1) Everything the Checkers, the CRVA and the City planned and worked towards came to fruition last Saturday night. The building looked incredible and the game went off without a hitch. Someone should write a book on how the events transpired and were accomplished in such a short amount of time. You could go through a litany of names that helped make this possible but it would be far too long for this blog. The essence of a team is coming together to overcome difficulties. The entire organization pulled the rope together and in the same direction. The end result was a historic weekend for the city and the team and the fans.
2) After a freak injury took place during warmups on Sunday afternoon, Tyler Ganly was helped off the ice and didn't return. The Checkers played with five defensemen the entire 60 minutes and full credit to Geordie Kinnear for juggling his defense perfectly. It was fitting that a defenseman, Jake Chelios, scored the game winner in the final minute.
3) Seems like I've been talking during each broadcast about how I felt Zach Boychuk would finally get a goal this season. Well, I'm telling you right now, he won't leave this weekend without scoring.
5) We have seen some stellar goaltending performances this season already. For instance, Anton Forsberg of Lake Erie is a really solid prospect. Nevertheless, after watching Connor Hellebuyck in net this weekend for Manitoba, I will say he might be one of the best goalies I've seen in the AHL. He has size, quickness, excellent mobility, stellar hand-eye coordination and he reads the game one step ahead. If you are buying stock in goalies, I'd put big money down on Hellebuyck.
6) Don Cherry said the Flyers intentionally hurt Connor McDavid by crashing him into the end wall on Nov. 3. McDavid suffered a broken collarbone and is sidelined for several months. I watched the footage several times and McDavid's left skate loses its edge and causes him to fall and then slide dangerously into the boards. It certainly didn't look intentional and he wasn't shoved down or tripped. But, I guess when you see what you want to see, anything is possible. Wonder if Grapes would think the same thing if McDavid was born in a different country.
7) Huge congratulations to Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. for his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Many people know him for being a Stanley Cup winning owner of the Canes but for me, growing up in Detroit, the Karmanos name is synonymous with youth hockey. He helped thousands and thousands of kids get their start and created fertile ground for the growth of hockey in metro Detroit that exists to this day.
8) Also inducted into the Hall of Fame last night was Nick Lidstrom. I'll say this again because I am sure I've mentioned it several times before. He was the single greatest defenseman of his generation and the best defenseman in hockey since Bobby Orr. There will never be another Nick Lidstrom. Ever.
9) Charlotte played Milwaukee early in the season and throttled them for seven goals. The teams play again in Charlotte this week and don't think the Admirals forgot how the Checkers embarrassed them during their home opener. It should be a great two-game set on Friday and Saturday.
10) Jaccob Slavin is a +7 and leads the team in that department. The kid has been the most consistent and reliable defenseman on the team all year. His hockey IQ is phenomenal.
