Monday, November 3, 2008

Sunday November 2

The Halloween Weekend wrapped up with 6 Sunday games. Former Islanders made offensive strides in 4 of those games. Here is a quick peek at those efforts:

Edmonton defenseman Jason Strudwick assisted on the opening goal of the game as the Oilers eked by the Flyers for a 5-4 win in Philadelphia. Strud snapped a 4 game point-less stretch and now has 2 assists on 8 games this season. The assist was the 40th point of Strudwick's 496 game career. Strudwick is rapidly approaching career game number 500 - a career that has seen him play for the Isles, Canucks, Blackhawks, Rangers and Oilers.

Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi and d-man Adrian Aucoin were at it again on Sunday but this time the Flames were on the opposite end of a 3-2 decision as the Anaheim Ducks dropped the visitors 3-2. Bertuzzi netted his team-leading 7th goal, a powerplay tally, in what turned out to be the too-little-too-late goal. Bert snapped a 3 game goal-less run and now has 7 goals and 2 assists for 9 points on 12 games. Aucoin was credited with the primary assist on Calgary's first goal. Aucoin has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) on 12 games this year and has 3 game point streak in which he has netted 1 goal and added 2 assists.

San Jose d-man Brad Lukowich recorded his first point as a Shark recording the secondary assist on the opening goal as they downed the host Colorado Avalanche 5-3. Luko now has 1 assist on 11 games this season and he snapped an 18 game point-less run dating back to February 2 while he was still with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Aside from the little offensive upswing he has provided Lukowich has been solid for the Sharks posting a +4 rating and managing a super-gentlemanly 0 penalty minutes.

Round 2 of the Battle of the Top FI Goaltenders resulted in a win for Detroit backstopper Chris Osgood. Vancouver Roberto Luongo won Round 1 on October 16. Ozzie stopped 25 of 27 shots faced sa the Red Wings edged the host Canucks 3-2. Osgood improved to 5-1-2 on the season with an .884 save percentage and a 3.21 goals against average. Despite the bloated numbers, Ozzie is unbeaten in regulation in his last 7 starts going 5-0-2 over that stretch. Luongo stopped 20 of 23 shots but could not be backed up by his team's offense which had managed 6 goals in their last start (a wild 7-6 SO victory over the Anaheim Ducks). Luongo fell to 6-5-0 on the season with the loss. He possesses an .899 save percentage and a 2.99 goals against average with 2 shutouts. The loss snapped a 2 game mini-win streak.

Check here soon for more updates at FIW!

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