You can't help but be excited.
The Leafs are now 3-0 after an exciting win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. TSN host James Duthie cheekily mentioned Toronto is at the top of the standings, hardly anything to read into much. Still, it was another character win for the Leafs.
They slayed last year's demons by beating Montreal in the season opener, sent a message to the rival Senators by pummeling them 5-1, and tonight they managed to hold off a win-hungry Pens team who haven't won in their new building yet. Gustavsson was clutch down the stretch, kicking his pad out to stop glorious scoring chances. Although the Leafs had only two shots in the third period, they skated hard until the last whistle. While they've only played three games, the Leafs have earned their stripes, and wear those patches with what to me looks like pride.
I think it's reasonable to be so excited. There's no doubt the Leafs will lose soon, possibly many when all is said and done, but absolutely no one can say that this is the same team from last year. Players like Mike Brown, Colby Armstrong, and Kris Versteeg have added hustle and heart -- suddenly third periods don't seem so bad. It helps when your goalie makes saves.
So far, Burke's additions have been just what the doctors ordered.
A little life blood to go with that truculence.
7.10.10
Turning Over A New Leafs Season
We are hours away from the start of the 2010-2011 NHL hockey season and I'm all giddy inside.
But before the city burns after the Leafs' first win, and before we call for Ron Wilson's head after a string of losses, let's reflect on the changes the team has gone through and why this time around, it is not stupid to be optimistic. There are many new faces, but the two biggest changes are attitude and depth.
The Maple Leafs are trying to prove they are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL. Brian Burke vows his pack has a winning attitude -- or as I like to call it, swag. To me, it's not so much the winning attitude as it is their unwillingness to surrender that makes me breathe easier. The Leafs seem to have a never-say-die attitude coming into the season, a stark contrast from the debauchery of a team that essentially let Andrew Raycroft prance around on his old stomping ground and celebrate in triumph despite being up by three goals. The Leafs made him look like he was worth trading Tuukka Rask... but that is another tragedy altogether.
The other area of improvement is organizational depth. I love (hate) it when reader comments say that Burke should be fired because he wasn't able to bring high end offensive talent this year. It stuns me at how shortsighted some people are. First off, you can't make lemonade without the lemons. And you can't buy lemons unless you have assets to offer back. Burke couldn't trade for a top-notch center because we had zero tradeable assets. As the old saying goes, "You gotta give a lil' to get a lil'." The same thing applied for attracting free agents. Players decide to sign with winning clubs. They want to know that the organization they play for is committed to winning and that they will be surrounded by people who can help them do that. A year ago, the Leafs best prospects were free agent signings in Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and now-departed Viktor Stalberg. Today, the cupboard is much fuller with players like Luca Caputi, Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens, Jerry D'Amigo, Marcel Mueller, Keith Aulie. Some signed, others were acquired, and even more were found with the draft picks we DID have. The Bozaks and Gustavssons don't even count as prospects, and they're still quite young. While these players don't immediately help the Maple Leafs, they can help building a winning attitude with the Toronto Marlies. Building from the ground up, that's how it's done.
The Leafs have come a long way. From Stajan, Blake and Ponikarovsky to Armstrong, Kessel and Versteeg; from a team without a leader to Dion Phaneuf, undisputed (though untested) captain of the franchise. From Vesa Toskala to a goalie that stops pucks. Even the fact that Nazem Kadri isn't starting the season with the big club says a lot about the difference a year made.
Whether or not it will pan out this year is a mystery. But you've got to give Brian Burke for trying.
Hockey at last. And here we go...
But before the city burns after the Leafs' first win, and before we call for Ron Wilson's head after a string of losses, let's reflect on the changes the team has gone through and why this time around, it is not stupid to be optimistic. There are many new faces, but the two biggest changes are attitude and depth.
The Maple Leafs are trying to prove they are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL. Brian Burke vows his pack has a winning attitude -- or as I like to call it, swag. To me, it's not so much the winning attitude as it is their unwillingness to surrender that makes me breathe easier. The Leafs seem to have a never-say-die attitude coming into the season, a stark contrast from the debauchery of a team that essentially let Andrew Raycroft prance around on his old stomping ground and celebrate in triumph despite being up by three goals. The Leafs made him look like he was worth trading Tuukka Rask... but that is another tragedy altogether.
The other area of improvement is organizational depth. I love (hate) it when reader comments say that Burke should be fired because he wasn't able to bring high end offensive talent this year. It stuns me at how shortsighted some people are. First off, you can't make lemonade without the lemons. And you can't buy lemons unless you have assets to offer back. Burke couldn't trade for a top-notch center because we had zero tradeable assets. As the old saying goes, "You gotta give a lil' to get a lil'." The same thing applied for attracting free agents. Players decide to sign with winning clubs. They want to know that the organization they play for is committed to winning and that they will be surrounded by people who can help them do that. A year ago, the Leafs best prospects were free agent signings in Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and now-departed Viktor Stalberg. Today, the cupboard is much fuller with players like Luca Caputi, Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens, Jerry D'Amigo, Marcel Mueller, Keith Aulie. Some signed, others were acquired, and even more were found with the draft picks we DID have. The Bozaks and Gustavssons don't even count as prospects, and they're still quite young. While these players don't immediately help the Maple Leafs, they can help building a winning attitude with the Toronto Marlies. Building from the ground up, that's how it's done.
The Leafs have come a long way. From Stajan, Blake and Ponikarovsky to Armstrong, Kessel and Versteeg; from a team without a leader to Dion Phaneuf, undisputed (though untested) captain of the franchise. From Vesa Toskala to a goalie that stops pucks. Even the fact that Nazem Kadri isn't starting the season with the big club says a lot about the difference a year made.
Whether or not it will pan out this year is a mystery. But you've got to give Brian Burke for trying.
Hockey at last. And here we go...
1.4.10
This Year's Cards Are Dealt. Time For A New Suit.
The season isn't over, and I'm already looking forward to the next. When you don't make the playoffs for six years, it happens.
But the Leafs have given me reasons to be excited. I am stoked for the potential defensive pairings. Komisarek and Phaneuf could be a dominant pair if the former plays defensively responsible and the latter finds his lost cannon. Schenn and Kaberle are playing well down the stretch and should have good chemistry by the start of the season... if Kaberle is still with us, which I hope he is. Gunnarson has impressed while Beauchemin has something to prove next year, but like the rest of the corps, these two have been solid since the Olympic break.
I'm cautiously optimistic for our young offense. Optimistic because they play an uptempo brand of hockey that has been missed throughout the years. The likes of Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson and Caputi have all proven they are better offensive threats than ex-Leafs Matt Stajan, Alex Steen and Alex Ponikarovsky. For one thing, it's the feeling. If we're down late in the game, I no longer hope they MIGHT score. I know they CAN. I'm cautious because these are all rookies, and sophomore slumps are a proven fact -- they're as certain as existence. White elite-calibre players like Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty might skip it, more often than not second-year players find it difficult to get the same success as the previous year. You don't have to look farther than Luke Schenn, who only recently got the ACC faithful off his back. Brian Burke needs to plant veteran guys into the line up, or face a bunch of young men with huge confidence issues.
The most exciting change for me is not personnel, though -- it's in the uniform. To understate it, I have a love affair with hockey team jerseys. I love the rich history of bold lines and the simple, recognizable logos of the Original Six; I can't stand the piping on some of the Reebok jerseys, particularly on the digs of the Atlanta Thrashers, Colorado Avalanche, and Buffalo Sabres. They look like floss sewn onto the seams. Anyways, I've been hoping the Leafs organization would hear my plea to add something on the shoulder of the jerseys, much like the ones of the early 1990s. Caputi would be one step closer in emulating his idol, Doug Gilmour, and I would be ever so tempted to buy my fifth Maple Leaf jersey to go with my four Team Canada sweaters.
Overkill? Consider it beefing up the bench.
But the Leafs have given me reasons to be excited. I am stoked for the potential defensive pairings. Komisarek and Phaneuf could be a dominant pair if the former plays defensively responsible and the latter finds his lost cannon. Schenn and Kaberle are playing well down the stretch and should have good chemistry by the start of the season... if Kaberle is still with us, which I hope he is. Gunnarson has impressed while Beauchemin has something to prove next year, but like the rest of the corps, these two have been solid since the Olympic break.
I'm cautiously optimistic for our young offense. Optimistic because they play an uptempo brand of hockey that has been missed throughout the years. The likes of Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson and Caputi have all proven they are better offensive threats than ex-Leafs Matt Stajan, Alex Steen and Alex Ponikarovsky. For one thing, it's the feeling. If we're down late in the game, I no longer hope they MIGHT score. I know they CAN. I'm cautious because these are all rookies, and sophomore slumps are a proven fact -- they're as certain as existence. White elite-calibre players like Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty might skip it, more often than not second-year players find it difficult to get the same success as the previous year. You don't have to look farther than Luke Schenn, who only recently got the ACC faithful off his back. Brian Burke needs to plant veteran guys into the line up, or face a bunch of young men with huge confidence issues.
The most exciting change for me is not personnel, though -- it's in the uniform. To understate it, I have a love affair with hockey team jerseys. I love the rich history of bold lines and the simple, recognizable logos of the Original Six; I can't stand the piping on some of the Reebok jerseys, particularly on the digs of the Atlanta Thrashers, Colorado Avalanche, and Buffalo Sabres. They look like floss sewn onto the seams. Anyways, I've been hoping the Leafs organization would hear my plea to add something on the shoulder of the jerseys, much like the ones of the early 1990s. Caputi would be one step closer in emulating his idol, Doug Gilmour, and I would be ever so tempted to buy my fifth Maple Leaf jersey to go with my four Team Canada sweaters.
Overkill? Consider it beefing up the bench.
11.3.10
Leafs Win Back-To-Back Games In OT; The World Is Perfect
Plan the parade. And let the Kids ride the float.
I know I'm getting way ahead of myself. Normally I'm a realist, a reserved and rational person who tries not to get overly excited for fear of soul-shattering disappointment. When I watched the 2010 Olympic men's hockey final, I expected Parise to jam in the puck to tie the game -- it was the appropriate ebb to a near-perfect flow. (When you watch as much hockey as I do, you can forecast ebbs.) And when it comes to Blue and White, I'm as critical as a Senators fan commenting on a Toronto post-game article.
Still, being a Leaf fan can make you the biggest believer in a short time. We are a city of reactionists, a sporting community that feels every moment like it's their skin -- every caress is wonderful, every pinch is excruciatingly painful. My feelings change as quick and often as the American Idol judges. So it's no surprise that after two overtime wins, and points in four of the last five games, Leaf Nation is in a state of bliss. Brian Burke is a genius again, the Frat Pack can and will hold their own in the NHL for years to come, and keeping Kaberle was the best move of the unimpressive 2010 Trade Deadline. (Even more unimpressive was how cynical some Trade Centre hosts were of their own over-hyped show. It's their own fault.)
In a couple days it'll be back to reality. Sooner than later, the Leafs are going to cough up a stinker and look like an AHL team in the big leagues -- boys playing among men. The young Buds won't score as effortlessly down the stretch, and the heroics will probably fade in the last 20 or so games. And they will certainly grant Boston a top-three pick in the entry draft.
But as a true Toronto sports fan, I'll take the good times when they come and milk them for what it's worth. The game was entertaining. The Leafs were flying, and for the first time in a long while, I pumped my fists in the air a la Crosby when he scored The Goal.
"Plan the parade!" is a joke that will always be tattooed to the Leafs organization, at least until they win the Stanley Cup. But heck, after the last two games, I'll happily ride down Yonge Street in the back of a pick-up truck, but I'll keep two hands on the rail so I don't fall off.
I know I'm getting way ahead of myself. Normally I'm a realist, a reserved and rational person who tries not to get overly excited for fear of soul-shattering disappointment. When I watched the 2010 Olympic men's hockey final, I expected Parise to jam in the puck to tie the game -- it was the appropriate ebb to a near-perfect flow. (When you watch as much hockey as I do, you can forecast ebbs.) And when it comes to Blue and White, I'm as critical as a Senators fan commenting on a Toronto post-game article.
Still, being a Leaf fan can make you the biggest believer in a short time. We are a city of reactionists, a sporting community that feels every moment like it's their skin -- every caress is wonderful, every pinch is excruciatingly painful. My feelings change as quick and often as the American Idol judges. So it's no surprise that after two overtime wins, and points in four of the last five games, Leaf Nation is in a state of bliss. Brian Burke is a genius again, the Frat Pack can and will hold their own in the NHL for years to come, and keeping Kaberle was the best move of the unimpressive 2010 Trade Deadline. (Even more unimpressive was how cynical some Trade Centre hosts were of their own over-hyped show. It's their own fault.)
In a couple days it'll be back to reality. Sooner than later, the Leafs are going to cough up a stinker and look like an AHL team in the big leagues -- boys playing among men. The young Buds won't score as effortlessly down the stretch, and the heroics will probably fade in the last 20 or so games. And they will certainly grant Boston a top-three pick in the entry draft.
But as a true Toronto sports fan, I'll take the good times when they come and milk them for what it's worth. The game was entertaining. The Leafs were flying, and for the first time in a long while, I pumped my fists in the air a la Crosby when he scored The Goal.
"Plan the parade!" is a joke that will always be tattooed to the Leafs organization, at least until they win the Stanley Cup. But heck, after the last two games, I'll happily ride down Yonge Street in the back of a pick-up truck, but I'll keep two hands on the rail so I don't fall off.
1.3.10
The Day After
It's the question people will ask for years to come: Where were you when Sidney Crosby scored the overtime goal to clinch the gold medal in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver?
All around the country, there are millions of stories of Canadians watching at a packed bar, on the streets, or in their homes with a handful of friends, all clad in different Canadian jerseys to witness the golden moment.
We all know what happened. But the final was more than an exciting game. There were layers and layers of storylines that only die-hard fans could really understand.
Here's a message I sent to a Canadian friend watching from Australia, detailing to her the different contexts that made the men's hockey final a game for the ages:
Well to start, Canada landed a flurry of gold medals in the last week, and coming into the hockey game, Canada was tied for the most gold medals ever produced in one Olympic Games. Team Canada was the one to get the 14th gold, setting the record in the last event on the last day. (The countries they beat for the record? Norway and the Soviet Union.)
Another reason why it was amazing was because of what the Americans were playing for. Brian Burke, the US general manager, lost his son in a car accident a few weeks ago, so I'm sure they were motivated to win it for Burke. Secondly, this year is the 30th anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice" when Team USA beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. It was a David vs Goliath matchup -- think highschoolers beating the NBA's Dream Team. The 2010 USA jerseys were in honour of the historic event, so it was clear they wanted to win to commemorate the past. Also, Canada won in 2002 in Salt Lake City, so they naturally wanted to avenge their loss and do the same to Canada.
There were several teammates in the NHL that played in the game in opposite jerseys. Roberto Luongo -- who plays for Vancouver Canucks -- was playing against Ryan Kesler, an interesting character who I'll get back to later. Another pivotal matchup pegged USA's Patrick Kane, the laid back funny man, against his teammate in Chicago, Jonathan Toews (my favourite player). He's known as "Captain Serious" because the 21-year-old is mature beyond his years. These are two of the best young stars in the game. There were also USA's Ryan Suter and Canada's Shea Weber, two young, talented defenders who play for the Nashville Predators.
Back to Luongo and Kesler. Kesler's got a mouth. In an earlier interview during the games, he said he hated Canada. To be more precise, he said, "I hate them. It's a big rivalry, and for Canadians, it's their game. I wouldn't say I 'hate' them, but Canadians expect to win gold and anything else is not good enough. We obviously have something to prove, and it's going to be fun to try and knock them off."
He tried to retract what he said, but the damage was done. During the second intermission he also had a controversial interview, saying the Canadians always fade as the game goes on, and said Luongo was fighting the puck, meaning he was struggling. Kesler did predict they would tie the game, and sure enough they did. With both being from Vancouver, it was an interesting layer to the game. Luongo is also known for not winning the big game, so this one was huge.
What else? Sidney Crosby. Crosby was having a subpar Olympics, and he hadn't scored in the last two games prior to the final. He didn't look that good today either, so for him to score THE goal after most of the focus was on him coming into the tournament, after all the advertisements orbited around him, spoke volumes. He was marketed as a hero, and he became one. People were looking for him to have a big game, so if he didn't get the winner people would have quetstioned if he was really one of the best players in the world. When he missed his breakaway chance to seal the deal in the third period, I knew he'd come back and do something special.
I think that's all I got for now. I have individual stories for the players, but it's not pertinent to the final game. Well except for Ryan Getzlaf. With a week to go before the Olympics, he suffered a terrible looking ankle injury and many thought he wouldn't play. It was an ankle sprain. They were going to take him off the team, but his ankle held up and got better before the Olympics. In the end, he was one of the more important players in the tournament. He contributed a lot of points and dominated play along the boards along with his teammates.
Oh man.
All around the country, there are millions of stories of Canadians watching at a packed bar, on the streets, or in their homes with a handful of friends, all clad in different Canadian jerseys to witness the golden moment.
We all know what happened. But the final was more than an exciting game. There were layers and layers of storylines that only die-hard fans could really understand.
Here's a message I sent to a Canadian friend watching from Australia, detailing to her the different contexts that made the men's hockey final a game for the ages:
Well to start, Canada landed a flurry of gold medals in the last week, and coming into the hockey game, Canada was tied for the most gold medals ever produced in one Olympic Games. Team Canada was the one to get the 14th gold, setting the record in the last event on the last day. (The countries they beat for the record? Norway and the Soviet Union.)
Another reason why it was amazing was because of what the Americans were playing for. Brian Burke, the US general manager, lost his son in a car accident a few weeks ago, so I'm sure they were motivated to win it for Burke. Secondly, this year is the 30th anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice" when Team USA beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. It was a David vs Goliath matchup -- think highschoolers beating the NBA's Dream Team. The 2010 USA jerseys were in honour of the historic event, so it was clear they wanted to win to commemorate the past. Also, Canada won in 2002 in Salt Lake City, so they naturally wanted to avenge their loss and do the same to Canada.
There were several teammates in the NHL that played in the game in opposite jerseys. Roberto Luongo -- who plays for Vancouver Canucks -- was playing against Ryan Kesler, an interesting character who I'll get back to later. Another pivotal matchup pegged USA's Patrick Kane, the laid back funny man, against his teammate in Chicago, Jonathan Toews (my favourite player). He's known as "Captain Serious" because the 21-year-old is mature beyond his years. These are two of the best young stars in the game. There were also USA's Ryan Suter and Canada's Shea Weber, two young, talented defenders who play for the Nashville Predators.
Back to Luongo and Kesler. Kesler's got a mouth. In an earlier interview during the games, he said he hated Canada. To be more precise, he said, "I hate them. It's a big rivalry, and for Canadians, it's their game. I wouldn't say I 'hate' them, but Canadians expect to win gold and anything else is not good enough. We obviously have something to prove, and it's going to be fun to try and knock them off."
He tried to retract what he said, but the damage was done. During the second intermission he also had a controversial interview, saying the Canadians always fade as the game goes on, and said Luongo was fighting the puck, meaning he was struggling. Kesler did predict they would tie the game, and sure enough they did. With both being from Vancouver, it was an interesting layer to the game. Luongo is also known for not winning the big game, so this one was huge.
What else? Sidney Crosby. Crosby was having a subpar Olympics, and he hadn't scored in the last two games prior to the final. He didn't look that good today either, so for him to score THE goal after most of the focus was on him coming into the tournament, after all the advertisements orbited around him, spoke volumes. He was marketed as a hero, and he became one. People were looking for him to have a big game, so if he didn't get the winner people would have quetstioned if he was really one of the best players in the world. When he missed his breakaway chance to seal the deal in the third period, I knew he'd come back and do something special.
I think that's all I got for now. I have individual stories for the players, but it's not pertinent to the final game. Well except for Ryan Getzlaf. With a week to go before the Olympics, he suffered a terrible looking ankle injury and many thought he wouldn't play. It was an ankle sprain. They were going to take him off the team, but his ankle held up and got better before the Olympics. In the end, he was one of the more important players in the tournament. He contributed a lot of points and dominated play along the boards along with his teammates.
Oh man.
28.2.10
The One That Counts -- Olympic Edition
The Vancouver Olympic Winter Games ends with a crescendo as high as Whistler’s Peak. No novelist could have written it better than this.
It started with a firm statement before the Games began. Canada’s Own The Podium was a program with the goal of collecting the most medals in the 2010 Olympics through funding and restrictions to give Canadian athletes fair advantages to the Games. But it’s unsportsmanlike nature was the centre of controversy after Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died on the Whistler Sliding Centre track. Many felt the 21-year-old might be alive today had the OTP not prevented foreign athletes from training on the Olympic courses during training season. It was meant to help Canadians, but athletes in luge, skeletons and bobsleigh struggled on the fast courses and several admitted to being scared of going down the track. When racers crashed, people winced.
When the events started, a dark cloud loomed emotionally and literally. With Kumaritashvili fresh in people’s memories, warm, wet weather also slowed down early alpine events. Fog and rain continued throughout the Games including yesterday, the second last day.
Canadians began with a steady medal haul – one medal a day – until they hit a rut, a clear low point. During a couple infamous days, Canada placed fourth and fifth several times, often in heart-breaking fashion. It was clear after an emotional apology from Mellisa Hollingsworth that the pressure was too much – not necessarily to handle, but enough for the participants to feel deep remorse. There was some truth in Hollingsworth’s words: “I’ve let my country down.”
It was at that moment when the mentality shifted and the game plan changed.
It was no secret that Canada was disappointed after Hollingsworth’s race, but the more alarming issue was, why? The skeleton racer left Canadians feeling uneasy, as if we had punched her in the stomach by accident, as if her tears were our doing. But they were. We wanted gold – too much – and it made us, well, Un-Canadian. Canadians forgot that these stud athletes were everyday people too. These pillars of strength, speed and skill were also car salesmen and auctioneers, blueberry farmers, students and friends. Their fears were our fears, their faults were our faults.
I think people began to support our athletes first and their accomplishments second. And that’s when Canada flourished. In the last week, Canada earned four medals in one day three different times. Of course, taking pressure off their shoulders isn’t the reason they dominated down the stretch. Our athletes trained for years and their hard work and commitment is the reason Canada sits third in the medal standings. But momentum is a speed demon, and this country had tons of it.
And now we are at the end, with one more medal hanging in the balance. Red and White against Stars and Stripes for the gold medal in men’s ice hockey. If there was pressure on Canadian athletes, this surely is the pinnacle of it.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that another gold medal would set an Olympic record for most gold medals ever in one Olympic Winter Games. They can top Norway’s 13 in the 2002 Salt Lake Games and – get this – the Soviet Union’s 13 in the 1976 Innsbruk Olympics.
So while a gold medal in Canada’s favourite sport on home ice would be a story-book ending, it is now more paramount than ever that we put our players, our citizens, our countrymen first, and their accomplishments last.
Win or lose, you can only be proud of our athletes and of these Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
It started with a firm statement before the Games began. Canada’s Own The Podium was a program with the goal of collecting the most medals in the 2010 Olympics through funding and restrictions to give Canadian athletes fair advantages to the Games. But it’s unsportsmanlike nature was the centre of controversy after Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died on the Whistler Sliding Centre track. Many felt the 21-year-old might be alive today had the OTP not prevented foreign athletes from training on the Olympic courses during training season. It was meant to help Canadians, but athletes in luge, skeletons and bobsleigh struggled on the fast courses and several admitted to being scared of going down the track. When racers crashed, people winced.
When the events started, a dark cloud loomed emotionally and literally. With Kumaritashvili fresh in people’s memories, warm, wet weather also slowed down early alpine events. Fog and rain continued throughout the Games including yesterday, the second last day.
Canadians began with a steady medal haul – one medal a day – until they hit a rut, a clear low point. During a couple infamous days, Canada placed fourth and fifth several times, often in heart-breaking fashion. It was clear after an emotional apology from Mellisa Hollingsworth that the pressure was too much – not necessarily to handle, but enough for the participants to feel deep remorse. There was some truth in Hollingsworth’s words: “I’ve let my country down.”
It was at that moment when the mentality shifted and the game plan changed.
It was no secret that Canada was disappointed after Hollingsworth’s race, but the more alarming issue was, why? The skeleton racer left Canadians feeling uneasy, as if we had punched her in the stomach by accident, as if her tears were our doing. But they were. We wanted gold – too much – and it made us, well, Un-Canadian. Canadians forgot that these stud athletes were everyday people too. These pillars of strength, speed and skill were also car salesmen and auctioneers, blueberry farmers, students and friends. Their fears were our fears, their faults were our faults.
I think people began to support our athletes first and their accomplishments second. And that’s when Canada flourished. In the last week, Canada earned four medals in one day three different times. Of course, taking pressure off their shoulders isn’t the reason they dominated down the stretch. Our athletes trained for years and their hard work and commitment is the reason Canada sits third in the medal standings. But momentum is a speed demon, and this country had tons of it.
And now we are at the end, with one more medal hanging in the balance. Red and White against Stars and Stripes for the gold medal in men’s ice hockey. If there was pressure on Canadian athletes, this surely is the pinnacle of it.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that another gold medal would set an Olympic record for most gold medals ever in one Olympic Winter Games. They can top Norway’s 13 in the 2002 Salt Lake Games and – get this – the Soviet Union’s 13 in the 1976 Innsbruk Olympics.
So while a gold medal in Canada’s favourite sport on home ice would be a story-book ending, it is now more paramount than ever that we put our players, our citizens, our countrymen first, and their accomplishments last.
Win or lose, you can only be proud of our athletes and of these Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
14.2.10
A Time to Reflect
So the Leafs are on their Olympic break and the Raptors are celebrating the NBA's All-Star festivities in Dallas, leaving the Toronto Rock as the only professional sports team currently entertaining Torontonians.
It's rare, but not unwelcome. This city is saturated in sport, and a little break will help us to re-evalute... our sports teams.
As the world shifts their gaze to Vancouver -- and no I'm not implying that everyone's always watching Toronto, a very common stigma -- it's time to briefly reflect on this sporting season.
You can't say the Leafs are a disappointment because that would imply there would be expectations. I don't think fans expected much, although signing Komisarek, Beauchemin, Orr and other shiny Leafs this offseason must have left some people fouling their pants. I'll admit I was predicting defensive pairings on napkins this summer. We were all hoping that the first pick traded for Kessel would not be the first overall pick, and sure enough that pick is in the running for Taylor Hall, arguably the top prospect in the draft. That's Leaf luck. I think I've gotten over that potential loss because we do have a young, talented team. It's hard to be a Leaf fan, but at least there's effort involved.
On the other hand, the Raptors are doing surprisingly well. Two months ago, everyone wanted to explode the roster, to hang Colangelo for not improving the team this year. I've always preached a little patience. Patience, I said, as everyone gave up on Bargnani in his third year as a pro. And now he's shaping up to be an elite player. Ha! Anyways, coming up to the trade deadline, I hope we don't do anything too rash. This team has been moulding beautifully, and sometimes the best moves GM's make are the ones they don't. Here's to an excellent second half.
I have some thoughts on the Argos being bought by someone who already owns the B.C. Lions, but that calls for another day. The topic is too vast, the problems are too many, and the Olympics are a busy time.
Speaking of the Winter Games, I'm cautiously optimistic about Team Canada going for it all in Men's Ice Hockey. Getzlaf is a huge part of the team, and in a perfect world I would love to see this guy healthy and at the top of his game. If he's not, Jeff Carter or Steven Stamkos are pretty skilled guys to add. Yzerman and Getzlaf will find out today if the big Duck can't represent his country. The Russian team looks tough. Very tough. I hope all this talk about hockey being a team game stands true because we do have a better team, but our fiercest rivals have some outstanding firepower.
Soak it in everybody. There's nothing better than when sports hits the world stage.
It's rare, but not unwelcome. This city is saturated in sport, and a little break will help us to re-evalute... our sports teams.
As the world shifts their gaze to Vancouver -- and no I'm not implying that everyone's always watching Toronto, a very common stigma -- it's time to briefly reflect on this sporting season.
You can't say the Leafs are a disappointment because that would imply there would be expectations. I don't think fans expected much, although signing Komisarek, Beauchemin, Orr and other shiny Leafs this offseason must have left some people fouling their pants. I'll admit I was predicting defensive pairings on napkins this summer. We were all hoping that the first pick traded for Kessel would not be the first overall pick, and sure enough that pick is in the running for Taylor Hall, arguably the top prospect in the draft. That's Leaf luck. I think I've gotten over that potential loss because we do have a young, talented team. It's hard to be a Leaf fan, but at least there's effort involved.
On the other hand, the Raptors are doing surprisingly well. Two months ago, everyone wanted to explode the roster, to hang Colangelo for not improving the team this year. I've always preached a little patience. Patience, I said, as everyone gave up on Bargnani in his third year as a pro. And now he's shaping up to be an elite player. Ha! Anyways, coming up to the trade deadline, I hope we don't do anything too rash. This team has been moulding beautifully, and sometimes the best moves GM's make are the ones they don't. Here's to an excellent second half.
I have some thoughts on the Argos being bought by someone who already owns the B.C. Lions, but that calls for another day. The topic is too vast, the problems are too many, and the Olympics are a busy time.
Speaking of the Winter Games, I'm cautiously optimistic about Team Canada going for it all in Men's Ice Hockey. Getzlaf is a huge part of the team, and in a perfect world I would love to see this guy healthy and at the top of his game. If he's not, Jeff Carter or Steven Stamkos are pretty skilled guys to add. Yzerman and Getzlaf will find out today if the big Duck can't represent his country. The Russian team looks tough. Very tough. I hope all this talk about hockey being a team game stands true because we do have a better team, but our fiercest rivals have some outstanding firepower.
Soak it in everybody. There's nothing better than when sports hits the world stage.
10.2.10
Plenty To Like In Leafs Loss Against Sharks
You gotta be impressed.
Coming into Monday's tilt against the mighty San Jose Sharks, the Leafs were the youngest teams in the NHL with roughly an average age of 25. It would have been the first time the 'Frat Pack' -- Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg -- would play together in the NHL. But when Hanson fell ill, the Leafs brought in their future ace, 18-year-old Nazem Kadri, as an emergency call up. At that moment, 'Leaf Bud' would have been a better team name.
All signs were pointing to a laugher, but it was anything but.
The Leafs were quick and feisty and surprised everyone by gaining a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Sharks came back with a couple goals, before the Leafs showed some resilience when they tied the game 2-2. They kept trucking in the third -- I mean really taking it to the Sharks -- and if their play determined the outcome of the game, they would have surely won. But a couple deflections and a bad bounce turned the game around. Of course, the Sharks strength on the puck and work on the boards led to those lucky bounces, but as the hockey cliche states: "You have to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good."
There was no stunning upset, no headline reading "David beats Goliath". Nazem Kadri did not have the magical debut most rookies dream about when they hit the sweet NHL ice for the first time. But man was it exciting. The Leafs were flying, equal to the Sharks in almost every way. And while Kadri had several bad giveaways, coach Ron Wilson entrusted him with considerable ice time, including some on the powerplay. All this against one of the elite teams in the NHL.
With all the losing going on this season, I've been too preoccupied with the parting of our dear first-round pick to truly see the potential of this team. Phaneuf, Kessel, Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson, Gunnarson, Schenn, Kadri -- if they all turn out to be the players management thinks they can be, the Leafs will be alright.
It was one loss I couldn't groan about, that's for sure.
Coming into Monday's tilt against the mighty San Jose Sharks, the Leafs were the youngest teams in the NHL with roughly an average age of 25. It would have been the first time the 'Frat Pack' -- Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg -- would play together in the NHL. But when Hanson fell ill, the Leafs brought in their future ace, 18-year-old Nazem Kadri, as an emergency call up. At that moment, 'Leaf Bud' would have been a better team name.
All signs were pointing to a laugher, but it was anything but.
The Leafs were quick and feisty and surprised everyone by gaining a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Sharks came back with a couple goals, before the Leafs showed some resilience when they tied the game 2-2. They kept trucking in the third -- I mean really taking it to the Sharks -- and if their play determined the outcome of the game, they would have surely won. But a couple deflections and a bad bounce turned the game around. Of course, the Sharks strength on the puck and work on the boards led to those lucky bounces, but as the hockey cliche states: "You have to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good."
There was no stunning upset, no headline reading "David beats Goliath". Nazem Kadri did not have the magical debut most rookies dream about when they hit the sweet NHL ice for the first time. But man was it exciting. The Leafs were flying, equal to the Sharks in almost every way. And while Kadri had several bad giveaways, coach Ron Wilson entrusted him with considerable ice time, including some on the powerplay. All this against one of the elite teams in the NHL.
With all the losing going on this season, I've been too preoccupied with the parting of our dear first-round pick to truly see the potential of this team. Phaneuf, Kessel, Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson, Gunnarson, Schenn, Kadri -- if they all turn out to be the players management thinks they can be, the Leafs will be alright.
It was one loss I couldn't groan about, that's for sure.
3.2.10
Leafs Blank Devils; Raptors Can't Keep Pace
It was as close to an alternate universe as I've seen.
The new look Maple Leafs were calm, hard-working, even truculent, and cruised to a 3-0 win against the New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, somewhere in Indiana, the Toronto Raptors struggled mightily to stop six-foot-one Earl Watson drive his way past seven-footer Andrea Bargnani.
Toronto fans are used to these mixed feelings. You know -- you win some, you lose some.
But it's been a while since the Buds got the W and the Dinos did not, or since the Leafs looked like a well-oiled machine while the Raps were caught running around. The Leafs snapped their six-game losing skid just as the Raptors' winning-streak halted at five.
It was a satisfying win for the Leafs, but we all know that one game doesn't mean a thing. J.S. Giguere, Dion Phaneuf (or as I like to call him -- DP3), and Freddy Sjostrom were impressive enough to be the game's first, second and third stars, respectively. Phaneuf rocked the house with some big hits, big shots, and a fight as his rite of passage. Sjostrom assisted on Nik Kulemin's game-winning goal, and J.S. Giguere was quiet and almost unnoticeable. In this alternate universe that's a positive thing. The Toskala and Gustavsson tandem often made games...interesting when in net, letting in questionable goals at times when the team needed a stop. That's why, in Giguere's case, no news is good news.
Martin Brodeur was not in net last night, but I'm sure he will be on Friday for the rematch. That's the game to watch. Yesterday's game was the honeymoon; on Friday it's back to the real world. Again, the Leafs were on a high last night after Burke's Sunday Shuffle. I'm interested to see how the new team plays in game two.
On the other end, the Raptors had been playing really well of late, but they were due for a loss. For some reason, Indiana has been a thorn in the side of Jay Triano and his troops the entire season. Almost every tilt has been close, and the Jan. 11 loss where they blew a 23-point lead was surely one of the more sour grapes they've eaten all season. The Italian duo of Bargnani and Belinelli were outstanding -- Il Mongo had a career best 34-points and Marco had 14 points in the first quarter -- but the team couldn't play defense and had several dry spells in the game. Like CBForce said in yesterday's post, the season's a pendulum. But if the Raptors lose to the New Jersey Nets tonight, watch out for that return swing.
The chances of that happening are slim. And with the Leafs playing the Devils, Sens and Sharks next, and the Raps playing the Kings and Sixers, expect things to be back to normal, the win columns straightened out, the stars re-alligned.
The new look Maple Leafs were calm, hard-working, even truculent, and cruised to a 3-0 win against the New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, somewhere in Indiana, the Toronto Raptors struggled mightily to stop six-foot-one Earl Watson drive his way past seven-footer Andrea Bargnani.
Toronto fans are used to these mixed feelings. You know -- you win some, you lose some.
But it's been a while since the Buds got the W and the Dinos did not, or since the Leafs looked like a well-oiled machine while the Raps were caught running around. The Leafs snapped their six-game losing skid just as the Raptors' winning-streak halted at five.
It was a satisfying win for the Leafs, but we all know that one game doesn't mean a thing. J.S. Giguere, Dion Phaneuf (or as I like to call him -- DP3), and Freddy Sjostrom were impressive enough to be the game's first, second and third stars, respectively. Phaneuf rocked the house with some big hits, big shots, and a fight as his rite of passage. Sjostrom assisted on Nik Kulemin's game-winning goal, and J.S. Giguere was quiet and almost unnoticeable. In this alternate universe that's a positive thing. The Toskala and Gustavsson tandem often made games...interesting when in net, letting in questionable goals at times when the team needed a stop. That's why, in Giguere's case, no news is good news.
Martin Brodeur was not in net last night, but I'm sure he will be on Friday for the rematch. That's the game to watch. Yesterday's game was the honeymoon; on Friday it's back to the real world. Again, the Leafs were on a high last night after Burke's Sunday Shuffle. I'm interested to see how the new team plays in game two.
On the other end, the Raptors had been playing really well of late, but they were due for a loss. For some reason, Indiana has been a thorn in the side of Jay Triano and his troops the entire season. Almost every tilt has been close, and the Jan. 11 loss where they blew a 23-point lead was surely one of the more sour grapes they've eaten all season. The Italian duo of Bargnani and Belinelli were outstanding -- Il Mongo had a career best 34-points and Marco had 14 points in the first quarter -- but the team couldn't play defense and had several dry spells in the game. Like CBForce said in yesterday's post, the season's a pendulum. But if the Raptors lose to the New Jersey Nets tonight, watch out for that return swing.
The chances of that happening are slim. And with the Leafs playing the Devils, Sens and Sharks next, and the Raps playing the Kings and Sixers, expect things to be back to normal, the win columns straightened out, the stars re-alligned.
2.2.10
The Rise and Fouls of the Toronto Raptors
To kick off the Raptors portion of The Toronto Turnover, a friend of mine requested to post a special article on the state of the Toronto Raptors. He is a die-hard. I'm talking BFF-with-Doug-Smith die-hard. For several years now, while I've wallowed in self-pity at the site of mediocre Leafs teams, he's done the same in Raptors red. He knows the excitement and frustration that comes with being a Toronto basketball fan.
And so without further ado, a cautionary tale by CBForce:
Two years ago I was working at a summer camp when I heard the news that the Toronto Raptors had acquired six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. Yeah we gave up two of my favourite Raptors in TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic, and almost half our team, but honestly we were going to be the next San Antonio Spurs. No really – we were. The modern day ‘Big Three’ in Boston was going to be one-upped by the new ‘Twin Towers’ in Toronto. Our front court was going to be unstoppable. You’d have Jermaine working the paint alongside CB4; Bargs would either light it up off our bench or run the 3 spot and make our starting line up huge. And don’t forget Calderon, our breakout feel-good story from the last few seasons, a pass first PG with an amazing assist to turnover stat finally coming into his own.
I know right? You read that and you laugh, maybe giggle a little. You amuse yourself at my, and probably your, ignorance a year ago. I bring it up because basketball, like a lot of sports, is all about runs, momentum, swings – and right now the 5th place, 26 – 22 Toronto Raptors are in the middle of a swing.
The funny thing is eventually the pendulum has got to go the other way. So you take news like “The Raptors are 19 and 9 since December” and “Friendly February” with a grain of salt. Yes we’re 4 ½ games behind Boston and the number 1 spot in the North East but it amazes me how many ‘true believers’ emerge after we scrap together a few wins. Don’t get me wrong, the Raptors are playing some of the best basketball since the VC era, but let’s come back down to earth a minute. I myself am guilty of reading way too much into one, two or even five victories. But we’re a 15 year old franchise now, so let’s show a little maturation.
I’m asking, pleading, for a bit of patience Toronto. A season is 82 games and we’re just a little over half way through. That’s a lot of basketball to be played. There are going to be some ugly ones before the end. They’re going to lose by 20 point some nights and they’re going to lose by 2 in others – but can we just…you know, watch them play?
If they keep playing the way they have this week, I promise you’ll enjoy it.
And so without further ado, a cautionary tale by CBForce:
Two years ago I was working at a summer camp when I heard the news that the Toronto Raptors had acquired six-time All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. Yeah we gave up two of my favourite Raptors in TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic, and almost half our team, but honestly we were going to be the next San Antonio Spurs. No really – we were. The modern day ‘Big Three’ in Boston was going to be one-upped by the new ‘Twin Towers’ in Toronto. Our front court was going to be unstoppable. You’d have Jermaine working the paint alongside CB4; Bargs would either light it up off our bench or run the 3 spot and make our starting line up huge. And don’t forget Calderon, our breakout feel-good story from the last few seasons, a pass first PG with an amazing assist to turnover stat finally coming into his own.
I know right? You read that and you laugh, maybe giggle a little. You amuse yourself at my, and probably your, ignorance a year ago. I bring it up because basketball, like a lot of sports, is all about runs, momentum, swings – and right now the 5th place, 26 – 22 Toronto Raptors are in the middle of a swing.
The funny thing is eventually the pendulum has got to go the other way. So you take news like “The Raptors are 19 and 9 since December” and “Friendly February” with a grain of salt. Yes we’re 4 ½ games behind Boston and the number 1 spot in the North East but it amazes me how many ‘true believers’ emerge after we scrap together a few wins. Don’t get me wrong, the Raptors are playing some of the best basketball since the VC era, but let’s come back down to earth a minute. I myself am guilty of reading way too much into one, two or even five victories. But we’re a 15 year old franchise now, so let’s show a little maturation.
I’m asking, pleading, for a bit of patience Toronto. A season is 82 games and we’re just a little over half way through. That’s a lot of basketball to be played. There are going to be some ugly ones before the end. They’re going to lose by 20 point some nights and they’re going to lose by 2 in others – but can we just…you know, watch them play?
If they keep playing the way they have this week, I promise you’ll enjoy it.
31.1.10
Phlame On: Leafs Land Phaneuf, Giguere
Finally, a reason for some optimism.
After yesterday's predictable comeback loss against the Vancouver Canucks on Hockey Day In Canada -- a game the Leafs were leading 3-0 in the third, chasing Olympian Roberto Luongo from the crease, only to lose 5-3 at the hands of former Leafs scapegoat Andrew Raycroft -- Leafs General Manager Brian Burke shook up the team and made two blockbuster trades today, including a seven-player deal to land former Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.
The Leafs acquired Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie in exchange for Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White.
In the same press conference announcing this trade, Leafs GM Brian Burke told reporters to sit tight, as another one would be announced. After a coffee break, Burke revealed Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake were heading to Anaheim in exchange for Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
For me, today's new was alarming. Literally.
My brother yelled down the basement stairs, "The Leafs got Phaneuf!" I was asleep, and obviously thought it was a dream. The current Leafs organization could not land a star player if they promised heroic monuments in their name. But it was true; Phaneuf is a Leaf, although he comes at a price.
The Leafs traded most of their scoring away as Stajan, Hagman and White were the most consistent Leafs this season. They all put up respectable numbers on a subpar team, and Jamal Mayers wanted out of Toronto anyways. To their credit, the Flames answered many of their needs. They have a potential centre for Jarome Iginla, much-needed scoring depth on the wing, and a productive defenseman on a D-corps that's still solid. But while this could solidify a bottom-five finish in the standings for the Leafs (to the delight of the Boston Bruins who own our first-round pick), it's short term pain for long term gain.
Phaneuf is not playing like the highly-touted prospect he once was, but he's only 24 and many defensemen get better with age. He'll have more playing time in Toronto, and a chance to rack up power play points with Tomas Kaberle feeding him. With all due respect, none of the players the Leafs traded will be elite players, but Phaneuf could be. And elite players are hard to come by, especially in Toronto.
I don't know much about Sjostrom, although he is a former first-round pick. Someone somewhere thought he had potential. And I vaguely remember Keith Aulie from Canada's World Junior Gold Medal team in 2009, but my thumb is always up to former World Juniors players.
As for the Anaheim trade, Toskala's time was up. He would have never recovered the faith of Leaf fans. Jason Blake brought it every night and is quick as light, but put a defender on him and the momentum's gone. Try all he might, he never lived up to his five-year, $20 million contract. Giguere looks like he's past his prime, but he's a former Conn Smythe winner and is reunited with Brian Burke and goalie coach Francois Allaire -- two men who share with him a Stanley Cup victory. While $7 million annually is a little much for a backup goalie, like most of the players involved in today's transactions, a change of scenery may rejuvenate his career. Even hockey players need a wake-up call.
No more memories of the first-, second- and fourth-round picks traded for Toskala and Mark Bell. No more flabby contract from Jason Blake, The Man Who Can't Be Moved. And only Garnet Exelby is left publicly wanting out of Toronto.
He better be traded soon, because there's another #3 in town.
After yesterday's predictable comeback loss against the Vancouver Canucks on Hockey Day In Canada -- a game the Leafs were leading 3-0 in the third, chasing Olympian Roberto Luongo from the crease, only to lose 5-3 at the hands of former Leafs scapegoat Andrew Raycroft -- Leafs General Manager Brian Burke shook up the team and made two blockbuster trades today, including a seven-player deal to land former Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.
The Leafs acquired Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie in exchange for Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White.
In the same press conference announcing this trade, Leafs GM Brian Burke told reporters to sit tight, as another one would be announced. After a coffee break, Burke revealed Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake were heading to Anaheim in exchange for Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
For me, today's new was alarming. Literally.
My brother yelled down the basement stairs, "The Leafs got Phaneuf!" I was asleep, and obviously thought it was a dream. The current Leafs organization could not land a star player if they promised heroic monuments in their name. But it was true; Phaneuf is a Leaf, although he comes at a price.
The Leafs traded most of their scoring away as Stajan, Hagman and White were the most consistent Leafs this season. They all put up respectable numbers on a subpar team, and Jamal Mayers wanted out of Toronto anyways. To their credit, the Flames answered many of their needs. They have a potential centre for Jarome Iginla, much-needed scoring depth on the wing, and a productive defenseman on a D-corps that's still solid. But while this could solidify a bottom-five finish in the standings for the Leafs (to the delight of the Boston Bruins who own our first-round pick), it's short term pain for long term gain.
Phaneuf is not playing like the highly-touted prospect he once was, but he's only 24 and many defensemen get better with age. He'll have more playing time in Toronto, and a chance to rack up power play points with Tomas Kaberle feeding him. With all due respect, none of the players the Leafs traded will be elite players, but Phaneuf could be. And elite players are hard to come by, especially in Toronto.
I don't know much about Sjostrom, although he is a former first-round pick. Someone somewhere thought he had potential. And I vaguely remember Keith Aulie from Canada's World Junior Gold Medal team in 2009, but my thumb is always up to former World Juniors players.
As for the Anaheim trade, Toskala's time was up. He would have never recovered the faith of Leaf fans. Jason Blake brought it every night and is quick as light, but put a defender on him and the momentum's gone. Try all he might, he never lived up to his five-year, $20 million contract. Giguere looks like he's past his prime, but he's a former Conn Smythe winner and is reunited with Brian Burke and goalie coach Francois Allaire -- two men who share with him a Stanley Cup victory. While $7 million annually is a little much for a backup goalie, like most of the players involved in today's transactions, a change of scenery may rejuvenate his career. Even hockey players need a wake-up call.
No more memories of the first-, second- and fourth-round picks traded for Toskala and Mark Bell. No more flabby contract from Jason Blake, The Man Who Can't Be Moved. And only Garnet Exelby is left publicly wanting out of Toronto.
He better be traded soon, because there's another #3 in town.
29.1.10
Game Night: Toronto Maple Leafs vs New Jersey Devils
There's less than six minutes left in the second period of the game. Colton Orr just scored to make it 3-2 Devils. I was about to say, "Packing it in -- going to basketball," but things just got a little interesting. As long as Parise doesn't get his hat-trick goal, maybe the game's still in reach. If the Leafs can shut down that first line, there is hope.
Nevermind. Patrick Davis gets his first career NHL goal. Devils up 4-2 going into the third. I'm going out to play basketball.
This is what happens when you have a perennial losing team: with one period left, you're already calling it a game. I swear I never used to be this way. I would watch to the end, no matter the score. But seriously, giveaway after giveaway... hockey shouldn't look like The Ellen Degeneres Show.
There's still 20 minutes. But I doubt the Leafs will come back against Canada's potential Olympic starting goaltender.
Nevermind. Patrick Davis gets his first career NHL goal. Devils up 4-2 going into the third. I'm going out to play basketball.
This is what happens when you have a perennial losing team: with one period left, you're already calling it a game. I swear I never used to be this way. I would watch to the end, no matter the score. But seriously, giveaway after giveaway... hockey shouldn't look like The Ellen Degeneres Show.
There's still 20 minutes. But I doubt the Leafs will come back against Canada's potential Olympic starting goaltender.
25.1.10
The Life and Trials of a Toronto Sports Fan
It began when my buddy texted me the words: "Toronto fans are ridiculous."
I knew why he felt that way: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors had lost that November night, and if my memory is correct, both were in dramatic, comeback fashion. I was at work when I received this prophetic message, but I caught the Leafs debauchery on television while wiping down dumbbells. It's amazing how busy you can look wiping down equipment with a wet-nap.
When the game was over -- I mean, when I finished cleaning the weight room -- I thought about what he said. He was right. Toronto sports fans are ridiculous. We support our teams through pretty unbelievable circumstances. It's great having teams in most professional leagues, but none exactly have winning track records. When you think of the Leafs, aside from a horrendous trade history, you think 43 years and counting since they've won the Stanley Cup. And their last hoist came with six teams in the league. When you think Raptors, you shudder from memories of Vince Carter. I have a theory that Raps fans have some form of postpartum depression, but I'll expand on this in a later post. Blue Jays fans rock the throwbacks, clinging to memories of back-to-back World Series Championships in the early '90s because being in a division with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees dashes any new dreams of the postseason. And the Toronto Argonauts? They're a mythological sinking ship.
And still, at the start of every new season, we have genuine, naive hope.
Toronto teams have a unique relationship with the fans and with each other. We have one of the most infamous, unsuccessful teams in the NHL who are also the largest revenue makers; we have a basketball and baseball team that are the only Canadian representatives in their respective leagues; we own one of the oldest football teams in North America whose success, according to some experts, is married with the livelihood of the CFL. And we also have a brand new soccer team.
Like it or lump it, eyes are always on Toronto.
My buddy told me one day he'd write an essay about all this, about why Toronto fans are ridiculous. Unfortunately, the problems of Toronto pro sports won't fit in an essay. And so this blog was born, hopefully an outlet of frustration for Toronto sports fans who wonder why they put themselves through the pleasure and pain -- the pleasure of having a handful of sports teams to choose from, and the pain of following them.
I am a Toronto sports fan. (To get specific: I'm die-hard Leafs, serious Raps, casual Blue Jays and Argos, and noob Toronto FC.) Ultimately, I want to see them win. I will never bash them out of spite -- if I'm "hating" it'll be for a legitimate reason. I'm grateful for the abundance of sports teams in Toronto, and for the players who (I assume) give their best every night. But when the going gets tough, the tough blog about it. Hopefully I can articulate the dilemmas of Toronto sports fans, and give outsiders a chance to see the inner-workings of Toronto sports organizations and how they affect us.
Maybe someday you'll understand the madness of it all: why we boo players at home, why we curse them out of town, and why, in the end, even if we're supposed to be wiping down fitness machines, we always come back.
Welcome to The Toronto Turnover.
I knew why he felt that way: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors had lost that November night, and if my memory is correct, both were in dramatic, comeback fashion. I was at work when I received this prophetic message, but I caught the Leafs debauchery on television while wiping down dumbbells. It's amazing how busy you can look wiping down equipment with a wet-nap.
When the game was over -- I mean, when I finished cleaning the weight room -- I thought about what he said. He was right. Toronto sports fans are ridiculous. We support our teams through pretty unbelievable circumstances. It's great having teams in most professional leagues, but none exactly have winning track records. When you think of the Leafs, aside from a horrendous trade history, you think 43 years and counting since they've won the Stanley Cup. And their last hoist came with six teams in the league. When you think Raptors, you shudder from memories of Vince Carter. I have a theory that Raps fans have some form of postpartum depression, but I'll expand on this in a later post. Blue Jays fans rock the throwbacks, clinging to memories of back-to-back World Series Championships in the early '90s because being in a division with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees dashes any new dreams of the postseason. And the Toronto Argonauts? They're a mythological sinking ship.
And still, at the start of every new season, we have genuine, naive hope.
Toronto teams have a unique relationship with the fans and with each other. We have one of the most infamous, unsuccessful teams in the NHL who are also the largest revenue makers; we have a basketball and baseball team that are the only Canadian representatives in their respective leagues; we own one of the oldest football teams in North America whose success, according to some experts, is married with the livelihood of the CFL. And we also have a brand new soccer team.
Like it or lump it, eyes are always on Toronto.
My buddy told me one day he'd write an essay about all this, about why Toronto fans are ridiculous. Unfortunately, the problems of Toronto pro sports won't fit in an essay. And so this blog was born, hopefully an outlet of frustration for Toronto sports fans who wonder why they put themselves through the pleasure and pain -- the pleasure of having a handful of sports teams to choose from, and the pain of following them.
I am a Toronto sports fan. (To get specific: I'm die-hard Leafs, serious Raps, casual Blue Jays and Argos, and noob Toronto FC.) Ultimately, I want to see them win. I will never bash them out of spite -- if I'm "hating" it'll be for a legitimate reason. I'm grateful for the abundance of sports teams in Toronto, and for the players who (I assume) give their best every night. But when the going gets tough, the tough blog about it. Hopefully I can articulate the dilemmas of Toronto sports fans, and give outsiders a chance to see the inner-workings of Toronto sports organizations and how they affect us.
Maybe someday you'll understand the madness of it all: why we boo players at home, why we curse them out of town, and why, in the end, even if we're supposed to be wiping down fitness machines, we always come back.
Welcome to The Toronto Turnover.
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