Summer, summer, summer time. I'll just sit right back and unwind.
Looks like summer is just around the corner, which is always a great excuse to quote the Fresh Prince. My bbq and patio are ready to rock, and I'm getting married in less than two months which means theres isn'ta whole lot of time for bloggin' but here goes...
- What looked like a dream matchup for the NHL could quickly turn into a nightmare unless the Penguins can muster some sort of comeback on home ice. Just three years after the NHL lockout, everyone was buzzing with anticipation for a showdown between the Red Wings and Penguins - two teams full of skill and speed, not clutch and grab.
The proof that folks were geeked? Versus had its 2nd highest audience EVER for game one of the Stanley Cup, trumped only by Lance Armstrong's final ride at the Tour de France. But that interest is sure to wane (if it hasn't to a certain degree already) if the Pens don't start competing in this series. Blowouts are very rarely compelling, so I'm hoping that the flightless birds can win a pair at the Igloo to push this series to at least six games even though I picked the Wings to win it all at the start of the post season. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have yet to score (along with everyone else in a Pens uniform), but Malkin is far more concerning that Crosby, who at least seems to be generating chances. Malkin looks like a shadow of the player that dominating his competition for the better part of 90 games this season. Is he hurt? Is he tired? Is he just a young player learning what it means to compete on the biggest stage in hockey? Whatever the answer is, you've got a better chance of finding Malkin on the back of a milk carton that in the scoring summary right now.
Damon Allen will announce his retirement tomorrow and leave the CFL with a very interesting legacy. Statistically, he is the greatest quarterback in the history of the game; he's passed for more yards (72,381) and run for more yards (11,920) than any other pivot to ever lace 'em up. But ask CFL fans where he ranks on the alltime list, and he might not even make the top five. Doug Flutie, Ron Lancaster, Russ Jackson, Warren Moon and Matt Dunigan are often held with more regard in the minds of Canadian football aficionados. The reason? Allen was not nearly consistent enough on a game to game basis for the liking of most fans. When he was having a good day, he was as good or better than any quarterback that has ever played because of his amazing athleticism and veteran poise. I once played in a touch football game against him and watched college level athletes struggle to even put a hand on him as he glided around the field. But when he was off, he made you wonder where he was throwing the ball. My personal opinion? He deserves to be in the discussion of the all-time greats, but he doesn't come out on top. The one thing I will say about Damon Allen - he was money in the Grey Cup. His teams may not have advanced to the league finale as often as they should have, but Allen never disappointed in the CFL's showcase event. He played in 4 Grey Cup games, won them all and was named MVP in 3 of them. Tough to beat that championship resume.
- I don't follow soccer as religiously as the diehards, but I have to admit that I'm stoked for Euro 2008. Part of that has to do with the fact that it's the largest event in the beautiful game next to the World Cup, but part of it has to do with last week's Champion's League Final. I'm neither a supporter of Manchester United nor Chelsea, but any sports fan couldn't help but be captivated by Man U's 6-5 shootout win. That game had it all; goals, chances, animosity, heroes, villains and goats. Falling on penalty kicks might be the toughest way to lose a championship, but it also makes for high drama. You think John Terry (Bill Buckner) is going to sleep much this summer after slipping and hitting the post on what should have been the winning strike for Chelsea? I PVRed the game and will watch it again before Euro '08 gets started next week just to get fired up again. By the way, I'm picking Italy as I do every international event, although I'm concerned that the sqaud isn't hungry enough after winning the World Cup. Yeah, I know; how does a redhead support Italy? My grandma's Italian and you can take it up with her if you want, but I don't like your chances. She's tough.
