The Weekend Getaway

In Friday's KHL action, Slovan Bratislava needed overtime to defeat host Medvescak Zagreb in the lone game of the afternoon. On Thursday night, Moncton defeated Halifax, 4-0, in the regular-season opener of the QMJHL.

In that game, the defending Memorial Cup champion Mooseheads were without Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, who are in NHL training camps. Neither one is expected back in the Q. MacKinnon is with Colorado and Drouin is with Tampa Bay.

While I am at it, here is the Buzzing the Net preview of the QMJHL Maritimes Division. Earlier this week I gave you links to previews of the OHL (East and West), QMJHL (East and West) and WHL (East). Still waiting for the WHL West preview.

Line change: the switch from hot and humid on Thursday to sunny and cool today in Manhattan has me anticipating the start of the NHL exhibition season on Saturday (the Capitals-Jets game from Belleville, Ontario, will be broadcast Saturday at 7 Eastern on the NHL Network). I know these games have no real meaning and you might catch a shift or two from a name player before the hopefuls take up the rest of the night's shifts. Still, it's hockey and I will view it as a great excuse to look forward to cooler days ahead.

Speaking of cooler days ahead, the Lounge will be taking a break for a visit to Maine and New Brunswick. I am reviewing my travel schedule and the QMJHL schedule. That Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Saint John Sea Dogs game on Sept. 21 at 7 Atlantic time is calling to me.

In any event, I'll set up a cold one for you when I get back into the Lounge on Sept. 23.