I was chasing an interview when I got that text and had to laugh. I’d seen Jesse Joensuu’s first goal today — wrister on his off wing? Seen that before, for good or ill, and then lots more of those that didn’t go, when it seemed as if he’d forgotten just how big he was. The U.S. came right back, then took a lead, then had given it up on a Mikko Koivu redirection off his skate before I had to go out.
And then I got that text. And the U.S. was out, knocked out by two goals from a former Sound Tiger, who camped out at the front of the net — there you go, kid — to score the winner in the final seconds. (Nice headline.)
No points for the locally tied Americans. Appears the United States will finish sixth if Sweden wins this last quarterfinal, seventh if the Czechs win. (They’re tied in the third at this writing.) Either way, it’ll be the highest American finish since 2009. For what that’s worth right now.
The rest of the day later, though since I’m already two days late with it, here’s Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Final, a huge Florida win to tie the series. They continue tomorrow.
The promised “rest”:
Finland will face Russia, whose three-goal third beat Norway 5-2. Alexander Semin had a couple of assists.
Canada took a lead to the third, but Slovakia tied it with 6:35 left, and then, Ryan Getzlaf got a kneeing major for a hit on onetime Manchester Monarch Juraj Mikus. Michal Handzus won the draw, then deflected in Andrej Sekera’ shot with 2:28 left to knock Canada out. The Slovaks get their old countrymates, as Milan Michalek’s fantastic effort in the right corner set up his goal for the Czech Republic with about 29 seconds left in a 4-3 win over Sweden.
So… We’re No. 7!
Nothing anywhere near that close in the AHL conference-final openers tonight. Norfolk broke things open in the second period and beat St. John’s 6-1 at Scope. Couple of assists for Trevor Smith. In OKC, Toronto beat the Barons 5-0 behind Ben Scrivens’ 31 saves. The West continues Friday; the East continues Saturday at 8.
Avangard Omsk signed Hartford defenseman Pavel Valentenko. I thought Valentenko was a lot more impressive this year than last for the Whale. Or maybe I was just watching better this year. (Aww.)
Michael Farber on John Tortorella.
The Score’s Jo Innes on shoulder injuries. Think mine popped out just reading that.
And RIP, Donna Summer.