Welcoeme To Toronto Cam

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

March 20th - a day Leafs Nation has had circled on the calendar ever since that Friday night game in New Jersey a few weeks ago. For those of you that have forgotten, we are talking about the night New Jersey Devils C Cam Janssen knocked Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle out of the lineup with a very late cheap shot. Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice will make sure that his players say all the right things leading up to tonight's game - to a man, the Leafs will all say that the important thing is to get the win and two much needed points. However, this is a statement game in another regard - the Leafs have to respond for the hit on Kaberle; failure to do so will tell the rest of the league that they can take liberties with the Leafs' best players without fear of retribution.

My thought on this hasn't changed since the day after the incident. Toronto has to exact their revenge tonight, and it shouldn't be on Cam Janssen; Toronto should dress Wade Belak tonight, and he should be told that he should "finish his check" on Devils D Brian Rafalski. The Leafs have to focus on winning the game tonight, no question - but before the game is over, one way or another, the Devils should be made to feel Kaberle's pain, and that my friends is by making sure that Brian Rafalski pays the price for Janssen's indiscretion. While I am certain that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman or disciplanary stooge Colin Campbell will make a call to John Ferguson Jr today to warn him that they will come down hard on the Leafs if anything happens tonight - I am confident that the Leafs could survive the last 10 games of the season without Belak, IF he is involved in an incident. Belak, tonight is the night where you can earn your $700K salary for the season - send the Devils a message, you either paste Rafalski or deliver a forearm shiver (or a well placed elbow) to Martin Brodeur's cranium. This is your job Belak...don't make Tucker do the dirty work.

The Maple Leafs and "the nation" are hopeful that Kaberle will be back in the lineup for tonight's game, and even more hopeful that Andrew Raycroft will rediscoved the form he had in February when he and the Leafs were practically unbeatable. The Devils are coming off a game where they were spanked - they are ripe for the picking, and the key to tonight's game could very well rest with how well Toronto's power play performs tonight. We are calling on Alexei Ponikarovsky to come up big tonight - its been a while since he has done anything...might as well be tonight.

Another game of interest for Leafs Nation goes in Montreal tonight where Hazel's number two team (yes, I said NUMBER TWO - we still count her as a member in good standing of Leafs Nation) faces off against the Habs. We buried the Bruins on this page a few weeks back, and while we still think they are done, we'd like nothing more than to see them play the role of spoilers at the Bell Centre tonight.

A night for Hazel Karma? Wins by the Maple Leafs and the Bruins would be oh so nice.


HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Manchester United Winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal on a penalty shot in the Red Devils 1-0 win over Middlesborough in the quarter finals of the English FA Cup. Ronaldo drew a penalty after a brilliant run into the area before being knocked over by Johnathan Woodgate. Middlesborough showed poor form in questioning the validity of the penalty call - but the replays clearly showed that Ronaldo was knocked down as he headed towards goal. The kid is a game breaker.

Chelsea Striker Andriy Shevchenko scored a highlight reel goal yesterday to lead Mourinho's men to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the other quarter final game of the FA Cup. Shevchenko opened the scoring by spinning around and bending a shot in from 25 yards out - he's had a tough first season in England, but that was vintage "Sheva".

Vancouver Canucks LW Daniel Sedin had a goal and an assist to lead the Canucks to a 2-1over the hapless Edmonton Oilers who are now 0-10-1 since the Ryan Smyth trade.


TUESDAY THREE PLAY
We finished out the week on a tough note Sunday - the Lightning's loss cost us big, but we finished the week at + $180. Our total for the last seven months (or so) is at - $270. We should have left well enough alone on Sunday...but we'll make up for it this week. Tonight's suggested plays:

Tampa Bay over NY Islanders - after being humiliated by the Caps on Sunday, the Lightning will get well tonight against an Islanders team that is nothing without goalie Rick DiPietro. Lay $100 on the Lightning still OTB will update later

Minnesota over Phoenix - the Wild have been lights out at home all season, lately they have been lights out everywhere - that doesn't bode well for the Coyotes. Lay $100 on the Wild - $330.

Columbus over Chicago - bad game, but we still like Columbus tonight. Lay $50 on the Blue Jackets - $150.

That's about it for this morning gang. Have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSOCOPE
You will be in the mood to stir things up but, if that's what it takes to get things done, then it's OK. A chance to make a drastic change to your way of thinking will lead to an excellent turn of events. Someone will offer you good creative suggestions. 5 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - wake up song

Long Way Down - Goo Goo Dolls

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!