Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Those Towels Aren't for Crying

Well, you knew the Canucks season was going to end at some point. And if you don't consider this year a successful one, think back to where this team was a year ago.

Yes, there will be plenty of Canucks news to come this summer, but in the meantime, dial up a few other sporting events. Here's 5 things you should be paying attention to right now:

1. Vancouver Giants
The G-men are on the verge of winning back-to-back WHL Championships and for the second straight year they'll be in the Memorial Cup. And to boot, you can check it out live as Vancouver plays host to the CHL's Final Four beginning May 18th. It's not the NHL, but many hockey fans will tell you it's far more entertaining. More hitting, more chances, more fighting for less money. Pretty tough to beat.

2. Steve Nash
Even if he doesn't win the MVP award for a 3rd straight year (which he should!!!), Nash has the Phoenix Suns in prime position to win an NBA Championship. The Suns play the most entertaining brand of hoops in the NBA (think Buffalo Sabres of basketball) and the reason is a skinny little kid from Victoria, BC. To put in perspective what Nash is doing, try to imagine the chances of a kid from Mexico City racking up the most assists in the league, winning back-to-back Hart Trophies, and leading his team down the road to a Stanley Cup. PVR every game and burn it onto DVD; this won't happen to another Canadian in our lifetimes.

3. Swords and Sens
The rematch of last year's 2nd round series just might be the best the playoffs has to offer this year. Ottawa and Buffalo are arguably the two most entertaining teams in the NHL and now they'll go head-to-head in the Eastern Conference Final. Toss in the fact that they chucked plenty of knuckles in back-to-back battles in February and you've got the makings of one hell of a series. Plus Ray Emery just threw gas on the fire by ripping the city of Buffalo two days ago. Lets get ready to rumble.

4. BC in the Bigs
Justin Morneau won the American League MVP last year. Jason Bay was the NL Rookie of the Year two years ago. And those are just two of the numerous big leaguers that hail from beautiful British Columbia. There's Ryan Dempster who's off to a great start as the Cubs' closer. Southpaw starter Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies. And young guns Rich Harden and Adam Loewen, who will both be back despite suffering a setbacks due to injury. These BC buds are just a few of the reasons that BC baseball is smokin'.

5. Spring Swingers
Yeah, I know the US Open is a month away, but the world's best clubbers are starting to rev up for the toughest stretch of the season - the summer. The Players Championship goes this weekend and PGA Players treat this tourney like a major. Heck, it's worth watching just to see the top players in the world drop a few in the drink on TPC Sawgrass' 17th. Two years ago, Bob Tway (who's won a major before) fired a 12 on the island hole. It might be sick, be there's something fun about watching that.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scott,

If the Canucks aren't playing, I have nothing to talk about. If you actually think I like the Giants or Whitecaps, guess again. To each his own, but quite frankly - I only care about the Vancouver Canucks.

Fred

Anonymous said...

Scott,

What about high-school football? Everyone is so focused on highly-paid athletes. I somtimes wonder why more focus is not placed on our young athletes in the community.

Marilyn

Scott Rintoul said...

Fred,
No one's telling you what you have to like, but if you take the time to check these sports out, you just might change your mind.
Scott

Scott Rintoul said...

Marilyn,
I'm a BIG fan of high school sports as well, but ost of them don't get going until the fall. If you like high school football, be sure to check out some Junior football this summer and some CIS football this fall. You'll be hooked!
Scott

Anonymous said...

Scott,

I only want to watch premier professional athletes. The Whitecaps would lose to any division 2 English football team. The Vancouver Giants are ...kids.
The BC Lions are Tier 2 professional football players.

Vancouver doesn't have NBA, MLB or NFL. It does have NHL hockey which is the best there is.

Call me a snob, but that's how I feel!

Fred

Anonymous said...

Fred,

How about you realize that it's possible to enjoy watching sports performed by athletes who aren't in the upper-echelon. Personally, I found it exciting to watch Gilbert Brule play for the Giants knowing he would eventually be a star in the NHL. I have also found it terrific watching CFL 3-down football with some great players who thrive in a wide-field, offensive-focused game. Snob or not, open your mind to more that is out there.

Al