Prelude - Playoffs? But we're only half-way through the hockey year! What gives? Well, actually, NFL playoffs are just three weeks away. However, in light of New England Patriots absolute dominance this season, small talking football over the next few weeks will be easy to do. Let's show you how.
Sport - Football
Event - NFL football playoffs.
Issue
Winter didn't stop NFL games including the New England Patriots victory over New York Jets. The Patriots are now 14-0 and stand poised to be only the second team in NFL history to have a perfect regular season.
Can they win throughout the playoffs and make their entire season perfect? Only Indianapolis probably stands in their path. The other conference might send Dallas but New England already showed what they can do to them back in week 6 winning 48-27.
Point to say - "So New England is 14-0!"
Follow up point - "Can New England sustain it through the playoffs?"
Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch any of the Canadian Junior games over Christmas Holidays?"
Backgrounder
Patriots Remain THE story of the football year.
Party trick
Got his from the Globe and Mail a few weeks back, but it still works, so try this at your next party. Bet someone a drink and then ask "has New England Patriots lost a game this year?" They will likely say no, whereupon you reveal that yes, they did, back in January when they lost in the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts.
Analysis
This has the potential of being really big. Or a really big puff of smoke. It all depends on how big and how far the suspensions go. But ultimately, fans must decide if this product is worthy of their money.
Links
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Baseball in the Spotlight
Prelude - A really big sports news story about professional baseball just emerged today. A report was released that begins to really shed light on the extent of the steroids issue in professional baseball. Will this change how fans see the game?
Sport - Baseball
Event - Investigation into the baseball's drug problem released today.
Issue
Various sports leagues have banned the use of illegal substances. Therefore, being caught using these drugs can warrant punitive action. But for fans, the actual issue has to do with the records that are broken by athletes using performance enhancing drugs. Much has been written about the all-time homerun record falling this year to a guy who is suspected of using steroids.
However, does anybody care? Fans still come to the games and upwards of 80 million North Americans will visit a ballpark in the upcoming 2008 season. For fans, it will an interesting spring has they watch and see if baseball does anything to try and keep its image clean.
Point to say - "Did you hear about the latest happening in Baseball?
Follow up point - "Do you think anything will change because of this report on stars using drugs?"
Get out of the conversation - "The Sens look to be back on track."
Backgrounder
Baseball hasn't worried about Steroids for a long time. In fact, steroids helped baseball shortly after the strike in the mid 1990's. Mark McGuire went on to break the record and America loved him for it.
This has the potential of being really big. Or a really big puff of smoke. It all depends on how big and how far the suspensions go. But ultimately, fans must decide if this product is worthy of their money.
Links
An excellent background piece by Ken Fidlin published in the Sun chaine of newspapers.
A link to the results of the investigation as written in the Globe and Mail.
Sport - Baseball
Event - Investigation into the baseball's drug problem released today.
Issue
Various sports leagues have banned the use of illegal substances. Therefore, being caught using these drugs can warrant punitive action. But for fans, the actual issue has to do with the records that are broken by athletes using performance enhancing drugs. Much has been written about the all-time homerun record falling this year to a guy who is suspected of using steroids.
However, does anybody care? Fans still come to the games and upwards of 80 million North Americans will visit a ballpark in the upcoming 2008 season. For fans, it will an interesting spring has they watch and see if baseball does anything to try and keep its image clean.
Point to say - "Did you hear about the latest happening in Baseball?
Follow up point - "Do you think anything will change because of this report on stars using drugs?"
Get out of the conversation - "The Sens look to be back on track."
Backgrounder
Baseball hasn't worried about Steroids for a long time. In fact, steroids helped baseball shortly after the strike in the mid 1990's. Mark McGuire went on to break the record and America loved him for it.
Homeruns are what make the highlights. Homeruns are what give players large contracts. So nothing is about to change until the public decides it doesn't want to fund an institution that promotes or at least doesn't punish cheaters.
Baseball is handing out fines to players, but only token amounts. Very much like the NHL handouts suspensions for very dangerous hits. Nothing really significant enough to actually stop it from happening again.
AnalysisThis has the potential of being really big. Or a really big puff of smoke. It all depends on how big and how far the suspensions go. But ultimately, fans must decide if this product is worthy of their money.
Links
An excellent background piece by Ken Fidlin published in the Sun chaine of newspapers.
A link to the results of the investigation as written in the Globe and Mail.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Festival Special - Eggnog and the World Junior Championships - it's holiday season in Canada
Prelude - Christmas is coming. In Canada that means two things: Eggnog and the World Junior Hockey Championships. The camp to decide the 2007 version of this team opens today in Calgary. To get you ready for hockey talk during your upcoming Christmas party, let's give you a line or two.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Canadian junior players begin quest for Gold Medal at World Junior Championship.
Issue
About the only country that watches the World Junior Championship is Canada. We love our hockey. But seriously, this is a top notch brand of hockey to watch. Most of these players will make it to the NHL. The best analogy is to say that this tournament is the equivalent to a debutante's ball.
A big name at this year's tournament is John Tavares. Already known by hockey die hards, this tournament should put his name into the main stream of hockey fans.
Point to say - "Are you going to watch any of the Canadian Junior games over Christmas Holidays?"
Follow up point - "Do you think Tavares will lead the team to Gold?"
Get out of the conversation - "Oh look, someone brough cake."
Backgrounder
John Tavares plays in the Ontario Hockey League for the Oshawa Generals. Other very notible players that have played for Oshawa include Bobby Orr and Eric Lindros. Tavares is held in the same category as these players. Well, Lindros at least.
Tavares will head off to the junior camp leading the OHL in scoring with 68 points (24 goals and 44 assists).
The World Junior Championships is an annual tournament where the 10 best hockey nations send their top prospects to represent their country. The tournament rotates througout the countries. This year, it is being played in Pardubice, Czech Republic. In fact, it will soon come to Ottawa in 2009. Canada has won the past three tournaments, and finished in the top three since 1999. In fact, Canada is the most decorated country with 26 total top three finishes since 1974. Canada will open defence of its title Canada starts Dec. 26, 2007 against host Czech Republic.
Analysis
Canada should do very well. Just this spring most of these players played in a recreation of the Canada vs Russia hockey series. Canada's junior team went 7-0-1 in a Super Series against Russia in August and September.
Links
Globe and Mail story on upcoming camp.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Canadian junior players begin quest for Gold Medal at World Junior Championship.
Issue
About the only country that watches the World Junior Championship is Canada. We love our hockey. But seriously, this is a top notch brand of hockey to watch. Most of these players will make it to the NHL. The best analogy is to say that this tournament is the equivalent to a debutante's ball.
A big name at this year's tournament is John Tavares. Already known by hockey die hards, this tournament should put his name into the main stream of hockey fans.
Point to say - "Are you going to watch any of the Canadian Junior games over Christmas Holidays?"
Follow up point - "Do you think Tavares will lead the team to Gold?"
Get out of the conversation - "Oh look, someone brough cake."
Backgrounder
John Tavares plays in the Ontario Hockey League for the Oshawa Generals. Other very notible players that have played for Oshawa include Bobby Orr and Eric Lindros. Tavares is held in the same category as these players. Well, Lindros at least.
Tavares will head off to the junior camp leading the OHL in scoring with 68 points (24 goals and 44 assists).
The World Junior Championships is an annual tournament where the 10 best hockey nations send their top prospects to represent their country. The tournament rotates througout the countries. This year, it is being played in Pardubice, Czech Republic. In fact, it will soon come to Ottawa in 2009. Canada has won the past three tournaments, and finished in the top three since 1999. In fact, Canada is the most decorated country with 26 total top three finishes since 1974. Canada will open defence of its title Canada starts Dec. 26, 2007 against host Czech Republic.
Analysis
Canada should do very well. Just this spring most of these players played in a recreation of the Canada vs Russia hockey series. Canada's junior team went 7-0-1 in a Super Series against Russia in August and September.
Links
Globe and Mail story on upcoming camp.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Downie returns to NHL
Prelude - The Philadelphia Flyers Steve Downie is finished serving his suspension for his hit on Senator Dean McAmmond. Now that he is back, when we hear about him next, will it be for his goals or his future suspensions?
Sport - Hockey
Event - Steve Downie gets called up to the Flyers lineup after serving 20 game suspension.
Issue
As blogged back on October 29th, hits to the head continue in the NHL, in particular with the Flyers who just had their fifth player suspended for an illegal hit.
Now, The NHL has warned Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren that the franchise could be subject to further disciplinary action for any other hit.
With Downie back in the lineup, the issue turns to, will anything change with this team or are we going to see his name again in the headlines?
Point to say - "So, Downie is back with the Flyers, eh?"
Follow up point - "How long before he is suspended againt? (slight joke intended)"
Get out of the conversation - "I wouldn't want him on my team."
Backgrounder
Downie is a highly prized prospect of the Flyers. They love his "grit" and scoring combination. "Grit" and "dirty" are very close in definition though. Depending on the angle of a story you read on him, he always has been a gritty/dirty player, ever since day 1 of his junior days. Typically, hockey pundits love him for it. It's the old cliche "I hate him, but I want him on my team".
Steve Downie was given the fourth longest suspension (20 games) in the history of the NHL for his hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. Since this event, the Flyers have since had four other members of their team serve suspension for illegal hits of various kinds.
After his hit on McAmmond, he was given the lengthy suspension because he was a rookie without a name, thereby letting the NHL use him as a case to send a message to the players without removing a star player from the ticket buying audience.
Did he get the message? Well, he is coming into the Flyers lineup having played 13 games for the Flyers farm team the Philadelphia Phantoms this season. Of note, he led the AHL team in penalty minutes with 63.
Links
Story on Downie's call-up to the Flyers.
Story on his suspension.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Steve Downie gets called up to the Flyers lineup after serving 20 game suspension.
Issue
As blogged back on October 29th, hits to the head continue in the NHL, in particular with the Flyers who just had their fifth player suspended for an illegal hit.
Now, The NHL has warned Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren that the franchise could be subject to further disciplinary action for any other hit.
With Downie back in the lineup, the issue turns to, will anything change with this team or are we going to see his name again in the headlines?
Point to say - "So, Downie is back with the Flyers, eh?"
Follow up point - "How long before he is suspended againt? (slight joke intended)"
Get out of the conversation - "I wouldn't want him on my team."
Backgrounder
Downie is a highly prized prospect of the Flyers. They love his "grit" and scoring combination. "Grit" and "dirty" are very close in definition though. Depending on the angle of a story you read on him, he always has been a gritty/dirty player, ever since day 1 of his junior days. Typically, hockey pundits love him for it. It's the old cliche "I hate him, but I want him on my team".
Steve Downie was given the fourth longest suspension (20 games) in the history of the NHL for his hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. Since this event, the Flyers have since had four other members of their team serve suspension for illegal hits of various kinds.
After his hit on McAmmond, he was given the lengthy suspension because he was a rookie without a name, thereby letting the NHL use him as a case to send a message to the players without removing a star player from the ticket buying audience.
Did he get the message? Well, he is coming into the Flyers lineup having played 13 games for the Flyers farm team the Philadelphia Phantoms this season. Of note, he led the AHL team in penalty minutes with 63.
Links
Story on Downie's call-up to the Flyers.
Story on his suspension.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Is the ship sinking, or has the engine just stalled?
Prelude - The 1995-1996 version of the Ottawa Senators sucked. They only won 18 games that hockey season. Since then, they have become one of the elite teams of the league, capped off with last year's Stanley Cup appearance. This year's team, has 16 wins already. So, when the current crop of Senators matches something the '96 team accomplished, well, its time to break out the crisis type talk.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Ottawa Senators are in the midst of their longest losing streak since 1996 (six games as of Saturday, Dec 1, 2007).
Issue
Nothing like a losing streak to get Ottawa fans all skittish and flustered. Their lack of playoff success has created a permanent sinking feeling among fans when times turn bad.
Is this losing streak serious? Well, Wayne Scanlan reported in Sunday's Ottawa Citizen that when winger Daniel Afredsson was asked if this losing streak is getting serious, he replied "It's professional sports. If you don't win, you suck."
Media is focusing on the defence not playing very well as of late. In particular, the play of Wade Redden.
So will they pull out of this slump. Of course they will. The schedule will get favourable for a week, as they play weaker teams, thereby putting out the fire and serious talk.
Point to say - "So, when do you think the Sens will turn this around?"
Follow up point - "Do you think it has something do with Redden's play?"
Get out of the conversation - "I'm sure the Sens will turn it around soon."
Backgrounder
The 1995-1996 Senators were the last Senators team not to make the playoffs. Since then Senators have moved into being one of the best teams year after year.
However, let's mitigate this point with one small point. As one television reporter (Sportsnet) aptly pointed out after the Senators lost to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, "who remembers that the Anaheim Ducks won only 2 games out of the 12 games they played during a stretch though December of last year? Nobody. That's because when it comes to the Ducks, all that anybody remembers is that they won the cup." Point being, people's memories are short come playoff time.
Not a Sens fan? Hope the gap between and the rest of the league closes? Well, interesting that the Leafs are now just 8 points behind the Senators. That's four wins. Then again, it is a long way off from catching them for points.
Link
Wade Redden is one of the stars of the Senators. He is a fan favourite but lately has had his share of detractors. Especially since the Sens signed him to a big money contract and let Zdeno Chara go to the Boston Bruins.
Sens past game results
Sport - Hockey
Event - Ottawa Senators are in the midst of their longest losing streak since 1996 (six games as of Saturday, Dec 1, 2007).
Issue
Nothing like a losing streak to get Ottawa fans all skittish and flustered. Their lack of playoff success has created a permanent sinking feeling among fans when times turn bad.
Is this losing streak serious? Well, Wayne Scanlan reported in Sunday's Ottawa Citizen that when winger Daniel Afredsson was asked if this losing streak is getting serious, he replied "It's professional sports. If you don't win, you suck."
Media is focusing on the defence not playing very well as of late. In particular, the play of Wade Redden.
So will they pull out of this slump. Of course they will. The schedule will get favourable for a week, as they play weaker teams, thereby putting out the fire and serious talk.
Point to say - "So, when do you think the Sens will turn this around?"
Follow up point - "Do you think it has something do with Redden's play?"
Get out of the conversation - "I'm sure the Sens will turn it around soon."
Backgrounder
The 1995-1996 Senators were the last Senators team not to make the playoffs. Since then Senators have moved into being one of the best teams year after year.
However, let's mitigate this point with one small point. As one television reporter (Sportsnet) aptly pointed out after the Senators lost to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, "who remembers that the Anaheim Ducks won only 2 games out of the 12 games they played during a stretch though December of last year? Nobody. That's because when it comes to the Ducks, all that anybody remembers is that they won the cup." Point being, people's memories are short come playoff time.
Not a Sens fan? Hope the gap between and the rest of the league closes? Well, interesting that the Leafs are now just 8 points behind the Senators. That's four wins. Then again, it is a long way off from catching them for points.
Link
Wade Redden is one of the stars of the Senators. He is a fan favourite but lately has had his share of detractors. Especially since the Sens signed him to a big money contract and let Zdeno Chara go to the Boston Bruins.
Sens past game results
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