal for the Devils.
-Already nine penalties have been called.
-The buzzer sounds ending an interesting first.

End Of 1: USA 1 Czech Republic 0

Johnny Gaudreau PPG (Jacob Trouba, Seth Green)

2ND PERIOD

-Shots were 8-7 USA. Gaudreau had the lone tally on a 5-on-3.
-USA starts on a power play for over a minute.
-Gaudreau does it again! From the same area off a rebound. That’s four goals in two games.
-Gaudreau scores 28 seconds into second.
-USA 2 Czech 0
-Gibson makes an early stop. He fails to cover up a loose puck after some early Czech pressure.
-Score!!! Ryan Hartman bangs home a Trouba rebound. A great pass by Bardreau set up the play.
-Two goals in 68 seconds chase Bartosak. Hardly his fault. But he’s out. Machovsky replaces him.
-USA 3 Czech 0
-Following Hartman’s goal, Gibson with another timely stop on a low shot. He really is sound.
-Another glimpse of those Russian cheerleaders off a USA faceoff. Those outfits are wild, combining yellow and lime green. It looks so out of place. I don’t mind.
-Trouba with another point blast that’s stopped. He is really poised with the puck. Winnipeg selected him ninth overall.
-Five minutes into the second and the Czechs have made it chippy behind Gibson’s net. Lot of sticks following a whistle. Too much for my liking. You want to play tough. Do it legally. Frk with a cheap shot on Reilly. The IIHF refs missed a boarding call before. Gaudreau took a tough shoulder from behind.
-Two Czechs are in the box. McCabe and Sedlak are talking to the officials. I feel like USA should get a power play. Wrong. I guess they felt it was even.
-Jones makes a nice block of a dangerous Hertl chance. Hradek praises the effort. We catch a glimpse of Mom Amy. She’s cute. Definitely enjoying what she’s seeing.
-I can’t see Jones going over MacKinnon or Drouin. Both are scoring forwards. Defensemen take longer to develop, which helps explain Seth’s inconsistencies in this tournament.
-Gibson dives on top of a Heika shot with 13:07 left. USA continues to lead 3-0.
-Hradek definitely likes how Housley’s club is playing. I agree. They’re more sharp. The D still scares me. Gibson is able to make key stops.
-Another cheap shot by the Czechs leads to a power play. You intentionally hit Jones from behind. And only a two minute minor.
-Hell yeah! Reilly Barber makes them pay on the power play, finishing off a great rush from Galchenyuk. Honestly, that was all Galchenyuk who skated through the Czechs and then fed Barber for the easy finish.
-Barber is a Capitals draft pick. He converts the Americans’ third power play goal. They’re 3-for-5 and have shut the door shorthanded. Good special teams win at any level.
-USA 4 Czech 0
-Gibson with a sick glove save on Hertl, who looks skyward.
-Trocheck takes a penalty following two more stops from the unflappable USA goalie. There can’t be this many penalties against Canada assuming they advance.
-Trouba and Murphy combine to clear the puck. A minute already killed off.
-A great block by Miller exemplifies why the Ranger organization is excited about him. A smart player.
-Barber again! This time shorthanded makes it 5-0. Barber goes backhand deke leaving the poor Czech back up in the dust.
-USA 5 Czech 0
-Barber and Gaudreau each with a pair of goals. Trouba has three helpers. Galchenyuk with an assist as does Jones.
-Under seven minutes left in the period. All Team USA.
-Lot of Canadian fans in the crowd at Ufa Arena. You wonder what they’re thinking. Undoubtedly, they’ll be a big favorite to beat USA and advance to the gold medal game. Lot of fire power. Our guys are playing with more confidence.
-I agree that Housley is overlooked as a defenseman. He ranks fourth all-time among NHL defensemen in scoring. And as Hradek points out, he came right out of high school. I think Neal Broten did too.
-Gibson with another strong stop on a tricky shot that changed direction.
-Bardreau nearly makes it six but can’t quite pull it off. Unbelievable effort.
-The Czechs are all over Gibson’s crease but can’t finish. He is so acrobatic.
-McCabe turns it over but recovers to block a Jaskin shot. Jaskin is a Blues’ second round pick.
-Kind of an iffy play by Miller skating in front of his goalie. He eventually gets a chance but fires wide. I’d like to see him hit the net.
–Jim Vesey nearly slips a backhand in. He recorded three assists in the 9-3 win over Slovakia. He definitely is underrated. Good skater and playmaker.
-Trochek with a steal but Machovsky makes a nice glove stop.
-Grimaldi is denied. Then yet another breakaway. This time, Machovsky stones Biggs. The backup’s done a nice job coming in ice cold. His D has hung him out to dry.
-With 1:30 remaining in the second, it’s USA 5 Czech 0.
-Hradek jokes about the odd mask color matches the Russian cheerleader outfits. I love EJ.
-Hartman with a sweet backhand dish. This guy is extremely skilled. He just needs to become more disciplined. He’s Draft eligible this summer assuming they finally reach a new CBA. I won’t jinx it.
-On the power play, Gaudreau records the hat trick! All coming on the power play from the same area. This time, he takes a nice Miller cross ice pass and finishes his fifth in two games. Miller made a nice play to find Gaudreau for his third of the night with 12.8 seconds left.
The period ends with Sedlak running at our guys. You’re down six. Play the game the right way!

End of 2: USA 6 Czech 0

USA Goalscorers: Gaudreau (3), Barber (2), Hartman

3RD PERIOD

-Both Jones and Miller each have two helpers. Correction: Jones has three assists.
-The Czechs dump the puck in but Gibson gets it to a teammate who works it out.
-Gibson with another save early on a quality chance from the slot. He is very cool. If they get off to a good start against Canada, he can steal it. He kept them in the 2-1 loss in Group B play.
-Hradek called the USA start to the third soft. He’s dead on. Keep competing.
-Gibson makes a tough save on a high riser from Frk. That’s at least four chances and they haven’t played three minutes.
-Galchenyuk goes around one man but Musil slides over to block a centering pass.
-A great head man feed from Miller leads to another two-on-one. Machovsky closes the door. JT drew a tripping minor. Team USA is 4-for-6 on the man-advantage. A delay of game to a Czech player makes it a 5-on-3. Gaudreau got the party started in a similar situation.
-Jones feeds it across to Trouba, who blasts one off Miller and in. He was trying to leap out of the way and it trickled off him. That’s twice he’s had effective screens on a goalie resulting in a goal. This time, he gets credit for his second of the tournament. Miller is quietly having a solid game with a goal and two helpers.
-USA 7 CZE 0
-Still on a power play, Team USA is 5-for-7. Kind of ridiculous as another Czech player goes to the box. They clearly have lost it here.
-An abbreviated two-man advantage for 15 seconds.
-Machovsky gets a piece of a Biggs opportunity. He certainly has been solid since coming in. Can’t be too fun.
-I hope there are no more penalties. This is ugly.
-Gibson sprawls out like a snow angel as the Czechs search for a goal. They are jinxed.
-USA then comes the other way three-on-one but Machovsky makes a fantastic glove save. Good stuff.
-Back to live action with the Czechs attacking. There’s a beautiful Russian cheerleader in plain view. My God. Is she smoking. Right now, that’s more interesting than the game.
-Czech is still competing hard. They desperately want to break the shutout.
-Hartman with a nice pass for an open Jones, who lets go of a rocket that is deflected out of play. The talent is there. You can see why scouts are drooling. He’s silenced me.
-Our country’s skating is much stronger than the Czechs. They’re quicker to the puck and making smarter decisions. Against Canada, they were a couple of steps behind. We’ll see if they’re ready to step up in class.
-I caught the replay of the 2-1 defeat to Russia. They were more competitive against the tournament host.
-Galchenyuk takes a clean shoulder from Hertl, who then takes it a bit too far at the end of his shift. More penalties. Ugly…
-Galchenyuk shoved Hertl at the end of his shift and then took two cross checks and a slash. Housley’s not happy with the refs. They’ve lost control. Hertl and Sedlak have been running around all game. They should toss someone.
-It looks like Czech has a power play. How???
-Well, back to action. Hertl remains on the ice. Mystifying is what I was about to type before Hradek chimed in.
-53 seconds have already expired. Nothing doing.
-Hartman gets knocked down by Frk, who slashes him. He’s gone. Finally.
-Love seeing the kids slide down in the snow. Pretty cool.
-USA is 5-for-9 on the PP. It’s their 10th power play. Don’t expect that many against Canada.
-If they want to give themselves a chance, stay away from undisciplined penalties. McCabe and Hartman each took foolish checking to the head penalties, killing a comeback. And Hartman just takes another minor for interference.
-Hertl was set up all alone but missed. I don’t think he’ll get a better chance.
-The Czechs, who are on their sixth PP, take another penalty. Yet another four-on-four. Beran goes for high-sticking.
-There’s 3:33 left until this mercifully ends.
-The one thing that concerns me is the D lapses. It sometimes leaves gaps. You can’t do that against Canada because they’re too good. Guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Huberdeau, Strome and Drouin will bury those.
-Another two-man advantage for the Americans concludes. Murphy’s one-timer is blocked. There’s 1:28 remaining. It’s a 5-on-4.
-Hrbas takes a cross checking penalty for another USA two-man advantage. I’m at a loss. The refs had no choice. Don’t allow this to end ugly. Though it certainly isn’t fun to watch. I don’t want any of our guys hurt.
-Time finally winds down. It’s all over.

Final Score from Ufa Arena

#WJC2013 Quarters

Czech Republic 0 Team USA 7

GAME NOTES

-Star Of The Game is Johnny Gaudreau, who recorded a hat trick.
-A very nice presentation. I’ve always liked this. He congrats Dmitrij Jaskin on taking top honors for Czech Republic.
-The star spangled banner blares over the loudspeaker as our the red, white and blue flies above Ufa Arena. Nothing better.
-Jones and Trouba each had four assists.
-Miller recorded three points (1-2-3). 
-Barber tallied twice and Hartman scored.
-Galchenyuk, Bardreau and Jake McCabe each registered assists.
-Gibson finished with 31 saves for the shutout.
-In relief of Patrik Bartosak (3 GA on 9 shots), Matej Machovsky turned aside 21 of 25.
-Let’s see if the boys can do it again tomorrow against their biggest rival.
-USA vs Canada is at 4 AM on the East Coast tomorrow.
-Russia battles Switzerland in another quarter later. Start time isn’t until 8 AM. The winner advances to face Sweden.

This is the first of three video replays of USA’s 9-3 win over Slovakia on New Year’s Eve in Russia. Their big victory advanced them to the elimination round. In the quarterfinals, they’ll battle Czech Republic with a possible rematch against Canada looming. Who doesn’t want to see that? Unless you’re Slovakian or Daniela Hantuchova that is.

The broadcast is in Russian. As someone who took it, I love the pronunciation and delivery. Pochalycta! Here are the second and third parts of our country’s best performance:

USA 9 Slovakia 3 Part 2/3

USA 9 Slovakia 3 Part 3/3

In the most hyped game of the #WJC2013 thus far, Canada defeated Russia 4-1. By winning, they went undefeated in the preliminary round to win their Group. The Canadians earned a bye into the semifinals where they’ll await the USA/Czech Republic quarterfinal winner.

Dougie Hamilton, Mark Scheifele, Jonathan Drouin and Jonathan Huberdeau each scored and team captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three assists. Nugent-Hopkins hiked his point total to a tournament best 11 (3-8-11). Nikita Kucherov scored for Russia.

The Canadians took advantage of a Valeri Nichushkin five minute boarding major. With the game scoreless, Hamilton rifled home a Nugent-Hopkins feed from the point to give Canada a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Still on the power play, Scheifele got to his own rebound, steering it past Russian netminder Andrei Makarov.

Russia crept within one when Kucherov cashed in a Scheifele turnover. He beat Canadian goalie Malcolm Subban. The host team had a chance to tie it with ’13 Draft eligible Nathan MacKinnon in the box. However, strong penalty killing from forward Boone Jenner helped his team kill it off. Jenner returned after serving a three-game suspension for a late hit in an exhibition game versus Sweden that ended Jesper Pettersson’s tournament. He was used by coach Steve Spott in a checking role and flourished. Jenner was superb on the cycle.

One of Jenner’s linemates Drouin beat Makarov to restore a two-goal lead. On the play, the speedy ’13 Draft prospect got to a loose puck behind the net and snuck a backhand stuff-in past the sprawling Russian backstop, who was caught out of position. Nugent-Hopkins picked up the lone assist. His third of the night. The goal proved pivotal, allowing Canada to play solid defensively in the third period. Once again, their D was the difference. They kept the skilled Russians outside- outshooting their Western rival 47-22. Edmonton 2012 top pick Nail Yakupov was held without a point and Buffalo’s Mikhail Grigorenko also went scoreless.

Makarov kept Russia in the game finishing with 44 saves. He was pulled late for an extra attacker. They came close to cutting it to one but Yakupov’s rebound that caromed to a teammate, who hit the side of the net. Moments later, Huberdeau outmuscled Grigorenko and scored into an empty net to seal the victory. He finished with two points (1-1-2). With 16 seconds left, Russian forward Vladimir Tkachyov was pulled down from behind and rewarded a penalty shot. An aggressive Subban denied him.

In the medal round, Russia will take on Switzerland for a spot in the semifinals. Sweden awaits. 

Here are the highlights of this morning’s Canadian 2-1 victory over Team USA in #WJC2013 Group play. Correcting something I wrote really early following the live viewing, Islander prospect Ryan Strome didn’t score on a wrap around. Rather a tip in off a Brett Ritchie feed. Ritchie beat Seth Jones and patiently waited before feeding Strome for the put away. It was Strome’s team best fourth. He has had a knack for scoring in the WJC, which should excite Islander fans.

The big line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jonathan Huberdeau and Mark Scheifele were dangerous for portions, generating odd-man chances on American netminder John Gibson, who was splendid making 30 saves with several highlight reel stops giving his team an opportunity to come back.

As I said in the prior post, penalty trouble was Team USA’s undoing. Even though Canada couldn’t take advantage late, they were able to protect a one-goal lead in large part due to our country’s inability to stay out of the box. You simply can’t get whistled for consecutive checking to the head minors. The one that irked me was Ryan Hartman’s with the 17-year old ’13 Draft eligible coming across the ice to hit Nugent-Hopkins. It was ridiculous. He showed immaturity following a crucial kill of teammate Jake McCabe’s checking to the head penalty. Both were untimely penalties that killed any momentum Phil Housley’s club had following Jacob Trouba’s power play goal which cut it to 2-1 with 8:58 left.

Gibson had denied Canada of a shorthanded bid and then Mike Reilly and team-leading scorer Alex Galchenyuk (1-4-5) combined to set up Trouba for his second third of the tournament. On the next shift, Cole Bardreau was stoned by Malcolm Subban, who earned the game’s Top Star with 36 saves. It was the closest they came to tying it.

“We had our opportunities to tie or win the game,” said Housley. “We have to eliminate our mistakes, and that includes penalties. Thankfully, our penalty killers stayed composed and were great tonight. In net, John Gibson certainly kept us in the game. Now, we have to regroup and get ready for Slovakia tomorrow.”

Having scored only twice in consecutive one goal defeats to Russia and Canada, USA must defeat Slovakia tomorrow at Ufa, Moscow to qualify for the playoff round. They better find offense. The game can be seen live at 5 AM Monday. Set your alarm clocks.