Hockey

If the NHL can stop destroying itself long enough to get a deal done in time to save the season, this is as good a time as any to propose some changes to help the league get back on its feet. Nothing sells the game of hockey like a home playoff game.

So as the NHL emerges from the lockout, why not tweak the playoff format to give more teams a chance to host a playoff game? By adding a one-time-only preliminary round, another eight teams would make the playoffs, giving a bigger chunk of the league reason to get excited.

OGDEN – In just his second start of the season Ogden goalie Colby Atkinson stonewalled the Moose as the Mustangs shutout Salt Lake City 5-0 at The Ice Sheet on Friday night in WSHL play.

While Atkinson’s last minutes were on Sept. 23, he managed to turn away all nine Salt Lake shots behind a tenacious defense that helped the Mustangs to their first win since Nov. 30.

NEW YORK — The NHL and the players’ association are further apart than ever before.

Union executive director Donald Fehr began the first of his two news conferences Thursday night by proclaiming he believed the sides had agreements on such issues as actual dollars, and then returned moments later to reveal the NHL rejected everything his side offered.

OGDEN – The Ogden Mustangs Junior A hockey team has announced its annual Toys for Tots toy drive, set for Friday and Saturday at The Ice Sheet.

Fans are encouraged to bring new toys to donate to Toys for Tots both games. Fans will receive one free admission per donated toy. All fans are also encouraged to bring stuffed animals Saturday, to toss on the ice after the first Mustangs goal. All toys and stuffed animals will be donated to Toys for Tots Ogden chapter.

This round of cuts also included the elimination of the All-Star Weekend, which was scheduled for Jan. 26 and 27 in Columbus, Ohio. Even if the two sides would reach an agreement that allows for a shortened season, the game would likely be canceled as a compressed schedule is sorted out.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Bare-chested and dripping with sweat after a brief morning skate, Syracuse Crunch left winger Cory Conacher stood at the edge of the rink and tested the feel of a new hockey stick.

"Are there illegal curves in this league," Conacher asked Friday with a devilish smile before retreating to the dressing room in the bowels of the Onondaga County War Memorial.