And more to the point, how about that James "Don't Call Me Jamie" Neal and his OT game-winning goal? As colleague Mike Heika points out in today’s SportsDay story, home ice really did heat up just in time in Dallas Stars' 4-3 overtime win.

Per usual, I go to Heika for my local puck knowledge. As he points out, the lowly “Leafs (1-7-2) were coming off their first victory of the season and playing with purpose and poise.”

Thanks, Mike. But when it comes to getting the pulse of hockey nation — Canada — I go to my Aunt Jeanie. The Cranbrook, B.C., resident says the Leafs — a storied organ-I-zation — is in such bad shape that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is “threatening” to cancel broadcasting Toronto’s games on “Hockey Night in Canada” unless Toronto management rights the ship.

Yeaaaaa-right. To put this into perspective, this would be on par with NBC deciding to not air Dallas Cowboys games on its lucrative “Sunday Night Football.” So basically it’s just a bunch of talk. Just consider the absurd ratings and gaudy price for advertising during a Cowboys game. (You telling me a broadcaster is gonna say bye-bye to those numbers?!?!)

The standings don’t matter. The product on the field doesn’t matter. When the losses outnumber the wins, the tabloid write-ups matter. The off-field issues matter.The GM’s crazy personnel moves matter. The talk radio yappers matter. The Leafs, like the ’boys, are popular win-lose-or-draw (in the case of hockey, win-lose-or-shootout loss). But for how long will this be the case?

Nearly a month into the AHL Season, all 3 Texas teams have been playing well. For the Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage, they are currently 1st and 2nd in the West Division are looking strong right now, Texas is currently 5-2-2 and currently has the 2nd best defense in the Western Conference by giving up just 19 goals, only ahead of them is the Hamilton Bulldogs where they have given up just 14 as the 2 teams are playing each other tonight. However, if the Stars are going to compete in the West Division and the Conference as a whole, the offense will half to get better as Sergei Korostin leads the team with just 4 goals.

Elsewhere in the AHL, the North Division is looking to be the strongest division from top to bottom as the Rochester Americans are leading the North with a 8-1-1 record. The gap between 1st and 4th place Abbotsford is just 6 points. The other teams in the Grand Rapids Griffins, Toronto Marlies and the Lake Erie Monsters will be in the race all season with all of them having 8 points.

Even though the Atlantic Division Atlantic is looking strong, the Manchester Monarchs and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are the class of the Atlantic Division. Greg More is becoming very dangerous on the PP as 3 of his 4 goals so far this season have come on the PP and their balance attack is becoming strong as 7 players have 5 or more points already this season for the Sound Tigers.

For the Central Hockey League, it's been a slow start for the Brahmas after getting out of the gate at 1-2-1. However, the schedule has been very tough with games against the Colorado Eagles and the Mississippi Riverkings who are looking to contend in the Northern Conference as both teams went deep into the playoffs. Else where in the South, the Amarillo Gorillas have been very hot with a 5-1-0 record after finishing with the worst record last year.

Also, this is a huge week for the 2 metroplex teams Texas Brahmas and the Allen Americans as they will play the 1st of 9 games against each other this season on Saturday night.

The Calgary Hitmen are leaving where they left off as they have a 4 point lead over a group like the surprising Moose Jaw Warriors and the and East Division leading Saskatoon Blades out east. While out west, The Vancouver Giants, Portland Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans are shifting between each other for the Western Conference Lead as the top of the west is going to be very tight as the Kamloops Blazers are looking to get back up in the battle.

Below them is the Kelwona Rockets in 5th. Out east, the Swift Current Broncos have been the big turnaround team in the east as they lost to Medicine Hat in the 1st round of last years playoffs. One of the big disappointments so far is the Brandon Wheat Kings as the goaltender has been shaky so far while Prince Albert and Edmonton round out the Eastern Conference Playoff teams. Out west, it's the Chilliwack Bruins and Spokane Chiefs are the 7th and 8th spots while Seattle and Prince George are looking to get back in the Conference Playoff spots.

In Ontario, the defending Memorial Cup Champions Windsor Spitfires are back on top of the west after a slow start, they are 12-3-1 through 16 games. Out in the east, Mississauga has a 4 point lead in the Conference as they are clearly in the stronger division in the East with teams like the Barrie Colts and Nigara Icedogs.

For the QMJHL, the West and Atlantic Division races are going to be intense. The Gatineau Olympiques are looking like the 2007-08 team that won the QMJHL Title with a 12-4-0 record with a very strong defense with a +35 GD and an offense that's looking great so far. Rouyn-Nornda is nipping on their heals just one point back.

When the season started in the Atlantic, Moncton and St. John were picked as the teams that would battle for the Division. However, P.E.I. Has been making things interesting and if they improve their defense, the Rockets could be a strong contender for the Atlantic Division title.

With nearly a month into the USHL and a month and a half in the NAHL Seasons.

The USHL season as the top 3 teams in both divisions are starting to get some separation. In the East, Chicago, Cedar Rapids, and Green Bay are all battling for the top spot in the East as all 3 teams are just 2 points separate in the East. In addition to the Steel leading, they scoring nearly 5 goals a game and their turnaround has been strong after finishing 13 points out of the playoffs and probably would been last if it weren't for Des Moines who won just 12 games last season.

Down in the east is defending champion Indiana where most of their top players are gone from last year like Stanislav Galiev and Brandon Richardson that helped them win the Clark Cup last year. Bringing the rear in the East are the Youngstown Phantoms, Waterloo Blackhawks and and the USNTDP.

Out west, League powerhouse Omaha is back on top of the division with a slim lead over the Tri-City Storm and the Sioux Falls Stampede. Tri-City has had even a bigger turnaround then Chicago after finishing dead last out west while the Lincoln Stars have been struggling with a 4-5-0 record and currently being in 5th after losing in the West Division Final to Fargo after finishing on top on the West Division during the regular season. 

From top to bottom though, the West Division is looking stronger this year then the East.

In the NAHL, The top of the South and North Divisions are going to be very strong as the Traverse City North Stars and Marquette Rangers will be fighting it out for the top of the North Division title as a balance scoring attack with 7 players already being in double digits already as Andy Huff already has a dozen goals this season while Eric Mclintock is looking strong all over the ice as he has 17 points (8G 9A) so far this season.

For Marquette, they may not have a big offense, but their defense is among the best in the league so far as they have the best team defense by only giving up 32 goals in 14 games so far and a very strong PK nearing 86%. 

In the South Division, Topeka and St. Louis are going to be battling as the Roadrunners will look for revenge after the Bandits just killed the Roadrunners in the Division Final last season. Ryan White, has looked very strong after being the South Division Player of the week with a big week, other players include Edgars Lipsbergs and Erik Higby have been great on offense.

For the defending champion Bandits, it's the great goaltender that's been the story for them as Garrett Bartus has an impressive 6-1-1 record with a strong looking 2.14 GAA and a .911 SV% that's frustrating opposing teams. However they offense may not be that great though, they leading scorer Daniel Olszewski is leading with just 14 points (7G 7A).

As for the Tornado, they looking to find some consistently as the Tornado sit 4th in the South Division with a 6-6-2 record. So far, only one player is in double digits in points with Jack Prince leading with 12 Points (5G 7A).

Your very own Allen Americans defeated the Laredo Bucks tonight to start thier inaugural season 4-0. Next up: Texas Brahmas in North Richland Hills Oct. 31 at 7:05 p.m.

For more details on the win, check out the story: http://neighborsgo.com/index.php?page_id=1000&site_page_id=5&post_id=44833

23 of the 32 spots for next year's World CUp have been clinched as we reach the final days of World Cup Qualifying which will be coming up in Mid November. For the most part, your either in and getting ready for South Africa or your dreams are are in smoke and talking about how to get to the next World Cup in 2014 which will be in Brazil.

For the 6 playoff matches that will be comprised in 2 legged format where the winner will advance on agg. where the total score over the 2 games. Back on Monday, the draw for the European Playoffs were made and some interesting matchups were revelled. A couple of the Euro Giants as France and Portugal will have to slug it out in some interesting playoff matchups while a couple underdogs in Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will look to put a shock in Europe.

In addiditon to the Playoff Matchups, 3 of the 6 spots in Africa are still up for grabs as the teams will hope to join Ghana, Ivory Coast and tournament host South Africa next year. We will have some great matchups on the final day.

In Africa, in addition to the World Cup, teams that finish 2nd and 3rd in the 5 groups will make it to the 2010 African Nations Cup this winter.

The other 2 matchups are international matchups as we have the CONCACAF VS. South America after Costa Rica has been in free fall since the CONCACAF Gold Cup back in July that had them fall from Regional Leaders to down in 4th place. As for Uruguay, a 3rd straight time in the International Playoffs has Uruguay has fans on edge after beating out Ecuador and just coming short of putting a shock to Argentina who clinched on the final day back on October 14.

For the Asia and Oceania Regions, the first leg was played back earlier this month in Bahrain where Bahrain was frustrated by a New Zealand team that's looking to come out of the Oceania Region where because of the lack of competition, it's makes it tough for Oceania teams to qualify. The 2nd leg will be in New Zealand where the winner after a scoreless first leg will play in South Africa while the loser goes home.

Here's a look at the American Hockey League as the Texas Stars and San Antonio Rampage are currently 1 and 2 in the West Division while the Houston Aeros are currently in 4th in the very tough West Division. After a season to forget to the Rampage last year, they looking very strong with a record of 6-1-1 and the best record in the AHL so far. Elsewhere in the West Division, the Rockford Icehogs are currently in 3rd place while Peoria, Milwaukee and Chicago round the West.

The Central Hockey League is now underway after a split against the Colorado Eagles, the Brahmas will play a home and home series against the Mississippi Riverkings which will include the home opener and Championship Banner rising cermony on Saturday night. For Allen, an impressive opening weekend saw them wen to Arizona where they sweeped the Sundogs who are looking to get back in the Playoffs after missing out last year.

Here's a look at the Major Junior Schedule for this week.

Here's the current Division Leaders

Western Hockey League

East Division: Saskatoon Blades

Central Division: Calgary Hitmen

B.C. Division: Kamloops Blazers

U.S.A. Division: Tri-City Americans

Ontario Hockey League

East Division: Oshawa Generals

Central Division: Mississauga St. Michaels Majors

Midwest Division: Kitchener Rangers

West Division: Windsor Spitfires

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

West Division: Gatineau Olympiques

Central Division: Drummondville Voltigeurs

East Division: Quebec City Ramparts

Atlantic Division: St. John Seadogs

Here's a look at this weeks games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

In the USHL, the Cedar Rapids Roughriders and the Sioux Falls Stampede are the early pace setters as the Stampede have gotten points in 6 of their games so far this season while Cedar Rapids has the best offense and the best goal difference with a +12 along with the Chicago Steel who are looking for a much improved season after failing to make the playoffs last season.

Both of the new comers in the East Division have been struggling so far this season as the Youngstown Phantoms are in 5th while the USNTDP are last yet to win a game so far. Even though for the USNTDP, it's mostly an under 18 group to get them ready for international events throughout the season. The first one of which will come in Early November with the World Jr. A Challenge in Summerside, P.E.I.

Out west, after Sioux Falls, it's most likely going to be a very tight race as no one else has been able to break away with the early pack as the gap from 2nd through 7th is just 2 points at the moment.

In the NAHL, the Wenatchee Wild are on a mission after losing in the Robertson Cup Championship game last year with a huge start with an impressive 17-4-0 record where the West Division has played the most games so far in the first month of the season where the 3 Alaska teams have to play more games in chunks for scheduling reasons.

In the North, It's going to be between Marquette and Traverse City as both teams have been playing well coming up to a pair of head to head games in Traverse City coming up this week. The Expansion Janesville Jets have been respectable so far at one game below .500 with Motor City just one point back in 4th, as for the Ice Diggers, at just 3-10-0 are in the North Division Cellar.

The South may be the best from top to bottom. Unfortunately, for the Texas Tornado, a bad start has the team in 4th place at 5-5-2 where a split against Wichita Falls didn't help either team climb up in the Division. St. Louis who are the 3 time defending champions are at 9-1-0 and are tied for first with Topeka and lead because of Goal Differential. Springfield is currently in 3rd with 14 points and 4 points back of St. Louis and Topeka.