Happy fall, happy hockey season Sugar gals. First off, big apologies for not being on the site for most of the summer. I have been busy with work and busy with projects @ my house and with the construction of the second house down in Santa Fe.

Don't think I didn't miss you, because I did dear friends. I am anxious to get back in the Sugar Groove and reconnect with you all.

Today is the official commencement of the NHL hockey season and are you gals ready to rumble? I attended the preseason match-up last week between the Avs vs. Stars and it was surreal to watch hockey. It feels like the summer passed oh so quickly and I'm still rushing to plant bulbs and mulch leaves for my composter before primping for tonight's home opener against the Boston Bruins!!!!!!!!

I see where the Penguins and Flyers play tonight with Sarah Pahlin (or maybe? Tina Fey, hahaha) dropping the puck in Philadelphia. I know there are many other games around the league, so you fans know what all your teams are up to tonight!

U.S. Coverage on Thursday, Oct. 9:
Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m. ET, VERSUS
Boston at Colorado, 10 p.m. ET, VERSUS

CANADIAN Coverage on Thursday, Oct. 9:
Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m. ET, CBC, RIS
Calgary at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m. ET, CBC

Last season, the folks at the VERSUS NHL Television folks were super supportive of our quaint hockey group. I hope those of you who were hockey bling recipients enjoyed it and that you look forward to other goodies from VERSUS throughout the season.

Anyway, I just wanted you all to know that this year, VERSUS opens its fourth year of NHL coverage and will be televising 56 regular season games, All-Star weekend, wall-to-wall Stanley Cup playoff action and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. All of the network’s regular-season games are exclusive and VERSUS’ regular-season schedule features a Game of the Week wherein VERSUS will be the only place on television to watch the NHL game in the U.S. at that time. So head to www.versus.com/nhl for the season schedule. I'll also try and post this information as well.

In addition, VERSUS will be introducing puck-tracking and telestrator technology in NHL telecasts. This system will digitally track the puck and allow viewers to follow the play with greater ease when analysts are discussing puck movement and its importance to specific highlights. Puck-tracking will only be used during the network’s Hockey Central studio show and during intermissions to emphasize highlights and will not be used during live game play (thank goodness!).

Let the puck drop and the games begin!!! The best to all your teams