One Big Zero This Week

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

For those of you who have happened upon the page for the first time, Monday entries take a look back at some of the more notable performers from the world of sports over the past week or so. To those who have had exceptional performances - they get a weekly "Hazie" award and get to wear the title of Hazel's Hero; we'd like to think that Hazel would agree with this week's selections and agree to hand out the hardware.

On the flip side of the coin, there are those who are highlighted for less than exceptional performances, the "not-so-heroic"; or in the case of this week's most notable, a great big zero (apologies in advance to my man Adam who suggests we stay away from the term "zero"). Again, Hazel hasn't given her opinion on these clowns...but again, we'd like to think she'd give her "ok" nod.

HAZEL'S HEROES

BOSTON MARATHON
The annual run was held today - Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won the race in a record time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds; breaking the previous race record by one second. Rita Jeptoo, also from Kenya, won the women's race in a time of 2 hours, 28 minutes and 33 seconds; Rita's story is worth the read.

Have I mentioned that I'm running a series of 10 KM races this year? Not nearly as impressive as these two...but hey, its a start. Hey Hazel, if you ever wanna go for a run by Dows Lake here...


NHL
Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo of the San Jose Sharks were named Co-Offensive Players of the Week in the NHL. Thornton had a goal and eleven assists, while Cheechoo had four goals and six assists in leading the Sharks to four wins this week - and into one of the leading contenders for this years Stanley Cup. I know I'm loading up on Sharks in my playoff pools. I wonder if Jack Edwards of NESN is going to be picking Joe in the pool this year. Hey Bruins' fans - any closer to buying Jack's post-trade analysis? The one that said it was a good trade for the Bruins...

Mats Sundin of the Maple Leafs gets honourable mention for his performance over the past week. Sundin had 6 points in a game against Florida, but more importantly, lead by example - putting this collection of Toronto Marlies on his back as he tried to get them into the playoffs. Sundin showed a lot of heart this year, never giving up on his team or the city of Toronto...going down with the ship some would say. This has been a particularly tough year on Mats - but he handled it like a leader. I'm sure Hazel would appreciate Mats' performance - a class act through and through.

Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames won the Defensive Player of the Week. The Kipper was 2-0-1, allowing only 1 goal, posting a GAA of 0.32 and a save percentage of .988. Calgary's hopes rest with this guy - they remind me a lot of some of the Buffalo Sabres teams of the 90's; they had Hasek in net and that was about it. Good luck Calgary...I can't wait to see the flamesgirls.com website this year!

Sidney Crosby made history tonight, becoming the youngest player to hit 100 points in a single season. No word on how much he was whining tonight - or how many dives. Good for him though...enjoy the spotlight Sidney, Evgeni Malkin is coming - he is the real deal.


MLB
Craig Wilson of the Pirates was named National League Player of the Week. Wilson got a chance to play after Sean Casey went down, and made Pirates' fans forget about the light hitting 1st basemen - Wilson hit .364, with 5 HRs and 10 RBI.

The American League Player of the Week is a friend of Bonds - enough said.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals (and Hazel Mae's Hackers) tied a major league record by hitting a HR in four consecutive at bats; he hit three yesterday, including a walk off HR to win the game. The best hitter in the game? I think so...well, its Pujols or...

David "Big Papi" Ortiz hit two more HRs today against Seattle. The slap-happy Papi is putting Boston on his back while Red Sox Nation waits for Manny to be Manny. The guy hits them when it counts...so ya, its Pujols or Ortiz...or maybe...

Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels who hit two HRs yesterday against the Orioles. Guerrero is finding his HR stroke to go along with his hot start to the season, hitting at a .444 clip. Oh what the Dominican team could have been...should have been with these three, Manny, and Miguel Tejada. Scary doesn't even begin to describe what they could have been.

Ryan Church of the Nationals gets honourable mention for hitting two HRs yesterday against Florida, including the game winner in the ninth. Ryan is one of the guys who may only show up once this year (like Chris Shelton of the Tigers...ya, he had a decent 2nd week) - but a little time on Hazel's page is a good thing.

Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling have started out the season 3-0 for the Red Sox - it marks the first time since 1918 that two Sox starters have won their first three games...we won't get into how thin things look after those two. Speaking of thin...hear about David Wells?

Because Hazel is (used to be???) a Blue Jays fan - I have to mention that Vernon Wells is on fire this year. Wells who had a terrible start to last season is hitting .420 with 5 HRs and 9 RBI. There, I did it - I gave a Blue Jays player honourable mention...for the record, I still can't stand Hinske.

Ok, so the next three haven't made headlines like the aforementioned - but hey, I have to give my peeps of Portuguese heritage some play here - I think Hazel would be ok with it. Yesterday, all three of them hit HRs - Mark Texeira of the Rangers, Shane Costa of the Royals, and Jonny Gomes of the Devil Rays (yes, Gomes is a Portuguese name - don't know if he is or not but...) -


EUROPEAN SOCCER
Have you seen the new Nike commercial featuring Ronaldinho playing Futsal (Indoor Soccer for North Americans) when he was a kid? My favourite commercial - they blend old footage of him as a kid with current footage of him as THE MAN. The man's footwork is unbelievable - he is a magician with the ball. He gets a Hazie just for that.

Portuguese International Luis Boa Morte scored twice for Fulham on Saturday as they beat Charlton by a score of 2-1. Fulham has been teetering on the verge of relegation this year - the three points on Sunday pretty much assures them of staying in the Premiership. He isn't likely to play a big part in our World Cup drive this summer...but you never now. Hazel, just in case, its pronounced "BoooAh Mohrrr't" Don't forget to trill that R.

In other news...Chelsea (aka Portuguese National Team North) won again today and are pretty much a lock to win their second straight Premiership title under Jose Mourinho. Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Maniche represent the good guys in Red/Maroon and Green.

And finally...this week's Zero.
There were a few people who would have made this week's list of "Not-So-Heroic"; but there was on guy who made himself look like such a joke...that everyone else got a free pass this week (hear that David Wells??? - griping about wanting to pitch in the rotation...getting shelled and going on the DL - Dominik Hasek???? - saying you are not 100% so you can't play or help your team in the playoffs...just admit that you are gone for the remainder and let your team get on with getting bounced out of the playoff again!!!!).

This week's A-Hole of the week goes to Buffalo Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters. Who is Andrew Peters you ask? Let me tell you...late in the 3rd period of last night's game against the Maple Leafs - Peters, when challenged by Wade Belak backed off. That's not what made him the A-Hole...no, Peters decided to mock the Maple Leafs by making using his stick to take a golf swing. Andrew Peters...he of the 28 games, ZERO goals, ZERO assists, ZERO points. Thanks Andrew...I wonder how much ice time you are going to get later this week...ZERO perhaps?

Well gang, that's about it for tonight. Time to go to the yahoo site and see what kind of hornet's nest my pal Renee is trying to stir up. No doubt there will be some mention of Wily Mo's exploits out in Fenway... Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the night on Hazelspeeps - in honour of the Boston Marathon...and a good song to put you to sleep late at night

Chariots of Fire - Vangelis

Peesth Out!