The Birthday Edition of the Phil Esposito (2/21/11)

Photo: http://bleacherreport.com

There were eleven former feather heads that took the ice Friday night and they were all skaters. Also they were able to net two goals and add two assists.

On Saturday sixteen former ‘Hawks took the ice. There were two goalies who both recorded impressive shut outs. One was in his debut after being traded the day before. There were two points recorded which were both goals coming from Former Stanley Cup Champion Hawks, Ladd and Byfuglien.

Sunday, “Hockey Day in America”, there were nine former Blackhawks to take the ice. They tallied four points which were all goals. Rene Bourque had a game to remember in the Heritage Classic. Really carried the flames to victory. Every game was competitive and exciting on “Hockey Day in America” and I was just happy to see the ‘Hawks pull one out.

Sunday was former Blackhawk, Phil Esposito’s 69^th birthday. Esposito’s 18 year career started here in Chicago midway into the 1964 season. In 1965 he started the season centering future Hall of Famer Bobby Hull.

In 1967 he was traded to the Boston Bruins where he flourished. He led the league in points five times during the years 1969, 71, 72, 73, 74 when he recorded 126, 152, 133, 130, and 145 respectively. He also scored a career high, 76 goals in the 1970-71 season. He is considered one of the best players to ever play the game. Obviously I could go on about Esposito, but I will just continue with this weekend’s game action. So lastly, Happy Birthday Phil, we would have loved to have you in Chicago for your entire career, but we now have this post in your honor.

Click the jump for updates from this weekend’s games

Friday

Tuomo Ruutu – Carolina
17:17 TOI, plus one, 2 PIM, 3 of 9 on face-offs

Sergei Samsonov – Carolina
17:59 TOI, minus one, three shots

Kris Versteeg – Philadelphia
12:16 TOI, minus one, one shot, 0 of 2 on face-offs

Shawn Thornton – Boston
10:19 TOI, minus one, three shots

Jack Skille – Florida
18:22 TOI, one assist (11), minus one, two shots
First point as a member of the Panthers.

Sammy Pahlsson – Columbus
17:36 TOI, minus one, 5 of 22 on face-offs
Pahlsson normally is above 50% on face-offs, only at 23% this game. The ‘Hawks really held him in check.

Ethan Moreau – Columbus
8:02 TOI, three shots

Dan Cleary – Detroit
16:44 TOI, one goal (19), four shots, 2 of 4 on face-offs
Eight points in his last six games. He has played really well as of late. Cleary has as many points this year as he did in 20 more games last year. Looks like he is going to have a career year this season.

Martin Havlat – Minnesota
17:02 TOI, one goal (17), minus one, two shots,One goal away from his total of last year.

John Madden – Minnesota
18:02 TOI, one assist (9), one shot, 8 of 17 on face-offs

Cam Barker – Minnesota
16:02 TOI

Saturday

Tuomo Ruutu – Carolina
17:03 TOI, two shots, 1 of 6 on face-offs

Sergei Samsonov – Carolina
15:09 TOI, two shots

Craig Anders(s)on – Ottawa
Win (14), 47 saves on 47 shots, 1.000 SV%
Anders(s)on was traded to Ottawa on Friday and made his debut Saturday. What a debut it was, Anders(s)on recorded his first shutout of the year stopping 47 SHOTS! Wow, especially after a losing his last six decisions.

Tim Brent – Toronto
10:27 TOI, two shots, 6 of 13 on face-offs

Dustin Byfuglien – Atlanta
21:48 TOI, one goal (18), 2 PIM, six shots
Buff scored his 18^th goal of the season. Last year he scored 17 as a member of the ‘Hawks.

Andrew Ladd – Atlanta
24:36 TOI, one goal (21), minus one, four shots, 0 of 1 on face-offs
Continues his career year with his 21^st goal which is still the team leader.

Brent Sopel – Atlanta
16:10 TOI

Jack Skille – Florida
17:12 TOI, minus one, three shots
Jack is a minus six in five games with the Panthers, and he is a minuts eight in his last seven games.

Steve Sullivan – Nashville
11:48 TOI
Hit in the face by a puck in Thursday nights game, this is a tweet that Sullivan posted, “Facial fractures and broken nose will be safe under the full cage…Ready to go!!!” That’s heart to come back and play after that without missing a game.

J.P. Dumont – Nashville
10:58 TOI, two shots

Colin Fraser – Edmonton
Scratched again

Jim Vandermeer – Edmonton
15:31 TOI, minus one, one shot,

Adam Burish – Dallas
Dallas is 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and have lost 4 straight.

Adrian Aucoin – Phoenix
Scratched with a leg injury

Radim Vrbata – Phoenix
14:47 TOI, 2 shots, 0 of 1 on face-offs
Vrbata has cooled down after scoring six points in four games, but Phoenix h
asn’t. The Coyotes have won seven straight and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.

Antti Niemi – San Jose
Win (20), 25 saves on 25 shots, 1.000 SV%
Another shutout for Niemi giving him five this season. He has now won three straight games. He defeated the Colorado Avalanche who are now 0-9-1 in their last 10 games.

Ben Eager – San Jose
8:24 TOI, 2 PIM, two shots

Scott Nichol – San Jose
2:13 TOI, 2 PIM, 0 of 2 on face-offs
Nichol suffered an arm or shoulder injury in the first period on Saturday and did not return.

Sunday

Brian Boucher – Philadelphia
Win (15), 37 saves on 39 shots, .949 SV%Four straight wins for Boucher. First season with 15 wins since the 2002-2003 season when he was a member of the Coyotes.

Kris Versteeg – Philadelphia
16:22 TOI, one goal (15), plus one, two shots
First goal as a member of the Flyers which was an Empty Netter.

Craig Adams – Pittsburgh
14:36 TOI, minus two, 2 PIM, 5 of 13 on face-offs

James Wisniewski – Montreal
20:29 TOI, minus one, one shot

Dan Cleary – Detroit
17:15 TOI, five shots,

Martin Havlat – Minnesota
20:35 TOI, one goal (18), plus one, six shots
Nice break away goal to tie up the game. Now has 18 goals which was his total from last year.

John Madden – Minnesota
19:06 TOI, minus one, 2 PIM, one shot, 9 of 16 on face-offs

Cam Barker – Minnesota
16:45 TOI, one shot

Rene Bourque – Calgary
15:23 TOI, two goals (18,19), plus one, ELEVEN shots
The first goal was a nice redirect for Bourque. His second goal was really nice. Settled a puck in the air and drove to the net put a backhand by Price as he was hit. Lastly he had 11 of the Flame-rs 37 shots. This team is playing really well right now.

Follow Brandon Spinner on Twitter: @branman111289

or email him at Brandon.Spinner@valpo.edu