The Daily (Weekly) Phil Esposito (4/22/11)

Photo: zimbio.com

Its been a while for the Espo. Between schoolwork and the lack of games being done in the playoffs I figured its easier that we do a multiple of days so we can get some content in these posts.

On Monday there were ten former Blackhawks to take the ice. One was a goalie who stepped in relief earlier in the series is continuing his great playoff series with a win. There was one point scored which was an assist by Radim Vrbata.

Tuesday saw just four ex-Hawks take the ice. They all were part of the same game in L.A. where the Sharks competed an amazing comeback, coming back from 4-0 deficit to win in OT. In that game the one point from the former Hawks game from the L.A. centerman who helped to get Niemi pulled early.

Wednesday there were eight former feather heads to play. There was a total of one goal and four assists for five points between the seven skaters. The goalie played a great game but picked up a loss.

Finally last night which was phenomenal after that amazing win by our boys, saw eight former Hawks to play scoring three points which were all from Habs. The one goalie played a decent game to pick up a win.

The Three Stars of the last four days are:

1^st Star – Danny Cleary – one goal, two assists
2^nd Star – Radim Vrbata – two assists
3^rd Star – Brian Boucher – One win, 63 saves in two games

Enjoy!

Click the jump for updates from the m/d/11 games

Monday

Shawn Thornton – Boston
7:11 TOI, minus one, two shots, 1 of 1 on face-offs

Travis Moen – Montreal
13:43 TOI, one shot

Brent Sopel – Montreal
12:38 TOI, one shot

James Wisniewski – Montreal
22:28 TOI, minus one, one shot

Brian Boucher – Philadelphia
Win (2), 35 saves on 37 shots, .946 SV%
Back to back wins for Boosh.

Kris Versteeg – Philadelphia
10:59 TOI, one assists, 2 PIM

Craig Adams – Pittsburgh
12:32 TOI, plus one, 4 of 8 on face-offs

Dan Cleary – Detroit
17:34 TOI, plus one, two shots
Hadnt done shit in the first three games…

Adrian Aucoin – Phoenix
19:41 TOI, minus one, 2 PIM, two shots

Radim Vrbata – Phoenix
18:34 TOI, one assist (2), minus one, two shots, 0 of 1 on face-offs
Had at least one point on each of the first three games.

Tuesday

Michael Handzus – Los Angeles
21:30 TOI, one goal (1), one shot, 1 of 15 on face-offs
ONE of FIFTEEN at the dot? That is terrible!

Ben Eager – San Jose
1:07 TOI, minus two
Was on the ice less than David Koci’s average… Yikes and a minus two?!?

Antti Niemi – San Jose
No Decision, 6 saves on 10 shots, .600 SV%
Nittymaki bailed his ass out. Niemi gave up two goals within thirteen seconds in the first, and then one 44 seconds into the second to put the team down 4-0…

Scott Nichol – San Jose
3:13 TOI, minus two, 3 of 4 on face-offs

Wednesday

Bryan McCabe – New York Rangers
20:20 TOI, minus one
What a collapse by the Rangers… Great game though, two overtimes…

Brian Boucher – Philadelphia
Loss (1), 28 saves on 29 shots, .966 SV%
Still played a great game and has had a great playoffs so far despite getting this loss. Tough one for Boosh.

Kris Versteeg – Philadelphia
13:39 TOI, two shots, 0 for 1 on face-offs

Craig Adams – Pittsburgh
21:41 TOI, plus one, 2 PIM, one shot, 3 for 7 on face-offs

Dan Cleary – Detroit
17:17 TOI, one goal (1), two assists (1,2), plus one, five shots, 0 of 1 on face-offs
Hadn’t done much until this game which he recorded three points. Was held pointless until this game and I was about ready to say he was useless. So much for that.

Steve Sullivan – Nashville

12:37 TOI, one assist (1), one shot

Adrian Aucoin – Phoenix
19:21 TOI

Radim Vrbata – Phoenix
19:55 TOI, one assist (3), minus three, three shots
Nice pass on his assist. This gives him a point in every game that he played in the playoffs.

Thursday

Shawn Thornton – Boston
9:33 TOI, minus one

Travis Moen – Montreal
18:31 TOI, one assist (1), minus two, two shots

Brent Sopel – Montreal
14:04 TOI, one goal (1), minus two, one shot
Nice shot off a rebound for Sopes. Congrats to him.

James Wisniewski – Montreal
24:17 TOI, one assist (2), minus one

Michael Handzus – Los Angeles
19:52 TOI, minus two, one shot, 11 of 25 on face-offs

Ben Eager – San Jose
3:18 TOI
Only had two shifts? Geezz

Antti Niemi – San Jose
Win (2), 35 saves on 38 shots, .921 SV%
Made some scrambling saves, but gave up a couple difficult goals.

Scott Nichol – San Jose
6:46 TOI, 12 PIM, one shot, 5 of 9 on face-offs
May have only played around seven minutes but he really energized this Sharks team. Took a huge penalty to get his team a four minute power play which led to two Shark’s goals.

Follow Brandon Spinner on Twitter: @branman111289

or email him at Brandon.Spinner@valpo.edu