The Dayton Gems are taking tickets today, or rather reserverations for tickets. The team has scheduled its coming-out press conference for 10 a.m., June 9, with the first coach to be named then. Their season tickets cost $550, $450 and $350 and include exhibition games and parking.

The team is hoping to have its first home game on Oct. 31, which would be 45 years to the day of the old Dayton Gems' first IHL game. This is also the 50th anniversary of Hara Arena.

How do I know all this? Matt Goshert, the team's director of sales and marketing, is a 1999 Homestead graduate.

First off, congrats to the Blackhawks on a great year. They are the best story in hockey this season and are going to be 10 times better next season just on the experience they gained this year. If they can get another veteran D-man, they could really be a cup contender.

I talked with Michael Franke today before running out to a tennis match, and he said expansion talks are continuing, and there's a lot going on in the industry right now.

"We feel good that we'll have some positive news to announce over the next couple of weeks," he said. "All the things we've been working on are progressing well."

Franke said he could not comment on Quad City or Dayton because he could not speak specifically about any city, other than saying, "They are both looking at our league right now."

New Haven-native and Army National Guard Sergeant First Class is going to skate this weekend in the Military Hockey Games at the Hamilton Center Ice Arena in Columbus, Indiana. This is the third year for the tournament which matches teams from the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Air Force, Air National Guard, Navy and Armed Forces for a tournament to raise money to support our troops. The game are from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

One question for you Steve: Are you nuts? LOL Didn't you just have knee surgery?

You can read it h

Can you believe, someone had the gall to call me and brag about it when the Blackhawks were up 1-0?!?!? Is that the kiss of death, or what? That person shall remain namelss, but they need to do a walk of shame on Monday.

Not a good day for Toews and Kane, and if they don't do it, Chicago is in big trouble. I just can't see the Blackhawks' defense holding up in this series. They looked really, really tentative today.

This is from P.C. Drouin, he of the the P.C. Drouin insurance goal: "Here's the info about our day with the cup.  It will be on Thursday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Three Rivers Insurance Group. We are situated at 10729 Coldwater rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46845 which is just north of Dupont. People can stop in at lunch or after work.  People can get their picture taken with the cup and myself.  I will obviously be available for autographs and should have some playing cards on hand to autograph and distribute."

Blackhawks vs. Red Wings.

It's gonna go six. Of course, it's going to be Detroit, who did you think I'd say?

Interesting point: In the past few years I thought one of the Red Wings' major advantages was overall speed, but I wonder if the Blackhawks might be quicker now. Red Wings will still win because they have the better depth on defense, Chicago hasn't really beeen tested yet -- at least not like Detroit so far, and the Red Wings are just the better team. LOL.

What do you think?

 The man is just SICK. You can watch it here. We'll have at least one more coming in the next few weeks.