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....