Blogging News

I've got some exciting news. Well, exciting for me.

I've been picked up as a blogger for the Maple Leafs Hot Stove run by Alec Brownscombe. Most of my insightful posts will be put up over there. Anything else, I'll still put up here. I'm not going to double post.

So check out Maple Leaf Hot Stove for future posts of mine and other very insightful Leaf fans and writers.

Thanks for reading my blog up to this point. I really appreciate it.

I propose a rule change

Not that it matters much on my little blog, but I'm getting quite peeved with the amount of fighting that goes on directly after a crushing body check.

It has happening all over the league and enough is enough.

I don't know when over the past 5 years it became the norm for a player to go after someone who through a big hit. It's time the NHL does something about this.

Luke Schenn has been on both sides of this equation. The first time occurred way back in October. I can't remember who was involved, but Schenn immediately went over and started a fight with the player who delivered the hit. Then last night, Schenn after destroying Malkin (easily one of the highlights of the season BTW), had to face the music against Tyler Kennedy.

This sort of behaviour is going to lead to less and less people delivering hits, as the middle weights on teams will be afraid of having to go toe to toe with a guy like Brashear, Laroque, or Boogaard.

Here's what I propose. Simple and sweet. Anyone who initiates a fight with someone who delivered a big body check for remainder of the game receives a 2 minute penalty and a 10 minute misconduct. If it happens in the last 5 minutes of the game, they are suspended for the following game.

It penalizes the team, sits down the goon for a period of time, and encourages players to enact retribution the way it is supposed to be done: catching the player with his head down and delivering a bone crushing hit in return.

Of course, we all know that won't happen with Schenn. He is omnipotent afterall.

Apathy

I was speaking with a co-worker the other day about the current state of our Leafs and how our interest relates to them.

We came to the same conclusion; We are completely apathetic towards our team. Neither ups or downs really affect us all that much. Let me explain.

As a fan, I am ecstatic when my team wins. A few years ago, the highlight of my day was when the 3rd period ticked down to 0:00 and the Leafs had more goals than their opposition. Everything that happened that day ceased to matter. The Leafs winning was the apex. That's how much I cared.

Conversely, despite how great my day had gone, if the Leafs lost, it all went out the window. From 2005-2008, a Leaf loss meant I was depressed. It was a affirmation of just how terrible the team had become and how little hope there was of it getting any better. From 98-2004 I was furious after a loss. The Leafs we're a powerhouse for most of those years and no one had any business beating them in a game of hockey.

Thus was my life as a Leaf fan. The highs we're high and the lows we're low. My friend concurred the same.

Queue 2009.

I am now completely indifferent. My emotions conflict with each event involving the Leafs. I want a good draft. I would love to have Tavares. So, part of me wants them to lose. Yet, as a lifelong fan, I can't be content with a loss. That's the source of my inner conflict and the resulting apathy.

When the Leafs get embarrased by Nashville. A good part of me is furious. Yet I receive much solace in knowing that the loss has helped contribute towards a better draft pick. Every game they lose, the better the odds. Yet I'm angry. Angry they didn't win.

Then Carolina comes to town. My Leafs take a 4 goal lead. I'm happy, cheering, and elated at the thorough embarrassment they are dishing out. Angry, that they are going to move 2 points farther from Tavares. Then Carolina erases the 4 goal lead in less than 10 minutes and I'm furious again. Furious that they could blow such a sure win. Then Tavares enters my mind. Awesome! But wait, Cam Ward lets an easy puck through, and suddenly I'm happy (angry?) again.

And thus it goes back and forth. Happy for a loss; Angry at a loss. Happy for a win; Angry for a win. Ultimately it all comes out a wash. So what can a torn Leaf fan do?

At this point, I'm just hoping to be entertained with a Leafs loss. I want to see the team play a great game, get a 2-0 lead, then lose 3-2 but be the better team.

Is it possible every game? Not likely. But I can hope.

Toughness is there; Hendrick still a weenie

Brad May has certainly brought what he was supposed to bring. Some toughness and willingness to get dirty.

It's currently between the 2nd and 3rd period of a very dirty affair between the Leafs and Canadiens. There is some bad blood, to say the least, between these two teams. Kostopoulos's pile driving of Van Ryn's face into the glass, Kostitsyn's trip of Schenn, and Grabovski's quite flagrant spear are in the minds of the players tonight. And it shows.

It has been chippy from the get go.

Thanks to Jamal Mayers for avenging the cheapshot.

I'm a believer that the bare knuckle fist fighting that goes on hockey doesn't need to be there; But I'll certainly cheer and get excited for a good old fight.

============

Am I crazy, or does Sportsnet have Paul Hendrick as a pseudo-analyst as well? I can understand why a TV station run by MLSE could make such a idiotic decision. But Sportsnet? They can do better than that.

One of Hendrick's quips tonight was this, and I'm paraphrasing slightly because I didn't write down the exact quote since my eyes went red with anger at the stupidity of this man: "Blake just pushed a Canadien player as he skated to the bench".

Really? A hockey player nudged another hockey player? That never happens. Thank you, Hendrick for advising us of that breaking news.

This man needs to be bound, gagged and locked in closet from the moment the puck drops in any hockey game within 50 miles of him, until the final whistle. He is not a hockey analyst. There are coaches of blind hockey teams that know about about hockey this guy. (Ed Note: There are actually blind hockey teams out there. My father coached one. The puck beeped. Players aren't 100% blind, but rather, legally blind.)

Anyway, I'm going back to the TV to watch the Leafs play more stellar defensive hockey and eventually lose 8-1.

I hope Ian White's Mustache gets into a fight with a Kostisyn. Either one. I'm not picky.

Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen

If someone could tell Bryan Murray just what is wrong with their team, he could make a quick buck right now.

As a hardline Leaf fan, I can't help but snicker a Ottawa's fortunes right now. For the past 12 months they have a been an absolutely dreadful hockey team. Despite being stacked with 3 of the best forwards in the league, they simply can't score goals. Their defense can't seem to overcome the loss of Redden and Meszaros. Fisher can't find the net and Vermette has been less than ordinary.

Ottawa's fall from grace has been nothing short of spectacular.

I'm loving every minute of it.

Now's the time to gloat, because much like the tides turning or the day becoming night, the fortunes will reverse and it will, again, be our turn to eat crow.

But until that day comes, I can sit here and know that my team has started their return to the top, and Ottawa has just started is trek to the bottom.

Paul Hendrick: Poor Man's Mcguire

I imagine many people reading this have spent a long time watching Leafs TV broadcasts of Leaf hockey games. I just have one question; Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to put Paul Hendrick between the benches as an ice level analyst? That person needs to be demoted.

When the NHL first allowed the media to sit between the benches during games, I was apathetic towards it. I didn't think one way or the other it would make that much of a difference. I felt it was harder to get a good overall feel for what's going on out on the ice from that position. All the interesting stuff that you really want to hear, like Avery calling someone a racial epithet, Avery making fun of someone's girlfriend, or Avery making fun of someone's serious illness, (do you detect a pattern here?) all this lovely banter would never make it to air. I didn't think it was going to impact the broadcast much.

Pierre McGuire and Glenn Healy proved me wrong. I summarily hate McGuire's penchant for calling high performers 'a monster', although that has waned in recent memory, however, his spot on analysis and keen hockey eye offered amazing insight to what was happening throughout the hockey games. Getting McGuire closer to the ice improved his ability to broadcast and analyze games. Ditto for Healy. Healy was a never an all-star goalie. However, like many former goaltenders, he's an incredibly smart hockey man. McGuire and Healy really showed how great between the bench coverage can be.

Then Leafs TV came along and destroyed it.

Paul Hendrick has a fantastic radio voice. I'm sure he would do well as a weatherman or community spotlight piece on a local TV network. His introductions to Leaf games on Leafs TV, while littered with a litany of lame alliteration (see what I did there?) and cheesy puns, decently setup the game and his voice suited perfectly as a voice over.

Fast-forward to this season and someone thought it would be a good idea to place this man, who has absolutely ZERO hockey acumen, as the on-ice analyst.

What a horrible decision. Horrible.

Hendrick adds little value to the broadcast. Every time he speaks all he does is say something that even the most novice fan would have already known. Hendrick's knowledge of the ins and outs of in-depth hockey strategy is startling low.

I've tried to give Hendrick the benefit of the doubt and give him time to grow into the role. And over time he has improved. If by improved, I mean, Hasn't improved.

Now, to be fair, Hendrick has increased the frequency of his injections of Hockey for Dummies. When he started, Hendrick would say on a good day, 3 things during the course of a period. They usually consisted of something pointless like 'Blake just took a shot' or 'Carlo maybe hurt'. Now it's up to 5 or 6 times in a period.

McGuire and Healy would provides us information on this that we're subtle. Defensive zone coverage, pinching maneuvers, rotating players to support teammates, positioning, neutral zone breakouts, details of the left wing lock, powerplay passing to spread out the defense and create seams, etc etc etc.

To be short, McGuire and Healy analyze the game the way they are supposed. Hendrick might as well be watching Sesame Street on his monitor.

Perhaps I am a Jinx and a Look at Other Strange Leaf Injuries

No sooner than I heap praise on the unexpected team leader in Matt Stajan, he goes down with a strange non-hockey related injury.

Toronto has had it's fair share of strange and/or ill-timed injuries or other maladies over the years. Here's a look a few:

Doug Gilmour
In his first game back after being traded to Toronto at the deadline in 2003, Gilmour had a career ending knee injury in the second period versus Calgary. Gimlour was clearly in the twilight of his career, however, he had scored 11 goals and added 19 assists in 61 games. Now I'm not saying he would have been the difference maker, but that series against Philadelphia was dreadful and Gilmour certainly could have provided a veteran and leadership presence on a team that managed to lose those traits as soon as the post season began.

Karel Pilar
Once a promising young defenseman, Pilar was well on his way to a solid NHL career. He wasn't a tower like Pronger, or as naturally gifted as Lidstrom, but he had all the tools to be a great player for many years. Unfortunately, in 2002, Pilar was diagnosed with a viral heart infection that was the undoing of his career. He missed too many games in some of the most important years in a defenseman's development. He managed to fight through the infection, recover and return to the AHL in an attempt to recover his career. He may have done it, if it wasn't for a relapse of the same virus that ultimately put an end to his efforts.

Luca Cereda
A player drafted 24th overall by Toronto in the 1999 entry draft, Cereda was touted as one of the smartest players in the draft and could have been a fantastic grab at 24th. But much like Pilar, Cereda succumb to a heart infection that eventually ended his career. He missed an entire season in 2000-01 recovering from heart surgery. He was added to the list of 'what could have been' when he went back to europe in 2004 before retiring in 2007.

Mikael Renberg
December 28th, 2002, while getting ready for a game, Renberg was tying his skates just as he did every game when a small blister on his hand broke. The next day he had a raging infection, high fever and his hand swelling dramatically. Quick work by the team doctors and hospital staff controlled the infection and Renberg recovered within a two weeks. Staphylococcocus Aureus is the medical term for a staph infection. Renberg was lucky. If he waited much longer, it's likely his hand would have been amputated, and at worst, he could have died.

Ed Belfour
Belfour had a simliar, yet not quite as serious infection as Renberg, earlier in the year when he cut his finger on his skate eyelet.

Mark Bell
Just when Mark Bell was beginning to show limited signs of returning to his Chicago Blackhawks form, he got into a fight with Ryan Malone and had his orbital bone shattered. Three months later Bell returned with a full face shield protecting his surgically repaired face and he proceeded to destroy Alfredsson in the hit that I had been waiting for ever since Alfredsson hit Darcy Tucker from behind in the playoffs, separated his shoulder, then scored the tie-breaking goal. See the hit here.

Bryan Berard
Marian Hossa managed to change the face of the Toronto defense corps for years to come when he proceeded to scoop out Berard's eye with an uncontrolled follow through. Careless use of the stick they call it. Thus began my hatred for Marian Hossa. You can read all about it. Berard was a fantastic talent that had great potential as a puck moving defenseman with a great shot and sound defensive awareness. He would never be the same after this. Sorry for poor quality, it was all I could find in my 30 seconds of youtubing.

I'm sure there are many other odd injuries that relate to the Leafs that I am forgetting about. If you can think of any, throw them in the comments. I'd love to have a refresher.

You can read a similar list as it relates to all sports over at Bitter Leaf Fan.

Don't look now...

Our much maligned local boy Matt Stajan is leading our Leafs in scoring.

Stajan is currently tied with Antropov with 29 points, including 20 assists. At some point between last season and this one, Stajan has channelled his inner Adam Oates and become a playmaking specialist. He's doing a lot of things right at both ends of the ice and has been a genuine treat to watch this year.

Stajan has had a rough go of it since his first year in the NHL under Pat Quinn. While arguably being a victim of the Leafs patented 'Rush the youngster to the NHL scheme' (ala Jeff Farkas), Stajan has toiled with relative mediocrity and 4th line filler status for much of the past few seasons. He has been a victim of fan animosity on more than one occasion for his soft play in the corners and lack of offensive production.

But this season has changed for him. He has put on some weight and has begun to get his nose dirty in the rough parts of the ice; The corners and the front of the net. Stajan is always there working hard, digging and getting those pucks loose for his shooter linemates to bury goals. The ones that dont' go in, Stajan is one of the first there as johnny on the spot banging home the rebounds.

Much like Antropov and Ponikarovsky, it appears Stajan has grabbed the bull by the horns and taken full advantage of Sundin's departure.

Stajan has been one the most improved forwards in the NHL this season and in a season full of positives, has been one of the brightest.

Apologies for my absence. I hope to be back in full gear.

Is Jason Blake alright?

In forty one shots against Montreal tonight, Blake only registered one.

Seriously.

Perhaps tonight can be a learning experience for the grizzled veteran. He was effective and played a decent game tonight despite the fact he didn't fire that many shots. He was a bulldog crashing the net and creating ruckus all around. His speed and tenacity is what makes him an effective player. If he can forget about trying to score a goal on every possession, we could see him become the player he is designed to be. He took a few penalties tonight, at least one of which is directly attributable to a crash the net style of play.

Poni seemed to cuddle right up to Antropov after the brilliant goal. Perhaps there's more to their friendship than meets the eye....

Very fun game to watch.

Vesa has got to start stopping some more pucks. After the 3rd goal, it was only 12 shots against. A .750 save percentage. Terrible. Granted he stopped the last 8 when they mattered, but he has to get that percentage higher overall.

The west coast swing should be fun. It's always a good time to head into Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. We'll get to see Kyle Wellwood up close and personal again. Can I still call him fatty? He's on a tear. It looks like we could have another Steve Sullivan/Freddy Modin in the making.

Not that it matters much when Grabs, Hagman and Kulemin are playing some absolutely dominant hockey right now.

Until next time...

Fatigue and Joseph

Antropov's bonehead tripping penalty in the dying minutes of the 3rd when Carolina was on their heels can only be explained by one word: Fatigue. It was physical and mental laziness. With 4 games in 6 nights, you can easily understand how a team as feisty as the Leafs could be tired.

While the penalties taken in the second stanza certainly were troubling, it wasn't nearly as troubling as the play of Cujo.

Once a premier goalie in the league, Cujo has looked merely a shell of his former self. He's been out of position, appears reactive rather than proactive and cost the Leafs 2 points tonight. While the Toronto defense certainly isn't without blame, the stabling force of solid goaltending props up your defensive core. Joseph has looked shaky and had Toskala been between the pipes, this likely would have been a win.

The Ruutu goal was a direct result of Joseph being out of position. As Ruutu came out from behind the net, Joseph was down to cover the wrap around nicely. When Ruutu didn't complete the move and instead headed out towards the faceoff dot, a goalie is supposed to go upright again then step out and cut down the angle. Joseph remained in the wrap around prevent position which totally exposed the short side high portion of the net. Not surprisingly, Ruutu buried it in this exact spot. Even Tommy Salo would have made that save... Ok.. maybe not.

The Larose goal was also a result of Joseph being out of position. Joseph has lost some agility that he has been trying to compensate for by going down early as he tries to make cross crease plays. Unfortunately, that lack of agility makes it hard for him to recover. Larose made it count by going high on the resulting scrambling.

While these 2 were glaring errors, it was a common theme all night. Joseph went down early time after time and on many of those, look awkward trying to get back into position. He didn't come out and challenge shooters leaving many corners open and seemed to be lacking a lot of confidence.

He needs to get a win soon to get his confidence back, or this could be a very trying season whenever Toskala is given the backup role. There is of course, the possibility that the NHL has finally passed him by. I love Cujo, however, if this trend continues as the season goes on, it will be his last.

Leafs get a day to recoup and will have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday against these same Hurricanes.

I suspect they will.

Currently One of the Best in the League

This Leaf team is really starting to impress me.

In back to back games, they managed to play their best game in many years, then surpass it in the following game.

What more can you say about a team that fired more shots at Brodeur then he has faced in his career? I know! They scored 5 goals in just over 5 minutes against one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season.

The Leafs are playing so well right now, it's not out of the realm of possibility to consider them currently one of the best teams in the whole league.

Now before you scoff, let's take a look a the results so far: Beat Stanley cup repeat favourite Detroit; 5 goals against Brodeur; 5 goals in 5 minutes in a win over the league's best team so far;4 times clawing back from a 2 goal deficit in the past 2 weeks, 7 points in those games; and they are outshooting opponents 235-149 over the past 6 games including an almost 2 full period stretch without giving up a shot.

If it weren't for a bad start to the season, Detroit game notwithstanding, this team would be near the top of the league.

It seems they are finding scoring and that's a good thing. I do have a very big concern on how long they can keep this intensity up, however.

Eighty-Two games is a long time to be playing this style hockey.

I'm loving it, however.

An Open Letter To Leaf Fans

Dear Most Valuable Losers:

Yesterday, continuing a long-standing trend, another Toronto reporter took a cheap shot at Leaf fans. This time it was Howard Berger who called us "losers" but we've seem the same cookie-cutter article from virtually everyone who covers the team.

Quite frankly, we've had enough.

As fans, we believe that those most deserving of our praise and our scorn are directly involved in the game, whether it's on the ice, in the press box or in the executive corridors. Fans don't pencil in the starting five, make bad trades, or write the headlines of the day and shouldn't be blamed (or praised) for the totals in the wins and loss column.

Hockey may be just a game but it's also a passion. If you're looking for passionate hockey coverage that offers insight and humour and you're sick of being blamed for supporting a team you're passionate about, you have a better option.

It's time to leave the media superstars behind. There's compelling, timely, wide-ranging content waiting just for you online in the Barilkosphere.

Many have found this better way of following the Leafs, but not every Leafs fan has been so lucky. Please send this message to your fellow Leaf fans via e-mail or postings on message boards and let them know that they do have a choice.

We hope you'll join us here in the Barilkosphere and become regular readers.

• Pension Plan Puppets
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• He Score, He Shoot!
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• Maple Leafs Hot Stove
• Old Guys in Blue and White
• The Passion That Frustrates Us All
• Repressed Optimism
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• Toronto Sports Media
• Wonderful World of Loser Domi

Berger Needs To Be Fired, Now.

What an absolute joke.

Howard Berger's latest entry is nothing short of a complete disgrace to the entire company of Rogers Communication.

It is a disgusting diatribe that reeks of unprofessionalism.

It's not even worthy of a rebuttal.

Howard Berger needs to be relieved of his duties immediately.

The only acceptable reason not to fire him would be if there is evidence that this posting was not his own.

Because even by Berger's standards, this entry is extremely belittling. So perhaps it was not actually written by him. How he manages to John-Kerry-Flip-Flop from "the NHL’s surprise team of the first three weeks" to "Arguably the worst team in the National Hockey League since the lockout" in less than 24 hours is unexplainable. The style of the entire entry doesn't even read like normal.

It all likeliness, however, it was Howard's writing.

Somehow, he's managed to find a new low. I didn't think it was possible.

Nothing Bad Can Come From Winning

I keep hearing the same debates from people regarding the Leafs and their rebuilding. "The Leafs must tank the season to get a first rounder", "They are screwing everything up by winning", etc etc.

Here's what I say to all that: Bullshit. Let me break things down.

Is the tried and tested method of rebuilding via the draft a sound one? Absolutely. But guess what? It's not the only one. Drafting a top five player more often than not yields a very capable NHL player. Occasionally it yields a superstar. And very rarely it yields a bust. So yes, drafting a number one overall pick is a great way to rebuild and create a core for many years.

However, drafting a player that high, does not guarantee a Stanley Cup. Let's review teams that drafted 1 and 2 from 1990 until 2004 and see how many cups were won with the players they drafted, shall we?

1. 1990 - #1 Quebec, Owen Nolan - 0 cups. #2 Vancouver, Petr Nedved - 0 cups.
   
2. 1991 - #1 Quebec, Eric Lindros - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Pat Falloon - 0 cups.
   
3. 1992 - #1 Tampa Bay, Roman Hamrlik - 0 cups. #2 Ottawa, Alexei Yashin - 0 cups.
   
4. 1993 - #1 Ottawa, Alexandre Daigle - 0 cups. #2 Hartford, Chris Pronger - 0 cups.
   
5. 1994 - #1 Florida, Ed Jovanoski - 0 cups. #2 Anaheim, Oleg Tevodovsky - 0 cups.
6. 1995 - #1 Ottawa, Bryan Berard - 0 cups. #2 NY Islanders, Wade Redden - 0 cups.
7. 1996 - #1 Ottawa, Chris Philips - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Andrei Zyuzin - 0 cups.
8. 1997 - #1 Boston, Joe Thorton - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Patrick Marleau - 0 cups.
9. 1998 - #1 Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier - 1 cup. #2 Nashville, David Legwand - 0 cups.
10. 1999 - #1 Atlanta, Patrik Stefan - o cups. #2 Vancouver, Daniel Sedin - 0 cups.
11. 2000 - #1 NY Islanders, Rick DiPietro - 0 cups. #2 Atlanta, Danny Heatley - 0 cups.
12. 2001 - #1 Atlanta, Ilya Kovalchuk - 0 cups. #2 Ottawa, Jason Spezza - 0 cups.
13. 2002 - #1 Columbus, Rick Nash - 0 cups. #2 Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen - 0 cups.
    
14. 2003 - #1 Pittsburgh, Mark Andre Fluery - 0 cups. #2 Carolina - Eric Staal, 1 cup.
15. 2004 - #1 Washington, Alex Ovechkin - 0 cups. #2 Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin, 0 cups.

30 #1 and #2 overall picks from 1990 - 2004, and a grand total of 2 of those won a cup with the team that drafted them... hmmmm.

This is very powerful empirical evidence against the 'Tank for Tavares (or Hedman)" theory using the exact same data that the MSM uses to prove the other side the argument.

Will Hedman and Tavares turn out to be great players? Probably. They may even win a Stanley Cup one day, just not necessarily with the team that drafts them.

So let's assume that there is more than one method to building a winner than being last overall.

Let's say as the season plods on, the Leafs continue their prudent work ethic, learn to finish a few more of the chances they are getting and are hovering around 5th or 6th in the conference by December.

The pessimist out there will scream 'They are screwing everything up!'. The realist, will recognize the team for what it is. Fifth in the eastern conference. You say to yourself, 'Self, this team isn't half bad. Perhaps Uncle Cliff has already made this team better'.

So why would you need the #1 overall pick when your team is already spades better than they were last year?

You don't. You take what assets you have, continue to build and get younger with picks. You don't need to be last to get a good pick.

Now let's assume the 'worst': In January this team is just good enough to hover around 9th or 10th in the conference. Damien and Howie are frothing at the mouth just waiting to write more trite worthy of DGB's Bingo card. What happens then? Simple. You trade everything you got at the trade deadline and fleece as much as you can from those trying to put themselves over the top.

Kubina, Kaberle, Toskala, Antropov, Poni, Anyone over the age of 28 that someone wants. You get picks and you get prospects in return, the more the better. Kaberle & Toskala would be worth a first rounder each at the deadline. Antro, if he keeps up his play could be worth a first rounder, or a late second and a prospect. Blake for anything anyone will give you.

Then the tank begins. You are already in 10th. Losing two or more of your top players all but guarantees a losing finish to the season. Which is exactly what everyone wants!

You can't go wrong with winning in this situation. The alternative is losing, and you win that way as well!

Cheer the buds and quit calling the Fan590 and complaining about everything from 'draft schmaft', to 'Schenn to the WHL', to Richard Peddie, to MLSE only cares about money' to anything else. Just realize you can't lose and cheer this team!

They are playing excellent, exciting hockey right now! It's actually fun to look forward to a game night.

Join me, will you?

Pittsburgh is fun...

Playing Pittsburgh is not.

The Pens we're too fast and too talented for the lackluster Leafs.

Some highlights of the weekend:

-While crossing the border, the US Customs guard needled us for our love of the Leafs. I was wearing my Leafs jersey. I should have known better. I quote: "How are the Leafs doing so far? One win isn't it? Buffalo hasn't lost yet (note: this was before their SO loss on Saturday). Did you know that? Only let in 5 goals too" It's nice to have a border guard that doesn't act like he just came from an invasive medical exam.

- It was really nice of the Buffalo resident who found my wallet to decide not to turn it into the gas station that I lost it at. There was about a 40 foot stretch of space between the van we were driving and the front counter where I managed to lose it. Absolutely no other spot I could have lost it but either the kiosk, the area by the gas pumps and the short distance in between. I hope that person enjoys my $240 by spending it wisely on something like extra strong filterless menthol cigarettes or an anesthesia-free surgical castration.

- The Hilton Double Tree in downtown Pittsburgh is perfect for Maple Leaf pilgrims. Stumbling distance from the arena and spectacular service!

- A young Pittsburgh fan sitting in front of our standing room only seats provided endless comedy. Each time the Pens got a penalty this little squirt turned to us and yelled 'That was a dive!' and repeated it over and over. It was great because the kid was American, about 6 years old and totally into hockey. Between the 2nd and 3rd period, his dad asked if he could have a picture taken with us. So 2 of us crouched down, squirt came running over, Crosby jersey and all, stood in front of my buddy and I who were decked in Leaf garb and took a thumbs up picture with a huge grin on his face. It was great!

- At the start of the game, the 6 of us belted out in our best half drunked tone deaf baritone each and every word of both anthems. This prompted the people in the row in front of us to turn around and say to us 'Awesome guys! Now, lets hear you do it again after the 2nd period. We want to know if more beer can make you guys sound even worse!'

- A lady walked by us wearing a 'Got Malkin?' shirt. It was amazing. We laughed and took a picture with her. She told us we we're awesome and true Leaf fans. We cheered her and she high-fived us and kept walking with her giggling children close in tow.

- I only heard one taunt of '1967!'. To which I replied in my drunken state, 'Like I haven't heard that one before! Next time beak something off original!' He smiled and got in his car. At least, that's how I remember it happening.

- Someone needs to tell the Pittsburgh jersey makers that there are other players that are employed by the Penguins besides Crosby. At one snack bar line up, I saw 5 people with jersey's on in a row, all Crosby. Just a thought... It be nice to see other jerseys. I love going to the ACC and seeing Peter Zezel, Ken Baumgartner and Mike Foligno jersey's. I wear my Al Secord jersey loud and proud! (Yes, I actually own an Al Secord jersey, and no I don't wear it outside my own house)

I love making the trip down to Pittsburgh to watch games. We always have a great time and represent Leaf nation with dignity and respect. Well, as much as can be allowed when you have been drinking since you crossed the border at 11am.

The game? Oh. I can't remember. I think they lost.

Was it a good game?

Heading to the 'burgh

I'm leaving shortly for Pittsburgh to watch our mighty Maple Leafs battle out another shutout loss!

Almost two years ago, my buddies and I made this same pilgrimage to watch the buds get spanked 7-2, I think. It was a great time. From the moment the anthems started, Leaf fans we're louder in Mellon Arena than the Pens fans were. Our anthem was sung so loud in the arena, whereas the Star Spangled Banner sounded like the ACC. You know, no emotion and/or excitement.

Our section was almost entirely Leaf fans, as we headed down with a three coach bus trip. While our section was loud and boisterous, it was all in good humor.

I can't say the same for other areas of the arena where I counted no less than 6 fights where people were thrown out, including one particularly emotional bout where 3 full rows of people got in on it.

I hope this trip leads to much fun, a Leaf win and zero fights between fans.

Hockey is meant to be a fun sport to enjoy and I'll never understand the need to throw dukes with someone that cheers for the opposition.

This trip is one we planned on our own as the bus trip was cancelled. I'll be in the standing room only section with 6 other Leaf fans cheering our asses off at every hit, goal and fight(on the ice) that takes place.

Enjoy the game!

I hate Marian Hossa

I hate Marian Hossa.

Yes, actually hate. My blood boils whenever I see that mug on television. Here's a short list of the reasons why.

1. He's a former Ottawa Senator. Ottawa Senators represent to me a group of whiney sore losers who cower when the going gets tough. Four straight playoff exits at the ends of the supposedly inferior Maple Leafs (Yes, I am allowed to bring this up despite the regular season results); a Stanley Cup final choking display unlike anything we've seen since Toronto's 6 shot showing against the Devils in 2000 to lose in the second round; a 3rd period collapse that they had the nerve to blame on a 1 celled organism, granted "Krusty" Alfredsson took the high road; Magnus 'Stickwork' Arvedson getting pummelled by Domi after repeatedly provoking him; Martin Havlat kicking then Boston Bruin Hal Gill; I could go on and on. The point is, they are weenies.

2. He's better at hockey in a coma then I will ever be.

3. His name is Marian. Mary Ann. He has a girls name. So from now on, whenever you watch a game of hockey and Mary Ann Hossa touches the puck, I want you all to say in a reserved, direct fashion "That guy's name is Marian" then snicker to yourself. You will feel better and your friends will laugh. Trust me. I have a friend that does this constantly and we still laugh every time he does it, despite having heard it well over a hundred times.

4. He jumped ship to the team that beat him in the finals. It's gutless and I won't respect his Stanley Cup ring when he gets it this year. The only thing worse than that would be if Johnny Damon left the Red Sox and signed with the Yankees. That happened already? Crap. Ok, the only thing worse would be if Manny Ramirez signed with the Yankees in the off-season.

5. Bryan Berard. This damn senator Mary Ann Hossa couldn't control his follow through and destroyed what would have been a spectacular career and a dominating blue line for the Leafs. There's no telling how good a player Bryan Berard was going to get. He was a slick moving, up and coming defenseman with all the promise in the world. In a split second, Mary Ann changed the face of the Leafs and robbed them of a Stanley Cup.... Ok, maybe not. But it was a drastic change that the Leafs had to deal with as Berard was to be part of their plans on the back end for years to come.

This moment in time gave birth to a new word.


Hossa
-Verb
1. To be the recipient of a high stick infraction that may or may not draw blood

Berard was hossa'ed by the opposition.

-Noun
1. A player who is known for his frequent high stick infractions
2. A high stick infraction

McSorely is a real hossa'er. Wayne Gretzky committed the most obvious hossa ever in history to everyone without the name Kerry Fraser.

-Adjective
1. To be in danger of committing a high stick infraction

Mary Ann is really hossa'ing it up out there.

Feel free to add more of your own.

Next time you are watching a game with your fellow Leaf fans always remember to replace the term "high sticking" with "Hossa'ing".

As I finish writing this entry, I realize one more thing about Marian Hossa: The longer you look at and type the word Hossa, the more foolish you realize the word looks and sounds.

I hate you, Marian Hossa.

No So Great Follow up

In stark contrast to Thursday, the Leafs we're flat, undisciplined, uninspired and for most of the night, shell shocked.

Could this be a sign of what this team actually is? Yes. A team of hard working, fresh faces, and a group that's trying to become a new identity. In an environment such as currently exists on Toronto, efforts like tonight are bound to happen.

You take them for what they are; A prime example of what happens when you rebuild a team. There will be nights like Thursday where you see promise and direction. Then there will be nights like tonight where you see confusion and clutter.

There we're some positives of note:

• Carlo made the collective hold their breath while we witnessed what could have been the end to the Carlo Injury Pool. Thankfully, it's not over yet.
  

• Matt Stajan did his best "I just got my face re-arranged by plexiglass but I'm going to pretend it didn't hurt" impression.

• The game could have had an entirely different feel if the Leafs scored in the first instead of marking up the post with vulcanized rubber when it was 0-0 still.
  

• Antropov would be a real hit at weddings; His chicken dance to score a no-goal was fantastic.

Faceoffs were improved over Thursday. Three shots hit the iron. It wasn't all bad.

All the games can't be near perfection as they were two nights ago.

Take that with you to sleep tonight as we brace ourselves for some real nasty articles in the press tomorrow.

Howerd Berger is lame; He said so himself.

Those of us that froth for Leafs news as much as we do sometimes can't help ourselves. We continually open websites that contain editorials that we know are going to make us angry.

It's a sickness that is hard to control

But we do it anyways, because quite frequently, we get to poke fun at the mittenstringers for gems such as Howard HamBerger wrote last night.

"Toronto rooters pouring onto Jefferson Avenue in unfettered euphoria, oblivious to the rather lame taunts of “42 years!… 42 years!” from the losing patrons on this night "

Are you kidding me? Seriously, did Howie '1967' Berger actually write that line?? Did the radio beat writer that constantly bashes us over the head with reminder that our Buds haven't won the cup in 41 years actually scoff at people for using the exact same taunt he uses himself on a regular basis?

There you have it folks. From the hand of Berger himself; Howard Berger is lame.

You can't make this stuff up.

Great Start

Tonight was a really nice event to witness. Not the Wings banner raising ceremony, but rather the Leafs playing the defending champions hard. They back checked, they clogged the neutral zone, created turnovers, and out worked the Wings just as much as they were out worked.

Against the behemoth, that's pretty encouraging.

There was a lot of promise out there tonight. Kulemin lit the lamp on a gorgeous top shelf goal after a burst of speed capitalizing on a turnover. Dominic Moore played a fantastic game scoring a gritty goal and showing lots of tenacity.

Another amazing statistic? Two, count them, two penalties all night. Against a team as fast as Detroit, that's a great statistic. Ok, three. But I don't count that silly 'puck over the glass' delay of game late in the third, even though it gave Detroit a 6 on 4 advantage.

As I have contended, not officially on this blog, but anyone who thinks the Leafs are going to finish dead last in the NHL, *coughbergercough*, is completely out to lunch and clearly hasn't been watching the pre-season.

They have worked hard, shown grit, determination and most important, are buying the Wilson system.

The trap was delivered as designed tonight. Time after time, the speedy, more skilled Red Wings we're thwarted with turnovers and counter attack unlike anything we've seen in Toronto for a long time.

Most importantly, it wasn't boring.

As the season plays out, there will be their fair share of losses. But in the world of 3 point games, I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs are chasing down a final playoff spot come April.

Although, I'm not expecting it either.