With the recent news broken by ESPN that the NHL is going to host a double-header on New Year’s Day, 2010, I let out a sigh of relief. The news that the league was planning a second Winter Classic game in Calgary, to be played against a rival Canadian team (my guess: Vancouver Canucks) proves that the NHL front office is, in fact, aware that the country exists.
Inside hockey’s First Nation, there is an increasing sense of paranoia that the league no longer cares about the fans that care the most about it. With the recent setback facing Jim Balsillie’s efforts to shanghai the Phoenix Coyotes, Canadian hockey fans needed a moral victory. They needed evidence that the league hadn’t forgotten about them in their tunnel vision to force the game upon Southern Americans.
The NHL’s playing a Winter Classic game in Calgary is exactly the right move at this point in time. While Calgary’s McMahon Stadium isn’t as historic as Wrigley Field or sexy as Fenway Park, it is important that the League make some concessions to keep their Canadian fans content.
Because of the NHL revenue sharing program, fans in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and yes, even Edmonton, essentially pay the salaries of Coyotes, Panthers, Thrashers and Predators. Without the success of the strongest franchises, the weakest would not be able to operate, let alone compete. Ironically, it is the money of the Canadian fans that guarantees that Gary Bettman can continue to coddle his albatross franchises south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
With that in mind, hockey lovers in the Great White North are beside themselves at the perceived vehemence with which the League’s decision-makers are resisting the efforts of Jim Balsillie to lure another team to the game’s birthplace. The League’s seemingly quixotic desire to force the Coyotes upon the people of Glendale and Phoenix in the face of a virtual gold mine in Southern Ontario leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many north of the 49th Parallel.
Citizens of Winnipeg and Quebec City are wondering where this commitment to existing franchises was earlier in Bettman’s reign of terror… er… tenure. They rightly point out that both cities make more viable hockey markets than any place where ice never naturally occurs.
The cat-and-mouse game between Balsillie and Bettman seems far from over, with court documents filed this past week requesting a looser timeframe for the sale and relocation of the Coyotes. This battle is only going to get uglier as the summer progresses, but the NHL needs to be careful – they are fighting a shrewd opponent who has been labeled as The People’s Champion in the hearts and minds of Canadian fans. Furthermore, the longtime fans are leery over what they see to be the “Americanization” of a game they see nothing wrong with.
But with this recent nod to the hockey fans of Canada in the form of bestowing Calgary an installation of the Winter Classic, the NHL proves that they are very capable of waging their own marketing campaign for our affectation.
It is understandable that the league doesn’t want to set a precedent of being pushed around by every billionaire who feels entitled by to have a franchise as his plaything. In their Balsillie battles, they just need to be sure not to alienate the Canadian hockey fan.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Class coming out their ass!
The Detroit Red Wings are the classiest team in the NHL. Just ask them. They are so overflowing with class, in fact, that they have some to spare. And they want to share it with the Pittsburgh Penguins! How classy of them!
When Sidney Crosby and his fellow Stanley Cup Champions were busy committing the unimaginable act of celebrating their 1st Stanley Cup since 1992, the veteran Red Wings were quick to point out just how un-classy the Penguins are.
As Kris Draper stated: “Nick (Lidstrom) was waiting and waiting and (Sidney) Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand. That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that.”
Now, as we all understand, Draper is a 4-time Cup winner, so he knows all about the ins and outs of proper celebration etiquette. He was probably just recalling back to last year’s victory when the Red Wings shook the hands of their vanquished opponents before they even dared to touch Lord Stanley’s Mug. If we took a stop-watch to each team’s celebration, we would surely see that the Detroit players respected their opponent so much, that they hurried over to the hand-shake line before the celebration. If only I had a stop-watch.
What’s this? A STOP-WATCH! How convenient. Now, so as to not be unreasonable, we’ll give them some time to enjoy their victory before they grace the loser Penguins at centre ice with their collective winning presence. Ready? Set? CELEBRATE!
From the final whistle to the first handshake, the ever considerate Red Wings celebrated for a mere 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
Now, let’s see how long the rude and provincial Penguins celebrated for. Judging by Draper’s comments, I could probably use a sundial to measure this celebration, but for accuracy’s sake, I’ll stick with the stop-watch.
Hmmm. I must have blacked out during at least 75% of their celebration, because by my measurements indicate that they celebrated for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Well, either way – those are the 5 unclassiest seconds in the history of time.
As Henrik Zetterberg points out, it’s important for the captain to lead his team into the handshakes, as a symbolic gesture of respect. "I think that's one thing you should do. I don't know why he didn't do it, it's disrespectful."
Absolutely – this is why 21-year-olds lack the leadership to be captain in this league. They certainly don’t follow the example of veteran captains like Lidstrom. Let’s rewind to last year’s handshakes. Of course he will be the 1st Red Wing to congratulate the Penguins on their being the most recent team to fall to Detroit in the finals; what a privilege!
Uh oh. It seems my argument about how classy the Red Wings are is falling apart. Lidstrom did not lead the Wings into the handshake following their Cup-clinching victory in 2008.
Certainly Pavel Datsuyk, the reigning 3-time Lady Byng winner - the trophy awarded to none other than the classiest player in the league - has some tips in the press on how the Penguins could be better winners next time: no comment. It's strange for a player as gentlemanly as Datsuyk to not admonish the Penguins on their faux-pas.
What about the snubbed Lidstrom? He can help Crosby out with some correcting words, no doubt! “Sidney was probably caught up in the emotions and everything," said Lidstrom. He also speculated that Crosby would learn from his mistake. Not nearly stern enough for such a slight as the one Crosby granted him after this year’s Game 7.
It seems that, after all these etiquette lessons, the Penguins WERE following in the Red Wings’ ultra-classy footsteps, rather than being the snot-nosed poor sports that Draper and Zetterberg accused them of being.
The Red Wings have shown that they know all about being classy winners, but maybe it's time they learn something about being gracious losers.
***all quotes from the Associated Press.
When Sidney Crosby and his fellow Stanley Cup Champions were busy committing the unimaginable act of celebrating their 1st Stanley Cup since 1992, the veteran Red Wings were quick to point out just how un-classy the Penguins are.
As Kris Draper stated: “Nick (Lidstrom) was waiting and waiting and (Sidney) Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand. That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that.”
Now, as we all understand, Draper is a 4-time Cup winner, so he knows all about the ins and outs of proper celebration etiquette. He was probably just recalling back to last year’s victory when the Red Wings shook the hands of their vanquished opponents before they even dared to touch Lord Stanley’s Mug. If we took a stop-watch to each team’s celebration, we would surely see that the Detroit players respected their opponent so much, that they hurried over to the hand-shake line before the celebration. If only I had a stop-watch.
What’s this? A STOP-WATCH! How convenient. Now, so as to not be unreasonable, we’ll give them some time to enjoy their victory before they grace the loser Penguins at centre ice with their collective winning presence. Ready? Set? CELEBRATE!
From the final whistle to the first handshake, the ever considerate Red Wings celebrated for a mere 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
Now, let’s see how long the rude and provincial Penguins celebrated for. Judging by Draper’s comments, I could probably use a sundial to measure this celebration, but for accuracy’s sake, I’ll stick with the stop-watch.
Hmmm. I must have blacked out during at least 75% of their celebration, because by my measurements indicate that they celebrated for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Well, either way – those are the 5 unclassiest seconds in the history of time.
As Henrik Zetterberg points out, it’s important for the captain to lead his team into the handshakes, as a symbolic gesture of respect. "I think that's one thing you should do. I don't know why he didn't do it, it's disrespectful."
Absolutely – this is why 21-year-olds lack the leadership to be captain in this league. They certainly don’t follow the example of veteran captains like Lidstrom. Let’s rewind to last year’s handshakes. Of course he will be the 1st Red Wing to congratulate the Penguins on their being the most recent team to fall to Detroit in the finals; what a privilege!
Uh oh. It seems my argument about how classy the Red Wings are is falling apart. Lidstrom did not lead the Wings into the handshake following their Cup-clinching victory in 2008.
Certainly Pavel Datsuyk, the reigning 3-time Lady Byng winner - the trophy awarded to none other than the classiest player in the league - has some tips in the press on how the Penguins could be better winners next time: no comment. It's strange for a player as gentlemanly as Datsuyk to not admonish the Penguins on their faux-pas.
What about the snubbed Lidstrom? He can help Crosby out with some correcting words, no doubt! “Sidney was probably caught up in the emotions and everything," said Lidstrom. He also speculated that Crosby would learn from his mistake. Not nearly stern enough for such a slight as the one Crosby granted him after this year’s Game 7.
It seems that, after all these etiquette lessons, the Penguins WERE following in the Red Wings’ ultra-classy footsteps, rather than being the snot-nosed poor sports that Draper and Zetterberg accused them of being.
The Red Wings have shown that they know all about being classy winners, but maybe it's time they learn something about being gracious losers.
***all quotes from the Associated Press.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Live Game Blog: Maple Leafs @ Canadiens
7:35 pm – As part of their centennial celebrations, the Canadiens decided to honour their rivalry with the Maple Leafs this evening. It started with a compilation video on the scoreboard of “several of the players who have made the rivalry special” – such as some French Canadians who played for the Leafs (Felix Potvin) and players who starred for both teams, like Vinny Damphousse. While I think this is a very classy idea from a first-rate organization, it is a bit odd that this part of the evening is televised. On the other hand, it is neat seeing the players stand behind the blue line and sit on the boards, watching this video along with the fans. Only Andrei Kostitsyn seems to have better places to be.
Vincent Damphousse, Felix Potvin (who is 4 years younger than Curtis Joseph), Pete Mahovlich, Wendel Clark (who gave a rowdy fist pump), Steve Schutt, Borje Salming, Phil Goyette, Darryl Sittler, Guy Lapointe, Johnny Bower, and Jean Beliveau were all in attendance. Beliveau got a standing ovation from fans of both teams, including a usually reticent Ron Wilson.
FIRST PERIOD!!!
7:50 – With the opening faceoff, this one is underway! Good to see Matt Stajan back in the lineup for the Leafs, they need his hustle and leadership.
7:53 – Mikhail Grabovski is playing with Andre Deveaux and Niklas Hagman. Deveaux gets tangled up with Max Pacioretty and gets a hooking penalty.
7:54 – Pacioretty and Yannick Weber, the German-Swiss defenceman, are on the top power play unit for the Habs, showing Coach Guy Carbonneau’s frustration with his teams’ 27th ranked powerplay. Apparently the move pays off, as Sergei Kostitsyn taps one into the empty net behind the absurdly out-of-place Toskala. 1-0 Canadiens – For the 28th time this season, the Leafs have allowed the first goal in a game.
7:56 – Maxim Lapierre hits Stajan from behind – Leafs powerplay.
7:58 – On the 2nd powerplay unit, Grabovski is still getting boo-ed by the Canadiens fans every time he touches the puck. There has to be a reason why the Canadiens hate him so much. Allegedly, he left the team last season when they were on a road-trip in Phoenix. He went to visit his agent in Los Angeles because he wasn’t getting played and he wanted to be traded. Either way, both Grabovski and the entire Canadiens roster took it very personally.
7:59 – Lapierre gets sprung as he comes out of the box. Jeff Finger tries to hold the puck inside the Canadiens' blueline, but it bounces right to Lapierre, about 10 feet behind. Ian White gets back to prevent a 2-on-0, but Lapierre looks to shoot the whole way. He blows it right past Toskala. 2-0 Canadiens.
8:04 – Weber gets a slashing call. Bad penalty by the Swiss-German. Aaand there’s a quick goal, right off the faceoff. Domenic Moore wins the faceoff cleanly and Tomas Kaberle snipes one right through traffic. 2-1 Canadiens.
One thing that can be said for the Leafs is that they have a couple of solid centres. Matt Stajan and Moore are both reliable draw-men – the only problem is that they’re both 3rd liners.
8:10 – A replay showing Tom Kostopoulos’ dirty hits from the last time these two teams met. He took Mike Van Ryn out for a month on a hit from behind. Tonight, he gets tangled up with Jonas Frogren, and gets the worst of it – Frogren is a tough customer. Kostopoulos is in pain on the bench but looks like he’ll be back.
8:13 – The Kostitsyn combo comes buzzing around the Maple Leafs net. Toskala kicks out an ugly rebound to one of them. I don’t know which one, because I can’t tell the difference. Toskala is really fighting the puck tonight.
8:19 – Joe Bowen has now given stats on 4 different occasions regarding Tomas Kaberle’s success against the Montreal Canadiens. Please shoot me.
8:20 – Brad May makes a splash in his 1st period as a Maple Leaf – he goes bowling and takes out 2 Canadiens who don’t have the puck and narrowly misses a third. Charging – make that 2123 career PIMs. Toronto is going to like this guy.
8:23 – 1st punches of the night are thrown, and neither May nor Mikhail Grabovski are involved! Pacioretty takes a few swipes at Toskala after he covers the puck, so Ian White gives him a face-wash.
8:25 – Melt of Grabovski getting it from the Canadiens last time these two teams met in November. Something happened to cause this amount of hate between Grabo and the Habs, but nobody is talking (or those who do all the talking – Grabovski and the Kostitsyns – do not speak English, so I can't translate). Last game, Saku Koivu – one of the more gentlemanly players in the league - sucker punched him.
8:26 – Kostopoulous sucks Toskala out of the net on a wrap-around and Guillaume Latendresse taps it into the empty net. This is the 2nd goal scored tonight in which Toskala is not in the crease when the goal is scored. Where is Justin Pogge when you need him? 3-1 Canadiens. Also, I just Googled Guillaume Latendresse and that is what came up. I'm afraid to Google Matt Stajan.
8:28 – End of the period, and there is another scrum. Deveaux is the instigator of this one as he hits Komisarek and sticks around to have a chat. Lapierre comes in from behind and gives Deveaux the old glove-to-face treatment. Grabovski is there to chirp Latendresse after everything is over and done with. Maybe he’s just an a-hole?
It’s great to see that there is some hate between these two teams!
8:31 – 1st Intermission interview: Brad May acknowledges that he was “maybe over-aggressive on the back-check” for his charging penalty. I say it again: Toronto is going to like this guy.
SECOND PERIOD!!!
8:48 – We find out that Grabovski and Latendresse both get misconduct penalties and Deveaux gets a double-minor, while Lapierre is in the box for 2:00. The refs clearly are trying to send a message – hopefully it won’t be received.
8:52 – Some good, fast paced hockey – Moore and Blake have really gelled as line-mates, which is good to see. Blake was really disliked by fans for his general lack of effort earlier in the season, but he has put his best foot forward in the past 5 weeks, since joining up with Moore. This bodes well for his value on the trade-market.
8:55 – Joe Bowen tries out the nickname “Triple-M Line” as Brad May joins up with John Mitchell and Jamal Mayers. Hopefully this line doesn’t stay together long, because I don’t have the heart to tell Bowen that this might be the least creative, and therefore worst line name ever.
8:57 – Deveaux lays into Andrei Kostitsyn after he unsuccessfully tries to fight Sergei. There is a delayed penalty called on the Maple Leafs, but conveniently Alex Kovalev snipes one past Toskala, top corner. This play was kept alive by a big juicy rebound left sitting at the top of the crease by Toskala. 4-1 Canadiens.
9:04 – After a scrum in front of the Canadiens net in which more than a few players get face-washes, Finger is in the penalty box. Toskala makes his 1st and 2nd saves of the night in which no rebounds were given out. What is Justin Pogge up to tonight?
9:05 – White and Plekanec nearly drop the gloves after Luke Schenn makes a nice kick save to prevent Kovalev from tucking in his 2nd goal of the night. On the high angle replay from above the net, Toskala is not even in the picture.
9:08 – Kostitsyn and Blake gets a 10-minute misconduct. Blake doesn’t seem to know why. Referees have clearly had enough of the post-whistle antics. I’m not sure if Kostitsyn actually thought he was going to fight Blake, but they’re done for the period. On the bright side, Grabovski and Latendresse come out of the penalty box! We may have a Semin-style slap fight before this one is over.
9:12 – Even better! Jamal Mayers and Kostopoulos go at it! I think Kostopoulos is injured, but that didn’t stop either of them. Right at the end, Mayers pumps Kostopoulos with jersey-filled left jabs. Decision: Mayers.
9:14 – Literally 2 seconds later Brad May and Francois Bouillon go at it… They circle like a couple of heavy-weights. Apparently May is a south paw. No - he’s a righty! Before the fight even starts, Brad May switches hands and starts throwing them righty. Both exchange some big shots: I never knew Bouillon was a heavyweight. May’s right hand gets stuck on his elbow pad AND SWITCHES TO HIS LEFT HAND! MAY DAY! MAY DAY! Not since Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed's rematch have I seen such an interchangeable right and left combo! Bouillon is surprised by a series of heavy lefts from May toward the end of the fight. What a fight! Edge: Brad May.
For the 3rd time: TORONTO IS GOING TO LOVE THIS GUY!
9:22 – Woah! I was so excited after that fight, I needed to go get a drink of water. And while drinking it, I chipped my tooth. This actually happened. This is pretty standard stuff for me, I’ll be fine.
9:29 – Immediately after Moore misses an empty net on a give-and-go with Jamal Mayers, the other Kostitsyn (Andrei) taps in a pretty similar set-up from Robert Lang. This is why the score is 5-1 Canadiens. This is what my old hockey coach Roman would call a two-goal swing. This was the only thing he ever said that made any sense.
9:37 – Ninety-six penalty minutes were handed out that period!!! Nice work boys. I clearly picked the right game to watch.
THIRD PERIOD!!!
9:49 – Felix Potvin didn’t bring his equipment, so the Maple Leafs put Curtis Joseph is in net for the Third Period. Ron Wilson must have torn a strip off them in the locker room, because the Maple Leafs come out with more speed than they’ve shown all night. Maybe May offered to fight the entire team left-handed if they didn’t try harder.
9:56 – 7 minutes and 41 seconds into the period and we get our first whistle. The Maple Leafs must have to catch the 10:30 train back to Toronto.
10:00 – Brad May flies through the camera’s field of vision and tries to hit Andrei Markov behind the Canadiens net, but misses. It is safe to say that Brad May has had a bigger impact with his new team than Mats Sundin did with the Canucks last night.
10:04 – Eight minutes left and the Canadiens fans start singing “Na-na-na-nah, hey hey hey, goodbye!” They never speak this much English when I need directions to Rue Ste. Catherine. As if on cue, Max Pacioretty bangs a rebound past CuJo. 6-1 Canadiens.
10:09 – I just discovered www.bradmay.ca. May, in his own words:
“Gritty left winger Brad May is a top-notch locker-room guy who keeps his opponents honest when he’s on the ice.” True enough!
I just copied and pasted that from his site. He is also apparently building a golf course near Toronto. As he describes it:
"it’s going to be the best new golf course in Canada when it’s completed."
No capitalization required.
10:12 – Deveaux gets into it with his two favourite people – Komisarek and Lapierre. Face washes all around – Lapierre and Deveaux get ejected. Interestingly, Grabovski is trying to climb into the Canadiens bench, but then notices one of the Kostitsyns is on the ice. I doubt if he cares which one. Grabovski charges after him, but then the linesman drags him down. While Grabovski and the linesman were tangled up, Brad May is hanging out of the bench, telling him to take his helmet off.
Joe Bowen: “Well, no let him go, I want to see this!”
Then something weird happens: Grabovski shoves the linesman then decides to quit while he’s behind. Before he leaves, he gives a Richard Nixon-esque double-peace sign to the fans. Knowing the NHL, they'll probably say that he "assaulted" the official and he'll get suspended for the relatively harmless push. On the other hand, you don't want your players taking liberties with the on-ice officials. It's a sticky situation and Grabovski really did not do himself a favour tonight.
10:19 – Stajan scores. 6-2 Canadiens.
10:22 – Well, the Maple Leafs never really showed up for this one *cough*Toskala*cough*. That being said, I really can’t wait until February 7th when we have our re-match! GOOD NIGHT MONTREAL!
Vincent Damphousse, Felix Potvin (who is 4 years younger than Curtis Joseph), Pete Mahovlich, Wendel Clark (who gave a rowdy fist pump), Steve Schutt, Borje Salming, Phil Goyette, Darryl Sittler, Guy Lapointe, Johnny Bower, and Jean Beliveau were all in attendance. Beliveau got a standing ovation from fans of both teams, including a usually reticent Ron Wilson.
FIRST PERIOD!!!
7:50 – With the opening faceoff, this one is underway! Good to see Matt Stajan back in the lineup for the Leafs, they need his hustle and leadership.
7:53 – Mikhail Grabovski is playing with Andre Deveaux and Niklas Hagman. Deveaux gets tangled up with Max Pacioretty and gets a hooking penalty.
7:54 – Pacioretty and Yannick Weber, the German-Swiss defenceman, are on the top power play unit for the Habs, showing Coach Guy Carbonneau’s frustration with his teams’ 27th ranked powerplay. Apparently the move pays off, as Sergei Kostitsyn taps one into the empty net behind the absurdly out-of-place Toskala. 1-0 Canadiens – For the 28th time this season, the Leafs have allowed the first goal in a game.
7:56 – Maxim Lapierre hits Stajan from behind – Leafs powerplay.
7:58 – On the 2nd powerplay unit, Grabovski is still getting boo-ed by the Canadiens fans every time he touches the puck. There has to be a reason why the Canadiens hate him so much. Allegedly, he left the team last season when they were on a road-trip in Phoenix. He went to visit his agent in Los Angeles because he wasn’t getting played and he wanted to be traded. Either way, both Grabovski and the entire Canadiens roster took it very personally.
7:59 – Lapierre gets sprung as he comes out of the box. Jeff Finger tries to hold the puck inside the Canadiens' blueline, but it bounces right to Lapierre, about 10 feet behind. Ian White gets back to prevent a 2-on-0, but Lapierre looks to shoot the whole way. He blows it right past Toskala. 2-0 Canadiens.
8:04 – Weber gets a slashing call. Bad penalty by the Swiss-German. Aaand there’s a quick goal, right off the faceoff. Domenic Moore wins the faceoff cleanly and Tomas Kaberle snipes one right through traffic. 2-1 Canadiens.
One thing that can be said for the Leafs is that they have a couple of solid centres. Matt Stajan and Moore are both reliable draw-men – the only problem is that they’re both 3rd liners.
8:10 – A replay showing Tom Kostopoulos’ dirty hits from the last time these two teams met. He took Mike Van Ryn out for a month on a hit from behind. Tonight, he gets tangled up with Jonas Frogren, and gets the worst of it – Frogren is a tough customer. Kostopoulos is in pain on the bench but looks like he’ll be back.
8:13 – The Kostitsyn combo comes buzzing around the Maple Leafs net. Toskala kicks out an ugly rebound to one of them. I don’t know which one, because I can’t tell the difference. Toskala is really fighting the puck tonight.
8:19 – Joe Bowen has now given stats on 4 different occasions regarding Tomas Kaberle’s success against the Montreal Canadiens. Please shoot me.
8:20 – Brad May makes a splash in his 1st period as a Maple Leaf – he goes bowling and takes out 2 Canadiens who don’t have the puck and narrowly misses a third. Charging – make that 2123 career PIMs. Toronto is going to like this guy.
8:23 – 1st punches of the night are thrown, and neither May nor Mikhail Grabovski are involved! Pacioretty takes a few swipes at Toskala after he covers the puck, so Ian White gives him a face-wash.
8:25 – Melt of Grabovski getting it from the Canadiens last time these two teams met in November. Something happened to cause this amount of hate between Grabo and the Habs, but nobody is talking (or those who do all the talking – Grabovski and the Kostitsyns – do not speak English, so I can't translate). Last game, Saku Koivu – one of the more gentlemanly players in the league - sucker punched him.
8:26 – Kostopoulous sucks Toskala out of the net on a wrap-around and Guillaume Latendresse taps it into the empty net. This is the 2nd goal scored tonight in which Toskala is not in the crease when the goal is scored. Where is Justin Pogge when you need him? 3-1 Canadiens. Also, I just Googled Guillaume Latendresse and that is what came up. I'm afraid to Google Matt Stajan.
8:28 – End of the period, and there is another scrum. Deveaux is the instigator of this one as he hits Komisarek and sticks around to have a chat. Lapierre comes in from behind and gives Deveaux the old glove-to-face treatment. Grabovski is there to chirp Latendresse after everything is over and done with. Maybe he’s just an a-hole?
It’s great to see that there is some hate between these two teams!
8:31 – 1st Intermission interview: Brad May acknowledges that he was “maybe over-aggressive on the back-check” for his charging penalty. I say it again: Toronto is going to like this guy.
SECOND PERIOD!!!
8:48 – We find out that Grabovski and Latendresse both get misconduct penalties and Deveaux gets a double-minor, while Lapierre is in the box for 2:00. The refs clearly are trying to send a message – hopefully it won’t be received.
8:52 – Some good, fast paced hockey – Moore and Blake have really gelled as line-mates, which is good to see. Blake was really disliked by fans for his general lack of effort earlier in the season, but he has put his best foot forward in the past 5 weeks, since joining up with Moore. This bodes well for his value on the trade-market.
8:55 – Joe Bowen tries out the nickname “Triple-M Line” as Brad May joins up with John Mitchell and Jamal Mayers. Hopefully this line doesn’t stay together long, because I don’t have the heart to tell Bowen that this might be the least creative, and therefore worst line name ever.
8:57 – Deveaux lays into Andrei Kostitsyn after he unsuccessfully tries to fight Sergei. There is a delayed penalty called on the Maple Leafs, but conveniently Alex Kovalev snipes one past Toskala, top corner. This play was kept alive by a big juicy rebound left sitting at the top of the crease by Toskala. 4-1 Canadiens.
9:04 – After a scrum in front of the Canadiens net in which more than a few players get face-washes, Finger is in the penalty box. Toskala makes his 1st and 2nd saves of the night in which no rebounds were given out. What is Justin Pogge up to tonight?
9:05 – White and Plekanec nearly drop the gloves after Luke Schenn makes a nice kick save to prevent Kovalev from tucking in his 2nd goal of the night. On the high angle replay from above the net, Toskala is not even in the picture.
9:08 – Kostitsyn and Blake gets a 10-minute misconduct. Blake doesn’t seem to know why. Referees have clearly had enough of the post-whistle antics. I’m not sure if Kostitsyn actually thought he was going to fight Blake, but they’re done for the period. On the bright side, Grabovski and Latendresse come out of the penalty box! We may have a Semin-style slap fight before this one is over.
9:12 – Even better! Jamal Mayers and Kostopoulos go at it! I think Kostopoulos is injured, but that didn’t stop either of them. Right at the end, Mayers pumps Kostopoulos with jersey-filled left jabs. Decision: Mayers.
9:14 – Literally 2 seconds later Brad May and Francois Bouillon go at it… They circle like a couple of heavy-weights. Apparently May is a south paw. No - he’s a righty! Before the fight even starts, Brad May switches hands and starts throwing them righty. Both exchange some big shots: I never knew Bouillon was a heavyweight. May’s right hand gets stuck on his elbow pad AND SWITCHES TO HIS LEFT HAND! MAY DAY! MAY DAY! Not since Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed's rematch have I seen such an interchangeable right and left combo! Bouillon is surprised by a series of heavy lefts from May toward the end of the fight. What a fight! Edge: Brad May.
For the 3rd time: TORONTO IS GOING TO LOVE THIS GUY!
9:22 – Woah! I was so excited after that fight, I needed to go get a drink of water. And while drinking it, I chipped my tooth. This actually happened. This is pretty standard stuff for me, I’ll be fine.
9:29 – Immediately after Moore misses an empty net on a give-and-go with Jamal Mayers, the other Kostitsyn (Andrei) taps in a pretty similar set-up from Robert Lang. This is why the score is 5-1 Canadiens. This is what my old hockey coach Roman would call a two-goal swing. This was the only thing he ever said that made any sense.
9:37 – Ninety-six penalty minutes were handed out that period!!! Nice work boys. I clearly picked the right game to watch.
THIRD PERIOD!!!
9:49 – Felix Potvin didn’t bring his equipment, so the Maple Leafs put Curtis Joseph is in net for the Third Period. Ron Wilson must have torn a strip off them in the locker room, because the Maple Leafs come out with more speed than they’ve shown all night. Maybe May offered to fight the entire team left-handed if they didn’t try harder.
9:56 – 7 minutes and 41 seconds into the period and we get our first whistle. The Maple Leafs must have to catch the 10:30 train back to Toronto.
10:00 – Brad May flies through the camera’s field of vision and tries to hit Andrei Markov behind the Canadiens net, but misses. It is safe to say that Brad May has had a bigger impact with his new team than Mats Sundin did with the Canucks last night.
10:04 – Eight minutes left and the Canadiens fans start singing “Na-na-na-nah, hey hey hey, goodbye!” They never speak this much English when I need directions to Rue Ste. Catherine. As if on cue, Max Pacioretty bangs a rebound past CuJo. 6-1 Canadiens.
10:09 – I just discovered www.bradmay.ca. May, in his own words:
“Gritty left winger Brad May is a top-notch locker-room guy who keeps his opponents honest when he’s on the ice.” True enough!
I just copied and pasted that from his site. He is also apparently building a golf course near Toronto. As he describes it:
"it’s going to be the best new golf course in Canada when it’s completed."
No capitalization required.
10:12 – Deveaux gets into it with his two favourite people – Komisarek and Lapierre. Face washes all around – Lapierre and Deveaux get ejected. Interestingly, Grabovski is trying to climb into the Canadiens bench, but then notices one of the Kostitsyns is on the ice. I doubt if he cares which one. Grabovski charges after him, but then the linesman drags him down. While Grabovski and the linesman were tangled up, Brad May is hanging out of the bench, telling him to take his helmet off.
Joe Bowen: “Well, no let him go, I want to see this!”
Then something weird happens: Grabovski shoves the linesman then decides to quit while he’s behind. Before he leaves, he gives a Richard Nixon-esque double-peace sign to the fans. Knowing the NHL, they'll probably say that he "assaulted" the official and he'll get suspended for the relatively harmless push. On the other hand, you don't want your players taking liberties with the on-ice officials. It's a sticky situation and Grabovski really did not do himself a favour tonight.
10:19 – Stajan scores. 6-2 Canadiens.
10:22 – Well, the Maple Leafs never really showed up for this one *cough*Toskala*cough*. That being said, I really can’t wait until February 7th when we have our re-match! GOOD NIGHT MONTREAL!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Quarter-Season Review: 10 Hottest Players in NHL
At the quarter-season marker for the season, it’s time to take a look around and re-align some expectations for certain players and the types of seasons they are about to have. Some of these players will be goal scorers, others are goal stoppers, while others are more known (or not YET recognized) for their passing capabilities. Some of them are highly lauded, while others tend to be overlooked.
These are the top ten(for one reason, or another) players in NHL right now:
10. PATRICK KANE - Surprisingly, Patrick Kane is the real deal. No, I'm not surprised because he's American. And not because he floats when he doesn't have the puck. I say that because he looks like he's 14 and he's playing in a league with big, mean men. His stats claim that he is 5'9'', 160 lbs but unless he weighed in immediately after attending a BALCO summer camp, there is no way that is true. He has avoided a sophomore slump, unlike his esteemed colleague and captain Jonathan Toews, and he might turn out to be the true star of the two. And more importantly, he has avoided being hammered by anybody bigger than him (read: everybody). He has a steady touch around the net and has shown good hands. To keep developing his play, he will need to contribute more defensively but as of now, he's a pure-scorer who is doing just that. A lot. He should be a shoo-in for the 2010 American Hockey Team. I’m just waiting for Deion Phaneuf to catch him by surprise with a hit to see how resilient he can be.
9. MATT STAJAN – Speaking of the 2010 Olympics, I’ll move onto some more sure-fire picks - right after I discuss Matt Stajan: He summarizes everything that is going right under Ron Wilson’s guidance. He has always been a hard worker, in order to compensate for his offensive deficiencies. But this month, he has exploded for 14 points and leads the Maple Leafs with 20 points in 20 games. While Stajan has always been a very consistent player, I’d be the most surprised person if he finishes the season with 82 points. However, he is still on pace for one of those inexplicable “career years” that occur occasionally. Just ask Jason Blake, he knows all about them. This year, with his increased responsibility on the 1st line, he is seeing the ice very well, he is able to make passes through traffic onto a teammate’s stick, and he is finally finishing on his opportunities around the net (which he gets a lot of, due to his big hustle). Enjoy it while it lasts, Leaf fans.
8. ALES HEMSKY – I feel I understood Ales Hemsky better after having watched him play in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against the Hurricanes. On a powerplay, he skated with the puck for at least 30 seconds straight, neither passing nor shooting, just deke-ing through everybody who decided to pressure him. The fans, exasperated, began to yell their two-cent opinions until the entire rink was in a frenzy. While Hemsky has clearly had this huge upside just waiting to come out, it seems he has pegged the 2008-09 season as the one to show what he can do. Regardless of his production at the end of the season (career-high 77, thus far), I always was vaguely disappointed when it came to Hemsky because I had the odd sensation that he could get 120 or 130 points. With 14 points in November, Hemsky is finally averaging a point-per-game on the season (21 pts, 20 games), he is on pace to have a minor breakout season.
7. RYAN GETZLAF – While Brian Burke may never get over the perceived slight he suffered at the hands of Kevin Lowe, he can rest assured that Lowe picked the wrong player. Or the fact that he is no longer managing the Ducks, so it doesn’t matter anymore. When the Oilers GM signed away one of the Ducks’ top prospects, Dustin Penner, using a Restricted Free Agent Offer-Sheet, Mt. Burke, which had been dormant for some time, nearly exploded. At any rate, the Ducks are certainly glad that Lowe signed Penner (4 G, 1 A over 18 games) instead of their young-star Getzlaf (8 G, 19 A over 22 games). Getzlaf is big, mobile, can fight or score. He’s a punishing player, a 2008 version of the Todd Bertuzzi we will never see again (a dubious compliment, perhaps, but a compliment all the same). He’s fun to watch and he’s passionate; on the other hand, he is ugly on a scale that rivals Milan Lucic. He should be another player to keep an eye on during the 2010 Team Canada selection process.
6. DEVIN SETOGUCHI – Who? Exactly. Devin Setoguchi is a rookie forward playing on the same line as a surging Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. While the guidance of two of the best players in the league playing on your line (including the league’s best passer in Thornton), would certainly help, Setoguchi is creating plenty of his own scoring chances, as he sits tied with Marleau at 24 points. Setoguchi has 12 goals and 12 assists, showing a remarkably balanced skill-set. On the strength of their top line, as well as some journeymen defensemen having career years (see: Ehrhoff, Christian) and the Sharks are 17-3-1.
5. MARC SAVARD – Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the league, Marc Savard is again quietly putting together another terrific season. In every post-lockout season, Savard has averaged over a point-per-game. In 2 of the last 3 seasons, he has 95+ points, (as well as close to 100 PIMs in each). While his numbers have been impressive, he doesn’t demand attention in the same way that Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby do, so he’s often overlooked. But with the recent resurgence in the Bruins’ play, Savard is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was named to his 1st All-Star game in 2008 and should be getting further attention from Team Canada for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
4. EVGENI MALKIN – Ovechkin’s Russian brethren, Evgeni Malkin and AO don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on everything. They’ve taken the on-ice NHL rivalry to the point where I’m not sure they can be Olympic roommates anymore. Regardless of their feelings toward each other, both are playing some good hockey. Malkin leads the league with 31 points, but is closely trailed by Ovechkin’s Crosby-hating teammate Alexander Semin (27), among others. Most importantly, Malkin is outshining his perhaps better known teammate Sidney Crosby and proving that, even if Sid the Kid is struggling a bit, Gino has to be reckoned with on his own.
3. SIMON GAGNE - While having him on your favourite team or fantasy team is always questionable because of his health, Simon Gagne has made a case for himself to be considered the next coming of Yzerman. He has rebounded from an injury-shortened campaign last year and caught fire. He has 15 points in November, and is tied for 2nd in the NHL with 27 points. As long as he can stay healthy all season, he will remain a threat to win the NHL scoring race.
2. ROBERTO LUONGO – Robbie Lu has really stepped it up this season. What the Canucks lack in offensive depth, they make up for in net. Luongo enables the Sedin brothers and Pavol Demitra to get whatever offense they can, without having to worry too much about the defensive side. If a team has a goaltender they trust, that allows them to take more offensive risks than they would if they had Curtis Joseph in net. Over the span of 19 games, Luongo has 5 shutouts and allows only 2.2 goals per game. Prior to his injury, he was on pace for 20 shutouts. While those stats are inflated because of how early in the season it is, it shows that he had a realistic chance to beat Tony Esposito’s 1969 record of 15. Here’s hoping Luongo can heal from his groin injury quickly and that the Canucks can keep themselves in the playoff hunt without him.
1. ALEX OVECHKIN – Alex Ovechkin had a pedestrian October, as his mind was not entirely on hockey with some family matters going on back in Russia. He has 20 points this month, 4 more than anybody else in the league. #2 in November? That’s none other than Ovechkin’s linemate Nicklas Backstrom, who has 16 points. (Not to be confused with Niklas Backstrom.) While Backstrom and Alexander Semin are both having great seasons on their own, there is no debate as to who is the Top Dog in town. These guys are primed for a repeat trip to the playoffs and I will not be surprised if they do some barnstorming once they’re there.
These are the top ten(for one reason, or another) players in NHL right now:
10. PATRICK KANE - Surprisingly, Patrick Kane is the real deal. No, I'm not surprised because he's American. And not because he floats when he doesn't have the puck. I say that because he looks like he's 14 and he's playing in a league with big, mean men. His stats claim that he is 5'9'', 160 lbs but unless he weighed in immediately after attending a BALCO summer camp, there is no way that is true. He has avoided a sophomore slump, unlike his esteemed colleague and captain Jonathan Toews, and he might turn out to be the true star of the two. And more importantly, he has avoided being hammered by anybody bigger than him (read: everybody). He has a steady touch around the net and has shown good hands. To keep developing his play, he will need to contribute more defensively but as of now, he's a pure-scorer who is doing just that. A lot. He should be a shoo-in for the 2010 American Hockey Team. I’m just waiting for Deion Phaneuf to catch him by surprise with a hit to see how resilient he can be.
9. MATT STAJAN – Speaking of the 2010 Olympics, I’ll move onto some more sure-fire picks - right after I discuss Matt Stajan: He summarizes everything that is going right under Ron Wilson’s guidance. He has always been a hard worker, in order to compensate for his offensive deficiencies. But this month, he has exploded for 14 points and leads the Maple Leafs with 20 points in 20 games. While Stajan has always been a very consistent player, I’d be the most surprised person if he finishes the season with 82 points. However, he is still on pace for one of those inexplicable “career years” that occur occasionally. Just ask Jason Blake, he knows all about them. This year, with his increased responsibility on the 1st line, he is seeing the ice very well, he is able to make passes through traffic onto a teammate’s stick, and he is finally finishing on his opportunities around the net (which he gets a lot of, due to his big hustle). Enjoy it while it lasts, Leaf fans.
8. ALES HEMSKY – I feel I understood Ales Hemsky better after having watched him play in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals against the Hurricanes. On a powerplay, he skated with the puck for at least 30 seconds straight, neither passing nor shooting, just deke-ing through everybody who decided to pressure him. The fans, exasperated, began to yell their two-cent opinions until the entire rink was in a frenzy. While Hemsky has clearly had this huge upside just waiting to come out, it seems he has pegged the 2008-09 season as the one to show what he can do. Regardless of his production at the end of the season (career-high 77, thus far), I always was vaguely disappointed when it came to Hemsky because I had the odd sensation that he could get 120 or 130 points. With 14 points in November, Hemsky is finally averaging a point-per-game on the season (21 pts, 20 games), he is on pace to have a minor breakout season.
7. RYAN GETZLAF – While Brian Burke may never get over the perceived slight he suffered at the hands of Kevin Lowe, he can rest assured that Lowe picked the wrong player. Or the fact that he is no longer managing the Ducks, so it doesn’t matter anymore. When the Oilers GM signed away one of the Ducks’ top prospects, Dustin Penner, using a Restricted Free Agent Offer-Sheet, Mt. Burke, which had been dormant for some time, nearly exploded. At any rate, the Ducks are certainly glad that Lowe signed Penner (4 G, 1 A over 18 games) instead of their young-star Getzlaf (8 G, 19 A over 22 games). Getzlaf is big, mobile, can fight or score. He’s a punishing player, a 2008 version of the Todd Bertuzzi we will never see again (a dubious compliment, perhaps, but a compliment all the same). He’s fun to watch and he’s passionate; on the other hand, he is ugly on a scale that rivals Milan Lucic. He should be another player to keep an eye on during the 2010 Team Canada selection process.
6. DEVIN SETOGUCHI – Who? Exactly. Devin Setoguchi is a rookie forward playing on the same line as a surging Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. While the guidance of two of the best players in the league playing on your line (including the league’s best passer in Thornton), would certainly help, Setoguchi is creating plenty of his own scoring chances, as he sits tied with Marleau at 24 points. Setoguchi has 12 goals and 12 assists, showing a remarkably balanced skill-set. On the strength of their top line, as well as some journeymen defensemen having career years (see: Ehrhoff, Christian) and the Sharks are 17-3-1.
5. MARC SAVARD – Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the league, Marc Savard is again quietly putting together another terrific season. In every post-lockout season, Savard has averaged over a point-per-game. In 2 of the last 3 seasons, he has 95+ points, (as well as close to 100 PIMs in each). While his numbers have been impressive, he doesn’t demand attention in the same way that Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby do, so he’s often overlooked. But with the recent resurgence in the Bruins’ play, Savard is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was named to his 1st All-Star game in 2008 and should be getting further attention from Team Canada for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
4. EVGENI MALKIN – Ovechkin’s Russian brethren, Evgeni Malkin and AO don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on everything. They’ve taken the on-ice NHL rivalry to the point where I’m not sure they can be Olympic roommates anymore. Regardless of their feelings toward each other, both are playing some good hockey. Malkin leads the league with 31 points, but is closely trailed by Ovechkin’s Crosby-hating teammate Alexander Semin (27), among others. Most importantly, Malkin is outshining his perhaps better known teammate Sidney Crosby and proving that, even if Sid the Kid is struggling a bit, Gino has to be reckoned with on his own.
3. SIMON GAGNE - While having him on your favourite team or fantasy team is always questionable because of his health, Simon Gagne has made a case for himself to be considered the next coming of Yzerman. He has rebounded from an injury-shortened campaign last year and caught fire. He has 15 points in November, and is tied for 2nd in the NHL with 27 points. As long as he can stay healthy all season, he will remain a threat to win the NHL scoring race.
2. ROBERTO LUONGO – Robbie Lu has really stepped it up this season. What the Canucks lack in offensive depth, they make up for in net. Luongo enables the Sedin brothers and Pavol Demitra to get whatever offense they can, without having to worry too much about the defensive side. If a team has a goaltender they trust, that allows them to take more offensive risks than they would if they had Curtis Joseph in net. Over the span of 19 games, Luongo has 5 shutouts and allows only 2.2 goals per game. Prior to his injury, he was on pace for 20 shutouts. While those stats are inflated because of how early in the season it is, it shows that he had a realistic chance to beat Tony Esposito’s 1969 record of 15. Here’s hoping Luongo can heal from his groin injury quickly and that the Canucks can keep themselves in the playoff hunt without him.
1. ALEX OVECHKIN – Alex Ovechkin had a pedestrian October, as his mind was not entirely on hockey with some family matters going on back in Russia. He has 20 points this month, 4 more than anybody else in the league. #2 in November? That’s none other than Ovechkin’s linemate Nicklas Backstrom, who has 16 points. (Not to be confused with Niklas Backstrom.) While Backstrom and Alexander Semin are both having great seasons on their own, there is no debate as to who is the Top Dog in town. These guys are primed for a repeat trip to the playoffs and I will not be surprised if they do some barnstorming once they’re there.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Poker on ESPN - A Referendum
I’m sorry, Poker, but I’ve held my silence for too long. While you may have a “World Series,” I have been curious as to why ESPN and TSN cover your events. I am here to make my arguments against your inclusion on the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” television network, because let’s face it, Poker. You just aren’t a sport.
According to Webster’s dictionary, a sport was defined as “1. A source of diversion: PASTIME”. In the 19th century, sporting newspapers would cover horse racing, boxing and baseball. However, they would also make note of the happenings in burlesque, music halls and vaudeville. By Mr. Daniel Webster’s definition, just about anything can be a sport. Scrabble, while an enjoyable pastime, is not a sport. Other sources of diversion that aren’t sports include singing, reading, and watching television.
By nature of what can be included in Webster’s archaic definition, we clearly need to redefine “sport”. Because as enjoyable as playing Hungry Hungry Hippos may be – it isn’t a sport.
Traditionally accepted sports include boxing, football, baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, golf, and anything found at the Olympics. They all include elements of competition, physical exertion, and demand intense focus. In fact, I would argue that in order for an activity to be a sport, they must have all three of these elements.
A heated debate over the years has been regarding Nascar’s inclusion in the term “sport”. A quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway says: “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering, all the others being games.” By my definition, Nascar is definitely a sport: while the engine does most of the work, drivers toil in 140 degree cockpits, sweating off ten pounds of water throughout the course of a race. They must maintain an intense focus for up to 4 hours, covering 500 miles of ground at speeds that most of us have only traveled on commercial airliners. The consequences of losing that focus are potentially disastrous. Anybody who has witnessed a Nascar race on television cannot question its level of competition. While Nascar drivers probably aren’t “athletes” per-se, they are definitely “sportsmen”.
Mountaineers could be also called “sportsmen”. What Hemingway liked about auto racing, mountaineering and bullfighting was the passion it required to look death in the eye and to choose to participate in that activity. These events are essentially struggles for survival between man and The Great Beyond – man’s decisions in the arena of those sports were tantamount to the decision between life and death. In the spirit of Hemingway’s quote, I am prepared to invite bow hunters and fishermen into the Club of Sports. There is a physical degree of difficulty that is included in pulling a 220 lb halibut from the sea. And there is no question that a life-and-death struggle is competitive and demands focus, whether it is man vs. man or man vs. beast.
Using the same criterion, let’s examine poker: It is undoubtedly competitive. I can’t imagine anything more cutthroat than a hundred men clamoring for several million dollars. Poker demands an intense amount of focus. One bad hand can spell disaster for a someone’s chances of winning “The World Series of Poker”. But the thing that trips me up is the degree of physical exertion. There just isn’t any. Sure, in the heat of the moment, a poker player might break a sweat. Mick Jagger sweats during his concerts; however, being a Rolling Stone is not a sport.
Poker – you’re close. You require focus and are very competitive. But two out of three doesn’t make you a sport. It leaves you in the “games” category. There is no shame in being grouped with Candyland, Halo, and Tic-Tac-Toe. They are all worthy peers. But in comparison to the potential for physical devastation in boxing, football, and hockey – real sports – you are just fun and games.
According to Webster’s dictionary, a sport was defined as “1. A source of diversion: PASTIME”. In the 19th century, sporting newspapers would cover horse racing, boxing and baseball. However, they would also make note of the happenings in burlesque, music halls and vaudeville. By Mr. Daniel Webster’s definition, just about anything can be a sport. Scrabble, while an enjoyable pastime, is not a sport. Other sources of diversion that aren’t sports include singing, reading, and watching television.
By nature of what can be included in Webster’s archaic definition, we clearly need to redefine “sport”. Because as enjoyable as playing Hungry Hungry Hippos may be – it isn’t a sport.
Traditionally accepted sports include boxing, football, baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, golf, and anything found at the Olympics. They all include elements of competition, physical exertion, and demand intense focus. In fact, I would argue that in order for an activity to be a sport, they must have all three of these elements.
A heated debate over the years has been regarding Nascar’s inclusion in the term “sport”. A quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway says: “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering, all the others being games.” By my definition, Nascar is definitely a sport: while the engine does most of the work, drivers toil in 140 degree cockpits, sweating off ten pounds of water throughout the course of a race. They must maintain an intense focus for up to 4 hours, covering 500 miles of ground at speeds that most of us have only traveled on commercial airliners. The consequences of losing that focus are potentially disastrous. Anybody who has witnessed a Nascar race on television cannot question its level of competition. While Nascar drivers probably aren’t “athletes” per-se, they are definitely “sportsmen”.
Mountaineers could be also called “sportsmen”. What Hemingway liked about auto racing, mountaineering and bullfighting was the passion it required to look death in the eye and to choose to participate in that activity. These events are essentially struggles for survival between man and The Great Beyond – man’s decisions in the arena of those sports were tantamount to the decision between life and death. In the spirit of Hemingway’s quote, I am prepared to invite bow hunters and fishermen into the Club of Sports. There is a physical degree of difficulty that is included in pulling a 220 lb halibut from the sea. And there is no question that a life-and-death struggle is competitive and demands focus, whether it is man vs. man or man vs. beast.
Using the same criterion, let’s examine poker: It is undoubtedly competitive. I can’t imagine anything more cutthroat than a hundred men clamoring for several million dollars. Poker demands an intense amount of focus. One bad hand can spell disaster for a someone’s chances of winning “The World Series of Poker”. But the thing that trips me up is the degree of physical exertion. There just isn’t any. Sure, in the heat of the moment, a poker player might break a sweat. Mick Jagger sweats during his concerts; however, being a Rolling Stone is not a sport.
Poker – you’re close. You require focus and are very competitive. But two out of three doesn’t make you a sport. It leaves you in the “games” category. There is no shame in being grouped with Candyland, Halo, and Tic-Tac-Toe. They are all worthy peers. But in comparison to the potential for physical devastation in boxing, football, and hockey – real sports – you are just fun and games.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
"Mats... We Need To Talk..."
The four words anybody who is blissfully in love never wants to hear from their partner. But they are words Cliff Fletcher needs to practice in the mirror over the next few weeks, as former Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin works off the results of a restful summer back in Sweden.
Because as Mats was enjoying his summer deciding whether or not he had the emotional fortitude to wear the Blue and White (or any other colours) this winter, we have been moving on. Ok - we haven't REALLY been moving on. But that's what we have been telling ourselves.
Over the past 4 years, Leafs Nation was held captive by John Ferguson, Junior. During this time, the Front Street Faithful could trust Mats would come through. He always has. Like an old sweatshirt worked in by a loved one, we got comfortable with #13. And he got comfortable with us. We were spending every Saturday night on the couch together, watching movies and eating popcorn, while those poor, pitiful teams like Carolina had one-month flings and embarrassing trysts with All-Stars for their inevitable playoff pushes. We had our star. And we didn't have eyes for anybody else.
- The Future -
But when Ferguson was shown the door, the focus changed in Leafs Land. Leaf fans no longer held onto any pipe dreams of making the playoffs. We wanted a contender, but we had to do it right. In the post-salary cap era, there is no other way to improve than through The Draft.
That's when things began to sour with Sundin. As he put us on his back in the Spring of 2008, our perception of #13 was different. Like a relationship taking a turn for the worse, it started with insensitive jokes. Fans knew that Sundin was going to put the Maple Leafs on his back, but this time we didn't want the ride. We wanted Steven Stamkos. We wanted to be young again.
When he refused to lose and made every Leafs fan believe, even if for just a moment, that we could make the unlikely post-season rush, Sundin was doing what he had done every other year. And we loved him for it. But it wasn't the same. There was the embarrassing trade-deadline squabble when he refused to be rented out and go for a Playoff Run with a contender.
We looked toward the end of the season as a time when both Mats and Leaf fans could regroup. We would have some time apart. Take a break. See if we felt the same way in the fall.
- The Split -
And, surprisingly, we did feel the same way. We still needed time away from Sundin. It hurt, but the season began respectably under new coach Ron Wilson. We upended the Red Wings in the 1st game of the season. So far, so good. We had Mats at the back of our minds, but our first forays out on Saturday nights went alright without him. We got shot down a few times, but this was expected. We were back in the game and it was exciting.
As the air grows colder and we ready ourselves for a long winter, we remember Mats fondly. Like a fresh break-up, both parties are lonely and unfulfilled. It's late at night and Mats is lying awake in bed, thinking about the good times. So he picks up the phone and scrolls down the phonebook to "M". Maple Leafs.
And Leafs fans are doing the same. We're lying in bed with all kinds of new jerseys... not just #13. So when we see our phone ringing at 3:00 am, and Niklas Hagman asks "Who's calling at this hour?" We answer, "Just an old friend." You don't want to rock the boat and shake Hagman, Nik Antropov and Alex Ponikarovsky's fragile confidence. They're performing just fine.
We tell ourselves that we're over Mats. But the truth is: we're not. Ron Wilson's coaching has allowed us to retain some shreds of dignity, but we won't be able to truly smile with joy until we feel the butterflies of a new leader - the same type of butterflies we'd get in our stomachs when we'd see Sundin rush down the ice on a 2-on-1 in April and you just knew he was going to score.
- The One Who Got Away -
We will find out what our future holds in December when Brian Burke replies to the Ducks about his contract extension offer. Henry Samueli has made it clear he wants Brian Burke to stick around, but Burke is tempted by the Thrill of the Chase he would feel as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The time is right: Things haven't felt the same for Burkie in Anaheim. They had very high highs, and some equally low lows. It might just be time.
The reasons are right: Burke's family lives on the East Coast and he has made it clear that the cross-continental trips to visit them are difficult; his wife would be able to work in Toronto; and it is the highest profile job in the biggest hockey city on earth.
Fletcher and Leafs Nation are getting dolled up to make Burke an offer he can't refuse. Until we have "The Talk" with Burke, we aren't really going to be able to get over Mats. When we get those late-night phone calls, we will be tempted to answer even though we know it's wrong. But with Burke in town, it will be easier to see Mats with another team.
And that is precisely what Mats should do - we are trying to move on; he needs to do the same. He should sign with one of those younger, better-looking hockey teams that are currently vying for the Stanley Cup. Sure, he won't feel as emotionally connected to his team and his new fans. It will be really awkward when he first encounters the Leafs on the ice. He might even be thinking about us when he's lacing up his skates.
But when he lifts that Cup above his head, he will be enjoying the moment. It won't matter what jersey he is wearing. He will have earned what he has worked for his entire life.
We will always have fond memories, Mats. But it's time to move on.
Because as Mats was enjoying his summer deciding whether or not he had the emotional fortitude to wear the Blue and White (or any other colours) this winter, we have been moving on. Ok - we haven't REALLY been moving on. But that's what we have been telling ourselves.
Over the past 4 years, Leafs Nation was held captive by John Ferguson, Junior. During this time, the Front Street Faithful could trust Mats would come through. He always has. Like an old sweatshirt worked in by a loved one, we got comfortable with #13. And he got comfortable with us. We were spending every Saturday night on the couch together, watching movies and eating popcorn, while those poor, pitiful teams like Carolina had one-month flings and embarrassing trysts with All-Stars for their inevitable playoff pushes. We had our star. And we didn't have eyes for anybody else.
- The Future -
But when Ferguson was shown the door, the focus changed in Leafs Land. Leaf fans no longer held onto any pipe dreams of making the playoffs. We wanted a contender, but we had to do it right. In the post-salary cap era, there is no other way to improve than through The Draft.
That's when things began to sour with Sundin. As he put us on his back in the Spring of 2008, our perception of #13 was different. Like a relationship taking a turn for the worse, it started with insensitive jokes. Fans knew that Sundin was going to put the Maple Leafs on his back, but this time we didn't want the ride. We wanted Steven Stamkos. We wanted to be young again.
When he refused to lose and made every Leafs fan believe, even if for just a moment, that we could make the unlikely post-season rush, Sundin was doing what he had done every other year. And we loved him for it. But it wasn't the same. There was the embarrassing trade-deadline squabble when he refused to be rented out and go for a Playoff Run with a contender.
We looked toward the end of the season as a time when both Mats and Leaf fans could regroup. We would have some time apart. Take a break. See if we felt the same way in the fall.
- The Split -
And, surprisingly, we did feel the same way. We still needed time away from Sundin. It hurt, but the season began respectably under new coach Ron Wilson. We upended the Red Wings in the 1st game of the season. So far, so good. We had Mats at the back of our minds, but our first forays out on Saturday nights went alright without him. We got shot down a few times, but this was expected. We were back in the game and it was exciting.
As the air grows colder and we ready ourselves for a long winter, we remember Mats fondly. Like a fresh break-up, both parties are lonely and unfulfilled. It's late at night and Mats is lying awake in bed, thinking about the good times. So he picks up the phone and scrolls down the phonebook to "M". Maple Leafs.
And Leafs fans are doing the same. We're lying in bed with all kinds of new jerseys... not just #13. So when we see our phone ringing at 3:00 am, and Niklas Hagman asks "Who's calling at this hour?" We answer, "Just an old friend." You don't want to rock the boat and shake Hagman, Nik Antropov and Alex Ponikarovsky's fragile confidence. They're performing just fine.
We tell ourselves that we're over Mats. But the truth is: we're not. Ron Wilson's coaching has allowed us to retain some shreds of dignity, but we won't be able to truly smile with joy until we feel the butterflies of a new leader - the same type of butterflies we'd get in our stomachs when we'd see Sundin rush down the ice on a 2-on-1 in April and you just knew he was going to score.
- The One Who Got Away -
We will find out what our future holds in December when Brian Burke replies to the Ducks about his contract extension offer. Henry Samueli has made it clear he wants Brian Burke to stick around, but Burke is tempted by the Thrill of the Chase he would feel as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The time is right: Things haven't felt the same for Burkie in Anaheim. They had very high highs, and some equally low lows. It might just be time.
The reasons are right: Burke's family lives on the East Coast and he has made it clear that the cross-continental trips to visit them are difficult; his wife would be able to work in Toronto; and it is the highest profile job in the biggest hockey city on earth.
Fletcher and Leafs Nation are getting dolled up to make Burke an offer he can't refuse. Until we have "The Talk" with Burke, we aren't really going to be able to get over Mats. When we get those late-night phone calls, we will be tempted to answer even though we know it's wrong. But with Burke in town, it will be easier to see Mats with another team.
And that is precisely what Mats should do - we are trying to move on; he needs to do the same. He should sign with one of those younger, better-looking hockey teams that are currently vying for the Stanley Cup. Sure, he won't feel as emotionally connected to his team and his new fans. It will be really awkward when he first encounters the Leafs on the ice. He might even be thinking about us when he's lacing up his skates.
But when he lifts that Cup above his head, he will be enjoying the moment. It won't matter what jersey he is wearing. He will have earned what he has worked for his entire life.
We will always have fond memories, Mats. But it's time to move on.
Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs: Successes Already Achieved - and Challenges That Lie In The Future
On the off-chance that you like reading old news, this is a profile of a Canadian gymnast I did in May, 2008.
Prior to last week’s World Cup event in Tianjin, China, Canadian gymnast Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs explained that she went there with one thing in mind – preparing for Beijing. Because of the magnitude of an Olympic experience, Coaches Carol-Angela Orchard and Brian McVey wanted Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs to have some event experience in China.
If it seems premature to be focusing on the Olympics before she is even able to qualify, Coach Orchard clarifies that she has been preparing for this for the past nine years. “Since she was 10. She was the novice champion of Canada when she was 10 and it’s a matter of building on that constantly.” The two women to represent Canada in Beijing will be selected at the National Championships in Calgary, from June 1-8.
The amount of preparation required places a tremendous amount of pressure on Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs. “The psychological aspect is now probably the most important thing for Elyse. We are dealing more with the psychological aspect of dealing with the pressure of an Olympic Games, which is huge.”
Orchard is no stranger to the Olympics. She has trained three former Olympians, including Canadians Monica Covacci and Michelle Conway. “On paper, (Hopfner-Hibbs) is superior to any gymnast that we have ever had in Canada – she has accomplished things nobody else has ever done. She has shattered that glass ceiling, so now little kids think, ‘a Canadian can do it.’”
Despite her lack of Olympic experience, Hopfner-Hibbs leads Canadian women with several firsts for the program. She was the first Canadian woman to medal at a World Championships – she won bronze on the balance beam in 2007. She was the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at a World Cup event. Until April, Canadian women had won 5 medals at World Cup events – four of those belong to Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs.
Last week, on her first ever trip to China, she won her 3rd World Cup medal of the year on the uneven bars – a silver, following a gold medal won in Maribor, Czech Republic and a bronze from Dohar, Qatar. She says that her international success gives her confidence leading up to the Olympic qualifications. “My name has gotten out there, which is important in a judged sport. The judges have seen me and have responded to my routine, so it gives you confidence to know that you are able to compete with the best.”
Orchard says she is well prepared, but is quick to point out that the pressure of the Olympics changes the competition. For an uneven bars and balance-beam specialist such as Hopfner-Hibbs, it all depends on how she performs from moment-to-moment. “Her routines are definitely comparable. She could definitely make a final. And once you’re in the final, anything can happen, especially on beam.”
Following the Olympics, Hopfner-Hibbs will reap the benefits of her past decade of hard work – she will enroll as a student at University of California – Los Angeles in August, where she will be on a full scholarship for gymnastics. She isn’t sure what she wants to study. “I’ve changed my mind so many times… I’m just going to go and see what I like best,” she gushes, suddenly an excited 18-year-old. Following a brief pause, she catches herself and looks again like the professional she has been for the past decade. “But that’s all for after the Olympics.”
Prior to last week’s World Cup event in Tianjin, China, Canadian gymnast Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs explained that she went there with one thing in mind – preparing for Beijing. Because of the magnitude of an Olympic experience, Coaches Carol-Angela Orchard and Brian McVey wanted Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs to have some event experience in China.
If it seems premature to be focusing on the Olympics before she is even able to qualify, Coach Orchard clarifies that she has been preparing for this for the past nine years. “Since she was 10. She was the novice champion of Canada when she was 10 and it’s a matter of building on that constantly.” The two women to represent Canada in Beijing will be selected at the National Championships in Calgary, from June 1-8.
The amount of preparation required places a tremendous amount of pressure on Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs. “The psychological aspect is now probably the most important thing for Elyse. We are dealing more with the psychological aspect of dealing with the pressure of an Olympic Games, which is huge.”
Orchard is no stranger to the Olympics. She has trained three former Olympians, including Canadians Monica Covacci and Michelle Conway. “On paper, (Hopfner-Hibbs) is superior to any gymnast that we have ever had in Canada – she has accomplished things nobody else has ever done. She has shattered that glass ceiling, so now little kids think, ‘a Canadian can do it.’”
Despite her lack of Olympic experience, Hopfner-Hibbs leads Canadian women with several firsts for the program. She was the first Canadian woman to medal at a World Championships – she won bronze on the balance beam in 2007. She was the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at a World Cup event. Until April, Canadian women had won 5 medals at World Cup events – four of those belong to Ms. Hopfner-Hibbs.
Last week, on her first ever trip to China, she won her 3rd World Cup medal of the year on the uneven bars – a silver, following a gold medal won in Maribor, Czech Republic and a bronze from Dohar, Qatar. She says that her international success gives her confidence leading up to the Olympic qualifications. “My name has gotten out there, which is important in a judged sport. The judges have seen me and have responded to my routine, so it gives you confidence to know that you are able to compete with the best.”
Orchard says she is well prepared, but is quick to point out that the pressure of the Olympics changes the competition. For an uneven bars and balance-beam specialist such as Hopfner-Hibbs, it all depends on how she performs from moment-to-moment. “Her routines are definitely comparable. She could definitely make a final. And once you’re in the final, anything can happen, especially on beam.”
Following the Olympics, Hopfner-Hibbs will reap the benefits of her past decade of hard work – she will enroll as a student at University of California – Los Angeles in August, where she will be on a full scholarship for gymnastics. She isn’t sure what she wants to study. “I’ve changed my mind so many times… I’m just going to go and see what I like best,” she gushes, suddenly an excited 18-year-old. Following a brief pause, she catches herself and looks again like the professional she has been for the past decade. “But that’s all for after the Olympics.”
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