Latest news with #AHLPlayoffs
National Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Abbotsford Canucks Live: It's a 5 p.m., Game 3 in Texas with Abby up 2-0 in series
Article content Everything is bigger in Texas. Article content Article content Houses are huge. Food portions are gigantic. And so is the appetite for sports. Article content Egos and expectations could easily be the state slogan because sports spectacles aren't just something, they mean everything in a place where the only thing that matters is winning. Article content For the Texas Stars, who trail the Abbotsford Canucks 2-0 in the best-of-seven AHL Western Conference finals, it's must-win desperation tonight in their home arena at Cedar Park, a 20-kilometre drive north of bustling Austin. Article content If the Stars expect to stage a series rally and take the next step to claiming their second Calder Cup championship in 11 years — former Canucks bench boss Willie Desjardins was at the helm in a 2014 title season — they'll have to get past standout stopper Arturs Silovs. Article content He's on the cusp of equalling another AHL playoff record and is in constant about his NHL future. Article content Silovs, 24, who made 29 saves Saturday in a 1-0 blanking of the Stars in Abbotsford, has five post-season shutouts to go with his league-leading 1.61 goals-against average and .941 saves percentage. The shutout record of six is held by former Canucks goaltender Mika Noronen, who established the mark by backstopping the Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Article content Article content 'It's our game overall,' Silovs said of Abbotsford's playoff progression. 'We're getting better every single game by doing the right things by blocking shots and taking guys away from the net front. And we're doing a good job on the PK with guys sacrificing their bodies. Article content Article content 'It's a team effort. We have big confidence and we've put them (Stars) on the ropes.' Article content Article content Noronen played just four games for Vancouver after being acquired at the 2006 NHL trade deadline. In his first appearance, he was bombed in a 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators. Noronen then signed in Russia as opposed to serving as backup to workhorse Roberto Luongo. Article content As for tonight, the Stars now need Justin Hryckowian and former Canuck Kole Lind, who have seven playoff goals apiece, to strike early. They'll also need leadership from hockey-lifer Curtis McKenzie, 34, who has four playoff goals and was 22 when the Stars won the AHL title in 2014. He had a career high 27 goals that season. Article content The Golden, B.C. native was a sixth-round pick of the NHL Stars in 2009 and had 23 points (10-13) and 131 penalty minutes in 99 games. Article content The Canucks have scored by committee in the post-season. While winger Linus Karlsson leads the club with seven goals, they've also got eight from defencemen. Article content Article content
Fox News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Hockey announcer confronted by raucous fan, hit with chair during live broadcast
The Abbotsford Canucks' victory in a decisive Game 5 of the second-round American Hockey League's Calder Cup playoff series against the Colorado Eagles was marred by a chair-throwing incident. Before the Canucks celebrated a 5-0 win and a spot in the Western Conference Finals, a rowdy fan got into a heated exchange with the team's Brandon Astle during the live broadcast of the matchup. The Canucks are the Vancouver Canucks' minor league affiliate, while the Eagles serve as the developmental affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. Abbotsford held a 2-0 lead in the semifinal series when a noticeable noise appeared to briefly distract Astle. The broadcaster revealed that the noise was the result of a fan throwing a chair, which ultimately struck him in the leg. "Got some yahoo chirping at me from behind. Get out of here! What was he doing? Security! Try that again," Astle said. "I'm fired up. He threw my chair at me, hit me right in the back of the leg. Like, what was he doing here? Unreal. Have another beer," the broadcaster added. After the game, Astle took to his social media platform to offer an apology for his handling of the situation. "I could have handled this better, but was in shock & fired up as you can tell, as that has never happened to me before…I know that one yahoo does not reflect the Eagles organization or their fans & apparently was found and kicked out," he wrote on X. The Canucks will meet the Texas Stars in the conference finals. The winner will advance to the Calder Cup Finals. Game 1 of the series begins on May 29. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Laval Rocket eliminate American, move on to Eastern Association final
Laval Rockets' Laurent Dauphin (27) celebrates his goal against the Cleveland Monsters with Sean Farrell (15), Alex Barre-Boulet (12), and William Trudeau (84) during third period AHL playoff hockey action, in Laval, Que., on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) Sean Farrell and Joshua Roy each collected a goal and two assists, guiding the Laval Rocket to a 5-0 victory over the Rochester Americans in the final game of the Northern Section finals on Sunday night at Place Bell. On Oliver Kapanen's wings, Farrell and Roy were very threatening with the puck and proved head coach Pascal Vincent right in making changes to the lineup. The arrival of Brandon Gignac on the Laurent Dauphin and Alex Barré-Boulet trio also energized the three players, who had been quieter during Friday's 5-1 defeat. The result: the Rocket won the series 3-2 and joined the Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Association final. The first game will take place on Wednesday night in Laval. Lucas Condotta, Barré-Boulet and Kapanen also found the back of the net for the Montreal Canadiens' training club, which is in the AHL's final four for the first time since 2022. After surrendering his net to Jacob Fowler in the fourth game of the series, Cayden Primeau showed why he is such a dependable goaltender under pressure. He recorded a 27-save shutout. Xavier Simoneau, who was injured in the first game of the series, returned to action and made a big impact despite his small stature. He earned an assist and was very vocal towards the Americans' players. Goalkeeper Devon Levi had an easier time of it in the last game, but he faced a lot more congestion in front of him on Sunday. He conceded five times on 33 shots. Virtually perfect game This was a final game, and you could feel it in the intensity of the opening minutes. Both teams orchestrated some fine attacking moves, but the goalkeepers stood firm. The Rocket got the first chance on the power play, but the execution was not there. On the second, however, they managed to open the scoring. After Josh Dunne had smashed his stick on the face-off, Roy fired a shot straight at the post to Levi's right. Farrell picked up the disc and passed it to Barré-Boulet, who hit the target with a powerful finish. Lavallois took advantage of the momentum to continue their attacks and doubled their lead less than four minutes later. Zack Hayes picked up the puck at the opposition's blue line and simply directed it into the net. Farrell made a fine deflection that just foiled Levi under the arm. Barely out of the dressing room to start the second period, Pascal Vincent's team dealt their opponents a heavy blow in the 24th second. The build-up play wasn't exemplary, but Simoneau managed to connect with Condotta in the enclave, and the captain caught Levi between the pipes. The crowd celebrated again a few minutes later when Gignac beat Levi. However, the referees disallowed the goal because they judged that Dauphin had made contact with the Americans' goalkeeper. The visitors then had a chance to seize the momentum, but Primeau made a fine save from Konsta Helenius on a breakaway. The Rocket found the best way to keep it, ending the engagement with another powerplay goal. Roy accepted Farrell's cross-ice pass and took advantage of Dauphin's screen to thread the ball home. Shaken, the Americans were unable to find a way past Primeau in the final third. Kapanen even put the final nail in the coffin midway through the period, after a second Roy effort. Laval closed the books with ease and confirmed Primeau's shutout. This report by the Canadian Press was first published in French on May 25, 2025.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Laval Rocket Eliminate Rochester Americans In Five Games, Will Face The Charlotte Checkers In Eastern Conference Finals
With a 5-0 victory on Sunday afternoon the Laval Rocket have eliminated the Rochester Americans in a winner-take-all game five in the AHL's North Division Finals. The Rocket advance to take on the Charlotte Checkers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals. Cayden Primeau started game five for the Rocket after Jacob Fowler was pulled midway through game four after allowing four goals on 14 shots. He made 27 saves and recorded his first career playoff shutout. This performance likely cements him as the starter for game one against Charlotte. The Rocket top line of Alex Barre-Boulet, Laurent Dauphin, and Sean Farrell combined for five goals and 12 points in the series. Joshua Roy led the team with three goals and four assists in the series, including three points in game five. Barre-Boulet leads the team with 10 points in nine playoff games, Dauphin tops the team with five goals. Laval top pairing defensemen Tyler Wotherspoon was injured in game three and did not suit up for game four or five, mid-season acquisition Noel Hoefenmayer stepped in admirably to fill the hole. Logan Mailloux played more minutes as a result and has six points in nine playoff games. VICTOIREEEEEEEEEEE — xyz - Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 25, 2025 Rochester's offense relied heavily on Isak Rosen and Jiri Kulich who managed four and three points respectively in the series. Josh Dunne recorded five points in five games including four in game four to help force game five. Defenseman Kale Clague led the team with 11 points and finishes in a tie with Rosen for the team lead with five goals in the playoffs. Goaltender Devon Levi had a stellar playoff showing and kept the team in many games. He finishes with a 5-3 record, 2.52 GAA and .910 SP in eight playoff games. Game one of the Eastern Conference Finals gets underway Wednesday May 28 in Laval. Keep an eye on The Hockey News' Montreal Canadiens team site for more updates on the Rocket. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Amerks Force Deciding Game With Win Over Laval
The Rochester Americans had their backs against the wall and faced elimination after the Laval Rocket took the lead in their best-of-five AHL North second-round series with a 4-1 victory on Wednesday, but responded with a dominating 5-1 victory at Place Bell on Friday, setting up a fifth and deciding game on Sunday afternoon.
