Tuesday's Tidbits

It's Tuesday, and there has been some interesting news coming out the hockey world lately, so we'll take a quick look at some of the developing news. And we'll introduce a new feature on HBIC that I think you'll grow tired of quickly. So why introduce it? Because it needs to be said. Alright, let's take a look at some of the stuff I've piled up from the last week.

• MeiGray is the official auction house for all your NHL game-worn jerseys from the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. MeiGray even has the jersey worn by Dustin Byfuglien which was missing the Reebok logo available. However, someone needs to let MeiGray know that one should be aware of the corporate sponsor, especially after the sponsor spent a boatload of money becoming the title sponsor. Bridgestone cannot be too happy about MeiGray calling them "Bridgewater".
• Goaltending for the Islanders has become a precarious position. First, Rick DiPietro was lost for a considerable length of time due to a knee injury, but Joey MacDonald stepped in and has weathered the storm while DiPietro recovers. However, MacDonald left tonight's game versus the Rangers with an undisclosed injury, and has not returned to the bench. That leaves just Yann Denis defending the Isles' pipes. Former Islanders goaltender and current GM Garth Snow might be forced to suit up before the night is over.
• I'm not one to pile on when a team is down, but the situation in Phoenix is probably one of the most ill-timed events that the NHL could experience. With the popularity of the NHL growing - albeit slowly - in the USA, coupled with the recent success of the Winter Classic, having a franchise in financial dire straits is exactly what the NHL doesn't want. If you're Gary Bettman, you have to know that contracting a team is out of the question, and, since no one in Phoenix cares that the Coyotes are dying, he has to consider relocation as a possible option. Of course, there's the need for a new owner to step in and purchase control of the franchise. How badly do you think Jim Balsillie is licking his chops, waiting for Bettman to come grovelling?
• Since I was called several unsavoury names over my treatment of the Mats Sundin lottery, I want to show everyone that I play fair. Today, I want to debut the Vincent Lecavalier Trade Watch, or VLTW in short. Let it be known that until Lecavalier is traded, I don't care about who is offering what, who is rumoured to be on the block, or anything else in association of this possible transaction until the trade is made. Got it? Good. Moving on....
• The World Junior Championship Final between Canada and Sweden set a new mark for TSN in terms of viewership. 3.7 million people tuned in to watch Canada win their fifth-straight gold medal, making it the most-watched broadcast of all-time on TSN. Congratulations on an excellent tournament, TSN! Your coverage was second-to-none!
• Congratulations also go out to Team USA for their gold medal win at the IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship in Fussen, Germany. The Americans defeated Canada in the gold medal game in overtime by a 3-2 score. Brooke Ammerman, Taylor Wasylk, and Kendall Coyne scored for the Americans in the victory, while Canada's tallies were scored by Melodie Daoust and Jessica Wong. Congratulations, Team USA, on your second-straight gold medal!
• Congratulations also go out to Team Sweden for their gold medal win at the IIHF World Women’s Under-22 Championship in Ravensburg, Germany. The Swedes defeated Canada in the gold medal game by a 2-1 score. Canadian Meghan Agosta opened the scoring, but the Swedes got goals from Erica Uden-Johansson and Frida Svedin Thunström. Swedish goaltender Sara Grahn stopped 34 of 35 shots in the victory, and made a number of key stops to preserve the gold medal victory. Congratulations, Sweden, on your first gold medal at this event!
• January 21, 2009 sees the first game of the two-game final between Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL and the ZSC Lions of the Swiss Elite League as these two teams battle for the Champions League Championship. Much as they do in soccer, the winner will be the team that scores the most goals in the two-game series. January 21st's game takes place in Magnitogorsk, while the January 28th game will take place in Zurich. Good luck to both teams as they look to win the first-ever Champions Hockey League Championship!
  
• In four days, the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings will celebrate a Military Tribute Night at Rexall Place. January 17 sees the Oil Kings don camouflaged jerseys in honour of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces. I would have liked to have seen the Oil Kings alter their logo to reflect the event, but honouring the bravest of the brave is a fantastic event. Kudos to the Oil Kings for this event!
• The AHL's Manitoba Moose broke out their Team Canada-themed jerseys for their game against the Rochester Americans on January 3, 2009. I really like these jerseys, and the Moose look great. Nothing wrong with these jerseys whatsoever.

There's a few updates from around the hockey world. More to come this week, and, if I get the time to finish, another Teebz's Book Club entry. Lots still to come as well as HBIC prepares for both the NHL and AHL All-Star Games and Skills Competitions. All in all, lots of hcokey action still to be decided!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!