Let's Make a Deal... for Some Pop!!!

- Wildcats use their patented "crap the bed in the second, dominate the third period and grab two points" game plan at Center 200 once again, defeating the Screaming Eagles 4-3 in OT after trailing by scores of 2-0 and 3-1 respectively. Jonathan Narbonne put home the winner just 18 seconds into OT to put Moncton 11 games over .500 going into the Christmas break.

- Speaking of Narbonne, the deal that brought him to the Wildcats was completed early today, with Kris Hodge being sent to Shawinigan in exchange for a 6th round pick in 2013 (originally Val d'Or property). The 17 year old Newfoundland native has been very effective anytime he's drawn into the lineup this season, proving to be strong along the wall and efficient in heavy traffic around the net. He will be a talented two way forward in this league sooner rather than later. In a twist of irony, it was the player he was traded for who ended his last game in a Wildcats uniform.

- Also official is the Danny Chiasson deal, which sent the Commandos' star forward to Summerside along with a 5th and 7th round pick in 2014 in exchange for the rights to Sea Dogs forward Stephen Anderson, Isaac Jay, 4th and 6th round picks in 2013. In a separate deal, Dieppe sent the rights to Alex Bradley - currently leading the NB/PEI MAAA scoring race - along with a 3rd round pick in 2013 for future considerations. Both of these deals also include "future considerations"... which is pretty much all I'm paying attention to. This trade becomes very lucrative for Dieppe in June. Although nothing will be made public until that time, rumors are already being tossed around regarding who will be the key bodies heading across the Confederation Bridge this summer. All I've been told is that "it will be significant"... which is all I expected and all I need to know (although Pat McIver's comment in the Summerside paper this morning suggesting Dieppe may not have got top value for their star forward is intriguing... I'll chalk it up to posturing as I suspect no team is going to trade their top gun this season for less than full market value, regardless of any requests from that player).

- Not to be outdone, Truro adds former Sea Dog Grant West from the Campbellton Tigers. Headed to Northern NB are Mike Richard, Stephen LeDrew, Brendon McMartin and future considerations. Until something else develops elsewhere, the MHL is all but officially a two horse race for the duration.

- After watching the exhibition game between Canada and Sweden this morning, I can say something I haven't been able to say about the juniors for a few years... I have total confidence in their goaltending. Jordan Binnington looked extremely confident today, challenging Sweden's top shooters while staying incredibly big between the pipes... at this point, I would strongly consider giving him the starting job now, with all due respect to Malcolm Subban. It's hard to come up big in tune-up games, but the Owen Sound Attack netminder has done just that. Also, Steve Spott... you're "Jonathan Drouin Fan Club" membership card and commemorative button are in the mail.

- Also, I was reintroduced to this earlier this week and in the spirit of giving, feel the inexplicable need to pass it on to you:

If you don't stop reading over this, you are truly loyal.