OTHL - - - The OTHL is now in the strech run, with several teams hovering around the last playoff spots. Both conference are featuring interesting battles around the 8th spot. In the west eight teams are involved in the battle, with Edmonton, Colorado and Phoenix are the teams that right now are on the outside looking in. However, a good strech of games can bolt any of those teams into the playoffs. In the east there is a simular battle, with the only "safe" teams at the moment being the 1,2,3 of Ottawa, Philadelphia and Florida.
Today there where some teams that hurt there cause by losing there games. The Buffalo Sabres took a dumble aginst the Panthers, as they slumped to a 6-3 loss. The Sabres are now on 2 game losing streak, and they are now 5 points behind Boston with the Bruins having the upper hand of a game in hand. Colorado helped there playoff hopes with a 4-2 win over Anaheim, putting them 6 points behind Nashville. Detroit and Calgary also aided there positions in the standings as they both won there games today. Calgary took down the Columbus Blue Jackets on away ice (5-4), while Detroit snuck past Edmonton up in Edmonton (3-2). A result that put the Oilers against the wall.
In the east Tampa Bay boosted there hopes by winning against the Dallas Stars. Tampa are now 6th in the east with 73 points. The same point total that Montreal, Toronto and Boston have. Only 1 point behind New Jersey, and only 5 points ahead of Buffalo. There where also a game that had no impact what so ever on the playoff picture, as the Hurricanes and the Hawks skated to a 1-1 tie. The two teams are not going to make it. Even if there is a slim chance that they could.
PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: Alexander Mogilny (Florida), 2 goals and 2 assists as the Panthers beat Buffalo 6-3.
TODAY'S GAMES:
CAR at CHI 1-1
ANA at COL 2-4
CGY at CBJ 5-4
TBL at DAL 3-2
DET at EDM 3-2
BUF at FLO 3-6
TOMORROW'S GAMES:
Chicago at Detroit
Atlanta at Los Angeles
Colorado at Minnesota
Carolina at Montreal
Columbus at Nashville
Florida at New Jersey