Here’s the latest in the NHL talks.  Negotiators for both the league and the players are expected to resume discussions sometime today in New York City.  During a 30 minute meeting last night, NHL representatives tabled a counter proposal to the union’s latest offer.  NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman explained afterward, “we gave a full, complete, comprehensive response.  The Players Association’s going to take it back and review it and we anticipate getting back together again.”  It’s hoped the face-to-face talks will get a deal to preserve a shortened, 48 game schedule.  The deadline for an agreement is January 11th.

Still with hockey news, Canada’s juniors will play the U.S. in the semifinals of the World Junior Hockey Championships in Russia on Thursday.  The U.S. beat the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals today, 7-0.