Latest news with #Puljujarvi
Ottawa Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
'Our best game by far' against Charlotte not enough as Laval Rocket swept from Eastern Conference final
Article content After finishing first overall in the AHL this season, the Laval Rocket entered the playoffs like lions. Article content Following an opening-round bye, Laval won the first two games at Cleveland before defeating the Monsters in four games. And while the Rocket required the maximum five contests, it still outlasted Rochester in the North Division final. Article content But Laval exited the post-season like lambs, swept by the vastly superior Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference final. The last blow came Tuesday night, with Charlotte edging the visiting Rocket 3-2 before 7,317 spectators at Bojangles Coliseum. Article content While it was Laval's most competitive game of the series, it nonetheless found a new way to lose, squandering a 2-0 lead. Article content With the teams apparently headed to overtime for the first time in the series, Jesse Puljujarvi scored the winning goal with 2:03 remaining in regulation time. Article content THE GOAL THAT SENT US TO THE FINALS — Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) June 4, 2025 Article content There appeared to be indecision on the play between defenceman Zack Hayes and rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler, making his first start against the Checkers after Cayden Primeau was removed in the second period of each of the last two games. Article content Article content Fowler hesitated coming out of his net in an attempt to clear the puck, forcing Hayes to make an errant dive. The puck went directly onto Puljujarvi's stick. With Fowler now far removed from his crease, Puljujarvi scored easily into the empty net for his second goal of the playoffs. Article content 'It really hurts to give up that one,' Fowler told the media in Charlotte. 'The boys played so good in front of me all night. It was just one of those plays. We knew it was going to be a sloppy break like that. I have to make the read off him. When you want to get back in the series that's something I've got to be better on, learn from it and hopefully not make that mistake again. Article content 'It hurts to lose but I'm really proud to have been a small impact on this group,' added Fowler, a late-season addition from Boston College. 'Being down 3-0 on the road, it's hard. We were 2½ minutes away from maybe going to overtime or scoring late. I wish I could have given them a better last 2½ minutes.' Article content Puljujarvi, selected fourth overall by Edmonton in 2016, has 387 NHL games to his credit between the Oilers, Carolina, Pittsburgh and Florida. The Finnish winger played 31 games in the NHL this season, including 26 with the Penguins. Article content It was Charlotte's eighth consecutive playoff victory, while Laval limped to the finish line with a 2-6 record in its last eight playoff games and 6-7 overall. Article content Laval played a strong first period and had a 6-3 edge in shots through 10 minutes. The visitors nearly took the lead in the 13th minute, while short-handed. For the second consecutive game, Alex Barré-Boulet had a breakaway. And for the second consecutive game, he couldn't beat goalie Kaapo Kahkonen.
Montreal Gazette
6 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
‘Our best game by far' against Charlotte not enough as Laval Rocket swept from Eastern Conference final
Laval Rocket After finishing first overall in the AHL this season, the Laval Rocket entered the playoffs like lions. Following an opening-round bye, Laval won the first two games at Cleveland before defeating the Monsters in four games. And while the Rocket required the maximum five contests, it still outlasted Rochester in the North Division final. But Laval exited the post-season like lambs, swept by the vastly superior Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference final. The last blow came Tuesday night, with Charlotte edging the visiting Rocket 3-2 before 7,317 spectators at Bojangles Coliseum. While it was Laval's most competitive game of the series, it nonetheless found a new way to lose, squandering a 2-0 lead. With the teams apparently headed to overtime for the first time in the series, Jesse Puljujarvi scored the winning goal with 2:03 remaining in regulation time. THE GOAL THAT SENT US TO THE FINALS — Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) June 4, 2025 There appeared to be indecision on the play between defenceman Zack Hayes and rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler, making his first start against the Checkers after Cayden Primeau was removed in the second period of each of the last two games. Fowler hesitated coming out of his net in an attempt to clear the puck, forcing Hayes to make an errant dive. The puck went directly onto Puljujarvi's stick. With Fowler now far removed from his crease, Puljujarvi scored easily into the empty net for his second goal of the playoffs. 'It really hurts to give up that one,' Fowler told the media in Charlotte. 'The boys played so good in front of me all night. It was just one of those plays. We knew it was going to be a sloppy break like that. I have to make the read off him. When you want to get back in the series that's something I've got to be better on, learn from it and hopefully not make that mistake again. 'It hurts to lose but I'm really proud to have been a small impact on this group,' added Fowler, a late-season addition from Boston College. 'Being down 3-0 on the road, it's hard. We were 2½ minutes away from maybe going to overtime or scoring late. I wish I could have given them a better last 2½ minutes.' Puljujarvi, selected fourth overall by Edmonton in 2016, has 387 NHL games to his credit between the Oilers, Carolina, Pittsburgh and Florida. The Finnish winger played 31 games in the NHL this season, including 26 with the Penguins. It was Charlotte's eighth consecutive playoff victory, while Laval limped to the finish line with a 2-6 record in its last eight playoff games and 6-7 overall. Laval played a strong first period and had a 6-3 edge in shots through 10 minutes. The visitors nearly took the lead in the 13th minute, while short-handed. For the second consecutive game, Alex Barré-Boulet had a breakaway. And for the second consecutive game, he couldn't beat goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. On Sunday, Barré-Boulet's shot hit the post. This time he deked and went to his forehand, but Kahkonen made the save with his left pad. Kahkonen spent four seasons in the NHL, between 2020-24, with Minnesota and San Jose. He now has allowed two goals or fewer in nine of 12 games. Laval nonetheless scored the opening goal for the first time in the series in the final minute of the opening period, when Joshua Roy deflected Gustav Lindstrom's shot from the point. It was Roy's fourth goal of the playoffs and he arguably played his strongest game. Roy was involved and had a team-leading four shots. Barré-Boulet drew the second assist on the goal — his first point of the series. Owen Beck gave the Rocket a two-goal advantage before the second period was three minutes old, converting a pass from Noel Hoefenmayer, and all things seemed possible. But Laval's euphoria was short-lived. Only 1:40 later, Justin Sourdif converted a two-on-one break, beating Fowler to the stick side. Only defenceman David Reinbacher, a Canadiens first-round (fifth overall) draft choice in 2023, was back on the play after both Lucas Condotta and Rafael Harvey-Pinard were caught up ice. Two minutes later, Charlotte forward Riley Bezeau received a five-minute major and game misconduct for his illegal hit to the head of Lindstrom, who didn't return, forcing Laval to play with only five defencemen. And the team already was missing injured blueliners William Trudeau and Tyler Wotherspoon. Not only did Laval fail to capitalize on the power play, MacKenzie Entwistle tied the score with a short-handed goal, converting yet another two-on-one break — following a turnover by Sean Farrell — and beating Fowler again to the stick side. It was Charlotte's third short-handed goal of the series. 'That was our best game by far this series,' defenceman Logan Mailloux told the media in Charlotte. 'I think we deserved to win that one. It stings a little more. We really emptied the tanks. Obviously not the result we wanted but I thought we deserved better. Everybody stepped up. I was really proud of everyone. 'Tonight we showed what we could have done. I wish we'd have done that three games ago.' While both teams took a tentative approach to the third period, Laval failed to generate any serious scoring opportunities. Instead, it was Wilmer Skoog who hit the post in the fifth minute. Charlotte, which last won the Calder Cup in 2019, defeating Chicago in five games, will meet either Abbotsford or Texas in the championship round. Abbotsford leads that best-of-seven Western Conference final series 2-1. Charlotte is the AHL affiliate of the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers. The Panthers will attempt to defend their title in a rematch against the Edmonton Oilers. The Cup final begins Wednesday night at Edmonton (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports). The Canadiens, in 1993, were the last Canadian team to capture the NHL title.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jesse Puljujarvi heads to Charlotte Checkers in key move for Panthers' Calder Cup hunt
Jesse Puljujarvi heads to the Charlotte Checkers, looking to boost his game and the team's Calder Cup hopes (Image via: Getty Images) In a move that could shake up their playoff ambitions, the Florida Panthers have sent forward Jesse Puljujarvi to the AHL 's Charlotte Checkers . Puljujarvi, a seasoned NHL presence, now steps into a pivotal role as the Checkers gear up for a deep Calder Cup run. The Panthers announced the assignment on Friday, signaling a strategic shift as they bolster their affiliate roster with proven firepower. Puljujarvi looks to shine in Charlotte Did The Edmonton Oilers Fail Jesse Puljujarvi? | Tim and Sid Puljujarvi's 2023-24 season has been a tale of transition and perseverance. After joining the Panthers midseason, the Finnish winger split his time between the NHL and AHL. Over 31 NHL games combined with the Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins, Puljujarvi tallied four goals and six assists, showcasing flashes of the skill that once made him a top draft pick. His AHL performances were equally solid, posting six goals and 16 points across 26 games with Charlotte and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Selected fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Draft, Puljujarvi's career has been a winding road across multiple organizations. Through 387 NHL games with the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Penguins, and Panthers, he's racked up 58 goals and 70 assists for a respectable 128 points. While he's shown moments of brilliance, consistency at the NHL level has eluded him in recent seasons. Now in Charlotte, Puljujarvi has a fresh opportunity to take on a leadership role and be a difference-maker. The Checkers, hungry for Calder Cup success, will rely on his experience and offensive touch to push through the playoffs. For Puljujarvi, this stint could also serve as an audition; with NHL teams always looking for size, speed, and skill on the wing, a strong showing might rekindle interest from clubs during the offseason. Also Read: Auston Matthews stunned by Simon Benoit's French-fluent moment after Maple Leafs' Game 3 victory, fans can't get enough Although Puljujarvi's path hasn't been the smooth ride many predicted when he first burst onto the scene, his story is far from finished. With playoff intensity ramping up and high stakes on the line, his next chapter could be the one that reminds the hockey world why he was once considered a can't-miss talent.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Panthers Assign Jesse Puljujarvi To Charlotte
The Florida Panthers have assigned forward Jesse Puljujarvi to the Charlotte Checkers, it was announced Friday. Puljujarvi, who joined the Panthers organization midway through the season, has seen time in both the NHL and AHL this year. In 31 NHL games with the Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored four goals and added six assists for 10 points. Across 26 AHL games with Charlotte and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he put up six goals and 16 points. Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft, Puljujarvi has played in a total of 387 career NHL regular season games with the Panthers, Penguins, Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes. In that span, he has collected 58 goals and 70 assists for 128 points. With Puljujarvi being assigned to the AHL, he will have an opportunity to play a big role for the Checkers as they look to make a run to the Calder Cup. Still a capable depth player on an NHL roster, Puljujarvi has not been able to secure a full-time role over the last couple of seasons but could see another team take a swing at him during the offseason.
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Panthers' Jesse Puljujarvi suspended 2 games for headshot
April 17 - Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujarvi received a two-game suspension Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee. Puljujarvi had a disciplinary hearing with the NHL on Thursday after being assessed a match penalty in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Lightning. His hit on Chaffee came with 11:32 remaining in the third period. Chaffee took the puck in the offensive zone before being blindsided with a shoulder to the head by Puljujarvi. Chaffee crumpled to the ice as a scrum ensued between the teams. With the Panthers' regular season over, Puljujarvi's suspension will cover the first two games of Florida's playoff series with the Lightning. Game 1 is Tuesday and Game 2 is next Thursday, both in Tampa, Fla. Puljujarvi, 26, was playing in just his fifth game with Florida after joining the team's AHL club on a professional tryout in February. He played in 26 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins before having his contract terminated. He has 10 points (four goals, six assists) on the season in 31 games. The former No. 4 overall pick of Edmonton in the 2016 draft has 128 points (58 goals, 70 assists) in 387 career games with the Oilers (2016-23), Carolina Hurricanes (2023), Penguins (2023-25) and Panthers. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
