{allcanada} Hellebuyck, Jets continue roll with 2-1 win against Wild

 

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck found a new trainer to work with in the offseason to continue his development.

Hellebuyck's work with the trainer, who also trains Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnky, is paying off for Winnipeg.

Hellebuyck made 28 saves, and Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor scored for the Jets in a 2-1 win over Minnesota on Tuesday.

''Not that I ever didn't work hard, but I really figured out my game and was able to replicate it,'' Hellebuyck said. ''Now I know exactly what I'm doing every night.''

Ehlers scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season and Connor added his second for Winnipeg, which is 6-1-1 since an 0-2 start to the season.

Rookie Luke Kunin scored his second goal of the season and goaltender Alex Stalock stopped 17 shots for the Wild, who had won two in a row and three of their previous four games.

Minnesota was 0 for 5 on the power play.

''I think on the power play, it may sound difficult, and it may not go in, but you need five guys thinking as one,'' Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. ''And I think right now, we've got five guys thinking as five guys. And so nobody can read what you're supposed to be doing. And we do have, there's a plan in place, and we've got to get the guys to just do the plan.''

Hellebuyck continued his strong run in net for the Jets, who had made the move to acquire Steve Mason as the starting netminder in the offseason. While Mason has a 4.84 goals-against average and .872 save percentage in his four games, Hellebuyck's numbers rank among the league's best.

He entered the game sixth in the NHL in save percentage (.937). Hellebuyck (6-0-1) is the only goaltender in the NHL who has made at least five starts and is undefeated in regulation.

''I think the big games bring out the best in him and he's playing with a lot of confidence right now,'' Jets forward Blake Wheeler said. ''We're trying to do a good job in front of him, letting him see pucks, and he's making some big saves so that keeps you in games.''

Hellebuyck stopped 11 shots in the third as Winnipeg was outshot 12-2 in the final period.

Connor opened the scoring 7:10 into the first. Mark Scheifele tipped defenseman Tyler Myers' shot from the point and the puck fell right to Connor. The line of Connor, Scheifele and Blake Wheeler have accounted for five goals in the past two games.

Ehlers took advantage of a mistake by Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba in the third. Dumba tried a drop pass in the defensive zone to Mikael Granlund, but Ehlers was between them and quickly collected the loose puck, skated past Granlund and scored for a 2-0 lead.

''I was kind of looking to see what he was going to do,'' Ehlers said. ''I saw he looked back at Granlund and I was hoping he was going to drop that puck.''

Dumba was benched by Boudreau after the turnover.

''I know that was my fault tonight. I've just got to man up and own it and try to move on,'' Dumba said. ''It's frustrating, and you know you let your teammates down like that on a play that I can routinely make. It's like an interception, like a pick-6, like the guy runs it back to the house.''

NOTES: Minnesota F Nino Niederreiter returned to the lineup after missing six games with a left high ankle sprain. He assisted on Kunin's goal for his point in four games this year. . Winnipeg F Adam Lowry (upper-body injury) practiced with the team during Tuesday's morning skate and coach Paul Maurice left open the possibility he could return on Saturday against Montreal after missing seven games. . The Jets are 15 for 16 on the penalty kill in their last four games and 27 for 31 in past eight games after giving up four power-play goals in the first two games.

UP NEXT

Jets: Return home against Dallas on Thursday.

Wild: Two more games remain in their season-long, six-game homestand with Montreal on Thursday.

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{allcanada} Nov. 1: Plante first goalie to wear mask

 

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Nov. 1

1959: Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante makes history when he wears a mask during an NHL game for the first time.

Plante is cut by a rising shot taken by New York Rangers forward Andy Bathgate 3:06 into the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Plante goes off for repairs; when he returns, he's wearing a fiberglass mask. Plante has been using one in practice, but this is the first time he plays with one during a game.

The Canadiens win the game 3-1, and Plante insists to coach Toe Blake that he will no longer play without the mask. Blake, who's been opposed to the mask, relents. The facial protection catches on; within a few years most goalies wear one, and by the end of the 1973-74 season there are no more bare-faced goaltenders in the NHL.

The debut of Plante's mask comes seven years to the day he plays his first NHL game. With Gerry McNeil sidelined by injury, Plante defeats the Rangers 4-1 in his first NHL start. He goes 2-0-1 before being returned to the Montreal Royals.

 

MORE MOMENTS

1924: The NHL officially comes to the United States when the Boston Bruins join the League. The NHL expands to six franchises by adding the Bruins and Montreal Maroons.

 

1947: Under new coach Tommy Ivan, the Detroit Red Wings' famed "Production Line" of right wing Gordie Howe, center Sid Abel and left wing Ted Lindsay becomes a regular unit for the first time. The nickname is a nod to Detroit's automotive industry as well as the line's offensive prowess.

 

1975: Billy Reay of the Chicago Blackhawks becomes the second man in NHL history to coach 1,000 NHL games. The milestone comes in a 3-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium.

 

1985: Buffalo Sabres rookie Daren Puppa becomes the 17th goaltender to have a shutout in his first NHL game. Puppa makes 37 saves in a 2-0 victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. Ten of his saves come against Wayne Gretzky.

 

1992: Mario Lemieux scores twice to extend his team-record goal-scoring streak to 12 games in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lemieux scores 18 goals during the 12-game streak.

 

2006: Pittsburgh rookie Evgeni Malkin becomes the first player since 1917-18, the NHL's first season, to score a goal in six straight games from the start of his career. Malkin scores his second of the game at 2:45 of overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.

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{allcanada} Shiltz to become 12th post-Calvillo starter for Alouettes

 

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MONTREAL — The long list of quarterbacks who have taken snaps for the Montreal Alouettes in the past four years is about the stretch a little farther.

Rookie Matt Shiltz is to get his first Canadian Football League start, and Antonio Pipkin is to make his CFL debut when the Alouettes end the regular season with an otherwise meaningless game in Hamilton on Friday night.

Both will be looking to impress general manager and head coach Kavis Reed enough to be invited back next season.

"Every time you step on the field it's an opportunity to show the league and your team and the coaches what you can do and why you deserve to stay," said Shiltz, who was working as an accountant last March when the Alouettes called to invite him to camp. "It's not going to change this time.

"I'm starting and I know I'll be taking a lot of practice reps, but my mentality is not going to change. I feel I deserve to be here and I want to show that."

Shiltz has already seen action in three games in relief of either starter Darian Durant or backup Drew Willy. He has completed 28 of 45 passes for 289 yards, including his lone touchdown toss to Samuel Giguere in a loss last week in Saskatchewan.

The future of all the quarterbacks is up in the air going into next season. Reed, who stepped in for fired head coach Jacques Chapdelaine in September, is to name a new head coach who will no doubt have his own ideas on who should be taking the snaps.

But instability behind centre has been constant since legend Anthony Calvillo played his final game on Aug. 17, 2013.

Shiltz will be the 12th quarterback to start a game for Montreal since then, joining Josh Nieswander, Troy Smith, Tanner Marsh, Jonathan Crompton, Alex Brink, Rakeem Cato, Kevin Glenn, Brandon Bridge, Vernon Adams, Durant and Willy. Others, like Dan LeFevour, Tajh Boyd and Shane Carden, took snaps in games but never started.

Still others, including Jacory Harris who was released on Sept. 7, have been on the team but never played.

"The number is the number," said Calvillo, the team's quarterbacks coach and play-caller. "We all know that quarterback is the toughest position to fill.

"It takes a lot of dedication, preparation, hard work and consistency from that position. It's been a challenge to find that and it's also a challenge to be stable. We've had so many changes with coaches that it's been hard to go from one guy to the next. Hopefully, there can be some stability where we can start building something like that."

Reed hoped he had stopped the carousel when he acquired 11-year veteran Durant from Saskatchewan in January, but like the rest of the Alouettes, the 35-year-old struggled. Reed has not guaranteed he will be kept on next season.

Shiltz and Pipkin will get a chance to audition, but hardly under ideal circumstances. The offensive line has been plagued with injuries all season and, with veteran Luc Brodeur-Jourdain going down last week, will be staffed by mostly backups and newcomers for the season finale.

"This is the reality — we're down to our ninth or tenth guard this year," said Calvillo. "It's been devastating.

"So we, as coaches, had to make sure we prepared stuff that puts these guys in a position where they have a chance for success."

Calvillo, a three-time Grey Cup winner and the league's all-time passing leader, likes what he's seen of both Shiltz and Pipkin.

Shiltz was working for Ernst & Young in Indianapolis after starring for Butler University when he was invited to the Alouettes winter mini-camp. The club noticed his game and his personality.

"Although he didn't have a lot of reps at that time, mentally he was very strong," said Calvillo. "When we got to (main) camp, he carried that over.

"Every time he did something we thought 'This guy looks special.' The biggest thing is we didn't want to rush him. That's why he got on the roster later on in the season."

Pipkin was such a huge star playing Division II ball at Tiffin University that many thought he'd be picked in the NFL draft. The 22-year-old wasn't, but the Arizona Cardinals invited the six-foot-three 225-pounder with the cannon arm to camp for a try-out.

"We thought he had something special," said Calvillo. "Not just with his zip but with his body demeanour, his attitude.

"He's been a professional, knowing he hasn't been playing and being on the practice roster."

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{allcanada} Coombs will start at running back in Argos' regular season finale

 

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TORONTO — Head coach Marc Trestman won't be easing Anthony Coombs back into the Toronto Argonauts' lineup.

The 25-year-old Winnipeg native practised Tuesday after being activated from the six-game injured list. Trestman said Coombs will start Saturday night when Toronto (8-9) visits the B.C. Lions (7-10) in the regular-season finale for both teams.

"He had a very good practice," Trestman said. "He's our most versatile player because he not only has to be considered a receiver but a running back as well."

The five-foot-nine, 199-pound Coombs, who has played both running back and slotback in Toronto's offence, suffered a broken collarbone in a 38-6 win over Montreal on Aug. 19 that required surgery. The former Manitoba Bisons star, taken third overall by the Argos in the '14 CFL draft, was enjoying a solid season with 47 catches for 426 yards and a TD in nine games.

Trestman said rookie Jimmy Ralph, a native of Raymond, Alta., who played slotback in Coombs' absence, won't play Saturday due to a leg injury.

Despite the lengthy absence, Coombs said he quickly got back into the swing of things Tuesday.

"It felt good just to get out and run with the team and catch some balls from Ricky (Argos quarterback Ricky Ray)," Coombs said. "It felt natural.

"Every time we had a meeting I acted as if I was playing so I feel mentally I was never really out of it, just physically."

Coombs is more concerned about his fitness Saturday than taking a hit.

"Throughout the week I'm going to be focusing on my endurance because I don't want my performance to go down in the second half," he said. "If there was (concern about collarbone) I wouldn't be playing.

"The strength-and-conditioning guys do a great job of getting the guys ready. When we're on the six-game we have a routine ever day. I was doing a lot of cardio because I couldn't (lift) weights with my shoulder but once I got to the six-week mark I was able to lift heavier weights . . . it was kind of like a process."

Coombs' return is certainly timely.

Toronto can clinch first in the East with a tie or win and secure home field for the division final Nov. 19. A loss would leave the Argos second behind idle Ottawa (8-9-1) and hosting the fourth-place finisher in the West in the Eastern semifinal Nov. 12.

"Perfect timing," Coombs said. "Everybody knows what's at stake.

"This is a big game, it's probably the biggest game of the season. We're treating it as a playoff game."

B.C. has been eliminated from playoff contention but is coming off a solid 36-27 road win over Winnipeg. The Lions are 3-5 at home and have dropped their last two games at B.C. Place Stadium versus East Division teams (30-25 to Ottawa on Oct. 7, 24-23 to Hamilton on Sept. 22).

"Ottawa won (in B.C.) and Hamilton did the same a few weeks ago so it's our turn," said Toronto linebacker Bear Woods. "You want to go into the playoffs with a win.

"Who wants to go in with a loss? Nobody and we happen to be in a situation where we need to win to regain first place."

Trouble is, Toronto is 2-6 on the road and 2-7 versus West Division teams.

Toronto and Ottawa have been jockeying for first in the East the past few weeks, a situation Woods feels could benefit the Argos leading up to Saturday's contest.

"Every week now it's been get to first, fall back to second, regain first so it's that all over again and that same feeling is with us," Woods said. "Maybe that's a good thing (that's) advantageous for us because that feeling has been here (past few weeks)."

Coombs said he's never lost sleep wondering about what might've been this season had he stayed healthy.

"The way you get over something like that is accept it," he said. "It happened and it's never going to change so I just accepted it and saw what I could do to help the team moving forward.

"It's tough because you want to be there with your teammates . . . but you don't want to be moping around and making it about you. It's helping the guys who're out there, giving some advice, some tips and eventually when you do get healthy you're able to help the team on the field."

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{allcanada} Jagr won't rush back for Flames to face Penguins

 

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CALGARY -- Forward Jaromir Jagr is close to returning from a lower-body injury that has kept him out for four games but said he won't rush to play when the Calgary Flames host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV).

"I just want to come back and be ready and help the team," Jagr said. "I don't want to just go in and be there. It's not me … maybe [in the] early years, but I just want to be healthy."

The 45-year-old was injured in the first period of a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 21. He was placed on injured reserve Oct. 23 and was expected to miss about a week.

Jagr has two assists in five games since signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Flames on Oct. 4, and had been playing on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

He said the injury could've been a result of rushing to get into the lineup after not having an NHL training camp.

"Don't forget I didn't play for five months," Jagr said. "The other thing is, I want to get into shape as quick as possible. I worked very hard off the ice and maybe I just overworked myself. It's tough to say. Bad thing happened. I have to be a little more patient this way and see what happens.

"I felt pretty good before I got injured. I just stepped back again. It's tough, but nothing I can do about it right now. I just have to keep working and hope that it's going to get better and better."

Flames coach Glen Gulutzan was optimistic about Jagr's timetable following practice Tuesday.

"I'll see how he is today and that'll be a good indication because today was a tough skate," Gulutzan said. "That's a good sign. Until we see with the trainers and everything [we won't know] … but to get through practice, I think that's a good indicator."

Jagr played the first 11 of his 24 NHL seasons for the Penguins, who selected him with the No. 5 pick in the 1990 NHL Draft. He had 1,079 points (439 goals, 640 assists) in 806 games and won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992 with Pittsburgh.

Jagr is third with 765 NHL goals, behind Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801), and is second in points with 1,916, behind Gretzky (2,857). Jagr is fourth in NHL games played with 1,716, 51 behind Howe's record of 1,767.

"It is frustrating, but it's part of the life," said Jagr, who played 82 games for the Florida Panthers last season. "I was kind of lucky over my hockey career that there haven't been many big injuries. That's the way it is. Nothing I can do anything about."

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{allcanada} Photo: Genie Bouchard as Pamela Anderson

 

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{allcanada} Patrick Marleau makes emotional return to San Jose

 

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Patrick Marleau woke up in his own home in San Jose and drove to the rink to prepare for a hockey game just as he has done countless times during his stellar career.

Only this day was much different.

Marleau was the opponent in the Shark Tank for the first time Monday when he returned to the arena he starred in for 19 seasons.

When he arrived for the Toronto Maple Leafs' morning skate, he turned right to head to the visitors' dressing room rather than his customary left turn to go to the Sharks' room. The differences from his previous routine became even more stark when he squared off against his former teammates following an emotional pregame ceremony.

The Sharks played a video tribute to Marleau and he received a loud ovation that lasted nearly 90 seconds from the fans, who chanted ''Pat-ty! Pat-ty!'' Players from both teams tapped their sticks in appreciation as the spotlight shined on Marleau and he waved to the crowd.

''It was extremely special to get an ovation like that and see all the signs and everything, just really humbling,'' Marleau said after Toronto lost 3-2 to San Jose. ''They showed me great support through my time here. It was humbling to be honored like that by the Sharks and fans. I'll never forget it.''

Marleau left as a free agent this summer when Toronto gave him an $18.75 million, three-year deal while San Jose was unwilling to go past two years. He has four goals and three assists in his first 11 games with the Maple Leafs.

Marleau watched scores of teammates come and go during his two decades in San Jose and now has a greater appreciation for what that is like after changing teams for the first time in his career. His wife, Christina, and four sons who were all born during his time in San Jose also made the move but came back for this trip.

''You always knew for players changing teams and families that obviously it could be hard. But until you go through it, you don't know how hard it is and what those guys are going through away from the rink,'' he said. ''Just having a taste of that, you get a better respect for guys having to do that during the season.''

Marleau has watched many teammates over the years have homecomings and one that stood out was when Joe Thornton returned to Boston less than two months after being traded to San Jose. Less than six minutes into the game, Thornton was ejected for checking Hal Gill from behind.

''I'll try not to do that,'' Marleau said before the game.

Marleau will always be remembered as a Shark, the team he joined after being drafted second overall in 1997 as a 17-year-old from a small town in Saskatchewan.

With a low-key demeanor, quiet voice and blazing speed, Marleau developed into one of the top players in the league in his 19 seasons in San Jose. Marleau left as the club's career leader in games played (1,493), goals (508) and points (1,082). Only six players in NHL history have played more games for one team than Marleau did with the Sharks.

''He's Mr. Shark. He always will be,'' San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. ''Nobody will ever pass him. I always thought there'll be one number retired in the organization and it'll be No. 12.''

Marleau helped the team reach the Western Conference finals in 2004, '10 and '11 and then was a key part of the franchise's only trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 when the Sharks lost in six games to Pittsburgh. The Penguins celebrated that title in the same visiting locker room at the Shark Tank that Marleau used for the first time before a game.

''He's earned the right for this tribute,'' Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. ''They didn't just give it to him here. He earned it by being a good man and good player and doing it for a long time. So he should take it all in and enjoy it because not many guys can experience what he's going to experience tonight.''

It wasn't always happy times for Marleau in San Jose. He often took the blame for early playoff exits and was stripped of the captaincy following a first-round exit in 2009 following a regular season when the Sharks won the Presidents' Trophy.

But he was always a fan favorite, including last season when he scored 27 goals, including the 500th of his career.

''Obviously, he deserves all of the accolades he's going to get tonight and it's important for the organization, our players and the fans to pay tribute to his contributions here,'' Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. ''They've been immense over the last 20 years. I think everyone's looking forward to it.''

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{allcanada} Banks, Masoli, Reilly named CFL top performers

 

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TORONTO — Hamilton receiver Brandon Banks and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly are the CFL's top performers for October.

Banks registered 541 yards on 31 receptions with five touchdowns over four games. His largest output of 193 yards and two touchdowns came against East Division in a loss to Ottawa on Friday that also earned him a not as a top performer for Week 19 of the season.

Banks also recorded a 65-yard punt return touchdown versus Montreal for his 11th career kick-return TD.

Reilly amassed 1,276 passing yards and eight touchdowns in his four consecutive October wins to put Edmonton into a tie for second place in the West Division.

His biggest game was on October 21st against the B.C. Lions in a comeback game where he threw for 397 passing yards.

Masoli set career numbers in the month of October with 1,422 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and only one interception.

Along with Banks, Ottawa receiver Diontae Spencer and B.C. running back Chris Rainey were named top performers for Week 19.

Spencer set a CFL record for most combined yards in a regular-season game, piling up 496 in the Redblacks' 41-36 win over Hamilton on Friday.

Spencer gained 133 receiving yards, 169 punt return yards, 165 kickoff return yards and 29 missed field goal return yards to eclipse the previous record of 474, set by Winnipeg's Albert Johnson III on July 21, 2000.

It was just the sixth time in CFL history that a player collected more than 400 total yards in a regular season game.

Rainey had two touchdowns and 304 all-purpose yards as the Lions earned a 36-27 road win over Winnipeg.

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{allcanada} Meet Zach Hyman, the author

 

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When it comes to a certain part of his life outside of hockey, Zach Hyman does it by the book.

College standout. CJHL Player of the Year. NHL winger. Record holder. Author.

The 25-year-old Hyman, who hails from Toronto and plays for his hometown team, happens to be all those things.

Author? He most definitely is.

Drafted in by the Florida Panthers 123rd overall in 2010, Hyman has already penned two books with another due out in 2018.

His first work, The Bambino and Me, was published when he was in high school. It tells the story of George, a young New Yankees fan, who worships legendary baseball star Babe Ruth, and carries his baseball card with him everywhere. Hockey Hero, released in October of 2015, is about a shy hockey player who steps out of his brother's shadow to make his own dream become a reality.

Hyman's third work, The Magician's Secret, will be available in April. It's his first non-sports project, a story of a grandfather and grandson who celebrate the power of imagination and the magic of make believe.

"I'm really excited about it," he said. "For one, it's an adventure book, an imagination-type story. I'm really happy about how it all came together and I'm looking forward to sharing it with everybody."

Being an author has enabled Hyman to do just that – share his love of books and reading with schoolchildren in the Toronto area.

In June, he visited Southfields Village Public School after the school won the Play Your Part Challenge through the nonprofit organization, Right to Play (a worldwide organization committed to improving the lives of children and youth affected by conflict, disease and poverty through play).

He met with the kids and read The Bambino and Me.

"It's definitely special, for sure," said Hyman, who holds the Maple Leafs record for rookie short-handed (four) goals in one season. "One of the main reasons I love to do charity work and go to see kids at schools is how much they get out of it, how excited they are and how happy they are when they read the books and look at the pictures. It's fun. Within the story, I try to convey the message of believing in yourself. That's really important for kids. I really enjoy seeing the looks on the kids' faces when they read the stories."

Those interactions always prompt Hyman to recall his own childhood experiences with reading.

"It does," he said. "That's one of the main reasons I wrote children's books because when I was young, I remember how fascinated I was with reading and seeing those colourful illustrations. I got into the habit of reading when I was young. It's a good habit to have."

Inspiration for his writing isn't hard to come by.

"Having support from my family in everything I do is very meaningful," said Hyman. "I have four younger brothers and they are always there for me, as are my parents. I'm very lucky."

And if he was to write a lighthearted book about one of his Maple Leafs teammates, Hyman has one particular player in mind.

"It would be Leo Komarov," he said, of the well-respected and well-liked veteran forward. "He's one of the most interesting guys around. He's a great guy, an awesome guy."

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{allcanada} Oct. 31: Gretzky has seventh career hat trick

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 31

1981: Wayne Gretzky becomes the first player in NHL history to have seven hat tricks before his 21st birthday when he scores four times (and has an assist) in an 11-4 victory against the Quebec Nordiques at Northlands Coliseum.

Gretzky scores early in the second period to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead, then finishes his big night with three more goals (and the assist) in the third period against Michel Plasse. It gives him 13 goals in Edmonton's first 13 games.

Exactly eight years later, Gretzky gets his 46th career hat trick and has three assists for a six-point night in the Los Angeles Kings' 8-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Civic Arena. Pittsburgh star Mario Lemieux has two assists to begin a 46-game point scoring streak. It's the second-longest in NHL history, five games short of Gretzky's record.

 

MORE MOMENTS

1942: Rookie Maurice Richard plays his first NHL game with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard, wearing No. 15, gets his first NHL point (an assist) 36 seconds into the game, a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins at the Forum.

 

1987: New York Rangers forward Marcel Dionne scores the 700th goal of his NHL career, joining Gordie Howe (801) and Phil Esposito (717) as the only players to reach that mark at the time. The goal comes in an 8-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Though neither spends the bulk of his career with the Rangers, Esposito and Dionne each score goal No. 700 with New York.

 

1995: Montreal's Mario Tremblay sets an NHL record for best start by a new coach with his sixth straight win when the Canadiens defeat the Bruins 3-1. Tremblay breaks the mark of five straight wins shared by Bep Guidolin (1973) and Marc Crawford (1995).

 

2003: The Vancouver Canucks become the second team in NHL history to score the first goal in each of its first 11 games of the season. Trevor Linden scores 8:16 into the first period of a 4-1 road win against Phoenix Coyotes.

 

2007: Chicago Blackhawks rookie center Jonathan Toews scores a goal in a 5-4 road win against the Dallas Stars to give him one point in each of his first 10 NHL games. It's the second longest such streak in NHL history.

 

2008: Defenseman Matthias Ohlund scores in the 13th round of the shootout to give the Canucks a 7-6 victory against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Each team scores six times during regulation but manages one successful attempt apiece in the tiebreaker until Ohlund, the 26th shooter, beats Jonas Hiller for the win.

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{allcanada} Sharks spoil Marleau's return with 3-2 win over Maple Leafs

 

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Rookie defenseman Tim Heed scored a tiebreaking goal on the power play early in the third period to spoil Patrick Marleau's return to San Jose by leading the Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.

Heed scored on a slap shot from just above the faceoff circle with 15:49 to play and assisted on Joe Pavelski's second-period goal to give the Sharks their 10th straight win over Toronto. Joel Ward added an empty-net goal for San Jose.

This time it came with Marleau in a Maple Leafs sweater as he returned to the arena he called home for his first 19 seasons in the NHL. Marleau left as a free agent this summer to sign an $18.75 million, three-year contract with Toronto.

Marleau finished with two shots on goal but didn't record a point as Martin Jones made 16 saves for San Jose to improve to 7-0 against the Maple Leafs. Jones has allowed just 10 goals in those starts.

Auston Matthews scored in the first period and Nazem Kadri added a goal with 1:10 remaining to cut San Jose's lead to 3-2. The Maple Leafs have lost four of five and were held to only two shots on goal in a span of more than 31 minutes in the second and third periods.

Frederik Andersen made 36 saves but had no chance on Heed's slapper that went into the top corner after Timo Meier had drawn a cross-checking penalty from Dominic Moore early in the period.

The night started with an emotional pregame ceremony for Marleau. The Sharks played a video tribute to Marleau and he received a loud ovation that lasted nearly 90 seconds from the fans, who chanted ''Pat-ty! Pat-ty!'' Players from both teams tapped their sticks in appreciation as the spotlight shined on Marleau and he waved to the crowd.

The Sharks then controlled play for the first two periods but were unable to translate their 25-11 advantage in shots on goal to a lead on the scoreboard.

The Maple Leafs struck first midway through the first period when Matthews beat Logan Couture to the rebound of a point shot from Nikita Zaitsev and knocked it into the open net for his ninth goal.

San Jose tied it midway through the second when Pavelski deflected Heed's point shot past Andersen for his third goal.

NOTES: Thornton got an assist on San Jose's first goal, giving him 1,399 points to move past Jari Kurri for sole possession of 20th place on the career list. ... Toronto forwards James Van Riemsdyk (lower body) and Matt Martin (upper body) returned to the lineup after missing one game each.

UP NEXT

Maple Leafs: Visit the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.

Sharks: Host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night.

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{allcanada} Radulov scores OT winner, Stars edge Canucks 2-1

 

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Alexander Radulov scored 2:28 into overtime and the Dallas Stars defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 on Monday night.

Ben Bishop made 38 saves and Tyler Seguin had a second-period goal for Dallas, which improved to 3-1 on a five-game road trip that concludes Thursday in Winnipeg.

Sam Gagner scored a power-play goal for the Canucks, who had won four straight. Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves after serving as the backup during the previous two games.

Radulov won it in overtime when he carried the puck the length of the ice and fired a shot over Markstrom's blocker-side shoulder.

Markstrom helped keep the first period scoreless when he made several impressive saves during a Stars power play midway through the period, including off a point-blank shot by Jamie Benn. Markstrom also stopped a short-handed breakaway by Gemel Smith in the waning seconds.

Seguin opened the scoring in the second with Canucks forward Thomas Vanek in the penalty box for the second time in the first three minutes of the period. Seguin one-timed his seventh goal of the season with an Alex Ovechkin-like shot while down on one knee at 3:11. The goal broke Vancouver's streak of 14 consecutive penalties killed.

Vancouver's unlikely leading goal scorer, Derek Dorsett, had a chance all alone in the slot against Bishop in the final minutes of the second, but couldn't convert.

At the other end, Markstrom ended the period with another big save, this time off a 2-on-1 with Smith and Radulov. The Canucks outshot Dallas 27-19 through two.

Vancouver tied the game six minutes into the third while on the power play. After Markstrom chased down a puck to diffuse a short-handed breakaway, Vanek took a quick pass from Daniel Sedin in the slot at the other end and fired a hard shot that rebounded to Gagner. The center netted his first goal with the Canucks at 13:51, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

That ended a run of seven straight games without giving up a power-play goal for the Stars.

NOTES: The Canucks were without rookie wing Brock Boeser, who injured his foot blocking a shot in a 6-2 win over Washington. Vancouver called up forwards Jayson Megna and Anton Rodin from Utica of the AHL. ... Dallas was without Martin Hanzal (lower body) and Stephen Johns (concussion).

UP NEXT

Stars: At the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Canucks: Host the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

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{allcanada} DeRozan leads Raptors to win over Blazers

 

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PORTLAND, Ore. — DeMar DeRozan had 25 points and the shorthanded Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-85 on Monday night.

The Blazers were foiled at home by a cold second quarter with just six total points and Toronto went on to lead by as many as 26. The win extended the Raptors' winning streak over Portland to five straight games.

Damian Lillard had a season-high 36 points for the Blazers, who got within 13 in the final quarter. CJ McCollum, who had scored 20 or more points in each of Portland's first six games this season, had 16.

Kyle Lowry added a season-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds for the Raptors.

Toronto was without centre Serge Ibaka, who is averaging 15 points a game this season, because of swelling in his right knee. The knee started to bother him following a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday. Jacob Poetl took his place in the starting lineup.

The Raptors also missed Jonas Valanciunas for a fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain.

DeRozan had 15 points in the first quarter and the teams were knotted at 29 going into the second. DeRozan led the Raptors with 24 points in the 101-92 victory over the Lakers.

The Blazers went cold in the second quarter. Really cold. They went 0-for-16 from the field until Evan Turner's layup with 5 seconds left before the half. Portland's other four points in the quarter came from free throws and the Raptors led 54-35 at the break.

The Blazers' six total points were a franchise low for the second quarter.

Lillard hit a pair of consecutive 3-pointers and a layup in the third quarter, but the Blazers couldn't make up much ground. The Raptors led 81-61 going into the final period.

Portland went on a 10-5 run to open the fourth and close the gap to 86-71 with 8:55 left. Lillard added a 16-footer to cut the margin to 13.

Portland was coming off a 114-107 win at home over the Suns on Saturday.

TIP INS

Raptors: It was the fourth game of a season-long six game road trip for Toronto. ... The Raptors won both games against the Blazers last season.

Trail Blazers: Portland's lowest point total for any quarter is five points. ... It was the last of a four-game home stand for the Blazers. ... Meyers Leonard is currently out because of right lateral ankle sprain.

UP NEXT

Toronto plays the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday.

The Trail Blazers visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

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{allcanada} Hudon helps Canadiens pound Senators 8-3

 

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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Montreal Canadiens are starting to believe in themselves after a rough start to the season.

Charles Hudon scored his first two career goals and had an assist, helping the Canadiens roll to an 8-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Monday night.

''Offensively we've been a team that hasn't scored much, but five the last game and eight tonight so I can see the confidence coming back with the players,'' coach Claude Julien said.

''You can't keep losing hockey games and feel good about yourself, but you start winning and confidence comes back.''

Artturi Lehkonen also scored twice for the Canadiens (4-7-1), and Shea Weber had three assists. Al Montoya stopped 25 shots in his first victory of the season.

Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec also scored as Montreal won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

''We're making bounces happen, we're making plays happen and guys aren't holding their sticks too tight so we're making plays happen,'' Montoya said. ''It was fun to watch and fun to be a part of.''

Ottawa (5-2-5) got goals from Tom Pyatt, Ryan Dzingel and Chris DiDomenico. Craig Anderson made just nine saves on 15 shots through two periods before being replaced by Mike Condon, who allowed two goals on 14 shots.

Captain Erik Karlsson, one of the NHL's best defensemen, was on the ice for seven Montreal goals.

''I think I've had way worst games and got away with it, (Monday) was not one of those nights,'' Karlsson said. ''It's something you're going to have to deal with throughout the season, throughout your career. I've done it before, I'm going to do it again and it's not something that's going to affect me moving forward.''

Ottawa dropped to 2-2-5 at home this season.

''I don't know what it is to be honest with you,'' coach Guy Boucher said. ''Whether it's over-confidence or unconsciously feeling comfortable at home or whatever I don't know what it is, but it's certainly something we have to change and address.''

Hudon got off to a fast start during a wild six-goal first period. The Canadiens entered the game as the lowest scoring team in the Eastern Conference.

Pyatt opened the scoring just 21 seconds in, but Montreal replied at 4:27 when Hudon stepped around Karlsson to beat Anderson short side.

The Canadiens made it 2-1 when Pacioretty stole the puck from Anderson behind the net and scored a short-handed goal into an empty net. After Mike Hoffman's shot went in off Dzingel, tying it at 2, Lehkonen and Hudon scored to make it 4-2 after one.

The second was a more quiet period until the halfway mark when DiDomenico scored his second in as many games with a power-play goal. But Jordie Benn fed a beautiful pass to Galchenyuk for a breakaway goal and Gallagher made it 6-3 with less than a minute remaining in the period with his fourth of the season.

''Our compete level wasn't high enough to win the game against anybody,'' Boucher said. ''When that happens you're basically opening the door for the opponent to take over and that's what they did so they totally deserve the game and we totally don't.''

NOTES: The Senators were without D Mark Borowiecki, who was a late scratch because he wasn't feeling well. C Kyle Turris (Viral infection, day-to-day) and Bobby Ryan (broken finger, three weeks) also were held out.

UP NEXT

Canadiens: Visit Minnesota on Thursday night.

Senators: Host Detroit on Thursday night.

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