Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Riders Get Things Started
With Rider Mini - Camp set to get going tomorrow, it is time to start thinking about another summer in the sun at Mosaic. Believe it or not, the Riders are t - minus 67 days away from kicking it off for real on Friday, June 29th.
The day before camp was highlighted by the Riders announcing some roster moves. To start with they signed three imports to the roster, all of whom have NFL experience at some level. Included in this group was Wide Reciever Sinorice Moss, who has spent the last six seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring in 2007 with the Giants. The Riders have signed a LOT of former NFLer's this year. In fact, there are many more than usual coming up north to the CFL. While I am excited about many of these signings, I think one needs to remain cautious before passing judgement. Too many people get excited at the notion of signing a guy who has played good football in the past. Until the season kicks off and the guys get out there for real you never know what you have. Case in point: Terrence Nunn. Last year some were anointing him the next great thing. A year, a handful of catches and an achilles injury later we realize that he was not as good as he appeared to be. Sticking out in camp is one thing; bringing that to the field is another. While I like the shape the team is taking and the work done by Brendan Taman and Jeremy O'Day to this point, time will be the ultimate tale.
The CFL draft is coming up and the Riders hold the top pick. Consenus #1 Ben Heenan is no longer the top ranked player having being supplanted by Boise State DL Tyrone Crawford. The issue I have with taking either guy is the NFL. Tyrone Crawford will go in the first three rounds of the NFL draft and Heenan is going to get some looks down south. I know taking Heenan makes the most sense but look, if he is going to be another Matt O'Donnell who never shows up, I would rather take Wilfrid Laurier Recieved Shamawd Williams...just saying.
A light night in the NHL as the Panthers look to move on in New Jersey. How happy can one be for Shane Doan. The guy has been a class act his entire career, never left the Jets/Coyotes organization and always answered the bell for Team Canada when asked. For the first time in his career, Shane Doan has tasted playoff success after last nights 4 - 0 victory over Chicago. I don't think it could happen to a better guy. On a side note I hope Sidney Crosby has no taste of playoff success ever again.
Good day to you...
Monday, April 23, 2012
What a Weekend!
Is it just me or has this year's NHL Playoffs been the most enjoyable first round ever. Tension, hostility, OT galore and just overall great hockey has made the past two weeks a wonderful time to be a hockey fan. Take into account my dislike for certain teams and players and short of the Oilers sitting in the second round, nothing could be much better right not, and here is why:
Example A: The world will not be forced to watch Sidney Crosby bitch and whine endelessly until at least September. Of even greater importance to me is not having to watch his poor excuse for a beard. With yesterday's 5 - 1 loss to the Flyers, Sid and the boys have once again made an early exit after winning the Cup just three seasons ago.
Example B: I don't hate the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks but in recent years they always seem to be in the equation. I love watching a changing of the guard and with the elimination of these two, you could argue the changing of the guard has begin in the west.
Example C (and the highlight of my weekend): Watching Dam Hamhuis blow a tire trying to make an extra move, only to turn the puck over to a good ol' Sasky boy who in turn goes roof - daddy over Corey Schneider and turning the lights out on the season for the Vancouver Canucks. I know they are Canadian but honestly there is no team I detest more. As an Oiler fan I would much rather root for the Flames than the Canucks; sounds weird but it is so true.
With a little luck the Panthers can move on along with the Senators and since they won it last year, let's get rid of the Bruins again. Time will tell...my picks for tonight; Ottawa gets it done at home and the Panthers finish off the Devils to adcvance to the second round for the first time since they lost to Colorado in the Finals sixteen years ago. Wow, hard to believe it has already been sixteen years since then; I was only in Grade Twelve!
I don't talk about basketball much but last night Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest gave James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder an absolutley disgusting elbow to the back of the head. Harden left the game with a possible concussion while World Peace was ejected much to his surprise as he claimed it was purely accidental. Given World Peace's track record, 111 games missed due to suspension in his career, including an 86 gamer for fighting fans in Detroit a few years back, coupled with the NBA's willingness to throw out stiff penalites, expect no less than 30 games. In the world of sports, lack of respect for the opponents is on the rise, and Metta World Peace demonstrated that in full yesterday afternoon. To him I give the one finger salute!
Later....
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Another Day....another Rant.
Another night in the NHL Playoffs and low and behold there is more controversy. The venom spewing out of Chicago relates to last nights game in which Raffi Torres of the Coyotes delivered an open ice hit on Hawks forward Marian Hossa. No penalty was called on the boom - boom play but watch the replay, and I have issues.
Sure Hossa had his head down and never saw the hit coming. However, Torres still leaves his feet to propel himself at the defenceless Slovak. Fortunately Hossa was released from a Chicago hospital last night after being removed from the ice on a stretcher. My issue??? Raffi Torres has made this an annual habit. Last night was a year to the day he drove Brent Seabrook into next week behind the Hawks net while he was with the Canucks; again leaving both feet. Earlier this year he was suspended for head butting Nate Prossed of Minnesota and on four seperate occasions the NHL has suspended him, twice for leaving his feet to hit a defenceless player.
I am a hockey fan and the golden rule is keep your head up and you shouldn't get hurt. I am all for a clean, open ice hit on a guy with his head down, but why jump Raffi Torres? You have done this over and over and I sincerely hope you get the message this time in the form of a suspension of no less than ten games. Matt Cooke finally learned his lesson, let's hope Torres either learns how to play within the rules or NHL teams stop bringing him in as an energy player. Fingers crossed that Brendan Shanahan get it right on this one.
The Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins tonight in Game Four of their Eastern Conference QF and will do so without Nicklas Backstrom who will be serving a one game suspension for his cross check to the face of Boston's Rich Peverley. This morning the Capitals organization released a statement that voiced this displeasure and disappointement with the decision of the league to uphold the suspension that came with the match penalty he earned at the end of Game Three. Really, you don't think a guy should be punished for driving a guy in the face with a hockey stick? I wonder what the opinion of the Capitals would be if Zdeno Chara does the same to Ovechkin tonight? My guess is there tune would shift in a millisecond. That is what I find frustrating; all teams want to clean up the game but nobody thinks their players deserve to be punished.
I wish I could say something about the Riders for Tad who occassionally drops a comment but I have been so engrained by the playoffs and the intensity that goes with it, I have been completely naive of anything going on in Rider Nation. Patience please, camp is only a month and a week away and then this blog will be nothing BUT Riders.
I would like to add I tweeted my picks to score the winners in last night's Hawks/Coyotes game and don't you think I called it...Boeddker for the desert dogs. In saying that, I did only get one game right last night. Tonight look for the following; the Flyers end the Penguins season in a game that could be VERY ugly if things go the way of the Flyers early and often, the Bruins take a 3 - 1 lead on the Caps which will only enhance the wine and cheese smell emanating from the American capital, the Blues fall to the Sharks as the Sharks square things up heading back to the heartland and the Los Angeles Kings assure us all of a new Western Conference Champion as they break out the broom at Staples and sweep the Canucks, a result most Canadians outside of BC will embrace.
Lastly, seventh heaven in the WHL tonight as both Western Conference series goes the distance, Spokane goes to Kennewick, WSH to take on Tri - City while the Kamloops Blazers look to do the unthinkable and move on after falling behind 3 - 0 in the series. For the record the Blazers were also down 5 - 2 heading into the third period of Game Six. I for one #believe in the Blazers....
Later....
Sure Hossa had his head down and never saw the hit coming. However, Torres still leaves his feet to propel himself at the defenceless Slovak. Fortunately Hossa was released from a Chicago hospital last night after being removed from the ice on a stretcher. My issue??? Raffi Torres has made this an annual habit. Last night was a year to the day he drove Brent Seabrook into next week behind the Hawks net while he was with the Canucks; again leaving both feet. Earlier this year he was suspended for head butting Nate Prossed of Minnesota and on four seperate occasions the NHL has suspended him, twice for leaving his feet to hit a defenceless player.
I am a hockey fan and the golden rule is keep your head up and you shouldn't get hurt. I am all for a clean, open ice hit on a guy with his head down, but why jump Raffi Torres? You have done this over and over and I sincerely hope you get the message this time in the form of a suspension of no less than ten games. Matt Cooke finally learned his lesson, let's hope Torres either learns how to play within the rules or NHL teams stop bringing him in as an energy player. Fingers crossed that Brendan Shanahan get it right on this one.
The Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins tonight in Game Four of their Eastern Conference QF and will do so without Nicklas Backstrom who will be serving a one game suspension for his cross check to the face of Boston's Rich Peverley. This morning the Capitals organization released a statement that voiced this displeasure and disappointement with the decision of the league to uphold the suspension that came with the match penalty he earned at the end of Game Three. Really, you don't think a guy should be punished for driving a guy in the face with a hockey stick? I wonder what the opinion of the Capitals would be if Zdeno Chara does the same to Ovechkin tonight? My guess is there tune would shift in a millisecond. That is what I find frustrating; all teams want to clean up the game but nobody thinks their players deserve to be punished.
I wish I could say something about the Riders for Tad who occassionally drops a comment but I have been so engrained by the playoffs and the intensity that goes with it, I have been completely naive of anything going on in Rider Nation. Patience please, camp is only a month and a week away and then this blog will be nothing BUT Riders.
I would like to add I tweeted my picks to score the winners in last night's Hawks/Coyotes game and don't you think I called it...Boeddker for the desert dogs. In saying that, I did only get one game right last night. Tonight look for the following; the Flyers end the Penguins season in a game that could be VERY ugly if things go the way of the Flyers early and often, the Bruins take a 3 - 1 lead on the Caps which will only enhance the wine and cheese smell emanating from the American capital, the Blues fall to the Sharks as the Sharks square things up heading back to the heartland and the Los Angeles Kings assure us all of a new Western Conference Champion as they break out the broom at Staples and sweep the Canucks, a result most Canadians outside of BC will embrace.
Lastly, seventh heaven in the WHL tonight as both Western Conference series goes the distance, Spokane goes to Kennewick, WSH to take on Tri - City while the Kamloops Blazers look to do the unthinkable and move on after falling behind 3 - 0 in the series. For the record the Blazers were also down 5 - 2 heading into the third period of Game Six. I for one #believe in the Blazers....
Later....
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Another day...another suspension
Before I start, let me be clear that I love the hostility and tension that seems to exist in most of the first round play - off match - ups. With the exception of the Florida/NJ and SJ/STL series, each of the other six have been witness to old time hockey which while some dislike, I thoroughly enjoy.
Now, onto last night. At the conclusion of the Bruins 4 - 3 victory over the Capitals, Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom attempted to rearrange the teeth of Boston's Rich Peverely with a vicious cross - check to the mouth. Backstrom was assessed a match penalty which carries an automatic game suspension. While I don't care for the cheap shot, it gets better. This morning Caps Head Coach Dale Hunter commented that he was pretty sure the league would overrule the match penalty and not force Backstrom to miss Game Four because he said Backstrom was merely defending himself from Peverley who already had his stick raised. Watch the highlight; the only time Peverley's stick is raised is when he realizes what is about to take place. He did nothing visibly to instigate this situation. In saying that I think Dale Hunter is out to lunch; not only should the league uphold the match penalty, but Backstrom should be suspended for more than one single game. And furthermore, Hunter felt that Backstrom's head has been targeted by the Bruins. This may or may not be the case but who is Dale Hunter to question the antics of other players? Certainly not the same Dale Hunter who recieved a 25 game suspension for the cheapest of cheap shots on the Islanders Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 playoff's. That year after Turgeon scored a game, and series clinching goal late in Game Six of the Islanders and Capitals Patrick Division playoff series, Hunter checked a completely unprepared Turgeon into the boards. Turgeon seperated his shoulder and missed the remainder of the Isle's run to the Conference Final. Past record alone tells me Dale Hunter is one of the last guys I would take any advice from in terms of supplemental discipline.
Brendan Shanahan continues to mystify me...first he gives Zenon Konopka a fine for the same amount given to Shea Weber for 'turnbuckling' Henrik Zetterberg and then today he gives the Blackhawks Andrew Shaw a three game ban for his 'hit' on Mike Smith of the Coyotes on Saturday night. That was not a hit, if anything it was incidental contact that came about as a result of Shaw hustling his butt in after a loose puck. BRUTAL call on Shanahan's part. While Shaw isn't Toews or Keith or Kane, it is still a call that will have some impact on the Blackhawks.
And that sets up tonight...and here is what will transpire. The Predators, who I would love to see take a two game lead home against Detroit won't get it done and will return home with if nothing else, having regained home ice, the Flyers dust off the Penguins in a game that gets ugly in the third as Sidney Crybaby and those not so lovable losers from Pittsburgh realize they are done, and in a great game in New Jersey the Panthers steal on OT victory from the Devils.
Later.....
Now, onto last night. At the conclusion of the Bruins 4 - 3 victory over the Capitals, Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom attempted to rearrange the teeth of Boston's Rich Peverely with a vicious cross - check to the mouth. Backstrom was assessed a match penalty which carries an automatic game suspension. While I don't care for the cheap shot, it gets better. This morning Caps Head Coach Dale Hunter commented that he was pretty sure the league would overrule the match penalty and not force Backstrom to miss Game Four because he said Backstrom was merely defending himself from Peverley who already had his stick raised. Watch the highlight; the only time Peverley's stick is raised is when he realizes what is about to take place. He did nothing visibly to instigate this situation. In saying that I think Dale Hunter is out to lunch; not only should the league uphold the match penalty, but Backstrom should be suspended for more than one single game. And furthermore, Hunter felt that Backstrom's head has been targeted by the Bruins. This may or may not be the case but who is Dale Hunter to question the antics of other players? Certainly not the same Dale Hunter who recieved a 25 game suspension for the cheapest of cheap shots on the Islanders Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 playoff's. That year after Turgeon scored a game, and series clinching goal late in Game Six of the Islanders and Capitals Patrick Division playoff series, Hunter checked a completely unprepared Turgeon into the boards. Turgeon seperated his shoulder and missed the remainder of the Isle's run to the Conference Final. Past record alone tells me Dale Hunter is one of the last guys I would take any advice from in terms of supplemental discipline.
Brendan Shanahan continues to mystify me...first he gives Zenon Konopka a fine for the same amount given to Shea Weber for 'turnbuckling' Henrik Zetterberg and then today he gives the Blackhawks Andrew Shaw a three game ban for his 'hit' on Mike Smith of the Coyotes on Saturday night. That was not a hit, if anything it was incidental contact that came about as a result of Shaw hustling his butt in after a loose puck. BRUTAL call on Shanahan's part. While Shaw isn't Toews or Keith or Kane, it is still a call that will have some impact on the Blackhawks.
And that sets up tonight...and here is what will transpire. The Predators, who I would love to see take a two game lead home against Detroit won't get it done and will return home with if nothing else, having regained home ice, the Flyers dust off the Penguins in a game that gets ugly in the third as Sidney Crybaby and those not so lovable losers from Pittsburgh realize they are done, and in a great game in New Jersey the Panthers steal on OT victory from the Devils.
Later.....
Monday, April 16, 2012
Where do I Start?
I am at a loss for what I think of Sidney Crosby at the moment. I have been following sports for as long as I remember and I struggle to find an athlete who I have less respect for. His actions at the end of the regular season and into his Penguins first round series with Philadelphia have been emabarrasing. The guy has missed substantial periods of time due to concussions and was the first to speak out about the NHL needing to eliminate the blows to the head and other cheap shots. Yet, who has had his nose in every scrum chirping and generally causing more sh#t than necessary? The same little golden boy who is apparently the greatest player on the face of the earth. Well, to that I would say does the greatest player on earth need to shoot away an opponents glove as they bend down to pick it up, and then later explain his actions by saying "I hate him"? Come on, that is in my opinion BRUTAL! I am so sick of wathcing him and his poor excuse for a moustache whine and complain after every shift. Don Cherry said it best when he said the kid needs to just shut up and score. He has all the talent in the world but is sticking out for all the wrong reasons. At this point he is to the NHL what Tiger Woods is to the PGA...a disgrace and someone no youngster should look up to and aspire to be like.
On a side note I think the Philadelphia Flyers have done a tremendous job of getting the Penguins off of their game. They are in their heads and in the process are on the verge of sweeping them away. All I can say is look out because when the clock nears midnight and the Penguins realize their season is over, there is still a lot of bad blood that could spoil over.
Still with this series, Aaron Asham is a guy who at times you have to respect and at times you have to shake you head at. His cross check to the throat of Brayden Schenn was horrific and the penalty should match the narcissitic nature of the hit. In my mind, anything less than five games is a joke. I mean if Carl Hagelin can be given three games for his hit on Daniel Alfredsson, Asham will should certainly be a lot lighter in the pocket.
Other random NHL play - off notes:
* The Vancouver Canucks are one game away from elimination, and I love it. Alain Vigneualt should be looking for employment within the month. Too bad they gave Roberto Luongo all that money because they are now stuck with him, and to be honest, I don't even see him as a top five goaltender in the league anymore. Shoot, he isn't even the best goalie on his team.
* Brendan Shanahan has dropped the ball yet again. I love Shea Weber and the game he plays but to allow him to slam the face of Henrik Zetterberg into the boards and recieve only a $2, 500 fine is not right. Again, love Weber but a game was what he deserved.
* Mike Smith's antics on Saturday night were laughable. He got run into by the Hawks' pest Andrew Shaw, not that hard I might add, and went down like he had been shot only to return to the night shortly thereafter in the Coyotes 4 - 3 loss in Game Two. Some have said Andrew Shaw deserves a suspension; I don't even think he deserved a five minute major on the play. If anybody needs to be fined and suspended it is Mike Smith. Apparently he didn't practice with the team today but my gut tells me that is a ploy by the Coyotes to try and influence the decision of the NHL on this matter.
Moving away from the NHL and onto the Riders, who by the way open the regular season is just a little more than two months. News out of Atlanta last week was that Odell Willis had been arrested for DUI. And then the madness erupts; Rider fans everywhere are livid at Brendan Taman for trading for him, he should never be allowed to play a game in the CFL again. Are you kidding me? The guy is a human who made a mistake, got caught and luckily enough harmed nobody else in the process. For those fans who feel that he should be done with the team, how many of you have a crystal clear record and conscience having never done ANYTHING wrong? Just another classic example of how Rider Nation can be such cynics. If he struggles early they will bring this up as the problem and if he has five sacks in the first month of the season, it will all be water under the bridge. To me it is a mute point, if the Riders can get him into Canada, he starts at DE and provides us with the legitimate pass rushing threat we have been lacking since John Chick and Stevie Baggs left. Case closed!
I am not one to talk about the SJHL very often but the Humboldt Broncos won the Canalta Cup on Friday with a 6 - 0 victory over the Weyburn Red Wings. Not that losing the series appears to be the issue in Weyburn though; rather they are upset at the suspension of their top player and SJHL Player of the Year, Jesse Ross for Games six and seven of the series. Look, he two handed a guy in the ankles, got caught and had to pay the piper. It happens, and for those of you who may read this and think the SJHL and Bill Chow did this to ensure the Broncos win, something smells over there.
WHL Play - off's continue tonight as the Kamloops Blazers look to force a seventh and deciding game against the Portland Winterhawks after fallig behin 3 - 0. As you may know, a good friend of mine, Jon Keen is the voice of the Blazers and for him alone I hope the Blazers not only force a one game showdown, but continue onwards to the Memorial Cup.
Have a great night, and talk to you soon.
On a side note I think the Philadelphia Flyers have done a tremendous job of getting the Penguins off of their game. They are in their heads and in the process are on the verge of sweeping them away. All I can say is look out because when the clock nears midnight and the Penguins realize their season is over, there is still a lot of bad blood that could spoil over.
Still with this series, Aaron Asham is a guy who at times you have to respect and at times you have to shake you head at. His cross check to the throat of Brayden Schenn was horrific and the penalty should match the narcissitic nature of the hit. In my mind, anything less than five games is a joke. I mean if Carl Hagelin can be given three games for his hit on Daniel Alfredsson, Asham will should certainly be a lot lighter in the pocket.
Other random NHL play - off notes:
* The Vancouver Canucks are one game away from elimination, and I love it. Alain Vigneualt should be looking for employment within the month. Too bad they gave Roberto Luongo all that money because they are now stuck with him, and to be honest, I don't even see him as a top five goaltender in the league anymore. Shoot, he isn't even the best goalie on his team.
* Brendan Shanahan has dropped the ball yet again. I love Shea Weber and the game he plays but to allow him to slam the face of Henrik Zetterberg into the boards and recieve only a $2, 500 fine is not right. Again, love Weber but a game was what he deserved.
* Mike Smith's antics on Saturday night were laughable. He got run into by the Hawks' pest Andrew Shaw, not that hard I might add, and went down like he had been shot only to return to the night shortly thereafter in the Coyotes 4 - 3 loss in Game Two. Some have said Andrew Shaw deserves a suspension; I don't even think he deserved a five minute major on the play. If anybody needs to be fined and suspended it is Mike Smith. Apparently he didn't practice with the team today but my gut tells me that is a ploy by the Coyotes to try and influence the decision of the NHL on this matter.
Moving away from the NHL and onto the Riders, who by the way open the regular season is just a little more than two months. News out of Atlanta last week was that Odell Willis had been arrested for DUI. And then the madness erupts; Rider fans everywhere are livid at Brendan Taman for trading for him, he should never be allowed to play a game in the CFL again. Are you kidding me? The guy is a human who made a mistake, got caught and luckily enough harmed nobody else in the process. For those fans who feel that he should be done with the team, how many of you have a crystal clear record and conscience having never done ANYTHING wrong? Just another classic example of how Rider Nation can be such cynics. If he struggles early they will bring this up as the problem and if he has five sacks in the first month of the season, it will all be water under the bridge. To me it is a mute point, if the Riders can get him into Canada, he starts at DE and provides us with the legitimate pass rushing threat we have been lacking since John Chick and Stevie Baggs left. Case closed!
I am not one to talk about the SJHL very often but the Humboldt Broncos won the Canalta Cup on Friday with a 6 - 0 victory over the Weyburn Red Wings. Not that losing the series appears to be the issue in Weyburn though; rather they are upset at the suspension of their top player and SJHL Player of the Year, Jesse Ross for Games six and seven of the series. Look, he two handed a guy in the ankles, got caught and had to pay the piper. It happens, and for those of you who may read this and think the SJHL and Bill Chow did this to ensure the Broncos win, something smells over there.
WHL Play - off's continue tonight as the Kamloops Blazers look to force a seventh and deciding game against the Portland Winterhawks after fallig behin 3 - 0. As you may know, a good friend of mine, Jon Keen is the voice of the Blazers and for him alone I hope the Blazers not only force a one game showdown, but continue onwards to the Memorial Cup.
Have a great night, and talk to you soon.
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