OTHL -- ATLANTA (7) at. PHILADELPHIA (1) - 2-1 - ATLANTA LEADS SERIES 1-0
Atlanta Thrashers came into Philadelphi as the big surprise, after beating second seeded Ottawa Senators. And while some tought there fairytale would end against Philadelphia, Khaibulin and his teammates showed that they are not going out without a fight. Khaibulin stood on his head again, and won his fifth straight game. 33 saves was his save count today, and if he keeps this up, then the Thrashers could end up winning everything.
The first period was scoreless as neither team were able to outsmart the two goaltenders. In the second period, Danny Heatley (2) scored to get the Thrashers into the lead. At that point, the Thrashers were playing without there top forward in the post-season, Brenden Morrow who recived a game misconduct earlier in the same period. Morrow highsticked Mattias Timander and was ejected from the game. After the game, Morrow recived a 5 game suspension.
Halfaway into the third period, Mark Parrish (5), who is playing excellent right now. Scored to make it 1-1. A powerplay goal that was scored with Josef Vasicek and Ken Klee in the penalty box for Atlanta. As the time were running out, Danny Heatley (3) scored the game winner with five minutes to go. Heatley who was quiet against Ottawa in the first round, will have to continue to play like this. Now when Morrow is suspended for the next five games.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nikolai Khabibulin (Atlanta), 33 new saves as the Thrashers continue to win games.
BOSTON (4) at. FLORIDA (3) - 0-1 - FLORIDA LEADS SERIES 1-0
Boston came out flying in the first period against Florida. A first period that saw 11 penalties being called both ways. And despite a 12-3 Boston lead in the shortchart, it was Florida that scored the only goal in the period. Jaroslav Spacek (1) picked up a drop pass from Alexander Mogilny. And the unlikley goal scorer, Spacek, showed that he has a nice wrister as he flicked home the puck.
In the second period, the Panthers managed to move up there game and not just stand in there own end defending themselfs. However, by now Mikka Kiprusoff was back to his normal self and stoped everything. As did Roberto Luongo on the other end, who made 25 saves in the game and earned himself his first shutout in the post-season. The third period saw the Panthers taking over the shotchart, outshooting Boston 11-3. But they failed to score any more goals.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jaroslav Spacek (Florida), scored the lone goal in the game.
VANCOUVER (4) at. SAN JOSE (1) - 3-4 - SAN JOSE LEADS SERIES 1-0
Evgeni Nabokov played his best game in the playoffs, despite the fact that he allowed 3 goals. Nabokov made 42 saves in the first game against Vancouver. On the other end of the ice, Jocelyn Thibault looked more human, as he saw 4 pucks move past him. Thibault made 19 saves as the Nucks lost game one.
Martin Lapointe (3) gave the home team the lead four minutes into the first period. A period were the Canucks scored twice just a minute apart. Christian Bäckman (1) tied up the game at 9:34. Then at the 10:22 mark, Shane Doan (2) scored a powerplay goal. Jordan Leopold was at the time in the box serving a minor for unsportsmanlike-conduct. In the second period, it was Leopold who tied up the game. With four minutes to go, Jordan Leopold (1) stole the puck during a Vancouver powerplay. And Leopold showed that he has some scoring skills as he blasted the puck past Thibault. Tying the game at 2-2.
And the Sharks penalty killing units continued to shine in the second period. Only 19 seconds into the third period, Derek Morris (1) scored a shorthander while Dan Boyle was in the sinbin. With three minutes to go, Martin Lapointe (4) padded the lead with another goal. Vancouver got some hope when Brendan Shanahan (1) scored. But Nabokov stoped everything thrown at him in the dying minutes.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Martin Lapoine (San Jose), steped up and scored three points.
DETROIT (3) at. CALGARY (2) - 3-5 - CALGARY LEADS SERIES 1-0
Detroit scored the first goal, in a wild game between two of the best teams in the west. Daymond Langkow (4) scored an unassisted powerplay goal. A goal that was scored during a 4-on-3. Three minutes later, Richard Zednik (3) tied up the game and with 36 seconds left in the period Sergei Zubov (1) gave Calgary the lead for the first time in the game. A lead they held onto for about eight minutes. 7:49 into the second period, Jaroslav Modry (1) scored his first in the post-season. Detroit re-took the lead when Jason York (1) banged home a powerplay goal with six minutes left. But the Flames keept working and was rewarded once again with a late goal. With 10 seconds left, Rod Brind´Amour (1) scored his long awaited first playoff goal this post-season.
In the third period, the Flames won the game with two unaswered goals. Markus Näslund (6) made it 4-3 and with four minutes left, Rod Brind´Amour (2) scored his second for the night. Giving Calgary the important game one win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Rod Brind´Amour (Calgary), lead the way with 2 goals.
TODAY´S GAMES
Atlanta at. Philadelphia 2-1 - Atlanta leads 1-0
Boston at. Florida 0-1 - Florida leads 1-0
Vancouver at. San Jose 3-4 - San Jose leads 1-0
Detroit at. Calgary 3-5- Calgary leads 1-0
TOMORROW´S GAMES
Atlanta (7) at. Philadelphia (1) - Atlanta leads 1-0
Boston (4) at. Florida (3) - Florida leads 1-0