FINAL THOUGHTS OF AN 8-HOUR TRAVEL DAY

They say that we'll land in Dallas in 45 minutes. I'll believe it when the rubber hits Love Field.

Lots of time to think today - which is dangerous.

Many questions raised.

1. Did Alexander Semin leave his purse on the bench or have a teammate hold it as he slap flurried Marc Staal (How'd they take that back on the sod farm?) in the most effeminant NHL "fight" anyone can remember? Somewhere Paul Stewart is puking in a garbage can.

2 What flavor is that mouthguard Pat Kane of the Hawks chews on all game? And, I'm no orthodontist but shouldn't the mouthguard remain on the teeth during play? This Kane's a modern day Steve Larmer with all that chomping.

3 Is it an oxymoron when someone states that, "the ice is too cold" and therefore "chippy"?

4 Do you think fan voting for All-Star Starters has lost its spirit due to technology? Or is JS Giguere just having an awesome first half?

5 I think the Stars next attempt at a third or alternate jersey should feature gold helmets and gloves, don't you? The current one has been dubbed a "2 1/2 jersey" by the players, who think it lacks enough separation from the regular frocks.

6 The number one question from other team's media wags - Where is Sean Avery right now? (Nobody seems to know)

7 Would a 70 game schedule alleviate a lot of the injuries that are reaching pandemic proportions on some clubs?

8 Who deserves most of the credit in Boston, coach Claude Julien, Peter Chiarelli the GM, or Cam Neely?

9 Quick, name five guys the Florida Panthers use on the powerplay. (Hint: Scott Mellanby is retired) couldn't do it could you?

10 What has become of Blake Sloan?