farce poobah

We agree that Carcill is an idiot. It seems to fit the definition of a Category III - 3 game suspension. (But then, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...) Per NHL Rule 40: 0.4 Automatic Suspension – Category III - Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or physically threatens an official by (but not limited to) throwing a stick or any other piece of equipment or object at or in the general direction of an official, shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official, spitting at or in the general direction of an official, or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games.

Brandon Prust better enjoy the rest of game 3 because he'll be watching the rest of this series (at least) from the stands. For those who missed, a late blind side head shot on Stepan.

Reaction to game 2 first period Hawks-Kings: It's refreshing to see interference called. If the refs call that consistently, this one will belong to the Hawks. I expect games 3-4 to be night and day, as Sutter rotates Kopitar's line away from Toews' line.

$ell more jer$ey$.

Nominated for Post of the Year. Thanks, Sioux-cia. You've been there, so your voice needs to be heard.

Brock Nelson scores 19 seconds into this morning's game against Finland. Making a good show of dedication to USA Hockey can't hurt his chances of being named to a higher-profile competition in the future.

Kane makes it look so easy. But its frickin brilliant.

Bollig gets two games for boarding Ballard. I approve.

Stoner gets away with one. ...bad missed calls now even tonight. Blackhawks playing a good road game ... Putting crowd to sleep

Family Guy has been on my IGNORE list for a while. Now I remember why.

Yes. But wouldn't it be fun if Torts coached the Wolverines?

He's going to replace Red Berenson at Michigan.

One of the most famous (infamous?) series in NHL history. I'm envious. Did you bring donuts?

That doesn't seem fair ... I hear Bryzgalov's agent got a hot dog AND a coke..

Interesting that Coach Quenneville put Nordstrom in the lineup ... (6-1, 160 pounds). Expecting the Wild to try skate with the Hawks apparently, which turned out to be a good prediction. Wild need to clog it up and not let Kane carry the puck at them all night long.

Right ... Give me four great two way centers (Bergeron, Toews, Datysuk, Kopitar, for example), and 8 more guys off intramurals and I'll be just fine up front.

If anyone has kids watching the Bruins games, they should consider watching Bergeron in isolation. Great way to learn how to play the game right. Try to find a mistake, and you may watch for a long time. The guy plays near flawless hockey. By being in the right position, he makes things look easy. By being ice aware - of everyone on the ice - he can move the puck quickly. He's more likely to deliver a bump or hold his man against the boards than a big flashy hit. In the slot, he ties up his man's stick. Wins 60% of his faceoffs, although his teammates get a lot of that credit. Terrific and underrated. Yet another alumni of the 2005 World Juniors who played at the Ralph.

Wow .... LA becoming just the 4th team to come back from down 3-0.

The wild are definitely the better team. Justice served by their victory tonight.

Gift goal > gift powerplay

... Avalanche fans have a serious case of "Rocky Mountain High".

Nice start for the Wild ... the old adage of your best players have to bring it has been true in the opening period of game 6.

Norris Trophy finalists announced: Zdeno Chara Duncan Keith Shea Weber While I would love to see Ryan Suter in that group, its really hard to argue against any of those 3. (Where would Boston be without Chara? Where would Chicago be without Keith? Or Nashville without Weber?) Certainly, Minnesota doesn't make the playoffs without Suter logging 30 productive minutes a game.

We will be seeing that highlight a lot, I think. Of course Oshie is pretty much a one man highlight reel.

Blues buzzing ... Great atmosphere in St. Louis.