Since I last blogged....
* the Halifax Mooseheads defeated the Portland Winterhawks Sunday night 6 - 4 to capture the Memorial Cup in Saskatoon. What many expected the final to be almost turned into a run away with the Mooseheads getting up 3 - 0 early only to have Portland twice come back from three goal deficits to get within one but were unable to bury the equalizer.
* While I said Mac Carruth would hurt the Winterhawks chances, I can now admit that I should eat some crow. Carruth was pretty good against London in the semi and made some great saves to keep his club in it on Sunday.
* I said it last week and I will say it again; Nathan McKinnon is the 'real deal'. He was head and shoulders above the rest last week and has in my opinion rightfully overtaken the #1 spot in the latest ISS rankings. That being said, I would believe Colorado is leaning towards big Seth Jones to avoid being in a situation similar to the Oilers; all forwards and not much on the back end.
* the NHL play - off's are nearly into the third round with only Chicago and Detroit still battling for the final spot in the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings. That being said, it wasn't so much watching the Kings/Sharks game that had my attention last night but rather following Twitter. Damien Cox was very vocal with not enjoying the performance on the ice bemoaning the slow pace, no room and general lack of scoring opportunities. To me, Damien Cox clearly does not understand that this is not the seventh game of the regular season, rather it is a one game, winner goes on to play in the Conference Final while the loser's season ends. Do you really think Daryl Sutter and Todd McClellan wanted to engage themselves in a run and gun, wide - open brand of hockey. No, this is the play - off's and the deeper you go the tighter the checking and more important sticking to your system becomes. Sure we would all love the 6 - 5 OT game but as a fan I understand that the play - off's take on a greater meaning and requires a more disciplined brand of hockey. It hasn't been since the Oilers of the 80's that running and gunning came with success in the post season. Look at the Washington Capitals as a prime example; all run and gun and wide open hockey but never able to translate regular season success to play - off success.
* We can all agree that Joe Pavelski should have tied the game late in the third but was unable to get the puck off the ice. Damien Cox goes on Twitter to poke fun at this inability to bury the big one. Put yourself in that position, do you really think in the heat of the moment with the lack of time he had that he didn't try to score and was simply lazily banging it in; hell no! It is guys like Cox who just grind my gears in that they make it seem like they have all the answers and rationale as to why the game has changed and how players can and should do more, but they have NEVER been in that position.
* One more, anti - Cox note. He also was quite open about his displeasure for some icing calls late in the game. Two points Damien: (1) San Jose was trying to stretch the play. When doing that mistakes happen. Simply passing back and forth amongst D partners with short up ice passes are not going to catch the Kings off guard that late in the game. Chances need to be taken in order to tie the game, and (2) While L.A. iced it a couple of time, they didn't do so to slow the game down, they did it to save their season. Could you imagine how stupid a lazy, up the middle of the ice play would have been that late in the game. It goes back to what you learn as a kid, DO NOT pass it up the middle in your own end. Up the boards and OUT. I would much rather take my chances on a defensive zone draw than try to non chalantly dump it up the middle and see the puck in the back of my net.
* For what it's worth, I hope the Bruins beat the Penguins. The only reason I have any desire to see Pittsburgh win it all is for Jarome Iginla. Short of that, the thougth of Crosby and Malkin raising the Cup makes me nauseous. At the same time while I once despised Detroit, I find myself rooting for them to knock off Chicago tonight. Granted, I don't think it happens but I hope it does.
* At the rate they are going through starting pitchers, look for Jimmy Key to take to the hill for the Blue Jays in the next two to three weeks. Esmil Rogers will become the 11th Blue Jays starter tonight in only their 50th game.
* Brett Lawrie should be ashamed of his actions on Sunday. When you are hitting .205 you have absolutely no right to belittle the play of anybody be it teammate or opponent.
* John Tortorella was fired today by the New York Rangers in a move some would say was shocking. If you ask me, the Brad Richards benching could have had something to do with it. The Rangers are playing Richards a lot of money, and probably didn't like him being the scape - goat for this years play - off failure. Given the combination of skill and heart the Rangers had this year, there is no reasonable explanation for their struggles this year. Tortorella will be missed by some for his relationship with the media, but given what he had, they should have had a better season. That being said, John Tortorella will coach again in the NHL.
* With John Chick still unsigned by the NFL team, are he and the Riders close to a deal, or is he still exploring NFL opportunities. While some would say John Chick's best days are behind him, I would argue that at the age of 30 and having spent the last =four seasons in the NFL, the man can stil play and would be an instant upgrade at DE.
* Rider camp kicks off this weekend in the Bridge City. I can not wait to get this season rolling especially after the way last season ended. I think there is a LOT of reasons to be optimistic and hopeful of a home play - off game this year. Mosaic should be a fun place to be this year.
* Another good showing for Graham Delaet this week. Sunday's 74 knocked him down to T22 but another good pay cheque places him 56th on the money list with more than $850, 000 to date.
* All for now; off to take the kids to the sitter; Men's Night awaits.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Quick Thoughts...
Seeing as this blog got it's first even mention via Twitter this past weekend, this post if for my good buddy Scott Giroux. In no particular order, here are my thoughts:
* I had the opportunity to attend the Memorial Cup on the weekend. Not only were there good times with good friends, but some pretty good hockey to watch as well. Given what I saw, regardless of their showing against Saskatoon on Sunday, I have trouble seeing anyone other than Halifax win it all. To me they looked a little tired against Saskatoon on Sunday. I would imagine they gave it all against Portland on Saturday to try to send the message there was no debate as to who the number one team in Canada was.
* Goaltending will hurt Portland. Mac Carruth is not that good. As per conversations I had this weekend, he is an average at best goalie lucky enough to play behind a very good team. Halifax got him seven times and the Shane McColgan goal last night stunk something awful.
* If I were the Colorado Avalanche heading into the draft, my mind is made up on Nathan McKinnon. He is a lot bigger than I thought, skates like the wind, has great hands; all the intangibles needed for a good career in the NHL. Blowing past Seth Jones like he was standing still on Saturday was beautiful.
* While I went to Saskatoon questioning the worthiness of Saskatoon being in the tournament, I quickly found myself rooting for them. Should they go on to win it all, all those naysayers will need to quickly be quiet as for the Blades it will take defeating the three league champions in four nights; a very monumental task.
* The one thing the Blades clearly have going for them is the play of their goaltender. To this point Makarov has been brilliant. He alone kept the Blades in it on Friday against London when in all reality they should have been done 3 - 0 in the game's first five minutes.
* Overshadowed by McKinnon, Drouin and Jones in Saskatoon this week is Max Domi. The son of former tough guy Tie Domi, Max has great speed, tremendous hands (see between the legs saucer pass for goal on Monday) and is clearly very solid on his feet. Ask Shane McColgan about that one.
* I would almost bet my mortgage that the organizing committee in Saskatoon never imagined they would get this type of attendance. They are yet to pack 10, 000 into the CUC this week.
* Going to Jr. A hockey the Weyburn Red Wings hired Bryce Thoma to become the team's next head coach. Talk about big shoes to fill.
* Down the road in Estevan the Bruins are still to name a new Head Coach. A deck conversation on Rowles Road Saturday night led to speculation that my inner circle may know who the new man is; time will tell.
* The Riders are a little more than a month from kicking it off for real. Still people lament every personnel change the Riders make which to me is just an excuse to cover up another sad existence.
* One of these weekends, Weyburn's own Graham Delaet is going to break through on the PGA tour. Today's 64 certainly didn't hurt.
* I can't stomach the thought of watching the NBA Play - off's. I would seriously rather watch 19 Kids and Counting.
* I honestly feel bad for the Toronto Maple Leafs. To make it worse, given the way the Rangers have looked against Boston, the buds would have had a legitimate shot at the Conference Finals.
* Did Daniel Alfredsson really say that he doesn't think the Senators can come back and beat the Penguins? I know Pittsburgh presents a real challenge but that is not the type of talk you want from your leadership. Don't make the Messier guarantee but certainly give your fans reasons to believe in your chances.
* The Toronto Blue Jays are still a disappointment.
* Are the New York Islanders really only a solid goalie away from becoming a legitimate contender in the NHL's Eastern Conference?
* OUT.....HM
* I had the opportunity to attend the Memorial Cup on the weekend. Not only were there good times with good friends, but some pretty good hockey to watch as well. Given what I saw, regardless of their showing against Saskatoon on Sunday, I have trouble seeing anyone other than Halifax win it all. To me they looked a little tired against Saskatoon on Sunday. I would imagine they gave it all against Portland on Saturday to try to send the message there was no debate as to who the number one team in Canada was.
* Goaltending will hurt Portland. Mac Carruth is not that good. As per conversations I had this weekend, he is an average at best goalie lucky enough to play behind a very good team. Halifax got him seven times and the Shane McColgan goal last night stunk something awful.
* If I were the Colorado Avalanche heading into the draft, my mind is made up on Nathan McKinnon. He is a lot bigger than I thought, skates like the wind, has great hands; all the intangibles needed for a good career in the NHL. Blowing past Seth Jones like he was standing still on Saturday was beautiful.
* While I went to Saskatoon questioning the worthiness of Saskatoon being in the tournament, I quickly found myself rooting for them. Should they go on to win it all, all those naysayers will need to quickly be quiet as for the Blades it will take defeating the three league champions in four nights; a very monumental task.
* The one thing the Blades clearly have going for them is the play of their goaltender. To this point Makarov has been brilliant. He alone kept the Blades in it on Friday against London when in all reality they should have been done 3 - 0 in the game's first five minutes.
* Overshadowed by McKinnon, Drouin and Jones in Saskatoon this week is Max Domi. The son of former tough guy Tie Domi, Max has great speed, tremendous hands (see between the legs saucer pass for goal on Monday) and is clearly very solid on his feet. Ask Shane McColgan about that one.
* I would almost bet my mortgage that the organizing committee in Saskatoon never imagined they would get this type of attendance. They are yet to pack 10, 000 into the CUC this week.
* Going to Jr. A hockey the Weyburn Red Wings hired Bryce Thoma to become the team's next head coach. Talk about big shoes to fill.
* Down the road in Estevan the Bruins are still to name a new Head Coach. A deck conversation on Rowles Road Saturday night led to speculation that my inner circle may know who the new man is; time will tell.
* The Riders are a little more than a month from kicking it off for real. Still people lament every personnel change the Riders make which to me is just an excuse to cover up another sad existence.
* One of these weekends, Weyburn's own Graham Delaet is going to break through on the PGA tour. Today's 64 certainly didn't hurt.
* I can't stomach the thought of watching the NBA Play - off's. I would seriously rather watch 19 Kids and Counting.
* I honestly feel bad for the Toronto Maple Leafs. To make it worse, given the way the Rangers have looked against Boston, the buds would have had a legitimate shot at the Conference Finals.
* Did Daniel Alfredsson really say that he doesn't think the Senators can come back and beat the Penguins? I know Pittsburgh presents a real challenge but that is not the type of talk you want from your leadership. Don't make the Messier guarantee but certainly give your fans reasons to believe in your chances.
* The Toronto Blue Jays are still a disappointment.
* Are the New York Islanders really only a solid goalie away from becoming a legitimate contender in the NHL's Eastern Conference?
* OUT.....HM
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