The Stanley Cup made its second trip to Afghanistan today, escorted by hockey players including former Washington Capital Mike Gartner and bruiser Bob Probert. The soldiers in Kandahar played ball-hockey against the former NHLers, got some autographs, and of course has spirited debates about which team would have its name etched on the Cup in 2008. Defence Minister Peter MacKay said, "To have a nice little repose, a little opportunity to engage in some friendly competition, to play with these NHL stars . . . It's a piece of home in Kandahar." Read more about the visit here.

At almost the same time that the Cup made its way east, Sgt. Jason Boyes--the 81st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan--made the trip the other way. His casket came off a plane at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, about 100 miles east of Toronto, late this afternoon. Our condolences to his family, and to all those who've lost loved ones these nearly seven years in Afghanistan and five years in Iraq.