cusimano_brothers

12-1 in July, 15-1 in August; depends on what street corner your bookie works on.

From Newsday:

1) Sochi 2014 was not finalized. 2) Expanded rosters to begin with are a distinct possibility, with teams are only inviting about half as many players as usual.

This was another contract negotiation between two sides of a game/business. In the end, the fan shouldn't expect anything in return.

"Diamonds on the Inside" - Ben Harper.

I just saw a story regarding the finalization of "Buzz" Aldrin's divorce from Wife Number Three. His most recent ex-wife looks like Carrot Top with a longhair wig.

Lost in the shuffle:

"Season of the Witch" - Al Kooper and Stephen Stills.

"Season of the Witch" - Donovan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpizS9h-1Xk "Season of the Witch" - Brain Auger & the Trinity with Julie Driscoll.

"God Bless the Child" - Billie Holiday.

"Demolition City" - Sly & Robbie.

John Shannon, former CBC HNIC genius, was on Rogers Sportsnet Hockey Central today and said this: the reason the League made the three-hundred page proposal available for all to see was to show that there were important issues that had now been addressed that had been raised as issues by the players; a couple of examples being health and safety issues and taking away the old "home ice advantage", i.e. making the visitors dressing a more "pleasant" place to deal with (why it has it taken this long for these types of things to be dealt with by the League, I don't know). What he also said was that the League would be shutting down operations in the schedule on three dates every season: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

"Bring Me the Head of the Preacher Man" - Siouxsie and the Banshees.

"Time Will Bring You Everything" - Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps.

Man, if Team Canada had Riley Sheahan...

"Give Me the Night" - George Benson.

"Give Me Strength" - Eric Clapton.

I'm still trying to find Maclean's playing statistics in the NHL. Sadly, he didn't get to see his six-plus seasons. His level of bias in most cases on this show is a bit much to take seriously.

With an average career length of six-plus seasons, pensions shouldn't (and isn't going to) be overlooked by the membership. Doug MacLean doesn't have to worry about his "pension"; he's busy shilling for Mercedes-Benz Burlington and checking his cellphone for his next real job opportunity in hockey. Sixty-million cap (supposedly) should make some owners more than a little nervous.

"Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" - Sway.

Best-of-three series? Not again? Might as well play "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Before you know it, shootouts will be introduced to the playoffs.

"Statesboro Blues" - Blind Willie McTell.

"Too Much Woman (For a Henpecked Man)" - Ike & Tina Turner. (Something's askew with the "quote" function).

What's this, what's this...two added rounds of playoffs? Uncle Gary has had dreams in his onesie about this for a long, long time. Right after three lockouts and team failures in the wrong markets, he would love to be remembered for this. Payment for 30-0 is simple: more revenue for the League and none for the players. Next up: twenty-game schedule, thirty teams in the playoffs (pending further expansion).

Team Canada's powerplay was the worst part of their game against Russia. No injuries and no more suspensions are key for them.