BC in the NHL Playoffs, May 5: Most Eagles Strike Out

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs saw one team with several ex-Boston College Eagles pushed to the brink of elimination, while two others now find themselves trailing in their series.

The most lopsided outcome of the day came in Kanata, as the Ottawa Senators smashed le club de hockey canadien in a 6-1 rout. Montreal’s captain, Brian Gionta, was not a scratch this time, and he actually managed to get a point: the secondary assist on the Habs’ only goal.

By the way, if you want a laugh, check the penalty log for the third period of that game: an astounding 40 penalties were handed out in that period alone, including nine game misconducts. This chippy period (and game) included a large brawl which was responsible for many of those ejections.

Meanwhile, on Long Island, Marty Reasoner’s New York Islanders looked like they were about to stun the hockey world, but in overtime, Brooks Orpik’s Pittsburgh Penguins gutted out a 5-4 win. Orpik is still an ongoing scratch for the Pens due to a lower body injury, while Reasoner didn’t play, either.

Ben Smith was a scratch for his Chicago Blackhawks as well, and his team lost an overtime game in Minnesota, 3-2.

Finally, Cory Schneider, Andrew Alberts, and their Vancouver Canucks are on the brink of elimination (and the brink of being swept) as the San Jose Sharks won, 5-2. Cory Schneider got back in goal for the Canucks for at least part of the game, but he allowed all five Sharks goals, including two within nine seconds of each other early in the third period. Alberts only played for approximately eleven and a half minutes, throwing three hits and firing a shot on goal.