Boys, I'm afraid, will be boys

By now, I'm sure you've heard that a couple of the Staal brothers got themselves into a little trouble during Eric's bachelor party. Now, I don't know about you, but any bachelor party worth its salt ought to involve the authorities. As long as no one was hurt, the disorderly conduct charges are society's equivalent of a roughing minor.

What bothers me, though, is that Jordan was charged with underage drinking. Sure, he's making an adult wage by playing in the NHL, but, at 18, he's still just a kid. All it takes is a mistake like this to ruin a career.

As role models to younger hockey players and fans, Eric and Jordan Staal have a responsibility to provide examples of positive behavior. Here's hoping that the boys learn from their mistakes.

Back where he belongs

It's nice to see Ted Nolan, the head coach of the New York Islanders, back behind a bench.

The former Jack Adams Award (best coach) winner, who fell out of favor after walking away from a contract offer from the Buffalo Sabres and turning down a head-coaching opportunity in Tampa Bay, brings more than diversity (he was born into the Garden River Ojibwa First Nation tribe in Canada) to the NHL.

Through his actions, he has shown that good things happen to people who stand up for their beliefs. To me, it's no wonder that he has the Islanders within two points of making the playoffs with 11 games to go.

That didn't take long

It's nice to see that Dallas' Mike Modano wasted little time in becoming the top American-born goal scorer in the NHL history.

Just one game after tying Joe Mullen at 501 goals, Modano, a native of Livonia, Mich., potted a pair last night in the Stars' 3-2 loss to Nashville, giving him 503.

Modano's 500th career goal, the game-winner against Philadelphia last Tuesday, made him the 39th NHL player to reach that plateau.

Way to go, Mikey-Mo!

By stuffing a rebound past Philadelphia's Antero Niittymaki, Dallas' Mike Modano scored the 500th goal of his career on Tuesday.

The goal, the eventual game-winner in the Stars' 3-2 win over the Flyers, made Modano, a native of Livonia, Mich., only the second U.S.-born player (Joe Mullen was the first) and the 39th ever to reach that plateau.

Modano, who scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game with the Minnesota North Stars on Oct. 5, 1989, against the New York Islanders, now trails Mullen by only two goals for the most ever scored by an American.

Colin and Patrice

Of all the pictures that Colin lets me take, any one with Boston's Patrice Bergeron is among his favorites.

This one, the third of Colin's collection, was taken when Boston visited Tampa in early February following a fair trade between the two.

A fair trade

The last time the Boston Bruins were in town, we were fortunate enough to get a picture of Patrice Bergeron and Colin together outside the team’s hotel in Tampa. Since then, the picture has sat, in a frame, on a dresser in Colin’s room. And instead of gathering dust, it was simply waiting for the right time.

That time, I believe, was earlier today.

Just before tonight’s game, Colin’s gave Patrice that picture, even taking the time to autograph it for the Bruins star.

"Is that for me?" Patrice asked.

"Yes," Colin replied. "I even autographed it to you for you."

"Thanks, buddy," Patrice said.

The deal got even better, as Colin gave him three hand-drawn pictures – one showing Patrice getting high-fives from the bench after scoring a goal, one of the Bruins locker room where Patrice’s jersey hung in a stall and one of two Zambonis clearing the TDBanknorth Garden ice.

It was hard to tell who had the biggest smile – Patrice, Colin or myself.

In return, Patrice signed a couple cards for Colin, including one (shown above) with a piece of game-used jersey. As you can imagine, that’ll soon be in a screwdown case. It’s my guess, too, that’ll end up on Colin’s dresser.

Checking in with the B's

After conducting a little research, touching base with some sources and playing up a hunch, I was fortunate enough to be the only hound this morning waiting for the Boston Bruins as they headed to a practice over in Brandon.

My motivation for the trip over to Tampa was far more than autographs. Sure, I added another 14 autographs to the collection, including four pucks from Zdeno Chara. What I really wanted to do was check in with Patrice Bergeron and let him know that his little buddy was looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.

Fortunately, I was able to see Patrice and pass along our best wishes. He assured me that he was feeling better, enjoying his brief time in Florida (he didn’t catch any fish) and he’d be playing against the Lightning.

I told Patrice that Colin had been wrestling with what to wear to Friday’s game – either his autographed Bergeron jersey or his Lightning jersey. Not surprisingly, Patrice weighed in.

"You tell him he better wear his Bergeron jersey," he said.

A true role model

There are many reasons to get autographs. It can be a souvenir from a favorite player. It can be an addition to a collection. And, unfortunately, there are those who simply view it as a little more money in their pockets.

In this case, though, getting Montreal’s Saku Koivu to sign this oversized 2004 Pacific Exhibit card will serve as a constant reminder of determination, perseverance and, quite honestly, sheer intestinal fortitude.

Having survived cancer, a nasty eye injury and serving as captain of the Canadiens in hockey-crazed Montreal shows a will that I believe is unmatched in the National Hockey League. The lessons to be learned from Saku Koivu should appeal to young and old alike.

Answering the call

Of all the things that I've been called in my life -- some good, others from the gutter -- the best of all is being called Daddy.

Rather than writing about hounding the Hurricanes tomorrow, I've spent the better part of the day, at least in the hours I've been awake before heading off to work, tending to a little boy who's spending his second-straight day at home feeling under the weather.

And after making breakfast (Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tarts and milk) and lunch (crunchy peanut butter on a rice cake and juice), administering the proper dosages of cold medicine, cough syrup, honey and some hugs, as well as drawing at least a dozen airplanes, it's the best job I have.

Sorry to see you go, Joe

Hockey hounds were certainly saddened to hear that Joe Nieuwendyk, a willing signer who was always pleasant to fans, retired from the Florida Panthers earlier this week as the result of chronic back problems.

Just how good was Nieuwendyk? Let's see. Not only did he put up 1,126 points, including 564 goals, over 1,257 games, but he's also just one of nine players ever to win Stanley Cups with three different teams (Calgary - 1988-89, Dallas - 1998-99 and New Jersey - 2002-03). He also won the 1999 Conn Smythe Trophy.

To me, those numbers and honors deserve a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Thankfully, I've had Nieuwendyk sign three pucks -- Calgary (shown above), Dallas and New Jersey. Hopefully, the Panthers will find a place for him in their organization so, from a purely selfish standpoint, I can add signed Panthers and Maple Leafs pucks to the collection.

A run on hats

Vinny Lecavalier's natural hat trick, which gave Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead in its eventual 8-0 drubbing of division rival Atlanta last night, should erase the sting of seeing Sabres hats litter the St. Pete Times Forum ice after Buffalo's Daniel Briere notched a hat trick this past Tuesday.

Lecavalier's three goals were part of a career-high five-point game. Marty St. Louis also had a career-high five points, including four assists, and beleaguered goaltender Marc Denis recorded his first shutout for the Lightning.

Hopefully, the Bolts will have some more in the tank Saturday night when we watch them play the mighty Anaheim Ducks. I'll bring an extra Lightning hat, just in case they do.

These kids are great

I don't know about you, but I'll be settled into my recliner Monday night when Pittsburgh meets Washington on Versus, marking the first nationally televised matchup between Penguins' Sidney Crosby and the Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin.

Both players will be wearing microphones during the game, Versus says. Ovechkin will also serve as a translator for Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin during an interview on Versus.

Goalies don't have a choice

News that St. Louis goalie Manny Legace was knocked out cold after taking a puck in the mask during practice Thursday only reinforces my efforts to convince my 5-year-old goalie-wannabe that playing defense is safer, far less expensive and will keep my gray hair to a minimum.

More fun and games

Unscramble the following letters to reveal the names of five NHL players:

1.) Ahntna Thsecpa
2.) Narbnde Ahansahn
3.) Broilum Vyhsokvsin
4.) Catperi Genobrre
5.) Kiscaln Tdmliosr

And, in a different twist to the team quiz, match the following to their developmental leagues:

1.) St. John's Fog Devils
2.) Alpena Icediggers
3.) Chilliwack Bruins
4.) Cedar Rapids Roughriders
5.) Saginaw Spirit

A.) United States Hockey League
B.) Western Hockey League
C.) Ontario Hockey League
D.) Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
E.) North American Hockey League

As always, readers can participate by leaving their answers in a comment. No sign-up is necessary.

Correct answers for both will appear next week

A matinee kind of day

In a few select NHL cities this afternoon, plenty of fathers and their children will be continuing, establishing or renewing a family tradition.

As a majority of moms across North America head out to stores to begin their holiday shopping, the rest of the family, if they're lucky, will be taking in an NHL game beginning in just a few hours.

This year, afternoon matinees will be held in Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Uniondale and Anaheim. We have a game in Tampa, too, but it doesn't start until 8 p.m. Unfortunately, I'll be at work. Lisa and Colin, though, should have a great time.

Last season, when we were still living in New England, Colin and I took in a game on the day after Thanksgiving between the Flyers and Bruins at the TD Banknorth Garden. To be honest, I can't remember who won that afternoon. What I do remember, though, was a lesson learned.

And though I won't be at the game tonight, I'll take some comfort in knowing that we'll all be at the Senators-Lightning game on Sunday. And, who knows, maybe the Lightning will have a post-Thanksgiving Day matinee next year.

Maybe the hockey gods were smiling

Though he’s not taking credit for the Boston Bruins’ 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, I believe Colin might have played a role in it.

In an earlier post, I replayed an exchange Saturday morning between Colin, our 5-year-old son, and Bruins star Patrice Bergeron as Colin got his Bergeron jersey signed. Later Saturday afternoon, as we made a return trip to Tampa for the game, Patrice was again gracious enough to pose for a photo.

After taking the photo, Patrice accommodated other fans’ requests for autographs. As he was signing, Colin walked over to Patrice and gave him a hug. Patrice, a grin beaming from ear to ear, returned the hug, even thanking his little buddy for it.

The scene, something that even Hollywood couldn't have written, drew a chorus of "Awws" from onlookers.

Fast forward to the game’s third period, when Patrice’s first goal of the season broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the eventual game-winner. Was Colin the good-luck charm that Patrice and the Bruins needed? We can’t say for sure, but we have someone on the case.

If he was, and I’ll let you know, their bond has only strengthened and a Boston hockey legend has been born.

I'll let them do the talking

"Patrice! Patrice!"

"Hey, Colin! How ya doing, buddy?"

"Pretty good. Will you sign my jersey? I got it for my birthday."

"It’s your jersey? Of course, buddy."

"I miss seeing you, Patrice."

"I miss seeing you, too. Here you go."

"We’re going to the game tonight. I’m rooting for the Bruins."

"Awesome. Thanks, buddy."

"See ya, Patrice."

"See ya, Colin."

Oh, yeah, I checked the mail today ...

. . . and guess what I found. A large postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope with a bulky, but soft, item inside.

Yeah, baby, Lucky Luc came through, returning the vintage Los Angeles Kings' Robitaille jersey with his autograph. Even better, he honored a request (see above) to personalize it to Colin.

You should have seen Colin's eyes when he saw his name.

"Daddy," he said, "is this for me?" Yeah, buddy, it's all yours.

I guess we'll have to start shopping around for a nice frame. With a keepsake like that, it belongs on display, not tucked away in a closet.

I'll admit to being a little nervous sending it out, but I should have known a class act like Robitaille would deliver.

Thanks again, Luc.