2-0

2 games are in the books and Canada sits at a perfect 2-0. Last night's decisive win over the Slovaks should show that Canada is definitely the team to beat in this year's tournament.

I didn't get to see the whole game unfortunately but I did see enough to know that this is a very deep Canadian squad that should be crowned as champions in another week or two.

I think the insertion of Kris Draper for Brendan Morrow was a good move by Pat Quinn. Morrow is a solid player but Draper's speed, penalty killing skills, and big game experience make him a more valuable commodity. With the way the other Canadian forwards are playing I think the only way Maltby & Marleau are going to see the ice is if another injury occurs.

Once again the best line last night was Lecavalier, Heatley and former Moose Jaw Warrior (and alumnus of our high school here) Ryan Smyth. Props also go to Jarome Iginla who, in spite of his lack of goal production thus far (he's been robbed a few times already) continues to be an impact player; and Martin St. Louis who continues to prove that big things can happen to little people. His Brett Hull-like goal last night was a true goal-scorer's goal, set-up by a great feed from Brad Richards (another Canadian who's playing great hockey right now).

Last night my wife and I took our two kids to the Civic Centre to take in the Moose Jaw Warriors annual Black & White intrasquad game. As the exhibition season nears in the WHL last night was a good chance for some of these young players to show what they can do in front of a fairly decent crowd.

All I have to say is thank goodness for Junior Hockey. It maintain's it's purity with the absence of big-money contracts, unions, and money hungry owners. Junior hockey is all about playing hard, winning championships, and taking steps towards achieving a dream.

Junior hockey in western Canada is the best hockey around. Having grown up in Southern Ontario where junior hockey is virtually invisible, it was like a whole other world was unveiled to me the first night my wife (then my girlfriend) took me to a Moose Jaw Warriors game. It didn't take long for me to get hooked on the team and the league.

There's an energy at Junior hockey games that I've yet to experience at an NHL game (although I'm sure some of the games during the Flames improbably run in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs would compare).

At the Civic Centre in Moose Jaw you can only seat about 3000 fans. The rink has been nicknamed the Crushed Can because the centre of it is sloped and makes it look like a pop can does after you step on the middle of it. It is an awesome atmosphere in there.

Moose Jaw fans are passionate people. We love our hockey and we are fanatically devoted to our team. Games against the hated rivals, the Regina Pats, make for some of the best hockey games (playoffs or not) that you will ever see. Hard hitting, fast paced, highly intense contests.

My advice is this, if you're ever in a western Canadian city that is home to a Western Hockey League franchise, take the time to get yourself a ticket and take in a game. Moose Jaw is a great place to watch a game but there are many other great western league cities that boast great fans- Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Kamloops are a few that come to mind.

For those of you out there who are interested in hearing about the trials and triumph's of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the 2004-05 season, I have started another blog titled "From the Cheap Seats" that will give regular recaps and opinions on the Warriors season. Check it out at www.moosejawwarriors.blogspot.com. Posts will be infrequent for the next couple weeks but will become much more regular in early October.