Ask Jim Lang: Touchy questions edition

Thanks Jim - keep up the great work!
Answer: NHL Jerseys
Andrew my friend, believe me, I did not duck the question. This one took a lot of work and a great deal of research. I am thrilled to report that I was finally able to track down your answer. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it has NEVER happened.
Since the Jets moved to Phoenix, there have been 32 nights when all six Canadian NHL teams played an American opponent. Not once have all six come out a winner. There have been a number of nights when five of the six teams won, but all six teams winning still hasn't happened. Apparently the odds off all six Canadian teams winning on the same night are around one per cent.
Andrew, this was a fascinating question to research, thanks for the early Christmas gift.
Name: Scott from Hardisty, Alberta
Comment:
Hey Jim, I notice that sometimes during hockey games there will be a face-off at center ice, but it isn't the start of the period or after a goal.
Why is this?
Answer:
Hi Scott, nice to hear from someone from Hardisty.
That's not far from Wainwright I believe. I e-mailed a friend of mine, veteran NHL referee Stephen Walkom and asked him that very same question, here's his answer:

"Hey Jim that happens on a deflection or offside that is caused by the non-defending team so they don't get a territorial advantage by moving the face-off ahead to a dot closer."
Hi Jim, I love the column but I think you're ducking my question, or it requires some serious investigation. Either way, here goes try No. 3: I'm wondering, have all six Canadian NHL teams won on the same night? It seems rare that they are all in action on the same night and if they are, there's at least one match featuring two Canadian teams. If not, what's the closest we've come?
Hi, Jim, which one of the retro jerseys do you think is the ugliest, and where would it rank on your list of Top 10 ugly hockey jerseys?
Answer:
Hi, Jim, which one of the retro jerseys do you think is the ugliest, and where would it rank on your list of Top 10 ugly hockey jerseys?
Answer:
Hi Richard, this is a very interesting question. It pains me to say this because I have the utmost respect for the Montreal Canadiens organization. But the Habs' barber pole retro uniforms from the 1912-1913 season are brutal.
That was ugly, but nowhere near as ugly as the ill-fated New York Islander jersey's with the angry looking Captain Highliner logo on it.
Even the hockey gods were angered by those ugly uniforms and the Islanders ended up with an embarrassing 22-50-10 in the 1995-1996 season.

I think that Leaf Nation and management have come to the realization that Luke Schenn will not develop into a No. 1 or No. 2 defenceman.

He will never be a Brian Rafalski or a Drew Doughty. The best he may develop into is a Mike Komisarek-type. Do you agree with that statement?
Name: Michael MD
Comment:
Hey Jim. I'm a great big fan of you and Sportsnet in general. I was just wondering: do you think there should be a second team in Toronto? I hear many sides to this, and I prefer that there should be another one because it gives die-hard hockey fans like me to cheer a team which ISN'T the Leafs for once. Thanks again.
Answer:
Hi Michael, short answer, yes. There is no question whatsoever that the greater Toronto area has the population, economy and corporate wealth to support two NHL teams. Even the NHL head office is conceding that there will be a second franchise in Southern Ontario/Toronto in the near future.
With so many American franchises struggling to sell tickets, even at a reduced price, two teams in Toronto has to happen for the NHL to remain a profitable league.
Name: Bobby T
Comment:
I am not a Luongo fan and living in Vancouver and admitting that is dangerous, but - is Luongo the Joe Thornton of goalies? He has had good--to-great regular seasons and has failed his team in the playoffs over and over again.

Answer:

Hi Bob, you are a very brave man asking a question like that while you're living in Vancouver. I must admit, you bring up a valid point. In the NHL, it's not enough to be just a great player in the regular season; success in the playoffs is the true measuring stick. Don't forget, it took Steve Yzerman 14 years before he won his first Stanley Cup.

Not only does Luongo have the pressure of trying to lead the Canucks to the Promised Land, he also needs to help lead Canada to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. If Luongo can lead the Canucks to the Western Conference Final, I would take the Joe Thornton tag off of him.

Name: B.T.

Comment:
Since you are a huge Second World War buff like me, not sure if this has been asked already, but what is your favourite Second World War movie out there, or war movie in general?
Answer:
Hi B.T., actually I have been asked this same question quite a bit. There are so many that I have grown to love over the years, it's really hard to pick just one. As far what I think is the best Second World War movie ever made, it has to be Saving Private Ryan. As far as which ones are my favourites, here's the list:
Patton: George C. Scott's finest performance. My favourite scene takes place during the height of the Battle of the Bulge as Patton watches his pride and joy, Third Army, march into battle
Answer:
Hi Greg, what a timely question. First off, just because you don't put up big offensive numbers doesn't mean you can't be a team's No. 1 or No. 2 defenceman. There's nothing wrong with a defenceman who is tough, physical and rock solid in his own end. The problem is that Luke Schenn is learning the finer points of being a professional defenceman while he's playing in the NHL. Give him some time and Schenn could turn out to be a solid, shut-down defenceman. I just wonder how badly his confidence is getting crushed by playing in an insane hockey market like Toronto.
The Great Escape: The scene with Steve McQueen trying to get away from the Germans on that motorcycle is incredible. In the movie, Charles Bronson played the role of the "Tunnel King." In real life, Chatham, ON native and RCAF Spitfire pilot Wally Floody was the true "Tunnel King"
Hi Trevor, thanks for the question. First off, to go from 162 games to an 82-game season is never going to happen. Now, if you came to the table with a proposal for something like a 148 to 154 game season, you might be on to something. A reduction of eight to 14 regular season games doesn't sound like much, but it would prevent the World Series from being played in November. I am a big believer in less regular season games in Major League baseball and an expanded wild card system with more teams eligible to make the playoffs.
The mail bag is taking a break until the New Year. Keep the questions rolling in and we will kick off 2010 with a new edition of "Ask Jim Lang" on Jan. 4th.
Since we began starting "Ask Jim Lang," well over 300,000 people have taken the time to check out the blog. To all of my loyal readers and to everyone who have sent me so many amazing questions, I want to wish you all the best for the holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
The Devil's Brigade:- The story of the mixed Canadian and American commando unit known as the First Special Service Force. It's most decorated soldier was an aboriginal hero from Manitoba by the name of Tommy Prince.
A Bridge Too Far: I have read numerous historical novels on Operation Market Garden and this movie does a solid job of re-creating one of the Second World War's most epic battles. Edward Fox's portrayal of Lt. General Brian Horrocks is remarkable. To this day, the people of Arnhem, Holland still refer to the site of the epicenter of the fighting as John Frost Bridge, in honour of the indomitable fighting spirit of Lt. Colonel John Frost from the British Airborne.
Kelly's Heroes: I don't know why, but after all these years, I still love this movie. There are some great shots of the interior of a Sherman tank during some of the battle scenes. I have met both Len Lesser (Uncle Leo from Seinfeld) and Gavin MacLeod (Captain Stubing of the Love Boat). Both men had roles in the movie and said it was the ultimate guys' experience. Filming a war movie by day, drinking gallons of wine and eating like kings by night.