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Originally posted by Owen

I know ignorance is no excuse, but, but, but, until I "looked it up" I thought they'd won the U18 three years ago.  And anyhoo, since I go with what my TV foists on me, I'll only be watching it/them if/when they reach the Scotties.

I've long maintained that playoff interest in Canada is cut in about half if/when the les 'abs are eliminated [along about Christmas time this season, wasn't it?].     Go, Yankees!! Go!!

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I gladly defer to your no-doubt-superior knowledge of the Canadian audience.* But it seems to me that Canada has nothing to be ashamed of this year. Edmonton's 1-2 punch of McDavid and Draisatl is a thing of wonder... and it seems pretty clear that the Leafs are tired of being the butt of so many playoff jokes and memes that they will simply NOT let it happen this year. This is going to be a thrilling playoff year.

*And besides, at least Canada writ large cares deeply about hockey. The game has made impressive gains here in the US, but it's still peanuts when compared to the other three "big four" sports.

Years go I heard GoBettman say , “NHL teams remaining in Canada is a must - I get that!” Then the Jets moved to, err,, the desert. Which wasn’t all bad cuz now we have a part-Mexican Leaf who bulges the twine more often than the Big M did.

(and last but not least, it gave Whine Gretzky a chance to realize he wasn't coach material)

(p.s. , Oilers & Bruins in the finals!) 

Feel free to question my knowledge [cough, hack, cough, splutter] Skip.... my assessment was probably more accurate back in the day [whenever that was] than it is nowadays. 

Wasn't it 2 seasons ago that the Jets checked McDavid and Draisatl into  playoff mediocrity?  [Although in fairness I think L.D. was playing injured].

Methinks their supporting cast is better now,,, not like the Angels that I’m watching vs.Jays, who have2 greats but not a whole lot more

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Originally posted by chuckv97

(p.s. , Oilers & Bruins in the finals!) 

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I'm certain that the media would prefer a Vegas/Boston final because of the story line due to Sweeney's defenestration of Bruce Cassidy, Cassidy's subsequent success in Vegas, and the astonishing season being enjoyed by Jim Montgomery. Everything else aside, the narrative of a grudge match between coaches would create a lot of hype and, arguably, larger audiences.

That said, I think an Oilers/Bruins final would be wonderful. Two otherwordly superstars vs. a less flashy team with amazing depth. I sure would like to see that!

63

The little ball of hate….?

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Originally posted by chuckv97

The little ball of hate….?

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Nope. The Little Ball of Hate has been comparatively charming this year.

New League record for most wins in a season.

Congrats,,, Orr & Espo are jealous

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Originally posted by chuckv97

Congrats,,, Orr & Espo are jealous

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Orr and Espo have nothing to be jealous about. Merely proud. It's unlikely that anyone will ever top Espo for single-season scoring totals with the Bruins. Nor is it likely that any of the current Bruins will change the game the way that they did.

SO much great play these days... massive talents everywhere you look. Damn, but I love this game.

Toews plays his last game,, great career, 3 Cups while he was captain. Management told him they aren’t going to re-sign him for next season. Not sure why they didn’t just let him announce his retirement instead of the somewhat humiliation. Maybe he’s hanging on to get on to another team,, like Eric Staal’s been doing the last few seasons.

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Originally posted by chuckv97

Toews plays his last game,, great career, 3 Cups while he was captain. Management told him they aren’t going to re-sign him for next season. Not sure why they didn’t just let him announce his retirement instead of the somewhat humiliation. Maybe he’s hanging on to get on to another team,, like Eric Staal’s been doing the last few seasons.

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According to TSN, he still wants to play.

I don't blame him. But I can't say that I blame Chicago, either - Toews's physical issues this year are undoubtedly a factor, but his numbers for the past several seasons suggest he's past his prime.

In other news, Pittsburgh has sacked its president, its GM, and its assistant GM. Wish they'd sent the sonofabeeyatch that does that BLAT-BLAT-BLAT LET'S GO PENS! airhorn with them.

Will these changes in the Burgh of Pitt bring forth a winning team? I look at it this way: the Pens are owned by Fenway Sports Group, primarily a baseball management company, whose flagship Red Sox are a dumpster fire. Their recent track record of putting together successful teams is (ahem) underwhelming at best.

Burkie’s been in a revolving management door for years,, methinks he wears out his welcome fairly quickly. At least they kept Sullivan who I’ve always thought handled his stooper stars well.

Many an upset among the first games of Round 1. Are the Leafs on their way to re-upping their meme status...?

Okay, I’ll stick up for the ex-TeePee.
There’s a chain of burger joints called “FATBURGER” around these parts.
“ As fans heckled Tanner Jeannot and Patrick Maroon, Esposito directed a pointed comment at one particular Maple Leafs supporter.

‘You've got a fat woman who's yapping like crazy here, or is that a guy with long hair I can't tell’


While some might brush off Esposito's words as harmless, they can be deeply hurtful and offensive to those grappling with weight issues.”

Watching the Bruins/Panthers game I got curious about hockey history in Florida. This being in 1939 ....  ('course they didnt include any players from BanjoLink's favorite hockey hotbed, Hilton Head, SC )
“The Tropical  Hockey League was established as an attempt to introduce ice hockey to the Southern United States. Its founders hoped to take advantage of the large population of "snowbirds" from Eastern Canada that wintered in south Florida.[2] The league consisted of four teams, all of which played at the Miami Coliseum (renamed the Metropolitan Ice Palace) in Coral Gables. The Miami Clippers, Miami Beach Pirates, the Coral Gables Seminoles, and the Havana Tropicals.[3] The inclusion of a Havana team (albeit one playing in the United States) was designed to attract in particular Cuban Americans to the sport.[2] Before the inaugural season had even started, the league was considering expanding to Jacksonville and even the Bahamas.”

Well, well,,, our tax dollars paying off - they’re broadcasting the Bruins/Panthers game on CBC television (Canada’s public television network).

I wonder if any of the Jets will be [or are in any condition to] shoot a round of golf before leaving Vegas.  

This popped up on my Facebook feed this a.m. [re. no more football at Simon Fraser?]: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sfu-sports-hall-of-fame-name-removal-1.6824644?fbclid=IwAR16DydKO3llhNAauzFbezOBnyVho6PzQ_0o8aPKvlAZ_35vFDPZze2SiWU   I'm not well-informed, but I think that somehow their scholarship programs weren't acceptable to the CIS???

quote:

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Originally posted by Owen

I wonder if any of the Jets will be [or are in any condition to] shoot a round of golf before leaving Vegas. 

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If Rick Bowness's post-game presser is any indication, he probably delivered an @$$-chewing that would suggest the team would have trouble standing, let alone swinging a club.

Enjoy.

I'm thinking maybe Bowness has retirement in his sights.  He's been around a long time, so I could be wrong, but his assessment (?) reminded me of a "we" coach when the team wins and a "they" coach when the team loses.   

I see such situations in relatively simple terms. Either management has OR hasn't supplied sufficient "horsepower."  Assuming management has the leeway AND $$ available, IF it doesn't provide the horses, then no need to look further. IF the horses [from both physical and mental perspectives] have been supplied and results aren't there, then no need to look beyond the coaching.   

[I know there are many lesser factors, but I like the KISS approach, even though I suspect the Jets need improvement in both of the two main areas. ]

Disclaimer: I don't follow things as closely as many others do, so .... ????

Sutter here in Calgary hinted this season when the team wasn’t doing well that he’d like better “horses” ,,, leading of course to he and the GM Treliving at odds for the rest of the season,,, and guess who got fired? (they called it a mutual understanding). Not the Albertan Sutter,,, yet

And just like that, a bazillion hilarious  Internet memes die. Congratulations to the Maple Leafs - moving on!

I was never a Leaf fan despite living just across Lake Ontario from Toronto,, but I was happy for them when they won that game.
Now , with the Blue Jays I’m all in… but I don’t get the dumb idea of putting a bar right behind the visitors bullpen, with the new renovations at SkyDome (Rogers Centre) they can hang over the railing a mere 8 or so feet from the guys warming up. You know there’ll be trouble. Sheesh….

Much as I'd have liked to see a 'Bolts comeback one should, maybe, feel good for the jinxed Leafs. But now we have to put up with at least one more series of the Toronto-centric Canadian sports media gushing over their home town favourites. Planning the parade yet? (Nineteen years without winning a playoff series? Jeez, it would have been good to make it at least 20! And I lived in T.O. for 32 years.)

I didn't think I'd cheer for the Bruins, but there'd be some sort of strange karma if they didn't go all the way.

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Originally posted by Paul R

I didn't think I'd cheer for the Bruins, but there'd be some sort of strange karma if they didn't go all the way.

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You may rest assured that here in New England, there are fingernails gnawed to the cuticles and there's a critical shortage of blood pressure medication.

Swayman should've had the Game 6 start, or so sayeth this armchair coach...