First up, TSN with Kerry Fraser's blog on the refs perspectives of rivalries.
Geographical proximity usually resulted in natural rivalries developing between teams or, as you suggest, bad blood might have resulted from an initial incident. When Colorado's Claude Lemieux hit Kris Draper into the dasher board at the players' bench in Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Final, a Red Wing-Avalanche feud was established that persisted for several seasons.
Speaking of Lemieux, here is an update.
A Calgary-based hockey manufacturer has appointed a former National Hockey League star as chairman of its board of directors.
GRAF Canada Ltd., a leading manufacturer of premium hockey skates, hockey equipment and professional figure skates, announced Tuesday the appointment of Claude Lemieux to the position. It also announced the appointment of John Pagotto as the company’s executive vice-president of sales and marketing.
This one is for Bubs, the Aeros are up 3-0 in the series.
The Calder Cup chase is all but over for the exhausted Hamilton Bulldogs.
Jon DiSalvatore scored twice, leading the Houston Aeros to a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs in American Hockey League playoff action Tuesday night.
Sorry guys, Avs news are getting kinda thin. As always, if you have any links you want to share please feel free.