Stanley Cup Playoffs April 29 2019 Rewind
BLUES SURVIVE FRANTIC THIRD PERIOD, ESCAPE WITH GAME 3 WIN
The Blues entered the third period with a 2-1 lead in search of their fourth straight road victory of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but had to survive a wild final frame that saw both teams trade four goals over a 5:16 span – including two game-tying goals by the Stars – before Patrick Maroon’s game-winning marker with 1:38 remaining in regulation propelled St. Louis to a 2-1 series lead.
* Maroon’s game-winning tally marked the fourth different lead for the Blues in Game 3. They are the second team this postseason to win a game in which they had four separate leads, joining the Islanders, who also did so against the Penguins in Game 1 of their First Round series. The Blues’ four separate leads matched their highest such total in a playoff win, last accomplished in Game 3 of the 1990 Division Finals.
* The Blues – who have won each of their first four road contests of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs (also Games 1,2 and 5 of R1 at WPG) – matched the franchise record for longest road win streak in a single postseason originally set in 1969. In fact, their four victories as visitors in 2019 trails only 2016 (6) for the most in a single playoff year in franchise history.
* Jordan Binnington (28 saves) earned his 30th career win in his 39th start (regular season and playoffs combined). He matched the League record for fewest starts needed to reach 30 career NHL wins (39 GS).
* Jaden Schwartz opened the scoring to boost his 2019 postseason totals to 6-2—8 and move into a tie with Mark Stone (6-6—12), Tomas Hertl (6-4—10) and Logan Couture (6-3—9) for the playoff lead in goals. Each of his six goals have come in the Blues’ last five contests. Only three players in Blues franchise history have tallied more in a span of five playoff games: Brett Hull (7 in 1990 and 1991), Joe Mullen (7 in 1982) and Brian Sutter (7 in 1982).
* When the Blues win Game 3 after splitting the first two games in a best-of-seven matchup, they own an all-time series record of 7-7. Overall, when a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 owns an all-time series record of 213-103 (67.4%) – including a 1-3 mark in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule
A pair of deadlocked series switch locations on Tuesday when the Bruins visit the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena and the Avalanche host the Sharks at Pepsi Center. Columbus will host a postseason game past the opening round for the first time in franchise history, while Colorado will do so for the first time in 11 years.
* Columbus returns to Nationwide Arena for the first time since its historic sweep of Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday’s contest with wins in seven of their last eight home games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Bruins on April 2 (6-2 L).
* Boston and Columbus have required overtime in each of the first two games of the Second Round. Only six series in NHL history have began with at least three straight OT games: TOR-BOS in the 1933 Semifinals (Games 1-3), TOR-MTL in the 1951 Stanley Cup Final (Games 1-5), COL-MIN in the 2008 Conference Quarterfinals (Games 1-3), PHX-CHI in the 2012 Conference Quarterfinals (Games 1-5), TOR-WSH in the 2017 First Round (Games 1-3) and CBJ-WSH in the 2018 First Round (Games 1-3).
* Colorado won both home games in the First Round against Calgary and have won 11 of its last 13 at Pepsi Center overall, including eight consecutive victories, while outscoring opponents 32-15 over that span (including shootout-deciding goals). A pair of Avalanche skaters enter the contest on six-game point streaks: Mikko Rantanen (5-6—11) and Nathan MacKinnon (4-7—11). The last Colorado skater to record a playoff point streak longer than six games was Peter Forsberg in 2004 (4-6—10 in 7 GP).
* Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, who is tied for second in playoff scoring (4-7—11 in 9 GP), has collected 3-4—7 in the opening two games of the Second Round (1-3—4 in Game 1 and 2-1—3 in Game 2). Only two defensemen in Stanley Cup Playoffs history have recorded three or more points in three consecutive games: Denis Potvin in 1981 (5-6—11 in 3 GP) and Paul Coffey in 1985 (3-7—10 in 3 GP).
Anthony Benavides, Tammi Lynch and Rico Phillips Named Finalists for Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award
Anthony Benavides (Clark Park Coalition), Tammi Lynch (Players Against Hate) and Rico Phillips (Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program) are the three finalists for the 2018-19 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, given “to an individual who – through the game of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society,” the National Hockey League announced today.
Fans submit candidates for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, with Willie O’Ree – in consultation with the NHL – narrowing the field to three finalists. The public then votes for the ultimate winner, who will be revealed Wednesday, June 19, during the 2019 NHL Awards™ presented by Bridgestone at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Voting begins today and runs through Sunday, May 5. Fans can vote and learn more about each finalist at NHL.com/OReeAward.
Following are the finalists for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, in alphabetical order:
Anthony Benavides, Clark Park Coalition
Benavides serves as director of Detroit’s Clark Park Coalition, where he began a hockey program in 1993. The coalition repaired the defunct ice rink at Clark Park while developing a free youth hockey opportunity for children in a multi-cultural community plagued with crime and economic disparities. Benavides and the Clark Park Coalition now outfit participants with new and donated skates as well as free hockey equipment. In the past year alone, Benavides – who grew up three blocks from Clark Park and learned to skate there as a child – has operated a hockey program featuring a ‘Learn to Skate’ course and girls’ team while growing participation by more than 60 kids. Clark Park Coalition youth hockey players also attended the Willie O’Ree Skills Weekend in Philadelphia; played in a mini-tournament with Hockey Is For Everyone teams from Columbus and Detroit; and skated with the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team.
Tammi Lynch, Players Against Hate
Lynch co-founded Players Against Hate – along with Divyne Apollon Sr. – “to increase awareness and stop racism and name-calling by youth athletes, their teams and coaches, their families, and spectators.” Lynch, who also is a special education teacher, started the movement after one of her son’s hockey teammates was the victim of racial slurs and taunts. What began as a local effort in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area has blossomed into an international platform involving helmet stickers, buttons, and the support of NHL players and their families. Among its goals, Players Against Hate aims to develop educational materials for hockey players, coaches, officials, organizations and spectators; to sponsor scholarships in support of minority athletes; and to expand beyond hockey to other youth sports where hate impacts participants.
Rico Phillips, Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program
Phillips serves as director of the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program (FICYHP), based in Flint, Mich. Phillips, who grew up in the city, was determined to make his community a better and more welcoming place. He began that mission by achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a professional firefighter, serving his hometown. In 2010, Phillips created FICYHP to provide a free introduction to hockey for children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play the sport. Its mentors, including Phillips, are committed to teaching life skills – such as sportsmanship, character and cultural diversity – through the game. FICYHP’s most recent nine-week course wrapped up in March, highlighted by a visit from O’Ree – who witnessed firsthand the growth and development of each participant.
History
The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors former NHL forward Willie O’Ree, who on Jan. 18, 1958, became the first black player to compete in the League. O’Ree, who lost sight in his right eye at a young age, went on to play professional hockey for 21 years. His perseverance is unrivaled, and his impact on the game and the lives of young players still is felt today. For more than two decades, O’Ree has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, traveling across North America to schools and hockey programs to share his story and experiences as well as to promote messages of inclusion, dedication and confidence. O’Ree has used hockey as a platform to build character and teach life skills, and has used his influence to foster positive values through the sport.