Nancy Lee Grahn Scores... From Center Ice...

((HT: Nancy Lee Grahn's Facebook Page))

Get your head out of the gutter...

Unless, you're talking about her current role as Alexis Davis on "General Hospital" where her pairing with William deVry has created the "Julexis Army"- which, as a group, you should never make angry by disparaging their behavior in any way.

But, she is a native of Skokie, Illinois and had to train for a celebrity shot from center ice at a recent Blackhawks game against the Dallas Stars. She was one of a handful to pull the trigger and try to put the puck in that really small hole in the center of the plywood that no one can ever shoot it in to successfully...

Unless you get a little pre-shoot help from Bobby Hull...

Here's the look from the rafters at the United Center from her Facebook Page

Post by Nancy Lee Grahn.

TOP THAT!!!

The HQ has always held Grahn as a Top Five since her days on "Santa Barbara," but we'll challenge her allegiance to the Blackhawks to our LA Kings any time...

Crazy Hockey Fight: Wild's Stu Bickel Gets 37 Minutes for Fight

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Down 5-0 midway through the 2nd period, the Minnesota Wild were looking for anything to wake them up. Anything.

And the whole thing got triggered by Wild forward Ryan Carter who ended up not being a big part of the end result. Carter shoved Dallas defenseman Trevor Dailey into Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen. And the Pier 6er was on.

Wild enforcer Stu Bickel immediately jumped in and ended up throwing down on not one, but two Stars players. They eventually ended up on the ice while Bickel kept swinging.

The result was a long trip to the penalty box. A game misconduct for an aggressor penalty, an instigator minor penalty, a 5 minute major penalty for fighting and another 10-minute misconduct call got Bickel 37 minutes worth of penalties in one game.

Zoinks!

Video from HockeyFights.com:

NHL Ref Loses Lunch During Game

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((ht: foxsports.com))

Poor NHL ref Mike Leggo.

Leggo was working the Tampa Bay Lightning/Pittsburgh Penguins game Friday night in Pittsburgh when he had um, a bit of an embarrassing problem.

Leggo, let go of his lunch...or dinner on the ice during the 1st period of the game. And while he's become a bit of a punchline this morning, we're guessing he was legitimately sick because he left the game and did not return.

It sucked for the Ice Girls who had to clean it up, but they did and the game resumed with the Penguins winning 6-3.

New Coyotes Owner Introduced, But How Permanent Is This...???

((HT: AZCentral/12 News))

Andrew Barroway was introduced as the new majority owner of the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale Friday.

IceArizona bought the team for $170-million, but group owner-ring leader Anthony LeBlanc recently valued the franchise for a little over $300-million... (of course, he did...)

But the franchise can leave Arizona if they lose more than $50-million over the first five years of IceArizona's ownership. The larger question is: Just how much money have they lost already...? There's talk that the number is already close to $30-million after only two seasons...

Barroway is committed- for now... he is denying that he is buying the team to flip the team...

NBC's Pro Hockey Talk and James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail reported as far back as November that Barroway wanted to flip the franchise and was the only one in line to purchase the team- moving them to someone who wants to put a franchise in Las Vegas.

Here's the introduction

Barroway's addition gives the Coyotes a little more American ownership- which is huge for the small market/small budget squad that needs league assistance and Barroway's infusion of capital to get off the league salary cap floor...

Unless, of course, they're moving to Vegas...

Winter Classic Goes To Caps In Last Seconds

((HT: NHL on NBC))

The HQ will admit that we like the idea of hockey being played outdoors and having it count in the standings...

This year's Winter Classic was in Washington, DC for the Caps and the Chicago Blackhawks.

There was actually talk that players would wear sunglasses to combat the sunshine that would be present at Nationals Park before 2:30 eastern time- the time of day that the sun would drop behind the home bleachers. But, as a bit of a make-good, the NHL decided to make the teams change ends in the first period at the half-way point in addition to the third period switch.

The winner went to Troy Brouwer, but not without some consternation and questioning of a late penalty call.

Here's the highlights


Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was asked about the loss- and the stuff that happened late
((HT: CSN Chicago))


So, now it's back to playing hockey indoors until the Outdoor Classics come back in a little while...

Heads Up: Predators TV Guy Hit by Puck During Interview

((ht: cbssports.com))

Look out Willy Daunic!

If you've ever spent time around a hockey rink chances are you've seen a puck go flying over the glass and into the stands. It's one of the reasons during games, most arenas won't let you walk the isles during game action.

It happens a lot at practice too.

Check out what happened Tuesday to Nashville Predators TV guy Willy Daunic as he was taping an interview during morning skate before the Preds nighttime game with the St. Louis Blues.

Yes, that's a flying puck that hits Daunic square in the noggin while he's talking. But the part we are impressed with--Daunic kept going, never stopping the interview.

Tootoo and Bortuzzo Go Twice In One Night

((HT: HockeyFights/MSG))

They went once


And, then, they went again...


Jordin Tootoo and Robert Bortuzzo decided to go after each other as a reminder of the Jarmoir Jagr check from the last time the two teams met.

Admittedly, the thought that two guys would go at it twice in a game is odd in today's NHL, but if it was going to be two guys- the HQ would think that it would be these two.

Carry on...

Morning Wrap: Bruins vs. Sabres Skirmish Starts and Finished With Matt Bartkowski

((ht: cbssports.com))

Um, this play may and probably will draw some fines. And is the part of hockey that isn't necessarily the good part.

Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski triggered a full scale Pier 6er Sunday afternoon when he blew up Buffalo Sabres captain Brian Gionta as Gionta was waiting to receive a pass.

Bartkowski went high towards Gionta's head, leaving the Sabres captain sprawled out on the ice and requiring medical attention. Sabres forward Marcus Foligno immediately jumped Bartkowski and a brawl ensued.

And yeah...Bartkowski got the better of Foligno too. The Bruins defenseman racked up 20 minutes of penalty time on the play. Gionta was not able to return to the game. The Bruins got the win, 4-3.

The NHL hasn't fined anyone yet for this...but it's coming...

Jonathan Toews All Star Promo Video is Pure 80's Awesomeness

((ht: foxsports.com))

Oh boy....this is pure cheese and we love it.

Check out this promo video touting Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews for this years NHL All-Star team.

Words cannot describe this one...so just watch in awe. Oh, and note teammate Patrick Kane on an elliptical trainer wearing a Loverboy style headband.

Morning Wrap: Calgary Flames With Worst Own Goal Ever This Week

((ht: nhl.com))

It's never good to put the puck in your own net, but in hockey and a few other sports it happens from time to time.

But you are not likely to see an "Own Goal" like this one.

Saturday night, the Calgary Flames put one in between the pipes when goalie Jonas Hiller left the net unattended after a delayed penalty call.

Which in hockey happens quite frequently. When you know a penalty is coming, you try to run an extra attacker out there until the whistle blows.

Here's the problem: A Flames defender got the puck and launched it back towards the blue line.

Nobody was there.

The puck kept sliding down the ice and yup, it goes in the net. Vancouver Canucks defender Yannick Weber, the last Canuck to touch the puck gets credit for the goal and all Flames coach Bob Hartley can do is shake his head.

Morning Wrap: Pittsburgh Penguins Produce Christmas Vacation Video

((ht: cbssports.com))

Hey, it is after all the holiday season is it not? And doesn't everyone appreciate the classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie?

It's always good for a laugh...

Even for the talented acting troupe known as the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

Props to the video team for producing the skit, a Christmas Card to their fans where various players including star Sidney Crosby, broadcaster Mike Lange and team G.M Jim Rutherford worked on their acting chops.

The all took turns with the Clark Griswold, Cousin Eddie and other roles.

Enjoy the holiday fun:

Phoenix Downs Edmonton on OT Buzzer Beating Goal

((ht: cbssports.com))

It's tough being an Edmonton Oiler these days. Losers of 19 of the last 24 games, the Oilers fired their coach less than a week ago.

And Tuesday night, they found a new way to lose. Though they did technically get a point for it.

Tied with the Arizona Coyotes 3-3 in overtime and the clock running down, it looked for sure like the game would be heading to a shootout.

Only it didn't.

With 0.3 seconds left on the clock, Oliver Ekman-Larsson rifled a shot from just left of the goalie while heading up the ice at full speed.

The shot of course went right past the goalie and in the net. Game over, Oilers find yet another way to lose.

Panthers Win Most Painful Shootout Ever In NHL History

((HT: NHL/willpower698's Instagram))

In front of, probably, tens of people in south Florida Nick Bjugstad scored the 6-5 game winner in a 2-1 verdict against the Washington Capitals.

The shootout went 20 frames...

No, that's not a misprint...

20 frames- per team, not total...

Here's the ending

The longest shootout in NHL history reached 20 shots #FlaPanthers WIN w/@ashal001

A video posted by Will (@willpower698) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:34pm PST

And the shootout highlights in their entirety


The previous long was 15 full rounds back in 2005 and this was the first shootout that had a 6-goal winner (6-5)

NHL Team Captain Hockey Fight

Boom goes the dynamite.

Hockey fights are frowned upon by the NHL and by some people not involved in the hockey universe. But they sometimes are just a part of the game. And sometimes used for motivation.

Thursday night, the captains of two NHL teams, guys who don't normally get into fisticuffs, dropped the gloves and had one of the biggest fights seen in some time.

Colorado Avalanche team captain Gabriel Landeskog and Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd mixed it up in front of the Avalanche goal and the two brawled for a good minute or so.

The game to that point had been a dull affair with nothing much happening.

It ended up with the Avalanche getting the overtime win in a shootout.

Here's your Pier Sixer from our friends at HockeyFights.com:

The Jean Beliveau Tribute Was As Classy As You'd Expect

((HT: Some Hockey Videos/RDS/NHL))

The sell-out streak was over at the Molson Centre last night when the Montreal Canadiens took the ice.

And it was over on purpose...

The team left one seat empty- Jean Beliveau's

There was a 45-minute tribute for the hockey legend that included his widow, Elise...

And it was as classy and elegant as you would think it would be...

Tim Thompson's Tribute To Jean Beliveau

((HT: Tim Thompson his own self))

For those of you unaware, Tim Thompson is the video conscience of TV hockey presentation in Canada.

He cut the "Hockey Night in Canada" intros and has now transitioned to the new contract...

Here's his ode to the Montreal Canadiens' Jean Beliveau

4, Jean Beliveau from HockeyFilms on Vimeo.

NHL Doesn't Object To Looking At Vegas

((HT: Sportsnet))

MGM is building a new arena in Las Vegas, the HQ knows this...

The NHL Owners Meetings in Boca are now are kicking the tires on the the idea of going to that new Maloof Brothers arena and housing a franchise in that city- whether it's as a relocation or an expansion franchise.

Here's Strombo, Kypper, and Friedge after Evanka Osmak sets the introduction to discuss

The HQ has looked at the landscape and it appears to be going in three directions- Las Vegas, Quebec City, and Seattle.

It would make more sense to relocate ailing franchises in Phoenix and Florida to two of those cities and expand to Seattle and a 32nd city. But, with the idea of fellow owners getting over $30-million if two franchises are added, there's going to be a push in the next few years for the watering down of a product instead of strengthening what you already have.

Money in hand always trumps money down the line...

Things You Can't Unsee: San Jose Sharks Debut Holiday Sweater Song and Video

((ht: nhl.com))

Oh geez...whatever you do, don't watch this while trying to eat something. You may spit it up laughing.

Because December truly is the holiday season, the San Jose Sharks of the NHL decided to go along and produce a music video about tacky holiday sweaters.

And yeah, it's actually pretty funny.

Keeping in theme, it was produced with a goofy, tacky, 80's style hip-hop kind of vibe...only as sung by hockey players.

Enjoy---

The Wilson-Holzer Fight Had A Twist

((HT: NHL Network/HockeyFights.com))

And it might mean another phone call from the league office for what happened at the 35-second mark


Korbinian Holzer might get a hearing over the punch, but anything is possible in the appeal- considering the idea that "Holzer didn't know what he was hitting at the time" would be his defense...

Should be an interesting test case for the NHLPA

Quebecor Buys Remparts: Is This The First Step...???

((HT: Montreal Gazette))

The HQ believes it is, yes...

For a reported $20-25 million pricetag, Quebecor Media has picked up the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts franchise and will move them into their soon-to-be-constructed Quebecor Arena in September 2015.

This should be the first step in proving, once and for all, that the city is ready for multiple franchises on multiple levels in an integrated fashion not seen yet (top to bottom) in a franchise farm system.

"The Remparts organization has passion, hard work and success in its DNA. We are honoured to become its owners, and we want to continue this ‘sacred’ tradition by keeping the Remparts at the same level of excellence while providing the best possible experience for Quebec City hockey fans,” said Québecor president and CEO Pierre Dion.

The Remparts have been busy in the past week doing things like this against Sherbrooke
((HT: HockeyFightsPlus))


They're currently third in the East Division- four points out of first behind Rimouski and Baie-Comeau.

“I am very happy to see that the Remparts will have the chance to inaugurate the new arena next season and continue the Vieille Capitale’s great junior hockey tradition,” said Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau.