At times, television extravagantly influences pro sports. Of course, I realize that leagues, such as the NHL need to cater to the major television networks, but common sense should prevail.

 

For instance, in the Western Conference, Vancouver and Chicago finished their first round series on April 25 and April 26, respectively. However, both teams waited until May 1 to start round two. Meanwhile, Detroit defeated Phoenix in game seven on April 27 and just two nights later, the Red Wings played in San Jose. (The Sharks had been idle since eliminating Colorado April 24)

 

Huh ?

Not surprisingly, the Red Wings gave up three early goals to the Sharks and lost the opening game, 4-3. Is it just me or would it have made more sense to have the dates reversed?

 

Similarly, this happened in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia eliminated New Jersey on April 22 and Boston knocked out Buffalo on April 26. Both teams waited until May 1 to start the Eastern semi-final. However, Montreal defeated Washington, in a gigantic upset in game seven, on April 28 and immediately played in Pittsburgh on April 30. (The Penguins previous game against Ottawa was April 24) In addition, the Habs were forced to play the Penguins again May 2 during the daytime. Two games in less than 48 hours after virtually no break from the Washington series.

 

The Penguins scored four power play goals in the opening game en route to a 6-3 victory. Once again, this result was predictable, especially considering the circumstances. (Montreal did win the Sunday game 3-1 thanks to Jaroslav Halak as the Habs were outshot 39-21)

 

I am not making excuses for the Canadiens or the Red Wings. Both teams needed seven games in the opening round while their opponents required just six. I understand that teams that complete a series quickly should have an advantage. Nonetheless, someone needs to support the players (hello NHLPA?) and insist on a minimum two-day break after each round. The NHL would have maintained continuity, simply by starting the Boston-Philadelphia and the Vancouver-Chicago series earlier, and giving the other two series an extra day or two. Yes, TV executives carry far too much weight and maybe that in part helps explain why the second round does not have the excitement or drama as the opening round.

 

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I was more impressed with Alex Ovechkin, the person, in the playoffs. No one can argue that “Ovie” can be the world’s most exciting player and a remarkable talent. He remains behind Sidney Crosby at least until the team (Washington or Russia) he plays for shows success. 

 

However, Alex deserves credit for taking responsibility for losing against Montreal. He did not hide, he did not make excuses, and he did not blame the officials for a call or a disallowed goal.

“Yes it is fair (when asked if he deserved criticism for the collapse against the Habs). It was my fault. I have a chance to score goals and I didn’t score goals. We just have to show more character in the locker room and on the ice.”

 

It is refreshing to hear these words from a mega-star athlete. Alex Semin and Rick Green should be taking much more heat than Ovechkin. If those players, and others on the Capitals roster played with the same passion as Ovie, Washington would still be in the playoffs today.

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A recent ESPN poll (http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank?versionId=2&listId=616) shows that fans believe that the Habs victory over the Capitals as the biggest Stanley Cup first round upset ever.

 

Other similar eighth vs first upsets include:

·        Anaheim over San Jose 4-2 in 2009,

·        Edmonton over Detroit 4-2 in 2006, (Oilers victory over the Red Wings is second in the poll results) 

·        Montreal over Boston 4-2 in 2002,

·        San Jose over St Louis 4-3 in 2000,

·        Ottawa over New Jersey 4-2 in 1998 and

·        San Jose over Detroit 4-3 in 1994.

 

There are also examples of seventh seeds defeating second seeded teams. This year Philadelphia added to this list by crushing New Jersey in five. In 2001, Toronto Maple Leafs fans certainly remember when the Leafs beat the number-two ranked Ottawa Senators, in four straight. Of course, the Leafs have been “locked out” of the playoffs since the lockout ended, but this is a story for another day.

 

These recent playoff shockers really demonstrate the lack of meaning and importance in the regular season. The 2009-2010 Washington Capitals, 33 points better than the Canadiens, remain living proof of that.

 

 

A 17-year-old Phillies fan was tasered when he ran onto the field. While some think that was too drastic, the police could have inflicted more severe pain – they could have driven him an hour and a half south and make him sit through a week of Orioles games.

Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals is 0-3 with a 2.27 ERA. This might be the worst case of non-support since Pamela Anderson put on a training bra.

Tiger Woods missed the cut last weekend at the Quail Hollow Championship. Scary question, what if for Woods, sex was a performance-enhancing drug?
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

The National Enquirer - which first broke the news of Tiger Woods' infidelities - is now reporting that Woods confessed during rehab to having 120 mistresses, only to have his wife discover a 121st: their
neighbour’s daughter. In golfing circles, this is what's known as signing a bad scorecard.

 

Tiger Woods failed to make the cut last weekend.… And, we are not talking about the vasectomy Elin had arranged for him.

Sandra Bullock has adopted a three-and-a-half month old baby boy. Now she has to care for a drooling, cantankerous male who is interested in little more than women's boobs. Oh wait; that's right, she's divorcing him.

 

A recent report from TMZ says California sheriffs gave Paris Hilton a citation for one count of dangerous passing. So what's kept Jamarcus Russell out of jail?
www.Sportsdeke.com

 

 

China was stripped of the women's gymnastics bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics for fielding an underage gymnast. But the girl was still happy that she passed her driver's test this week.

Ben Roethlisberger spent last weekend undergoing a behavioral evaluation rather than at the team's minicamp, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Looks like his 2010 QB rating will be the first to include inkblots.

LeGarrette Blount, the Oregon running back suspended for punching a player last season, agreed to terms with Tennessee. At Boise St., they refer to him as 'Clash of the Titans'.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

P.E.I. Senator Catherine Callbeck wants to take the Canadian penny out of circulation saying they are only found in jars at homes and on CFL contracts.

Media and protesters are flocking to Arizona due to their seemingly racist profiling of illegal alien workers which has given the economy a huge boost… this has resulted in a new state motto… Arizona… come for the human rights violations… stay for the golf.

The Police officer who tasered a teenager for running on the field during a Philadelphia Phillies game, was within the proper police protocols and will not be punished. According to 70-year-old Phillies owner Al Reach any whippersnapper cutting across my lawn should be shot.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

A 17-year-old Phillies fan was tasered by security personnel after he ran onto the field during a game.
Team officials later apologized, and to show that there were no hard feelings they gave him a fully loaded Nissan Pathfinder. 

So I hear there is gonna be a slight variation of the national anthem at Phillies games from now on. Its going to be "O tase can you see". 

 

Super Saver left 19 other horses in the lurch as he won the Kentucky Derby on a muddy track. I haven't seen so many sloppy seconds since the Dion Phaneuf/Sean Avery brouhaha.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

 

A dog got loose on the field during a Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball game and went to the bathroom near second base. I don't know who was more upset - the grounds crew or the guy on first who got the steal sign.
Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald