Friday Around the Interweb

Boy, those calendar pages are flying off reeeeally slowly, aren't they? Here's some more good summer reading for you:

- Show of hands, who here thinks this would ever happen in the States? TSN, Canada's answer to second rate ESPN, discovered that a scheduling conflict with football would prevent them from airing all eight games of the upcoming Super Series. Rather than leave a nation without coverage of this event, which commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Summit Series, TSN did the unthinkable - they turned to a rival network to pick up the slack.

And so it is that TSN will air games 1, 4, 5 and 6 with Rogers Sportsnet carrying 2, 3, 7 and 8. The two will share commentators, analysts, and online streaming (which we here in the States should keep our fingers crossed that we'll be able to access) throughout the series. Sure, they'll do the same for the Olympics in Vancouver, and yes, it's been done before. But that still doesn't detract from what it is - a truly amazing sign of sportsmanship and yet another reason why Canada is truly the first nation of hockey.

- The Caps' website has a Q&A with Karl Alzner with his thoughts on the new practice facility, rookie development camp, and his style of play. Anyone else just loving this kid?

- Kevin Hatcher Fan Club has uncovered a hidden corner of Alex magic on CCM's website with some funny videos of our young superstar and step-by-step instructions on how to score "The Goal"...for those of you practicing at home. Admit it, you know you've wanted to try.

- Check out what's going on with Al "Wild Thing" Iafrate (sans the long flowing locks) over at Japers' Rink.

- Thanks to super junior reporter in the field, Chris, for passing along this article about Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL who is speaking at the Black Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame conference in Nova Scotia today and tomorrow. Interesting fact - the NHL didn't get a second black player in the league until 1974, 16 years after O'Ree made his debut...and he pulled on the red, white and blue - Mike Marson, original member of the Washington Capitals.

- Just a reminder that preseason tickets go on sale today, so get those phones dialing and those buttons clicking. Sure, they're meaningless games with less intensity than a box of Saltines and a roster more closely resembling the AHL...but its hockey!

- And finally, more treasures plumbed from the depths of YouTube for your Friday viewing pleasure. Today we'll go with a compilation that's a little older - check out Jagr with his mullet, Stevie Y. with some sick moves, a little love between Detroit and Colorado goalies, and a Hurricane tripping headfirst into the bench. Ah, memories...