OTHL --- The Atlanta Thrashers became the first team to win there series in this years playoffs. Atlanta beat Ottawa 4-1, and moves to the second round. The player of the series was without a dobut, Nikolai Khabibulin who allowed 3 goals in the first game, but after that never looked back and ended the series with 3 straight shutouts.
MONTREAL (8) at. PHILADELPHIA (1) - 7-4 - MONTREAL LEADS 3-2
The heated series between Montreal and Philadelphia took another step to becoming a full fearced rivalry in the OTHL. Only a minute into game five, Keith Carney highsticked Flyers winger Milan Hejduk, and Hejduk was forced to leave the game. After the game, x-rays revealed that Hejduk will miss up to 4 weeks with a hip injury. And in the third period, veteran defender Brian Leetch steped off the ice with an elbow injury. Leetch is listed day-to-day. But the good news, is that Mario Lemieux will return for the important game six.
Beside the injury to Hejduk and the game misconduct to Keith Carney, the two teams scored some goals in the first period. A period the Habs dominated, outshooting Philaldelphia 13-3. Zigmund Palffy (2) and Tim Taylor (1) scored one each for the guests, while Steve Yzerman (2) split the Habs score with a goal. Yzerman´s 1-1 and Taylor´s 2-1 goal had just 10 seconds between them. In the second period, Philadelphia outshoot Montreal (13-8), but despite that it was Montreal that scored the goals. Mattias Norström (1), Steve Begin (1) and Alexander Frolov (2) all put pucks behind Marty Turco. Who had seen enough after Frolov´s shorthanded tally and left the ice. Philadelphia tried to keep up with Montreal´s goal scoring and scored twice. Martin Gelinas (1) and Steve Yzerman (3) made it a two goal game going into the third.
And three minutes into the third period, Miroslav Satan (4) made it a one goal game with his fourth goal in the playoffs. But goals from Scott Hannan (1) and a second goal from Alexander Frolov (3) padded Montreal´s lead and now Philadelphia has there back against the wall as they travel to Montreal for game six.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Scott Hannan (Montreal), 3 points and 2 hits.
ATLANTA (7) at. OTTAWA (2) - 2-0 - ATLANTA WIN SERIES 4-1
Atlanta Thrashers gm James Love II said before the series that Atlanta was the team nobody wanted to play. And with a 4-1 win over second seeded Ottawa in the first round, it looks like Love II had a point. Nikolai Khaibulin who was the man of the series, made 79 saves on 79 shots in the last three games. Giving him an impressive .962 save percentage in the five games. And if he can keep this up, the Thrashers might end up playing hockey for a long time.
Atlanta came to Ottawa, knowing that they could win the series with a solid away game. And, as mentioned, aided by Khaibulin´s stellar goaltending. Atlanta left town, having beaten Ottawa 2-0. And both goals came in the second period. A period the Thrashers dominated, holding Ottawa to just four shots. Brenden Morrow (5), who next to Khaibulin has been Atlanta´s best player in the first round. Scored three minutes into the middle frame. And halfway into the same period, Dany Heatley (1) scored his first, long overdue, goal. A powerplay goal while Teemu Selänne served a minor for charging. A penalty that also earned him a 10 minute misconduct.
Atlanta can now sit back and relax, and wait for there second round opponent. The Senators can start booking there tee times, and ponder what kind of moves to make in the off-season.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nikolai Khabibulin (Atlanta), third straight shutout earned him and the team a trip to second round.
TAMPA BAY (6) at. FLORIDA (3) - 2-1 - TAMPA LEADS 3-2
Before a playoff in hockey, people always talks about how important a solid goaltender is. Something numerus goaltenders have proved trough the years. And today Curtis Joseph proved it again, with a 37 save performance in game five on away ice. A performance that lead to a 2-1 victory and a series lead going into game six on home ice. Tampa can take the series, if they win on home ice. IF not, they are forced to play a game seven on away ice.
So far in the series between the two Florida teams. Florida has dominated the shot chart, but Curtis Joseh has been a wall and the series is closer then many predicted. Today Joseph once again steped up with a 37 save performance as the Panthers peppered him with shots. And despite the number of snipers on the Florida roster, they cannot buy a goal at the moment. Jarome Iginla (2) scored the lone Florida goal today. A second period goal to even up the game, as Patrik Elias (3) had scored earlier in the same period. Nine minutes into the third period, Patrik Elias (4) scored his second for the night to win the game for Tampa. A powerplay goal that was scored 3 seconds into a penalty to Kyle McLaren.
Florida will now make the trip up north to Tampa to play a tough away game. And the question every one asks themselfs right now is: "Will Joe Thornton play game six??". Thornton was benched for the second straight game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Curtis Joseph (Tampa Bay), made 37 saves as Tampa re-took the lead in the series.
NEW JERSEY (5) at. BOSTON (4) - 4-2 - BOSTON LEADS 3-2
Boston could have won the series on home ice today, but a shaky performance from Mikka Kiprusoff lead to at least one more game. Kiprusoff allwed 4 goals on 21 shots and looked nervous at times. On the other end, Martin Brodeur made 27 saves for yet another playoff win. Just another days work from Mr Playoffs.
Todd Bertuzzi (1), who was traded from Boston earlier in the season. Gave New Jersey the lead in a defensive first period. In the second period, Mark Recchi (5) got the Bruins back on even terms with his fifth this playoffs. But hard working Mike Fisher (3) scored for New Jersey, making it a 2-1 game after two periods. In the third period it was the battle of the special teams. Patrik Eaves (1) padded New Jersey´s lead with a shorthanded tally. But Boston and Phillipe Boucher (1) return the favor with a shorthanded goal of there own. But with 12 seconds left in the penalty to Eric Brewer, during witch Boucher scored. Rico Fata (1) made it 4-2 and the game was the Devils.
Witch team will take game six in New Jersey. Will New Jersey even up the series, aided by the momentum from today´s game. Or can Boston re-group and win the series? The questions are many, on Sunday we will have the answer.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Scott Niedermayer (New Jersey), 3 points and the Devils are still alive.
TODAY´S GAMES
Montreal at. Philadelphia 7-4 - Montreal leads 3-2
Atlanta at. Ottawa 2-0 - Atlanta win 4-1
Tampa Bay at. Florida 2-1 - Tampa Bay leads 3-2
New Jersey at. Boston 4-2- Boston leads 3-2
TOMORROW´S GAMES
Nashville (8) at. San Jose (1) - Series tied 2-2
Columbus (7) at. Calgary (2) - Calgary leads 3-1
Los Angeles (6) at. Detroit (3) - Series tied 2-2
Dallas (5) at. Vancouver (4) - Vancouver leads 3-1