Happy Birthday To An American Icon

Today, the man who once said "Don't trust anyone over 30", Bob Dylan,turned 70. In the 70 years since his birth in Hibbing, MN as Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan has been a high school hockey player, New York newbie, folk singing Woody Guthrie wannabe, Rock and Roll star, motorcycle accident survivor, country squire, and that's just a few. Dylan has been an american icon and hero to a generation, and he continues to go his own way, even at his advanced age. He has been on what he calls his "Never-Ending Tour" since 1988, and shows no signs of ending it any time soon, although ironically, he is not playing anywhere tonight.

It was not always this way. The boy born Robert Allen Zimmerman 70 years ago, was a typical Minnesota boy, until he began to hear radio stations from down south, that played the blues. That changed his life forever, as he picked up the guitar, began to sing folk and the blues, and the rest would be history, except it was not. Dylan would change repeatedly over the decades, as he absorbed the influences of the Beatles, Stones, etc... into his own unique style, and if you think Dylan is not relevant at 70, you're wrong, as, due to a commercial that featured one of his songs a few years ago, his album "Modern Times" briefly hit #1. Happy Birthday Bob Dylan, may you continue for many more.

A GOLDEN OPPURTUNITY FOR THE CANUCKS

This afternoon, the Vancouver Canucks moved one step closer to their first Stanley Cup final since 1994 with a 4-2 victory over San Jose at the Shark Tank. Tuesday night, the Canucks can close out the Sharks at home, with what should be a huge crowd that will be on "go", especially considering that over 5,000 fans made the trek to northern California for this afternoon's game, so the Shark Tank sounded like a small version of Rogers Arena. I was quite surprised to hear that the Shark tank did NOT sell out for today's game, given that it was game 4 of the Western Conference final, and the Sharks usually draw well. I realize that the game began at high noon local time, but that is no excuse for a relatively poor attendance for such an important game.

The Canucks Tuesday night can make history before a crowd that will undoubtedly be holding signs saying "Can't Beat Canucks, and other, similar sayings. The Canucks should take Game five as a golden oppurtunity to make a statement, because this is a golden oppurtunity to win the cup, since the B's-Bolts Eastern final is almost certainly going seven. So, it beehoves them to close out the Sharks as quickly as possble.

NHL LOCKOUT IN 2012?

A little-noticed blog report in the midst of the death of Derek Boogard, and the arrest of Matthew Barnaby, was an article by Toronto Star reporter Damien Cox predicting that the NHL is getting ready to lockout the players in a year and a half if a new CBA is not reached by then. Personally speaking, I would not be that concerned, if the reporter were someone else, and not Cox, who is respected throughout the hockey world. That being said, I do wonder if he is reading too much into the fact that the NHL filed a brief in support of the NFL in their lockout battle with the decertified NFLPA. If the NHL were to impose another lockout, that could be disastrous, as the NHL seems to have finally gotten it's act together after the 2004-05 lockout. It seems like the best hope for the fans, is for the courts to rule in favor of decertified players, which would stop strikes(since there is essentially no union) and lockouts (ditto).

Plenty Of NHL News

RANGERS ENFORCER FOUND DEAD

Rangers Enforcer Derek Boogard, 28, was found dead last night at a Minneapolis Hotel. An autopsy is being conducted today. Results will not be known until probably after the Memorial Day holiday, although the death does seem suspicious, because of Boogard's young age, and the fact he missed the last two-thirds of the season with a concussion.

BARNABY ARRESTED

Former NHL enforcer Matthew Barnaby was arrested yesterday following a domestic violence incident involving two females. Barnaby has a history of anger management issues and substance abuse, and they may well have reared their ugly head again.

CONFERENCE FINALS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

BOSTON-TAMPA BAY

Stevie Y's Lightning have been amazing in these playoffs, thanks to Dwayne Roloson. Boston, though has Tim Thomas, who is even better, so the B's get back to finals for the first time in 21 years. BRUINS IN SIX.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

VANCOUVER-SAN JOSE

This is the Canucks year. The Sharks needed seven games to outlast the Red Wings. It is now or never for Vancouver, and Luongo, the Sedins and Co. get it done. CANUCKS IN SIX.

BREAKING NEWS: Kym Johnson rushed to Hospital

DWTS pro Kym Johnson, 34, who is the partner of front-runner Hines Ward, was rushed to the hospital after a nasty fall during rehearsals. She was carried out on a stretcher with a neck brace and breathing mask on.

A HISTORIC DAY IN SPORTS

This was a historic day in sports. Many major events occurred in one day.

OVERNIGHT IN LOS ANGELES-David Beckham is in a minor car accident, where he rear-ends a car on the 405 freeway. The other driver suffered a minor injury. Beckham is not hurt.

THIS MORNING IN SPAIN-Seve Ballesteros dies of brain cancer. Seve was perhaps the father of modern day european golf, a gentleman, and a total credit to the game. I know it's a cliche, but he will be missed.

6:25 P.M.-LOUISVILLE,KENTUCKY-20-1 shot Animal Kingdom wins the Kentucky Derby, as he blows through the field on the backstretch.

6:42 P.M.-TORONTO,ONTARIO-Justin Verlander absolutely dominates the Blue Jays, as he throws the second No-Hitter of his career. He only misses going perfecto literally by inches, as a 3-2 pitch just misses the outside corner, resulting in a walk. The only Blue Jay runner is promptly erased on a double play, and Verlander faces only the minimum 27 batters.

10:55 P.M.-VANCOUVER, B.C.-The Nashville Predators stay alive in their Western Conference semi-final with a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, who still lead the series 3 games to 2.

IT'S TRUE! OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD

President Obama is about to confirm the death and recovery of Osama Bin Laden. Apparently Bin Laden was killed by U.S. Military Operatives at a mansion near Islamabad, Pakistan.