Happy New Year!

I would like to wish all my friends, family and everybody a very happy, safe, and healthy new year. may this one be better for all than 2010 was! And here is hoping that your NYE does not end up like this:

Islanders Trade Wisniewski to Canadiens for Draft Picks!

Yesterday Islanders General Manager Garth Snow traded the teams best Defenseman James Wisniewski to the Montreal Canadiens for draft picks. Here's the story from nhl.com:

 The Montreal Canadiens added a level of offense to their blueline Tuesday, acquiring defenseman James Wisniewski from the New York Islanders in exchange for a pair of draft picks.

The 26-year-old Wisniewski is having a career offensive season for the Islanders, with his 21 points tying him for the team lead. He also has a team-best 18 assists.

Wisniewski automatically becomes the highest-scoring defenseman in Montreal in the absence of Andrei Markov, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Markov had 1 goal in seven games prior to his injury; as a team, the Canadiens have just 11 goals from their blue line.

Roman Hamrlik's 3 goals and 16 points currently lead Montreal's defensemen.

Wisniewski will join his fourth team in six NHL seasons. A 2002 fifth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Wisniewski was dealt to the Islanders during the summer after posting a career-best 30 points in 69 games with the Anaheim Ducks.

In 286 NHL games with the Blackhawks, Ducks and Islanders, Wisniewski has 20 goals, 118 points and 282 penalty minutes.

The Islanders will receive a second-round compensatory pick the Canadiens were due to receive at the 2011 Entry Draft. If the Canadiens make the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Wisniewski plays in at least 50 percent of the Canadiens' playoff games, the Islanders will receive the Canadiens' 2012 fifth-round pick; if that pick is unavailable the Islanders will get a fourth-round pick in 2013.


This is starting to make me wonder what is going through the mind of Garth Snow. I can understand this from Montreal's perspective, in that they need a good solid defenseman who can move the puck well and put points on the board. The Canadiens needed the help, with the loss of Andre Markov for the year with a knee injury. But the Islanders got basically nothing back in return for him but draft picks. I can understand Snow wanting to try and build his team through the draft and things like that but I mean come on. I would think that Wisniewski might have been able to draw a little more than just draft picks away from the Habs. I would think he would be worth a little more than what the Islanders got for him.

And what makes this move even more questionable is the timing of it. Most already know that the Islanders are a banged up hockey club as it is. But trading away one of your better players, and right now your best healthy defenseman isn't exaxtly a smart idea. Not only that, but the timing of the trade is also a bit off because it comes 1 day before having to face the Pittsburgh Penguins who are one of the hotter teams in the NHL right now and have by far the hottest player in the game in Sidney Crosby come in riding a 25-Game point scoring streak. In the overall scheme of thinngs the trade as a whole just dosen't make much sense.

Chris Osgood Wins #400 and Moves into 10th Place in Career Wins!

Niklas Kronwall scored the overtime goal to give Chris Osgood his 400th career victory last night from the Pepsi Center in Denver, as the Red Wings knocked off the Avalanche in Overtime 4-3. The victory not only gave Osgood 400 for his career, but moved him into 10th place on the all time wins list for goaltenders in NHL history. He now trails #9 on the list Grant Fuhr by only 3. Osgood has posted his 400 wins over 17 years and with 3 different teams. He has made 2 separate stints with Detroit, he started his career with them, then was claimed by the New York Islanders and played a year and a half for them, played a year and a half in St. Louis and is now back in Detroit again with the Red Wings.

Now that Osgood has moved over the 400 win mark this starts to beg the question as to whether or not he should be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame at the end of his career. I say absoutly yes he should be in. I mean if you look at the facts, of the players who are in the top 10 all time in career victories for goalies, 6 of the top 10 are in the hall. The guy leading the way, Martin Brodure, is pretty much a lock to go in. The only other 2 who are not in are Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfor have a real good shot at going into the hall, as does Osgood. Congratulations are in order for Chris Osgood on career win #400 and here's to hoping he goes into the hall of fame once his career is over.

John MacLean Replaced Behind Devils Bench with Jacques Lamaire

Here is the story that was broken today on nhl.com:

Thursday, 12.23.2010 / 10:33 AM / News By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
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NEWARK, N.J. -- After 189 days on the job, John MacLean's tenure as head coach of the New Jersey Devils is finished.

With the team spiraling to the bottom of the NHL standings and entering Thursday's game against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center on a three-game losing streak, Lou Lamoriello, the Devils GM, decided to fire MacLean. After 33 games, the Devils have just 20 points and nine wins.


Former coach Jacques Lamaire takes over the reins on an interim basis, beginning with Thursday night's game against the Islanders. It is the third time Lemaire has coached the Devils.

"Maybe we teased with signs at different times (to make a coaching change), but, as I've said, I take responsibility for waiting to try to get it to where it should be and under no set of circumstances should all this responsibility be on the coach," Lamoriello said. "Responsibility lies on the players and myself for what couldn't be done. Lately, our power play and penalty killing were good but our 5-on-5 play … for whatever reason. I called Jacques (Wednesday night) and had a conversation with him and asked him where he's thoughts were and how he felt. He'll help whatever way he can."

It marks the third time Lemaire, 65, will be behind the bench for the Devils. His second stint was last season, when he led the team to their ninth Atlantic Division championship while reaching the 100-point mark for the 12th time in 15 full seasons. He resigned following the team's five-game setback to the Philadelphia Flyers in the quarterfinal round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I asked (Lemaire) to come back for the second half so we can find out who we are and where we're at," Lamoriello said. "I also felt that there is time to get back on track. He's totally committed and will be coming to stay to get the job done."

Beyond this season, however, it remains to be seen who will coach the Devils. But, Thursday night it will be Lemaire, aided by the assistant coaches -- Adam Oates and Larry Robinson -- who began the season in those roles.

After spending nine seasons as the head coach for the Minnesota Wild, where he compiled a 293-255-108 record, Lemaire rejoined the Devils on July 13, 2009. The Montreal native previously coached New Jersey from 1993-94 through 1997-98 and guided the club to a 199-122-57 ledger, five postseason appearances and the 1995 Stanley Cup.

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, while saddened to see MacLean suffer as a result of a team collapse, feels Lemaire should offer immediate results.

"I think stability defensively is important," Brodeur said. "We're struggling offensively, but struggling defensively also and that's why we're last in the League. Jacques knows how to get his players to play, so we'll see the offense we can create. It's a familiar face coming back, so the period of adjustment shouldn't take to long."

The Devils are last in the League with a 1.73 goals-per game average and 26th with a 3.09 goals-against average. Despite the timing of it all, Brodeur feels that change might be good at this stage.

"It's exciting," he said. "When you see a defensive-minded coach come in, especially when we need to keep it out of our net a little bit and play better 5-on-5 play. Our power play and penalty killing the last 10 games has been good."

Despite firing MacLean, Lamoriello said Thursday that he, still believes MacLean could be an influential coach. He said that MacLean woUld likely stay with the organization in a yet to be defined role.

"John is a professional and it's no secret John spent a lot of time with me in different capacities over the last few years so it wasn't easy on both sides, but he understood," Lamoriello said. "John is a class act in every way and a franchise and organizational person. We'll get together over the holidays and he'll be right back in work within the organization doing something. I do not feel his coaching career is over, if that's the career he wants to pursue.

"In my opinion, he's an outstanding coach but this is the profession we're in. For different reasons it happens, you see it everywhere. I take that responsibility standing here in trying to get it to work."

Fourth-year Devils forward David Clarkson, who also had MacLean as an assistant coach, was upset by the decision but realized something was eventually going to give.

"It's tough, you feel bad for Johnny," he said. "I had him a long time as an assistant coach and now as a head coach and around this time of the season … we weren't doing the job. It was a situation where something was going to happen, but you feel bad. You don't want to see that happen to anybody, especially the type of person he was. I had a lot of respect for him, I liked him and it's tough.

Clarkson also believes this type of change could create a spark.

"I think, at this point, anything can help," he said. "We don't have too much positive going on. Jacques is a really smart coach, he knows the game really well, so I'm sure there's little things he'll be trying to do to get us going and working again. Do I think Johnny was doing anything wrong? No. It's just the situation that happened."


In reality it's not that big of a surprise that something like this has happened. Devils GM Lou Lamrillo has done things like this in the past. On occasion he has put himself behind the bench and he has made the change in coaching late in the season as well. With the Devils playing well below their standards and sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conferance with a 9-22-2 for 20 points, tied with the Islanders the team they play tonight. Hoping to make a change and trying to get the Devils to start playing better Lemaire was brought back into the fold hoping to bring back the winning feeling to the club. They start the turn around tonight at home against the Islanders in the last game before the christmas break.

Oswego State Women's Hockey First Half Recap

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The first half of the 2010-2011 season has come and gone for the Oswego State Women's Hockey team and this is a very different hockey team then fans have seen in the past few seasons as the team is on their way to the best season in program history. With 7 freshman and 7 transfers it was going to be interesting to see how well the team would gel together and it appears as it has gelled perfectly. The season started off on the road with a split against Adrian College. Game 1 was a 2-0 loss but Game 2 was a bounce back with a 3-1 victory. Scoring in game 2 was provided by Kelly Collins, transfer Mackenzie Lee, and freshman Olivia Boersen. The first home weekend for the Women was going to be a true test as nationally ranked Elmira made the trip to Oswego. The outcome was testament to the recruting job head coach Diane Dillon had done as in game one Oswego pulled off a huge shock as they were able to skate away with a 1-1 tie. The lone goal for the Lakers was from Kristen Metzger. In game 2 of the weekend it was Elmira coming out with a 3-1 victory, with Mackenzie Lee providing the lone goal for Oswego. However that weekend did get the Lakers recognition nationally as they had earned 2 votes in the USCHO Coaches Polls that week, a first in the history of the program.

The following weekend Oswego tried to gain more momentum on the road with a 2 game series at Cortland. All the Lakers could muster that weekend was a pair of ties. Game 1 of the weekend series ended in a 1-1 tie Mackenzie Lee again scoring the goal for the lakers. The next night it was a 2-2 tie for the Lakers as freshman goalie Catherine Cote got the start and gave up 2 goals on 16 shots. Lee and freshman forward Megan Howe provided the offense for the Lakers on this night. However the return to home ice the next weekend would not be as kind to Oswego as they fell in both games of the weekend set to Utica. Game 1 was a tough 2-1 loss with the lone goal coming of the stick of Kelly Collins. The next night Utica walked away with a 3-1 victory with the lone Oswego goal coming from Captain Kathryn Sbrocchi. Since that loss to Utica, the Lakers have come out like a house of fire and won 5 straight games.

The winning streak started the Tuesday before thanksgiving in a 5-1 victory over Hamilton college at home. Emi Williams got the win making 39 saves and the scoring was provided by Mackenzie Lee, who scored twice, Megan Big Snake, Lauren Gilpin and freshman Carly Henderson. After the american thanksgiving hit Potsdam came to town and Oswego took both games from the Bears. Game 1 was a 2-1 victory for Oswego with Emi williams making 33 saves and scoring coming from Olivia Boersen and the game winner scored short handed by Alex Szypryt. The next night Oswego's offense had a bit more of a spark to it, beating Potsdam by a 5-2 score. Kelly Collins scored a pair in the game with the 1st one coming 17 seconds into the contest. The other goal scorers were Emily Grippin, Jillian Bergeron, and Megan Howe.

The final weekend of the first half saw Division 1 Sacred Heart make the trip to the shores of Lake Ontario. Oswego's offense EXPLODED for a total of 12 goals in the 2 games. Game 1 saw Oswego dominate Sacred Heart by a score of 7-0. Scoring on this night was provided by Mackenzie Lee, who scored twice, Carly Henderson, Sarah Hannon and the 1st career goals for Mady Paul, Chelsea Hunt, and Jocelyn St. Clair. Game 2 of the series saw Catherine Cote get her 1st career start at home and her 1st career victory as Oswego won 5-2. Cote stopped 14 shots allowing 2 goals and the offense for Oswego was provided by Carly Henderson, Megan Howe (2 goals 1 assist) and Kelly Collins (2 Goals). A 5 game winning streak is the longest the program has ever had, and they end the 1st half of the season 6-4-3 overall and 2-3-3 in the ECAC West.

Leading the way on offense is transfer Mackenzie Lee who has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points. Freshman Megan Howe is 2nd on the team with 4 goals and 6 assist for 10 Points. Kelly Collins is 3rd in scoring with 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points. The 2nd half of the season is going to be a good test for Coach Dillon's Lakers. The team returns to the ice January 14th and 15th with a weekend series at Neuman College against the Knights. Then January 19th the team travels to Hamilton College to take on the Continentals. Oswego returns to home ice on January 22nd and 23rd as they host Chatham. The 1st weekend road trip of the spring semester is going to be very tough as on January 29th and 30 Oswego has to travel to Stafford Ice Arena in Plattsburgh to take on the Nationally Ranked Cardinals, a homecoming of sorts for Mackenzie Lee who transfered here from Platty. Senior weekend rolls around on February 4th and 5th as the Bengals of Buffalo State make the trip to the Campus Center. The last road trip for Oswego is to Rochester to take on Nationally ranked RIT on February 11th and 12th. The final game of the regular season for the Lakers is February 22nd against Castleton State at the Campus Center. Playoffs begin for the ECAC West on February 26th and the top 6 teams in conference make the playoffs.

The one thing I have always noted Oswego State for is there heart. They will play every opponent tough night in and night out. The results may not have been there but the effort sure was. Now this season, the effort is still there, and the results on the scoreboard are different. Oswego has gotten that winning feeling in the locker room and it's showing on the ice. Play has been better and more crisp for the team, as the freshman and transfers are clicking great with the returning players. Everybody has a role and they are executing to the fullest. The big question for the team the rest of the way is will they be able to play the way they have against the top tier teams in conference such as Plattsburgh and RIT. Only one way to find out. Watch!

First Half Recap for the #1 Ranked Oswego State Lakers

The first half of the 2010-2011 season has come and gone for your Oswego State Lakers. And the teams seems to have picked up right where they left off last season. Currently sitting #1 in the nation in Division III Hockey, the team is 12-1-0 overall and 8-0-0 in the SUNYAC Conference. The season started off the same way it did last year with a home and home with the Soaring Eagles of Elmira. The difference between last year and now is now the guys skated away with 2 wins. The home opener was a 4-1 victory, on the strength of goals from Laganiere, Fox, Whitelaw and Rodrigues. The rematch the next night was another win for Oswego this time a 4-2 victory in which 3 Lakers all scored there 1st career Laker goals. Freshman David Titanic and transfers Dan Bremner and Ian Boots hit the back of the net along with Chris Laganiere. Moving to Halloween weekend Buffalo State and Fredonia made the trip to the Campus Center here in Oz. Sadly for them it was the same results as Elmira had faced the prior weekend, 2 more wins for Oswego to move to 4-0 on the year. Buffalo State fell first on October 29th 5-2. Then for the first time in a very long time on Oswego Netminder pitched a shutout. October 30th was the date and Fredonia was the opponent. Paul Beckwith got the 3-0 shutout victory with Chris Muise, Ian Boots, and Andrew Mather provide the offense.

Then the big weekend arrived first weekend of November. Whiteout weekend hit the shores of Lake Ontario. First up was the Potsdam Bears on November 5th and the Lakers were not overlooking the Bears as they handed out a 7-1 beating, the largest margin of victory this year. Justin Fox had a solid game that night with 2 goals and an assist. But he was outdone by Luke Moodie who scored a hat-trick to power the offense. Then the big night. November 6th, the Whiteout game vs. Plattsburgh. Oswego won all 3 meetings last season and extended the winning streak to 4 straight with a 5-3 victory on that night. The scoring against platty that night came from Luke Moodie, Andrew Mather, Tyler Leimbrock, Ian Boots and an Empty netter from Owen Kelly. Boot's goal may have forever endured him to the faithful of Oswego State.

The Hot start continued with a 6-1 beating of Cortland to end the 3 game homestand. After that Oswego took it's show on the road for a 5 game swing heading into thanksgiving. It started at the Aud in Utica and was another win for the Lakers this time by a 3-1 score. Morrisville was the next victim with a 4-2 win for Oswego. Brockport and Geneseo were the next teams on the road swing and the result was the same as before victories for the Lakers. Scores were 4-2 and 4-0 respectively. Oswego was already flying high at this point, ranked #1 in the nation at a perfect 11-0-0 record. Then things got a bit tough as stud goalie Paul Beckwith was struck by the injury bug again for the 3rd time in his career, this time a collar bone injury leaving him out 3-6 weeks.

With Beckwith down the coaching staff had to go with Dan Jones, a sophmore goalie who had not played a minute his entire career. He got his 1st career start against Utica at home on December 10th and was thrown into the fire against the Pioneers. Jones was able to hold the fort and walk out with his 1st career victory by a score of 2-1. The win pushed Oswego to 12-0-0. However this wave of momentum came to a crashing hault in the final game of the first half after a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Hobart Statesman. Oswego ended the 1st half 12-1-0 and #1 ranked team in D3 Hockey.

Justin Fox leads the team in scoring with 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points followed closely by transfer Ian Boots at 16 points. Now unlike last season, this year games for the Lakers have been closer. Last year around now Oswego was beating the living tar out of every team put in front of them. Now that isn't exactly the case. However this may be better for the Lakers, in that the scoring seems to be more balanced among the team, as they seem to be having the 4 lines playing better and more evenly then last years club. The new players on the team are having an impact there is no doubt but it's not as obvious on the score sheet as last years club. It's the little things away from the puck that are having the biggest impact.

Looking ahead to the second half of the season Oswego has an interesting road ahead. The team is off until New Years when it hosts its annual Pathfinder Bank Oswego Hockey Classic December 30th and 31st. December 30th the 4pm game will see Hobart take on Wisconsin Stevens-Point. The 7pm night cap will see the Lakers take on Hamilton College. New Years Eve will have the consolation game at 1 and the Championship game at 4pm. After the tourny Skidmore college comes to town on January 4th and then Curry College makes the trip to Oswego on January 8th. Both games at 7PM.

The Lakers return to conference play on January 21st as the Lakers travel to Buffalo State to play the Bengals and then the next night, January 22nd they will play the Blue Devils at Fredonia. January 28th and 29th the Lakers make the North Country trip as on the 28th they play at Potsdam and the 29th at Plattsburgh. The 5 game road trip to start the spring semester ends on February 4th when the team travels to Cortland. Oswego returns home on February 12th to take on Morrisville. The final weekend of the regular season also happens to be senior weekend on February 18th and 19th as Brockport and Geneseo (Senior Night) make the trip. SUNYAC playoffs begin February 26th and the NCAA Championships are in late March.

Lakers have a busy schedule ahead but knowing head coach Ed Gosek will have the club ready to go and face whatever challanges lay ahead.