curtis valk – Page 2 – CanucksBanter

16_1015-tor-subban-7c1b9360b6 — Jordan Subban. Picture: http://www.uticacomets.com

Oct 15, 2016

By Ben Birnell

The Utica Comets got off to a rough start in their first regular season game.

A dominant Toronto Marlies’ special teams played a big part.

The Marlies totaled four power-play goals in two periods and earned a 5-2 victory over their North Division counterparts Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

Brandon Leipsic scored a goal and added three assists; Andreas Johnsson scored two power-play goals; others also totaled multiple points for Toronto, which were one of most high-scoring teams in the American Hockey League last season.

Toronto, which led 5-0 in the second period, finished 4 for 7 on the power play. Goaltender Garrett Sparks turned aside 27 shots for the Marlies.

Alex Grenier had a power-play goal and added an assist, Jordan Subban totaled two assists and Curtis Valk also scored for the Comets, which finished 1 for 6 on the man-advantage.

Goaltender Richard Bachman was tested throughout, totaling 29 saves on 34 shots.

The two teams meet again at 5 p.m. Sunday in Toronto.

First period

Toronto came out quickly, eventually breaking open a scoreless game with two quick power-play goals.

With the Marlies on a 5-on-3 advantage, defenseman Andrew Nielsen scored from the slot for a 1-0 lead with 4:59 remaining. Less than a minute later, Nikita Soshnikov made it 2-0 with another power-play goal on a rebound in front.

The Marlies outshot the Comets 16-6 in the period.

Second period

Toronto extended its lead with three goals — two more on special teams — about four minutes apart. The Comets got on the board late.

Leipsic scored the eventual game-winner with 10:51 left before Andreas Johnsson added two power-play goals 1:19 apart not long after to give the Marlies a five-goal lead.

The Comets got on the board late, when Valk scored from in close on the left side past a sprawling Sparks to make it 5-1.

Third period

The Comets turned up the pressure early, adding a power-play goal about a minute into the period. The Comets made it 5-2 when Grenier scored off a one-timer from atop the left circle. Michael Chaput had an assist on the goal.

The Comets were not able to get another past Sparks, despite outshooting the Marlies 15-7 in the period.

Marlies 5, Comets 2

Utica 0 1 1 – 2

Toronto 2 3 0 – 5

1st Period-1, Toronto, Nielsen 1 (Leipsic, Kapanen), 15:01 (PP). 2, Toronto, Soshnikov 1 (Rychel, Kapanen), 15:49 (PP). Penalties-LaBate Uti (double minor – high-sticking), 12:45; Negrin Uti (tripping), 13:50; Holl Tor (hooking), 18:52.

2nd Period-3, Toronto, Leipsic 1 (Lindberg, Loov), 9:09. 4, Toronto, Johnsson 1 (Nielsen, Leipsic), 12:01 (PP). 5, Toronto, Johnsson 2 (Leipsic, Nielsen), 13:20 (PP). 6, Utica, Valk 1 (Grenier, Subban), 18:00. Penalties-Valiev Tor (tripping), 6:59; Sautner Uti (hooking), 11:50; Valk Uti (delay of game – faceoff violation), 12:01; Holl Tor (tripping), 13:35; Johnsson Tor (interference), 19:55.

3rd Period-7, Utica, Grenier 1 (Subban, Chaput), 1:02 (PP). Penalties-served by Rychel Tor (bench minor – too many men), 2:12; Lindberg Tor (hooking), 7:23; Stecher Uti (high-sticking), 8:38; Rendulic Uti (tripping), 17:14.

Shots on Goal-Utica 6-8-15-29. Toronto 16-11-7-34.

Power Play Opportunities-Utica 1 / 6; Toronto 4 / 7.

Goalies-Utica, Bachman 0-1-0-0 (34 shots-29 saves). Toronto, Sparks 1-0-0-0 (29 shots-27 saves).

A-4,954

Referees-Mike Campbell (36), Nick Gill (65). Linesmen-Jordan Browne (67), Kevin Hastings (61).

Source: Power-play goals push Marlies past Comets – Sports – Uticaod – Utica, NY

Vancouver Canucks’ Olli Joulevi (48) in fron of the goal with Edmonton Oilers’ Patrick Russel (52) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016. NICK PROCAYLO / PNG

By Jason Botchford September 16, 2016

PENTICTON — Here’s the thing about Olli Juolevi: blink and you’ll miss him.

The Oilers did. Many times.

Greg Chase had Juolevi lined up for a hit early in the Canucks opening period of the 2016 Young Stars tournament on Friday night. He missed.

Later, Jesse Puljujarvi was barrelling over the Canucks’ blue-line, moving just a tad slower than a cigarette boat. He had the puck, until he didn’t. Juolevi, quietly, poked it away while Puljujarvi twisted and crashed to the ice with a thud.

Juolevi played a smart, and smooth game in a 4-1 Vancouver loss. It was as quiet, impressive and promising.

“Those kind of defencemen are better when the game is cleaner. It’s more suited for an NHL game where everyone’s timing is on, it’s not as scramble-y,” said Travis Green, the Canucks Young Stars head coach. “He’s going to be a helluva defenceman.”

Especially after he puts on 15 more pounds. Juolevi got hit once, at the end of the second, when he turned his back. He drew a penalty.

Splendid as he was, however, Juolevi wasn’t enough to lift an overmatched Canucks team. Neither was Vancouver’s star goalie, Thatcher Demko. The goalie had his moments. None better than a third-period glove save on Drake Caggiula.

But Demko had no chance on Edmonton’s first two goals. The first hit something in front of the net, changing direction at the last moment. The second was scored only after a complete defensive meltdown from the Canucks which left Puljujarvi alone at Demko’s backdoor.

As most could have predicted, Puljujarvi was the game’s best player. He scored two. His second was both gorgeous and undefendable.