Sports

Player grades: Brilliant goaltending at both ends as Edmonton Oilers beat Vancouver Canucks – Edmonton Journal

Published

4 years ago

February 26, 2021

Harry Miller

Author of the article:

David Staples • Edmonton Journal

Publishing date:

Feb 26, 2021 • 47 minutes ago • 5 minute read • Join the conversation

Connor McDavid and Mike Smith Photo by Edmonton Oilers

The game was a hockey cliche in all the best ways, featuring both fire wagon hockey and an old timey goalie’s duel.

Goalies Mike Smith and Thatcher Demko put on a show, but Smith stole it.

In the end, Edmonton was able to score on its power play chances while Vancouver was not, and that was the difference.

Edmonton had 14 Grade A chances, Vancouver 13, many of them of the Five Alarm variety for both teams.

For example, Edmonton had four breakaways on Demko but scored on not one of them.

Here’s the running count for scoring chances and below are the game grades.

Connor McDavid, 6. He got a goal and an assist, fired seven shots on net, made some great attacking plays, but also some serious defensive miscues. Came out flying, charging in on for a partial breakaway early in the first. He came close to jamming in a power play rebound shot in the second, but Demko thwarted him again. He made a defensive miscue in the second, letting Travis Hamonic creep in for a wicked shot, which led to a rebound and two more point blank Grade A chances against. A moment later he made another mistake, allowing a cross-seam on a Jake Virtanen one-timer. Fortunately Smith was there to cover for his errors.

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. He and Tyson Barrie allowed the breakaway pass early in the first period. He let Virtanen slip by him for a second period one-timer. He chipped in on four Grade A chances on the power play, including Alex Chiasson’s goal. Part of a solid PK effort from the entire crew, which bumps up his mark one notch, and the same for all the other PKers.

Jesse Puljujarvi, 7. Solid shifts at even strength and on the power play all game. He had a good screen on an Adam Larsson point shot that Kris Russell almost scored on. He won a net front battle in the third to score Edmonton’s crucial insurance goal.

Leon Draisaitl, 8. The maestro of Edmonton’s power play, chipping in on seven Grade A chances with the man advantage. Some great passes, including sending in McMVP on a breakaway in the first, and also saucering a pass to RNH to kick off a dangerous power play sequence. Could not drain the puck on a wide open net on the power play early in the first. He made a lazy clearance in the second that led to a Grade A chance for Vancouver’s Adam Gaudette. He made up for the mistake a moment later when he stripped the puck from Quinn Hughes and powered in on a breakaway, but couldn’t beat Demko on a dangerous backhanded shot. In the third, his hard shot on the power play caused the rebound that Puljujarvi cashed in.

Kailer Yamamoto, 6. He fought his way to a breakaway in the first and put it off the crossbar. Combined well with Draisaitl through the game.

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Dominik Kahun, 4. Barely noticed him, not good for a forward. Not one shot on net.

Jujhar Khaira, 8. He’s playing with confidence, moving his feet, hitting, defending and moving the puck. Indeed, he’s never before carried and passed the puck with such assurance. Foiled on a breakaway in the first. Late in the third he ragged the puck on the PK like the Second Coming of Craig MacTavish.

Josh Archibald, 6. The refs handed him an iffy penalty for charging the goalie early in the game. But hustled all game and led the team with four hits.

Tyler Ennis, 7. A key man on the third line with his puck winning and handling. He made a great steal of the puck in the first and send in Nitty Gritty Dirt linemate Khaira on a breakway. He made a swell hustling, diving defensive poke-check late in the second.

Gaetan Haas, 6. He got a solid clearance under pressure on the PK late in the second, then another fine PK clearance early in the third.

Alex Chiasson, 6. If you want to show video to any player on how to position yourself net front on the power play, show them video of the master, Chiasson. He was rewarded for all his strong fundamental play there when he took an RNH pass and jammed home a goal in the second.

Darnell Nurse, 8. Such was his confidence, calm and assured play, he looked like Doug Harvey, the Norris Trophy-owning d-man of the 1950s Montreal Canadiens. He played 27:36, looking very much like a true No. 1 NHL d-man.

Tyson Barrie, 6. After allowing a short-handed breakaway early on, he fired in a power play shot that kicked off a dangerous sequence around the Vancouver net, with Draisaitl launching two Grade A shots and McDavid one at Thatcher Demko, but unable to score. A quiet game otherwise.

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Adam Larsson 7. Quiet game, no major mistakes at even strength, what’s not to like?

Kris Russell, 6. Nothing too good, nothing too bad. Part of that strong PK effort.

Evan Bouchard, 5. He took out Nil Hoglander with a hard hit. Otherwise a quiet game, which is what you want to see from a defenceman, if nothing else.

Caleb Jones, 6. He made a fine defensive stop on the PK late in the second, then blocked one shot and sprawled to take away a Pettersson power play shot early in the third. He fired in a dangerous outside shot a shift later. Is fighting hard to stay in the line-up.

Ethan Bear, 6. After an 11 game absence, he was back in the line-up. By the end, his coach trusted him enough to have him out in the final minute of a close game. He made a deft pass to advance the puck out of the d-zone early in the third, even as he was taking a hit. A moment later he ice the puck in solid fashion on a key PK.

Mike Smith, 9. Brilliant game. Did not let a goal in and made numerous stupendous saves. Looked sharp early on stopping a short-handed breakaway. Followed up with big saves off of Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson on Vancouver’s first power play. Next he came up with likely his best save off the first period, a sprawling block stop off another deadly Pettersson one-timer. He kept it up with a huge save on Gaudette in the second after a Draisaitl turnover, following up with three great stops in a single sequence, starting with a save off Travis Hamonic. Finally, he stoned Virtanen on a one-timer. The Oilers shut things down in the third, allowing not one Grade A chance, leaving Smith one Grade A stop with the game on the line short of a transcendent “10.”

At the Cult

McCURDY: Oilers have depth scoring! Oilers have depth scoring!

STAPLES: How to ramp up Yamamoto’s even-strength scoring

LEAVINS: Player grades in comeback win over the Canucks

McCURDY: Caleb Jones get an opportunity to draw back in

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Source link

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

Source link

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link

Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link