PLUS MINUS

NO STANDING STILL, MAN Carolina’s Cory Stillman goes on a tear recording 17 points in a nine-game stretch for the Hurricanes. ROAD WARRIORS Despite numerous injuries, the Philadelphia Flyers still dominate on the road going 12-3-1-2. RASK BEHIND THE MASK Finnish goalie Tuukka Rask plays superbly, making 53 saves to beat rival Sweden 1-0 at the WJC. SPACEK SPANKED Chicago defenseman Jaroslav Spacek is suspended two games for clipping Calgary’s Byron Ritchie. SHAME! SHAME! Fans in Vancouver completely over the top with their booing of Team USA and anti-American sentiment at WJC. WHAT HAPPENED? Highly-touted Team USA loses the semifinal 5-1 to Russia, thereby failing to advance to the WJC final.…

FAN SHOOTOUT WITH Thomas Vanek

JORDAN UTKE, FROM SWIFT CURRENT, SASK., ASKS After your tremendous year in the AHL, what has been the toughest adjustment to the NHL? “The speed of the game; having said that, the goalies and defense are just that much better.” BRIAN KOLIS, FROM RACINE, WISC., ASKS What were your expectations when you came back to Minnesota Dec. 11? “It was just nice coming back there and playing in front of my buddies from school, so it was exciting.” GRADY FROESE, FROM CHEMAINUS, B.C., ASKS Growing up in Austria, how big was hockey when you were a kid? “It’s not very big, it was all about soccer, tennis and skiing. But my dad was a pro hockey player so I grew up with the sport.” ROY LEADER, FROM NORTH BAY, ONT., ASKS You started off slow, but…

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Counting blessings

Collecting his 400th professional point represented more than a milestone for Dean Tiltgen. The Phoenix RoadRunners captain returned to the ice after taking a year-and-a-half off to be by his mother’s side as she battled cancer. Jacquie Tiltgen was diagnosed with cervical cancer in December of 2003 and died Feb. 3, 2005. “Growing up, we all have major sacrifices from our parents,” said Tiltgen, referring to his mother spending hours each day watching her three sons play hockey as they developed their games in Alberta. “She was no different. Taking a year-and-a-half off to be with her was something I needed to do for her.” Tiltgen registered his 400th point in his eighth season by assisting on Mark Wires’ goal with 1:56 left in a 7-3 loss to Fresno on New Year’s Eve. “Anytime you…