Shut Up Already....

Meet Daniel Sedin, the latest in a string of loudmouths who play on the left coast. After losing Game Six in Boston, this guy told the Vancouver Sun that they (the Canucks) would win Game Seven at home. His rationale was that they had won the first three games at home and were thus essentially assured of victory. Here are my thoughts on this in no particular order:

(1) Are you seriously this stupid? Do you not remember Saturday when Roberto Luongo more or less said he was better than Tim Thomas after Thomas let in a lucky one in Game Five? Well in case you forgot, after those comments the Canucks tender looked more like Swiss cheese than a world class goalie in allowing three goals in less than eight minutes; all of which Tim Thomas would have saved.

(2) The Canucks have been beaten soundly in Boston three times. The Bruins meanwhile have been right in the middle of all three games in Vancouver. If not for a bounce here, and a bounce there, the Bruins could easily have won one, two, even all three games played in Vancouver.

(3) If the Canucks do win, Daniel Sedin will not be in the discussion of why they won the first Stanley Cup in their history. He has what....?....three points in this series. The leading scored in the league has disappeared.

The Vancouver Canucks need to shut up. They have either complained, or made idiotic comments from the moment this series started. This makes the thought of Vancouver hoisting the Cup tonight a tough pill for me to swallow. In addition, the Canucks have been outscored 19 - 8 in the series. I am not saying that they are going to win but the Bruins sure deserve to win the Cup a lot more than the Canucks.

A Biggie...

Game Seven goes tonight, and I am going to reserve my judgement. Everytime I open my mouth, something goes wrong and my prediction, which is usually what I want to happen, doesn't.

A mind blowing quote from TSN's Ray Ferraro about the big game tonight, and don't get me wrong I think pretty highly of Ferraro but he said this:

"It will be hard to imagine the Canucks winning if they don't score."

NO, REALLY?

Love It.

I love this picture...not so much because it is a grown man crying but rather because last August, this guy along with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh declared themselves a dynasty before they had even played a single game together. They spoke of all the championships they would win. Well, they are still looking after losing 105 - 95 last night at home to the Dallas Mavericks. Lebron is now 0 - 2 in NBA Finals, and still can't make change for a dollar as he never has more than three quarters on him at anytime. Here's hoping these clowns NEVER win a title!

It is even more enjoyable to know that the team who didn't talk, didn't boast, didn't make fun on their opponent just shut up and won. Good for the Maverick's; I remember back in the early 90's when they were an awful team. They paid their dues and good on them.

Huge Game Tonight....

A game of gignatic proportions goes down tonight in Vancouver. The Canucks, reeling from two beat downs in Beantown are set to host the Bruins. The Stanley Cup Final is squared at two and it is not beyond the realm of possiblity that tonight's winner will go on to hoist Lord Stanley.

Personally, I can't help but think the Bruins are in complete control of this series. Not only did they beat the Canucks on the scoreboard; they abused them physically and have forced the Canucks into playing a style of hockey that they are NOT capable of playing. I think we also need to remember that Boston lost Game One on a very late goal and lost Game two in OT. A couple of bounces here or there last week in Vancouver and this thing is already over. Regardless the teams go back at it tonight, and while I expect to see a different Vancouver team, unless they make drastic changes to their style of play, they do not win tonight.

On a related, but unrelated not, I have heard so many people say that they don't like the beaking and physicality of this series. Honestly, I LOVE it. These two teams despise one another and want so desperately to beat the other; that is what the Stanley Cup Play - off's are all about.

Bob Mackenzie of TSN was very vocal about his displeasure for the actions of Brad Marchand in the two games in Boston. For starters Bob, you are supposed to be neutral. If you are going to throw guys under the bus for being agitators, include Burrows, Kesler and Lapierre to your list. These three clowns have been just as annoying, if not worse than Marchand. On top of that, short of Tim Thomas, has there been a better player for the Bruins in this series of late other than Marchand. In my mind, he at least has earned the right to be a little cocky, Burrows, Lapierre and Kesler...not so much. In his attempts to be the tough guy he never has been and never will be, Kesler has completely disappeared in this series. Remember when he told the world 'I can play better' about his play in the Nashville series when he was unbelieveable. What you were selling, I ain't buying Kesler.

Talk today about who the Canucks should start. That is ludicrous...Roberto Luongo is the guy that got you there, and let's face it..his defense was atrocious in Game Four. Can't blame the guy when the likes of Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts are playing with all the talent of a Junior B defenceman.


You know how I feel, I hate the Canucks, always have, always will. Go Bruins!!!!

Great to see Weyburn native Graham Delaet back out there swinging it with the big boys on the PGA Tour. A little hiccup yesterday may hurt his chances of making the cut at this week's St. Jude Classic but trust me, this kid has the most talent of any Canadian golfer out there. Good luck to you this week, and the rest of the season Graham!

FORE!!!!! See ya Monday

The NHL has spoken....

Most talk around the water cooler is not about last night's 8 - 1 drubbing the Bruins laid on the Canucks, but rather 'the hit' and what, if any supplementary discipline should be levied. The NHL has spoken, and Aaron Rome has been suspended for four games for his hit on Nathan Horton last night. I have heard everything from he deserves a game, to three or more, to no suspension required. To those advocating no suspension, wake up! These are the hits that the NHL is desperately trying to crack down on.

A lot of Canuck fans have been open on message boards that there was nothing wrong with the hit and Horton should have his head up. Two things: (1) Since when do you need to worry about skating with your head up when you don't have the puck, and haven't had it for a couple of seconds? (2) Put the shoe on the other foot and say that was Johnny Boychuk laying out Daniel or Henrik? Still nothing? I didn't think so.
I agree with what the NHL has done. This is Rome's second game misconduct of the play - off's, third of the season and thus can be seen as a repeat offender.

Last night's final was amongst the 20 most lop - sided scores in the history of the Stanley Cup Play - off's. There has only been game that had a greater margin of victory (8; by Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota in 1991). This is also only the second seven goal margin of victory in history. Interestingly enough, from those twenty games, the winner of 19 of these lop - sided affairs have gone on to win the series. That is a good omen for Boston, but let's face it the Canucks will be a much better team in Game Four on Wednesday night.

I have to question what Alain Vigneault was thinking last night by leaving Roberto Luongo in for all eight goals against. I can see him starting the third because if the Canucks score a couple of quick ones, they are right back in the game again. However, following Dan Paille's shorty to make it 5 - 0, I personally would have taken Luongo out for the remainder.

I know a lot has been said, even some from B's Head Coach Claude Julien about the Bruins players sticking their fingers in the direction of Alex Burrows. (An obvious dig at his finger biting incident from Game One). Say what you want about it not being classy...was Burrows biting Bergeron classy in the first place? Is Burrows well known around the league as being the epitome of class? One of last night's finger pointers was Mark Recchi, and I can honestly say that Recchi has more class in his big toe than Alex Burrows EVER will.

Everything about last night's game (minus the Horton/Rome incident) was everything I love about play - off hockey. These two teams despise one another, things are getting chippy and tensions are on the rise. It should make for a great conclusion to the series.

My only reservation is that perhaps the 'behind the shed' beating it became is presumably more beneficial to the Canucks than the Bruins. I can only pray the B's don't think they can take a night off. They will have to play equally hard, if not harded in Game Four as you know it will be a much different Canucks team that takes the ice at TD Garden Centre on Wedneday.

Talk to ya soon....

More Later....but I Love This...

Do you think the Bruins forgot that Alex Burrows has a hunger for the fingers of opposing players??? Milan Lucic...you are a gem!

The Boys Are Back in Town.....

To steal a line from eveyone's favorite 80's band, Thin Lizzy, "the boys are back in town..." They may not have returned in bright white sports cars, but fifteen years after leaving, NHL hockey has returned to Manitoba. In case you live under a rock, True North Sports yesterday announced that they had purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and would be re - locating the team to Winnipeg in time for the 2011 season. As a Canadian, and a Canadian hockey fan, how can one not love the fact that another team will know call the birthplace of hockey home. However, this announcement is still tainted to me by the words and actions of others. I know that those with an education in this matter have a right to speak to this, but what really sparks my inner rage is the common joe idiots with all their negative theories as to why NHL hockey won't work in Winnipeg. For those of you who think you have a theory on why NHL hockey won't work in Winnipeg, shut up and listen as I am only saying this once.
Point A: It is 2011. The economic situation is drastically different now than it was in 1996 when the Jets flew south on a one way trip.
Point B: A salary cap is now in place in the NHL which means that there is a more equitable playing grounds for all NHL teams, unlike 1996.
Point C: Their owner is one of the richest men in the world, not Canada but the WORLD, and he will do all he can to make it work.
Point D: They WILL sell tickets, not only to those in Winnipeg, but also the surrounding area namely Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. You must rememeber they are not getting an expansion team and starting from scratch, they are getting a team that is stocked with young talent, and was without a slide in the last month of last season, potentially a play - off team.
Point E: Shut your mouths and give it a chance. If you are against this, you are not a fan of hockey in Canada. Move to the United States and enjoy watching games with the other 217 people showing up to watch games in Atlanta where they don't annoucne the attendance, they introduce all the fans by name.
In case you missed my point, I am all for the return of hockey to Winnipeg. I not only hope they can make it work, I believe they can make it work. And lastly, I hope like hell the 'Jets' name once again flies proudly in the Manitoba capital.

Sticking with the ice, the Stanley Cup Finals, usually the biggest event of the year in Canada, was forced to take a back seat to yesterday's news. Nonetheless, Game One of the Finals goes tonight at Rogers Centre as the Canucks host the Boston Bruins. As I have said from day one of the post season, my greatest desire is to see someone other than the Canucks win the Cup. Having said that, Boston is my last hope. While I think they can beat the Canucks, I am going to refuse to make a prediction out of the realization that I suck at prognosticating. Jimmy the Greek has nothing to fear when it comes to my predictions.
However, what needs to happen for Boston to be successful is Zdeno Chara MUST play like a man of his size and do all he can to make the Sedin's hurt....not injure them but just generally inflict pain. Is it just me or has Chara's hard nosed approach to the game become somewhat softened in the wake of the Max Pacioretty incident?

Off to football, and believe it or not, Rider's rookie camp starts today at Mosaic Stadium. It is hard to believe that is has been over six months since I was staring aimlessly at the floor trying to come to grips with the fact that we once again found a way to lose a Grey Cup. Oh well, every season comes with renewed optimism and 2011 is no exception.
Big news out of Riderville today concerning a couple of high profile Canadians. First off, 14 year Rider Chris Szarka has been released. While Szarka did a ton for this organization, his shelf life was nearing that expiration date, and with three other quality, younger fullbacks coming to camp, the writing was on the wall here.
Secondly, and a little more surprising was word that Rob Bagg injured his knee last week, was forced to have surgery and will start the season on the 9 Game Injury List. There are rumors flying that it is more than a simply knee injury, but rather that it is a complete ACL tear, and he could be out of football for up to a year. I love Rob Bagg, think he has the biggest set of manhood in the league and obviously we are a better football team without him. However, we are very fortunate in Riderville knowing that this loss does not impact nearly as much as it would in other centres. Our cookie jar is stuffed with recievers who can play this game. Here's to hoping Bagg is back as soon as possible, but thank god we have done a tremendous job of acquiring and bringing in the level of talent we have at the reciever position.

Off to College football south of the border, and the ongoing scandal surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes. As a lifelong Michigan fan, I hate Ohio State; always have and always will. Having said that, reading the stories of what is going on down there only makes me smile. For those of you unfamiliar to the situation, over the last few months, several players on the Buckeyes football team have been suspended for receiving gifts and cash, both of which are direct contradictions to the rules of NCAA football. As the investigation goes on, it now looks as if this has been going on for years. What is more sickening is the fact that their Head Coach for the last ten years, Jim Tressel, not only knew about it, but swept it all under the rug. Jim's failure to vacuum up the mess ultimately cost him his job as he resigned earlier this week but I really don't think the folks at OSU were begging him to stick around. This is not the last you will hear of this story; expect some sanctions on this program by the NCAA in the weeks and months to come. Perhaps another SMU on our hands? SMU, or Southern Methodist University is the only program in the NCAA to have their program completely shut down for a period of time for similar problems.
As for Tressel, add his name to a long list of well respected men in sports whose diarrahetic decision making has done nothing more than ruined a once highly respected reputation. SEE: Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, et al.

You want the worst gig in NHL hockey? Kevin Dineed must. It is reportd that Dineen has agreed to become the next Head Coach of the Florida Panthers. Seriously this job is like a death sentence; nobody supports you, the management team does a terrible job with the talent on the ice, and they have been irrelevant for their entire existence short of their shocking run to the finals in 1996. Honestly, why would anyone want this job? The only positive with this position is nobody cares about hockey enough in Florida to even get upset when they suck year after year.

Lastly, I spent some time this weekend watching baseball. The Blue Jays were hosting the White Sox, and in watching this I realized there are two things I love about the Chicago White Sox:
(A) Manager Ozzie Guillen. This guy is a card; he says what he thinks and does not hold back any punches. Often times he goes too far, but I respect anyone who doesn't worry about what others think; they just say what they think.
(B) Their broadcast crew on WGN television out of Chicago. I can't think of their names right now, but if you ever get a chance to watch the White Sox play on WGN, tune in. These guys LOVE their team. While I normally despise 'Homers', these guys somehow make it fun to listen to......"Put it on the board........YES!" or "Get foul!" are just a tinkering of how they make watching baseball a little more enjoyable. Perhaps they could teach a course that helps to make broadcasters much more enjoyable to listen to. If that day should come, I nominate Rob Black as the first one who should enroll. Seriously, why does this guy still have a job. He is terrible; the only sport he is any good at broadcasting is figure skating and let's face it...figure skating, really?

Who was in charge of picking the tournament All - Stars at last weeks Memorial Cup? Have they ever watched hockey before? My issue is with their choice of tournament All - Star at the goaltender position. Jordan Bannington of the Owen Sound Attack was their choice in the end. While I have nothing against this young man; how do you not give this to Jacob Deserres of the champion Saint John Sea Dogs. The kid was fantastic all week, and was literally the best player on the ice in Sunday's final. In addition, how can you give this to a kid who didn't even have the confidence of his own coach to play their tie - breaker game against Kootenay. BRUTAL!!!!

I honestly can't think of anything else.....Later