Fat Tuesday

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in on this Mardi Gras. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae, who will be a presenter at the WEEI Whiney Awards - if you see her, say "Hey".

So the NHL gets back on track tonight - Leafs are home to Washington, with Lindros returning to the lineup tonight...the start of our push to the playoffs. I never thought I'd be saying that this year.

The Wonderlic test is a hot topic of conversation - especially Vince Young's score, some have reported that it was as low as six. If that is true...well...take the test and you tell me what you think of Vince's six. I don't need to hear what you scored, everyone is going to say that they scored between 13 and 15. Well, Hazel can tell me what she scored - so can Renee.

Speaking of Renee...if you have read this page, you have undoubtedly heard me talk of "Renee" a member of the Peeps on yahoo. Renee is one of the more active members on the yahoo site - and I have asked her to join the page to posts her thoughts and observations on the world of sports - from a New England perspective. If she's still awake, she's probably listening to Dennis and Callahan talk about Johnny Damon - is it not time for New England to let go of Johnny? You have Hazel...what more do you want? Stay tuned for Renee.

A very Happy Birthday to Eric Lindros today.

I've gotta book...its -27 C with windchill this morning - I might have to push the damn car to work. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSCOPE
Take extra care and pride to do things right and cover your back. Money matters can be resolved if you work hard to make deals happen. Make some changes to your living arrangements and you will feel more at ease. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world. Enjoy the Whineys tonight - I'm sure you'll steal the show.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Red Sox Nation and their affection for Johnny Damon

White Flag - Dido

Peesth Out!

Monday's Post Olympic Musings

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

So the day started with plenty of talk about Canada's Olympic Team - more to the point, the performances of Canadian women at the games in Torino - Canadians were basking in the glow of Canada's best ever performance at the Winter Games. In the wake of the Torino 2006 Olympic Games - this week's Hazies will be handed out to Canada's Olympians (yes, even the men's hockey team), they did the country proud...even if we don't really pay attention to the sports they dedicate themselves to. Special mention goes out to Canada's medal winners.

By the lunch hour - sports fans had pretty much moved on from the Olympics and right back to the NHL. One of the stories that caught the attention of Canadian sports radio listeners involved members of the gold medal winning Swedish national team potentially being docked pay if they don't report to their NHL teams by Tuesday at midnight. The Red Wings are going to be missing five players for their game in San Jose on Tuesday - Forsberg and Sundin are already on record as saying the will probably miss Tuesday's game. I don't blame them for going home to celebrate - I know this flies in the face of Erin Nicks' logic, but most of these guys would take the Olympic gold over the Stanley Cup.

The Olympic hockey tournament brought up an interesting question - one that can and should be posed to hardcore baseball fans...like the fans Hazel speaks to every night, I'm speaking of Red Sox Nation.

Most Canadian hockey fans put aside their NHL team allegiances and rooted for Team Canada. I say most Canadian hockey fans, because Ms. Erin Nicks of the Ottawa Sun (Sunday edition) in her never ending quest to be seen as interesting and legit, wrote a rather provocative article about "her priorities" when it came to hockey. In Erin's world, a gold medal would be nice - but it comes second AFTER a Stanley Cup for the SenaTards - and in Erin's opinion, every single NHLer should feel the same way. Erin went on to say that she couldn't get into watching Team Canada, or even rooting for them, because many of those guys are players the Tards will be competing against for the Cup.

On the yahoo site the question I posed went like this:

So I put this to you "Dumbo" and Red Sox Nation - you may not care about the WBC...but in a
final game vs.  the Dominican - would it capture your interest? would you be rooting against
Big Papi?

I wonder if the general lack of interest in the WBC is that fans don't want to see their favourite
players in a jersey other than their home team and on the other side of the coin - they don't
want to see players from other teams carrying their jerseys...so to speak.

Are baseball fans so attached to their MLB teams that they can't appreciate or get behind a
World Championship?  (I am just posing the question - not really making a judgement).

I know when the World Cup or Euro soccer tournments come around...it consumes my month;
when I see those guys playing in Maroon and Green..well, I'm right there with them, and
totally caught up in the moment - no matter who they play for. 

Why do sports fans, who are always so quick to complain that athletes are all about the money, complain so bitterly when
one of these athletes puts his country first?  When Hasek went down up here - the Tards Nation was up in arms, complaining
bitterly about how this guy could risk his health and jeopardize Ottawa's chances at winning a Cup - after all, "we are
paying his salary...not the Czechs."  For the record, I have no problem with athletes who want to compete for their countries,
most athletes say there is no greater honour than competing for their country - why do fans want to take that away from them?

How can a sports fan say - I can't get into the tournament, because a player that I don't like is playing for my country?  Is our
love of our national professional league teams so deep rooted that we turn our backs on players representing our country?
Does that make sense?  I don't get it...but its probably because I'm exhausted tonight...

I'll leave you with these questions...have a great one peeps - by the way, a special welcome back to hazelspeeps goes out to
my man DJames.

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world...enjoy the Whineys tomorrow. 

Song of the night on Hazelspeeps - for all of the crazy sports fans who don't want to watch to see "their" players play for their
home countries....or see players they don't like playing in their country's jersey.

O Canada and The Star Spangled Banner

Peesth Out!

Goodbye Torino - Welcome Back NHL

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

So Canada closes the books on our best ever showing at the Olympic Games - 24 medals, with five of them coming from speed skater Cindy Klassen. While Canadians will undoubtedly be talking about the record setting performance of both Cindy and the Olympic Team, the real question that needs to be asked is - does anyone care? Is speed skating going to take off in Canada? Doubtful, it will fade back into relative obsecurity. Will kids across the country be taking up cross country skiing? Not when its freaking minus 30 out there. So we'll all be proud for a few days, we'll see Cindy doing a few McCain commercials, a McDonalds' commercial and maybe a milk commercial; Hailey still has the Hamburger Helper deal going. Hey, I hear Alexander Keith's is looking for a new spokesperson...haha

The NHL is back...with plenty of questions. In the land of the SenaTards, none more important than - when will Hasek be back? Rumblings are that the injury is more serious than is being let on - all this talk of "going with Emery"...would they be talking like that if Hasek was going to be back soon? Hmmm I might have to have a peek at Eklund's site.

Ok, I've gotta book. Have a great one peeps. Keep checking back in...A surprise is coming this week.

HAZEL'S MONDAY HOROSCOPE
Encourage the people around you, even if you aren't getting the same in return. You will divert everyone's attention, allowing you to push your ideas to the forefront. Minor ailments will turn into something major if ignored. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - if you are checking in...things are about to get a hell of a lot more interesting on this page. That's all I'm going to say for now.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - a great song to wake up to

Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley

Peesth Out!

Cindy Klassen

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae on this last day of the Torino Olympics.

Whether you are following the Olympics or not - you have to give it up for Cindy Klassen. The Canadian speed skater leaves Torino with FIVE medals - 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze. She will be carrying the flag for Canada at the closing ceremonies...she should be getting plenty of endorsement deals this summer. Good for her.

I have another Erin Nicks rant - funny, last night on the yahoo site, I asked put a question to the peeps, about whether or not they could watch their favourite players play for other countries at the WBC - and whether or not they could accept players from other teams dawning their jersey (U.S.)... Well, I open up today's Sun to see Erin talking about just that. At the best of times she's a mouthpiece for the SenaTards (doing the cool girl act) at the worst of times - she uninformed, provocative, and just plain dumb. Today she answered my question - Erin's priorities are Stanley Cup first, Olympic Gold second - that these players should be more interested in winnign a Stanley Cup for the city they are living in temporarily vs. winning a Gold medal for their country...how this woman gets paid for writing this dreck is beyond me - more later.

Nearing the end of the second period - Swedes and Finns tied 2 - 2. Didn't I tell you the Finns would win the gold?

Ok, gotta book peeps - have a great one.

HAZEL'S SUNDAY HOROSCOPE
Mingle and network today -- an opportunity will take you by surprise. Let others know your aspirations and how you plan to get what you want. Your involvement in active groups will allow you to demonstrate your talents. 4 stars

Sounds like today is all about you Hazel; I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps -

Middle of Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat

Peesth Out!

A Swede Finnish

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in today. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

The Olympic Men's Hockey final is set - the Swede and Finns. I would like to see Sweden win , especially with Mats Sundin captaining the team and for the fact that Borje Salming was my favourite player of all time...but like I said earlier in the week before the Canada - Finland game - the winner of that game would win the gold. The Finns are playing excellent hockey right now - I think Finland pulls out a squeaker 3 - 2.

Alright all, I've gotta get going here - my buddy wants me to drive him across town to buy a poker table...15 friggin' cms of snow on the way and today is the day he NEEDS this damn table. By the way...DJames, if you are checking in - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! I owe you man. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S SATURDAY HOROSCOPE
Put a little extra effort into helping others or a cause you believe in. Networking will lead to a whole new beginning. Don't let your emotional ties to someone stop you from doing what's in your heart. 4 stars

Networking Hazel...network with the peeps! haha I hope things are groovy in your world and that you are having a great weekend!

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - just because

She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5

Peesth Out!

A Relatively Quiet Friday

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in today. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

The Olympic hockey tournament is over for those of us in North America, so for the next few days we'll turn our attention to baseball - spring training, the WBC and of course Manny Ramirez. But I'm running late today, so I gotta book. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S FRIDAY HOROSCOPE
A partnership is likely to end in disaster if you have been keeping secrets from one another. Get promises in writing before you decide to take action. Investigate people and situations thoroughly before making a commitment. 2 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world, have yourself a great weekend.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - good song to wake up to

Clocks - Coldplay

Peesth Out!

The Day Of Reckoning

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Canadians will no doubt still be talking about what happened in the Olympic hockey tournament - with little if any focus being given to the fact that the Canadian Olympic Team has won 18 medals, and can expect a couple more before the games are over. I'm not saying we shouldn't discuss the fate of the hockey team - after all, this is hockey country...but you would think that after the last few olympics where we have complained about a lack of results - we would spend some time talking about this year's success.

Today will be a day of second-guessing, especially with the SenaTards calling in to discuss the Olympics. In the aftermath of the loss yesterday, the talk was all about who should have been there - people up here were actually discussing "who should have been there and who should NOT have been there" AFTER the damn tournament. Keeping in mind that these are SenaTards, it should be no surprise that the whipping boys were McCabe, Bertuzzi, Thornton (though I don't understand the latter...Tards have never hated Thornton)...they wanted to see Chris Phillips (meh), Jason Spezza and Eric Staal - Crosby was also mentioned. I don't think those guys would have made a difference - the whole team played poorly...and therein lies the issue - these so-called astute fans up here won't discuss the play of the team, they won't hold the players accountable for their play...they would rather spend time being armchair GMs. It is going to be a long day.

Speaking of which...I gotta book. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S THURSDAY HOROSCOPE
Trying to learn something will be frustrating. Refrain from pointing the finger at someone else or complaining about something you know little about. Take a break if possible away from everyone else and rethink your strategy. 2 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Team Canada

No Excuses - Alice In Chains

Peesth Out!

Weird, Whacked & Weepy Wednesday

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

For those of you who haven't been here before, Wednesday entries take a look back at some of the weird, whacked and downright silly stories and events from the world of sports over the last week or so. Here's hoping you get a chuckle out or two

Today was weepy Wednesday for Canadian hockey fans - the Russians beat Canada 2 - 0 today. The finalists in the 2002 Olympic Tournament both failed to make the medal round - Canada and the U.S. both eliminated before the medal round; understandable and expected when it came to the U.S., shocking and disappointing for Team Canada.

The talk up here was all about second guessing half of the selections for Team Canada - minutes after the loss, the calls started pouring in - every armchair GM up here would have picked Spezza, Staal and Crosby - leaving Bertuzzi, Draper and Bryan McCabe (Leaf haters) off the team. I don't think it would have made a difference - this team wasn't going to get it done...the loss to the Swiss was much more telling that people were willing to acknowledge. A lot of people up here kept chirping about how the qualifying round meant nothing - that it was all about the playdowns - ah huh, tell that to the Swedes...they are laughing their way into the medal round. I don't know if Hazel watched the game - but she would have been disappointed.

I know most of you don't care about European Soccer - but another weepy result from Europe today. Chelsea (aka Portuguese National Team North) went down 2 - 1 in London to Barcelona today...I haven't watched the game yet, but Chelsea had a man sent off and gave Barcelona the tying goal on an own goal charged against John Terry. My man Mourinho is really going to have to come up with some magic to get Chelsea out of this mess - I wonder if I could call on a little bit of Hazel Karma for my men in London...Hazel?

THE AUSTRIAN ONION
The news from Torino is disturbing - a former Austrian ski coach who fled Italian authorities after they raided the Austrian members' rooms after allegations of doping arose. Walter Mayer was remanded into psychiatric care yesterday; word out of Torino today is that Mayer's car crash was actually an attempted suicide - though Mayer maintains his innocence. This story keeps getting more and more whacked - click the link and check out related stories - its like a damn onion. Two Austrian skiers have come forward to admit they "may have used illegal methods" - guess who they were talking to?

File this one under whacked....though it is heading towards pathetic.

Manny being Manny should get a lot of play tonight - but what can we say that isn't being said by Mike Adams on Planet Mikey? The sound clips of Hazel are a nice touch though. We'll talk baseball tomorrow.

NFL

RICKY'S NO DOPE
Ricky Williams violated the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy and now faces a 1 year suspension, and quite possibly the end of his NFL career - with him still owing the Dolphins $8.6 million. Williams is going to appeal the test - talk is this violation wasn't for marijuana...if you are Dolphins fan, don't you take comfort from that? The funny thing about this story - Williams suspension came just as the Dolphins were reportedly finalizing a trade with the Broncos.

File this one under whacked - Williams is going to appeal his FOURTH suspension...cuz this time he really didn't do anything wrong...I wonder if he called Jose Theodore...never mind.


BUS IN THE BOOTH
Jerome Bettis will be joining NBC as a studio analyst for Sunday Night games. I don't get this one - Bettis has never struck me as being particularly well spoken, or even that insightful about the game...but NBC hires him. It will be a season of Jerome talking about how he deserved that damn Super Bore ring. Can you hear the collective groan from the great state of Washington? They must be thrilled with this announcement.

File this one under silly - Jerome Bettis in the booth?

Baseball tomorrow - what else? Manny being Manny.

Before ending tonight - a good day for Canada at the Olympics (Men's hockey aside). A good reason to catch up on the Hazies.

Gold Medal
Speed Skater Cindy Klassen won her fourth medal today in the 1500 m

Cross Country Skier Chandra Crawford won in the ski sprint.


Silver Medal
Kristina Groves won the silver in the same race Klassen won the gold.

Women Short Track Speed Skating - 3000m Relay

On behalf of Hazel Mae...and all Canadians - we thank you!


I'm outta here...have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the day on Hazelspeeps - for Ricky Williams and what he didn't do.

Smoke Baby - Hawksley Workman

Peesth Out!

Clash Of The Titans

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Today is a day for the big boys:

• Barcelona is in London to play Chelsea (aka Portuguese National Team North) in the first leg of the round of 16 in Champions League - it is a shame that one of these teams has to exit at this stage;
  
  
• Canada plays Russia in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Hockey Tournament - hard to imagine a medal round without both Canada and Russia. Questions are going to be asked of the vanquished today; (Canada wins 4 - 3) and
  
  
• The Swedes take on the Swiss - the mean, nasty, fightin' bad mad and disrespected Swiss (Sweden wins 4 - 1).

Speaking of Giants - Manny Ramirez has provided the boys (and girls) in Boston with plenty to talk about. Last night it was Mike Adams, who was all over Manny for being a spoiled $20M/year crybaby. This morning Dennis and Callahan are talking about Manny - they must have been up all night scripting this one. Its good cop/bad cop this morning on WEEI - weak if you ask me.

Have a great one peeps!

HAZEL'S WEDNESDAY HOROSCOPE
Chat someone up if you are interested in him or her personally or professionally. Your outgoing know-it-all nature will pay off today. The more you do to reassure those around you, the more you will get in return. 5 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - sounds like its going to be a great day.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - I just woke up to it, haven't heard it in a while - but its a groovy way to start your morning (if you aren't lucky enough to wake up to NESN'S SportsDesk)

Discotheque - U2

Peesth Out!

Swede Surrender

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

I said earlier today that I would start this week's installment of Weird and Whacked Wednesdays tonight, running through til Thursday. Originally I had thought about starting things off with the NFL - but once again, Olympic Hockey is the talk up here.

THE SWISS ARE PISSED
Going into today's game against Slovakia - Swedish Coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson wondered aloud about Sweden's options. See, Bengt knew that if his team beat Slovakia, Sweden could very well have ended up playing Canada or the Czechs, instead of the Swiss - Gustafsson went on to muse about the prospects of playing Canada in the quarter-finals or later on in the tournament, saying it was like having to choose between the plague and cholera.

So the Swedes had Olympic officials watching to ensure they didn't throw the game today (they lost 3-0). The issue that seems to have been overlooked or lost on everyone is - what made him think that the Swedes could win at will? They certainly haven't looked like world beaters - I agree with him with wanting to avoid playing Canada or the Czechs...but make it look good. Tell everyone you aren't looking past the Slovaks, that your focus is on the game and you aren't worried about the quarter-finals...blah blah - and then you let your team get beaten by making bad line changes, bad line matchups, etc. Oh yeah, perhaps most importantly - Bengt has the Swiss mighty pissed - the Swiss coach was interviewed today talking about not getting any respect for his team. Sweden 4 - 1 over the Swiss.

File this one under whacked - how did the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation pick this genius?


CZECHIN' OUT THE SWEDES
Looks like the Czechs consulted Bengt before the game against Canada today. Canada beat the Czechs 3 - 2 (which I called by the way) and are rewarded with a quater-final matchup with the Russians; the Czechs get to face the Slovaks in what is sure to be a grudge match.

For Canadians who have been mouthing off about how the qualifying games didn't mean anything - I ask you this "Who would you rather play, the Russians or the Slovaks?" Still think the qualifying round doesn't mean anything?

This one may not qualify as weird, whacked or silly - but the thought of teams "not playing to full potential" to get a better matchup sucks - its understandable, but it still sucks.


CZECHING OUT - HE DOESN'T KNOW WHEN HE'LL BE BACK
Dominic Hasek is back in Ottawa and he has already let it be known that he won't be ready for the Tards March 1 game against the Penguins...and on top of that, he doesn't know when he'll be back. This is going to go over great here - I can almost hear the Tards faithful now. Tomorrow promises to be an amusing day on the Team 1200. Hasek isn't letting on about just how bad it is - but he is being cautious and cagey in his answers...he's out for the long haul, Muckler has told him to keep quiet about it. I bet Mlakar calls up the Team tomorrow to discuss Hasek - it is so like him.

File this one under silly - to schedule a news conference for Hasek, without the GM there (Muckler is too busy in Florida - go figure). Something is up.


I THOUGHT HE COULD WALK ON WATER
Montreal Canadiens fans who have been calling for the Habs to bench or get rid of Jose Theodore are about to find out what life without him is going to be like. Theodore fractured a bone in his foot by, get this, walking down the icy steps of his home. A guy who makes a living on ice - breaks a bone in his foot walking down the stairs? I see a Patrice Brisebois deja vu - too bad Stephane Quintale isn't on the team to comment - never mind...it was funny when it happened.

Jose Theodore breaks his foot walking on frozen water - Jesus of Montreal is human after all. File this one under weird.


WHO THOUGHT SKIING COULD BE SO CONTROVERSIAL?
Have you followed the story of the now-former Austrian Ski Coach Walter Mayer? The long and short of it is - the Italian Police raid the Austrian Team's rooms, looking for evidence of doping. They coach (Mayer) tries to make a run for it back to Austria, is caught by police and is now in a psychiatric ward - just read it.

File this one under whacked - no explanation necessary.


That's about it for the Olympic segment of Weird and Whacked Wednesday (a day early). On a much more pleasant note - Champions League!

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?/ LITTLE BROTHER MY A$$!
Benfica of Lisbon beat Liverpool (aka Spanish National Team North) 2-1 in the first leg of the Round of 16 in Champions League play today. Benfica wasn't given much of a chance of winning the game today, with a couple of key injuries - but Anderson Luis da Silva's goal in the 84th minute sealed Liverpool's fate. The title reference?

Portugal seems to have England's number in international competitions - we just beat England...hence the "Who's your daddy?"

The little brother reference goes back to Euro 2004 when Portugal beat Spain - with the comment "Little brother beats big brother" - with Liverpool being Spanish National Team North...you get the point.

In tomorrow's action Portuguese National Team North (aka Chelsea) host Barcelona in what is sure to be the best matchup in the round of 16. Chelsea wins tomorrow 2-1.

Luis Figo leads Inter Milan into Amsterdam to play Ajax tomorrow. Draw 1 - 1.

That's about it for tonight. Have a great one peeps (if you are in New England, are you listening to Mike Adams' rant on Manny? Hysterical - he is about to have a coronary).

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - for Mike Adams and the Planet Mikey listeners who are up in arms with the news that Manny is reporting late.

Talk - Coldplay

Peesth Out!

Gut Czech Time

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in today. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Canada plays the Czech Republic today in the final round robin game of the Olympic hockey tournament - and the question everyone is asking is "When is Canada going to wake up?" Both Canada and the Czechs were considered pre-tournament favourites to win the gold - and both have left their fans scratching their collective heads and wondering what in the hell is going on. The Czechs who normally play like supermen in international tournaments are looking like anything but...and it isn't just the loss of Hasek. Brodeur has to come up big and steal today's game - he has to start showing today that he is the best goalie in the world.

Champions League today - while most will be watching Real Madrid and Arsenal, I'll have my eye on Benfica and Liverpool. Liverpool visits the Stadium of Light in Lisbon in the round of 16; Liverpool hasn't been scoring this year, so it isn't out of the question that Benfica can squeak one out tonight. Benfica 2 - 1 over Liverpool.

I gotta get out of here now - have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSCOPE
If you are on the go from morning to night, progress will be made. Financial gains look very positive. Good fortune and luck are in your corner. You will have the competitive edge. 5 stars

Hazel, looks like you are in for a great day - I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Martin Brodeur and Team Canada

Wonderwall - Oasis

Peesth Out!

Gold For Canadian Women

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

It has been a relatively quiet day today, with the Olympics being front and center - even if no one seems to really care. No one seems to be really paying attention to the Olympics this year; reports say that NBC's ratings are awful (talk is they are being creative in their reporting of viewing numbers); in Canada, even with our athletes doing relatively well - people don't seem to be watching the Olympics, they aren't even talking about them.

Canadian Women's hockey team won the gold medal today with a 4 - 1 win over Sweden. The game was anti-climatic, as the Swedes were given little (if any) chance of pulling off a second straight major upset and winning against Canada today. I watched a bit of the game today - Canada was coasting after going up 4 - 0...they were just waiting for the clock to run down - it was never really in doubt. So congratulations to Canadian Women's hockey team.

I have to cut this short tonight - friend on the phone. This week's edition of Weird & Whacked Wednesday may take a few entries -

Tuesday - the NFL is making headlines again, and it isn't just Ricky Williams in the news.

Wednesday - the Olympics, have you heard about the Austrian ski coach? I see a movie coming out of this one

Thursday - The NHL and MLB with some interesting and humourous stories.

Check back to see what catches our attention here. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world - and that you are enjoying the warm weather in Florida.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for the Canadian Women's Hockey Team

(you have to be Canadian to get it)

Peesth Out!

Monday Morning Questions

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

I'm phoning it in today - actually working from home.

Questions abound about Team Canada team - every armchair GM was phoning the Team 1200 this morning - Gretzky should have picked Spezza (SenaTards fans of course), Gretzky should have picked Staal, Gretzky should have picked Phaneuf - these young guns would have made a difference. I don't see the point in second-guessing the decision made by Team Canada's Management Team - all that does is let the guys on the team off the hook.

I'll offer my two cents (1.8 cents U.S.) - I don't think Team Canada is competing. They look slow and sluggish out there - they are going through the motions, they aren't imposing their will on the game and are not showing any creativity.

• They dump the puck into the zone, but have no one chasing in to pressure the D; the forwards aren't laying the body on anyone, the defencemen on other teams know they aren't going to get hit or pressured and are taking their time getting the puck out; guys like Gagne, Nash, St. Louis, Iginla - the speed guys need to get in there and make something happen.
  
  
• The defencemen aren't standing anyone up at the blueline - Canada keeps backing in allowing teams to come to them. They are retreating from the centre line on back to their own net - the forwards aren't coming back to help; the D looks intimidated by the big ice - especially McCabe and Foote. Pronger is rumoured to be playing hurt - Blake has been quiet for the most part.
  
  
• Team Canada isn't showing any creativity in their game - as I said yesterday, the power play is still all about getting it back to the point and teeing it up for a shot on net. Where is the pass down low trying to create a 3 on two advantage? Why aren't the defencemen jumping up to join the rush? The passing has been awful.

Well, now I'm sounding like an armchair coach and no one really cares about what I think. Just some random thoughts on Team Canada. I think we need Hazel Karma to get this team going.

THE HAZIES
Canada is up to 13 medals, so its time to hand out some more Hazies. First off, hats off to Cindy Klassen who has won three medals in speed skating - a Canadian record.

Gold Medal Winner
Duff Gibson (great name) won a gold medal in Men's Skeleton

Silver Medal Winners
Pierre Lueders & Lascelles Brown finished second in the Bobsleigh - there has been some controversy about one of the German Sleighs using an illegal teflon coating on their runners. For the record, the alleged cheaters didn't win a medal - but they were in first place after the first two runs.

Jeff Pain wins a medal in the Skeleton

Bronze Medal Winner
Dominique Maltais wins a Bronze in Women's snowboarding.

Listening to WEEI this morning - where the question seems to be "Where's Manny?" Talk is Manny may be in Europe...things that make you go hmmmmm.

Back to work...have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S MONDAY HOROSCOPE
Your financial future should be your concern. Check your bankbook and make sure that everything is in order. Start a new savings plan or put your cash into a high reward investment. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Morning on Hazelspeeps - just because

Nth Degree - Morning Wood (really digging that song)

Peesth Out!

Break Out The Cliches

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae, who (according to our girl Renee), is in Fort Myers with the Red Sox. It is 5 below zero up here...Florida sounds a whole lot nicer.

In the aftermath of Canada's 2-0 loss to Finland - the media reports are coming in, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the stories are filled with cliches;

• "There's no excuse. We have to find a way" - "We're facing adversity, we had it in '02 and we're facing it now." - "It's better now than later in the tournament, but we know we have to regroup, we have to do better." Thoughts of Joe Sakic
  
  
• "...our goal is to make the medal round and get better and win the gold medal." Thoughts of Jerome Iginla.
  
  
• "We can't look back." Thoughts of Adam Foote.

There are more cliches floating around than a freakin' Erin Nicks column - Erin would have a field day interviewing these guys.

Here is what I don't understand - why? Why does the media continue to incorporate these tired old quotes into their stories? It is not like these quotes add insight, it is not like they are telling us anything that we don't already know. In the case of the members of the print media - who like to think they above everyone else, know more about their subject matter than everyone else - when are these people going to stop kissing athletes' cans and ask them questions that matter. When are they going to treat their readers with a little respect and ask the questions WE WANT ANSWERED. I know its a hopeless case - they are too busy stuffing their faces and post game spreads and getting freebies from these teams to ask any half decent question. These people think they are part of the team they are covering - some do their jobs very well, Damian Cox is one guy who comes to mind, but they seem to be few and far between (how is that for a cliche?). Team Canada, and Team USA for that matter, should be put on the spot and asked some very difficult questions - from a Canadian perspective I would want to know:

• why has the power play been so bad? is the bigger ice surface impacting the power play? it seems teams are pressuring the point on the power play - what are you going to do to mitigate that?
  
  
• is the long and compacted NHL season a reason for what seems to be sluggish play? is age a factor? are you having trouble finding your skating legs? or are teams catching up to Canada?
  
  
• is it time for Coach Quinn to shake things up?
  

I know you wouldn't get a straight answer from them - but even to hear them say "NO" to any of the questions and incorporate it into your story...write a story with a damn point. Something dammit. More tomorrow.

Breaking news: Miami RB Ricky Williams will be suspended for the 2006 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy for the 4th time. The talk is that it is weed - guys on Fox Sports keep harping on their thought that Ricky has smoked away at least $8M. Way to go Ricky.

I'm outta here for the night...thinking of taking tomorrow off.

Have a great night peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - be it in Florida or Boston right now.

Song for Hazel - if she is indeed in Florida for spring training

Centerfield - John Fogarty

Peesth Out!

A Shot In The Snuts - Olympic Style

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special Sunday "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Well, I guess that's what I get for talking...A day after I flush the hopes and dreams of a gold medal((or any medal at all) for Team America at the Olympic Men's Hockey Tournament - Canada goes out and loses to Team Switzerland 2 - 0, in what can only be deemed a national embarrassment. Their power play has been anemic to say the least (tell me they don't miss Niedermeyer and Ed Jovanoski); they are playing like they do on NHL sized ice, trying to set up the shot from the point, instead of trying to work it down low and get the puck to the front of the net or across the crease.

Today's game against Finland will say a lot about this team - yesterday's game should serve as the ultimate wake up call...Canada has to come out and dominate Finland to show everyone that yesterday's loss was a fluke, they have to win decisively today. A win or a tie by Finland today...well, lets just say that I can see them riding it all the way to a gold. I really think this year's gold medal winner comes from today's game - more to the point, today's winner.

The U.S. is done after losing to Sweden.

Sweden though having beat the U.S. doesn't look like they have it on this go around - sorry Mats.

The Czechs are done without Hasek and Elias - Vokoun doesn't look he's ready for the spotlight...even though he is a very good goalie, this one caught him by surprise.

The Russians...meh. They have some unbelievable young players (Malkin being the best of the bunch)...but they aren't ready yet.

So its between Canada and the Finns.

I should get out of here...back later with thoughts on the Canada/Finland game.

Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S SUNDAY HOROSCOPE
Don't let your loved ones cost you money. Offer sympathy, compassion or advice but not cash. An investment you have will start to pay off. You will come into profits, winnings or a gift. 3 stars

Hazel I hope things are going well in your world.

Note: this probably isn't the right medium to be using to get this message out...but, hey - I'm the writer/editor so I made a decision.

As you are all undoubtedly aware, a terrible tragedy occured in the Philippines this week - if you are reading this, please consider helping those people out anyway you can. This type of destruction is not easily overcome in poorer countries - our island still hasn't completely recovered from flooding a few years ago. I know Americans are still recovering from Katrina...but these people need help.

A donation to the Red Cross would be a good start - I gotta think Hazel will be stepping up to help out anyway she can...so if you read this page, show your support and try to help out.

That's about it for this afternoon...Song of the Day back tomorrow.

Peesth Out.

Hockey Still Front & Center At Olympics

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Hockey news seems to be dominating the Olympics - from latest developments in the NHL Gambling saga (he might be let off on a technicality) to no charges being laid against the Gretzkys, to what's really wrong with Dominic Hasek, to the American women's hockey team losing to Sweden in what can only be described as shocking (put the Canadian women's team down for the gold). But more on that later...

Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S SATURDAY HOROSCOPE
If you can manage to take care of your responsibilities, rewards will eventually come your way. An emotional issue may leave you questioning your relationship. A disciplined approach to a new interest will help you master it. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope you are having a relatively good Presidents' Day Weekend - I hope your family and friends weren't affected by the tragedy in the Phillippines. Our thoughts go out to the nation.

No song of the morning (see above).

Peace.

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Late start to the day today - so just a quick post. News on the Tocchet affair - his first appearance has been waived and the Gretzkys won't be formally charged. More later.

Have a great day peeps - if you are south of the border, I hope you are enjoying an extral long Presidents Day Weekend.

HAZEL'S FRIDAY HOROSCOPE
You may think you know what you are doing today but someone will prove you wrong. Don't attempt something you don't have a whole lot of experience doing. You may be able to fool some but the ones who count will call your bluff. 2 stars

Ok, so no poker if you are an Aries. Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...have a great weekend.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - with the Tocchet case moving to court

I Fought The Law - The Clash

Peesth Out!

Have a great day peeps.

A Thursday Helping Of The Weird & Whacked

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

So yesterday's Weird & Whacked Wednesday had an Olympic flavour to it - but that were definitely newsmakers in on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

NFL

DEPECHE MODE SAID IT
Miami Dolphins Tackle Damion McIntosh was released from jail today after being taken in for a domestic incident with his wife Precious. It is a "he said" / "she said" situation. Why is it these guys never friggin learn? Damion - do yourself a favour and pick up Depeche Mode's latest single

Precious and fragile things / need special handling / my god what have we done to/ you


SAY WHAT?
Daunte Culpepper is making news again - Daunte told the Minnesota media today that he plans on staying with the Vikes (their fans must be thrilled) and that he is focusing on his recovery process from knee surgery. There has been speculation that Culpepper has been trying to upgrade his deal with the Vikings. Daunte for his part came out strong in his own defence -

"I have found over the years that people with knowledge of the situation are usually the most ignorant..."

Can someone tell me how that sentence makes sense? This one falls into the category of "Whacked" - if Daunte is indeed trying to renegotiate his deal - hello? The Vikings got better AFTER you left. Daunte must be listening to Afroman these days... wanting to renegotiate his deal - "Because I got high/ Because I got high/ Because I got high"


ITS NOT US - ITS THE LEAGUE
Authorities at Boston's Logan Airport found that Portland Trailblazer Guard Sebastian Telfair had gun in his bag while on Portland's private jet. Telfair said the gun belonged to his girlfriend - I'll let you insert comment there. The really whacked part of this one is Coach Nate McMillan's quote on the situation

"They are well aware they can't carry firearms on the plane. That is something bigger than the organization. The league is involved in that...whenever you are doing something with the NBA, you can't carry any type of weapons, whether they are guns, knives, or anything else when you are doing business with NBA.

Makes it sound like its ok with the Blazers...just not cool with Stern and the NBA.

Insert your favourite 50 Cent song here. (P.I.M.P for me)

In the category of downright silly - the Score is reporting that the Toronto Raptors are considering giving Dennis Rodman a tryout.


MLB

SLAMMING THE DOOR ON SAMMY
Sammy Sosa's agent says that his client has likely played his last game in and MLB uniform. Reports earlier this week claimed that Sosa turned down an offer from Washington that would have seen Sosa make a base salary of $500 K with incentives - reminded me of Doug Flutie when he was up here. Flutie was offered a $500K contract (and if you know the CFL - that's pretty good coin) and turned it down saying "If all they are going to offer is $500K - I'll just go home and get a job."

DUMB DOESN'T DO HIM JUSTICE
Last night on Planet Mikey - some guy (I think his name was Russ) called in with what could quite possibly be the dumbest statement and question ever heard on sports radio. The talk last night was about, what else, the Sox - when this guy calls in to get Mike Adams' thoughts on this pearl of wisdom...in essence -

Dude thinks that Boston should give up on this season, play all the young guys - but still be competitive. He thinks Boston fans would understand if the team tanked the season, so to speak, if it meant the youngsters got playing time and got better - so they could be like the Atlanta Braves "and all those championships they won." HUH? Yes, the Atlanta Braves have won the division for the last 13 years or so - but they have won one World Series. So he wants Boston to tank the season to win one World Series over the next 13 years or so...(I know I'm really simplifying it and embellishing a little - but it was a dumb call)

Adams didn't bite - thankfully.


OLYMPIC HOCKEY AND THE NHL
SenaTard fans are up in arms over the Hasek injury - you can hear it in their voices, they are resigning themselves to another lost season. I can't even begin to tell you how ridiculous the talk was up here today. Some of the more notable pearls of wisdom:

• Bruce Garrioch of the Sun thinks that Muckler should call Hasek to remind him what the goal is here - a parade on Bank St. NOT an Olympic Gold Medal - nope.
  
  According to Bruce, Hasek's priority should be to win a Stanley Cup for a Ottawa - a city he has lived in for six months - and a city he will undoubtedly leave two weeks after his contract is up. These guys don't get it - most of the European players see the Olympic Gold as the ultimate prize...a medal for THEIR COUNTRY and not a silver trophy for a city they will likely not end up living in.
  
  
• Bruce also wondered whether or not the Tards could trust the Czechs - who could decide to rest Hasek for a few games and throw him in there in a medal game; he was serious too. Hasek has always maintained that he would never play hurt - but according to Bruce, the Czech Federation might push and pressure him into playing and possibly getting hurt.
  

So much more to say about these halfwits - but save it for another day.

THE HAZIES - OLYMPIC STYLE
Canada's medal count is now up to eight - a good day for our Olympic athletes. I think Hazel would want to recognize the following winners

Silver Medal Winners
Men's Speed Skating Pursuit Team - Arne Dankers, Steve Elm, Denny Morrison, Jason Parker, and Justin Warsylwicz

Women's Speed Skating Pursuit Team - Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes, Cindy Klassen, Christine Nesbit, Sharon Rempel

Bronze Medal Winners
Men's Figure Skating - Jeffrey Buttle

Short Track Speed Skating - Anouk Leblanc-Boucher

Skeleton - Melissa Hollingsworth-Richardson

That about does it for tonight - enough time to get over to yahoo site to find out what's up with Hazel. The latest discussion is about whether or not Hazel is heading down to Ft. Myers to cover the Sox. I'm backing Renee in this one - Hazel's gotta go to Florida...Sorry "Game".

Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - if you can shed light on the discussion...it would be much appreciated...or you can just leave a message here and I will relay. Enjoy your Presidents Day Weekend.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - for Dominic Hasek and John Muckler

Johnny Come Home - Fine Young Cannibals

Johnny, won't ya come on home

(sorry Sox fans - not a reference to Damon)

Peesth Out!

Wednesday Spill Over

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

There were a few things I didn't get to last night: an NBA player caught with a gun at Boston's Logan Airport, Sammy Sosa's impersonation of Doug Flutie, and some downright dumb talk radio on Planet Mikey last night.

The Team 1200 is all over the Hasek injury - gives them something else to talk about...more later.

Time to get my can to work though...we are bracing for a storm here today.

Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S THURSDAY HOROSCOPE
Do what you can to help an older relative or friend. Make the effort to travel to resolve a problem. Taking action will be the way to victory. Think big but don't go overboard. Baby steps will bring the best results. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...have a great day.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for the fans Tards...title only

Cry Me A River - Justin Timberlake ft. 50 Cent

Peesth Out!

Weird and Whacked Wednesday of Olympic Proportions

It's Wednesday, so we start by sending out a special "Hey" to Hazel Mae. Now for the Wednesday ramble...

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in - from those of you who are regular Wednesday readers (and will skip this intro) to those of you who are checking in for the first time (who had better not skip this intro) - Wednesday entries take a look back at some of the more "newsworthy" stories from the world of sports. We look at the Weird, the Whacked and the downright silly stories and their stars from the past week or so.

THE NHL TAKES OVER TORINO

HANGING BY A STRING AND A PRAYER
I can hear the SenaTards fans whimpering - news from Torino (I like saying Torino - rollin' the R like only a latin person can - or a certain female sportscaster originally from the Phillippines). Dominic Hasek left today with a hamstring problem - Czech Republic officials are saying its a leg injury...talk is it could be a torn hamstring. Do you hear that flush? That's the hopes and dreams of the Tards faithful going down the toilet.

Here's a little story, about a hockey team - they think they'll win the Stanley Cup, but only in their dreams... Three cheers for Ottawa, they think they got a shot-tawa, they must be smoking pot-tawa, cuz the Stanley Cup will never go to Ottawa.

It doesn't fit in the category of weird, whacked or downright silly - but it sure is funny if you are a member of Leaf Nation - its going to be a fun day tomorrow on the Team 1200.


SPEAKING OF THAT FLUSH
Hopes for the U.S. Hockey team went down with the same flush that took away Tards season. The U.S. blew a 2 goal lead to the Latvians and needed a 3rd period goal to tie. While some will argue it was just the first game of the tournament (Canada lost to Sweden in the opening game in 2002) - it was Latvia, a team that featured two NHLers. The U.S. will be very hard pressed to even get a bronze - you know Jeremy Roenick is smiling, he probably bet against the U.S. OUCH!

A U.S. team loaded with NHLers being forced to come back to tie Latvia? That's just silly - that should NEVER happen...but north of the border we got a chuckle out of it.


BACK FOR MOORE
Steve Moore's lawyer filed another lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi - this time in Ontario. Moore and his lawyer originally filed the suit in Colorado, but it was dismissed. If a U.S. court won't hear the case, what makes Moore and his lawyer think their case will be heard and considered up here? In case you were wondering - Moore is suing Bertuzzi et al connected to the Canucks for approximately $15 Million.

I will let you decide where this one fits - but I vote for the Whacked...for the whole damn incident and the fallout.


NFL

DAVIS PLAYS SHELL GAME WITH RAIDER NATION
The Oakland Raiders hired Art Shell to replace Norv Turner as Head Coach of the Raiders. Shell hasn't been a head coach in the NFL since 1994 - and hasn't coached in the NFL in five years. I'm wondering how Shell is going to handle this team - Shell has the reputation of being a player's coach - exactly what guys like Randy Moss and Kerry Collins need. You can see where this one is going. I don't know how Davis is going to sell this one to Oakland fans. Just win baby...Just win.

Signing a guy that hasn't coached in five years, who has had a stint with you already, who never really distinguished himself as a Head Coach is just downright whacked. Another long season ahead for Raider Nation.


HE'S ALL YOURS HAZEL
No wonder Herman Edwards couldn't wait to jet away from New York to go coach Hazel's Kansas City Chiefs - word is the Jets have to cut $25 Million from their payroll in the next couple of weeks. So Edwards was one of the architects of this team - they find themselves in so much financial trouble that the won't be able to sign John Abraham - and Edwards takes off for K.C. Hazel, there is plenty of room on the Cowboys bandwagon - don't worry, New Englanders won't hold it against you...they still love Bledsoe.

I have to cut this a bit short tonight - I have to call a friend tonight. Please feel free to submit any stories you think I may have missed...back tomorrow with more.

Have a great one peeps.

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - for the hopes and dreams of the SenaTards fans

Three Cheers For Ottawa - Fan 590

Peesth Out!

Valentine's Day Hangover

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae on this day after Valentine's Day.

What's with the title? All that love yesterday, Renee rejoining the gang, shots of Team Canada with their families jetting off to Torino, the "who do you love" on Planet Mikey yesterday? It was enough to give you a sugar high...but its Wednesday, so its time to get back to what its all about - the Weird & the Whacked in the world of sports. Check back later...in the meantime, if you have any ideas for the entry, leave a comment here.

Have a great one peeps...

HAZEL'S WEDNESDAY HOROSCOPE
Stick to basics and focus on business. You will have some very unusual ideas and, if you can develop them to a point others will get what you are trying to do, you will be able to enlist help. 3 stars (I know I would be willing to be enlisted!)

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world - have a great day.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - one last Valentine's Day song...for a Wednesday morning

Who Do You Love - George Thorogood (ya ya, I know he covered it from Bo Diddley)

Peesth Out!

Hazel Gets Props On Planet Mikey!

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae - who just got props on Planet Mikey.

Not 30 minutes after I say Hazel isn't getting any love from Planet Mikey listeners - some dude named Russ just called in for Hazel. He thinks she looks like Brooke Burke???

Hazel presenting at Whineys with Mike Adams...guess who is getting the better end of THAT deal.

Peesth Out.

YEAH BABY!!!!!!

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in (though you won't care about this post). A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

For those of you on yahoo site, big news tonight - Renee is back! Yes Ladies (Tina, Arlene et al) and Gents (term used loosely) - Hazelspeeps favourite contributor Renee has rejoined the group to share her observations, her wit and her charms with the group.

Words to describe Renee - Provocative, Controversial, Witty, Edgy, Smart...

Peeps, you be the judge. Dumbo is gonna have his hands full now.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - for Renee

Beautiful Stranger - Madonna

Welcome Back Renee!

Peesth Out!

All About The Love

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A very special Valentine's Day "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Team Canada left for Torino...with families in tow. Gretzky stood in front of the media to announce (again) that he was not going to answer anymore questions about the gambling ring linked to Rick Tocchet and Janet Gretzky. Nice Valentine Day story...Team Canada and their families.

Planet Mikey on WEEI is all about showing the love tonight. Slow sports night with no NHL, a light schedule in the NBA, and MLB getting ready to report. So Mike Adams is asking his listeners to call in and show some love for their favourite sports figure/personality... Why isn't anyone calling in for Hazel? (Settle down...I'm just kidding - sorta. I'd have made the call). Someone just called in for Garry Galley (former Bruin, now with the Team 1200) - I didn't know Galley was so beloved in Boston. Good guy though, I like him - probably the ONLY guy on the Team that knows what he is talking about.

TODAY'S HAZIES
Cross Country Skiers Beckie Scott and Sara Renner won a silver medal in the Women's Team Sprint.

Many skeptics and haters said Canada wouldn't win more than five medals at the Torino games - with 3 down and 2 more to come in hockey... we look pretty good (relatively speaking I guess).

Going to wrap things up early tonight - stuff to do on yahoo site.

Some interesting stuff for tomorrow's Weird and Whacked Wednesday entry - topping the list (no, I think the NHL Gambling Ring has gotten enough coverage here that it doesn't qualify) is some of the news coming out of the NFL.

Long day here today (yes again) - have a great one peeps.

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world - and that your Valentine's Day turns out to be a great one.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Valentine's Day and those you love

Baby (Crooked I Remix) - Ashanti

Peesth Out!

Happy Valentine's Day Renee

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in today. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Late start to the day today.

The Canoe network features Gretzky on the home page - the caption by his picture echoed my sentiments from last night about how he looked. We'll see if things die down a bit now that he is off to Europe.

I've gotta get my can to work. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S VALENTINE'S DAY HOROSCOPE
Every ounce of your energy should go into moneymaking deals, work or a worthwhile project. Keep the doors of communication open. It's important that you stay involved as an integral part of the equation. 3 stars

Every ounce of energy? Luckily I don't put a lot of stock in this stuff...for entertainment purposes only.

Hazel, I hope your Valentine's Day is groovy.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Valentine's Day (and I woke up to it this morning)

Don't Cha - Pussy Cat Dolls

Peesth Out!

Toronto To Torino

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. As always a special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Long day here today. Unwinding to my newest compilation - most have them have been featured as songs of the day on Hazelspeeps... I'll think of a title for the set

Now Playing: Beautiful - Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell

Team Canada gathered in Toronto today for a skate before heading off to Italy tomorrow. Gretzky was scrumed at the rink and, not surprisingly, most of the questions focused on the gambling ring allegedly connected to Rick Tocchet...

Now Playing: We Belong Together (Remix) - Mariah Carey...I'm diggin' the emancipation of Mimi.

Back to Gretzky - I felt bad for him...he looks tired and worn down, the smile is forced - nervous and uncomfortable...looking at Gretzky, the word that comes to mind is melancholy. It sounds like such a dumb thing to say - like it should be obvious...but it hit me today watching him force an uncomfortable smile when he was finally asked a question about Team Canada. Don't get me wrong, I still think Gretzky knew more than he has let on - but its kinda sad watching him being questioned about all this, while not a peep has been heard from Rick Tocchet. I still think Gretzky gets a bit of a reprieve when he is in Europe - unless the weasels from the North American media contingent try to stir up a hornet's nest over there.

Maybe Gretzky should hire Drew Rosenhaus to do all of his talking - think Terrell would be a reference for Drew?

Now Playing: Break You Off - The Roots

For the next couple of weeks the Hazies will be awarded to Canadian athletes who reach the Medal podium in Torino.

THE HAZIES

TORINO 2006
Skier Jennifer Heil won Olympic gold in the Moguls - Canada's first gold of the game.

Speed Skater Cindy Klassen won a bronze in the 3000 M.


NHL
Patrick Marleau of the Sharks won Offensive Player of the week for scoring 4 goals and adding 6 assists in four games this past week. Marleau doesn't get the credit he deserves - playing on the West Coast will do that to you if your name isn't Naslund or Bertuzzi - but he is one of the NHL's elite...every time I see this guy I like him more and more.

I can't say the same for the Defensive Player of the week - Detroit's Manny Legace. He had 3 wins and posted at GAA of 1.67. Legace is too brash for a guy that hasn't really done it at the NHL level.

Now Playing: Dame Un Beso - Cubanlink

EUROPEAN SOCCER
Portuguse Internation Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals this past weekend to lead Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth. Ronaldo has been lighting it up, scoring four goals in his last two games. Luiz Felipe Scolari and Gilberto Madail must be smiling right now - Germany 2006 will Cristiano's show - count on it. Remember to roll that R when you say his name this sumer Hazel... a la Manny Rrrrramirez.

Well, that's about it for tonight - like I said, long day today. My thoughts on Potential vs Performance in the minds of sports fans will come tomorrow or a bit later this week.

Have a great one peeps - thanks for stopping by.

Hazel I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - keeping with Hazelspeeps Vol. 1 (working title - I know, it needs work).

Hush - LL Cool J

Peesth Out!

NHL Breathing A Sigh Of Relief

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special Monday morning "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

With the NHL on hiatus, and news about the timing of Gretzky's call to Tocchet last Monday, we'll see how much play the Rick Tocchet gambling ring story gets over the next couple of weeks. I think Bettman and the NHL are breathing a sigh of relief - for now. I woke up to the Team 1200 and they were yipping about the SenaTards and how they are holding their breath that none of them gets hurt - meh. The morning guys on WEEI are on to the Olympics.

Lots of talk up here about the upcoming NHL trade deadline and who should or shouldn't be traded - for baseball fans, trade talk is how we occupy ourselves during the off-season. The new reality in professional sports - the salary cap - has changed the way management and fans look at their teams. It seems that now, more than ever, potential outweighs performance when we look at who we want on our teams (the exception to the rule being the NY Yankees). In a nutshell - I wonder how many GMs cost their fans a shot at championships by not making moves to try to win in the here and now - when their teams are close, instead choosing to hold on to a player who is going to be great down the road. More to come on that later

HOLY CRAP... the morning guys on WEEI are talking about Gretzky - the discussion is focused on how much Gretzky knew about the gambling ring. They are wondering aloud about how oblivious Gretzky would have to be to claim not knowing anything. Sound familiar?

Time to get ready for another week of work. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S MONDAY HOROSCOPE
You can develop good relationships with people who can offer you stability in your work and your position in society. Travel, entertainment and developing an interest will all turn out better than expected. 5 star

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - sounds like a great day ahead.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - potential over performance

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuktu

Peesth Out!

Big News In Canada Re: Gretzky

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

The NHL wraps up tonight - with the select few heading off to Turin for the Olympic Hockey Tournament.

The big news of the weekend in the Rick Tocchet fiasco is that the taped conversation between Gretzky and Tocchet happened on Monday - with many pointing to this as proof positive that Gretzky was telling the truth when he said he didn't know anything.

"Sources: Timing of wiretap supports Gretzky's position in gambling case."

Note: The Thoughts of Hazel Mae blog and its content have not been reviewed, commented on, or approved by Hazel Mae (read the description); nor has Hazel Mae provided input or suggestions on content. So if you hate what I write...don't be blaming Hazel.

In reading the story and hearing some of the commentary here today - I have one question. If the conversation happened on Monday (which I am not disputing) does it really mean Gretzky had no prior knowledge? Think about it for one second. I asked myself the following questions (which I know ask you to consider)

• If Rick Tocchet was indeed involved in this gambling ring - and he sees Janet Gretzky putting down big money on football games - he wouldn't say a thing to his friend Wayne? He wouldn't say..."Hey, look Wayne. Your wife may be getting herself into some trouble...talk to her."? Tocchet would have to know she was involved, if he didn't see her name - someone in the operation would have told him that Wayne Gretzky's wife was gambling.
  
  Do we really think he wouldn't say anything to Gretzky? I mean, everyone who has spoken on this case has said that Tocchet is a stand up guy (which I am not doubting...he played with heart and always gave an honest effort) - so are we to believe that he didn't say a word to Gretzky? Not one? To his friend Wayne? To say that Tocchet wouldn't have said anything to Gretzky would really be calling Tocchet's character into question - NOT that I want to call Gretzky's character into question. I am just wondering.
  
  
• How does Janet Gretzky find an East Coast gambling ring? I know she is a hollywood celeb (or she used to be - sorta) - but how does this woman find an outfit on the East Coast to lay down action? She had to have an in somewhere - I'll stop this thought right here and let you pick it up.
  
  
• Not one person in the Gretzky entourage would have picked up on this? The Gretzkys must have agents, business managers and a host of other professionals helping them take care of their day to day life.
  
  So no red flags were raised with large cash withdrawls or deposits? You don't pay gambling debts with personal cheques - nor do you get paid with cheques. So how was that handled? I'm not going to pretend to understand financial transactions of the uber-rich...but I would think people would be looking out for Wayne. I don't think Janet's career earnings would allow to be plunking down $75,000 on a football game - but I could be wrong.
  

These were just a few of the questions that I have asked myself. I don't think today's news completely absolves Gretzky of anything. Some people in the media have tried to paint him as a naive guy who is easily led by others (Pocklington and McNall have been used as examples) - but I'm still having a bit of trouble thinking that this could have come as a complete shock to him...and if it was - I'd be really worried if I was him.

I think Gretzky has painted himself into a very tight corner - buy saying he never bet on anything. The bloodhounds will be searching for any evidence that he place a bet - even just one... to call his credibility into question. People are expecting this to be big news in Europe - but somehow, I just don't see it. The second biggest sporting event in the world - after the World Cup - most of these people aren't going to care all that much.

The media will have other news to cover - I see things dying down a bit - unless news is made here. Gretzky has made it clear that he is going to keep quiet...and see if this dies down a bit. You have to wonder what Rick Tocchet is thinking right now...the media here will turn their attentions to him. The Toronto Star already interviewed his family...

Well, I'm going to wrap things up for tonight. It's been a great weekend - which is probably why I am beat tonight.

Have a great one peeps. Renee, if you are checking in...Guess who called? Yep, "our friend" - she touched base on Tuesday. How about you? Did your meeting take place? Email me if you have a minute. Hope things are good with you.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - and that your weekend was a good one - enjoy your week.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - Just because its playing right now

Turn Out The Lights - Nelly Furtado (Timberland remix)

Peesth Out!

Torino Here We Come

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Ms. Hazel Mae.

So the NHL takes a break to head off to Turin for the 2006 Olympic Hockey Tournament - and for Leaf Nation, it couldn't come soon enough. Toronto heads into this break with two BAD losses to the Rangers - I was out this weekend, so my attention was split between the television screen and my friends (and that is a great story...but not one that gets play in a sports blog), Toronto's call ups on D looked bad. The difference between an NHL and AHL defenceman was clearly illustrated this weekend - Toronto needs the two weeks to heal up and try to ice an A lineup. Good news out of Toronto - Tomas Kaberle signs a five year extension.

The silver lining was that the Bruins lost and the Habs lost in a shootout (though they are 1 point up on Toronto). Leafs still make the playoffs this year...they have to. Hazel will come through for the Leafs - she's still part of Leaf Nation (we hope).

Wayne Gretzky is off to Turin today with Janet in tow - questions abound about the timing of the calls from Gretzky to Tocchet...did it happen weeks ago as originally reported...or after the story broke. Stay tuned

Time to get on with this Sunday - have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S SUNDAY HOROSCOPE
You will be able to come through no matter what you are asked to do today. You have the stamina, courage and whatever else it takes to far exceed anyone's expectations. Then it will be time to enjoy being the hero. 5 stars

Another five star day for the Aries...I know from the perspective of this Aries it has definitely been a five star weekend. Hazel, I hope things are groovy and "five star" in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for a five star kind of weekend...

I Like To Move It - Reel to Reel

Peesth Out!

The Torino Olympics

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Well, the Olympics have started...I read that Wayne Gretzky has said that he is going to accompany Team Canada (for the record I think he should go, its his team) - he went on to say that his wife is going too (to be expected). The only question I have is...I wonder what Bettman must be thinking. Does he follow the NHL players to Europe to try to manage the story there? Does he stay in New York and wake up to news made over night? More thoughts on this mess later.

I'm outta here. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S SATURDAY HOROSCOPE
Invest in yourself and your future. You can successfully make changes to your self-image. By listening to children and older relatives you will discover valuable information about yourself. Social activities will turn out to be excellent networking events. 5 stars

Hazel it would seem you are in for a groovy day - have a great weekend.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - listen to it and you'll figure out why...think Gretzky-Gate.

Angels Losing Sleep - Our Lady Peace

Peesth Out!

The Sky Is Falling

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Yesterday I mentioned that the Team 1200 had decided to focus on the SenaTards game day and their game against Atlanta - after all, the 'Tards haven't really beaten any team of substance in over a month, when they beat Carolina on December 28th. SenaTards game day provided a convenient, albeit weak excuse to stay away from the Rick Tocchet story (aka here as Gretzky-Gate).

Well, the 'Tards lost to Atlanta last night - yep, Marian Hossa and the Thrashers beat the 'Tards by a score of 2-1. Most of you may be asking "So? Who cares? What's the big deal?" (Well, maybe not if you are in New England - we know how you are about the Sox). But SenaTards fans take regular season losses personally, they call the Team and talk about NOT going to another game if this team doesn't put out a good effort. They talk about how the 'Tards got screwed - the latest complaint du jour is how the NHL is going to back allowing clutching and grabbing (its all these morons know how to say).

These are the same bunch of buffoons that started out the season by saying the current bunch of 'Tards was good enough to equal or BETTER the record of the great Habs team from the 70's - the team that only lost 8 regular season games - Ha! 'Tards fans pride themselves on their regular season performance...its all they ever talk about. Well gang, talk about losing to the Thrashers - I can't wait to hear it on my ride into work.

In other news - Gretzky addressed the media last night. I felt bad for him, he looks awful - though you can't blame him. He has the weight of the NHL's reputation and future resting on his shoulders. There were no suprises in his statement: he isn't going anywhere - and Janet says she never placed a bet on his behalf and that he only bets on the occassional horse race. This is where the seed of trouble gets planted - when you say single out your "occassional" bet...someone is going do start digging...I hate to say it, but stayed tuned.

Bob McKenzie who has been noticeably quiet on the affair did find time to write a nothing article about Jose Theodore...space filler.

Well, I've gotta haul my can into work...its friggin freezing here today. Have a great one peeps!

HAZEL'S FRIDAY HOROSCOPE
Do what you can to make your home more comfortable without going over-budget. You may face some opposition from an emotional partner. Compromise and you will be able to get things accomplished. 2 stars

Not sure what to think about that...Hazel, have yourself a groovy weekend!

Song of the Day on Hazelpeeps - seems fitting today...

Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

Peesth Out!

It's A Plot To Drive Bettman Nuts

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

While I was at work today, I was thinking about what new and fresh angle I could look at the Rick Tocchet saga from - what could I tell you that you haven't heard today? did I see something in this story that no one has brought up yet? and then like a thunder bolt from the sky...it came to me!

Aside: Listening to planet Mikey right now - scary...some woman who sounds like the smokes five packs of Camels a day is on rambling about some guy who claims he knew Wade Boggs - must be a slow night on WEEI. She sounds like she's about to laugh up a lung.

JOSE THEODORE TEST POSITIVE FOR BANNED SUBSTANCE!!!!!
Montreal Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore tested positive for a banned substance... fret not peeps, the test was done in November - PRE-NHL drug testing. So it means he won't be able to play for Canada's Olympic Team, but he WON'T be suspended from the NHL. When the story came across the wire I was in shock; but it all made sense this evening when I checked in to Sportsnet.

Theodore tested postive for finestride - a masking agent for steroids. Finestride is also found in hair restoration drugs - so it makes sense...have you seen Theodore's hair? He says he's been using doctor presecribed hair growth product for years, I believe it - you would have to be taking something to hair that great. The guy's hair is a nice as Hazel's! I mean do you think you are just born with that hair? Come on now...You believe Jose don't you?

I don't know about you...but that was the shocker of the day in my book. I know everyone else was talking Gretzky-gate...but come on, compared to Jose's hair?

GRETZKY-GATE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE
So everything has been covered - everything to be said about this story has been said 100 times over, right? Probably...but hearing it again won't kill you - don't worry, there will be an interesting angle to it.

Let's start with the things that should not have shocked anyone today

Reports say that there are tapes of Gretzky talking to the Tocchet about how his wife could avoid being connected to this mess.

All together now - "But Wayne, I thought you didn't know anything about this?" One day after saying he didn't know about Tocchet bankrolling this venture or his wife's gambling - he's asking about how to keep her out of it. Again, how could he possibly NOT have known? I've said enough about this one.

If I'm running NESN, I ask Hazel to go out to Phoenix - Gretzky would talk to her...why wouldn't he? She's a fellow Canadian in a major American market and well, she's Hazel - everybody likes talking to Hazel. I know I would.


Everyone is swearing up and down that there is no evidence Gretzky bet on anything.

New Jersey authorities have said they have no evidence that Wayne was a gambler - though reports say his wife bet anywhere between $100,000 and $500,000 on football games. His wife, not him.

Geez, I thought Hazel was a hardcore football fan - that is, until I heard about Janet. I would love to ask her about some of the games she bet on. Gamblers remember games they lost money on, right down to the play that cost them money. Think Janet could recount her history?


Some of the more interesting things from my perspective:

The statement by Tocchet's lawyer - after reading this pile of dreck, I know why people dislike lawyers so much.

• Notice how the focus is about how Tocchet isn't connected to organized crime? He doesn't come out and clearly deny that Tocchet was involved in illegal gambling ring - he wasn't involved with "organized crime" figures;
  
  
• Tocchet was one of the most respected men to ever play in the NHL? EVER? How does this fit in this statement? His devotion to his peeps and how hard he has worked to earn their admiration? ummmm ok;
  
  
• "We deeply regret the Attorney General's preciptous charges" - you regret the charges? I bet you do...but to go on to say "unfounded allegations" - come on guy, they have to be grounded in something or they wouldn't go public.

However you want to read this...it says nothing - a lot of big words that amount to a big fat zero! Tocchet paid thousands of dollars for that statement? And they say Tocchet may have committed a crime - ah huh, and his attorney didn't commit one for charging him to draft that statement?


The only place in Canada where Gretzky-Gate wasn't the lead story was on the Team 1200 in Ottawa. Nope, today the SenaTards were front and centre. The three tools in the morning mentioned it a few times - but they spent most of the morning worrying about the Tards play of late - with lead doofus Steve W saying

"well, what matters is the playoffs - and I think the real Senators are somewhere between what they are now and what they were at the beginning of the season when they were playing .850."

ah...D'UH? Now THAT is insightful sports talk...can you tell they were completely brain dead this morning and couldn't think of a thing to say?

Aside: as I type this, Planet Mikey comes back from commercial playing Layla by Derek and the Dominoes (which was a song of the day on Hazelspeeps on Tuesday when the story broke) coincidence? or are Mikey's peeps peeking in?

Getting back to the Team 1200 - you may be asking yourself...how could people in hockey-crazed Canada NOT be talking about it? Well, you see - one of the morning guys on the Team 1200 is one of Gretzky's best friends. Gretzky calls in a few times a year to talk hockey with the Team and they stake their rep on that. You gotta know they had to be thinking - if we talk about this, he will NEVER call the station again.

Props to the Team 1200 - Canada's number one sports station. ah huh.

DRINKING THE NHL'S KOOL-AID
TSN's Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie spoke briefly about this whole thing on the Tards pre-game show tonight. When the Tocchet/Gretzky topic came up, McKenzie towed the NHL line - "nothing has been proven", "there is no evidence that Wayne did anything", "I will wait to see the results of this investigation, but we don't have serious problems in the NHL" etc.

No, instead, McKenzie used the time to question the credibility and ethics of the New Jersey authorities; Bob questioned why the media and fans are all over Tocchet and Gretzky...and not saying anything about New Jersey law enforcement, and in particular the State Trooper who was also implicated.

The TSN HOCKEY INSIDER wants to talk about the credibility of New Jersey law enforcement officers. Someone help me out.

Alright...that's about it for tonight - not a lot of flow to tonight's entry...but like I said, I didn't have a lot to add - other than maybe a little bit of humour...and a reference or two to Hazel - that counts for something doesn't it?

In other news...Hazelspeeps officially hit the century mark with 100 members. Who'da thunk it? Have a great one peeps. To anyone reading this tonight or whenever...hope you keep checking back in.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for the news of the day coming from Gretzky-Gate

Deny - The Clash (found only on the self-title 1st album the green import version)

Peesth Out!