BlogsMay 25, 2009A rotten round, for Pete's sake
Whatever became of the seven game series?
Whatever happened to playoff drama? After 6-2 and 6-1 weekend scores, we are left hoping that the Pittsburgh-Detroit Stanley Cup final can recapture some of the magic that existed in Rounds 1 and 2 of this NHL post season. Three most unfortunate moments of the Conference Finals to date: 1. Niklas Kronwall's hit on Martin Havlat. No problem here with the check itself. It was a beauty. Annoying was all the crying that followed it. The hit was not dirty, nor was it cheap. Kronwall didn't leave his feet, he used his shoulder and Havlat essentially had possession of the puck. What was a guy supposed to do, poke-check him? The best was hearing Brian Campbell call it a "gutless" hit. Check out YouTube. Campbell's hit on R.J. Umberger a couple of playoff seasons ago was almost identical. And unless there's some valuable information being withheld, exactly why was Havlat's return for Game 4 so courageous, as some TV talking heads claimed it to be? He passed the baseline test for concussion. He doesn't have any obvious injury. For Havlat not to play would have been "gutless." 2. Penguins winning. Pittsburgh advancing means more Sidney Crosby. Oh I know, he's such a great player, and all you people just love him to death. Frankly, I'm tired of watching him. Mostly, his interviews. He says nothing and does so unenthusiastically. But to me, his game lacks pizzaz as well. Give me Alex Ovechkin any day. He's a much more spectacular player and, unlike Crosby, he looks like he actually enjoys the job that gives him enough money to buy anything in the world he wants. 3. Minnesota's hiring of Chuck Fletcher as GM. Okay, so this has nothing to do with the actual conference finals themselves, but it did happen in the last week and it was a hot topic on the telecasts. The most unfortunate thing about the Wild hiring Fletcher? It's that Pierre McGuire didn't get the job, which means he'll continue to break down the game, ad nauseam, on your TV and radio for days, and perhaps even years to come. We were cheering for ya, Pete. Comments:
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
Right on Don. I am not surprised with Carolina but I am with Chicago; I expected so much more! Sidney game is spectacular. No he doesn't have the same personality as OV but you are what you are. Have you ever seen an interview with Yzerman? Nepotism and the cliques abound in the NHL and so it is that the Son of Fletch gets the job...again, I am not surprised. I will now have to get a ruggedized MUTE for my remote!
26/05/2009 @ 08:20
Comment from: Kevin Freeman [Visitor]
I enjoy both Sid and Ov tremendously, these playoffs demonstrated that the gap between the two is narrower than believed at the all star break. Crosby has shown skill determination and that old intangible heart (wasnt sold on that before). Ov while wildly entertaining and likable showed a few disturbing chinks in his pristine image, chief among them I feel was the constant extra long shifts he took staying on the ice long after he was spent. Both can mature out of their respective weaknesses and undoubtedly will become hall of famers, IMO Crosby will win more championships making him the greater player but personalities shouldnt matter.
26/05/2009 @ 11:39
Comment from: david kwolek [Visitor]
Does Sids game lack pizazz because he doesnt take runs and look to kill someone with their head down? Or play the game with the name on the back more important then the front? I have not been a big Sid the Kid fan myself, always a Malkin fan. However to complain about the kid because he does everything right in interviews (meaning not giving media much to complain about except how vanillia he is just like any other captain on the teams) and not smiling ear to ear because he makes 9 million a year. He has one goal which is winning a championship and if you can't be impressed by a 21 year old kid with one goal on his mind, and leaves it all out on the ice to obtain that goal, then maybe covering sports isn't your thing.
26/05/2009 @ 13:25
Comment from: jason hughes [Visitor]
"He says nothing and does so unenthusiastically. But to me, his game lacks pizzaz as well."
I'm sure Crosby could say the same of you.
26/05/2009 @ 14:05
Comment from: erik johnson [Visitor]
Maybe if Ovechkin wasn't worried about playing with "pizzaz" (where, apparently, "pizzaz" is code for not playing defense and turning over the puck at an alarming rate), he might have won more than 1 playoff series in his career.
Forgive me, but I thought the ultimate goal was to win? Somehow, I doubt that the NHL will start rewarding bonus points for "pizzaz".
26/05/2009 @ 16:21
Comment from: john ferderbar [Visitor]
Oh Don i guess you took to many swirlies in your life.Sid has no pizazz.what you are just mad your hometown team is like a block of swiss cheese.i think you might need to watch Sid over a whole season.he may not be like ovehkin and thank god he is not.but as i see it Sid and company put ovie where he belongs.on the golf course just like you.stick to something you know about.oh then you would be unemployed.writers as yourself are the worst for any sport.start writing about lets say pork bellies...
26/05/2009 @ 17:48
Comment from: Susan Burghart [Visitor]
Who are you to talk about what is and isn't dirty and cheap? This is coming from the same guy who had the audacity to suggest in an editorial that Crosby be given a whack on his injured ankle last year! I'm surprised you didn't suggest it again this year since you're so tired of watching him.
But just in case, maybe they'll send a memo to Bylsma that Crosby's in need of some "spirit fingers" and "jazz hands" along with that "pizzaz." Maybe that along with some box steps and high kicks well help Crosby have more commitment to "Sparkle Motion."
26/05/2009 @ 17:58
Comment from: Ura retard [Visitor]
Brennan,
Why blog about something after you have made it abundantly clear, that you know **** all about it... Seriously, you should give up your job take a huge overdose, don't worry, it wont hurt.... because, after all you are just a pansy. (ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE: Portions of this post have been removed because they violate our conditions for posting to the blogs.)
26/05/2009 @ 18:03
Comment from: Fabio Fabulo [Visitor]
Wow, Brennan sure ruffled some feathers with this post, LOL. On a serious note, those wishing death upon him should check their rage at the door. He might be a dunce, but what's the guy ever done to you?
I'm not a Crosby fan but recognize him as one of the elite players in the game. As Crosby proves himself when it matters most, Brennan's infantile criticism and hate hard-on for him do begin to look a bit silly. His suggestion last year that somebody two-hand him across the ankle not only showed a lot about Brennan's character but proved infinitely amazing when he peed his pants after Laraque took exception to his cowardly comments. I will stand up for Mr. Brennan though. He's not a bad writer, as many here have suggested. He's just in the wrong department. Read his gossip column on Carrie & Fish and tell me the guy doesn't leave you wanting more :-))))))))))))))))))))))))
27/05/2009 @ 05:15
Comment from: bobby goodman [Visitor]
Hey everyone, I think you need to chill a bit. Don commented and it is his take only. That is what a blog is all about. He never attacked any one of you so why attack him? I don't agree with him most of the time and certainly don't agree with him on the Sidney Crosby thing but holy crap it is simply his opinion. Sidney has a heart as big as anyone's; he doesn't seek out the camera's and media to make a statement...he says it all and most importantly, he leaves it all, on the ice!
27/05/2009 @ 15:14
Comment from: dbrennan [Member]
Attention Ura:
Hey Mrs. Crosby, I'm really sorry I'm not a huge fan of your son's game, but you've got to take a deep breath and try to get over it. Seriously, you have some issues. I can't imagine an opinion expressed on a blog making anyone so angry. If you want to respond to this email and leave me a number, I'll get a professional to call and see if there's anything he can do to help you. Oh wait, no, that would mean crawling out from the shadow and revealing your identity. Can't imagine you're that brave.
27/05/2009 @ 16:19
Comment from: [Visitor]
Ha!
Wow, lots of anger here today. Look, Don likes to stir the pot. I personally prefer Crosby over Ovechkin because I prefer my athletes to be bland and perform on the ice. Speaking of bland, we can never attach that label to Pierre Mcguire. I think people overanalyze this guy. Is he his own hype machine? Certainly but he adds zing to his braodcasts, much like Rick Jeanneret or Gord Wilson or Mike Lange. Also disappointed at the series ending so early, but...GO PENS! Anyone but another Wings Cup please...
27/05/2009 @ 19:29 Leave a comment:
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Don Brennan, Bruce Garrioch and Chris Stevenson are Ottawa's all-star hockey writing trio, and all will be regularly contributing to Off The Posts. Their combined experience of more than 60 years as sports writers means they have the sources to get the inside information not available to others on the Senators and the NHL. Check back often for notes, quotes and commentary. They might even disagree with each other once in awhile. Last 10 postsLast 10 comments
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
