HNIC releases new schedule

The Battles of Ontario and Alberta kick off Hockey Night in Canada's slate of games on CBC-TV for the 2006-07 season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators in the venerable hockey program's first broadcast of the season on Oct. 5. The Calgary Flames face the Oilers in Edmontonin the second game of the doubleheader.

The Calgary-Edmonton showdown is the first of six Battle of Alberta matches that will be broadcast.

HNIC's schedule, announced Wednesday, includes28 all-Canadian contests.

There will be seven games between hockey's Forever Rivals, the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, including the 2006 Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Toronto.

B.C. communityhosts hockey day

Nelson, B.C., will be home for the seventh annual Hockey Day in Canada on Jan. 13. Headlining the 13 hours of hockey is anall-Canadian tripleheader —starting with Montreal at Ottawa, followed by Vancouver at Toronto, and Edmonton at Calgary.

On Jan. 24, HNIC will be in Dallas for the 55th NHL All-Star Game. For the first time since 2004, the top players from the Eastern Conference will face off against the best from the Western Conference.

In addition to regular Saturday night doubleheaders, HNIC will air seven afternoon broadcasts, including Sidney Crosby leading the Pittsburgh Penguins into Montreal to face off against the Canadiens on Feb. 4.

Hockey Night in Canada wraps up the regular season on April 7, followed by the start of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 11.