WHW is off this week but I ended up with a Wednesday links post anyway.

KatyaKnappe has your WJC Day 2 recap: Upsets were the theme in the second day of action at the 2017 World Junior hockey: recaps, scores and highlights

Scott with a timely piece: Dzierkals returns from injury to lead Latvia at World Juniors

Arvind looks for bright spots in the year that was: 5 Best Leafs Moments From 2016

The Leafs reverse previous roster shuffle Katya keeps an eye on the AHL transactions list.

Chris recaps Monday's Marlies game: Toronto Marlies vs. St. John’s IceCaps Boxing Day Classic recap

Leafs News

Bozak aiming for return on Florida trip - Article - TSN
Kristen Shilton checks in with news and notes from yesterday's practice

Other News

Canada scores late in third to edge HC Davos at Spengler Cup - Sportsnet.ca
Andrew Ebbett's goal late in the third period stood as the winner as Canada beat host HC Davos 4-3 on Tuesday in round-robin action at the Spengler Cup.

The Philadelphia Flyers have very convincing reasons for to vote Wayne Simmonds to the All-Star Game - Broad Street Hockey
Namely: PUPPIES.
Dastardly vote-rigging by the Flyera

MHH Uniform Rankings: #50-41 - Mile High Hockey
Mile High Hockey continues their "scientifically tested and proven official ranking of every uniform currently being worn in the NHL on a regular basis".

Columbus Blue Jackets pile up wins to lead the NHL - The Globe and Mail
After a worst-place finish last season, the Columbus hockey team has burst to a league-best record thus far
I love Sam Gagner and want him to have nice things but Lumbus is getting ridiculous

Former NHL player Jim Kyte moves from hockey career to academic life - The Globe and Mail
After a car accident ended Jim Kyte’s ice time, the fog of concussion gave way to a new career at Ottawa’s Algonquin College
I knew of Kyte as the first deaf player in the NHL. His life after hockey makes for an interesting story

Game Recaps

Plenty of NHL games last night!

Avalanche tip four goals in on themselves, lose to Flames 6-3 - Mile High Hockey
If Colorado’s opponents aren’t willing to beat them on their own, the Avalanche will apparently take it into their own hands.

Recap: Stars Outlast Coyotes 3-2 On the Road - Defending Big D
Back-to-back wins, yay!

Bruins at Blue Jackets: Quick Takes - The Cannon
Here’s what happened.

Penguins vs. Devils Recap: 4 unanswered goals leads Pittsburgh comeback - PensBurgh
Sidney Crosby has a 3 point night (1g+2a) and the Pens enjoy a Justin Schultz goal with 5 seconds left in the 2nd period to take a lead against New Jersey that they never look back from. Pens win 5-2.

Islanders 4, Capitals 3: Ladd’s pair, Lee’s breakaway give Isles 3rd straight win - Lighthouse Hockey
Also: Jaroslav Halak and the PK come up big in final five minutes.

Raanta, Holden, Stepan Lead Rangers Past Senators - Blueshirt Banter
After going down early in this game, the New York Rangers fought back from a two goal deficit and defeated the Ottawa Senators by a final score of 4-3.

Sabres at Red Wings recap: Lehner, Kane lead Sabres to 4-3 win - Die By The Blade
A strong effort in net helped the Sabres survive a scary third period to get the win.

Nashville Predators 2 , Minnesota Wild 3 (OT): Overtime Curse Continues - On the Forecheck
At some point their 3-on-3 luck has to change, but it wasn’t tonight.

From The Branches