A friendship is on hold for at least two weeks as on-ice rivals Shane Doan of Phoenix and Mike Fisher of Nashville face off in the second round of the playoffs. But their bond is not in question.

The two men, key players for their respective franchises, have become friends off the ice over the past few years in large part because of their common faith.

The two first connected at the 2005 IIHF world hockey championships in Austria and again at the 2009 worlds in Switzerland as teammates on Team Canada.

"I got a lot of respect for Shane," the Nashville Predators' No. 1 center told ESPN.com. "We've become friends, not only because we played at the world championships together, but because of our faith in Christ. That's the unique bond there, we formed a friendship, we relate to each other and the sport and some of the things we go through. We encourage each other when we can. It's been fun."

Numerous players around the NHL do their part to raise money for charity and improve their community.

Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators, John-Michael Liles of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders stood out among their peers, and for that reason they have been nominated for the 2012 NHL Foundation Player Award, presented to "an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey -- commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community."

The winner of the award will be announced at the 2012 NHL Awards Show, June 20 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, with the winning player receiving $25,000 to donate to their chosen charitable organization.

Sarnia, ON – Sarnia Sting Head Coach and General Manager Jacques Beaulieu announced today that the hockey club has signed goaltender Brodie Barrick to an OHL Contract and Education Package.

Beaulieu had the following comment on the signing:

“Brodie has been very good at every Sting camp he has attended since being drafted two years ago.   Nick Sinclair our Director of Player Personnel watched Brodie play on several occasions last season and had positive reports on him.”

Those wanting to make a living as an agitator in the NHL need only look at the example set by Chris Neil.

The Ottawa Senators winger has made an art of getting under the opponents’ skin.

Neil was already in the New York Rangers’ bad books for having knocked out Brian Boyle with a hit that was eerily similar to the one Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty was suspended three games for earlier in the year.

Monday, Neil twisted the screw, lining up beside Carl Hagelin, giving the Rangers rookie an earful in his first game back from his three-game suspension for a flying elbow on Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson.

NEW YORK -- The Ottawa Senators made it clear early and late with their fists and sticks that they aren't going to be pushed around by the top-seeded New York Rangers.

Matt Carkner got back into the Ottawa lineup, and made his presence felt right away by settling his club's score in a one-sided fight with Rangers forward Brian Boyle. Chris Neil, known for his punches, delivered the final blow by scoring 1:17 into overtime to give the Senators a 3-2 victory in Game 2 on Saturday night.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that left wing Cory Conacher of the Norfolk Admirals has been named the winner of the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s most valuable player for the 2011-12 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.

Conacher becomes the fourth rookie to win the award since it was first presented in 1947-48, joining Bill Hicke (1958-59), Pelle Lindbergh (1980-81) and Stephan Lebeau (1988-89).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that forward Cory Conacher of the Norfolk Admirals has been named the winner of the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2011-12 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.

Conacher signed with Norfolk following four seasons at Canisius College and an impressive training camp with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and has been one of the top scorers in the league since opening the year with 12 points in nine games during October. Conacher, who only once has gone more than two games without a point this season, leads all AHL rookies with 75 points and ranks second in goals (35) and assists (40) while showing a plus-13 rating in 72 games for the Admirals. He is also first among rookies in power-play goals (14) and game-winning goals (seven). A 22-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., Conacher represented Norfolk at the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic and tied game highs with two goals and three points in the contest. Named an All-Rookie Team member and a Second Team AHL All-Star at left wing last week, Conacher signed a two-year deal with the Lightning on Mar. 1.