NHL West Preview: #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Chicago

Canucks fans across the board have to be concerned. That is the keyword. Not afraid, not scared, not even worried, just concerned. It almost seems like this series was meant to be. Chicago loses to Detroit on Sunday afternoon and Canucks fans are nearly certain that the Dallas Stars will be their first round opponent. And they had to have felt a sense of relief to know Dallas could be first on the chopping block. When Chicago lost, the Canucks also knew that the LA Kings weren’t in their sights anymore. But all the hype with the Dallas Stars seemingly left out the thought that if the Stars lose, it would be the Blackhawks. Minnesota beat Dallas 5-3, setting up Round 3 between these two powerhouses. Relief makes a 360 degree swing to concern within a few hours and Canucks fans are hoping the third time’s a charm.

Coming into the series, the Canucks had their best regular-season in franchise history and in the process captured the President’s Trophy with 117 points. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks were able to sneak in by the skin of their teeth despite earning 97 points. That amount of points for an eighth place team shows how deep the Western Conference truly is.

Fresh in the mind of the Canucks has to be the past two playoff eliminations at the hands of the Blackhawks and I don’t think anyone more than Roberto Luongo would like to turn the tide this time around. And I expect him to do just that. Luongo should be focused and ready to go but the Canucks defence will need to step up to some degree. Guys like Sami Salo, Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis and Alex Edler who are sure to see the most ice time on the back-end have to find ways in shutting down Johnathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Because we all know, these guys can get the job done. The Canucks need to stay out of the penalty-box to be able to control the flow of play because playing ahead on the score will make it easier for the Canucks to play their game.

The Sedins are the Sedins and there’s not much else to say about that. It’ll be interesting to see if players like Mikael Samuelsson and Mason Raymond can take their game to that next level. The loss of Manny Malhotra is devastating on so many levels for the Canucks though. This guy can kill penalties, win face-offs and score goals. The gritty type of player that helps a team reach new heights. But the Canucks must focus on the task at hand, which is the Chicago Blackhawks and Corey Crawford.

Corey who? It was kind of like ‘Niemi who’ last year for the Hawks as well but that didn’t stop them. Corey Crawford has taken over the Chicago net with his consistent play down the stretch removing off-season acquistion Marty Turco out of the equation. There is absolutely no doubt that Crawford has to be sensational to win this series. If he can shut down the Canucks top-line, the question will be where the secondary scoring will come from? This whole “playoffs” thing is foreign waters for the kid though. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds.

My take is that the team that can stay out of the penalty-box will have a major advantage in the series. Not only that but also the team that finds secondary scoring. Raymond, Samuelsson, Glass and Kesler (hardly secondary) are some of my picks to have a huge series. On the Hawks side watch out forDave  Bolland and Troy Brouwer if they get healthy, add virtually unknown Brian Bickell. All lesser known players that have the potential to make a difference.

This is going to be a fight till the death series which could go either way because of the amount of skill on both teams. The major advantage goes to the Canucks in goal though and for that reason, I like Vancouver in what I believe will be the most exciting series in the first-round.

CANUCKS IN 7

http://twitter.com/chadhackl

http://www.youtube.com/user/chadh999

NHL East Playoff Preview: #3 Boston vs. #6 Montreal

So everyone in the Original Six has qualified for the Stanley Cup tournament, except for, guess who. Well there’s the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings (20th consecutive playoff appearance), Montreal Canadiens and luckily with the Dallas Stars 5-3 loss to Minnesota you can include the Chicago Blackhawks rounding out the Original Six representatives.

Wait, that’s only five. That makes the Leafs the only team to fail the Original Six.

Montreal took it to the Leafs Saturday night to set up this historic matchup with the Bruins beginning on Thursday. This is the 33rd meeting between the two during the post-season. A Habs loss to the Leafs on Saturday would have gave Montreal a date with the Philadelphia Flyers but you just had the feeling down the stretch it was going to be the Bruins that the Canadiens would face. Montreal holds a decisive 24-8 edge in playoff history with the Bruins but they are certainly underdogs coming into this one.

Anything can happen once you’re in the dance and I wouldn’t count the Habs out if they get two areas of consistency during the series. First off is goaltending. Of course consistent goaltending in the playoffs is necessary for every team, but with little firepower up front Montreal faces a challenge as to where the goals will come from. For this reason, Carey Price has to step up. There’s no Halak this year and Price knows this is now his team. I’m sure he’s aiming to improve on his horrendous G.A.A of over 4 in his young playoff career. If an improvement happens, expect a lot of low-scoring one-goal games as Thomas and Price battle it out.

Absolutely, positively Montreal has no chance to beat the bigger more physical Bruins unless they capitaliaze on special teams.When opportunities arise, Montreal has to make something out of them. With minimal size, Montreal will have problems against the trap-style game unless they can get in front early and make Boston take chances. Scott Gomez, Tomas Plekanec and captain Brian Gionta have to do something because asking Cammalleri to put up numbers like last year’s playoff run seems like a bit much. The undersized Habs should have the speed advantage and need to get pucks deep to generate a cycle. Playing in front of Price with a lead will be an incredibly important factor in determining if this one goes five games or seven.

And then there’s the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty. I don’t see it being a factor asides from minor scrums to be expected in any playoff series. It will be on, the minds of Habs fans everywhere and I’m sure the league will keep a closer eye on this series, but don’t expect anything out of line.

Boston probably still feels the effects of the 3-0 East Semi-Final collapse at the hands of the Flyers last year but its the particular new addition of Nathan Horton from Florida in the off-season that intrigues me. Horton being a Panther his entire career hasn’t had a taste of playoff hockey yet. It’ll be very interesting to see how Horton responds to the pressure of a matchup of this magnitude. Boston needs him but will he show up when the games matter?

Also interested to see Kaberle’ s reaction being back in the playoffs and how Subban can follow up an impressive season that carried over from last year’s playoff run to the Conference Finals.

Should be an excellent series. Very different styles for both teams but I expect Montreal to be out-muscled by stronger all-around Bruins team. Price has to steal the series for Montreal to advance. I will leave you with a Bruins hockey commercial where the guy’s date is a Habs fan. Enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cr89xbl26g

BOSTON BRUINS IN SIX GAMES

http://twitter.com/#!/chadhackl

http://www.youtube.com/user/chadh999?feature=mhum

NHL Players step up to assist Haiti

NHLer Georges Laraque was born in Canada, but his parents are of Haitian decent. No one in the hockey world would have been hit harder than Laraque when Haiti experienced its massive earthquake on January 12th that killed over 230,000 people. Laraque, along with Nashville Predators defenceman Dan Hamhuis went to Haiti this week on behalf of the Hockey for Haiti’s relief efforts.

The two athletes announced at a press conference that the NHLPA combined with World Vision Canada had raised over 1 million dollars for a Children’s Hospital that was severely destroyed by the quake. Olympic game worn jerseys were placed online for an auction to help raise funds. In an article in the Globe and Mail, Hamhuis describes the current hosptial as small as “tents and tarps between trees in the parking lot and garden area. Weather-wise, its nice today but the rains are coming and then hurricane season is coming after that. The next step is to build a better temporary facility.”

You have to credit these two and the NHLPA for their support to such an important cause. An impoverished country like Haiti suffering such destruction from a natural disaster, it’s hard to even imagine what the people there are going through. They need as much help as they can get and hopefully this sets a precedent for other professional organizations to consider stepping up their efforts. The earthquake happened on January 12th, seems like quite a while ago, but the fact of the matter is damage like this will take years and years to rebuild. I say bravo to Geroges and Dan for their positive influence they are making on the world.

Flyers in a familiar spot

Once again, the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. First they had to beat the New York Rangers on the final day of the regular season just to qualify. Then in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Boston Bruins, they trailed 3-0 in the series and rallied to win four straight. (They trailed 3-0 in Game 7 against the Bruins and won 4-3) That’s five straight elimination games the Flyers have won. It has to be six straight tonight or else the Chicago Blackhawks will capture their first Stanley Cup since 1961 ending the longest current cup drought. (The Leafs will hold the new record if the Hawks win tonight)

These Flyers have shown their resiliency time and again throughout their made for Hollywood script of a season. It all but looks like Michael Leighton will get the call for the Flyers after being pulled in the Game 5 loss at the United Center in Chicago. Peter Laviolette dodged the issue of a starter from the media yesterday, but a Twitter leak from the Flyers official feed had Leighton starting. He has got to be the difference tonight if the Flyers are to send this to a Game 7. The Wachovia Center is sure to be rockin tonight and Lord Stanley’s Mug will be in the building. The home ice for Philly might just keep it in its case until Friday night.

Fake Lake

What in the world is the Canadian government thinking spending 1.8 million dollars on a fake lake for the G8/G20 Summit? That’s the general question most Canadians are asking themselves, myself included.

An article on the Toronto Star website entitled “Ottawa fights back against rising tide of criticism over fake lake” focuses mainly on politicians defending the lake as an effective bid to display the country’s tourism.

—”With most reporters barred from setting foot in Muskoka – site of the G8 meeting, the federal government has instead built the “Experience Canada” exhibit in Toronto. It includes a mini-lake, a deck and cottage country backdrop complete with Muskoka chairs and canoes, borrowed from area residents. There’s also a cityscape with a skyline of office towers, a taste of Toronto’s stock exchange and a display of Canadian high-tech equipment.”

The exhibit costs break down as such: $208,187 for the ‘northern oasis;’ $218,000 for a cafeteria area; $$292,000 for the cityscape; $147,000 for audio-visual; $398,000 for labour; and $407,000 for the design and consultation.

In my opinion, it seems like a complete utter waste of Canadian tax dollars to build this facility. People that are coming from other countries for the Summit don’t need to see a phoney lake to understand what Canadian tourism is all about. Harper, please explain to me why Canada is doing this? Myself, along with many Canadians are puzzled.

Strasburg’s incredible debut

All the hype about Stephen Strasburg. Who is this guy you may be wondering? Well, Strasburg was the Washington Nationals 1st overall selection in the MLB draft last year. All I’ve heard about Strasburg is that he is the next best thing to step onto the mound and that he has a killer breaking ball.

Strasburg took to the mound for his first career MLB start last night as the Washington Nationals hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s safe to say after the debut, the hype was justified. Strasburg threw fourteen strikeouts (yes that’s fourteen strikeouts) over 7 innings. This was the most strikeouts in a major league debut since J.R. Richard’s 15 for Houston in 1971. Not to mention, he issued no free passes over the 7 innings. His fourteen strikeouts ties Detroit’s Max Scherzer for the most this season when he threw fourteen on May 30th against Oakland.

Strasburg struck out the last seven batters he faced and everyone in the Pirates starting lineup had to take a seat at the expense of Strasburg. His fastball reached 101mph at one point during the game.

I am excited to see how Strasburg progresses from here on. It’s hard to imagine that he could improve from his debut but who knows what this guy is capable of. The wear and tear of the MLB season down the stretch should give us an indication of what Stephen Strasburg can do. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the Nationals won the game 5-2.

Watch the World Cup: choose your medium

Friday is fast approaching which marks the start of the World Cup of Soccer taking place in South Africa. With the expansion of technology beyond what it was when the last World Cup took place four years ago, Canadians will be able to view the games on a number of different platforms.

An article released on today’s Globe and Mail website entitled “Have mobile, will watch World Cup” by Ian Harvey outlines some ways Canadians can tune into the games. CBC Sports will be streaming all of the games live on their website which should make it easier for people stuck in the office to watch the 64 games.

But, if you can’t watch it on a computer or on TV, there’s always the mobile option. According to the article, “Rogers Wireless has snagged an exclusive contract to stream games to mobile customers, and although fans may grumble at the $15 fee ($10 for the service plus $5 Video on Demand registration if you are not already a subscriber).”

For those without data plans suited to stream games, the option of a Slingbox could be what you need.

Just two days until the best soccer tournament in the world gets underway. Whatever medium you decide to use to watch this year’s event, just know that there are options.

Jays need to respond after being stung by Rays

That series is one the Toronto Blue Jays would certainly like to forget. After taking the opener against the AL leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Jays followed the win up by blowing the final two in the 9th inning. The Jays have to be feeling this one. On Tuesday, with the Jays up 5-3 heading to the ninth, closer Kevin Gregg stepped in and surrendered 4 earned runs on 5 walks and the Rays took the game 7-6. Last night, Jays ace Shawn Marcum had a 2-1 lead heading into the 9th with a pitch count of 99. Cito Gaston allowed him to stay in the game and combined with two relief pitchers, the Jays surrendered 6 to the Rays before losing 7-3.

The Jays are now 31-24 after the two heartbreaking losses, good enough to put them in 4th place in the AL East now. They sit 5.5 games back of the Rays (win those two games and you’re a game and a half behind the division lead) and 3 games behind the Yankees for the AL Wild Card. The Red Sox are even a half game up on them now. Oh how being in the East has treated the Jays so well since their World Series runs.

No time to dwell though, as the Yankees head into town tomorrow for a three game set in what should set the tone for the wild card race. Following the Yanks, its off to sunny Tropicana Field to take on the first place Rays again. Now we will see how the Jays respond to adversity as every game from here on out is magnified. Especially these divisional ones. In the AL East, every loss counts. If the Jays are serious about competing for the Wild Card, it has to start tomorrow.

Robbed of a perfect game

Last night in Detroit, the MLB almost had its 3rd perfect game delivered by a pitcher in the last month. Seems mind boggling when you consider that there have only been 20 previous in MLB history (including Roy Halladay and Dallas Braden’s bids to perfection in May). Now in case you didn’t see last night’s “should have been” final out which would have given Detroit’s Armando Galarraga the 21st in MLB history, here is the full at-bat.

You must be as shocked as I am that first base umpire Jim Joyce ruled Cleveland Indians Jason Donald safe when he was clearly out by nearly a full step. The fact of the matter is though, referees and umpires in pro sports are going to make mistakes. It’s just the way it has been and always will be. On the other hand, this incident should send a message to commissioner Bud Selig that the MLB really needs to enhance its rulings on instant replay. The NHL, NBA, and NFL all have forms of instant replay which allows referees to make the calls right when they are brought into question. The NFL adopted the policy that any discretions on a play in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter have to be reviewed.

I know the MLB has the disputed home-run rule that can be reviewed but that is not enough. A policy similar to the NFL should be mandated for Major League Baseball. My suggestion: review any outs disputed along the base paths, only and I mean only, in the 9th inning and extra innings if necessary. Selig and the MLB need to get off their high horse about baseball being a sacred game and not willing to change the rules for the benefit of the game. The history is made in the game by the performance of the players. It won’t go down in the record books as a perfect game for Galarraga, but we all know.

Canadian Tire looking to get a piece of Canadian history

“Here’s a shot. Henderson makes a wild stab for it and falls. Here’s another shot. Right in front. They score! Henderson scores for Canada!“—–Foster Hewitt, 1972 Summit Series

Now I wasn’t alive to hear this historic call in what a lot of people call a “defining” moment in Canadian history. Paul Henderson’s Game 8 winning goal of the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Everyone who follows the hockey world in Canada  has either seen the clip or heard the call. It was a moment of epic proportions for Canadians everywhere.

Today, some 28 years later, Paul Henderson’s game worn jersey when he potted the winner, is up for auction. Fitting isn’t it that Canadian Tire wants a piece of the Canadian hockey heritage. To show that the retailer is serious, they’ve offered a bid of $200,000 to start. That is well beyond the $144,000 currently on the table. But the bidding doesn’t conclude until the 22nd of June. Canadian Tire says they want to give the jersey a cross-country tour into all of their 480 stores nationwide before donating it off to a sports museum.

I hope that Canadian Tire is able to successfully obtain the jersey but they should be prepared to raise the stakes. The highest bidded on hockey jersey in history was Bobby Orr’s rookie which went for a whopping $191,000. This is Canada’s moment though. Canadian Tire has to expect the bids to exceed $200,000 by the deadline. The retailer is an integral part of Canadian hockey sales and I believe there could be no better owner of the piece of memorabilia than Canadian Tire. How high are they willing to go though?