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Vanecek helps Devils defeat Flames, extend winning streak to seven

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NEWARK, N.J. — Vitek Vanecek made 33 saves, and the New Jersey Devils held on to extend their winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 victory against the Calgary Flames at Prudential Center on Tuesday.

“When we needed him, he made that big save,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said.

Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton each had a goal and an assist, and Tomas Tatar had two assists for New Jersey (10-3-0), which hadn’t won seven straight since Feb. 6-19, 2011.

“We just want to keep it rolling,” said Hischier, the Devils captain. “Obviously we got a lot of confidence right now, but like I said at the beginning of the year, we can’t get too low if we lose a couple and can’t get too high if we win a couple. We have to try and stay on the same line, come in and work on the mistakes and try to become a better team.”

Video: CGY@NJD: Hischier speeds in and fires a shot home

Hischier broke a 2-2 tie on a snap shot from the left face-off circle at 11:50 of the third period.

Rasmus Andersson had two assists, and Jacob Markstrom made 17 saves for Calgary (5-5-2), which has lost six in a row (0-4-2). Markstrom made 28 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss at the New York Islanders on Monday.

“At the end of the day, frustration isn’t going to get you anywhere,” Flames center Nazem Kadri said. “It’s just going to dig you a deeper hole. I believe in the guys in here and we’re just going to have to dig in.”

New Jersey overcame two goals overturned by video review.

Kadri gave Calgary a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal on a wrist shot from the right face-off circle at 11:58 of the first period.

The Devils had their first goal overturned at 17:57 when it was determined forward Jesper Boqvist preceded the puck into the offensive zone 29 seconds prior to defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler scoring on a wrist shot from the point.

“You got to be able to deal with adversity and we had a couple of tough ones go against us,” Ruff said. “Sometimes you get those, sometimes you don’t, and we didn’t get it.”

Video: CGY@NJD: Graves gets a drop pass and fires it home

The second goal was overturned at 3:53 of the second period when it was determined Yegor Sharangovich used a distinct kicking motion to direct the puck across the goal line from the slot.

“It wasn’t our best game,” Hischier said. “We didn’t have our legs in the first period, to be honest, and it was embarrassing. But we found a way back. In the end, if you’re going to win those games, it’s huge. We found a way and it was good to get the two points.”

Ryan Graves tied it 1-1 on a snap shot from the left face-off circle at 5:14.

Vanecek stopped back-to-back shots by Tyler Toffoli on a wrist shot from the slot at 14:22 before stretching his left pad to deny Elias Lindholm at the right post.

“I think the one in the second period [against Lindholm] was probably the save that helped us win the hockey game,” Ruff said.

Hamilton pushed it to 2-1 with a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 16:37.

“Any time you lose, it is frustrating, but honestly, it’s not about that,” Flames coach Darryl Sutter said. “It’s not about the effort. I don’t question that. It’s about execution.”

Video: CGY@NJD: Hamilton buries shot for a power-play goal

Toffoli tied it 2-2 with a power-play goal at 5:13 of the third period from the left circle.

“You have to find different ways to win a game and we’ve been able to find different ways to win a game,” Ruff said. “It wasn’t a comfortable first period for a lot of our guys. They kept us on our heels, but I thought the start of the second, we got back to our game, utilized some of our speed and came up with some good hockey.”

NOTES: Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau did not play because he could not fit his swollen foot into his skate prior to the game, according to Sutter. He is day to day. Huberdeau was replaced by Adam Ruzicka, who had an assist and two hits in 15:43 of ice time. … Defenseman Dennis Gilbert had two shots in 11:28 in his Flames debut after being recalled from Calgary of the American Hockey League on Sunday. He signed a two-year contract July 13. … The Flames went 2-for-4 on the power play after being 0-for-12 the previous five games. … Hischier extended his point streak to five games (seven points; three goals, four assists), and Tatar extended his assist/point streak to five games (six assists). … New Jersey matched the fewest games in franchise history to reach 10 wins (13 games, 1993-94).

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Vancouver Canucks winger Joshua set for season debut after cancer treatment

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Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.

Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.

He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.

“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.

“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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

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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:

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