WEEK IN REVIEW

Another week has come and gone...let's take a look

THUMBS DOWN - Sean Avery - DALLAS STARS

-It's pretty well known around the world that Sean Avery is (for lack of a better word), an asshole. We are pretty big fans of Avery at the PrairiePuck, because he brings an element to the game that makes it that much more fun to watch. The superpest Avery has made a name for himself for diving, beaking the opponent without mercy, and of course the infamous rule adaptation that the league made in last year's playoffs when Avery decided to screen Marty Brodeur in an unorthadox fashion. This time, however, Avery has gone too far, making a comment to the media regarding the apparent "trend" of other players dating his "sloppy seconds", obviously referring to Dion Phaneuf's current girlfriend, actress, Elisha Cuthbert. Leave the trash talk on the ice Avery, because you may have just cost yourself a job in the NHL.

THUMBS DOWN WITH A HINT OF THUMBS UP - TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

- The PrairiePuck always cherishes the moments when we get to point out how incredibly bad the Toronto Maple Leafs are, and this is no exception. The Leafs have lost 3 straight and have sinked down to a comfortable last place in the North East division. If the Leafs have any chance in making the playoffs (which they don't), Brian Burke will need to make a move for some talent quick, before Ron Wilson starts sitting every single player to send a "message". The Leafs scoring has exceeded everyone's expectations this season, with a good effort from Matt Stajan and rookie sensation Mikhail Grabovski, but the bottom line is their defense is brutal...their goaltending is worse. At 24 games played, Vesa Toskala has tallied a .885 save percentage, which is good enough for second last in the league, and the team together has produced a 3.41 goals against per game, which is good enough for 27th place. Pretty pitiful stats. If the Leafs are going to shop Kaberle around, then they should do it...maybe to a team that is apparently shopping around scoring talent...like a Marian Gaborik in Minnesota perhaps. As for the hint of thumbs up, we are sad to see Luke Schenn struck with the first injury of his NHL career, which has been dubbed a "lower body injury". That being said, even when we lose a SK kid to injury, one comes up in the ranks, as Jeremy Williams, of Glenavon SK will suit up for his first game of the season this week, to replace Niklas Hagman.

THUMBS UP - CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

-What a young an exciting team this is to watch. At 12-6-7, it still seems that the team stacked with young-guns is still trying to find it's identity, but they seem to be taking it one game at at time. We're not believers that the Hawks can contend for home-ice advantage this season, but they could pull off their first playoff series victory in years. The way the standings are set right now, they will most likely end up in a 5th or 6th place situation, if they can keep up their current pace, which would probably pin themselves up against the Northwest division champs, or the 4th place team, so a playoff series vs Anaheim, Calgary, Vancouver, or Minnesota is a distinct possiblity, and will make for an exciting series. Led by youngstar captain Jonathan Toews, and the scoring ability of Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and Martin Havlat, and a strong defensive core led by Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith, the only area that may be shaky is goaltending, as the squad has failed to pull of close games down the stretch, accounting for 7 shootout losses this season (2nd to only Tampa Bay with 8).

Whatever happens with the Blackhawks this season, it will be nevertheless a step in the right direction. Speaking of the Hawks, don't forget to watch them battle the Red Wings in the 2009 Winter Classis on New Years' Day in the cold winds of Wrigley Field.

The Blackhawks have also been busy joking around in campaigning for spots on the Western All-Star Team. Take a look at the campaign videos for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and defenseman Brian Campbell:

PP