While my mind is completely consumed with the NHL Play - off's at this point, I can't help but start with the NBA Play - off's, namely the feces show the Lakers put on in Dallas yesterday afternoon. For those who missed it, yesterday afternoon the Mav's were putting the finishing touches on a sweep of the defending champion Lakers. Not only were they winning their fourth in a row, they were laying the beats to them. In a classless act of sportsmanship, Laker's forward Andrew Bynm drove his elbow right into the chest of a driving J.J. Barea of the Mav's. Barea, giving up at least a foot and a hundred pounds crashed to the floor in obvious pain. Bynum quickly became the second Laker ejected in a matter of minutes following Lamar Odom's early shower. While the Odom foul wasn't necessarily flagrant, the Bynum move was best described by TSN last night as being 'bush league'. Andrew Bynum in my mind had every intention of hurting Barea, and thus should be met with a stiff penalty that will carry over into next season. That was a classless act, and a black mark on an otherwise classy organization. While I have never been a Phil Jackson fan, that is a sad way for one of the greatest coaches to have to walk away ....having to watch his team of grown men demonstrate sportsmanship I wouldn't expect from a group of elementary aged children.
Onto the NHL and the San Jose Sharks had the Detroit Red Wings finished. Logan Couture's breakaway goal less than three minutes into the third gave the Sharks a two goal lead...series over, right? Wrong, in an awful fifteen minutes, the Sharks not only gave up two goals to lose their lead, they also gave up a third, and ultimately the winning goal. The Sharks are now reeling, and in significant danger of being the second team in two seasons to blow a three - love series lead. I just can't see the Red Wings losing the momentum yesterday's victory earned them. They will win Game Six and head back to San Jose where ALL of the pressure will be squarely on the Sharks. Clearly the advantage is in the Wings corner.
The Canucks looks to finish off the Pred's for the second time tonight after losing 4 - 3 on home ice on Saturday. Surprisingly I think the Canucks have played better in Nashville than they have at home. All I will say is if the Pred's force a seventh game, I really like their chances of stealing another in Vancouver. That is IF they can win tonight at home where to this point in the play - offs they are playing less than .500 hockey with a 2 - 4 record.
Other than that, it has been a quiet Monday...Enjoy.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Been a While...
It has been sometime since I wrote, and to you my loyal followers, I apologize. My trip out east kept me very busy with little time for blogging, and since returning my attention has been devoted to work as well as catching up on rest and time with Kylie.
Speaking of my trip out east, I was moderatley disappointed to wake up in Montreal the morning after the Canadiens lost Game Seven in Boston to learn that the loyal Hab fans were...well....pretty well behaved. The city was surely preparing for the worst....police in groups of four, some on foot, some on horseback...I was pumped for a gong show. It was ironic however that overnight it started to rain, and rained most of the morning after. Is God himself a Canadien fan, and thus was sobbing?
Sticking to my trip, we had this 'different' tour guide for a tour of Montreal. What got me was as we drove by Molson Stadium, home of the Alouettes, she bragged about how the Als pack in up to 27, 000 people to watch home games. While keeping my mouth shut, I was so wanting to say...Lady...your city has 3.5 million people and you brag about 27, 000? Where we come from...there is a little more than 1, 000, 000 and we pack 30, 000 plus in every game and more would be there if tickets were available. It is too bad the Als are in Montreal..a good team in a brutal football market with nothing for fan support.
So on to the NHL Play - off's and for only the third time in NHL history has a #1 seed been swept aside. This comes after Tampa's 5 - 3 win over Washington the other night in south Florida. Is it just me, or are others as tired of the Capitals...every year there is this talk about this being their year and every year they do NOTHING! I am in no way a Capitals fan but with all those expectations and talent, how can you NOT surpass the second round??? Let me tell you why I think this is, and what they need to do in order to move forward. First off, the Capitals have a ton of talent; you can't deny them that. They flat out score goals but where is the heart? Who on that team has a heart and a desire to win? Who is going to do anything it takes to win? The only guy on the team I see possessing that type of desire and will to win is Brooks Laich (good ol' Saskatchewan boy of course) and he's a UFA this year. While he certainly could stay in DC, I think he will be a hot commodity come July for exactly that which I mentioned above. He brings a lot to the table aside from his ability to put the puck in the back of the net.
Not to take anything away from Micheal Neuvirth as he may turn out to be the goalie to get them to the promised land, but when will this organization see the importance of goaltending in the post season (see Philadelphia Flyers) and thus make the move to acquire a bonafide #1 goaltender. With the talent they have, it should not take much to convinve a first rate tender that Washington is a team that could earn you a ring.
Lastly, and disregard what I am about to say if you heard the comments of GM George McPhee yesterday, Bruce Boudreau needs to go. Sure he might be a good coach as McPhee stated but how many chances are you going to get? A lot better coaches than him have been fired, and they don't have the innate abilty to stick a size 11 loafer in their mouth like Bruce does. If you have all that talent, and can't get them deep into the play - off's, who else should take the blame? It is easy to look good as coach of the Caps; a mannequin could be nominated for the Adams Award standing behind the Caps bench because they flat out score goals and are a great regular season team. **NOTE: No team has ever won the Stanley Cup by being a great regular season team** And that is what I think about the Capitals. I do enjoy wathing them lose, what about you Gennie? (Gennie is my fifteen year old sister with a disturbing infatuation for Ovechkin and the Caps)
Onwards to the West and Nashville should feel like they have been robbed. The Shea Weber hooking call in OT of Game Three was a JOKE! If anything, that is holding the stick on Kesler. Yeah, yeah you naysayers are going to say make - up call but come on, this is Game Three of a tied series, not the 43rd game of the regular season. What makes it worse for me is the call comes on the heels of Mike Gillis crying over the officiating. Mike Gillis...perhaps you should hire Bruce Boudreau as then the Canucks will have two of the biggest loud mouths in the NHL. Anyway we can make it a trifecta and add Brian Burke to the Vancouver staff?
Some Rider fans are laughable. Yesterday the Riders signed Chris Leak, who had spent the past three seasons in Montreal. Today, blog comments about this signing include such comments as why would we want him when he wasn't wanted by Montreal. Uh....HELLO....have you heard of Anthony Calvillo? He is kind of good and plays the same position in Montreal. Shut up and give the guy a chance...he did after all win a NCAA National Title and set some passing records at the University of Florida which is a moderately respected University. Yes, I know that NCAA success does not always equate to CFL success, but come on...it's May 5th and you already want to run him out of town? These no - minds are the Brian Burke's of the world...he loves to hear his voice, and these idiots just like to write stuff down that is completely irrelevant and idiotic.
Other than that, look for the Bruins to finish off the Flyers tonight, the Wings to live to see another day, and well....more Rider fans to continue to think they are smarter than Brendan Taman. Uhm..I think the car at Pump Six needs gas...get back to your job.
Speaking of my trip out east, I was moderatley disappointed to wake up in Montreal the morning after the Canadiens lost Game Seven in Boston to learn that the loyal Hab fans were...well....pretty well behaved. The city was surely preparing for the worst....police in groups of four, some on foot, some on horseback...I was pumped for a gong show. It was ironic however that overnight it started to rain, and rained most of the morning after. Is God himself a Canadien fan, and thus was sobbing?
Sticking to my trip, we had this 'different' tour guide for a tour of Montreal. What got me was as we drove by Molson Stadium, home of the Alouettes, she bragged about how the Als pack in up to 27, 000 people to watch home games. While keeping my mouth shut, I was so wanting to say...Lady...your city has 3.5 million people and you brag about 27, 000? Where we come from...there is a little more than 1, 000, 000 and we pack 30, 000 plus in every game and more would be there if tickets were available. It is too bad the Als are in Montreal..a good team in a brutal football market with nothing for fan support.
So on to the NHL Play - off's and for only the third time in NHL history has a #1 seed been swept aside. This comes after Tampa's 5 - 3 win over Washington the other night in south Florida. Is it just me, or are others as tired of the Capitals...every year there is this talk about this being their year and every year they do NOTHING! I am in no way a Capitals fan but with all those expectations and talent, how can you NOT surpass the second round??? Let me tell you why I think this is, and what they need to do in order to move forward. First off, the Capitals have a ton of talent; you can't deny them that. They flat out score goals but where is the heart? Who on that team has a heart and a desire to win? Who is going to do anything it takes to win? The only guy on the team I see possessing that type of desire and will to win is Brooks Laich (good ol' Saskatchewan boy of course) and he's a UFA this year. While he certainly could stay in DC, I think he will be a hot commodity come July for exactly that which I mentioned above. He brings a lot to the table aside from his ability to put the puck in the back of the net.
Not to take anything away from Micheal Neuvirth as he may turn out to be the goalie to get them to the promised land, but when will this organization see the importance of goaltending in the post season (see Philadelphia Flyers) and thus make the move to acquire a bonafide #1 goaltender. With the talent they have, it should not take much to convinve a first rate tender that Washington is a team that could earn you a ring.
Lastly, and disregard what I am about to say if you heard the comments of GM George McPhee yesterday, Bruce Boudreau needs to go. Sure he might be a good coach as McPhee stated but how many chances are you going to get? A lot better coaches than him have been fired, and they don't have the innate abilty to stick a size 11 loafer in their mouth like Bruce does. If you have all that talent, and can't get them deep into the play - off's, who else should take the blame? It is easy to look good as coach of the Caps; a mannequin could be nominated for the Adams Award standing behind the Caps bench because they flat out score goals and are a great regular season team. **NOTE: No team has ever won the Stanley Cup by being a great regular season team** And that is what I think about the Capitals. I do enjoy wathing them lose, what about you Gennie? (Gennie is my fifteen year old sister with a disturbing infatuation for Ovechkin and the Caps)
Onwards to the West and Nashville should feel like they have been robbed. The Shea Weber hooking call in OT of Game Three was a JOKE! If anything, that is holding the stick on Kesler. Yeah, yeah you naysayers are going to say make - up call but come on, this is Game Three of a tied series, not the 43rd game of the regular season. What makes it worse for me is the call comes on the heels of Mike Gillis crying over the officiating. Mike Gillis...perhaps you should hire Bruce Boudreau as then the Canucks will have two of the biggest loud mouths in the NHL. Anyway we can make it a trifecta and add Brian Burke to the Vancouver staff?
Some Rider fans are laughable. Yesterday the Riders signed Chris Leak, who had spent the past three seasons in Montreal. Today, blog comments about this signing include such comments as why would we want him when he wasn't wanted by Montreal. Uh....HELLO....have you heard of Anthony Calvillo? He is kind of good and plays the same position in Montreal. Shut up and give the guy a chance...he did after all win a NCAA National Title and set some passing records at the University of Florida which is a moderately respected University. Yes, I know that NCAA success does not always equate to CFL success, but come on...it's May 5th and you already want to run him out of town? These no - minds are the Brian Burke's of the world...he loves to hear his voice, and these idiots just like to write stuff down that is completely irrelevant and idiotic.
Other than that, look for the Bruins to finish off the Flyers tonight, the Wings to live to see another day, and well....more Rider fans to continue to think they are smarter than Brendan Taman. Uhm..I think the car at Pump Six needs gas...get back to your job.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Quick One..
Not a whole lot of time as the bus to Montreal is leaving in twenty minutes. So I am going to be in Montreal tonight when Game Seven is played...our tour guide says regardless of what happens..a gong show will ensue...can not wait.
The Canucks can thank Chris Campoli for their ticket to the second round. Brutal turnover in his own end, Alex Burrows buries and the Canucks avoid being the most epic failure in NHL Playoff history.
That is all for today...I will try to check in with some stories from the gong show that is Montreal tonight...if not, talk to you next week.
The Canucks can thank Chris Campoli for their ticket to the second round. Brutal turnover in his own end, Alex Burrows buries and the Canucks avoid being the most epic failure in NHL Playoff history.
That is all for today...I will try to check in with some stories from the gong show that is Montreal tonight...if not, talk to you next week.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Another Night..another opinion
First off, could I have been more wrong about the Chicago - Vancouver game from last night. Whereas I said the Hawks would come out flat and cede the series to the Canucks, the exact opposite happened. The Hawks were full of life, and looked like the defending Stanley Cup Champion in a 7 - 2 rout at the United Centre. The night for the Hawks was summed up by the performance of captain Duncan Keith who on one shift had three hits, albeit took a penalty for his actions, and then thirty seconds after getting out of the bin buried one past Luongo to give Chicago a 3 - 1 lead.
For me the lasting impression of last night's game was the performance by Canucks blueliner Kevin Bieksa. After getting his bell rung by Victor Stalberg of the Hawks, Bieksa showed hit true grit and toughness by jumping Stalberg who we all know is well known for his actions with his fists. While I am okay with a guy taking his frustrations out, and to Stalberg's credit, despite being bloodied, mouthed Bieksa off all the way to the box. What gets me is Bieksa's demeanor after the game in saying 'he got what he deserved.' So what, you ring a guy's bell and in turn you should just expect to get jumped and beaten up. The actions of Bieksa just give me more reason to cheer AGAINST the Canucks.
What was greater last night? The Sharks comeback win, or the Kings implosion after jumping out to a four goal lead. Look for Dustin Penner and his piano to be square in the middle of the King's bench come Game Four. For that matter, he may have to drag his Baby Grand up to the Press Box. The guy absolutely loafed it back, leaving Devin Setoguchi completely untouched and free to score the game winner. Thank God he isn't an Oiler anymore. And to think, we got a first rounder for that? That's like trading lobster for frozen weiners.
That's all....tonight you can expect:
The Cap's to finally put some goals on the board and take a 3 - 1 series lead
The Predators to put the Ducks on the ropes, and.....
The Coyotes season does NOT come to an end but the fans in Phoenix should enjoy it as this will be their last game in Arizona..
Later
For me the lasting impression of last night's game was the performance by Canucks blueliner Kevin Bieksa. After getting his bell rung by Victor Stalberg of the Hawks, Bieksa showed hit true grit and toughness by jumping Stalberg who we all know is well known for his actions with his fists. While I am okay with a guy taking his frustrations out, and to Stalberg's credit, despite being bloodied, mouthed Bieksa off all the way to the box. What gets me is Bieksa's demeanor after the game in saying 'he got what he deserved.' So what, you ring a guy's bell and in turn you should just expect to get jumped and beaten up. The actions of Bieksa just give me more reason to cheer AGAINST the Canucks.
What was greater last night? The Sharks comeback win, or the Kings implosion after jumping out to a four goal lead. Look for Dustin Penner and his piano to be square in the middle of the King's bench come Game Four. For that matter, he may have to drag his Baby Grand up to the Press Box. The guy absolutely loafed it back, leaving Devin Setoguchi completely untouched and free to score the game winner. Thank God he isn't an Oiler anymore. And to think, we got a first rounder for that? That's like trading lobster for frozen weiners.
That's all....tonight you can expect:
The Cap's to finally put some goals on the board and take a 3 - 1 series lead
The Predators to put the Ducks on the ropes, and.....
The Coyotes season does NOT come to an end but the fans in Phoenix should enjoy it as this will be their last game in Arizona..
Later
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
More Post - Season Suspensions..
NHL disciplinarian came down on two more NHLer's today handing out one game suspensions to both the Lightning's Steve Downie and the Penguins Chris Kunitz. I can't say I am okay with either of these decisions. Downie left his feet, launching himself at Ben Lovejoy of the Pens. Downie HAS a history of this, and isn't the NHL said all along repeat offenders will be punished more severely. Looks like you dropped the ball there. Secondly, the Kunitz hit was everything wrong with the league. Kunitz simply sticks out his elbow to give Simon Gagne of the Lightning a good one in the back of the head. And he get's one game? Are you kidding me NHL, just when it looks like you have your stuff together, you go and do this. What a joke..one game for two hits that could have seriously hurt people, and Raffi Torres, a repeat offender delivers a blow to the head and walks? It should not matter that it is the play - off's; you break the rules, you pay the piper. This is just sending the message that you can be a little more vicious in the post season because Colin Campbell is not going to hold you accountable. BRUTAL!
As I calm down a little, did I call the Bruin's/Habs game last night or what...early goal shuts the crowd up...and the B's win. Thank you David Krejci and the rest of the Bruins for making me look like good. Also, the Lightning drop a tough one at home and the Red Wings have the Coyotes on the verge of elimination.
Tonight...
Look for the Canucks to sweep the Hawks...I know they are professional athletes but I don't even think anybody in their room thinks they can win four in a row. The Hawks will have a minimal effort tonight...the 'Nucks move on and start resting.
Also the Kings and Sharks go at it in Game Three in L.A. Which Sharks team shows up? If it is the one from Saturday night, look for the Kings to go up in the series, if the Sharks that CAN show up do, look for them to gain the advantage.
Also, the Caps look to put the Rangers on thin ice. How have the Capitals let the Rangers outshoot them throughout the series. It is Neuvirth who is winning this series for the Caps right now...who saw that coming?
Another great night of Play - off hockey awaits..enjoy!
As I calm down a little, did I call the Bruin's/Habs game last night or what...early goal shuts the crowd up...and the B's win. Thank you David Krejci and the rest of the Bruins for making me look like good. Also, the Lightning drop a tough one at home and the Red Wings have the Coyotes on the verge of elimination.
Tonight...
Look for the Canucks to sweep the Hawks...I know they are professional athletes but I don't even think anybody in their room thinks they can win four in a row. The Hawks will have a minimal effort tonight...the 'Nucks move on and start resting.
Also the Kings and Sharks go at it in Game Three in L.A. Which Sharks team shows up? If it is the one from Saturday night, look for the Kings to go up in the series, if the Sharks that CAN show up do, look for them to gain the advantage.
Also, the Caps look to put the Rangers on thin ice. How have the Capitals let the Rangers outshoot them throughout the series. It is Neuvirth who is winning this series for the Caps right now...who saw that coming?
Another great night of Play - off hockey awaits..enjoy!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday....
The first weekend of the NHL Play - off's has come and gone and....
What is up with the Bruins? One goal in two games at home? They need to play better tonight or it'll be curtains for a team many picked to win the East. Montreal has done this the last two seasons; make a team they are inferior to play their style of game. It worked last year against Pittsburgh and Washington. Why don't the Bruins just watch film of how the Flyers beat the Habs last year? Clearly they have the type of players who can also play this style of hockey. Don't be surprised with a Bruins victory tonight..an early goal should shut the Bell Centre up quickly.
Nashville looks like they may actually break through into the second round for the first time in franchise history. Minus that atrocious thirty seconds yesterday and they pretty much dominated the Ducks.
I hate to say this, but the Canucks look good; in fact they look like the team to beat in the whole league. They have not only slayed their proverbial dragon in Chicago, they are going to do it in the minimum four games.
It will be interesting to see which Marc - Andre Fleury shows up for the Pens tonight; the one who played great in a shutout victory in Game One or the Swiss Cheese from Game Two.
While Jarret Stoll returns tonight from his one game suspension, I have to wonder why the NHL allowed Raffi Torres hit yesterday on Brent Seabrook go unpunished. Clearly, Torres hit Seabrook from behind, used his elbow and targeted his head. What shocked me most was the fact that not only was he returning from his four game suspension for hitting Jordan Eberle of the Oilers, but this hit to me was far more dangerous in the sense that it came from behind. Torres, should have been viewed as a repeat offender and given at the least a handful of games to think about it. And do the Canucks really need him? I think they played better without him.
Bobby Ryan, you are a pathetic excuse for a man. Who stomps on a guys foot like he did to the Pred's Johnathon Blum. That is like a six year old who can't get his toy back from his older brother the fair way so he kicks him or something cheap. If you ask me, two games for essentially using your skate as a weapon is a joke. Give him the remainder of the first round. Where else can you use your most dangerous piece of equipment as a weapon and get that sort of punishment. Brutal, pathetic, disgusting, you name it and Bobby Ryan fits the bill.
Well the Blue Jays sure went south fast. After jumping out to a 4 - 1 start, the Jays are now 7 - 9 after getting smoked in Boston for the third day in a row. After winning the opener 7 - 6 on Friday night, the Jays were outscored 23 - 2 in losing the next three. Looks like the Jays could be in for a LONG season which throws my predictions in the AL East right out the window.
Did you know that since the NFL locked out its players, nine of them have been arrested for everything from public intoxication to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. This brings two ideas to mind: (1) If this lockout continues, maybe we will be looking more at those who DIDN'T get arrested rrather than those who did, and (2) Why do you need to sell cocaine...you are playing in the NFL, making great money the legal way? Why ruin that be selling drugs?
While I am sure we all heard about the 42 year old San Francisco Giants fan who was nearly killed on Opening Day in Los Angeles, how many heard about the no mind who wrote an article blaming the man for the incident. I can't remember the name of the moron who wrote the article but he said that since the man was wearing a Giants jersey at Dodger Stadium he should have expected something to happen. He also referred to the victim as being immature for wearing a jersey, something the writer feels only children should wear to the stadium. Are you kidding me? The man almost loses his life to a couple of drunken loser Dodger fans and you want to blame the victim. His only crime was having a favorite team and not being afraid to show off a little pride in his team. While the actions of the men who attacked him are calloused at best, those of the reporter are beyond words. I would hope he is no longer employed.
That's all for tonight...oh and by the way Chaps, who said that maybe choosing a couple Predators might have been a good idea? Oh right, me...I was right again. Later
What is up with the Bruins? One goal in two games at home? They need to play better tonight or it'll be curtains for a team many picked to win the East. Montreal has done this the last two seasons; make a team they are inferior to play their style of game. It worked last year against Pittsburgh and Washington. Why don't the Bruins just watch film of how the Flyers beat the Habs last year? Clearly they have the type of players who can also play this style of hockey. Don't be surprised with a Bruins victory tonight..an early goal should shut the Bell Centre up quickly.
Nashville looks like they may actually break through into the second round for the first time in franchise history. Minus that atrocious thirty seconds yesterday and they pretty much dominated the Ducks.
I hate to say this, but the Canucks look good; in fact they look like the team to beat in the whole league. They have not only slayed their proverbial dragon in Chicago, they are going to do it in the minimum four games.
It will be interesting to see which Marc - Andre Fleury shows up for the Pens tonight; the one who played great in a shutout victory in Game One or the Swiss Cheese from Game Two.
While Jarret Stoll returns tonight from his one game suspension, I have to wonder why the NHL allowed Raffi Torres hit yesterday on Brent Seabrook go unpunished. Clearly, Torres hit Seabrook from behind, used his elbow and targeted his head. What shocked me most was the fact that not only was he returning from his four game suspension for hitting Jordan Eberle of the Oilers, but this hit to me was far more dangerous in the sense that it came from behind. Torres, should have been viewed as a repeat offender and given at the least a handful of games to think about it. And do the Canucks really need him? I think they played better without him.
Bobby Ryan, you are a pathetic excuse for a man. Who stomps on a guys foot like he did to the Pred's Johnathon Blum. That is like a six year old who can't get his toy back from his older brother the fair way so he kicks him or something cheap. If you ask me, two games for essentially using your skate as a weapon is a joke. Give him the remainder of the first round. Where else can you use your most dangerous piece of equipment as a weapon and get that sort of punishment. Brutal, pathetic, disgusting, you name it and Bobby Ryan fits the bill.
Well the Blue Jays sure went south fast. After jumping out to a 4 - 1 start, the Jays are now 7 - 9 after getting smoked in Boston for the third day in a row. After winning the opener 7 - 6 on Friday night, the Jays were outscored 23 - 2 in losing the next three. Looks like the Jays could be in for a LONG season which throws my predictions in the AL East right out the window.
Did you know that since the NFL locked out its players, nine of them have been arrested for everything from public intoxication to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. This brings two ideas to mind: (1) If this lockout continues, maybe we will be looking more at those who DIDN'T get arrested rrather than those who did, and (2) Why do you need to sell cocaine...you are playing in the NFL, making great money the legal way? Why ruin that be selling drugs?
While I am sure we all heard about the 42 year old San Francisco Giants fan who was nearly killed on Opening Day in Los Angeles, how many heard about the no mind who wrote an article blaming the man for the incident. I can't remember the name of the moron who wrote the article but he said that since the man was wearing a Giants jersey at Dodger Stadium he should have expected something to happen. He also referred to the victim as being immature for wearing a jersey, something the writer feels only children should wear to the stadium. Are you kidding me? The man almost loses his life to a couple of drunken loser Dodger fans and you want to blame the victim. His only crime was having a favorite team and not being afraid to show off a little pride in his team. While the actions of the men who attacked him are calloused at best, those of the reporter are beyond words. I would hope he is no longer employed.
That's all for tonight...oh and by the way Chaps, who said that maybe choosing a couple Predators might have been a good idea? Oh right, me...I was right again. Later
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Quickie...
Before I get to the play - off situation..which by the way consumed my entire night. I now know fully why Craig Button is no longer a General Manager in the NHL. Yesterday, Button's mock NHL draft was posted on tsn.ca. He had the Oiler taking Nugent - Hopkins number one to the Oilers. While I wouldn't take him top overall, I can see that being a distinct possibility. What floors me is that he didn't have Adam Larrson going until #6 to Ottawa. There is NO way this guy, who is big, strong and skilled, a potential Niklas Lidstrom falls that low....NO way...you can write that down.
Speaking of Junior Hockey, can you believe the Saskatoon Blades are now OUT of the play - off's. Last night the Blades lost 5 - 2 in Cranbrook to Kootenay as the Ice completed the sweep. While I thought the Ice winning was a possibility, a sweep was never in my mind. This will really hurt the Blades as not only did they not achieve their goal of at least a trip to the Memorial Cup; they mortgaged the future to get Brayden Schenn. This disappointement will linger in Saskatoon for a few years because there will be some down years for the Blades in the not to distant future.
NHL Play - off's kicked off last night on five fronts, and nothing really shocking about the results. Here are my observations:
* Surprised the Lightning never even scored a goal
* Nashville looked good, Anaheim may have issues with goaltending
* Washington looked less than over - powering in their OT win over the Rangers
* Vancouver looked very impressive in my opinion...if not for a good effort by Cory Crawford, that easily could have been a 5 - 0 or 6 - 0 game.
The big show continues on three fronts tonight, Buffalo is in Philadelphia, the Habs travel to Boston for Game One of a much anticipated series, and the all California battle kicks off in San Jose where the Sharks host the Kings.
See ya tomorrow...
Speaking of Junior Hockey, can you believe the Saskatoon Blades are now OUT of the play - off's. Last night the Blades lost 5 - 2 in Cranbrook to Kootenay as the Ice completed the sweep. While I thought the Ice winning was a possibility, a sweep was never in my mind. This will really hurt the Blades as not only did they not achieve their goal of at least a trip to the Memorial Cup; they mortgaged the future to get Brayden Schenn. This disappointement will linger in Saskatoon for a few years because there will be some down years for the Blades in the not to distant future.
NHL Play - off's kicked off last night on five fronts, and nothing really shocking about the results. Here are my observations:
* Surprised the Lightning never even scored a goal
* Nashville looked good, Anaheim may have issues with goaltending
* Washington looked less than over - powering in their OT win over the Rangers
* Vancouver looked very impressive in my opinion...if not for a good effort by Cory Crawford, that easily could have been a 5 - 0 or 6 - 0 game.
The big show continues on three fronts tonight, Buffalo is in Philadelphia, the Habs travel to Boston for Game One of a much anticipated series, and the all California battle kicks off in San Jose where the Sharks host the Kings.
See ya tomorrow...
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