It's Friday night a quarter after 11 on the east coast about one o'clock on the east coast.  You're probably thinking that I should be out partying, having a good time instead of watching the tube.  Well, I agree, but everyone just finished finals for the fall semester and there will be plenty of disco tech in the next month.  In meanwhile, we will discuss "The Kid," Marion Gaborik, Steve Williamson, and goaltender Roberto Luongo in the Hockey Itch.

We all know that Pittsburgh Penguins adroit skater Sidney Crosby can shoot and pass occasionally reminiscent of the "Great One" himself, Wayne Gretzky.  What we did not know is that he can fight as well.  On Thursday night, Crosby and Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference dropped the gloves over a piece of Grandma’s cake.  Well, not exactly.  But, Hockeyfights offers an unadulterated view of the duel.  Who won?  Well, the fans spoke.  Crosby 71.6%, Ference 10.2%... No surprises there, even though both fighters weighed in at 190 pounds.

After Crosby hit the locker room, I visited our friend Eklund for a late night feast of hockey rumors.  Just a bunch of Jagr this, Jagr that.

I discovered an interview between Roger Mussa and Steve Williamson.  This is not the first discussion between Williamson, who recently completed his “30 Days in 30 NHL Cities,” and the media.  But, I am excited that Steve, who once flew 11,000 miles to attend an NHL game, still receives attention for dedication and loyalty to the sport.

Oh yeah, I did not forget about Marian Gaborik of the Minnesota Wild.  He erupted on the the New York Rangers for five goals and one assist in the 6-3 victory on Thursday.  Gaborik has not played a full season since 2002-03.  This year, he has continued that trend and missed five of the first 34 games.  In my opinion, #10 (Gaborik) can score 50 goals when healthy.  Hopefully, he can continue to manufacture for the Wild, who are in their seventh season in the league under head coach Jacque Lemaire (1,000th career win this past week).

Finally, we shall announce that Goalies' World magazine selected Roberto Luongo as 2007 goalie of the year.  The publication picked Dwayne Roloson of the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, before choosing Luongo for the honor this year.  After being defeated by New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur for his third Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender, and the magazine’s annual ranking (107.9 to 107.3 points), Luongo bounced back for this honor.  I like the future of the 28-year-old netminder from Montreal, Quebec, who is making a name for himself in his second season with Vancouver.  Luongo was actually drafted by Islanders organization, but was eventually traded to Florida, and then to Vancouver before the 2006-07 campaign.  He has not missed a beat since moving north of the border, where he went 47-22-6 for the Canucks in the 06-07 regular season, carried them to the Western Conference Semifinals, before they lost the series to Anaheim 4-1.  He really has emerged as the heir to Brodeur’s throne.  Before we prematurely place Luongo on Brodeur’s level, we believe that he is on pace for a Hall of Fame career.  Congratulations Mr. Luongo.

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