Hype for December 16, 2009

The Ottawa Senators lost more than a hockey game on Monday night.

More painful than a 3-2 setback to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs was news that centre Jason Spezza felt something "pop" in his right knee after getting tangled up with Leafs forward Lee Stempniak after a faceoff late in the third period.

The Senators believe Spezza could be sidelined for four to six weeks, according to the Ottawa Sun. An MRI is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is the winner of the 2009 Lou Marsh Award.

The Toronto Star gives the honour — decided by a panel of sports editors, reporters and broadcasters — annually to Canada's outstanding athlete.

The superstar forward led his team to the Stanley Cup in June.

Gary Bettman says NHL owners probably won't have to cut any cheques to cover the losses of the Phoenix Coyotes.

The commissioner reassured some members of the board of governors on Tuesday that they won't be on the hook for the money-losing team if a proposed sale to the Ice Edge group goes through. The league paid $140 million US to purchase the Coyotes out of bankruptcy earlier this season and expects to recoup that amount — plus operating losses — from Ice Edge.

Some NHL owners arrived to the board of governors meeting thinking they would ultimately have to pay money to keep the Coyotes afloat.

Jayna Hefford of Kingston, Ont., scored a pair of goals to pace the Canadian women's hockey team a 6-2 win over the U.S. in Tuesday's exhibition game.

Hefford and linemates Caroline Ouellette of Montreal and Meghan Agosta of Ruthven, Ont., were standouts as the trio combined for three goals in the first two periods.

The Edmonton Oilers failed on two fronts Tuesday night — failing to extend a season-high winning streak and failing to keep pace in the competitive Northwest Division.

Sean O'Donnell picked an ideal time to end a personal 157-game goalless drought, potting the winner short-handed with 4:33 remaining as the Los Angeles Kings eked out a 3-2 victory over the Oilers at Rexall Place.