The Fifth Liners

With the hockey world caught up with a contagious case of Stanley Cup fever, in the AHL there was a moment worth of a highlight reel. This weekend has seen the Rangers amazingly dumped out the cup by an inspired Lightning team and seen the Hawks battle against Anaheim over 7 unpredictable games! But in Sunday's AHL West Conference Final, the Utica Comets won a hard fought 3-2 game over the Grand Rapids Griffins . But their win was made all the more impressive by this astonishing stick save by goalie Jacob Markstrom ! This one early in the second period would prove instrument to the Comets victory! Having arrived to the Canucks as part of the Roberto Luongo trade, Markstrom has struggled to get ice time. But this season, the Swede has put up great numbers in the AHL including a 10-7 record with a 1.97 GAA and a save percentage of .928 from 17 play-off games! Should either Miller or Lack be sidelined next season, this guy will be handy in net!

It's time to grade the NHL teams' overall performance for 2014-15. The grades range from A* to E-. The only award the Arizona Coyotes won this season is Most Home Losses. The team from the desert lost 25 at home in regulation. Coincidentally they also lost 25 on the road in regulation. Prize for consistency but nothing else. The only factor that saved the Coyotes from the ignominy of sitting bottom of the standings was the Buffalo Sabres being worse on the road. Wins against Los Angeles, Edmonton and Florida in October gave fans a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't to be. Dismal performances meant that the team wouldn't even be a contender for silverware. Defensive failings saw the team concede at least five goals in 18 games. An unsustainable performance by any standard. Tip of the cap to Keith Yandle for 37 assists in 63 games.  Disappointed sad face to Kyle Chipchura for his 82 penalty minutes.  For 2014-15, the Arizona Coyotes score an  E- . Must try h...

It's time to grade the NHL teams' overall performance for 2014-15. The grades range from A* to E-. The Buffalo Sabres are a team locked in perpetual rebuild. Like a child with a tub of Lego, the team continues to go through change after change both on the ice and in the front office. 2014-15 was no different as it was announced yesterday that former Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was to take over at the First Niagara centre. The glory days, and I use that term lightly, of the late 90s are but a distant memory. 2014-15 started badly for the team who won only two of their 11 games in October. November and December fared slightly better, including a 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  January was horrific for the Sabres who won none of their 12 games who were now becoming the NHL's whipping boys. The heaviest defeat was at the Minnesota Wild who put seven past the Sabres for no reply. Bet that was an awkward journey back to Buffalo. The rest of the regular season...

Finally Dan Bylsma 's exodus from the NHL has ended. Today it was announced that he has been appointed the 17th head coach of the Buffalo Sabres . His hiring will no doubt come as positive news to Sabres fan, who are still aggrieved at losing out on Babcock. Here is a statement of intention by Sabres management to improve the dour situation at the First Niagara Centre. But the real question will remain, can Bylsma wring any life out this dying team? Although his previous life at Pittsburgh didn't have a happy ending, Bylsma still gave away with an impressive record. His team took home a Stanley Cup in 2009 and in each of his five seasons in charge, they reached the playoffs. But sadly despite having some of the NHL's elite players, he failed to replicate his cup win and slowly tested the patience of fans and management alike. What the Sabres off him is a completely clean slate and the possibility of having Jack Eichel on the roster. Having coached this same player at the...

After personally witnessing his complete game shut out victory in the Toronto Blue Jays 6-0 over the Chicago White Sox last night, you have to wonder whether pitcher Drew Hutchison is the new ace that the team so badly needs? Pushing his record to 4-1 this season, the 24 year old Florida native struck out 8 different batters, allowed only 4 hits and and looked in complete control, 96 pitches was all it took. Yes, he was aided by a substandard White Sox performance, but taking nothing away from the young man. When he was selected as opening day pitcher in the Jays 6-1 win over the Yankees, few eyebrows were raised. In getting the start over more experienced candidates such as Mark Buerhle and R.A Dickey , it shows just what high hopes the organization has for this man. The bullpen has been a source of concern to the Blue Jays this season, with young talent Daniel Norris being already sent down to Triple A along with talented reliever, Miguel Castro . But Hutchison has been noted as...

This week former Russian hockey legend, Slava Fetisov has announced that he wishes to restrict young Russian players from playing in the NHL. According to the ex Red Wings and NJ Devils star, he wishes to keep Russian players in the KHL until they are 28 years old. However, with the KHL in a state of collapse due to financial issues and even talk of teams moving into China. Fetisov has been quoted as saying that his reasons for this are he wants to keep, the most talented players "the ones people come to see." In some ways you can understand his logic because unlike the home hockey league, the NHL provides an allure that the KHL is unable to match. By doing this it would allow home grown players to expand their skills and perhaps become more grounded. But it feels unfair to deny new talents their dreams of playing abroad. Fetisov himself suffered under the old Red Army team and their notoriously controlling coach, Viktor Tikhonov . These days, we are no longer living in an...

So once more, the Edmonton Oilers are looking towards a new man to lead them back towards the promised land. That man comes in the shape of former San Jose coach, Todd McLellan . After recently being given the chop in California after a seven year stint, this guy has been given the tough challenge of actually getting something out of a beleaguered Edmonton side! When former boss, Dallas Eakins was given the boot back in December, the damage had already been done to their season as Edmonton as usual limped home dead last in the Western conference to claim another wooden spoon. But what does McLellan offer that other coaches will not? Well for one he brings a consistent play off run with him! In his seven seasons in charge he led San Jose to over six playoff appearances (including two conference finals). His record of  311-163 from a possible 434 regular season games is a fine record to take across to Alberta. Eakins was an ambitious experiment that sadly went array. His youthfu...

Well this is just silly now. At first Tom Brady's suspension was funny, but now the situation is out of control. The New England Patriots, have produced their own report in response to the Wells Report. It can be found on the cleverly named wellscontextreport.com . The site includes the original report, the Patriots' reply and some stuff from a scientist.  The Pats' report contains some interesting stuff, as well as some utter nonsense. There might be some tremendously groundbreaking revelations too but I've not finished reading it yet because it's 20,000 words long.  Yeah, 20,000 words. To put that into context, JD Salinger's Catcher In The Rye has 83,000 words. The Patriots have written a quarter of a novel. Brady, the Patriots, the NFL, science... let it go, nobody will come out of this situation looking good. 

It appears there is indeed talent in British Hockey these days! Today it has emerged that 11 year old Emma Nichols recorded a remarkable 3-0 victory f or her team U-11 South East! Overnight she has become a sensation, and watching by the way she effortless dominates the crease- she is one to watch out for! Sadly despite a .957 save percentage, her side would lose to Scotland in the final after a shootout! Check out the video below for a glimpse of this talent- gotta love that British commentary as well! 

Today it has emerged that what started as a joke by the Discovery Channel against the Pittsburgh Penguins has become something way more funny! Gently mocking the Pens first round exit against the Rangers, this jousting has turned into a real spat. But reading the final tweet from Discovery is the definition of being owned! Click on link for the results. Just be glad it wasn't Boston, because they would have sent Zdeno Chara round instead! http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/story.aspx?what%2Bstarted%2Bas%2Ba%2Blighthearted%2Btweet%252c%2Bhas%2Btaken%2Ba%2Bturn%2Bbetween%2Bthe%2Bpenguins%2B%2526%2Bdiscovery%2Bchannel&id=536031

So far this season, the Boston Red Sox are still looking a far cry from the 2013 World Series winning team they once were. Currently they sit bottom of the AL East Division with a record of 16-18 and a winning percentage .471 which puts them 4.5 games out 1st place. Might not sound terrible but when you consider that they were the heavy favourites to sweep this division, a heavy cloud comes over proceedings. On the MLB power rankings, the Red Sox currently rank 22nd overall! When you consider that this is below team such as the Miami Marlins and the Baltimore Orioles, then serious questions are raised. During the off season, the Red Sox appeared to have filled the gaps from last season by landing some of the most sought after free agents such as former Giants slugger, Pablo Sandoval , Hanley Ramirez and pitcher Justin Masterson . All seemed bright in the state of Massachusetts, but since then things haven't been so straight forward. Having a consistent starting pitcher seems to ...

In the Seattle Mariners 4-3 win over the Oakland A's yesterday, there was a collectors moment for all Mariners fans as 29 year old star Felix Hernandez became the 4th youngest player to reach 2000 career strikeouts when he struck out Sam Fuld in the 5th inning! The Seattle skipper is always capable of producing magic on the mound, 3000 seems only a stone throw away now!

Finally the Detroit Red Wings have given permission for head coach Mike Babcock to begin speaking to other teams. This news has caused a wave of disillusion over Michigan because after taking home the Stanley Cup in 2008- he has become a fan favourite! But where would be the best destination for this man? Here are my top 3 choices for M.B Toronto Maple Leafs  This one is by far the bookies favourite and many were speculating this one as early as last season. As an Ontario boy at heart, this one will no doubt be in the front of Babcock's mind! But although this project may have long term potential, surely it is too much of a short term risk? The Leafs are currently going through yet another rip up and rebuild operation by Brendan Shanahan and I feel there is too much work needed to get where Babcock wants to go. Also lest we forget, the Leafs fans are not forgiving of lack of progress (no matter how many years running) and should he take the job- M.B should expect jersey's...