Browse >
Home / Archive by category 'Featured'
by Ian Hunter… If the Blue Jays are going to have a fighting chance in 2010 and beyond, they are going need their young guns to deliver. Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, and Travis Snider are undoubtedly the pillars of the offensive charge moving forward for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Combined, these young guns accounted for 38 percent of all home runs hit by the Blue Jays in 2009. If their success is going to continue, all three must continue to perform well - and that includes the ability to take any pitcher out of the yard.
Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see what the home run distribution was like for Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and Travis Snider inside the Rogers Centre and on the road. There really isn’t a lot of analyzing to do here, but it’s interesting to see where the majority of their home runs landed.
If it seemed like a lot of Aaron Hill’s home runs barely cleared the left field wall, it’s because they did. Hill only ever once hit one over the fence anywhere than left field, and most of them were relatively shallow.
Travis Snider, on the other hand, showed some pop and went opposite field numerous times at home in 2009. Distribution is about even from left to right field, which is very promising for Snider.
When it comes to the Adam Lind data, it’s easy to see why he’s such a versatile hitter. He has power to all parts of the field, even dead centre field on multiple occasions. Lind could easily take almost any pitch and deposit it over the fence in any part of the ballpark.
Home Run Data courtesy of Hit Tracker, hat tip to Camden Crazies and Capital Avenue Club for the heads up, and big thanks to Clem’s Baseball for the ballpark dimensions.
by Oliver Suarez… 
It’s about time that other aspects of the potential bout between Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. are discussed, so I asked some notable personalities in the boxing world their opinions on what matchup they would like to see on the undercard. The megabout is “supposedly” off for now, but considering the trend in negotiations, it won’t be shocking for it to be on again.
The Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Jr. bout is one of the most anticipated fights in recent years. It can be argued that a fight of this magnitude has not happened since the days of the four horsemen (Hagler, Duran, Hearns, and Leonard) when bouts between elite fighters were more common.
As a result, it is fitting that this fight should include excellent undercards. This is the perfect fight for boxing to go back to its roots; the days when undercards often included title fights and featured other great boxers.
Boxing has experienced a renaissance in the last two years and the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Jr. bout has a chance to put boxing back where it used to be; in the front pages of the sport sections and main topics of discussion in sports shows.
A great fight between two of the best fighters in our generation combined with an excellent collection of undercards will do that.
Who do you think should be on the undercards?
Read what boxing insiders have to say below.
Omar Lazu Henry, Junior Middleweight prospect: “Omar Henry vs Shawn Porter lol.”
Michael Marley of Boxingconfidential.com : Sometimes we as fight fans demand too much. I don’t expect a lot except for a main event which is a fistic feast. When you get served filet mignon, lobster and caviar, I don’t think you should be picky about the appetizers.
Only a glutton would do that. Let’s be thankful for the boxing bounty that Floyd and Manny should be. It’s like the Super Bowl of boxing and, for me, that is enough.
Anything else might be a distraction. Let me put it another way. If you had a date with Miss Universe would you be eyeballing other women? I don’t think so.
Alan Alster, British Boxing Board of Control official: “How about USA vs UK contests. Amir Khan, David Haye, and others for the U.K…let’s have a boxing Ryder Cup.”
Granville Ampong of Maharlikan Times : I want to see Nonito Donaire, Jr. vs. either Israel Vasquez or Rafael Marquez for the WBC Super Bamtamweight title. I know Vasquez and Marquez are scheduled to fight on May 5 at the Staples Center.
But, this would be a good co-main event. Such would also boost the total package’s target marketing for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, specifically for the Latino populace as with the Black American and Asian communities, notwithstanding the command these both fighters must cultivate in the mainstream America.
This should help as well Donaire’s image as he will be exposed to a much higher level, as a matter of “foreshadowing the place” of Pacquiao’s prominence especially if the latter retires from boxing.
Ronnie Nathanielz of Insidesports.ph : Rodel Mayol vs Giovanni Segura should be a good one because Brian Viloria has a fight in January and to pit him against Ivan Calderon in March may be too soon but that is also a fight I’d love to see.
If Eden Sonsona doesn’t fight on Top Rank’s ‘Pinoy Power III’ in February he’d be a great addition to the Pacquiao-Mayweather card because he is from GenSan and fights much like Manny when he was young. Sonsona’s 45 second KO of Monico Laurente last Saturday reminded me so much of Pacquiao vs Lelohonolo Ledwaba, style-wise.
Tim Harrison of Fighthype.com : I’d like to see Victor Ortiz test himself against a more game competitor. Lamont Peterson, coming off a UD loss to Timothy Bradley, fights under the Top Rank banner, and would be a good opponent for Ortiz. Ideally I’d like to see Ortiz rematch Marcos Maidana, but that likely won’t happen.
Rashad Holloway, Welterweight prospect: There aren’t any particular fights I’d like to see off hand. I just think its highly disrespectful to fans to have the biggest fight in decades be supported by prospects and contenders fighting guys way over there heads.
When boxing was at its best in the ’80s a fight of this magnitude would be supported by other title fights that had some of the best taking on each other or the Nos. 2 and 3 contenders duking it out for that No. 1 spot.
No disrespect to the Shane and Berto fight but that fight should’ve been a co main event on the card. It would never happen cuz of fighters’ egos but that how it used to be. Shane is great and Berto is good but there fight is nothing remotely close to the mega fight so why shouldn’t a fight like that be the main event and it would add more build up for the winners.
This is what boxing needs again and this is why UFC has been successful. We gotta give the fans what they want and deserve and put our egos to the side cuz it’s them putting the money in our pockets.
Brian Wilbur of Ringside Report : I would love to see Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Celestino Caballero. These are two exceptional fighters in the same weight class who are head and shoulders better than everyone else in their division.
Caballero is more seasoned and, to me, is a little better, but Juanma’s potential is off the charts. Let’s hope that Lopez grows a pair and agrees to fight Caballero, his only true challenge at 122 pounds.
Chris Strait, of CStrait : I miss the days of the megacards: Chavez, Norris, and Mcclellan on the same card. Multi-championship nights. Nowadays, we have only one title fight at a time, and we wonder why fighters only fight twice a year. There are only so many weekends in a year. I say this is their chance to bring boxing back to the mainstream.
Stack it full of great fights, with all promoters working together. the world will be watching Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. Let’s grab em! Vasquez vs. Marquez 4, Donaire vs. Darchinyan 2, Adamek vs. Cunningham 2, all on the undercard. that would be intelligent. That’s why it’ll never happen.
This is also featured in SportzHype Boxing. Check out my site for more boxing related articles.
by Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano… 
The first masked man between the pipes was actually a woman who played for Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1927.
Her name was Elizabeth Graham and she wore a fencing mask when she took to the ice reportedly because her father had invested a lot of money to give her a nice set of teeth and wasn’t about to let them be knocked out during a hockey game.
Clint Benedict, a goalie for the Montreal Maroons in 1930, after suffering damage to his face in a game against the Boston Bruins, wore bulky protective head gear so his broken nose had time to heal
.
In 1936 during the Olympics Japanese goal tender Teiji Honma wore a wire mask like a baseball catcher.
Other goalies in various leagues around the world had experimented with different types of gear to save face, literally.
The most infamous and true innovator of the goalie mask known to the world, as he fashioned it out of fibreglass, was Jacques Plante. He donned his creation for the first time on Nov. 1, 1959, after being cut and refusing to play if he could not wear his mask.
Goalies everywhere are grateful for this innovation, and now not only is the mask protective gear but a work of art.
These are my top ten Toronto Maple Leafs goalie masks and a little about the men behind them. Enjoy!
10. Felix Potvin
Felix “The Cat” Potvin was drafted in the second round (31st overall) by Toronto in 1990 NHL entry draft.
He played with them from 1991-1999 amassing 160 wins and 12 shutouts.
He helped Toronto make the playoffs four years in a row from 92-93 to 95-96, and he took them to back-to-back Conference finals in the first two of those seasons.
His mask was a definite representation of his play between the pipes with his cat like reflexes.
Though it was fairly plain in design it was very recognizable and was immortalized by McDonald’s in a plastic miniature collectables, which many hockey fans may still have.
9. Jonas Gustavsson
Jonas Gustavsson “The Monster,” though in his first season in the Blue and White, has endeared himself to Leaf fans.
Problems between the pipes have plagued Toronto lately and this guy definitely gives Leafs Nation some hope of having a solid puck stopper.
This 6’3” Swede has great lateral movement and a lightning-quick glove along with excellent coverage of the lower half of the net.
Though fairly plain, the mask has style.
8. Martin Gerber
Martin Gerber played with the Ducks, Hurricanes, Senators and finally 12 games for the Maple Leafs.
He won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006 and in 60 games that year had a record of 38-14-6 with 3 shutouts, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.78 goals against average.
Gerber was only with Toronto for a very short time at the end of last season and truly it may have taken longer to make his mask than the time he spent between the irons for this team.
But this mask with a picture of Mike Palmateer’s mask painted on the side of it, was solid.
7. Terry Sawchuk
Terry Sawchuk played 21 seasons in the NHL for five teams and won 4 Stanley Cups. He won 447 regular season games and 54 playoff games for a total of 501 total wins.
He had 12 shutouts in the post season and 103 in the regular season, a record that stood until just recently when Martin Brodeur broke it.
Sawchuk was elected to three 1st team and four 2nd team All-Star teams and won four Vezina trophies
One of the best goal tenders of all time and a Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk led the Leafs to their last Stanley cup in the 1966-1967 season.
6. Mike Palmateer
Mike Palmateer was drafted in the 5th round 85th overall in 1974 by the Toronto Maple Leafs and played six seasons for the team taking them to the playoffs five of those years.
Though not big in stature, he played big between the pipes with his unorthodox style of goal tending. He rushed out towards players that were breaking in on him and his acrobatic antics wowed crowds.
His mask was a classic and anyone who saw him play knew when he donned that mask while wearing the Blue and White he was ready to give it all he had.
5. Michel “Bunny” Larocque
Michel Larocque was drafted in the first round sixth overall in 1972.
Bunny played only one full season out of three between the pipes while playing in Toronto.
He was best known for playing for rival the Montreal Canadiens who he was with for eight years before coming to Toronto.
His mask is another classic, with the name Bunny written down the middle of it, and it was a foreboding sight to see in goal for opposing players.
4 Curtis Joseph “Cujo”
Curtis Joseph has played almost 20 years in the NHL for six different teams and had two stints in Toronto and is currently a free agent.
Some of his accomplishments include: playing in the playoffs 14 of the 19 seasons in the NHL, three All-Star appearances, IIHF Gold Medal and Olympic Gold Medal with Canada.
Nick named Cujo not for the dog in the Steven King novel but for the combination of the first two letters of his first and last name, though the two have seemingly intertwined.
The gaping mouth of a mad dog on his mask and the name Cujo on the side of it was and is still a solid goalie mask.
3. Doug Favell
Doug Favell came into the league through the expansion draft in 1967-68 though was playing in Boston’s farm system at the time.
Favell played in parts of three seasons with Toronto in the early 70’s from 1973-1976.
In his first year with the Leafs, he played 32 games posting a record of 14-7-9 with a 2.7 1goals against average, the next year wouldn’t be as good and was eventually shipped to the Rockies.
His mask was plain but and not painted with all the high end graphics that are featured on most of the masks these days but as the saying goes sometimes less is more, and this mask is the epitome of that.
2. Vesa Toskala
Vesa Toskala was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round (90th overall) in the 1995 NHL entry draft. He was in their organization until 2007-08 when he began playing with Toronto.
The first two years with Toronto he played 119 games and was 55-42-17-4 with 3.00 goals against average and a .897 save percentage.
He has shown sparks of being the goalie the Leafs expected though has lacked consistency and his numbers have steadily declined.
This year has been disastrous, as he has fought injury after off-season surgery, and the team has been going through a rebuilding process.
His mask depicts demon-like skull face with mouth agape and gnarled fangs, truly a solid piece of art work which could have been the cover of any Iron Maiden album.
1. Andrew “Razor” Raycrof
Andrew Raycroft was the 135th overall fifth round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 1998 NHL entry draft.
He won the Calder trophy in 2004 with Boston and in that year had a .926 save percentage and 2.06 goals against average in 57 games with a record of 29-18-9.
He played only one full season as the starter for the Leafs and posted nowhere near those numbers, the next season he played back up to the aforementioned Vesa Toskala.
His mask is the greatest in the history of the team because of all the players incorporated in its design along with attention to detail paying tribute to emblems throughout the team’s existence.
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter… 
After spending two days taking in the sites and sounds of Fenway Park, the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers outdoor practice and numerous players and management interviews, I headed to Fenway knowing that today was the day, today the Bruins and Flyers would square off in front of over 38,000 fans. As the saying goes, “game on!!!”
On my way to the ballpark, I took in the atmosphere of the crowd, which was both playful and boisterous. Bruins and Flyers fans shared the streets outside Fenway, playfully bantering as they themselves took it all in.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaimed declared Friday, January 1, 2010 as NHL Winter Classic Day. Players, media members and fans alike celebrated the day with much vigor as they paid tribute to two great franchises and the game of hockey in it’s purest form, outdoor pond hockey.
Heading into the game both teams tried to play down the event, but the smiles on their faces could not disguise their utter excitement to play in the Winter Classic as, for many players, the honor of playing in the classic was a dream come true.
The ceremonies before the drop of the puck included the singing of both the Canadian and American national anthems, during which, both Canada’s and The U.S. flag were draped over the green monster.
A stealth bomber flew over Fenway shortly thereafter. It was a sight to see, even if you could barely hear it in the skies.
Finally, after so much hype and dedicated media attention, the Players readied themselves to drop the puck. Hall of Famers Bobby Clarke (Flyers) and Bobby Orr (Bruins) were selected as honorary Captains for their former clubs, a nice touch that didn’t escape the players, media or the fans.
For the Philadelphia Flyers to be successful at Friday’s Bridgestone Winter Classic, many analysts thought they would have to weather the storm of a amped up Boston Bruins crowd.
After a rather elementary first period by both clubs, the Flyers came out of the first intermission on fire. They hit everything that moved and dominated the seemingly slow Bruins.
The Flyers kept the puck in their opponents end for most of the period which paid off when Bruins goaltender misplayed the puck, leading to Flyers defense man scoring his first NHL goal of his career at 4:42 of the second period.
When the period was over, the Flyers looked every bit the better team and the scoreboard proved it as the Flyers would enter the third period up 1-0 on the Bruins.
By all accounts, the Flyers played a perfect road game for the first two periods. They didn’t take unnecessary penalties, they didn’t take unnecessary chances they kept the Bruins in check and they scored the first goal.
After the game, I had a chance to ask Bruins head coach about the Flyers dominance in the second period and what he told his troops, to which he replied: “We weren’t shooting pucks, we were trying to make those extra plays and those extra plays were being broken up and they would turn around and get a scoring chance off those turnovers or broken plays. They were bringing everything to the net. They were doing a much better job than we were. I wasn’t very happy.”
Clearly, after such a lack luster second period the Bruins needed to dig deep and find the fire in their bellies. The Bruins played a more disciplined third period, but were not be rewarded.
Then, at 16:08 of the third period, Flyers defense man Kimmo Timonen took a tripping penalty and, just like that, you could sense the momentum was about to change, destiny seemed to be rearing it’s head and the pendulum was about to turn in the Bruins favor.
With a crowd of players surrounding him, Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton, who had been very good throughout the game, watched as Bruins veteran NHL forward Mark Recchi tipped in a puck at 17:42 of the third period.
The Boston crowd, which had been eerily quiet up to that point, sprung out of their seats and erupted into cheers. Houston, we have a game…
With the game now tied and the Bruins now back in the game, Danny Briere inexplicably took a tripping call at 19:14 of the third, causing Bruins fans to once again leave their seats in excitement and anticipation of the power play to come.
The third period would end with no winner decided, which meant, this game was headed to overtime.
With the Bruins still on the power play, they came out with guns a blazing, quickly penetrating the Flyers defensive zone and attacking everything in orange and black.
Sadly, for Bruins fans, the power play ended without incident as the Bruins failed to score, the game was still tied.
With the shootout looming, fans seemed married to the fact that they would have to endure the cold for a bit longer. Then, with the puck already deep within the Flyers blue line, Bruins forward and Team Canada Olympic member Patrice Bergeron threw the puck at the net, which Germany’s Marco Sturm tipped in for the game winner.
Sturm’s goal capped off a remarkable comeback for the Bruins, one which will go down in history. Clearly, Strums goal was one of the biggest of his career. When asked about the goal Strum responded: “I just tried to go to the net. I think he (Bergeron) had Z (Zdeno Chara) open, too, a little bit, but he made a nice play for a tip-in”.
I would later press Sturm for more details, asking him if he scooped up the puck or of the NHL had it. “I don’t know anything, but I hope so (smiling), Strum responded. “You know, it;s just like I said before, it’s just one of those memories that is always going to be probably– for right now, on top of my list”.
And for many Bruins fans as well, Mr. Sturm!
For the Flyers, Sturm’s goal marked the end of an otherwise well played game. That said, their Flyers undisciplined penalties near the end of the third period cost them the game which left players and head coach Peter Laviolette reeling.
When asked about the Bruins tough play in the third period Laviolette, who was noticeably down, replied: “You know, it was probably their (Bruins) best period. I still think we were in pretty good shape going down the stretch. Yeah, I think that was probably their (Bruins) best period.
I asked Laviolette about the Flyers strong start and the teams ability to take the Bruins crowd out of the game, to which he responded: “We play a pretty good on the road. I think that’s why we found some success. We have been limiting chances. Again, they got some better looks in the third and on the power play. defensively it’s been pretty tight. It’s a good thing, when you’re playing wide open and it goes the other way, it can snowball in a different direction. It was good that we were tight”.
But not when it counted most, which, for Flyers’ fans, is a shame, as, in my opinion, the Flyers deserved a better fate then they got tonight.
I’ll have more on the Winter Classic in the coming days. For now, I’d like to say thank you to the B/R and the NHL for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime of covering the Winter Classic. It was a privileged and, on a personal note, I think I have grown tremendously as a writer, which we can all capitalize on.
Until next time,
Peace!
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano… 
Nazem Kadri, the seventh pick overall of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Draft, was one of the preseason’s most dominant players, and gave Leafs fans a much anticipated glimpse into the bright future of their franchise. Yet he was sent back to juniors to continue his development and dominate in his final year.
Though he had a slow start with the London Knights, he now leads the team with 38 points, 20 goals, and 18 assists in 28 games. He made Team Canada’s under 20 final roster, and is playing at the World Junior tournament in Saskatchewan.
This 19-year-old is listed at 6′0″, 167 pounds on Toronto’s Web site, but apparently he’s been putting on the pounds as he is listed at 177 pounds on Team Canada World Junior roster.
If there was ever a question in the minds of GM Brian Burke, head coach Ron Wilson, or anyone else in the Toronto organization about Kadri’s physicality, they have been answered by his play thus far at the World Junior Championships.
Kadri has not only been moved to the top line on a team that has scored 30 goals and given up only two, but has laid out some of the more punishing hits in the tourney.
Kadri’s offence has never been a question and he continues to answer the bell.
In three games he has three goals and two assists for five points while playing on a line with Taylor Hall, the only undrafted player on Canada’s under 20 World Junior Team. Hall is going to be the first overall draft pick in 2010, you can lock it up!
Leafs Nation continues to speculate as to what kind of heights Kadri will elevate their newest stud Phil Kessel’s game to—as well as who else will play on that line, if indeed those two are destined to play together.
One concern about Kadri’s game is the number of penalties he takes. He has 62 minutes in penalties with the Knights this year in 28 games an average of 2.21 penalty minutes per game.
Feistiness is a good quality—but taking bad penalties is not.
In his defense, one of his penalties was given for a thundering hit which, by NHL standards, wouldn’t have been called a penalty, but was called in the WJC because he knocked the helmet off the opposing player’s head.
Head shots are one thing officials are keeping a close eye on in this tourney and referees have been told to call anything even close.
As Team Canada’s Olympic rosters were named today, Leafs Nation and Canadians alike must be wondering how many of the talented players in the WJC may be suiting up for Canada at the Olympics in 2014 or even 2018.
Could Kadri’s name be announced along with Leaf teammate Phil Kessel for their respective countries in the future? If so, it would bring that always interesting scenario of “teammates playing against each other on the biggest stage in the world” to the forefront.
All of these speculations as to what kind of scenarios Leafs Nation will see with this budding young superstar Nazem Kadri are just that at this point, speculation, but who can’t help but dream!
In case you didn’t know, Gabe Morency (formally of The Score) has launched his new Web site. Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter and I will be throwing down our Podcast Get The Puck Out every Saturday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. catch Morency and “Get The Puck Out” at www.morencysports.com
by Stephen Brotherston… 
If you believe that Bryan Colangelo has been trying to recreate the 2006-07 version of the Toronto Raptors, then you will have noticed just how closely the 2009-10 Raptors have resembled that earlier version.
In 2006, Bryan Colangelo started the season with only six returning players and in 2009, he did it again. And with only four returning players destined to see much time in their team’s rotation, both of these reconstructed Raptors teams went through a very rough learning curve.
Players who didn’t know how to play together and coaches who didn’t know who to put on the floor conspired to produced a less than encouraging seven win, 13 loss start to the season each time.
But in 2006, the Raptors went 40-22 to finish out the season tying the Raptors record for wins in a season. Those 2006 Raptors “gelled” as a team and closed out the season winning 2/3rds of their games.
In reality, “gelling” in 2006 really meant Sam Mitchell figured out that playing Garbajosa at small forward turned a collection of players into a team. Sure there were other factors, but to “gel” requires coaches to figure things out at least as much as players “getting to know one another.”
This season the new small forward that the Raptors have tied their fortunes to is Hedo Turkoglu. And like Jorge Garbajosa, Turkoglu does not rely on his superior athleticism at either end of the floor but rather on sound positional play and basketball IQ.
Where Garbajosa is considered to be the more effective defender (although it was almost impossible to figure out how he managed to do it), Turkoglu is a vastly superior offensive player. And most people would consider Hedo a significant upgrade talent-wise from Garbajosa.
And anyone who has watched Turkoglu over the past few seasons or can even just remember how he played against LeBron, Pierce, and Bryant in last year’s playoffs, will realize Turkoglu can be as good as anybody against the elite wings in the NBA (and no, he isn’t winning any defensive awards).
Just check out the Orlando Magic’s top 10 plays from last season on NBA video (2008-09, Magic videos).
Of course the measure of how well Turkoglu is “gelling” with his Raptors teammates may be counted in his assist totals more than anything on the defensive end. And in the last five games, Turkoglu has been averaging 7 assists per game.
This season the Raptors have relied on rookie Head Coach Jay Triano whereas in 2006, the Raptors had the more experienced Sam Mitchell.
And Triano has shown his inexperience. Sticking with lineups that weren’t working and having to be “saved” by his GM and a players meeting after a five-game losing slide and the embarrassment in Atlanta.
This year’s Raptors should be considered as more talented than the 2006 version and may have actually won games despite some questionable coaching moves earlier this season (reverse also likely to be true).
But Jay Triano has the respect of some of the NBA’s top executives and Bryan Colangelo’s patience with his coach is likely to be rewarded (it would be nice if Triano could figure things out a little faster though).
However, finishing any season winning 65 percent of your games over even a modest stretch is no easy task and likely to be greeted with a measure of disbelief. And some people will look at the Raptors 15-17 record and not be convinced this team can do it.
But this season, the Raptors have gone 8-4 since that 7-13 start and are precisely on track to repeat that remarkable performance.
And with 10 teams in the East at under .500, the non-elite teams in the East are weak this year. The Raptors are currently in sixth place in the East with that 15-17 record.
Plus the 16-12 fiveth place Miami Heat have faced a soft opening schedule with 18 home games and just 10 road dates. Maybe the Raptors season split with the Magic is reflective of just how close these two teams really are?
There should be little doubt that Raptors opportunity for a strong finish to the 2009-10 season is there for the taking. And another 47 win season is still within grasp.
Like in 2006-07, Bryan Colangelo is likely to be looking at trades, different players will step up or not, and injury risk is out there!
It will not be a boring 2010 in Raptorland.
I recently got the opportunity to interview current Chicago Bulls and former Toronto Raptors play-by-play announcer Chuck Swirsky. Here’s what he had to say:
Q. What inspired you to get into sports broadcasting?
A. Well, I wasn’t a very good athlete so I had limited options in terms of wanting to play. When I was a little boy I became intrigued by turning on the radio and hearing a voice describing what was going on with baseball, football, soccer, and basketball games. Suddenly, at the age of five, I knew exactly what I wanted to do and that was to be a broadcaster.
Q. You’ve been in the business for nearly 30 years and yet you still seem as passionate as ever. What’s your secret?
A. It’s down to the enjoyment and the enthusiasm of being around the game, the sport itself, and the players, and the atmosphere. You’re right, I’ve never lost that passion. The day I do I’ll probably decide to go into another line of work, but I don’t foresee that as I enjoy waking up in the morning and being blessed to be in a position to call NBA games with some of the greatest athletes in the world.
Q. What’s it like to be back in the Windy City after ten years away?
A. It’s a wonderful, world class city—by far the best sports city in America. The passion that fans have in Chicago for all sports is unprecedented. It’s great being back.
Q. If you think back over your years of calling Chicago games, what are your best memories from on the court?
A. The first time I was in Chicago after 15 years, before I moved to call the University of Michigan games, and then the Toronto Raptors’. I was the public address announcer for the Bulls, originally But the Bulls before Michael Jordan arrived when they struggled on the floor and struggled to sell tickets.
Then all of a sudden Michael Jordan gets drafted and you know the rest of the story there! He is the greatest player that ever put on a pair of basketball shoes. Just being around that environment, day after day, was incredible.
Q. Speaking of Michael Jordan, his induction speech caused a lot of controversy. What are your thoughts on that speech?
A. I understood what people were saying, but that was his moment. He elected to do it and I can’t speak for him. Every player, coach, and contributor who goes into the Hall of Fame; that’s his moment and so for me to second guess, criticise, or ascertain why he did it, or the direction he went, would probably be foolish on my part.
Q. During your time in Toronto calling Raptors’ games, you became a Canadian citizen. This obviously shows how much you love the place, but what do you miss most about the city?
A. The mosaic atmosphere and the multi-cultural dimension of the city. The people are great. It’s an unbelievable place—we spent ten years there and loved it. As you say, I became a Canadian citizen and I thought I’d spend the rest of my life there, but things come up that you don’t foresee and we moved on.
The Raptors’ organisation is first class, but we’re in Chicago now and making the most of it. The Bulls are very similar to the Raptors from the standpoint of great ownership. The men and women who work behind the scenes are all top-class so I’m very thrilled to have been involved with two organisations that do it the right way.
Q. You were back in Toronto recently to call a game and the organisation took the opportunity to honour you. What was going through your mind?
A. It was very humbling. The organisation was extremely supportive while I was there and I can’t begin to thank them for their kindness and their appreciation of what I tried to do on a daily basis. I was moved.
While in a sense I’m very excited about the future and thrilled about the past, I live in the moment and for that moment in Toronto, it was certainly one of my highlights.
Q. I recently read in your blog that you miss the fact there’s no basketball anymore in Seattle or Vancouver. Looking at the Seattle situation in particular, and the circumstances surrounding their departure to Oklahoma, what are your thoughts on how it happened?
A. Well, I’m disturbed, to be honest with you, because I think the Vancouver situation was poorly handled by ownership and I wish the league had been a little more patient. I understand that it’s a business, but I think Vancouver is an outstanding city.
I know the dollars are different between the United States and Canada, and it fluctuates from time to time, but it’s unfortunate Vancouver’s no longer in the league.
The same with Seattle. That whole thing was a mess. I realise you can’t just get $600-$700 million and ask for a loan from the state or the city. I don’t know exactly what happened or how much was willing to be given up by the owner for a new arena in the Pacific Northwest for the Sonics, but to not have Vancouver and Seattle in the league is, I think, a travesty.
Q. The Chicago Bulls came over to England during the summer to play a preseason game against the Utah Jazz. How did you find the experience?
A. We had a tremendous time in London. The people were outstanding. The co-operation we received, the group, everything was first class and the people in England are the best. I wish them nothing but good health and success.
I hope to get back there very soon. I love London and I want to go beyond the city core and experience other parts of England that I’ve never been to before, so hopefully I’ll get to do that soon.
Q. Our time’s nearly up so just one last question. You’re well known for your catch phrase, “Bring out the salami and cheese.” What was the inspiration behind it?
A. That’s the one that ended ball games when the Raptors won. About five or six years ago now, I got a handwritten letter from a guy who watches the Raptors games with his wife.
He said, “You know, Chuck, I get so excited, I can’t move away from the TV set. I’m starving and I want to go in the refrigerator to make a sandwich, but I can’t because I don’t want to miss a play. So when you think the Raptors have won a game and it’s sealed, can you just let me know so I can go on my merry way and make a sandwich. Oh, by the way, I like salami and cheese.”
So the next game, the Raptors are up by 8-10 points with 30 seconds to go. I feel pretty confident they’re going to win the game so I say, “Get out the salami and cheese mama, because this game is over!’ The fans kind of bought into it and one thing led to the next.
Q. Chuck, thanks for your time.
A. My pleasure.
by Jon Neely… 
It’s hard to say that any one game is more important than another this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Currently in a battle for the eighth and final playoff spot with a chance at moving up in the standings with every passing game.
Every game matters that little bit more than the last and for a team that needs to continue to play well in order to make the postseason; it almost puts them in a situation where every time they step on the ice, it’s a must-win game.
The fans know it, the players know it, and you better believe Ron Wilson knows it.
But there are some games that stand out from the others as crucial to the team’s success. There are certain matchups that may be key, a certain time when a game is played that gives it extra incentive, or simply a game that from this vantage point looks like it good be vital to how the Leafs season turns out.
When the clock hits 12:00 on January 1, 2010, the Leafs will begin the unofficial second half to their season, a season that once looked terribly bleak but now that they’ve fought their way back into contention, could result in a playoff berth for the first time since 2004.
Here are the top 10 most important games remaining for the Leafs in 2010.
At the Calgary Flames - Jan. 2, 2010
Let’s face it, it’s always nice to win the first game of the New Year, and the Leafs will have the dubious task of playing in front of the boistrous Pengrowth Saddledome crowd in Calgary on Jan. 2. It will be the final game of a three-game road trip that will see them stop in Pittsburgh and Edmonton prior to this matchup.
Having to spend New Years Eve away from their families in the frigid cold of Western Canada may not be ideal for this Leafs team, but they have been successful away from home this season, and owe the Flames a hard-fought battle after Iginla and boys came into Toronto and roughed up the Leafs 5-2 on Nov. 14.
To start of the New Year with a win of any kind against Calgary on the road would be a huge boost of confidence, and will most likely be the determining factor as to whether the three-game trip was a success or not.
It’s never an easy task to beat the tough, defensive Flames who will just as easily beat you up, before they beat you, but if the Leafs can handle the physical play and find a way to beat Mikka Kiprusoff it could be one of the most impressive wins of the season for the club.
At the Washington Capitals - Jan. 15, 2010
They are currently the best team in the Eastern Conference, and the Washington Capitals are always an incredibly tough team to play against. It will be the fourth and final time this season the Leafs will play Ovie and the Caps, and it will be the most important of the four.
This game will mark the first of a five-game road trip for the Leafs that will see them stop in Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Florida following their stop in the Nation’s Capital.
Because it’s the first game of the trip it will be important for the Leafs to get off to a good start, especially when facing such a formidable opponent.
It’s also a great test for which ever goaltender is playing, as they’ll undoubtedly have to face a barrage of shots from three of the leagues most potent offensive stars in Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom and Alex Semin.
Toronto has been excellent against the Caps in their first three meetings, going 2-1-0 so far; their last meeting a convincing 6-3 win at the ACC.
If the Leafs can walk out of DC with a win and a 3-1 season record against one of the best teams in the NHL, they will no doubt feel very good going into the rest of their games on the trip.
New Jersey Devils - Jan. 29, Feb. 2, Feb.5, 2010
After this span of games, the Leafs and Devils will most assuredly be sick of one another. The two teams will play each other three times in eight days, which could be a major turning point in the Leafs season.
If they can’t hang with the powerful Devils and lose two or three of the games, it could be extremely detrimental to their playoff chances. Two of the three games are in New Jersey as well, and playing Brodeur at home is never easy.
Actually, if there’s an easy place to play Brodeur, no one has ever found it.
The Leafs will be home to the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 30, so they will have a one-game break from their frequent foes, but it will feel somewhat like a mini playoff series with the Devils who have been sitting at or near the top of the standings for the majority of the season.
The Leafs will be hoping Brodeur will have his mind elsewhere (say, the starting job at the Olympics maybe?) but they shouldn’t count on it.
Brodeur will be looking to pad his lead as the all-time wins and shutouts leader for goal tenders.
Not the kind of records Leafs want to be apart of this season.
At St. Louis Blues - Feb. 12, 2010
This game in St. Louis will mark the final game before the Olympic break in the NHL for the Leafs. They will not play again until March 2, so it will be important to get a win, or have to wait almost three weeks thinking about their last loss.
Surprisingly, after this game is played the Leafs will only have one more game against a Western Conference team, the Oilers, in March. Other than that, it’s all Eastern teams.
This game might be tough for some of the Leaf players who will have been chosen to represent their respective countries in Vancouver, and may be looking ahead with excitement to their chance at Olympic Gold.
They only have five games in February, but they are all tough ones. Two games against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils, followed by another installment of the battle of Ontario before hosting the West leading San Jose Sharks.
It will end with the rare visit to St. Louis, which hopefully the team can take away a positive from, and go into the break with confidence.
Carolina Hurricanes - Mar. 2, 2010
You guessed it; the next ‘most important game’ for the Leafs is the first one back from the Olympic break. It will have been almost 20 days since they last played a game and could be a sloppy one between the two teams, each with players who will have been in Vancouver.
Always important to get off to a good start, and this game will be no different as the Leafs will be looking to get a win in the first game of the final stretch of the regular season.
A lot will happen between then and now, but it could be especially important depending on where the team sits in the standings. Either fighting for their playoff position or battling for that final playoff spot; this game could be the start of an excellent final run in the home stretch.
Edmonton Oilers - Mar. 13, 2010
It will mark the return of the man who had the most success as a head coach with the Leafs in recent history. From 1998-2006 Quinn posted 300 wins, which trails only Punch Imlach for franchise wins as the Leafs’ head coach.
The team made the playoffs six out of the seven seasons he was there, including two trips to the Conference Finals.
Quinn was also the Leafs GM until 2005, when John Ferguson Jr. came in to replace him, and then turn around and fire the older, more experienced Quinn just a year later (don’t get me started on that one).
The man famously known for his vigorous gum-chewing and expletive-filled rants with the refs was one of the best coaches the Leafs have ever had and since his departure the Leafs haven’t been in the playoffs, nor have they been anywhere as close as competitive as when Quinn was at the helm.
The tough-as-nails coach will always be remembered for coaching a string of games sporting not one, but two black eyes from separate events on the bench. The man was one of a kind in Toronto.
Who knows where this team would be if Quinn had been able to stick around for a few more seasons, but one thing is for sure; the man deserves a standing ovation when he steps out onto the opposing bench for the first time.
He was blue and white through and through and the city of Toronto loved everything about him. It’s great to see him back behind the bench in the NHL, and will be great to see him chewing his gum in the ACC once again.
At the Ottawa Senators - Mar. 16, 2010
The final ‘Battle of Ontario’ of the regular season is always a heated affair, and this one should be no different. The rivalry was thought to be dead coming into this campaign, but the games so far have proven that though the players have changed, the hatred still remains.
How the Leafs do against the Sens will no doubt affect the playoff standings for each team. The 12 points that are up for grabs in the teams’ six games are of the utmost importance, and these will be the final two points up for grabs between them.
It’s far too early to say whether we’ll finally get to see yet another classic playoff matchup between the Leafs and Sens, but fans across Ontario have been waiting with bated breath for years since their last real battle.
But right now their only thinking about just getting to the big dance first, they’ll let fate worry about who their partners will be.
We can only hope they’ll find each other.
At the Pittsburgh Penguins - Mar. 28, 2010
With only seven games remaining in the regular season the Leafs will travel to Pittsburgh on a Sunday afternoon to face-off against the defending Stanley Cup Champions; who will no doubt be gearing up for a third-straight visit to the Finals.
Any win at this time of year will be important for the Leafs, but this one especially because of who the opponent will be. If the Leafs want to go anywhere once the regular season is over, they’ll have to prove they can beat teams that are significantly better than them.
Pittsburgh will offer them that challenge, and if they can win the game, they should gain the confidence they need to make a final push in their last six games.
Fans hope Crosby and Co. will be on cruise control by this point.
Four Game Home Stand - Mar. 30 - Apr. 6, 2010
The final four home games of the season for the Leafs, an excellent chance to go on a winning streak that could take them right to a playoff spot. They will play the Thrashers, Sabres, Bruins, and Flyers on the home-stand, before playing their final two games of the season on the road.
If there was ever a time for the Leafs to show they can win at home, these four games will be it. Over the past few seasons, okay, since Pat Quinn left, the Leafs have been pitiful on their home ice, but if things are to change around the ACC, they need to go out with a bang at the ACC.
If they do so, and win at least the majority of the tough games left on the docket, they could be opening the building for a home playoff game for the first time since 2004.
And that is a home game fans have been waiting for a long time to see.
At Montreal Canadiens - Apr. 10, 2010
Final game of the regular season. In Montreal. Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
Just a few years ago it came down to this very matchup in a game that should have seen the winner go to the playoffs. The Leafs won the game, but due to a shootout victory by the New Jersey Devils, they didn’t make the post season.
This year could see similar circumstances, and similar stakes up for grabs in a game that could decide the season for both teams. Right now both teams would be out of the playoffs, but both are only a few points out of that eighth spot.
This game could be the single most watched game of the season for both teams if they’re battling neck-and-neck for a chance at the Stanley Cup.
It’s far too early to tell how each teams’ season will look in April, but a small part of every fan wants to see this one game decide the teams fate, or heck, maybe even this game will be the deciding factor that has the Leafs and Habs meet up in the first round of the playoffs.
But know I’m just getting greedy.
www.FISHblast.com - The Head River runs roughly parallel to the Monck Road, traversing the southern reaches of the Canadian Shield from east to west. For the most part there is no evidence of human activity along much of the length of the river.
The vistas are frequently stunning and an abundance of wildlife will be in evidence. Please note that parts of the Head river will require fairly high skill levels, and are not for the inexperienced canoeist. We have added a road map and a few topographical maps to let you get a better idea of the terrain and vegetation.
Wildlife is abundant and it is virtually guaranteed that you will see some, especially if you have learned to paddle soundlessly. The many picturesque falls and rapids make excellent photographic opportunities as well. If you go there with the idea of taking your time and letting your senses absorb what is available you will enjoy it despite some areas that take a little effort.
We will look at the river in sections as if we were to start in Head lake and paddle downstream. To enter the Head River from Head Lake you must start further down the lake and paddle up to the river because the road is private where it crosses the bridge and the locals are vigilant and they mean private.
The first half of the trip from the lake to 503 (Monck road about 2 km east of Uphill) is wide, flat and generally swampy along the sides. There is a small dam and then life gets much more interesting. There are multiple rapids and small falls. Only a few of these are runable and some require 50- 200 meter portages. The only difficulty is that there are no portages so bushwhacking with a canoe on your head really describes it better. Several of the rapids and falls are very picturesque. Fallen logs are plentiful so lift outs or scraping under are common also. You can expect turtles, ducks, warblers, beavers, otters and muskrats and a good chance of spotting some larger mammals. Including lunch by a pretty little swift, it takes about 5-6 hrs.
From the Monck Road to County Rd 35 south of Uphill takes 2-3hrs. You start by ducking your head to get under the culvert and then wishing you had a saw to cut some of the branches and tangles that confront you. Before long you emerge into what I have called the Uphill swamp which is most of this part. The river takes a tortuous course and the vegetation is extremely green. There are lots of ducks including some eared grebes (which are supposed to be out west). They had nested and had young. River mammals are common and we saw some deer when we were there. Before you reach 35 there is a slightly faster little swift (not enough to call a rapid.) If you take out there you will find poison ivy on the downstream side of the bridge and an owner on the upstream side who is not a believer that the road allowance belongs to the County. –Take your choice.
From 35 to McKenzie Rd is a beautiful stretch. In June the wildflowers are out, the water is warm, the sky is azure and beside the periodic gurgling of the water and the territorial birds there is a great silence, broken only occasionally by a gust of wind in the tree tops This section is virtually uninhabited so if you have problems you are along way from help. There are multiple sets of delightful rapids and a few falls over limestone ridges. Cross river deadfalls are common also. Only experienced white water people should tackle this piece of river. There are no recognizable portages. I had a couple of different events happen. In one place I could see a fish struggling under water. On closer scrutiny a snapping turtle had bitten into its belly and was not going to let go. In another place I could see something white as I approached a small swift. As I passed over it I could see that it was a deer skeleton with the head impaled on a snag and the rest of the bones and ligaments still intact waving in the current –ghostly! Presumably it had fallen through the ice in the winter and all the flesh had been devoured since then. Time accumulated to this point is about 6 hours.
From Mckenzie Rd to Lake Dalrymple Rd. for many years was more or less my own private white-water 
domain. The last few years a number of white water canoe groups have started to use it for the spring runoff. Its hard to keep a secret that good. Again there are several rapids of different grades The largest is a grade 3-4 depending on the volume of water. It is 150-200 meters long with a 3-4 ft falls in the middle and curves around 2 corners. The total drop would be 20-25 ft -fun and a challenge too. Incidentally there is a place along the way that comes close to the road where you can stop for a butter tart. This is the prime white water area so be aware. 2 hours
After lake Dalrymple Road quiet water for the most part with one exception to get your attention. The Head River creek from Lake Dalrymple comes in from the left before you get to the Monck Road again. It might be an interesting diversion to paddle up there a bit. Expect wildlife. 2-3hours
The Monck Rd (at Young’s lake) to Sadowa Rd north of Sebright has some gentle rapids but nothing worrisome. The creek from Young’s lake which enters from the left is full of fish if you are lucky enough to be there in the spring. On the right Cranberry River enters. It is generally full of logs and bush and is not recommended. It is a long, long way to Cranberry Lake and besides it is privately owned.
The most commonly used part of the river is from the Sadowa Road. bridge to Hwy 69 near the wilderness campground southeast of Washago. This is the Black river by then, the Head having joined several km’s upstream. Most paddlers with some experience can enjoy this section. The first 2 rapids are the most difficult and there are easy portages on the left side of both. They are quite close together so portage both at once if you are not going to run them. There is some good fishing in this section. Strangely enough if you do this section just after the ice goes out you may be able to take a shortcut through the trees for about a ½ Km and avoid the junction Its a lot like skiing the glades. It comes out into a little pond off the left side of the Black that is usually full of ducks. Be aware that in the spring runoff the Black is powerful with lots of boils and eddies so watch those eddy lines. 3 hours – The most important thing of all is to go prepared, give yourself lots of time and relate to the wilderness. The rewards are immense.
By Dr. Harry Hall… (reprinted from The Prairie Smoke 3.3)
by Jon Neely… There was a giant sigh of re-Leaf Saturday night after the Maple Leafs finally beat the Boston Bruins after a nasty seven-game losing streak to the division rivals that dated back to early last season.
It was a hard-fought, bloody battle that ended with a 2-0 win for the Leafs and the first career shutout for Jonas Gustavsson, who had a solid 25-save performance.
But more importantly the Leafs were able to beat their former nemesis, Tuukka Rask, the Leafs former first-round pick who they sent to the Bruins in 2006 in the trade that sent Andrew Raycroft to Toronto. Since Rask started his career in the NHL he had become somewhat of a nemesis for the Leafs.
Rask recorded his first career victory in Toronto on Nov. 20, 2007 in what was a huge boost to his confidence, since the Leafs seemingly gave up on the Finnish net minder before even giving him a chance.
He was 2-0 this season against the Leafs coming into Saturday night, a 7-2 win on Dec. 5 and a 5-2 win on Dec. 10, and was looking for his fourth-straight win against his former team.
But the Leafs finally prevailed against Rask, and all it took was a weak wrister from the wing by Tomas Kaberle that beat him short-side which turned out to be all they would need.
It was a big rebound win for the team who had lost their previous two games and were looking extremely lackluster compared to their great December play. The Leafs are now 7-4 during the month but have a tough test coming up with the Buffalo Sabres coming to town on Monday.
And with them comes another Leaf nemesis in Ryan Miller.
The Leafs have major problems beating Miller and never seem to play well against the Sabres as they’ve lost all three meetings this season and the last eight games overall.
Miller has been putting up insane numbers this season, leading the league with a 1.89 GAA, .937 SV%, and four shutouts. It’s clear that the Leafs aren’t the only team he’s been shutting down, but he especially loves to play the Leafs.
After snapping the losing streak against the Bruins on Saturday and finally beating the goalie-nemesis in Rask, they have another chance to do the same against the Sabres and Miller back at the ACC on Monday.
It was a pitiful performance Friday night in Buffalo as the Leafs lost 5-2, but they hope that playing on their own ice will be what they need facing them just three days later.
The Leafs have been playing great at home as of late, winning five of their past six games there, and hope to continue to trend.
It would be a huge if the Leafs could get a rare win against Buffalo, not only to end the streak, but it’s a small four-point gap between them and the eighth and final playoff spot. A win on Monday would be huge for their confidence and inch them even close to that ever-desired post-season position.
There is a long way to go, but for now the Leafs can at least say one nemesis down, one to go.
T.O. Sports Magazine, TOsports…
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Recent Comments