Friday Morning Thoughts – May 1

Congratulation. It’s Friday

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Well Flames fans, it was a good run. I was expecting Calgary to have a tough time last night, simply because of their history of opening poorly on the road (now 6-14). But I didn’t think Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry would rip them apart. Wonder why those two make as much as Crosby? Because they’re just as important to the Ducks and proved their worth last night.

I don’t know what Bob Hartley can say to his team after that. The guy that has the most to prove in this series, Jonas Hiller, had as bad a night as a playoff goaltender can have (was chased after giving up 3 goals on 14 shots). They haven’t missed Mark Giordano as much as they did last night. The Ducks took Michael Ferland right out of the series let alone the game. Calgary out-muscled the Canucks to win that series and everyone said there’s “no way Ferland can keep playing like that.” If it’s caught up to him already, the Flames will be fortunate just to avoid a sweep.

Buzzer beating game winning goals? Only in the playoffs.
Time to call Joel Ward “Mr. Springtime Hockey”. There’s not a worse way to lose a series opener at home than that. The Rangers were 1.3 seconds away from the crap shoot that is overtime. But the way they played for an hour, they didn’t deserve it. The Capitals earned that win. The refs were right not to call a penalty on Nick Backstrom for his hit on Dan Boyle. Now it’s on Rick Nash, Marty St. Louis and Derick Brassard to take the pressure of Henrik Lundqvist. Because to be honest, Hank can’t handle it right now.

NBA
I couldn’t be happier that the Clippers forced a game 7. They put everything they had on the floor in game 5 and lost, at home. But somehow they pulled it out last night. Well, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul taking over is how. I give the Spurs the edge, but they are just 1-3 in the road in a seventh game. I don’t know if Steve Ballmer can handle watching his team play the NBA champions in game 7.

The Bulls/Bucks series felt most like a playoff series than any other between one team expected to destroy the other. Until last night. When the Bulls demolished the Bucks, the way we all expected them to. That might be the most pathetic performance in the history of team sports. Let alone by a team trying to force a game seven.

Would anyone really be shocked if next week Billy Donovan changes his mind on taking the Oklahoma City job? I’m sorry, I know the guy won over 500 games and the Thunder are desperate for a fresh voice in that locker room. But I just can’t trust a guy that takes the biggest job of his life, then bails on it to return to the one he was comfortable with. Would you trust a guy that meets the perfect woman, then breaks up with her to return to his decent ex? I don’t think you would.

Here’s something you’ve heard a million times this year: the future of Canada basketball is bright. Andrew Wiggins could’ve been forgiven for not winning Rookie of the Year. His lone year at Kansas was good, but not great. He gets drafted first overall, then the King comes home and instead of nurturing Maple Jordan, pushes him out. He goes to the worst team in the Western Confernce. And kills it. Well done Wiggins. Well done.

LATE THOUGHTS
Baseball without fans is weird. How did they finish that game on Wednesday in two hours? All the fan hoopla, giveaways and BS extends the game by 45-80 minutes?

Hat tip to the Montreal Impact fans that made Olympic Stadium one of the best sports venues in Canada Wednesday night. If only the Impact could’ve rewarded that love with an historic win. Getting to the final was still incredible and has raised the level of expectation in this country. If only MLS sides could avoid playing Mexican clubs in that competition…

Tuesday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 28

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Is there anything better than Game 7? Last night in DC was everything you want a deciding game to be. Unless, you’re an Islanders fan. Who needs Alex Ovechkin or Nick Backstrom in big games when ya got Joel Ward! (Big friend of the show(s)). Also easy to see why everyone called Evgeni Kuznetsov “the best player not playing in the NHL” for the last four years.

I honestly thought it was going to be John Tavares & Co.’s night. Jaro Halak was 4-0 in elimination games versus the Capitals, who were a pathetic 2-7 in game 7’s coming in. But if you shoot the puck just 11 times, you do not deserve to win a series.

I thought the Wings would finish things off last night in Detroit. But the Lightning came out like a house on fire. They were just so hungry. Not even Petr Mrazek‘s save of the decade on Brian Boyle could stop the Bolts. Tyler Johnson is becoming the new Marty St. Louis at lightning speed. Pun fully intended. Nik Kronwall has made a career of hitting guys the way he leveled Nikita Kucherov. Left his feet. Threw the elbow up. I’d be stunned if he’s playing Wednesday. Real shame for the Wings blueline.

Mats Zuccarello is out “indefinitely” and that truly is a big loss for the Rangers. The little Norwegian brings far more to that team than his statline shows. Shame that taking a slapshot to the head from Ryan McDonagh is going to keep him out.

NBA PLAYOFFS

Last night alone may have turned any Raptors fan who still planned to watch the NBA Playoffs, completely off. Why? Because three teams played desperation basketball the way you would expect an NBA team to. Fighting until the bitter end. And led by their stars.

The Blazers bought themselves another game thanks to Damian Lillard showing up to play, like Damian Lillard. It’s more impressive that the Bucks have gifted their fans a third playoff game at home. Michael Carter-Williams is growing into his NBA body. And with Deron Williams rolling back the clock, the Nets are making the Hawks prove their title as the top team in the East.

Cleveland are still the best team in the Eastern conference, but if they have to play into the third round without Kevin Love, it’s going to be a lot harder for them. Kelly Olynyk will have a target on his back the size of British Columbia the next time the Celtics play the Cavs. He was lucky to get just a one game suspension. JR Smith got two based on reputation.

I can’t wait to hear what Masai Ujiri has to say at his ‘state of the franchise’ press conference this morning. (It’s live on The Fan 590, Sportsnet 360 and sportsnet.ca at 11am)

MLB

It’s better to get the bullpen struggles out of the way at the beginning of the season… I know the road ahead doesn’t look any easier for Blue Jays fans. Especially with Jose Reyes out for who knows how long with that damn rib injury. But collectively this team will improve. I still think they’re better than the Yankees, Orioles and Rays. Drew Hutchison vs. Clay Bucholtz tonight at 6pm.

Shoutout to my buddy Dave Rhodes for the question of the night: “why do the Red Sox ALWAYS have a fat guy crushing homeruns?” Mo Vaughan. Big Papi. Big Panda. Dude’s got a point. Give him a follow. He’s hilarious.

Hopefully Josh Hamilton can recreate the living conditions and social life that helped him become one of the best hitters in baseball, when the Texas Rangers were the last American League club standing at the end of October.

Of course Madison Bumgarner is the guy to rip Max Scherzer for his criticism of the National League age old rule of putting the lumber in the pitcher’s hands. Mad Bum has hit two career grand slams!

SOCCER THOUGHTS 

For the first time in their 116 year history Bournemouth will be playing Premier League football. 37 year-old manager Eddie Howe is already being dubbed “The English Special One.” That’s one hell of a title to have coming up. When he took charge in 2009, at the age of 31, the club had won seven points from 22 matches. Bournemouth were in administration and deducted 17 points. He may not be the next Jose, but he’s a damn miracle worker. 

Leave it to Franz Beckenbauer to stir it up. He probably had a massive shit-eating grin on his face when he told Sky that Jurgen Klopp is “definitely” an option to replace Pep Guardiola, one day.

Sunday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 26

I’m sure glad I’m not a street cleaner working in Calgary this morning…

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Last night was one of the most wild, and enjoyable, nights I’ve ever worked. I didn’t think there was any way that the Canucks and Flames game could possibly top the craziness we witnessed at The Madhouse. I’ll start with the All Canadian matchup because I know there’s a handful of Canucks fans that regularly read this blog and found it pretty hard to get out of bed this morning.

Sorry. Of the 16 teams that made the playoffs, many would’ve ranked both Vancouver and Calgary as number 15 and 16. The Canucks have more talent, but the Flames had more heart and out-muscled their way to their first playoff series win in six tries. The Canucks laid out fewer hits than anybody in the first round. Michael Ferland probably has a few steaks or at least hamburgers named after him in Calgary after that series. By the end of these playoffs, they might need to build him a statue. Guaranteed he spends the off-season in an ice bath though. There’s no way one can keep banging and crashing the way he did through these six games. But if he can get under the Ducks’ skin the same way, the Flames have a real shot at upsetting the top team in the West. Who thought the Flames would be in that position at this point in the season?

Can’t help but feel bad for Pekke Rinne. Without Shea Weber commanding the defense in front of him, the big Finn did everything he could to keep the Preds in it, but the Blackhawks were just too much for him. Shame this series is over really. It was thrilling. You never knew what to expect. Thanks to yesterday, they reached a combined 18 first period goals. The Penguins and Rangers scored 19 goals in their ENTIRE series.

It’s amazing that Petr Mrazek has stolen the number one job away from Jimmy Howard in Detroit. It’s even more amazing that the Lightning have only been shutout three times this year, and every time, Mrazek has been the one between the pipes. Unless Steven Stamkos can muster a hat-trick at the Joe, the Wings wrap this up on Monday. In the playoffs, experience wins over hot talent.

Glad to see the Islanders force a game 7. I hope they win the series too. Because I want the Rangers to be the team that pulls the curtain down on the Nassau Coliseum. BOOM! (If you’re new to this site, my NY Rangers bias is obnoxious and uncontrollable.)

NBA PLAYOFFS

Credit to the New Orleans Pelicans for making the Warriors work for it in Game 3. But I don’t think there is a gambler in North America that didn’t bet Golden State to sweep this series.

The Bulls couldn’t do that in Milwaukee. Derrick Rose isn’t my favourite NBA player, but as a guy that has watched basketball for years and feels for a guy that is one of the best players in the NBA and hasn’t been able to run on the floor consistently, I’m really happy to see him contributing in the playoffs. The United Center faithful deserve to see their #1 one more time before the next round.

The Blazers are making the Grizzlies look far better than they are.

SOCCER THOUGHTS

Arsenal have their chance to take a bite out of Chelsea‘s cushion. Might this be the day that Arsène Wenger finally beats José Mourinho? If 13 is his lucky number, then yes. Because he failed the first 12 times. Jose’s sales pitch to poach Cesc Fabregas from Barca has opened up old wounds for Gooners. “I promised him he’d be an important player in our project… And that, normally, good projects end with titles.” Take comfort in this you Gunners, you know it’s only a matter of time before Fab becomes disposable, like Juan Mata, Demba Ba and somehow now, Oscar.

Toronto FC are going to come home in two weeks after seven games on the road, with three points. Is that really surprising though? Tonight against expansion club Orlando “holy shit Kaka plays there” City they’ll again be without captain Steven Caldwell and sufficient defender Mark Bloom. Good luck. They’re going to bloody need it.

MLB

As a Tigers fan, I know about Blue Jays fans’ bullpen frustrations all too well. It’s still early in the season. Castro needs to marinate in the oven a little bit. It’s Brett Cecil that would make me worried.