Thursday, 27 December 2012 08:34

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

-"I didn’t feel like I had any power last year." - Brooks Orpik (right) on battling injuries last season.

-"I managed to have success last year. But the critics are never going to stop, and I don't expect them to." - Matt Cooke on cleaning up his game.

-Jeff Zatkoff made 18 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 2-0 loss to the rival Hershey Bears.

-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Simon Despres returned to the lineup after missing six games due to an undisclosed injury.

-Evgeni Malkin had two assists for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in a 5-3 loss to Sibir Novosibirsk in Russia's KHL.

-"There are so many games that are so predictable. When do you see a guy fly down the wing and take a slap shot any more? Never." - Former Penguins defenseman Paul Coffey on the state of the game.

-Former Penguins defenseman the great Martin Skoula has joined HC Litomerice of the Druhá liga in the Czech Republic.

-"I’m embarrassed for the game It’s coming down to the wire right now. We’ve just got to trust the people that are involved. I’m embarrassed we are where we’re at. That’s the best expression I can use." - Devils executive Lou Lamoriello on the lockout.

-Flames forward Jiri Hudler, currently playing for Trinec in the Czech Extraliga, was hospitalized after suffering a skate cut on his neck. The injury required stitches but was not considered serious.

-Canucks forward Mason Raymond has joined Örebro of Sweden's Allsvenskan.

-Penguins defensive prospect Scott Harrington had one assist, two shots and was plus-3 for Canada which routed Germany, 9-3.

-There's no audio, but check out this smooth shot/pass by Harrington to set up teammate Jonathan Drouin for a goal:

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-Penguins defensive prospect Olli Maatta had one shot and was plus-1 for Finland in a 5-1 defeat of Latvia. Penguins forward prospect Teddy Blueger had two shots for Latvia.

-Senators defensive prospect Mikael Wikstrand recorded two assists for Sweden which beat the Czech Republic, 4-1.

-Lightning goaltending prospect Andrei Vasilevski made 32 saves for Russia in a 3-2 overtime win against Slovakia.

(Photo: Orpik-Claus Andersen/Getty Images)