Darche Bolts on to the scoresheet

Mathieu Darche, the former McGill Redmen captain, scored his first NHL goal since 2001-02 tonight in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Hockey is Mr. Mirtle's game and I'm about the last guy who can speak authoritatively on Darche's capabilities as a NHL regular. The 30-year-old winger had a career year last season, putting up 80 points with the AHL's Worcester Sharks last season to earn a shot with Tampa Bay. Evidently, he's earning his keep, although as with all organizational players, it's always a question of how long it will last.

So far, so good, for Darche (John Meagher, Montréal Gazette, Oct. 19)