Happy Hockey Day in Canada!!

Today is the ninth annual celebration of hockey for our friends in Canada. I can't tell you how much fun it is to watch the Hockey Day in Canada presentation. You get three games and it all opens with a three-hour pregame show from a small town in Canada where the true spirit of our "neighbours" is celebrated and the country's love for the game is on display.

And, like I said, you get three games!
3:00 PM ET Ottawa @ Montreal
7:00 PM ET Vancouver @ Toronto
10:00 PM ET Calgary @ Edmonton

This year Ron and Don are headed to Cambpellton, New Brunswick. Hockey Day in Canada is available to us all on the NHL Network today beginning at noon. Sit back and enjoy the small town hockey experience. Trust me, you will never be disappointed and you'll eventually end up like me and you'll want to make this your own little holiday.

Hockey Day in Canada Review

You know, if this show was done about any sport aside from hockey, it might have made me sick. But of course, it was all about grass-roots hockey in Canada and it sucked me in for the entire three-hour pre-show before the Red Wings and Maple Leafs game.

Islanders forward Jon Sim was home in New Glasgow, NS to hang out with some younger fans and talk about the NHLPA initiative called Goals and Dreams to give back to the game and community that has done so much for him. Jon has been involved in donating 75 sets of equipment to the kids in and around his hometown. Well done, Jon.

Here's a link to a story about the journey of Jon Sim from CBC Sports: Jon Sim

So, you know, I'd be lying if I didn't say that the show was a bit maudlin at times, but it is just so engaging and fun. It was exactly the kind of broadcast it needed to be to satisfy the hockey fans in the north and even those sympathizers here in the states.

There were some real standout stories too. I defy anyone not to think it was a little dusty in the room during the feature about kids who have special needs, the Icehounds. To see and hear stories about kids with disabilities getting a chance to feel like part of a team and to be with other kids who are in similar situations was pretty inspiring.

The journey of Bruins' forward Glen Metropolit from the mean streets of Toronto to be a NHL player was really well done. I got the feeling that Metropolit was never ashamed of how he grew up, but that the trials of his life are what made him a special man. The bonds in his family seemed even stronger than perhaps those might have been between players who had it a little easier growing up.

With remotes from all over the country, there were stories about the women's game, elderly players, rinks in small communities, and even interviews with two of Tim Horton's daughters. Even Don Cherry was on his best behavior!

The DVD is available for presale on the CBC website. It's definitely worth checking out if you live hockey. If you're reading this, you owe it to yourself.

Another tough loss; Hockey Day in Canada

Even the refs aren't giving the Islanders much rope these days.

In case you missed it, last night, our boys lost 4-3 to the Crosby-less Penguins. It looked like Captain Guerin tied it with .4 seconds left in the game and the goalie pulled, but the play was whistled as dead as the team's offensive production these last few weeks. Stupid Dave Jackson.

The Isles got a solid effort from Mike Comrie, who had two of the goals (The Tank had the other on the PP) that counted and even chipped in with a little scrap for his efforts. With alternate captain Mike Sillinger out nursing a hip injury, Comrie was wearing the A on his sweater.

The Islanders fought back from a third period deficit to tie the game at three but ultimately, a sharp angle shot from Kris Letang deflected off of Brendan Witt's stick with only 3:49 remaining in the contest. Pittsburgh was paced by Islander Killer Ryan Whitney's two goals and Geno Malkin's three helpers.

The Sound Tigers line of Jeff Tambellini, Blake Comeau and Frans Nielsen had a presence as well. Each man played over 13 minutes as the second line for the big club. Comeau was also recently singled out by Bill Guerin as the team's best player over the past few weeks. We won't argue.

I just don't know what the heck needs to happen to get a win for our boys. I mean, there are a lot of injuries but you can't use injuries as an excuse. Ricky said that this week in Newsday and you really need to look no further than the Giants to see how younger players can step into bigger roles when given a chance. Really has to be frustrating to be in the room right now for the players.

Another thing we need to know is whether or not this recent spin has forced the team to become sellers instead of buyers as we approach the trade deadline. Right now, as constructed, the Islanders have to be sellers. They have 54 points in 55 games and are currently in thirteenth (!) place in the east. They're also only two points out of last, where Tampa is currently underachieving. The Bruins are in the eighth spot with 59 points. That means the Isles would have to leapfrog the Panthers; Thrashers; Hurricanes; and Sabres just to catch the Bruins.

Do the math. The Islanders are sellers. What do they have to sell? I don't know.

In other hockey news, tomorrow, Islanders forward Jon Sim will be working for the CBC in Canada as they celebrate Hockey Day in Canada from Winkler, Manitoba. The CBC does this every year to celebrate the game at it's grass roots-level throughout the country. There's a triple-header of games for the celebration and if you have the Center Ice package, I suggest you check it out.


http://www.hockeydayinwinkler.com