Good news! There will be playoff hockey in Toronto this year.
In my latest Hockey54.com article, I'll explain why it's time to ignore the Leafs and follow the Marlies.
Enjoy!
ER
Showing posts with label marlies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marlies. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Friday, September 24, 2010
Marlies Nation
Episode 35 of This Is Toronto is now available!
Not only are the Toronto Marlies the top minor-league affiliate of the Maple Leafs, they're also heavily involved in the community. Marlies Play-by-Play Announcer John Bartlett talks about the team and the contributions the players make on and off the ice.
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: Oct. 8, 2010
- ER
Not only are the Toronto Marlies the top minor-league affiliate of the Maple Leafs, they're also heavily involved in the community. Marlies Play-by-Play Announcer John Bartlett talks about the team and the contributions the players make on and off the ice.
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: Oct. 8, 2010
- ER
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Re. Bulldogs and Marlies
The American Hockey League has released its 2010-11 regular season schedule.
Here are the schedules for the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies.
- ER
Here are the schedules for the Hamilton Bulldogs and Toronto Marlies.
- ER
Friday, August 20, 2010
AHL & CBC
The CBC announced it will broadcast ten American Hockey League matches during the upcoming 2010-11 season. All ten games will feature the four Canadian AHL clubs, as well as Binghamton (Ottawa) and Oklahoma City (Edmonton).
Perhaps my Hockey54.com article on the AHL inspired the deal (just kidding).
Regardless, this a smart move by the CBC.
- ER
Perhaps my Hockey54.com article on the AHL inspired the deal (just kidding).
Regardless, this a smart move by the CBC.
- ER
Monday, April 05, 2010
Canada and the AHL
I've been thinking a lot about the American Hockey League. There's something romantic about it. Fortunately, I've been able to put my thoughts down on paper.
Enjoy.
- ER
Enjoy.
- ER
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Playoffs Still Exist In Toronto
Attention Toronto sports fans! You still have a team in the midst of a playoff run!
The Toronto Marlies have advanced to the second round of the AHL playoffs after defeating the San Antonio Rampage in seven games. The Marlies will now face the Syracuse Crunch for the North Division title and a chance to reach the semi-finals.
For some reason, game seven of the first-round series against San Antonio only attracted 1,982 fans to the Ricoh Coliseum. That arena can hold 7,907 people for hockey. Granted, there was a Raptors game. Still, it's disappointing and unacceptable.
There's no reason why the Marlies should be drawing low numbers at this point in time. They're the only Toronto-area team that is currently in the playoffs. No excuses, Toronto.
Game 1 - Friday, May 2, 7:30pm; Ricoh Coliseum
The Hek
The Toronto Marlies have advanced to the second round of the AHL playoffs after defeating the San Antonio Rampage in seven games. The Marlies will now face the Syracuse Crunch for the North Division title and a chance to reach the semi-finals.
For some reason, game seven of the first-round series against San Antonio only attracted 1,982 fans to the Ricoh Coliseum. That arena can hold 7,907 people for hockey. Granted, there was a Raptors game. Still, it's disappointing and unacceptable.
There's no reason why the Marlies should be drawing low numbers at this point in time. They're the only Toronto-area team that is currently in the playoffs. No excuses, Toronto.
Game 1 - Friday, May 2, 7:30pm; Ricoh Coliseum
The Hek
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
MLSE = Disgrace
Yes, there needed to be a change in the Maple Leafs' front office. Yes, John Ferguson Jr. was not getting the job done and needed to be replaced. However, the way Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) handled this situation was absolutely disgusting.
Just imagine what it would be like to be John Ferguson Jr. For the last few weeks you have had to endure scathing comments from the fans, the media, and your employer.
The lack of confidence from your employer has to be the worst; especially when that employer is subtlety letting everyone know that you're not a good General Manager, you're going to be fired shortly, and a number of replacements have already been contacted. MLSE openly made all the preparations for JFJ's execution. Fortunately, their actions have been condemned by many high-ranking officials in the NHL.
The majority of Leaf fans can be very irrational sometimes. They have insulted and ostracized JFJ to a point that is disrespectful and downright disgraceful. I understand his track record was less then stellar, but that does not give people the right to go on Facebook and create groups such as "John Ferguson Jr Must Die" and "John Ferguson Jr has royally f**ked over the Toronto Maple Leafs." I don't like J.P. Richardi. I don't like what he's done to the Blue Jays. I think he should be fired. However, I don't want him to die and I'm certainly not going to put the blame all on him.
Making JFJ the scapegoat for forty years of futility is ridiculous. Most of the blame should fall squarely on MLSE.
Like any other corporation, MLSE only cares about making profit. Regardless, of how the Leafs fare every season, MLSE will always have financial success. If doesn't matter if the Leafs are the best team in the NHL or the worst, fans will still fill up the Air Canada Centre. Therefore, in the eyes of MLSE, there's no need to fix the product because people are willing to pay outrageous prices to watch a mediocre hockey team. Even if one person canceled his/her season tickets as a way of protesting the on ice product, there would be 100 people waiting to take that person's place.
The real victims - along with the fans - are MLSE's "neglected children:" the Raptors, the Rock, TFC, and the Marlies. These entities have had to fight for attention while the Leafs get the majority of support. There are probably people at MLSE who only care about the Leafs and wouldn't mind if the other teams disappeared. Fortunately, the neglected children understand that in order to have financial success, you have to have a winning product. Some have found that success (Raptors and Rock), some are building towards that success (TFC), and unfortunately, some have floundered (Marlies). However, this in turn allows the four teams to have a loyal and intelligent fan base.
To his credit, JFJ acted very professionally despite the way he was treated. He will probably find work somewhere else very soon. Truth be told, he was probably relieved he would never have to work for MLSE ever again.
The Hek
Just imagine what it would be like to be John Ferguson Jr. For the last few weeks you have had to endure scathing comments from the fans, the media, and your employer.
The lack of confidence from your employer has to be the worst; especially when that employer is subtlety letting everyone know that you're not a good General Manager, you're going to be fired shortly, and a number of replacements have already been contacted. MLSE openly made all the preparations for JFJ's execution. Fortunately, their actions have been condemned by many high-ranking officials in the NHL.
The majority of Leaf fans can be very irrational sometimes. They have insulted and ostracized JFJ to a point that is disrespectful and downright disgraceful. I understand his track record was less then stellar, but that does not give people the right to go on Facebook and create groups such as "John Ferguson Jr Must Die" and "John Ferguson Jr has royally f**ked over the Toronto Maple Leafs." I don't like J.P. Richardi. I don't like what he's done to the Blue Jays. I think he should be fired. However, I don't want him to die and I'm certainly not going to put the blame all on him.
Making JFJ the scapegoat for forty years of futility is ridiculous. Most of the blame should fall squarely on MLSE.
Like any other corporation, MLSE only cares about making profit. Regardless, of how the Leafs fare every season, MLSE will always have financial success. If doesn't matter if the Leafs are the best team in the NHL or the worst, fans will still fill up the Air Canada Centre. Therefore, in the eyes of MLSE, there's no need to fix the product because people are willing to pay outrageous prices to watch a mediocre hockey team. Even if one person canceled his/her season tickets as a way of protesting the on ice product, there would be 100 people waiting to take that person's place.
The real victims - along with the fans - are MLSE's "neglected children:" the Raptors, the Rock, TFC, and the Marlies. These entities have had to fight for attention while the Leafs get the majority of support. There are probably people at MLSE who only care about the Leafs and wouldn't mind if the other teams disappeared. Fortunately, the neglected children understand that in order to have financial success, you have to have a winning product. Some have found that success (Raptors and Rock), some are building towards that success (TFC), and unfortunately, some have floundered (Marlies). However, this in turn allows the four teams to have a loyal and intelligent fan base.
To his credit, JFJ acted very professionally despite the way he was treated. He will probably find work somewhere else very soon. Truth be told, he was probably relieved he would never have to work for MLSE ever again.
The Hek
Monday, November 19, 2007
Ugly Sunday
It was an ugly Sunday for Toronto's sports teams.
The Argos lost the East Division final. Next week's Grey Cup - which will take place at the Rogers Centre - will feature Winnipeg battling Saskatchewan. The Blue Bombers aren't even a true East Division team. They're only in the East because Ottawa folded. When there is a team in the Nation's Capital, Winnipeg moves back to the West.
I don't know what was worse: seeing the offense sputter, or watching Damon Allen on the sidelines, eating his guts out.
Regardless, no Argos = no Gery Cup sellout. Toronto is not a football town. It's sad, but true. And to think, some people want an NFL franchise. The NFL in Toronto would be a complete disaster. Not just for the NFL, but also for the CFL.
On top of that, the Raptors lost to Golden State. I'm having a tough time trying to figure them out. They're a "Jekyll and Hyde" team. You never know what team will show up on the court. No consistency = no success. Let's hope this is only temporary.
The Marlies were defeated by Rockford. Unfortunately, no one in Toronto cares about the Marlies. Do I even need to bring up the disastrous 2007 AHL All-Star game?
At least Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario had a nice Sunday.
The Hek
The Argos lost the East Division final. Next week's Grey Cup - which will take place at the Rogers Centre - will feature Winnipeg battling Saskatchewan. The Blue Bombers aren't even a true East Division team. They're only in the East because Ottawa folded. When there is a team in the Nation's Capital, Winnipeg moves back to the West.
I don't know what was worse: seeing the offense sputter, or watching Damon Allen on the sidelines, eating his guts out.
Regardless, no Argos = no Gery Cup sellout. Toronto is not a football town. It's sad, but true. And to think, some people want an NFL franchise. The NFL in Toronto would be a complete disaster. Not just for the NFL, but also for the CFL.
On top of that, the Raptors lost to Golden State. I'm having a tough time trying to figure them out. They're a "Jekyll and Hyde" team. You never know what team will show up on the court. No consistency = no success. Let's hope this is only temporary.
The Marlies were defeated by Rockford. Unfortunately, no one in Toronto cares about the Marlies. Do I even need to bring up the disastrous 2007 AHL All-Star game?
At least Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario had a nice Sunday.
The Hek
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