Monday's Hazies - The Champs & Chumps

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, Monday night entries take a look back at the week or so that was in the world of sports, highlighting some of the more notable performances. To those who have risen above the rest, we award them with an honourary "Hazie" - the lucky few have the title of "Hazel's Hero" bestowed upon them. While Hazel hasn't officially approved this week's winners, we'd like to think she'd give her trademark smile and thumbs up to our selections. Ya...that smile - pretty damn sweet huh?


HAZEL'S HEROES - THE CHAMPS

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Portuguese International Cristiano Ronaldo was named the English Premiership's Player of the Month for November. Ronaldo scored three goals in four games and led Manchester United to an undefeated November. The kid from the little island of Madeira is on his way to being one of the best in the world.

Brazilian International Ronaldo had the quote of the week, given that Hazel has a great sense of humour, I'm sure she'd be ok with handing out the hardware to the chubby one this week. After scoring two goals for Real Madrid last week, Ronaldo was being interviewed by the Spanish press about his big game - his response, "When I score I'm great, when I don't I'm fat." Classic!


NHL
Florida Panthers' C Joe Nieuwendyk retired last week. Nieuwendyk was widely regarded as one of the classiest players in the league - and one of its most underrated stars. Nieuwendyk left the NHL after playing for 19 years, scoring 564 goals and 562 assists in 1,267 games. He was an integral part of Stanley Cup victories with three different teams - Calgary, Dallas and New Jersey - and was named the NHL's Rookie of the Year in 1987/88, and won the Conn Smythe trophy in 1998/99 for the MVP of the NHL Playoffs. Leaf Nation will always have a soft spot for Nieuwendyk for leading the Leafs to a playoff victory over the SenaTards - a true champ.

Calgary Flames RW Jarome Iginla scored his 300th career goal last week. I wonder how many people know that Iginla was traded from the Dallas Stars to the Calgary Flames for... Joe Nieuwendyk.

New Jersey Devils G Martin Brodeur was named the NHL's First Star this week. Brodeur posted 3 wins, with a GAA of 0.65 and a .970 save percentage. Brodeur moved into second place on the all-time wins list for goalies with his 462nd career victory. This guy is the epitomy of a champ.

Tampa Bay Lightning C Vincent Lecavalier was named the Second Star. Lecavalier had four goals and three assists in three games - including a five point night in an 8-0 rout of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Washington Capitals RW Alexander Ovechkin was the Third Star. After being given a timeout by Hazel's Maeple Leafs for the cheap shot on Daniel Briere - Ovechkin responded with one goal and six assists - including three point night in slapping the SenaTards around. That game along makes him one of Hazel's Champs.


NFL
San Diego Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson makes the grade again this week. Tomlinson scored three TDs against Denver yesterday to set the all-time single season record for TDs with 29. Tomlinson is poised to more records - he is three points away from breaking Paul Hornung's single season points record, and can break former Redskins' RB John Riggins record for seven consecutive multi-TD games.

L.T. stands alone this week as Hazel's Champ from the world of American football.


CANADIAN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Speed Skater Cindy Klassen was award the Lou Marsh Award for Canadian Athlete of the Year. Klassen won 5 medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the overall World Cup title in 2006. She beat out the likes of Steve Nash for the award. I have to think Hazel would be down with handing Klassen the hardware.

TENNIS
We don't normally do Tennis here - but given that the lady herself is a tennis fan, we have to take time out to highlight the fact that Roger Federer and Justine Henin-Hardenne finished the season as the number one ranked male and female players on the professional tennis tour. The should check out Hazel's segment with Jim Courier and see her forehand.


HAZEL'S ZEROES - THE CHUMPS
Ottawa SenaTards LW Peter Schaeffer exemplified what I think of the Tards last week in Washington. In a game against the Caps last week, in which the Tards were repeatedly penalized, Schaeffer waived a white towel on the end of his stick to signify that he had given up. That pretty much sums up the Tards - they have been perennial whiners about the clutching and grabbing, the obstruction and other "uncalled penalties", until they are on the receiving end. To make matters worse, coach Bryan Murray stood there like an idiot and didn't admonish Schaeffer for "giving up".

San Jose Sharks LW Mark Bell was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury, as well as felony hit and run last week after driving into a pickup truck, leaving the driver needing 20 staples in his head to close the cuts suffered. Bell's blood-alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit - and to think, the Sharks couldn't figure out why Bell wasn't producing more after starting off playing with Joe Thornton and Johnathan Cheechoo. What makes this all the more surprising/sad is that Bell was named the Man of the Year by his Blackhawks' teammates last year. Way to go Mark...


NFL
Two Cincinnati Bengals were arrested this week - which may be a reason why the team is back on track and winning - these guys strive off this stuff.

• CB Deltha O'Neal was charged with driving while intoxicated early Saturday morning at a traffic checkpoint - maybe he was at a Christmas party? O'Neal blood alcohol level was .01, over the legal limit of .008;
  
  
• WR Reggie McNeal faces drug charges after being arrested outside a Houston nightclub last week - McNeal had a cigarette that contained an antihistamine that is sometimes used as a sedative. For good measure, he was also charged with resisting arrest.
  

St. Louis Rams reserve TE Dominique Byrd was charged with second and third degree assault and armed criminal action after hitting a bar patron in the face with a glass.

You could probably nominate a few more chumps...but I'm calling it a night. Have a great one peeps!

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - looking at the picture in the Bostonian, I'll assume that things are just fine.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - to the coolest chick in the world; no, I am not referring to the lady herself (though she is up there) or my pal Renee (she is too) - tonight's dedication if for one of my best friends "B". We took time out of our busy day to have coffee and catch up this afternoon - it killed me to hear that things in her world weren't as good as they should be. "B" was the first girl I was ever in love with - and while we went our separate ways and moved on, we have been the best of friends for as long as we have known each other. So to my girl "B", I dedicate tonight's song. She has been looking for my blog - but she doesn't know the "key words" to search...hahahaha.

If you are under the age of 25, do yourself a favour and download this one...its a guy song if there ever was one.

Is She Really Going Out With Him - Joe Jackson

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!