OLN

Sorry to hear that some Stars fans didn't get the game the other night.

Like Reg Dunlop in Slapshot said when told by a fan to get the powerplay going, "They're working on it"

And they're working on a lot of other things.

You have to realize that OLN is a "Start up" operation when it comes to covering live sports, let alone the NHL.

Their other ventures (Tour De France, APV Volleyball, etc.) have all been live-to-tape, which is a fancy industry way to say they have a tape sent to them and it is popped in a machine.

They've hired a lot of production people who were on the ground floor when ESPN2 first forayed into hockey way back when. Remember those days? When it was known as "The Deuce" and they had a series of hilarious promos for their coverage.

As far as on-air talent, they made it easy on themselves and hired every human that has ever covered any of the three New York based NHL franchises. (kidding…)

Because they don't have a television studio, they are renting a studio down the street from their offices in Stanford, Connecticut so they can do a studio show, with "Deep Woods Bill Clement" hosting.

In regards to their coverage, one thing they are trying is to have their cameramen zoom in on the action. The reasoning is that they want to see only the playing surface and not equal parts ice and crowd, and, it should be easier to see the puck. I commend them for trying it but after watching I had to take a gravol, 2 tumms and book lasic surgery. The cameras were whipping back and forth way too much trying to stay with the play. Look for that to be pulled back a tad as they move along.

As far as cart before the horse, they had all of about 5 weeks to hire people and come up with a schedule that fit into an already set in stone NHL schedule.

At one time I thought I was going to be a part of OLN's coverage but after multiple stabs at syncing OLN games with off days of Stars games I think they finally said hey, this just isn't going to work.

So anyway, before you crucify them for their warts and hiccups take a breath and realize - "You can't fall off the floor"

GROIN EPIDEMIC

With no fewer than 5 Phoenix Coyotes out of the lineup due to groin injuries, including both goalies, I couldn't help but be reminded of my all-time favorite sign. I think it was in Buffalo during the 99' Final. Hull was bothered by a groin problem and Modano was dealing with a wrist issue.

The sign read: Hull Groin Injury, Modano Wrist Injury…Coincidence?

GRETZLAND

Coyotes coach, Wayne Gretzky (dang that's funny to say) has his L.A. mansion on the market. It's featured on the cover of Canadian House and Home this month.

Asking price? Somewhere around $25,000,000.00

Imagine, asking $25M and no backyard rink!

Imagine having just one NHL win and owning a $25 million dollar home!

He's a confident one that Great One.

As a side note, I just sold my house. It was featured on the back cover of Canadian Shack and Shed, and it fetched considerably less than Gretz's estate. Make a mental note, the final day for walking tours at "Razortopia" is Monday. Not to worry though, all Razortopia merchandise will remain available online through the holiday season.