1) The Checkers were well aware that after embarrassing the Wild on Friday night, they would face a much more determined team on Saturday. The combination of bad defensive zone turnovers and an Iowa team that came out much tougher made Saturday's game look like a reversal of Friday night's win.
2) Kyle Hagel vs. Joel Rechlicz was an incredible fight. Rechlicz, who at one point in his career punished Bruins forward Milan Lucic, has a reputation which precedes him. Hagel got into the fight because he thought Rechlicz was the one who hit his teammate Keegan Lowe moments earlier in the game. Turns out, it wasn't Rechlicz, but they fought anyways to the delight of everyone in the building. Hagel, in about three weeks, has proven to be one of the toughest guys to put on a Checkers AHL sweater.
3) The second goal Iowa scored during Saturday's game was credited to Zack Phillips and assisted by Michael Keranen and Danny Syvret. But, they should have given another assist to Cody Almond, who steamrolled Checkers goalie John Muse as the shot was taken. Hard to make a save with a player flying into you.
5) I saw a short interview by Sportsnet's Ron MacLean which he talked to Detroit Red Wings coach, Mike Babcock, about his hometown of Saskatoon. The usually stoic Babcock became emotional when expressing his feelings of being named Team Canada's head coach. Great interview by MacLean. He is simply the best in the business.
6) Three points in his last two games, Greg Nemisz played great this past weekend. Finally free from pain, the team could really use his offense and his leadership on this young squad.
7) No defenseman has scored a goal for the Checkers this season. That will change shortly, but I'm not surprised. Last season, with the exception of Mark Flood's 13 goals, no defenseman had more than four.
8) In eight games played, Hurricanes winger Alex Semin has no goals and two assists. For a team that is desperate for offense, Semin must do more. The one-time 40 goal scorer has looked listless at times during games this season.
9) Mr. Hockey, Geordie Howe, is one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport. Please pray for his recovery and after he suffered a stroke yesterday.
10) Halloween is upon us again. The awful tradition of having children go door to door asking for free stuff never seems to go away. Anyways, start your Halloween off with us at Time Warner Cable Arena at noon against Drayson Bowman and the Hamilton Bulldogs.
