By Mike Harrington
OK, there's plenty to crab about today in the wake of last night's collapse in New Jersey. And there will be plenty of chatter about it today at practice in the noon hour at Cazenovia Rink.
But first, I've been off a couple days, so I want to give a huge stick salute to Stompin' Tom. If you click the YouTube above, guarantee you'll feel better.
The country crooner who made "The Hockey Song" famous at arenas across North America died Wednesday at his Ontario home at age 77. The death of Stompin' Tom Connors was huge news across Canada, with even Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeting his condolences.
His death was announced on his Web site, which included a final good-bye message that had the staunchly patriotic Connors saying, "I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the Patriot Canada needs now and in the future."
Arena sing-a-longs of "The Hockey Song" this week are having deeper meaning, with scoreboard salutes accompanying the music Thursday night in places like New Jersey, Columbus and Los Angeles after a nice tribute Wednesday night in Toronto.
Memo to the Sabres: Dump the Stupid Blooper Reel for a night next Tuesday when the Rangers hit town. We want The Hockey Song. A good long version during a commercial break.
