Tuesday notes

As per the comments section of yesterday's post, and Andy Kemper's blog, it turns out that Portland has adjusted their roster down to 25, as well as ended their three-goalie experiment, by sending Mark Guggenberger home for disciplinary reasons. No idea what he did but it must either be pretty serious or a repeat offence if he's getting sent home and kicked off the team for it.

NHL legend Johnny Bower is going home to Prince Albert for the Raiders game tomorrow night. He's also coming clean about his age: he has been lying about it all his life, and it turns out he's actually only 17 so he's going to join the Raiders for the rest of the year.

Everett has replaced the traded Matt Strong on their blueline by recalling 16 year old Jeff Regier from Junior A. Regier started the season in Everett but was sent down to Jr A in October. Presumably he is back to stay now.

Prince George defenceman Jesse Dudas is hurt. Wow, who saw that coming?

I'm surprised nobody turned out the lights: Russia and the USA brawl at the end of the Four Nations U-17 tournament in Dmitrov, Russia last weekend. Some pretty dirty play there from some of the Russians....like the guy who grabs the American player's (former NHLer Uwe Krupp's son Bjorn, no less) head from behind with both hands and almost rips his head off. Or the guy sitting on top of the American player and punching him in the back of the head. Grow some balls and at least go after people from the front.

Love him or hate him, the NY Rangers' Sean Avery is entertainment. For those who haven't seen or heard it yet, Avery got into a few pre-game talking matches last week before games with New Jersey and Toronto. Don Cherry talked about it on HNiC on Saturday; you can see the pre-game incidents (and hear Grapes' comments) here. Later in the game, Toronto's Darcy Tucker took his shot at Avery in a scrap. Then, the Leafs' Wade Belak proved after the game that he's as dumb as he looks by threatening to hit Avery over the head with his stick. Meanwhile, Tucker whined after the game that Avery "has no class". Pot, meet kettle.