Your savory breakfast links:
- Fire up the Google Translate – The Rink is taking a road trip to visit the Caps overseas.
- First stop – the Czech Republic and Extraliga action:
- The best way to make a good impression on a new team in a new country? Jason Chimera knows how – go top shelf for Chomutov in the shootout. [sport.cz (video), iSport Blesk]
- In Prague, Michal Neuvirth saved 49 of 51 shots to backstop Sparta to a 3-2 victory over PSG Zlin, their most bitter rival. [hokej.cz, iDNES, Sportovni Noviny]
- With all this news from Czech, surely there’s been a Roman Hamrlik sighting? Well yes, of course there has. In an interesting coincidence, Hamr’s little brother Martin plays for PSG Zlin, the team that defeated Chimera’s team one game prior to his arrival, and then got beat by Neuvirth’s Sparta the next day. Roman watched from the stands as his brother scored the gamewinner against Chomutov, then gave an interview. Shorter Hamr – he’d really like the lockout to end. The clock is ticking. [iDNES, sport.cz]
- Next stop – scenic Switzerland.
- After 15 games played for the Kloten Flyers, Brooks Laich has six goals, eight assists, and a plus-8 rating. He also may be on his way Stateside with a hamstring injury, per reports in the Swiss press. [TDG.ch (via GoogleFrench), Blick.ch (via GoogleDeutsch)]
- … but take a look at Brooks being awesome at Kloten’s “Swiss Ice Hockey Day”, quite naturally supervising “drills” with the youngsters on the Ausseneis (outdoor rink). [EHC Bulach (video, at about the 5 minute mark)]
- Heja Sverige!
- Marcus Johansson was on hand Wednesday night as Bofors celebrated the 40th anniversary of their home barn Nobelhallens by raising Bengt-Ake Gustafsson’s name and number to the rafters … [NWT.se, sverigesradio]
- … and Mackan’s goal-plus-assist helped cement Karlskoga’s place at the top of the standings. [NWT.se]
- Filip Forsberg had a nice chat with his fans; here’s the transcript. [DT.se]
- And lastly, Russia.
- The first NHL’er has risen to the top of the KHL leaderboard. Take a bow, Varly. [KHL]
- Finally, the Hershey Bears bounced back from a bad loss at Syracuse on Friday with a better effort and result vs. the Baby Pens at home on Saturday. Garrett Mitchell‘s two goals, Movember ‘stache, and spectacular shiner led the way. Yowsa. [Patriot-News (video), SHoE, Caps Outsider]