The final round of the Masters is one that will be talked about for a long time. It may have been one of the most entertaining final rounds of a major that we have seen for a long time and its one that had many twists and turns to it.
In reality, this Masters should have been Phil Mickleson's but once again Mickleson had some major brain cramps down the stretch. After shooting a 6 under 30 on the front 9 to get into it, Mickleson then promptly plunked one in the water on 12. He then missed a very makeable eagle putt and birdie putt on the back nine and was an afterthought.
Then there was Tiger. He had some thinking that he was about to pull off a miracle finish as he got to one stroke off the lead after 16 holes but Tiger than bogeyed 17 AND 18. In fact on 18, he made golfers all around the world smile when he hit his tee shot into the rough and then had his 2nd go "clunk" off the tree. We have all had that happen haven't we? It was nice to see the best player in the world actually do what we would.
Once Tiger was in the clubhouse, it seemed to wake up Kenny Perry. He had dawdled around the course shooting par after par after par. It was golf's version of the neutral zone trap. He then hit a dandy on 16 and you thought the tournament was his. Perry then pulled a Tiger as he bogeyed 17 and 18 as he came up with a major case of the nerves. Angel Cabrera didn't do anything spectacular and looked confused for much of the afternoon but he did manage to get into a playoff with Perry and Chad Campbell. It may have been the worst playoff in the history of golf as all three stumbled and bumbled their way down 18 for a 2nd time. After somehow surviving that first playoff hole with a miraculous par, Cabrera then won it on the 2nd playoff hole as Perry could not get over the nerves that hit him late. Phil and Tiger provided golf fans with an undercard to remember and really who wasn't thinking this Masters wasn't going to go Tiger's way again. Before I forget, could you just feel the tension between Tiger and Phil coming through your TV screen on Sunday or was it just me.
In the end, Mickleson blew another major because he lost his concentration. Perry should have won this but there is no doubt in my mind that he pulled the old gag job. When he walked off the 16th green, he left his game behind. It was a collapse for the ages. It was gag city!!!
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Speaking of gag city, what the hell was Kevin Martin thinking?? Martin, the defending world champion, was apparently in control with hammer but elected to throw his second last stone away to avoid a mess of rocks in the house. He then missed a pivotal double take out that gave Scotland's David Murdoch a steal of two and an 8-6 victory. It was the 3rd time Murdoch beat Martin this week. Well maybe I shouldn't say that because I think Martin beat himself in this one. If you are a top-notch curler and you are reading this, I'd like your opinion on the way Martin played that 10th and final end. I can't believe he actually threw his first stone away. I'm not alone in that thinking.
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The next couple of nights will be busy with playoff hockey drafts happening. The pairings are now set.
2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS
SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 BOSTON vs. #8 MONTREAL NETWORK
Thursday, April 16 7 p.m. Montreal at Boston CBC, RDS
Saturday, April 18 8 p.m. Montreal at Boston VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Monday, April 20 7 p.m. Boston at Montreal CBC, RDS
Wednesday, April 22 7 p.m. Boston at Montreal CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 7 p.m. Montreal at Boston CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27 TBD Boston at Montreal CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD Montreal at Boston CBC, RDS
SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 WASHINGTON vs. #7 NY RANGERS NETWORK
Wednesday, April 15 7 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington TSN
Saturday, April 18 1 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC, TSN
Monday, April 20 7 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 22 7 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers VERSUS, TSN
*Friday, April 24 7 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington VERSUS, TSN, RDS
*Sunday, April 26 2 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC, TSN, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28 TBD NY Rangers at Washington VERSUS, TSN, RDS
SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 NEW JERSEY vs. #6 CAROLINA NETWORK
Wednesday, April 15 7:30 p.m. Carolina at New Jersey TSN, RIS
Friday, April 17 7:30 p.m. Carolina at New Jersey TSN, RIS
Sunday, April 19 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Carolina TSN, RIS
Tuesday, April 21 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Carolina TSN, RIS
*Thursday, April 23 7:30 p.m. Carolina at New Jersey TSN, RIS
*Sunday, April 26 TBD New Jersey at Carolina TSN, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 28 7:30 p.m. Carolina at New Jersey TSN
SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 PITTSBURGH vs. PHILADELPHIA NETWORK
Wednesday, April 15 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, April 17 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thursday, April 23 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, CBC
*Monday, April 27 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC
2009 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS
SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 SAN JOSE vs. #8 ANAHEIM NETWORK
Thursday, April 16 10:30 p.m. Anaheim at San Jose VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19 10 p.m. Anaheim at San Jose VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21 10:30 p.m. San Jose at Anaheim VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, April 23 10:30 p.m. San Jose at Anaheim VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25 10 p.m. Anaheim at San Jose VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27 TBD San Jose at Anaheim VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD Anaheim at San Jose VERSUS, CBC, RDS
SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 DETROIT vs. #7 COLUMBUS NETWORK
Thursday, April 16 7 p.m. Columbus at Detroit VERSUS, TSN
Saturday, April 18 6 p.m. Columbus at Detroit TSN
Tuesday, April 21 7 p.m. Detroit at Columbus TSN
Thursday, April 23 7 p.m. Detroit at Columbus TSN
*Saturday, April 25 7 p.m. Columbus at Detroit VERSUS, TSN
*Monday, April 27 TBD Detroit at Columbus TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD Columbus at Detroit VERSUS, TSN
SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 VANCOUVER vs. #6 ST. LOUIS NETWORK
Wednesday, April 15 10 p.m. St. Louis at Vancouver CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Friday, April 17 10 p.m. St. Louis at Vancouver CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Sunday, April 19 7 p.m. Vancouver at St. Louis CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, April 21 8 p.m. Vancouver at St. Louis CBC, VERSUS
*Friday, April 24 10 p.m. St. Louis at Vancouver CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Sunday, April 26 8 p.m. Vancouver at St. Louis CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28 TBD St. Louis at Vancouver CBC, VERSUS, RDS
SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 CHICAGO vs. #5 CALGARY NETWORK
Thursday, April 16 8:30 p.m. Calgary at Chicago TSN, VERSUS
Saturday, April 18 TBD Calgary at Chicago TSN
Monday, April 20 9:30 p.m. Chicago at Calgary TSN, VERSUS
Wednesday, April 22 TBD Chicago at Calgary TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 25 10 p.m. Calgary at Chicago TSN, RIS
*Monday, April 27 TBD Chicago at Calgary TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD Calgary at Chicago TSN
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On another note, the NHL has set an overall attendance record for the fourth consecutive season. Total attendance of 21,475,223 and the per-game average of 17,460 were 1.1% higher than the corresponding record figures of 21,236,255 and 17,265 from 2007-08.
The Chicago Blackhawks established an NHL club record by attracting an average of 21,783 to their 40 home dates at United Center (not including the 40,818 who filled Wrigley Field for the Winter Classic on New Year's Day). With sellout crowds of 21,273 at Bell Centre for each of their 41 home games, the Montreal Canadiens ranked second in per-game average. The Minnesota Wild sold out their season for the eighth time in their eight NHL campaigns and the Pittsburgh Penguins completed back-to-back sold-out seasons for the first time in franchise history. Other clubs to attract sellout crowds to each of their games were the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks. Several other clubs, including the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals, were virtually sold out.
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You gotta love the fact that AM 1190 in Weyburn broadcasts Blue Jays games over the radio. Having an XM satellite radio in my car, I can get MLB and NHL games on the radio but you always get the home feed. I was out for a while both Saturday and Sunday afternoon so instead of listening to the Cleveland play by play guys I turned over to 1190 and listened to Jerry Howarth. I really don't know why more stations wouldn't pick up the Blue Jays games especially on the weekend. The same goes for NHL games. There would be a good audience for Flames or Oiler games ---especially the home ones. I can understand stations shying away from games that start at 5 or 530 because it interferes with drive time but I would much rather hear a baseball or a hockey game than some of the schlock I currently get---especially on the weekend. I know my former employer used to carry the Stanley Cup finals and selected playoff games and we also had the Flames. The excuse that was used was they couldn't sell the games. I never did believe that. Anyhow, kudos to 1190 for giving me an avenue to listen when otherwise I couldn't. That's one of the main reasons I decided to become a member of the XM nation was because I can get every NHL and MLB game. Its great!!!! Doing that along with hearing Dan Patrick, Steve Czaban, Colin Cowherd and others do their thing on a daily basis makes my satellite radio one of the best investments I've ever made.
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After losing the first two games of their second round series to Tri-Cities, Kelowna takes the next four including a series clinching 6-2 win on home ice. It means they are off to the Western final where they will play well we don't know yet. The Vancouver Giants stayed alive to force a Game 7 against Spokane much to the delight of SHAW play-by-play man Dan Russell who must have a Giants logo tattooed on his ass. Russell went bonkers as Evander Kane scored in double overtime just moments after serving a penalty. This game of course coming two nights after the teams went to quadruple overtime to solve Game 5. Game 7 is in Vancouver Tuesday night.
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Does anyone know what to do to kill off silverfish?? I came home from an Easter outing last night and one corner of my home and the area underneath my kitchen window is covered in them. How do I get rid of them????
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Hope you had a great Easter weekend!
5 comments:
Ducks beat the Sharks in 7 in what will be a huge first round upset. It will send your buddy Remenda crying all the way back to Saskatoon.
I agree with you on the satellite radio thing. When CJME stopped doing the Stanley Cup games, thats when I bought my radio---went to Montana to get it. CKRM should pick up NHL playoff hockey---they could sell it!!!
Kenny Perry went from feelgood story to goat in about 30 minutes.
I wish I had Access so I could watch the WHL playoffs. I'm a Sasktel MAX subscriber.
What the hell is a silverfish??
CH
Pedersen must be reading your blog. He says CKRM will not be doing Stanley Cup hockey. Thats too bad considering he was pushing for his station to have more sports programming a while back. Oh well!!
Kevin Martin is an idiot. How can you just throw a stone away with the game on the line especially when he is famous for delivering stones down the ice and then seeing where they scatter. That was a huge disappointment.
I can't comment on the Masters but it to me is what NASCAR is to you.
Al
If it hadn't been for Tiger screwing up his drive on 17 he would have won again. Its amazing how everyone just cowers under his presence. He beat himself no doubt about it and the rest of the field was and is scared of him.
The best 1st round series will be Pitts/Phil and Ana/SJ. I see those going 7
Is CKRM even relevant if its not a Pats or Riders game? For that matter, the sports coverage at your old haunts isn't anything to jump up and down about. Are they getting ready to proclaim Calgary as Canada's team again. BLEEEECHHHH!!!
I feel bad for Hebert today.
What is a silverfish???
That sound of ball hitting tree is the worst one imaginable on the golf course. Hearing it when Tiger was swinging was funny in some macabre sense.
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