Do you think Kelly McCrimmon and the Brandon Wheat Kings have seen enough of the Windsor Spitfires? After getting pumped 9-3 by the Ontario League champs in the tournament's opening game, the host team got embarrassed again in the final this time by a score of 9-1. There just aren't enough superlatives you can use when it comes to describing how good this Windsor team is. This squad might be the best team to ever win the junior hockey title. Taylor Hall showed why the Edmonton Oilers should take him with the first pick overall in this draft, Cam Fowler showed why he is a top 5 prospect, Ryan Ellis showed why he's a first rounder, etc, etc, etc. That team was scary, and almost made a mockery of this year's event.
While I'm sure the fine people of Brandon put on a great show, I don't know if I've ever seen a worse Mem Cup week. The only exciting game for me was the Wheat Kings semi-final win over Calgary. Yes, Calgary beat Moncton 5-4, but the Wildcats choked up a three goal lead in that one. Yes, Windsor beat Moncton 4-3 in overtime, but the Spitfires took their foot off the pedal in that one. For the most part, Windsor (to use a John Foley analogy) got rid of the competition. They dominated Calgary and they destroyed Brandon twice. It was not a good week of hockey, but when one team is head and shoulders better than all the rest, you will get that.
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The WHL will host the Memorial Cup again in three years time. With the event being a huge success in places like Rimouski and Brandon, it can go anywhere. This has been proven. With that being the case, could and would Swift Current apply, how about Moose Jaw as the Multiplex will be operating by then. Just a thought! Its said Saskatoon wants the 2013 event.
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No finale of "Lost" for me. I checked out the Brooks and Dunn farewell with all the great names in country music performing. What will the world do without Brooks and Dunn? We'll miss Brooks, but will anyone give a rats ass about Dunn. Really, who needs Dunn? Not I! (ITS A JOKE!!!). The only thing that show was missing was Peggy Hill giving a peach cobbler to the country crooners.
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The Sharks had some people saying they weren't playoff failures after they got to the West final, but the talk has been revived after a four game sweep at the hands of the Blackhawks. San Jose did everything they could to win three games in that series, but they just didn't have enough to control the speedy, talented Hawks. If Philly wins, can you imagine the battles between Byfuglien and Coburn/Pronger.
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The more I watch Jonathan Toews, the more I love the way the kid plays. A guy phoned up on "The Sports Cage" this past week saying he'd rather have Toews on his team than Sid. I applauded that comment! He's only going to get better and better as his career goes on. I predict an MVP trophy or two by the time he is done.
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Do you think Shawn Chambers has gotten sick of seeing Mario go around him on the Hockey Night in Canada intro yet? Who was the other d-man on that play?
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I will agree with something Drew Remenda told me when we were doing the CJME sports show together. Drew believes the NHL should get rid of the conference championship trophy presentation because its a joke. It is! The captain of the winning team wants nothing to do with the trophy, because its not the trophy they covet. Why bother with this production then?
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So lemme get this straight, the Russians don't medal at the Olympics so 14 of them go back to play in the Worlds to get the country back on top and they lose the gold medal game to the hated Czechs 2-1. I'm thinking there are 14 players with whom the Russian Ice Hockey Federation aren't very happy with right now.
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The final "24" airs tonight. Those that watch know the Russians REALLY pissed off Jack when they shot Renee Walker. You don't kill Jack's woman and get away with it. Word is at some point in the 2 hour finale, Jack has a showdown with Chloe that some say might be the best scene in the history of the show.
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The Blue Jays lead the majors with 76 homers, yet Adam Lind and Aaron Hill who combined for 71 last year only have 12 this year. If they get their bats heated up, look out! Who am I kidding, Toronto isn't going anywhere in the AL East as long as the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox are there.
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Less than two weeks until training camp.
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Have a great holiday Monday!
9 comments:
I think you meant Shawn Chambers that Mario skated around....Tom Chambers was a b-ball player
The Train to the Siberian Salt Mines will have a few extra passengers this week. Just wondering if it will be players, coaches, or both, LOL!!
Chicago is on a mission, and it looks like no one is going to stop them, EXCEPT themselves. It would be fitting for Montreal to be the opponent, so that the Hawks can exorcise the demons of 1971, but I feel Philly is too strong for Le Habitant.
Hats off to Windsor...deserving Champions. Doubt there will be a Three-peat as the core of the team will be in the NHL next season.
It is Shawn Chambers not Tom Chambers.
I thought Mark Tinordi was the d-man that Mario made look silly. I don't remember a Shawn Chambers.
Mike
Windsor putting back to back beatdowns on Brandon at home made it the best Mem Cup ever. C'mon Mitch!!
PS: That Hall kid is pretty good, I think the Oilers should take him at number one.
If the NHL wants to continue presenting the conference champ'ship trophy to whoever, they should mandate that a picture be taken with whoever holding the trophy. If they don't, they get fined. It is ridiculous to see this year after year and its rather childish too.
Paul
I had to Youtube it. Neil Wilkinson was the other defenceman on the ice for the Stars. That might be the nicest goal I have ever seen.
It is evident that the Conference Trophy means nothing, so the League needs to stop handing it out. The players don't care to have it, so why waste the time? Give the team the banner that they hang up in their stadium...the teams would be okay with that acknowledgment, I suspect.
After seeing Toew's beard, gotta wonder if he'll be moving to Pennsylvania after his career is over?
Mitch,
I'll be very surprised to see the Memorial Cup "out east" in 2013. I am guessing it'll be
"out west" and not return to the Eastern Conference until 2016 at which time the Oil Kings or Calgary Hitmen will get it.
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