#Hockey

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Marty Turco(notes) hasn't started a game since Feb. 11 and hasn't appeared in a game since St. Patrick's Day, so the veteran has to find ways to keep himself amused on the bench.

Like, apparently, making wagers with opposing fans during games.

The photo above appears to depict Turco and a Montreal Canadiens fan passing a $5 bill through the glass at Bell Centre on Tuesday night, when the Blackhawks lost to the Habs, 2-1, in overtime. A Montreal season-ticket holder named Robert called in to "Game Points with Matthew Ross" on Team 990 after the game, and spun a humorous tale of Turco making bets with him (and eventually losing in overtime)

For the video challenged, Robert claimed he bet Turco, after Michael Cammalleri's(notes) goal for Montreal made it 1-0 in the first period, that Chicago wouldn't score again. When Patrick Kane(notes) of the Blackhawks tied the game, he passed Turco a $5 bill with "Habs Rule" written on it.

They went double-or-nothing after the first period, and then triple-or-nothing for the third; and then, in overtime, he gave Turco 5-to-1 odds that the Canadiens would win the game.
"And he took the bet!" said the caller. "When the Canadiens scored in overtime, he handed me back a wad of $5 bills and inside was that $5 bill that I gave him. He crossed out 'Habs Rule' and wrote 'Turco Rules.'"

Greatest fan story of the season? You bet your defaced Canadian currency it is.

As Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times writes, Turco probably didn't expect this interaction to go viral, and the NHL will probably frown upon it if the caller's claims are accurate. Fact is that the Exhibit 14.2 in the NHL CBA states: "Gambling on any NHL Game is prohibited."

Which is a shame, of course, because there isn't a hockey fan in North America with an ounce of joy in their soul that doesn't think Marty Turco is Capt. Awesome after hearing this story. If there was ever a "lighten up" provision in those regulations, now would be the time to use it. Because, as you can see, Turco Rules ...

While talk of possibly moving the Phoenix Coyotes to Winnipeg is getting most hockey fans excited, especially those in Winnipeg, Coyotes forward Eric Belanger is among the minority that are not thrilled with the idea.

While this is just the latest turn in the ongoing saga surrounding his team, Belanger isn't about to ignore the issue and hope it blows over.

He knows that the Coyotes' days in the dessert are likely numbered, but Belanger, who rarely minces words, doesn't see Winnipeg as a dream destination.

“The guys have been talking about it a bit more every day, and the one sure thing is that we want to play in Phoenix and not in Winnipeg,” said Belanger. “Personally, and I won't name any names, but I've chatted with guys that have played (in Winnipeg) and don't want to go back. There are reasons why hockey wasn't working in Winnipeg at the end, I don't see how that would have changed.”

Belanger, who has also played for the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals says he has nothing against the Winnipeg hockey fans that are desperate to see a team back in their city.

“There are good fans there, but Winnipeg is still Winnipeg,” Belanger said. “In January and February, I doubt that my family would follow me out there for a holiday.”

Belanger added that while the preference of he and his teammates is to stay in Arizona, Quebec would be the front-runner over Winnipeg if they had to choose.

“It's different in Quebec,” Belanger said. “They are the same fans, but the economy seems to really be rolling along. The guys that I talk to loved playing in Quebec. You can't go to practice in shorts and t-shirts like I did this morning, but Quebec is attractive. At least there are things to do there!”

Added Belanger: “In the mind of the players, it's Quebec before Winnipeg, for sure.”

SMALL CROWDS

While he wants to see the Coyotes stay in Phoenix, Belanger doesn't hide the fact that the empty stands at the arena bother players.

“We can't blame our fans,” Belanger said. “It's been two years that they have been wondering if the club would be moving, and they will come back when it is settled.

“When these markets are having trouble, it's less money in our pockets. But do we want to go to Winnipeg for an extra 1 or 2%? I'm not so sure.”

Shawn Thornton accused the Chicago Blackhawks bench of taunting him after he was injured on Tuesday.

Thornton is the second NHL player this month to accuse the Blackhawks of taunting as the Flames Brendan Morrison also had the same problem when he injured his knee in a March 2nd game.Thornton was accidentally cut by the skate of Fernando Pisani and needed more than 40 stitches to close the cut over his right eye. "There was some stuff said that I'm not happy about," Thornton said. "I'm going to find out who it was and I will deal with it in my own way. Those guys chirp a lot. I don't know if it's right when someone's face is half across the other side of their face. But it's a tough game and people have to live with their actions." It should be interesting next season when the two teams meet.