Athens 2, Bratislava 1

This could be a really good sign for the Athens Greeks. After dropping four straight at home, Athens faced the unenviable task of visiting the home rinks of the league’s top 2 teams – Bern and Bratislava. They wound up beating both clubs by a goal. Corey Crawford followed up his 24-save shutout win in Bern with a 25-save win in Bratislava. And the Greeks outshot both powerhouse teams, so it was more likely hard work rather than luck won them the games. The Greeks’ week doesn’t get a whole heck of a lot easier, as they will take a 3-hour bus ride north to  tonight for a game in Prague, and a flight to Madrid for a Friday evening contest. Prague is currently tied for second in the Southern Conference with Bratislava and Geneva, while Madrid has flexed some awesome offensive muscles this season en route to their current 6th place standing in the conference. Against Bratislava, Lubomir Visnovsky scored during one of the Greeks’ 7 powerplay opportunities and T.J. Oshie scored the eventual game winner late in the second period. Bratislava coach Bruce Boudreau may have a league-imposed fine in his future after throwing two sticks onto the ice as he was leaving the bench area after the game, apparently incensed with the fact the Eagles were whistled for 12 minutes in penalties in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Minsk 2, London 1

Carey Price had a magnificent game for Minsk, turning back the London Knights with 45 saves. The Hussar goalie faced a 26-shot barrage in the first period before his teammates buckled down a bit to allow “only” 10 shots in each of the next two periods. Minsk’s Nic Grossman scored his first of the season on a long low slapshot to open the scoring, but later in the first, David Clarkson rang up his 14th of the season against Price. In the second period, Nic Backstrom was sent in on a short breakaway, thanks to a Roman Josi feed, and was able to lift the puck over Marc Andre Fleury’s right shoulder for what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Minsk’s Ryan McDonagh was credited with 3 shot blocks and 3 hits. Both teams have won 5 of their last 10 games. London is 3 points out of first place in the Northern Conference, while a little further down the standings, Minsk is 4 points out of a playoff spot.

Zurich 2, Edinburgh 0

Derek MacKenzie’s 4th goal of the season broke a scoreless tie in the third period and sent more than 14,600 Swiss fans into a frenzy in Zurich. The goal gave the Lions momentum and a Patrick Kane insurance tally with less than 3 minutes to play clinched it. Brian Elliott made 27 saves to record the shutout, his second of the season.  Defenseman Dan Hamhuis played well for Zurich. He had an assist, was a plus 2, and had 2 hits and 2 blocked shots. The Capitals’ best player was their goalie, Henrik Lundquist, who made 35 saves on 37 shots. Both teams have been playing well in their last 10 games, each of the winning 6 times.

Paris 2, Belfast 0

Belfast had their chances but they couldn’t beat Jose Theodore, who stopped 20 shots to get his first shutout in the EURO League. A healthy Sidney Crosby (groin injury) would have helped tremendously, even if he only played on the powerplay, because Les Rouges Eiffels handed the Giants 10 powerplay chances. Rick Nash was able to get five shots on Theodore, but the PP unit had a dismal night. Belfast did not take a single penalty. Getting the goals for Paris were Corey Perry, his 14th, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, his 9th. Pietrangelo is one of five EURO players bunched at the top of the goal scoring list for defensemen.  Paris is in 10th place in the Southern Conference, four points behind 8th-place Milan. Also on Tuesday, Belfast turned to the waiver wire and free agent list for reinforcements, claiming two Athens forwards – Tom Kostopoulos and Mathieu Darche – off waivers and signing center Matthew Lombardi to a one-year contract.

Moscow 4, Berlin 3

James Van Riemsdyk and his linemates were a plus 3, but more importantly, JVR pumped in a pair of first-period goals for Moscow, helping the Dynamo snap out of a three-game slump. Rene Bourque also tallied in the first for Moscow, but Berlin’s Kris Versteeg and Brian “Soupy” Campbell were able to cut the lead to one goal before intermission. Tomas Kaberle scored his third of the season in the second period for Moscow to give the Dynamo a 4-2 lead, and all they would give up in the final period was Logan Couture’s 16th goal of the season for the Smurfs. Berlin could have used a better plowerplay, scoring once in 10 tries. And Berlin coach Paul MacLean should considering spanking Couture, Mikael Samuelsson and R.J. Umberger, because their line was minus 4. Jaroslav Halak fans will be quick to point out that he was a major factor in the win because his team was outshot by Berlin 38-18.  Bryce Salvador fans might also ask for props because their man blocked 4 shots and had 4 hits in 18 minutes of playing time.

St. Petersburg 5, Helsinki 2
Five different players scored for St. Petersburg in the first and second periods, so Jokerit star Martin St. Louis’ two goals in the third period were kind of anti-climactic.  The three stars were all Lynx – Artem Anisimov, Daniel Alfredsson and Valerri Filppula. Anisimov, playing on the third line, had 3 points (1 goal and 2 assists) as did his linemate Kyle Wellwood (3 assists).  Alfredsson and Filppula, wingers on the second line, each had 2-point nights.  The two teams have been going in opposite directions lately. St. Petersburg has won 7 of its last 10 games and is tied for first place in the conference, while the Jokerit have managed just 3 wins in their last 10 and are 3 points out of a playoff berth, although there is still more than half a season to play. As a diversion from the rigors of the hockey schedule, Lynx coach Kevin Dineen chartered a ferry boat for his team’s return trip to Petrograd. The Lynx boarded the boat right after the game and are expected to arrive at home at about 9 in the morning. For more information on the Helsinki-to-St. Petersburg Ferry, go to http://www.tourdeforce.travel/helsinki-st-petersburg-ferry/