Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I'm ready for the NLL season
My season tickets for the 2010 NLL Champion Buffalo Bandits have been ordered; American money has been taken out of the bank; and my jerseys are in my dresser waiting patiently for the call. I even had a bit of practice cheering as I encountered some Sabres fans last night after work on the short walk to the train. They noticed my Bandits hat so I joined them in some Let's Go Buffalo! chants and such. Now I only have forty some extremely long days to get through before the season starts and I'm sitting in the comforts of HSBC arena munching on their nachos.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Narrow minds amuse me
I realized today how much I enjoy wearing junior teams jerseys to work, especially those that resemble NHL teams. For those unfamiliar with Toronto, most Torontonians only care about professional teams and sports and can only assocaite with professional sports teams even though some amateur sports are more entertaining (there are those who enjoy the semi-pro and even amateur sports but from my experience these people are in the vast minority in Toronto).
Today I am wearing a Kitchener Rangers jersey and since they are (or at least were) very closely linked to the NHL Rangers, their jerseys are almost a spliting image of each other with the exception of the word Kitchener instead of New York on the shoulder emblems. But, man, am I getting a lot of looks today.
I love these narrow minded people in Toronto.
Today I am wearing a Kitchener Rangers jersey and since they are (or at least were) very closely linked to the NHL Rangers, their jerseys are almost a spliting image of each other with the exception of the word Kitchener instead of New York on the shoulder emblems. But, man, am I getting a lot of looks today.
I love these narrow minded people in Toronto.
2010 NLL season
Well, we are just a couple months away from the start of the NLL season and a couple weeks away from the start of training camps. Who will be the most improved? Who will fall to the bottom of the league? The end to our wait is in sight.
What's up with the Generals?
Just when I think the Oshawa Generals have come together as a team and are playing to their potential, they go and lose three in a row. Not to very good teams either. Last Friday they lost 2-1 to the Guelph Storm before getting manhandled by the Sarnia Sting Sunday night (6-2 loss) and then last night they lost 6-4 in Peterborough.
It is looking like it will be a long roller coaster type season for the Gens unless they can find a way to play a full 60 minutes every game. They do have some talented kids on the team but perhaps they are too young to be much of a threat this year. I'm just hoping they continue to improve and the entertainment level also continues to increase.
It is looking like it will be a long roller coaster type season for the Gens unless they can find a way to play a full 60 minutes every game. They do have some talented kids on the team but perhaps they are too young to be much of a threat this year. I'm just hoping they continue to improve and the entertainment level also continues to increase.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Mann Cup 2009
The matchup for the 2009 Mann Cup has been set and it will be a rematch of the 2008 cup final, except this year it will be played on the west coast. Is the addition of Shawn Williams enough for the Brampton Excelsiors to defend their title or will the exceptional goaltending of Matt Roik and Tyler Richards of the New Westminster Salmonbellies exact some revenge from last year? I like Brampton's odds although I haven't seen the 'bellies play this year so my opinion is totally meaningless. All games will be available for viewing for $9.95 per game so head on over to the WLA website on September 4 for game 1.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bad luck traveller
After an unwanted hiatus from the lacrosse arena's I was able to get to the Bunker in Brampton to see the MSL seim-final series game last night. Similar to the last visit to the Powerade Centre, I was rooting against the home team and for the second time in a row, the visiting team failed to show up (this time almost literally).
After a late arrival into Brampton, the St Regis Indians had less than fifteen minutes to warm up. A far cry from the usual double warmups they get. When the game began it was apparent the short warmup was not enough to shake out the bus legs. Thanks to some decent saves by the Indians netminder and some even better saves by the posts behind him, the game was kept close in the first period. In the second, the Excelsiors pounced and took an 8-2 lead into the second intermission. I had to leave before it was over since my son was rather tired (it was a couple hours past his bedtime) but it didn't get much better for the visitors. 13-3 was the final score.
The previous game I ended up at the Powerade Centre for, the Peterborough Lakers' offense failed to show up and dropped their second to last regular season game 7-6. I was hoping for a Peterborough win only because that would have put a St Regis / Brooklin first round matchup a little closer to happening. That would have meant I could have seen Tavares without the hour drive. The only other game I travelled for this year was the Green Gaels ugly 4-1 loss in Newmarket.
I am beginning to think that I bring bad luck to these teams. Good thing the season is almost over then. Maybe I should just start rooting for the Excelsiors when I go there...
After a late arrival into Brampton, the St Regis Indians had less than fifteen minutes to warm up. A far cry from the usual double warmups they get. When the game began it was apparent the short warmup was not enough to shake out the bus legs. Thanks to some decent saves by the Indians netminder and some even better saves by the posts behind him, the game was kept close in the first period. In the second, the Excelsiors pounced and took an 8-2 lead into the second intermission. I had to leave before it was over since my son was rather tired (it was a couple hours past his bedtime) but it didn't get much better for the visitors. 13-3 was the final score.
The previous game I ended up at the Powerade Centre for, the Peterborough Lakers' offense failed to show up and dropped their second to last regular season game 7-6. I was hoping for a Peterborough win only because that would have put a St Regis / Brooklin first round matchup a little closer to happening. That would have meant I could have seen Tavares without the hour drive. The only other game I travelled for this year was the Green Gaels ugly 4-1 loss in Newmarket.
I am beginning to think that I bring bad luck to these teams. Good thing the season is almost over then. Maybe I should just start rooting for the Excelsiors when I go there...
NLL needs change in philosophy
With the National Lacrosse League’s third attempt at the Big Apple ending in failure, it is time for the league to come to terms with their position in the world of sports, that being a minor sports league. For those not yet in the know, the NLL announced yesterday that the Titans franchise will move from New York to Orlando, Florida for the upcoming 2010 season. This is the third announcement involving NLL franchises this off season after the Portland Lumberjax announced they were ceasing operations and the San Jose Stealth announced their relocation to Everett, WA.
Until the NLL has some franchise stability, this league will never gain the long sought after major league status. Sure it is a professional league but it is constantly compared to the Arena Football League and that league recently announced it is suspending operations indefinitely. The time has come (if it hasn’t been here for a few years already) for the NLL to focus on solidifying the current franchises and showing the media and the public that the league is sustainable. Once that happens then maybe, just maybe, ESPN2 and TSN2 (or Sportsnet) will pick up some games again. After the league gets some solid nationwide exposure throughout Canada and the US, then, and only then, should the league consider expanding. The league is currently on the path to joining the AFL in the land of invalid sports leagues and lacrosse is too good for that.
Until the NLL has some franchise stability, this league will never gain the long sought after major league status. Sure it is a professional league but it is constantly compared to the Arena Football League and that league recently announced it is suspending operations indefinitely. The time has come (if it hasn’t been here for a few years already) for the NLL to focus on solidifying the current franchises and showing the media and the public that the league is sustainable. Once that happens then maybe, just maybe, ESPN2 and TSN2 (or Sportsnet) will pick up some games again. After the league gets some solid nationwide exposure throughout Canada and the US, then, and only then, should the league consider expanding. The league is currently on the path to joining the AFL in the land of invalid sports leagues and lacrosse is too good for that.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
None too impressed!
Last Friday night I rushed home from work, skipped dinner, packed up some crackers and juice for my son, and drove an hour to Newmarket to watch the Clarington Green Gaels take on the hometown Saints.
The Gaels came out flat and scored only one goal the entire game despite getting numerous powerplays. Had it not been for the stellar goaltending of Zack Higgins, the game would have been a blowout but as it was, Newmarket had a hard time getting the ball past Higgins. Finally in the third period Newmarket pulled away with the 4-1 win. Then last night, the Gaels travelled to Markham to face the Ironheads and they scored 21 goals in a 21-5 victory. Twenty-one goals! After scoring only 1 their previous game. What the heck happened in Newmarket??? I feel cheated!
Clarington ends their regular season tomorrow night at home against Huntsville. They have already clinched first place in the Mid East Division and at 18-1, they will be the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the league for the playoffs.
The Gaels came out flat and scored only one goal the entire game despite getting numerous powerplays. Had it not been for the stellar goaltending of Zack Higgins, the game would have been a blowout but as it was, Newmarket had a hard time getting the ball past Higgins. Finally in the third period Newmarket pulled away with the 4-1 win. Then last night, the Gaels travelled to Markham to face the Ironheads and they scored 21 goals in a 21-5 victory. Twenty-one goals! After scoring only 1 their previous game. What the heck happened in Newmarket??? I feel cheated!
Clarington ends their regular season tomorrow night at home against Huntsville. They have already clinched first place in the Mid East Division and at 18-1, they will be the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the league for the playoffs.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Slow start leads to history books in Rimouski
The Windsor Spitfires started the Memorial Cup going 0-2 with a game to play against the perfect 2-0 Kelowna Rockets last Tuesday. It has been suggested that Kelowna took it easy in that game leading to a Windsor win that forced a tiebreaker game. Obviously, this will never been proven but this game gave the Spits the confidence they were in desperate need of.In the tie-breaker the OHL champion defeated the host Rimouski Oceanic 6-4 and then went on to defeat the QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs 3-2 in overtime. That led to a rematch of Kelowna versus Windsor in the final game. Windsor did not allow for any doubt as they scored on their first three shots to take a 3-0 early first period lead. They traded singles between the next two periods and the game ended 4-1 Windsor. In winning the Cup, Windsor became the first team to ever win the Memorial Cup after losing the first two games.
Despite losing some players for next year, the Spitfires could be even better. But we will let them all enjoy the win for the next couple months.
As for the tournament awards, Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires, was named tournament MVP, Jamie Benn, Kelowna Rockets, was the tournaments Top Scorer, Yannick Riendeau, Drummondville Voltigeurs, was the Most Sportsmanlike and Marco Cousineau, Drummondville Voltigeurs, was the Most Outstanding Goaltender. Finally, the all-star team is as follows:
Forward – Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
Forward – Jamie Benn, Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Patrice Cormier, Rimouski Oceanic
Defence – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Defence – Tyler Myers, Kelowna Rockets
Goaltender – Marco Cousineau, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Friday, May 15, 2009
2009 Champion's Cup final
Well it is finally here, the 2009 Champion’s Cup final. The top team from the West (and the league overall) will host the top team from the East in a one game showdown. The mighty Titans from New York will make the long trek to Calgary to face off against the home town Roughnecks. Many expected to see a rematch from the 2004 Champion’s Cup but an almost flawless defensive effort by the Titans last weekend crushed the hopes of a repeat for Banditland.
Allowing just three goals against the star-studded Bandits surely has the Titans entering the game as favourite's right? They not only defeated the defending champs but embarrassed them. Lead by Casey Powell on offense and Matt Vinc on defense, with a hard working supporting cast, these Titans really live up to their team name but are still considered underdogs for tonight’s game. Do they care? Not at all. They will play a full 60 minutes and give the Roughnecks all they can handle. Will that be enough to hoist their first cup? I personally don’t think they will be able to contain all the offensive threats Calgary has.
Calgary has been the top team in the league since game one. They easily handled their two playoff opponents so far and look to do the same to the Titans. Coming in as favourites, Calgary is looking to Matt King to continue his stellar play between the pipes. Even with their many offensive threats (Sanderson, Kelusky, Toth…), the Roughnecks will also need to put in a solid 60 minutes if they plan on raising a second banner to the rafters. They will also be out to prove a point as not a single player from the Roughnecks earned any end of year hardware (except their coach) despite being the top team all year. They only had one player named to the all-pro teams and that was Josh Sanderson for the second team.
Along with Casey Powell, I think containing Brendan Mundorf and Jordan Hall will be key to Calgary’s victory. Calgary plays as a team and will come back hard if they get down early. In the end Calgary will prevail in a close game. The score at the end may not reflect how close this game will be.
Allowing just three goals against the star-studded Bandits surely has the Titans entering the game as favourite's right? They not only defeated the defending champs but embarrassed them. Lead by Casey Powell on offense and Matt Vinc on defense, with a hard working supporting cast, these Titans really live up to their team name but are still considered underdogs for tonight’s game. Do they care? Not at all. They will play a full 60 minutes and give the Roughnecks all they can handle. Will that be enough to hoist their first cup? I personally don’t think they will be able to contain all the offensive threats Calgary has.
Calgary has been the top team in the league since game one. They easily handled their two playoff opponents so far and look to do the same to the Titans. Coming in as favourites, Calgary is looking to Matt King to continue his stellar play between the pipes. Even with their many offensive threats (Sanderson, Kelusky, Toth…), the Roughnecks will also need to put in a solid 60 minutes if they plan on raising a second banner to the rafters. They will also be out to prove a point as not a single player from the Roughnecks earned any end of year hardware (except their coach) despite being the top team all year. They only had one player named to the all-pro teams and that was Josh Sanderson for the second team.
Along with Casey Powell, I think containing Brendan Mundorf and Jordan Hall will be key to Calgary’s victory. Calgary plays as a team and will come back hard if they get down early. In the end Calgary will prevail in a close game. The score at the end may not reflect how close this game will be.
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