That's Mister Jimmy Howard to You

It was summer 2005, and I was sitting at Red's Eats in Wiscasset, Me., reading The Portland Press Herald and saving a table in the shade while awaiting to be summoned to the counter for my lobster rolls and an order of whole belly clams.

As I sat, I reviewed the news that Jimmy Howard was leaving the University of Maine early to join the Detroit Red Wings organization. A Mainer seated at the next table told me that he thought Howard could use another year at Orono. (To his credit, he admitted to being a big fan of the Black Bears and the Boston Bruins. The Red Wings, not so much.)

Perhaps Howard should have, as he spent the better part of four seasons with Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League, raising as many doubts about his ability to be the main man in net for the Red Wings as he did the fans' confidence in him.

On Thursday night in Los Angeles, however, there were few doubters as the Red Wings got everything they needed from Howard and more. The young goalie kept all but one of 52 shots out of the net in a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Kings.

A large measure of credit should also go to Darren Helm, who scored late in the game to win it in regulation. Take a look at Helm in the highlights. Helm, down on the ice in the right-wing corner, gets back up and spins past Kings defenseman Sean O'Donnell.

That left Jonathan Quick to stand tall in net. Instead, he went for the poke check. Goal. Helm. Good night, Los Angeles. Thanks for coming out.

Credit goes out to the voice behind The Goalie Guild, who quickly commented on Twitter:

"When oh when will goalies learn that you simply can't try and poke check in that kind of traffic. Pretty brutal mistake by Quick there."

When Quick made his aggressive move, he had to shift his right pad, which left an opening wide enough for Helm to sink the Windmill shot and win a free game of miniature golf the next time he's in town.

As for the Kings, they are still counting all the strokes they recorded and made their fans suffer through by not scoring on numerous chances on Howard's doorstep.

No need for Kings fans to stop at Tommy's after the game for a late night double chili cheeseburger; in it's place, yet another large order of heartburn, courtesy of the Red Wings.

THE SCOREBOARD
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
At Washington 5, Ottawa 2
At Atlanta 2, N.Y. Rangers 1 SO
Chicago 5, at Boston 2
Philadelphia 7, at Pittsburgh 4
At Montreal 2, Florida 0
At Nashville 4, Carolina 2
Columbus 4, at Edmonton 2
At Vancouver 4, Phoenix 0
At Anaheim 4, St. Louis 2
Detroit 2, at Los Angeles 1
The standings are here.
Recap by Sportsnet.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
At Milwaukee 3, San Antonio 2
The standings are here.
The roundup is here.
The Team Canada roster for the AHL All-Star Game is here.
The Planet USA roster for the All-Star Game is here.
The game is Jan. 19 in Portland, Me. Here, via Puck the Media, is a list of stations and markets where the game can be seen.

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
At Lewiston 9, Acadie-Bathurst 4
At Rouyn-Noranda 5, Drummondville 1
The standings are here.
The roundup is here.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Mississauga 6, at Peterborough 3
At Windsor 8, Saginaw 5
At Barrie 4, Brampton 2
At Niagara 4, Plymouth 2
The standings are here.
The roundup is here.

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Kootenay 2, at Calgary 1
The standings are here.
The roundup is here.