News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Benoit Doucet is lighting up the ECHL and will be getting a look at the AHL.
2. The Kitchener Rangers have put up a 53 win season and are looking forward to the Memorial Cup.
3. An interview with Mark Recchi from the Kamloops Daily News.
4. A little more on the proposed Major Midget league in Canada.
5. Mirtle compiles a list of man games lost.
6. As a little shout out to our reader from Camp Liberty, here is story featuring a National Guard soldier who used to fantasize about hockey while she was in Iraq.
7. Just so we don't forget the Canadian troops in Afghanistan, former tough guys Chris Nilan and Bob Probert are visiting for a ball hockey rematch. I wonder if the Taliban will go into hiding with Knuckles' arrival?
8. Scott Burnside writes that it is time to clean house in Atlanta after another disappointing year.
9. Jeremy Roenick hopes this is the year he gets his name on the Stanley Cup.
10. The weekly Hot List from the NHL.
11. Introduce yourself to Lucio Topatigh.
12. Highly touted rookie Kyle Okposo made his NHL debut last night.
13. The new re-alignment in the QMJHL will help to rekindle some rivalries.
14. All Things Avs says that Forsberg needs to focus and play his own game.
15. Rick Dipietro will have season ending hip surgery for the 2nd year in a row. Only 13 more years of this...
16. Puck Stops Here wonders if the Stanley Cup will spend a 2nd year in the West.
17. Craig Simpson discusses the Oilers' youth movement.
18. Fantasy Spin from the Score.
19. Damien Cox writes that scouting for the Leafs isn't as fun as it sounds.
20. Alexander Mogilny 5 - Russian Criminals 3
21. Random thoughts from John Buccigross.
22. Need grooming tips? Ask Alexander Ovechkin.
23. 10 Players you may see in the NHL before the season is over.
24. The Sharks are quick to point to Nabokov when asked to explain their success.
25. Dan Barnes with an interesting article noting the lack of good goalies coming out of Russia.

The HD Corner - 2008 All-Star Game

CBC’s coverage of this year’s All-Star game included Jim Hughson doing the play-by-play, with Craig Simpson and Greg Millen crammed into the booth. As usual, Hughson called a flawless game, Simpson provided some insight, and Millen was more annoying than a Carrot Top stand-up routine. There was an increase of in-booth banter due to the friendly nature of the game as expected; however, the folks at Versus seemed to have taken this to a new level. As much criticism as Versus receives for its lack of viewers, they deserve credit for usually providing entertaining broadcasts for their target – something that CBC has been criticized for in the past. Specifically, at one point of the All-Star game telecast, Gary Bettman was invited into the booth and was joking with Blues goalie Manny Legace about large goalie equipment while he was in the process of playing. CBC can learn a thing or two, and ease up on the boring Mike Babcock interview next time around.

Unfortunately my HD-PVR let me down and I was unable to watch the Skills Competition live (according to Illegal Curve’s Cold Hard Rant section, I didn’t miss much). Needless to say I was still able to watch most of it on CBC.ca’s streaming video section, which I highly recommend to anyone wanting to see the incredible Obstacle Course Relay that closely resembled the 1980’s board game Mouse Trap (click here for a trip down memory lane).

Now on to some other random All-Star game thoughts…

Was there anything more awkward then the Elliote Friedman and Samantha Micelli - I mean Alyssa Milano - interview. Wow Alyssa, you have a new NHL clothing line? Will it be available at Stitches, Winners, or Giant Tiger? These are things that I need to know. Speaking of Who’s the Boss, did anyone know that little Jonathan has come out of the closet? The only thing less predictable was Tony Danza’s career going into a downward spiral after playing a male housekeeper for eight years (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

So you’re telling me that Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is an all-star? What, was Jim Carey not available? It’s important to note that Thomas’ goalie coach on the Bruins is non other than Bob Essensa. Yes, a goalie with the nickname “Flipper” has trained and produced an all-star calibre goalie. Further, the same man who once traded Teemu Selanne for Chad Kilger and Oleg Tverdovsky is the head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Next I’ll find out that Doug Smail is Alex Ovechkin’s power skating coach.

All-Star game MVP? Forget Eric Staal, what about The Hives? Past All-Star Game bands have included the Barenaked Ladies, The Trews, and probably The Harlots, so The Hives were quite the pleasant surprise. The only disappointing fact was that they didn’t play during the 2nd intermission. Instead, we were treated to the funky beats of “Ne-Yo” (whoever that is). Wow they sure now how to party south of the Dixie line!

Although this year’s All-Star Game wasn’t the most entertaining, it did conclude in dramatic fashion and featured an interesting subplot with Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov and fan favourite Ilya Kovalchuk of the Thrashers. Click here to see a clip of a few Nabokov-Kovalchuk highlights.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TJ Oshie pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charges.
2. The IIHF has announced plans for a 12 team European Super League.
3. The weekly release from the USHL.
4. Bob McKenzie says that we can expect a resolution in the Cliff Fletcher - Maple Leafs saga within 24 hours. Much like the current season of America's Next Top Model, this situation can't end fast enough for me.
5. Sam Gagner and Alex Edler have been added to the Young Stars portion of the All-Star Game.
6. Scott Burnside wonders if Jaromir Jagr might be traded before the deadline rolls around.
7. The Dallas Stars have traded Junior Lessard to Tampa for Doug Jancevski. Thus ends Brian Burke's consecutive trades streak...
8. A smattering of blog links courtesy of Kukla's Korner.
9. The NHL's Junior Report gives us an in-depth look around the CHL and USHL.
10. Michael D'Orazio is featured in Draft Dandies.
11. Stamkos and Tavares will square off in the OHL All-Star game.
12. The NCAA has voted overwhelmingly in favor of allowing Canadian schools to compete in athletic conferences. I am sure some Canadian kids could challenge for top spot in the WCHA Peeing in an Elevator Cup.
13. Robin Bergman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has left the school to return to Cedar Rapids of the USHL.
14. Possibly the best intermission entertainment I have ever seen. Makes me want to wax my zamboni...
15. Faceoff.com's around the league prospectus.
16. Peter Forsberg may try and test his rehabilitated ankle with Team Sweden. I don't think this rumor has a leg to stand on. I think he is more likely to hop to the NHL.
17. Former NHL'er Jere Karalahti has been busted in a sting on a Finnish meth operation. Interesting news, even though I don't karalahti about drug dealers...
18. Another installment from Milan Lucic's blog.
19. In related news, Jaroslav Modry also has a blog. Man, they will let anyone have one of these.
20. Ken Campbell looks at the best clutch performers in the NHL. Interesting read. Not to toot my own horn, but I was voted best clutch performer at 7 consecutive Jr. High dances.
21. The Hockey News gives us updates on Alex Pieterangelo, Kyle Okposo and Aaron Ness.
22. Mike Chen gives us his list of phrases that he feels should be banned from the hockey lexicon. Somewhere in Colorado, Ryan Smyth just became mute.
23. Mike Komisarek and Chris Higgins: Busom Buddies from Long Island.
24. Craig Simpson gives us some details on what Mathieu Garon has meant to the Oilers.
25. In an effort to keep out Leaf Content high, Scott Morrison takes us out with some words of wisdom.