Saturday, February 27, 2010

Re. Canada 3 Slovakia 2

Yes, a rare Saturday post. I figure if Lloyd Robertson will do newscasts on the weekends during the Olympics, then I'm more than allowed to make a weekend post.

What happened in the third period cannot happen on Sunday. Seriously, my heart rate nearly hit 200bpm during the final minute. Canada took their foot off the accelerator and it nearly cost them. At this point in the tournament, you must floor it!

One thing we know for certain: Jaro Halak is going to make some sweet coin this summer.

Keys for Sunday: Create traffic in front of the net and aim high. That's the only way Canada is going to beat Ryan Miller and the USA.


Enjoy the game.

- ER

Friday, February 26, 2010

Comedy Makes Everything Better

Episode #20 of This Is Toronto is now available!!!

This latest edition previews the 7th annual World of Comedy Film Festival; March 5-7

http://www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com/

NEXT EPISODE: Mar. 12, 2010

- ER

Re. Canada vs. Slovakia

Short and sweet: The worst thing Canada can do is overlook Slovakia.

- ER

Re. Canada 2 USA 0

The Oilers of the 80's, the Habs of the 50's-70's, the Canadian Women's Hockey Team.

When reflecting on the history of hockey, we place an emphasis on dynasties. As far as I'm concerned, the women's hockey team must be included in that category. 3x gold medal champions. How many teams/countries could pull that off? Very few. I think even the US Dream Team didn't pull that off.

This team is very special. While we all focus on the men, I hope we take a moment and recognize just how lucky we are to witness this legendary team in action.

One other thing: If I was running the Hockey Hall of Fame, Hailey Wickenheiser would be a shoo-in. Forget the 3-year waiting period. She's deserves to be there. Gretzky, Lemieux, Wickenheiser.

- ER

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Re. Canada 7 Russia 3

I am stunned. I was not expecting that kind of result. I thought it would be a 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 kind of game; maybe a shootout would be needed.

Team Canada was focused and dominated. They ignored all the hype, all the pressure and played a solid game. The main factor is Roberto Luongo. He's playing in his home arena and looks comfortable and confident. That is something that carries over to his teammates.

Next up: The Semi-Finals. But first: The gold-medal final for women's hockey. Go Canada Go!

- ER

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Re. Canada 8 Germany 2

I take back everything I said about Brodeur on Monday. Roberto Luongo must start against Russia tonight. I love Marty and thought he should start because of his experience in these types of situations. But experience doesn't always equal success.

Babcock has to stick with the hotter goaltender and in this case, it's Luongo.

Having said that...

Canada, don't plan the parade just yet. Russia is scary good. Tonight's match will be a war of attrition.

- ER

Monday, February 22, 2010

Re. USA 5 Canada 3

That was quite the game. There are four things I want to say about it:

1. Ryan Miller......DAMN! Once again, we see why goaltending is sooooo crucial for this kind of tournament. Canada out shot the USA. The score could've been at least 7-5 for Canada. The Americans won because of Ryan Miller.

2. Canada, don't panic.

3. Stevie Y, if you're reading this, cut the cable and don't allow any newspapers into the hotel. Our boys don't need to see, watch or listen to all the craziness/panic/end of the world feeling that's about to take place.

4. Marty, it's a goalie stick, not a baseball bat. Next time, catch the puck and hold onto it. Had you done that, it would've been a different result. Babcock has two choices: he either plays Marty on Tuesday and then again for the quarterfinal match; or, he puts Luongo in on Tuesday and saves Marty for the quarterfinal match. If it was me, I'd go with the ladder. Marty still has it. But he's older and needs more rest than usual.

(Glad to get that off my chest. Thank you)

Meanwhile, my latest article from Hockey54.com is (possibly) the only North American feature on Team Norway. They might not be the best, but they deserve some attention, right?

- ER

Thursday, February 18, 2010

From Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph

overtime gives me stress
it's an ugly gift from memphis
five minutes of hell

- ER

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Re. Bernie Williams

8-0. That's a good way to start the tournament. Crosby, Iginla and Nash look dangerous.

And now for something completely different...

[Cheap Plug Alert] After a small hiatus, I've written a new article for TheGoodPoint.com. It's about former Yankee star Bernie Williams.

Enjoy!

- ER

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Re. Team Canada

Canada vs. Norway. Tonight's the night. All the dissection goes out the window once that puck is dropped.

Here's what I want to know:

How does a team come together in two short days?

Hopefully, we'll find out shortly.

Go Canada Go!

- ER

Monday, February 15, 2010

Re. The Opening Ceremonies

Most of what I saw was pretty good. But there are some things about the opening ceremonies that I didn't like.

The torch lighting ceremony was a disappointment. It had nothing to do with who lit the torch. It was more about how it was done. First off, what is the point of having an indoor cauldron? BC Place is being used for two events: the opening and closing ceremonies. Why have an indoor cauldron when it won't be seen again for two weeks? It's a waste of space, money, and given the malfunction, an embarrassment.

On top of that, Wayne Gretzky had to stand on the back of a truck, in the pouring rain and get a lift to the outdoor cauldron, while all the drunk clubgoers ran next to the vehicle. The whole thing was poorly executed. VANOC could have handled that a lot better. Throw in some pomp and circumstance! Have a red carpet! Put up some guardrails! Instead, the most important part of the opening ceremonies was sloppy.

The Olympic flag was brought out by Bobby Orr, Barbara Ann Scott, Jacques Villeneuve, Betty Fox, Anne Murray, Donald Sutherland, Julie Payette and Romeo Dallaire. Orr, yes! Scott, yes! Villeneuve, yes! Fox, absolutely! Sutherland, Murray, Payette and Dallaire, no!

Don't get me wrong. Sutherland, Murray, Payette and Dallaire are people to be proud of. They're heroes. They're legends. But they shouldn't have been carrying the flag. That responsibility should go to Canadian athletes who have had enormous success on the world's stage. That's what usually happens during the opening ceremonies for any Olympic event - former athletes from the host country bring in the flag.

Where was Donavan Bailey, Daniel Igali, Silken Laumann, Mario Lemeiux, Elvis Stojko, etc? Did VANOC snub them or did these people have prior commitments.

One other thing.

CTV posted the video of Georgen luger Nodar Kumaritashvili crashing into the metal pole; a collision that would end the young man's life. I watched the video and felt terrible afterwards. Why would CTV post the last moments of this man's life on their website? That is a classless move.

- ER

Friday, February 12, 2010

Radio Royal York

Episode #19 of This Is Toronto is now available!!!

This latest edition features Radio Royal York, a website and podcast that takes listeners behind the scenes at the Royal York and highlights the hotel's green action plan.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Feb. 26, 2010

- ER

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen, Tommy Emmanuel

You might recognize the song. Lisa Simpson played it for Lenny during the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant strike.



- ER

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Re. Bob Gainey

Lots of people are sharing their thoughts on Bob Gainey's resignation. Rather than adding my two cents to a penny-filled ocean, I will only say this:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

- ER

Monday, February 08, 2010

Re. Super Bowl XLIV

I have to admit: I got a little choked up watching the Saints win last night.

Nobody deserves this more than the Saints and the city of New Orleans. After everything that's happened in the last four years, it was beautiful to see Drew Brees lift that trophy over his head.

I'm a sucker for a good storyline. The city and the team gets knocked down by a horrible hurricane. They get up, rebuild and eventually find their way to the top. It's dramatic and inspiring. This victory will help the city in many ways.

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints - Super Bowl Champions

PS: Pretty good halftime show. There's no better intro than the opening to The Who's Bubba O'Reilly.

- ER

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Cleveland Rocks! (But not with the NHL)

Before the Columbus Blue Jackets, there was the Cleveland Barons. Yes, the NHL tried to establish a market in Ohio in the mid-late 70's. It failed.

To learn more (cheap plug time), check out my latest H54 article.

- ER

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Re. Andy Barrie

Andy Barrie is by far one of my favourite radio personalities. He's got this ability to do interviews in a non-attacking style, but still manages to ask important questions. I was sad when he announced yesterday that he's leaving Metro Morning. But I understand why he's leaving and I'm sure the other listeners understand too. He'll be missed, but not forgotten.

Here's the Toronto Star's article about his departure.

- ER