It felt great to be waking up on Boxing Day, knowing that there would be some hockey to watch.
Now don't get me wrong, I like all the trappings of the holidays: eating, sitting around talking to others, eating, drinking, taking note of things that you should eventually address, eating.
But really, how is that so different from what I do during the rest of the week? It's the hockey. That's the what makes the day special.
I made certain every chore was either done or was properly scheduled for Sunday, which gave me a clear schedule for the three World Junior Championship games and at least two National Hockey League games. Where I went wrong was not having anything to distract me from the total debacle that was the Canada-Latvia contest.
Full marks to Latvia for trying to stick to its game plan. One of these days, it just may work against a superior team like Canada. But not Saturday. The Canadians played through them, turning the contest into a light workout.
A 16-0 victory for Canada, and the score does not reflect how far the Latvians have to go. I know that this game left me drained, and I was not up to the full night of hockey I had planned.
The United States spotted Slovakia a two-goal lead before coming back to take a 7-3 decision in the WJC opener for both teams. (The recaps for all four games from Saturday are below in the scoreboard.) A good test for the American squad, but it was a weak effort by me, who chose to rely on videotape to capture the Devils/Capitals, Kings/Coyotes, Oilers/Canucks and Ducks/Sharks.
Some days, you just don't have it. When that happens, you have to ensure that you will get it back the next day.
Today, I have a few chores and a meal to prepare before the U.S. junior team faces Switzerland in the WJC. I'll also be looking in on Flyers/Islanders, Sabres/Blues, Predators/Blackhawks and Canucks/Flames.
Internet radio feeds will employed for Bruins/Panthers and Maple Leafs/Penguins.
Looking forward to a better day in hockey.
Saturday Scoreboard
NHL
Ottawa 3, at Buffalo 2 SO
Montreal 3, at Toronto 2 OT
N.Y. Islanders 3, at N.Y. Rangers 2 OT
At Washington 4, New Jersey 1
Philadelphia 4, at Carolina 3 SO
At Detroit 2, Columbus 1
At Tampa Bay 4, Atlanta 3
Chicago 4, at Nashville 1
At Minnesota 4, St. Louis 3
At Phoenix 3, Los Angeles 2
At Colorado 4, Dallas 1
At Vancouver 4, Edmonton 1
At San Jose 5, Anaheim 2
The standings are here.
AHL
At Bridgeport 3, Hartford 2 SO
Chicago 7, Grand Rapids 4
At Hershey 4, Syracuse 1
At Lowell 5, Providence 1
Manchester 2, at Portland 1
Adirondack 3, at Binghamton 2
At Rochester 4, Hamilton 2
At Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2, Albany 1
At Worcester 7, Springfield 2
At Lake Erie 4, Toronto 2
At Rockford 4, Milwaukee 2
San Antonio 4, at Houston 2
The standings are here.
ECHL
Florida 3, at Charlotte 0
South Carolina 4, at Gwinnett 3
Trenton 3, at Johnstown 2
Toledo 4, at Cincinnati 3
Wheeling 5, at Kalamazoo 3
At Elmira 6, Reading 3
At Utah 5, Idaho 2
Stockton 3, Bakersfield 1
At Las Vegas 4, Ontario 2
The standings are here.
WJC
Group A (at Saskatoon)
Canada 16, Latvia 0
United States 7, Slovakia 3
The recaps are here.
Group B (at Regina)
Sweden 10, Czech Reupblic 1
Russia 6, Austria 2
The recaps are here.
Three stars from Puck Daddy.
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