Lundqvist Delivers Broadside to NHL Officials

New York Rangers goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, has openly criticised match officials, following his side’s controversial 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, on Monday night.

The victory saw the Rangers tie the Stanley Cup series up at 3-3, but the game was not without incidents. There were a number of talking points, following the match, with the usually passive Lundqvist the most vocal of the disgruntled players.

With 38 seconds of the clash remaining, the Canadian side were trailing 3-1. However, after a lengthy goal-line scramble, the side managed to find the net, to draw within a single goal of their rivals.

The goal was mired in controversy; it appeared that, during the incident, Senators’ wing, Chris Neil, interfered with the Swedish goaltender, stopping him from making a save. He also tried to kick the puck into the Rangers’ net.

After a lengthy review, the goal was given. Lundqvist believes that there may have been outside influences on the decision.

"It’s an absolute joke”, he said. “When its goalie interference and a kick, and they still call it a goal; that scares me. Someone wanted them back in the game, for sure."

The New Yorkers have complained about a number of controversial decisions, this season, and coach, John Tortorella, has already been fined a total of $50,000for a series of negative comments directed at NHL officials.

The two sides will now face off for the final time at Madison Square Garden, on Thursday, with the winner going through to play either the Boston Bruins or the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Rangers are the bookies' favourites for the clash in the ice hockey betting.

Guaita desperate for Europa League glory

Valencia go into their Europa League second-leg against Atletico Madrid knowing that they need to overturn a 4-2 scoreline, if they are going to progress to the final.

While many have all but ruled out Valencia, the side’s goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita has promised the team will give absolutely everything in their bid to overcome the two-goal deficit. The side remain outsiders for the win with Betfair.

A Falcao-inspired victory handed Atletico the advantage against their fellow La Liga side, although goals from Jonas and Ricardo Costa ensured Valencia kept alive their slim chances of overcoming the odds at the Mesalla, this week.

If Atletico do hang onto their lead, and dump Valencia out of the tournament, then it will not be for lack of trying from Los Che, who, according to Guaita, will leave all they have out on the pitch, in a bid to achieve their hopes of Europa League success.

"We know it is going to be hard because we did not expect this result in the first leg", Guaita said. “We have a chance to go through, there are 90 minutes left and we will leave our souls on the pitch to reach the final.”

"We are very eager to play the game on Thursday. We know that we will have a lot of fans in the stands, who will be supporting us until the very last minute, and we will try to go through because entering a final is the best thing there is."

Unai Emery’s side prepared for the upcoming clash against Atletico by further strengthening their hold on the third spot in La Liga, with a 4-0 demolition of nine-man Real Betis.

Goals from Jonas, Sofiane Feghouli, Roberto Saldado, and Pablo Piatti ensured Valencia go into their European campaign full of confidence that they can salvage their dwindling European hopes. Get your Betfair Football Tips before placing a bet on Thursday’s clash.

Schmidt Nervous for HC Clash

Leinster coach, Joe Schmidt, has admitted that he is nervous ahead of his side’s trip to France to face his former club, Clermont, in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. The two union teams are impossible to seperate, according to the Heineken Cup odds.

Schmidt helped Clermont claim their first ever Top 14 title, in 2010, when he was the assistant coach at the Auvergne club. He has revealed that he has spoke to his former boss, Vern Cotter, ahead of the match.

The Kiwi coach led the Irish Province to Heineken Cup glory, but they now face an extremely difficult task, when they travel to Bordeaux to take on the French giants in the last four. The Kiwi coach admits that he is apprehensive going into the tie.

"I think he [Cotter] is as nervous as I am about it", he told the Irish Independent. "I think we can go there and play pretty well and still not get the result, and I think he feels the same way.

"That is the way it should be with a European semi-final. I think it is going to very, very tough and so does he", added Schmidt.

Both the teams have been in sparkling form, this season, with Leinster currently unbeaten in the Heineken Cup. The side are currently enjoying the lead in the Pro 12. Clermont are unbeaten in 42 home matches, and presently share the top spot in the Top 14.

Schmidt believes both sides' success has been down to the depth of their respective squads. The experienced coach believes it will not be the best team that will win on Sunday, but the best squad.

"It will be really interesting when the team comes out", Schmidt continued. "I don't think either of us believe that 15 players on either side will win it. It is certainly about the 23 players that are selected."