Anaheim Ducks
Finland beats US 3-2, Slovakia tops Canada 4-3
Jesse Joensuu scored with 9 seconds left to give Finland a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the world hockey championships, and Michal Handzus scored the winning goal late in the third period in Slovakia’s 4-3 victory over Canada.
In the semifinals Saturday, Finland will face Russia, and Slovakia will play the Czech Republic. In Stockholm on Thursday, Milan Michalek scored in the final minute to give the Czech Republic a 4-3 victory over Sweden, and Alex Ovechkin scored in his first game of the tournament to help Russia top Norway 5-2.
Joensuu scored twice, and Mikko Koivu added a goal for Finland. Kyle Palmieri and Bobby Ryan scored for the United States.
In the Canada-Slovakia game, Milan Bartovic tied it for Slovakia off a rebound with 6:35 left. Canada killed off Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ boarding penalty, but Ryan Getzlaf was given a kneeing major for an open-ice hit on Juraj Mikus with 2:32 to play. Four seconds later, Handzus tipped in the winning goal.
Tomas Kopecky and Miroslav Satan also scored for Slovakia, and Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner and Alexandre Burrows countered for Canada.
In Stockholm, Martin Erat, Petr Nedved and Jiri Novotny also scored for Czech Republic. Loui Eriksson, Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson scored for Sweden.
Alexei Yemelin, Nikolai Zherdev, Alexander Popov and Ilya Nikulin also scored for Russia. Patrick Thoresen and Per-Age Skroder scored for Norway.
Koivu scores as Finland beats the US at Worlds
HELSINKI (AP) — Finnish forward Jesse Joensuu’s winning goal with nine seconds left lifted Finland past the United States 3-2 Thursday for a place in the semifinals of the hockey world championships in Helsinki.
Joensuu opened the scoring at 13:27 in the second period, before Anaheim Ducks’ Kyle Palmieri scored 20 seconds later. Bobby Ryan added a goal for the USA early in the third period.
Minnesota Wild forwardMikko Koivu tied it with 6:58 left in the third. Power forward Joensuu, once with the New York Islanders, pounced on a pass from Petri Kontiola and scored from close in.
Finland meets Russia on Saturday in the semifinal.
Finland beats US 3-2 at hockey worlds
Finnish forward Jesse Joensuu’s winning goal with nine seconds left lifted Finland past the United States 3-2 Thursday for a place in the semifinals of the hockey world championships in Helsinki.
Joensuu opened the scoring at 13:27 in the second period, before Anaheim Ducks’ Kyle Palmieri scored 20 seconds later. Bobby Ryan added a goal for the USA early in the third period.
Minnesota Wilds’ Mikko Koivu tied it with 6:58 left in the third. Power forward Joensuu, once with the New York Islanders, pounced on a pass from Petri Kontiola and scored from close in.
Finland meets Russia on Saturday in the semifinal.
GARTH: Sekera, Satan, Slovaks Sink Canada
What the Hell was Ryan Getzlaf thinking?
Taking a stupid kneeing major that got the Canada captain tossed from a 3-3 elimination game at the Worlds? Slovak Juraj Mikus had to be helped from the ice after the Getzlaf gong show.
The Slovaks were handed a gift-wrapped five minute PP to end the game.
Reggie Sekera wasted little time giving his team the lead.
Michal Handzus won the ensuin…
Anaheim’s Ryan helps U.S. defeat Switzerland at worlds
The Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan scored the first of four unanswered goals to help the United States to a 5-2 victory over Switzerland at the ice hockey world championships in Helsinki on Tuesday. After Ivo Ruthemann gave Switzerland a 1-0 lead with a goal 21 seconds into the second period, Ryan tied the score. Anaheim’s Cam Fowler scored at 16:52 of the period. Then the Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny and Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski scored 42 seconds apart about five minutes into the third period. On Thursday, the USA plays Finland and Canada faces Slovakia in Group A quarterfinals. In Group B in Stockholm, Russia meets Norway and Sweden plays the Czech Republic.
Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny Lead Team USA to 5-2 Win Over Switzerland, Advance to Quarterfinals Against Finland
The U.S. Men’s National team has been guilty of playing down to the competition thus far in the 2012 IIHF Men’s World Championships. That trend continued through the early stages of today’s contest against Switzerland. The Americans had already been guilty of slipping up against Slovakia in addition to close calls against Belarus and Kazakhstan. On Tuesday, Team USA was again trailing to an inferior opponent, falling behind 1-0 to the Swiss in the second period. The U.S. didn’t stay down for long. Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler, who both play for the Anaheim Ducks, found the back of the…
US beats Switzerland at worlds
The Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan scored the first goal for the United States in the second period, helping it to a 5-2 victory over Switzerland at the ice hockey world championships in Helsinki on Tuesday.
Ivo Ruthemann opened the scoring 21 seconds into the second period to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead before Ryan scored the first of four straight goals for the Americans.
Anaheim’s Cam Fowler scored at 16:52 of the period. Then Paul Stastny and Alex Goligoski scored 42 seconds apart about five minutes into the third period.
Switzerland’s Morris Trachsler and Jeff Petry added goals.
On Thursday, the USA plays Finland and Canada faces Slovakia in Group A quarterfinals. In Group B in Stockholm, Russia meets Norway and Sweden plays the Czech Republic
Steve Palumbo: Justin Shultz to Make a Decision Soon?
It looks like prized college defenseman Justin Shultz may be ready to let the Anaheim Ducks know his intentions beyond this year. Shultz was touted as the Ducks next great defenseman and when he spurned a chance to sign in Anaheim after the conclusion of his junior year at Wisconsin it raised some disturbing red flags. If the Ducks cannot get Shultz under contract by July 1st they risk los…
Anaheim Ducks re-sign coach Bruce Boudreau
The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed head coach Bruce Boudreau to a 2-year contract extension. The Ducks had a horrible start of the season last year under Randy Carlyle until he was fired on Nov. 30th. Boudreau was brought in just 2 days after he was fired as the head coach of the Washington Capitals.
It took another bad month of December before the message of Boudreau caught on, but once January came around the Ducks started playing much better, and for a little bit anyways were a threat to make the playoffs. Overall the Ducks went 27-23-8 under Boudreau, and that includes the bad December. If the Ducks can play the way they showed from January on under Boudreau there is no reason to think that the Ducks can be playoff contenders once again as early as next season.
Boudreau is known as a players coach, which is a big departure from Carlyle who was known to be more of a disciplinarian, and the players seemed to respond well to the coaching change once they got used to the new offensive…
Ducks sign Boudreau to 2-year extension
Coach Bruce Boudreau’s shortened debut season with the Anaheim Ducks was good enough to keep him around for a whole lot longer.
The Ducks signed Boudreau to a two-year contract extension Thursday, locking up their respected coach through the 2014-15 season.
Anaheim rewarded Boudreau for reviving the struggling Ducks after he replaced Stanley Cup-winning coach Randy Carlyle, who was fired Nov. 30. The Ducks went 27-23-8 under Boudreau, compiling one of the NHL’s best records after the All-Star break.
”This team, we’ve just started going where we want to go,” Boudreau said. ”If we had started a little bit earlier, anything could have happened. These playoff teams, we competed with all these teams, going tooth and nail.”
After a lifetime spent mostly on the East Coast, the Toronto native is finally getting used to California’s sunshine and warmth as well.
”It’s certainly nice waking up every morning,” Boudreau said with a chuckle. ”Being an East Coast guy my whole life, I didn’t know what it would be like. It was a lot easier to come to work every day than I thought it would be. I used to think, `How do they do it every day?”’
Two days before he took over in Anaheim, Boudreau was fired by the Washington Capitals, who won the 2010 Presidents’ Trophy and made the playoffs four times during his four years in charge, but had little postseason success. Boudreau also won the 2008 Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
He is 228-111-48 in his NHL coaching career with Anaheim and Washington, winning 200 games faster than any coach in modern league history. He earned 184 wins in his first 300 NHL games, the most by any coach in league history.
Boudreau has been busy since the Ducks’ season ended, taking in minor-league games and doing player evaluation while also spending time on Canadian television. The affable coach seems to be a broadcasting natural, but said he’s ”glad that’s not my day job.”
During his media blitz, Boudreau picked Los Angeles, the Ducks’ Freeway Faceoff rivals, to make the Stanley Cup finals after seeing the Kings’ determination late in the season.
He’s conflicted about how he’ll feel if the Kings advance past Phoenix to the finals – particularly if they face the Capitals, who play a decisive Game 7 in the second round against the New York Rangers on Friday.
Washington never got out of the second round during four seasons under Boudreau despite winning four straight Southeast Division titles.
”A new team is going to be in the Stanley Cup final for the first time in a long time (out of the West), and that’s great for hockey,” Boudreau said.
”I’m happy in the sense that I think it’ll grow hockey in Southern California with the attention (if the Kings advance),” Boudreau added. ”For me, it’s really important for the growth of the game. But I’ve got to be honest, I don’t think I’m going to sit here and say I’m happy they’re going to win.”
Ducks sign coach Boudreau to 2-year extension
The Anaheim Ducks have signed coach Bruce Boudreau to a two-year contract extension through 2014-15.
Anaheim rewarded Boudreau on Thursday for reviving the struggling Ducks after taking charge Nov. 30.
The Ducks went 27-23-8 after Boudreau replaced the fired Randy Carlyle, compiling one of the NHL’s best records after the All-Star break.
Two days before he took over in Anaheim, Boudreau was fired by the Washington Capitals, who won the 2010 Presidents’ Trophy during his four seasons in charge.
Boudreau won the 2008 Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach. He is 228-111-48 in his NHL coaching career with Anaheim and Washington, winning 200 games faster than any coach in modern league history.
Bruce Boudreau Signs Two-Year Extension With Anaheim
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed head coach Bruce Boudreau to a two-year contract extension through the 2014-15 NHL season. Boudreau was originally under contract with Anaheim through 2012-13. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
“Since joining the organization last November, Bruce has done an outstanding job with the team,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “He’s committed to us and determined to lead us back to the playoffs.” Continue reading “Bruce Boudreau Signs Two-Year Extension With Anaheim”
Anaheim Ducks re-sign Saku Koivu
Earlier today the Anaheim Ducks announced they have re-signed Saku Koivu to a one year contract extension. The contract is believed to be for $3 million.
Saku Koivu had a decent 2011-2012 season where he centered the second line and had 11 goals, 38 points as well as leading all forwards with a +7 in 74 games. Koivu is also known for his leadership, and a great locker room presence. He is also plays a key role on the penalty kill, as well as good in the face off circle.
One of the best things about the news of this signing it almost assures the return of line mate and fellow finish forward Teemu Selanne. Since both players were set to be unrestricted free agents this off-season there was speculation that the Ducks might go with an all new 2nd line. With the return of Koivu, and the hopeful of Selanne the only new player would be who ever the Ducks bring in to play 2nd line left wing. Last season Jason Blake, and Niklas Hagman both played that role most of the season, but are also b…
Getzlaf lifts Canada past Switzerland, 3-2
Anaheim star Ryan Getzlaf broke a tie midway through the third period to help Canada beat Switzerland 3-2 on Wednesday night in the world hockey championships.
Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle and the New York’s Islanders’ John Tavares also scored for Canada, 3-0 in Group A play. Damien Brunner and Goran Bezina scored for Switzerland (2-2-0).
In the other Group A game in Helsinki, Tomas Kopecky scored twice in Slovakia’s 4-2 victory over Kazakhstan.
In Group B in Stockholm, Sweden beat Germany 5-2 to improve to 4-0, and Norway topped Italy 6-2. Viktor Stalberg, Johan Franzen, Marcus Kruger, Niklas Persson and Erik Karlsson scored for Sweden.
Ducks re-sign C Koivu to 1-year deal
Center Saku Koivu re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3 million to return for his 17th NHL season.
The 37-year-old Koivu scored 38 points in 74 games for the Ducks last season, his third in Anaheim. Although he had the lowest-scoring full season of his NHL career, the former captain of the Montreal Canadiens is a valuable two-way player and faceoff specialist for the Ducks while centering a line with Teemu Selanne, his longtime friend and fellow Finn.
Koivu would have attracted attention around the league as a veteran free agent, but he emerged from meetings with the Ducks brass with high hopes for the franchise’s future after Anaheim missed the playoffs this spring for the second time in his three years.
”I’m confident and really optimistic,” said Koivu, who made $2.5 million last year. ”I didn’t need more time to wait and see where this is going to go.”
Koivu spent his first 13 NHL seasons in Montreal, including 10 years as the Canadiens’ captain, before joining the Ducks in 2009. He played in his 1,000th career NHL game on March 12, becoming just the fifth Finnish player to reach the milestone.
After a slow start last season, Koivu provided the same gritty, speedy play that has defined his career. The Ducks couldn’t recover from their own awful start to the season to make the playoffs, yet they were among the NHL’s best teams since January, showing promise under new coach Bruce Boudreau.
Koivu and Ducks general manager Bob Murray both seemed inclined to stay together when the season ended last month, and they made it official well before free agency opened.
”I told them I wanted to be back, and it was the same thing with them,” Koivu said. ”Winning is my No. 1 priority, and talking with Bob, I’m confident that they’re going to make a push. When you have a core group of young players as we do, the future looks bright. If I didn’t feel confident and strongly about their view and their willingness to make the push, then I would have looked for somewhere else, but it was very clear they want to get a team to make the playoffs and make a push at the springtime.”
Koivu is an alternate captain and an important veteran leader for the Ducks. He survived a bout with lymphoma 10 years ago, and has been active in charity work against cancer.
Selanne, the Ducks’ leading scorer last season, hasn’t announced whether he’ll return for his 20th NHL season. While Selanne probably will make his annual decision right before he turns 42 on July 3, Koivu wanted to finalize his future before his kids get out of school in Orange County and the family heads back home to Finland for the summer in early June.
”I’m sure he’s going to sit down with his family and see how he feels, but we’d love to have him back,” Koivu said of Selanne. ”He was a huge part of our offense. You can’t replace a player like that.”
