1) We haven't seen a more brilliant save then one by Drew MacIntyre last game. It was a guaranteed goal for Brendan Leipsic but MacIntyre and his outstretched glove miraculously caught the puck out of mid-air off a rebound. The red light went on, the goal horn sounded and the crowd cheered what they thought was a goal. MacIntyre calmly tossed the puck back to face-off circle. Incredible goaltending.
2) You would have to believe that considering the way Brock McGinn has scored recently that he will get his chance to be called up to the Canes before the end of the season. He went 20 games without a point before last week but still found a way to be effective every night. He has clearly set himself apart from every first-year player on this team.
3) With the trade deadline coming up, we are hopeful that the Hurricanes can add some prospects to next year's Charlotte Checkers squad. Coupled with the developing rookies from this year, the Checkers should be much more competitive going into next season.
4) Hockey Central's Billy Jaffe argued this week that goaltenders should be better role models and not smash their sticks when things go wrong. He thinks they should keep their emotions in check on the ice. That's all nice to say but I don't think Billy Jaffe has ever had the weight of a goaltender's responsibility on his shoulders. It's the NHL and every game can be life-or-death. Of course emotions run high -- as they should. Seeing a goalie get mad makes me like him even more.
5) Pittsburgh sports radio commentator Mark Madden recently wrote that the NHL's weak product stifles growth of its superstars and the game. It's a very persuasive argument from a brilliant guy I used to work with 15 years ago. I don't wholeheartedly endorse it but it's worth reading.
6) With the AHL creating the Pacific Division next season, you have to wonder what conference the Charlotte Checkers will be in when the dust settles. It only makes sense that teams which travel primarily by plane should remain in the West. Teams like Toronto, Hamilton, Utica and Rochester can bus to many opponents -- even day of game. The Checkers don't have that luxury and should stay where they are in the West.
7) Tomorrow's pregame show will start at 10:45 a.m. Eastern standard time. I'm not sure I've ever called a game that early. The Ricoh Center in Toronto will be filled with thousands of screaming school kids cheering on their Marlies. I'm bringing earplugs.
9) At this point it is unlikely that the Checkers will make the postseason. I wonder if an NHL team makes a play for Checkers forward Zack Boychuk to help round out a top AHL team for a big playoff push. This would give Boychuk a terrific audition for an NHL role next season with another squad. It's clear Boychuck is an absolute gamebreaker at this level and who wouldn't want to add the league's top goal scorer from last season to help win a Calder Cup?
10) Marc and Kyle Hagel are two terrific hockey players. It was a pleasure to meet their father this past week in Charlotte as they played each other at Time Warner Cable Arena. But I'm sure their father is extraordinarily proud of the son who happens to be a pediatric resident at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto: Doctor Jonathan Hagel. That's a real hero, folks.
