Another tragedy has struck, and this time it’s the KHL that suffers. A flight has crashed that was carrying the team for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl shortly after take-off. Various reports tally casualties at 36 and there is also word the entire team was on board. They were travelling for their first game of the season.

Familiar NHL names on the staff and roster include Karel Rachunek, Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Karlis Skrastins, Josef Vasicek, and Brad McCrimmon. Details are still coming in, but it sounds like a massive blow to the start of the KHL season.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Lokomotiv, along with any other staff and passengers that had the misfortune of being on board.

Thought I’d peruse the internets and condense what’s beeing said regarding the arena vote that passed last night.  Read on for the details.

An 8-5 council vote passed last night based on a 17 part motion passed in April by the city regarding it’s desires for the project.

• Maximum construction cost: $450 million
• $100 million – Daryl Katz
• $125 million – ticket fee
• $125 million – taxes/city funds
• $100 million – provincial/federal funding (not established)

The two sides will jointly work on a design. Not sure if one has absolute power or if an agreement must be made.

The city will own the 18,500-seat building

Katz will operate it, receiving all the revenues and covering all the costs.

Any cash made from naming rights go to Katz.

35 year agreement.

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 22-35-8 Record 26-30-8 Location: Pepsi Center Date: March 5, 2011 @ 8:00 PM MST TV:CBC

PRE-GAME RANT

Well, if you’ve been living under a rock tonight’s line ups might shock you a little… Taylor Hall sustained a high ankle sprain last game completing his Gordie Howe hattrick. Terrible to see him go down as he was steadily improving all season and with Hemsky out and Penner traded it’s up to Eberle, Magnus, and Omark to keep the excitement levels high enough to tune in. No pressure.

Perennial scratch Brule did not skate this morning and is out of the line up and Giroux, who has been leading the barons in scoring, has been called up to shore up the numbers. He’ll be wearing #12 tonight. Plante has also drawn in, but not sure who’s sitting on D.

Our MVP has returned! But Dubnyk will be getting the start again tonight.

Tonight’s opponents have gone 1-7-2 in their last 10, so expect them to come out hard against our boys who are pretty banged up.

CONFIRMED LINES

Continue reading 'GDT Oilers 5, Avalanche 1 – Game 66 – 2011-03-05 @ 8:00 PM MST – CBC'»

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- AT 27-24-9 Record 20-33-8 Location: Rexall Place Date: February 25, 2011 @ 7:00 PM MST TV:SN-W

PRE-GAME RANT

Aside from the hiccup in Minny, the Oilers have been playing a much better brand of hockey over their last 5 games. The Blues have been struggling in their playoff push and are without Halak who is currently on IR. Ex Oiler Conklin will likely be between the pipes tonight but not much of our roster will know him personally from the days of yore.

Speaking of tenders, Gerber has been called up as Khabibulin has sustained an eye injury. Police are still trying to determine if it was Larry, Curly or Moe who administered the eye gouge. I guess he’ll be sitting with Chorney who also left last game after injuring his knee.

Hall and Eberle continue their hot streaks so keep an eye on them tonight. They are the future of the team, so hot or not, all eyes are on them anyway.

Prediction: Winter will be cold again next year.

GUESSTIMATED LINES

Continue reading 'GDT Blues 5, Oilers 0 – Game 62 – 2011-02-25 @ 7:00 PM MST – SN-W'»