Neues » vs Iker Casillas

EDMONTON - It wasnt much of a season, but the Edmonton Oilers managed to go out with a show-stopper to honour Ryan Smyth. Swell Nederland . Taylor Hall had three assists to hit 80 points on the season as the Oilers celebrated veteran forward Smyths final game in style, coming away with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. "It was a special night," said Hall."To get a win and a nice win was great. Smitty wanted to go out on a win and a high note. That was his message before the game. We won it for him and it was good to see. It was a night I will never forget." Roman Horak, Jeff Petry, Will Acton, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for the Oilers (29-44-9) who snapped a two-game losing skid in their final game of the season. The win moved the Oilers up a draft spot, as they leapfrogged the Florida Panthers into 28th place overall with Tuesdays NHL draft lottery looming. The fans, however, were more interested in seeing Smyth go out on a win after a career that saw him total 386 goals, 456 assists and 842 points in 1,270 career games. Smyth, was unable to get the power-play goal that would have given him the franchise record, remaining in a tie with Glenn Anderson at 126 for his career. Smyth was loudly cheered all night and no show of respect could have been bigger than the Canucks players coming back out on the ice to shake his hand after the final whistle, before the sobbing Alberta native said goodbye to his coaches and teammates. "I soaked every moment of it in," Smyth said. "It was an awesome experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of putting on this jersey, and any jersey in the NHL. To see the fan appreciation form the start to the end… they are the best fans in the world. I am thoroughly honoured to stand up here today and say I enjoyed every moment." Shawn Matthias and Zack Kassian replied for the Canucks (35-35-11) who have not had a strong finishing run to their season, losing six of their last seven with one game still to be played. "We gave them too many primary scoring chances and a team like that theyre going to score," Kassian said. "We got a lot of shots, but we didnt get a lot of scoring chances for us." However, even the Vancouver players were mainly interested in talking about Smyths final night and how they were glad to be able to go up to him after the game and pay their respects. "We talked about having to do something for him," said captain Henrik Sedin. "Hes been such a big part of the Oilers, you talk about a lot of big names and hes up there with the best. It was fun to be a part of it." "Its terrific," added Canucks coach John Tortorella. "Thats what you love about our athletes in our game, its that mutual respect amongst one another after the game is over. Ryan Smyth deserves that and I thought our guys handled themselves very well." Edmonton started the scoring just 2:14 into the game as Steven Pinizzotto made a pass from behind the net to Horak in the slot and the recent AHL call-up rifled his first of the year past Canucks starting goalie Jacob Markstrom. The assist was Pinizzottos first-career NHL point. Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens withstood a barrage of early shots to keep Vancouver off the board and as a result Edmonton made it 2-0 with seven minutes left to play in the first. Nugent-Hopkins was able to get the puck to a pinching Petry in front and he beat Markstrom high to the glove side for this seventh of the year. Vancouver out-shot the Oilers 18-5 in the first period. Oddly enough the Oilers also scored 2:14 into the second period to make it 3-0 as a Philip Larsen shot hit a stick in front, but the clearing attempt went directly to Acton, who zipped home his third of the season. The Canucks got on the board five-and-a-half minutes into the second as Scrivens attempted a diving poke check on Matthias, but the momentum carried the puck into the net anyway to make it 3-1. Edmonton made it 4-1 with four minutes left in the second as Eberle tried to hit Smyth in front for this record-setting power-play goal, but the puck caromed in off defender Alexander Edler instead. "On the replay, we thought maybe he spun around and hit it," Eberle said of the hope that Smyth would be credited with the goal. "We were hoping that it was his. We were trying to do everything we could to get the puck to the net for him so he could tip it. We tried so hard." The Oilers took a four-goal lead a minute-and-a-half into the third period after a Martin Marincin shot created a scramble in front and Canucks defender Nicklas Jensen inadvertently chipped the puck off the skate of Nugent-Hopkins and in. The Canucks made the score look a little better with a goal by Kassian with just 11 seconds left in the game. Vancouver out-shot Edmonton 42-22 overall. The Canucks still have one game left to play before their season is officially over, returning home to play the Calgary Flames on Sunday. Edmonton is now officially done, missing the playoffs for a league-high eighth straight season. Notes- It was the fifth and final game of the season between the divisional rivals. The Canucks won the first three games by a combined score of 12-3 before Edmonton won the fourth match-up 4-2 on Jan. 27… Smyth concluded his NHL career after spending 15 of his 20 seasons in the league for the Oilers, ranking second on the franchises all-time list with 971 games played. He was given the Oilers captains C for the game… It was Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 21st birthday… College free agent forward Michael Zalewski, who signed with Vancouver on Mar. 14 after playing this past season with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, played his first NHL game... Out for the Canucks were defencemen Christopher Tanev (broken fingers) and Andrew Alberts (concussion) and center Mike Santorelli (shoulder surgery)… Absent with injuries from the Oilers lineup were forwards Sam Gagner (ankle), Nail Yakupov (broken ankle), Ryan Jones (torn PCL), Boyd Gordon (shoulder), Jesse Joensuu (high ankle sprain) and Luke Gazdic (shoulder), as well as defenceman Andrew Ference (pectoral tear). Hydro Flask Drinkfles . 1. Lions WR Calvin Johnson (6 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD, 10 targets) leads receivers with 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns, though his 118.1 receiving yards per game ranks second behind Clevelands Josh Gordon. Gordon (10 REC, 261 YDS, 2 TD, 15 targets) is emerging as a superstar, putting up huge numbers even with Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden at quarterback. Swell Bottle Nederland . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. http://www.swellbottlenederland.com/hydro-flask-nederland.html . Like a magic trick, the puck popped out behind Stalock in the San Jose net. While Sharks coach Todd McLellan decried the legality of the tiebreaking goal, the Los Angeles Kings celebrated their latest, greatest escape yet.Day 10 in 100 words or less If this was 2010 and Germany and Ghana had just played out the 2-2 draw that took place on Saturday then people would be talking about it as one of the greatest games in World Cup history. Of course it wasnt, although it was fantastic, but place that game around a long bunch of duds and that would have been the perception. Instead, it came in the midst of what is turning out to be the finest World Cup group stage ever. Typically, for Brazil 2014, the game wasnt even the main story on day 10, instead the little master took over that honour. Argentina 1-0 Iran Sometimes there just has to be a winner. Someone proved right even when it just seemed they were so wrong. You will have heard by now that Lionel Messi scored a dramatic injury time winner against Iran so you probably presume that the winner I am talking about is him. I am not. Heading into this World Cup the biggest storyline of all was "can the best player in the world carry Argentina to glory and become one of the greats?" For many it was nonsense, an obsession with an individual in a team sport who cannot possibly do it all himself. As the clock ticked past the ninety minute mark that crowd smiled. Resolute Iran had defended brilliantly. In a World Cup full of swashbuckling, quick, decisive finishing, it took a footballing minnow to give a masterclass in defending. Dont be fooled, they threatened to score also, but above anything else they made world class attacking stars look very ordinary. This included Messi. It was the perfect example of a game that laughed in the face of those who demanded the Barcelona star must carry his team. A game that required complete cohesion, partnerships on the field, combining to open up an opponent. A game that, late in the first half, saw Messi pick up the ball, look up and see 11 opponents in front of him... Iran did a great job with Messi, not only marking him tightly but being so disciplined with their shape and getting extra numbers that were ready if Messi cut in with his left. Messi from deep areas likes to glide from right to left but still the Iranians blocked that path. Last weekend Messi was able to score his goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina when that key area highlighted by the square (below) was open and not blocked with defenders... A 1-2 pass with Fernando Gago and suddenly Messi is into that space, shoots to the right of the goalkeeper for the game winner. And that was how he got his goal against Iran. With the game coming to a close, Iran got too deep, Messi got a one-on-one matchup with the defender and saw space to his left if he cut in... With 11 men behind the ball, but with that crucial narrow space opening up, Messi unleashed a brilliant strike to win it... Goals change perceptions as quickly as they change games. Suddenly Messi was doing what some had demanded. Carrying Argentina on his back to a victory. It was a wonderful World Cup moment, without question, but those demanding it, should be careful what they wish for. This is not Messi of 2010 and it is not even close. Yet. By not scoring, and therefore not having a moment, in South Africa Messis legacy was seen as tarnished for not performing at a World Cup. Now he looks tired and isnt quite at the same level, but scoring, everything seems to be fine again. It just goes to show you what a staggeringly misguided argument it was in the first place. Germany 2-2 Ghana There is no room for perfection in a World Cup like this.. Swell Fles Nederland. Germany, superior against Portugal, were clearly the most impressive team after the first round of games but it just wouldnt be Brazil 2014 if that was allowed to continue. Germany, much like Italy and Spain this week, spent some time in the heat of Brazil struggling to get back in a match. The big difference was they had a record breaker to bring off the bench. For the first time since 1994, the Germans trailed at the World Cup after leading and, stunned at 2-1, on came Miroslav Klose. Two minutes later he had them level, fittingly poaching at the backpost, equaling the Brazilian great Ronaldo with 15 World Cup goals. It was the fourth goal in a mad 20 minutes. Ghana had joined an ever-growing comeback club at this World Cup responding to a Mario Gotze opener with two excellent goals that highlighted some German weakness. Germanys weakness is their defence and they were easily outjumped by Andre Ayew to make it 1-1. The heat of Fortaleza certainly played a part but the tempo of their passing wasnt quick enough either and that showed when they turned the ball over on the second goal. Philipp Lahm has now had two opportunities to move back to right back in two games but so far Joachim Low has resisted. To get Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos together, bringing more pace and power to their midfield, Lahm may need to move back to defence. Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina The African momentum continued into the evening game, which was another wide open, stretched affair. The game swung in the first half when Edin Dzeko was wrongly ruled offside after putting his team ahead. Soon after, Nigeria, a constant threat down the right side, opened the scoring when Emmanuel Emenike crossed for Peter Odemwingie to smash home. The Europeans were poor in the second half and didnt threaten enough until Vincent Enyeama produced a wonderful save with his legs in the dying moments. Seen as some as a dark horse heading in, the World Cup rookies are eliminated at the first fence. Another lesson that far too much emphasis can be placed on form from qualifying, which ended eight months ago. Man of the Day Nominees Ashkan Dejagah – Iran had many stars on this day but the Fulham man was incredibly lively when they countered and could have had a penalty when tripped by Pablo Zabaleta. Javad Nekounam – If Dejagah was the star going forward, his midfielder teammate was marvelous maintaining the shape and discipline of their back lines. Lionel Messi – It could have been a two yard tap-in and it still would have been a massive moment, given the timing of the goal, but in the end it was an absolutely stunning goal. Miroslav Klose – Any player who equals any stat held by the great Ronaldo is special. Emmanuel Emenike – It was a dominant display from the forward tearing apart Emir Spahic at the heart of the Bosnian defence. The winner... Lionel Messi – Who else? What comes next? Belgium vs. Russia (12pm/9am), South Korea vs. Algeria (3pm/noon), USA vs. Portugal (6pm/3pm). Burning question for Sunday Can the USA stop Joao Moutinho from dictating a game from midfield? Key stat of Day 10 Try this on your friends – what do Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Stoke City have in common? They are the three teams that have had players score past their club goalkeeper. Zinedine Zidane vs Iker Casillas (2006), Wesley Sneijder vs Julio Cesar (2010) and now Peter Odemwingie vs Asmir Begovic (2014).