Munich goalie Robert Kristan
Munich 4, Belfast 3 – It took nine games, but Daniel and Henrik Sedin finally combined for a Munich goal and that seemed to wake up the slumping Dire Wolf and catapult the team to a win over visiting Belfast. Munich got two big goals in the second period from Nikita Zadorov and Talgat Zhailauov and held a 3-1 lead for most of the rest of the game. Justin Faulk earned assists on all three of Belfast’s goals. Munich coach Mike Sullivan is giving starting goalie Cory Schneider quite a rest, with Slovenian Robert Kristan starting the last four games, accumulating a 2-2 record and 90.8 save percentage.
Bern 4, Helsinki 1 – Goalie Mike Smith turned away 38 Helsinki shots to give Bern a win at home. The offense was propelled by forwards Tony Martensson (2 goals) and Henrik Zetterberg (1 goal and 1 assist) as well as defenseman Dimitry Orlov (2 assists). Helsinki must have tried a new, puck-focused strategy because they were out-hit by Bern 26-14 and outshot the Interrail 39-24.
Gothenburg 4, Milan 2 – Frolunda earned a road win thanks to the play of first star Kevin Dallman, goalie Pekka Rinne’s 30 saves, and a powerplay that clicked for two goals. Dallman had a goal and an assist, was plus 2 and named the game’s first star. His unassisted tally in the second period put Gothenburg in front 3-1.
Edinburgh goalie Luka Gracnar
Edinburgh 3, Oslo 2 – Edinburgh defenseman Luke Schenn hadn’t scored a point through 8 games this season, but his slapshot in the third period broke the tie and held up as the game-winning goal against the visiting Outlaws. Oslo defensemen Morgan Rielly and Eric Gelinas were very noticeable with 8 and 6 hits, respectively. The game featured just one penalty, a Casey Cizikas holding call that put Oslo, which trailed by a goal at the time, on the powerplay 6:54 remaining. But the Caps and goalie Luka Gracnar fended them off and held on for the win. The Capitals’ top line of Sidney Crosby, Jamie Benn and Sam Reinhart continued to be unproductive. Despite their combined 10 shots on goal, they were shutout and through 9 games, Crosby has just 3 points, which is one more than each of his linemates have.
London 7, St. Petersburg 4 – Rick Nash and the London Dons provided a rare offensive explosion and a win for the home fans Thursday. It was only their second win in 9 games. The first period seemed to demoralize the Krasnyye Zvezdy because while the shots were even at 11-11, Nash scored twice and the two teams went to the dressing rooms with London up 4-1. The Dons dominated from that point on, outshooting St. Petersburg 16-8 and 9-4 in the nest two periods. Nash finished with 4 points, and teammates Brandon Saad and Sam Gagner had 3 each. Brent Seabrook and Jan Kovar had 2 assists each for Petrograd.
Dublin 3, Geneva 2 – The Generals finally lost a game as T.J. Galiardi rifled his fourth goal of the season through the legs of Geneva goalie Michael Hutchinson with just 36 seconds to play. A minute earlier, it appeared as though the Generals would continue their impressive march as Valeri Nichushkin swooped in on Dublin goalie Cam Talbot with two Geneva defenders draped all over him and still managed to backhand in an improbable goal and bring the game level at 2-2 and give Geneva a chance to extend its unbeaten streak. It was Nichushkin’s fourth of the season. Geneva led 1-0 when the third period began, but Dublin took the lead on goals by Galiardi and Jordan Schroeder. Today, both teams lead their divisions, with Dublin in first place in the Ahearne and Geneva on top of the Schloder.
