San Jose (2) @ Florida (6)
The most dominate team in the WCHL was thoroughly dominated in Sunrise Fla., as the Sharks came into the game having only lost twice in 25 games this season before tonight. Florida scored early (:34 second into the first) and often, scoring six times on 35 shots. Cam Ward was pulled for the first time this season after surrendering four goals on nineteen shots. Chris Campoli scored two powerplay goals in the Panther's three goal burst in ther first. Others having a great night for Florida were, Phil Kessel and Adrej Meszaros (1-2-3), Pekke Rinne stopped 27 of 29 shots for the Cats. The lone shinning star for the Sharks was Dany Heatley (0-2-2).

Anaheim (2) @ Detroit (4)
The Ducks were motored down by Detroit as the 'Wings scored four times with the extra skater- three of those in the first period. Lubomir "Lubey" Visnovsky tallied twice giving him eight on the season for Detroit, Nik Antropov had three assists giving him the team scoring lead with 29 points. Ryan Malone and rookie Logan Couture scored for Anaheim, while Tuukka Rask stopped 21 shots in the loss. Evgeni Nabokov moved his record to 12-8-2 on the season with the win.

Phoenix (5) @ Minnesota (4)
The Coyotes had a 4-0 lead after just 30 minutes and seemed content to sit back. Although the third period started well for them as they stretched their lead to 5-1, Minnesota for their part did not fold up as they scored three times to close the period however that is as close they would come as they fell just short of the improbable come back. Petteri Nokelainen (2-1-3) was first star for Phoenix, three other players had (1-1-2) for the 'Yotes. Gilbert Brule had a pair of goals (and a fight) while Paul Kariya had a trio of assists for the Wild.

Carolina (6) @ New Jersey (2)
The season seems to be getting away from the Devils as they suffered their fifth lost in six games in a demoralizing 6-2 beat down at the hands of the 13th placed Hurricanes. It was 4-0 'Canes by the 5:48 mark of the second period, powered by two extra man markers. Cristobal Huet stopped 27 shots for the win and Scott Gomez (2-2-4) was amazing, Brendan Witt (0-4-4), and Mike Fisher (2-1-3) also were stand-outs. Brooks Laich (1-1-2) led the Devils, while Dwayne Roloson was pulled after giving up four goals on fifteen shots for New Jersey. The lone sore spot for Carolina was the injury suffered by Justin Williams, team reps say Williams aggravated an old injury to his left knee and will be out for two days for precautionary measures.

Ottawa (3) @ Pittsburgh (5)
Bobby Ryan led the Penguins with his two goal second period outburst to help Pittsburgh past the Sens. The game was up for grabs in the third at 3-2 Sens, but then the Pens' struck for three goals in three minutes late in the third including two straight on the powerplay to put the game away. Marc-Andre Fleury won for the 15th time this season stopping 15 shots while defensemen Dan Boyle and recently acquired Ron Hainsey had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh. Ales Kotalik (2 goals) and Brad Lukowich (2 assists) were the offense for Ottawa. Senator's Antti Miettinen left the game in the second period with a bruised arm after being hit into the boards by Nathan Horton but is won't miss any time.

St.Louis (2) @ Vancouver (3) S/O
Jerred Smithson's fourth goal of the season with just over four minutes remaining in regulation tied the game for the Blues and sent the game into overtime. Daniel Alfredsson was the only skater to score in the shoot out sending the Canuck faithful out on the street in a jovial mood. Defenseman Milan Jurcina had a pair of assists for Vancouver while Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 22 shots for the win. All wasn't positive for Vancouver as Shawn Thornton was lost to the team for atleast a week with what the team is calling a lower body injury. Steve Mason played well in the loss, stopping 30 shots.

Calgary (3) @ Philly (4) OT
Ryan Getzlaf scored at the 2:43 mark of OT on the Flyers second shot of extra time for their fourth straight win. The Flyers had a 3-1 lead at the 1:26 mark of the third and seem to be satisfied with that, Calgary on the other hand had other ideas as they scored twice in the period, the tying goal coming on the powerplay while Getzlaf was in the box for slashing. Getzlaf paid back his team for kiling the penalty off when his shot in OT found the back of the net. Jeff Carter seems to be fully recovered from an injury earlier this season as he fired (1-2-3), gritty Scott Hartnell scored a pair while young Kyle Cumisky had a pair of helpers for the Flyers. Chris Mason was outstanding as he stopped 45 shots in the win as the Flyers were out-shot 48-21 in the game. Jonas Hiller stopped three of four shots he faced in relief of Flames starter Sergei "Bob" Bobrovsky who allowed three goals on 17 shots.

Washington (3) @ Columbus (4) S/O
The Capitals were comfortably ahead 3-0 after two periods while being out-shot 21-10. The Blue Jackets made their shots count in the third as they scored three on ten shots to tie the game at three. No further goals were scored in the period so it was off to extra time but they could not settle it there and it was off to the exciting art of the shoot-out. Jason Spezza scored the only goal in the shoot-out to complete the come back for the Blue Jackets. Jamie Langenbrunner had a goal and an assist for Columbus while Johan Hedberg had 14 saves in the win. T.J Oshie and Tim Connolly both had a pair of assists and Jose Theodore made 29 saves in regulation and overtime. Tyler Kennedy left the game for Columbus halfway through the first and didn't return, he is listed as day-to-day with what is believed to be a right knee injury.

Reporting for The WCHL Network........
Peter Pucker