Time out from TheRightFieldLine's war of choice against America's debauched political class...
For hockey fans, I have astonishing news. Tie Domi, Claude Lemieux, Ron Duguay, Craig Simpson, Stephane Richer and Ken Daneyko are lacing up the skates once again.
Domi, the under-sized but worthy pugilist for the Toronto Maple Leafs...Simpson, the goalie screener for the shooters on Wayne Gretzky's Edmunton Oilers...Duguay, the helmetless, dashing forward for the Detroit Red Wings and other teams.
All of them played during the final years of the old NHL, before rules changes made helmeets universal and the on-ice action faster and less rough.
Now, they are back, all but Duguay on figure skates, all showing their softer side in a terrific new reality show, Battle of the Blades, on the CBC. I caught it by accident on Sunday night. I believe it's on again tonight from Newfoundland.
It's a tekoff on the traditional pairs competition for figure skaters, with the players paired with experienced female partners. Incredibly, the routines include the usual throws. More incredibly, there was no blood on the ice afterwards.
One of the judges is Dick Button, the one-time skater who has become a legendary commentator on figure skating competition. When one of the judges took a swipe at Duguay for competing on hockey skates, other judges counter-attacked, telling him to butt out.
It makes for a terrific show, and it's on again tonight at 8 p.m. The CBC web site is at
http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair5.php
I now return to my war of choice
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