Category: Sports

Stanley Cup – Round 1 Prediction – Was I Psychic?

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic celebrates w...
Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic celebrates with the Stanley Cup after his team's Game 7 win against the Vancouver Canucks on June 15, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lets see how I did and then predict the second round.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators

I called Rangers in 5.  The series went seven and I came away impressed with the Senators.  I think  they are back and must be considered a budding force in the future.

Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals

Once again the Bruins were Drydened.  Braden Holtby, a 22-year-old rookie goalie, picked up the Capitals, put them on his back and defeated the reigning cup champs in 7 games.  A notable event, all 7 games were decided by 1 goal, the first time that has ever happened.  The Bruins lost with class, the Caps won with class.  Kudos t both teams for an entertaining series.

Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils

Florida wasn’t a mirage.  They extended the devils to 7 games before losing to a better team.  The devils move on.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

It was the best series. A wild one with records set for goals scored and both teams showed a complete lack of defense.  Not to mention the obvious dislike between the teams.  I call Pittsburgh in 6, I was close.  Philadelphia won in 6.

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings

I am happy to report that, as I expected, the Kings easily won this series.  The Canucks are a team in complete disarray.  And for those Canuck fans clinging to the skilled team getting beat up by the inferior team, I have 3 things to refute that.  How many “skilled”  players are on the team.  I count 2.  LA won because they could roll 4 lines, the Canucks, on any night, had 1, maybe 2 decent lines.  Their depth on the skill side does not exist.  Second, in last years playoffs, they were the 2nd most penalized team in the league, following Anaheim, who only played 6 games.  In the series against LA, Vancouver averaged 18.8 penalty minutes per game, whereas LA only had 10.6.  One of two conclusions, they are as dirty as I say, or the refs hate them too.  Expect Vancouver to be gutted in the off-season.

St Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks

Gooaltending was the difference as the Blues cruised into the 2nd round, and they did so with number 2 goalie Brian Elliott.  Number 1, Halak went down with an injury.  He will be back in round 2.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks

Phoenix defeated the Hawks in a close series.  The Coyotes are in the second round for the first time in their post-Winnipeg history.

Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings

Nashville moves on as expected.  The Predators could go all the way this year.

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Now for the second round predictions.

Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers

If Holtby continues his magic, the Capitals will win.  If the Rangers solve him early, the it could be a sweep for New York.  I think Holtby is for real, the Caps will win in a tough 6 game series.

Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils

I pulled a number out of my hat and Philadelphia will win in 5.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Nashville Predators

Despite last nights loss, the Predators will prove to much for the Coyotes.  It will go 6 games.

St Louis Blues vs Los Angeles Kings

Potentially a great series.  I am picking the Kings only because I want to thank them for taking down the Canuckleheads.

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Stanley Cup – Round 1 Predictions

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic celebrates w...
Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic celebrates with the Stanley Cup after his team's Game 7 win against the Vancouver Canucks on June 15, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The season is over, the seedings are done and now we begin the craziest 2 months in sports, the Stanley Cup playoffs.  In order to become champion, a team must win 4 straight best of seven series, each one more intense than the previous.  Players will be tired, bruised and battered, yet will carry on as if nothing was wrong to have a shot to carry the holy grail of sports.  This coveted trophy was first handed out in 1893. yes 1893.  The cup has been the exclusive domain of the NHL since 1926.  This would make it the oldest trophy in North America.  On to the predictions.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators

Ottawa is Canada’s only team this year (I refuse to acknowledge the Vancouver Canucks as a Canadian team) but they are in tough against the East’s 1st seed, the Rangers.  I have to give the nod to the Rangers based on overall depth and goaltending.  Rangers in 5.

Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals

Last years champs, the Bruins are in tough against a recently hot Washington team.  Sorry T, but the Bruins overall depth and Tim Thomas will prove to much for the perennial under achievers.  Maybe next year for Ovechikin and crew.

Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils

Florida is a mirage, Devils in 4.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Potentially the best series of the first round.  It is to bad that one of these teams will be gone from the show early.   Since Sidney Crosby returned, the Penguins have to be favoured to win it all.  I call the Penguins in a tough 6 game victory.

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings

Vancouver won the trophy for most points in the league for the second year in a row.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t win the cup, but it does look pretty.  I really believe that the Kings will win this, but I will predict that Vancouver will take it in 7 as they figure out that Cory Schneider is the answer in goal and move Burrows to the minors.  Also, I can’t bash this bunch of  losers if they aren’t in it anymore.

St Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks

The Blues in 5.  Goaltending will be the difference in this series and the Sharks move closer to dismantling a team that once had so much potential.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks

Another good series.  The other Jets may just pull this off.  The Hawks are hurting, but do have the firepower needed to win this one.  Phoenix has depth and have played well all year.  Tough to call, but Hawks in 7.

Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings

Another 4 vs 5 match-up that will send a very good team to the golf course before their time.  Either team here could easily win the cup.  The Red Wings have the experience and talent, the Predators got a taste of going deep into the playoffs last year and will want to go even deeper this year.  Nashville will take this series in 6.

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It Is Time For Hockey To Rule

Go Bruins Go!
Go Bruins Go! (Photo credit: Stephen Dyrgas)

Today marks the end of the regular season in the NHL, meaning you will see a lot of hockey here for the next couple of months.  Just warning you.  If you happen to be a Vancouver Canuck fan, you may want to stop following me for this period, as I will likely have a few negative rants about this over rated group of crappy hockey players.  Suck it up cause you suck.  Oh…and GO BRUINS.

Hawksley Workman
Hawksley Workman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To celebrate the time of year please enjoy Hawksley Workman and “Hockey (The Greatest Game)”.  There is a drum solo for the first minute and a half, followed by the song.  The lyrics are on the wall behind the band, and you will understand Canadians love for their game more as the song goes on.

“Hockey (The Greatest Game)”

Friday Funnies – Email of the Week

From my friend Barry

 Quotes from David Feherty…

Feherty is a Golf Channel announcer who finds very unique, colorful
And uninhibited ways of explaining or describing whatever is on his
Mind…… Probably always on time delay these days.

Feherty Quotes:

“Fortunately, he (Rory) is 22 years old so his right wrist should be
The strongest muscle in his body.”

“That ball is so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.”

“I am sorry Nick Faldo couldn’t be here this week. He is attending the
Birth of his next wife.”

“They don’t do comedy at the Masters. The Masters, for me, is like
Holding onto a really big collection of gas for a week. It’s like
Having my buttocks surgically clenched at Augusta General Hospital on
Wednesday, and surgically unclenched on Monday on the way to Hilton
Head.”

Jim Furyk’s swing – “It looks like an octopus falling out of a tree.”

“He’s (Luke Donald) a bloody walking ATM. I slid my AmEx between the
Cheeks of his ass and out popped $500.”

Describing VJ’s prodigious practice regime – “VJ hits more balls than
Elton John’s chin.”

“That’s a great shot with that swing.”

“It’s OK – the bunker stopped it.”

At Augusta 2011 – “It’s just a glorious day. The only way to ruin a
Day like this would be to play golf on it.”

“That was a great shot – if they’d put the pin there today.”

“Everything moves except his bowels.”

“Watching Phil Mickelson play golf is like watching a drunk chasing a
Balloon near the edge of a cliff.”

“That green appears smaller than a Pygmies nipple”.

Remembering Sarah Burke

Sarah Burke
Sarah Burke

 

Canada has lost one of it’s finest athletes in freestyle skier Sarah Burke.  She died following a training accident at the age of 29.  Sarah had pioneered the superpipe event, winning a world championship and 4 gold medals at the X-Games.  Sarah has also been called the finest female skier in the world.  She successfully lobbied the IOC to have her event added to the Olympics and was the favourite to win gold in 2014. We love our athletes (if you watched any of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, you will know what I mean) and a tragedy like this is very sad and is felt very deeply.

 

 

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Friday Funnies – Alexander Ovechkin

English: Alex Ovechkin, warmups.

Superstar hockey player and a rap song.  Not a common denominator.  Washington Capital superstar, Alexander Ovechkin, makes an appearance in a Russian rap video.  With apologies to T at Mona Lisa Memoirs, a devout Caps fan, I will now proceed with the Friday Funny.  To set  the mood, Alex is an NHL player with unbelievable talents.  Check this video out.

Ovechkin’s incredible goal

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Now to the meat of the matter.  For some reason, he has participated in this video, perhaps he is looking for a career after hockey.  It is fast going viral, in Canada and Russia at any rate.

Enjoy

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Canadian Football League Championship (Grey Cup) – Update

The Grey Cup
The Grey Cup

 

It is over.  The BC Lions have won the 99th Grey Cup in Vancouver.  I would term the game as being the second most boring Grey Cup in recent memory, topped only by the 2007 tilt between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  I originally said it was the worst, but my friend Robin reminded of the 2007 clunker.  How can a 34-23 game be boring you ask?  Simple, both teams were just not that good.  From aging receivers to no talent receivers to young quarterbacks to banged up quarterbacks.  There was no running game for either team and frankly, both defences are highly rated only because the offences in the CFL this year were brutal.  Yes, it was a down year, a transition year maybe, for the CFL.  Several past superstars appear to have lost a few steps this year and may not be back in 2012.  Maybe next year will see some new superstars emerge.

The only question left about the Grey Cup in the sports riot capital of North America, Vancouver was, would there be a riot.  Thankfully there was none this year, although there was a mini riot at an alumni dinner.  Check out this video, then I’ll give you some background.  The stars of the video are 73 years old.

 

 

The occasion was a celebration of the 1963 Grey Cup in which both of these men played, obviously on opposite teams.  The gentleman with the cane is Angelo (King Kong) Mosca, a feared defensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1963, and later a major wrestling talent after football.  The gentleman on the left is Joe Kapp.  Joe was, prior to his career with the Minnesota Vikings, the starting qb for the BC Lions.  During the 1963 Grey Cup, Angelo Mosca laid a questionable hit on the Lions star running back, Willie Fleming, knocking him out of the game.  The Ti-Cats went on to win 21 – 10.  Obviously the grudge is still alive.  By the way, there were riots in Vancouver after the 1963 game and after the 1966 game as well, both played in Vancouver.

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Canadian Football League Championship (Grey Cup)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo
Go Bombers Go

 

Today is Canada’s biggest one day sporting event, the Grey Cup.  This trophy is emblematic of winning Canada’s football championship.  Canada plays American football, with a twist.  There are 3 downs, not four.  There are 12 players on the field for each side instead of 11.  The field is 110 yards, with a 25 yard end zone.  The field is also wider and motion is allowed by receivers and running backs prior to the snap.  These changes from the American game create a pass oriented, wide open, high scoring variety to the game.  It caters to mobile quarterbacks and smaller, quicker players.

This years championship game will be held in Vancouver, BC and features the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the BC  Lions.  The Lions play in Vancouver.  On paper and by a lot of pundits, BC is the favourite to win.  Myself, I am not so sure.  BC can and has been played to a standstill this year by teams with a good running game and a stout defence.  Winnipeg has both.  The other reason I am not so sure is that I am originally a Winnipegger and also, do not care much for the Lions.. To me the only question in the game is whether or not there are riots after the game, win or lose.

For my American friends, tear yourself away from the NFL for a bit today and watch this game.  It starts at 6:30 Eastern time and can be viewed in the USA on the NFL Network.

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Remembering Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier at Beaufort, SC's City Java & News

Man, Smokin’ Joe is gone.  Those were the days.  Boxing was something that we watched with awe, much like UFC today.  The heavyweight division in the time of Joe Frazier was unreal.  Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton. George Foreman, George Chuvalo, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, and the great Smokin’ Joe Frazier.  He was one of the greatest ever, overlooked as he boxed under the shadow of Ali.  Make no mistake, he was good, very good.  Makes me very sad to see him gone.  He has been out of the spotlight for many years and this has brought back many memories.  I have two videos, one a highlight reel of his career, the other, an appearance on “This Is Your Life”, in this Muhammad Ali’s life, very funny.

 

 

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Canada Sports Update

Don’t touch on sports to much anymore, but it has been an interesting few weeks.  First off, the Rugby World Cup 2011was completed last week,

All Blacks v England
All Blacks

and I can’t believe this but I am now hooked on rugby.  Great game and nothing beats the challenge (Haka) by the All Blacks of New Zealand at the beginning of each game.  The All Blacks won it all, beating France in the final.  On the way they schooled a game Canadian team by a score of 79-15.

Second up is the CFL.  My beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders have crapped out.  I

Photo of the field of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
Taylor Field, Regina

cannot wholeheartedly cheer for any other team so I will make an objective prediction.  Prior to last week I would have said the BC Lions in a cakewalk, then in true CFL fashion, they had their butts handed to them by the Hamilton Tiger Cats.  Having said that, I will still go with BC, likely meeting up with Winnipeg in the Grey Cup.

Third up is the Vancouver Canucks.  As I expected, they are playing as well as a non-playoff team and are already in panic mode.  Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo, goaltender for the Vancouver C...
Roberto Luongo

is a spent force in Vancouver and I am sure that the Canucks will make an effort to ditch him.  He can’t stop anything right now.  In addition they traded Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm to the Florida Panthers for David Booth and Steve Reinprecht.  Reinprecht heads straight for the AHL, so essentially they dumped 2 for 1.  Booth, although having potential, is just another fast skater with no toughness and questionable defensive skills.  He was a minus 31 in Florida last year, with 23 goals, 17 assists and 26 penalty minutes.  Not the player they were needing.  Even Samuelsson had more points and penalty minutes than that.  All the Canucks gain is youth.

The Winnipeg Jets are rocking, doing as expected and giving the fans some hope for the future.  Last night’s 9-8 victory in Philadelphia against the Flyers was both ugly and beautiful all at the same time.  The Jets have an excuse to be on the bubble for the season, maybe the Canucks can learn something  from the Jets.

Fourth, the World Series.  Baseball is a wonderful game to watch when everything is on the line.  In no other sport do you have such drama, literally hanging on every pitch.  Last night was no exception.  David Freese is now a legend, whose heroics will be remembered for eternity in baseball lore as will the St Louis Cardinals comeback.  The Texas Rangers will have to shake this one-off if they want to win.  Regardless the Series has been a true Fall Classic, and Game 7 could be one for the ages.

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