I can see your halo... and Im not talking Beyonce

In all seriousness, I have never been more scared in my life.  My Uncle was recently in a hockey accident and broke his C1 vertebrae.  The C1 vertebrae is also known as your "atlas bone." It refers to the Greek God Atlas, who was known for holding the world on his shoulders. This is the topmost vertebra that joins together the skull and spine.  In most cases when the C1 breaks you're basically screwed.  By some miracle my Uncle had an unusual break that did not result in death or paralyses.  This is where the halo comes in.  Four bolts are screwed into the skull to attach the halo, which lifts the skull off of the spine to reduce the pressure so the bone can heal.  If all goes well the halo comes off in 6 weeks to 3 months.  While it's a long recovery and mobility is limited, he'll be caught up on Entourage in time for the series finale in July!  Back to serious though, he is working hard to follow the doctors orders with tremendous help from his girlfriend, family, and friends.  He has high hopes of returning to the ice in time for next season.  With a miracle like this, we are all feeling incredibly grateful. 

Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs

This past Saturday I shot the Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs game at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. (Special thanks to Dave!!)  The Joe is one of the oldest arena's still being played in by NHL teams.  I got to experience my first toss of the octopus.  Legend has it, "Each tentacle of the octopus was symbolic of a win in the playoffs. Back then, the NHL boasted only six teams, and eight wins (two best-of-seven series) were needed to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings swept the series that year."  This started in 1952 and has been their good luck charm to this day.

5 minutes into the first, forward Henrik Zetterberg scored a power play goal on Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer.  Halfway through the second, another power play goal was scored. This time by forward Tomas Holmstrom.  In the third, Jiri Hudler's slap shot founds it's way into the back of the net putting the Wings up 3-2.  At 13 left in the third, the Wings goalie Jimmy Howard was injured.  Backup goalie Joey MacDonald replaced him to play the final 13 minutes, making 7 saves. With a minute left in the third the Maple Leafs goalie was pulled and veteran forward Todd Bertuzzi scored an empty netter. 

The Red Wings won 4-2.

Howard is currently day-to-day with a sprained left shoulder.

Shutout Saturday at the Coliseum

The New York Islanders took on the Los Angeles Kings this past Saturday at the Nassau Coliseum and defeated them 3-0.  Goaltender Al Montoya #35 made 35 saves, this was his first start as a New York Islander, and first NHL career shutout.  Forward Frans Nielsen #51 is the first player in the NHL to score five shorthanded goals in the 2010-2011 season as he dominated the penalty killing to put the Isles on the board. This was followed with forward Matt Moulson #26 scoring the remaining two goals against his brother-in-law, Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.  The New York Islanders hosted the Florida Panthers today and won 5-1.