http://www.ourhometown.ca/ Here you will find a listing of all NHL stories found on OurHometown.ca http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0242.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0242.phpAfter rebounding from a less then stellar start, Team Canada managed to blow their quarterfinal matchup against Slovakia, falling by a score of 4-3. An ill advised kneeing major to captain Ryan Getzlaf, late in the final frame, led directly to the game winner. The victory sends the underdog Slovaks to the semifinals and the favoured Canadians home from the 2012 World Hockey Championships empty handed. Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:26 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0241.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0241.phpMany have attributed the lack of excitement and scoring chances in the NHL playoffs to teams willing to do anything to block shots. While that does play a part, it is a very small one at best. That being said, there are two glaring reasons as to why these playoffs have reached the point they have...first round upsets and poor on ice officiating. It's that simple. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:51 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0240.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0240.phpTeam Canada closed out their preliminary round scheudle with a 5-1 win over Belarus on Tuesday morning. Ryan O'Reilly led the scoring parade with a pair of goals and Duncan Keith picked up to more assists, making him Canada's top point man with eleven points. With t win Canada finished atop Group H with a 6-0-1 record but will have to wait and see who their quarterfinal opponent will be come Thursday. Tue, 15 May 2012 12:38:06 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0239.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0239.phpThe Edmonton Oilers are at the stage where they need to take a step forward in 2012-2013. With that being the case the question becomes, what will they do with the 1st overall pick? It's a tough call and one that could be made even harder if the likes of Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber or Columbus Blue Jackets centre Ryan Johansen were made available. Mon, 14 May 2012 07:56:32 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0238.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0238.phpBack in 2007-2008 the Edmonton Oil Kings were re-born, as junior hockey returned to the City of Champions. Fast forward five years and those same Oil Kings are now Western Hockey League champions, after defeating the Portland Winterhawks 4-1 in Game Seven of the WHL final. The win puts Edmonton into the 2012 Memorial Cup, that kicks off on May 18th in Shawinigan. Mon, 14 May 2012 00:35:19 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0237.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0237.phpWhile goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was the star attraction against the Ottawa Senators in their opening round winner take all battle, it was Brad Richards and Michael Del Zotto who stole the show in the New York's 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. The win puts the Rangers into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1997. Sun, 13 May 2012 01:38:52 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0236.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0236.phpKazakhstan may have nearly pulled off the upset of the tournament when they forced Team USA into overtime on Friday but there would be no such drama against Team Canada, on day nine of competition at the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championships. Captain Ryan Getzlaf and defenceman Ducan Keith led the way with three points each and goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped all twenty-two shots he faced, leading Canada to an easy 8-0 victory. Sat, 12 May 2012 17:14:09 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0235.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0235.phpWhile it may have worked during the Washington Capitals first round upset of the Boston Bruins, would their head coach Dale Hunter actually try and go to the well one more time? Would he try and limit captain Alex Ovechkin's minutes in Game Seven against the New York Rangers? For the sake of hockey fans everywhere, let us hope that is not the case and we are treated to a classic matchup.. Sat, 12 May 2012 09:36:19 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0234.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0234.phpAfter yet another poor start, Team Canada decided to turn it on midway through the second period and were rewarded with a critical 5-3 victory over Finland. Evander Kane potted the winner early in the third and the trio of John Tavares, Jeff Skinner and Jordan Eberle all scored for Canada, who now sit atop Group H with a 4-0-1 mark. Sat, 12 May 2012 01:48:01 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0233.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0233.phpThrough four games of preliminary round action at the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championships, Team Canada has faced NHL caliber netminding in only one of their games, that being their 5-4 OT loss to Team USA. While Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard was less then stellar against the Canadians in that see-saw affair, you can bet on the level of play from the opposition goaltender to take a major step forward against the Finns and Kari Lehtonen. Fri, 11 May 2012 13:13:08 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0232.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0232.phpIt was the usual Team Canada stalwarts that got the job done, as both Jordan Eberle and John Tavares had a goal and an assist each. While Ryan Getzlaf finally made an appearance, scoring the game winner early in the third period. With the win, Canada now sits atop Group A with a 3-0-1 mark. Thu, 10 May 2012 07:16:22 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0231.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0231.phpFor one to say that Philadelphia Flyers netminder Ilya Bryzgalov hasn't lived up to expectations since signing a hefty nine year $51 million contract this past off season, would be putting it mildly.That being said, their second round dismissal can not solely be placed on the shoulders of their enigmatic goaltender. Wed, 09 May 2012 13:38:24 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0230.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0230.phpThe newly formed line of Jamie Benn, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Patrick Sharp led the charge with a combined eleven points and Devan Dubnyk made nineteen saves to win his first start of the tournament, 7-2 over France. Team Canada know sits with a record of 2-0-1 and will look to continue on their winning ways, as they prepare to faceoff against Switzerland on Wednesday morning. Tue, 08 May 2012 01:28:56 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0228.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0228.phpWith Team Canada struggling to find their legs at the 2012 World Hockey Championships, the time has come for coach Brent Sutter to look at shuffling the deck to jump start his club. Moving Jamie Benn onto a line with Edmonton Oiler teammates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle might just give them that spark they so desperately need. Mon, 07 May 2012 08:12:25 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0227.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0227.phpOutside of strong efforts from the likes of John Tavares, Jeff Skinner and Duncan Keith, Team Canada forgot to show up against a hard working Team USA side. Despite being badly outplayed, Canada somehow managed to get this one into to overtime but ultimately fell 5-4 to their border rivals. Sun, 06 May 2012 13:53:36 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0226.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0226.phpSecond period goals from the Edmonton Oilers Jordan Eberle and Winnipeg Jets Andrew Ladd helped Team Canada edge Slovakia 3-2, in both teams opening game of the 2012 World Championships. The focus now shift to Team USA, as Canada prepares to faceoff against their border rivals on Saturday morning. Fri, 04 May 2012 23:02:30 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0225.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0225.phpWith Team Canada set to kick off their World Championships schedule against Slovakia on Friday morning on TSN at 9am Eastern, I felt it would be as good a time as any to see what this team has in the cupboard for this year's tournament. It also allows us to take a look at what roles the Edmonton Oilers Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might play at this year's IIHF event. Fri, 04 May 2012 07:54:57 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/GS0054.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/GS0054.phpThe 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Hockey Championships opens today. This year’s event is co-hosted by Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden and looks to be a great opportunity for Team Canada to reclaim their spot atop the hockey world. Fri, 04 May 2012 07:37:25 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0224.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0224.phpAlex Ovechkin is the Washington Capitals best player and would seem to be a likely candidate to play as many minutes as possible to help carry his club victories. Instead, head coach Dale Hunter seems almost hell-bent on doing the complete opposite, by limiting his the former MVP's ice time. Wed, 02 May 2012 05:22:33 -0500http://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0223.phphttp://www.ourhometown.ca/sports/RS0223.phpWhile Team Canada wasn't at their best in beating Switzerland 2-1 in a tuneup for the 2012 World Hockey Championship, Edmonton Oilers star winger Jordan Eberle did what he always seems to do when he pulls on a Canada jersey...score big goals. First, he tied the game with 0.8 seconds remaining and then scored the winner in the shootout. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:07:31 -0500