To shack up in a hotel or get your own place? That is the question.

The games: Pittsburgh vs. Calgary, Portland Winterhawks vs. Tri-City Americans (WHL).

The math: Pittsburgh 4, Calgary 1. Tri-City 3, Portland 2 (SO).

And what did you do today?: Yesterday, Sidney Crosby racked up a hat trick and his 200th career goal. In one game. I try not to think too hard about the fact that even if I got a move on today, I would never even come close to achieving what he's done. And I've been hanging out on this planet 19 years longer than he has. Sure, I've done a few pretty cool things here and there, but nothing like that.

I really must make note to keep cool and refreshing beverages handy when watching Tampa Bay Lightning games: Because Guy Buoucher gets hotter everytime I watch him. And the other night when he went off on the refs....well, let's just say I had the windows wide open.

Now, as for Portland: Not all is lost. We picked up a point for the Tri-Cities game. But note to the WHL schedulers: do not make our boys go on a two-week road trip, come home, play one home game, go on the road again and come back for another one on Sunday. Now mind, I love that my holiday weekend was bookended by hockey, but come on now, give the boys a break already. I'll find out more tonight when I chat with them, but until then you can read all about it here: www.oregonlive.com/hawks.

It is time to emerge from the weekend hockey bubble, but before I do: Article 13, Waivers and Loans of Players to Minor League Clubs. 13.12, Transfers To/From Minors: The Club responsible for the move shall provide to the Player for a period of up to 28 days a reasonable single hotel room or at the Player's option, a daily payment -- applicable to NHL per diem for Player Recalled from Minors: $45 for Player Loaned to minors. If Section 13.2(d) applies, the Club shall provide the aforementioned daily payment or the applicable accommodations under Section 13.2(d) for a period of up to 56 days. ....where the Club has provided the Player with accommodation, the Club shall provide an additional five days accommodation and one-half per diem for each of the same five days after he has been advised to get a place or at the conclusion of the 28th day.

And timing is key: 13.12 (j) A player may be loaned to a club of any league affiliated with the League at any time up to 3:00 p.m. New York Time of the 40th day immediately preceding the final day of the Regular Season (the "Trade Deadline").

Morals of the story:

The game: "after he has been advised to get a place or on.." I love it. It gives a whole new meaning to "get a room."

Life: Sometimes I think the 9 - 5 grind is just prison without handcuffs. But compared to how regimented this rule is, I have a lot of freedom. Nobody tells me when or where I have to be in my private life, they don't tell me to "get a place" and I don't have to negotiate how to pay for it. The grass always looks greener until it's time to mow the lawn. Nobody's life is easy. Nobody's life is totally free. But if you're lucky and you play the hand you're dealt the right way, it can be your own version of a hat trick/200th goal scoring night.

Up next: 13.13, Waiver Notification, 13.14, Transfer Form, 13.15, Holiday Roster Freeze.