Mid-Week Kitty Litter-Hawks Prove Again To Be Classy

The Florida Panthers are enjoying a few days of from games and will be hosting the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at the Bank Atlantic Center.  Meanwhile there’s a bunch of other news items that are going on not only in South Florida, but in the rest of the sports world.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks once again showed how much class they have by presenting former General Manager, and our current General Manager Dale Tallon with his Stanley Cup Ring.  The gift was given on Dale’s 60th birthday.  The ring was brought via special delivery as Blackhawks President John McDonough flew down himself and presented the ring to Dale.  Classy!

The Florida Panthers website and George Richards from his blog On Frozen Pond provide us some cool pictures and the story line.  What are the chances of Dale earning one here in South Florida?

The PK unit of the Panthers has killed off 100% of their short handed situations.  They are 8 for 8 which is quite the accomplishment after four games.  Showing two things: 1) The defensive system seems to be improved and 2) We are taking less penalties.  The only other team that’s at 100% is the Washington Capitals who have killed off 21 attempts.

Harvey Fialkov from the Sun Sentinel is reporting that Rusty Olesz is playing like a new man.  It’s about time, and I hope it lasts.

A rough night for Vancouver on Tuesday as goaltender Booby Lose was lit up for six goals by the Minnesota Wild who responded to the “Bag Skate” by coach Todd Richards.  Luongo has now allowed 14 goals in three consecutive losses.  Vancouver plays in Chicago tonight.  Yes, that’s me you hear snickering in the background.  Baahahhahahahahah!

In addition to Luongo’s poor play, the night was topped off by Canuck pugilist Rick Rypien who made contact with a Minnesota Wild Fan on his way to the dressing room.  Here’s the video clip of the incident.  Rypien has been suspended already and the length of his suspension will be determined after the hearing on Friday.  Also involved in the proceedings will be NHL czar Gary Bettman.  I’m thinking at least 8-10 games for this tomfoolery.. What’s with these Canuckleheads who can’t seem to control themselves?

TSN has more on the story regarding Rypien.  All I can say is that we haven’t even finished one month of the season and the league’s discipline department has been pretty busy!

Ice Chips.  TSN’s segment of roster moves, changes for all teams around the league.

Former rivals Jeremy Roenick (my favourite player) and Derian Hatcher enter the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame together.  Some of you might remember that Hatcher broke Roenicks jaw back in 1999 when JR was a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.  What kind of player was JR?  Well a normal jaw break takes about 6 weeks to heal, but Roenick, who’s not your typical or even average hockey player came back in just 17 days!  That’s my kind of player.  NHL.com has the story.

In addition to that, Roenick credits former Chicago Blackhawk coach Mike Keenan for molding him into the player that he became.  Sorry all you Keenan haters, but you need the mental capacity to respond to Keenan’s ways.

Patrick Sharp, known in Chicago as Sharpy, Sharpshooter, as well as one of the most handsomest players in the NHL is shooting quite accurately for the Hawks.

Here’s ESPN’s NHL Power Rankings for this week.  Our Cats are climbing.

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