Only three games, so let's keep it quick:Trent Yawney, who was a strong contender in the pre-season "first coach fired" balloting, has been canned by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Give Yawney credit. He lasted longer than Gerard (Turkey) Gallant in Columbus and Ken Hitchcock in Philadelphia this season.
Denis Savard is apparently going to take over. The 'Hawks' problem is their one guy who can produce those Savardian jitterbug rushes that leave defenders tied in knots, Martin Havlat, is injured and there's no idea when he'll play again. Without Havlat, Chicago (league-low 49 goals) is pretty threadbare offensively. Of course, a healthy Havlat probably only would have bought Yawney another month.
Anyway, I've been over this before; what's happened to Original Six franchises such as the Blackhawks and Boston Bruins is semi-halfway tragic. Hey, it's not like the NHL should want to have strong franchises in two of the five largest U.S. TV markets or anything.
Lightning 3 Senators 1: Good timing for James Mirtle to profile Lightning goalie Johan "John" Holmqvist as one of the best players you've never heard of -- he stopped 22 of 23 shots to help the Tampans snap Ottawa's four-game win streak.
(About Holmqvist's new nickname: About a week ago some cracker wire-service photographer filed a photo with the cutline John Holmqvist.)
Sabres 3 Rangers 2 (overtime): Chris Drury gets the OT winner on a deflection. Hey, when was the last time the Sabres and Bills won on the same day?
Ducks 5 Flames 3: Ibid., see yesterday's Hockey Last Night. The Flames can't win on the road.
Tonight's better (actually, only) games: Stars-Red Wings, 7 p.m.; Devils-Kings, 10 p.m.
HOMETOWN BREAKDOWN
Neil already covered the Kingston Frontenacs' 5-4 shootout win over the St. Mike's Majors. Tomorrow's home game against the Ottawa 67's looks like a classic trap game, however.
Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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