It’s good Friday, a time to celebrate “good” stories; in other words, don’t expect to see much about the Toronto Maple Leafs in this column.

 

“Good” ole Canucks….Yes, the Vancouver Canucks have been “good” to their supporters in the regular season. However, playoff expectations may be a tad unrealistic. The media has placed unnecessary emphasis on the division race against Calgary. Of course, it’s nice to capture the Northwest Division, but it will anger fans more if Vancouver fails to deliver in the post-season. Consider the following highlights:

Ø A terrific record since Feb 1^st,

Ø Depth on the blue-line (led by Willie Mitchell, with one of the league's top plus-minus rating),

Ø The surprising emergence of Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler,

Ø The steady play of the Sedins,

Ø A bona-fide second line which includes Mats Sundin and Pavel Demitra,

Ø An ace goalie in Roberto Luongo; and

Ø A relatively healthy roster.

If the Canucks win a minimum of two rounds and reach the Conference final then they can consider this season a successful one. However, I’m not convinced that this will transpire; nonetheless,
it’s been years since the Canucks have looked this good on paper.

 

 

The Windy City strikes it “good”… The Chicago Bears finally have a “good” quarterback. Jay Cutler might pout and sulk when not getting his way, but no one can argue the 25-year-old pro bowl player is just what the Bears needed; especially since they haven’t had a front line signal caller since the Jim McMahon days, some 20 years ago.

 

However, this begs the following question: Did the Bears sacrifice too much in dealing quarterback Kyle Orton, two first round draft picks and a third rounder to the Denver Broncos for Cutler and a 5th round pick? Perhaps, but it remains a myth that a team won't get fair market value if they publically announce one of their players is on the trading block. The Broncos issued a statement that Cutler was available and then 48 hours later secured a deal. I doubt that Denver could have received a better package in return by trying to keep the situation on the hush and hush.

 

 

“GOOD” LOCAL TWIST… It certainly is “good” to see that the UNBC Lady Timberwolves roster for the 2009/10 basketball season includes many local athletes. No less than six players from P.G. high schools will get court time for Loralyn Murdoch’s team. Christine Kennedy
(4th year, College Heights), Erin Beckett (3rd year, College Heights), Soli Smith (5th year, PGSS), Jennifer Clyne (3rd year, DP Todd) and rookies Mercedes Van Koughnett (Duchess Park) and Emily Kaehn (PGSS) will help form the team’s nucleus. With half-a-dozen players of that caliber, it certainly speaks volumes for the rapid growth of basketball at all levels in the Prince George area.

 

 
“Good” in goal....It's been a very “good” season for Northeastern goalie and former PG Spruce King, Brad Thiessen, who has signed an entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thiessen is one of three finalists for the Hoby Baker award, which goes to the top player in U.S. College Hockey. He was 25-12-4 for the Wildcats with a 2.12 GAA, a .931 save percentage and 3 shutouts.

 

“Good” ole excitement just around the corner… Sports may be in a bit of lull locally, but on a broader base, it is arguably as “good” as it gets at this time of year. Yes, the Stanley Cup playoffs begin Wednesday, followed by the NBA playoffs, just a few days later, Major league baseball is now underway, and this weekend golf fans are treated to the Masters.

 

There is one glitch with golf, however. If Tiger Woods isn’t in the field, then there is little point in watching. I am sure you’ve heard the old adage that no one player in any sport is bigger than the game itself. However, that doesn’t apply to golf. TV ratings consistently show that when Tiger is in contention people are watching. When he isn’t challenging for the title or not playing, the networks would be better off with a re-run of “The Munsters”.

In the world of much doom and gloom with a down economy I was pleased to present a “good news” column. Have a great Easter and as the late great Paul Harvey would say “Good Day”.

“Good” teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the ‘me’ for the ‘we.' LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson

 

 

San Jose Sharks centre Jeremy Roenick has purchased Pembroke Country Club, the Boston-area golf course he played often as a teen. If they're nice to J.R., members of the Toronto Maple Leafs might be able to get a deal so they can use the course every April.
 (Eds note: Sorry, couldn't resist one more shot at the Leafs)  Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post  

 

 In Iowa, a man has been arrested on suspicion of failing to pay for his artificial leg. When the judge asked why he’d stolen a prosthetic leg, the guy shrugged and answered, “I’m stumped.”
He pleaded not guilty. He said the leg wasn’t for him; it was for his wife, Peg. Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Arizona Senator John McCain is seeking a pardon for boxer Jack Johnson, who was convicted in 1913 for violating the Mann Act. McCain says he feels somewhat responsible since he voted to pass it. Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

Bank of America extended its sponsorship with the New York Yankees, and economists immediately hailed it as the ultimate win-win. The team gets much-needed signage for its new ballpark, and the bank gets to borrow money whenever it needs it. Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times

 

 
So after all the hype, there was no Big East team in the NCAA men’s basketball finals. But to be fair, a few of them could have made the playoffs in the NBA’s Eastern conference.

Regarding that now famous picture of Michelle Obama and the Queen of Elizabeth with their arms around each other: I’ve got to figure the Queen whispered “Why couldn’t one of my boys have met a nice girl like you?”Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Greg Phelps' mom is writing a tell-all book in which she describes her son's bong incident as 'one golden boy turned loser’. What’s the book's title, 'Throw Momma from the Train'?
In an attempt to gain sponsorship, French pole vaulter Romain Mesnil streaked through the streets of Paris. Sponsors backed off, criticizing, among other things, his lack of extension.

Anna Kournikova was seen at the Ericsson Open giving several passionate kisses to boyfriend Enrico Iglesias. Sounds like she's finally doing well in a French Open. Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

The CFL trading season is in full swing with players being sent to teams for future considerations, IOU’s and a deposit on bottles to be drunk later. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)