Busy Like The Proverbial Bee

I've been ridiculously busy the last two days, but I am back to scribe some new hockey chatter. I apologize for the lack of posting, but both work and real-life have turned in some memorable disasters, so that has kept me away from this place. However, with both of those out of the way, I can now focus on some more hockey-related items to discuss. This entry will be more of a housekeeping entry, but it will certainly discuss some of the latest hockey happenings as well.

First, Teebz's Book Club will have some new entries as of next week. I am on holidays next week, and have looked at picking up some new books for reading. I do want to send out a thank you to Cassandra Sadek as well. She's also been a huge help in getting these editions of Teebz's Book Club off the ground. Look for some more book reviews next week.

Philly Massacre: Last night, Philadelphia demolished the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-2 which turned out to be one of the roughest games in the NHL this season. Six points from Joffrey Lupul and five points from R.J. Umberger paced the Flyers to the win. Overall, the Flyers were 4-for-14 on the powerplay, scoring six straight goals to break a 2-2 tie midway through the second period. Philly's final four goals were scored on the powerplay.

Pittsburgh ended with 98 minutes in penalties to Philadelphia's 58. However, the jawing between the penalty boxes was constant, and this rivalry appears to be heating up. Highlights? Yeah, let's take a look.

The War in Pennsylvania looks like good TV for the next meeting which occurs on January 24, 2008. Keep your eyes on this battle.

Mr. Consistency: Vincent Lecavalier made it home to Montreal last night, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in the shootout.

Lecavalier notched his 20th goal of the season, marking the eighth straight season he has reached that mark. There was chatter this week on some of the Canadian sports shows that perhaps Lecavalier is a better player overall than Sidney Crosby, but suffers from his playing location.

In regards to suffering due to location, I have no doubt. Lecavalier has come into his own as a star for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but basically plays in obscurity due to his Florida home. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Rays get more local coverage than the Lightning do, even after the Lightning brought the Stanley Cup home recently.

However, when it comes to the question of being better than Sidney Crosby, it's six of one and half-a-dozen of another. They are both young, dynamic, offensive superstars that the league should market as much as possible. That should be a no-brainer, and Lecavalier would certainly benefit from the exposure.

Other than that, I will be doing a minor-league report sometime this weekend as well. I have to run again, but I'll be back tomorrow.

Until then, keep your sticks on the ice!

- the picture up top can be found on Natalie Dee's site. It's good for a laugh if this article wasn't as interesting as it may have seemed. My apologies!