About time, a hockey game that was exciting to watch. Lots of back and forth tonight with the Leafs / Rangers game, result? A hard won 2-1 win by the Buds.
Thoughts?
#1- Raycroft stole this one, yeah he can do that.
#2-Shanny's controversial goal? Not really that controversial, no kicking motion (just some clever skate angling)
#3-Pony got crushed in one of the better hits i've seen this season...even if it was a tad late.
Comming Saturday is the next instalment of the Battle of Ontario, ooo, exciting.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Back In Bidness
With the All-Star break over and the NHL getting back into the swing of things brings the return of me posting about hockey. Took a break, whatever, I'm lazy.
Now where do things sit? The Young-Stars game was more entertaining that the All-Star game, the skills competition was as boring as it always is (minus the shoot out competition, I always enjoy watching Crosby tear it up, some say that kid is the future of hockey or something).
And what wonderful news us Leaf fans were privy to when the break ended. Not only is Wellwood sidelined for up to 2 months due to sports hernia surgury, but Tucker is also going to be gone for a bit longer, apparently he was miss-diagnosed by Leaf medical (what a surprise) and was, infact, not healing at all. Look to see him make a comeback in the future (yup I'm optimistic enough to make that wild ass prediction).
Well the Buds get tonight off so hopefully they are good and rested and do some good on the ice, these next 10 games are gonna be crutial for their playoff hopes. Hey, they still have playoff hopes, dont be so negative, buck up champ!
Now where do things sit? The Young-Stars game was more entertaining that the All-Star game, the skills competition was as boring as it always is (minus the shoot out competition, I always enjoy watching Crosby tear it up, some say that kid is the future of hockey or something).
And what wonderful news us Leaf fans were privy to when the break ended. Not only is Wellwood sidelined for up to 2 months due to sports hernia surgury, but Tucker is also going to be gone for a bit longer, apparently he was miss-diagnosed by Leaf medical (what a surprise) and was, infact, not healing at all. Look to see him make a comeback in the future (yup I'm optimistic enough to make that wild ass prediction).
Well the Buds get tonight off so hopefully they are good and rested and do some good on the ice, these next 10 games are gonna be crutial for their playoff hopes. Hey, they still have playoff hopes, dont be so negative, buck up champ!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
All Star Break
Well in their last game before the All-Star break the Leafs were listless and undisciplined and the Penguins feasted upon them like so many fish. I missed this game and am glad I did, because I always want to cheer for Crosby, but find it an odd situation when he and his compatriarts are mauling my favourite team.
Alas, lets hope this break gives Tucker the recovery time he needs and he comes back flying, maybe light a spark under his team.
Alas, lets hope this break gives Tucker the recovery time he needs and he comes back flying, maybe light a spark under his team.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Bite Me Leafs TV
You know what sucks most about Leafs TV? I don't have it, I missed the 10-2 thumping of the Bruins and several other games I really wanted to see this year, and now I get to miss another because they are only EXCLUSIVLY on Leafs TV. And of course I can't afford Leafs TV so bah.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Where To From Here?
Well Leaf nation (and all you wayward fans of other teams). Where do the Leafs go from here? The season is half over, they buds are on the cusp of a playoffspot and are playing as inconsistant as Donald Trumps hair line (zing!).
As most Leaf fans know, there are actually two Leaf teams. The hard working, forchecking machine, lead by super-Swedish-meatball Mats Sundin-o-matic. This team is known to be able to beat any team in the NHL and soundly and blow out teams like the Bruins and Rangers with relative ease. Then there is the second Leafs team, the one that sufferes from poor defensive coverage and no pep in the shorts of the offensive lines. Not to mention when this team shows up, Andrew Razorcroft seems to have lapses in both confidence and judgement.
Solutions? The grapevine seems to state that maybe keeping as many of the present Marlies that are in the line up as possible, when injured players such as Tucker, Wellwood, and the Soviet Blocks retourn. At present this isnt much of an issue, bearing in mind that all but Pony don't look l ike they will be back anytime soon. Will this help? Possible, but it is not the answer, you need your most skilled players in the line up....they just have to work, figure out how to do that and the Buds will be A-Ok (notice I didn't say anything bad about Belak...theres a first).
Goaltending. Another major issue. Raycroft has been the whipping boy and it is not totally undeserved as he has a tendancy to let in atleast one bad goal a game, usually at the worst possible time. He is also critisized for not being a game breaker like previous Leaf netminders Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph were known to be when the chips were down in The T-Dot. Lets analize that. Comming into Toronto, both Cujo and the Eagle were proven number one goaltenders in their mid to late 30's, they had nothing to prove they were also used to vasts ammounts of pressure and relished in it, hell they are both pretty much guarenteed spots in the hall of fame. Raycroft is a kid, comming off a very rough, very discouraging season where he was treated like an outhouse by the Bruins. The thing is, he has the tallent, more than proven by his rookie season. All Raycroft needs too become all he can be is some time and some convidence, when he dosnt have the jitters, he shows the potential underneath.
Solutions? Sorry JS Aubin, you are not it, you are a part of it, but not it. Aubin is good for what he does at present. Beinga steady, experianced back up who can step into a game and preform competantly. Contrary to what many Leafs 'Faithful' have stated, he is not the saviour, he is not a replacement, he is not a number one goaltender. Sure he got on a roll at the end of last season, but what does that mean in the long run? How about this season? What has he done for me latly? He has been steady, but less that spectacular. Give Andrew Razorcroft some time, and your support. The Leaf twine will be fine.
Now go get those friggen Hurricanes.
As most Leaf fans know, there are actually two Leaf teams. The hard working, forchecking machine, lead by super-Swedish-meatball Mats Sundin-o-matic. This team is known to be able to beat any team in the NHL and soundly and blow out teams like the Bruins and Rangers with relative ease. Then there is the second Leafs team, the one that sufferes from poor defensive coverage and no pep in the shorts of the offensive lines. Not to mention when this team shows up, Andrew Razorcroft seems to have lapses in both confidence and judgement.
Solutions? The grapevine seems to state that maybe keeping as many of the present Marlies that are in the line up as possible, when injured players such as Tucker, Wellwood, and the Soviet Blocks retourn. At present this isnt much of an issue, bearing in mind that all but Pony don't look l ike they will be back anytime soon. Will this help? Possible, but it is not the answer, you need your most skilled players in the line up....they just have to work, figure out how to do that and the Buds will be A-Ok (notice I didn't say anything bad about Belak...theres a first).
Goaltending. Another major issue. Raycroft has been the whipping boy and it is not totally undeserved as he has a tendancy to let in atleast one bad goal a game, usually at the worst possible time. He is also critisized for not being a game breaker like previous Leaf netminders Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph were known to be when the chips were down in The T-Dot. Lets analize that. Comming into Toronto, both Cujo and the Eagle were proven number one goaltenders in their mid to late 30's, they had nothing to prove they were also used to vasts ammounts of pressure and relished in it, hell they are both pretty much guarenteed spots in the hall of fame. Raycroft is a kid, comming off a very rough, very discouraging season where he was treated like an outhouse by the Bruins. The thing is, he has the tallent, more than proven by his rookie season. All Raycroft needs too become all he can be is some time and some convidence, when he dosnt have the jitters, he shows the potential underneath.
Solutions? Sorry JS Aubin, you are not it, you are a part of it, but not it. Aubin is good for what he does at present. Beinga steady, experianced back up who can step into a game and preform competantly. Contrary to what many Leafs 'Faithful' have stated, he is not the saviour, he is not a replacement, he is not a number one goaltender. Sure he got on a roll at the end of last season, but what does that mean in the long run? How about this season? What has he done for me latly? He has been steady, but less that spectacular. Give Andrew Razorcroft some time, and your support. The Leaf twine will be fine.
Now go get those friggen Hurricanes.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Golden Boys
Congradulations Canadian Juniours on your Gold medal.
Congradulations Carey Price on your MVP
And congradulations to Toews for getting away with dropping the F-Bomb on National TV
Congradulations Carey Price on your MVP
And congradulations to Toews for getting away with dropping the F-Bomb on National TV
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Golden Opportunity
That other Maple Leaf bearing team which I support(you know, the one doing well) is on its way to play for gold against....well as it sits now, 15 mini-wheats into the third period, Ze Russians.
I like this, just because 9 times out of 10, when ever Les Canadien play the reds it is a good game. Third year in a row for Canada VS Russia in the finals, but it never gets old.
Its gonna be a tough one and will require the Canadian defensive wall to step up big. That hasn't really been a problem this tournament though. Also Mr Price is on the ball.
Here's to another gold.
Go Canada Go.
UPDATE - Russia 4 Sweden 2, its official.
I like this, just because 9 times out of 10, when ever Les Canadien play the reds it is a good game. Third year in a row for Canada VS Russia in the finals, but it never gets old.
Its gonna be a tough one and will require the Canadian defensive wall to step up big. That hasn't really been a problem this tournament though. Also Mr Price is on the ball.
Here's to another gold.
Go Canada Go.
UPDATE - Russia 4 Sweden 2, its official.
Monday, January 1, 2007
40" Of Love
Several wonderful things happened today, I got to watch my first Leaf game on the new 40" LCD teevee, and then I got to watch the Leafs win on the new 40" LCD teevee.
The team played well and it was good to see Tucker and Carlo back in the line up, both looking in fine form.
It was also nice to see Belak make me eat my words and actually get physical, with a guy as big as a real Bruin himself, Mr. Chara no less. Not much of an exchange but Belak showed no fear. He needs to display that fire more often, make that 230lbs of his actually noticable on the ice.
Sundin showed again that he is king of Sweed mountian breaking into the top 40 point scorers of all time.
Thursday is another game against the Bee's, lets hope they can whoop em again.
The team played well and it was good to see Tucker and Carlo back in the line up, both looking in fine form.
It was also nice to see Belak make me eat my words and actually get physical, with a guy as big as a real Bruin himself, Mr. Chara no less. Not much of an exchange but Belak showed no fear. He needs to display that fire more often, make that 230lbs of his actually noticable on the ice.
Sundin showed again that he is king of Sweed mountian breaking into the top 40 point scorers of all time.
Thursday is another game against the Bee's, lets hope they can whoop em again.
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