Random Things

This post has little value aside from being a random collection of things that have been bouncing around in my head lately. While all of these thoughts have to do with hockey, some are pictures, some are my own commentary, and others are pure random thoughts. I'm not going to waste a lot of time with this pre-amble, so let's get going.

• Canada's shutout streak at the World Junior Championships ends at 177:25. That is a new record for one team at the World Junior Championships, but it finally came to an end on a Slovakian powerplay goal by Richard Panik. Well done, Canada!
• Canada defeats Slovakia tonight by an 8-2 margin. The US trounces Latvia 12-1. The New Year's Eve tilt between the two North American teams will be for first place in Pool A as both teams sit 3-0. And both teams seem to be foaming at the mouth for this game.
  
• Sweden took control of Pool B with a convincing 4-1 victory over Russia today. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson had a goal and two assists for the Swedes as they move to 3-0. The loss drops Russia to 2-1, and they square off against the Czech Republic on Thursday. Sweden and Finland also tangle on Thursday, but it appears the Tre Kronor will win Pool B.
• Several Olympic teams have been announced, although none are set in stone as of yet. According to the IIHF rules, the Olympic rosters don't have to be set until the night before the competition begins. That means that other players could be swapped in for injured players as we get closer to February. If you're interested in examining who is playing for what country, here are the rosters for Russia, Sweden, Latvia, Norway, Slovakia, and Belarus thus far.
• Dan Shaughnessy of Sports Illutrated takes a stab at why the Winter Classic is beginning to look better and better each New Year's Day. If you are sick of the "Corporate Dollar Bailout Bowl" and the "Taxpayer Relief Fund Bowl" in the NCAA featuring two football teams that are barely above .500, you'll like what Shaughnessy has to say.
• One guy who isn't going to the Olympics this year? Dominik Hasek. Tomas Vokoun, if his ear can hold up, will be the starter for the Czech team according to head coach Vladimir Ruzicka. It's probably for the best if Hasek doesn't play. The last time he went to the Olympics, he blew out a hip. He'll be 44 years-old, and there just aren't that many doctors that can perform successful hip replacement in the Czech Republic from my research (I kid! I kid!).
• Bobby Hull makes regular stops into the United Centre, normally when there is a chance to stand in the spotlight like he did on May 22, 2009 with Michael Jordan. However, there was a time once when Hull enjoyed the simpler life of tossing hay bales and chewing on cigars. The good ol' days, indeed!
• Check out this picture of Glenn Hall sitting in his stall in the Black Hawks locker room. The little amount of padding alone is ridiculous when considering some of the shots that Hall faced in his record-setting 551 consecutive starts in both the regular season and playoffs. I'm also fond of that Black Hawks garbage can.
• I have nothing but appreciation for this picture of Mike Milbury covered in New York Islanders Fisherman colours and logos. I'd buy that jacket at full price right now if I could find one that fits me.
• If I could find a Cleveland Barons jersey that looked as good as this one, I'd mortgage the house for it. I don't know why, but those Ohio-outlined sleeve numbers are the epitome of a unique uniform idea.

Tomorrow is the last Antler Banter of 2009, and we'll have the HBIC Year-In-Review on Thursday and Friday when I'll be somewhat incapacitated. There have been some incredible stories from this past year, and I think they need to be re-examined in the YIR.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!