December 2007 - Hockey Wiretap
Stuart, Kessel Help Bruins Snap Six-Game Skid
A friendly sibling rivalry turned out favorably for Mark Stuart and the Boston Bruins.
Stuart's goal broke a tie a period after brother Colin scored his first NHL goal for Atlanta, and the Bruins ended a six-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Thrashers on Monday.
"It was nice," Mark Stuart said. "He one-upped me earlier, so I had to do it."
Boston's first goal of the game -- a power-play score by Dennis Wideman -- was the team's 18,000th, making the Bruins the second NHL team to reach that mark. Montreal has 18,886.
"Maybe Boston Bruins' trivia one day," Wideman said.
Phil Kessel and Matt Lashoff added insurance goals in the third for Boston. P.J. Axelsson also scored for the Bruins, 0-5-1 in their previous six games. It was their worst stretch since they ended last season 0-6-0.
Kings Sign Wayne Simmonds

The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with forward Wayne Simmonds, the club?s second-round selection (61st overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and one of three Kings' prospects currently representing Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championships, Kings' President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
Simmonds, 19, has zero points and two penalty minutes in four games with Team Canada at this year?s World Junior Championships. The 6-1, 174-pound native of Scarborough, Ontario, also has two goals and five penalty minutes in three regular season games with Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League this season. Simmonds was recently traded to Sault Ste. Marie after beginning this season with Owen Sound (OHL), where he had 39 points (17-22=39) and 43 penalty minutes in 29 regular season games.
Simmonds recorded 49 points (23-26=49) and 112 penalty minutes in 66 regular season games with Owen Sound during the 2006-07 season.
Ovechkin, Jagr, Nabokov Named

Capitals' left wing Alexander Ovechkin, who scored four goals in Saturday's 8-6 victory over the Senators, was named the NHL's "First Star of the Week" on Monday.
Also honored were Rangers' right wing Jaromir Jagr and Sharks' goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.
Chicago Puts Disappointing Samsonov On Waivers
A day after Blackhawks' Coach Denis Savard pronounced that "there's no room" on the ice for underachieving forward Sergei Samsonov, it appears there's no room in the organization either for the veteran, who was officially placed on waivers.
Samsonov most likely will clear waivers today since few teams would be willing to take on his $3.5 million salary and his lack of production, but Savard is hoping there is a taker.
"I'm sure if someone picks him up, he'll be able to help them if he's put in the right spot," Savard said.
Samsonov, the eighth overall choice by Boston in the 1997 draft, came to the Hawks from Montreal in exchange for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen over the summer. The hope was he could regain his form of old and provide a veteran presence on a young Hawks team.
After starting the season as a top-six forward, Samsonov's ice time quickly faded. He ended up playing in only 23 games, garnering a total of 4 points.
Flyers Blank Panthers Behind Niittymaki's 38 Saves
The Flyers' Derian Hatcher scored a rare goal at a most opportune time.
The defensman's second goal this season, along with 38 stops by goalie Antero Niittymaki, helped Philadelphia beat the Florida Panthers 1-0 on Sunday.
"It's always nice to score. What more can I say?" said Hatcher, who has just 80 goals in 1,022 career games.
It was the third career shutout and first of the season for Niittymaki, who has appeared in 111 games over parts of four seasons with the Flyers.
Blackhawks Recall Richmond From AHL Rockford

The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Danny Richmond from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Sunday.
Penguins And Sabres Brace For Cold
More than 73,000 spectators will brave frigid conditions here Tuesday to watch the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins stage the first National Hockey League game in a US outdoor venue.
The "Winter Classic" follows the tradition of the 2003 "Heritage Classic" staged in Edmonton with the Oilers playing host to the Montreal Canadiens and will shatter the league one-game attendance record of 57,167 set at that game.
Only 42,000 tickets were put up for public sale and those were all purchased in less than half an hour.
Canadiens Recall Locke From AHL Hamilton

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that forward Corey Locke has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. Locke will join the team in New York today and should be available for tonight?s game against the Rangers.
Locke, 23, leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 23 points in 30 games (8 goals, 15 assists). He posted a +4 and registered 20 penalty minutes.
With a goal in a 4-3 loss against the Marlies last night in Hamilton, the Toronto native became the Bulldogs? all-time leading scorer with his 180th AHL career point (63 goals, 117 assists). He passed former Bulldogs' Brian Swanson (179 points).
Locke was a Canadiens? 4th round draft choice, 113th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Oilers' Moreau Returns After 14-Month Absence

Edmonton captain Ethan Moreau was in the Oilers' starting lineup for Saturday's game at Minnesota, marking his long-awaited return from an injury absence that lasted more than 14 months.
The 32-year-old left wing, who helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2006, dislocated his right shoulder just eight games into last season and didn't play again. He had recently signed a four-year contract extension through 2011, before getting hurt.
Then in September, Moreau took a slap shot off his left ankle in a preseason game. He was supposed to miss a few weeks, but the injury was later discovered to be worse than initially diagnosed.
Moreau, a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1994, has 224 points in 685 career games. Saturday night, he started on a line with Andrew Cogliano and Fernando Pisani against the Wild.
Sharks Win Team-Record 9th Straight Road Game
Steve Bernier helped the San Jose Sharks set a team record.
Bernier had a goal and two assists in the Sharks' 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators 5-2 Saturday night, winning a franchise-record ninth straight road game.
Joe Thornton and Milan Michalek each had two assists for San Jose. Marcel Goc, Craig Rivet, Matthew Carle and Torrey Mitchell also scored for the Sharks. J.P. Dumont and Alexander Radulov scored for the Predators.
"We have had to be really patient on the road," said Goc. "When we are patient we don't have the breakdowns. The Predators scored two quick goals on us, but that happens. We kept with our game pla,n and it is working."
Lightning Place Backup Goalie Denis On Waivers


Marc Denis has been a major disappointment since being acquired from the Blue Jackets in a June 2006 trade.
Stars Extend Coach Tippett's Contract


Dave Tippett is 212-109-45 in five seasons, the best record among active coaches.
Pens' Crosby Named Canadian Athlete Of The Year


Winning the Lionel Conacher Award capped Sidney Crosby's season that included a Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP, the Pearson Award, and the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion.
MSG, Cheerleader Settle Sex Discrimination Lawsuit


Madison Square Garden has avoided the potential of another embarrassing trial.