Canada Beats Sweden In SO, Disclaimer Of Interest A Go? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Team Canada's Boone Jenner may face supplementary discipline
after his late hit on Swedish defenseman Jesper Pettersson.

After falling 3-2 to Finland in pre-tournament action on Thursday, Team Canada bounced back with a 2-1 shoot out win against Sweden yesterday morning.

Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads scored Canada's only goal in regulation tying the game in the third period. Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs scored a beauty in the shoot out before captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers netted the winner.

Habs prospect Sebastian Collberg assisted on Sweden's goal scored by Alexander Wennberg. Collberg was impressive on many of Sweden's power plays setting up chances and showing impressive puck control with nifty stick work.

Canada will begin the tournament on Boxing Day against Germany. Wednesday's game should be used by Canada to work on their discipline. Their constant trips to the penalty box could cause the Canadians problems further in the tournament if they spend too much time on the p.k. against stronger teams in do or die situations.

As if Canada's on ice penalties aren't trouble enough, Boone Jenner may face suspension after his late hit on Jesper Pettersson left the Swedish defenseman with a dislocated shoulder and a fractured wrist.

Alex Galchenyuk, the Habs only other prospect in the tournament was also on the losing end of pre-tournament play as Finland defeated Team U.S.A. 5-1.

Habs And Hockey News

- Back on the lockout front, the players have voted in favor of filing a disclaimer of interest. The NHLPA has until January 2nd to file the disclaimer if they choose to do so.

- Patrick Kearns (@PatrickKearns) of TheFourthPeriod.com provides a fun lockout free article delivering 25 Christmas gifts to players and personnel around the NHL.

- Team U.S.A. will finalize their roster today, making three last cuts before kicking off their tournament debut against Germany on Thursday.


 (Photo by Darren Makowichuk/QMI Agency) 

Read More

Take It To The Judge, Un-Real Sports for Lupul, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Yesterday was the first day of voting for members of the NHLPA to decide on whether or not to pursue their "disclaimer of interest" filing in California court. The union requires 2/3 of its membership to agree in order to continue the process.

The question remains will the players willfully give up their rights to collective bargaining and all the protection afforded to them by the NHLPA, or will they think otherwise? I guess we'll know by Friday.

Things, however, are moving forward in the NHL's lawsuit against the union that contends they are bargaining in bad faith, and asks that the lockout be deemed legal.

Ronald Blum of the Globe and Mail uncovers the identity of the judge who will oversee the proceedings.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- As much as we love to bash the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Real Sports Restaurant & Bar, located just steps from the Air Canada Centre, has started a lockout of their own. Sean Fitzgerald of the National Post gives Habs' fans another reason to smile.

- The Milwaukee Admirals beat the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday in a close game 4-3.

- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times explains how Donald Fehr always puts his players first.

- Finally, in advance of this year's World Junior Hockey Championships in Ufa, Russia,Tim Wharnsby of CBC gives us the low-down on Team Canada's head coach, Steve Spott.

Read More

NHL Games Cancellec Through Dec. 30th, Fans Don't Care, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

As expected, the National Hockey League cancelled games through December 30th. Why not just go into the New Year, you ask? If you think about it, with NHL players spread across the globe, a perspective one week training camp (should they sign a deal), and the holiday season approaching, would the season be able to start before that? I doubt it.

I spend a lot of my time trolling Twitter, especially looking at the #NHL hash tag for interesting news and views. Aside from the annoying "All I Want For Christmas is the NHL" tweets, there are many people voicing their discontent with the current labour strife.

CBC Sports conducted a poll that shows where 55% of people voted they have lost interest in the best league in the world. If you add the other 35+% who don't think there will be a season, and the feelings of the NHL's faithful become painfully clear.

Well fans, while I understand your pain, I don't agree why you in the least. And neither does Scott Burnside of ESPN, who explains his belief that the NHL lockout will end...really.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- For those of you who think that enforcers are no longer needed in the NHL, Jeff Z. Klein of the New York Times show you how Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings brings more to the table than his fists.

- Ian Mendes of Postmedia News wonders if the elder statesmen of the NHL will suffer from a shortened season as they did in the lockout of 94-95.

- Surely you've heard the words "disclaimer of interest" in reference to options available to the NHLPA? Here is a piece from the Orlando Sentinel, originally published during the NBA lockout, that explains its application.

Read More