Saturday Afternoon Post

With game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final set for tonight, here's a quick batch of pre-game links:

• New Jersey successfully completed step one of the four step program designed for coming back from a three games to none series deficit. Zach Parise received some words of wisdom on the matter from his father, who has experience with the ultimate comeback.
• Parise, who hurt his ankle in game four after going hard into the boards, says he is fine. He didn't take part in this morning's optional team skate, choosing instead to try out a few new sticks before heading back to the locker room.
• Devil rookie Adam Henrique has been a clutch performer this postseason, and he says Parise is one of his role models. Henrique would surely like to play more than just a few more playoff games with the Devils' captain, and owner Jeff Vanderbeek reportedly has a deal in place that would enable New Jersey to regain its financial solvency, thereby strengthening its chances of retaining the free agent-to-be Parise.
• Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Travis Zajac make up New Jersey's top line and it hasn't put up the numbers one might have expected them to at this point of the series, but they remain fully confident that they'll soon break out of their scoring slump.
• Due to clashing viewing styles, Zajac's parents have to watch the playoff games in separate rooms.
• Matt Greene and the Kings are trying to maintain the "zero-zero" attitude, and as an undefeated playoff road team they are prepared for what promises to be a hostile atmosphere in New Jersey.

In other news...

• Jocelyne Lamoureux was named to the Capital One Academic All-America At-Large second team, a rather prestigious honor considering the teams are comprised of athletes from a number of NCAA sports.
• North Dakota has numerous entries in College Hockey Weekly's Top Games of the 2000's feature. Several other games earned honorable mention status.
• Recruit Jordan Schmaltz was recently featured with Nic Kerdiles (Wisconsin recruit) in a New York Islanders draft profile. The Isles have the fourth overall pick, but they also pick 34th and 50th, which is about where most outlets project Schmaltz to be selected. Red Line Report, well known for operating a bit out of the box, has Schmaltz going in the first round despite a bit of negative commentary.
• Bleacher Report says Matt Frattin was one of the top 10 steals of the 2007 NHL Draft.
• Reigning ECHL Defenseman of the Year Aaron Schneekloth was one of several players the Colorado Eagles added to their protected list.
• Chris Dilks of the Western College Hockey Blog looked a little deeper into the argument over whether or not the CHL is the fastest route to the NHL.
• Around the WCHA, Etc...The National Collegiate Hockey Conference is set to announce the Targer Center as the home of its postseason tournament...Alabama-Huntsville might find a home in the WCHA...The NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee has made these recomendations...Wisconsin has added a third goaltender in a move that should finalize their 2012-13 roster...St. Cloud State also picked up a goaltending recruit...A couple of WCHA commits, Anthony Stolarz (Nebraska-Omaha) and Taylor Cammarata, were among those that impressed The Hockey News at the recent NHL Scouting Combine...Wisconsin will play its final regular season home series of 2012-13 at the Dane County Coliseum rather than the Kohl Center...