- Commandos' blueliner Justin MacDonald makes his QMJHL debut Saturday night for Saint John. With the Sea Dogs thin on the blueline, in part due to the departure of Jason Seed to the Summerside Western Capitals and Kevin Gagne to the Rimouski Oceanic in the biggest deal of the Q trade period thus far, MacDonald has a temporary spot on the roster. All Justin MacDonald has been to Dieppe this year is the best dman on the club, moving the puck with veteran poise, playing very tough along the wall, controlling the game in all zones and eating minutes up with extreme prejudice. If he can translate his game in the MHL into the Q, his stint will be a very successful one.
- Saint John's opponent will be the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, who today completed their 32nd deal of the trade period, acquiring Robert Pelletier from the Gatineau Olympiques. Pelletier had spent the first half of the season with the Campbellton Tigers after a very solid '11-'12 campaign split between the Tigers and les Olympiques. Pelletier will be in the Titan lineup this weekend - and for the duration of the season, most likely. Based on his play against the Commandos this season and last, I had a hard time believing he was still in Jr.A to begin with (I suspect there was a reason he wasn't in Gatineau that I'm unaware of). He's certainly the type of guy who plays much bigger than his 5'8" stature and could be a very dynamic player if placed in the proper offensive situation. Given the way the Titan go about life on the defensive side of the puck, Pelletier should find a happy home in Northern, NB, thereby making it two Tigers players that have found their way onto the Titan roster this season (the first being Andrew Meredith). The Tigers must be proud of the rate they've produced Q caliber players this season. On the flip side, with Campbellton pried away from two of their top players, this could mean an unfortunately long winter for the MHL's northernmost franchise.
- USA defeats Germany 8-0 to open their schedule at the World Juniors, proving three things in the process: First, with each passing game like this, the concept of a ten team tournament makes about as much sense as having the kids use tube skates and straight bladed Northland Pros. Secondly, Alex Galchenyuk is going to be fun fun fun to watch in Montreal in the years to come. Finally, Phil Housley wasn't lying when he said he coached the American defense by never showing them tapes of his playing career. Sure, we're only talking about Germany... but don't forget, we're also talking about Phil Housley.
- Canada evens their record at the Spengler Cup, defeating host team Davos, 5-0. About as thorough of an effort as you could ask for from the national reps as well as a great bounce back after the OT loss to Mannheim yesterday. The more I watch the Spengler, the more I realize I'd rather go overseas to watch this tournament than the World Juniors. The rink looks amazing (inside and out), the crowd is crazy, the caliber of play is decent even in a non-lockout year and finally, it's Switzerland. I'd go there for alot less pertinent reasons than this tournament. Top shelf cheese, chocolate and beer. Only problem I see is you'd have to pry me away like a hillbilly from a Honey Boo-Boo marathon.
- I should also point out that it's snowing like crazy outside my window right now... the first blog post I've composed during such a storm. I'm quickly realizing there's little in life more relaxing then putting fingertip to keyboard with a PVR'd hockey game playing in the background and a decent dose of straight Canadian Club at arm's length. For that matter, I suggest you have the CC at hand while reading these posts. I find it really puts things in perspective (read: it actually makes this blog make sense).
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