If I were to tell you that the Phoenix Coyotes not only beat the San Jose Sharks last night, but scored 8 goals on them, their goaltender Curtis Joseph stopped all 40 shots he faced, and Jeremy Roenick scored 3 of the Phoenix tallies to join the NHL Hat Trick club.....you'd say Bosh, crack open another Labatt Blue. I would of course be happy to do so.

The Sharks have now lost four of their last five, and appear to be finding adversity for the first time this season. Adversity delivered a pizza to them last night in the form of the Phoenix Coyotes, and this one came with all the trimmings. Cujo made 40 saves for his 48th career shutout, and tied Jacques Planted for fifth on the all time wins list with his 437th victory.

On any other night, the big story would have been Jeremy Roenick. Demoted to fourth line duty on some nights, and more often that not a healthy scratch, Roenick is spitting distance from retirement. His words not mine:

-from TSN.ca
Asked if he thought he had a hat trick left in him, Roenick said, ''I didn't think I had a goal left in me. 'There were times there when I was wondering if I had many games left. My confidence has been shot for a while. It doesn't help when you're on the fourth line and you're a healthy scratch.''

Perhaps this old dog does have a few new tricks left?

The Coyotes finished the evening 8-0, chasing Sharks keeper Evgeni Nabokov who allowed 3 goals on 6 shots (and the fantasy owner I'm playing this week started him! WOOOHOOO!!!), and Toskala was pounded for 5 more. Phoenix is now only 8 points out of playoff spot, and like their counterparts down under in Columbus and St. Louis, they are beginning to put some wins together and climb in the standings.

Quick Shave:
The Vancouver Canucks have rediscovered the art of scoring goals, and their most recent victim was the Edmonton Oilers. Daniel Sedin was at it again, scoring two goals and an assist to lift the Canucks to the 6-2 win. Martin Brodeur is still the man. The New Jersey Devils goaltender shutout the New York Islanders 2-0 by making 29 saves. It was Brodeur's 6th shutout of the season, and the 86th of his career. Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro actually had a solid night in net as well making 36 saves on the evening. The New York Rangers fought their way to their first win in 8 games. Literally. Brendan Shanahan dropped the gloves with Donald Brashear in the third period after he got tired of him taking liberties with Jaromir Jagr all game. In a very physical match, the Rangers clawed and scrapped their way to a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Nashville Predators backup goaltender Chris Mason (still covering for the injured Vokoun) shutdown, and shutout the Boston Bruins by stopping all 38 shots he faced. The Predators won the game 5-0. The St. Louis Blues are back! As I mentioned earlier, they, the Jackets and the Yotes are attempting to turn their seasons around, and thus far appear to be doing it. The Blues Manny Legace made 33 saves to shutout the Colorado Avalanche 2-0 last night.

Game of the Night:
Anaheim at Minnesota 6:00 PM
Chicago at Columbus 7:00 PM
Los Angeles at Detroit 7:00 PM
Edmonton at Calgary 8:00 PM
Philadelphia at Carolina 8:00 PM
San Jose at Dallas 8:00 PM

What game prior to a New Year's Bash isn't great? I give you the entire card for the evening, and I'll let you decide which ones to watch for the final day of 2006.....although if you need any help deciding....Edmonton vs. Calgary looks juicy to me. Have a great New Years Eve folks! Thanks for an amazing year!

Oh and Forsberg will net 3 and become the final HTC member of the year.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh