News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The weekly release from the USHL.
2. By way of correction to an item posted yesterday, it is the Ducks, and not the NHL, that are fining Niedermayer $500,000. The NHLPA is working on getting that money refunded.
3. Canada will play Russia for World Under-18 Gold, Wednesday on TSN.
4. Memorial Cup History, 1931.
5. Vandals damage the new arena being constructed in Fargo, ND.
6. James Duthie would like to see the NHL stagger the start times of playoff games.
7. Everyone wants to talk about Sean Avery, including the New Yorker.
8. Pierre Lebrun says Marty Turco was the difference in the Ducks-Stars series.
9. Chris Elliott spends the day with the New York Rangers.
10. William Houston with his thoughts on the CBC's on-air quality.
11. Mike Smith discusses his Domi/King for Olczyk trade.
12. EJ Hradek's Morning Skate.
13. Ping-pong eases the pressure in San Jose.
14. Will Brian Burke be offered a 5-year, $23 million deal?
15. Scott Morrison notes that the Sharks have more to lose tonight.
16. Darren Eliot writes that the Bruins are now back on the NHL radar, despite their Game 7 loss.
17. Martin Brodeur has declined an invitation to join Team Canada.
18. Mark Emmons discusses the post-series handshake.
19. The Hot List from the Hockey News.
20. The Telus Cup is underway in Arnprior, Ontario.
21. A look at the draft eligible Justin (You Must be) Jokinen.
22. The Junior Report.
23. The Berlin Polar Bears have won the DEL Championship.
24. Team Great Britain finishes 4th at the World Division 1 championships.
25. Ken Campbell wants to see more Washington-Philadelphia games.

NHL Morning Papers--Eastern Conference (Wednesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• William Houston of the Globe & Mail tells readers about the rare occasions when broadcasters work two different games in the same day.
• The Leafs' playoff dreams are no more, writes Bruce Arthur of the National Post.
• In light of the Jonathan Roy brawl, Mark Spector of the National Post explains that our culture is still enamoured with fighting and rough play.
• Kevin Allen says the Predators need better goaltending if they want to make the playoffs.
• Ted Montgomery takes a look at a number of draft-day busts in this morning's USA Today.

Here are the Southeast Division morning papers:

• The Hurricanes would have liked to have recorded two points last night, but the one point they earned versus the Capitals is still valuable, writes Luke Decock. With Cam Ward having carried the workload for the past fifteen games, you would think the netminder would be tired, but he is not.
• Alexander Ovechkin set the franchise record for goals last night, and his team pulled out an important shootout victory, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
• Craig Custance discusses Kari Lehtonen's post-game fit with Thrashers analyst Darren Eliot.
• "I make no bones about it, I'm not crazy about [the Panthers'] organization, so I don't mind that at all," said Lightning coach John Tortorella after his team's 3-1 victory over the Panthers. Goalie Mike Smith missed last night's game with a knee injury, however, the injury is not thought to be serious.
• "Some people weren't good enough — that's the bottom line," said Panthers coach Jacques Martin after his team's difficult loss to the Lightning last night. Last night's game was the Panthers' first away from Sunrise in three weeks.

Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers:

• The Devils have now scored three goals in their last four games, after last night's 2-0 loss to the Penguins on home-ice. Andy Greene was a healthy scratch for last night's game.
• The Flyers came back and recorded an important character victory last night at MSG, writes Ed Moran. If the Flyers could only get production from all three assets of the game (offense, defense, goaltending) at the same time, they would be scary.
• The Penguins rebounded from a terrible loss at the Islanders with a playoff-clinching victory over the Devils last night.
• "I let my team down. What else is there to say? It's pretty easy to see," said Rangers agitator Sean Avery after making a bad turnover in overtime. If the Rangers are playing a seventh game on the road in the playoffs, they will most likely look back to games like last night, writes John Dellapina.

**There were no NY Islanders articles this morning**

Here are the Northeast Division morning papers:

• The Sabres somehow blew a 3-1 third period lead and were defeated by the rival Senators 6-3. A number of the Sabres veterans made some important mistakes last night, writes Mike Harrington.
• The Bruins found a way to score six goals last night in the team's most important game of the season, as they defeated the Leafs 6-2. Chuck Kobasew went down last night with an ankle injury after being struck by a Zdeno Chara shot.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette provides readers with ten reasons for the Canadiens' unexpected success this season.
• The Senators rode a tremendous performance from Daniel Alfredsson to an important comeback victory over the Sabres last night. The Senators' problem this season has been goaltending, writes Chris Stevenson.
• After last night's loss, it is fair to say time has basically run out on the Maple Leafs. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star calls out the Leafs veterans for a terrible performance last night.

The Western Conference morning papers will be posted around 11:15 CST.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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