“Derek Laxdal loves working with the Oil Kings and has done a fantastic job with the kids but with every win in the playoffs you wonder whether pro people outside of Edmonton are noticing. The Dallas Stars are looking for an AHL farm coach in Austin and the New York Islanders just let two assistants go, including former Swift Current Broncos coach-GM Dean Chynoweth. Laxdal used to coach the Stars’ ECHL club in Idaho. He was drafted by the Leafs the same year (1984) as Isles’ head coach Jack Capuano and they played together in Newmarket (Ont.) and Springfield.”
Matty’s Hockey World is right here.
———
Jerry Toppazzini, who played in the six-team NHL with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroi Red Wings, died Saturday at the age of 81.
The Sudbury Star has more right here.
———
F Brett Bulmer, who played this season with the Kelowna Rockets, had the game’s only goal as the visiting Houston Aeros beat the Oklahoma City Barons 1-0 in an AHL playoff game on Sunday. The Barons lead the best-of-five series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Tuesday in Oklahoma City. . . . The Aeros are affiliated with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild; the Barons are with the Edmonton Oilers. . . . Former Moose Jaw Warriors G Mike Brodeur put up the shutout.
———
According to the Winnipeg Sun, the MJHL has called an emergency board meeting for tonight at which the much-rumoured sale of the Winnipeg Saints to interests in Virden, Man., will be discussed. There has been speculation that the franchise already has been sold to a Virden group.
———
SUNDAY’S GAME:
There was one Eastern Conference game on Sunday night, with the Edmonton Oil Kings putting up a second straight 6-1 victory over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . This is the seventh Eastern Conference series this spring; the tally is 26-2. There have been four sweeps and two series decided in five games. . . . The Western Conference final resumes Wednesday with the host Portland Winterhawks holding a 2-0 edge over the Tri-City Americans. . . .
In Edmonton, G Laurent Brossoit stopped 48 shots to lead the Oil Kings to a 6-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. . . . The Oil Kings, who now have won 21 straight games, including 10 in a row in these playoffs, lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, 2-0. . . . Edmonton had won the opener, also 6-1, on Friday. . . . The series now heads for Moose Jaw and games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. . . . Brossoit was especially busy in the second period when he stopped 23 of 24 shots. . . . The CHL’s reigning goaltender of the week, Brossoit has won 19 straight starts. . . . F Jordan Peddle scored twice for Edmonton, giving him three goals in these playoffs. He got the game’s first goal and later made it 5-1 with an empty-netter as Moose Jaw lifted G Luke Siemens for the extra attacker with 3:30 to play. . . . Edmonton F Klarc Wilson had two assists, giving him five points in the two games. . . . Siemens finished with 26 saves. . . . Brossoit lost his shutout when F Kenton Miller scored on the PP at 11:37 of the second period. That cut the Edmonton lead to 2-1, but D Martin Gernat restored the two-goal lead on a PP just three minutes later. . . . According to Matthew Gourlie of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald: “The 49 shots (Brossoit) was the most he had faced since his first WHL start. Brossoit made 49 saves in a 2-1 loss to Kootenay in his second career appearance on March 13, 2010 when he was 16.”. . . The Oil Kings continue to play without injured forwards Dylan Wruck (shoulder) and Kristians Pelss (undisclosed). As well, F Travis Ewanyk suffered an apparent arm injury last night. Ewanyk, who turned 20 on March 29, played only 11 regular-season games after undergoing shoulder surgery in September. He returned to Edmonton's lineup on Feb. 24.There has never been a subscription fee for this blog, but if you enjoy stopping by here, why not consider donating to the cause? Just click HERE. . . and thank you very much.
Posts
