Life outside a hockey rink

Prelude - We're back. Ah life it gets busy. Kind of like sports. So much going on. We could analyse the short comings of the Montreal Canadiens recent playoff loss but, frankly the sporting world has already moved on. We could look at the recent firing of the Toronto Maple Leafs coach, but frankly, so what. Instead, spring makes us hopeful. Hopeful for the heat and activity of Summer. In fact, it's almost starting time to pick the sport you want to talk about during the summer months. Perhaps you already have. Maybe you'll be at a soccer field or a ball diamond with you son or daughter. So what all is happening out there in sport land? Let's cover some ground for and get you ready for future blogs.

Sport - Soccer, Baseball, Hockey, Golf, Basketball

Event - Spring is in the air. Time to get outside the hockey rink and discover the rest of the world.

Point to say -
At a hockey rink - "Are you following the Hockey World Championships?" or
At a soccer field - "Are you following the Toronto soccer team this summer?" or
At a ball diamond - "Are you following the Blue Jays this summer?" or
On the golf course - "Is Tiger Woods going to win any more Majors?"

Follow up point - "I'm following a new blog about sports, so ?"

Get out of the conversation - "Where are you going on your vacation this summer?"

Backgrounder
First, for the first time in the Tournament's history, the Hockey World Championships are being held in Canada (Halifax and Quebec city to be specific). Most sport fans only have a mild interest in this tournament. It comes no where near the interest that the Stanley Cup has. But Canada is looking good as a potential team to win the Gold. With it being in our time neck of the woods, there will be more press coverage and thus more talk as the tournament moves on.

Toronto's professional soccer team (Toronto FC) started up last summer. Most new teams lose all their games. This year wasn't supposed to be too much different. However, the team is doing very well so far. You might remember this as the League David Beckham (Posh Spice's husband) is in.

Ah the Blue Jays. Everyone knows the Blue Jays. Just that no-one really cares any more. However, the team has new baby blue uniforms they wear each Friday home game. Might be worth checking out.

Who is Tiger Woods? Singly the most widely recognized athlete in the world. He just recently had surgery. Before that he was dominant. Really dominant. So much so, that there was talk of him winning all the big tournaments (known as Majors - of which there are four). Stay tuned!

Links

Playoff fever = car flag

Prelude - So your wife goes to Montreal for a trip. Next thing you know, she is wearing a Carey Price t-shirt, and has joined his Facebook Fanclub. Playoff fever is going to the next level! There are only two series left to decide before round 1 of the hockey playoffs is over. But the top teams are through. So let's start to get ready for the next round of playoffs. Pick up the latest on the playoffs run to join the conversation this week.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Montreal wins over Boston 5-0 to win their series.

Point to say - "Do you think Montreal can make it past the next round?"

Follow up point - "Can Carey Price withstand the pressure of the next round?"

Get out of the conversation - "Have you gone biking yet?"

Backgrounder
Carey Price is the rookie goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. Earlier this year, Montreal traded their starting goalie and Price their number one guy. A very tall order for a rookie goalie, who plays in Montreal. So far, he's made some mistakes, but all in all, looked amazing in the playoffs.

Reviewing the list of playoff winners will show that, so far in the playoffs, there have not been any major upsets.

Pittsburgh looks like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, but Montreal is playing very well. Sure, they let Boston back in the series but everything is working for them and they have the goalie to go far with.

In the Western Conference, Detroit is poised to make it through the next round. Who would they meet? It should be San Jose, but tonight's game against Calgary will answer that.

Standings
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Montreal vs (8) Boston - Canadiens win series 4-3
(2) Pittsburgh vs (7) Ottawa - Penguins win series 4-0
(3) Washington vs (6) Philadelphia - Series tied 3-3
(4) New Jersey vs (5) NY Rangers - Rangers win series 4-1

WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit vs (8) Nashville - Red Wings win series 4-2
(2) San Jose vs (7) Calgary - Series tied 3-3
(3) Minnesota vs (6) Colorado - Avalanche win series 4-2
(4) Anaheim vs (5) Dallas - Stars win series 4-2

Links
Off note, get ready for your sports fan to ask you about putting a car flag on.

Talk Turn To Trades

Prelude - If you plan on talking to a Senators fan, don't go looking for answers about this season and why it happened. It will take a while to unravel this mystery. Instead, focus on the fun stuff. There are two choices today: If it's broke, does it need fixing? and whose sexier, someone who plays team sports or individual sports? Let's see what to say in each case.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Post playoff analysis of Senators begins. Patios open in Ottawa.

Point to say - "Do you think Ottawa will trade Emery?"

Follow up point - "Did you hear about the rumour that Vancouver would trade Luongo for Spezza?. "

Get out of the conversation - "Can't wait for the patios to open. How about you?"

Backgrounder
Talking about trades is just perfect for a summer day on a patio with your sports fan. The whole point is, no one can be wrong because the whole thing is speculative. The essence of the discussion centres on the point of "if you don't win then something, then there is a problem." Note to Leaf Fans, this excludes you are really, the owners don't care to fix that team because, heh, why bother, money still pours into that franchise.

What about Ottawa? From going from the Stanley Cup finals, and their subsequent hot start, to being swept, it would appear pieces are missing, or something is broken. The conversation in the media right now is about Spezza having a no trade clause. That is a contract that does not allow a player to be traded without his consent. It has been written that Spezza has such a stipulation and that it starts this summer. If so, any trade would have be done immediately after the Stanley Cup final.


FUN STUFF
A paper published in the January edition of Evolutionary Psychology found that heterosexual women prefer sexual partners who play team sports to those who participate in solitary activities or refrain from athletic endeavours altogether.

The study found that women were more likely to want to get involved with men who play a team sport than with individual team players or non-athletes. Men who were described as being highly skilled at their team sport were deemed the most attractive.

Point to say - (definately if you with your friends on a patio) "Whom do you think is sexier, hockey players or golfers?"

Links
Read the Full article on this topic here.

There is no joy in Bytown, mighty Alfie has struck out

Prelude -
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Senators yesterday:
The series stood 2 games to zero, with but one meaningful game to play,
And then when Crosby scored his first, and Staal did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Alfie could but get a whack at that--
We'd put up even money now, with him in the game."

Heatley was there, at times, .. well in spirit at least,
Spezza skated hard, but you'd be hard pressed to see,
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of the Sens coming back.

But wait... there.. the thunderous rumble of a puck
As mighty Alfie returned for one last shot.
And fans cheered lustily, as they looked for rabbit in the hat,
but alas, fans, hope now sits firmly with the Habs.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Sens lose to Pittsburgh 4-1.

Point to say - "What happened to the Senators this year?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Ottawa should make any roster changes over the summer? "

Get out of the conversation - "Did you see Trevor on TV yesterday? What's with the hair?"

Backgrounder
15-2. That is how the Senators started the year. Ottawa Citizen columnist Wayne Scanlan compared them to the great Montreal Canadiens of the 70's that only lost 10 games one year. Boy did this shoe drop. Goaltending will be sighted as the biggest fault. But look for something bigger to come out during the summer. Something happened that made either stop believing in the little things that win games, or they just failed to use the system the coach wanted. The pieces were there for a repeat visit to the final.

This lost season pretty much cinches how this franchise will wear the choke collar for a while to come. They should have had an arsenal of Stanley Cups over the past six years. Alas, one visit to the final is all they have to show for it. So, the analogy to the mighty Casey At the Bat poem is apt. Poor Sens fans. There is no joy in Bytown this day.

Links
Alfie attempts a spirited comeback.
Full games details can be found here.

The Bruins come back. Can Ottawa?

Prelude - Last night saw both the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils win their games. This puts them back into their playoffs series. Now the minds of hockey fans in the Capital ask, can the Senators come back as well?

Sport - Hockey

Event - Last night, New Jersey won their game against the Rangers 4 to 3, and Boston won over Montreal 2 -1.

Point to say - "Do you think Ottawa can come back in their series?"

Follow up point - "Ottawa played well in their last game. So, maybe on home ice they can do it. "

Get out of the conversation - "Did you do any spring cleaning so far?"

Backgrounder
The importance of game 3, after losing the first two, can not be overstated. Lose game 3 and, well, pray for a miracle. In a best of seven series (first team to win four games advances) it is very very rare that teams come back after losing the first three.

Currently in the Ottawa-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh is up 2 games to zero. Pittsburgh has been by far the stronger team. Ottawa's goaltending was thought to be the weak point for the team, however, their goalie, Martin Gerber, has been their best player. The big news for Ottawa fans, is the news on the weekend that their best forward, Jason Spezza, did not practice Saturday. Is he injured?

Teams never release injury information about their players during the playoffs. It is too much of an advantage to the other team. So, if you want to know who is injured, well, you'll have to wait until the team is out. Last year, Sidney Crosby played the first round of the playoff series on a broken foot. This information wasn't released until after Ottawa put them out.

Links
The crowd will be important to Ottawa.

The New Hockey Sweater

Preface - Fun time! Take a break from talking so much sports. We'll pick up the discussion tomorrow. Sit back and enjoy a spin on the Canadian Hockey classic tale. I recently had some fun submitting a short story for a newsletter published where I work.

Based on Roch Carrier’s classic Canadian children’s story, I have adapted the story to show what would be the experience of young child now.

Story
by Trevor Banks
The winters of my childhood were long, long seasons. We lived in about 14 places with access to after-school programs, ski hills, shopping malls, camps, church and multiple skating rinks. But we had no real life of our own. So to show our individual pride, we looked to our hockey sweaters.

I remember very well the winter of 2006. We all wore the same uniforms as our heroes in the NHL, the best hockey league in the world. We laced our skates like Mats Sundin; we taped our sticks like Jason Spezza; we bookmarked the latest blogs about our heroes. Truly we knew everything there was to know about everybody in our hockey pool.

On the ice, when the referee blew his whistle, we were five Dany Heatleys against five Alex Ovechkins. We were 10 players all wearing the latest uniforms, all with the same burning enthusiasm every junior player shows when he is one step away from a multi-million-dollar deal.
How could we forget that!

One day, the NHL signed a deal with Reebok. No longer was my San Jose Sharks jersey the latest one; it was last year’s model. My mother said, “Won’t you please wear this sweater? We are poor.” I refused.

Then my mother did what she always did whenever we needed new clothes. She started to look through the web pages of eBay. My mother was proud. She never wanted to buy our clothes at Wal-Mart.

My mother did not understand the workings of eBay. To order my hockey sweater, she opened her email and carefully typed, “Dear Monsieur eBay, would you be so kind as to send me a San Jose Kings hockey sweater for my son, Roch. He is 10 years old and a little bit chubby because of the Xbox games he constantly plays. I hope your shipping will be faster than it was last time.”
Monsieur eBay answered my mother’s email promptly. Four weeks later we received the sweater.

That day I had one of the greatest disappointments of my life! Instead of the new home jersey of the San Jose Sharks, Monsieur eBay had sent the gold, blue, white and silver sweater of the Nashville Predators─their third jersey. It could not be! The sweater was from two seasons ago! The numbers were ironed on, not sewn, and the name bar was of a player no longer on the team! All my friends had the new RBK jerseys. Mine was from CCM!

With tears in my eyes I found the strength to say, “I’ll never wear that uniform.”

“My boy,” said my mother, “first you are going to try it on. If you make your mind up about something before you try it, you won’t go very far in this life.”

I was crying, “I can’t wear that.”

“Why not? The sweater is a perfect fit.”

“Paul Kariya doesn’t play for the Predators anymore.”

“You’re not Paul and you’re not from Korea. Besides, it’s not what you put on your back that matters; it’s what you put inside your head.”

“You’ll never make me put in my head to wear a third jersey from Nashville.”

My mother sighed. “I can’t remove the comment I posted about how good the service was from Monsieur eBay. Further, I don’t know how to sell things on eBay, and I’m not having a garage sale in the middle of winter!”

When I arrived at the rink in my sweater, all the boys told me that Kariya was no longer a Predator, that my numbers would come off in the wash and that I taped my stick like Yashin. This third jersey weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I was told I had to wait until a spot opened up before I could take a turn on the ice. By the time it was almost dinner, I still had not played. Then the only boy who had a wooden stick broke it after skating in the corner. Finally, my chance had come!

I skated onto the ice like Owen Nolan during the All-Star game. The referee blew his whistle and gave me a penalty. He said there were already five players on the ice. That was too much! “This is persecution!” I shouted. “It’s just because my sweater is too old- fashioned!”
I crashed my stick against the ice so hard that it chipped.

“My child,” said the referee in his teenaged voice, “a good ref never calls a penalty with only minutes left in the game but in this case I’m making an exception. Now go home. Ask the Hockey Commissioner for forgiveness when your appeal is heard, sometime next month.”

Wearing my Nashville jersey, I went home and sent the Hockey Commissioner my email. I asked him to cancel this new deal with Reebok right away and to make sure eBay sells a Sidney Crosby jersey real cheap.

Links
See an animated version of Roch Carrier’s classic children’s story, The Hockey Sweater at the National Film Board website:
http://www.nfb.ca/animation/objanim/en/films/film.php?sort=director&director=Cohen%2C+Sheldon&id=13316

ABSTRACT: The Hockey SweaterBy Roch Carrier
In the days of Roch Carrier’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centred around school, church and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They learned everything there was to know about him. When Roch outgrows his beloved Canadiens sweater, his mother writes to “M. Eaton” for a new one. Much to Roch’s dismay, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. When Roch turns up at the rink in his sweater, the captain tells him he must wait for a turn to play. Finally another player must stop playing because of a bleeding nose. Roch sees his chance and skates onto the ice, only to be given a penalty. He breaks his stick in frustration, protesting he is being persecuted for wearing the sweater of the Canadiens’ rival. A young curate scolds Roch and tells him to ask for God’s forgiveness. Roch goes to church and asks God to send a hundred million moths to eat his Maple Leafs sweater.

This blog let's you comment if you wish. Please feel free to let me know what you think!

Spring is here! It must be time for hockey playoffs

Prelude - For most us, the melting snow outside means time get outside and do some gardening work, go for a walk, or head to the store to purchase some lawn furniture. For hockey fans, it means grab a spot on the couch and get ready for the most exciting time of the year: the NHL playoffs. But, heads up! Expect a far moodier fan sitting in your living room. Where as a loss a week ago had your fan cursing under his breath, then changing channels, a loss now has him crying in his beer. If you can handle your fan wearing his emotions on his sleeves, there isn't an easier or better time to talk hockey. Get the conversation started!

Sport - Hockey

Event - The NHL playoffs start this week.

Point to say - "Who do you think will make it out of the Eastern Conference?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Washington will win their series?"

Get out of the conversation - "Planning any trips this summer?"

Backgrounder
When talking about which team is the safest bet to move to the next round of playoffs, look at the teams ranked, or seeded, in the top four positions. However this year, the Eastern Conference does not have a clear cut favourite. So, is there a "Cinderella team?" A team that no one thinks stands a chance but could, in fact, move very far in the playoffs?

If you are wish to make a bold prediction, imply that Washington stands a very good chance at moving on past the first two rounds of the playoffs. Why? Washington is heading into the playoffs playing the best hockey out of any team in the Eastern Conference.

What about Pittsburgh's chances? Or Montreal's? We'll look at those teams later this week.

Playoff Match Ups
Here are the first round match ups.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Montreal vs (8) Boston
(2) Pittsburgh vs (7) Ottawa
(3) Washington vs (6) Philadelphia
(4) New Jersey vs (5) NY Rangers
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit vs (8) Nashville
(2) San Jose vs (7) Calgary
(3) Minnesota vs (6) Colorado
(4) Anaheim vs (5) Dallas

Links
TSN starts to review the matches. If you have time, this will give you added details on who in each series will be the guy everyone talks about.

Who is ready for the playoffs?

Prelude - It's time. It's time to worry. If you are a fan or know a fan of hockey, you've used Sports and the City to start conversations about how their hockey has been doing. Next up for your conversation: who is ready for the playoffs and who isn't. If you are talking to hockey fan in the West, Calgary is the only hope. If you are discussing hockey with someone in the East, it is Montreal.... or is it? See what your fan thinks.

Sport - Hockey

Event - The NHL season ends this week. Which teams are ready for the playoffs?


Point to say - "Do you think Montreal will be the team to beat in the East?"

Follow up point - "They have a lot of injuries recently. Will that effect how far they get?"

Get out of the conversation - "Planning any trips this summer?"


Backgrounder
This weekend, Montreal suffered three injuries to key players. Speculation is that this will effect their performance in the first round of playoffs. The injuries have happened to veteran players (e.g. Captain Saku Koivu - who injured his foot 2 games ago). Montreal is a young team, meaning they do not have a lot of veteran players. As stated by the Globe and Mail,

"given the youth on the team, this will be troublesome. The playoffs are a different story from the regular season; the checking is more intense and every mistake is magnified in importance."

Montreal has played well recently. They had a come-back win last week against Buffalo, but losing to Toronto on Saturday indicates they may not be mentally ready for the playoffs.

Analysis
This team was playing very well until recently. They shouldn't have a hard time moving past the first round, but beyond that will all depend on if all their injured players return.

If you are fan of Ottawa. Be worried.

Links
Globe and Mail article on Montreal's status.
See the NHL standings here.

Hockey's real battles

Prelude - While fighting is all that seems to be the talk of hockey followers right now, let's take the high road and get you ready to discuss the battles that actually matter. If you know a fan of Toronto, Vancouver, or Edmonton test their emotional state as those teams play their season's most crucial games this week.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Both the Leafs and Oilers are within a few points of making the playoffs.

Toronto is playing Boston twice this week (Boston won the first game). Edmonton played Minnesota twice this week (won one and lost one). They next play Colorado on Thursday.

Vancouver should be safe to make the playoffs, however they lost their third straight game yesterday (6-3 to Colorado) and their goalie may need to leave the team as his wife is expecting to deliver their baby very soon.

Point to say - "Do you think (insert team name here e.g. Toronto, Edmonton) will make the playoffs?"

Follow up point - "Do you Vancouver will make the playoffs if their goalie has to leave the team next week?"

Get out of the conversation - "Did you go anywhere for March Break?"

Backgrounder
Who makes the playoffs? The top eight teams of each conference make the playoffs. Making the playoffs is based on winning your division and for the rest of the teams, who has the most points. Edmonton, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver and Minnesota are all teams within six points of each other. That's not very much. This is very tight race.

Vancouver is in the playoffs if the season were to end today. But their goalie is about to leave their team as his wife is ready to give birth to their child. Meaning he could be away during their last games of the season. Anyone who follows Vancouver will tell you, Roberto Luongo, the goalie in question, has been the Canucks best player this season.

Regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs, they currently are out of a playoff spot. Leafs have won a few games lately, including a win over the Senators last weekend, but with a loss to Boston last night, those wins can now be seen as "too little, too late."

Edmonton Oilers are very much like the Leafs. Once thought to have no chance of making the playoffs, they have now won six of their last seven games and 12 in their last 15. This has resulted in the Oilers now being 3 points or two wins away from getting into the playoffs.

Links
See the NHL standing here.

Another week, another injury in Hockey

Prelude - Again this week, another horrific injury to an NHL player. The number of players suffering very serious injuries keeps rising. Each time, the debate on how to protect the players gets opened up. It's a key battling point between those who like the rough aspect that hockey offers and those that think simple rule changes, like no-touch icing, would be a simple rule to adopt and serve well in protecting the players. There is no middle ground amongst hockey fans. See where your sports fan sits on this topic.

Sport - Hockey

Event - In a game this past week between Minnesota and San Jose, a race for the puck, on a would-be icing call, resulted in the severe injury of Minnesota player, Kurtis Foster. He broke his leg, and will be out for the rest of the season.

Point to say - "Did you see the hit on the Minnesota defenseman?"

Follow up point - "Do you think the NHL should have a no-touch icing rule?"

Get out of the conversation - "Did you go anywhere for March Break?"

Backgrounder
What is "Icing" exactly? Check here for full details. But in short, icing in hockey occurs when a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines, the opposing team's goal line being the last. Icing occurs when the opposing team touches it first, whereupon a linesman stops play. Play is resumed with a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction. Icing is "waved off" if the team who shot the puck into the opposing team's zone, touches it first. That is why a race always ensues on icing plays.

What is "No touch Icing", or what is the difference between the two? In "No Touch Icing", it is exactly as it sounds. The opposing player doesn't need to touch the puck for Icing to be called. Instead, as soon as the puck goes across the second red line, the linseman stops play automatically. The big difference is the lack of need for a race towards the end boards.

The biggest advocate for No Touch Icing is Don Cherry. Never one to take want to take an edge away from the game, he is arguing that a player needs to be prepared for a hit. In the case of icing, the first player (usually a defenceman) is very vulnerable to being hit from behind. Such a hit results in the player losing his footing and going into the boards at full speed, resulting in horrific injuries in many cases.

Those against "No Touch Icing", deemed "traditionalists", argue that the game is inherently dangerous (that is, injuries are acceptable) and that contact, any contact is vital to heart of the way the game is played. They feel that by inserting a "No Touch Icing" rule would start the process of removing the edge found in the game. These "traditionalists" likely feel that implementing a "No Touch Icing" rule would pave the way for other "weak" rules such as making all players wear visors and neck guards, and that such changes would inevitably lead to the dreaded "no fighting" rule.

Editorial Comment
Traditionalists like the rough aspects of the game. They see hitting and all things related to it to stay in the game. But isn't it interesting that the best games ever played are deemed that way because of the back and forth play that includes passes, shots, saves, and great play making. My stance: enjoy the fluidity of the game e.g. Alexander Ovechkin, rather than the silliness of a team's fighter.

Links
Read about what happened to a player who suffered a career ending injuriy during a routine icing play.

Discussion over the particular injury in San Jose Mercury News.

A synopsis of the situation as written about in the Hockey News.

The latest on the race

Prelude - This weekend, we looked at the tight race now shaping up between Montreal and Ottawa. Last night Montreal defeated what was the best team in the East. Ottawa plays Boston tonight. Can they keep up?

Sport - Hockey

Event - Montreal defeats New Jersey 4-0 last night. They are now in first place. Ottawa plays Boston tonight.

Point to say - "Ottawa plays Boston tonight. Can they keep up with Montreal?"

Follow up point - "Boston is only 5 points behind. Do you think they can catch Ottawa?"

Get out of the conversation - "Tired of winter yet?"

Backgrounder
Montreal defeats the team that was in first place in the East Conference, and as a result takes over first place. All the teams are very close in their point totals. Ottawa is still close too. With their win over Phoenix on Saturday they remain close to Montreal but.... see previous blog.

Carey Price continues to impress. He recorded a shutout against what was the best team in the East.

Links
Preview of tonight's game between Ottawa and Boston.
NHL's standings.
Montreal's schedule and record.
Ottawa's schedule and record.
Boston's schedule and record.

This weekend's hockey talk

Prelude - Ever been playing with a child who bumps their head and it starts to bleed? At first, you think it is no big deal, just a little blood, then, wham, it just doesn't stop bleeding! Well, at this point, the current play of the Ottawa Senators is pretty much like a head wound. It begs the question: When will this bleeding stop? But what is the band aid: goaltending or scoring? A sure fire conversation starter follows:

Sport - Hockey

Event - Saturday night hockey: Ottawa vs Phoenix, Montreal vs Los Angeles

Point to say - "How can the Sens stop the bleeding?"

Follow up point - "They better do something before Montreal gets too far ahead."

Get out of the conversation - "Tired of winter yet?"

Backgrounder
Both Montreal and Ottawa are playing teams on the West Coast this week. So far, Montreal has a win and a loss, while Ottawa is no wins and three losses.

Montreal is scoring around 4 to 5 goals a game right now. Further, Carey Price is doing what Montreal hoped he would: providing good goaltending. Montreal is now 8 wins and three losses in their last 11 games.

Ottawa has only had one win in their last seven games. For a team that went to the Stanley Cup finals last year, had an incredible start this year, had an MVP candidate on its team by the half-way point of the season, the wheels have come off this bus. In the last 10 games, Ottawa has only one game where they scored over three goals. Meaning, the scoring only 1 or 2 goals a game.

Montreal Canadiens have a two-point lead in the division over the Ottawa Senators.

Links
Montreal's schedule and record.
Ottawa's schedule and record.

Exit Stage Left

Prelude - Is it to be believed? Does another great athlete exit stage left? Most times, athletes have a lot of trouble retiring at the top of their game. In this case the impending announcement appeared to be dragging on over a couple of years. Even now, after a particular brilliant season, will he, in fact, stay true to his word? Let's explore this idea and the great career of Brett Favre.

Sport - Football

Event - Brett Favre announces his retirement from NFL football.

Point to say - "Did you hear that Brett Favre (pronounced fɑrv) retired yesterday?"

Follow up point - "Will Green Bay be able to repeat their season of last year? (or) Do you really think he'll stay retired?"

Get out of the conversation - "Your kid's hockey season still going?"

Backgrounder
Who is Brett Favre? In American football over the last 15 years, he is mentioned as one of the top quaterbacks in the game. He is a sure fire member of the Football Hall of Fame. He has set numerous quaterback records over his 17 year career.

His two biggest accomplishments:

• Favre is the only three-time AP MVP (1995-97) in NFL history and
• He led the Packers to two Super Bowls:

Analysis
Great athletes only know athletics. That's all they've done. It has to be quite something to walk away from all that they know. This is why some athletes hang on until they are liabilities on their team. Some walk away but then come back. In the case of Favre, he hadn't had many good seasons within the last five, so it surely looked like he had hung too long. Turns out his last season was one of his best ever. Also, last season pass numerous key career milestones.

So, now that the records are set, does it make sense that he his mentally tired (as he is quoted saying in the papers)? Have all the challenges been overcome?

Here's betting that he's on his way to the Hall of Fame rather than the Field of Play. That, yes, he's done what he can and its time to join the ranks of tv announcing.

Links
Article on retirement.

Fans, start your engines

Prelude - The run to the finish starts this weekend. Now is when you start to see who's the hot team heading into the playoffs. Now is the time to start worrying about if your team's goalie can take you all the way. Now, is the time to turn to baseball if you are a Maple Leafs fan. Tonight, the final run to the finish starts with the top four teams playing each other in head to head matches. If you are in Ottawa, now is the time to become very worried or very excited about the playoffs. Stay tuned!

Sport - Hockey

Event - The Ottawa Senators play the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils play the Montreal Canadiens.

Point to say - "Going to watch the games today/tonight?"

Follow up point - "Is Ottawa going to finally turn it around? (or) Can Montreal finish strong with their goalie?"

Get out of the conversation - "Do you think Britney Spears will do something else now that she is out of rehad?"

Backgrounder
With less than 20 games in the regular season, fans attention is all about playoffs now. The playoffs is what it is all about for fans. Renders the memories of the regular season meaningless really, but then again, nothing beats the excitement of a playoff run.

Links
www.nhl.com for scores and previews

Trying to light a fire

Prelude - Was it Hossa becoming a Penguin? Was it the local newspaper survey asking fans what they thought? Was it losing to the Leafs and Bruins without scoring a goal? Which ever evidence you point at for the reason, there is big news out of Ottawa today.

Sport - Hockey

Event - The Ottawa Senators fired head coach John Paddock today. Bryan Murray, who coached the Senators for two seasons before taking the general manager's job last summer, returns behind the bench for the stretch run

Point to say - "Did you hear that the Ottawa Coach was fired?"

Follow up point - "Doesn't Ottawa still have the same problem it did last year with their goaltending?"

Get out of the conversation - "Have you seen the Jimmy Kimbell video on Youtube?"

Backgrounder
Having dropped six of their last eight games and 14 of their last 21. With just 18 games remaining in the regular season panic had crept into the fan base, not to mention the media.

As sited from the TSN sports article on the subject: "Under Paddock, the team sprinted out of the gate early this season with a 16-3 record in its first 19 games. The team then struggled in late November and early December with a seven-game losing streak, and went 20-19-6 the rest of the way."

Coaching changes are not uncommon at this time period. Lineups are set. So really, the only thing that can be done to shake things up is change the coach.

The new coach is in fact the old coach. "Bryan Murray, who coached the Senators for two seasons before taking the general manager's job last summer, returns behind the bench for the stretch run." writes TSN.

Links
TSN's article on the coaching change.

The sprint for the finish starts today.

Prelude - So the trading is done. Teams are all ready for a run through the hockey playoffs. What is the fall out of all these trades? While most trades won't make too much difference in playoff standings, there were two trades that will no doubt be talked about tomorrow.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Of the multiple trades done today, two trades stand out: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Marian Hossa and the Montreal Canadiens trade of goalie Cristobal Huet (pronounced Hew ett) to Washington.

Point to say - "Why did Montreal trade their starting goalie?"

Follow up point - "Will Pittsburgh pass Ottawa for top spot in the East?"

Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"

Backgrounder
What's with all the trades at this point of the year? Well, every year teams who feel they have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup go for that special player that brings something the team is missing. These days, there are many good players whose contracts are about to end at the end of this season. Before this person leaves their team, call it Team A, Team A will trade this player in order to have a player ready to fill this spot next year. Now without a deadline of somekind, these trades might happen even during the playoffs creating an unfair situation. So, the NHL has a rule that says, essentially, if you go to the playoffs, players on your roster must have been on your team since February 27th.

The trade of Montreal's top goalie is surprising. The team is playing very well. They have almost caught Ottawa in the standings. Trading their top goalie, therefore, is a shocker. As seen previously in Sports and The City, goalie Carey Price has been on people's radar for a bit of time but to ask him to carry this team into the playoffs is a lot to ask of a 20 year old.

Pittsburgh is but one point away from the Senators. The addition of a superstar like Hossa and the return of Sidney Crosby from his injury will now make the Penguins the team to watch come this year's playoffs.

Links
TSN's list of trades can be found here.

This Leaf is hanging on.

Prelude - This Tuesday is the last day teams can add a player to their roster for before the playoffs start. It means teams that won't make the playoffs trade players whose contracts are about to finish in order to get a player for next year in return. This year, the Leafs Mats Sundin was the most talked about player facing these conditions. Everyone was wondering would he go or not? On Sunday, Mats made his mind up.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Mats Sundin announces Sunday that he would not waive his no-movement clause, meaning he will play the rest of the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Point to say - "Did you hear that Sundin is staying with the Leafs after all?"

Follow up point - "He's a free agent next year. Do you think Toronto will resign him?"

Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"

Backgrounder
Mats Sundin has been with the Leafs since 1994. He has played 970 games for the Leafs. His contract with the Leafs ends after this season. He is the face of the franchise since Doug Gilmour left.

With the Leafs being so bad this year, and Mats only having a few season left before retirement, the question was, would be wave part of his contract that guaranteed him an input into where he would go if he were to be traded in order to play on a potential Stanley Cup winner.

Many contracts these days have something called a no-trade clause. Players will take this in order to stop moving every few years. Managers use this as additional enticement to sign a player.

Links
Here is a great take on the 'no-trade clause' by a former hockey player.
Here is a recap of Mats decision.

NHL Standings

Never ever say never.

Prelude - There is an old expression in sports: "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." Maybe old expressions need to be phased out, but the point is you never know what you are going to see on any given night when watching sports. Last night was one of those nights.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Montreal Canadiens win 6-5 over the New York Rangers in a shootout. The incredible part of this story, is that in the entire history of the Canadiens they have never come back when down 5-0.

Point to say - "Did you hear about Montreal's comeback last night?"

Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"

Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch the Oscars?"

Backgrounder
The Montreal Canadiens franchise is nearly 100 years old {Founded in 1909}. It is very rare that there wouldn't be something that hasn't already been done by someone who played for this franchise, or very rare that a team is able to break one of its own records.

Analysis
Stay in your seat until the end of the game. Things change.

Also, these are great lessons in life. Keep trying. Maybe it won't work today, but tomorrow it just might.

Links
Recap of last night's game.

NHL Standings

"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."

Prelude - The team is losing. There are goalie problems. The injuries are mounting up. Trade rumours are circulating. This must be Toronto. But wait... it's... it's Ottawa! Want to join in on the hottest sports conversation? Just ask the following:

Sport - Hockey

Event - Ottawa Senators lose to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. The win pushed the Canadiens to one point behind the front-running Senators in the NHL Eastern Conference standings, with a rematch set for Saturday in Ottawa.

Point to say - "So Ottawa lost again last night!"

Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"

Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch Lost?"

Backgrounder
The Ottawa Senators started the season with an incredible win record. They had a losing streak shortly after but until 10 games ago, things were going along just fine: first place in the Eastern Conference, solid play by their leading scorers. The last 11 games though, Ottawa has only won three times.

There is a chance the Senators could have Dany Heatley (right shoulder) back in the lineup at home against the Florida Panthers tomorrow, and captain Daniel Alfredsson (hip flexor) could return in the rematch against the Canadiens at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Saturday.

Analysis
Ottawa is simply too good and Montreal still too shaky. Ottawa will get their stars back and be just fine. Like the stock market, just ride this one out.

Links
Recap of last night's game.

NHL Standings

Perfection not achieved, but a perfect final.

Prelude - In the world of sports, it is very rare that we see perfection. Golfer Tiger Woods running off an incredible win streak is the closest sports fans have seen in recent years. In football, perfection has been achieved only once in 42 years. So, when a team knocks on the door it is worth taking notice. However, bigger than perfection, if such is possible, is the upset. Last night created drama that has not been seen in sports in quite some time, and perhaps for a while yet to come. It will be the talk of Monday. Get ready to join in.

Sport - Football

Event - Superbowl #42. The New England Patriots vs the New York Giants. The Giants win the game 17-14 on a last minute touchdown. An incredible upset, but simply put, an incredibly exciting game.

Point to say - "Did you watch the Superbowl last night?"

Follow up point - "Do you think the Giants defence were the reason New England lost?"

Get out of the conversation - "So, the writers strike is settled. You going to watch the Oscars?

Backgrounder
The Championship game for the National Football League is known as the Superbowl. It is not just a game put a huge American Icon and party. It generates television ratings that are far above anything else shown on tv.

The finalists were the undefeated Patriots, a team profiled all season long here at Sports and the City. This team looked unstopable on its way to the Championship game. Their openent, an underdog if there ever was one: the New York Giants. The lost their first two games of the season. However, despite incredible odds, the Giants pulled it off on their last play and became the Champions.

All season the story in football has been the New England Patriots. This team has come close to loosing a couple of times but pulled it off to go 16 wins and 0 loses during the regular season schedule. Winning both their playoff games, they were very large betting favourites to win the Superbowl. The only team to really come close to defeating them during the regular season was the Giants. So, even though all fans though it was going to go the Patriots way, everyone knew the match was at least going to be good.

It was the defence that played extraordinary for the Giants. They shut down the Patriots like no one had so far this year.

Analysis
An incredible tight and exciting game was this year's Superbowl. The lead changed four times in the last quarter. This had never happened before in the Superbowl. So when the Patriots took over the lead with two minutes left in the game, this looked like it would finally play out the when the fans expected even though they wouldn't win by a large margin.

The play of Eli Manning, the quarterback of the New York Giants saved the game by doging a hit but the highlight was an incredible (VERY incredible catch) made on the play. This will go into the higlights for decades to come.

Links
Read a great review of the game here by the Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt.

Read about the Patriots season here.

Review post blogs about the patriots here.

The shoe finally drops

Prelude - The media have been waiting for this event for sometime now. The question was beyond, if, but rather when. Yesterday it happened. In hockey land, this IS the conversation everyone will be talking about today.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Toronto Maples Leafs fired their General Manager, John Ferguson Jr yesterday.

Issue
Coaches are usually the first to be blamed if a team isn't doing well. But if a team doesn't perform over a long period, then all eyes look to the General Manager.

In Toronto, all eyes have been on their General Manager John Ferguson Jr for some time now. The vision he brought to the team (young team) never happened and the product on the ice looks like there is no where to go but down. There needs to be a new plan now.

Point to say - "Did you hear that the Leafs fired their GM?"

Follow up point - "Will they trade Sundin?"

Get out of the conversation - "Think the Oscars will be cancelled?"

Backgrounder
General Managers in hockey is the job that looks after who will play on the team. Meaning they are the ones who make the trades, sign the players, and have the major say on who gets drafted. Based on who they put on the team, they control the kind of team that it will be. Therefore when the team's part don't produce, it is usually seen as their fault.

Mats Sundin is the best player on the Leafs. He's 36 and still has a few years yet at being a top producer in the league. So, the question now is, does Mats play out his career in Toronto or do they trade him for a high draft pick. This idea would be to try and land a high draft pick that might be used to get a player that might help them in the future. The key word being 'might'.

Draft picks don't really show up on an NHL team for at least 4 to 5 years after being drafted. So, for the Leafs, there are no quick fixes.

Links
Will they trade Sundin? Read more about this here.
Story about the event.
What did Ferguson do (or not do) to get fired? Find out here.

Which direction are the Sens heading?

Prelude - The two top teams, Ottawa and Detroit, played against each other this past Saturday night. Ottawa came out victorious. This should have led to Monday morning office talk indicating a) Sens are the best once again, or b) do the Sens still have a problem with Emery? But instead, the real news this weekend is something else about the Sens. Something that might just have Sens fans worried. Let's find out what is was.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Injuries to two thirds of the Sens top line happen this weekend.

Issue
In hockey playoffs you go as far as your goalie takes you. During the regular season, it's up to your top scoring line. On Saturday Heatly separated his shoulder and is now forcasted to be out for six weeks. On Sunday, Spezza got too hit hard at centre ice and left the game against the Islanders after the first period and didn't return.

The top scorer and player on the Sens is Daniel Alfredsson. But can he maintain the scoring without his line-mates?

Point to say - "Did you see the hit on Spezza?"

Follow up point - "What will Alfredsson do without his linemates?"

Get out of the conversation - "So, Juno didn't end up winning any Golden Globes eh?"

Backgrounder
Senators centre Jason Spezza left the game Sunday night following the first period after he was flattened by an open-ice hit by Islanders defenceman Freddy Meyer early in the game.

A team's first line, known as the 'Top line', account for a majority of the playing time. The reason? Principally it comes down to they are your best players, and in professional hockey you go with your best players whenever you can.

This year, Ottawa's top three scorers all have over 50 points each. The fourth player only has 33 points. That is a big drop off in scoring.

Links
Sens scoring stats.

The other side of hockey

Prelude - And so the big event begins. Superbowl already? No, the start of CBC television's new soap opera / hockey drama MVP. You'll remember reading about this back a few months ago here on Sports and the City. Well, here's a line to find out who else is ready to follow along with the all the happenings that really matter - off ice!

Sport - Hockey

Event - New series launched tonight at 9 pm on tv with hockey as the focal point.... or is it?

Issue
This might be one conversation you are likely to have with someone who is a fan of soap operas more than hockey.

TV and movies have always had a tough time recreating the action on ice to make it look real and not overall fake. So why bother? This show is based on the successful series from Britain Football Wives where the focus is off field. On the field (ice) bit is just the set as to why these particular people would be together in the first place with all this money.

Point to say - "Have you heard about the new series on CBC, called MVP?"

Follow up point - "The critics are really giving it good reviews."

Get out of the conversation - "Did you hear that the Golden Globes are cancelled?"

Backgrounder
MVP's one sexy, soapy exhibition game
CBC delivers four new series this week. The one that's really fun, fresh and frisky starts tonight.MVP (CBC, 9 p.m.) is fabulous populist entertainment for everybody - not just the female viewers that CBC seems to think are the core potential audience. It's kick-ass entertainment for everyone. It's about hockey, but not about the glory and goonery on the ice. It's about what happens in the bedrooms, bars and boardrooms. The deliciously fun part. - From the Globe and Mail January 11, 2008 edition.

Links
MVP show's web site.

January = Football playoffs

Prelude - American football fans kick off the new year madly watching the many (27!) college football games. But, all these games are just a prelude to the big action: NFL playoffs. With the first round of these playoff games done, what is shaping up are two semi-finals that may be the most talked about in years! Let's find out why and what you can say.

Sport - Football

Event - NFL football playoffs.

Issue
American football teams play a schedule of 16 games. A team that wins 13 of those games did very well. To have four teams this year win 13 or more games (New England of course winning 16) is very rare.

This year, all four of these teams may reach the semi final and face off against each other. To have all four reach the semi finals means exciting top quality football.

Point to say - "There is going to be some good football this weekend!"

Follow up point - "Do you think New England can be defeated?"

Get out of the conversation - "Are you planning on watching the Super Bowl?"

Backgrounder
Patriots Remain THE story of the football year.

Analysis
Games this weekend are as follows (written as away vs home). The home teams are all the ones mentioned above as having had 13 wins or more this regular season.

Jacksonville vs New England
San Diego vs Indianapolis
New York Giants vs Dallas
Seattle vs Green Bay

Links