stick in rink: a hockey blog

Screw Christmas (dysfunctional families make you feel this). My favourite time of the year: WJC time!

Canada is in the running for a five-peat (knock on wood) and the line-up this year is looking mighty swell.

Players worth watching: Colten Teubert (D), Zach Boychuk (F), Cody Hodgson (F), John Tavares (F)

If you need just one reason… Watch the WJC to see how Pat Quinn does with coaching players who aren't dinosaurs.

Where to watch: There's a VOD feed being broadcast at TSN. If you can't catch the game at home, TSN usually broadcasts a live internet feed of these games.

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December 26
GER vs USA - 12:30pm PST - TSN
CAN vs CZR - 4:00pm PST - TSN

December 28
CAN vs KAZ - 12:00pm PST - TSN
USA vs CZR - 4:30pm PST - TSN

December 29
CAN vs GER - 12:30pm PST - TSN

December 30
RUS vs SLV - 11:30am PST - TSN

December 31
SWE vs RUS - 11:30am PST - TSN
CAN vs USA - 4:00pm PST - TSN

January 2
QF #1 TBA - 12:30pm PST - TSN
QF #2 TBA - 4:00pm PST - TSN

January 3
SEMI #1 TBA - 12:30pm PST - TSN
SEMI #2 TBA - 4:00pm PST - TSN

January 5
Bronze TBA - 12:30pm PST - TSN
Gold TBA - 4:00pm PST - TSN

While I've been away from blogging for a while in lieu of trying to actually graduate this year, I haven't been away from hockey. I've watched or listened to every game, skipped class to catch the 2nd period, and stumbled home drunk from the Pit in the rain, snow and shine after a win or a loss.

I've been eagerly anticipating Trevor Linden Night for some time. When I arrived at GM Place, there were lots of people looking for tickets. We had ours.

A friend of mine was trying to sell off a pair of tickets in order to upgrade to lowers. He's never done this before. My friend was approached by a man who wanted to get a close look at the tickets and was trying to pull them out of my friend's hands. My friend resisted. wanting to keep a grip on the tickets; the man got angry.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I know your fucking game. You fucking brown guys are all alike. You're all crooks. You're why tickets are so expensive with your fucking scams. Fucking brown guys. Fuck you—I'm not falling for this, you fucking Paki."

That was unbelievable. In all of my years of living in Vancouver—shit, son, I grew up here—that was the first time I've ever witnessed actual racial hatred being spewed at anyone.

I'm not going to recount my friends' background or his successes at various levels in university, where we met. He's not better than that man because he's smarter or more successful; he's better than that man because he's not a racist dumbass.

Are people getting more ignorant, or has this always been the case? Either way, we got into Trevor Linden Night, watched Trev's numbers being raised, watched a pretty fun game, got coffee, went home and tucked into bed. I don't know what happened to that guy, but hopefully it involved a little karmic retribution.

Thanks to user solitary on CDC for uploading it to Youtube!

"He's getting a little more cocky in the lockerroom," said Canuck forward Alex Burrows, who has five assists. "We'll see how long that lasts."

"He thinks he's one of the better offensive D's on the team now," added centre Ryan Kesler. "I have to remind him to stay within his game."

Bieksa is getting concerned, too. Mitchell is his defensive partner at even strength and never sees the power play — yet he's only two points behind Bieksa, who's on every power play.

"He's a little too close for comfort," sighed Bieksa. "It seems every time the puck comes to me, I'm sliding it over to him and there are not many pucks coming back. I talked to him about maybe pump-faking it once in a while and throwing it back to me but, no, he's putting the puck on net.

"He's not a disher any more, he's a shooter. He's nipping at a power-play spot here with his production."

From 1:02 to 1:33: Burrows' Marc Crawford impersonation.

(The second half of the video can be seen here.)

The New York Rangers have posted a statement on their website, along with a confirmation of Cherepanov's death:

“We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei,” said Sather. “On behalf of the New York Rangers organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future.”

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As of 3:34pm EST, TSN is confirming reports that Cherepanov has passed away.

New York Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk's Kontinental Hockey League game and died a short time later.

According to reports, medical personnel attempted to revive him.

No further details are available at this point.

"He was a great kid," Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. "He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It's both shocking and devestating news for all of us. "

Cherepanov was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

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Sports.ru is reporting that Cherepanov has died.

Translated (with an online translator): Tcherepanov has died in hospital
the Forward of "Avant-guard" Alexey Tcherepanov has died in hospital.

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NYR Prospect Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during a KHL game.

From TSN:

New York Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk's Kontinental Hockey League game today.

Medical personnel were attempting to revive him.

No further details are available at this point.

Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman told TSN that because of fragmented information he is uncertain of the 19-year-old's condition.

Grossman said that according to an eye witness report, Cherepanov was body checked, got up and skated to the bench where he collapsed and his heart stopped, prompting CPR.

Cherepanov was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Jaromir Jagr also plays for Avangard Omsk.