HOCKEY LAST NIGHT: MUCKLER RAKING

Well, it was just a matter time -- some enterprising fans launched FireMuckler.ca, which is pretty self-explanatory -- they want the Ottawa Senators to fire general manager John Muckler.

No one's saying the pressure is getting to Muckler, but those "then" and "now" shots were only taken six months apart. Just kidding (the top shot is from when Muckler coached the minor-league Dallas Blackhawks in the late '70s).

On top of the pressure to make a deal at the GMs' meetings in Toronto this week, Muckler now has a team that is down to only one experienced goalie, Martin Gerber, since Ray Emery is out for a while after getting injured in practice yesterday.

Hey, since nothing in sports makes any sense these days, the Sens probably end up beating the Atlanta Thrashers tonight. Of course, it's Atlanta, who always seems to turn every game into duelling power plays, and the Sens aren't exactly doing swimmingly there either, dead last in the league at 8.2%.

Remember this post:
Sens Trade Havlat: Is This The Beginning of the End for the Dynasty That Never Was? (July 10)

Habs 3 Oilers 2 (shootout): Forgive Dwayne Roloson if he wakes up today and thinks it's still 2005-06 and he's still a member of the Wild, since last night's fate -- 34 saves in regulation in overtime but failing to get the win -- was something he experienced more than once last year in the State of Hockey.

Flames 3 Stars 1: Probably the biggest win yet for the struggling Flames, as normally mild-mannered defenceman Andrew Ference probably endeared himself to people across the league by earning the decision with Dallas clown Matthew Barnaby in an early tussle.

Sharks 3 Wild 1: Poolies take note -- last year's goal scoring champ Jonathan Cheechoo was dropped to the third line.

Devils 3 Hurricanes 2 (shootout): Think those back-to-back two-man advantages the 'Canes got against the Sens last Saturday were a kick in the teeth? Last night, Carolina's first goal was set up by the Devils getting called for two shooting-the-puck-over-the-glass penalties. However, recently reacquired Jim Dowd got the last-minute equalizer, and John Madden got the shootout winner in the sixth round.

Kings 6 Avs 5: Sean Avery bags two goals, including the eventual game-winner. See, good things do happen to bad people.

FOUR NATIONS CUP

Canada 3 U.S. 0: Shannon Szabados, in her international debut for Team Canada, recorded an easy shutout for the national women's team. Well done her. By the way, U.S. captain Krissy Wendell and Leafs fourth-liner John Pohl are a couple and while one hopes they stay together, after Britney and K-Fed's split, I'm not sure anyone can.

Sweden 8 Finland 3: Did someone named Heidi get on the scoresheet? But of course. This space's second-favourite women's hockey team scored three goals 1:59 apart late in the second and won going away; wish them well against Canada tonight.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.