5/4 Stanley Cup & Calder Cup Playoff Scoreboard

2 games took place in both the NHL & AHL last night we had Game 3's were played to determine the momentum and to find out if anybody can take control in the Stanley Cup & Calder Cup Playoff Series.

Pittsburgh & Montreal were in a game where both goaltenders Marc-Andre Flurey and Jaroslav Halak were locked in a goaltender's duel as the game was scoreless through 2 periods. However Pittsburgh was finally able to crack through early in the 3rd period with Evgeni Malkin scoring just over a minute into the 3rd period. Then Dupis put the game away in the final seconds to make it a 2-0 win for the Penguins.

This puts the Penguins up the series 2-1 as the Penguins are starting to slowly ware out the Canadains to put an end to their Giant Killer Hopes after beating Washington in the Series Opener.

Then in Game 3 of San Jose VS. Detroit, the Red Wings were able to put the Sharks down 3-1 through 2 periods. San Jose might have down 3-1, the Sharks have been on a terror since Game 3 of the Colorado Series and were determined to comeback against the Red Wings after being able to fend them off late in Game 2.

It was another big 3rd period for the Sharks with goals by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture to make 3-3 midway through the 3rd period. Then the Sharks were looking to use the momentum to win the game in regulation but it was to no use.

It took OT for Patrick Marleau got a great assist on a breakaway from Joe Thorton to win the game 4-3 to put the Sharks up 3-0 in the series. Expect San Jose to put this series away pretty quickly as the Red Wings look tired after the 7 game fight they had against Phoenix.

San Jose on the other-hand is looking to put several playoff disappointments behind them as they are looking to become the top contender in the West to make th Stanley Cup Finals as the Top Seed. With the top 3 seeds from the East all gone, they starting to look like a team that I would expect to win the Stanley Cup this season.

In the AHL, it was the West & North Division Finals on display as Abbotsford & Hamilton were looking to be very evenly matched as the Heat were looking to take a 2-1 series lead on home ice. Early on it was looking very strong as Jon Rheault and Brett Sutter scored to make it 2-1 Heat at the 1st intermission.

However, Hamilton goalie Cedrick Desjardins turned up the pressure to turn away 23 saves in the 2nd & 3rd periods to allow Gabriel Dumont and Olivier Fortier to comeback in the 2nd period to lead 3-2. That would also stand as the Final score to get the Bulldogs a 2-1 series lead.


NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Montreal Canadians 0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030213

Pittsburgh VS. Montreal Game Story: www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009030213

Pittsburgh Leads Series 2-1, Game 4 is on Thursday Night.


San Jose Sharks 4 Detroit Red Wings 3 (OT) (1-2, 0-0, 2-0, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009030233

San Jose VS. Detroit Game Story: www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009030233

San Jose Leads Series 3-0, Game 4 is on Thursday Night


AHL Calder Cup Playoffs

Look for the Texas Stars VS. Chicago Wolves Game Story.

Hamilton Bulldogs 3 Abbotsford Heat 2 (1-2, 2-0, 0-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007299

Hamilton VS. Abbotsford Game Story: http://theahl.com/fresh-faces-help-dogs-to-2-1-series-lead-p142524

Hamilton Leads Series 2-1, Game 4 is on Thursday Night in Abbotsford, B.C.