HC SPARTA PRAHA PLAYOFFS 2011/2012
Easter Conference Quarter Finals: HC Sparta Praha Versus Tampa Bay Lightning
HC Sparta Praha vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 1
Final Score: 5-0 SPA
Period 1
No Goals
Period 2
9:09 SPA M. Richards (1) (S. Souray, S. Doan)
17:57 SPA M. Richards (2) (B. McCabe, S. Weber)
19:08 SPA A. Larsson (1) (R. Smyth)
Period 3
3:16 SPA P. Elias (1) (B. McCabe, T. Selanne)
16:17 SPA M. Hejduk (1) (N. Lindstrom, R. Smyth)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 31/31 1.000 S%
TB K. Lehtonen 17/22 .773S%
HC Sparta Praha Perfect in First Game
The tension was paramount but the Spartan players overcame that pressure to come away with a 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike Richards started off the scoring in the 2nd period scoring twice in a row. Rookie Adam Larsson scored a goal in his first NHL playoff game. The Czech natives, Patrick Elias and Milan Hejduk both scored in the 3rd period to seal the win. And last but definitely not least, Tuukka Rask shined as he pulled off a 33 save shutout.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2
Final Score: 4-3 OT SPA
Period 1
11:16 SPA M. Hejduk (2) (N. Lindstrom)
Period 2
6: 19 TB E. Malkin (1) (M. St. Louis, J. Smithson)
9:27 SPA M. Hejduk (3) (T. Selanne, A. McDonald)
10:31 TB M. Raymond (1) (M. Savard, D. Roy)
Period 3
3:19 SPA M. Richards (3) (S. Doan)
4:18 TB D. Roy (1) (M. Raymond, E. Fehr)
OT1
19:14 SPA T. Selanne (1) (A. McDonald, N. Lindstrom)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 31/34 0.912S%
TB K. Lehtonen 32/36 0.889S%
HC Sparta Praha Impresses at Home
Sparta leaves for Tampa with a two nothing lead in the series after an OT win in game 2. Milan Hejduk took center stage as he put up a two goal night. Mike Richards kept up his play as he scored another goal for the team. Yet even with Sparta’s top players still producing the game went into OT after Mason Raymond and Derek Roy put up 2 point nights to keep their team in the game. With 46 seconds left remaining in the first OT, Andy McDonald won a crucial defensive zone face-off and that started a rush which would lead to McDonald passing the puck to Teemu Selanne in the slot and Selanne put in high blocker side on Lightning goalie Kari Lehtonen to win the game
HC Sparta Praha vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 3
Final Score: 4-1 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
0:14 TB E. Fehr (1) (D. Roy, M. Raymond)
1:26 SPA M. Modano (1) (B. McCabe)
3:08 SPA M. Hejduk (4) (J. Hecht, R. Smyth)
Period 3
17:57 SPA T. Selanne (2) (P. Elias, A. McDonald)
19:46 SPA EN S. Weber (1) (M. Richards, S. Doan)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 29/30 0.967S%
TB J. Harding 29/32 0.906S%
HC Sparta Praha Doesn’t Miss a Beat
And apparently neither does Milan Hejduk. He scored the second goal of the game, which turned out to be the game winner after Mike Modano tied the game up in the 2nd period. With Kari Lehtonen not being able to produce wins, the Lightning tried to shake things up by starting Josh Harding. Harding fared better than Lehtonen in his first game versus Sparta but couldn’t give the Lightning the win they wanted. Sparta now has a stranglehold on the series with a 3-0 series lead.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 4
Final Score: 4-2 SPA
Period 1
9:40 TB E. Malkin (2) (E. Brewer, C. Janssen)
15:17 SPA J. Mayers (1) (J. Arnott, M. Modano)
Period 2
1:12 SPA P. Elias (2) (A. McDonald, T. Selanne)
9:54 TB M. Savard (1) (M. Ohlund)
10:15 SPA T. Selanne (3) (N. Lindstrom, M. Hejduk)
Period 3
9:06 SPA J. Hecht (1) (R. Smyth)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 24/26 0.923S%
TB K. Lehtonen 21/25 0.840S%
Sweep Complete, Who’s Next?
HC Sparta Praha has not only won their first playoff series but swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in convincing fashion. In Game 4 Sparta had their veterans step it up immensely for the win. Sparta’s second line played better than the first line while the 3rd and 4th lines didn’t allow the Lightning players any decent opportunities to take the series to game 5. “I’m proud of the players on the team, they have shown that even a new team can make an impact†HC Sparta Praha GM Czerkawski on sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“The players stuck to the game plan and Milan Hejduk especially elevated his game for the series. Now we have time to rest a bit before the next series†Sparta Head Coach Dominik Hasek after the game 4 victory.
“I think the slide after the trade deadline really brought us all together more. We realized the pressure of playing over in Europe but we were able to get together as a team before playoffs and work things out. Czech player Elias and Hejduk were definitely vital in getting us through the first round,†Sparta Captain Shea Weber commenting on the series.
And the Next Match Up for HC Sparta Praha is….
The Buffalo Sabres. A rather injury ravaged team who is losing one of their top wingers in Andrew Ladd and Daniel Alfredsson. Yet they are still dangerous as they have a great 1, 2 punch in centre with Henrik Sedin and Claude Giroux. Both players can improve their teammate’s games. Not to mention that you never know who might step up and take control of the series unexpectedly. Sparta had that player in Milan Hejduk against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Who is who’s going to step up this time? Patrick Elias looks like a candidate, he’s been a critical player on that 2nd line for Sparta. Only time will tell as we move to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: HC Sparta Praha Versus Buffalo Sabres
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 1
Final Score: 3-0 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
No Scoring
Period 3
3:57 SPA S. Doan (1) (D. Briere, M. Richards)
7:17 SPA P. Elias (3) (A. McDonald, B. McCabe)
19:24 SPA EN S. Doan (2) (S. Weber, M. Richards)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 15/15 1.000S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 17/19 0.895S%
Sparta Keeps On Rolling
It took both teams a little bit of time to find their feet in this game. While the Buffalo Sabres had some good chances, Sparta played exceptional defense and then counter-attacked hard in the 3rd period. After Mike Richards nearly lost the puck three times in his own slot, managed to send a pass to a waiting Daniel Briere who then went on a two on one with Shane Doan. Briere got the puck over to Doan who opened up the scoring. A couple shifts later, Elias found a lane in the slot, took the pass from McDonald and managed to squeak one by Bobrovsky.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 2
Final Score: 3-1 BUF
Period 1
19:06 BUF H. Sedin (3) (D. Alfredsson, C. MacArthur)
Period 2
5: 30 BUF L. Visnovsky (2) (B. Little, C. Giroux)
19:15 BUF C. Giroux (5) (H. Sedin, C. Colaiacovo)
Period 3
10:44 SPA P. Elias (4) (T. Selanne, N. Lindstrom)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 14/17 0.824S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 10/11 0.909S%
Alfredsson Sparks Team
The Buffalo Sabres needed a leader to show them the way and Daniel Alfredsson stepped up to the challenge. Coming off an injury Alfredsson came back and provided leadership needed after a 3-0 in the opening game of the series. His comeback allowed the Sabres first line to become deadly once again. HC Sparta Praha just could not get anything going their way in the first two periods. Hejduk and Arnott both hit the iron, which lead to Sabres goals. Patrick Elias though sent a message in the 3rd period with a goal of his own but the hole was too big for Sparta who couldn’t manage to tie the game up.
Final Score: 4-3 BUF
Buffalo with the Comeback
Down 2-1 with 5 minutes to go in the third period the Sabres scored three unanswered goals to take the game 4-3. This is the first time Sparta is trailing in a series. The team will have to figure out what went wrong in order to avoid going down 3-1 in the series.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 4
Final Score: 4-2 SPA
Period 1
1:40 BUF D. Powe (2) (J. Reich)
9:38 SPA J. Mayers (2) (J. Arnott)
10:13 SPA S. Weber (2) (N. Lindstrom, A. McDonald)
Period 2
1:18 BUF C. Giroux (6) (H. Sedin)
7:07 SPA M. Modano (2) (B. McCabe, S. Robidas)
9:48 SPA M. Richards (4) (D. Briere, S. Weber)
Period 3
No Scoring
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 34/36 0.944S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 12/16 0.750S%
Tuukka Time!
Can’t get over 20 shots on the other goalie? Don’t worry Tuukka Rask will win the game still. While Buffalo Sabres goalie Sergei Bobrovsky only faced 16 shots, HC Sparta Praha goalie Rask stole the show be facing 36 shots and only letting in two goals. Although this is normally Sparta’s play style, be defensive then counter-attack to score, they don’t usually have a lack of shots on net. Rask though revelled in the challenge, putting on a big smile during post-game interviews when being asked about being the way busier goalie out of the two in the game.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 5
Final Score: 4-1 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
3:45 SPA J. Arnott (1) (M. Modano, S. Robidas)
8:59 BUF L. Visnovsky (3) (J. Pitkanen, J. McClement)
Period 3
4:03 SPA J. Hecht (2) (M. Hejduk, B. McCabe)
17:14 SPA D. Briere (2) (S. Doan)
19:56 SPA ENG B. McCabe (S. Weber)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 30/31 0.968S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 22/25 0.880S%
Sparta Take Stranglehold on Series
Going back home, HC Sparta Praha had the chance to use their home ice to take the 3-2 series lead. And they did not fail beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. What more can be said about Sparta? Sparta goalie Tuukka Rask had another impressive performance while every line chipped in offensively in some way while playing good defense at the same time. Heading back to Buffalo Sparta can end the series and move on to the Conference Finals.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 6
Final Score: 3-2 BUF
Period 1
10:27 BUF B. Mashinter (2) (L. Visnovsky, J. McClement)
11:48 BUF K. Clifford (4) (C. Giroux, B. Little)
19:35 BUF T, Milam (1) (D. Alfredsson)
Period 2
13:00 SPA R. Smyth (2) (M. Hejduk, S. Robidas)
17:12 SPA P. Elias (5) (T. Selanne, S. Robidas)
Period 3
No Scoring
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 21/24 0.875S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 21/23 0.913S%
Comeback Falls Short
With the chance to end the series HC Sparta Praha got off to a bad start. As in being down three goals after the first period. Sparta head coach Dominik Hasek must have said something stirring in the 1st intermission as his team scored two goals in the second period to cut the lead to one. But in the third period the Buffalo Sabres tightened up defensively to preserve the win and force the series to go to a game 7.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Buffalo Sabres Game 7
Final Score: 2-1 2OT SPA
Period 1
9:54 SPA M. Hejduk (5) (M. Richards, T. Selanne)
Period 2
0:46 BUF J. McClement (1) (D. Afredsson, B. Little)
Period 3
No Scoring
OT1
No Scoring
OT2
0:46 SPA D. Briere (3) (M. Richards)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 36/37 0.973S%
BUF S. Bobrovsky 37/39 0.949S%
Czech-Mate!
HC Sparta Praha is on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals! Both teams came out flying but both goalies were walls in net. Sparta forward Milan Hejduk found his scoring touch again as he opened up the scoring. In the start of the second however, Buffalo Sabres forward Jay McClement lit the lamp to tie the game up. As the game went into OT, both teams were looking to end the game and series quickly but both goalies were not going to let that happen. At the start of the second ovetime, Mike Richards shot into the zone and threw a pass across to Briere who put the puck past Bobrovsky for the win. The fans exploded in a roar as their team won one heck of a game.
“I just had a feeling to go to the next when Richards brought the puck in the zone and the next thing you know I have the puck on my backhand then it’s in the net,†Sparta forward Daniel Briere on his series winning goal.
“You could just tell Mike [Richards] knew something was going to happen before the puck drop by the way he entered the offensive zone and threw the puck towards the net with no hesitation†Sparta Head Coach Dominik Hasek in a post-game interview.
Next Up, the Washington Capitals
HC Sparta Praha has another big task in front of them in the form of the Washington Capitals. The tandem of Loui Eriksson and Travis Zajac have made life difficult for teams in these playoffs so far and the Capitals are expecting Jonas Hiller to continue improving. After a close series versus the Buffalo Sabres where Sparta faced some adversity, Captain Shea Weber believes his team is ready, “the guys showed last series that we can handle anything thrown in our way. We learned from our mistakes and now we’re ready to make a mark on the league in this next series.â€
“The way we’re going to beat the Capitals is the way we’ve done it all playoffs long, scoring from all four lines,†Head Coach Dominik Hasek on the impending series against the Washington Capitals.
Eastern Conference Finals: HC Sparta Praha Versus Washington Capitals
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 1
Final Score: 2-1 WSH
Period 1
3:27 WSH D. Jones (3) (C. Higgins)
Period 2
7:29 SPA B. Rolston (1) (J. Mayers, J. Arnott)
18:06 WSH Z. Smtih (1) (J. Abdelkader, M. Grier)
Period 3
No Scoring
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 37/39 0.949S%
WSH J. Hiller 21/22 0.955S%
Not a Great Start
HC Sparta Praha finds themselves losing the first game of the series at home after a lack luster effort from their offense. Sparta goalie Tuukka Rask was the only reason by a mile that Sparta came even close to winning. Sparta will have to refocus in order to get back into this series.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 2
Final Score: 2-1 OT SPA
Period 1
17:18 SPA B. Rolston (2) (J. Mayers)
Period 2
9: 16 WSH D. Jones (4) (C. Higgins, T. Zajac)
Period 3
No Scoring
OT1
2:35 SPA N. Lindstrom (1) (S. Doan, M. Richards)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 22/23 0.957S%
WSH J. Hiller 32/34 0.941S%
Defensive Series?
After two series where scoring was prominent, this one between HC Sparta Praha and the Washington Capitals appears to be taking a turn to where defense shines above all else. Both games so far have been decided scores of 2-1. None of the big scorers have shown up either. Right now it’s looking like a scoring race between Capital David Jones and Spartan Brian Rolston. And this is Rolston’s first playoff series as well thanks to injured Mike Modano. So far Rolston has filled in the void quite well.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 3
Final Score: 4-1 SPA
Period 1
0:59 SPA P. Elias (6) (N. Lindstrom, S. Weber)
11:04 SPA A. McDonald (1) (T. Selanne, A. Larsson)
13:19 SPA J. Arnott (2) (A. Larsson)
Period 2
19:28 WSH C. Higgins (5) (T. Zajac, Z. Michalek)
Period 3
19:01 SPA ENG S. Doan (4) (M. Richards)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 32/33 0.970S%
WSH J. Hiller 29/32 0.906S%
Adam Larsson, Rookie Power
HC Sparta Praha rookie defenseman Adam Larsson stepped his game up as he helped give Sparta a 3-0 lead after the 1st period. Washington Capitals forward Chris Higgins tried to spark his team with a goal late in the 2nd period but Tuukka Rask put on a clinic to seal the win for Sparta. The Capitals are going to need a way to figure out how to put on another game 1 performance or they could find themselves in a desperate situation heading back to the Czech Republic.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 4
Final Score: 4-2 WSH
Period 1
11:26 WSH Z. Smith (2) (J. Abdelkader, D. Hamhuis)
13:01 WSH P. Marleau (4) (B. Ryan, L. Eriksson)
Period 2
5:32 WSH B. Ryan (5) (L. Eriksson, P. Marleau)
9:24 SPA T. Selanne (4) (S. Weber, A. McDonald)
Period 3
10:28 WSH D. Hamhuis (2) (D. Jones, T. Zajac)
15:15 SPA A. Larsson (2) (S. Souray, S. Doan)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 21/24 0.840S%
WSH J. Hiller 25/27 0.926S%
Stars Align for Capitals
The Washington Capitals did not want to go back on the road for game 5 down 3-1 in the series. And they made sure they didn’t. Their top players came to play and overwhelmed HC Sparta Praha to tie the series up. Sparta just couldn’t keep up and showed on the scoreboard. Just like after a demoralizing loss in game 1, Sparta needs to find a way to get back into the series for the next game.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 5
Final Score: 2-1 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
2:30 SPA A. McDonald (2) (N. Lindstrom, P. Elias)
9:13 SPA R. Smyth (3) (M. Hejduk, S. Robidas)
Period 3
9:51 WSH B. Ryan (5) (L. Eriksson, D. Hamhuis)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 24/25 0.960S%
WSH J. Hiller 28/30 0.933S%
Shades of Game 2
After a dismal performance in game 4, HC Sparta Praha found its game again to take game 5 and a 3-2 series lead heading back to Washington. Sparta goalie Tuukka Rask did his job while the offense and defense went to work as well. While normally a playmaker, Sparta forward Andy McDonald has found a bit of a scoring touch in this series and will be looked upon to keep contributing.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Washington Capitals Game 6
Final Score: 4-2 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
3:20 SPA M. Richards (5) (D. Briere, S. Doan)
7:37 SPA B. Rolston (3) (J. Mayers, S. Weber)
8:22 WSH P. Marleau (5) (L. Eriksson, B. Ryan)
11:20 SPA S. Souray (1) (R. Smyth)
Period 3
7:33 WSH D. Hamhuis (3) (B. Ryan, L. Eriksson)
19:56 SPA ENG A. McDonald (3) (T. Selanne, S. Weber)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 29/31 0.935 S%
WSH J. Hiller 23/26 0.885 S%
Send Them Home!
Not wishing to have a repeat from last series, HC Sparta Praha made sure that the Washington Capitals did not get another chance to stay alive. Sparta forwards Mike Richards and Brian Rolston scored quickly to relieve some of the pressure on their teammates. Capitals forward Patrick Marleau tried to get his team back into it but Sheldon Souray answered back quickly. Capitals defenseman Dan Hamhuis cut the lead back down to one but Shea Weber would not allow the Capitals to tie the game up as he out-muscled everyone for the puck and Andy McDonald put the nail in the coffin with an empty net goal.
“I can’t imagine being any more proud of this team then I am now,†HC Sparta General Manager talking after the game, “they came to this team under pressure from everywhere and everyone, now they are the Eastern Conference champs. No matter what happens in the [Stanley Cup] Finals, you can’t take away what this team has done.â€
“What more can anyone say? Rask is the elite goalie we all knew, Weber is the leader we all hoped for, our vets are producing at the right times, and we’re getting scoring from everywhere†Sparta Head Coach Dominik Hasek on being asked to comment on his team’s play.
“The younger players such as Adam [Larsson] and Tuukka [Rask] deserve a lot of credit,†Sparta Defenseman Nicklas Lindstrom, “they have proven that they don’t crack under pressure and they can keep up.â€
Stanley Cup Finals Set to Go
It’s time for the Stanley Cup Finals! Two unexpected teams are set to duel for Stanley Cup, HC Sparta Praha and the Pheonix Coyotes. The Coyotes are out scoring their opponents by wide margins thanks to a trio of Marian Gabrorik, Matt Duchene, and Jordan Leopold. Sparta is getting scoring from everyone and exceptional play from Tuukka Rask.
“We’ve faced tough defenses and goalies before so I’m confident we’ll find a way to win.†Coyotes forward David Backes on the upcoming series.
“We know they have offensive players that can change a series, but we have a wide range of players to score along with Rask. We can’t allow ourselves to abandon our gameplan and try to play like the Coyotes,†Sparta Captain Shea Weber commenting on the Finals.
Stanley Cup Finals: HC Sparta Praha Versus Phoenix Coyotes
HC Sparta Praha vs. Pheonix Coyotes Game 1
Final Score: 2-0 SPA
Period 1
No Scoring
Period 2
3:17 SPA P. Elias (7) (A. McDonald, T. Selanne)
12:46 SPA N. Lindstrom (2) (M. Hejduk)
Period 3
No Scoring
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 26/26 1.000 S%
PHX C. Crawford 22/24 0.917 S%
Power Shut Down
The offensive powerhouse Phoenix Coyotes were shut down and shut out as HC Sparta Praha took the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals 2-0. Sparta goalie Rask stopped shot after shot while veteran Patrick Elias opened up the scoring that nearly caused the roof of the arena to blow off. If the Coyotes want to get back into this series they are going to have to do something different.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Phoenix Coyotes Game 2
Final Score: 5-4 OT SPA
Period 1
1:48 PHX M. Paajarvi (3) (L. Couture, R. Polak)
9:37 PHX N. Dawes (1) (J. Leopold, R. Polak)
15:42 SPA J. Mayers (3) (B. Rolston, S. Souray)
Period 2
1:17 PHX D. Backes (8) (R. Klesla, N. Hjalmarsson)
13:07 SPA J. Mayers (4) (B. Rolston)
15:45 SPA T. Selanne (5) (A. McDonald, J. Mayers)
19:29 SPA B. McCabe (2) (A. McDonald)
Period 3
6:30 PHX M. Paajarvi (4) (L. Couture, R. Klesla)
OT1
18:21 SPA J. Arnott (3) (B. Rolston, S. Robidas)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 33/37 0.892 S%
PHX C. Crawford 38/43 0.884 S%
Want Offense Call on Jamal Mayers…Wait What?!
The Phoenix Coyotes got what they wanted in game 2, an offensive game with tons of scoring chances. Yet they still didn’t win because they couldn’t keep up to HC Sparta’s offensive line of…Jamal Mayers, Brian Rolston, and Jason Arnott. Both Mayers and Rolston had 3 point games while Jason Arnott scored the overtime winner. If you need any more proof that Sparta gets scoring from everywhere, look no further than this game. When Sparta’s best players couldn’t get it down on the powerplay, Sparta defenseman Stephane Robidas waited in his zone as Dominik Hasek sent out the 4th line. As soon as Rolston was on the ice Robidas fired a pass to him then Rolston brought the puck into the offensive zone where Arnott took the pass then fired a shot from the top of the circle bar down for the win.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Phoenix Coyotes Game 3
Final Score: 4-2 PHX
Period 1
12:52 SPA D. Briere (4) (M. Richards, S. Doan)
14:25 PHX M. Paajarvi (5) (J. Leopold, M. Gaborik)
19:33 PHX D. Backes (9) (M. Gaborik)
Period 2
18:44 SPA J. Arnott (4) (B. Rolston, S. Souray)
Period 3
10:00 PHX T. Brouwer (5) (R. Olesz, L. Couture)
18:09 PHX R. Polak (3) (B. Butler, L. Couture)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 21/25 0.840 S%
PHX C. Crawford 33/35 0.943 S%
Coyotes Make it a Series
The Phoenix Coyotes knew that they almost had game 2 and decided to stick with what works. This time around it paid off with a 4-2 over HC Sparta Praha. Magnus Paajarvi is making his mark on the series by scoring yet another goal with Logan Couture and Marian Gaborik both had two assists. Coyotes goalie Corey Crawford also had his best game of the series.
Bad News For Coyotes
Marian Gaborik is out for the rest of the Stanley Cups finals with a wrist sprain. The injury was sustained late in the third period when Sparta defenseman Nicklas Lindstrom sent Gaborik sprawling with a hit.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Phoenix Coyotes Game 4
Final Score: 4-1 SPA
Period 1
1:20 SPA M. Richards (6) (S. Doan, D. Briere)
3:35 SPA T. Selanne (6) (A. McDonald, M. Hejduk)
8:45 SPA D. Briere (5) (M. Richards)
Period 2
No Scoring
Period 3
8:15 SPA Brian Rolston (4) (M. Richards, J. Mayers)
14:44 PHX D. Backes (10) (R. Klesla, M. Paajarvi)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 23/24 0.958 S%
PHX C. Crawford 22/26 0.846S%
Crashing Back Down to Earth
After a solid game 3 the Phoenix Coyotes were hoping to tie the series up before they went on the road for game 5. With the loss of Marian Hossa, HC Sparta sensed that the Coyotes weren’t on their game in the 1st period. Mike Richards, Teemu Selanne and Daniel Briere all made the Coyotes pay for being distracted. The Coyotes are in it rough now. Down 3-1 in the series heading out to HC Sparta Praha at home is a daunting task.
HC Sparta Praha vs. Phoenix Coyotes Game 5
Final Score: 4-3 OT SPA
Period 1
2:20 PHX M. Duchene (7) (D. Backes, L. Couture)
3:18 PHX D. Backes (11) (L. Couture, N. Hjalmarsson)
19:33 PHX L. Couture (3) (J. Leopold, R. Polak)
Period 2
1:22 SPA S. Weber (3) (M. Hejduk, J. Hecht)
18:45 SPA P. Elias (8) (T. Selanne, N. Lindstrom)
Period 3
8:44 SPA B. McCabe (3) (A. McDonald)
OT1
16:54 SPA A. Larsson (3) (T. Selanne, A. McDonald)
Goalie Stats
SPA T. Rask 30/33 0.909 S%
PHX C. Crawford 32/36 0.889 S%
THIS IS SPARTA!
What a run, what a story, what a series, what a game! Credit to both HC Sparta Praha and the Phoenix Coyotes for a heck of a season. The Coyotes recovered from their beating last game and came out flying in the first with a 3-0 lead heading into the second period. Despite being down by three goals though, the fans were going crazy trying to support their team, telling them they could do it. At the start of the second it didn’t look like they could. Weber decided at that point it was time to live up to the “Câ€. After Sparta forward Jochen Hecht won the face-off in the offensive zone to Milan Hejduk, Hejduk passed it back to Weber who fired an absolute cannon at the net, top corner glove side on Corey Crawford. That was the spark their team needed, that was the captain Shea Weber needed to be. Before the period was up after lots of chances, Czech native Patrick Elias brought his to within one after taking a pass from Teemu Selanne on the rush. Heading off the ice for the 2nd intermission, nothing but “Sparta Sparta Sparta!†chants could be heard.
Both teams we’re pumped up to start the third period. Lots of chances going both ways but both goalies we’re holding strong. Until Bryan McCabe struck. Andy MacDonald won the face-off to defenseman Bryan McCabe who unleashed a bomb of a shot that beat Corey Crawford high blocker side. If you thought the arena was loud any time before this moment, you haven’t heard it like this. You could just see the relief on everyone’s faces on the Sparta bench. The final bit of the 3rd period went on scoreless although there were some close calls for the Coyotes as they almost took back the lead.
Overtime pure chaos. Neither team it seemed wanted it to go on longer than 5 minutes. Every player on both teams was giving it their all. Then Coyotes forward Logan Couture takes a minor penalty for goaltender interference. Hasek must have had a hunch as he sent out Larsson and Souray instead of Weber and McCabe, which is his usual go to D line for powerplays. Once again Andy McDonald won the face-off, this time to Selanne who passed it over to Larsson. Larsson took a couple strides towards the middle of the blue line and fired a shot into traffic. The shot hit Coyotes defenseman Jordan Leopold on the inside of the thigh and then through Crawford’s five-hole.
The rookie had just won the Stanley Cup for the brand new team. Shades of the Colorado Avalanche/Florida Panthers Stanley Cup finals were in this one. A team that was new to its location winning with an overtime goal by a defenseman.
“Before we went on the powerplay, Lindstrom gave me one word of advice, shoot†Sparta defenseman Adam Larsson on scoring the series winning goal.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling right now, Weber really proved to be the captain this team needed. He stepped up to the challenge to get us back into the game and he delivered†Sparta defenseman Nicklas Lindstrom commenting on the comeback.
“It’s been a great year and I couldn’t imagine being here right now without any of these guys†Sparta Captain Shea Weber
“So proud right now just so proud. These guys deserved every bit of praise they get,†a choked up Maruisz Czerkawski after his team won the Cup.
“They gave all they could and then some. Couldn’t imagine coaching would feel this greatâ€, Head Coach Dominik Hasek.
Conn Smythe Winner
HC Sparta Praha goalie Tuukka Rask
HC Sparta Playoff Point Leaders
Mike Richards 6G 11A 17P (7th in the league)
Teemu Selanne 6G 11A 17P
Andy McDonald 3G 13A 16P
Shane Doan 4G 10A 14P
Milan Hejduk 5G 8A 13P
HC Sparta Praha Playoff Goalie Stats
Tuukka Rask 22GP 16W 4L 1.85 GAA(1st in NHL) 0.932 S%(2nd in NHL) 3SO(1st in NHL)
2013-2014 Trade Deadline Report
Constructive critism and new ideas are much appreciated as I’m aiming to make this as good as can be with me writing it.
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013 
