HOCKEY ON THE WIRE
Chara record
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara set a new record of 108.8 m.p.h. in the hardest shot event Saturday night at the NHL skills competition in Ottawa.
Chara beat his own record of 105.9 m.p.h., which he set last year.
“Could I top 110 m.p.h.? We’ll see,” Chara told nhl.com.
“I want to be better every season.”
Bower prediction
Maple Leafs Hall of Fame goaltender Johnny Bower made a bold prediction Sunday.
Bower, who helped Toronto win three Stanley Cups from 1962 to 1964, said the Maple Leafs will make the playoffs this season.
“I think they’re going to get into the playoffs this year,” Bower told nhl.com.
“It looks pretty good.”
Crosby injury
Pittsburgh Penguins super star Sidney Crosby suffered a neck injury, which went unnoticed until he sought second opinions from doctors in Utah and California.
Bob Mccown, of Sportsnet 590 The Fan, first reported the diagnosis, and added that it was said Crosby was not happy with Penguins doctors for missing the injury.
Staying in Vegas
The annual NHL awards show will be in Sin City for at least the next three years.
The league signed a threeyear agreement with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to hold its gala event at the Wynn casino.
The league first moved the show to Las Vegas in 2009 and its been there ever since.
Columbus to host
This time next year the National Hockey League’s top stars will be descending on Columbus, Ohio.
The NHL announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the 2013 All-star Game.
“We’re looking forward to bringing our all-star celebration to Columbus,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.