No Playoffs...No Problem.

After the first 2 days of the Memorial Cup in Rimouski you shouldn’t be. These young men have more then done their part to give viewers ample reason to tune in to Sportsnet.

The Friday game with host Rimouski vs the WHL Champs Kelowna was a very fun game to watch. Sure the 4-0 final may make it sound 1 sided (which it was) but also it was high paced and entertaining up and down hockey. As for yesterdays game with Drummondville and Windsor it was one great Junior game. For two teams that have some of the most offense in all of junior hockey it was low scoring game and ended up being decided 3-2 in overtime. For a good portion of the game it looked like first goal would win. This too was a great high paced game with a ton of great scoring opportunities, but it was the goaltending that kept this thing tight. Windsor was probably the favorite going into the tournament but now find themselves in a bit of a hole.
Kelowna looks very strong and World Jr. standout Tyler Meyers looked like a monster on the back end. Rimouski looked over matched and will need a lot of help versus the other 2 teams. Drummondville and Windsor looked evenly matched and both have the potential to get even better as the tournament goes on.

If you really need the pro game and are going into withdraw due to the 3 days of no playoff hockey, don’t worry, the puck drops today when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings. This Original Six match up should be a display of great skill, speed and hard hitting...what more could a fan want?
Prediction: Detroit in 6

As for Mondays Eastern Finals with the Penguins and the Hurricanes It should prove to be a tight match up. Hard hitting and aggressive. I doubt that it will take long for there to be some bad blood and some blood spilled for that matter. The battle of the brothers Staal should be fun, Seeing what Crosby and Malkin can do will be interesting but it may come down to a battle of the goaltender between Marc-Andre Fleury, and former Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward. If one of them get hot it could push their respective team into the Cup Finals.
Prediction: Penguins in 7

Around The Horn

Carl Crawford became only the 4th player in the modern era to steal 6 bases in one game tying him with Eddie Collins, Otis Nixon, and Eric Young. He stated after the game had he known that he had tied a record that he probably would have stolen 1 more. "I probably would have broken it if I knew. I’d have definitely tried," he added. "I didn’t even try. I don’t know if that will ever happen again." Crawford said.
Kind of surprised that Ricky Henderson’s name isn’t’ on this list. You would have to be in the zone to nab 6 in one game and Crawford dis also go 4-4 as well. I do have a theory on how Otis Nixon got his 6...the pitcher was probably reluctant to check over on him as he is far form the most attractive ballplayer. A great talent for sure but a mug that could stop a train.

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Miami Heat in Game 7 to win their first round NBA playoff series.
For the first time I can actually wear my Hawks sweatshirt and not feel ashamed. Sure I only got it because it was on sale but even still it just never felt right.
The fight of the year between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton ended in the destruction of Hatton. The entire took less than six minutes of actual action.
This is why I find it hard to be a boxing or MMA fan the fight could be an hour or a mere 30 seconds. If you are going to have to pay $50+ for these Pay Per View Events and only have a 6 minute main event you can’t help but feel cheated. Fights on the playground last longer then some of these matches.

The Carolina Hurricanes handed Boston its first playoff loss pretty much because of goalie Cam Ward.
This kid stood on his head and it was as if he were channeling Patrick Roy from the 1993 playoffs. Sure Eric Staal played an exceptional game but it was Ward who looked like an all world player...I think somebody is looking for a chance to play at the Olympics next year

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal captured his record fourth Rome Masters title - on clay.
With the French Open only 3 weeks away It is hard to imagine that anyone will be able to beat him in 3 times in any 1 match, heck he might not lose 3 sets in the entire tournament. Looks like Roger Federer may have to wait a little longer to try and catch up to Pete Samparas’ record This guy is just on another level and it seems like only injury will slow him down right now