Spaling, McGinn advance in NHL playoffs

County natives Nick Spaling and Jamie McGinn have advanced along with their respective teams to the second round of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs.

Spaling, who hails from Drayton, scored two goals on Sunday – including the game winner – in game 6 to lead the Nashville Predators to a 4-2 series win over the Anaheim Ducks.

And Fergus native Jamie McGinn’s team, the San Jose Sharks, defeated the Los Angeles Kings on Monday to win that series 4-2.

Spaling’s goals were his first two of the post season, and his second goal could be viewed as one of the most important in franchise history.

That game winning goal – the Predators added an empty netter with 10 seconds remaining to win the deciding game 4-2 – sealed the series victory for Nashville.

It was the first time the franchise ever advanced past the first round of the playoffs in its 12-year history.

“It’s kind of surreal right now,” Spaling told The Tenessean, a local Nashville Newspaper. “To win a round, let alone score in the game, is really exciting for me and the team. It’s just been great.”

Following the win, Predators head coach Barry Trotz heralded the play of Spaling, who centres the team’s third line.

“Nick Spaling is not known for scoring a lot goals, but there he is, scoring big goals,” Trotz told NHL.com.

Spaling, 22, played 74 regular season games for the team and registered 14 points (eight goals and six assists).

His playing time increased as the season wore on and teammates have commented on how well rounded he has become as a player.

In addition to his two goals in game 6 on Sunday – he now has four points in the playoffs – Spaling logged 17:32 of ice time, had three shots, two hits and won seven of 10 face-offs.

“He will do whatever it takes to help the team,” linemate Jerred Smithson told The Tenessean. “He just goes out there every shift, every night, and battles hard. He does all the little things right. For him to get the success he’s getting right now, it’s great to see.”

Spaling himself is quick to credit linemates and teammates, and said he is just looking forward to moving on to the next round.

“Everybody is excited right now,” Spaling said in The Tenessean. “To win our first playoff series, we’re pumped. Now we want to keep it going.”

Nashville will now play the Vancouver Canucks, who defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games in their first round series.

Meanwhile, McGinn and the San Jose Sharks move on to play the Detroit Red Wings in round two. Spaling and McGinn could meeting in the Western Conference final if both Nashville and San Jose win their respective round-two series.

Unlike Spaling, McGinn had somewhat of an inauspicious end to the first round of his playoffs.

Although his team won 4-3 in overtime on Monday, McGinn, 22, left the game with just over three minutes remaining after he slammed Brad Richardson into the boards and was given a five minute major penalty for charging and an automatic game misconduct.

The call, and specifically the severity, was questioned by some following the game, considering the hits that have gone unpenalized in this year’s playoffs, including one hit-from-behind by Philadelphia Flyers centre Brad Richards on Buffalo’s Tim Connolly on Sunday.

It was McGinn’s second game in the playoffs, during which he has amassed 15 penalty minutes.

During the regular season, the Fergus native played 49 games and registered six points and 33 penalty minutes.

The winger, known for the energy he brings to the table,  has spent the past three seasons splitting time between San Jose – where he plays on the third or fourth lines – and the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks.

 

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