Empty Netter Assists - 12-12-11
Penguins
-Are the Red Wings and Penguins still rivals?
-The Jason Williams era in Pittsburgh comes to an end for one day at least. (PG+)
-Kyle Bushee and Paul Crowder each had a goal and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 4-2 win against the Reading Royals. Chris Barton had two assists for the Nailers while teammate Patrick Killeen made 19 saves.
-Today would've been the 60th birthday of former Penguins defenseman Steve Durbano. Acquired midway through the 1973-74 season along with Ab DeMarco Jr. and Bob Kelly in a deal which sent Bryan Watson, Greg Polis and a draft pick to the Blues, "Mental Case" spent parts of three seasons with the Penguins. He finished 1973-74 by appearing in 33 games for the Penguins and scoring 18 points while accumulating 138 penalty minutes. In 1974-75, Durbano was limited to one game, one assist and 10 penalty minutes due to a wrist injury. After 32 games, eight assists and a team-leading 161 penalty minutes, Durbano was traded to the Kansas City Scouts along with Chuck Arnason and a draft pick for for Simon Nolet, Ed Gilbert and a draft pick. In 66 regular season games with the Penguins, Durbano scored 27 points and recorded 309 penalty minutes. Durbano passed away Nov. 16, 2002.
Atlantic Division
-Derek Stepan had two goals and an assist for the Rangers in a 6-1 rout of the Panthers. Artem Anisimov and Marian Gaborik each collected a goal and an assist for New York while teammate Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves in the victory.
-Goal of the Night: Check out this defensive play by Stepan on the penalty kill which led to his end-to-end goal:
-Check out this impromptu sewing job by Rangers equipment manager Acacio Marques on a broken strap for Lundqvist:
-It wasn't all bad for the Panthers. Check out this rocket of a slapper Florida rookie Erik Gudbranson scored his first career NHL goal on:
-Funny Face of the Night: Florida's Stephen Weiss sported a nice hockey smile here as he kept the puck away from New York's Brad Richards:
-Lundqvist and Florida's Tomas Kopecky each kept their eyes on this puck:
Northeast Division
-Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is expected to miss several weeks due to a leg injury.
Southeast Division
-With forward Jeff Skinner dealing with an undisclosed injury, the Hurricanes recalled forward Drayson Bowman from Charlotte of the AHL.
Central Division
-Patrick Sharp's overtime goal led the Blackhawks to a 3-2 win against the Sharks. Former Penguin Marian Hossa recorded two assists for Chicago while teammate Ray Emery made 35 saves. Fire Ray Shero.
-Sharp's goal:
-Sharp scored the day his wife gave birth to a baby girl.
-Blackhawks forward Derek Dorsett is day to day due to an undisclosed but suspected leg injury.
Northwest Division
-The Flames recalled forward Roman Horak and defenseman Brett Carson from Abbotsford of the AHL and demoted forward Greg Nemisz to Abbotsford.
Pacific Division
-The Sharks recalled defenseman Matt Irwin from Worcester of the AHL.
-The buzzards are circling Kings coach Terry Murray.
Patrick Division
-Former Blackhawks/Red Wings/Thrashers defenseman Chris Chelios (right), broadcaster Mike "Doc" Emrick, Flyers owner Ed Snider, Flames/Blackhawks/Sharks defenseman Gary Suter, Jets/Coyotes/Blues/Thrashers forward Keith Tkachuk will be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame today.
-Former Stars/Blackhawks goaltender Marty Turco has joined EC Red Bull Salzburg of the EBHL in Austria.
-Cody Wydo had two goals for the Robert Morris men's team in a 2-1 win against Canisius. Robert Morris set a school record by extending an unbeaten streak to seven games.
(Photos: Penguins/Red Wings-Claus Andersen/Getty Images; Panthers/Rangers-Mike Stobe/Getty Images; Chelios-Getty Images)