• McCabe gave Gary Roberts a breakaway and a goal in the first half-minute of the game. Panthers 1-0.
• Gary Roberts nailed his replacement Jeff O'Neill hard.
• McCabe, who has the flu, has looked really bad and given away the puck several times.
• Beauty pass from Wellwood to Tucker, PP goal. 1-1. Allison got the other assist.
• McCabe played much better in the 2nd half of the first period.

Second Period

• Leafs have held the puck in the Panthers zone for start of the 2nd, but unable to get a goal.
• Most of the 2nd has been played in the Panthers zone. Toronto has had lots of chance, but they really haven't gotten great shot on net.
• Joannette and Walsh have reffed well today. No horrible calls. Some missed calls.
• McLennan made a few late great saves on a Leaf PP to keep the game tied.

Third Period

• Both goalies have had easy saves to date, except during the last 2 minutes of the 2nd, when McLennan made some big saves.
• Poniko from Lindros on a 2-on-1 down low. Van Ryn made a great sprawl to block the pass, but it deflected off his skate and passes McLennan. Mostly luck, but that's what happens when you play in the other teams zone more of the last 2 periods.
• The players are starting to pick up on the fact that the refs today are not calling the rules the same and there's been a lot of uncalled hooking this period.
• Belfour hasn't seen much action in 2 periods. But called upon he makes a couple great save. Make that 6 great saves.
• Leafs win 2-1!

New lines today

• Poniko, Lindros, O'Neill (EV)
• Stajan, Steen (SH), Allison (EV)
• Kilger, Belak, Wilm (EV)
• Tucker, Domi, Wellwood (EV)
• Steen, Lindros, O'Neill (PP)
• Tucker, Allison, Wellwood (PP)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH)
• Kilger, Lindros (SH)

D

• Kaberle, McCabe (EV, PP, SH)
• Klee, Berg
• Kronvall, Khavanov
• Klee, Khavanov (PP)
• Khavanov, Berg (SH)

The NBA season starts tomorrow (Raptors play Wednesday). In recognition, I've upload all the boxscore from the last two seasons in blog format.

http://www.kbcafe.com/nba/

First Period

• Fischer scored from Alfredsson early on a bad clearing by Belfour. 1-0 Sens.
• 2-0 Sens, the puck accidently deflected off Belak into the net. No chance for Belak who was taking his man and Belfour.
• Poniko just did the little slashy thingy while SH. No call. Seems the rules are already changing.
• 3-0 Sens. Heatley scores while Leafs were SH 2 players.
• O'Neill has played awful since his hat-trick.

Second Period

• Heatley scores again just after end of a PP. 4-0 Sens.
• Domi tried to get the team going by fighting McGrattan and he got pounded.
• Kilger has been simply awful. Playing with Lindros he's getting a lot of chance but is barely capable of getting the shot on goal.
• Heatley natural hat-trick. 3-0. Beautiful pass from Spezza and one-timer.
• Down 5-0, the Leafs are starting to play better.
• The Poniko, Wilm and Perrott line has been on the ice for all the goals. It looks like Quinn is trying to match this line against Spezza and Heatley.
• The Leafs are out-hitting the Sens, led by Tucker.
• Down 5-0, Quinn continues to overplay Kaberle and McCabe. Kronwall and Belak have played very little on the SH and PP (total 26 seconds). BTW, Kaberle and McCabe have played a perfect game, except maybe on the PP. I really hope Quinn plays Kaberle, McCabe, Allison, O'Neill 5 or less minutes each in the 3rd. Kaberle and McCabe because they deserved the rest and Allison and O'Neill because they don't deserve the ice-time.

Third Period

• Heatley scores his 4th, going thru Kaberle and McCabe. 6-0.
• Alfredsson 7-0.
• 8-0.

Lines

• Kilger, Lindros (SH), Domi (EV)
• Allison, O'Neill, Tucker (EV, PP)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH), Perrott (EV)
• Stajan, Steen (SH), Wellwood (EV)
• Steen, Wellwood, Lindros (PP)

D

• Kaberle, McCabe (EV, SH, PP)
• Khavanov, Klee (EV, SH, PP)
• Kronvall, Belak (EV)

Injured: Sundin, Berg, Antropov.

I'm watching the game and didn't really expect to blog anything, but then I just had to. Hockey sucks! In the NHL and the AHL. You see, at the start of the season it was great watching players go to the penalty box for slashing, hooking, holding and all that junk that hasn't been called for years. The players to their credit adapted and removed that type of play from their game. The refs on the other hand, didn't like that they were no longer calling a dozen penalties per game and have stepped up the penalty calls to include stuff that's not against the rules. For instance, if you lose the puck in your skates and a player reaches near your feet to take the puck, then you simply have to fall and that's called tripping. What you can't dig the puck out from between a players skates? Hmm! I guess killing penalties is easier than I thought. Simply put the puck between your skates and when they try to dig it out, you fall and they get a penalty. This is not the only type of stupid penalty that is common-place in both the AHL and NHL. Further, if you lift someones stick with your own. That's hooking. If you take your hand off your stick and push a players (who has the puck) that's holding.

Stop the insanity.

First Period

• The Bruins outplayed the Leafs to a 1-0 first period advantage.
• I really liked the penalty calls the first 5 games of the season. The players seemed to have adapted and the refs have decided to continue calling the same amounts of penalties. This means that lifting a players stick is now hooking and pushing a player is holding.
• And of course, the Leafs got 4 of the 6 penalties in the first period. Just as they got the last 7 in the game on Monday.
• Tellqvist played very well to keep the game close.

Second Period 

• The Leafs best line tonight is the kid line; Stajan, Wellwood and Steen. The last shift, they got a few shots, good chances and drew a penalty.
• The Leafs destroyed the Bruins this period, out-shooting them 20-4.
• Toivonen, the Bruins goalie was perfect.

Third Period

• Bruins score early, Samsonov from Thornton, 2-0 Bruins.
• Lindros scores late in the 3rd to make it an interesting game. 2-1.
• BTW, Lindros has scored in all but one game of the last seven. The one game he didn't score, he got the winning goal. Really. It was the shootout win.
• The differences in the game was Toivonen, saving 36 of 37 shots. Tellqvists was good too.

Notes

• Toronto's top line of Tucker, Allison and O'Neill are a combines -18 in the plus/minus column.
• Chad Kilger is -4 with no goals playing with Lindros.
• Belak is -6.
• The kid line of Steen, Stajan and Wellwood are all +3, combined +9. Antropov is also +3.
• I'd like to see Lindros play with Poniko and Antropov when Antropov returns.

Lines

• Tucker, Allison, O'Neill (EV, PP)
• Stajan, Steen (SH), Wellwood (EV)
• Lindros, Kilger (3rd SH), Domi (EV)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH), Czerkawski (EV)
• Steen, Wellwood, Lindros (PP)

D

• Berg, Klee (EV)
• Kaberle, McCabe (EV, PP, SH)
• Belak, Khavanov (EV)
• McCabe, Khavanov (PP)
• Berg, Klee, Khavanov (rotate SH)

• CP: Sundin will not require surgery.
• Ottawa Senators lost 3-2 while massively out-shooting the Canes. Gerber had 44 saves.
• Nashville Predators are the last remaining undefeated team. The quick start virtually assures (failing a collapse) the Preds of a playoff spot in the weaker Western Conference.

First Period

• Domi scored from Lindros, Leafs lead 1-0. Great passing play between Domi and Lindros.
• McCabe from Allison and O'Neil on PP. Boston was guarding against the point shot from McCabe. Kaberle passed to the left boards to O'Neil to Allison down low and the puck movement left McCabe open on the weak side. 2-0 Leafs.
• It would seem that pushing your opponent off his feet is now either called tripping or holding. 2 minutes for Moran.
• Belfour looked solid. End of first.

Second Period

• Belak chased the Bruin around the net giving him an easy path to the net, then Khavanov tripped over his shadow when trying to clear the puck. 2-1.
• A minute later 2-2.
• Most of the game is being played in the Bruins zone.
• Murray wrist shot from 35 ft beat Belfour. 3-2 Bruins.
• Belfour has been on and off all year.
• Khavanov and Belak got beat again. Breakaway. No goal but Belak took a penalty.
• Wellwood wins the faceoff to Khavanov, a bullet to the top corner. PP goal. 3-3.
• Klee gave away the puck, Khavanov blocked the shot. Khavanov has got some confidence.
• x-Leaf, Travis Green has had 4 chances this game, but hasn't been able to make a good shot.
• The refs are getting stupid. You don't seem to be able to get in a players way without risking a penalty. Several of the calls tonight were unseen by anybody but the ref.

Third Period

• Belfour has made some nice saves but then lets in bad goals. This time he went to play the puck in the no-goalie zone, realized his mistake, but then was out of position and gave up too early. Just plain bad. 4-3 Bruins.
• Here's another new rule. If you poke check, that's called hooking. 2 minutes for Allison.
• Raycroft has not looked good, but the Leafs are simply failing to get shots on net.
• Another amazing save by Belfour.
• And if you push a player in the back, with only one hand on your stick, it's scored cross-checking. 2 minutes for Kaberle.
• No problem, Poniko scored from Stajan SH. 4-4.
• Blatant cross-check by Scatchard on a goal mouth scramble. No call.
• Lifting a players stick from behind is hooking too! The reffing is getting stupid.

Overtime

• Belfour was spectacular in overtime and blank 3 Bruins in the shootout. Lindros scored on the shootout and the Leafs win!
• BTW, you would've had to kill somebody to get a penalty in the overtime. Lot's of slashing.

Lines

• Kilger, Lindros, Domi (EV)
• O'Neil, Allison, Tucker (EV, PP)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH), Perrott (EV)
• Steen, Stajan (SH), Wellwoord (EV)
• Steen, Wellwood, Lindros (PP)

D

• Kaberle, McCabe (EV, PP, SH)
• Berg, Klee (EV, SH)
• Khavanov, Belak (EV)
• Klee Khavanov (SH, PP)

First Period

• The has been pretty slow, with the Flyers playing a little better.
• No penalties. There have been a few no calls.
• Flyers, Richardson got a high sticking penalty. Could not be confirmed, nobody saw it except the ref. Kaberle scored on the PP, assist to Allison. Esche looked weak (60 footer, no screen). 1-0 Leafs.
• Desjardins from Forsberg on another PP, unconfirmed penalty on Berg, who was highsticked on the call. 1-1.
• Mid game note. Ed Olcyk should be the first coach fired.
• Three penalties in a row to the Leafs. Richards had just deflected the puck when Lindros hit him. Somehow that's interference. Make that four in-a-row, but Khavanov deserved this one.
• Leafs killed their 2-man 30 second disadvantage and Lindros stormed onto the ice, broke up a scoring chance and turned the puck up ice for a Leafs break.
• End of first.
• Predators have a good chance of making the playoffs, but mostly because they get to play the Blues, Blue Jackets and Black Hawks alot.
• Dipietro looks weak tonight against the CDNians. Satan scored a great goal. All his goals are great. Just not enough of them.

Second Period

• Kaberle is playing great today. He killed the remainder of the penalty stick-handling around the ice, then passed it to McCabe who got interfered with and the Leafs are on the PP.
• Looks like the Leafs scored! Under review. Surely went over. But the ref blew the whistle while it was going over. Dumby. The whistle blew well after the puck was over the line. No goal! Wonder why?
• Another Leaf penalty.
• Allison and O'Neil played a rare shift on the SH. The Flyers PP doesn't look good. The Leafs SH looks OK, but the Flyers are dumping it in and letting the Leafs ice it.
• The explanation of why the Leaf goal was disallowed was that the refs lost sight of the puck before it went over the line. That seems wrong. They didn't blow the whistle until it was over the line for a split second to a full second.
• Forsberg just got hooked and didn't dive. Weird! No call too!
• Yikes, Wellwood is struggling. Khavanov made a good defensive stop. Belak is still taking too many penalties. SH again! And a second penalty for yapping.
• Poniko and Wilm got a couple chances SH. The Flyers look awful on the PP. I think the Leafs out-shot the Flyers while SH for 4 minutes.
• Considering that the Leafs have been SH for nearly half the game and are nearly even in shot, this is definitely a bad showing by the Flyers.
• Hatcher was called for penalty leading to a two-man advantage. The Flyers Richards scored from far out. Bad goal on Belfour, who even with all the Leaf penalties hasn't had that much action. Belfour didn't play the angle well and was deep in his net.

Third Period

• Second minute of the 3rd and Lindros scored on a great pass by McCabe and bad goaltending again by Esche. 2-2.
• Wellwood is playing bad. He seems confused and can't keep the puck on his stick.
• Berg let his man go to the net and his name was Gagne. 3-2 Flyers.
• Brashear tipped (a.k.a. it hit him) a Desjardins shot. 4-2 Flyers. Not much chance for Belfour on either goal of the last two goals.
• The Leafs haven't challenge Esche, who really has looked bad. That's the difference in the game. Mind you, the Leafs had a goal called back and have been SH a lot.
• Lindros has sent Kilger in on a breakaway at least a dozen times this year. Kilger has failed to get a shot on net on most of those opportunities.
• The linesman just blew a Tucker breakway down on the offside. The replay showed it wasn't offside. This has been a oneway reffing job.
• Belfour is struggling, but Esche is struggling even more.
• Kaberle caughed it up! 5-2 Flyers. Again, no chance for Belfour. Mind you, a spectular Belfour is still the difference.
• Lindros' linemates, Kilger and Domi are holding him back. Quinn has to move him with Antropov and Poniko.

Lines

• Tucker, Allison, O'Neil (EV, PP)
• Kilger, Lindros (SH), Domi (EV)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH), Perrott (EV)
• Stajan, Steen, (SH) Wellwood (EV)

D

• Berg, Klee (EV, SH)
• McCabe, Kaberle (EV, PP, SH)
• Belak, Khavanov
• Klee, Kahavov (PP)

It's a pretty good sign that you'll be in the Grey Cup when you destroy the 1st place team on their own turf. Argos are leading the Alouettes 49-23, in Montreal, late in the fourth. They'll take over first place and most likely the Als and Argos will meet again in Toronto next month in the CFL East championship game. This time, it'll be in Toronto.

This guy has an amazing amount of SportsML data for NBA and MLB games.

http://www.erikberg.com/

First period

• Goals by Tucker and Steen have us leading 2-1 after one period.
• Toronto dominated the play in the first and deserves the lead.

Second period

• Belak plays OK, but he can't stay out of the penalty box.
• McCabe doesn't look good. Brind'Amour scored on the power play to tie the game.
• Carolina has completely dominated the first half of the second period.
• A great back-check by Czerkawski, who is playing his best game as a Leaf.
• Kaberle skated back to break up a 1 on zero. You got that, Belfour missed a poke check and the player was in very much alone until Kaberle lifted the players stick from behind and let the puck slide into the corner.
• Another misplay and penalty by McCabe, but Stajan scores short-handed to make it 3-2 Leafs.
• The second half of the period played even, maybe a slight advantage to the Canes.
• Tverdovsky has a goal and two assists, unfortunately both assists were on Leaf break away goals.

Third

• Steen and Stajan out chance the opposition when killing penalties. Stajan was a bad bounce over Steen's stick from another short-handed break away.
• Lindros just wired one from 50 ft. Assist to Kilger and Domi. 4-2 Leafs.
• Belfour has played well, except on break aways, where he's looking bad. Cole scores. 4-3. It was really a half break-away where Kaberle forced Cole to make his move early and Belfour bit hard.
• Since the 4-3 goal, the Leafs are struggling and have iced the puck twice, which is pretty rare in the new NHL. Followed immediately by a Canes icing. Three in 2-3 minutes.
• Belfour doesn't look confident this period. And he follows my comment up with a couple saves and some cool play with the puck.
• Steen is looking really good. It'll be a difficult year to win rookie of the year, but any other year and he'd be a candidate.
• BTW, the rules are a changing. Late in the 3rd and the refs are letting the players play a bit more (not calling the usual penalties).
• Capitals, Thrashers and Penguins are officially eliminated from the players. They suck!
• Late in the game, Wellwood, Czerkawski and Ponako are benched.
• McCabe even with 2 points, is playing a stupid game. He just deflected a soft shot trying to catch the puck and it evaded Belfour. No chance for Belfour.

Overtime

• Klee? WTF? Leafs win 5-4.

Game thoughts

• Toronto's record (4-1-2) make them a clear Stanley Cup competitor. Why? Cause they are doing this without their star, Mats Sundin.
• From the games I've seen early, Leafs, Senators, Flyers, Devils and Lightning are playoff bound. Penguins, Panthers and Caps should improve their golf game and get good draft picks.
• In the West, Wings, Canuks, Avalanche, Stars are playoff bound. Blues, Hawks, Jackets are not. The rest depends on injuries, luck and elbow grease.

Lines

• Tucker, Allison, O'Neill (EV & PP)
• Kilger, Lindros (SH), Domi (EV)
• Poniko, Wilm (SH), Czerkawski (EV)
• Steen, Stajan (SH), Wellwood (EV)
• Steen, Wellwood, Lindros (PP)

D

• Berg, Klee (EV, SH)
• Kaberle, McCabe (EV, SH, PP)
• Khavanov, Belak (EV)
• Klee, Khavanov (PP)

CP: Preliminary Team Canada roster for 2006 Turin Olympics released Wednesday by Hockey Canada.

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/10/239358.html

Randy: I organized the players by their likelyhood of being selected. I placed all reasonably young players who played well on the 2004 Canada World Cup team (marked *) and complimented it with players who are obvious choices (2002 Canada Olympic team marked **). Injuries will change everything, but as it stands, either Theodore or Turco will be the 3rd goalie, one of Blake, Foote, Jovocop and Pronger will be the 7th defenceman and one of a long list of players could be the 12th and 13th forward.

Goaltenders

• Martin Brodeur* **, New Jersey; Randy: his spot to lose
• Roberto Luongo*, Florida; Randy: his spot to lose
• Jose Theodore, Montreal;
• Marty Turco, Dallas;
• Ed Belfour, Toronto* **; Randy: highly unlikely 
• Dan Cloutier, Vancouver; Randy: highly unlikely
• Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes**; Randy: highly unlikely
• Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins; Randy: highly unlikely
• Cam Ward, Carolina. Randy: highly unlikely

Defencemen

• Jay Bouwmeester*, Florida; Randy: his spot to lose
• Eric Brewer* **, St. Louis; Randy: his spot to lose
• Scott Hannan*, San Jose, Randy: his spot to lose
• Scott Niedermayer* **, Anaheim; Randy: his spot to lose
• Wade Redden*, Ottawa; Randy: his spot to lose
• Robyn Regehr*, Calgary; Randy: his spot to lose
• Rob Blake, Colorado**;
• Adam Foote, Columbus* **;
• Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver* **;
• Chris Pronger, Edmonton**;
• Adrian Aucoin, Chicago;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay; Randy: highly unlikely
• Nick Boynton, Boston; Randy: highly unlikely
• Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Barret Jackman, St. Louis;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Randy: highly unlikely
• Kyle McLaren, San Jose; Randy: highly unlikely
• Derek Morris, Phoenix;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Randy: highly unlikely
• Chris Phillips, Ottawa; Randy: highly unlikely
• Steve Staios, Edmonton; Randy: highly unlikely
• Sheldon Souray, Montreal;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Brad Stuart, San Jose.  Randy: highly unlikely

Forwards

• Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver;  Randy: his spot to lose
• Simon Gagne, Philadelphia* **; Randy: his spot to lose
• Dany Heatley, Ottawa*; Randy: his spot to lose
• Jarome Iginla, Calgary* **; Randy: his spot to lose
• Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay*; Randy: his spot to lose
• Rick Nash, Columbus; Randy: his post to lose
• Joe Sakic, Colorado* **; Randy: his spot to lose
• Ryan Smyth, Edmonton* **; Randy: his spot to lose
• Joe Thornton, Boston*; Randy: his spot to lose
• Shane Doan, Phoenix*; Randy: likely
• Paul Kariya, Nashville**; Randy: likely 
• Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh;
• Kris Draper, Detroit*;
• Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh* **;
• Eric Lindros, Toronto**;
• Patrick Marleau, San Jose;
• Brad Richards, Tampa Bay*;
• Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay*;
• Jason Spezza, Ottawa;
• Jason Allison, Toronto; Randy: highly unlikely
• Jason Arnott, Dallas; Randy: highly unlikely
• Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Randy: highly unlikely
• Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota; Randy: highly unlikely
• Daniel Briere, Buffalo; Randy: highly unlikely
• Jeff Carter, Philadelphia; Randy: highly unlikely
• Marc Chouinard, Minnesota; Randy: highly unlikely
• Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Randy: highly unlikely
• Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim; Randy: highly unlikely
• John Madden, New Jersey;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Kirk Maltby, Detroit; Randy: highly unlikely
• Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Randy: highly unlikely
• Brenden Morrow, Dallas*; Randy: highly unlikely
• Glen Murray, Boston;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim; Randy: highly unlikely
• Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida**; Randy: highly unlikely
• Jeff O'Neill, Toronto; Randy: highly unlikely
• Michael Peca, Edmonton**;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Keith Primeau, Philadelphia;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh; Randy: highly unlikely
• Michael Richards, Philadelphia; Randy: highly unlikely
• Michael Ryder, Montreal; Randy: highly unlikely
• Marc Savard, Atlanta;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Brendan Shanahan, Detroit**;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Eric Staal, Carolina; Randy: highly unlikely
• Steve Sullivan, Nashville;  Randy: highly unlikely
• Alex Tanguay, Colorado; Randy: highly unlikely
• Scott Walker, Nashville; Randy: highly unlikely
• Wes Walz, Minnesota; Randy: highly unlikely
• Steve Yzerman, Detroit**. Randy: highly unlikely

Belfour played his first great game of the year, as Toronto won 3-2 over Montreal. Lindros had 2 more goals. Allison also scored. Steen had 2 assists.

Lines

• Steen, Domi (sub Wellwood PP), Lindros
• Tucker, Allison, O'Neil
• Ponikarovsky, Wellwood, Antropov
• Czerkawski, Wilm, Stajan
• Stajan, Steen (SH)
• Wilm, Lindros (SH)
• Antropov, Ponikarovsky (SH)

D

• Kaberle, McCabe
• Klee, Berg (sub Khavanov PP)
• Khavanov, Berg

First and second period (I'm listening, no video).

• O'Neil has two goals, both assisted by Allison and Tucker. Leafs lead 2-0.
• Belfour is playing and not getting much action, but it playing well on the few changes.
• The game is pretty one-sided thru the first half of the game, with most of the action in the Leafs favour.
• Allison makes it 3-0 (PP). This line is hot! Assisted by Tucker and McCabe.
• Belfour is playing well when required.
• Thrashers have dominated the second half of the second period and Belfour threw out the key.
• After Belfour stood on his head during the SH, Leafs scored, Tucker from McCabe. 4-0.

End of second. Total domination by the Leafs! (almost)

• Wellwood scored early in the 3rd. 5-0.
• Lindros from Allison. 6-0 (PP).
• Belak looked like a fish on ice, what's new, Thrashers finally score, Savard from Hossa. 6-1.
• Boulton tried to sucker Domi. Belak pummelled him. Exelby and Boulton have been running at Lindros all night, including an elbow.
• I hope they rest McCabe and Kaberle here out.
• Sutton runs at Tucker, Allison jumps Sutton, McCabe jumps in. Allison is going after DeVries. Sutton should be suspended. In fact, forget this, Hartley should be suspended. It's pretty obvious from the last couple minutes of play that he told his team to start gooning.
• Trashers are not even trying anymore. Steen scores, Toronto up two players and another penalty was being called. There's some debate as to whether the penalty being called or one of the current penalties should be over. They went with ending the current penalty and adding a new one. That seems different than previous years. McCabe and O'Neil assisted.
• O'Neil just scored again. Hat trick! McCabe has five assists. Allison four points. Allison was ejected for jumping Sutton. Domi and Belak were also ejected in the first scrum.
• Toronto has been on the power play the entire period. In fact, they've been on a two man advantage most of the period.
• Poniko from Wellwood. 9-1. 7 PPGs.

Lines

• Allison, Tucker and O'Neil (PP and EV)
• Steen, Stajan (SH) and Wilm (EV)
• Lindros, Wilm (SH)
• Wellwood, Antropov and Ponikarovsky (sub Lindros on PP)
• Domi, Kilger and Lindros

D

• McCabe and Kaberle (SH, PP and EV)
• Klee and Khavanov (EV and PP)
• Berg and Klee (SH)
• Berg and Belak

NBC5: AJ Pierzynski struck out to end the bottom of the ninth, but ran to first base anyway, believing the ball had hit the dirt. Replays showed that the homeplate umpire appeared to call Pierzynski out, and the Angels players were already leaving the field, but after Pierzynski reached first base, the umpire called him safe. The next batter, Joe Crede, hit the ball off the left field wall, knocking in the winning run.

Randy: The umpire, Doug Eddings, made what may be the worst call in baseball history.

First period.

• I've noticed that after only 3 games, some stick play and interference is not behind called anymore. By the end of the season, it'll be business as usual.
• Tellqvist is starting and looks good early.
• Jason Allison finally made a really big play leading to goal by Tucker. Toronto 1-0.
• Khavanov looked like a statue as Knuble went to the net and tipped it in while short handed. 1-1. Khavanov looked completely confused.

End of first.

• We're having lighting problems to start the 2nd period.
• Steen to Stajan to Wellwood. 2-1. The kid line.
• Tellqvist held the Leaf's lead with a half dozen saves on one power play.
• Toronto is losing the play. Tellqvist is the best player on the ice.
• Finally after 10 chances, the Flyers scored.

Third period.

• O'Neil wired one. 3-2.
• Lindros wires one. 4-2.

I really hope Belfour doesn't mind being a backup goalie. Leafs won. Belfour is 0-3. Tellqvist is 1-0.

Another loss, but 2 points in 3 losses is not terrible, in fact, four more saves would have translated that into 3 wins. That said, it's hard to be happy when your goalie has an .857 save percentage. Expect Tellqvist in net tomorrow against Philadelphia. Chad Kilger had three great opportunities to score, but failed to score any goals. Czerkawski and Allison have one assist each after three games.

http://www.nhl.com/scores/recaps/44_2_recap.html

TSN: That 12% figure will be re-adjusted three more times within the next year depending on how much more NHL teams spend on player salaries.  As part of the CBA, the NHL has guaranteed not to spend more than 54% of designated league revenues.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=139128

Randy: The players just keep paying for their stupidity last year.

I had a hockey party, so I wasn't able to blog during the game. I watched only about half the game, as I was entertaining most of the time. If you look at the stats sheet, then  you'll quickly realize why they lost 5-4.

• Belak, Wade -3 +/- 
• Berg, Aki -3 +/-

That was Toronto's 3rd defensive unit and they were on for both of Montreal's 3rd period goals. The other 4 d-men were a combined +6. Eric Lindros, stepping in for Sundin, was doubled shifted, had two assists and was the 2nd star. Belfour hasn't looked great in the first two games, so expect Tellqvist in net on Monday in Ottawa (first of two in two days).

Ponikarovsky, Lindros, Antropov (Sundin out)
Tucker, Allison, Czerkawski
Wellwood, Stajan, Steen (O'Neil injured)
Kilger, Wilm, Perrot (Domi slight injury)

Kaberle, McCabe
Berg, Khavanov
Belak, Wozniewski (Klee injured)

Belfour, Tellqvist

Rumour has Mats Sundin telling a reporter that he'll wear a visor when he returns.

TSN: Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be out indefinitely after he suffered a fractured orbital bone early in the first period of the Leafs' 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators Wednesday night.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=138919

Randy: Oops! Not good.

In-game blogging.

• Toronto has won the play early and scored the first goal.  McCabe on PP from Kaberle, Sundin in front.
• Ottawa seems confused.
• The best new rules is that you can't change lines when you ice the puck.
• Belfour looks good.
• Sundin was hurt (puck in the eye), didn't look serious. It happens.

End of first (1-0 Leafs)

• Ovechkin has two goals for Washington tonight.
• Ottawa is struggling.
• Crosby got an assist for the Penguins (to Recchi).
• Both Hasek and Belfour, the 40 yr-olds look good.
• Luongo got a shutout tonight.

End of second (1-0 Leafs)

• Halpern, playing with Ovechkin, has three assists.
• Jagr and Dan Fritsche have two goals.
• Ottawa has been invisible in the 2nd and 3rd period.
• Ottawa finally pressured at the 10 minute mark, but took a penalty (Redden).
• Ottawa put Alfredsson with Heatley and Spezza. They pressured the first time out and scored the second.
• Lindros played a tough shit and drew a penalty late.
• and Lindros scored just after the power play. His first goal as a Leafs, including pre-season.
• Alfy scores again, immediately after the Lindros goal.

End of third (2-2)

• We are seconds away from a shootout.
• For the first time ever, a game will be decided in a shootout.
• It looks like Belfour was a fish out of water in the shootout.

End of game (3-2 Ottawa)

• Chouinard has a hat-trick for the Wild. White and Bouchard also had three points. Jagr had 3 pts for the Rangers. Gionta had 3 pts for the Devils. Prospal 3 pts for the Lightning. Andreychuk (I watched this guy play junior, he's old) had 2 pts.
• Ottawa had only 9 shots in the 2nd, 3rd and overtime. After a good 1st period, Belfour didn't look very good.

They dropped the puck in the Islander-Sabres game. It's official. They are playing hockey.

• J.P. Dumont scored the first goal.

AP: Michelle Wie, the Hawaii teen who has been competing against golf's best players since she was in the seventh grade, turned professional Wednesday.

http://www.cnn.com/rssclick/si/2005/golf/10/05/wie.pro/index.html

Randy: She's still only 15, has signed $10M deals with Nike and Sony and donated $500k to hurriance relief.

1. Vancouver Canuks - Top team in the west. Their top line (Naslund, Morrison, Bertuzzi) will be pushed for power play time (Sedins). Come playoff, it's all upto Cloutier. 100+ point team.
2. Calgary Flames - The Stanley Cup finalist are better (Amonte, Hamrlik, Langkow, McCarty), but will be hard pressed to repeat the fluke. Definate playoff team.
3. Colorado Nordique - This team can score; Blake, Brisebois, Brunette, Hejduk, Sakic, Tanguay, Turgeon, but will likely struggle defensively. Goog enough to make the playoffs.
4. Edmonton Oilers - One of the best D's (Cross, Pronger, Smith, Staios), might not be enough to compensate for unproven goaltending and poor offense.
5. Minnesota Wild - These guys are in the wrong division. The AHL might be better suited. It's Jacque Lemaire magic or they have zero playoff chance.

1. Dallas Star - Should win the division with all around talent. Turco and Hedberg in goal. Boucher, Klemm, Skoula, Robidas, Zubov in back. Arnott, Barnes, Guerin, Lehtinen, Modano, Morrow on the offense.
2. Phoenix Coyotes - With Gretzky behind the bench who knows where they'll finish. Beyond Gretzky, they should make the playoffs with Joseph and Boucher in net, Gauthier, Hulse, Mara, Morris, Tanabe as a very mobile young d-line and a reasonable attack with Comrie, Johnson, Nedved.
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Playoff team. Giguere in net, Carney, Marshall, Niedermayer, Ozolinsh, Salei, Vishnevski on D and Fedorov, Selanne, Sykora to supply the offense.
4. San Jose Sharks - Good D (Hannan, McLaren, Stuart) some offensive (Marleau, Sturm) and good in goal (Nabakov). A 50-50 playoff team, but not more.
5. Los Angeles Kings - Could struggle defensively (Garon, Dempsey, Visnovsky, Norstrom, Miller), but have enough offense (Conroy, Frolov, Demitra, Roenicke, Robitaille, Bure) to keep them in the playoff hunt, but will likely fall short.

1. Detroit Red Winds - Getting older, but they still should be able to compete for a playoff spot.
2. St Louis Blues - Strong D (Backman, Brewer, Salvador, Weinrich, Jackman), but will struggle to score goals. Fringe playoff team.
3. Nashville Predators - Mobile D-man (Allison, Eaton, Hamhuis, Markov, Suter, Timonen) might work in the new NHL. Paul Kariya is key. Will struglle to make playoff. 
4. Columbus Blue Jackets - This entire division has strength on D and will have difficulty offensive. Columbus is no exception. Will struglle to make playoff.
5. Chicago Black Hawks - Will struggle offensively, but with Aucoin and Khabibulin they still have an outside chance of fluking their way into the playoffs.

1. Philadelphia Flyers - This team will win with Forsberg and Esche and lose otherwise.
2. New Jersey Devils - This team is gonna have a hard time scoring goals. Fortunately Brodeur should still get them into the playoffs, but no further.
3. New York Islanders - If DiPietro becomes one of the top goalies in the NHL, then they are in the playoffs. Otherwise, I can't see a team captained by Yashin succeeding.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins - Improving, but still too many holes on defense. Crosby and Lemieux will have to score a lot of goals to keep this team in the playoff hunt.
5. New York Rangers - Sather is gambling that Europeans will dominate the new NHL. Weekes is gonna lead the league in saves and unfortunately goals against too.

1. Tampa Bay - Without Khabibulin, this is no longer a Stanley Cup contender. But still enough firepower up front to win the division easily.
2. Florida Panthers - Very strong in net with Luongo, average everywhere else. They have a chance at making the playoffs.
3. Carolina Hurricanes - Mediocre all around. Doesn't look like a playoff team.
4. Atlanta Thrashers - Hossa is gonna find out it's a lot hard to score on a bad team. They need work on their golf game.
5. Washington Capitals - An awesome youngster named Ovechkin and the worst D in hockey history; Biron, Heward, Witt. It's a good thing they have three goalies (Zolzig, Johnson, Ouellet).

Today is the day. Hockey returns, after a 15 month absense. The Senators could be the best team in the NHL. The Leafs could also win the Cup, but only with the old Lindros and Allison. Game on!

http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/story.ml?n=5004

1. Ottawa Senators - Barring an injury to Hasek, Ottawa should win the division with well over 100 points. Chara, Phillips, Redden on D and too many forwards to stop. Spezza and Heatley could both finish in the top 5 in scoring.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs - Toronto's position in the standings will depend entire on Sundin, Lindros and Allison. Possibly the best trio of centers to play on one team.
3. Montreal Canadians - Montreal has the type of small team that could work in the new NHL. If the penalties are called all year, they could easily finish ahead of Toronto.
4. Boston Bruins - The Bruins have a great team outside of their d-men; Dallman, Gill, Leetch (over the hill) and Slegr. The lack of d-men makes them a fringe playoff team.
5. Buffalo Sabres - The Sabres don't have the firepower, the d-men or the goaltending to make the playoffs. Might be a long season. 

The final NHL rosters are set. Game on!

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/10/236694.html

This was the lines used in the pre-season win vs the Red Wings on Saturday.

Sundin, Antropov, Ponikarovsky
Allison, Czerkawski, Tucker
Stajan, O'Neil, Steen (Wellwood)
Lindros, Domi (Perrott), Kilger (Wilm)

Kaberle, McCabe
Berg, Khavanov
Belak, Wozniewski (Klee injured)

Belfour, Tellqvist

A lot of teams are going with 20 players. If Toronto went with 20, then I'd cut Steen, Perrott, Wilm and Wozniewsky.