Toronto Maple Leafs new owners ‘change the focus to winning’ what a bunch of ‘Gobbledygook’

Toronto, Canada - Yes the MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) is about to be taken over by Rogers and Bell   in a deal struck last year when the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan sold their part of the organization for $ 3.1 billion.

But to suggest that they now plan on concentrating on winning and getting into the playoffs, is a real joke, to anyone who knows anything about the sports scene in Toronto.

MLSE own the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, AHL Marlies, Toronto FC Soccer team, and the Air Canada Centre. It’s close to being one of the most successful sports franchises in the world, money wise, and yet have had very little success on the field or the ice recently.

The Leafs haven’t made the NHL playoffs since 2004, although the Toronto Marlies advanced and lost the AHL Calder Cup final just last year.

The Raptors haven’t been to the playoffs since 2007 when they won the NBA Atlantic division, and haven’t visited the playoffs since 2008.

This new concept ‘on winning’ seems a little, too little, too late.

But then the Toronto sports fans just put up with it, and keep buying the tickets, and keep watching and hoping for a winning combination.

Will it happen? We hope so, but hope is all we have to offer and yet the MLSE just keeps getting richer and richer. We haven’t seen a Stanley Cup since 1969 and still the Air Canada Centre is the most sold-out arena in North America.

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Daniel … Toronto, Canada,     丹尼尔     دانيال … تورنتو، كندا،
My take on everything
@dandmb50

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Danny Boyle: Amazing chopper flight pass of the Queen and James Bond (Daniel Craig) at the London 2012 Olympics ‘Video’

Danny Boyle, 56,  Academy Award winner for movie of the year, Slumdog Millionaire directed the opening ceremonies at the Olympics in London 2012, and did a smashing job.

If you missed it, you missed the best part of the opening ceremonies, it is here for the time being.

There is no way of knowing how long this video will stay up on YouTube but if you missed it, it was the best part.

Boyle did an amazing job as expected and deserves an award for his efforts.

How did Danny Boyle ever get  Queen Elizabeth II, 86,  to ever agree to this little fantasy?

It was truly memorable and exciting up to the moment when (it appeared) the Queen was jumping from the Royal Chopper. (it was a stunt double, of course)

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Daniel … Toronto, Canada,     丹尼尔     دانيال … تورنتو، كندا،
My take on everything
@dandmb50

Translate full Blog into any language. Click your flag above, if it’s not there click any flag. It will take you to Google Translate.There will be a drop down menu for languages, find yours and click to the right.

Once you have the BLOG changed into your language, all links will automatically translate.

99th annual – Le Tour de France 2012: ‘The greatest sporting event in the world’

Foix, France - The event started in 1903 and this bike race across France has drawn competitors from around the world and this three-week race is half way through, ending July 22/2012 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris.

Yesterday was the 14th stage of 20, the race which goes through the mountains, cities and towns of France, the 99th, a total of 3,497km (just over 2100 miles.)

A mishap occurred yesterday that has not happened since the 1920′s when it was disclosed that a spectator may have thrown carpet tacks on the roadway near the top of one of the mountains. Several racers encountered flat tires which happens occasionally, but not 10 within five minutes.

The whole race is being covered by NBC Sports and can also be viewed LIVE on TSN2 in Canada early each day. Not only are the racers incredible, the scenic parts of France are a beautiful site through all the small towns scattered throughout the country.

The dedication and endurance of all the nearly 200 racers is astounding and after 14 stages about 35 have had to drop out due to serious injuries on the 99th annual road race.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada,  丹尼尔
My take on everything
@dandmb50

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AHL: Fluke goal. Toronto Marlies lose to Norfolk Admirals,Virginia, in OT 1-0 at Ricoh Coliseum

Toronto, Canada - In a fluke shot from centre ice Norfolk’s Mike Kostka shoots the puck into the Marlies corner and it goes off a stanchion and directly into the net. Norfolk Admirals are now winning best of seven series, 3-0 in AHL Calder Cup Finals.

In one of the most bizarre shots, Norfolk’s Kostka shoots the puck from centre ice and it hits the far corner where the glass is held on the rink-side. Marlies goalie Ben Scrivens goes behind the net anticipating the puck coming around, but it bounces off the stanchion directly into the empty net.

The sellout crowd of 8,084 (extra seats were added) were in shock as they awaited to see the replay on the scoreboard.

It took a while for them to find the right angle to show the shot, and many fans thought they might not replay the fluke bounce.

Kostka who was raised locally in Etobicoke, was just doing what defencemen do, shoot it in and follow up, but even he was surprised by the unusual bounce at 9:09 of the first over-time.

Right at the end of the first period, Norfolk had questioned a possible goal, but the officials finally decided it didn’t go in, after consulting with the goal judge Ed Butler, to the rousing applause of the fans.

Head coach of Norfolk, Jon Cooper said after the game, “I’m sick to my stomach for Scrivens, it was a tough break for the kid, but I would rather it go in our favour than theirs. Toronto pushed in the first, and was clearly the better team in the first period.”

Norfolk has done very well this year with 42 wins in the last 44 games, but because of the AHL scheduling, these are the first three games Marlies have ever played them.

The Marlies must now win the final three games against Norfold with the next two at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm, they will also be broadcast on Sportsnet One. If necessary, the seventh game would be back in Norfolk, Virginia and broadcast on LeafsTV.

It’s the first time in about 45 years Toronto has ever seen professional hockey in June, let’s hope it’s not the last. Because of the warm weather, even extra air conditioning was attached to the building almost 100 year old Ricoh Coliseum

The original Coliseum was built by Mayor T.L. Chruch as the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 1921 and at the time was the largest facility in North America before the Maple Leafs Gardens was built in 1931.

It was renovated in 2003 and an artificial ice pad was added to the facility as well as extra seats.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada
My take on everything
@dandmb50

The Shawinigan ‘Cataractes’ win the Memorial Cup beating London Knights in OT 2-1

Shawinigan, Quebec - The Shawinigan Cataractes beat the London Knights 2-1 in OT to capture the Mastercard Memorial Cup as they hosted the tournament in hometown Shawinigan, Quebec Sunday night.

In a hard-played Memorial Cup final, Shawinigan Cataractes were down 1-0 in the first period, but came back to win the Mastercard Memorial Cup in the first overtime at 17:51, and capture the title for the first time in 43 years.

If you only recorded and extra hour of the game you missed the final goal, but the over 5000 in attendance didn’t miss a beat as the hometown crowd went ballistic, at the Bionest Centre which only seats 4,125.

One annoying thing at the Memorial Cup was the fans that were allowed to bring air horns into the arena. As far as I know they are not allowed in any NHL arenas, but clapping and cheering is encouraged. They should be banned everywhere.

Anton Zlobin a Russian for Shawinigan, scored his first goal to tie the game in the second period, but came back to notch the winner in OT at 17:51.

The Knights only goal came early in the first by Ryan Rupert who has a brother on the team who have played well during the season together.

The Knights did have a four day layoff before the final, after winning the round robin, and may have rested them too much. Although the Cataractes were on a roll, as the final was their fourth game in five days.

Knights owner and previous coach of The Knights, Dale Hunter was sitting on the sidelines, as he just resigned as coach of the NHL’s Washington Capitals to be back with his own club. He relinquished the coaching duties to his brother Mark Hunter who he claims had done a wonderful job throughout the season.

Everyone has been asking and wondering what the name of the team means. ‘Cataractes’ is a french word and yet it doesn’t match the sweater.

From Wikipedia: The name ‘Cataractes’ often confuses English-speaking hockey fans. The name literally translates as ‘Cataracts’ meaning ‘Waterfalls,’ the team is named for Shawinigan Falls, a prominent waterfall in the city, even though they do not have a waterfall on their uniform.

The next Mastercard Memorial Cup will be held in Saskatoon.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada
My take on everything
@dandmb50

AHL: Toronto Marlies win to advance to Calder Cup finals against Norfolk Admirals

Toronto, Canada - Toronto Marlies beat Oklahoma City Barons 3-1 to advance to the Calder Cup finals next week. Marlies won the series 4-1 as the Western Conference winners of the American Hockey League (AHL) and go up against Norfolk Admirals next Friday.

The crowd of 7, 515 at Ricoh Coliseum Friday (standing room only) night was enthusiastic from the opening puck drop as Marlies Matt Frattin (9) opened the scoring at 1:13 of the first.

The game was well matched throughout, until Oklahoma Cities’ Chris VandeVelde tied it up at 19:45 of the first period.

The teams remained tied until 8:38 of the second period when Simon Gysbers of the Marlies scored his first of the series with a slap shot from the point to make it 2-1.

Oklahoma City Barons are the affiliate of Edmonton Oilers and have had a good year, but couldn’t handle the pressure of Marlies and especially goaltender Ben Scrivens even though they were missing a few star players, Nazem Kadri, and Mike Zigomanis who will hopefully be back for the final series.

Other sidelined players for Marlies were Marcel Mueller and Carter Ashton out with upper body injuries. Matt Frattin (10) wrapped it up at 19:18 as he scored his second of the game and 10th of the playoffs to lead Marlies into the final round in Norfolk, VA On Friday, June 1st in Norfolk, against the Admirals.

(All games will be broadcast on local Rogers TV)

It is the first year the Toronto Maple Leaf affiliate has advanced to the Calder Cup finals lead by third-year coach Dallas Eakins. This will be the 76th annual play-down for the AHL’s Calder Cup award. After the win Friday in Toronto, Marlies walked away with the Robert W. Clarke, AHL’s Western Conference Champions award and are now looking to pick up the Calder Cup.

The Robert W. Clarke trophy was won seven times by the Rochester Americans who Marlies beat in the first round.

The Marlies return to Ricoh Coliseum in game three against Norfolk at 7pm, on Thurday, June 7th. The full schedule can be seen HERE.

The Norfolk Admirals are the affiliate of Tampa Bay Lightning.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada
My take on everything
@dandmb50

CBC hockey host ‘Ron MacLean’ compares NHL playoff hockey players, to the heroic, dedicated responders of 911 attacks in New York??

UPDATE: Don Cherry trys to make an apology for Ron MacLean, and it just doesn’t cut it, very lame.

The CBC commented in a statement and it was just as lame. What he said was wrong.

At the start of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, New York Rangers playoff game Wednesday which Rangers lost 2-1, Ron MacLean a CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Hockey Night in Canada) host, compared the players to the 911 responders.

Wow, someone at CBC blew it, and I suspect MacLean was just reading a script. But nobody in the whole HNIC crew ever thought this was way out of line, it’s embarrassing and very inappropriate.

Usually it’s always MacLean’s sidekick Don Cherry who makes all the controversial comments, but of course, Cherry is only stating his opinions.

Not everyone in the world is a hockey fan, but I am, and that introduction to the start of the playoff game was way out of line.

There is no comparison whatsoever with 911 responders and playoff hockey. Hockey is entertainment for the viewers and the tragedy that occurred in New York in 2001, was real life and one of the worst tragedies in my lifetime.

We will anxiously await for an apology/statement from CBC and HNIC and it better come quick. Nice try CBC, doesn’t cut it.

I don’t think any apology could overcome the hurt and horror of any victims hearing this terrible introduction to a hockey game, in the way it was said.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada
My take on everything
@dandmb50

UPDATE NHL playoffs – Empty net goal by Dainius Zubrus of Devils, would it have been an awarded goal?

Newark, NJ -  New Jersey Devils beat Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Sunday and in the last minute Flyers pulled their goalie in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal. Devils player Dainius Zubrus grabbed the loose puck and headed towards the empty net, and was pulled down (hooked/tripped) by a Flyers player, feet from the open net, and scored his second goal of the final.

The referee put his hand up to call a penalty while Zubrus of the Devils was pulled down, but was it an ‘awarded goal’ or a penalty the referee was going to call? If it was an ‘awarded goal’ why did the referee not blow his whistle?

In the last minute of the second period Zubrus almost got a head injury as Claude Giroux of the Flyers took a head shot to him which will be reviewed by NHL VP disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan today.

Claude Giroux was out earlier (Dec/2011) in the season for himself receiving a head shot and suffered a concussion which he fully recovered.  Zubrus was not seriously injured and returned to the game.

Daniel … Toronto, Canada
My take on everything
@dandmb50