Senators make a trade; I approve

Bryan Murray, the genius that he is, announced today a "blockbuster" trade that brings Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore to the Sens, in exchange for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves. Both Stillman and Commodore bring Stanley Cup-winning experience to Ottawa, and should hopefully help to alleviate any choking tendencies come playoff time.

In other hockey news (but less NHL-y), UND's coach Dave Hakstol has been suspended for 2 games for being a dick. More specifically, be made "an obscene gesture" towards an official during the game against UMN on February 2. Apparently Hakstol didn't agree with a call made by "assistant referee" C.J. Beaurline, and flipped him the bird as Beaurline skated away from the Sioux bench. While Beaurline didn't notice it (because Hakstol didn't have the gonads to finger him to his face), the FSN cameras caught 'er live on cablevision. Which is, apparently, where WCHA's concern comes from. By the sound of it, they don't care about the referee (he didn't notice, anyway, right?), but rather the concern about small children watching the game.

And the final sports update has Nicky Hayden sucking considerably less than last year. Two seasons ago, the Kentucky Kid won the World Championship on his Honda RC-212V. Last season he embarrassed Americans world-wide by falling to 8th position overall (though he beat fellow Yankee Colin Edwards by 3 points in the championship standings). While the 2008 season hasn't started yet, winter testing has Hayden performing quite well indeed. More specifically, 2008 has Hayden's Honda performing much better. Hayden may not be my favorite rider on the circuit, but he's a talented enough rider that he deserves a decent bike to ride.

Official testing in Jerez takes place 17 February, where the fastest qualifier will take home a Bimmer for his efforts. Race #1 (Qatar) is 09 March.

Oh snap! I missed game 1

So I kind of forgot that the Eastern Conference Final was played in the eastern time zone. So as I was at Save-On grocery shopping this afternoon (early evening, I suppose), I thought "oh snap! I'm missing the game". Once back in the car, I quickly switched to Team 1040am, just as they were wrapping up the broadcast.

So, while I have no personal insight into the game, I can comment on the results:
- Ottawa's top players were their best players. If that makes sense. Their #1 line did it's job (getting points), whereas the #1 line of Buffalo was non-existent
- Daniel Alfredsson for the Conn Smythe trophy. 'nuff said.
- "Sugar Ray" Emery probably isn't liked much in Buffalo. He needs to prove to them (and me) that he can be a #1 goalie
- Ottawa out shot, and generally outplayed the Sabres. I'm sure the rest of the series won't be so one-sided.