Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere is reminded almost every day of the sacrifices he's made as a professional hockey player -- and he couldn't be happier.

As it turns out, the bond he created with those fans of Philadelphia in the short time he has been with the organization has left a lasting impression.

"Everywhere I go, people were nice enough to come up and thank me for taking two pucks in the face," Laperriere told the media after learning he was one of three finalists for the 2010-11 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

"It's funny but true and I wish I could have signed here 10 years ago," he continued. "In saying that, I had a great time in L.A. and Colorado and everywhere I played. As long as I got skates on and teammates around me, that's the best place I can be."

Laperriere sustained a severe head injury during last year's playoffs when he blocked a Paul Martin slapshot with his face against New Jersey and suffered a concussion and fractured orbital bone. He returned a little more than a month later to finish the Flyers' playoff run that ended two games short of a championship. He attempted to return in training camp, but could not overcome his concussion-related symptoms and has been on the long-term injury list all season.

Nevertheless, he has served the Flyers in several capacities, particularly as a mentor for young players in the organization. It's a role he's enjoyed.

"I love working with the young guys," he said. "I've gotten a head start to meet those guys and their junior teams. If I have to make that call, I would want to stay in the game whether that be as an assistant or working with the team in some way. I enjoy skating with (Chris) Pronger and (Matt) Walker and with the black aces.

"The happiest place I am is at the rink. I don't know if everyone can say their happiest place is at the office but I can. People say to me, why don't you spend time with your kids, but my kids are at school most of the day; they have their own lives too. I'd love to sit next to them, but I can't."

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was glad to see Laperriere named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy.

"You're talking about one of the finest people you can meet," Laviolette said. "He's a terrific teammate, terrific friend to a lot of players and somebody you really enjoyed coaching and working with. Having him around still is a positive for our organization. I'm happy for the nomination, well deserved."

Now Laperriere is just hoping to have an opportunity to be in Las Vegas for the Awards ceremony on June 22.

"I knew hockey before I met my wife, so it's something that's going to be with me forever," Laperriere said. "The passion that I brought on the ice was because I loved the game. Off the ice, I always tried to be as normal a guy as I could be."

Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mike_morreale

Niagara IceDogs defenseman Dougie Hamilton, NHL Central Scouting's No. 4-rated North American skater eligible for the 2011 Entry Draft in June, has been named the Ontartio Hockey League's Scholastic Player of the Year.

Hamilton, the first defenseman identified on Central Scouting's final report, had an exceptional season in Niagara with 12 goals, 58 points, a plus-35 rating and 77 penalty minutes. He currently leads the IceDogs in assists (12) and points (15) in 13 playoff games. Hamilton is also sporting an impressive plus-8 rating in the postseason.

"I've watched Dougie in the playoffs and he was dominant," OHL scout Chris Edwards said. "He was pinning guys down and his puck movement was great. I hadn't seen the physical side of his game before, not much of it anyway this year, but he was strong all game. He set up the first goal of game on a nice cross-ice to (Ryan) Strome. He moves the puck well, is a great decision-maker and he's a top two defensemen right now … probably will be in the NHL too."

Hamilton is preceded in the rankings by No. 1 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Red Deer in the Western Hockey League, No. 2 Gabriel Landeskog of the OHL's Kitchener Rangers and No. 3 Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). Rounding out the top 10 are No. 5 Nathan Beaulieu of Saint John, No. 6 Sean Couturier of Drummondville (QMJHL), No. 7 Sven Baertschi of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL), No. 8 Ryan Strome of Niagara, No. 9 Ryan Murphy of Kitchener and No. 10 Duncan Siemens of the Saskatoon Blades (WHL).

The Buffalo Sabres could be missing a lot more than just forwards Tim Connolly (upper body) and Jason Pominville (lower body) for Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal round match against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff did confirm that either Patrick Kaleta or Mike Grier would be sidelined but was mum on the status of defenseman Jordan Leopold. According to the Buffalo News, Kaleta is "definitely" out with an apparent hand injury. Grier and Leopold, meanwhile, are listed as game-time decisions.

Lindy Ruff Buffalo Sabres, coach

Meanwhile, Jochen Hecht (upper body), who hasn't played since March 29, and Andrej Sekera (upper body) remain questionable despite the fact they did skate on Tuesday.

"I'm getting better every day," Hecht told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "Am I playable? It's a close call. It's nerve-wracking sitting out. It would make it a lot easier on my nerves just to play. It's definitely hard to watch."

There is some positive news: center Derek Roy returns to the lineup following a four-month absence with a quad injury. Roy claims to be 100 percent, which is good since Ruff expects him to "do a lot."

"Between the regular season and playoffs, there's another notch there where it's got to be quicker and faster," Ruff said. "The intensity is a lot greater, so things are going to have to happen quicker. It might take him a few shifts, but I think he's up to the task.

"We need him to do a lot. We need him to step in and be a big player. It's tough. He hasn't been in a game in four months, but we're ready to give it a go."

Ruff is looking forward to Tuesday's Game 7 against the Flyers.

"We've kind of wrapped our arms around this underdog status and we've been beaten up and lost a lot of players and I think the players' mindset is great," he said. "We have no pressure. We just have to go out and play. These guys have given everything they can give me for 4-1/2 months and battled through adversity. I expect the same (Tuesday). It's a one game showdown and we're looking forward to it."

The rivalry between the United States and Canada was renewed on Saturday in the Men's Under-18 World Championship at Crimmitschau Arena in Germany.

Boy, was it ever!

In the first meeting between the North American combatants on an international stage since Canada rubbed out the Americans in the semifinal round of the World Junior Championship in Buffalo four months ago, the U.S. made amends in dramatic fashion.

After watching a seemingly insurmountable three-goal lead disintegrate right before their eyes over the final 11 minutes of the third period, the U.S. received the inspirational boost they so desperately needed from one of their team leaders.

After U.S. goalie John Gibson stopped Canada's Ryan Murray at one end, U.S. National Team Development

Tyler Biggs Team USA NTDP

Program captain Tyler Biggs connected 4:22 into overtime at the other to give the Americans a 5-4 victory. Biggs, who dropped 17 rungs to No. 22 on NHL Central Scouting's final listing of North American skaters, might have just boosted his stock, too. Learn more about Biggs right here.

Team USA will look to capture its third straight gold medal after garnering back-to-back world titles in 2009 and 2010.

"We are fortunate to have held on for the win against such a good Canadian team," said U.S. coach Ron Rolston. "The puck bounced our way in overtime and now we have to prepare for a talented Sweden team."

After spotting Canada a 1-0 lead 4:37 into the first on the first of two goals by Brett Ritchie, the U.S. stormed back with four unanswered goals. J.T. Miller evened the score at 11:14 before assisting on Reid Boucher's first of two tallies 16:10 into the second. The U.S. then received goals by unheralded Zach Larraza at 6:43 and Boucher 33 seconds later in the third to open a 4-1 advantage. Boucher was named Player of the Game.

Despite the deficit, the Canadians didn't quit. Ritchie connected at the 9:15 mark and 2012 draft-eligible defenseman Ryan Murray then scored a power-play goal with Canadian goal Malcolm Subban pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage. Canada would then square the contest, 4-4, with 51 seconds showing and their goalie still pulled when Mark Scheifele converted feeds from Murray and Nick Cousins.  

For the second straight year, the Americans will face Sweden, a 3-1 victor over Russia in the other semifinal, in Sunday's gold-medal match at Crimmitschau Arena at 12:30 p.m. ET. Canada will face Russia in the bronze medal contest at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Sweden earned its one-way ticket to the gold-medal contest behind some fine display of goaltending by Niklas Lundstrom, the No. 8-rated European keeper according to Central Scouting. Lundstrom finished the contest with 28 saves, including 11 in the second period.

Russia's Sergei Smurov opened the scoring 3:07 into the game and that lead stood up, due in large part to the goaltending of Andrei Vasilevski (44 saves). Jeremy Boyce Rotevall squared the contest 11:02 into the second before Gustav Bjorklund connected for a pair of third-period goals, including the clincher 5:23 into the period. He'd hit an empty net with just 25 seconds left in the game. In five tournament games, Bjorklund has produced 4 goals, 6 points and a plus-8 rating for the Swedes.

U.S. forward Rocco Grimaldi continues to climb the leaderboard in all-time points at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship for Team USA, with 17 points (4-13) in 11 games to rank third. He also played for the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team at last year's tournament in Belarus.

The Americans have captured a record seven consecutive medals at the U18 Championship, including back-to-back gold medals in 2005-06 and 2009-10, two silver medals (2004, 2007) and one bronze (2008). Team USA also captured the gold medal in 2002.

Here's a quick snapshot of each of the teams competing in the medal round on Sunday and those draft-eligible players to watch.

UNITED STATES: The top four players from the U.S. National Team Development Program who are listed on NHL Central Scouting's list of the best North American skaters are each making their presence felt in Germany. Biggs has notched 2 goals, 3 points and 45 penalty minutes. Biggs is No. 22 on Central Scouting's list. J.T. Miller, rated No. 23, has 4 goals, 11 points and a plus-6 rating. Miller has recorded points in every game and owns four multi-point efforts. Connor Murphy, rated 25th, has done a fine job along the blue line with a goal and a plus-7 rating; Grimaldi, No. 32, has 2 goals, 7 points and a plus-4 rating; Reid Boucher, No. 113, had produced 7 goals, 9 points, a plus-8 rating and team-leading 29 shots; and No. 70 Zac Larraza, has 1 goal, 5 points and plus-4 rating.

The top goalie eligible for the June Draft, USNTDP's John Gibson, has been solid between the pipes. Gibson, rated No. 1 among North American goalies, is a perfect 5-0-0 with a 2.25 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

Sweden's Mika Zibanejad

SWEDEN: Top draft eligible prospect Mika Zibanejad (Djurgarden), who NHL Central Scouting has rated No. 2 among European skaters, has 4 goals, 8 points and a plus-9 rating for the Swedes. Additionally, another 2011 prospect along the forward line having a marvelous showing is 6-foot-1 1/2, 194-pound Victor Rask (Leksand), ranked 12th, has 2 goals and 5 points in five games. Defenseman Jonas Brodin (Farjestad), rated third, has one assist and a plus-4 rating.

RUSSIA: Nikita Kucherov (CSKA 2), rated No. 17 among Euro prospects but considered the best Russian winger available in the 2011 Draft, has led his country with 9 goals, 18 points and a plus-9 rating in 6 games in the tournament. The other Nikita on the U18 roster, Nikita Nesterov (Chelyabinsk 2), ranked 32nd on the Euro list, has also had a good tournament with 2 goals, 4 points, plus-9 rating and a whopping 27 penalty minutes.

CANADA: The Canadians have received a nice contribution from Mark Scheifele, who is the No. 16-rated North American on Central Scouting's chart. Scheifele, who plays for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, has 6 goals, 7 points and a plus-2 rating. Additionally, defenseman Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers has 3 goals, 9 points and a plus-2 rating while generating 39 shots on net. Murphy, whose draft value has skyrocketed in the second half of the season, is rated ninth. Mark McNeill of Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League has chipped in with 6 assists -- he's rated 14th on Central Scouting's final list of North American skaters.  

James Neal's overtime heroics wasn't the only top storyline of Game 4 at St. Pete Times Forum.

The Penguins penalty-killers did a superb job in support of Marc-Andre Fleury, not only denying the Lightning on four power-play chances but limiting them to only three shots, including a single shot during an advantage late in the first OT. Tampa Bay had scored four power-play goals in the first three games.
 
Penguins center Jordan Staal was at the center of those penalty kills. Staal, who logged 28:33 of ice time, blocked two shots, doled out three hits and won 54 percent of his face-offs, was "spectacular" in the eyes of coach Dan Bylsma.
 
"We asked him to do a lot for our team and he's a huge guy down the middle for us at both ends of the rink," Bylsma said. "To log those types of minutes and play those situations, he's a big backbone and he was a horse again on the penalty-kill and in overtime, blocking shots, winning battles and keeping that puck in the zone to give Neal a chance on the game-winner."

His most important play might have come just 18 seconds before Neal's game-clincher in the second OT, when he won an offensive-zone draw from Adam Hall at the 3:20. It was his 19th face-off win of the evening. The only player remotely close to Staal in faceoff wins Wednesday night was Tampa Vincent Lecavalier with 15.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins have now completed four periods here at St. Pete Times Forum and remain in a 2-2 deadlock.

The Penguins, who outshot the Lightning in the first overtime, 11-8, hold a 51-30 advantage for the game. Sean Bergenheim's first goal of the playoffs off a mad scramble in the slot at 16:43 had pulled Tampa Bay into a 2-2 tie. Defenseman Pavel Kubina made the play happen when his shot from the right point triggered a flurry of activity in the crease. Martin St. Louis took a few pokes, but it was Bergenheim knocking home his first career playoff goal.

Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson has 49 saves and Penguins keeper Marc-Andre Fleury turned back 28 shots.

Roloson made a splendid stop on Arron Asham with 8:18 left in the first OT off a tip in the slot to keep the game knotted at 2-all.

Martin St. Louis never ceases to amaze.

Just when his team needed some life, something to feel confident about heading into the second intermission, 'Louie' was there -- again.

St. Louis scored his fourth goal of the playoffs after collecting a no-look bank pass off the side boards in the neutral zone from Vincent Lecavalier. After collecting the puck in stride at the Penguins blue line near the players' bench, St. Louis curled into the right circle and muscled away from defenseman Ben Lovejoy before snapping a shot over the waffle of Marc-Andre Fleury to pull Tampa Bay within 2-1 at 17:14 of the second.

The goal set St. Pete Times Forum into a state of delirium and gave the fans and their players hope entering the final 20 minutes of regulation time in Game 4. The Penguins hold a 30-14 advantage in shots through 40 minutes of action.

The Penguins would be rewarded for their hard work to open the second when Arron Asham's harmless-looking wrist shot from the right circle deflected off the skate blade of a passing Nate Thompson and past Roloson at the 2:39 mark. The goal meant that, for the second straight game, the Lightning would be forced to rally from a two-goal deficit.

The Penguins opened a 1-0 lead at the first intermission on Tyler Kennedy's second goal in two games.

After denying a Lightning power-play in the opening four minutes of the first period, the Penguins received their 16th opportunity with the man advantage at the 7:19 mark when Vincent Lecavalier was whistled for holding.

With 1:05 remaining on the advantage, Penguins center Mark Letestu won an offensive-zone draw away from Nate Thompson and back to point man Zbynek Michalek. Michalek dished to Tyler Kennedy in the left circle. Kennedy skated in before unleashing a wrist shot that beat Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson to the short side at 8:14. It was Pittsburgh's second shot on the power-play.

The visitors almost got burned on their second power-play attempt of the period with Sean Bergenheim off the ice high sticking at 16:49. Just as Bergenheim had finished serving his penalty, he sprung out of the box and collected an outlet from Dana Tyrell in stride. With Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen tugging from behind, Bergenheim still managed to get a fine backhand attempt on Marc-Andre Fleury, who closed the pads to make the save. The rebound bounced to a rushing Lecavalier, whose backhand chance was also snuffed by Fleury at 18:57.

The Penguins, as they did in the early stages of their Game 3 victory on Monday, dictated much of the play, outshooting the Lightning, 12-6.

Let the pigeons loose! The power-play drought for the Pittsburgh Penguins in these Stanley Cup Playoffs is history. As a result, the Penguins have taken a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

After killing a Tampa Bay power-play in the early stages of the opening 20 minutes, the Penguins received their 16th opportunity with the man advantage at the 7:19 mark when Vincent Lecavalier was whistled for holding.

With 1:05 remaining on the advantage, Penguins' center Mark Letestu won an offensive-zone draw away from Nate Thompson back to point man Zbynek Michalek. Michalek dished to Tyler Kennedy in the left circle. Kennedy skated in before unleashing a wrist shot that beat Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson short side at 8:14. It was Pittsburgh's second shot on the power-play.

The visitors almost got burned on their second power-play attempt of the period with Sean Bergenheim off the ice high sticking at 16:49. Just as Bergenheim had finished serving his penalty, he sprung out of the box and collected an outlet from Dana Tyrell in stride. With Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen tugging from behind, Bergenheim still managed to get an attempt on Marc-Andre Fleury, who did the splits. The rebound was gobbled up by Lecavalier, but the Lightning captain couldn't generate a quality chance.

The Penguins, as they did in the early stages of their Game 3 victory on Monday, dictated much of the play, outshooting the Lightning, 12-6.

So the teams just finished up pregame warmups here at St. Pete Times Forum and we're closing in on Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal between the Lightning and Penguins.

Fans are ready with their Lightning logoed thundersticks (I forgot my Advil again).

So it looks like rookie Eric Tangradi will earn his first career playoff start. He'll be in the lineup for Chris Kunitz, who is serving an NHL-levied one-game suspension following an illegal hit on Tampa's Simon Gagne in Game 3 on Monday.

For the Lightning, looks like Mattias Ritola will get the nod in the absence of Steve Downie, who was given a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Pens defenseman Ben Lovejoy in Game 3.

Here were the lineups in warmups:

Lightning

St. Louis-Lecavalier-Thompson
Tyrell-Ritola-Hall
Purcell-Bergenheim-Moore
Gagne-Stamkos-Malone

Penguins

Neal-Staal-Kennedy
Tangradi-Letestu-Kovalev
Conner-Dupuis-Talbot
Rupp-Asham-Adams

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman not only completed his second NHL season this year but is now enjoying the frenetic pace that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In two seasons playing for MODO Ornskoldsvik in the Swedish Elite League prior to joining the Lightning in 2009-10, Hedman racked up 9 goals, 25 points, 96 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating in 82 games.

As a rookie, he had 4 goals, 20 points and a minus-3 rating in 74 games. This year, he produced 3 goals, 26 points and a plus-3 rating in 79 regular-season contests. He led all Tampa defensemen with 23 assists, was second in points and fourth in plus-minus rating this season. Hedman has also averaged 91 blocked shots in two seasons.

It's been a tough grind, but Hedman admits he continues to learn on the fly and is more comfortable now than when he first broke into the League.

Hedman was asked to offer some advice for fellow countryman and highly-regarded 2011 draft prospect Adam Larsson what he might be up against following the Entry Draft in June. Hedman was the second overall choice by the Lightning in the 2009 Entry Draft. Larsson is expected to go in a similar spot, if not earlier this June 24 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

"Obviously, I wanted to come over (to North America) as soon as possible," Hedman told NHL.com. "As soon as I got drafted I wanted to come over and learn the game fast and that's the big key. I think, coming over from Europe and learning how to play on the smaller rinks and getting used to playing a lot of games and try to be on a high level was important."

It appears as though Larsson, NHL Central Scouting's top-rated European player, will likely return to Sweden to play for Skelleftea in the Elitserien next season.

"I don't know him personally, don't know him as a guy, but he seems very calm and poised out there so I don't think it'll be a big problem for him playing hockey in North America," Hedman said. "He's very good with the puck too, can play at both ends of the ice. He has to listen to what the experienced guys have to say to him and get in as much as possible, but still not change his game and learn."