Shane never takes a night off. He's the type of player that will go to battle every time he's on the ice. He comes to every game ready to play, and has been an integral part of our team's success this season.

We will find out Saturday night how close we are to Niagara Falls. This is a key game for us.

It's a credit to his character that he would be back the very next night ready to play. He showed up Saturday night and refused to sit out. This kid never takes a night off.

[On Thursday night, Close will be presented with the Human Spirit Award by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation at a glittery dinner in Manhattan. A longtime friend of the] Superman ... a very little drop in the ocean compared to the things he's done.

It's been well done. But it's going to be more complicated. It will be time-consuming.

It will be touch and go. Apparently, he's certainly not behind (his recovery) time, if anything he might be a little bit ahead of time.