The Great & Not So Great

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

Time for the weekend recap and the Monday "Hazies" - for those of you who haven't been here before, Monday entries look back at some of the more notable performances in the world of sports from the past weekend. The outstanding performers are awarded a "Hazie" and have the title of "Hazel's Hero" bestowed upon them - while Hazel hasn't officially ok'd the choices, we'd like to think that she'd give the thumbs up and hand out the hardware.

On the other side of the coin, we look at some of the performances that were notable for the opposite reason - the "not-so-heroic". As with the Hazies, Hazel hasn't officially approved the nominees making the list, but we'd still like to think she'd give the thumbs up and have a laugh or two.

Before highlighting the individual award winners - we have to highlight "The Great". Kudos (and a team Hazie) go out to the Buffalo Sabres, who beat the SenaTards 2-1 tonight to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their second round series. The Sabres shut the SenaTards down tonight - even with Ottawa having seven power play opportunities. After Buffalo's win in Game 1, I said that the loss would stay with the SenaTards - blowing five leads, including one with 10+ seconds and losing in O/T would shake them. The Tards played tight tonight; they outshot Buffalo badly, but their scoring chances were limited tonight. Buffalo outskated the SenaTards, out worked them, out hit them too - in short they took it to Ottawa. If the fans of the Tards weren't worried before tonight, you can bet they are crying in their beer and readying the excuses for this year's early exit from the playoffs.

The "Not-So-Great" from this game was seeing Tim Connolly going down after a hit from Peter Schaeffer. While the hit wasn't dirty, I think it falls under the category of "the hits you just don't take on a fellow player". He didn't have to do it...especially given Connolly's history of concussions. NO, I'm not just saying that because I have Connolly in my pool...

Being a member of Leaf Nation - I know Hazel would get a laugh out of hearing that with 30 seconds left in the game, the fans were booing their team off the ice. SenaTards...they are all former Montreal Canadien fans who jumped ship years ago when the Habs were starting to hit their down cycle and the Tards were on the rise.

HAZEL'S HEROES

NHL
Derek Roy of the Buffalo Sabres, who going into last Friday's game had 1 point, had two goals and three assists to lead the Sabres to an exciting 7-6 O/T win over the SenaTards - the win that may very likely have marked the beginning of the end for this year's SenaTards. Roy said it was especially sweet that he did it against his hometown SenaTards. Hazel, give that man an award!

Ryan Miller of the Sabres stopped 43 shots tonight, including a 3rd period breakaway against Jason Spezza to preserve the Sabres 2-1 lead. Miller came up big when it counted, the SenaTards had about 5 mins of sustained pressure late in the period, but Miller stood his ground. For being the first star in a win against the Tards, after his less than stellar performance in Game 1 - he gets to shake hands with Hazel and pick up his hardware.

Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal led the Canes with a goal and two assists on Saturday afternoon and scored the game tying goal with three seconds left in tonight's game. New Jersey hasn't been able to contain Staal...not many could this year. A Hazie for young Eric.

Ilya Bryzgalov of the Ducks has recorded three straight shutouts - the last two against the Avs to lead Anaheim to a 2-0 series lead. Bryzgalov has already established a rookie record shutting out the opposition for 229 minutes and 42 seconds - the fourth longest streak in the history of the NHL. Shutting down the opposition - gee, think Hazel has had to do that once? twice? a million times?

Patrick Marleau is the man in this year's playoffs. Marleau had a goal and an assist yesterday, leading the Sharks over the Oilers last night. Marleau is showing everyone why he is wearing the C for the Sharks...ok, YES I have him in one of my playoff pools too! I still think Hazel would ok the selection of Marleau.

NBA
I normally don't focus a lot of attention on the NBA, but I have to think that Hazel would join Canadian sports fans in congratulating Suns G Steve Nash on winning his second straight NBA MVP award. I mentioned this morning that Nash was one of nine players to win successive NBA MVP awards - some of the other notables, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan...I can't remember the other two, but that is one impressive list to join (for a kid from Canada).

I'll save the baseball update for tomorrow...early day at work tomorrow.

NOT-SO-HEROIC
The SenaTards as a team - for starting their annual choke in the playoffs. For all the talk of their talent, their desire, their "added grit" - the key players are the same guys that fall every year. I think Hazel (as a member in good standing of Leaf Nation) would join me in giving these clowns the big raspberry. I'd like to single out Ray Emery for his collapse in Game 1 - but as they say, it was a total team effort.

Martin Brodeur, the best goalie in the world, let the Devils down in Game 1. The Canes' rolled over the Devils 6-0, but Brodeur did nothing to even stem the tide. Giving up a goal with 3 seconds in Game 2 was very "un-Martin-like"

That about wraps it up for tonight...one last check on Hazelspeeps site to see what Renee is slapping me around for tonight. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world. Nice job on the chat with Red Sox Nation yesterday...I'm sorry I missed it. I would have had a question or two for you...maybe an interview for the peeps? lemme know.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - with Ottawa's loss...what else but

Three Cheers for Ottawa - Fan 590

Peesth Out!