The Bolts
“The only three Stanley Cup Playoffs berths left to fill are in the Eastern Conference. And the Tampa Bay Lightning are coming for all of them.” [SB Nation]
“For the first time since 1994, NHL players will not attend the Olympics. ‘I’m disappointed that we weren’t able to work out all the issues and be able to participate,’ said Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, who won several gold medals for Team Canada as player and executive.” [Tampa Bay Times]
Defenseman @WallyD19 helped present over $7,000 to five local charities from this season’s Upstate Services Group Charitable Nights today. pic.twitter.com/UNETIVkVwO
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 4, 2017
The Prospects
These highlights will focus on players who contributed goals or assists last night as well as goalie prospect Connor Ingram. Otto Somppi (Halifax Mooseheads) was held off the score sheet as his team lost 5-2 and were eliminated from the playoffs.
Brett Howden (#21 in red) picked up an assist as his Moose Jaw Warriors lost 3-2 to the Swift Current Broncos. The Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs.
Two days ago, Connor Ingram (#39 in white) stopped 31 of 34 shots for the Kamloops Blazers who fell 4-2 to the Kelowna Rockets and were eliminated from the playoffs. Ingram was awarded second star of the game for his effort. Video highlights are now available.
The Game
“The NHL announced on Monday afternoon that it will not be sending players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, saying that ‘no meaningful dialogue has materialized’ in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee, the NHL Players’ Association, and the International Ice Hockey Federation.” [SB Nation]
Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts on that decision. “It’s bad. But, the honest truth is that this is business, not unicorn world. The NHL owners are taking all the risk and the IOC isn’t the most sympathetic organization. The problem with hockey negotiations in the last 25 years is that they aren’t about what’s best for the game. No one does anything unless they get something.” [Sportsnet]
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk opens up about the struggles of being a patient in need of an organ transplant. “When you need a transplant for a major organ, you’re put on a list. Most people may know that. But the process of finding a donor who matches, performing surgery, hoping that the body accepts the match and praying that it all happens as quickly as possible was something I had no idea about.” [The Players’ Tribune]
Jaromir Jagr is looking forward to playing more hockey next year, his 24th NHL season. “I still love the game and still want to get better every day I step on the ice. Nothing has changed for the last 20 years I play hockey, so the drive is still there.” [Puck Daddy]
