Features

• Manny Legace was “exceptional” in his minor league stint with the Peoria Rivermen after being put through waivers mid-season by St. Louis. (St.Louis Post Dispatch)

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goalie John Curry relishes the long break between the first and second rounds of the playoffs. (Citizens Voice)

From the Blogs

• Toronto Mike explains why the Justin Pogge era has to end in the Leafs organization.

Transactions

• Rockford Ice Hogs goaltenders Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford were recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks after being eliminated by Milwaukee in the first round of the AHL playoffs. (WEAU News)

It’s time for a little reader feedback on the first day of the second round. We’ve seen some stellar performances from goalies already (Luongo, Ward and more) and a few of the annual young goalie surprises (Hiller, Varlamov).

Who will steal the show in the second round? Whose star will keep rising and whose will fall?

Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. If we get enough feedback we’ll post some of the better answers in the next couple of days with links back to your own sites, if you have them.

NHL Goalies

• Tim Thomas playoff journal: Well-deserved time off
• It’s make or break time for Luongo
• Luongo’s time is now

• Luongo, Khabibulin showcase differing styles

Luongo comes into the series leading the playoffs with a 1.15 goals-against average and .962 save percentage. Khabibulin is saddled with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

• Distracting Luongo at top of Blackhawks’ wish list
• Goaltending’s the answer

For about 20 minutes Wednesday, Roberto Luongo held centre stage in the Canucks dressing room.

• Brodeur not the best just yet

Despite his resume, goaltender’s performance in this year’s playoffs opens up debate once again.

• Another look at the same topic from the Hockey News.
• Sutter absolves Brodeur of blame for painful loss
• Toast of the town: Hiller
• Toast of the Town: Tim Thomas
• Toast of the town: Roberto Luongo
• ASSESSING THE FREE AGENT GOALIE MARKET The Islanders need a 1-B and top-quality No. 3
• Varly comes through in the clutch

World Championships

• Swede victory!

Gustavsson was Sweden’s third goalie in as many games. It turned out to be a smart move as Gustavsson was the team’s best player tonight. “How often do you see a goalie give up five goals and still be their best player?

Goalies in the Blogs

• Rich Hofmann: For Flyers, Biron is a net asset worth re-signing …
• HockeyBuzz.com – Andy Strickland – Legace Says Sorry To Blues Fans …
  
• KuklasKorner : Goal Line Report : What’s the Big Deal With Varly?
• Fear the Fin – Changes will be made. This is pro sports and winning is the only …
• Ranger Rants: Afterthoughts
• Varlamov: Russian for “Ward?” – Japers’ Rink
• What about GOALIE Hockey Stick Selection?!

Nice find of a video with Kari Ramo discussing stick selection and how he prepares his stick.

Junior Goaltenders

Other Goalies

• Former Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek expects a successful hockey return with HC Pardubice
• Goalie Sterling seeks return with Icehawks

NHL Goalies

• Luongo eyeing Cup
• Quality, not quantity, brings down Kipper
• Flames smash into Chicago’s Bulin Wall
• Wall back to its old stature
• LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH RED WINGS GOALIE CHRIS OSGOOD

Game Reports

• Gallant Lundqvist Comes Up A Save Short
• VIDEO – Henrik Lundqvist interview post-game
• Brodeur: Winning shot hit ‘dreaded 7-hole’
• Brodeur and Devils stunned in losing series in final two minutes:

“It was a great shot,” Brodeur said. “All series long we didn’t let him skate with speed with the puck down the wing, but for whatever reason with no time on the clock we let him do it.
“He made the shot he wanted and beat me clean.”

Goalies in the Blogs

• The future in the crease: Biron and beyond – Broad Street Hockey
• Looking out for number 1 | Icehockey News
• Two Goalie Openings in Philly?
• five for fighting: Some (Dallas Stars) goalie talk

Junior Goaltenders

• Sapurji: OHL’s Rodney Dangerfield?

Features

• Anton Khudobin has proven his mettle under pressure, backstopping the Houston Aeros into the West Division Finals. (Pro Hockey News)

Anton Khudobin gets a toe on the puck during game 5 of of the Peoria series – Photo by Fred Trask

• Michal Neuvirth is hot for the Hershey Bears in the playoffs, and Braden Holtby has a new mask. (Stack the Pads)

• Buffalo goaltending prospect Jhonas Enroth may have seen his season end with the Portland Pirates, but the organization sees a bright future for him. (The Buffalo News)