Empty Netter Assists - 1-24-09
Penguins
-Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin are BFFs.
-Sidney Crosby chose not to die at the hands of Gary Bettman.
-Crosby spoke at a press conference yesterday. Kukla's Korner has the transcript.
-A Mario Lemieux statue at the new arena will not be publicly funded.
-Is Ryan Whitney overpaid?
-Faceoff-Factor didn't exactly agree with Jeremy Roenick's critique of Sidney Crosby's character.
-Shootout goals by Jean-Michel Daoust and Janne Pesonen gave the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a 4-3 win at Hershey. Chris Minard had two goals in regulation for the Penguins while John Curry made 33 saves in the win.
-The win moved the Penguins into second place in the East Division.
-Erik Johnson had two goals and led the Wheeling Nailers to a 3-2 road win against the rival Johnstown Chiefs.
-EN contributor Lisa Bohm was at the ECHL All-Star Game earlier this week and sent us a few photos of the Wheeling Nailers who participated:
-Bryan Ewing:
-Elgin Reid:
Atlantic Division
-The Islanders need a new crib.
-A Flyers fan was arrested for throwing a smoke bomb onto the ice at the Wachovia Center during a game against the Devils, Oct. 25.
-Philadelphia Phantoms forward Garrett Klotz was injured during a fight and appeared to suffer a seizure afterwards.
Northeast Division
-The Maple Leafs demoted forward Nikolai Kulemin and defenseman Anton Stralman to their AHL affiliate.
-Senators goaltender Brian Elliott is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan.
Southeast Division
-Like just about everyone in the Western Hemisphere, Lightning rookie Steven Stamkos admires Gary Roberts.
-This is a few days old, but check out this hit by Panthers defenseman Keith Ballard on Stars defenseman and former Penguin Darryl Sydor:
Northwest Division
-Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Sam Bradford of Oklahoma used to dream of being a Vancouver Canuck. Given how many Sooner quarterbacks have made it in the NHL, he might want to keep that option open.
Pacific Division
-Jeff Shumway resigned as CEO of the Coyotes.
-Ducks defenseman Kent Huskins underwent surgery to stablilize an ankle injury. Gary Bettman suspended him for 30 games afterwards.
-Is Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle on the hot seat?
Patrick Division
-The NHLPA officially decided not to re-open its collective bargaining agreement with the NHL.
(Photo: Malkin and Ovechkin-Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)