outta my monday moanin' mind-goodbye vancouver....
Gonna miss these games, they were truly awesome..
Well done Team Canada, Sid the Kid-the go-to guy in crunch time, you may despise him, but you've got to respect what he can do.
Way to go USA! you played terrifically, and USA athletes won the medal count. That's the good. The bad, NBC cutting off the closing ceremonies, and delaying performances to do the "post-SuperBowl thing" with a stupid show called "The Marriage Ref". THIS SHOW IS HORRIBLE!!! This is unfortunate, since NBC did a pretty good job, and their cable partners, did an excellent job with hockey and curling matches.
Unfortunate to hear about the Chile earthquake, incredible the damage.
Sad to hear about Marie Osmond's son, the poor boy was not able to overcome his demons. Sad for Marie, too. She obviously tried her best to save her son, and sadly, was not able to. she is in my prayers.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
CANADA FACES DO-OR-DIE GAME WITH GERMANS
Last night, Team Canada ran into what they feared most-a hot goaltender. And, as often happens in Stanley Cup playoff games, the hot goalie made the difference, as Ryan Miller made 42 saves.
The Canadians came into this game expecting to win, and earn a bye into Wedesday's quarterfinals. Instead, the Americans came out smoking, and never let up, as they posted a hard-fought 5-3 victory. Now, Mike Babcock has a tough decision, Stay with Martin Brodeur, or bench him, and go with local favorite Roberto Luongo? Personally,
I would probably go with Luongo, since he is a proven NHL goaltender, and Brodeur looks like he is fighting the puck (witness the highly questionable decision to bat the puck, like a baseball, only to see the puck go straight to Brian Rafalski, who shot it past him), which is never a good thing in pressurized situations like this.
The USA, meanwhile, waits to find out an opponent until after Tuesday's elimination round games, and I want to bring up this: I'm not saying they will repeat the "Miracle On Ice", which happened thirty years ago tonight, BUT, Why can't the U.S. win a medal, or even win the gold? The USA has a fine, though young group of solid players(as they did in 1980), and Ryan Miller, who, as he showed dramamtically last night, is more than capable of winning any game he plays in. Do not forget how hot Jim Craig was in Lake Placid in 1980, and Mike Richter was in Montreal during the '96 World Cup Final. Great Goaltending makes up for a multitiude of sins.
The Canadians came into this game expecting to win, and earn a bye into Wedesday's quarterfinals. Instead, the Americans came out smoking, and never let up, as they posted a hard-fought 5-3 victory. Now, Mike Babcock has a tough decision, Stay with Martin Brodeur, or bench him, and go with local favorite Roberto Luongo? Personally,
I would probably go with Luongo, since he is a proven NHL goaltender, and Brodeur looks like he is fighting the puck (witness the highly questionable decision to bat the puck, like a baseball, only to see the puck go straight to Brian Rafalski, who shot it past him), which is never a good thing in pressurized situations like this.
The USA, meanwhile, waits to find out an opponent until after Tuesday's elimination round games, and I want to bring up this: I'm not saying they will repeat the "Miracle On Ice", which happened thirty years ago tonight, BUT, Why can't the U.S. win a medal, or even win the gold? The USA has a fine, though young group of solid players(as they did in 1980), and Ryan Miller, who, as he showed dramamtically last night, is more than capable of winning any game he plays in. Do not forget how hot Jim Craig was in Lake Placid in 1980, and Mike Richter was in Montreal during the '96 World Cup Final. Great Goaltending makes up for a multitiude of sins.
Outta My Monday Moanin' Mind-Olympic Edition
Outta My Monday Moanin' Mind-Olympic Edition
USA beats Canada 5-3. Canada plays Germany tomorrow in an elimination game. Still should be no problem for the Canadians, because if they don't beat the Germans, Babcock and Yzerman will be high-tailing it back to Detroit, while people loaded with pitchforks and torches are in hot pursuit. It won't matter, though, Canada should win a workmanlike game.
Anyone read about the two Aussie announcers who got themselves in hot water, after pointing out what we already knew about Male figure skating? Read it in yahoo.com, look up "fourth-place medal", yahoo.com's Olympic blog, it's hilarious(and NOT politically correct).
Finally, is it ANY surprise that the USA is owning the podium in Vancouver? People who act like these games are being played far away. Vancouver is roughly 10 Miles from the U.S. border, so these are practically home team games for U.S. athletes. Combine that with strong American teams, and you have a recipe for domination.
USA beats Canada 5-3. Canada plays Germany tomorrow in an elimination game. Still should be no problem for the Canadians, because if they don't beat the Germans, Babcock and Yzerman will be high-tailing it back to Detroit, while people loaded with pitchforks and torches are in hot pursuit. It won't matter, though, Canada should win a workmanlike game.
Anyone read about the two Aussie announcers who got themselves in hot water, after pointing out what we already knew about Male figure skating? Read it in yahoo.com, look up "fourth-place medal", yahoo.com's Olympic blog, it's hilarious(and NOT politically correct).
Finally, is it ANY surprise that the USA is owning the podium in Vancouver? People who act like these games are being played far away. Vancouver is roughly 10 Miles from the U.S. border, so these are practically home team games for U.S. athletes. Combine that with strong American teams, and you have a recipe for domination.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
CANADA SURVIVES
When in doubt, send a cue to Sidney Crosby. The Youngest captain to win a Stanley Cup came through with a laser shot in a shootout, as the Canadians beat Switzerland 3-2 at Canada Hockey Place (Normally G.M. Place, when the Canucks are playing there).
The fact that the Swiss pushed the Canadians to the brink should not be a total surprise. The Swiss have Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks in net, and he is very good, so good, in fact, that the Ducks traded former Stanley Cup hero J.S. Giguere to the Leafs last month. Hiller was magical during the regulation and overtime play, and the crowd at Canada Hockey Place was holding it's breath. but, in the fourth round of the shootout, Crosby blasted the puck past Hiller, and all was right with the world again.
The victory for Canada sets up what should be quite a match-up with the first-place USA sunday night for the group title. All is not lost for the game swiss, as they could qualify for the quarterfinals with an expected victory over Norway saturday.
The fact that the Swiss pushed the Canadians to the brink should not be a total surprise. The Swiss have Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks in net, and he is very good, so good, in fact, that the Ducks traded former Stanley Cup hero J.S. Giguere to the Leafs last month. Hiller was magical during the regulation and overtime play, and the crowd at Canada Hockey Place was holding it's breath. but, in the fourth round of the shootout, Crosby blasted the puck past Hiller, and all was right with the world again.
The victory for Canada sets up what should be quite a match-up with the first-place USA sunday night for the group title. All is not lost for the game swiss, as they could qualify for the quarterfinals with an expected victory over Norway saturday.
Two Long Day's Journeys Into Night-Olympic Hockey
The first two days of the Men's tournament produced absolutely no surprises, just a long day's journey into night, as the NBC networks telecast tripleheaders of Men's and Women's games. Yesterday started with the U.S. winning a solid, though not spectacular 3-1 victory over a Switzerland team that has the Anaheim Ducks' Jonas Hiller in net. after that, the U.S. Women took the ice, and proceeded to destroy the Russians 13-0. Frankly speaking, the IOC should give serious consideration to implementing a mercy rule in Women's Hockey in 2014, as many women's games have had ridiculous outcomes, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
After these games, the home team took the ice. The Norwegians gave them a scare, as the first period ended scoreless. Reality returned in the second period, as the Canadians crushed Norway 8-0.
Yesterday, Finland's Teemu Selanne tied the all-time Olympic record with his 36th point, as the Finns rolled 5-1 over Belarus. Valteri Filppula became the first Red Wing to score in this Olympic Tournament. Later, the Team Canada Women rolled yet again, as they destroyed Sweden 13-1. As I said, something should be done about the ridiculously one-sided games in the women's tournament, or the IOC may take drastic action of their own(such as dropping the sport from future olympics, ala Baseball and Softball). Later on the Swedish men opened defense of the 2006 Gold medal, with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Germany.
Today, another long day's journey into night, as the USA Men and Women, also Team Canada Men play today.
After these games, the home team took the ice. The Norwegians gave them a scare, as the first period ended scoreless. Reality returned in the second period, as the Canadians crushed Norway 8-0.
Yesterday, Finland's Teemu Selanne tied the all-time Olympic record with his 36th point, as the Finns rolled 5-1 over Belarus. Valteri Filppula became the first Red Wing to score in this Olympic Tournament. Later, the Team Canada Women rolled yet again, as they destroyed Sweden 13-1. As I said, something should be done about the ridiculously one-sided games in the women's tournament, or the IOC may take drastic action of their own(such as dropping the sport from future olympics, ala Baseball and Softball). Later on the Swedish men opened defense of the 2006 Gold medal, with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Germany.
Today, another long day's journey into night, as the USA Men and Women, also Team Canada Men play today.
Monday, February 15, 2010
My Guilty Pleasure of the Winter Games
MY GUILTY PLEASURE OF THE WINTER GAMES
HARD! HARD! HURRY HARD!!!
This is NOT the soundtrack of a cheesy 1980's adult film. This is the soundtrack of Curling, a bizarre scottish combination of shuffleboard,ice,brooms,and a whole lot of yelling. It sounds wierd, it IS wierd, and I can't get enough of it.
I must explain that, if you grow up in Detroit, you get the CBC on your local tv, and that means, that as well as "Hockey Night In Canada", you get this funny sport(that is hugely popular in Canada) on Saturday afternoons in the wintertime. I remember watching with my mother on a fair number of Saturday Afternoons(when she wasn't watching bowling), in the late 70's-early 80's. For some strange reason, I find the yelling hilarious, but yet fun, fun, fun(I never got to drive Dad's T-Bird, so "Daddy takin' the T-Bird away" wasn't an issue). So, four years ago, you can imagine my excitement(The Mrs. cannot), when I found Don Chevrier and Don Duguid(two old-time Canadian curling announcers) doing the olympic matches on the NBC cable channels.
The great thing about olympic curling being on the U.S. cable channels, is that, unlike other sports durling the winter games, I actually know what's going on! If an announcer says so-and-so is "curling 78%", I know he or she is making 78% of their shots go where they want them to. I also know "shot rock" is the rock that will score points at that moment.
The teams consist of four players, The first, second, third, and the skip(the captain, also the last to go.) The object is to curl the rock as close to the bullseye as is possible, without getting it knocked away. This leads to strategy shots, such as purposely throwing rocks that have no chance of scoring, so as to set up a guard for a susequent shot. The yelling comes in, when the shooter is trying to direct the sweepers as to how fast or slow to sweep the snow, since the amount of snow on the ice can dictate how fast or slow the rock travels, as well as where the shot will stop.
The most infamous yell in curling is HARD!!!!HARD!! HURRY HARD!!! Which, as I mentioned at the beginning, while it sounds like an old adult film soundtrack, actually means "SWEEP THAT SNOW AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!" The shooter says that because they let the shot go too soft,they don't want the rock to stop too soon, and if their teammates don't get on it, the rock wil die out, possibly even before it reaches the "hog line", which means the rock did not go far enough to stay in play, therefore the shot is wasted. "LAY OFF IT" should be self explanatory, but if it isn't, means "THIS SHOT IS COMING IN TO HOT!! DON'T SWEEP IT, WHATEVER YOU DO!!!"
I am telling you, if you give curling a chance, it should be lots of fun during the Vancouver games, and since the games are in Canada, the sport should be a smash there. Last, but not least, My daughter and I will drive the Mrs. nuts during the matches, since the Mrs. is NOT a fan! If nothing else, my daughter will have some fond memories of her old man when I'm long gone.
HARD! HARD! HURRY HARD!!!
This is NOT the soundtrack of a cheesy 1980's adult film. This is the soundtrack of Curling, a bizarre scottish combination of shuffleboard,ice,brooms,and a whole lot of yelling. It sounds wierd, it IS wierd, and I can't get enough of it.
I must explain that, if you grow up in Detroit, you get the CBC on your local tv, and that means, that as well as "Hockey Night In Canada", you get this funny sport(that is hugely popular in Canada) on Saturday afternoons in the wintertime. I remember watching with my mother on a fair number of Saturday Afternoons(when she wasn't watching bowling), in the late 70's-early 80's. For some strange reason, I find the yelling hilarious, but yet fun, fun, fun(I never got to drive Dad's T-Bird, so "Daddy takin' the T-Bird away" wasn't an issue). So, four years ago, you can imagine my excitement(The Mrs. cannot), when I found Don Chevrier and Don Duguid(two old-time Canadian curling announcers) doing the olympic matches on the NBC cable channels.
The great thing about olympic curling being on the U.S. cable channels, is that, unlike other sports durling the winter games, I actually know what's going on! If an announcer says so-and-so is "curling 78%", I know he or she is making 78% of their shots go where they want them to. I also know "shot rock" is the rock that will score points at that moment.
The teams consist of four players, The first, second, third, and the skip(the captain, also the last to go.) The object is to curl the rock as close to the bullseye as is possible, without getting it knocked away. This leads to strategy shots, such as purposely throwing rocks that have no chance of scoring, so as to set up a guard for a susequent shot. The yelling comes in, when the shooter is trying to direct the sweepers as to how fast or slow to sweep the snow, since the amount of snow on the ice can dictate how fast or slow the rock travels, as well as where the shot will stop.
The most infamous yell in curling is HARD!!!!HARD!! HURRY HARD!!! Which, as I mentioned at the beginning, while it sounds like an old adult film soundtrack, actually means "SWEEP THAT SNOW AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!" The shooter says that because they let the shot go too soft,they don't want the rock to stop too soon, and if their teammates don't get on it, the rock wil die out, possibly even before it reaches the "hog line", which means the rock did not go far enough to stay in play, therefore the shot is wasted. "LAY OFF IT" should be self explanatory, but if it isn't, means "THIS SHOT IS COMING IN TO HOT!! DON'T SWEEP IT, WHATEVER YOU DO!!!"
I am telling you, if you give curling a chance, it should be lots of fun during the Vancouver games, and since the games are in Canada, the sport should be a smash there. Last, but not least, My daughter and I will drive the Mrs. nuts during the matches, since the Mrs. is NOT a fan! If nothing else, my daughter will have some fond memories of her old man when I'm long gone.
Outta My Monday Moanin' Mind...
Outta My Monday Moanin' Mind....
Howard Stern is apparently in talks to take over for Simon Cowell on "American Idol". BAD IDEA. As snarky as Cowell is, Stern's style of humor, etc... will not play well with "Idol" audiences.
What a finish at Daytona last night! Jamie McMurray held off Junior to win.. Dale, Jr. has GOT to be thinking, WHY DIDN'T I WRECK HIM?
Outta My Monday Moanin' Olympics Mind...
Tragedy at the Luge/Bobsled track Friday, and of course VANOC fixes the problem SATURDAY, after they throw the poor luger's memory under the bus, before his body is even cold.
Tanith Belbin said she is "treated like a princess" by her roommate Johnny Weir, so if you know anything about Weir, you know in that room, you have a princess rooming with a Queen. This being said, if you have a chance, check out Weir's "Bad American Idol audition" version of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats". It's hilarious.
U.S.A. Women won 12-1 over China yesterday, No surprise ther, except maybe the fact China actually scored a goal. Tomorrow, the big boys of the NHL show up, and I'll have much more to say after that happens.
Howard Stern is apparently in talks to take over for Simon Cowell on "American Idol". BAD IDEA. As snarky as Cowell is, Stern's style of humor, etc... will not play well with "Idol" audiences.
What a finish at Daytona last night! Jamie McMurray held off Junior to win.. Dale, Jr. has GOT to be thinking, WHY DIDN'T I WRECK HIM?
Outta My Monday Moanin' Olympics Mind...
Tragedy at the Luge/Bobsled track Friday, and of course VANOC fixes the problem SATURDAY, after they throw the poor luger's memory under the bus, before his body is even cold.
Tanith Belbin said she is "treated like a princess" by her roommate Johnny Weir, so if you know anything about Weir, you know in that room, you have a princess rooming with a Queen. This being said, if you have a chance, check out Weir's "Bad American Idol audition" version of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats". It's hilarious.
U.S.A. Women won 12-1 over China yesterday, No surprise ther, except maybe the fact China actually scored a goal. Tomorrow, the big boys of the NHL show up, and I'll have much more to say after that happens.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Vancouver 2010-the NHL's 800 pound gorilla in the room
As we get ready for Vancouver at the end of this week, Many fans may have been surprised by the flurry of trades in the last few days. There is a reason for this that the casual fan may not have been aware of. The reason is, the trading deadline is Wednesday March 3rd, roughly 72 hours after the gold medal game is played in Vancouver. Further complicating matters, is the fact that rosters are frozen Friday until the 28th, essentially meaning all trades must be completed either by Thursday, or during the 72 hour period after the Gold medal is presented, SO, I would not be surprised if there are more trades between now and thursday.
Another effect of Vancouver, is no dog days this season. Teams who are on the bubble (Red Wings, etc..)are essentially in playoff mode, meaning the usual boring games in February? Not this year. Every game is crucial: If you are on the bubble, you try to win in regulation, and if you MUST lose a game, do it in overtime, so you at least get one point out of the deal.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey resigned yesterday. He stated he wsas not interested in devoting the next several years to full time G.M. duties, so he turned them over to former Anaheim exec Pierre Gauthier. The scuttlebutt out of the Habs' room, is that Gainey would not have as much power under the Molson ownership, as he did under George Gillette.
Another effect of Vancouver, is no dog days this season. Teams who are on the bubble (Red Wings, etc..)are essentially in playoff mode, meaning the usual boring games in February? Not this year. Every game is crucial: If you are on the bubble, you try to win in regulation, and if you MUST lose a game, do it in overtime, so you at least get one point out of the deal.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey resigned yesterday. He stated he wsas not interested in devoting the next several years to full time G.M. duties, so he turned them over to former Anaheim exec Pierre Gauthier. The scuttlebutt out of the Habs' room, is that Gainey would not have as much power under the Molson ownership, as he did under George Gillette.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Outta My Monday Moanin' Mind-Super Bowl Edition
WHO DAT?
My monday moanin' commentary is a little bit late this Monday...I have just been erviewing the wildly differing opinions about The Who's Super Bowl performance last night.
First Of all, Yes, The Who are old men, BUT THEY STILL ROCK!!! Many of the people who are complaining about The Who do not remember the horrific 70's Super Bowl performances from the likes of the King Family, and Up With People. THOSE WOULD PUT ME TO SLEEP!!!
Can you believe it, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON THE SUPER BOWL!! Gives hope to the Lions. After all, the Saints, Cardinals, and Seahawks have made the Super Bowl in the last five years, time for the Lions to join them.
My monday moanin' commentary is a little bit late this Monday...I have just been erviewing the wildly differing opinions about The Who's Super Bowl performance last night.
First Of all, Yes, The Who are old men, BUT THEY STILL ROCK!!! Many of the people who are complaining about The Who do not remember the horrific 70's Super Bowl performances from the likes of the King Family, and Up With People. THOSE WOULD PUT ME TO SLEEP!!!
Can you believe it, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON THE SUPER BOWL!! Gives hope to the Lions. After all, the Saints, Cardinals, and Seahawks have made the Super Bowl in the last five years, time for the Lions to join them.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Leafs should have made these trades sooner
The Toronto Maple Leafs mad two major trades yesterday. They should have made them sooner. For those who don't know, the Leafs traded Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, Ian White, and Jamal Mayers to Calgary for Dion Phaneuf and two Prospects. They then traded Vesa Toskala, and Jason Blake to Anaheim for J.S. Giguere. The acqusitions make the Leafs a better team immediately, but they are so far behind in the Eastern Conference, that a playoff run is basically out of the question. IF they had made these trades a month ot two ago, the Leafs might have been able to make a run, but the best they can hope for, is a return to respecability in the near future.
Outta My Monday Moanin' mind...
Steven Tyler is suing his bandmates in Aerosmith, in order to keep his place in the group, as he goes through rehab. Apparently, Joe Perry and friends are auditioning temporary replacement singers for the period while Tyler recovers. Names like Billy Idol and Lenny Kravitz have been floated around. Tyler's legal rep has suggested a meeting on the 9th, to discuss the band's future. I've love to be the porverbial fly on the wall for THAT meeting, you, too?
Last night was the annual Grammy Awards. The usual strange stuff happened (ANYTHING Lady GaGa does tends to qualify), Pink wore next to nothing while she performed, Taylor (the prom queen) Swift won four awards, and Brtiney looks like she put on a few pounds, when she showed up with her boyfriend-agent at the red carpet. The Zak Brown Band gave a fun performance, BUT, the legendary Leon Russell was almost useless, as he sat in.
Entertainment Weekly had an article about the "50 biggest TV bombs ever". They rated the "Jay Leno Show" as #1. I don't agree. I think #1, should have been reserved for one of two 1960's bombs that only aired one episode "You're in the Picture", a 1961 game show that starred Jackie Gleason, or the notorious "Turn-On", a 1969 attempt by the producers"Laugh-In", to re-create the "Laugh-In" magic. The show: a) was not funny, and b) so offended the network affiliates, that ABC decided to cancel the show, while the episode was still running! "You're In the Picture" actually seemed like a good idea-It was a charity celebrity game show, hosted by a TV superstar, Gleason. The execution, however, was boring, and Gleason appeared on a blank set the next week, to apologize for the disaster. As we know, he recovered, and had a succesful variety show, which ran for years. Compared to these bombs, Leno at least had four months.
Last night was the annual Grammy Awards. The usual strange stuff happened (ANYTHING Lady GaGa does tends to qualify), Pink wore next to nothing while she performed, Taylor (the prom queen) Swift won four awards, and Brtiney looks like she put on a few pounds, when she showed up with her boyfriend-agent at the red carpet. The Zak Brown Band gave a fun performance, BUT, the legendary Leon Russell was almost useless, as he sat in.
Entertainment Weekly had an article about the "50 biggest TV bombs ever". They rated the "Jay Leno Show" as #1. I don't agree. I think #1, should have been reserved for one of two 1960's bombs that only aired one episode "You're in the Picture", a 1961 game show that starred Jackie Gleason, or the notorious "Turn-On", a 1969 attempt by the producers"Laugh-In", to re-create the "Laugh-In" magic. The show: a) was not funny, and b) so offended the network affiliates, that ABC decided to cancel the show, while the episode was still running! "You're In the Picture" actually seemed like a good idea-It was a charity celebrity game show, hosted by a TV superstar, Gleason. The execution, however, was boring, and Gleason appeared on a blank set the next week, to apologize for the disaster. As we know, he recovered, and had a succesful variety show, which ran for years. Compared to these bombs, Leno at least had four months.
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