Back To The Finals

I don't think a lot of people thought we would see a rematch in this year's Stanley Cup final. With so many contenders out there, another finals between the Wings and Penguins seemed very remote on the radars of many. However, it would appear as if it will be those two teams fighting it out for hockey's holy grail. We know the Penguins will be there after a 4-1 win over Carolina to give them the Eastern Conference title for the 2nd straight season. Detroit will try to join them tonight. If Chicago were to come back and win the series, would this be the first Stanley Cup featuring two teams that got rid of their coaches during the season? Joel Quenneville took over for Denis Savard at the start of the year and Dan Bylsma took the Penguins job after relieving Michel Therrien late in the season. By the way, it was interesting and refreshing to see Sidney Crosby actually accept the Prince of Wales Trophy. In the past, teams have steered clear of the conference champion trophies avoiding it like the plague because its not the trophy they want to get their picture taken with. Winning the conference is still special and it was nice to see the Penguins have a small celebration and have some pics taken.
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Despite the fact they fell in four straight to Pittsburgh, one would have to think it won't take the Hurricanes long to take the interim tag off of coach Paul Maurice. If they don't, one would have to think Maurice will have another NHL job waiting for him somewhere.
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There doesn't seem to be any negative chatter about the hiring of Pat Quinn and Tom Renney in Edmonton. I certainly like the move. One of the comments posted on the Quinn hiring suggests this could mean Jordan Eberle will not be back in a Pats uniform because Quinn knows what type of player Eberle is after coaching him at the World Juniors. I think Pat has been around the block enough to realize another year of junior and perhaps a 2nd straight world junior gold would be very beneficial for Ebs. He could stick in Edmonton, but I like his chances of being in a Pats sweater when the 2009 season begins. OK, he could miss the first couple of games while at Oiler camp, but he will be here.
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Rod Pedersen has a list of potential Pats assistants on his blog. One name that caught my eye was that of former Pat Gerad Adams. He would be a solid addition to this club. If his coaching style resembles his playing days, there won't be a lot of messing around and the job will get done or else. What this team needs is guys like Adams when he wore the sweater. Perhaps his style can rub off on some guys who will give it just a little more than they did last year. Then again, some of those guys probably aren't going to be back.
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Interesting comments from Flames GM Darryl Sutter. He says he will look for a replacement for Mike Keenan, but the best guy to coach the team is himself. Flames Nation loves Sutter because he got his team to the finals and they haven't been close to getting back under guys like Jim Playfair and Keenan. They will lap it up if Sutter comes back. Then again, don't be surprised if brother Brent moves from New Jersey to Calgary because of his desire to be closer to home. When all is said and done, I don't think Darryl is behind the Flames bench. I don't think Brent will be either, but you never know. I didn't realize when Keenan was given the boot that former Pats coach Rich Preston was also let go. Rich has a solid hockey mind and is one of the best guys you will ever meet. He will not be unemployed as long as I have. It won't even be close.
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Sad news from the NHL. Peter Zezel died in Toronto at the age of 44 from a rare blood disease red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. He played with seven teams over a 15 year career including Philly, St. Louis and Toronto.
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It was great to get the release from Rider communications man extraordinaire Ryan Whippler stating the itinerary for Rider rookie camp and then training camp. Yes, you can see the finish line now Rider fans. The off-season is just about over and soon you can concentrate with what is going on on the field.
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We love our hockey in Canada, but in Europe they love their soccer and the biggest game of the year occurs today. Barcelona meets Manchester United in the Champions League final. I like international soccer---especially the World Cup and the European Championship, but I can't get into club soccer. That being said, these two teams have star-studded lineups, so I may have to take in some of this contest--I mean match. I love soccer play-by-play guys too---they are so dignified and flowery with some of their calls. I would love to see guys like Hughson, Cuthbert and Loubardias repeat some of the phrases that are uttered during a soccer game.
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I should have taken a jacket with me when watching my daughter play softball last night, but it was actually enjoyable to go to a game without having to take my winter jacket or a toque or just outright shiver.
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Message to Global Regina's Derek Meyers. Get that Scott Schultz cannonball dive that he performed Sunday and put it on your blog. I will link it. If you haven't seen it, Alexander Despatie has nothing on Schultz. In fact, maybe Pilot Butte's Reuben Ross needs to come back home and have a charity dive-off with the big guy. That would be outstanding!!!!
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A good story in the Globe on Moose Jaw's Dylan Barker who hopes to get his CFL career started this year after being unable to last because of injury. Take a read...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ticats-safety-barker-excited-about-comeback/article1154470/
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Looks like Lebron James will have to wait another year to bring an NBA title back to Cleveland. His Cavaliers look as if they are going down to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic after Orlando wins in overtime last night to take a 3-1 lead in the East final. Somewhere NBA commish David Stern phones his officials and tells them Cleveland is to get every call for the rest of this series. Say what you will about NHL refs, but they are as sharp as a tack when you compare them to refs in the association. In fact, I would put NBA refs as the worst out of the five major pro leagues(MLB, NHL, NFL, CFL, NBA) we follow. Yes, they are even worse than a CFL official. I know that is hard to believe but it is the truth.
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If you want to see Jose Canseco get squashed in his MMA match, here you go....

Hong Man Choi vs Jose Canseco dream 9
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