MSG to show KHL games; you'll recognize a few of the names

Last night, while checking out a few sites on the internet that I visit from time to time, I came across this little news nugget on the MSGwebsite. The Sports channel that covers the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils  has announced that they will show two KHL games this month on their network.

The games will be Friday October 26, (Dinamo Minsk versus Barys Astana) and Wednesday October 31 (SKA. St. Petersburg vs Dinamo Riga.) Both games will be on DirecTV 634. 

Playing for Barys is former University of Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Ryan McDonagh and former Fighting Sioux forward Brandon Bochenski.

Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Joe Pavelski along with former UMD Bulldog Tim Stapleton players for Dinamo Minsk

DINAMO MINSK ROSTER

Head Coach: Alexander Andriyevsky (BLR)

No.      Position           Name                                   Country

89        Def                  Goroshko, Oleg                       Belarus
27        Def                  Denisov, Vladimir                     Belarus
13        For                   Drozd, Sergei                         Belarus
17        For                   Dudko, Sergei                        Belarus
22        For                   Irgl, Zbynek                           Czech Republic
8          Def                  Karalahti, Jere                         Finland
98        For                   Kane, Evander                        Canada
77        For                   Kitarov, Alexander                   Belarus
25        Def                  Krajicek, Lukas                        Czech Republic
11        For                   Kulakov, Alexander                  Belarus
92        For                   Laine, Teemu                         Finland
7          For                   Linglet, Charles                       Belarus
19        For                   Meleshko, Dmitry                    Russia
21        Def                  Murphy, Cory                          Canada
10        For                   Mikhalyov, Andrei                    Belarus
29        Def                  Niskala, Janne                         Finland
88        For                   Pavelski, Joe                          USA
60        For                   Pivko, Libor                           Czech Republic
16        For                   Platt, Geoff                            Belarus
32        Goal                Rinne, Pekka                           Finland
23        For                   Stas, Andrei                           Belarus
18        For                   Stapleton, Tim                       USA
30        Goal                Haugen, Lars                           Norway
86        Def                  Chernook, Pavel                      Belarus
40        Goal                Shelepnyov, Yan                      Belarus

BARYS ASTANA ROSTER

Head Coach: Vladimir Krikunov

No.      Position           Name                                  Country

23        For                   Alexandrov, Viktor                 Russia
80        For                   Antropov, Nikolai                   Kazakhstan
42        Def                  Belyakov, Fyodor                    Russia
41        For                   Boyd, Dustin                         Canada
27        For                   Bochenski, Brandon               USA
33        For                   Gavrilin, Andrei                      Kazakhstan
50        Def                  Grigoryev, Mikhail                   Russia
9          For                   Dawes, Nigel                        Canada
31        Goal                 Yeremeyev, Vitaly                  Russia
8          For                   Zhailauov, Talgat                   Kazakhstan
62        For                   Krasnoslobodtsev, Vadim        Russia
35        Goal                 Lassila, Teemu                      Finland
5          Def                  Litvinenko, Alexei                  Russia
54        Def                  McDonagh, Ryan                   USA
51        For                   Mirasty, Jon                         Canada
4          Def                  Novopashin, Vitaly                 Russia
18        For                   Polishchuk, Fyodor                Russia
1          Goal                 Poluektov, Pavel                   Russia
81        For                   Pushkaryov, Konstantin          Russia
79        For                   Rakhanov, Mikhail                  Kazakhstan
34        For                   Rudenko, Konstantin             Russia
2          Def                  Savchenko, Roman                Kazakhstan
91        For                   Savchenko, Filipp                  Russia
25        For                   Solaryov, Ilya                        Kazakhstan
10        For                   Spiridonov, Maxim                 Russia
48        For                   Starchenko, Roman               Kazakhstan
36        For                   Upper, Dmitry                       Russia
37        Def                  Fadeyev, Evgeny                   Kazakhstan
24        Def                  Hutchinson, Andrew              USA
71        Def                  Hedman, Victor                     Sweden


Wednesday, October 31 – SKA St. Petersburg vs. Dinamo Riga (1:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. ET)

SKA ST. PETERSBURG ROSTER

Head Coach: Milos Riha (CZE)

No.      Position           Name                                 Country

2          Def                  Alexandrov, Yury                   Russia
44        For                   Artyukhin, Evgeny                 Russia
72        Goal                 Bobrovsky, Sergei                   Russia
71        For                   Burdasov, Anton                   Russia
77        Def                  Vorobyov, Dmitry                   Russia
37        Def                  Grebeshkov, Denis                 Russia
38        Def                  Dallman, Kevin                       Canada
33        Goal                 Ezhov, Ilya                            Russia
7          Def                  Kalinin, Dmitry                       Russia
83        For                   Klimenko, Gleb                      Russia
17        For                   Kovalchuk, Ilya                      Russia
15        For                   Kucheryavenko, Alexander      Russia
25        For                   Makarov, Igor                        Russia
74        For                   Monakhov, Sergei                  Russia
9          For                   Martensson, Tony                 Sweden
13        For                   Nepryayev, Ivan                    Russia
76        Def                  Pervyshin, Andrei                   Russia
11        For                   Prucha, Petr                         Czech Republic
52        Def                  Semenov, Alexei                    Russia
4          Def                  Serkin, Grigory                       Russia
36        For                   Sigaryov, Andrei                    Russia
91        For                   Tarasenko, Vladimir                Russia
10        For                   Tikhonov, Viktor                    Russia
41        For                   Thoresen, Patrick                  Norway
73        Def                  Chudinov, Maxim                    Russia
40        Goal                 Shikin, Dmitry                        Russia
31        Goal                 Stepanek, Jakub                    Czech Republic

DINAMO RIGA ROSTER

Head Coach: Pekka Rautakallio (FIN)

No.      Position           Name                                 Country

75        For                   Ankipans, Girts                      Latvia
98        For                   Biezais, Elvijs                         Latvia
96        For                   Bicevskis, Maris                      Latvia
71        For                   Bukarts, Roberts                    Latvia
13        Def                  Galvins, Guntis                       Latvia
33        For                   Daugavins, Kaspars                 Latvia
25        For                   Dzerins, Andris                       Latvia
74        For                   Johnson, Jamie                      Canada
12        For                   Giroux, Alexandre                   Canada
41        For                   Ivanans, Raitis                        Latvia
70        For                   Indrasis, Miks                         Latvia
72        Def                  Carle, Mathieu                        Canada
15        For                   Karsums, Martins                    Latvia
2          Def                  Lavins, Rodrigo                       Latvia
87        For                   Meija, Gints                           Latvia
17        For                   Nizivijs, Aleksandrs                  Latvia
14        Def                  Redlihs, Jekabs                       Latvia
9          Def                  Redlihs, Krisjanis                     Latvia
6          Def                  Rekis, Arvids                          Latvia
11        Def                  Sotnieks, Kristaps                   Latvia
32        Goal                Tellqvist, Mikael                       Sweden
44        Def                  Cibulskis, Oskars                     Latvia
19        For                   Schremp, Rob                        USA
38        For                   Szczechura, Paul                    Canada
37        Goal                 Jucers, Maris                          Latvia

Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The WCHA got officially started last weekend in Houghton, the “home” of the MacNaughton Cup (MTU is the cups trustee).  The Huskies started off the season on the right skate, with a 5-3 win over visiting Minnesota.  The games between MTU and UM, might have been the last meeting in Houghton between the two long time foes.  Since UM will be leaving the WCHA and doesn’t like (or perhaps it’s a policy that needs to be re-evaluated) to leave Minneapolis for non-conference games.  It’s said to think, that after 266 games (UM leads all-time 173-78-15) against each other, it’s coming to a halt. 

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. Michigan Tech………….1-1-0…………2
1. Minnesota…………….…1-1-0…..…….2
2. Minnesota-Duluth….…..0-0-0….……..0
2. Denver…………..………0-0-0………...0
2. North Dakota.………..…0-0-0….……0
2. Colorado College ……..0-0-0……….0
2. St. Cloud St………….…0-0-0………0
2. Nebraska-Omaha………0-0-0……...0
2. Bemidji State……..…….0-0-0.……...0
2. Wisconsin…....………..0-0-0...…..…0
2. Minnesota State………0-0-0...……..0
2. Alaska-Anchorage…....0-0-0………..0

WCHA Games

Michigan Tech @ #5 Denver

Last weekend the Huskies split with the Gophers in Houghton and the Pioneers beat Mass-Lowell 5-1 on Friday and then beat Air Force 5-2 on Saturday.

I watched the Huskies/Gophers games last weekend, and MTU looked good.  They have some speed up front and solid goaltending.  Not seeing DU in action, but since they have the number five ranking, it is safe to say they are a quality team this year (just like every year).  Both play on an NHL sized ice sheet, so that won’t be a factor in these games.  It appears that second year head coach Mel Pearson has gotten the Huskies back on track and looking like the Tech teams of yore.  I’m going to go with a SPLIT in this series.

Minnesota State @ St. Could St. 

Last weekend the Mavericks tied (3-3) and beat (4-3ot) the Engineers in Mankato and the Huskies obliterated the UAH Chargers, by scores of 8-3 and 4-0, in St. Cloud.

This in-state rivalry should be a fun series to start of each teams WCHA season.  Both teams play on the Olympic size ice, so don’t look for too much checking, with all that space.  With all the space special teams will be accentuated, thus you don’t want to be taking any bad or unnecessary penalties.  Of note, the Mavericks last three games have gone to overtime, so perhaps the fans of these teams will get some “bonus” hockey this weekend.  I’m thinking both teams will get their first points of the season.  SPLIT

Wisconsin @ #14 Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Badgers were off and the Bulldogs split with the Irish, winning thurday 3-1 and then losing Friday 4-1, in South Bend.

The Badgers are not off the start they wanted, going 0-2-0, to start their last season in the WCHA.  The Bulldogs are off to a 2-2-0 start, splitting their first two series with CCHA teams, Ohio State and Notre Dame.  UW plays on an almost Olympic size ice sheet and the Bulldogs play on the NHL size in the new Amsoil arena.  This will most likely be the last trip UW makes to Duluth in a while with the upcoming league changes, so enjoy these games this weekend.  I’m taking the home team here, Bulldogs 3-pts

Alaska-Anchorage @ #4 North Dakota

Last weekend the Seawolves lost to NoDak 5-0 and beat Merrimack 6-3 in the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament in Fairbanks and UND beat UAA 5-0 and lost to UAF 2-1 in the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament in Fairbanks.

They meet again!  Three out of four games these teams play against each other to start the season.  NoDak put a pretty good licking on the Seawolves in Alaska, with a bunch of players suspended for that game.  Now that they will have their full rooster, one should predict a similar outcome, which I will.  NoDak Sweep

Bemidji St. @ Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Beavers split with the LSSU Lakers losing Friday 2-0 and rebounding Saturday with a 5-0 win and the Mavericks split swept with the Northern Michigan Wildcats winning 5-2 in the first game and losing 2-1 in the rematch, in Omaha.

The Beavers had UNO’s number a couple of years ago, but last year the Maverick’s changed that trend.  This year the Mavericks are off to a 2-2-0 start and the Beavers are off to a 1-1-0 start.  This is the first of two series these team will play; they also play each other January 25-26, 2013 in Bemidji.  I’m going to say they each get a win this weekend, SPLIT

Non-Conference Games
#19 Colorado College @ Cornell
Last weekend the Tigers beat Air Force 6-2 and lost to Mass-Lowell 3-1 in Colorado Springs and the Big Red beat the US-U-18 team 6-2 in exhibition play

The Tigers are off to a 3-1-0 start, they won their first three games before dropping one last weekend.  The Big Red have yet to play an official game, they have played two exhibition games, beating the US U-18 team 6-2, and tying Brock U. 2-2.  Cornell plays in the ECAC conference; they are located in Ithaca, NY, and have an enrollment of approx. 13,500.  Generally speaking the ECAC is viewed as a second rate league, so the WCHA team should dispose of teams in lower leagues…  Tigers Sweep

Exhibition

US U-18 @ #2 Minnesota (Friday)
Last weekend the U-18 team lost to Cornell 6-2 and the Gophers split with the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

Since this game doesn’t official “exist” in unofficially picking the Gophers…

Non-Conference Games

Canisius @ #2 Minnesota (Sunday 1:05pm)
Last weekend the Golden Griffins where swept by Western Michigan in Kalamazoo and the Gophers split with the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Griffins are 1-3-0 to start the year, and scoop on them is they play in Atlantic Hockey, are located in Buffalo, NY, and have an enrollment of approx. 3,300 students.  Last year Canisius went 10-22-4 overall and where 10-14-3 in AH, finishing in 9^th place, out of 12 teams.  The Gophers have too much talent for the Griffins, so unless there is some type of self destruction the Gophers should win.

UND during presidential elections years

I like most am tired of election commercials on my TV... I am also ready for this election to be over... I am also sure that there are many of you that are also tired of of the commercials and the elections mailings that you have to throw away every day as well. So since it’s an election year, I thought that I would see what UND has done in hockey during the presidential election years. 

UND won NCAA titles during the 1980 and 2000 Presidential election years, both years there was a Republican president elected to the presidency, both times UND won the title in Providence, Rhode Island. 

NCAA Tournament Championships

1980       North Dakota     31-8-1   5–2   Northern Michigan     Providence, RI   Providence Civic Center

2000       North Dakota     31-8-5   4–2     Boston College  Providence, RI   Providence Civic Center

UND also won two Broadmoor Trophies during presidential election years as well. 

WCHA Tournament Championships/Broadmoor Trophy

Year       Record  Coach

2000       31-8-5   Dean Blais

2012       25-12-3  Dave Hakstol

UND has also won two MacNaughton Cups during presidential election years where a Republican president was elected to office. 

Regular Season Championships/MacNaughton Cup

1980       31-8-1   John "Gino" Gasparini

2004       30-8-3   Dean Blais

Notes from the Wednesday's UND Men’s Hockey press conference

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine

This weekend UND plays their first WCHA series of the season against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves at Ralph Englestad Arena, October 26th and 27th.

Senior forward Carter Rowney had to say about the team’s first trip of the season to Fairbanks Alaska.

“I think a lot of stepping stones this weekend,” Rowney said. “Playing shorthanded was definitely the biggest challenge probably up in Alaska. It definitely showed we can play with whoevers in the lineup – whoever is out of the lineup – we’re definitely able to compete out there and I think that’s huge – the depth in our lineup is huge and that’s the stepping stone we created on Friday night and Saturday night. I think it was a good weekend for us and we came together being on the road with the boys and a good weekend to get away.”

Carter Rowney on watching some of the young guys stepping up and scoring goals last weekend.

“Definitely, watching the game on Friday – watching some of those young guys play – a lot of them played unreal and played like veterans out there,” Rowney said. “Really good to see – a lot of them stepped up – to get comfortable real fast in games – they improved throughout the weekend I think that was something to look forward to and something for me as a senior to look down to say hey their working hard and it pushes me.”

Rowney on having a full lineup and having some of the younger on the roster players step up without the upper classmen in the lineup on Friday.

“I think it’s huge for our team,” Rowney said. “Because the more people push each other… its better – you know – coming every day to practice and having each person pushing one another – I think that’s only going to make our team improve.”

Head coach Dave Hakstol on what he learned about his team the first weekend.

“I like how we worked on Friday,” Hakstol said. “l like how we played. I thought we played a complete game. We played a tenacious game and went to the all of the hard areas and we had contributions from everybody. We backed off a little bit on Saturday and I don’t’ think we played with quite enough energy and most importantly our difference from Friday to Saturday, was going to those greasy areas offensively, I thought that was a big difference, so hopefully that is something we can be a little more consistent this weekend from Friday to Saturday.”

Coach Hakstol on playing in the last year of the current WCHA and opening their conference play at home against UAA.

We have talked about it a lot; you know right now – it’s one game and one day,” Hakstol said. You know the big picture of the last year and everything else, that’s been put in place and that’s with in the big picture. You know, the scene that we’re concerned about is one weekend against Alaska Anchorage that’s what we have to concentrate on. You know, we have seen it before – we know how competitive the league is – we know how competitive it will be and points in the first weekend of the season are just as critical as points on the last weekend, so we got to have a focused approach.”

Coach Hakstol on what kind of team UAA is and what we’re to expect from the UAA Seawolves.

“To be very honest with you, I don’t think Alaska Anchorage played very well last Friday night when we played against them,” Hakstol said.

“There was a completely different team that stepped on the ice against Merrimack [College] the following day – they played hard – they played hungry – they played gritty and I think that’s what we will see this weekend, a highly competitive team.”

Coach Hakstol on the status of injured forward Michael Parks this weekend.

“Same, no change there,” Hakstol said. “I said last week that it’s going to be a few weeks; that’s where he is at, it’s going to be a few weeks. That’s not a medical term, I realize, but that’s probably the best I can do for you, I don’t want to put a time frame on it, because I don’t know and I don’t think anybody truly does and it going to be a few weeks.”

UND junior goalie Clarke Saunders was asked about how it felt getting his first shutout of his career for UND in the first game of the season with UND.

“It feels pretty cool,” Saunders said. “I am just happy that the team got the win. Always nice to start the season likes that and I think that we’re all pretty happy.”

Saunders was asked about his expectations coming into UND as a transfer student.

“To earn a spot, Saunders said. “Just to play there was some tough competition coming in. Zane [Gothberg] and Tate [Maris] are both very good goalies, so just try to work as hard as I can, hopefully to play as much as I can.”

Saunders was asked if he is nervous about his first WCHA home series this weekend.

“A good nervous, Saunders said. “Probably more excited is the term that I would like to use. Obviously we had two exhibition games at the Ralph, but we’re really looking forward to the home opener and the sold out crowd and I am excited to see what that’s about and experience what it’s going to be like.”

Related articles

• Nine Men out, UND heads north to Alaska (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Squeaks Past USNDT U-18 Team (insidehockey.com)
• UND squeaks by USNDT U-18 team 6-4 (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND: The Weekend Ahead (10/19-10/20) (insidehockey.com)
• Game Notes for UND versus UAA 10/26-10/27 (thehockeywriters.com)

Wednesday UND Women’s Hockey press conference

This week the UND Woman’s hockey team plays against the top ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Ralph Englestad Arena. Game times for Saturday and Sunday is 2:07 PM CT. On Saturday it's "Fill the Bowl and tickets to the game are $1.00 and if you have  a UND Champions Card you can get a free ticket to get into the game.

UND Women's Hockey head coach Brian Idalski on playing the top rated Minnesota Gophers.  

“They’re [Minnesota] averaging just under seven goals per game,” Idalski said. “Their power play has scored 17 goals and clicking at 40 percent, so I would say that things are going really well for them. Defensively they’re just as solid if not better. [Noora] Ratty has four shutout in seven starts and her save percentage is close to 98%, so there is no weakness, their d-corps is really strong they have given up three goals all season long. It will be fun.”

UND Women’s head coach Brian Idalski on the status of his star forward Michelle Karvinen who has missed all six games that UND has played in this season with an injury.

“She looks good, Idalski said. "She skated well and she is progressing well and she will be a game time decision.”

Senior forward Captain Jocelyn Lamoureux was asked about playing the Minnesota Gophers and if there is a little extra incentive playing against the Gophers. 

“It’s exciting to always play them especially with my history, but you have to approach it like any other series, Lamoureux said. “We have to stay even keel and not let our emotions get the best of us the last series and we get to play them here and we’re excited.” 

The past few seasons the amount of penalties that UND takes has been a something that UND has been concerned about. Senior Jocelyn Lamoureux was also asked about her if her team is focused on eliminating penalties this week.

“I don’t know if it’s the topic this week in the practice, Lamoureux said. “But we know we need to that we need to stay out of the penalty box more and we can’t take as many penalties as we have been and that seem to be a common theme the last couple of years the amount of penalties our team takes its starts with Monique [Lamoureux]  and I and the seniors down... “

Senior defenseman Jordan Slavin was injured last season and only was able to play in 14 games. Last season, Slavin missed both series against the Minnesota Gophers. 

“It’s been fun; it’s been a lot of fun just being back out there with the girls and being able to play,” Slavin said. “Once you like... don’t have something and then you get it back it’s been an unbelievable experience.” 

Slavin was asked if she feels like is back to full strength. 

Yeah I do, I feel really good, my edges feel great and my knees aren’t giving men any problems this time around.

Slavin also had this to say about getting a chance to play against the top ranked Minnesota Gophers after not playing in any of the series last year against the Gophers because of injury. 

"I didn’t get to play them at all last year, Slavin said. "It’s more fun than any series that I think we play during the year. Just the intensity is up, the speed is up, everything is sharp, the atmosphere is fun, I am excited."  

Jorid Dagfinrud Co-WCHA Women's Defensive player of the week

Jorid Dagfinrud • Senior, Goaltender, University of North Dakota
Noora Räty • Senior, Goaltender, University of Minnesota
MADISON, Wis. – A pair of veteran goaltenders, Jorid Dagfinrud of the University of North Dakota and Noora Räty of the University of Minnesota, are WCHA Women’s co-Defensive Players of the Week for Oct. 24.

Dagfinrud, a senior from Sarpsborg, Norway, yielded just a single power-play goal in six periods between the pipes and stopped 34 of 35 shots on goal for a .971 saves percentage with five shutout periods to lead UND to a two-game conference sweep of visiting St. Cloud State on Oct. 19-20. Last Friday, she had 15 saves and held the Huskies to just one power-play goal in six opportunities in a 3-1 win. Then on Saturday, she stopped all 19 shots on goal for a 1-0 shutout victory and blanked SCSU on all six power-play chances to earn First Star of the Game honors. In four games played (three starts), Dagfinrud has allowed just one goal with a 3-0-0 record with two shutouts. Her 0.30 goals-against average and .981 saves percentage lead the country.

Räty, a senior from Espoo, Finland, was the backbone for the host Golden Gophers last weekend as she gained two wins and a shutout against No. 6/7 Ohio State. She also tallied her 83rd career win, which ties Jody Horak for the most wins in program history. On Oct. 19, Räty recorded 15 saves and helped Minnesota to a 7-2 win. Then on her record-tying night, she denied all 20 shots in an 8-0 UM victory to earn her 30th career shutout and First Star of the Game honors.

Also nominated: Abby Ryplanski, G, BSU; Danielle Butters, G, MSU.

NHL Islanders moving to Brooklyn after 2014-15 season

Here is an interesting story, the New York Islanders are moving from Long Island to Brooklyn and will play in a Barclays Center after the 2014-15 season.

Tim Panaccio, Flyers Insider --- The familiar refrain for most sports fans in the United States when it comes to trying to figure out some of the things the NHL does has always been, "it’s hockey."

That would explain how, in the middle of the NHL’s third lockout under commissioner Gary Bettman, in which the season is in peril and there are no collective bargaining talks scheduled, the league would announce a franchise transfer.

The New York Islanders, according to the New York Post, New York Daily News and TSN, will announce Wednesday they are moving to Brooklyn to play in Barclays Center when their lease at Nassau Coliseum expires after 2014-15.

Say it ain't so - the NHL is heading to Brooklyn newsday.com/sports/hockey/…
— Howard Bloom (@SportsBizNews) October 24, 2012

Still no confirmation that #Isles move to Brooklyn in 2015 is a PERMANENT relocation. Could be some news (and spin) at presser.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) October 24, 2012

Nassau coliseum was awful when I played in it -cannot stay in that building / don't care about seating numbers, similar to wpg #NYIslanders
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) October 24, 2012

Is there an end in sight to the NHL lockout?

I have been reading some of the articles that have popped up in my twitter feed group/list that I created and I am not sure what to make out of some of the tweets and stories that have appeared this afternoon and into this evening.

One of the questions that I think that is starting to come up is did the NHL owners over play their hands and are they finally realizing that the players aren’t going to break? So are the owners ready to crack?

Pierre LeBrun, ESPN.com --- Fehr reiterated to ESPN.com on Tuesday that he believes the league in that meeting Thursday told the NHLPA there isn't much wiggle room on the rest of the deal, apart from "make whole," other than "minor and insubstantial" tweaks.

Not helping things is the growing distrust between the two sides, the controversy over the league’s 48-hour window allowing GMs to talk to players being the latest example. It’s the kind of thing that doesn't inspire either side to believe anything the other side is saying.

Having said that, all rhetoric aside, I believe the ability of both sides to figure out "make whole" is paramount to having any chance of ending this lockout.

This is the article that makes me think that the end to the lockout might be closer than we all think. I mean seriously, we know that there are some NHL owners that aren’t doing that well financially and last year one blog said that there were a half dozen teams that might not make if there is a lockout that lasts for a whole season.

James Mirtle, Globe and Mail --- So the NHL is tired of talking to “a baseball guy” and trying to take its message directly to the players, looking for a sympathetic ear.

Such an end-around isn’t unusual – after all, it happened during the last lockout – but it usually comes as part of an endgame strategy.

Are we that far along already? Maybe.

But this time around it is as much to do with (a) testing the players’ resolve and (b) frustration with NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr’s dour consistency as anything.

It’s also a sign the league is getting a little anxious – and that a compromise that can end this lockout could actually not be as far away as the rhetoric suggests.

What the NHL is really doing here is fishing for weak points in the membership: players who really don’t want to miss paycheques and are willing to consider the not quite 50-50 offer on the table.

I guess only time will tell and here are a few more tweets that popped up tonight, that you can peruse and see what I am talking about.

@helenenothelen @michaelgrange I do. And I suspect Bettman and Fehr settle this long before we hear about meeting that seals it.
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) October 24, 2012

likely this deal gets done before either #NHL or #nhlpa confirm meeting that ends #lockout. This was never ending in public view. #quietgood
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) October 24, 2012

Related articles

• NHL Lockout: NHLPA Counteroffer Seems to Makes Sense, What's the Hold Up? (bleacherreport.com)
• NHL lockout 2012: NHLPA counter-proposal expected Thursday (sbnation.com)