Brendan Witt Scores Twice

For one game at least veteran stay at home defenseman Brendan Witt has turned into a deadly sniper. This former 1993 Washington Capitals first round pick has always been known for his rough play as opposed to scoring goals that is until Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Witt who is a fearless shot blocker had the first two goal game of his career in leading the Islanders to a 3-1 win.. “We had forwards going to the net, and you’re just trying to get pucks on net,” Witt who ended a 92 games goal less drought said. “I got fortunate. The first one (goal) kind of caught Khabibulin. I don’t think he was ready. The second one, I think it went off one of their guys.” With the win New York who were expected to struggle this season have now registered points in their last six games. Meanwhile the Oilers have lost five of their past six games. “I wish we had a way to put a finger on what’s missing right now,” Oilers coach Pat Quinn said. “We sure shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re a team that beats ourselves right now.” Witt who was the games first star had a couple of opportunities with an open net but couldn’t become the first Islander since Dennis Potvin in 1982 to score a hat trick

Phil Kessel is Ready for Leafs debut

Those Toronto Maple Leaf fans who are anticipating a sudden impact from 22 year-old forward Phil Kessel might be in for a grave disappointment. Approximately a month ago Leafs general manager Brian Burke rolled the dice by trading away Toronto’s first round picks in 2010 and 2011 along with their 2010 second rounder to the Boston Bruins in exchange for the speedy Kessel. After a dozen games this year the Leafs have only one win and badly need scoring up front if they have any chance at all of getting back into the playoff race. This past weekend excitement and anticipation of Kessel’s near return reached a fever pitch when several fans called into the Toronto all sports radio station talking about what he will bring to the team.  While Toronto fans have reason to be excited at what he can bring it’s essential for them to remember that this former 2006 Bruins first rounder had no training camp and hasn’t been playing for about six months due to rehabbing from a badly torn rotator cuff. There is a strong buzz in Toronto as the Leafs who are averaging under three goals per game this season is targeting Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning for Kessel’s Leafs debut. On Monday Kessel who has been practising on a line with Jason Blake and Matt Stajan underwent an extensive battery of tests for the shoulder and results won’t be known until Tuesday. Coming off a 60 point season Kessel has improved every year since entering the league and has scored 60 goals and 66 assists in only 222 NHL games. Despite all this potential fans have to stand back and remember that Kessel who hasn’t even reached his prime is just one player and won’t be able to fix all the Leaf’s problems. It will take weeks to months before this talented forward will be in game shape after missing so much time in rehabbing.

Tomas Kaberle is the Leafs Only Asset by Neil Becker

I’m not the kind of person who toots my own horn but back in August I wrote a blog about how it would be a grave mistake for the Toronto Maple Leafs to trade their best player in defenseman Tomas Kaberle. At the time many Leaf fans were voicing their opinions on call in radio shows that Kaberle should be the one dealt for more scoring up front. Personally I couldn’t understand why people wanted this 30 year-old veteran who provides consistency and a huge offensive upside traded. My thinking was that without Kaberle who quarterbacks the power play Toronto has no offensive threat on the blue line. A winning team needs an offensive quarterback if they are to have a potent power play and succeed. After Kaberle the second highest offensive output belongs to Ian White who only has six points. Even though Toronto is badly struggling with only six points in 12 games this year a shinning light has been the play of Kaberle who leads the team and NHL with 17 points. This silent superstar who should be the next Leafs captain was recently named the NHL’s first star of the week after he registered a four point night against the Montreal Canadiens last Saturday night and prior to that a five point game against the Anaheim Ducks. Not only does he score goals but Kaberle has always been a minute muncher on the blue line which again every winning team needs. This season he has once again averaged over 20 minutes per game and against Montreal played a team high 27 minutes and 10 seconds. Looking back to last summer Brian Burke made his best move when he didn’t cave into public pressure by trading his number one asset who has quietly become one of the game’s most underrated players. Again I’m not one to toot my own horn but all I can say is that I’m glad Kaberle is still on the blue and white and can serve as a prefect example to the youngsters in how to succeed in the NHL.

Martin Biron Hits 200

Heading into the season no one especially goalie Martin Biron thought it would take him an entire month to reach that special milestone. Biron who is in his first year with the New York Islanders came into training camp desperately wanting that one win which would put him at an even 200 for his career. This 32 year-old veteran who was originally chosen first round in the 1995 entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres has put together a respectable career with not only Buffalo but also the Philadelphia Flyers and now the Islanders. In his sixth start this season Biron was finally able to celebrate as he not only won his first game of the season by beating the Sabres 5-0 on Saturday but also achieved that 200 win milestone. “It’s been a while,” said Biron who this season has an impressive 2.92 GAA and a 9.11 save percentage. “It took a little longer than I wanted, but we’ll take them.” On the night Biron made 38 saves in posting his 26^th career shutout and more importantly saw his team racked up their third win in the past four nights. After being picked to struggle this season the Islanders are slowly getting attention for their torrid play as they have accumulated points in nine of their first 13 games. ”I think everybody is starting to understand each other a bit better,” Biron said. “There are guys who are trying to get different roles and fit in different ways. I think that we’re seeing guys step up every night.”

Boo Birds for Mike Komisarek in Montreal

For Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek hearing all those loud boos on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal was like sweet music to his ears. This former 2001 Montreal Canadiens first round pick who blossomed into a steady stay at home defenseman in Montreal decided to Maple Leafs. After being an important part of Montreal’s blue line for 361 games over the years many loyal fans felt betrayed when the 27 year-old decided last July 1 to sign a five year deal worth 22.5 US million with the Leafs. Playing his first game as a Leaf in Montreal on Saturday Komisarek heard it from fans whenever he touched the puck and to him that meant he had a huge impact when he played in Montreal. “I guess if they didn’t love me when I was here they wouldn’t be booing, so I must have done something right when I was here,” Komisarek said. “But it’s a great city with great fans, passionate fans in the building.” In front of 21,273 spectators this bruising defenseman had an up and down game. He blocked eight shots, had six hits but on the negative side posted a -3 and took a couple of minor penalties. Komisarek who is a -9 on the season had nothing but heavy praise when it came to the fans in Montreal. I’ll never say anything bad about the fans here, they’re great fans,” Komisarek who is still looking for his first point as a Leaf said. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”

Ben Fanelli Headshot…When will it Stop

On Friday night in Kitchener Ontario fans, players and management alike got a loud reminder that winning hockey games is not exactly the most important thing in life. On this night a near tragedy occurred during an Ontario Hockey League game that has left several parties extremely shaken. In the second period of a game that the Kitchener Rangers would win 4-0 spectators saw a graphic event that they will remember for a lifetime when Rangers 16 year-old defenseman Ben Fanelli was slammed head first into the end boards. Fanelli lost consciousness as his helmet came off before his head hit the ice. In a touching scene Fanelli’s concerned teammates took a knee on the ice and joined hands in saying a prayer. After approximately 15 minutes of hushed silence, Fanelli was taken off on a stretcher where he was then rushed to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to a Hamilton medical establishment. Upon seeing this horrific incident Fanelli’s mother was in such shock that she fainted and had to be revived. Also suffering terribly from this incident is Erie Otters forward Michael Liambas who was the one who checked Fanelli. Liambas who was apparently crying and shaken up emotionally was given a game misconduct for boarding. The next day an update was released by the Rangers that Fanelli is in critical condition and has skull and facial fractures. He also picked up a cut above the eye. The good news was that Fanelli gained consciousness when taken off the ice.

Sean Avery Name Calling?

Once again hockey pest Sean Avery has found himself in some hot water with the National Hockey League. After keeping his nose clean since getting into trouble last year while with the Dallas Stars this seven year veteran who has six points thus far with the New York Rangers is being accused by current Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau of calling him fat. Boudreau who coached Avery back in 2003 with the American Hockey League’s Manchester Monarchs mentioned in his book called ‘Gabby: Confessions Of A Hockey Lifer that Avery made those remarks during game seven of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. “He told me I was the biggest, fattest bleeping pig he had ever seen,” Boudreau wrote in the book. “He told me I was fatter than bleeping Ken Hitchcock. He told me that I was going to die because I was such a fat bleep.” Surprisingly enough the Capitals coach had nothing to say about this NHL bad boy who in his career has bounced around with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Stars and the Rangers. “He’s a really good player,” Boudreau said. “I’ve had him, know of him, played with his dad and all those things. He knows how important the playoffs are and he’s just going to be a really good thorn in our side.” Still you can bet that Avery who is still on thin ice with NHL headquarters will be questioned about what he said last spring.

Evgeni Malkin Can’t Shoulder it Any More

Pittsburgh Penguins fans should rest assured as coach Dan Bylsma stressed that the recent shoulder injury to superstar Evgeni Malkin is not serious. The reining Art Ross Trophy Winner who last spring became the first European to win the Conn Smythe Trophy will be out of action for   approximately three weeks due to a shoulder strain. Bylsma used the word precautionary when describing the reason why Malkin who hurt the shoulder ten days ago was going on the disabled list. “Obviously he has played with it (shoulder woes) and could gut it out, which is what Geno would be apt to do,” Bylsma said. “At this time of the year the concern is the player and this is a precautionary measure.” On Friday night when the Penguins are in Columbus to play the Blue Jackets it will snap Malkin’s streak of playing in 254 consecutive games. Malkin who has scored 14 points in 12 games is not concerned with the streak ending and just wants to support his teammates while resting on the sidelines. “I feel good,” Malkin who scored 113 points last year said. “I’ll be watching and supporting the team on the trip. It’ll be fine.” Pittsburgh who are first in the Eastern Conference with a 10-2 start face their first bit of controversy this season.

NHL Short Notes

FLYRS LOSE GAGNE

The Philadelphia Flyers received a huge blow on Monday when it was announced that key veteran forward Simon Gagne had to go on the disabled list after two small hernias were discovered in his his right groin area. As a result of the discovery Gagne who has struggled with only one goal in nine games this season will have to more then likely undergo surgery. “I can’t really say for sure,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. “We need to sit down and talk with Simon. It is an option.” (surgery)

 SMID HAS SWINE FLU

This week the slumping Edmonton Oilers announced that defenceman Ladislav Smid has become the latest victim of swine flu. Despite having the illness Smid who is only 23 years old was not sidelined as he logged 19 minutes and 47 seconds this past week against the Colorado Avalanche. So far this season Smid who was almost traded in the off-season to the Ottawa Senators is off to a strong start with four assist in 12 games.

Craig Anderson is Turning Heads in Colorado

It’s a safe bet that Craig Anderson wouldn’t exactly be the first name hockey fans would think of if they were to guess back in training camp what goalie would get off to the fastest start. This former Florida Panthers back-up was the number one story around the NHL on Tuesday night after he stopped 25 shots in shutting out the slumping Edmonton Oilers 3-0. “I think it was a great team effort,” Anderson who is 9-1-2 with a 1.97 GAA on the season said, “We didn’t give them all that much and whatever we did, I was able to see and make the save and the guys were there to clean up the rebound.” Anderson who is a seven year pro is a major reason why the Avalanche who finished with the third worst record last season currently occupy first place in the Western Conference. Also stepping up big for Colorado who now have a 5-1-2 road record was forward Woltek Wolski who scored two goals. “I think it was a great team effort,” Anderson who now has two shutouts on the season said, “We didn’t give them all that much and I was able to see and make the save and the guys were there to clean up the rebounds.” With the win Colorado extended their winning streak to three games and have won five out of their past six games. Meanwhile the Oilers are going the other direction as they dropped their third game in a row. “we’ve got to play better if we intend to be a top team,” Oilers forward Sam Gagner said. “Tonight we didn’t even show up for the first period. We should be embarrassed to get shut out two games in a row..”