Hockey's off-ice battle

Jason Blake

Dan Pollard

10/9/2007 11:58:50 AM

Cancer has once again made its way into a hockey locker room.

A year after young Phil Kessel revealed a battle with testicular cancer, Jason Blake has stepped forward to talk about his fight with leukemia.

It's a sobering time when a player has to sit in front of a microphone and talk about his family's reaction to the news. Tears are hard to hold back.

It's a scenario, minus the microphones and the media, spelling itself out on a daily basis across the world. What do you do when a loved one is faced with a battle for his or her life?   

Get involved.

This just happens to mark the 10th year for the Hockey Fights Cancer campaign. The joint initiative between the NHL and the NHLPA raises money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

You may have noticed the Phoenix Coyotes coaching staff wearing pink ties last week. Coyotes players wore pink stickers on their helmets. All 30 NHL clubs, players, management and fans will host events this month.

Jason Blake is proof that funding works. Blake plans to keep playing while taking medication. Doctors are hoping that those pills and new ones yet to be discovered will transform all kinds of leukemia from a deadly illness into a chronic disease.

Gerber, Baby!

Back on the hockey beat, don't kid yourself about the Ottawa Senators goaltending situation. The Senators would love to go with Martin Gerber the rest of the way this season. They know last year was an off year. He's proven in the past that he can handle the number one goaltending chores.

It was Gerber, not Cam Ward who stole games for Carolina throughout the regular season the year they won the Cup.

When Ray Emery is healthy again soon, he's money in the bank as a back up or trade bait later in the season. Of course, Gerber has to stay healthy.

Tiger's a Predator
 
The early returns favour Nashville in their decision to punch Chris Masons' ticket instead of Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun has allowed a goal on the first shot he's faced in each of the two games he's started with Florida and has allowed nine goals overall, Mason was named third star for opening week posting a goals against average of 0.50 and a save percentage of .984.

His former AHL coach Dave Allison called Mason a tiger when he played for him. Allison was behind the bench for Dan Ellis last year with the Iowa Stars. Ellis is now Mason's back-up in Nashville.

Loving the Schedule?

The Boston Bruins got to pack shorts for their first five road games this year, but then they don't have to adjust their watch the rest of the season. After visiting five Pacific Division teams the first five road games, the Bruins don't play another game this season outside the Eastern Time Zone.