They are fifteen pink-faced, smooth-skinned, 10-year-old Squirt A champions. Irish, Italian, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Cuban laced brothers on ice. For seven months, thousands of dollars, hundreds of early morning hours, tubs of coffee, and many four-hour nights of sleep later, I have watched them skate, sweat, stink up minivans, and request more dollar bills than an NHL player in Vegas.

SHOT OF THE WEEK

Every week we will present an NHL photo and I'll provide a caption. E-mail me your suggestions (include your name and hometown/state) and next week we will use best ones and provide a new photo. LAST WEEK: Vinny Prospal to Ben Clymer: "It's OK, it's called a sellout. These people are your friends." Your submissions: "Put away the Sports Illustrated, here comes Lecavlier!!" - Tim Jones "Was it the meatloaf?" - James Stellar "Two valium and a glass of warm milk is the stupidest pregame meal I've ever heard of." - Toby, Denver THIS WEEK: Boston Bruins GM Mike O'Connell: "I need you to save my job. Will you help me?"

"Dad, can I get a 10-inch Spice Barn Cinnamon Stick?"

For me, fifth grade was the last I remember life being like Toy Story 1 and 2 -- soft, sunny, and insulated in rays of protection and encouragement. Toys are friends and our bedrooms our sovereign state. Soon, life becomes sprinkled with occasional moments of meanness, nastiness, uncertainty, and doubt, as life-changing, body-changing experiences inevitably occur when we first smell teen spirit. So, for Michael Cowee, Erik Pottinger, Troy Kremidas, Tommy Dunn and the rest of the South Windsor Squirt A's, this will be a moment in time that will forever be warm and perfect.

To be a state champion is the ultimate prize for the American-made hockey boy and girl. Since college sports is, and likely for the most part always has been, blotched with scandal, youth sports remains the best home for athletics. Parents are at times too involved and coaches too focused on wins, but for the most part it is spirited competition that is kept in perspective by the kids. Tears sometime fall, but the ice is an ideal place to learn the importance of sweat, determination, desire, teamwork, sacrifice, victory and defeat.

State champion. I love those two words. They ring of family, friends, community and home. The window to win one is small, and the lens that it's viewed through later in life is brilliantly rose colored. You have either played for a state championship, or watched your brother, sister, son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor or friend play for one. You feel the pride, passion and spirit. As an NHL ticket inches toward $100 dollars, amateur/minor/youth hockey becomes more desirable by the dollar and is as entertaining.

On the South Windsor Squirt A's, Conor Stanley has that god-given sixth sense -- like Mario -- David O'Connor skates with Joe Sakic power and form, Kyle Benson has a Mike Comrie feel for the game, goalie Sammy Page has that Patrick Roy big-game flair, Justin Gionfriddo sports a Nicklas Lidstrom calm, Tyler Glassman has Mike Ricci intensity, Kyle Foley owns an Alexei Kovalev wrist shot, Tommy Pease and Nathaniel Waldeisen enjoy the physical game like Dallas Drake, and little Joey Bonazelli takes 47 lightning quick Martin St. Louis strides to get from one blue line to the next. Who's No. 21? Well, his name is Brett Buccigross and he's just my favorite player in the world.

	South Windsor Squirt A's

E-mailers often ask: "C'mon, John, do you have a FAVORITE team?" Well, I do. They wear black and gold, play hip-hop before the game, drink Slurpees after, don't clutch and grab, don't dive (except that Benson kid), all their games are free, and they won a state championship with Ray Ferraro watching. (They also won their New England championship on ice Chris Drury once skated on as a youth with my cousin Mark watching, but they didn't seem to be moved as much.)

This is my favorite hockey team and this is my favorite hockey card.

We love still photographs because they do everything we can't; freeze time, keep us young, and extend a moment to infinity. And beyond.

And the winners are…
With the regular season winding down, we have seen enough games to hand out the hardware. This year was especially tough. Things were tight and competitive. Remember, it's not personal.

Art Ross (Scoring Champion)

	Naslund

Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks: More than half of his points are on the power play. Looks like he'll hold on for the scoring title, but won't break Hakan Loob's scoring record for Swedish players in the NHL. Our boy Hakan had 50 goals in 1987-1988. Loob forever.



Rocket Richard (Goals Leader)

	Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks: What a phenomenal race! Naslund, Bertuzzi, Milan Hejduk, Marian Hossa and Glen Murray. I'll take Bertuzzi, since he gets the goals in front of the net. He has Conn Smythe written all over him somewhere down the line.



Jack Adams (Coach of the Year)

	Lemaire

Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota Wild: John Tortorella, Mike Babcock, Dave Lewis, Dave Tippett and Marc Crawford are all worthy, but what Jacques Lemaire has done in Minnesota is remarkable. His team plays hard and technically sound just about every night.



Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

	Kotalik

Ales Kotalik, Buffalo Sabres: What a race. Barrett Jackman, Henrik Zetterberg, Rick Nash, Tyler Arnason, and on and on and on. In a bleak setting with no Hall of Fame teammates, Kotalik is right there with all of them. He is big, fast and can shoot. Zetterberg will probably win, but Kotalik is my choice.



Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)

	Walz

Wes Walz, Minnesota Wild: I love Jere Lehtinen and he should get Second Team All-Star votes, but Walz and the Wild have done so much with so little. I can't believe Walz will be able to walk after the season.




Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)

	Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings: It's Al MacInnis or Lidstrom. I'll be happy if either win, they are two of my favorites. But No. 5 is the preeminent talent. Minutes, goals, plus/minus, no PIMs (OK, 36). He's the most important player on the Wings.



Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)

	Brodeur

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Marty finally gets his first Vezina. If Marty Turco didn't get hurt, it would have been close. Brodeur is on pace to break Terry Sawchuk's career shutout record of 103.




Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

	Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks: The most unique talent in the game. There is no one else like him. His value to his team is extraordinary and he plays with a Neely-like rage, which I love.




Predictions revisited
Last week we brought back my Eastern Conference predictions and to see how I did. This week we see how I did out West.

Western Conference
Nashville Predators
Predicted: 15th
Likely: 12th
Preseason: "The playoffs are not in reach. Season ticket holders, you will be getting your playoff money back."
Verdict: They gave it a good run with great goaltending and good coaching, but this franchise needs another good draft this summer. Nashville hosts this year's event and has lots of picks in a deep draft. This one is vital for them.

Minnesota Wild
Predicted: 14th
Likely: 7th
Preseason: "Goal scoring will continue to be the issue for the Wild in their quest to be a playoff team."
Verdict: Only the Flyers had scored fewer goals of all the playoff teams as I typed this. But their defense is outstanding. No NHL team plays harder. They have to be dead tired. An amazing year for an amazing franchise with amazing fans.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Predicted: 13th
Likely: 15th
Preseason: "They had 57 points last year and if they stay healthy they should get into the 70s."
Verdict: They'll finish right about at 70. Nash is the real deal, but their trade with Florida on draft day means they will pick closer to 10th than first. But the draft is deep and Doug MacLean should get another piece.

Los Angeles Kings
Predicted: 12th
Likely: 10th
Preseason: "The NHL has shown that you can't usually depend on young players to make the playoffs."
Verdict: I just didn't think they could stay healthy and they didn't. I love Alexander Frolov. I think he can be as good as any rookie this year down the road. This franchise is in good shape. They say they have no money, which is too bad. A Sergei Fedorov signing would turn everything around.

Chicago Blackhawks
Predicted: 11th
Likely: 11th
Preseason: "The veterans could easily get injured and/or worn down and the skill players are either hurt (Eric Daze) or inconsistent."
Verdict: Daze missed more than 25 games, Theo Fleury was a bust and Alexei Zhamnov missed Tony Amonte. Their young players were very good and Jocelyn Thibault wore down. Bill Wirtz is happy. On hat day against the Bruins earlier this month, the Hawks got two hat tricks and Wirtz got all his hats back.

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Predicted: 10th
Likely: 6th
Preseason: "If they can get the power play going and they win at home, they can get 85-90 points."
Verdict: The power play is about 16 percent and they've been good at home. They will finish with about 92 points and I think they will be a very dangerous first-round opponent. Vancouver would be their best first round matchup.

Calgary Flames
Predicted: 9th
Likely: 14th
Preseason: "For them to make the playoffs, they would need to be carried in by a goaltender. It just doesn't seem as if Roman Turek is that guy."
Verdict: He's not. Jarome Iginla and Roman Turek for Dan Blackburn, Jamie Lundmark and Anson Carter? I would make that trade. Turek's salary pays for Carter's impending deal. And they could sign a $5 million player or two $2.5 million guys with the money left over from Iginla's $7.5 million.

Edmonton Oilers
Predicted: 8th
Likely: 8th
Preseason: "It says here the Oilers finish high enough to make the playoffs."
Verdict: This team was beat up and injured for most of the year, yet they still scratched their way in the playoffs. You can feel Craig MacTavish's will through the television screen.

St. Louis Blues
Predicted: 7th
Likely: 5th
Preseason: "This team will score...they can go very far in the playoffs."
Verdict: If Chris Pronger can make the blue line better, and Keith Tkachuk is healthy, this team can go far in the playoffs. They are a playoff team. I like Chris Osgood. He's far better than what they've had. Their problem is that if they make it to the second round, they will likely play the Red Wings after a tough series with Colorado.

Vancouver Canucks
Predicted: 6th
Likely: 2nd
Preseason: "The Canucks are a very sexy team. Deep, young, international, and growing."
Verdict: They are a sexy beast. Bertuzzi's value should be magnified in the playoffs. Like Neely, he will produce in the playoffs because he is big and mean. That's why scouts like big players. They can still produce in a tight, playoff atmosphere.

Phoenix Coyotes
Predicted: 5th
Likely: 9th
Preseason: "The Dogs still don't have enough up front to challenge the Western's best, but they will be fun to watch."
Verdict: See the Kings above. Injuries + young players = no playoffs. Amonte never meshed with his centermen and the Coyotes were dog meat early. Luckily for them, they were able to ditch Amonte's contract and keep Sean Burke for their new arena next year.

Dallas Stars
Predicted: 4th
Likely: 3rd
Preseason: "Will all this high quality stuff come together and will they get goaltending? If they do, they could win it all."
Verdict: Everything did come together and then Marty Turco injured his ankle. They can't win the Stanley Cup without him.

Colorado Avalanche
Predicted: 3rd
Likely: 4th
Preseason: "I was all set to pick the Avs to win the whole thing, but the Drury trade changed my mind. You just don't trade those kinds of players."
Verdict: Their goaltender can still carry them through the West, but it would take his greatest effort of his unmatched career. It will likely take series wins over St. Louis, Detroit, and Vancouver/Dallas. That's a lot to ask. They don't have enough big time players up front. But defense wins championships and they have that.

San Jose Sharks
Predicted: 2nd
Likely: 13th
Preseason: "They were very healthy last year. You wonder if they will be as fortunate this year."
Verdict: Ownership made Dean Lombardi fire Darryl Sutter. It's unclear if ownership led the charge to hold out Evgeni Nabokov and Brad Stuart. What a mess. Their wonderful fans had the life sucked out of them. That being said, Patrick Marleau is a stud and Marco Sturm is entering his prime. They have a good defense and will get a good prospect in the draft.

Detroit Red Wings
Predicted: 1st
Likely: 1st
Preseason: "The Red Wings will win the President's Trophy. They appear to be just as good as last season. But … I believe there is a definite drop-off in goal."
Verdict: It will be close against Ottawa for the President's Trophy. Both finish on the road and with pretty easy schedules. They are better than last year except for the goalie. Injuries can change things, but in my mind they will win the Cup again.

Paul Stewart became the first U.S. born NHL referee to call 1,000 NHL games when he worked the Panthers at Bruins game on March 15.

	Is this season Paul Stewart's last?

"Stewy" was hired by the NHL in 1986, and although it's not official, this will likely be his last year as an NHL referee, if my instincts are correct. I've done a lot of interviews in my 14 years of television, and my 45-minute phone call with Paul Stewart is one of my favorites.

No. 1: Is this your final season as an NHL referee?
Stewart: I just got my assignments, and if it is my last year, my last game would be Buffalo at Boston on April 5th. That would be fitting. My first game as an NHL player was in Boston, my first game as an NHL referee was in Boston, I called the final game at Boston Garden, my 1000th game as an NHL referee was in Boston, and if I conclude on April 5th, I've come full circle. I've had 28 years; I've gone through difficult physical moments. I have to say, "Would I want to be on the ice and not be able to perform at the highest level, such that I might hinder the players and cheat the fans."

Today (Monday, March 24) is Paul Stewart's birthday. He was born in 1952 in Jamaica Plain, Mass., and was raised in Dorchester. Picture "Good Will Hunting" without cable TV.

No. 2: What would be next for Paul Stewart?
Stewart: Insurance or Aluminum siding is not in my future. I've thought about coaching, working in the officiating department, I want to continue Hockey Fights Cancer, and maybe get into television.

How good would Stewy be on TV? He'd be the Don Cherry of the U.S.

No. 3: Tell me about your first game as an NHL referee.
Stewart: It was March of 1987. Dave Newell broke his ribs when Mats Naslund bumped into him during play and knocked him into the dasher. John McCauley was the supervisor and he sent me down and I got dressed -- and promptly disallowed the Bruins winning goal.

That same Dave Newell was the supervisor at Stewart's 1,000th game in Boston. He was also was the referee in Stewart's first NHL game as a player -- a game in which he fought Stan Jonathan, Terry O'Reilly and Al Secord. Linesman Gerard Gauthier broke up those fights. On March 15 in Boston, he "lined" for Stewart as one of his linesman. The other referee in Stewart's 1000th game was Wes McCauley, the son of the late John McCauley, Stewart's mentor, who was calling his 3rd NHL game.

No. 4: How often do you think about cancer?
Stewart: Everyday I wake up and I take a shower and I see the scar and I see the other things my body has gone through. Every three months, I go through tests to ensure I'm still cancer free. I have to live with that anxiety.

Stewart is married with two sons. He says his wife Lori is the only girl from Minnesota who doesn't like hockey. His first son McCauley was born Feb. 22, 1998. The next day his doctor told him he had colon cancer. Stewart has another son, Maxwell.

No. 5: What is your reaction when you see or hear players say that you think the game is about you?
Stewart: They can't have it both ways. People who say I try to be the show are people I've made a tough call against. You can't have the players vote me, in an independent poll, the fairest referee in the game and say I take the game away from them. It's incongruous. (Stewy is getting emotional now) Part of it started after John McCauley died and the next officiating department came into the NHL offices and, to them, I had many strikes against me. When Don Koharski made a controversial goal, he got support. I did not get support. That has a lot to do why players feel I'm an easy target.

Stewart played 21 NHL games for the Quebec Nordiques during the 1979-80 season, scoring two goals. He played 65 games in the WHA for the Edmonton Oilers and Cincinnati Stingers. He played with Barry Melrose in Cincinnati during the 1977-78 season.

No. 6: Brett Hull has been very outspoken on the state of the game. Ready, set, respond.
Stewart: I knew Brett when he was a little boy and his Dad used to send him on the ice after the morning skate was over and he used to be out there with his brother and I would be out there playing with him. The other night he was barking at me in Columbus and I said, "Oh, it's the Thomas Jefferson of the NHL. We love hearing from you and reading all your quotes!" And he started to give me lip and I said, "Aren't you the guy I used to baby-sit?" And his Red Wing teammates all leaned forward to look at him and just laughed and had that sheepish grin. But you look at him, and he complains about (the officiating this season) and yet he has over 30 goals."

Paul Stewart graduated from Penn with a degree in Japanese History.

No. 7: What is your relationship with the players and coaches?
Stewart: I treat every player the same. I've ejected Yzerman, Gretzky and Lemieux. I'm an equal opportunity employer. In 20 years of refereeing, I've called four bench minors. Two to Ron Wilson, one to Robbie Ftorek, and one to Bryan Murray the night before he was fired by the Capitals in Winnipeg. I've given three unsportsmanlike penalties in the last two years. Colin White called me a female anatomy name. Curtis Leschyshyn gave me a wave in Ottawa, and Aaron Ward said something after I gave him five warnings throughout the years. Mario Lemieux once came up and bumped me and said, "I'm the show. People are here to see me. I put my finger on his chest, pushed him away and said, you're gone." Years later we ended up hugging at a Hockey Fights Cancer event and there was an NHL owner who felt I shouldn't referee one of Mario's games because we hugged.

Stewart's grandfather coached the 1937-38 Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup and spent 12 years an NHL referee.

No. 8: When I say the name Gary Bettman, what is your reaction?
Stewart: I was dieing of cancer, John. And Gary Bettman called me on the phone. It was an emotional call. He said to me, "No matter what happens, you can rest assured, we will take care of your wife and your son." That took the weight of the world off me. I was hurting badly and he stood by me.

John,
I was wondering what your thoughts are on fighting in the NHL. Are you for or against, do you see it as a topic during the CBA talks, and what are the basic "unwritten rules" of a hockey fight?
Welcome back and God Bless Stevie Y,
Mike Giannantonio
Ann Arbor, Mich.

People will always fight. We are emotional beings and, as idealistic as we all are, confrontations will always arise. Am I comfortable when 10-year-olds cheer on a hockey fight? Not really. In the long NHL season, I think fighting among consenting male adults is an entertainment form that is important in bringing passion and excitement to players and fans. And linesman Kevin Collins should chill and let Eric Boulton and Sandy McCarthy throw. Fighting will not be a part of the CBA talks and the unwritten rules of fighting are: no sucker punches, don't hit a guy when he's down, no head butts and no punching Magnus Ver Magnusson Arvedson.

John,
Are you ready for all the screaming about not removing the red line because it will change the integrity of the game? Integrity?!! When Garth Snow can wear an isosceles triangle across his chest and have two surfboards on his legs?
Bob Doherty
Woburn, Mass.

This week, Garth unveils snowshoes, a bobsledding helmet complete with Styrofoam rabbit ears, and a canned ham welded to the knob of his goalie stick.

John,
Last night, I dreamt I was in Minnesota watching the Wild play Jersey for the Cup. I was sitting with Cam Neely, in full Seabass form, Warren Zevon, and you (all that was missing was Ken). Today, I find you back on the Zamboni (with a mention of Wes Walz even!!) Because of this, I will have the biggest smile on my face all day.
Liana Lingofelt
Salinas, Calif.

Ken was in Jesse Ventura's luxury box smoking Cohiba's and sampling a killer Cab from Napa Valley.

John,
What's up with you and Hakan Loob? By the way, he is currently the GM of my favorite team in the Swedish league, Farjestad. The coach is the old Caps player Bengt-Ake Gustafsson. The playoff began a couple of weeks ago here. Farjestad is gonna repeat!!
Johan Jonsson
Stockholm, Sweden

Johan, if you send me a Farjestad T-shirt and hat I will wear them everyday for a year. Hakan Loob is the greatest hockey name of all time and Farjestad is the greatest team name of all time. Far-je-stad. Farjestad! Farjestad! Farjestad! It's like when Austin Powers says, "MOLEY, MOLEY, MOLEY, MOLEY MOLEY!!!" is Goldmember. I could say Farjestad all day long and it shall bring me joy. The same joy I get from listening to Radiohead's, "Karma Police."

John,
I was wondering what you think of the Vrbata-Battaglia trade?
Kelly
Chicago

Your fast skating, Cadillac driving, Chicago brethren had 14 points in 23 playoff games, Kelly. Colorado is hoping for that kind of production in the playoffs. They are two different players, and Colorado has plenty like Vrbata (Hejduk, Tanguay, Reinprecht). That being said, I think Carolina has a 25-30 goal scorer on its hands and made an excellent trade, and Colorado didn't get what it really needed.

John,
Welcome back. My wife and I had a baby last month. She came with lots of hair, about two inches long, mostly on the back of her head. I said, "s**t, she has a mullet!!"
Mike Moreau
Silver Springs, Md.

Not to cause any problems Mike, but last week in the ESPN parking lot I saw a "SILVER SPRINGS IS FOR LOVERS" bumper sticker on the back of Barry Melrose's 1989 IROC-Z.

John Buccigross is the host of NHL 2Night, which airs on ESPN2. His e-mail address -- for questions, comments or cross-checks -- is john.buccigross@espn.com.