Winger, Brian Gionta, will be out of the Montreal Canadiens lineup indefinitely due to a broken foot.    This isn’t great news for the team, obviously, but coach Jacques Martin is hoping it will inspire the rest of the Habs to step up their effort. image: TSN “The players will have to raise their game to try to make up for it,” coach Jacques Martin said. “It opens a door for someone. We’ve been waiting for that since the start of the season.” Gionta is tied with fellow newcomer, Mike Cammalleri, for the most goals on the team (8) and was signed to a five-year, $25 million contract.  He’s got 13 points in 19 games so I’m sure he’s going to be missed on the ice. [Read more]

Almost every hockey fan has seen a seriously bad call made by the officiators but this one is probably the worst I’ve seen in a long time. The Detroit Red Wings were looking for a game-tying goal and they got it.  The only problem was that it was deemed a non-goal and I can’t understand how anyone could make this call.  It’s clearly in the net, fricking Alex Auld has to scoop in and dig it out and they still claim it wasn’t conclusive?  It’s pretty obvious that it was a goal but the Red Wings ended up losing 3-1 and I totally believe this is the reason for it. Maybe there’s something to all the chatter about there being a conspiracy against Detroit?  This just seems unbelievably crazy to me.  Watch the... [Read more]

Jose Theodore left his team to fly back to Washington for personal reasons.  They take on the New York Rangers tonight and will have Semyon Varlamov between the pipes but have called up Michal Neuvirth from the AHL to serve as a backup. image: TSN The Washington Capitals did not elaborate on what is going on with Theodore but, considering how much he’s been through over the years, it really could be anything.   Let’s review: His dad and brothers pleaded guilty a few years ago on loansharking charges, among other things. His father-in-law, a well-known Quebec music producer, was convicted on serious child molestation charges Theo tested positive for the banned substance Propecia (but claimed he was taking it for hair loss…) He... [Read more]

I’m guessing Markus Naslund didn’t enjoy the retired life since he’s reactivated himself and will be joining Modo, his first pro club.  He seems to be done with the NHL after 15 years so I hope he enjoys himself over in Europe. image: TSN It would appear that Peter Forsberg’s announcement about playing for Modo was a motivator for Naslund who said: “I will do anything to get in shape and hope I can add something on the ice, but as everybody understands it’s not just to get on the ice and perform.  I’m really looking forward to play with Modo again and the fact that Peter and I will do it together is of course something really special.” Incredibly, 36-year-old Forsberg is hoping to perform well... [Read more]

I have to confess – I didn’t watch most of Battle of the Blades partly out of embarrassment since everyone else in my house thought it was lame and partly because I’ve just been so flipping busy.  Either way, I have been keeping an eye on it since it’s really like Dancing With the Stars but on ice, featuring former hockey players. Last night, the winner was crowned and, apparently, it was no surprise to the show’s many viewers (it did so well that CBC is ordering up a second season!). Olympic pairs gold-medalist, Jamie Sale, and ex-Oiler/Hocker Night in Canada commentator, Craig Simpson, won over viewers and voters.  In case you missed it, here’s their routine to the Black Eyed Peas hit, ‘I’ve... [Read more]