Tying Up Lose Ends

The Boston Red Sox have called themselves World Series Champions, for a second time in four years, since Friday October 26 when they beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3 in game four. Despite my earlier convictions that the MLB is fixed, I highly doubt that was the case for the final round. I don't think people who get paid more in one year than the American President gets in a lifetime would agree to get embarrassed like the Rockies did in this years World Series. Unfortunately, Colorado lacked the necessary experience, or became too complacent on their eight days rest, to beat such a cohesive unit that had got hot at the right time.

Canada Settles for Silver: The 2007 World Ringette Championship ended yesterday (November 3, 2007) when Finland defeated Canada 5-4 at the Ottawa Civic Centre Arena. The tournament featured one team from four countries: Sweden, Finland, Canada & the United States of America. Canda and Finland dominated the four day competition as they each shutout the team for the US and only allowed two goals versus Sweden. Finland outscored their competition 88-7 while Canada outscored their competition 55-12 (not including the Gold medal game). In the Gold medal game, Canada looked to avenge their 10-5 loss to Finland in the round robin by jumping out to a 3-1 first period lead. Finland quickly tied the game in the second but Canada managed to score one to take a 4-3 lead into the third period. Finland tied the game with just over a minute to go in the game and eventually won the game at 11:06 of the first overtime period.

An Elite Club: Peter DeBoer became the fifth coach in Ontario Hockey League history to win 500 games in the league. On Friday November 2, 2007, the Kitchener Rangers came from behind to beat the Erie Otters 4-3 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium to earn their coach a spot in history. I think the only thing that will be nicer for Peter this year, is if he can lead the Rangers to a Memorial Cup victory on home ice in May. For more details and reactions on Peter's accomplishment visit the OHL website. The other members of the 500 win club are Brian Kilrea, Bert Templeton, Larry Mavety and Dick Todd.

It's On Again!: The NLL season is back on. A seven year agreement was reached late last month and a new schedule has been devised. The season now begins in Colorado on December 29, 2007. There were two casualties of this mess, the Arizona Sting and the expansion Boston Blazers will sit out the 2008 season and will hopefully return for 2009.