The Grand Rapids Griffins took a 1-0 lead on Wednesday with a 4-2 road victory over the Milwaukee Admirals in Game 1 of the Central Regional Final.
The Griffins have led 1-0 for five games in a row.Game 2 will be played in Milwaukee on Monday at 8 p.m.
Marco Kasper led the offense with one goal and two assists, including the winning goal at 9:57 of the third period.
Jackson's Carter Mazur, Zach Aston-Reese and Joel Lesperance scored the other goals, and goaltender Sebastian Cossa stopped 25 of the Griffins' 27 shots.
Coyotes' Ingram wins Masterton Trophy
Goaltender Connor Ingram, who shared his struggle with undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder that led him to drink to cope with anxiety and blossomed into a full-time NHL player, shares his struggles with perseverance, sportsmanship, and sports He was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his dedication to the cause. hockey.
Ingram had a breakout performance last season with the Arizona Coyotes, but for years he has not sought or received assistance from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which is a joint effort between the league and association. The team is currently running the tournament, and the participation of other players has recently become a hot topic.
“I'm not doing this to get an award. I'm doing this to rebuild my life,” Ingram told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “The fact that it gives you recognition is something that a lot of people who rebuild their lives don't get.”
The other finalists were Calgary's Oliver Killington, who has been away for more than a year and a half for mental health reasons, and Carolina's Frederik Andersen, who missed several months this season to deal with blood clotting issues. Masterton is determined by a vote of members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
“The other two guys were more than deserving of it, so just to be able to join that group and be a part of that is pretty exciting,” Ingram said.
Ingram was on Nashville's practice squad early in the pandemic-delayed and shortened 2021 season, entered the Player Assistance Program, and left the Predators in late January. That spring, he returned to play a few games with the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, but it wasn't until that summer, when he sold his house and car and moved from his hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Nashville. I met him. He married his fiancée and got back on track.
“We just restarted,” he said. “It was good for me and I’m glad I got a fresh start.”
Ingram made his NHL debut on October 24, 2021, about nine months after starting the program, and started four playoff games in the spring of 2022 when Juuse Saros was out with an injury and David Rittich stumbled in the first-round opener. Participated in. Since being claimed off waivers by Arizona State in October 2022, he has started 74 games and shared the net with Karel Weimelka, who has become his friend and seatmate on buses and planes.
“When there's something I want to talk about, half the time he wants to talk about it too,” Ingram said. “He's a great guy to be around because we're pretty similar and think the same way.”
Now 27 years old and after his team relocated to Utah to begin play in Salt Lake City in the fall, Ingram finally took advantage of the chance to prove himself and realize that the best hockey is ahead of him. I hope it is.
“I felt like I was a guy who would never disappear,” he said. “I played seven years in the minors and slowly worked my way up until that opportunity came along. That's all you can ask for, and if someone gives you a chance, you take it. You have to be ready to accept it, otherwise it won't last long.”
Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said the organization is proud to have Ingram as its representative.
“Connor's journey through adversity and unwavering dedication to the game of hockey embodies the essence of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy,” Armstrong said. “Since his return, Connor has not only excelled on the ice, but has continued to tell his story, emphasize the importance of seeking support during the darkest moments of his life, and continue to inspire people around the world.” He has inspired many hockey players.
Rangers aim for shutout of Carolina
The New York Rangers quickly moved into victory after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes, and it looked like they could easily advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Instead, the Hurricanes continue to claw their way back in the series, and the pressure is mounting on the Rangers, who won the Presidents Trophy, to shut out this game.
The Rangers have lost two straight after winning the first three games of the best-of-seven series. Their most recent loss came in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, when they allowed four shutouts in the third period. This brings them back to Raleigh for Thursday's Game 6, with Carolina having home ice advantage and a chance to tie the series.
“I think when you lose a team, you know it's going to be a good fight, it's going to be a good fight,” Rangers manager Peter Laviolette told reporters in New York on Wednesday. . .
“To reach my goal of a fourth win, I need to make sure my game is on point as well.”
New York dominated Washington in the first round and started the series with three one-point wins to reach 7-0 in the playoffs, with Games 2 and 3 going to overtime. However, the Hurricanes did a great job of overcoming their power play struggles for the winner in Game 4, and with a dominant performance on Monday, faced a 1-0 deficit with elimination looming.
Laviolette said the Rangers “know where we are,” and captain Jacob Trouba, whose shorthanded goal in Game 5 was New York's only point, said the team has He said he fought back from a bad game.
“We had a problem too, and now it's time to address it,” Trouba said Wednesday.
Back in Raleigh, the atmosphere in Carolina's locker room was much the same as Laviolette's assessment.
“Things haven't changed one bit for us,” Carolina's top center Sebastian Aho said.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour was optimistic when his team fell behind at 0-3, saying Carolina was playing well in key areas and needed to improve while sticking to the same approach. It sounded too on point. After the last two games, his team has somewhat proven that belief. Carolina evenly outscored New York in the series, 16-15 and 12-9.
In fact, the Rangers had the advantage on special teams, scoring four points on the power play and two goals shorthanded. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes rank second in the regular season with 26.9% and are 20-1 (5%) in the series on the power play.
However, Carolina's penalty kill, which ranks first in the league in the regular season with a rate of 86.4%, was successful as it allowed 10 shots on target despite being stopped in eight consecutive games starting in Game 3. ing.
Carolina also had defenseman Brett Pesce back on the ice for Wednesday's practice. The second-pair defenseman has not played since Game 2 of the first round against the New York Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but through Brind'Amour he announced that despite President Pesce's initial optimism that this series There remains a view that it is doubtful whether he will return. and General Manager Don Waddell.
Still, a win for Carolina on Thursday would move the Hurricanes closer to becoming the fifth NHL team to win a playoff series after falling behind 3-0.
“We're still down 3-2,” forward Seth Jarvis said. “We are still in the same position as the last two games. We have to win to keep playing.”
Oil companies may stick with Mr. Picard.
Edmonton took a 2-0 lead in Game 4, but a late goal from Evan Bouchard defeated Vancouver and tied the series, relying on their backup goalie. This leaves the Oilers and Canucks in two very different positions heading into Thursday's Game 5.
Calvin Pickard found the net for the Oilers in his first postseason start, and the 32-year-old made 19 saves until the third period in a shutout victory. He replaced Stuart Skinner, who allowed 4 points on 15 shots in Game 3.
This is Picard's first action since April 18th.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch did not rule out the possibility of staying with Picard after Game 4, saying that because of his performance, “If we can do that, we have a lot of confidence in him.'' ” he said.
Vancouver has relied on 23-year-old Arturs Silovs in net since Thatcher Demko and backup Casey DeSmith suffered lower-body injuries in Game 1 against Nashville.
Coach Rick Tocchet called the Shilovs “solid” with 27 saves, but was candid about the performance of several players, whom he described as “passengers” en route to the playoffs.
“We've been a resilient group all year long, but we need five or six guys to get by here,” Tocchet said.
Eastern Conference Playoffs bracket
2nd round
eastern conference
Carolina vs. New York Rangers
(Rangers lead 3-2)
▶ Game 1: Rangers 4-3
▶ Game 2: Rangers 4-3 (2OT)
▶ Game 3: Rangers 3-2 (OT)
▶ Game 4: Hurricanes 4-3
▶ Game 5: Hurricanes 4-1
▶ Game 6: Thursday @ Carolina TBA
▶ Game 7: Saturday @ New York, TBA
boston vs florida
(Panthers 3-2 lead)
▶ Game 1: Boston 5-1
▶ Game 2: Florida 6-1
▶ Game 3: Florida 6-2
▶ Game 4: Florida 3-2
▶ Game 5: Boston 2-1
▶ Game 6: Friday @ Boston, TBA
▶ Game 7: Sunday @ Florida, TBA
western conference
Colorado vs. Dallas
(Stars lead 3-1)
▶ Game 1: Avalanche 4-3 (OT)
▶ Game 2: 5-3 stars
▶ Game 3: Star 4-1
▶ Game 4: Star 5-1
▶ Game 5: Wednesday @ Dallas, TBA
▶ Game 6: Friday @ Colorado TBA
▶ Game 7: Sunday @ Dallas
edmonton vs vancouver
(Series tied 2-2)
▶ Game 1: Canucks 5-4
▶ Game 2: Oilers 4-3 (OT)
▶ Game 3: Canucks 4-3
▶ Game 4: Oilers 3-2
▶ Game 5: Thursday @ Vancouver, TBA
▶ Game 6: Saturday @ Edmonton, TBA
▶ Game 7: Monday @ Vancouver, TBA
american hockey league playoffs
Middle district final
Grand Rapids vs. Milwaukee
(Grand Rapids leads 1-0 for 5 straight games)
▶ Game 1: Grand Rapids 4-2
▶ Game 2: Monday, May 20 @Milwaukee, 8
▶ Game 3: Wednesday, May 22 @ Grand Rapids, 7
▶ Game 4: Friday, May 24th, 7 in Grand Rapids
▶ Game 5: Sunday, May 26 @ Milwaukee, 6
ECHL
western conference finals
Toledo vs. Kansas City
(Best of Seven Series)
▶ Game 1: Friday @ Toledo, 7:15
▶ Game 2: Saturday @ Toledo, 7:15
▶ Game 3: Monday, May 20 @ Toledo, 7:15 p.m.
▶ Game 4: Friday, May 24 @ Kansas City, 8:05
▶ Game 5: Saturday, May 25 @ Kansas City, 8:05
▶ Game 6: Monday, May 27 @ Kansas City, 5:05 p.m.
▶ Game 7: Wednesday, May 29th, Kansas City, 8:05am
Road to the Memorial Cup in Saginaw
(Saginaw will be held from May 24th to June 2nd)
▶ Friday, May 24th: WHL vs. Saginaw, 7:30
▶ Saturday, May 25th: OHL vs. QMJHL, 4
▶ Sunday, May 26th: Saginaw vs. QMJHL, 7:30
▶ Monday, May 27th: OHL vs. WHL, 7:30
▶ Tuesday, May 28th: QMJHL vs. WHL, 7:30
▶ Wednesday, May 29th: Saginaw vs. OHL, 7:30
▶ Thursday, May 30th: Tiebreaker (if required)
▶ Friday, May 31st: Semi-finals, 7:30
▶ Sunday June 2nd: Last, 7:30
CHL Finals (WHL, OHL, QMJHL)
western hockey league
Moose Jaw vs. Portland
(Moose Jaw leads 2-0)
▶ Game 1: Moose Jaw, 3-2
▶ Game 2: Moose Jaw, 5-1
▶ Game 3: Tuesday @ Moose Jaw
▶ Game 4: Wednesday @ Moose Jaw
▶ Game 5: Friday @ Moose Jaw
▶ Game 6: Sunday @ Portland
▶ Game 7: Monday @ Portland
ontario hockey league
Oshawa vs. London
(London leads 3-0)
▶ Game 1: London, 8-1
▶ Game 2: London, 9-1
▶ Game 3: London 7-6 (2OT)
▶ Game 4: Wednesday @ Oshawa
▶ Game 5: Friday @ London
▶ Game 6: Sunday @ Oshawa
▶ Game 7: Monday @ London
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Baie Comeau vs. Drummondville
(Drummondville won 3-0)
▶ Game 1: Drummondville, 5-0
▶ Game 2: Drummondville, 1-0 (OT)
▶ Game 3: Drummondville 6-2
▶ Game 4: Drummondville 4-3
