How about them Cowboys?

A fascinating bit of reading on the NHL.com site last week as Dan Rosen outlined the relief that Jason Spezza feels these days as he settles into Big D.

Taking part in the NHL.com feature Five Questions, Spezza reviewed some of the changes that the move to Dallas has brought, as he exchanged life in hockey obsessed Ottawa with the more casual acquaintance of the sport in Texas.

Among the apparent little things that can make the former Ottawa Senator love Texas, the ability to turn on his car radio again, where seldom is heard a discouraging word about the Stars or even the game....

Yes, as they say everything is bigger in Texas, and when it comes to the radio sports stations in Dallas, nothing, not by a long shot is bigger than talking about the Cowboys.

Something that Jason Spezza approves of, no doubt still trying to re-educate himself on the push button nature of car radios, after having spent man a cold night heading home from the rink in Ottawa  humming to himself, seemingly not inclined to hear how Bob in Barrhaven, or Gatean in Gatineau felt about the Sens efforts on the night.

So far things are going well on the ice for the former Senator, who joined the Stars on July 1st as part of a blockbuster trade. His stats package thus far in the regular season has the Dallas Center with 2 goals and 10 assists for a total of 12 points.




Beyond the illusion that getting lost in the big city shuffle just suits Spezza fine, the tale is one that should make the Canadian squads of Gary Bettman's collective just a little bit concerned.

Spezza is not alone when it comes to finding something to like about the lure of anonymity for the most part in many of the American outposts of the NHL. For the seven teams above the 49th, the ability to retain, let alone attract name players to the Canadian cities is growing harder by the year.

The pressure, media attention, constant scrutiny of the fans, all of it weighs heavily it seems when contracts come up.  At that point, if even the slightest gap in salary expectations should come into the discussion, suddenly it seems, players are hitting google to learn about the better dining establishments in the cities of the NHL's witness protection plan.

Not surprisingly the Ottawa newspapers were quick to deliver the former Senators post card back to the capital, with reviews of his new found freedom on the roads of Dallas.

Ottawa Sun-- Spezza happy to be out of spotlight in Dallas
Ottawa Citizen-- Jason Spezza learning to love Dallas

Hockey stopped to remember slain soldiers on Saturday night

Saturday's cross Canada broadcasts brought Canadians together after a week of unfathomable violence, with the host cities of Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal in the early games providing the forum for the nation to seek a sense of normalcy, from a week that delivered something completely different.

In all of the home cities on the night, salutes were made to the memories of two fallen Canadian soldiers, struck down in terrifying incidents that will remain on our minds, indicative of the times we now live and leaving Canadians to call on the resolve that they have summoned in the past and this week were required to reach back for once again.

The evening started with the tribute from Ottawa, beamed simultaneously to the arenas of Montreal and Toronto, as members of the slain solider Nathan Cirillo's regiment stood at attention, Constable Lyndon Slewidge delivered the first lines of O Canada.

His job then shifted to national conductor, as the sold out crowd at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Centre, joined in by those in Montreal and Toronto, led the nation in a stirring rendition of the anthem, with particular focus on the lines of glorious and free.

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The Flames who also were playing on Saturday, had provided  a similar salute and rousing anthem offered the view from the West on Friday night, as Canadians took stock of the week and exhaled five days of built up anger, concern and grief.

The ceremonies provided the clarion call for the nation to salute it's service members and those that came to their assistance this week. From four cities it was the right tone, the right pace, the right thing to try and bridge a horrid week and bring somewhat of a return to a sense of normalcy.

The evening of remembrance also provided opportunity for Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry, a strong supporter of Canada's military to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the soldiers murdered this week.

In addition, Mr. Cherry also provided right on the nose commentary on how Canadians tend to forget not only the sacrifices of their military but of the nations veterans, calling attention to a fund that is seeking to raise money in support of the fallen soldiers of this week.

Toronto Sun-- Don't forget Vincent and Cirillo, Canada
National Post-- Don Cherry urges Canadians to support funds for slain soldiers, armed forces: "Do this and send the money, I know I will"
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You can learn more about the StandonGuardFund here.

Next week and in that follows, Canadians will send off their two fallen soldiers with funerals, another heart wrenching moment and one that will be observed from coast to coast to coast.

And while as a nation there will still be mourning, still be questions, for a few hours on a Saturday night, hockey helped regain some of the balance that was desperately needed.

Some accounts of the atmosphere Saturday night can be found below:

NHL.com -- Canadian teams honour slain military personnel
NHL.com -- Hockey Night across Canada pays tribute to fallen soldiers in show of solidarity
Ottawa Sun-- Not a dry eye at Sens' tribute to fallen soldiers
Ottawa Citizen-- A tribute to the fallen soldiers, an overtime victory to New Jersey
Ottawa Citizen-- Senators, Maple Leafs, Canadiens join forces in pre-game tributes
Toronto Star-- NHL honours fallen soldiers in poignant three-city tribute
Globe and Mail-- Hockey returns to Ottawa with emotional pre-game anthem ceremony
Globe and Mail-- Hockey rises to the occasion and unites a nation
National Post-- Ottawa Senators, Maple Leafs, Canadiens hold joint pre-game tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers
National Post-- Toronto Maple Leafs topped by Boston Bruins after emotional pre-game tribute to called Canadian soldiers
CBC-- Senators, Canadiens, Leafs pay tribute in pre-game ceremony

Let's get this thing back on the ice, shall we?

Yes we know, a week and a bit late we are.

Just blame it on the Turkey we say!

We had hoped to launch our efforts for the 2014-15 season last weekend with the arrival of the first week of play on a brand new sheet of ice.

Alas, an out of town trip for the above the 49th edition of Thanksgiving did put us a tad behind on our preparations, and we've been playing from behind ever since.

However, we're settling into the brand new season, getting used to the new Hockey Night in Canada experience and the promise of what Rogers will bring to fans of the game across Canada.

We have started the lengthy prospect of rebuilding our regular features found on the right hand index, our Scoreboard feature, Pre Game Skate and Headlines to name a few.

Still in the renovation stage, our Attendance Watch, Bad Boys feature in the suspensions list and injury updates.  We hope for the sake of the current roster of NHL coaches and GM's that we have a few weeks to dust off the Owners Box and Hired to Be Fired pages before they are required...

Original posts on our observations of the action will soon follow, so check back off and on over the next few days as we start to roll out some new material.

For those that sent the inquiries asking about our return, we thank you for your interest and hope you will like what you see in the days, weeks and months to come.