Last Spot: Cal or Col

The Western Conference is basically set in terms of who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. Except for the final spot.

Currently, the Calgary Flames are hanging on to that eighth place position, as the Colorado Avalanche are hoping to catch them. With the Avs putting together an incredible run in the past few weeks, they have managed to make the stretch drive exciting for themselves and for the fans. Which team would you rather see make the playoffs?

If I had to choose, I would prefer Colorado clinching a playoff berth. Why? Simple. Here are my three reasons:

Colorado is a more exciting team. Sure, Calgary might seem more well-rounded, but the Avalanche is able to bring more intensity to the table and play a more entertaining style of hockey. In other words, good ol’ playoff hockey. With the large contingent of youth on their team, such as Paul Statsny, this team has the jump to make playoff games fun to watch.

Joe Sakic. One of the best players I’ve ever seen. Whether it be his killer wrist shot or his ability to score clutch goals, Sakic is a leader and deserves to play in the post-season. If the Avalanche does make it in, a big part of that will have to do with Sakic’s contribution. His time in the NHL is slowly winding down, and it’ll be a privilege to watch Burnaby Joe light it up in the playoffs.

I hate Calgary. Sure, it’s biased but it’s true. Even though I’m not a big fan of Colorado either, I just despise the Flames more. They currently aren’t playing up to their standards and it’s time for Flames fans to be humbled, just like Oilers fans. It’ll be fun to watch the reaction of Alberta if there won’t be a playoff appearance by either team this year. Hopefully, the Leafs can join them as well eh.

There you have it. I’m going to be quietly cheering for the Avalanche (not when they play Vancouver of course) and I’m going to loudly bash the Flames. Ah, don’t you just love hockey. I think I’m catching the playoff fever already.

Hosea C

Jaroslav-iour?

With the Montreal Canadiens struggling to earn a playoff spot, the question being asked over and over again is, can Jaroslav Halak provide the goaltending that this team needs?

With their original number one goaltender, Cristobal Huet, out for the remainder of the season, the Habs now have to rely on David Aebischer and Halak to protect their net. Success comes from goaltending, and without a strong stopper, a team can’t advance far into the playoffs. But currently, Montreal is just hoping to clinch a playoff berth.

21-year-old Halak, who was drafted in the ninth round by Montreal in 2003, made his debut for the Habs on February 18 of this year. He won that game and went on extend his streak to three victories, providing the Canadiens with a slight hint of optimism, as they desparately needed star goaltending. However, after three impressive wins, the Montreal Canadiens lost in Halak’s next four starts. Aebischer then took over the number one role for three straight games, putting the rookie on the twine. After a short stint on the bench, the Bratislava native was given a second chance.

In his next two games, Halak recorded two wins, with one being his first ever NHL shutout. It seems as if he has found his stride again, to Montreal’s delight as the most crucial games are coming up.

Although Jaroslav’s stats aren’t Vezina-worthy, it just might be enough to help this team reach the playoffs. Knowing Montreal’s history of producing all-star goaltenders, it looks like Halak is their latest project.

The Canadien’s season is on the line, and they need a saviour to help them reach the promised land. Is Jaroslav Halak the answer?

Hosea C

Stop the Spaz

Everyone needs to quit ragging on Markus Naslund.

Sure, he hasn’t been as productive as the seasons before but that doesn’t mean everyone should be jumping on his back. Earlier this season, when Vancouver was lacking goals, Naslund picked up his game and was the Canuck’s only scoring threat. Now, our offense is more rounded with the Sedins and LCM line contributing while our defense is getting in on the action as well; don’t forget the Bra-barian. Also, we are winning. Yet people still call Naslund out.

Although he’s on a six game goal-scoring slump, every true fan knows that it’s due time before he’ll break out and score a couple of beauties. The captain hasn’t been consistent this season, but he’s been part of every line combination and is being thrown around by Vigneault. How do you expect him to be comfortable with his linemates?

Also, Naslund knows that he’s not producing to his standards, but lately, he’s been the last one off the ice as he works his ass of during practice. Maybe that’ll rub off on some of the other players. The captain can provide more then just goals, it’s called leadership. Vigneault can see it.

“Markus is doing a lot of extra work and knows we need him [scoring],” the coach said. “He’s staying positive, watching lots of video, trying to be better.”

For a player who led the Canucks out of the dumps the past few seasons, Naslund deserves more respect then all the bandwagoners are giving him. Stop questioning his ability to lead, he’ll do just fine.

Looking ahead to the playoffs, Naslund averages a goal-per-game in the post-regular season contests. Not bad, especially when he played with Bertuzzi, who seems to disappear in the playoffs. Maybe he doesn’t have a big body making room for him, but Naslund still has the skill to make opposing goaltenders lose jobs. It’s time to go vintage and once again instill fear into opponents with his sniping wrist shot.

For all those critics out there, just wait. For all the true fans out there, just wait, it’ll be worth it.

Hosea C

Protest Disgrace

I’m sure many or you are aware of the recent protests in Vancouver concerning the 2010 Olympics, where a bunch of anti-poverty junkies decide to stir up trouble every time a VANOC event is being held.

How do they expect citizens and the government to take them seriously and listen to what they have to say? First off, don’t complain about the Olympic Committee and BC spending too much money on the games and not on homeless people, when they have to throw around cash to hire security and buy a new flag because these rebels decide to perform childish acts. Defacing the Olympic Countdown Clock? Stealing a flag? What is this, a graduation prank? I’m pretty sure these immature actions aren’t helping their cause.

Another thing I find funny is their lame imitation of terrorists. Wow, you guys are heroes…wear masks and pretend you are saving the world by threatening to destroy a flag. Stop being cowards and show your face. The more crap like this occurs, the less support they will recieve from the public. Not only from the public, but also from the media. When they physically attacked the media during the protests, their attempt to get their message via, surprise, the media isn’t going to be beneficial. Isn’t support and exposure what they want? All they are going to recieve is negative press and it’s beginning to show. From what I’ve read so far, many of the readers responding are not happy with the violent and immature approach from the protesters. Definitely thumbs down.

Threatening to ‘ruin’ the Olympics is not only selfish, but unintelligent. Think about it. Are you actually going to have your “demands” met due to criminal acts and intrusion? Give me a break. Sure, I don’t fully agree with how the government spends money, but I’m EVEN more against what these opposers are doing.

Last time I checked, throwing a childish temper-tantrum and acting like a bunch of ignorant teenagers isn’t going to gain you respect. It just causes more money being added to the security department.

Way to ruin it for everyone.

So here’s a message to the Anti-Poverty Committee and those involved in the violent protests: Grow up and settle disputes with class. The level of crap from the protesters is higher then that of the government.

Hosea C

For more discussion on this topic, click here

A Hit for Bobby

Baseball at it’s best, haha

Chris Simon’s Stickwork

Did anyone catch NY Islander’s Chris Simon’s disgusting slash Thursday night?

After I watched the clip of it on YouTube, flashbacks of Donald Brashear/Marty McSorley and Alex Perezhogin/Garret Stafford popped into my head.

Here’s what happened, after New York Rangers’s Ryan Hollweg drove Simon into the boards with a unpenalized hit, Simon got up angrily and swung his stick with both hands, striking Hollweg’s chin and neck. Hollweg fell onto his back and rolled over on his stomach by the boards, laying there for a few minutes. Simon was ejected from the game and the ensuing penalty resulted in the game winner goal for the Rangers.

Currently, Chris Simon is suspended indefinitely.

If the NHL wants to crack down on this kind of action, they better start showing it by handling Simon’s punishment correctly. However, knowing the inconsistent nature of the league’s disciplinarians, I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Simon only got a 10 game suspension or less. Why is that? Because Hollweg got back up, had a few stitches and is not seriously hurt, plus he’ll probably be back for the Ranger’s next game.

The NHL has a bad history of judging the injury, as opposed to the action.

Perezhogin, whose stick-swinging incident occured in the AHL a few years ago, faced a one year suspension and was put on probation, with a $5,000 fine. Start taking notes NHL. A punishment similiar to this one sounds reasonable.

With another horrible on-ice attack blackening the league, the National Hockey League MUST prevent incidents, such as this, from happening, by handing out harsher punishments. If the Bertuzzi-Moore episode or the Brashear-McSorley affair did not send a message to players, then here’s another oppurtunity for Bettman and co. to once again make it clear.

And what message would that be? Keep the dirty plays and cheap shots OUT of hockey. It’s time to come down hard.

Take it from a certain loud-mouth turtle we are all too familiar with:
“Let’s just see if Colin Campbell finally does something about this stuff and doesn’t give him three games like he gave that other meathead from New Jersey”

Maybe Sean Avery finally got something right, for once.

Hosea C

CBC Turnaround?

Although I’m not a big fan of Dave Pratt, I really enjoyed his article Tuesday morning in the Province. If you havn’t read it, take a quick look in the sports section. It’s titled ‘Hiring Moore first good move CBC’s made in ages’.

Basically, it’s about CBC’s new hiring as they put Scott Moore in charge of CBC Sports.

In my view, it’s time to change leadership for one of Canada’s most notable television network. Moore brings experience as he has worked for another big sports network, TSN. He replaces Nancy Lee, who has caused and conducted a downward fall for CBC Sports. Pratt puts it perfectly when it comes to CBC’s original hiring of Lee.

“Its decision in 1996 to promote Nancy Lee out of radio to run it still stands as one of the biggest miscalculations since Napoleon decided to vacation in Moscow.”

Let me list some of the Nancy Lee’s blunders:

In the past decade, CBC has lost the CFL, the Olympics and curling

They are close to losing Hockey Night In Canada to CTV

Lee fired highly-respected commentator Chris Cuthbert

She was responsible for the contract dispute with Ron Maclean, with him nearly leaving

When it comes to her role involving Don Cherry, here was Pratt’s opinion “…her ongoing desire for political correctness has taken much of the edge off Don Cherry”

Good Riddance.

Moore is hopefully the best solution for CBC when it comes to the NHL. The current deal runs out next spring and he has already stated that his number one priority is to retain Hockey Night In Canada. Don’t mess with tradition because HNIC on any other network just isn’t the same. True hockey fans will agree with that. It’s only been a few days since he’s been in office and Moore has already made a difference. Being from the West Coast, Moore realizes the unfair treatment that Western Canadians receive from CBC. That is why he added an April 7th game, featuring the Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks, onto the CBC schedule, which originally did not hold this game. I’m enjoying his reign already.

Can Canadian hockey fans begin to feel proud, instead of ashamed, towards one of Canada’s treasures known as CBC Sports?

Let’s hope so, and let’s hope Moore is the right man for the job.

Hosea C

Depth on D

I’m pretty excited about Vancouver’s defense heading towards the stretch drive and into the playoffs. Not trying to be biased, but overall, from 1st to 6th, it’s probably one of the best defensive corp in the league.

Yes, we might not have the best defensemen in the league but our depth is incredible. With the recent acquistion of Brent Sopel, it certainly helped. Here, lets take a quick look.

When the playoffs roll around, Willie Mitchell is going to be a force on the blueline, especially when it comes to facing against the other team’s top players. Him and Kevin Bieksa makes a dangerous, hardhitting, tough pairing to play against and when Mitchell has an assignment, he plays his best. Vancouver are going to look to these two to shut down the oppositions first line. Just watch, Mitchell is going to be a difference maker in the playoffs, I’m excited.

When it comes to the second pairing, Sopel and Mattias Ohlund are actually good enough to be the first duos on most of the other teams. Ohlund used to be the player Vancouver looks to, to shut down the other teams top liners, but now the pressure is taken off him. However, he can still shut down a dangerous second line, like San Jose, and contribute offensively along with Sopel. This pair is not easy to beat, especially once they regain their chemistry and get their groove back.

The third tandem consists of Sami Salo with Krajicek or Fitzpatrick. Salo’s experience and skill makes it hard for opponents to beat him. Plus they have to be aware of his dangerous point shot. Vancouver does not have to worry as much when Krajicek or Fitzpatrick cough up the puck because there is a better chance of Salo bailing them out.

Having said all this, look beyond the blue line and what do you have? Oh right, Roberto Luongo. Now that’s a whole new story.

This defense is set for gritty, tight-knit, playoff style games, and it’s just waiting to bring Vancouver deep into the playoffs. Just watch.

Hosea C

No More Smytty

Although part of me is happy to see Ryan Smyth leave the Oilers and ultimately cost them a playoff appearance, I’m still shocked over this trade. As a Canucks fan, I don’t mind as much because Edmonton is a hated rival, but now with Smyth out of the picture, I believe the rivalry just got less intense.

Maybe some people might not admit it, but Smyth had to do with a large part of any rivalry that Edmonton had. Especially with teams from the Northwest Division, such as Calgary and Vancouver. His gritty play led to intense matches, which generated great hockey. Believe it or not, Smyth was the heart and soul of this Oilers team and with him now gone, it seems as though the fire is slowly fading away. His presence on and off the ice was overwhelming, as many have said before “he was the face of the team”.

However, time will tell when it comes to the true impact this blockbuster trade has on the organization.

From the eye of a rival, this reminds Canucks fans of a certain trade made around a decade ago involving their own heart and soul, Trevor Linden. The deal was also made to the Islanders, and there are some blaring similarities. But I believe Vancouver got more in return with Bertuzzi (later traded for Roberto Luongo), McCabe (later traded for first rounder that landed Henrik Sedin) and a draft pick (Jarkko Ruutu) coming to Vancouver. The Oilers got Ryan O’Marra (who some people are saying is a career third-line checker), Robert Nilsson (who knows?) and a first round draft pick (in a weak draft pool). I’m not going to pre-judge this trade because maybe it will benefit Edmonton a lot in the future, but I believe that they would have gotten more for Smyth, if shopped correctly.

Just like Linden did, I can see Smyth returning to the Oilers in a few years, but he won’t be the same. An era has ended in Oil Country.

I’m not hopping onto any bandwagons, or off, at all, but as a hockey fan, I would like to thank Ryan Smyth for all he’s done in regards to the rivalry between Vancouver and Edmonton, and for all the memorable playoff moments. It was fun to watch, and although the hatred was there, the appreciation and enjoyment was right behind it.

Good luck with the Islanders, Captain Canada.

Hosea C